Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has expressed condolences to the family of former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, over the death of their matriarch, Chief ,Mrs, Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo.
Mama Onabanjo died at the age of 101.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Tuesday, Governor Abiodun described her passing as the end of a glorious era, noting that she lived an exemplary and fulfilled life devoted to God, family, and service to humanity.
The Governor said the death of a mother is always painful, regardless of age, but noted that Mama Lucia’s longevity and impactful life were worthy of celebration.
He recalled her steadfast support for her late husband during his struggles for democracy, human rights, and social justice, describing her as a strong pillar throughout his political journey.
Governor Abiodun said Mama Onabanjo was a source of inspiration, prayer, and encouragement to many, adding that she raised children and grandchildren who have distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavour.
He prayed that God grant the deceased eternal rest and give the Onabanjo family, friends, and associates the strength to bear the loss.
A retired headmistress of the School of the Physically Challenged, Enu Odi, Ilesa, Mrs Omowumi Bello, has been declared dead after a tragic collapse last Wednesday.
Mrs Bello, described by colleagues and students as diligent and devoted, had just concluded a long and distinguished career in education.
Her retirement ceremony was set to celebrate her years of service, but the event ended in shock and mourning.
Radio Nigeria Correspondent reports that she had only recently stepped down from her position as headmistress of the school, where she had served with commitment and passion.
The ceremony was held in the school premises, attended by staff, students, community members, and friends.
However, witnesses reported that the deceased arrived at the venue with a cheerful mood, danced to the music and drum beats by the drummers, leading her into the hall.
The late Mrs Bello showed some signs of distress a few minutes after she was accompanied to the high table by her husband.
“She looked tired, like she was gasping,” said another guest at the event.
“People rushed to help immediately.” An eyewitness said.
Findings revealed that first aid was administered immediately, but when her condition did not improve, she was quickly taken to the nearby private hospital.
Medical personnel at the private hospital referred her to the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, where she was declared dead on arrival.
Alhaja Monsurat Amoke Bankole, mother of a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Dimeji Bankole, has passed on in Ogun state.
Alhaja Bankole was the Iya Adinni of Egbaland during her lifetime.
As announced by the Consultant to the Ogun State Governor on Islamic Affairs, Sheik Iskeel Sugar, the 78 year old Alhaja Monsurat Bankole passed away on Friday 10th, January, 2025 in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Describing her as a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who dedicated her life to serving God and her community, Sheik Sugar said the late Iya Adini of Egbaland would be remembered for her unwavering commitment to the growth and unity of the Muslim community.
He pointed out that her burial would take place in accordance with Islamic rites later in the day at Onikoko area of Abeokuta, the state capital, while asking the Almighty Allah to grant her Al-Jannah Firdaus.
The death has been announced of a popular socialite and businesswoman, the Iya Sunnah of Egbaland, Yewaland and Ogun State, Chief Khadijah Adebisi Edionseri, popularly known as “Cash Madam”.
The 89-year-old Madam Edionseri reportedly died on Sunday, 5th January 2025, following a brief illness.
A statement by Dr Adebayo Adebowale on behalf of the family indicates that the late women leader would be buried this evening at her Abeokuta residence, according to Islamic rites.
The late Cash Madam, during her active years in business, was praised by prominent musicians, including Evangelist Ebenezer Obey for her philanthropy, business acumen, and steadfast commitment to the socio-economic development of Egbaland and Ogun State.
A renowned roadcaster and Vice Chairperson, National Association of Women Journalist, NAWOJ, Osun State, Taiwo Kekere Ekun has passed away.
According to reports, she passed away on Monday this week, after battling with an undisclosed illness.
She was a graduate of Mass Communication from Osun State Polytechnic, Iree.
The Alumni of the Mass Communication department at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, have taken to their various social media platforms to mourn her demise.
Late Taiwo Kekereekun was known for her eloquent presentation of newspaper reviews in Yoruba, which earned her recognition both within and outside the State.
President Bola Tinubu has, on behalf of Nigeria, condoled with the government and people of Namibia over the death of President Hage Geingob.
In a statement, President Tinubu mourns the loss of his counterpart, whom he describes as a veteran in the struggle for democracy, proponent of good governance, and advocate of economic, social, and political solidarity amongst Africans.
The President notes that, the tragedy has come at a time when Africa needs more visionary leaders, who believe in the common destiny of the continent, and who can strengthen bonds across borders and spread the tendrils of co-operation across all fields of human endeavour.
Signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the statement says as Namibia mourns, President Tinubu assures the Republic that, his thoughts and prayers, and those of Nigerians, are with them.
Russian missiles have hit Ukraine’s biggest cities, leaving four dead and dozens hurt, after Vladimir Putin vowed to intensify attacks.
Reports say, a woman was killed and 44 others were hurt in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said at least one person died and 27 were wounded as several blocks of flats were hit as a result of the Russian strikes.
Two more deaths were reported in the broader Kyiv region.
There have been major aerial assaults by both sides in recent days.
Russia launched its biggest aerial bombardment of the war late last week, killing 39 people. Ukrainian forces responded with an attack on the Russian border city of Belgorod on Saturday, which killed at least 25 people and injured more than 100.
Russia’s Vladimir Putin vowed that attack would not go unpunished and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said since Sunday alone, Moscow had fired 170 drones and dozens of missiles.
According to Ukraine’s air force, on Tuesday, it had downed 35 drones launched by Russia on Monday night. Russian strategic bombers then followed up the drone strikes with further attacks.
Ukraine’s armed forces said after the drone strikes 99 missiles of various kinds had been fired in a repeat of last Friday’s onslaught, from sea and air. They said 72 cruise and supersonic missiles had been destroyed.
Poland said it had deployed four F-16 fighter jets to secure its airspace in light of Russia’s “long-range aviation activity”. Last Friday Poland said an unidentified object, probably a Russian missile, had entered Polish airspace for several minutes before turning back towards Ukraine.
Kyiv officials said debris from Russia’s attacks had hit high-rise flats, warehouses and supermarkets, and that an elderly woman had died of her wounds. Power and water supplies were cut to several areas of the capital and gas pipelines were damaged in one district.
Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said the centre of the city was hit and the air force said it was prepared for further attacks.
The mayor of Mykolaiv, in southern Ukraine, said air defences had brought down drones in the city, with debris causing a fire.
On New Year’s Day, six civilians were killed by Russian strikes in various Ukrainian cities.
In a separate development, Russian-installed officials in the occupied city of Donetsk said four people were killed and 13 wounded by Ukrainian shelling on Sunday.
Mr Putin suggested that Western rhetoric towards the war was beginning to change as they started to realise they could not “destroy” Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky countered these claims in an interview with The Economist, saying Mr Putin’s suggestion that Russia was winning the war was only a “feeling”. He highlighted Russia’s casualty figures in Ukraine, and said the opposing forces had been unable to take a single large city in 2023.
Mr Zelensky also expressed frustration with Kyiv’s Western allies, saying they had lost a sense of urgency.
A secondary school teacher at the Government Model School, Jalingo, Taraba state capital has been stabbed to death by his former student who is now at large.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Abdullahi Usman, confirmed the incident, on Thursday saying the teacher was attacked while in a tricycle following an earlier altercation with the student.
Usman said, “A former student conspired with his cohorts to stab his teacher, who was inside Keke NAPEP.
“They had an altercation with the teacher and in the process stabbed the teacher. While taking him to hospital, he was confirmed dead”
Governor Agbu Kefas in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Mr. Emmanuel Bello mourned the tragic death of the teacher and directed a ban on assault weapons such as knives, machetes, daggers in Jalingo and its environs.
This is even as the governor directed an investigation into the incident and security surveillance to prevent such attacks in the future.
On her part, Commissioner for Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, condemned the attack saying “The security of staff and students of Science School Jalingo and other schools have been a source of concern for us at the Ministry of Education.
“We need armed and unarmed security agents such as; Civil Defence/ Peace Corps in our schools more than ever, especially around Jalingo,” she said.
The commissioner explained that the deceased teacher was assigned to organize one of the four groups of students near the school gate before the inspection team could arrive.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed grief over the passing of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Ado Ibrahim.
Tinubu’s condolence was contained in a statement, on Sunday, by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
The President condoled with the government and people of Kogi on the passing of the revered traditional ruler.
He said the death of the Ohinoyi was a painful loss, describing the deceased as peace-loving, affable, and cerebral.
“The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland was in a class of his own. He was highly respected and admired for his deep insights, wisdom, and sophistication.
“He had a masterful way of handling issues. He was very knowledgeable and wise. May Almighty Allah grant His Majesty Aljannah Firdaus,” the president prayed.
