Metro

Nigeria Church Stampede: Parents grief as church struggles to find relatives of victims

Published

2 years ago

June 2, 2022

The Nigerian church in Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers state, which witnessed a stampede last weekend said it is still trying to trace relatives of some of the victims of the incident.

The church, known as ‘Kings Assembly’ is located in the GRA axis of the city, but the event which has now claimed the lives of some was at the Polo Club to accommodate the usual large congregation.

The Church put out a statement saying it is working to identify relatives of the victims, some of whom have been waiting outside the church for news.

Meanwhile, parents and relatives of the deceased from the unfortunate incident have narrated their ordeals regarding their human losses.

Mr. Samuel Eke, who is a parent to one of the victims, five-year-old Delight Eke narrates how he was greeted with the harsh reality of his child’s death after he became conscious having passed out during the stampede also.

“When I got myself back, I became conscious again, I started looking for my son. I look for my son. I saw him and when I watched him, I saw that he was already on the ground, dead. I took him up and tried to shout for help. Even the security, these people that were in charge, they were wearing that black polo shirt for free (indistinct) We could not see anybody to help. What we see is people just scatter. I don’t know whether they were trying to help us or trying to save their own life or trying to see what they could do. I don’t know. All I know is I was shouting for help, nobody to help. People were lying dead, shouting for help, nobody to help,” said Samuel Eke, Delight’s father.

The parent of another victim, seven-year-old Delight Ogazilim Boms also spoke dearly of his late child “This is my daughter we are talking about. I have three children, three daughters. Among them, she was first. was so close to me. I carry her everywhere (indistinct), I carry her to all our ministry programs. In the church, ever knows her,” said Jude Boms, her father.

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Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

13 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.