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  • Mark, Fashola, Tinubu, others bid Okoya-Thomas final farewell

    Mark, Fashola, Tinubu, others bid Okoya-Thomas final farewell

    The President of the Senate, Senator David Mark; Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and several other dignitaries turned up yesterday to bid the Asoju Oba of Lagos, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, a final farewell.

    The late Okoya-Thomas was interred  at the Vaults and Gardens in Ikoyi, Lagos, after a funeral service at Holy Cross Cathedral, Catholic Mission Street, Lagos. Chief Okoya-Thomas died February 1. He was 79.

    The gathering was the celebration of a life well spent. Eminent persons, including politicians and captains of industries stood to be counted at the crowd-pulling event.

    Activities on the popular Catholic Church Mission Street in Lagos Island were at stand still, needing the  help of uniformed security men to clear the road, which was filled with posh cars of guests who came to to pay their last respects to the late philanthropist.

    In his sermon, the officiating minister, Rev Monsignor John Aniagwu, said the death of Okoya-Thomas was a celebration of life, adding that the deceased lived a good life.

    The cleric said coming so close to Okoya-Thomas and working closely with him had a great impact on him, adding that “it was the same way with everyone at the funeral.”

    “He made a positive impact on the lives of all. It is a pity to lose him, but the Lord knows best,” he said.

    He said the deceased was tolerant and accommodating  and urged the gathering to emulate his life.

    In her tribute, the widow, Chief Olive Okoya-Thomas, said her husband made her happy to the last moment and never wanted any discomfort for her.

    “You treasured me and I was always proud to tell everyone. I can’t question the will of God, as I am confident that you are in heaven with the angels.  I will always love you.  Rest in the bosom of the Lord till we meet to part no more,” she said.

    The deceased daughter, Hon. Olajumoke Okoya-Thomas, in her tribute, said her father was a good man.

    “He was one of the most unsung, upraised and yet, one of the most valuable assets in our society.  Your memories will never go away and you will never be forgotten,” she said.

    The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, said the deceased lived a beautiful  and admirable life.

    “He was an extraordinary man, a great father to all. He was friendly to all; he took everyone as his friend and he was a jolly good fellow,” he said.

    Senator Gbenga Ashafa said the deceased was a role model and a generous man.  “He was one of those that made sport generally what it is today in the state. He was a very smart sport player. He was a man respected by all and to fill his shoes, it will take an uncommon human being to resurface and claim the position he left,” Senator Ashafa said.

    Until his death, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas was the Chancellor of the Lagos State University and chairman of many organizations, including, CICA (Nigeria) Limited, Transcop Nigeria Limited, Oklom Investment Limited and Chiyoda Nigeria Limited, among others.

  • Still on Chukwumerije’s 4th term bid

    Since I publicly urged Senator Chukwumerije to jettison his ambition to remain in the Senate for 16 years, a lot of darts have been thrown at me, especially, as it concerns my career trajectory. These later-day image managers made fruitless attempts to contrive a scenario of a provoked house boy that maimed his master’s favourite goat (apologies to Ola Rotimi). The issue of biting the fingers that fed one does not arise because, a finger that deliberately co-join you as a leech, while surreptitiously cutting out a thorax to give you a permanent scar or disability on your body, cannot, in good conscience, claim to be feeding you.

    I came in contact with Comrade Chukwumerije in 2002 through a bosom friend who approached me, on his behalf, to help mobilize the youths for his ‘Uncle’s’ election in 2003. That was after my tenure as the President of the Students Union Government of Abia State University (ABSU). The strategic importance of the university community within the Senator’s constituency, and the position I held as the leader of over 20,000 students, made me a ready political asset. During the election, the Comrade Senator nominated me to INEC as his Election Agent in both Umunneochi and Isuikwuato LGAs, strategically to also cover ABSU end. I still have the letter today.

