He said there was a misunderstanding on infidelity over a side chicka between the couples.
The deceased was confirmed dead at the hospital he was rushed to.
His wife has been detained by the police and transferred to the police headquarters for further investigation.
Sympathisers said the deceased recently bought a car for the suspect.
Ondo Police spokesman, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said it was the deceased’s wife that reported at the police station in the morning that some people killed her husband in the midnight of Saturday.
She said the wife was the complainant of the incident adding that no arrest has been made.
According to her , “I can’t confirm that the victim’s wife killed him because it was the woman that reported the matter at police station. We have not made any arrest now but investigation has commenced into the incident “
Four traders have reportedly lost their lives due to severe rainstorms accompanied by strong winds at the IBB Square in Bauchi state, which hosted the recently concluded North East Trade Fair.
Our correspondent gathered that the storm, which began last night, killed two people on the spot and caused significant damage to the Gombe and Yobe States pavilions, as well as several business tents within the trade fair complex.
Two other injured victims were said to have later died at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH).
Spokesman of the Bauchi Police Command, SP Ahmed Wakil, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday.
He identified those who lost their lives in the incident as Abdullahi Abubakar, 38, of Yakubu Wanka; Sadik Ahmed Alfa, 32, of Fadaman Mada; Malam Musa from Maliya Furnitures, Tudun Salmanu; and Abdulaziz Abdulrahman from Gombe State, while one Fatima Isa, 31, of Inkil, is currently receiving medical treatment and showing positive signs of recovery.
According to him, following the incident, emergency response teams, led by the police and other security agencies, swiftly initiated search and rescue operations.
“Tragically, five individuals were found under the fallen structures and were promptly taken to the hospital.
“However, one individual, Fatima Isa, is currently receiving medical treatment and showing positive signs of recovery.
” The authorities have taken the necessary steps, including depositing the deceased individuals at the mortuary, to address the aftermath of the storm”
“Efforts are underway to assess the extent of property damage caused by the storm. To ensure public safety, a police presence is being maintained at the square to prevent criminal activities in the wake of this unfortunate event.” the statement reads
Nation reports that the Trade Fair was organized by the North East Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine, and Agriculture and supported by the six states of the region.
Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, inaugurated the 15th Edition of the Joint Domestic Trade Fair in Bauchi on May 18, 2024.
No fewer than 45 girls at the Correctional Centre for Girls in Idi-Araba, Lagos, have successfully completed a six-month advanced skill acquisition training program.
The initiative was organized by SheCan with support from GlobalGiving and in partnership with Cummins.
The project equipped the participants with various vocational skills, including adire tie and dye, catering and pastries, tailoring, hair, bag, wig and shoe making.
In addition to the training provided at the center, girls who had already left the facility received startup grants and essential machinery to help them reintegrate into society and become self-sufficient.
Speaking on the sideline at the graduation ceremony held at the Centre, founder, Shecan Nigeria said Ezinne Ezeani, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “It is in the power of doing more that we decided to come to the correctional center for girls to empower them. These girls often leave without any viable skills or opportunities, so we thought it wise to provide comprehensive training.”
According to Ezeani, initially, SheCan Nigeria conducted a two-week training program at the center. But, recognizing the need for a more substantial impact, the social impact organisation extended the training to six months.
Over this period, participants have acquired various skills, and the results have been promising.
“We are pleased to announce that several girls who were released earlier this year and some last year are already working. Today, we are empowering them further with sewing machines, mixers, and other tools to boost their businesses,” Ezeani said.
She explained that the decision to focus on the correctional center was deliberate.
“While we conduct other empowerment programs in different locations, we believed it would be particularly impactful to support the girls at the correctional center. As part of their training, the girls completed assignments on the skills they learned, culminating in a grand finale event.”
Reflecting on the broader goals of the initiative, the founder said, “Our bigger picture is for these girls to leave this center and become individuals we can be proud of, having sown a seed of hope into their lives.”
Managing Director of Cummings West Africa Limited, Mark Oni-Okeke expressed satisfaction for the completion of the transformative six-month project.
He said: “Today, we celebrate the success of a six-month project aimed at equipping these girls with valuable skills. As you can see, we now have women proficient in making wigs, bags, shoes, tie-dye materials, and catering.”
According to him, the training program not only focused on hard skills but also emphasized soft skills crucial for entrepreneurship.
