IBADAN based journalists, Idowu Ayodele, Sikiru Akinola, Remi Oladoye and Bola Olalere on Monday cheated death as they narrowly escaped in a ghastly auto crash which occurred along Igbeti expressway, Olorunsogo local government area of Oyo state.
They were Remi Oladoye of National Insight, Idowu Ayodele (Mega Icon Magazine), Sikiru Akinola (Inside Oyo) and Bola Olalere (Oyo Herald and Lekki Express Magazines).
The journalists were billed to cover the annual Igbeti Tourism Carnival 2018 and investigate the activities of bandits kidnapping on Igbeti-Igboho road and Saki axis of the state.
Also, our reporter reliably gathered that the four had left Ibadan around 8am, from Sango.
It was a smooth ride all along from Ibadan as learnt, until 3km away from the marble city, Igbeti shortly after they left the Yakooyo Farms of ex – governor of Oyo state, Rashidi Ladoja in Ikoyi-Ile, headquarters of Orire local government when a child of about 3-year old, suddenly strayed onto the road, at Dogo area of the town.
Mega Icon Magazine also learnt that conceded collective decision by the quartet to rescue the soul of the innocent boy who was already in the middle of the expressway and whose mother and others were busy discussing by the roadside was responsible for the accident as Olalera, who was behind the wheel had to apply the brake to preserve the toddler’s life who just appeared in the middle of the road from nowhere.
Despite the impact, no one suffered any life-threatening injuries, our reporter confirmed.
“The car skidded off the road and somersaulted thrice in an attempt to save the life of a 3 year old boy who just appeared in the middle of the road from nowhere.
“ None of the villagers responded immediately until about few minutes later. We all came out with little injuries. Remi later came out, followed by Ayo and Bola who opened the door for me. I came out, thinking I was okay. People were afraid of moving toward us, thinking we couldn’t survive it. But before then, I was shocked; I was afraid of seeing corpse (s). As I moved round to assess things, I fell down; my right kneecap has been dislocated.
The survivors – L-R; Olalere, Idowu, Akinola and Oladoye at Igbeti Tourism Carnival 2018 after the accident
“Later, we started looking for the innocent child. There he was, playing with a leaf, not knowing what happened. Seeing him alive energized us. We placed calls to people, for medical assistance”, one of the road crash survivors, Sikiru Akinola who spoke with our reporter narrated the tragic story,
He continued, ” soon, the lawmaker representing Irepo/Oorelope/Olorunsogo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Barrister Oladele Olatubosun, who had got wind of the development, sent Wale Oscar, one of his aides to us with a car, for immediate journey to the hospital for examinations and treatment. The nurses at Igbeti General Hospital were awesome.
“The lawmaker, I guessed, had alerted them; they were waiting for us. Mega Icon Magazine (www.megaicon magazine.com) Chief reporter, Ayo sustained head injury, while National Insight news Editor, Remi, with damage on his right hand and the publisher, Oyo Herald Magazine, Bola with cuts on his lips.
Former Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Adeolu Akande, has extended warm felicitations to Barrister Sarafadeen Ali, the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial district, on the occasion of his 61st birthday.
In a statement released on Saturday in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on Saturday, Akande lauded the lawmaker, describing him as a luminary whose life has been marked by distinguished service to the nation.
“Today, I join the world in celebrating you on your special day, as you mark 61 years of God’s abundant love and glorious impact on humanity,” the former NCC gaffer expressed.
He added, “I wish you many more years of God’s grace in your life.”
The headquarters of Heritage Bank at Victoria Island, Lagos, was besieged on Thursday by members of the labour union, protesting the recent dismissal of 1,000 support workers.
The National President of the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, Comrade Anthony Abakpa, led the demonstration, condemning the bank’s management for what he deemed a lack of adherence to due process in the termination of employment contracts.
Speaking during the protest, Comrade Abakpa asserted that the leadership of Heritage Bank failed to follow established protocols before executing the mass layoffs.
He emphasised the union’s commitment to pursuing justice for the affected workers, vowing to escalate their demands until the bank’s management rectifies the situation.
“We will intensify our demands for justice,” declared Comrade Abakpa, urging the bank’s management to take corrective action to address the grievances of the dismissed workers.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, clarified that Nigeria is not utilising its foreign reserves to bolster the naira, despite recent fluctuations in reserve levels.
Speaking from Washington DC, where he is attending the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Spring Meetings, Cardoso highlighted the influx of $600 million into Nigeria’s reserves account within the past two days.
While the naira has experienced a notable appreciation against the dollar in recent weeks, climbing over 40% from approximately N1,900/$ to about N1,000/$1, Nigeria’s foreign reserves have been dwindling. As of April 15, reserves dropped to approximately $32.29 billion, marking the lowest level in over six years.
Cardoso emphasised that the shifts in reserves are typical for any country, where various financial obligations, such as debt repayments, necessitate withdrawals.
He stated, “What you’ve seen with respect to the shift in our reserves is normal in any country’s reserves where, for example, debts are due and certain payments need to be made. They are made because that is also part of keeping your credibility.”
Continuing, Cardoso underscored the dynamic nature of the market, advocating for a system driven by willing buyers, willing sellers, and price discovery.