    After my NYSC in Kogi State, I visited the Senator at the National Assembly, Abuja and solicited for his assistance in getting the copies of the book I wrote as a Community Development Service (CDS) project in Kogi State across to the federal legislators from Kogi State. That was not done! He rather asked me to work for him, specifically in the area of media research, follow-up on the constituency projects and compilation of his ‘achievements’. I obliged. Within a few months, I discovered that ‘hiring and firing’ of aides was routine. Some even resigned to avoid denting their records. One of them is today a lecturer at the University of Abuja, after earning a PhD. Another one is a Magistrate in the FCT Judicial Division.  In that environment of job insecurity and a clear absence of any stop-gap cushioning for the disengaged aides, I resigned after nine months to pursue my post-graduate studies at UNN.

    During the 2007 campaign for his re-election for a second term, Senator Chukwumerije reached late Chief Nkemdirim Nwigwe, (a retired Director of SSS from my community) to bring me back to work for him in the election. I obeyed. I managed, satisfactorily, the Senator’s logistics for the election in Zone 2 political bloc of our LGA. After the election, Chief T.A. Orji, the former Chief of Staff of Government House of Abia State and my mentor, whom I collaborated with as SUG President of ABSU to address the needs of the students from Abia State Government, had emerged Governor of Abia. So, it was not difficult in getting me appointed as a Special Adviser on Sports in the Governor’s cabinet. At the same time, the Senator’s nomination for a commissionership slot meant for our LGA could not go through. And when the cabinet was dissolved and reconstituted in October 2009, the governor graciously assigned me the portfolio of Senior Special Assistant on Students Affairs, perhaps because of my experience in the management of students and youth-related matters. At this juncture, it is pertinent to state that Governor Orji knew me from August 2000, two good years before I met the former Comrade and was eventually invited to work for his senatorial election in late 2002. In my first appointment as the Transition Committee Chairman of Umunneochi LGA, I was not the Senator’s preferred choice. It was when some court jesters ran into a  hitch over his choice of Chief Uzor Egbo that he hurriedly arranged for a meeting of stakeholders to resolve the matter. Right there, an election was conducted to choose who would be recommended to the governor. It was even Chief Uzor Egbo that nominated me and I won with over 90% of the votes of the stakeholders. Rev. Ndeke Dimanochie is a living witness. That was the first and last time a prospective appointee was subjected to an election of stakeholders in our LGA. But the Senator blackmailed me out before the expiration of my tenure. My sudden removal truncated the plan that had reached advanced stage, in collaboration with other investors, to establish a cashew processing factory at Mbala Isuochi, with the immediate job prospects of over 150. Happily, this happened after I had successfully built a new Library and ICT Centre at the LGA Headquarters, which was commissioned by Governor T. A. Orji on March 10, 2011.

    Before then, Chima Mgbeke and I were engaged by the Senator to mobilize and monitor our LGA delegates that significantly boosted his victory at the Abia North PDP senatorial  primary election at Ohafia LGA in 2010, which predicated his election for a third tenure in the Senate. Therefore, any political goodwill that anybody from our place enjoyed from the Senator is a like a ‘dividend’ from our investment and risks in his elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Indeed, my reappointment by Governor T.A. Orji depicts him as a vanguard of justice and a vindication that power comes from God and that no man can take God’s glory.

    As a top ranking public officer from our area, the Senator had the ears of successive governors in Abia State but he abused it to an unbearable level. Comrade Uche Oliver Egeonu whom he encouraged to vie for the chairmanship of our LGA was hounded throughout his tenure. At the fullness of time, our people would ask questions on the circumstances that led to the arson that was carried out at INEC office in Nkwoagu Isuochi, a day before the Local Government Council elections in January 2008, which was ‘caused’ by electrical fault, according to a press release by the ‘Voice of the voiceless’. Our people have a common sense verdict that anybody who consistently fights in every market during the traditional four market days in Igbo land cannot be seen as guiltless. So, the orchestrated attacks and ‘beer-parlour’ judgments against me are their usual stock in trade.  Those calling for my head, on account of my well-intentioned advice to the Senator, are a tiny clique of bootlickers who must justify the pittances they get or those intoxicated by the aphrodisiac fake promises of securing contract jobs from the Senator’s juicy committees. Of course, Warren Buffet, an American capital market tycoon once said that “nothing sedates rationality like huge doses of effortless money”. The bottom-line is that the serial threats emanating from anonymous callers and careless boastings of instigating violence against me by lily-livered faceless groups are intended to cow me but in the words of the Senator “I will continue to soldier on under the captainship of the good Lord, the author of life”.