Tinubu urged the good people of the state to take solace in the legacy of peace and fellowship left behind by the late traditional ruler.
At least 10 people have died and 25 others are in hospital after a wedding bus, crashed in an Australian wine region.
The passengers were returning from a wedding at a winery on Sunday night in Hunter Valley, a popular spot for wine tourists when their coach overturned.
Reports say, Police have charged the 58-year-old bus driver with 10 counts of dangerous driving which resulted in death, saying, they were still in the process of identifying the dead.
The newlyweds, however, weren’t reported to be on the bus.
Police commissioner Karen Webb said the site of the crash is “still an active crime scene”. “We’ve got forensics officers processing the crime scene, we’ve got crash investigation unit officers, we’ve got rescue officers [on the scene],” she added.
The accident occurred about 23:30 local time when, according to police, there had been heavy fog in the area. The bus had rolled over while making a turn at a roundabout off a highway. Authorities say the vehicle has now been pulled upright.
NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said the guests were traveling to Singleton “presumably for their accommodation”. Two of the survivors were airlifted from the crash, she added. Local media report that at least one of them is still in critical condition.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it is “so cruel, so sad and so unfair” for a “joyous day in a beautiful place like that to end with such terrible loss of life”.
“People hire a bus for weddings in order to keep their guests safe, and that just adds to the unimaginable nature of this tragedy,” he said at a press conference in Canberra.
Mr. Albanese said some of the injured passengers are at John Hunter Hospital, but many have been flown to Sydney.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the loss of so many lives was “nothing short of heartbreaking”, adding: “For this horrific crash to have occurred on a day that should have been filled with love and happiness only adds to the heartbreak.”
“For a day of joy to end in such devastating loss is cruel indeed. Our thoughts are also with those who have been injured,” he said.
Former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, has died.
According to the report, Egbeyemi died in the early hours of Saturday at a popular Multi-system Hospital in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital at 79.
Egbeyemi who was born on the 8th of May 1944 was a Nigerian lawyer and politician who served as deputy governor of Ekiti State from 2018 to 2022.
Although the news of his sudden demise has not been confirmed officially by the appropriate authorities, a close ally who worked with him as one of his principal officers when he was the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that the former deputy governor died at a private hospital in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday morning.
Police in India have arrested two men in connection with the deaths of four people near the US-Canada border in January 2022.
The bodies, including that of a three-year-old child, were found lying together frozen in a field in Canada’s Manitoba, 12 metres away from the US border.
Authorities in Gujarat state, where the family was from, said the arrested men were “illegal immigration” agents.
Police are also trying to arrest two agents based in the US and Canada.
The family – Jagdish Patel, 39, Vaishaliben, 37, their daughter, Vihangi, 11 and son, Dharmik, 3 – were from Gujarat’s Dingucha village, where many locals aspired to move abroad. The news of their tragic deaths – they walked hours in -35C temperatures – made headlines around the world.
The Patels were among a group of 11 people from Gujarat who were trying to enter the US. The other seven people in the group were detained by US authorities after they crossed the border.
“The city crime branch has registered an offence in a case wherein the accused (agents) had forced 11 people to walk in the snow in a bid to get them illegally cross the US-Canada border, causing the death of four members of a family,” Chaitanya Mandlik, a senior police official in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, told reporters.
The Canadian Press, a news agency, reported that the arrested men have been accused of “acting as immigration agents, supplying the family members of a family,” Chaitanya Mandlik, a senior police official in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, told reporters.
The Canadian Press, a news agency, reported that the arrested men have been accused of “acting as immigration agents, supplying the family members paperwork and helping them get to the US”.
The charges against them include human trafficking, criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
“The victims were taken to Toronto in Canada and later to Vancouver. The agents then dumped them at Winnipeg in Manitoba province leaving them to cross over to the US on their own,” Indian news agency PTI quoted Mr Mandlik as saying.
Manitoba police told The Canadian Press that there was “no evidence to suggest the Patel family travelled to Vancouver”.
The Canadian police added that they were working with “international law enforcement partners to advance the investigation into the deaths”.
A 22-year-old Iranian woman has died days after being arrested by morality police for allegedly not complying with strict rules on head coverings.
Eyewitnesses said Mahsa Amini was beaten while inside a police van when she was picked up in Tehran on Tuesday.
Police have denied the allegations, saying Ms Amini had “suddenly suffered a heart problem”.
