The Nation Newspaper

Tag: dies

  • Shot Newswatch editor dies

    Efforts to save the life of a top-flight member of the editorial team of Newswatch Newspapers, Toyin Obadina, who was shot by suspected armed robbers in the wee hours of last Saturday, have failed. He died early yesterday.

    He died following the injuries he sustained from the gunshots.

    Since Obadina, Deputy Editor, Saturday Newswatch, was attacked on the Itoikin-Old Ijebu-Ode Road at about 1am while driving back to his Parafa, Ikorodu, Lagos State home on the fateful day, doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Ikeja, had battled to make him live.

    He was said to have sustained the injuries as, according to information made available by some of his colleagues, he was shot in the stomach at close range by his attackers.

    The late Obadina, it was gathered, was waylaid by the men of the underworld, who double-crossed him with two Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs).

    The slain journalist, The Nation gathered, was said to be driving in his Toyota Yaris car.

    He reportedly cooperated with the suspected robbers by submitting all he had on him, as ordered by them, but the marauders still pumped gunshots into his stomach.

    After the first round of operation at LASUTH, it was gathered that he spoke, expressing the hope that he would survive the ordeal until the news of his death broke yesterday.

    He is survived by wife and children.

  • Ex-Daily Times editor dies at 65

    A former Production Editor of the defunct Daily Times, Mr. Babatunde Makanjuola (a.k.a. Tee Mac), is dead. He died last Thursday after a brief illness. He was 65.

    His remains will be buried on Friday at the Ikoyi Cemetery.

    Sympathisers have continued to flock the deceased’s home on 11, Osikalu Close, Surulere, to commiserate with his family.

    A tent has been mounted in the compound with white plastic chairs arranged under it, where visitors take turns to sign the condolence register.

    The late Makanjuola’ eldest son, Babatunde, told our reporter yesterday that his father’s death has left a gulf in the family and neighborhood.

    He said: “He was a good man. He was there for everybody. He was never unwilling to share anything with anybody, even if it was not convenient. He was a lot of things to us. As the chairman of the residents association, he was a father to the neighbourhood. You cannot live in this neighbourhood for two days and not know my father. Now that he is gone, I do not think things will remain the same. People are already missing him.”

    Babatunde said his father had no premonition of his death, adding: “His death was a shock, as he never showed any sign that death was close by. He celebrated his 65th birthday on a low key last December 16 and he was full of life, as he wined and dined with his family and neighbours.”

    Babatunde’s greatest pain is that his father would not be at his wedding. He said: “I am planning my wedding and it is painful that my father won’t be there.”

    The late Makanjuala’s son-in-law, Mr. Adeyinka Omotayo-Benson, said the deceased played a major role in his life, adding: “When I was dating my wife, he welcomed me to his house and helped me to settle down. He also encouraged his daughter to marry me because, according to my wife, Papa said I was her future husband. Papa loved children. He drove his car to my children’s school many times and took them home to play.”

    Mrs. Biola Omotayo-Benson said: “My father loved us all. All through his lifetime, he never flogged any of us. He was always in tears each time any of us took ill. He gave us everything a father could give his children. I can confidently say our father was a successful man. His success lies in the fact that his children are successful and we are doing well in our various careers.”

    In the condolence register, Mr. Adeyinka Banjo wrote: “Too sudden and too soon. You were loads of fun to be with for your age, an absolute delight and gentleman. Till we meet to part no more. Rest in peace, Tee Mac.”

    Kehinde Fatugade wrote: “You were a great brother to me, my confidant. No dull moment with you. May God put you at His right hand side. Adieu, Uncle Tee Mac.”

    Lanre Fasheun wrote: “You were a great brother. I called you my in-law at the last census, when I stayed with your family. You would ask me: ‘are you ok?’ Rest in peace.”

     

  • Suspected oil thief dies in explosion

    A suspected oil thief was at the weekend burnt to death after a trunk line belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) at Egbematoru in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State exploded and went up in flames.

    It was also learnt that many of the oil thieves sustained injuries as they scampered for safety.

