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As Akwa Ibom State moves to update its energy and environmental compliance frameworks, legal reforms are taking shape at the Ministry of Justice in Uyo.

At the center of this process is Ms. Idara Andy, Lead Counsel for Energy Regulation and Policy, who has been involved in drafting new laws and regulations that cover electricity, oil, gas, and renewable energy operations.

Her work includes developing agreements and licenses designed to clarify responsibilities between companies and government agencies. Power purchase agreements and exploration licenses she has helped structure place emphasis on accountability and transparency, aiming to reduce disputes and regulatory breaches.

Ms. Andy has also represented the state in court cases against multinational oil companies, particularly in matters concerning environmental degradation. These cases have tested enforcement of existing standards and signaled the state’s willingness to pursue stronger compliance measures.

Beyond litigation and drafting, she has been involved in capacity-building efforts. In late 2023, she organized training workshops for government officials in Uyo, focusing on energy law and environmental compliance. The sessions emphasized how stronger legal understanding can support renewable energy initiatives.

State officials note that since the introduction of clearer compliance systems, investor interest in renewable energy projects has increased. According to one senior energy commission official, the reforms have created ‘a more predictable environment’ for stakeholders in the sector.

Observers see the Akwa Ibom process as part of a broader shift in Nigeria, where energy law has often been reactive. By combining policy development with legal enforcement, the state is positioning itself to better balance environmental sustainability with economic growth.

No fewer than six staff of United Capital Plc and four staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) lost their lives following a fire outbreak at Afriland Towers, a six-storey commercial building on Broad Street, Lagos Island. The incident is a reminder of how quickly disaster can strike and why it is important to know practical tips for a fire outbreak.

The fire started in the power inverter room in the basement, with smoke rapidly spreading, causing panic among occupants trying to escape. Emergencies like this show the importance of knowing what to do immediately, not just after the alarm sounds.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at seven key tips for fire outbreaks to help you stay safe at home or in the office.

1. Stay calm and evaluate the danger

Panic spreads quickly, making decision-making harder and increasing mistakes. Take a moment to locate where the fire is coming from and assess its size. If it seems small and manageable, you may attempt to extinguish it with a fire extinguisher or blanket. If it is spreading or near flammable materials, focus on escaping.

Deep breaths and clear thinking reduce risks. According to a study, panicking during a fire leads to unpredictable movement and slower evacuation, increasing danger for everyone.

2. Raise the alarm and call for help

If you discover a fire, alert others immediately. Shout, activate building alarms, or use any available warning system. The sooner people know, the more time they have to escape. At the same time, call emergency services or firefighters.

Even a small fire can release smoke and toxic gases that spread unseen. Exiting safely should be the priority over trying to manage the fire alone. Smoke inhalation causes more deaths in fires than burns. Delaying the call for help wastes valuable time.

3. Leave everything behind

It is natural to want to pick up valuables such as laptops, phones, or documents, but every second matters. Do not return to burning areas for any item. Fires can escalate within seconds. Instead, focus on getting yourself and others to safety. Survivors often owe their lives to escaping quickly without hesitation over material things.

4. Use stairs, avoid lifts

In a fire, lifts are dangerous. They may fail due to power cuts or allow smoke and heat to enter the shaft. Stairs are safer, even if slower. When many people are evacuating, staying calm and orderly helps everyone exit faster.

Always know at least two escape routes. Buildings should have clearly marked fire exits, often with lights or signs visible in smoke. Regular fire drills at workplaces help people get used to alternative exits.

5. Stay low and protect your breathing

Smoke rises, and inhaling it can be more dangerous than flames. Crawl or stay close to the floor where the air is clearer. Cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth if possible.

Smoke inhalation, as seen in the Afriland Towers fire, is often the leading cause of death in fire incidents. Remember this as one of the most vital tips for fire outbreaks.

6. Use a fire extinguisher only if safe

If the fire is small, contained, and you have clear access, you may use an extinguisher. Only do this if it does not put you in danger. Remember the PASS rule: Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side.

If the extinguisher fails to work quickly, leave immediately. Many fatalities happen because people underestimate how fast a fire can spread.