“These young women are now fully equipped to face the world. They have learned essential social skills, how to engage, network, collaborate, and effectively manage their businesses.
“The initiative has provided the girls with a comprehensive skill set to ensure their successful reintegration into society. Through this program, they are now prepared to become self-sufficient entrepreneurs, ready to navigate and thrive in the competitive business environment,” Oni-Okeke said.
He added that the project was a collaboration with SheCan Nigeria, an organization renowned for its professionalism and commitment to empowering young
“We partnered with SheCan on this project, and their professionalism is second to none. I’m thrilled with the project’s success and the substantial progress these young women have made.”
SheCan Nigeria’s dedication to empowering young women at the correctional center exemplifies their commitment to making a lasting difference in the lives of marginalized individuals.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has subjected its employees to a compulsory anti-corruption training as part of the ongoing reforms in the commission in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
The training was designed to eliminate all forms of corruption causing project abandonment, conflicts in the region and capable of hindering the Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led commission to meet its mandate.
The commission’s Department of Dispute and Conflict Resolution (DCR) hired experts from the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to conduct the training.
About 150 employees participated in the capacity building and sensitisation programme on process compliance and anti-corruption standard tagged, Promoting Awareness for Transparency and Accountability in the Public Sector, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The Executive Director, Projects, NDDC, Victor Antai, said that the training was to expose the workers to the knowledge that would empower them drive a corruption-free commission.
Antai, who represented the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said that the current board completed majority of the projects it inherited on assumption of office
He said with the training that had inculcated new orientations into the employees, more projects would be completed and inaugurated in the region.
Antai emphasized that the Ogbuku-led NDDC had zero tolerance for corruption insisting that the training would empower staff members with the requisite knowledge to avoid corrupt practices in the process of project execution.
He said: “The coming of these anti-graft agencies to take our staff through their training is because, the managing director is moving the board from transactional to a transformative NDDC that has zero tolerance for graft.
“With this we can have more projects carried out, completed and commissioned. This will eliminate project abandonment in the administration of Dr. Ogbuku, who is committed to moving this region forward.
“Every agency of government has its own objectives of establishment. The objective of the establishment of ICPC is what we want to tap into, their experience and wealth of knowledge, to lead our people right to avoid the mistakes of yesterday.”
The Acting Director of Dispute and Conflict, NDDC, Godwin Ogedemgbe, said the commission organised the sensitisation to guide NDDC staff members against acts that could lead to conflict and corruption.
He gave examples indicating that he was a law abiding citizen promoting awareness for transparency and accountability in the public sector.
Ogedemgbe said: “We are working in synergy with the anti-graft agencies, ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau. They are here to lecture us and teach us what is expected of us as staff. So when we are carrying out our duties in the office we will not be found culpable. We are expected to follow the rules in the ICPC Act, the CCB, the EFCC Act.
“We need to apply these laws so will not get involved in any sharp practices, so we will not be invited to answer questions.”
According to the agency, the sale of small volume dichlorvos (100 ml or less), sold as Sniper®, was banned in 2019, while the sale of the large volume (one litre) is limited to certified agrochemicals outlets.
The agency’s director general, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stated in a release on Sunday, June 2, by its Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, that the ban of dichlorvos was due to its toxicity to human health, which can lead to cancers or death.
Adeyeye, who acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers due to bans on various chemicals, emphasised the importance of transitioning to safer alternatives by farmers, merchants, and traders.
She urged the farmers and vendors to transition to the use of bio-pesticides to preserve their produce as a safer option compared to dichlorvos.
She also warned against the misconception that Nigeria is a dumping ground for banned chemicals, stating that a comprehensive list of the banned chemicals has been provided for public knowledge.
NAFDAC’s admonition followed a recent viral video showing some individuals using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items like beans, stockfish, and crayfish.
While urging traders and merchants to desist from using unauthorized chemicals on food meant for human consumption, the DG stressed that the misuse of dichlorvos poses significant risks to human health, manifesting in both short-term and long-term consequences.
“Long-term exposure can result in severe health implications, including developmental abnormalities in offspring, memory loss, reduced fertility, and potential carcinogenic effects,” she said.
“These adverse effects highlight the importance of adhering to safety guidelines to mitigate the risks associated with dichlorvos exposure.”
Warning against further use of Sniper®, the DG stressed that food remaining unspoiled for an extended period might indicate pesticide contamination rather than freshness unless stored in the refrigerator.
