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Tag: Tears

  • TEARS, AS DOCUMENTARY ON AMAKA IGWE SCREENS AT AFRIFF

    TEARS, AS DOCUMENTARY ON AMAKA IGWE SCREENS AT AFRIFF

    IN a profession dominated by men, it is not uncommon to find women who are strutting their stuff. But despite the desire to raise their head above the water, there are challenges they have to deal with.

    So when the late Amaka Igwe went into film production in the 80s, little did she know how much inspiration she will bring to a generation of female filmmakers.

    It was in her memory, and to honour other females in the film industry that filmmaker Tope Oshin put together a documentary, Amaka’s Kin: The Women of Nollywood.

    Screened to movie enthusiasts at this year’s Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) on Wednesday, the documentary takes it viewers into the minds of female movie directors and the challenges they have had to live with.

    A sombre ambience that drew nostalgia, viewers were reminded of one of Amaka Igwe’s famed mantra; “I will give to you what I have, added to what you have so that you can be more than me.”

    The documentary chronicles women directors and the peculiar challenges they have had to deal with. From difficult cameramen to unreceptive cast members, one thing they all agree on is that moviedom is a difficult turf to foray.

    However, women in the movie industry have refused to let their guard down as is evident in such film festivals as AFRIFF, Light’s Camera Action, and the Africa Movie Academy Awards, all floated by women.

    As the documentary puts it, “Amaka Igwe stood as a lone but very strong voice in the Nigerian movie industry.” Her film credit tells it all; from Checkmate, Fuji House of Commotion to Rattlesnake, Igwe charted a course that is hard to follow.

    As Omoni Oboli puts it, she’s been a force to reckon with. Even in death, she’s still there.”

    Mildred Okwoh, on the other hand, opines that “it is because of the sacrifices that people like Amaka Igwe made that I can stand here today.”

    Among other film directors who were interviewed in the documentary are Belinda Yanga-Agehda, Adeola Osunjoko, Patience Ochre Imhobio, Blessing Effiong-Egbe, and Stephanie Linus.

    In one of her many speeches which formed part of the documentary, the late filmmaker aptly captures the true state of the Nigerian movie industry. “We started making films, coping with no NEPA. So even if we don’t know how to use editing suites, we’ve been able to make fire come out of the mouth of people like Patrick Doyle. And we have put some people inside bottle, like RMD. So we’ve tried. Nollywood seeks to entertain a mass audience in search of more socio-culturally relevant stories. That’s what we do. We are not telling stories about explosions on bridges, or the destruction of the white house. Try and shoot that you destroyed Aso Rock and see where you’ll land. That’s who we are. Even when a woman died at 88, somebody said the enemies have done their worst… those are the things that bother Nigerians and that’s what we are telling.”

  • Tears, smiles as 93 Days premieres in Lagos

    Tears, smiles as 93 Days premieres in Lagos

    Two years after the deadly Ebola virus was successfully combated in Nigeria, notable Nollywood producers have come together to tell the story of the deadly virus in a movie titled 93 Days.

    Memories were refreshed last Tuesday as tears rolled down several cheeks when the movie was screened before a large audience at House on the Rock Cathedral, Lekki.

    With a well written script, beautiful directorial abilities and specially selected cast members, 93 Days serves as a complete documentary of how the Ebola virus came into Nigeria and how it was contained by the selflessness of the nurses and health workers at First Consultants Hospital in Obalende, and the Lagos State Ministry of Health.

    Speaking at the premiere, one of the producers, Bolanle Austen-Peters stated that the original names of the Ebola victims were used and some of the scenes were shot at the original locations.

    “There are so many important stories in Nigeria that could be told but because of lack of funding, we can’t tell these stories; Ebola is one of them. Some of the casts of the movie are also the people who were involved in the time of Ebola so they were acting themselves in the movie,” she stated.

    Also addressing press men at the premiere, head Pastor, House on the Rock Cathedral, Pastor Paul Adefarasin said; “You will realize that the movie industry has the power to shape culture around the world and to shape national values so we wanted to embrace that sector and the lessons that come from that movie shows the power of corporation. If we put hands together across the political device, economy device, the religious device, the tribal device, we really can build a strong Nation.”

    The casts of the movie include Bimbo Akintola who played Dr Adadevoh, Paul Adams, Danny Glover, Gideon Okeke, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Bimbo Manuel, Somkhele Idhalama among others.

    The movie title is simply the numbers of days Nigeria battled Ebola; from when the US diplomat, Patrick Sawyer arrived Nigeria to the day the country was declared Ebola free by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

  • Tears of Rivers waterfronts settlers

    Tears of Rivers waterfronts settlers

    These are not the best of times for waterfronts settlers in Rivers State. Precious Dikewoha examines the unending woes of this set of people

    It was a warning they took serious. Quit your waterfront settlement in seven days or have them demolish, said the Rivers State government. It explained that this was necessary  to rid the state of criminality.