It is the latest in a series of reports of brutality against women by authorities in Iran in recent weeks.
Ms Amini’s family said that she was a healthy young woman with no medical conditions that would explain a sudden heart problem.
However, they were informed she had been taken to hospital a few hours after her arrest and the family said she had been in a coma before she died on Friday.
Tehran police said Ms Amini had been arrested for “justification and education” about the hijab, the headscarf which is mandatory for all women to wear.
Her death comes in the wake of growing reports of repressive acts against women, including those judged not to be complying with the Islamic dress code being barred from entering government offices and banks.
Many Iranians, including pro-government individuals, are expressing their outrage on social media platforms regarding the very existence of the morality police, also known as Guidance Patrols, and are using hashtags that translate as Murder Patrols.
Videos have emerged on social media appearing to show officers detaining women, dragging them on the ground, and forcefully whisking them away.
Many Iranians blame the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, directly. An old speech of his is being re-shared on social media in which he justifies the role of the morality police and insists that under Islamic rule, women must be forced to observe the Islamic dress code.
The latest episode will only deepen the divide between a large part of Iran’s young and vibrant society and its radical rulers, a rift that seems ever harder to mend.
Russian missiles have struck a city far from the eastern front-line, killing at least 23 people including three children.
More than 100 were reported injured in the attack in Vinnytsia, which is south-west of Kyiv and a long way from the heart of the fighting in Donbas.
Three Russian missiles hit an office block and damaged residential buildings.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it “an open act of terrorism”.
The missiles hit the car park of the nine-storey office block at around 10:50, 07:50 GMT, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said. Residential buildings were also hit in the centre of Vinnytsia, which has a population of around 370,000.
The Russian defence ministry, which denies targeting civilians, has yet to comment on the strike.
The Ukrainian presidency said the attack had come from Kalibr cruise missiles launched from a submarine in the Black Sea.
Several dozen people were detained following the attack, Ukraine’s minister of internal affairs said, adding that they were being interrogated by the police and Ukraine’s security service.
A senior regional emergency service official told local TV that there was “probably no chance of finding anyone who survived” the attack.
“Every day, Russia kills civilians, kills Ukrainian children, carries out missile attacks on the civilian facilities where there is no military target. What is this, if not an open act of terrorism?” Mr Zelensky said in a statement on social media.
Ukrainian officials said one of the three children who died in the attack was a young girl called Liza, who was returning from a speech therapy session with her mother when the rocket strike hit.
Social media footage reposted by Ukraine’s defence ministry appeared to show Liza pushing a pink pram as she walked alongside her mother earlier in the day.
A pram that resembled the little girl was later photographed on its side outside the building hit by the rocket strike. Other images showed what appeared to be the same pram with a child’s body lying beside it.
According to report, Liza’s mother, who was hospitalised after the attack, later died from her injuries.
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has expressed shock over the death of the member representing Ibadan South-East Constituency II, Ademola Olusegun Popoola.
Governor Makinde who described the lawmaker’s death as sad, painful and a huge loss to the state, commiserated with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, on whose platform Popoola was elected into the House and had even secured a ticket to seek another term.
A statement by the Special Assistant, Print Media, to the governor, Moses Alao, indicated that the governor equally expressed heartfelt condolences to the Speaker of the House, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin and the entire House of Assembly members, the lawmaker’s immediate family and the Ibadan South-East Constituency II.
Governor Makinde prayed to God to grant repose to the soul of the late Assembly member, whom he said contributed his best efforts in the House towards the overall development of Oyo State.
He said: “The news of the death of my brother, Honourable Ademola Popoola, member representing Ibadan South-East II, is shocking and painful.
“Honourable Popoola’s death is a huge loss to the state, the House of Assembly and the PDP, on which platform he was elected into the House.
“He was a consummate lawmaker and an individual who was quite passionate about the development of the state. He gave his best efforts towards ensuring a harmonious relationship between the executive and the legislature arms of the state.
“As a testimony to his credential as a lawmaker who truly served his people and a loyal party man, he was rewarded with a ticket to seek re-election into the State House of Assembly in the 2023 elections.
“On behalf of the Government and good people of Oyo State, I commiserate with the Oyo State House of Assembly, the PDP family and the entire Popoola family on this sad loss.
“It is my prayer that God grants repose to his soul and gives everyone the fortitude to bear the loss.”
