The Nation Newspaper

Tag: commiserates

  • Ultimate Commander commiserates with US, Warrior’s family

    Ultimate Commander commiserates with US, Warrior’s family

    Universal Professional Wrestling Federation’s (UPWF) world champion, Nigeria’s Osita Offor, also known as De Ultimate Commander, yesterday described the death of American wrestling icon, The Ultimate Warrior, as a huge loss not only to the US, but also to the sports world.

    Speaking when condoling the United States of America and the family of the late Ultimate Warrior, De Commander described the American wrestling legend as one of the role models that ‘made me interested in wrestling. He was such a brilliant wrestler, who brought flair, flamboyance and theatre to the profession.

    “Alongside Hulk Hogan, Jake the Snake and Shaun Michaels, among others, the Ultimate Warrior made wrestling a must watch for many Nigerian homes. That I am now a top wrestler is partly because of the seed he sowed in me early in my life. If I knew he would die so soon, I would have asked him some of the questions that have been on my mind for so long. May his soul rest in peace.”

    Speaking on the forthcoming Nelson Mandela Commonwealth Nations and America Unifying Championship, which will take Nigerian, American, Canadian, South African and European wrestlers to South Africa, Britain, the US, Canada and Nigeria in celebration of the late South African legend, Dr. Nelson Mandela, De Ultimate Commander said he has been in consultation with top local and foreign wrestlers to ensure that he emerged from the bouts with his title still intact.

    “I have been in touch with my coach, Jimmy Superfly Snuka, as well as the Barbarian and Earthquake because they are the ones in charge of my training. I am also training locally here with Jimmy Palm because I want this title to remain in Nigeria. If you look at the belt, even though I am the world champion, Nigeria’s flag is not among those emblazoned on it. The authorities are waiting for me to confirm my superiority to other wrestlers before they put Nigeria on the belt, so that is why I am leaving no stone unturned in my quest to defend the title successfully.”

    De Commander said the Mandela Championship will begin in the South African cities of Johannesburg and Durban on July 18 and 20 respectively, hold in Lagos (July 25), Abia (July 27) and two cities in Britain on August 1 and 3.

    On August 9 and 16, the championship will hold in the United States’ cities of Dallas and North Carolina on August 9 and 16, while the Canada leg on August 23 will round off the programme.

    The competition, a collaboration involving the British Wrestling Federation (BWF), Universal Promotional Wrestling Federation (UPWF), the Ultimate Wrestling and Charity Organisation (TUWCO) and Satellite television broadcaster, SuperSport (World of Champions), has as members of the local organising committee such notable Nigerians as former Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro and a former Minister of Sports, Alex Akinyele, as well as Bishop Piet Mako of South Africa.

  • Atiku commiserates with Lagos governor

    •Ex-VP wishes Tinubu quick recovery

    Former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar has commiserated with Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola on the death of his father.

    In a statement by his media office in Abuja yesterday, he said although the death of Pa Ademola Fashola was a sad development, his demise in the holy month of Ramadan was a grace from God.

    Atiku urged the Fashola family to accept the death of its patriarch in good faith.

    He said: “While it is understandable that the death of a parent is always a painful experience, I enjoin members of the Fashola family to take the death of their patriarch in the holy month of Ramadan in good faith.

    “The deceased, no doubt, has left an indelible mark as a man of honour, judging by the quality of children that survived him, and secondly, by his sterling administrative qualities in his days as the advertisement manager of the Daily Times of Nigeria Ltd.”

    Atiku noted that Governor Fashola is a shining example of how a good home can make a positive influence in the life of an individual, and by extension, in the life of a country.

    He said the dream of having a good country must start with the dream of building good homes.

    Atiku also sent wishes of quick recovery to the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the surgery for sports injury to his knees.

    He said having been a victim of such domestic accident in the past, he would urge Tinubu to brace for the surgery and, upon recuperation, apply caution in his body fitness workouts.

    “It is a painful experience to bear an injury on one’s knees or on the ankle. It is even more painful to enter into the theatre as one advances in age. But I will urge the Asiwaju to brace for the surgery, while we wish him quick recovery,” the statement added.

     

  • ASUU commiserates with union

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASSU) has commiserated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on the death of three journalists in a motor accident near Osu, Osun State, last Friday.

    In a statement by the ASUU President, Dr Nasir Fagge, the union urged journalists to remain strong to overcome the trauma the incident has caused.

    The union said members of the academic community in Nigerian universities shared in the journalists’ sad moment.

    The statement reads: “I received the news of the death of our people in the NUJ with shock. I had thought the accident would only end with injuries and not death. But only Allah knows best.

    “We, in ASUU, are pained and hurting that those who offered themselves to serve their profession would exit the world this way. I sympathise with the national fraternity of journalists in Nigeria and in particularly, Oyo and Lagos States’ NUJ councils. May Allah comfort the families of the departed.”

    The ASUU President prayed God to grant the families of the departed the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

    He added: “We can only take solace that only Allah knows best. God gives and He takes. It is only unfortunate that these versatile members were cut short in their prime.”

    Also, the Chairman of the University of Ibadan (UI) ASUU branch, Dr Olusegun Ajiboye, expressed shock at the death of the three NUJ officials.

    He said: “Our friends have gone; we are sad. But we should take care of their children. We should not cry and forget their families. I will urge the union to develop a scheme to assist the children of the deceased.”

  • Reps member commiserates with Tinubu

    A member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, has commiserated with the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the death of his mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

    Bamidele, the Chairman, Committee on Legislative Budget & Research in the House of Representatives,

    said the death of Alhaja Mogaji has created a vacuum that would be difficult to fill.