     

    •  Uche is chairman, Umunneochi LGA, Abia State
  • Fashola flays bid to take over Lagos-Badagry road

    Fashola flays bid to take over Lagos-Badagry road

    •’Fed Govt owes Lagos N51b’

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has criticised the Federal Government‘s planned takeover  of the Lagos- Badagry Expressway.

    Fashola spoke yesterday at the celebration of his 2,700 days in office at the Blue Roof, Lagos Television, Agidingbi.

    The governor said the Federal Government would have the state to contend with if it went ahead with the plan as revealed by the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, during his visit last month.

    He said Lagosians in the last 2700 days had enjoyed the dividends of democracy  and were un aware of the Federal Government’s plans to derail the state’s development process.

    “About the light rail project, I told you the red line was delayed because we have not received Federal Government approval to share its corridor. On the statement credited to the Minister Onolememen. Honestly I don’t know. I have not heard about it, I have not read it.

    “I think it will be wise to hear what they have to say on the matter and I think it will be an unfortunate journey to even contemplate that idea.

    “They will have us to contend with should that be the case but I don’t think that anybody who is sensible  will want to stand in the way of development what will the objective be?

    “You are not providing the money and the design; we are doing this so that our state can move forward. I don’t want to believe he made that statement. I think we will leave it there.”

    Fashola called on the Federal Government to return N51 billion that the Lagos State government  spent on federal roads.

    He noted that the state’s debt burden would be less and that the state would have less to borrow if that money was returned.

    Speaking on speculations that he may be picked as a running mate to General Muhamadu Buhari, he said he was preoccupied with his duties as governor.

    Fashola said he was at Buhari’s declaration because the former head of state sent him an invitation.

    The governor denied speculations that governorship aspirants in Lagos State were holding meetings to enable them come out with a consensus candidate.

    He added that the APC had a constitution, which prescribes primaries as prelude for emergence of candidates for elective offices.

    The governor gave pass marks to the APC aspirants, stressing that any of them could govern the state.

    He warned the electorate against voting for people who seek to use the state for an experiment.

    Fashola said his government recorded great achievements in various sectors in the last 2700 days in office, including the successful containment ofthe  Ebola Viral Disease, launching of Sonmori Senior Comprehensive High School, Ifako Ijaiye, handing over of Motor Vehicle Administration Agency.

  • NJC member’s ‘bid to make sister Rivers CJ behind crisis’

    NJC member’s ‘bid to make sister Rivers CJ behind crisis’

    A member of the National Judicial Council (NJC), O.C.J Okocha (SAN) has been accused of being behind the leadership crisis in the Rivers State judiciary.

    Okocha, a former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, is said to have been plotting relentlessly to ensure that his immediate elder sister, Justice Daisy W. Okocha, emerges as the Chief Judge of the state.

    According to sources, Okocha is using his position as a member of NJC to tailor the selection and appointment process to produce his sister.

    The Chief Judge, Justice Peter Agumagu, has been suspended by the NJC after his choice by the Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

    The popular thinking is that Okocha influenced the NJC to recommend his sister to Amaechi for appointment as the Chief Judge, contrary to the recommendation of Justice Agumagu by the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission to the NJC.

    But Okocha told The Nation on telephone last night that he lacked the power to make his sister the Chief Judge, adding that he was not even at the meeting where NJC recommended her to Governor Amaechi for appointment after the government sent her name to the council.

    A source said last nigt: “The State Judicial Service Commission clearly recommended Justice Agumagu to the NJC as its first and most qualified choice to be appointed as the Chief Judge of Rivers State.”

    The criterion that only the most senior judge must be the Chief Judge, and that a President of the Customary Court of Appeal cannot be a Chief Judge, are creations of the NJC, said the source who pleaded not to be named because he is not permitted to talk to the press.

    According to the source, the Constitution prescribes only 10 years’ post-call to the bar as qualification to the office of the Chief Judge.