However, in addition to banning the 100 ml size bottle, the DG disclosed that NAFDAC has implemented several initiatives, such as stakeholders’ sensitization meetings on restricting the direct application of dichlorvos on grains and foodstuffs, and thorough laboratory testing to ensure pesticide residues do not exceed maximum limits for both in-country consumption and for exports.
Routine monitoring of stakeholders is also conducted to ensure compliance she added while assuring of NAFDAC’s continued commitment to global best practices, including the phase-out of certain pesticides that have been banned in other countries due to proven toxicity.
In addition, she corrected misconceptions about banned chemicals being dumped in Nigeria, stating that a comprehensive list has been provided to the media to dispel such notions.
The agency’s Director of Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products (VMAP), Rametu Momodu, also disproved the erroneous belief that using certain chemicals, especially pesticides, to protect grains would prevent beans from having weevils.
She said such a method is not an approved practice, adding that there are approved pesticides for use as fumigants, which should be used according to the manufacturer’s specifications on the product label.
While she advised that the chemical should not be applied directly to food due to their inherent dangers to human health, Momodu explained that consuming food contaminated with dichlorvos can cause dizziness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, tremors, and convulsions, and in some cases, can lead to coma and death.
According to Momodu, once used, pesticide residues remain on or in the food, posing significant health risks, adding that, washing the food does not mitigate the risk, as the harmful substance would have already soaked into it.
She said NAFDAC cannot recommend washing as a solution, as it gives a false sense of security, “Instead, grain merchants, market vendors, and farmers should adhere strictly to manufacturer guidelines and refrain from directly applying dichlorvos to beans and other foodstuffs.
“It should be used as intended, either as a field crop treatment or a fumigant, to ensure food safety.
“Consumers should also avoid buying from vendors known to use such practices and report them to the nearest NAFDAC office for appropriate sanctions,” she added.
Ondo state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has ordered all DisCos in the state, including the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to stop giving estimated billing to electricity consumers in the state.
Governor Aiyedatiwa asked them to immediately provide their customers with meters.
Aiyedatiwa spoke when he rolled out low cost electricity meters for residents in the state tagged O’datiwa meters under the Ondo State Mass Metering Programme
The Ondo governor said his order would take effect from June 1, 2024.
He said the mass metering programme was in compliance with the Ondo State
Electric Power Sector Law 2020 Part XII Section 77 (2)(a).
Aiyedatiwa, who spoke through the state Coordinator of the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau [SERB] Engr. Stephen Bolawole, said all DisCos were expected to meter all the facilities within 12 months with effect from June 1, 2024.
He urged DisCos to give customers currently being issued estimated billing priority in the mass metering programme.
The coat of the ‘O ‘Datiwa Meters’ were placed at Single phase meter would cost N101,750, three phase meter would cost N185,000 while the Dinrail meter would cost N78,000, all exclusive of VAT.
According to him, “All relevant stakeholders, including electricity distribution companies and consumers within Ondo State, are to comply with the new pricing structure as specified.”
“DisCos must submit a detailed implementation plan to OSERB within 30 days of the effective date of this Order, outlining their strategy for achieving full metering within the stipulated umetrame.
“DisCos must provide quarterly progress reports to OSERB detailing the number of meters installed,arcas covered,and any challenges encountered.
“BEDC Electricity Plc and other DisCos must integrate the smart meters facilitated by the Ondo State Government through accredited MAPs within six months of the effective date of this Order.
“Failure to do so will result in penalties, including fines and other regulatory actions as deemed appropriate by OSERB.
“This Order will be reviewed annually to assess its effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.”
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has intercepted large consignments of codeine-based syrup and loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, worth N2,185,000,000.00 in street value at the Port Harcourt seaport, Onne, Rivers State, and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos State.
This was according to a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, June 2.
He said at the Lagos airport, NDLEA officers with the cooperation of other security agencies on Friday 31st May 2024 intercepted a large consignment of Loud, packed in eight suitcases, containing 320 parcels with a total weight of 164.50kg of the strong psychoactive substance.
Babafemi said they were from Canada on a KLM flight via Amsterdam, Netherlands.
