Friday, 30 December 2016

Year in review: Notable deaths of 2016

Majority of Nigerians made it through the emotional rollercoaster that is 2016, but many fell along the way.Here are some notable deaths that rocked us during the year:James Ocholi (November 26, 1960 – March 6, 2016)OcholiThe Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, James Ocholi, died in a road crash along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway on March 6, 2016. His wife, Blessing, and son, Joshua, also lost their lives in the crash.Maj. Gen. Yushau AbubakarAbubakarThe Chief of Training and Operation of the Nigerian Army,Maj. Gen. Yushau Abubakar, lost his life in a road accident along the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road on March 8, 2016.Felix Ibru (December 7, 1935 – March 12, 2016)The first elected governor of Delta State, Felix Ibru, passed away on March 12, 2016 at the age of 80.Tunji Braithwaite (1933 – 2016)BraithwaiteLawyer, activist, politician and elder statesman, Tunji Braithwaite passed on at a hospital in Lagos on March 28, 2016. He was 82.Oba Erediauwa of Benin (1923 – 2016)On Friday, April 29, 2016, the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, announced that the Oba of Benin Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolopkolo Erediauwa, h‎as passed on. The Oba, who succeeded his father, Oba Akenzua II, on March 23, 1979 as the 38th Oba of Benin Kingdom, reigned for 37 years.Giwa FC goalkeeper Timothy OkereOkereTimothy Okere, one of Giwa Football Club’s goalkeepers died after a prolonged spinal cord-related ailment in Jos on May 4.Henrietta Kosoko (May 30, 1964 – June 6, 2016)kosokoNollywood actress, filmmaker, and wife of veteran actor Jide Kosoko, Henrietta, died on Monday, June 6, 2016 after a long battle with diabetes.Stephen Keshi (January 23, 1962 – June 7, 2016)KeshiFormer Super Eagles captain and coach, Stephen Keshi, died suddenly in Benin City, Edo State on June 7 after suffering a heart attack. The Nigerian football legend was54.Amodu Shaibu (April 18, 1958 – June 10, 2016)ShuaibuFormer Super Eagles coach and Technical Director of theNigeria Football Federation, Amodu Shuaibu, died in his sleep in Benin City, Edo State on June 10, 2016.His death, which came just three days after that of his close friend, Stephen Keshi, shocked the football community in Nigeria and beyond.OJB Jezreel (July 4, 1966 – June 14, 2016)OJBNigerian music producer and singer, Babatunde Okungbowa, popularly known as OJB Jezreel, died in Lagos on June 14 as a result of kidney failure.Niki Tobi (July 14, 1940 – June 16, 2016)TobiA former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Niki Tobi, died in Abuja on Thursday, June 16, 2016 less than a month to his 76th birthday.Elechi Amadi (May 12, 1934 – June 29, 2016)AmadiPopular Nigerian author, Capt. Elechi Amadi, who wrote famous books like The Concubine, Isiburu, Sunset in Biafra, and Peppersoup and The Road to Ibadan, died aged 82 in Port Harcourt on June 29 – about a week afterhe became ill.Ojo Maduekwe (May 6, 1945 – June 29, 2016)MaduekweFormer Minister of Foreign Affairs and member of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees, Ojo Maduekwe, died aged 71 in Abuja on June 29, 2016.Bukky Ajayi (February 2, 1934 – July 6, 2016)AjayiThe iconic Nollywood actress died in Lagos on July 6, 2016 at the age of 82 with tributes pouring in from the many Nigerians who grew up watching her as well as those who worked with her.Shettima Ali-Mongonu (1926 – 2016)MongunoA former Minister of Mines, Power and Petroleum, and President of OPEC, Shettima Ali-Monguno, died on Friday,July 8, 2016 in Maiduguri, Borno State.Rep Adewale Elijah-Oluwatayo (1951 – 2016)ElijahThe representative of the Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Adewale Elijah-Oluwatayo, died suddenly in Abuja on July 20, 2016. He was 65.Oba Michael Sonariwo (1936 – 2016)SonariwoThe Akarigbo of Remoland and Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas, Oba Michael Sonariwo, joined his ancestors on July 24, 2016 aged 80 at a hospital in the United Kingdom.Michael Ibru (December 25, 1930 – September 6, 2016)IbruThe Head of the Ibru Organisation, and Otota of Agbarha-Otor kingdom, Michael Ibru, died at the age of 85 on September 6 at a hospital in the United States after a long illness.Etim Inyang (December 25, 1931 – September 26, 2016)Former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Etim InyangEtim Inyang, Nigeria’s 6th Inspector General of Police (1984 – 1986) died at a hospital in Lagos on September 26, 2016.Chris JeyiboJeyiboThe Chairman of Koga Entertainment, owner of Koga Studio, Chris Jeyibo, was killed in the wee hours of October 7 when his Range Rover ran into a stationary truck in the Magodo axis of Lagos.Lt.-Col. Muhammad Ali (August 15, 1980 – November 4, 2016)AliOne of the Nigerian Army’s bravest and gallant officers, the Commanding Officer of 272 Task Force Tank Battalion, Lt.-Col. Muhammad Ali was killed in a Boko Haram Ambush on November 4, 2016. Even the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, could not hold back tears after he died.Olaniwun Ajayi (April 8, 1925 – November 4, 2016)AjayiSolicitor and Advocate, Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Afenifere chieftain, Olaniwun Ajayi passed away on November 4 at 91.Ibrahim Dasuki (December 31, 1923 – November 14, 2016)DasukiThe 18th Sultan of Sokoto, who was on the throne from November 2, 1988 to April 22, 1996 when he was deposed by Gen. Sani Abacha, died after a protracted illness on November 14 aged 92.Rasheed Gbadamosi (December 7, 1943 – November 16, 2016)GbadamosiA former Minister of National Planning, industrialist, art collector and writer, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, died on November 16, 2016 at the age of 72.Fred AgbajeAgbajeHuman rights lawyer, Fred Agbaje, died from an undisclosed ailment in London on November 26, 2016.Bola Kuforiji-Olubi (September 28,1936 – December 3, 2016)Kuforiji-OlubiA former banker and minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, passed away aged 80 on December 3, 2016.Rahma HarunaHarunaThe Kano State born girl without limbs and who was moved about in a washbasin died on December 25 at the age of 19 years after a brief illness at her Lahadin Makole’s home, Warawa Local Government Area of Kano.Chief Francis OkpozoOkpozoA Second Republic Senator and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Francis Okpozo, died at theage of 84 in Delta State on December 26, 2016 after a brief illness.