    “Okocha’s partisan and parochial schemes to install his sister as the Chief Judge of Rivers State led him to write a ‘Confidential’ letter to the President-General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Convention (the umbrella body of the Ikwerre ethnic group), Prof. Augustine Onyozu. Governor Amaechi and the two Okochas are from the Ikwerre ethnic group.

    “In the letter dated February 3rd, Okocha clearly called for the intervention of the President-General to advise Governor Amaechi to make his sister the Chief Judge of Rivers, principally because she is from the Ikwerre ethnic stock like the governor.”

    But Okocha said his sister was being denied her entitlement. His words: “That is a matter that has been dealt with by the National Judicial Council. A recommendation was made to the governor since the 17th of July 2013 and the governor and his advisers with other intentions do not want to make an appointment that has been legitimately recommended to them.

    “If they don’t want to make the appointment, as they say, we watch and see the persons and the institutions suffering as a result of their breach of the Constitution. If they think they’re causing any detriment to me, they’re mistaken and misguided.

    “What power do I have to make my sister Chief Judge? They forget that they recommended my sister’s name to the NJC. I didn’t send my sister’s name there. My sister is the most senior judge in the High Court of Rivers State, and she has been duly recommended for appointment, and those who don’t want to appoint her should please themselves.

    “Those who deny other people what is their legitimate right and entitlement will also be denied their own legitimate right and entitlement at the appropriate time. There is the law of karma. There is retributive justice.

    “I’m just a member of the NJC, which has 22 members. At the time when the recommendation was made I was not even in the meeting, because I have honour; I have integrity. I excused myself from the meeting and stepped out, and within 10 minutes they had concluded with the matter.”

  • Governors, others bid Ogunro bye

    The remains of former Chief Executive Officer of Eminent Communications, Mr Sesan Ogunro, who was killed by armed robbers last December 23, have been buried in Lagos. NNEKA NWANERI writes.

    Grief-stricken Mrs Modupe Ogunro walked in, held by her son. Clad in black, her eyes were red from weeping.

    She was following a white casket bearing the remains of her husband, Mr Sesan Ogunro, to the open ground on D Close, Hill View Estate in Ogudu GRA in Lagos. People came from far and wide to pay the late Ogunro their last respects.

    His rites of passage began last Thursday with a farewell service by members of the Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria (AAAN). The same day a service of songs was held in Ogudu GRA, where testimonies of his life were shared by his friends, family members and associates.

    Guests were in black and white attire. It was a sober moment as the guests sang in low tone in praise of the Almighty for the life of a man, who touched lives. A gigantic portrait of the late Ogunro was conspicuously displayed at the venue of the service. Around it were fresh white flowers. Dozens of burning candles were also placed on the stage.

    The service was organised by the International Church of Christ (ICOC) where the late Ogunro worshipped until he died. Yoruba actor Yemi Shodimu anchored the service.

    When the casket was brought in, a cloth with the inscription and logo of Christ’s School Ado-Ekiti, was placed on it. After the opening prayer, the late Ogunro’s daughter, Mrs Damilola Gbadebo, took the first Bible reading from 1Corinthians 12:23.

    Pastor Chris Ogbonna delivered the sermon. Describing the late Ogunro as a man with a smile for everyone, he said God does things to show that He is in charge and to make mortals number their days.

    Funeral services, he said, were meant for the living to reflect on their lives as vessels to be used, filled and emptied by the Craftsman.

    “His use of words interplay was superb. He used words aptly, words you will not easily forget. He was never in a hurry to talk and when he did, everyone stayed silent. He was a Manchester United fan and a great sportsman with a calm disposition,” the cleric said of the deceased.

    Old students of Christ’s School Ado- Ekiti, sang their school anthem: “Christ is our Cornerstone”, in honour of a fallen member. They were led to the funeral by Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    A solo rendition was done by Mr Richard Efunbote titled: “The Trumpet Shall Sound”, after which the ICOC choir led sympathisers to sing the Halleluiah Chorus.

    The remains of the late Ogunro were interred in a private ceremony attended by only his family members.

