Lagos, Ogun, Kogi and Anambra states were hit by tragedies yesterday as Muslims observed two-rakat Eid-el-Fitri prayers marking the completion of 30 days of Ramadan fasting.
Three persons, including a first class monarch, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, died in Lagos; three in Ogun and one in Kogi.
The fate of four Nollywood filmmakers involved in a boat accident in Anambra State remained unknown as of 9.20 pm yesterday.
Oba Agbabiaka, who was the Osolo of Isolo Kingdom, Muhammed and son of former Kogi State Governor Ibrahim Idris passed on shortly after observing the Eid prayer.
Two passengers of a commercial bus were drowned in the Lagos Lagoon. They were flung into the lagoon when the 20-seater vehicle rammed onto a part of the median on the newly rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge.
Two of the 18 passengers rescued from the scene sustained injuries.
Southwest Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Ibrahim Farinloye and Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Taofiq Adebayo confirmed the accident. They said the bus suffered a brake failure.
LASTMA officer Olamide Ojo-Oniyun of Zone 1, Lagos Island, who led the rescue operation, said his team immediately evacuated the bus to allow free vehicular movement.
Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman Adebayo Olasoju,who confirmed Oba Agbabiaka’s passing at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH, Ikeja, said his remains would be buried in line with Islamic customs.
“I have the instruction of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to formally announce the passing of the paramount ruler of Isolo Kingdom, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, Adeola Olushi III, today April 10, 2024. He was 64.
“He will be buried today by 4pm at his palace, 3/5 Akinbaye Street, Isolo, according to Islamic rites. May his soul rest in peace,” Olasoju said in statement .
Tinubu, Sanwo-olu, white cap chiefs mourn
President Bola Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu said in separate condolence messages that they were saddened by the monarch’s passing.
Tinubu, according to his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), urged the Agbabiaka ‘family and everyone grieving the painful loss, to take solace in the remarkable legacy left behind by the departed.
“The President sends his condolences to the family of the deceased monarch, the Council of Obas and Chiefs, as well as the government and people of Lagos State. President Tinubu prays to God Almighty to grant the soul of the late monarch peaceful repose and his family the strength to bear the huge weight of his passing,’’ Ngelale added.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Gboyega Akosile described the passage of the monarch as a great loss to the traditional institution and Lagos State as a whole.
He said the late traditional ruler, during his lifetime, rendered selfless service to the people of Isolo and Lagos State.
Sanwo-Olu said: “On behalf of the government and people of Lagos, I commiserate with the people of Isolo, the deceased family, friends, and associates on the transition of the paramount ruler of Isolo Kingdom, Oba Kabiru Alani Adelaja Agbabiaka, Adeola Olushi III.
“The death of Oba Agbabiaka is a great loss to the people of Isolo, and he will be greatly missed. He made lots of positive impacts during his lifetime, contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of his community as a traditional ruler.
“Oba Agbabiaka, as a first-class traditional ruler, left a lasting legacy that the people of Isolo Kingdom will continue to cherish. I pray that Almighty God be pleased with the soul of the late monarch and grant the royal family and the people of Isolo and Lagos State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Chief Abdul-Lateef Aderibigbe-Ajose, Opeluwa Onido of Lagos and Head of the Traditional White Cap Chiefs, said the 64-year-old Agbabiaka would forever be remembered for being good and generous to people.
His words: “Osolo has gone; it is a rude shock to me greatly. This brought a lot of shock to me because Osolo was good in person and character. He was a listener per excellence.
“It is a big loss to Isolo, May God have mercy. It is a big loss also to us in Ijora because he was from Ojora also.
“We can only console ourselves and the people to mourn him and weep moderately.
The late Osolo ascended the throne of his forefathers 20 years ago. He was the Secretary of the League of Awori Obas in Lagos State. before his death.
Ex-Kogi governor’s son dies
The death of Muhammed Idris at his residence in Abuja was confirmed by his elder brother, Abubakar,
“He died this (yesterday) morning, shortly after coming back to his residence after Eid prayers.He will be buried on Wednesday at Gudu Cemetery in Abuja,” said Abubakar.
Muhammed was a member of the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011.
He represented Omala, Ankpa and Olamaboro in the 7th Assembly.
Also yesterday, scores of people Iyara, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, were unable to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr as rainstorm rendered that left them homeless.
More than 100 houses had their roofs blown off, forcing the occupants to seek refuge with relations and friends in neighbouring communities.
National President of Iyara Development Association (IDA) Aliyu Badaki, who appealed for immediate assistance said 1,000 people were affected by the disaster.
“The destruction was massive. This Sallah celebration for the victims is bleak, therefore, we appeal to the state and the federal government s to assist them,’’ said Badaki.
Traditional ruler the community, Oba Jacob Meduteni, described the rainstorm as “saddening” and “very unfortunate.
“It’s unfortunate that this disaster came at a time that the people are trying to manage the current economic hardship.
“We hope that both federal and state governments, well-to-do individuals and corporate bodies will assist the victims to ameliorate their sufferings,” said Meduteni.
Lagos-Ibadan Expressway crash claims three lives
Mrs Florence Okpe, spokesperson for Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Command, said two of five passengers of a green Toyota Sports Utitity Vehicle involved in the Lagos-Ibadan Exressway accident survived with injuries.
She explained that the accident was caused by a burst tyre, which led to the driver losing control.
“A total of five people were involved (four men and one woman) and two got injured. The remaining three were killed in the lone crash ( two men and one woman),” Okpe said.
Nollywood’s Jnr Pope, three unknown
There was controversy over the fate of an actor, Junior Pope Odonwodo, popularly known as ‘Jnr Pope,’ and three other film makers involved in a boat accident in Anambra State.
While Emeka Rollas, President of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) spoke only on Odonwodo,whom he said was receiving treatment, Samuel Olatunji, a filmmaker said he said.
“What God cannot do does not exist. Junior Pope is alive. He is taking treatment in the hospital,” the AGN boss wrote on his Instagram page.
Olatunji, on his own Instagram page wrote: “Junior Pope passes on. .
“Sad day for Nollywood. Four actors, including Jnr Pope fell into Anam River on their way to location and their bodies have been recovered.
“What a sad day for Nollywood. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Multiple sources confirmed this sad development to us..”
