The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Family

  • I paid N2m for release of my family, VOA reporter

    I paid N2m for release of my family, VOA reporter

    The abducted wife and child of the Voice of America (VOA) reporter, Malam Nasir Birnin-Yero, have regained freedom after the payment N2 million.

    The abductors, who kidnapped the reporter’s family on Wednesday, also killed a staff of Federal Road Safety Commission that wanted to help the victims.

    Birnin-Yero told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Kaduna that the abductors released the victims late Friday at Sabon Birni, a village near Kaduna International Airport.

    “When the abductors contacted me they demanded N12 million ransom for their release.

    READ ALSO: I died, resurrected in kidnappers den, says ace musician

    “The abductors told me that they came to kidnap me but they didn’t find me. So, if I want to see my family I most pay or I will never see them again.

    “But we pleaded with the abductors and they later agreed to take N2 million which we paid before their release.

    “Friends and family were able to source the money and pay to the abductors.”

    He added that his wife and the child were not harmed by their abductors. (NAN)

  • Family suspends SPDC’s agent, two others

    The Oko Royal Family of Kula and owner of Belema community in Akuku-toru Local Government of Rivers State has suspended the claims agent of Shell Petroleum Development Company(SPDC) Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Ibinabo Harry, from being the intermediary between the family and SPDC.

    It also suspended Messrs. Reuben Loveday Alasi and Dabo George from the family.

    The resolutions were reached at a meeting held at King OkoMemorial Hall, Kula and Belema community.

    According to a six-point communique reached by the family after the meeting and signed by the monarch, King BourdillonOkoXXVIII, the suspension takes immediate effect.

    The communique reads: “After listening to the complaints, the King OkoRoyal House unanimously resolved with the persons in attendance, giving support to the effect that Mr. IbinaboTamunominji Harry, whose paternity is in Harry’s town in Degema Local Government, has no direct or indirect membership with Oko Royal House of Kula and Belema, and maternally his mother is from Opusia House, partially Kalorie House, whose origin is from Angolama community and settled in Kula with no link to the seven linages of the King Oko 1, the founder and owner of Belema community.

    “That Ibinabo only came to the OkoRoyal House by virtue of his appointment and claim agent of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria’s operation at Belema, known as Belema flow station and was later made regent by King FeniboOko XXVII, who later withdrew the appointment because of his dealings against the Oko Royal House.

    “The underdevelopment of Oko communities and their environs were as a result of Ibinabo’s dealings against the family, in connivance with some Shell workers.

    “Ibinabo has long been the mouthpiece of Shell against our community and house in demanding property on our land. After 37 years of Shell operations in our community,there is no hospital, primary school and potable water.We drink from the same pond goats and other animals drink in the last 500 years.

    “It is against this backdrop that members of King Oko Royal House, including chiefs, elders, women, youths, opinion leaders and others covering the seven linages, hereby vote and stand by King Oko xxviii in consonance with the letter of Royal House written by the late King FeniboOko xxvii that Ibinabo is no longer an agent or regent representing the king Oko Royal House, Belema community and its environs, from today.”

    The communique was read by Chief Davies Iyala, an engineer.

    The people said non-government organisations (NGOs) should desist from dealing with Ibinabo on behalf of King OkoRoyal House of Kula and Belema.

    They said he no longer represented either the family or community.

    Messrs. Reuben Loveday Alasi and Dabo George were suspended.

    The congress said the duo had been suspended indefinitely, adding that they should not have any dealing with the family and community.

    Addressing reporters, Iyalasaid the family had endured Ibinabo’s activities for long, adding that it could no longer tolerate his excesses.

    Efforts to reach the affected persons failed, as their lines could not be reached last night.

     

     

     

     

  • Friends, family celebrate Pa Olubanjo at 90

    Children, friends, relations and well-wishers trooped out in large number to celebrate Chief Matthew Olubanjo as he clocked the age of 90 years in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital yesterday.