    Some waterfronts have been demolished already while others are expected to be demolished before the recent protest which made Governor Nyesom Wike to call for calm.

    Waterfront settlement under threat for demolition include  Awgu , Afikpo/Awkuzu , Soku,  Elechi Phase I, Abba, Timber, Elechi Phase II, Nanka, Echue, Urualla, Akokwa, Obiodansor, Ojike, Egede and Anozie Water waterfront

    One of the landlords, Elder Belema Amakiri, 92, said every government that came to power had always tried to demolish the waterfronts.

    He noted that Rivers State government in the past, under the leadership of Dr. Peter Odili for eight years allegedly deceived and displaced the people of Rainbow Town waterfront in Port Harcourt.

    He said Rainbow Town was demolished under the pretext of reconstructing and building low-cost housing for the evicted residents, only for the plots of land to be allocated to the rich and powerful in Nigeria, including top officials of Rivers State government.

    Elder Amakiri said:  “Both previous and present government had always carried out demolition  without regard to several International Human Rights Covenants like the Habitat Agenda Commitment and  Nigeria is  signatory to it. It is just that when its concern the poor nobody wants to talk about the law or respect the law. We don’t need to remind government  that there is an existing court order, the state government ought to provide alternative accommodation before the demolition, as recommended by international human rights conventions.

    “Now, how many of these governors have provided an alternative solution or the design of what they intend to build at the waterfront? But it is all about politics.   Dr. Peter Odili deceived and displaced the people of Rainbow Town in Port Harcourt and the land was shared among his political friends. This was under the pretext of reconstructing and building low-cost housing for the evicted resident.”

    Former Governor Celestine  Omehia also ran into heavy political storms with ethnic stakeholders while trying to demolish waterfront settlements,  especially Okrika indigenes, who have  for years claimed to be the aboriginal owners of the waterfront parts of Port Harcourt.

    According to Elder Amakiri,  “ The Politics of waterfront demolition didn’t start today but every governor always try to use his own description and initiative otherwise it may consume them.    Just as most riverine Rivers people wanted the demolition to be halted, most upland commentators urged Omehia to proceed. The Supreme Court removed him from office in November 2007. And the waterfront settlers celebrated; the area already demolished were rebuild in original waterfront jungle way.”

    When  Mr. Rotimi Amaechi came into power  as the governor of Rivers State, there was a temporary respite as he announced that he was staying action on the demolitions. There were widespread jubilations in all the waterfronts because apart from the ethnic claims to ownership and despite its subhuman living conditions, these are the only parts of the oil city where the downtrodden could afford to rent accommodation.

    Many of the inhabitants are seafarers and fishermen who will be cut off from their livelihood if moved. Shortly after his inauguration, Amaechi announced that the waterfronts would no longer be demolished.  A few months later, the governor reversed his pronouncement by declaring that security reports, which confirmed the waterfronts as dens of criminals, prompted him to opt for the demolition, in line with his administration’s urban renewal programme.

    Amaechi admitted having earlier informed Rivers’ people that the waterfronts would not be demolished, but that he decided to take his time to study the situation on the ground, before making up his mind on the sensitive matter. Amaechi also said the Justice Kayode Esho-led Truth and Reconciliation Panel, of which an Okrika person was a member, also recommended the demolition of the waterfronts to check criminal activities.

    He disclosed that there were a lot of arms and ammunition at the waterfronts and that when the areas would be demolished, the army, navy, air-force and riot police personnel would be involved to prevent resistance.

    Another landlord, Mr  Livy Ofurum who escaped arrest during the last protest in Port Harcourt, said Amaechi’s decision on waterfront demolition was not harsh because he gave them enough time and also negotiated with the landlords which led to compensation.

    Ofurum said: “The Amaechi government plan is a little bit different. According to what he told us   the sum of N850million was set aside as bonus for commercial rates to homeowners in the enclaves to seek and acquire choice property in any part of the city. The former  Rivers State Director of the National Orientation Agency and  secretary of a government committee that conducted enumeration in the waterfronts, Chief Andy Nweye, told us as then that  each of the owners of structures in the Bundu and Njemanze Waterfronts  was offered nearly N30 million to encourage them to move out to enable government bulldozers to move in.”

    At a recent protest which was mainly engaged by children and women,  the waterfront settlers described Wike’s action  as  unfair and inhuman treatment. They said before the decision was taken to mobilise for protest the association chairman and few of them went to Government House to see the Commissioner for Urban and Rural Development but they were told that the man was not on seat.

