Biola Azeez

3470 Articles
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Abdulrazaq reviews health insurance, Minimum wage: Kwara names committee for consequential adjustment, We're restoring sanity to our state, Kwara gov replies Saraki, Kwara community wants Gov Abdulrazaq to probe traditional ruler’s appointment, Kwara govt demotes school teacher

Gov Abdulrazaq appoints Professor Shaykh-Lukman as new KWASU VC

By Biola Azeez
Shun antisocial vices capable of ruining your future, Kwara gov tells students

Shun antisocial vices capable of ruining your future, Kwara gov tells students

By Biola Azeez

Organisation trains journalists, investigators on investigative techniques, fact-checking

By Biola Azeez
The Iron Rod and Steel Distributors Employers Union of Nigeria (IRSDEUN) has issued a strong call to action to the government, urging it to crack down on substandard steel producers following a recent building collapse that left five construction workers dead in Obingwu, Ukwa West local government area of Abia State. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the national president of the union, Chief Gbenga Awoyale, highlighted that the unchecked proliferation of substandard iron rods and steel products in the market has led to a series of tragic incidents, including the recent collapse in Abia State. He emphasized the need for the government to take decisive action to prevent further loss of lives. “It is disheartening that the Abia State government has now validated our position that our market is saturated with substandard steel products, with its revelation that preliminary reports have attributed the building collapse to the possible usage of substandard building materials and poor supervision of work at the site," Awoyale stated. "We are tired of seeing innocent people, struggling to make ends meet, lose their lives due to the greed and negligence of substandard steel producers. The government must demonstrate true empathy and take concrete steps to address this issue once and for all." Awoyale recalled that the union recently alleged complicity between some officials of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and substandard steel producers, undermining the industry's integrity and compromising consumer safety. The union called for the dissolution of the current management of SON and a thorough investigation into the matter. "The union reemphasized that a particular steel production company, one of the biggest in Nigeria and owned by foreigners, appointed a former Director General of SON as its Executive Director, leveraging his influence to perpetrate substandard production unchecked." “We boldly state that the government is not taking Nigerians’ lives seriously. We exposed how a steel production factory was caught with substandard products by the SON task force. Unfortunately, it was the task force chairman, who wasn’t privy to the operation, defending the suspected company in national dailies, simply because his erstwhile boss at SON heads the company. It is unacceptable!" "Some of these companies parented by African Steel Mill include Top Steel Company, African Foundries Limited, and Inner Galaxy Steel. Because they were not convicted, smaller companies like Bao-Yao and Hongxing Steel Companies are getting emboldened to engage in substandard production." “The substandard goods that were supposed to be melted and used to reproduce standard gauge were left to be circulated. Meanwhile, the SON claimed they were undergoing laboratory tests but couldn’t share any results with the public. Where is operational transparency and accountability?” the statement asked. "The time for talk is over. We need governmental action, and we need it now. The lives of innocent Nigerians depend on it. If it truly matters to our government, the time to act is now. I wept seeing the lifeless bodies of innocent Nigerians brought out of the building. A careful observation of the collapsed building shows that wires were used in lieu of standard gauge steel. That’s callous!” the statement concluded.

Building collapse: Iron rod distributors demand government action on substandard steel producers

By Biola Azeez
Palliatives yet to mitigate effect of subsidy removal — Catholic Bishop

Palliatives yet to mitigate effect of subsidy removal — Catholic Bishop

By Biola Azeez
Kwara govt detects illegal dump site, arrests waste collector, Police inspector

Army officer allegedly shoots truck driver at Jebba-Ilorin expressway, Kwara

By Biola Azeez
Unilorin students to resume

Unilorin monthly electricity bill jumps from N70m to N230m — VC

By Biola Azeez
Kwara livestock dealers

Livestock dealers seek Kwara govt intervention over loss

By Biola Azeez

Unilorin researchers get N1.7bn grant to develop antibiotic alternative

By Biola Azeez
Kwara smart city projects Foundation celebrates lawyer, Kwara residents, Kwara accident, Hit and run

Foundation celebrates lawyer, Yusuf Ali, over his firm’s 30th anniversary

By Biola Azeez
Two years after Owo church attack, survivor recounts miraculous escape

Two years after Owo church attack, survivor recounts miraculous escape

By Biola Azeez

Inter-ethnic marriages, solution to farmers-herders clashes — Varsity researchers

By Biola Azeez
Kwara Hotel workers ,

Kwara Hotel workers lament unpaid N264.5bn terminal benefits

By Biola Azeez
Is parliamentary form of government the way to go?

Is parliamentary form of government the way to go?

By Biola Azeez
NCS MIS File Tracker NCS LOGO ban on vehicle importation NCS and PEBEC Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Customs on SOP for courier companies Charge customs duty in Naira

Kwara correctional service gets new controller

By Biola Azeez

Palliatives: Kwara distributes 18,000 bags of maize, sorghum to indigents

By Biola Azeez
Kwara NLC and TUC

Kwara NLC, TUC ask members to resume Wednesday

By Biola Azeez
Kwara residents lament hardship caused by strike

Kwara residents lament hardship caused by strike

By Biola Azeez
Kwara workers strike,

Minimum wage: Schools, banks, offices shut as Kwara workers join nationwide strike

By Biola Azeez
Tobacco responsible for over 8 million deaths yearly – Anatomy professor

Tobacco responsible for over 8 million deaths yearly — Anatomy professor

By Biola Azeez