7. Evacuate quickly

Once you determine escape is the safest option, move without delay. Follow exit routes, avoid blocked passages, use staircases, and do not return inside. After evacuation, gather at a safe point away from the building and ensure emergency services are contacted if not already done. Do not re-enter until professionals declare it safe.

TWO of my ardent readers and friends prevailed on me to comment on the ongoing scuffle between Dangote refinery on the one hand and the two Labour unions in the oil and gas sector, NUPENG (Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers) and PENGASSAN (Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria) on the other. While junior workers in the oil and gas sector belong to NUPENG, PENGASSAN houses senior staff in the same commanding height of the nation’s economy, the cash-cow that we have milked relentlessly since crude oil was first discovered by Shell-BP in commercial quantity at Oloibiri in present-day Bayelsa state in 1956, to the unfortunate abandonment of agriculture, the initial mainstay of the country’s economy. Overriding public interest also commands that I do.

Consequences of oil workers’ strike

With the two workers’ unions in the critical oil sector spoiling for a fight with the management of Dangote refinery, the consequences and reverberations of any industrial action will be felt by all and sundry. Anticipation of fuel scarcity that will undoubtedly ensue will lead to panic-buying by motorists and other users of petroleum products. Queues will form at fuel stations with the attendant consequences of disruption of seamless movement of persons, goods and services. Characteristically, petrol station managers will cash-in on the situation to further milk an already traumatised citizenry. Expect hoarding of the commodity. Expect, also, accidents arising therefrom and the attendant loss of life and property. Touts hiking fuel in bottles and jerry-cans will line our major roads, accentuating the scarcity and exacerbating the suffering of the people. Transportation fare from one location to another will balloon and food costs, unbearable at the moment, will shoot through the roof. Every imaginable item and services, including medicine and medicaments, school fees, rents, name it, will climb up, thus piling more misery on hapless Nigerians. The marginalization of Nigerian workers in favour of foreign nationals will further deepen unemployment, heighten youth restiveness, shoot up crime rate, and the JAPA syndrome will become accentuated. No one prays for another #ENDSARSNOW! Neither does anyone want the Arab Spring or Nepal to happen here! But we must watch it!

War by proxies?

Says Dante Alighieri, in his famous work titled ‘Inferno’: ‘The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crisis maintain their neutrally’ May we never experience an inferno here in NIgeria! Echoes our own Wole Soyinka in ‘The Man Died’: ‘The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny!’ Some said NUPENG and PENGASSAN are resisting the tyranny of one man and his audacious ambition to capture, confiscate and appropriate unto himself the entire downstream sector of the oil and gas section of the commanding height of the nation’s economy. Dangote refinery counters that they are victims of a relentless and sustained sabotage by workers whose corruption threatens to up-end their multi-billion dollar investment.

What we are witnessing on the surface is a labour dispute between the Management of a refinery and its workers, but beneath, the struggle is more vicious and deadly. It is a fight for control of the goose that lays the golden egg for Nigeria, touted as Africa’s giant and its leading oil-producing nation. As a monopolist moves stealthily in well-measured steps but scantily-concealed manner to extend his tentacles like an octopus into the country’s life-wire, competitors are stopping at nothing to checkmate him and reverse the advantages he has chalked up against them over time. When he had the opportunity, the monopolist seized it with both hands. While others were buying private jets, stashing off-shore accounts and embarking on spending binge in Dubai and other exotic locations, someone chose to invest his own loot, as some of his competitors have described it, in an investment that has become a game-changer in a country where governments are steep in inefficiency and corruption. The other side of the story, however – and this is frightening – is what happened the moment the monopolist took total control of cement, sugar, etc. The people’s misery tripled, in place of the succor they were promised.

