The Nation Newspaper

Tag: families

  • Families allege deliberate delay in trial of murder suspects

    •Court adjourns till Dec 19

    The non-adoption of briefs at the Ado-Ekiti Division of the Court of Appeal has stalled the trial of seven persons accused of conspiracy in the murder of former Ekiti State National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Omolafe Aderiye.
    The case could not go on at Ekiti State High Court 6 yesterday as Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye adjourned till December 19, pending conclusion of hearing at the appellate court.
    The accused are Adebayo Aderiye (first), Adeniyi Adedipe (second), Oso Farotimi (third), Ajayi Kayode (fourth), Sola Durodola (fifth), Rotimi Olanbiwonnu (sixth) and Sola Adenijo (seventh).
    The second accused is the state leader of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC); first and sixth accused are former state chairmen of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). They had been in custody for over two years.
    Prosecution counsel M.T. Alaaya told the court there was a motion pending at the Court of Appeal and called for an adjournment.
    Defence counsel Elijah Nworie said the Appeal Court was yet to adopt the briefs of argument.
    Justice Ogunmoye said the case would be on hold until the Court of Appeal disposed of the motion before it.
    Shortly after the court rose, families of the accused alleged a conspiracy between the government and authorities of the Ado-Ekiti Court of Appeal to stall hearing.
    Adedipe’s daughter, Oluwatoyin, urged the Ayo Fayose administration to release her dad and others, saying the family was suffering the over two-year incarceration of its bread winner.
    She said: “I got admission into the university but I could not pay because of my father’s detention in prison custody and we, the children, are crying daily.
    Olanbiwonnu’s son, Olaide, urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) and Court of Appeal in Abuja to intervene, accusing the Ekiti government of colluding with the Ado Ekiti Division to stall the case.
    Olaide said: “This is a delay tactic employed by the government; the accused should be the one delaying the matter but it is now the other way round.
    “We want to appeal to the Federal Government and NJC to intervene by investigating those at the Ado Ekiti Court of Appeal.
    Mrs. Seun Adenijo, who spoke on behalf of wives of the accused, alleged that the delay was deliberate as the motion was filed at the Appeal Court over five months ago.
    She said: “We believe the case is being intentionally delayed because over five months ago when the government filed the motion, they are yet to give a date of hearing.

  • Bigwigs relocate families over fears of abduction

    Things have fallen apart in the once-secure world of wealthy families. The centre can no longer hold as their hearts are gripped by fear at the exploits of daredevil kidnappers for whom barbed wire gates and sophisticated alarm systems have proved no deterrent. The conscienceless men of the underworld now have no regard for position or status in carrying out their horrendous and dastardly acts.

    Consequent on the foregoing, political bigwigs and captains of industry as well as celebrities have begun to troop out of the country with their families in a bid to escape the evil clutches of the ransom traders. The troubled elites are also restricting the movements of their children and family members as they now hire well-trained security experts to tail them and their relatives.

    Some of them have had to put their faith in imported state of the art monitoring and alarm systems installed in their palatial homes. But all these have not proved totally successful in checking the incursions of kidnappers who often lie in wait for these big men and their children like wolves patiently waiting for lambs.

  • One stool, two feuding families

    One stool, two feuding families

    Budan, a riverside kingdom in the Upper River Niger area of Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, is grappling with two problems. One, it has no king. Two, claimants to the throne are at loggerheads.

    This is unsettling.

    Budan, the ancestral home of the Kakanda people, was once peaceful. Not anymore; it is going through one of its most difficult periods in its history. Two of three families are battling over who should produce the next paramount ruler of the community founded about 1699 by Ajinzheya and his younger brother Idoko.

    It is said that both brothers migrated from Wukari (now in Taraba State) as a result of instability of the Jukun Empire at the time. The paramount ruler of the community is referred to as Agankyu and available records have shown that 21 Agankyus have presided over the community since its inception. However, following the demise of the last Agankyu, Etsu Idatsu Ibrahim Abdullahi, there has been controversy over which family should produce the next ruler.

    The Etsu Saba Family have conceded the seat to Etsu Isa Family, but not the same with Etsu Nmadu Family who are insisting on producing the king ahead of their brother. The three families who have taken turns to rule the community are all from the Danki Ruling House.

    However, the order of succession which was laid down is allegedly being set aside by some descendants, especially the Etsu Nmadu descendants, a situation that is generating controversy in the community.

