…UN Chief confirms support to Iraq***
…As Deadly explosion hits election rally in Helmand, Afghanistan***
The Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa, was thrown into mourning on Tuesday, following the death of Prof. Adegboyega Obadofin, allegedly killed by fire in his residence.
Prof. Sunday Oginduyile, the Vice-Chancellor of OSUSTECH, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Okitipupa that the university authorities had reported the matter to the police to ascertain the cause of the fire.
Oginduyile said that the fire was said to have occurred about 1:a.m. on Tuesday at his residence in Ayeka area of Okitipupa.
He said that neighbours confirmed to him that there was no public power supply nor was his power generating set on when the incident occurred.
The vice chancellor said Obadofin, 65, was the Acting Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the university.
“I was in great shock when I visited the late don’s home.
“His death is a great loss not to his faculty but to the entire institution at large. The management, lecturers, students, workers and everyone will greatly miss him,” he said.
He described the deceased whose family resides in Lagos as a friendly person, a gentleman and a hardworking person, whose vacuum would be difficult to fill.
Oginduyile also prayed for the repose of his soul and that God gives the families the fortitude to bear the loss.
NAN reports that his body has been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital morgue in Okitipupa.
In the meantime, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday confirmed UN’s support to Iraq and the continuing of its programmes in the war-torn country.
In a statement by his office, the Prime Minister-designate Abdul-Mahdi, received a phone call from Guterres, who congratulated Abdul-Mahdi for his appointment to form the government.
Guterres confirmed UN’s support to Iraq in all aspects, including the continuation of its programmes in Iraq, as well as the need for stability and reconstruction.
“For his part, Abdul-Mahdi confirmed Iraq’s need to increase the international community’s support during the next stage in various aspects.
“Particularly after Iraq achieved victory over Islamic State group (IS), and its efforts to reconstruct Iraqi cities and provide services to its people,’’ the statement said.
On Oct. 2, the Iraqi parliament elected Barham Salih as president of Iraq, who later named Abdul-Mahdi as prime minister-designate and tasked him with forming the new government for the next four years.
According to the Iraqi Constitution, the prime minister-designate has 30 days to put together a cabinet and present it to parliament for approval.
On Dec. 9, 2017, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi officially declared full liberation of Iraq from the IS extremist group.
Meanwhile, at least five people have been killed in an explosion at an election rally in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital of Helmand, Afghan officials said.
An election candidate, Saleh Mohammad Achakzai, is believed to be among those wounded in the attack, reported local Tolo news. Taliban armed group has called for the boycott of parliamentary elections scheduled to be held later this month.
“People who are trying to help in holding this process successfully by providing security should be targeted and no stone should be left unturned for the prevention and failure [of the election],” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid earlier said in the statement. Helmand, bordering Pakistan, has long been one of the strongholds of Taliban group, which has been waging an armed rebellion since they were ousted from power by US-led forces in 2001.
Additional report from Vanguard