Between investment and profligacy

But who is to blame? If you chance, on a platter, on the footprints of a mad man and fail to cash-in on it to enter into stupendous riches, is it a sane man that will be careless with his own footprints? The story is told of a Lagos-based Afro-juju musician from Ogun state who, in 1990, invested N20 million, which is the value of billions of Naira by today’s exchange rate, to construct a mansion in the Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos. When completed, the mansion was said to be the talk-of-town. People trooped there to behold its splendour. It was the type the Yoruba people call ‘a-wo-si-fila’ – a wonderment, to put it mildly. Be-that-as-it-may, call the mansion a cost centre – a liability. Today, they say the mansion has fallen into bad times, like similar mansions that once belonged to the Ugandan dictator Idi Amin Dada and his Zairean counterpart Mobutu SeseSeko. The story is also told of another Nigerian, this time from Delta state, who invested a similar amount of 20 million Naira at about the same time as the musician to start a small bank. Call that an investment. Today, that small bank has become one of the country’s leading commercial banks, worth billions, if not trillions of Naira. So, who is to blame? If someone invested his own loot while others fritter theirs, who is to blame? But once bitten, twice shy!

We were told the Dangote refinery cost between 18 and 20 billion dollars to build; his critics say it costs far less. Admirers of the man say the refinery was a testament to his business acumen; but his critics say it was evidence of the unfair trade favours he curried from successive governments since the return to civilian rule in 1999, especially so from the Muhammadu Buhari administration (2015 – 2023). While some say Dangote succeeded where successive Nigerian governments failed, others counter that his so-called success story was at our collective expense and that the refinery was built on our back. To such critics, it will not even be out of place if the refinery is nationalised! But if they do – granted but not conceding – who runs it? Will the government not run it aground like it has done the government-owned refineries?

What’s at stake?

PENGASSAN and NUPENG may be right when they said they were fighting for workers rights at the Dangote refinery. Unionization is an internationally-recognised right of workers. Freedom of association is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Suspect every employer of labour that seeks, be it flagrantly or surreptitiously, to abridge the rights of workers to organize. Such employers have skeletons in their cupboards. They have something to hide. And such hidden motives are usually sinister. The unions also alleged that there was no due consultation before 800 workers were sacked; there was no fair hearing; and the process was, through and through, shadowy and opaque, without transparency and justification.

But we cannot pretend not to know that there are many of Dangote’s competitors who are happy each time his ship runs into bad weather. Unfortunately, some of the time, Dangote’s misfortunes are self-inflicted. Like capitalism, which Marxism says have embedded in it the seeds of its own destruction, the monopolistic tendencies of the practised monopolist also drives him to self-destruct, thus leading him to overplay his hand as he stretches his advantage beyond elasticity and carries his luck too far. A man who knows too well how he got into his riches is edgy when confronted by forces he knows are privy to his underbelly and what to do to unsettle, if not completely unhinge, him. The last, therefore, may not have been heard about the tango between Dangote refinery and the forces arrayed against it.

Back-and forth!

The labour unions alleged that 800 Nigerian workers were sacked because they dared to unionize. Two: That 2000 Indian workers were recruited in the face of millions of Nigerian unemployed youths pounding the streets in search of jobs. Three: That qualified Nigerians were replaced by Indians. Four: That many of the Indians so recruited lacked the appropriate Immigration documents. Five: That sacking Nigerian workers while retaining the services of Indian workers violates the spirit and letters of Section 7 of the Labour Act which prohibits discrimination in the workplace and enshrines fair and equal treatment. Six: That despite Dangote refinery’s pretentious attempts to mask its real intentions, the sacked Nigerian workers were targeted because they voluntarily elected to exercise their right to unionize. ‘When the witch cries in the night and the child dies in the morning, what do you expect’, asked PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa.

The right of workers to unite was the first declaration made by Karl Marx in the ‘Communist Manifesto’. Thus, the rallying cry of revolutionary workers all over the world became ‘Workers of all countries, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains’ Those very chains are what capitalists do not want workers to lose!

The Dangote refinery counters that over 3000 Nigerian workers are still in its employment and none of its workers was victimised on account of unionization; but that some workers were sacked as a result of repeated acts of sabotage, culminating in the need to take firm and appropriate action to protect life and property, address safety concerns; and, of course, protect the good health of the company. They described the refinery as a ‘strategic national asset’, which should be protected for the benefit of Nigerians and the refinery’s partners across Africa, and in the overall economic interest of thousands of people whose livelihood depends on it.

Nigerian workers: Enemies of their own selves?