    Pa Olubanjo, who hailed from Igede-Alaro in Ogun State, spent all his active years in Ibadan as a professional photographer.

    At S’t Anne’s Anglican Church, Molete, Ibadan where the thanksgiving service was held, several friends, relations and well-wishers joined Olubanjo’s children and wife to felicitate with the nonagenarian. The children were also joined by their children and grand children to add colour to the occasion.

    Taking his Bible text from John 15:1-8, Philippians 4:6,8 and Ps 103:2,5 the cleric, Venerable Adewale Sanda, urged the celebrator, his family members and friends to see his long life as made possible by only God’s mercy. Hence, he urged them to continue to thank God for His mercy.

    Rev. Sanda also urged the congregants to accept Jesus Christ as Lord for He has good things with which He can satisfy men. He advised them to make up their mind to forsake sin and be born again because nothing compares with good health in the Lord. “We should look up to Jesus as the finisher of our faith. Let’s rely on Him. We should seek help only in Him. Let’s plan to serve God more than before.” He said.

    Pa Olubanjo was born on February 16, 1928. He was educated at Igede-Alaro, Imomo and Odogbolu for his primary education. He started his photography career in 1951 in Ibadan, where he worked till he retired in October, 1995. He married Madam Sophia Olubanjo in 1959 and Esther Olubanjo in 1973. He has 10 children who are successful in their various careers.

    In an interview with The Nation, Pa Olubanjo attributed his long life to the grace of God. He said he does not struggle to live in his old age because his children and other people around him offer him adequate care.

    The celebrator described photography as a good and profitable vocation, stressing that he enjoyed it throughout his practice years.

    He is the Baba Ijo of S’t James Anglican Church, Igede-Alaro and a committed member of St Anne’s Anglican Church, Molete, Ibadan.

    One of his children, Prof. Olugbenga Olubanjo of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, described his father as a disciplinarian and a lover of education. He explained that he could not go beyond Standard Six in his education because of financial challenges. Because of that, Prof. Olubanjo said his father ensured that all his children were properly educated.

    He said: “I am lucky to be close to him right from my youthful days. He is a unique father, somebody who believes in education. He did so much to leave a legacy, especially in the area of education even when people around him opposed the idea of education. He went ahead to educate all his children, denying himself of so much pleasure and many opportunities. We are all grateful for that today.”

    Another child, Babajide Olubanjo, who is the Auditor General, Ogun State Government, described his father as a honest and hardworking man. He added that he is a man with foresight who cared so much for his family.

    He said his father preaches and demonstrates endurance and fear of God, which he said helped him and all the children in what they do.

    Guests were entertained at a reception which held at Akinfenwa Hall opposite the church.

    At the event were dignitaries including the Olugun of Ilugun, Oba Josiah Otukoya and Editor, The Nation newspaper, Mr Gbenga Omotoso.

     

  • Family urges release of members allegedly arrested for land grabbing

    An appeal has gone to the Lagos State government for the release of two persons arrested by the Lagos State Environmental Task force, over a parcel of land at Idiroko, Onigbongbo, Anthony, Lagos.

    Speaking to journalists in Lagos, the spokesperson of the late Bukola Mogba’s family, Mr. Adekunle Mogba said  the agent, the family had commissioned to sell the parcel of the family  while on inspection to the land were arrested by the members of the Lagos State Task Force on Environment. “ The late Mogba before his demise in 2010, was living at No 7, Labinjoh Court, Mushin Lagos. He had a property at Iyaoloye Crescent, Anthony by Idi-Iroko, Onigbongbo Village. LASTMA was on the land and the family approached them that the property belonged to Mogba’s family after showing the agency the documents of the land. They promised to leave. In January this year, LASTMA left the place because we wanted to sell the parcel of land.”

    According to Mogba, some days ago, while inspecting the land, two of the agents of the family were arrested by the Lagos State Task Force on the order of a commissioner.

