Obasanjo's Hill Top Residence Gutted by Fire

Information reaching us says, a section of President Olusegun Obasanjo's Hill Top residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state, went went up in flames. However, members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp assisted by the Nigerian Police and other security agencies attached to the former President, struggled to put out the fire and avoid spreading to other sections.

After about an hour, the Ogun State fire truck arrived the scene, and put out the fire after few minutes. The fire reported started at about 4:30pm, the cause of the fire has not been acertained. It is not clear if the former President was at home when the fire started

State burial for Azazi in Yenagoa Saturday

Yenagoa – Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Wednesday, said the former National Security Adviser, late Gen. Andrew Azazi, would be given a befitting state burial.

He will be buried on Saturday, December 29 in Yenagoa.

The decision of the Bayesa State government to accord Azazi a state burial was in recognition of his enviable record of service to the state and country.

Dickson, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, stated this while approving the burial programme of the late General in Yenagoa.

The governor said: “In view of the late General Azazi‘s illustrious military career and his remarkable contributions to Bayelsa State and Nigeria as a whole, his  remains would be laid to rest at the Ijaw National Heroes Park in Yenagoa, the state capital. This is to demonstrate our respect and high regard for General Azazi as a true hero of Ijaw nation.”

Burial arrangement
The burial arrangement would kick off tomorrow, with service of songs at the Peace Park in Yenagoa, commendation service the next day, Saturday and  interment at noon followed by reception for guests/dignitaries.

Family wants him buried in his village
Meanwhile, it was learnt that the family had wanted the body of Azazi buried in his home village of Peretorugbene in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in line with the tradition of the area.

They argued that since their son died in a helicopter crash, the body should be given to the family to bury in line with their tradition not minding the top ranks he occupied in the army and the polity.

However,  it was leant that the Nigerian Army, which regards late Gen. Azazi as one of its heroes, pleaded that the burial be done in the state capital to enable its officers and men to accord their departed hero full military honours in line with their tradition.

At one of the meetings in Yenagoa, yesterday, the army pointed out the huge logistic challenges that would be involved in taking the body of the late General and hordes of military personnel and equipment to Peretorugbene for the burial.

They argued that if the burial was done in Peretorugbene, it would not be possible to ferry in the number of personnel and personalities expected to perform and grace the occasion because of the rough tide at this time of the year.

The officers were said to have pointed out that the burial of an outstanding officer like Azazi should be done in a place where the top brass of all arms of the Defence Ministry, where he served as Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence Staff and lately, National Security Adviser, should be able to attend in large number to accord him the last respect.

Vanguard learnt that the governor’s timely intervention prevented another round of meeting that was slated for the night between the military top brass and some family members on the matter.

General Andrew Azazi (rtd)

The burial arrangement would kick off  December 28, with service of songs at the Peace Park in Yenagoa, commendation service holds the next day , December 29,  with internment and state reception for guest/dignitaries.

The approved official burial arrangements are as follows:

Friday 28, December 2012
1. Service of Songs
Venue: Peace Park, Yenagoa
Time:  5pm Prompt

2. Entertainment of Invited Guests/Dignitaries
Venue: Government House, Banquet Hall
Time:  8pm

Saturday 29th December 2012
1. Commendation Service
Venue: Peace Park, Yenagoa
Time: 9am

2. Interment
In view of the Late General Azazi ‘s illustrious Military career and his remarkable contributions to Bayelsa State and Nigeria as a whole, his  remains will be laid to rest at the Ijaw National Heroes Park in Yenagoa, the State capital. This is to clearly demonstrate our respect and high regard for General Andrew Owoye Azazi as a true hero of the Ijaw Nation.
Time: 12pm

3.  State Reception for Guests/Dignitaries
Time: 2pm prompt

4.  Departure

cull: Vanguard

Mandela discharged from hospital

 After spending days in the hospital, including the all special christmas day, former South African President, Nelsom Mandela was discharged, on boxing day, from the hospital as a result of a lung infection and subsequent sugery  to remove gallstones.