We must listen to the Dangote refinery on this! There is a worrisome trend whereby Nigerian workers themselves are the ones eating up and running down both public and private businesses set up here in this country, only for them to turn round and complain of unemployment! I listened to a post on social media where some Ghanaian businessmen equally complained of the same scourge in Ghana. Is this, then, an African malaise? I suffered that scourge as a small employer of labour in my own little corner. Rather than set up factories and businesses here, anyone who has been so dealt with by their Nigerian employees will prefer to put their funds in Treasury bills and save themselves the stress, and the stark reality of losing all their investments while the scoundrels pound the street in search of their next victims. What is Labour doing about this? Or are they only interested in the check-off dues they collect from workers?

Most times when we advocate for fiscal federalism or true federalism, it is mere sloganeering and hot air. Over-centralization, which decades of the military’s command-and-control structure, has imposed on us, has permeated every sector of our national life, including, tragically, the so-called democratic or revolutionary movements. Democratic organisations like the trade unions, rather than organize from top to bottom, ought to organize from bottom upward. So we should have, using my own Ondo state as an example, Ondo State Labour Congress, and not Nigeria Labour Congress (Ondo State chapter); ditto for NBA, NMA, NUT, NUJ, etc. Checkoff dues, to be made voluntary, should be paid at the state level by willing members. States should be free to affiliate at the centre, if it serves their interest.

Since her return from rehab, the delectable ex-wife of 2Face Idibia, Annie, appears to have found her rhythm again.

At a time when her former husband is battling controversy over his aborted London show, Annie chose a different path, one that speaks volumes without saying a word.

The actress took to Instagram to share a short video of herself grooving to music, exuding confidence and joy.

For many of her followers, it was a quiet but striking response to the noise surrounding 2Face’s latest troubles.

While social media has been abuzz with allegations, denials, and heated debates about why the London performance was postponed, Annie seemed intent on distancing herself from the chaos.

Her clip, filled with smiles and carefree vibes, sent a subtle message: she is moving on with her life and paying little attention to the storm.

The post drew warm reactions from fans who applauded her strength and praised her for refusing to be dragged into her ex’s current travails.

Others, however, were quick to link the timing of her video to 2Face’s controversy, suggesting it was a pointed way of showing that she has fully embraced life after their separation.

Annie, who has often been at the center of headlines due to her turbulent relationship with the singer, seems determined to chart a new course for herself.

Her latest post may not mention 2Face directly, but its timing and tone have been interpreted as her own way of reclaiming the narrative.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, extolled the virtues of teachers in the state, and appreciated their commitment as they joined their colleagues across the globe to celebrate this year’s World Teachers Day.

He commended them at an event organised by the state wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to commemorate the occasion held at the Teachers’ Pavilion in Ikeja.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, expressed deep appreciation for their roles in training and shaping the mind and character of young ones for leadership role in the future.

According to him, teachers are the most important people anywhere globally as they are the ones whose wisdom shaped the past, dedication shaping the present, and influence guides the future.

Sanwo-Olu said he used the occasion to join parents, students, and everyone in the education sector of the state to say a big, heartfelt ‘thank you’ to our teachers.

He mentioned that teachers are the ones, who awaken curiosity in the young mind, nurture hidden potential, and inspire children to dream beyond their limits.

‘So, every day, through your patience and commitment, you shape destinies and build the foundation of our society. Today is your day to pause, reflect, and celebrate the immense value you bring to the lives of our children and to the future of our State and our nation.’

Sanwo-Olu observed that the theme for this year’s event, ‘Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession’ is a strong reminder that teaching is not something teachers do alone.

According to him, education works best when teachers, parents, policymakers, communities, and even students themselves come together to make learning meaningful.

He noted that teaching is much more than mere delivering of lesson notes before students as teachers mentor, guide, counsel, and build character.

‘They also give confidence to the timid, direction to the lost, and encouragement to those who doubt themselves and they are shaping not just students in classrooms, but the leaders, innovators, and citizens of tomorrow.

‘So, for this reason, their voices must not be pushed aside as teachers’ experiences, insights, and challenges must guide the way we design our schools, our curriculum, and even our education policies.

‘When we listen to teachers, we are not just supporting a profession – we are investing in the very foundation of our future.’