    The reception followed at the Haven Events Centre in Ikeja. The Shuga Band entertained guests. Some were able to recall some songs in the 60’s which the late Ogunro loved. One of those songs is Omo pupa, sang by Highlife maestro Victor Olaiya

    Present were: Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola; wife of Ekiti State Governor Erelu Bisi Fayemi and the state’s Deputy Governor Prof Modupe Adelabu; former Ekiti State Governor Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Ovation publisher Bashorun Dele Momodu; Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi; former Nigerian Institute of Management President Chief Michael Olawale-Cole; Sir Steve Omojafor; Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi; Nollywood and music acts – Sammie Okposo; Bankole Wellington (aka Banky W), Tiwa Savage and Kate Henshaw-Nutall.

  • Jonathan, others bid senator’s mum bye

    President Goodluck Jonathan led dignitaries to the funeral of the mother of Senator Ayogu Eze, Ma Paulina Omadaja Eze in Umuida, Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State. CHRIS OJI reports.

    PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan was there. He led a powerful team from Abuja to the funeral of Mama Paulina Omadaya Eze, mother of Senator Ayogu Eze. It was an event attended by the high and mighty. The Senate virtually relocated to Umuida, the Eze’s hometown in Igbo-eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, to commiserate with one of its own.

    Umuida had never seen a thing like this before. Its bumpy and dusty roads spewed dust as one dignitary after the other arrived. The President landed in an helicopter in the community’s school field. He was accompanied by Governor Sullivan Chime. The mass was on when he and his entourage arrived at St Theresa’s Catholic Church.

    Catholic Bishop of Nsukka, Godfrey Onah conducted the mass.

    He was assisted by more than 40 other priests. There were also top clergy men and women from other Christian denominations.

    The mass, held at the deceased’s compound, was conducted under a giant canopy, customised to take no fewer than 3000 people.

    It was filled to capacity.

    The first Bible reading was taken by Mrs Nkechi Ayogu-Eze; the second lesson was read by Senator Eze’s sister, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeja.

    The parish priest of St. Theresa’s, Rev. Fr. Joseph Odo, was in charge of the officiating protocols.

    Mama Eze’s remains were in a white casket decorated with golden rims and a large cross on top. It was lifted by six pall bearers from APAMS undertakers.

    The body was taken to the ancestral home of the Ezes, not too far from the church and buried.

    At the graveside, Fr. Odo spoke of the three principles of gratitude, welcome and prayers.

    The clergy took turns to perform the dust to dust ritual and were followed by Senator Eze and other members of the family.

    In his homily, Bishop Onah dwelt on the fear of death. He said he avoided political topics so as not to turn the funeral into a rally.

    The president, Senate President David Mark and Senator Eze said they overcame the fear of death after listening to the homily. Bishop Onah said only those who lived in sin fear death. He said the righteous, like Mama Obodo did not fear death because they knew they were heaven bound. He praised Mama Obodo, who was born into a traditional home but embraced Christianity.

    “Her positive disposition to God and the church endeared her in giving her children good upbringing,” he said.

    He enjoined parents to emulate Mama Obodo. Quoting from the scriptures, the bishop warned against fetish practice insisting that one cannot serve God and Satan.

    President Jonathan asked the clergy to pray for the country.

    He said: “A moment like this when we are talking of somebody who has passed on during the burial, there is something that always encourages us – that is to be thankful for everything that has happened to us. Maybe some young men will ask why we should thank God when somebody has died. To me, I believe we are not thanking God because somebody has died but we are thanking God for bringing that person to have done what the person had done over the years.

    “Today, we are here to celebrate Mama Obodo. The scriptures say that we are to live for three scores plus ten. And looking at the programme, she was born in 1931, we are in 2013. That is a decade plus above what the scriptures prescribed for us. So, we have every reason to thank God.”

    Senator Eze said: “I must confess that until the Bishop gave his sermon since my mother died on October 2, I cried every day, till today. I am not lying about it. But after the homily by Bishop Onah, I convinced myself that maybe crying could be one of the warning symptoms of fear because I have to desist from succumbing to that symptom.

    “Like the bishop said, my mum was a very exemplary person. She did not go to school. Her mother was about four months pregnant when her father died. She was born into a polygamous family. But she had a life of her own from day one. She was able to school herself and she started in a very pastoral way.