    The fire was reportedly caused by a gang of suspected oil thieves, who attempted to break and siphon oil from the pipeline.

    It was gathered that officials of Agip battled to put out the fire.

    But there were allegations that the soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, caused the inferno when they fired at some suspected oil thieves.

    JTF, however, denied the allegations. It attributed the explosion to the activities of the suspected economic saboteurs.

    The Media Coordinator, JTF, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed that there was an explosion in the area.

    Bayelsa communities under the aegis of the Brass League of Friends (BLF) confirmed that NAOC responded by cleaning the environment impacted by a recent oil spill from its pipeline in the area.

    Twon Brass, Okpoama and Odioma were affected by the spill, which was said to have spread to the Atlantic Ocean.

    The incident reportedly disrupted fishing and compelled residents to call on Agip to arrest the situation.

    BLF patron, Mr. Israel Sunny-Goli, in a statement described the company’s response as “an indication that the oil company takes issues of the environment serious.”

  • Ex-judge dies at 85

    A former High Court Judge, Justice Ekundayo Kolawole, is dead. He died on September 8, at the University College Hospital (UCH) in the Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    He was 85.

    A statement by the family, signed by Rev Olusiji Kolawole, said the funeral rite of passage would hold between December 14 and 21.

    Special court sessions will be held for him by the Oyo and Osun states judiciary on December 17 and 19 at High Court, Ring Road Ibadan and High Court, Oke-Fia, Osogbo, the Osun State capital. He will be laid-in-state in his Ibadan home at 19, Main Avenue, Alalubosa G.R.A. on December 17, between from 1.30p.m. to 4.30p.m and in his Ibokun, Osun State home on December 20 from 11a.m. to 4p.m. His remains will be buried at St. Peter’s Anglican Church Cemetery, Ibokun  on December 21, 2013.

    He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Sabinah Modupe Kolawole, children, grand and great grand children.

  • The way music dies (2)

    No apologies, but besides Benson Idonije, Victor Akande, Ayo Animashaun, Damola Awoyokun, Femi Akintunde Johnson (FAJ) and a few good intellects, music journalism suffers a dearth of competent critics, writers and intellectuals. This makes the idea of a progressive, unfettered, cross-fertilization of ideas and opinions manifest like fading vignettes of a utopian wet dream.

    Sadly, the reality of the internet, despite its palpable benefits, presents a malignant tumour of sort to music journalism. No thanks to the social media, we are afflicted with a parade of dimwits impatiently hustling to broadcast their ignorance, bigoted ripostes and uninformed judgment to the pleasure and appreciation of equally dim folk.

    Consequently, local music asphyxiates in the sickly babble of bloggers and self-acclaimed music critics tirelessly propagating their middling and formulaic opinions, riddled with errors and inadequate music knowledge. For a lot of these music bloggers, music didn’t start before Remedies, DBanj, P-Square, Inyanya, America’s Rihanna and Beyonce Knowles. So shallow is the trough from which they cull that their much hyped reviews often resonate like the dying shrill of a vanishing storm.

    No one is born with music history or artistry ingrained in his psyche, but a little research and dedication wouldn’t hurt anyone. The few good artistes we have around are blogged to death and are yet to make a kobo from it. Many music bloggers are too busy chasing adverts and perpetuating music streaming that they no longer encourage their readers to buy albums. Eventually, the artistes are deprived of due income and in this culture of mediocrity and entitlement that the internet fosters, the listener and music enthusiast loses out on quality, a sense of ownership and loyalty to the artiste.

    Music streaming is no doubt a wonderful thing; according to a blogger, it is akin to trying on an outfit before purchase, or dating someone before wedlock, but in their quest to spread music as widely and thinly as possible, music buzz bloggers are actually reducing the depth of people’s love for music.

    An opinion expressed on tweeter possesses less depth, it’s all about pushing sales; but a well written album review or music feature, isn’t just about generating hits, its more about creating that ideal amphitheatre where the impetus of an album chugs away like a locomotive as it constantly gravitates towards a new sound or improve upon a previous one.