Sanwo-Olu stated that Lagos State recognises teachers as partners, making their voices part of government policies.

Citing an example, he said, ‘It is only career teachers – people who have grown through the ranks – that can become tutors-general or permanent secretaries within the education family in the state, and the policy has brought stability to the system and also made it stronger.’

He said that is why the state is also recruiting new teachers to lessen the individual workload and also enhance students’ learning outcomes without leaving any child behind.

‘So, we as a people and as a government honor the true value of your work and we will continue to prioritize your concerns across in all areas,’ he concluded.

In his remarks, the state’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, also acknowledged what he described as the great role played by the teachers in the society.

According to him, teachers’ impact goes far beyond the classroom walls as they inspire, motivate, and nurture future leaders, innovators, and citizens.

‘Your influence, he added, also shines as a beacon of hope, guiding students through life’s challenges and empowering them to unlock their full potential.

‘That is why I charge you today with a crucial responsibility: to challenge yourself, to encourage one another, and to recognize that by working collaboratively and acquiring new skills, tomorrow holds the promise of being even better and greater than today.

‘I also urge you to embrace this task, by making concerted efforts to integrate yourselves, your schools, and students into the vast opportunities technology offers.

‘Let us equally and jointly leverage the T.H.E.M.E.S + Agenda of the state government, especially the Education and Technology pillar in the agenda.

He said as educators, they cannot afford to be complacent in redefining academic standards and goals and therefore should be livelier to their roles.

He said the state government would continue to make teaching profession worthwhile as teachers reward are on this planet earth and not only in heaven.

Speaking earlier, the state’s NUT chairman, Mr. Hassan Akintoye, expressed gratitude to the state government and the education ministry family for their supports to teachers in the state.

He said this year’s theme was both timely and visionary as teaching has often been perceived as a solitary task-one teacher, one classroom, many learners.

But the realities of the 21st Century, he said, demand something more,

According to him, to truly succeed, teaching must become a collaborative profession, where teachers work not in isolation, but in synergy with one another, with parents, with government, with technology innovators, and with society at large.

‘So, collaboration means mentorship, sharing best practices between colleagues, teachers and policymakers co-create education reforms, teachers and parents work as true partners in child development, and so forth’.

Akintoye however called on the state government again to do better for teachers by making teachers to be seen as not just implementers, but as partners. ‘The future of education in Lagos requires policies that place collaboration at the core of teaching.

‘Let us build schools where teachers do not compete, but collaborate, build a system where teachers, parents and leaders are allies.

Let us also create platforms where every teacher, from the entrant to the most senior, has a role to play in shaping our collective future,’ he said.

He promised that teachers would redouble their efforts as the look forward for another celebration next year.

Among other top state government functionaries at the event include the deputy governor, Dr Kadri Hamzat, who was represented by the Executive Chairman of state’s SUBEB, Dr Hakeem Shittu; ,the Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, represented by the TESCOM chairman, Mrs. Victoria Peregrino and the Tutor-General-Perm Secretary of Education District 5, Mr. Abiodun Hassan and so forth.

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has reaffirmed his total loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its leadership, saying no political party can match the PDP.

The Governor made this known on Sunday while receiving the newly elected Executive Council of the PDP North-East Zone at the Government House, Bauchi. He said efforts to rebuild the PDP into a strong opposition party were steadily gaining ground.

Governor Mohammed assured the new zonal executives of his continued support for all initiatives aimed at uniting party members, in line with the leadership’s vision for the region.

He also restated his commitment to the PDP’s ideals and to working with the party’s leadership at all levels across the country. According to him, his administration will keep prioritizing development and progress in Bauchi State and the North-East.

The new PDP Zonal Executive members commended the Governor for his leadership and expressed confidence in his ability to drive growth within the state and the region.

They reaffirmed their loyalty to the party and promised to work together to reposition the PDP for future electoral victories.

Led by the Zonal Chairman, Babamgida Modibbo Aliyu, the delegation thanked the Governor for hosting the meeting and for his consistent support to the party.

The new executives also passed a vote of confidence in Governor Bala Mohammed’s leadership, praising his ability to unite people and promote development in the state.