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2002 IKEJA BOMB BLAST: 16 YEARS AFTER, LAGOSIANS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE

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BY: SUNDAY ADEBAYO

Just like any other day, January 27th, 2002 will be a day Lagosians will never forget in a hurry. It was a Sunday afternoon, just after church service, we all thought it was going to rain as there were thundering sounds, I remembered my uncle told me to go and pack the washed clothes inside because it was about to rain, little did we know that calamity and wailings await the center of excellence. Over 2000 were reported dead in the Oke Afa river of the Ikeja cantonment bomb blast. This is not to bore you, but to have a reflect on Ikeja 27th January bombing in Lagos.

Being an unprecedented occurrence and not knowing what was actually happening, people, understandably, started running helter-skelter. And whilst scampering for safety, they heard several other explosions, of same intensity, and in the imagination of many, it was as if another war had started. The vibration shattered windows, roofs and brought down buildings several kilometres away.

Unknown to many, the explosion, which sounded for about seven times and almost ripped the metropolitan city apart, was coming from Ikeja Military Cantonment. It was later gathered that some high calibre bombs kept underground at the military facility were not well stored, which led to the accidental discharge of the bombs. Another version said there was a fire outbreak at the Armoured Technical Dump within the facility which later spread to where the bombs were stored and triggered the deadly explosions.

Within seconds, there was commotion across the city, and as people were running for their lives, the stampede led to deaths, and by the minute, the death toll began to rise. Thus, across the city, dead bodies littered the streets. Out of panic, people jumped into fire, some ran into moving vehicles and were knocked down while some were burnt to death by the raging fire. While those situations were incredibly unfortunate, one location that seemed to record the highest number of deaths was a large canal at Ajao Estate which links Oke Afa in Isolo. Unfortunately, the canal (filled with water) had been covered by water hyacinth, and as people ran into the supposed ‘bush’, they were being drowned in the water. People stepped on themselves and many more were drowned. Children, parents and several others were killed, while some families were completely wiped off.

By the time the last bomb went off and a bit of calmness returned to the city the following day, over 2,000 persons were found to have died, several others went missing and had not been found till date, while several thousands were displaced and thousands had varying degrees of injuries. It was one accident too many.

Following the incident sixteen years after, SOCIETY REPORTERS spoke to some lagosians on their experiences during the bomb blast and here is what some have to say……..

MR STEVE AYORINDE

( Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture in Lagos State)

 

I was in the office at The Comet. It was a Sunday evening I reckon. And the booming sounds got to Ijora where Comet was. Fear and palpitations all over. Phone calls. Lines jamming. Then reporters managed to get in with gory tales, funniest of which were the Afoganna Adinnis (those who scaled high fences with ease only to land on top of each other at the other end). Getting home in Ketu was war on its own. Battle of tokunbo tyres and tired legs that chose to go on foot. And next day’s headlines were simply spectacular: ‘War’ in Lagos was how Gbenga Omotoso captured it in The Comet. What a day! May the departed souls continue to enjoy eternal rest. May Lagos never experience such ‘war’ again.

 

OTUNBA FEMI DAVIES (PUBLISHER, METRO NEWS)

 

I was the Editor in Chief of Ace Magazine then, was returning from a family outing in Abeokuta with my daughter and her mum, on arrival to Lagos, decided to visit the Printing Press to check how production was going. The Press was in same compound with Alaroye Magazine, was going through the first printed edition when the blasts started. Meeeen. Madness took over, my main task is to ensure my family that all is well and that we are safe while driving, and at the same time wondering what was going on, then the rumors started flying in, military coup, Obasanjo killed, Ikeja bridge bombed, pen cinema raised down, Ikeja airport set ablaze…… after going through cars and men, was able to arrive home 3 hours later expecting the arrival of Jesus Christ.

What a day. May the departed RIP.

 

MR BOSUN SOSANYA

It was on a Sunday. I was living at Ajah. And when the blast started, I thought it was a tremor….earthquake in Nigeria. Nay, not one of our known force majeure. That was incredible. Corruption or coup de tat would have been more believable. Not too many people were on mobile phones, signals in that axis was relatively poor at that time. It became worst within the course of the incident. We were practically cut off from the supposed thick of the action, which of course we didn’t know what it was until the following day.

 

MR DELE OLUKOJU (Lagos Based Media Practitioner)

I was shooting a skit for Nigerian Breweries at Night Shift, Opebi in Ikeja, when we heard the explosions. I called an officer friend whom I’d served with at the same Directorate, and he confirmed that it was from the Cantonment in Ikeja. NB officials then asked that we suspend the shoot, but by the time we got outside, 4 of the 5 buses that brought promoters for the shoot had disappeared with the young men and women, and were later said to be at RCCG Camp where they’d gone for succor because they believed we were at war.