The bodies of two Catholic priests and a tour guide who were shot dead inside a church in northern Mexico have finally been found.
The three were killed last Monday after a suspected run-in with a wanted drug trafficker in the state of Chihuahua.
Report says, the priests were gunned down while trying to help the guide, who ran into their church for help.
Pope Francis condemned the killings, calling it a shocking reminder of the level of violence in Mexico.
“We’ve found and recovered… the bodies of the Jesuit priests Javier Campos, Joaquín Mora and the tour guide Pedro Palma,” Chihuahua Governor Maria Eugenia Campos said in a video posted to social media.
Palma was fleeing an armed gang when he sought refuge in a church in the town of Cerocahui, before being shot dead along with the two priests who tried to intervene, the Chihuahua prosecutor’s office said.
The three bodies were then taken away by a group of men in a pickup truck, Luis Gerardo Moro, head of the religious order in Mexico, said in a radio interview.
The suspect, who was identified by another priest who was in the church, was already wanted for the murder of an American tourist in 2018, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said. The suspect has been named as Jose Noriel Portillo Gil.
The president added that Palma’s wife was one of two people who were kidnapped on Monday before the killings, and is still missing
Pope Francis expressed dismay over the killings.
“So many murders in Mexico. I am close, in affection and prayer, to the Catholic community affected by this tragedy,” the pontiff said at the end of his weekly audience at the Vatican.
A reward of 5 million pesos, $249,300; £203,000, for information relating to the suspect’s whereabouts has been announced.
Some 30 priests have been killed in Mexico in the past decade, according to the Centro Catolico Multimedial, a Catholic organisation.
Iran state media report says, people have been killed and dozens more are thought to be trapped after an unfinished building collapsed in south-west of the country.
The Iranian Red Crescent said rescue teams had pulled 32 survivors from the rubble of the 10-storey Metropol office block in Abadan.
Pictures showed that concrete floors and steel beams had fallen on to the street below, crushing several cars.
Officials said the cause of the collapse was being investigated.
Local prosecutor Hamid Maranipour said both the Metropol’s owner and the building contractor had been arrested. State news agency Irna reported that the building was located on Abadan’s busiest commercial street, and that its lower floors had been open for a few days while construction work continued above.
Witnesses said the collapse, which happened at around 12:40 local time, 08:10 GMT, was sudden.
Family, friends and colleagues of late BBC reporter in Ondo State, Shola Ilesanmi, gathered in Akure, the Ondo state capital on Friday for a candlelight procession and an evening of tributes to celebrate his short but well-spent life.
His friends also announced the launch of ‘The Shola Ilesanmi Solutions Journalism Prize for Campus Reporters’ instituted by his Committee of Friends in partnership with the National Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ) in memory of the late reporter. O and fact-checker, passed on after a brief illness at the age of 36.
John Paul Akinduro, who announced the launch of the journalism prize at the evening of tributes on Friday, said the committee will inaugurate a board of Jurists who will coordinate the submission and review of entries and award of prizes to winners.
“This is our own special way of sustaining the legacy of our dear colleague, friend and brother, who gave his all for the journalism profession and humanity. The award will come up every birthday of Shola Ilesanmi” said Akinduro, Special Assistant on Media and Digital Communications to former Governor Olusegun Mimiko
Shola started his journalism career as a campus reporter at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko in Ondo state, writing for The Nation newspaper’s Campus Life and an AAUA campus-based newspaper.
Shortly after leaving the university, he joined the state-owned TV station OSRC and moved to Orange FM as a pioneer staff when the radio station started broadcasting in 2012 before he was redeployed to OSRC in 2017. He left OSRC in January 2021 to join the BBC as Ondo State correspondent. He was also a media researcher for AFP and worked as a freelancer for local and international media platforms.
In a career that spanned more than 13 years, Shola had a knack for delivering exclusives and unearthing some of the biggest stories out of Ondo state in the last decade.
His exceptional reporting, work ethics and diligence won him multiple awards, including commendation by NYSC in Ondo state, best sports reporter of the year, award of excellence by the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, and outstanding journalist of the year, most supportive alumnus of the National Association of Mass Communication Students NAMACOS, AAUA, and media personality of the year by the National Association of Ondo state Students, NAOSS.
The event featured emotional tributes from his colleagues and friends who described him as a complete gentleman and fair to all.
The Ondo state NUJ through its secretary, Leke Adegbite, spoke of Shola as a committed and popular media personality and compassionate, who cared for the downtrodden.