“The consignment estimated to be worth N960,000,000.00, which was brought in by a passenger, Ughenu Nnaife Francis was discovered at the E-arrival hall of the airport by personnel of NDLEA, Customs and others during a joint search operation by the security operatives while the suspect was attempting to smuggle the suitcases out of the hall.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a resident of Germany but travelled to Toronto, Canada to transport the drug to Nigeria. During his interview, he claimed that he was recruited as a mule to convey the drug to Nigeria for an agreed fee of Six Million Naira,” Babafemi said.
The apokesman said at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, NDLEA operatives on Monday 27th May intercepted a container marked TEMU 6807401 imported from India enroute C to C bonded terminal in Enugu.
He said during a joint examination of the container by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies, 1,750 cartons of codeine weighing 26,250kg, containing 175,000 bottles of the opioid worth N1,225,000,000, in street value were discovered.
Babafemi also said in Abuja, a 25-year-old lady, Blessing Thomas, was arrested with 1.0kg methamphetamine by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Kwali – Gwagwalada expressway on Friday 31st May while travelling in a commercial bus from Lagos to Yola, Adamawa state.
He added that in the same vein, operatives in Nasarawa state on Wednesday 29th May nabbed a 70-year-old grandfather, Muhammadu Ibrahim, with 57.2kg cannabis in Lafia, the state capital.
He said two suspects: Suleiman Kazeem, 35, and Sunday Gbenga, 20, were arrested when NDLEA officers raided Ara forest, Ara-Ekiti in Ekiti state where they recovered 426 kilograms of cannabis sativa already processed and packed in big sacks, while they destroyed over 4,000kg of same substance on 1.66 hectares of farmland on Thursday 30th May.
The statement reads: “In Katsina state,76 blocks of cannabis weighing 42kg were seized from a Nigerien, Suleman Audu, 29, when he was arrested by NDLEA officers along Zaria – Malumfashi road on Wednesday 29th May.
“In the same vein, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others with equal vigour in the past week.
“These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students and teachers of Community Secondary School, Okpuno, Awka, Anambra state; students and teachers of All Saints Church School, Jericho Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo state; students of Western Marine College, Ajido, Badagry, Lagos and students of Government Girls Secondary School, Buden Gari, Bichi, Kano state
While commending the officers and men of MMIA, PHPC, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Katsina and FCT Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures.
“Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) noted that their efforts and those of their compatriots across the country have in no small measure reduced access to and availability of illicit substances in Nigerian communities.
“He charged them to remain vigilant at all times and continue their collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders in their areas of responsibility.”
Osita Okechukwu, a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has cautioned the Organised Labour against jeopardizing Nigeria’s fledgling democracy with its planned indefinite strike on Monday, June 3.
He said the labour’s action could destabilise the economy, spiral into unintended consequences and harm the country’s democracy.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Friday declared an indefinite strike from Monday over what they terms as a disagreement on a new minimum wage with the government.
The two central labour unions had on Tuesday refused the N60,000 minimum wage proposal by the government.
Reacting to the minimum wage impasse and the declaration of industrial action by the organised labour in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, the former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) expressed concern on the attendant effects of the workers’ proposed action, insisting that it will be inimical to the economy.
Admitting that the labourer is entitled to living wage, especially in the midst of stagflation and declining living conditions, the APC leader advised labour to adopt house ownership for every worker as middle ground, to augment the N60,000 offered by government and the private sector.
He argued that rent is one of the items in Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which is tearing the hair of workers nationwide, as workers spend one third of their disposal income on shelter related matters.
Okechukwu added that house ownership gives workers inner peace of mind, improves living conditions and encourages productivity.
He accordingly called on President Bola Tinubu to as matter of urgent national importance to retool his Renewed Hope housing programme and embark on house ownership for all workers nationwide as alternative to unaffordable minimum wage.
“Mr President house ownership for all workers is the doable middle ground in this impasse, as workers over the years have been contributing 2.5% of their salary to the National Housing Fund; all that is needed is Federal, State, LGA and private sector’s supplement.” Okechukwu opined.
Okechukwu argued that the N497,000 is unaffordable, because more than ten states either could not or had blatantly refused to pay N30,000 till date.
“Whereas one agrees with the working people that there is economic hardship and declining standard of living; albeit ownership houses is the middle ground in this impasse and better than more liquid cash which could spiral hyperinflation out of hand and lead to mass retrenchment of workers”. Okechukwu retorted.
Okechukwu finally appealed to the organised labour to remember the blood and tears shed decades ago by our compatriots enroute our return to democracy; therefore we should not in vain throw the baby-democracy away with bathwater.
