News
Coroner Inquest: Absence of Sylvester Oromoni’s father stalls proceedings
The absence of Mr Sylvester Oromoni snr, the father of Sylvester Oromoni, the late 12-year-old student of Dowen College on Monday stalled proceedings at the Coroner Inquest to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death.
Reports state that the Coroner Inquest, which was previously holding at the High Court, Epe, Lagos, is now holding within the premises of the Ikeja High Court, Lagos.
Also absent during proceedings was the sister of the deceased who alongside Oromoni Snr, was also slated to testify.
Giving the reason for their non-appearance, counsel for the Oromoni family, Mr Andrew Efole, informed the inquest that it was due to ill health of the sister of the deceased.
“The girl who ought to testify is sick, the father who ought to be here is attending to the child who is receiving treatment,” he said.
On the whereabout of the mother of the deceased and why she could not attend to her ailing child to enable Oromoni attend proceedings, Efole said, “The mother is not strong now for the things she is going through.”
Earlier during proceedings, counsel to Dowen College, Mr Anthony Okpoko, expressed dissatisfaction with the interview granted by Oromoni Snr published in the newspapers on the day of proceedings.
Okpoko said the actions of Oromoni Snr was in contravention of an order granted by the Coroner’s Court restraining all parties from making comments to the press.
The Dowen College counsel, expressing his unhappiness to the inquest, said another relative of the deceased, Perri Oromoni has been tweeting in respect of the matter.
“This is a breach,” Okpoko said.
Responding, the Coroner, Mr Mikhail Kadiri, reiterated the Order, threatening to issue a Summon on the said relative (Perri Oromoni).
“Why has he single-handedly decided to be the Coroner?” Kadiri queried.
Efole, counsel to the Oromoni family, apologised and promised to bring witnesses on the next hearing date.
Reacting, the counsel for the Lagos State government, Mr Akin George, urged the court to apply Section 48(10) of the Coroner System Law.
Section 48(10) states that, “Any person whose act or conduct contravenes any of the provisions of this law where no penalty is specified, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to (two) two years’ imprisonment.”
The counsel for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mr Bernard Oniga called for stiff sanctions for erring parties who showed disregard and disrespect to the Coroner Court.
Responding, the Coroner told the Oromoni family’s counsel: “On Friday we made no progress, on Thursday no progress both at your instance.
“I hope this is not a deliberate attempt to cast aspersions on this Inquest and to my personality.”
Kadiri adjourned the Inquest to Feb. 1 for continuation of hearing.
By Umar Akilu Majeri Dutse
As students returned to campus for the new semester, a devastating rainstorm and heavy winds struck the College of Health Technology Jahun, destroying buildings and properties worth millions of Naira.
The environmental demonstration ground and MDGs classes, constructed by Senator Alhaji Babangida Hussain kazaure, were among the major buildings affected.
The MDGs classes, used by dental students, were completely blown off, leaving the students without a place to learn.
The destruction has left the college community in a state of disarray, with students and staff struggling to come to terms with the loss.
Other affected building include the generator house which is the power house was also blown off and all the solar panel attached at the power house have been destroyed.
Investigation indicate that the main class rooms complex which has the capacity of containing over 3000 students and is the major classes in the college have also been blew off which need urgent attention. Of the jigawa state government to take pro active measure
One of the residents in the schools name withheld told our reporter that the incident happened for the past three week and already the management of the schools has informed the ministry the issue but yet no action was taken .
Explained further that must of students toilet both female and male students ware completely unhygienic as it name the college of health it is very unfortunate, lamenting that due lack of good toilet a situation which force many of the female student to influence in practicing open defecation behind their hostel due pear of Infection sclycocus
Adding that other affected places include physic laboratory ,biology laboratory and chemistry lab for students practical which all ware attached with the students complex building.
Others building include BME studio and office of the HOD Dental, HOD Medical lab and Director medical lab, bio medical, Enginearing workshop, bio medical lab and demonstration rooms for students practical all became inhabitant.
Adding that even the main adminstration office whare the provost office is was also blew off by wind.
When contacted the provost of the college Malam Abdullahi Abubakar to balance the story he Confirmed that the heavy winds and rainstorms has destroyed several building including the adminstration office whare his office is located but they used their little resources to repair those that they could be manage but the major palaces beyond their power the management has forwarded it to the ministry for proper handling.
Malam Abdullahi explained that the affected building include the ICT library section , class room complex, female and male hostel, MDGs building, Generator house, administration building and destruction of Sola panel.