    Good old music journalism is all about projecting good music and giving it the care and attention it deserves, while maintaining a spirit of questioning curiosity that constantly explores why a particular album is good, and how artistes can continue to push boundaries. It’s this interchange between artiste, journalist and music lover that gives rise to fertile discourse and creative experimentation, rather than pathetic trend-chasing.

    Taste has become a big issue in contemporary music; talent too. Then there is the most crucial aspect, which is the dearth of tastemakers: that is, competent music journalists cum critics. It is not my intention to incite the politics of delineation between a music journalist and a critic – to function as a music journalist; you need to possess the capacities of a good critic and vice versa.

    Where are the insights that cannot be gleaned from reading a few press releases? Where are the opinions from anyone other than the conceited publicists desperate to shove crass mediocrity and idiocies of artistes they serve down the throat and subconscious of music lovers? Where is the balance in the din of ingratiating endorsements?

    Nigerian music dies because the music journalist forgets how sacred his relationship with his readers should be; he is too star struck and covetous of the success of confused music stars he helps create; he believes that success subsists in crafting captions for pathetic artistes’ drivel and heavily photo-shopped portraits.

    True; hatchet pieces could be fun to write, but you aren’t spending much time with songs and art as you are conjuring stock phrases and currency-activated analogies. The few discerning readers and music enthusiasts that are still around know this; that is why they skim through contemporary music reviews like distressing poetry. They find that more writers are desperately justifying bad music and getting ‘flava’ rather than examine sonic chemistries or the lack thereof.

    Many music writers are casualties of a broken system; pitiful pawns perpetually engaged in disgraceful surrender to the forces that determine the sound of music. They do not put up a good fight anymore thus the lack of discernible Zeitgeist in Nigerian music.

    The internet may have expanded our breadth, but little has guided the Nigerian music journalist to piece it all together or put it into some kind of historical or social perspective other than what he has been paid to publicize and our ears can piece together, regretfully.

    The commitment and depth of the music journalist goes a long way in enriching or diminishing the music; a competent music journalist will be well-versed in the minutiae of his most dreaded sound as the eternal harmonies of his preferred “hit.” There is no greater sin in music journalism than to sound like you have no idea what you are talking about.

    Wrongly appreciated songs, ill-prescribed genres, and cliché evocations are hardly the stock of music journalism as we would love to read it. And is it not thoughtless that those who judge professionally desperately seek not to be judged in kind? The alternative to such naivety is that bland specialty wherein the music journalist remains wedded to a genre, becomes baffled by outside forces reigning in on such genre, or wrongly accuses all other music aficionados of “trespassing.”

    More disturbing, is the premise that an authentic reaction to music shouldn’t involve our minds—only our hearts and groins; that is ridiculous, isn’t it? Forget Beethoven, Johnny Coltrane, Frank Sinatra, Billy Paul, The Manhattans, Tupac Shakur, Marshall Bruce Mathers III (Eminem), the best of our melodies from Highlife to Apala, Juju, Fuji and Afro Hip hop touches us everywhere at once but hardly anyone gets to really feel it today.

    The best music journalism should set the standards for the industry and regulate it. It should be more than an attempt to wrap writers around the fingers of every artiste, record label and corporate sponsor with a “flava” plan. It uses the language of everyday musicality but too much of Nigerian music journalism lacks such passion and artistry.

    That is why we are inundated by crappy music. That is why Nigeria currently fields no artiste worthy of global acclaim save Bukola Elemide (Asa), Tuface Idibia, Irikefe Obareki (Kefee), Babatunde Olusegun (Mode 9), Jude Abaga (M.I) Abolore Akande (9ice) and budding and misguided rap whiz, Olamide, to mention a few.

    Every album contains a bit of truth, true lies or fantasy; it is the job of the music journalist to justify the album’s existence and the need to write about it in the first place. It’s not that I, who write this, succeed in doing a better job but it’s about time we understood that much as we desperately depend on music art, among others, for pleasure, livelihood and escape; we depend on professionals, like the music journalist to guarantee us the transcendence of such pass.