    “She wasn’t always a Christian. And it is important that I make that admission. She embraced Christianity at one point but she was losing her issues in quick succession. Every time she had a child, she lost it. So she began to question ‘this place I ran for refuge, there is no refuge here.’ So she returned to the traditional way of worship. But something was waiting for her. On that day she had bought the fowl, yam etc and everything that was needed for sacrifice, It was in the night, and then a scorpion stung her. She left the worship of the idol to run to place where to save her from the sting of the scorpion. After that, the next Sunday, she was the first person to arrive in church. She said: ‘If this idol could not prevent the scorpion from stinging me on an auspicious day with all these provisions for it, then that idol is not worth worshipping.’

    “She ran back to the church and she never left the church. And we grew up under her footsteps because she must send you to farm, she must send you to market and all places. She will never pamper you. I thank God for the training she gave us.”

    Also in attendance were members of the National Assembly, Chief Justice of the Federation, Aloma Mukhtar, other top ranking members of the executive and judiciary, ministers; governors, mostly those of the southeast and diplomats.

  • Associates, friends bid Dosunmu farewell

    The remains of frontline politician and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Senator Wahab Dosunmu were buried yesterday at his Aja home in Lagos.

    His body was interred at about 4:30 pm.

    It arrived from the United States (US) yesterday morning and was laid-in-state at the Eko Club, Surulere; the family house at Epetedo, Lagos Island and the Yoruba Tennis Club, where friends and associates paid their last respects.

    PDP National Vice-Chairman, Southwest, Chief Ishola Filani, described the late Dosunmu as “a valuable asset”.

    He said: “Dosunmu was a loving man, who gave his time to the family. He was a brilliant man and there was nothing he could not discuss, particularly when it came to politics. The party will definitely miss this invaluable asset, who passed on when he was needed most.”

    He said the vibrancy and analytical mind of the politician would have contributed to the party’s success in future elections.

    Senator Khariat Gwadabe said the deceased’s contributions to the society would not be matched for a long time.

    She said: “We had a good relationship when we were in the National Assembly, though he was a member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) while I was in the PDP. Each time I had a motion to pass, I ensured I carried him along, otherwise he would oppose it.

    “His discussions were down-to-earth and put the ruling party on its toes because he provided a robust opposition in the National Assembly. He was not afraid to speak his mind. Given that he often opposed me, my friends would jokingly ask: ‘Why is Senator Dosunmu always opposing you?’”

    The Chairman of the Yoruba Tennis Club, Mr. Seyi Joseph, said the late Dosunmu was a rare breed, who sacrificed his comfort and took a risky journey to save the country from the claws of the military junta.

    Joseph said: “He is an illustrious son of Nigeria and Africa at large. As a National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) member, he had to leave the country to fight for our survival from overseas. He was unassuming and was ready to assist those who came his way.”

    Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye said when the late politician defected to the PDP, the effect was devastating, adding that despite pressure to rescind the decision, he stood his ground.

    The head of the Dosunmu family, Alhaji Moroof Dosunmu, said the late ambassador’s impact in the family would be missed.

    Present at the funeral were Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Chief Rasaz Okoya, Mr. Tunji Shelle, Senator Femi Lanlehin, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, Mr. Demola Seriki, Mr. Femi Pedro, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and traditional rulers.

  • Lokomotiv Moscow rejects West Ham’s bid for Nsofor

    Lokomotiv Moscow rejects West Ham’s bid for Nsofor

    Nigeria international Victor Obinna Nsofor has revealed that he could have had a second chance to play for English Premier League club West Ham in the outgoing transfer window.

    A proposal from the Hammers hierarchy to have the striker on loan was rejected by Lokomotiv Moscow despite Obinna wanting a return to England, according to championat.com.

    The 25 – year – old, who has netted 2 goals in 17 matches in the current season, has a contract with the Railway Men until the summer of 2015.

    Obinna’s last international appearance for the Nigeria selection was against Guinea in October, 2011.