Former Zamfara state governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has said that President Bola Tinubu-led APC government has done appreciably well in one year.
Yari, speaking in Sokoto on Saturday, June 1, after inaugurating the distribution of 56 buses to local government councils and religious groups, mentioned that Tinubu’s government has started on a strong and positive note despite facing challenges.
The buses were purchased by the Sokoto state government to improve local public transportation.
He said: “Although, it’s too early to rate it performance considering the reality surrounding the administration from the start to this moment.
“There is still some degree of pressure and challenges but I am optimistic that the president will be focusing attention towards consolidating results ahead of his second year for the stability and prosperity of the country.”
Yari, who said he was not kin about celebrating first 100 days in any guise, noted that all that was needed of a government or leader “is to always understand that there is pressure, high expectations and demanding yearnings and aspirations as well as challenges that seem almost impossible to address in order to have something positive to show to the world.”
However, the APC Senator, who also wears the traditional title of ‘Shettiman Mafara’, acknowledge the legacies of Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto in building hope and translating policies with direct bearing for the benefit of his people on whose mandate he served.
“All you are doing is adhoc due to the time space linked to the conventional 2 term tenure of four years.
“The governor is truly doing appreciably well and these are legacies that will trail his end performance in good light.
“These are things leaders in governance should replicate at all times to justify excellent performance else we will all be in shame ” , Yari said .
He recalled that when he was governor of Zamfara state, it was difficult for him to take off but for the vision and mission behind his drive , all began to take shape until he left office.
Speaking earlier , Governor Aliyu Sokoto while reiterating his commitment to the 9-point smart agenda for the state , said he would not drift but strengthen and enhance his approach towards repositioning that state.
He said nothing was as lasting as infrastructural legacies that borders on development both human capital and infrastructure as well piloting and supporting religious programmes and activities that will shape morals in the spirit of God fearing for a more righteous Sokoto state.
In that direction , the governor disclosed the release of N284 million to be distributed to 10 scholars (Ulamas) from each of the 244 wards to enable them feel secured to perform the ritual(Ram) sacrifice during Eid-el-Kabir.
“Let me say here that 10 units of 18 seater buses has been allocated to various religious groups to ease their transportation need during religious activities”
According to Aliyu Sokoto, “We will continue to do our best towards transforming the state in all respects desirable to the people of the state.
“We are a listening and progressive government with zeal and focus to reposition Sokoto state in the overall interest of its people with special attention to human oriented projects that translates development down the grass roost”, he stressed while appreciating the support being enjoyed by the government.
Meanwhile , Shiekh Husaini Musa Mabera, who spoke on behalf of the Ulamas noted with excitement the self determination and courage of Governor Sokoto towards salvaging the state for prosperity.
According Mabera, “we are leaving witnesses of what has become of Sokoto within the short space of authority me year under the current administration.
“We are seeing rapid development across the state in almost every spheres. We thank the governor for prioritising religious activities and not only that for empowering the drivers(scholars,Ulamas) of Islam in the state.
Key among attendants at the inauguration of the buses included deputy governor Muhammad Idris Gobir, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda, f Wamakko, Speaker SOHA, Rt. Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga , former Minister for Police Affairs, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi , foer.deputy governor’Mukhtari Shagari and Chuso Abdullahi Dattijo, Amb. Sahabi Isah Gada, the state APC Chairman , Sadiq Isah Achida and top state government functionaries among others .
The German physicist and writer Georg Lichtenberg said “I am always grieved when a man of real talent dies, the world needs such men more than Heaven does” .There is no stage when a man of impact leaves that it will not be a huge loss to society. That is why we cannot truly forget or replace them in our lives for as Margret Mead rightly said: “If you always think of me, I will never have gone”
It is one year already the Nigerian pan-Africanist journalist joined his ancestors, after decades of a blossoming journalism career. May 19th 2023 was not like any other day, it was a day with history. The Igbo people always pragmatic in their proverbs has a saying that when a man not close to you dies, he will look like a bunch of firewood. We feel the pernicious touch of death when it comes to our homes. It is then we realise that it is not a bunch of firewood that is dead but a part of humanity, a part of us that is no more.