Year in review: Notable deaths of 2016

Unknown 15:04 No comments

Singer resigns from choir over Trump

Unknown 14:55 No comments

A member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has quit the group rather than sing at Donald Trump’s inauguration and appear to endorse “tyranny and fascism.”In a resignation letter posted on her Facebook page Thursday, Jan Chamberlin said she had agonized over whether to sing at the January 20 ceremony and “spent several sleepless nights and days in turmoil.”She said her only option, finally, was to quit the famed choir.“I simply cannot continue with the recent turn of events,” she wrote. “I could never look myself in the mirror again with self-respect.”The singer, who had been with the choir for five years, said her decision came down to upholding her moral values.“I only know I could never ‘throw roses to Hitler.’ And I certainly could never sing for him,” she wrote.Chamberlin said while she respected the choir’s bid to be politically neutral, “I also know, looking from the outside in, it will appear that (the) choir is endorsing tyranny and fascism by singing for this man.”Her open letter came a week after it was announced that the 360-member choir, which has a long tradition of performing for presidents, and the Radio City Rockettes would appear at Trump’s inauguration.Several members of the dance troupe have also expressed reservations about performing at the event.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which runs the choir, would not comment on Chamberlin’s decision. A spokesman said performing at the inauguration was voluntary and that only a limited number of singers would participate due to limited space.A petition urging the choir to snub the ceremony has gained nearly 24,000 signatures.Only a smattering of artists backed Trump’s election bid and the Republican president-elect has struggled to pin down big names for the January 20 event in Washington, with high-profile stars including Elton John turning down invites.

Thursday, 29 December 2016

Shekau video mere terrorists’ propaganda – Army

Unknown 13:39 No comments

This screen grab image taken on December 29, 2016 from a video released on Youtube by Islamist group Boko Haram shows Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau making a statement at an undisclosed location. The embattled leader of jihadist group Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, appeared in a new video disputing a claim by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari that the jihadist group had been routed from its Sambisa Forest stronghold. "We are safe. We have not been flushed out of anywhere. And tactics and strategies cannot reveal our location except if Allah wills by his decree," Shekau said in the 25-minute video, flanked by armed fighters. / AFP PHOTO / BOKO HARAM AND AFP PHOTO / HO

The Nigerian Army has described the video purportedly released by the Boko Haram showing its leader as “mere terrorists’ propaganda.”

A statement by Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman in Abuja on Thursday said the attention of the Nigerian Army had been drawn to the video clip released by the group from an undisclosed location, showing its purported leader, Shekau, making spurious claims.

“While effort is on going to subject the video to further forensic analysis, the Nigerian Army wishes to reiterate that it has captured and occupied the last known stronghold of the terrorists group in the Sambisa forest.

“We would like to reassure the public that this video is nothing but mere terrorists propaganda aimed at creating fear in the mind of people and to remain relevant.

