The Nation Newspaper

Tag: hearty

  • Kalu denies being in coma, says ‘I am hale, hearty’

    FORMER governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has denied reports that he was critically ill and flown to Germany for treatment. An aide of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Dr. Madukwe Ukaegbu who disclosed this, described the report as handiwork of political hackers. Several online media had yesterday reported that Kalu, publisher of Daily Sun Newspapers was sick and rushed to a German hospital where he went into coma .

    According to the online reports, “Kalu’s condition was critical when he arrived the hospital and deteriorated quickly despite all efforts by doctors. Kalu was in his country home in Nigeria over the weekend and was seen in some public functions without any sign of ill health.” Ukaegbu, debunking the report which he described as fake news stated that he spoke personally on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning with Kalu who he said is in Germany on business trip as he had always been. Ukaegbu, who was the former Deputy Chief of Staff, Abia Government House during the tenure of Kalu and the early part of Chief T. A. Orji administration , said the fake news was the handiwork of political hackers and hoodlums who feed fat on falsehood against Kalu.

    “Nobody should take that report with any atom of seriousness because it is the handiwork of political hackers and hoodlums who have nothing doing and see fake report on Kalu as their source of income and livelihood.” He said that political enemies of Kalu know that their time in the state was up since there is going to be a level playing field in 2019 election and they try to spread fake reports against the former governor to bring him down, adding “that they will fail.”

  • I’m hale, hearty, says Awujale

    I’m hale, hearty, says Awujale

    THE Awujale of Ijebuland, in Ogun State, Oba Sikiru kayode Adetona is alive, hale and hearty, contrary to widespread rumours about his demise.

    The 83-year old monarch, who is spending his 57th year on the throne, was reported to have passed on yesterday by some bloggers and websites. But it was all fake news.

    The respected monarch debunked the rumours about his death in a telephone conversation with the News Agency of Nigeria.

    The Awujale has for the past week been a guest of Oriental Hotel on Victoria Island, in Lagos, where he has been staying after a routine medical checkup in a Lagos hospital, two weeks ago.

    The Awujale expressed surprise that some bloggers could be spreading rumours about his death without confirming from the palace in Ijebu-Ode or from his chiefs.

    “Why are people spreading rumours about my death, when I am right here at Oriental?” asked the baffled King.

     

     

  • Tinubu hale, hearty, says Senator Afikuyomi

    Tinubu hale, hearty, says Senator Afikuyomi

    All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is hale and hearty, his ally, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi said yesterday.
    Afikuyomi refuted the claim by Plateau State Governor Solomon Lalong that the absence of Asiwaju Tinubu at last Saturday’s Ondo State APC governorship rally was as a result of his ill-health.
    In a statement, the one-time Lagos State commissioner described the claim credited to the Plateau State governor as incorrect.
    Afikuyomi said: “I travelled to the United States of America with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to witness the recent U.S. elections. We traversed a number of cities together where we engaged with a number of Nigerians who are genuinely concerned about the state of affairs in our dear country.
    Jagaban was in a remarkable state of mental and physical wellness. When we ended our trip, I saw him off to the airport in Chicago from where he headed for Europe again. I still met with him in Europe thereafter.
    “It is therefore absolutely incorrect and most embarrassing for anyone to attempt to invent such a laughable reason for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s absence at the rally. The fact that somebody went for medical check-up does not mean he is ill. In the likely event that Asiwaju, like all mortals, was ill at all, I doubt if Mr. Lalong would be the first to know by reason of relationship, proximity and trust.
    “Prominent politicians like Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun have been speaking with Jagaban Tinubu.
    “Governor Amosun particularly communicated with him a day before the Ondo rally and he can never claim not to have spoken with him. I have also remained in constant touch with Asiwaju Tinubu since my arrival in Nigeria. We speak daily as a matter of fact.
    “I have been inundated with calls by friends, associates and other well-meaning Nigerians trying to ascertain the veracity of this ludicrous claim. I hereby ask all friends and lovers of Asiwaju Tinubu to dismiss the claim and know that he is hale and hearty.”
    Asiwaju Tinubu, former APC Interim Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and three governors from the South-west – Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) – were not at the rally.
    Governor Lalong had in his capacity as the Chairman of the Ondo State Governorship Campaign explained that Tinubu was absent at the rally due to ill health.
    Lalong was quoted to have told State House Correspondents after visiting President Muhammadu Buhari that, “if a leader was not there and he said he was not there because of ill-health, we have prayed that God will heal him.”

  • 50 hearty cheers to a princess

    50 hearty cheers to a princess

    Last Saturday, family members and friends joined Princess Florence Ibukunolu Atobatele at The Truth Christian Mission Inc., in Abule-Egba, Lagos to celebrate her 50th birthday. AMIDU ARIJE was there.

    The hall of the Truth Christian Mission Inc. in Abule Egba, Lagos, was tastefully decorated for the 50th birthday celebration of Princess Florence Ibukunolu Atobatele.

    Princess Atobatele wore a cream lace with purple head gear and matching shoes.

    Her husband, Prince Supo Atobatele, who was in white Danshiki and purple cap, ensured everything went well.