    The development is being resisted by descendants of Etsu Isa who insisted that the last time anybody from their kindred mounted the saddle was about 120 years ago. They argued that it will be out of place for the Nmadu kindred to insist on producing the next paramount ruler of the community.

    Speaking on the controversy, Mallam Sule Malik from Etsu Isa kindred described as ýridiculous the interest of members of the Nmadu kindred to emerge the paramount ruler once again. He said since the baton has been moved to Danki Ruling House, it is obvious that the next in line for the crown should come from Estu Isa kindred without any contest.

    He said: “But I am surprise that  they (Nmadus) are indicating interest again, haba! Where is the fear of God? Or are they thinking wiping-off our existence from the Danki dynasty? Let them go back and cross-check again. I want to be quoted that Etsu Isah’s compound was the only recognised ruling house in Danki dynasty, because after him, Etsu Umaru from the same compound ascended the throne. But in the spirit of brotherhood and togetherness,  the Isahs were magnanimous enough to create another ruling houses with Danki, these are Etsu Nmadu and Etsu Saba. I am ready to be challenged if what I said is not true”.

    Worried by the turn of events, the head of the Kingmakers and the Nakorji of Budan, Alhaji Aliyu Ahmadu Autanyaya, was said to have asked the waring parties to go back home and resolve their differences, since it is in-house matter. A meeting was said to have been summoned twice with a view to resolving the issue and laying to rest, the controversy that has delayed the emergence of. New paramount ruler for the community. Interestingly, only the Etsu Isa people attended the two meetings while their brothers from the Nmadu family refused to attend.

    Ustaz Muhammad Bello claimed that the Nmadus were well knowledgeable of the meetings but refused to attend.

    He said, “On two different occasions, we have gone to Budan top try and resolve the issue. But they failed to attend and did not even bother to inform us while they failed to attend the all-important meeting. We are not lobbying for the stool. We are only asking for what is ours. Our fathers have remained in slumber for too long and allow our right to pass to be trampled upon. But now, we have woken up from that slumber and are demanding what is rightfully ours.”

    The Nation was informed that the Nakoji, who is presiding over the community pending the emergence of a new traditional ruler is disturbed about the development and has even threatened to single handed leg appoint a paramount ruler if the warring parties failed to resolve their differences and come up with a single candidate. It was gathered that he summoned a meeting of the contending parties and directed them to go back and resolve the issue and present a candidate before the Eid-el-Kabir celebration or be forced to impose a successor on the throne. But the decision did not go down well with many people in the community who argued that the Nakorji does not have the mandate to impose anyone, adding that it has never happened in the history of the community for the Narkoji to pick a successor.

    Based on the directive of the Nakorji, the Dankis were said to have summouned a meeting of both kindreds.

     

     

  • Nickelodeon to reward families with birthday party

    Nickelodeon (DStv channel 305) has announced the rollout of its Surprise Birthday competition for kids.

    In partnership with Domino’s Pizza and Cold  Stone Creamery, Nickelodeon is open to kids who are between two and 22.

    Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa,  Alex Okosi, said: “We are very excited to be rewarding kids with this fun birthday activation with Domino’s Pizza and Cold Stone Creamery.

    ‘’Nigeria is one of our largest markets for Nickelodeon and this is our own way of giving to Nickelodeon fans for their loyalty to the channel. Every surprise birthday party will definitely be an unforgettable experience for families and we can’t wait to kick off!”

    Marketing Director,  Eat N’Go Africa, Mrs. Caroline Odukoya-Ijogun,  said: “Our brands are happy to be associated with Nickelodeon to celebrate this special day of every child.’’

    She further said the ‘Eat N’Go’ values their customers so much and look forward to celebrating them. It is the brand’s belief that this will bring happiness and fulfillment to the families and also endear them to the brand.”

    The firm said its birthday parties would feature fun activities, which include face-painting, balloon artists, as well as meeting favourite its characters.

    To participate in the contest, the firm urged kids to fill in the registration form on the Nickelodeon website, adding that winners will be informed later.

     

  • Lagos pays N142m to families of dead workers

    Lagos pays N142m to families of dead workers

    Lagos State has paid N142 million as insurance claims to families of deceased  workers of  local government and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

    Seventy-one families benefited from the insurance package, which was paid through LASACO Assurance Plc at the weekend at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Government Secretariat at Alausa, Ikeja.

    Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said the welfare of workers was a top priority of his administration.

    Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami, said the payment of insurance package to deceased staff’s families was the second in the series.

    He noted that the first one was carried out in 2013.

    According to the governor, the government cares for the welfare of its workers, even when they are dead.