    Mr. Stephen Igoni, one of the landlords who went to the office of the Commissioner to discuss with him, said when they could  not see the commissioner they decided to see the permanent secretary, Ministry of Urban Development who insisted that they should try to see the commissioner before embarking on the protest.

    He said: “Three of our leaders have been arrested and over 27 people wounded, this is very bad. We voted for this government. My family personally voted for him, look at how he is paying us today. We are members of PDP but today the same man doesn’t want to listen to us.”

    Some of the right groups which joined the protest last week include Social Action, Nigerian Slum /Informal Settlement Federation, Justice and empowerment Initiative (JEI) Collaborative Media Advocacy Platform (CMAP) and Stakeholders Democratic Network (SDN).

    At a joint news conference in Port Harcourt over the forceful eviction of waterfront settlers, the groups condemned the Rivers State government action to evict the waterfront settlers without a due process.

    The groups said should the government proceed with its threats, an estimated 60,000 persons will be rendered homeless and driven into poverty by loss of livelihoods and other hardships associated with homelessness and displacement

    They said: “We, the undersigned communities and members of civil society, decry this unlawful and callous threat and call for the Rivers State Government to seriously reconsider its plans before it takes irreversible action that violates the fundamental human rights of 60,000 innocent persons and undermines the security and long-term development goals of all residents of Port Harcourt.

    “Yet, the reality is that the demolitions being carried out are not targeted at actual criminals ; instead, they are a pretext for evicting thousands of innocent children, women, men, and elderly persons who are employed in legitimate businesses through which they eke out their modest livings.”

  • Tears for a dear colleague

    Tears for a dear colleague

    A student of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) in Effurun, Delta State, Enakeme Ohwojero, has died, throwing the school into mourning. The graduating student of Electrical Department fell into a coma and died of diabetes, six weeks to her graduation. GBENGA OJO reports.

    •Student dies of diabetes weeks to graduation

    DiabetesEvery final year student who participated in the Students’ Week of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) in Effurun, Delta State, was upbeat. For the graduating students, it was the last social event they would hold with others as they  had only six weeks to their graduation.

    Like other final year students, Enakeme Ohwojero was excited. She looked forward excitedly to her last day on the campus. Alas, the Higher National Diploma (HND) II Electrical Department student would not see the day; she died of hyperglycaemia penultimate Saturday.

    Hyperglycaemia is a condition where there is excess glucose in the patient’s blood stream, a condition associated with diabetes mellitus.

    Enakeme, 35, died four days after she went into a coma, following a crisis. Her colleagues were shocked by her death. They went round the hostels to inform all final year students of the tragic news. Some bowed their heads for  minutes in grief, battling to cope with the development.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the late Enakeme left the campus for Abuja after the Students’ Week to visit her fiancé, Peter Okeke, also a student in the Electrical Department. Peter, it was learnt, deferred his studies to enable him keep his job at the Abuja office of Nestle Nigeria.

    Three days before she left for Abuja, CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the late Enakeme complained of body weakness. She embarked on the journey but slumped on arrival in Abuja. She slumped hours after being stabilised in an hospital, prompting her fiancé to call her family in Warri.

    Peter took the late Enakeme back to her family members for attention. The late Enakeme’s close friend and room mate, Queen Longman, who had been trying to reach her on phone, learnt of her health crisis through her  elder sister. Queen, it was learnt, informed the school management, which sent a medical team to Bryant Hospital where she was on admission. She Enakeme died before the school team got to the hospital.

    A source told CAMPUSLIFE that the family appreciated Peter’s effort and described him as a good man for bringing their daughter back home.

    Queen could not be consoled when she learnt of her friend’s death. She fought back tears, recalling her last moments with the late Enakeme.

    She said: “Enakeme never told me she was bidding final goodbye when she left for Abuja a few days ago. I became worried when I could not get her on phone and WhatsApp. I never thought something tragic would happen when I called Enakeme’s phone. It rang for days without response until her elder sister picked and told me she was unconscious at Bryant Hospital in Warri.

    “When I got the news, I informed other roommates and the school. We all left to see her at the hospital, but we were told she died a few hours before we got there. This is my saddest moment, because Enakeme didn’t show any sign that she was leaving. I hope somebody can tell me this is not true.”

    The atmosphere was gloomy on campus, last Monday. Final year students, clad in black attires, held a procession to mourn their  colleague, who they fondly called Keme.

    Addressing them, the Vice Principal, Mrs Emily Ahragba, described Enakeme’s death as “a loss to PTI and Nigeria”, regretting that the deceased did not fulfil her purpose.

    She said: “The news of Enakeme’s death came to us with sadness. We wish we got the information about her sickness earlier; we would have tried our best to save her life.”

    Mrs Ahragba urged the final year students to take heart and prayed that the school would not record such incident again.

    A hospital source told CAMPUSLIFE that the late student was brought penultimate Thursday by “a young man and a lady”, after which different tests were run on her.