MR JAMES IREKEFE (Lagos Based Business Man)

 

The memory is clearer than diamond’s crystals. The fateful Israelis Sunday (27th of January, 2002) which marked the beginning and end of some phases in my life came. We were late from church, coming home around 17:30. Through the window I saw my neighbor distributing some handbills to passersby. I went downstairs to join him. The first person I handed the handbill seems to be what ignited the bomb. I and the person gazed at each other after we both must have been off ground for about 5seconds. I saw cars jumped, packed bikes fell and a great reddish dark cloud arose. It seemed the earth turned in her sleep while all in it turns upside down. The second blast sent me inside as my legs raced me in. Inside was worse: ceilings broken, ceiling fans fell, window nets torn everything was in chaos. With speed of light everyone was on the street road. For the first time in my life I felt claustrophobia, like cheetah I flee with others to the ground floor.

My street was now filled with everyone out wondering if the end time is come. Some phantom it’s Cameroon invading us for Bakasiland, others affirmed falsity that some filling stations were on fire and their banks of fuel had caught fire.

Next minute, it seemed the only route out of this ruckus is my street as zillions ran pass, most with bags and baggage. As the blast seemed to consume everything in it way, many others joined the running multitude. Before we joined I remembered my mother said ‘let me get my credentials’.

Where to? We don’t know. Airport (International/national) or seaport (Apapa) were sitting top on our priority but to get there was more difficult than difficulty. The leggers were held in ‘stand still’ while vehicle users only risk and waste their life and time respectively in their vehicles. The more we walked the more it seems all we’ve passed have turned to ashes.

I dare not say I’m tired, for where the strength came from I knew not. I didn’t cry as other kids and even as older people did. I wasn’t afraid like others for I (myself) became FEAR.

Then, we got to the point where many fell prey to the deceit of Ejigbo swamp (Ira Ejigbo) but HIS GRACE miraculously saw us through. Like twins tied by umbilical cord, so we were (are).

That day, I saw Alfas with huge turbans in churches we ran to, Pastors with collars in mosques. I heard confessions of all sorts: ‘pls., forgive me I killed my mother’ etc. We ended on a highway which was blessed with ‘Hold up’. A helicopter heightened our/the tension as people further ran for their dear lives.

When the blood coloured sky changed to normal but still with vampiry atmosphere. I told my mum ‘lets go back home’. She hesitated but it wouldn’t hurt trying. Streets away from ours, we saw buildings still as they were but deserted by occupants. We became hopeful, extending our necks and strained our sight with hope to see our home if it still stand.

That night everybody slept outside as a family. The whole building shared a night prayer (THANKS) the first and only that had happened.

Sadly the next day, news of my friends, schoolmates, neighbours, classmates, lagosians and Nigerians evicting this world for a better world became known.

From this event I have learnt numerous lessons of life: not to run from what I do not see/know and my ‘Thomas’ type nature etc.

I thank God,I and many others are alive hale and healthy sixteen years after, to give thanks to the Supreme Being. I pray this sort of disaster never occur again for it seems every ten years multitude do die at Ejigbo swamp,1992 it was a plane crash.

Pls., pray against it happening again and ever. Exercise one minute silence at night for those who we lost.

 

BY: SUNDAY ADEBAYO

News and Report

Organiser unveils speakers, panelists for the 2024 Industry Summit

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The organiser of the Industry Summit, an annual gathering for professionals and experts in brand marketing, finance, sustainability, and entertainment, has announced the speakers for the fifth edition of the summit in Lagos.

 

 

 

The event themed: Sustainable Marketing for Growth would feature the marketing director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Oriakhi as keynote speaker while the head of unit, sustainability at Access Bank, Mrs. Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan and manager brand, strategy & communications at Stanbic IBTC, Ms. Rita Akao would feature as guest speakers.

 

 

 

The summit, which is scheduled to hold on Friday, May 3rd, 2024 at the Marcelina’s Place Ikeja GRA, Lagos would feature some exhilarating panel sessions with some of the contemporary professionals in the Nigerian brand and marketing industry.

 

 

 

The panelists include; Ms. Chioma Mbanugo, Head of Marketing PZWILMAR, Mr. Abiodun Coker, Team Member Media, UBA, Mrs. Mabel Adeteye, Head, Brand & Marketing Communications, Wema Bank PLC, Mr. Kevin Olumese, Marketing Communications Specialist, and Mr. Adeola Kayode, Head, Brands & Creative Services, 9mobile Nigeria.