    Mogba’s family is appealing to the Lagos State government to release two of its agents that are currently being detained adding that the family has registered conveyance from the Western Region.

    Contacted, the spokesman of Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Other Offences, Mr Adebayo Taofeek said the agency was not involved in the matter.

  • Presidency confirms death of 2 members of Buhari’s family

    Presidency confirms death of 2 members of Buhari’s family

    The Presidency on Saturday confirmed the death of two members of President Muhammadu Buhari’s extended family in Daura, Katsina state.

    A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja, said the two senior members of the family died within a few hours of one another.

    According to Shehu, one of the deceased persons, Hajiya Halima Dauda, was the President’s niece and younger sister to his close associate and nephew Malam Mamman Daura.

    Halima Dauda, aged 56, who has since been buried in Daura, left behind 10 children, including one of President Buhari’s Personal Assistants, Mohammed Sabi’u Tunde.

    The presidential aide revealed that the burial was attended by a federal government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari.

    Others on the team were the Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika; three Senior Special Assistants to the President, Sarki Abba, Ya’u Darazo and Garba Shehu; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Abubakar.

    Others included the State Chief of Protocol, Amb. Lawal Kazaure, the Permanent Secretary, State House Jalal Arabi, Alhaji Isma’ila Isa and Sayyu Dantata both of them businessmen.

    The Buhari family had earlier on buried Hajiya Ai’sha Alhaji Mamman on Friday. She was the wife of the President’s older brother, Alhaji Mamman.

    Receiving condolences on behalf of the Buhari family, Malam Mamman, thanked God for the lives of the deceased and all the visitors for sharing the moment of grief with them.

    Shehu disclosed that among those received by the family in Daura were the Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu and a former Military Governor of Kaduna State, retired Brig.-Gen. Jafaru Isa.(NAN)

  • Dad killed as gang attacks family of three

    •Widow, six-month-old baby injured

    • Five suspects held

    A Man  died yesterday of injuries sustained during an attack on his family at Lajo in Ibeshe, Ikorodu, Lagos.

    The late Shakiru’s widow and six-month-old baby were injured in the attack.

    The alarm raised by Shakiru’s neighbour attracted other residents, who surrounded the area in search of the suspects.

    According to a resident, the family was attacked by two men, who entered their home by smashing a window.

    The resident told The Nation that the community’s elders  notified the local vigilantes and the victims were rushed to the hospital.

    He said: “The attack occurred around 3am. The man’s name is Shakiru but he’s popularly called Shakur. The two gang members attacked his family. They were rushed to the hospital but we later heard the man died.

    “His wife and child are in the hospital. We could not sleep anymore.  People were shouting Badoo,  Badoo and that was how everyone came out to hunt them.

    “They were two men. One of them fled into a thick bush. The other one was not lucky as he was caught. People descended on him and asked him to mention the names of their sponsors.

    “He started talking. He mentioned one … But when angry youths went to look for the man, he had fled. They wanted to lynch the suspect but the police came to the scene and said they were called by the Baale to take the suspect.

    “The police took him away. The mob injured the suspect on the leg. There was tension in the area.”

    Police spokesman Chike Oti, a Superintendent (SP) said: “We are aware of the situation. We intervened and were able to make some arrests. It was not a Badoo killing. Already, we have raided the home of one of the persons mentioned but he has fled.”

    “The Lagos State Police Command hereby acknowledges the above incident which took place on Saturday at about 2:30am  at Abule Osorun, Ibeshe, Ipakodo, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

    “Sequel to the above, the command wishes to state that the joint Police/Community Vigilante Services earlier set up by the Commissioner of  Police, Edgal Imohimi, and a team of policemen from Ipakodo Division, rose to the occasion by moving swiftly to the scene of crime, rescued the victims and rushed them to General Hospital, Ikorodu.