  • Ace photographer Peter Obe dies at 81

    Ace photographer Peter Obe dies at 81

    Photography giant Peter Obe died yesterday in Lagos . He was 81

    A media Consultant, Taiwo Obe, wrote yesterday on the late Obe, his uncle, who was born on December 28, 1932.

    “Just as the Daily Times, where he was for several decades chief photographer, was the generic name for newspapers, he was also for a long time the generic name for photography in Nigeria. If you wasted time in taking a photograph, you were automatically written off as “not Peter Obe.” On the other hand, if you exhibited some measure of mastery, you earned the name, “Peter Obe.”

    He was a legend. Indeed, in the Daily Times, he was not mentioned by name; rather, he was “Ace”, indicating his high quality, excellence. His photographs were always stamped “Exclusives.” And, truly, they were: in a different class.

    “This afternoon (yesterday), Peter Oyeyemi Obe, better known as Peter Obe, died at his residence situated on 31 Alhaji Masha/Moronu Street, Surulere, Lagos. His first son, Femi, made the announcement. A visual impairment which he had a couple of years ago, cut short his freelance photography work for the Agence France Presse (AFP). His coverage of the Nigerian civil war for the Daily Times resulted in a one-of-its-kind book, “Civil War Pictures From Nigeria: A Decade of Crisis in Pictures.”

    Mr Lade Bonuola (aka Ladbone), an executive consultant at The Guardian, in a condolence message, wrote: “As chief cameraman of the Daily Times and I as the chief sub-editor, we worked very closely together. He never failed in supplying me terrific action photographs for the front page. Once I shouted ‘Exclusives’, I trusted he was on the way to the newsroom to supply page 1 photograph.”

    For veteran sports journalist Fabio Olanikpekun, the late icon of photo Journalism was a true professional who discharged his duties with a sense of professionalism.

    “Oh my God! Peter Obey has passed on? He asked almost close to tears.

    Continuing, he said: “That is a monumental departure in the history of Nigeria Photo Journalism. I was a kid when Peter Obey occupied the space in Nigeria Photo Journalism. As a Daily Express photographer he was the essential photo Journalist of his era.

    “If he did not cover any event then that event was not going to be an historic event. And those of us who grew up in Lagos in the 40’s remembered that any event he covered was historic with his ever present cap. He was easily distinguishable and there’s nobody in Lagos that did not recognise him as the essential press photographer of his days.

    “As a naturalist, he was famours and popular by his love for bush meat, grass cutter. As I speak to you, I feel saddened that a great professional in the act of press photography departed. But we should thank God that he made a mark for others to emulate.”

  • Veteran journalist Alade ‘Allah De’ Odunewu dies at 85

    Veteran journalist Alade ‘Allah De’ Odunewu dies at 85

    Journalism has suffered a big blow, with the death yesterday of veteran Hadj Alade Idowu Odunewu.

    The late Odunewu, who wrote with the pen name Allah De, was former Editor of the Daily Times. He died at St Nicholas Hospital, Lagos. He was 85.

    His Allah De column was for many years the delight of readers for its wit, simplicity and humour. His remains will be buried today at the prestigious Vaults and Garden, Ikoyi, Lagos at 3pm. He is survived by three children.

    It was widely acknowledged by his contemporaries that few loved journalism like Allah De. He was one of those rare specimens born for a time and a profession.

    According to Felix Adenaike, a former editor of the Tribune, “Alade Odunewu was a great craftsman who lived journalism”.

    Former Managing Director of The Guardian Mr. Lade Bonuola said: “Oga was a titan, even in the fast depleting generation of the masters. The other day it was Unuegbu. He was an exceedingly gifted writer who always had very close by his armoury of humour, ranking with Baker of New York Times and Cameron of Daily Express in humour and Bernard Levin of The Times of London in seriousness and mastery of language.