  • Jonathan, PDP, colleagues bid farewell to ‘Headmaster‘Esiri

    Jonathan, PDP, colleagues bid farewell to ‘Headmaster‘Esiri

    We read the oration at the burial of the late Enebeli Elebuwa last December. In his oration, he said he met the late Nollywood actor in 1978. “When I turned a warehouse into a studio, he was the one that helped in the design and he was good at it,’’ he said.

    The orator was Justus Esiri. He died on Tuesday night, about two months after he heaped praises on the late Elebuwa. It was the turn of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his colleagues and Nigerians to heap encomiums on him yesterday for his contribution to the movie industry.

    His death came a few days after an Abuja-based Nollywood actor, Collins Ifeanyi and a pioneer member, Lagos State chapter of Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Lugard Onoyemu, died.

    Jonathan, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Dr. Reuben Abati, described the late Esiri as an epitome of commitment, excellence and creativity.

    Jonathan said Nollywood actors have carved a positive image for Nigeria in the eyes of the international community. The late Esiri, a Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), contributed in no small measure to the creation and sustenance of that image, he said.

    The President said the movie industry and the country would greatly miss the popular actor who came to national limelight with his acclaimed performance in the popular television series, Village Headmaster and other movies.

    He commiserated with the Esiri family, the government and people of Delta State and all fans of the revered actor.

    Jonathan also condoled with the Nollywood family on the passage of a notable member, mentor, pioneer and inspiring actor. He enjoined the younger members to keep the late Esiri’s legacy alive by promoting higher standards in their movies.

    The PDP described Esiri’s death as a national loss.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Olisa Metuh, said in a statement in Abuja that the late Esiri was an epitome of virtue.

    He said the late Esiri used his talent to teach values and patriotism and urged the younger ones to emulate him.

    Metuh said the late Esiri contributed immensely to the development of the nation’s movie industry, adding that his memory would remain fresh in the hearts of Nigerians.

    “ The nation will indeed miss his wealth of experience and dedication to duty.”

    Metuh commiserated with the Esiri family, the government and people of Delta and the Nollywood family, and prayed to God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

    The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) described the late Esiri’s death as painful and an irreplaceable loss to the creative industry.

    In a statement by its Head, Public Affairs, Mr Brian Etuk, NFC said the late Esiri carved a niche for himself.

    The statement quoted Mr Afolabi Adesanya, Managing Director/Chief Executive of the corporation as saying “the veteran and legendary actor was a great influence to all television and movie lovers.’’

    “He carved an enviable niche for himself in the Nigerian motion picture industry as a character, actor, skillful and always at his best on the screen.’’

    Adesanya, who expressed shock about the sad news, said that the good work of Esiri would continue to resonate for a long time to come.

    “He was one of the nation’s finest actors dating back to the 80s when he played the lead role in the now rested Village Headmaster series,’’ he said in the statement.

    Adesanya said the late Esiri’s role and contributions to the growth of the Nigerian motion picture industry would be remembered.

    “His contributions were rewarded with the national honours award of Officer of the Order of the Niger by the Federal Government in 2007,’’ he said.

    He said Esiri had appeared in several Nigerian television soaps and series as well as featured in films.

    He said that the actor played Chief Esuga in Supple Blues, Obierika in Things Fall Apart and Prof. Ofori in Delicate Matters, among other movie busters.

    The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), in a statement, said the late Esiri’s death has thrown the industry into a mournful mood.

    The President of the Guild, Miss Ibinabo Fiberesima, described Esiri as a “father”, who mentored her in the Nollywood industry, adding that she would miss the erudite actor.

    She also described the death of the veteran actor as shocking, saying that the actor was fantastic and very supportive to the guild.

    The Chairman, AGN Abuja chapter, Mr Agility Onwurah, described Esiri’s death as one death too many, adding that it marked the fourth within a week.

    “This is a big blow to the industry, it is getting too bad and I am short of words,“ he said.

    National Vice President of the Guild, North Central Zone, Ibi Andrew, said the late Esiri’s death was a great disaster and a bad signal in the Nolly wood industry.

    He said: “It is a bad omen; I am surprised at the sudden death of this great actor. The death of actors has been on the rise since we took over this administration “.

    According to Andrew, the industry was trying to contend with the barrage of bad news coming from the entertainment industry.