    He said what accrued to them would be given to their families.

    Ambode urrged families of the deceased not to waste the money on parties, but to cater for the children left behind.

    The governor added that his administration has embarked on infrastructural development with the construction of 114 roads, which would be delivered by August 15.

    Chairman, Local Government Service Commission Babatunde Rotinwa urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the fund, urging those in active service to support the government by giving their best.

  • Families cry out over ailing sons at police cell

    Families cry out over ailing sons at police cell

    The families of Alali God-dey Tamuno-Ene and Da Obufia Isokariari – being detained by officers of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Rivers State – have urged the Inspector General of Police (IG) to save their sons.

    The suspects, who hailed from Buguma in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, were arrested at Elekiohia and Eagle Island axis of Port Harcourt in connection with some robbery cases and they have spent more than a week in police cell.

    Mrs. Inye Braide, the mother of Da Obufia Isokariari, said her son “is dying and stooling blood in police cell and is innocent of any reason for which police have arrested him”.

    She alleged that the police subjected her son to serious torture to admit to the crime he did not commit, adding that she was going to die if police continue torturing her son.

    She noted that the last time she visited his son he was very weak and in a serious pain due to the level of beating and torture police subjected him to.

    Mr. Tamuno Tonye, the sister  to Alali God-dey Tamuno-Ene, said her family would not take it lightly with the Rivers State Police Command if anything happened to her brother in police cell.

    She said:  “Already my brother is vomiting blood due to the wound he sustained from police hard torture and beating.

    “He is innocent. We are calling on the general public and the Inspector General of Police to assist us order thorough investigation into the matter.

    Their lawyer, Mr. Innocent Naador of Igweonwu Chambers, threatened a legal action against Anti-Robbery Squad officers for unlawful arrest, detention and torture.

    He said his clients informed him and their relatives that they knew nothing about the robbery or any other crime for which the police arrested them.

    Naador said: “We have visited the police station and met with the Investigating Police Officer who assured us that our clients were held and detained. They are vomiting and stooling blood from an injuries sustained from torture and beating. We want the Police to charge them to court or have us to contend with.”

    The Rivers State Police Spokesman, Ahmad Mohammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the arrests but disagreed with the suspects’ lawyer and relatives that they were subjected to serious torture.

    He said the families were being economical with the truth of the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the duo, adding that the issue of torture is seriously discouraged by the force. 9

  • Families protest disappearance of two corpses from Edo mortuary

    Two families at the weekend protested the disappearance of corpses of their late father at the point of collection at the Central Hospital mortuary in Benin, Edo State capital.

    The two families, the late Idemudia Abifade 54 and late Lawrence Agbonlahor, 64, had their corpses deposited in the morgue on November 18 and November 28 respectively.

    While funeral for Abifade had been slated for December 10 and 11, that of Agbonlahor was scheduled for December 11 and 12.

    According to the eldest son of Abifade, Mr Michael  Abifade, the whole scene is a mystery that has affected his family since Thursday.

    He said his 54 years old retired police officer father was being rushed to the hospital when he died on November 18.

    “We went to collect the clothes he died on the 21st of same month but could not understand why the corpse will be missing on the day of the burial when arrangements have been made.

    “You can see the coffin we brought to claim his remains but could not find it.

    “The hospital management is doing nothing but rather asked us to be patient and when we returned again today to see how far they have gone, they have locked everywhere.

    “It may even surprise you that we came to clear the mortuary bills on Tuesday but we had no chance to check him again because we were in a hurry. That is where we made the mistake of not checking him.

    “When we came on Thursday to carry the corpse, it was nowhere to be found and the burial is Thursday and Friday.

    “The hospital management said we should take it easy that they are going to investigate the matter,” he said.

    Another family, whose deceased was also allegedly missing, noted the suffering they have been made to go through as a result of the incident.

    The deceased’s Lawrence Agbonlahor’s immediate younger brother, Mr Friday Agbonlahor, said he saw the corpse three days ago and could not understand how it suddenly disappeared.

    “In this country, you suffer for everything, even the dead, to collect the corpse I came to see twice in not less than three week to ensure that they take care of it only for us to come today (Friday) to remove the corpse and it is nowhere to be found.”

     

     

     

     

  • The plight of deceased soldiers’ families

    I write to humbly bring to the notice of Mr. President, the plight and injustice been suffered by the kiths and kin of deceased soldiers, notably soldiers that died in the ongoing onslaught against Boko Haram.