    He said: “I commiserate with the entire Tinubu and Mogaji families of Lagos, my leader and mentor, Asiwaju Tinubu as well as the government and people of Lagos State on the demise of our matriarch, Alhaja Mogaji, the Iyaloja General of Nigeria.

    “I am indeed grateful to God for a life well spent, a life dedicated to active public service, women development and emancipation, most importantly the development of our market system across the nation.”Mama Mogaji was very active in the democratisation struggle, contributing to the advent of democracy and the democratic process that we currently enjoy. She stood behind our leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, as a mother and pillar of support.

    “Mama did so well in ensuring peaceful co-existence between the market men and women, the tiers of government and the society at large.

    “Her exit will create a vacuum. We pray that God will give us people like her.

    We will surely miss her.

    “If to die and still be remembered and loved by those whom she loved is to die no more, then Mama lives on and will forever be counted among the comity of distinguished heroines, such as Margaret Ekpo, Olufunmilayo Ransome- Kuti, Hajiya Sawaba Gambo and others, who fought to give us a future. Mama lives on.”

  • Oni commiserates with Jagaban

    Oni commiserates with Jagaban

    Former Ekiti State Governor, Chief Segun Oni, has commiserated with ex-Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the death of his mother, Alhaji Abibatu Asabi Mogaji.

    Reacting to Alhaja Mogaji’s death through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Lere Olayinka, Oni said: “Alhaja Mogaji will be sorely missed as a renowned market leader, who nurtured many entrepreneurs to maturity and financial independence.”

    He went on: “Although Mama died at 96, her death cannot but be a great loss to Asiwaju Tinubu, the Mogaji family and the entire world.”

    Oni implored the family and the market men and women to seek solace that she discharged her duties, by playing pivotal roles in the development of commerce in the country.

    “I, therefore, urge Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the people of Lagos State and the entire market men and women in Nigeria to be consoled that death is the inevitable end of all mortals and it must come when it would come.

    “It is also my prayer that the Almighty Allah will grant the deceased Jannatul firdaus and also grant her families, friends and associates the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.

  • ALBERT CHINUA ACHEBE (1930-2103): Group commiserates with writer’s family

    A group of eminent Nigerians, under the aegis of Project Nigeria, has expressed grief over the death of one of its associates and supporters, Prof Chinua Achebe.

    The late literary icon and writer of several novels died last week in a hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, the United States.

    Project Nigeria commiserated with the late writer’s family and Nigerians over the demise.

    In a statement in Lagos by its National Secretary, Olawale Okunniyi, the group noted that Achebe would be remembered for his consistent loyalty towards the cause and welfare of the downtrodden across the world.

    The statement said: “We wish to state, as we mourn this irreparable loss to the people’s movement, that Achebe at different times demonstrated exemplary courage as a general of the people’s army and a literary icon of the progressive movement. His interventions were dreaded by oppressive governments.

    “He is also respected, the world over, for playing a seminal role in the founding and development of African literature.

    “Achebe’s global significance lies not only in his talent and recognition as a writer, but also as a critical thinker and essayist who has written extensively on questions of the role of culture in Africa and the critique of the post-colonial state in Africa.

    “His masterpiece, Things Fall Apart, published in 1958, is considered the most widely read book in modern African literature. The book sold over 12 million copies and has been translated to over 50 languages worldwide.”

    Project Nigeria also noted that the late Achebe played a major role during the Civil War, where he joined the Biafran government as an ambassador and on which he wrote a book, There Was a Country.

    The group said the book is an autobiography on the late writer’s experiences and views on the war.

    “We also wish to celebrate Achebe for his consistent criticism of various military dictators that ruled Nigeria and for his loud voice in denouncing the failure of governance in the country. This made him to reject twice offers by the Nigerian government to confer on him a national honour; citing the deplorable political situations in the country and the non-committal of the powers-that-be to restructure the country via a national conference of Nigerian people,” the statement added.

  • Amosun commiserates with Kano Emir

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has commiserated with the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, for the attack on his convoy by gunmen, in which four of his aides were killed and others injured.

    Amosun also sent his condolences to the government and people of Kano State on the incident.

    In a statement by his media aide, Mrs. Funmi Wakama, the governor described the attack on the emir as “unfortunate, especially coming at a time when the ruler is collaborating with Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to restore peace to the state”.

    He urged security agents to bring the perpetrators to book and advised Nigerians to live in peace.

    Amosun said no religion preaches violence and urged Nigerians to tolerate one another’s differences.

    Thanking Almighty Allah for preserving the life of the monarch, he prayed for the repose of the souls of the slain aides and wished those injured speedy recovery.

  • Yakowa: NFF commiserates with Kaduna govt, people

    Yakowa: NFF commiserates with Kaduna govt, people

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday commiserated with the government and good people of Kaduna State over the death of Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, CON, saying it was mourning the departed political leader on behalf of the Nigerian football family.

    Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, CON died on Saturday afternoon after a Navy helicopter he was travelling in with other eminent persons crashed and burst into flames in Bayelsa State.

    “News of the death of Governor Yakowa struck us like a thunderbolt. He was a real supporter and lover of Nigerian football and the Nigeria Football Federation deeply grieves at his sudden departure. We recall how he was always there for the NFF and Nigeria football. Governor Yakowa hosted the international friendly match between the Super Eagles and the senior team of Zambia in Kaduna in November 2011 and also hosted the Annual General Assembly of the NFF in December 2012,” recalled NFF President, Aminu Maigari.

    Maigari added: “He was even ready to host the Super Eagles’ FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, but other circumstances conspired to render Kaduna unattractive for those games. He is gone but we believe that Almighty God will grant his soul eternal rest and give his family and the good people of Kaduna State the fortitude to bear the huge loss.”

    Governor Yakowa died alongside former National Security Adviser, General Andrew Owoye Azazi (rtd), their personal aides and the helicopter’s pilots.