    “Unfortunately one of the victims, Mr Shakiru Yekini, died later. It is also important to note that one of the suspects was arrested at the scene and his confession has led to the arrest of four other suspects who took part in the crime.

    “Investigation is in full swing and further developments on this and other events would be disclosed by the Commissioner of Police in his next press briefing later on in the week.”

  • Govt gives cheque to  late VS officer’s family

    The Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Jide Ojuko, has presented a cheque of N500,000 to the family of the late Kehinde  Ogunsina of the Vigilante Service of Ogun State who was killed by armed robbers during a patrol in Ayetoro, Yewa North Local Government  Area of the state.

    Presenting the cheque on behalf of the state government to the elder sister of the slain officer, Ojuko said it saddened the government that a gallant officer who was committed to his duties was wasted by robbers.

    He noted that the government would continue to ensure that the welfare of his workforce remained the priority of his government.

    “On behalf of the state government, I sympathise with the family.  This token is released to the family in order to take care of his mother and other members of the family left behind. We pray such occurrence would  never happen again” Ojuko said.

    Responding on behalf of the family, Mrs. Mujidat Ahmed, appreciated the state government gesture, noting that the death of their brother was a huge loss to the family, but they had  taken  solace that the government had  remembered them in their period of  grief.

    Earlier,  the state Commander of the VSO, Mr. Soji Ganzallo, also praised the state government for its assistance to the corps, pledging that  they would continue to partner other relevant security outfits in the state to nip crimes in the bud.

  • Family accuses police of harassment

    Family accuses police of harassment

    •It’s all lies, says FCID

    A family has alleged that it is being harassed by some operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) at Alagbon, Lagos.

    But the police denied the allegation, saying the Oshinmorin family was ”crying wolf where there is none”.

    The family accused an investigating police officer (IPO) of supporting some opponents to oppress its members despite the pendency of its fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Epe High Court.

    In a letter by its lawyer, the family claimed that the IPO detained its members for one week and only released them when one of them was dying. It said despite the FCID being served with the court processes, the IPO has continued to harass, intimidate and threaten “members of the Oshinmorin family”.

    The family said the issue between it and its opponent was civil, alleging that the IPO has been doing everything to criminalise the matter. It called on the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) at Alagbon to call the IPO to order and allow the court to handle the matter.

    Denying the allegation, a senior police officer,  who pleaded not to be named,  said : “the truth is that there is a complaint against them. We only asked them to show up and explain themselves. I am not aware of any fundamental rights suits”.

     

  • JAIYE KUTI: Why it is difficult for actresses to keep their homes

    JAIYE KUTI: Why it is difficult for actresses to keep their homes

    Jaiye Kuti is a household name in Nollywood with various movies and awards to her credit. In this interview with ADENIYI ADEWOYIN, the cross-over actress speaks about her career and how she manages her family. Excerpts

    The first time I called you, I remember you said you were on your way to pick your kids at school. Ordinarily, one would think you have house helps to do that for you. Could it be that you don’t trust house helps with your kids?

    Well, luckily for me, I have a mother that is very energetic. I had to go and bring her to the house because leaving her back in the village is not worth it.  I have a mother that is just in her 60s. I know that the school is not far from home and I know that she can stay and actually do the things that I would do. I don’t really encourage house helps and sometimes I feel bad about them.

    But most of the things I will do in my house, I employ people do to them for me, like cleaning, because I have a big house. I pay people like every weekend to just clean, and mop everything. Then the rest of the job are very simple things to do – just to cook and wash plate and I can clean my room myself and of course take care of the house. My children are growing; they can take care of the room. So you have to train them too.

    Are you saying it’s not actually because some house helps might be dangerous?

    No it’s not because they can do anything. That does not even come to mind but I just know that for me I don’t want to raise strangers. That is just the way I want to run my own affair. I want my mum to raise my kids because she’s not busy where she was and she is better doing it than somebody who is a total stranger.

    How do you balance work and home being a very busy person who is not always around?