    On June 14th, I received a call from the military authorities in Yola, Adamawa State, informing me that my elder brother in the army (Amos Erekose) was killed by Boko Haram fighters on May 16, 2015 in an operation code named ‘Operation Zaman Lafiya’. As devastating and heartrending as that incidence could be, the adverse effect on every member of the family is better imagined than said. But why did it have to take so long to notify me?

    However, the gross and unacceptable action of the whole matter is the stoppage of my late brother’s salary. I wish to use this medium to draw the attention of Mr. President, the military high command, and the appropriate office of the Army to look into this injustice and identify those involved in this sharp practice. Enough of this wickedness, where some people benefit and thrive on the death of others. It is normal that under any employment condition, the salary of a worker who died in active service is paid for at least three months after his death, not to talk of a man who died fighting for his country.

    It beats me hollow why my late brother’s salary has to be stopped abruptly just one month after his death.

    Mr. President, I wish to bring to your notice and passionately appeal for prompt and adequate compensation to the bereaved families.

    The nonchalant manner in the handling of safety and security of its officers by the Army leaves much to be desired. Devastating and most unfortunate as the case may be.

    It is my fervent prayers that the Boko Haram scourge will be a thing of the past soon.

    • Erekose Peter,

    Benin City, Edo State.

  • FirstBank bonds families at Fiesta of Flavour

    FirstBank bonds families at Fiesta of Flavour

    These are times for brands. At a time  when customers’ retention is based on how best brand managers explore every point of engagement to show that they care, FirstBank of Nigeria has explored Fiesta of Flavour, a three-day fun-for-the-family event, to deepen its relationship with its customers.

    The show featured music and movie. A young man, Ifeoluwa Adaranijo who was at the show said he relished the atmosphere of fun, love, relaxation and entertainment created by the FirstBank sponsored event.

    Another participant, Mrs. Caroline Ikpe, said the event gave her the opportunity to bond with her three kids whom she hardly had time to “catch fun and relieve stress with” because of work.

    She led her children to the gigantic bouncing castle, later to the stage where she learnt some latest dance steps. Her kids found the Nigerian dance steps, such as Shooki, Galala, Swor, among others, intriguing as danced with their mum and other kids.

    A father, who identified himself simply as Insikak, said his wife and children enjoyed every monent of the event.

    FirstBank had a tent for participants where they were asked to relate their experiences.

    The bank said the most intriguing experience would be shot as a TV commercial for the bank’s ongoing ‘Life is a Movie’ campaign. They were asked to entitle their life experience and act it out.

    One of those who shared their stories, Stephen Oladapo said his life journey so far could be titled: ‘Brave Heart’.

    Oladapo said he had to take some tough decisions to get to where he is.

    He gave a short drama of the scene in the movie and was rewarded with a branded gift while his story might the next bluckbuster on FirstBank’s Life is a Movie commercial.

  • Warning for grandparents using their pension pots to help families

    Experts say grandparents must ensure that they have enough money left in their pension account to take care of themselves.

    According to research, a quarter of grandparents, who have given some form of financial help to their grandchildren, took the money from their pension.

    Substantial sums are being handed out at an average of £1,633, and grandparents are planning to give away £2,938 more in future, according to retirement specialists.

    One in seven plans to take money from a pension once they reach retirement age to give to grandchildren. Some are helping with university fees or deposits on a home, with about one in 20 handing over gifts of more than £10,000. More than a third said they gave cash as a “living inheritance”, with hopes of being around to see their grandchildren enjoy the money.

    The research indicates that due to the impact of rising cost of living, many grandparents have stepped in financially. However, experts warn that grandparents risk compromising their own standard of living by being over generous. “It’s important that grandparents ensure they have enough money left for themselves,” says John Perks of LV=.  “Even smaller outgoings like bills can become harder to meet later in life as the cost of living rises.”

    New pension rules that came into effect in April are expected to increase grandparents’ generosity. Under the rules, retirees are allowed to take all of their pension savings as a lump sum. According to research from Saga Personal Finance, one in five of those, who are taking advantage of the freedoms choose to give cash to the family.

    A similar proportion using equity release to raise cash from their home say they give some of the money as a gift to loved ones.

    Alex Edmans, head of retirement at Saga Personal Finance, says: “The desire to help your children and grandchildren is part of human nature, whether that’s to give children a helping hand or so that grandchildren can get on the property ladder. But a word of warning: being the generous generation can have its downsides – as some, with greater longevity and increasing costs of care in later life, may find they have given away too much.”

    • Culled from the Observer