Explained further that photography of all the effected building including those repaired by the college has been sent to the state ministry for necessary action we are now waiting for their actions which already the ministry has send a deligation who quantified the damage and, I assure you that the jigawa state government will do every thing possible to assist us to address the problem, he stated.
He than call on the state government to assist the college by providing Sola street light in the school which will improved the security situation in the college.
The provost has also appealed to the state government to provide additional solar panels and solar-powered pumps to improve the college’s water system. Currently, the college faces water challenges due to the destruction of their solar panels by a recent windstorm.
Furthermore, he explained that returning students are struggling with a major issue: the lack of lecture halls because the main student complex was destroyed by the wind. Urgently, he called on the government to repair the main student complex, which has a capacity to accommodate over 3000 students at once.
He assured that plans are underway to protect the college from annual wind threats by planting approximately 3000 tree seedlings around the perimeter, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture providing the seeds.
Additionally, he appealed to the Ministry of Health to urgently provide more toilets for both female and male student hostels to prevent open defecation.
Axxela Limited, sub-Saharan Africa’s leading gas and power portfolio company, has announced another impressive safety milestone.
The company has now achieved 8 million man-hours with no lost time injury (LTI), surpassing the previous 7 million man-hours LTI milestone achieved in 2023.
The landmark achievement further affirms its strict adherence to best practices and safety standards across its assets management, operations, and people practices.
Commenting on this milestone achievement, Bolaji Osunsanya, the Chief Executive Officer of Axxela Limited, expressed his satisfaction with this recent achievement, “We are proud of this significant safety milestone, which underscores our deliberate focus on maintaining the highest standards in our environmental, health, safety, and quality management system. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our entire team, who continuously strive to create a safe and secure working environment for everyone.”
Osunsanya continued, “Achieving 8 million LTI-free manhours is not just a statistical feat, but a reflection of our unwavering commitment to operational excellence and the well-being of our direct and indirect workforce. It reinforces our position as a leader in our industry and motivates us to aim even higher, ensuring that safety remains at the core of our operations. We make good to say it propels us forward with renewed vigor and confidence in our journey towards sustainable growth and excellence.”
John Okoro, Head of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Quality (EHSQ) in his remarks, “Maintaining a safe working environment is not merely a priority for us; it is a core part of our corporate culture that has been embedded into all our processes. This achievement also echoes the effectiveness of our safety protocols, training programmes, and effective oversight of our project management. We are not resting on our laurels but will remain dedicated to our cause to uphold stringent standards of safety performance and ensure that every service provider, partner, employee, and other stakeholders return home safely to their loved ones.”
Axxela remains ever-alert to reducing the risks within its operations. The company views the health and safety of employees, contractors, and the environment as a top priority as governed by its water-tight Environmental, Health, Safety, and Quality (EHSQ) management system. It continues to subscribe to national and global standards while embracing innovative strategies to help staff live safer and fuller lives at work and beyond.
About Axxela
Axxela Limited (Axxela) is the pioneer private sector developer of natural gas solutions and captive power development in Nigeria; a company co-owned by Helios Investment Partners LLP and Sojitz Corporation. Axxela is a designated natural gas shipper on the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), and a member of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), delivering natural gas to about 200 industrial and commercial customers via a vast network of natural gas infrastructure.
With over 360km in natural gas pipeline infrastructure built, Axxela provides unique energy solutions primarily through its subsidiaries: Gaslink Nigeria Limited, Gas Network Services Limited, Central Horizon Gas Company Limited, and Transit Gas Nigeria Limited.
By Matthew Denis
All is now set for the commencement of the Orientation Course programme for 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream One set of Corps Members.
The prospective Corps Members are to access their call-up letters on their dashboards today.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Prospective Corps Members are to report to their various Orientation camps between Wednesday, 26th and Monday, 1st July, 2024 while the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to hold on Tuesday 2nd July, 2024.
In addition to the above, the Director General, Brigadier General YB Ahmed advised all the Prospective Corps Members to be security conscious as they travel to their Orientation Camps. He also appealed to all parents and guardians to ensure that their wards do not travel at night.
The Director General wishes all the Prospective Corps Members and other camp officials journey mercy to the Orientation Camps.
Jigawa: Rainstorm wrecks havoc at CHSTJAHUN, properties worth millions lost
Axxela records 8 million man-hours with no lost time injury