The dead is not dead, they are always with us, they stray among us in our sadness, not even their memories can console us, because we are already diminished. No other life-shattering experience tests our resilience and capacity to persevere like sudden death of a loved one. But the human spirit’s capacity to build resilience and rediscover joy shows the infinite possibilities of the soul. Memory of loss should not empty us but rather motivates us, for no one can escape sadness. We must all experience the bitter-sweet of life.
Obinwa Ben Nnaji was among the class of Nigerian journalists and media professionals who started practice in the post-Nigeria-Biafra war era. It did not take long to recognise his poignant and astute journalism skills. In the Enugu-based Daily Satellite newspaper, he honed his teeth as a hardnosed journalist and eagle-eyed editor who would become mentor to numerous young journalists. Author of many outstanding books and biographies of great African leaders, wrote three books on political figures and development in Burkina Faso, including, Blaise Compaore: The Architect of Burkina Faso Revolution (Spectrum Books Ltd 1989), President Blaise Compaore: African Peace Maker (Jodad Publishers 2010) and many more. He was a very gifted man, scholar, historian, media consultant, politician and pan-Africanist all rolled into one restless genius. His impact in Nigerian cum African journalism cuts across board and goes beyond the pages of newspapers. His influence on the later generation of journalists is phenomenal and transformative.
Ike Abonyi, journalist of repute and one of Obinwa’s mentees wrote about his impact in growing other journalists in a glowing tribute thus:
“Obinwa was an exceptional person who will be missed by many. Our parts crossed in the 80s when I went for industrial attachment in the defunct Enugu-based Satellite Newspaper where he was editor. Ever since he continued to encourage and monitor my development. His column was always a must-read for his analytical mind but more for the twisting of grammar for a better understanding of issues. He was an international journalist who explored nations and wrote books on revolutions in West African nations. Obinwa was also very outstanding in the development and justice for all and this set him out as a crusader of peace and harmonious living”
When I served as the Editor of the University of Nigeria’s literary magazine, The Muse, founded by the world renowned African writer Chinua Achebe, he noticed my knack for poetry and the accomplishments I had recorded in that regard, he quickly introduced me to Art editors of some national dailies that saw my poems appearing in many newspapers while I was still an undergraduate at Nsukka. This gave me a lot of leverage when I started publishing poetry with international literary journals and magazines.
The horrors of the Biafra war was another bunch of firewood in Igbo land until I encountered people who fought in the war and those who suffered casualties. The war always seemed like a distant folktale in the past to me until I got immersed in his war memoirs and narratives of his personal exploits as a volunteer soldier on the side of Biafra. He was among the young soldiers that fought in the last frontier of the war, who fired the last shots on morning of ceasefire. Until death he carried a bullet wound on his leg from the battle field. The scars of the fifty year old war was relived the day he rolled up his trousers to show me the wound of Biafra. This was when I got involved in a documentary he undertook a year before he passed on, to interview and publish accounts of survivors of Biafra war still alive.
One spectacular incident that left me heartbroken was one woman amputee we interviewed at Ikem, the local government headquarters of Isiuzo, Enugu state. She narrated that she was twenty-six years old during Biafra, married with a small baby and her husband had joined the Biafra army to fight at Awgu axis. One fateful day she went from Ikem to Orie Awgu to get her husband’s allowance to buy food stuff especially the scarce salt then. As they were gathered in the busy Orie Awgu, Nigerian military helicopter came in the middle of the market and dropped bomb on them. She was rushed to a nearby medical facility, already overstretched and overwhelmed by the number of casualities,she was not attended to on time and this led to her left arm been amputated. I felt sad throughout that day, seeing the old woman carrying wound from the war fifty years after. His exploits during the thirty months war remained a delightful pastime legend that he made many stories out of and even authored a book on, entitled The War my Father Fought.
Obinwa was a life lived for others- family, sisters, brothers, relatives, colleagues and old time friends. Anyone who has encountered his vivacious effable personality will be left with an indelible mark in his spirit. The American poet, L.E Bowman wrote about the impact of such great and noble men thus:
“I want to be so wrecked by this world, that there are little pieces of me everywhere, in the trees I climbed as a child. In the blades of grass that bunch at my feet, in the hearts of my friends and the hands of my lovers, in every creature I have ever touched, in every river I have ever been in that now carries me out to the sea”…
Fond memories of his eventful life are like long shadow cast upon life that is new at the rise of every sun and follows us every day and live in the cemetery of our hearts in everlasting remembrance of the love and kindness he shared.