    “Of course, Cassandra of the Daily Mirror of whom he was a proud disciple. A product of Regent Polytechnic, he was one of the early elite that ruled our great Kingdom that the Daily Times was. He was the best all-round final student at Regent. He was a moral compass who yield, space to none in integrity.

    “With the departure of his wife last year, he lost his accustomed ebullient will to live. He was kept going by his wonderful children – Ebun, Akanni and Segun. When a person like that departs, it is as if a part of you is gone. So is a part of Nigeria’s history.”

    The late Odunewu was also acknowledged as one of the founding fathers of Nigerian journalism who continued to support the industry many years after his retirement from active practice of the profession. He was the chairman of the Nigeria Press Council (NPC) and Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA).

    Allah De began his journalism career at the Daily Times as a reporter after his secondary education at the New Bethel College, Onitsha, Anambra State but fate seemed to have a higher calling for him as he secured a Federal Government scholarship to study Journalism at the Regent Street Polytechnic London- now University of Westminster.

    He was a star in London, winning the Commonwealth New Statesman Prize for the best all-round student and also working for a number of British newspapers- a rare feat at the time and even now- before returning home.

    Between 1950-56, the late Odunewu worked at the Daily Times as a reporter and sub-editor. He left to become the Managing Editor of the African Press Limited Ibadan, publishers of the Nigerian Tribune. That was 1956 and 1957. Odunewu spent four years, between 1960 and 1964, as the Editor-in-Chief of the Allied Newspapers of Nigeria before he left to become the Editor, Sunday Times, in 1964.

    He rose through the ranks at the Daily Times before he was appointed editor of the paper, coming after Peter Enahoro who was initially known as “George Sharp” and later as Peter Pan. The late Odunewu’s time as the editor of the most prestigious newspaper at the time has been described with many charitable adjectives by those who worked with him. While Peter Pan was a “great writer”, Odunewu was adjured to have combined his fine writing skill with even a greater talent as an editor of the paper.

    Perhaps one of the lasting legacies of the departed journalist is his “ Allah De” column, which has been described by many as one of the best satires ever penned by a Nigerian journalist. The late Nnamdi Azikwe-himself a fine writer- described the late Odunewu as the dean of Nigerian satirical writing.

    “Satire is the stuff of his work, master of the well-placed innuendo. Odunewu called attention to the follies and foibles of his era without wounding the vanities of the men and women of the moment,” Journalism teacher and The Nation Editorial Adviser Olatunji Dare once wrote in 2007.

    Encomiums were pouring in last night from his contemporaries and those who knew him only through his writings. Henry Odukomaiya, who took over from him as the Editor of the Daily Times said: “ I am shocked, saddened to learn from you about the sudden departure of my great boss, Alade Odunewu whose pseudonym was Allah De which was the name of the column he gave birth to when he was Editor-in-chief of the Daily Times.”

    Odukomaiya had a flattery reminiscence of the character of the writer. “The Allah De that I knew was one of the most accommodating bosses that anybody could have, I mean every word of what I am saying. He never offended anybody, he did his job to the best of his ability and his ability was quite high. He was very jocular and that reflected in every of his writing. He was elegant too. He didn’t take life too seriously. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a good matrimonial life.

    Adenaike remembered the late Odunewu as a great mentor to the younger generation of journalists and a great craftsman. “That was the father of journalism. Nigerian journalism has lost one of its founding fathers, and he was a great mentor to the younger ones. He wrote a column Allah De. He was a great humorist and satirist. He was a great craftsman. He lived journalism; he published two books – Winner takes all which was the compilation of his columns into two volumes.”

    Sam Amuka Pemu, publisher of The Vanguard said of the late Allah De: “He was a fine fellow; we will miss him.” Mr. Femi Kusa former Editor of the Guardian, described him as a great columnist who was very careful and diplomatic in his writings.

    There were others too who paid glowing tributes to a man who gave his life for journalism. The chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council, Deji Elumoye, said the late Odunewu was a foremost journalist who never did anything else but journalism. “He talked about proper practices of journalism and was always willing to advise the NUJ. We will miss him,” he said.

