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Explosion alleged in Abia building collapse, lawyer urges expanded probe
As the Abia State Government and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria are set to launch their separate investigations over the collapse of a three-storey building in Umuahia in the early hours of last Saturday, a Umuahia-based legal practitioner, Goodman Iheikwunacho, on Wednesday urged them to look beyond preconceived factors and dig deeper.
He had also alleged that reports indicated a boom or explosion sound was heard before the building crumbled.
The two teams have indicated their interest in investigating the incident, as the state government, through the Umuahia Capital Development Authority, has announced that it was going to carry out investigations as well as an integrity test on the rest of the standing 2-storey buildings belonging to the same owner in the compound.
Fielding questions from newsmen in Umuahia following concerns generated by the unfortunate incident in which a 35-year-old woman, Blessing Ugochukwu, and her two young children miraculously survived, Iheikwunacho advised, “The scope of investigations should not be circumscribed but expanded beyond the obvious factors so that the real cause of the building collapse will be unravelled and future occurrences prevented.”
While stressing the need for investigators to go beyond the usual technical issues of structural defects and non-compliance with building regulations, Iheikwunacho said, “There should be a check for possible sabotage, taking into consideration all the circumstances.
“I am aware that the owner of the collapsed building, Chief Ikechi Emenike, is a well-known political figure and governorship candidate of the APC here in Abia State in 2023. So, you can’t rule out the possibility that his enemies could be at work.
“I have also read reports in the media quoting residents of the area where the building collapsed as saying that they heard a loud boom (sound), which some said sounded like thunder; others said it sounded like an explosion.”
A property and commercial lawyer, Iheikwunacho stated, “As a top politician, you never can tell if there are people nursing grievances against him (Emenike) and might resort to doing all sorts of things to damage his name and image.”
He insisted that investigations should include looking out for extraneous factors that might have brought down the building, adding, “When an edifice crumbles like a pack of cards, a whole lot of things could have been responsible.
“So, let the investigators open their minds and approach their job from every angle and every possible lead, and in that way arrive at a conclusion that would not be questionable.”
The Abia State Government, which is set to carry out integrity tests on the two remaining buildings, has also announced that all new and old buildings in Umuahia that are above two floors will be subjected to integrity tests in order to forestall future occurrences of building collapse.
Meanwhile, COREN, Umuahia Area Office, is also poised to launch its own investigation, having already sent a technical team to the scene of the collapsed building for a preliminary assessment of the situation.
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Beautiful and Well Equipped Medical Health Centre Built by Atanda Lawal in Obalende/Ikoyi Local Government Area
This is what another local government chairman has done in Obalende with his own increased allocations paid directly to him.
This is the result of the new social reorder; place the money for development in the hands of the authorities closer to the everyday people.
Tinubu has done his own, and if you cannot ask your individual local authorities what they have done with their allocations, that is your own irresponsibility as a citizen.
Remember, the amount each of the 774 authorities receive is published every month for all eyes to see.
Grassroot developments have begun, and it will only get better with time.
No more na governor chop money.
Hold your governors and LG chairmen by the neck.
They must deliver EVERYTHING IS NOT TINUBU !!!
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the safety and welfare of National Youth Service Corps members posted to the state, assuring them of a peaceful and enabling environment throughout their service year.
Our correspondent reports that no fewer than 940 corps members took the oath of allegiance marking their formal admission into the mandatory three-week orientation course.
The governor made the pledge on Friday, during the formal swearing-in ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I corps members held at the NYSC Temporary Orientation Camp, Government Science Technical College, Amada, in Akko Local Government Area.
Represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development / Chairman, NYSC State Governing Board, Inuwa Ibrahim welcomed the corps members to the “Jewel in the Savannah.
Governor Yahaya described Gombe as a “safe haven,” stressing that his administration places high priority on youth development, peace, and security.
“We guarantee a conducive working environment for your activities and programmes during your service year,” he said. “Let me assure you of our unwavering commitment to your welfare, security, and general well-being.”
The governor, who congratulated the new corps members on their successful academic journey and induction into national service, advised them to take the orientation course seriously, as it lays the foundation for a purposeful service year.
“The orientation course is designed to introduce you to the objectives of the NYSC. I urge you to participate actively and take advantage of the teachings and training to develop your potential,” he stated.
Yahaya encouraged the corps members to integrate into their host communities and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the state.
“As you serve in Gombe, I encourage you to be part of our developmental efforts and help in empowering the youth. Your predecessors left positive footprints, and it’s our collective responsibility to continue building on that legacy,” he added.
The governor also commended the NYSC scheme for promoting national unity over the past 50 years and appreciated partner agencies and stakeholders for their continued support of the scheme in the state.
He concluded by declaring the orientation course officially open and wished the corps members a fruitful, impactful, and incident-free service year.
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The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives has called off its warning strike, the Minister of Health, Ali Pate, announced on Friday.
Speaking to journalists after a closed-door meeting in Abuja, Pate said the decision followed agreements reached between the government and the association’s leadership.
However, union leaders declined to speak to the press after the meeting.
Nurses and midwives under the association had begun a nationwide warning strike on July 29 over unmet demands, including improved welfare, fair allowances, and better working conditions in federal health institutions.
The strike, which affected public health institutions across the country, was scheduled to last until August 5.
The union’s National Chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, had previously accused the Federal Government of failing to engage with the association during the 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14.
“As far as we are concerned, there has been no communication from the government to this moment. That is why we are saying the strike is going on, and nothing is stopping it.
“Even if the government calls today or tomorrow, it won’t stop the strike. They had enough time,” Rilwan had said.
The association is demanding an upward review of shift and uniform allowances, implementation of a separate salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowance, mass employment of nurses, and the creation of a dedicated nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health.
Rilwan had also said the decision to embark on the strike was driven by widespread frustration among members over years of neglect.
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