“Therefore, there is no cause for alarm, more so as concerted effort in clearing the vestiges of Boko Haram terrorists wherever they might be hiding, is ongoing.

“Our gallant troops deployed in various parts of the North-East have continued to intensify search for all persons associated with Boko Haram terrorist group with a view to bringing them to justice”, Usman said.

He urged the public to go about their normal lawful business, remain vigilant and be security conscious; adding that any suspicious person or group of persons should be reported to the security agencies. (NAN)

ASUU alleges N2bn fraud at University of Ilorin

Unknown 13:36 No comments

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, alleging more than N2bn fraud against the management of the University of Ilorin.

The petition was jointly signed by the Ibadan Zone Chairmen of ASUU, Doctors Ade Adejumo and Deji Omole.

Others are Dr. Biodun Olaniran of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology; Dr. Dauda Adeshina of Kwara State University; and Dr. Kayode Afolayan of the University of Ilorin.

ASUU, in the petition, said the former Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and the incumbent Abdulganiyu Ambali, were involved in a fraud totalling more than N2bn.

ASUU described the University of Ilorin management as one of the most corrupt in any higher institution.

According to the petition, the institution has been operating under the pretext of keeping stable academic calendar to silence whistle blowers while perpetrating enormous fraud.

The allegations listed in the petition included pension fraud, unremitted deductions, extortion from students, contract inflation and kick-backs; as well as unlawful payments to ex-principal officers of the university.

Adejumo urged the EFCC to investigate the “monumental fraud perpetrated by the past and present administrations of the university.’’

They said the former vice chancellor, in 2011, doubled the amount of pension being deducted from staff under the pretext that the previous deductions were lower than what the law prescribed.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the legal minimum prescribed by Pension Act at the time was 7.5 per cent of emoluments and staff were paying even above this minimum.

“By way of comparison, in federal universities such as University of Lagos and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the sum of N20, N124 and N62 is deducted from each professor’s salary as pension contribution per month.

“However, in the University of Ilorin, the sum of N40, N206 and N42 is deducted monthly for the same pension contribution, contrary to law’’, it stated.

The petitioners also alleged a fraud of N1.5bn jointly perpetrated by the immediate past vice chancellor and the incumbent on fraudulent and unremitted deductions from staff salaries.

“Our preliminary investigations revealed that billions of naira have been extorted from population of about 35,000 students, including sandwich students, over the past years.

The union, therefore, called on the EFCC to do a diligent and thorough investigation of the allegations, adding that the anti-corruption agency would discover a can of worms.

A copy of the petition was stamped by the EFCC as received and dated 29th December, 2016. (NAN)

Fire destroys multi-million naira foodstuff in Ondo market

Unknown 13:33 No comments

The popular Odopetu market in Akure, the Ondo State capital, was gutted by fire on Thursday morning, destroying commodities worth million of naira.
Though there was no life lost in the incident, it was gathered that many shops that were stocked with foodstuff were completely destroyed.
Though, the exact cause of the fire was not known as of the time of filing this report, the affected traders said the fire was a mysterious one.

A source told our correspondent that the fire could be as a result of a power surge but in opposition, another source said there was no power supply to the area when the fire started in the midnight

One of the residents of the area said, ” The cause of the fire incident is not clear yet to anyone because everybody has gone to sleep and all the traders have all gone home. We just heard the noise in the night and we got there and saw everywhere on fire.”
It was also gathered that men of the Ondo State Fire Service were not around to put out the fire as all efforts made by the residents to reach them were unsuccessful.
One the affected traders who identified herself as Mrs. Janet Olorunfemi, while lamenting the incident, said she just stocked her shop with foodstuff to sell for the Christmas and New Yer Festival.
market1

400 Level Osun varsity student buried amidst tears

Unknown 13:27 No comments

The 400 Level student of the Osun State University, Miss Rofiat Adebisi, whose corpse was found at Iragbiji, was buried in Osogbo on Thursday amidst weeping and wailing by family members, friends and students.

Adebisi was buried in Owo Eba area, near Ilesa Garage area of Osogbo, the Osun State capital according to Islamic injunction.

Sympathisers and journalists had waited for hours for the remains of the deceased to be brought to the burial site, but some members of her family who were youths later came and asked journalists to leave the place.

One of them said journalists who did not join them while they were searching for the deceased only came around now to report the burial. He asked them to leave the place to avoid harassment.

But one of those who witnessed the interment told our correspondent that Rofiat, who was the last born of her family, was buried amidst weeping and wailing by her family members and friends.

The Chairman of NASFAT Osogbo branch, Abdulrasheed Adeyemo, who spoke with our correspondent shortly before the interment described the death as “painful”.

Adeyemo said the lady did not make it to NASFAT camp which she planned to attend because her name was not found on the register of those who attended the camping programme.