    The celebrator welcomed guests with hugs and waved to others.

    While guests waited for the commencement of the ceremony, many were seen cracking jokes with others engaging in private talks.

    There was no dull moment. The life band of The Musik-Gen Band thrilled the gathering with melodious songs.  It was, indeed, an unforgettable experience for guests.

    The event began with hymns.

    It was followed by an opening prayer by Pastor Israel Adesoye.

    Princess Atobatele was ushered to the podium amid dancing by family members and friends

    Their entry had some wondering if it was a wedding. She was welcomed by her husband who was already seated. He stood up to join them on the dancing floor. His dancing steps amazed everyone present.

    Masters of ceremony, Pastors Wale Omoloju and Kola Akinola ensured that everything went as planned.

    General Overseer, The Truth Christian Mission Inc. Rev Olatunde Shoyemi was the chairman of occasion. He also delivered a speech. He spoke on the topic ‘Do we have to celebrate birthday’.

    Rev Shoyemi said that celebrating birthday is not as sinful as it is being perceived in some quarters. Birthday, he said, is to appreciate God and take stock of one’s activities in life.

    “Celebrating birthday is not evil, because what they are doing is to give thanks to God for sparing their lives,” he said.

    Rev Shoyemi prayed for long life and prosperity for the celebrator.

    A group of entertainers, the Destiny Boys, added to the joy of the day with their brilliant musical performance. They thrilled everyone.

    Musical interludes continued as another musical group, Solution, came to the fore to entertain the guests with beautiful rendition.

    The Managing Director, The Nation, Mr Victor Ifijeh, supervised the cutting of the cake.

    He described the celebrator as marvellous and beautiful.

    “A beautiful celebrant about to cut a beautiful cake and it is marvellous in our eyes,” he said.

    He reminded the gathering the purpose for the gathering saying: “50 solid years is what we are celebrating here today”

    Ifijeh described the retirement of the celebrator from her nursing job before 60 as glorious and a thing of joy.

    “To know that you retired gloriously before 60 is a thing of joy; you have just begun; your star will shine from glory to glory.

    At the count of JESUS, the two layers gold cake was cut by the celebrator and her husband.

    All posed for pictures with the cake.

    A toast to the celebrator was made by the Special Assistant to the Director-General of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on Special Duties, Mr Sotin Babatunde.

    He described her as peace-loving and gentle woman. ‘For she is a jolly good fellow, so say all of us, hip hip hurray,’ he sang as the toast was made.

    The celebrator described the day as joyful and exciting. She thanked God for sparing her life.

    Prince Atobatele  wished her long life and prosperity as he described her as a perfect woman who loves peace.

  • I’m hale and hearty, says Tracy Morgan

    I’m hale and hearty, says Tracy Morgan

    •Speaks for the first time since accident

    Contrary to the fears being expressed in some quarters about his state of health following his recent involvement in an auto crash on June 7, American comedian, Tracy Morgan, has said that he is hale and hearty.

    “It’s so sad to think that such a horrible thing happened to such a seemingly good-natured man. Every time we see him in the public, he’s telling jokes and acting ridiculous and always making people laugh. But now he has witnessed his dear friend’s death and suffered debilitating injuries. It’s very sad,” said a fan who commented on the Daily Mail site.

    Morgan suffered broken a leg and ribs when the limousine van he was riding in was hit from behind by a Wal-Mart truck on the New Jersey Turnpike.

    His friend, comedian James McNair, was killed in the crash, while he (Morgan) was initially moved to rehabilitation after being hospitalised with broken a leg and broken ribs.

    Fellow comedians, Ardley Fuqua, Jeffrey and Krista Millea, who were passengers in the limo, are named as plaintiffs. Fuqua is also recovering from crash-related injuries.

    The former ’30 Rock’ star, who spoke for the first time since leaving the rehabilitation facility, is suing Wal-Mart for negligence.

    Morgan was said to have thanked a crowd of reporters applauding him outside his New Jersey home, flashing a grin and doing the peace sign to photographers as he left his Cresskill, New Jersey, in a black Lincoln Navigator.

    He said to the crowd: “I’m OK, I feel strong. Love you, thank you very much.”

     

  • I’m hale, hearty, says Dickson

    I’m hale, hearty, says Dickson

    BAYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson was in high spirits yesterday, fresh from a trip abroad.

    He blamed his rumoured ill-health on detractors, saying he was never hospitalised contrary to speculations that he was admitted in the hospital.

    Dickson arrived at the state capital from Abuja aboard a helicopter that touched down at the Government House helipad at about 6pm.

    Returning to the warm embrace of top government offcials incluidng his deputy, John Jonah, Dickson, however, said he went through a mere medical check-up due to the stress he went through before and after he became governor.

    He said: “ I was never hospitalised. Never hospitalised”, Dickson said.

    “But you know, as usual, when you do this type of hectic thing, every year, every summer, most times when I travel out, we do regular checks, which is, you just do your sugar level….all those type of normal tests.

    “Any time you travel, you just take advantage to do those things. I was never hospitalised, never in any hospital at all.”