Chairman ethics committee of Ondo State Youth Network, OSYN, Comrade Bright Idemudia who spoke on behalf of the association, described Shola as a selfless leader and peacemaker who was always there for the association.
Shola’s commitment to developing young people and his service in his local church, where he was a teacher in the youth department, was also recognised and commended.
Oyo State Government has confirmed the outbreak of Lassa Fever in the state with the death of two doctors and another hospital staff. Speaking with journalists at the state Secretariat Agodi Ibadan, the State Commissioner for Health Taiwo Ladipo spoke of government’s efforts towards curtailing the spread of the outbreak of the deadly disease since the first case was discovered in the state in January, 2022.
He explained that, the medical practitioners numbering about four were admitted into a private health facility earlier this week but the deaths of three occurred afterwards. Dr Ladipo however noted that surveillance activities have been heightened at the grassroots across the state, adding that access to care has also been provided for individuals at risk of the disease. He said, “The state ministry of health wishes to address the cases of death of health workers in the state from Lassa fever. Four health workers from a private health facility were admitted into the treatment centre in the early days of the week, the public is admonished to remain calm while ensuring adherence to strict preventive measures.” “We implore all health facilities across the state to maintain high index of suspicion and report all suspected cases to the LGAs or state health authorities,” “Upon diagnostic investigations all four were confirmed positive for Lassa fever. Unfortunately, three of them consisting of two doctors another hospital staff died despite all efforts at caring for them by experts.” “Nineteen confirmed cases and four deaths have been recorded so far. Surveillance activities have been heightened at the grassroots across the state. Resources have also been deployed to designated health facilities to forestall spread of this disease across the state. The health commissioner, however, requested prompt medical attention on anybody detected with symptoms of Lassa fever including fever, sore throat, vomiting, generalised body weakness and any other chronic health condition. Dr Ladipo equally admonished health workers to conform with the universal safety precautions in the line of their duties. Earlier,the Oyo State branch of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, in a statement signed by its chairman had indicated that two of its members have died as a result of the Lassa Fever outbreak.
One of the five authors of Nigeria’s National Anthem, Professor Babatunde Ogunnaike, is dead.
He was 65.
Ogunnaike was born on March 26, 1956 and hailed from Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State.
A notable Nigerian educationist and publisher, Gbenro Adegbola confirmed his death to our correspondent.
“Yes. Very sad, . He’d been very ill and sadly passed on Monday. He was my brother’s very good friend and classsmate”, Adegbola said.
Gbenro Adegbola described the late Ogunnaike as one of the five, whose words and phrases were combined to form the anthem. The others were: John A. Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, Sota Omoigui, and P.O. Aderibigbe.
Ogunnaike attended the University of Lagos for his bachelor’s degree, graduating with First Class Honours in chemical engineering in 1976.
He furthered his studies and earned an M.Sc. degree in statistics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a PhD in chemical engineering also from the same University in 1981.
A -twenty nine year old tank installer and maintainer simply identified as Ahmed has lost his life while working on a petrol tank at a popular filling station on Offa garage road, in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Radio Nigeria gathered that the victim suddenly suffocated while they were carrying out the maintenance work inside the petrol tank at the filling station and he eventually died.
However, firemen from the Kwara State Fire Service were able to evacuate the body from the tank and handed over to his boss, Mr Abdulbasit Oladimeji.
It was learnt that the deceased was careless as he embarked on the work without putting on the necessary safety gear.
Reacting on the incident the Director, Kwara State Fire Service, John Falade urged the general public to be more safety conscious, adding that workers should always endeavor to use safety equipment at all time to save their lives.
A pregnant woman and eight others were reported burnt to death in a multiple auto crash in the Ilorin metropolis, the state capital of Kwara state.
Radio Nigeria gathered that, the multiple fatal accident, which occurred at the Ilorin International Airport road on Ilorin-Ogbomoso expressway involved a commercial passenger bus and a private vehicle.
One of the vehicles involved in the crash was said to have carried kegs filled with petrol.
The vehicles involved are Ash colour Toyota Corolla car and a white colour Toyota Hiace commercial bus, whose drivers had no national driver’s licence.
A total number of 20 people which included eight males and 12 females were said to have been involved in the crash.
Confirming the incident, the state sector commander of the FRSC, Jonathan Owoade, said the crash was caused as a result of over speeding.