    You are not in my house so you can’t tell if I am not always around. I came from home to this place.

    But each time I called, you were either at one movie location or somewhere else working…

    That’s because you always call when I am shooting. It’s quite tough and I must confess that is it not easy to manage because there are times that I stay on location for a whole month so you can see that reason why I said that my mum has been a great help and thank God I have a man that quite understands.

    Are you saying your mum cooks for your husband while you are away and he is comfortable with it?

    No, my husband is not a child and my mother cannot look after my husband. Instead, my husband looks after everyone because my mum is aged. But for food, we know how to arrange that.

    I saw your latest movie Oro Mi (My Wealth) and I thought it should have made it to the cinema because of its story line; how did you come about the story?

    Actually, a woman told me the story of herself and I would say that I just tried to put like 40% of what she told me in the movie. Every day, people would say there is nothing new under heaven but my brother; there are things that I have seen that I had not seen before. Look at that story, she had three kids and they actually wanted to kill her. God just made it in a way that she didn’t die because if she had died, you won’t even know that those children are not these people’s children. So I have not seen anything like that and they didn’t even know that she’s also from a rich background. But you know, when you are kidnapped you cannot help yourself in anyway. Although there is a little bit of fiction but that is how the story goes.

    Jaiye Kuti

    How has the feedback been since the release?

    When it was first released, I was supposed to get a complimentary copy but I didn’t which means it sold out. It’s a very successful job and very successful in terms of returns to me.

    In terms of returns, I don’t know how the home video market operates but are you guys making as much money as the cinema movies?

    No, definitely we are not. Some movies are actually not making money in the cinema; people will just go and say what is this and with all the noise you will just find out that the movie is not interesting.

    Are you considering the cinema in the nearest future?

    I have three movies shot after Oro mi and Olori Amolegbe. Then I have two that I want to do again and one of it has to go to the cinema. The movie is actually epic and it is something that talks so much about our culture. Such a movie will take a lot of money because of all the costume which also includes the Igbos because we want to show our beautiful culture. We have beautiful cultures that we don’t even need to wait for people to come and celebrate with us but because of the ways and manners that we do them, it is otherwise. Imagine when they say they are doing Odun Sopona but as a Christian I won’t go for such, likewise Muslims. And it is not that some of these things that we have are not beautiful like the Osun Osogbo that they do but the ways and manners we have attached it to Orisa and voodoo, nobody will come and celebrate it with you.

    This is how much we have sold ourselves; we have so much dumped ourselves into the bin that it is only God that can help us out.

    Having started your acting career with soap opera down to home videos; which one pays more?

    For me it is the soap opera that pays more.

    How?

    When I do movies in a month I know how much I realize and I compare it to what the soap opera will give me in a month. If I make one million in a month with soap opera, I am likely to make about 600/700 thousand in home video.

    You sound like you are not affected by movie piracy…

    I have never been affected by it… I don’t know oh , dem no dey pirate me. My first job, Ewon Laafin, was screened at cinema Odeon in Italy. So, when I came I had been able to make some money before I released it into the market. So when pirates were stealing or eating it, I didn’t know, same as when I made my other movies. So I don’t know if they are stealing or not because it didn’t affect my budget of how much I want to collect from my marketer. But of course, there’s no way it won’t affect you because where you are supposed to make more money, you are making less.

    For someone like you who is well doing in her marriage; what do you think could be the cause of some celebrity marriage breakups?

    For me, it is God’s grace that has kept mine because it is not easy for us as artistes, especially females, to stay in a man’s house. When you love this job and you are asked to pick between your husband and this job you will say it is this job oh! This job has a demon in it that once you are in love with it you can’t leave it. It would give you so much joy that you will think your husband cannot live up to give you that happiness. But as for me I will say that I am just lucky because if I am to be asked now if I can leave this job for my family, ah, I will beg my husband oh! Don’t even say it because I won’t know how to leave this job honestly.