    Former Editor of The Sunday Times Gbolabo Ogunsanwo believed the profession has lost one of its heroes. “Alade Odunewu was the uncrowned dean of newspaper columnists.”

    Perhaps, few can be said to have matched the passion and the talents of the late Odunewu, his devotion to the cause of the journalism profession would be a model that the profession may find hard to fill. And as he is committed to mother earth today, the encomiums may have just begun.

  • Passenger dies at Lagos Airport

    Passenger dies at Lagos Airport

    A transit passenger on Arik Air flight en-route London-Lagos-Owerri yesterday slumped and died at the remodelled domestic Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The passenger, believed to have hailed from the Southeast, it was learnt slumped at the entrance of the departure hall. He was with his wife and brother at the time of the incident.

    According to sources, immediately the passenger slumped, he was rushed to the Aviation Clinic , where he was confirmed dead.

    The General Manager, Corporate Communications, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN), Mr Yakubu Dati said:”’ About 0600 hours , a transit passenger on Arik Air flight en route London – Lagos – Owerri, slumped at the entrance of the departure of terminal one.

    He was immediately rushed to the Aviation Clinic where he was confirmed dead .

    The passenger’s wife and brother who were with the deceased later proceeded to Owerri.”

  • Delta Senator Ewherido dies at 50

    Delta Senator Ewherido dies at 50

    Senator Pius Akpo Ewherido, the only Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) senator, died yesterday at the National Hospital in Abuja. He was 50.

    Sources said the late Ewherido died after battling stroke for some days.

    It was gathered that the Ewu, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State-born legislator, was rushed to the hospital, following a sudden rise in his blood pressure.

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who visited him shortly after, told our reporter that he had arranged to have the late Ewherido flown to South Africa before his death yesterday.

    It was gathered that the decision to take him to South Africa followed the refusal of one reputable German hospital to have him.

    It was gathered that the aircraft that was to take the late senator to South Africa arrived about the same time as his death yesterday afternoon.

    His death threw Delta State into shock and disbelief.

    The member representing Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Daniel Reyenieju, described the late Ewherido’s death as “most painful and sad”.

    The Catholic community was also thrown into mourning by the death of the devout member, whose sibling is a priest.

    Mr. Aoiri Obiagbo told our reporter: “Members of the Order of Knights of Saint Mulumba and Catholic community in Warri will greatly miss this young promising man.”

    Sources at his bedside said former Delta State Governor James Ibori called on Saturday when he learnt of the late Senator’s state. Ibori is in Britain doing a term for money laundering.

    President Goodluck Jonathan expressed shock and Senate President David Mark was sad. Mark cut short his trip to Ghana where he was leading a Nigerian delegation on a golf tour.

    The Delta State Government, in a special announcement by Secretary to State Government (SSG) Ovuozourie S. Macaulay, said: “The death is hereby announced of Senator Akpo Pius Ewherido, Senator representing the Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly. Senator Ewherido died today Sunday, 30th June, 2013 at the National Hospital, Abuja after a brief illness.

    “The Government of Delta State wishes to commiserate with and express its deep condolences to the family at this trying moment. Government advises Deltans, particularly members of his Constituency to remain calm.

    “We pray that God grants his family, constituents and all of us, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

    The chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the late Ewherido took ill at the weekend and was not able to make it.

    The Senate, Abaribe added, is “heart broken and devastated over this unfortunate incident”.

    He described the late Ewherido as one of “the most articulate, erudite, urbane and easy-going Senators who brought his wealth of experience as a Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly to bear on the floor of the Senate.”

    He said the late lawmaker was “always concerned about his constituents and Nigeria as a whole”.

    Dr. Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said:

    “On behalf of himself and all members of the executive arm of the Federal Government, President Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences to Senator Ewherido’s family, the Senate President, Senator David Mark and all of the late Senator’s colleagues in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.”

    “The President joins them, members of the Ewherido family and the government and people of Delta State in mourning the distinguished legislator who served commendably as a member and deputy speaker of the Delta State of Assembly before his election as the Senator representing the Delta Central Senatorial District in the 2011 general elections.”