    He advised members of the industry to seek “the face of God and his divine intervention in the affairs of the industry.”

    Many music and movie stars took to the social media yesterday to mourn the deceased.

    Music star J Martins said: “May God grant Dr. Sid and the family the fortitude to bear the sad loss of his dad and a veteran actor. R.I.P Justice Esiri.”

    Hip-hop star D’Banj said he received the news with a heavy heart.

    He said: “With a very heavy heart, I sympathise with the family of the late Justus Esiri. He was a great man and his legacy shall continue forever.”

    An actress, Susan Peters, prayed to God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Ace producer Emem Isong said the late Esiri would be greatly missed.

    Actor and ex-host of the Guilder Ultimate Search Chidi Mokeme said the country had lost another great thespian.

    Star actress Stella Damasus described the late Esiri as her ” TV dad”, adding: “Just don’t know what to say but it is well.”

    In a tribute on the Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET), the late actor was described as scandal-free. The tribute reads: “Soft-spoken but firm, Esiri was a fun-loving and scandal-free actor who brought respect and regard for a profession that was for many years looked down on by the Nigerian society.

    “And it is no surprise that one of his sons is today a leading entertainer in his own rights, making music that’s making millions happy. Dr. Sid, one of Esiri’s sons who broke the news of his death yesterday, spent years studying to become a dentist, before dumping his certificate and facing music. ‘I just called him and told him both the negative and positive aspects of the entertainment industry and he has to be focused. I scolded but gave him my blessing and he picked up,’ Esiri once said of his son’s choice.

    “A recipient of the Nigerian national honour, THEMA Awards, NTA Honours Awards and AMAA Awards, amongst many others, he was a greatly decorated performer who won accolades home and abroad for his talent, hard-work and consistency.”

    The late Esiri died a few days to the premiere of his most recent film, The Assassin’s Practice, which opens in cinemas on Friday. In the movie directed by Andrew Ukoko, the deceased played the role of a failed stock investor, Eviano, who hired an assassin (Eve Person) to stage his suicide and make it look like a botched robbery so that his wife (Kate Henshaw) and daughter (Sarah Akokhia) would live off his life insurance.

  • PHCN firms bid crisis deepens

    PHCN firms bid crisis deepens

    •My fear, by Uduaghan

     

    THERE seems to be no end to the bickering over the bidding for the Power Distribution Companies (DISCOS), despite the government’s insistence that the process was clean.

    A committee has been set up to review parts of the process to ensure the success of a particular company which is interested in the Benin Disco, a source said yesterday.

    The committee is said to be headed by a permanent secretary.

    “It is to protect the interest of a company with huge losses. Besides, the company is incompetent, but it is connected with a very senior official of the Presidency,” the source said, pleading not to be named.

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan urged the National Assembly to intervene in the sale of the distribution companies of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to ensure that it follows due process.

    Uduaghan spoke in Asaba, the state capital, while hosting members of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Petroleum Resources (Down stream sector).

    He said he was worried that the companies may fall into wrong hands.

    Uduaghan said a situation where the communities and states directly affected are sidelined does not portend good for the people.

    He said with “such shoddy process of sale”, the companies would end up in the hands of people, who cannot deliver.

    The governor said stable electricity supply is necessary for economic growth and urged the authorities not to politicise the unbundling process.

    He said if it is done wrongly, it could create more problems for the country.

    Uduaghan said: “State governments play crucial roles in the energy sector as regards the provision of transformers and setting up of electric lines. Governors are deeply concerned about the power situation and when the chips are down, it is the state governments that communities run to for transformers and other equipment. States should be accommodated in the privatisation process”

    He said the nation experienced similar challenges in the petroleum sector when some oil wells were sold without involving the communities and the states, adding that eventually, most of the beneficiaries were unable to access the wells.

    Chairman of the committee Mr. Dakuku Peterside said they were in the state to inspect Federal Government projects.

    Peterside said the routine oversight function was necessary to check what was being done with funds and ascertain whether projects earmarked for the state were executed.

    He said Delta was strategic in the oil industry and should not be ignored in the implementation of projects and programmes.