    Are you saying you can leave your family for the job?

    I am not saying I will leave my family for the job but I am telling you how devilish, how so passionate you can get with this job that it would come in between two people and you will not be able to make a choice.

    Do you kiss in movies?

    Yes now but not tongue to tongue or French kiss. Do you want to send me out of my husband’s house? Let me tell you something, if I should do a tongue to tongue with anybody, it would be with someone I can have an affair with naturally because I won’t even kiss you if you are not up-to the standard of somebody I can date. But I won’t do a tongue to tongue kiss because I have my own rules and regulations.

  • Embrace wisdom in your home (2)

    Embrace wisdom in your home (2)

    Dear Reader,

    Last week, I took you through the various kinds of wisdom and how you can connect yourself to the wisdom of God. This week, we will be exploring how you can apply God’s wisdom in your home, family and marriage.

    A recap from last week defines wisdom as knowing the scriptural way to go, the scriptural steps to take and the scriptural things to do. However, you may ask how then do I apply myself to this scriptural wisdom? Wisdom is hearing the sayings of God and doing them. It is the correct application of knowledge. It demands that you take steps in applying correctly all you will learn of God this month concerning your home. Only then, will you begin to reap the fruits of a successful home. The Bible says: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock (Matthew 7:24).

    The place of wisdom in building a successful home cannot be over-emphasized. The Bible says: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding (Proverbs 4:7).

    As a husband, the Bible instructs that you dwell with your wife according to knowledge. I like the way Amplified version of the Bible puts it. It says: In the same way you married men should live considerately with (your wives), with an intelligent recognition (of the marriage relation), honouring the woman (as physically) the weaker, but (realizing that you) are joint heirs of the grace (God’s unmerited favour of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off.  (Otherwise you cannot pray effectively)  I Peter 3:7.

    Men, when you understand the nature of your wife and walk according to that understanding, quarrels and tension are eradicated from your home. When you are knowledgeable about your wife, you will not put undue pressure on her because you will realise that she is not a robot. She is your wife, a mother and homemaker all together, and these roles place a demand on her. You must be considerate of her feelings and needs, and be available to attend to those needs.

    From the above scripture, the second clause says, “giving honour unto the wife…” This implies that your wife is not to be treated as a slave or inferior, but you are to treat her with respect. Your wife should be sought and allowed to make her own contributions in the home no matter how little it may be.

    Some men beat their wives as if they are beating a child; that’s foolishness. When a man beats his wife, he is not walking in God’s wisdom, rather he exhibits folly. The Bible says: Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him (Proverbs 26:4). No matter how provoked you are, you must never beat your wife. If you do that, you are simply beating yourself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church (Ephesians 5:29).

    It is important to note that, beating your wife is a great sin against God. God hates it when any party deals treacherously/ deceptively in marriage. One of the common ways to deal treacherously with your spouse is when you engage in physical combat.

    If you notice a fault in your spouse, do not turn it into a fight, malice, or engage in a cold war. Do not give room to strife, envy or begin to discuss and report your spouse to relations, the house help or friends who don’t know God at all.

    My advice to the unmarried is that after all the ceremonies on your wedding day, go before the Lord and say: God this home is dedicated unto You; there is no situation or circumstance that will ever come our way that we cannot handle with You on our side. That was what my husband and I did, as soon as we got into the house we both knelt down, held our hands together and prayed ‘Father we don’t know how to do it, but we hand over this home to You and as long as we live in here there shall be no situation that cannot be under control in the name of Jesus! I am glad to say that years have rolled by and God has stayed faithful to that prayer. If you are married, you can also pray that prayer and rededicate your family unto God. If you can pray that prayer in sincerity, no one next door would hear you quarrel with your spouse again in Jesus name!

    As a man, to possess the mind of Christ in managing your home, you need the wisdom of God. The first step to accessing this wisdom is by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour. You can do this by saying this prayer in faith: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

    Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

    With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

     

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).