A deadly fire that broke out overnight at a retirement home in Villafranca de Ebro, located in northeastern Spain, claimed the lives of at least 10 individuals, according to the local emergency service on Friday.

The emergency services in the Aragon region shared limited information in their X post, though Spanish media reported that 82 people were present at the facility when the fire started around 5:00 am (0400 GMT), with the cause still unknown.

More details later…

AFP

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, praised the late Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, for his invaluable contributions to national security, describing him as a leader known for his unwavering commitment and selflessness.

Adeniyi shared these remarks in a statement released on Thursday by NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada.

He expressed that Lagbaja’s passing is a tremendous loss not only for his family, the military, and the government but for the entire Nigerian people.

Adeniyi extended his condolences to Lagbaja’s family, his colleagues, and the Nigerian Armed Forces.

He announced that the NCS had rescheduled its Gala and Award Night, originally planned for Friday in Abuja as part of the Comptroller-General of Customs conference, to pay tribute to the military leader.

“This decision is taken to allow NCS to identify with the mood of the nation in mourning Lagbaja.

“The NCS acknowledges the weight of this moment; we join all to mourn the passing of a steadfast leader,” he said.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Lagbaja’s body was brought to Abuja on Thursday ahead of his burial set for Friday.

Lagbaja passed away on November 5 in Lagos following a short illness.

The Lagos State Government has torn down several makeshift structures along the Ajao Estate Canal bank, where tenants pay an annual rent of N100,000.

This information was revealed in a statement from Tokunbo Wahab, the State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, shared on X.com on Friday.

Wahab wrote, “In continuation of concerted measures to reduce the scourge of environmental infractions and illegal encampment in public spaces, the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) popularly known as KAI on Thursday demolished 138 shanties around the canal bank in Ajao Estate Canal where illegal occupants pays between N60,000 to N100,000 rent.”

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A. Adeboye, has said that without divine intervention, the exchange rate could have skyrocketed to ₦10,000 for $1.

Speaking at the Special Holy Ghost Congress in Abuja, Adeboye explained that Nigeria’s financial difficulties are largely linked to its reliance on fuel imports, despite the country having significant oil resources.

He noted that billions have been spent on refineries, many of which remain non-functional, resulting in a continued dependence on imported petrol.

Adeboye also addressed the controversy surrounding the government’s decision to eliminate costly fuel subsidies, a move that angered those who profited from the previous system and contributed to further economic challenges.

“We need help, and it’s not human help; it’s divine help,” he stated.

“Before our current president took office, we were aware that the root of our financial issues lay in the importation of petrol. Despite having oil, we continued to import petrol and waste billions on refineries that did not operate effectively.

“When the president cancelled the subsidy on petrol imports, those who benefited from it became upset and created more problems.”

As the naira continued to decline rapidly, Adeboye said that he prayed and was grateful that others joined him in prayer.

“If God hadn’t intervened, $1 could have been worth N10,000 by now. This illustrates how much we need prayers,” he said.

As the Ondo State governorship election approaches, the Labour Party (LP) has refuted claims that its candidate, Olusola Ebiseni, has been disqualified.

The party has called on Nigerians, especially voters in the state, to disregard reports suggesting that Ebiseni is no longer in the race.

The controversy stems from a judgment by the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, which reportedly disqualified Ebiseni.

The three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Hamma Barka and with the ruling delivered by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, allegedly ruled in favor of an appeal against Ebiseni’s candidacy.

However, the LP insists that the matter had already been resolved internally before the court’s judgment. Ondo State LP Chairperson, Mrs. Remilekun Ojo, dismissed the reports as false, accusing opposition parties of spreading misinformation to destabilize the party.

“These reports are all lies,” Ojo said in a statement to Newsmen on Thursday.

“The issue was settled internally, and our candidate remains in the race.

This is an attempt by politicians from other parties, who feel threatened by our growing influence, to create confusion.”Ojo emphasized that Ebiseni’s name remains on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal and that the party had no official communication from the electoral body indicating otherwise.

The LP’s legal challenges began with a previous Federal High Court ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite, which recognized Ebiseni and his running mate, Ezekiel Awude, as the valid candidates for the election.

Justice Nwite ruled that Ebiseni’s second primary election was valid, noting that he had paid the required nomination fees and compensated another aspirant, Festus Olorunfemi, who had withdrawn from the race.

The appellate court’s decision, however, has been contested by the LP, which maintains that the issue has been resolved.

The party also criticized media outlets for publishing misleading information about Ebiseni’s candidacy.

The party’s youth leader in Ondo State, Hon. Samuel Boniface, supported the Chairperson’s position, alleging that some politicians had attempted to bribe him to dismantle the LP structure in favor of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“Three weeks ago, PDP stakeholders offered me over ₦100 million to collapse the LP structure into their party, but I declined,” Boniface revealed in an interview. “I have a goal and cannot sell my conscience.

This election is not about money but about the future of Ondo State.”Boniface also hinted at legal action against media platforms that reported the purported disqualification of Ebiseni.

“We are suing newspapers that claimed our candidate was removed from the race. The claims are baseless and disruptive.

The Olorunfemi who started this matter stepped down for Ebiseni and was duly compensated. We have all the records to prove it.

”As the November 16 election draws near, the Labour Party remains determined to challenge the dominance of the APC and PDP, asserting that it offers a viable alternative for the people of Ondo State.

The Labour Party (LP) candidate in the November 16 Ondo State governorship election, Olusola Ebiseni, has confidently asserted that the contest is primarily between his party and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ebiseni made this declaration during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, just days before the off-cycle election.Ebiseni dismissed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as a non-factor in the race, emphasizing that the PDP’s candidate, Agboola Ajayi, lacks the political strength to challenge the LP and APC.

He pointed out Ajayi’s history as a former deputy governor of Ondo State under the APC administration, arguing that his association with the incumbent government undermines his credibility.

“This election is going to be about two political parties and their administration,” Ebiseni said. “There is no PDP in this election.

This election is between the Labour Party and the APC. Agboola Ajayi of the PDP was Akeredolu’s first-time deputy governor. Aiyedatiwa of the APC was Akeredolu’s second-term deputy governor, now the incumbent governor.

If you want to assess their credibility and performance, you will assess the Akeredolu government and the roles they played.

”Ebiseni further explained that the election would serve as a referendum on the APC’s governance under Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. According to him, both Ajayi and the APC candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, are direct extensions of the current administration, leaving voters with a choice between continuity under the APC and a break from the status quo with the Labour Party.

Highlighting his own qualifications, Ebiseni expressed confidence in his chances of emerging victorious, citing his extensive experience in public administration.

He served as a local government chairman and later as a commissioner under the administration of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, where he gained valuable insights into governance and policy implementation.“My experience as a former local government chairman and commissioner has prepared me for this role.

I have a deep understanding of the needs of our people and the solutions required to address them.

I am confident that the Labour Party represents the change that Ondo State desperately needs,” he stated.Ebiseni also underscored the Labour Party’s growing influence across the state, noting that the party has connected with grassroots voters disillusioned with the APC’s leadership.

He urged Ondo residents to seize the opportunity to elect a government that prioritizes their welfare.As the November 16 election approaches, Ebiseni’s remarks set the stage for a closely contested battle between the Labour Party and the APC, with both sides vying to shape the future of Ondo State.