    “President Jonathan prays that God Almighty will comfort Senator Ewherido’s family, relatives, colleagues in the National Assembly and all the people of his constituency.”

    “He further prays that God will, in His infinite mercies, grant them the strength and fortitude to bear the painful loss of the very promising politician at the relatively youthful age of 50.” He stated

    A statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Senate President, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said Mark described the late lawmaker as a forthright and vibrant parliamentarian.

    To Mark, the late Ewherido was one of the foremost and hardworking senators in the 7th Senate.

    He said: “We have lost a true friend and colleague. We lost a vibrant and a very articulate senator. We have lost a patriotic Nigerian who stood to be counted when it mattered.”

    He noted that one of Senator Ewherido’s bills on how to address manslaughter is undergoing thorough legislative works.

    He added that the deceased should have been alive to see his good work aimed at saving mankind.

    Mark promised that the Senate would ensure that the late Ewherido’s immediate family does not suffer.

    He urged the government and people of Delta state especially the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that the late Senator lived an accomplished life worthy of emulation.

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu described Ewerhido’s death as “sad and shocking”.

    He said: “This is one death too devastating as Senator Ewherido was a staunch believer in the Nigerian project, a patriot, and hard working lawmaker who gave his very best to the nation.

    “We have lost a legislative treasure, especially given the rich experience and insight he brought to the Senate, having served as a lawmaker in the Delta State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives.”

  • Fatai Rolling Dollar dies at 85

    Fatai Rolling Dollar dies at 85

    A chapter closed in the music industry yesterday, with the death of highlife icon Fatai Rolling Dollar. He was 85.

    Born Fatai Olayiwola Olagunju, the late musician, who mentored greats like King Sunny Ade and Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, reportedly died of cancer.

    He took ill in the United States last month during a musical tour. Tour promoter Samson Raji said the late Olagunju complained of chest pain after one of his three performances and was subsequently diagnosed of cancer at the hospital. He died at a Surulere, Lagos Mainland hospital.

    His remains were transferred to his Agege home, near the abattoir. He will be buried today.

    A crowd of musicians and admirers of the highlife maestro trooped to his residence. Among the early callers were music star Sunny Ade and another music giant Ebenezer Obey.

    President Goodluck Jonathan led the tributes. Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rauf Aregnesola (Osun), National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Minister of Culture Edem Duke and Chair of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) Tony Okoroji also paid tributes

    In a statement, Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati, said the President “joins other Nigerians and music lovers in all parts of the world in mourning the accomplished and multi-talented musician, Pa Fatai Olayiwola Olagunju, popularly known as Fatai Rolling Dollar, who passed away earlier today.

    “President Jonathan shares the grief of all lovers of music over the death of the illustrious entertainer, master singer, guitarist and exponent of the native thumb piano who continued to perform and exhibit his unqualified love for the music profession at an age when most of his contemporaries had long retired.

    “The President believes that the late Fatai Rolling Dollar, who enthralled his teeming followers throughout his career of over 64 years will, even in death, remain an enduring influence on African music and that the vacuum his death has created in the Nigerian entertainment industry will be hard to fill.

    “He extends heartfelt condolences to the late musician’s family and prays that God Almighty grant his soul eternal rest.”

    National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, described the death of the music star as a colossal loss.

    “He was in a class of his own. An exceptionally- talented musician, Fatai Rolling Dollar, was way ahead of his peers. He was a great musical talent, who churned out great music. The originality of his lyrics was such that they were never easily fogotten even as they resonated across different ages and societal strata.

    Tinubu said Fatai Rolling Dollars’ music was always a delight to listen to. “Like millions of followers, I mourn his passing away, but I celebrate a life of excellence and a brilliant musical career”.

    Fatai must be remembered as one of Nigeria’s musical icon, a musical historian of note and a master of his art whose music delighted millions for decades. Tinubu prayed for the wife and children to have the fortitude to bear their loss and God’s protection.