 

 

 

Others who have confirmed participation are Ms. Aisha Anaekwe, Head, Brands & Comms, Coronation Group, Mrs. Victoria N’dee Uwadoka, Public Relations, Public Affairs & Sustainability Lead, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Samson Adeoye, Public Relations Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Mrs. Oluwatosin Odiagbe, Marketing Manager, Simba Solar and Ms. Arinola Shobande, Head of Marketing, Showmax.

 

 

 

While Oriakhi would be speaking to the topic, ““New Age Marketing – Catalyzing Transformation Through Value Chain Innovation, Technology, Analytics & Sustainability”, Victor-Laniyan and Akao would present papers on the topics; “Aligning organizational objectives with sustainable marketing for the good of the people, society and business, and “Reimagining Sustainable Growth Through Green Marketing” respectively.

 

 

 

In the press statement signed by the Publisher of The Industry Newspaper/Convener of The Industry Summit/Awards (TIES), Mr. Goddie Ofose, he said that “The 5th edition of the Industry Summit is focusing on sustainable marketing, which is a purpose-driven practice that works to orientate businesses, brands and society towards a sustainable future, influencing appropriate awareness, aspiration, adoption and action across economic and sociocultural systems by taking necessary accountability for its impacts and opportunities.”

 

 

 

“In today’s ever-evolving world, debating whether to incorporate sustainability into business strategy is no longer an option. Considering a values-driven approach when developing business strategies can be vital to long-term success” he said.

 

 

 

Therefore, we have carefully selected these professionals and experts to deliberate on the subject matter, highlight challenges and proffer solutions where private and public sectors could take lessons from and improve upon whatever they have been doing,’ Ofose added.

 

 

 

The Industry Summit/Awards is a brainchild of The Industry Newspaper Limited, publishers of The Industry Newspaper (theindustry.ng) and 789marketing.ng.

 

 

 

The summit is designed to bring together industry leaders across the continent in all sectors in the quest to rev up conversations that will move the Nigeria business, economy and communication industry forward.

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IBEDC records 1,459 energy theft cases in January, February

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The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company said it has recorded 1,459 cases of energy theft by its subscribers between January and February 2024.

This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the firm’s Chief Key Accounts Officer, Mr. Johnson Tinuoye, on Tuesday.

IBEDC added that it is actively pursuing investigations and legal actions against individuals and businesses involved in the theft in collaboration with the Federal Government Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences.

Identifying the cases, IBEDC said they included various offences such as meter bypass and illegal meter tampering, which resulted in significant financial losses amounting to hundreds of millions of naira for the company.

The statement read, “We want to send a clear message to our customers that energy theft will not be tolerated. Our collaboration with the Federal Government Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences underscores our commitment to ensuring a fair and just electricity distribution system.

“Energy theft not only undermines the integrity of our operations but also deprives IBEDC of the revenue necessary to provide quality services to our customers.”

Tinuoye emphasised that under the Electricity Act, energy theft is now recognised as a criminal offense, carrying severe penalties including imprisonment stressing, “In the Osun region, two individuals were apprehended for stealing energy through meter bypass and illegal connections. Their cases have been formally charged in court for prosecution.”

IBEDC further urged customers to refrain from engaging in any form of energy theft, emphasising that the consequences can be severe, as there is no room for negotiation with the SIPTEO Task Force team, which is actively patrolling and investigating instances of energy theft for prosecution.

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Copyright Breach: NCC Drags MTN, Others To Court Over Musician’s Works

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The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has filed criminal charges against MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. and four others over alleged copyright infringement.

The charge with number FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024 filed in the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court was obtained by journalists on Monday.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the four other defendants in the case include the chief executive officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola; Nkeakam Abhulimen, Fun Mobile Ltd.; and Yahaya Maibe.

In the three-count charge, NCC alleged that the defendants, between 2010 and 2017, “offered for sale, sold and traded for business’’, infringed the musical works of an artiste, Maleke Idowu Moye, without his consent and authorisation.

The commission alleged that the defendants used musical works and sound recordings of Mr Maleke with subsisting copyright as caller ringback tunes without the authorisation of the artiste.

The musician’s musical works and sound recordings allegedly infringed upon included 911, Minimini-wanawana, Stop Racism, Ewole, 911 instrumental, Radio, Low Waist, and No Bother.

The defendants were also alleged to have distributed the musical works to their subscribers without authorisation, thereby infringing on the rights of the artiste.

In the third count, the defendants were alleged to have in their possession, other than for their private or domestic use, the artiste’s musical works and sound recordings.

According to NCC, the alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under section 20 (2) (a) (b) and (c) of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The case has yet to be assigned to any judge, and no date has been fixed for the mention.

Meanwhile, no official statement has been released by any of the defendants as at the time of filing this report, while all efforts to get reactions from MTN by New Telegraph proved abortive.

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