AK-47's inventor Kalashnikov hospitalised

 Mikhail Kalashnikov, the inventor of AK-47 assault rifle, has been hospitalised, his assistantNikolai Shklyaev said Tuesday.

Shklyaev said the 93-year-old Kalashnikov complained to him about his health before being taken to hospital last week.

"He was in intensive care last Thursday," he said, adding that he had no information about the present condition of the legendary inventor.

"He told me 'nothing hurts, but I feel exhausted.' That's all I know," he said.

Kalashnikov's son Viktor, however, said that his father has been hospitalised for a planned health check.

"His [health condition] is normal, he was hospitalized for planned procedures, he is not in intensive care."

A hospital source who asked not to be named said, however, that Kalashnikov has been sent to intensive care upon his arrival at hospital.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

FIREWORKS: HANDLE WITH CARE

Fireworks safety starts before a firework is even sold: It begins with the manufacturers, who need to follow strict quality controls in making their products. That doesn't mean every firework is guaranteed to be safe, though. Things can go wrong with fireworks, just as they can with any product, and most of the time it's because the fireworks aren't handled properly. That's the reason you see all those warnings on fireworks.

Thousands of people are taken to hospital emergency rooms in the United States every year because of injuries from fireworks — including bottle rockets, sparklers, and firecrackers.

The most common fireworks injuries involve the hands, fingers, eyes, head, and face. Some of these injuries are severe, resulting in permanent health problems such as missing fingers and limbs and vision loss.

So what can you do to enjoy the Fourth of July and still stay safe? Going to public fireworks displays is the best approach. Not only are these displays bigger and brighter (the federal government bans the sale of the largest fireworks to the public), but many states have laws that don't allow people to buy or use fireworks. Before using fireworks, find out what the laws are in your area. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) provides more information about state and federal regulations on its website.

Tips to Remember

If you live in a state that allows fireworks and you're planning a do-it-yourself celebration, follow these safety tips to protect yourself and the people watching:

• Buy ready-made fireworks rather than making your own, even from a kit.
• Make sure an adult is present at all times.
• Don't allow little kids to operate fireworks, even sparklers.
• Buy only legal fireworks that have a label with instructions for proper use. If your fireworks don't have an instruction label, they're probably illegal to use.
• Choose fireworks that are appropriate for the area you'll be using them in. For example, avoid using rockets or other aerial fireworks in the backyard or a busy street. Choose fountain-type fireworks instead.
• Follow all the directions on the label closely.
• Always use fireworks outside with a bucket of water or hose nearby. Keep fireworks away from dry leaves and other materials that can easily catch on fire.
• Light one firework at a time. Keep the firework you're lighting well away from unlit fireworks.
• Point fireworks away from people. If you're lighting a firework, wear eye protection and don't lean over the firework.
• If a firework doesn't seem to work, don't go over to it or attempt to relight it. Stand back for a while. If you can reach it with a hose or bucket without getting too close, douse it with water.
• Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them away.
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
• If someone gets an eye injury from fireworks, don't rub the eye or attempt to wash it out. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. It could make the difference between saving a person's sight and permanent blindness.

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: May 2010

Boxing Day Morning Fire at Jankara Market

 

 

Fire explosion at Jankara Market, in Lagos, sources say it occurred about 9am this morning, injuring many. However , no death has been reported but worth millions destroyed. Eye witness it result from a firecracker explosion.
Fire fighters have been deployed and have arrested the situation.

Christmas day Accident scence at Gbagada Bus stop in Lagos

This accident occurred around 5 pm on Christmas day, with the driver carrying two little girls, no one was hurt,  but the car was badly damaged. The accident occurred in a ditch dug by construction workers at Gbagada Bus stop of Lagos. Eye witness say it was caused  as a result of the driver avoiding a collision from another vehicle behind. Lastma officials came in two hours into the scene before filing this report. DRIVE SAFELY THIS SEASON