    “It is unfortunate that we lost her on Saturday to hyperglycemia that has eaten deep into her,” the source said, advising students to always go for regular checkup.

    Enakeme’s colleagues described her as “nice, friendly, jovial and intelligent”.

    Last Friday, her remains were interred at the family compound in Okpara Inland in Ethiope East Local Government Area.

    At the funeral, a drama ensued when one of her classmates announced that she was not dead. The student, described as a born again, claimed that he could wake her up. He aimed to open the brown coffin bearing the late Enakeme’s remains but was prevented by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) leaders.

    As the student was being taken away, he was screaming: “I can wake up Keme; she’s not dead…don’t let us lose faith…”

    President of Winners Campus Fellowship Daniel Unigwe, who conducted a short service at the funeral, advised students to give their lives to Christ, saying: “Tomorrow may be too late just the way death took away our dear Sister Keme unexpectedly”.

    In his tribute, president of the PTI chapter of National Association of Delta State Students (NADESSTU) Israel Osiobe said: “Keme was full of life and energy the last time I saw her. She was looking radiant. Little did I know that it was my last encounter with her.”

    One of the late Enakeme’s hostel mates, Joy Ehigiamusoe, a HND 1 Science Laboratory Technology student, said: “She was the most friendly and down-to-earth student I have ever met. She brought smiles to the faces of everyone she came across. The very last day I saw her, she was excited and full of life. I never knew she would never come back to cheer us up again in my room.”

    The Ovie (King) of Urhobo Students Union (NUUS), Dominic Onovughe, recalled his last encounter with her. He said: “I saw Keme on June 13 and asked of the Urhobo souvenirs which I told her to share among members. I told her I would deliver the souvenirs at her hostel but I never knew we will not meet again. She was a fine NUUS member and she was loved by everybody. We will miss her.”

    Before her death, the late Enakeme was the Oniemo (mother of all) of NUUS and Assistant Sisters’ Coordinator, Winners Campus Fellowship.

  • Tears as UNILAG students hold candle light for colleague

    Tears as UNILAG students hold candle light for colleague

    Students yesterday held a candle light procession for their colleague, Matthew Odusami, who slumped and died last Friday, while playing football.

    Many of the students, dressed in black, broke down in tears as they marched in a long procession, with lit candles, from the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, late Odusami’s faculty, to other parts of the institution last night.

    Some of them gave passionate tributes about him.

    His childhood friend, Saheed Ipaye, said the news came as a shock to him since he has always known Odusami to be a very vibrant and robust person since their secondary school days.

    He said: “Odusami is a very friendly guy, extremely humble, decent and well cultured individual. He was an easy-going guy that does not misbehave, and he detests nonchalant attitude from people. He doesn’t get angry over issues, rather, he will just correct you.”

    Chuks Jikeme also wrote on the deceased’s social media (instagram) page that: “I will not claim to know you too well, but the few times I have spoken with you was enough to judge that you were really a nice person… When you were eating, and I met and hailed you… I still remember your face and the smile you put on your face that day. I really really respect you.”

    Environmental Sciences Faculty President, Olusanya Ifeloju said Odusami likely died of cardiac arrest.

    “The parents of the deceased came to school today to carry his belongings. We also spoke to his parents, checked his medical records and asked people who have known him for a while.  We have not been able to find or ascertain if he had been ill before now. Medical records showed it was cardiac arrest,” he said.

    President of Estate Management Students Association, Tamunotonye Levy-Braide, said Matthew was jovial and humble, and was not sickly.

    She said: “He plays with everyone and is cool with lecturers and friends. He is that kind of student the younger ones lean unto for advice and tutorials.”

    Deputy Registrar (Information) UNILAG, Mr Toyin Adebule, said the medical centre pronounced him dead on arrival, after failed efforts to resuscitate him, when he was brought in unconscious.

    He said: “The University commensurate with the family and prays that God will give them the fortitude to bear the loss.”

  • Let the tears flow (3)

    She had access to  key information in the town.

    Many times, she would come to me with the lists of successful people looking for partners in the town. On some occasions, I would say something, and other times , I could just stay there laughing.

    “It will be better to stay back in this town to set up an information agency office” I said while peeling an orange for her to enjoy.

    “Stay back ke! Why?” She asked while using her tongue to remove the orange seed hanging in  between her mouth and the palate.

    “To establish your poke-nosing and data collection trade, of course. If you are lucky, Iyaloja will give you one of her sons to marry”

    “You are not serious.”

    “I am very serious.”

    “Unmmmm, if that is the case , it will be of better value for you to marry Uncle Adebayo, so that we can both stay here and add to the population,” she said so,  moving towards the window.

    “You are such a dreamer.”

    “The problem with you is that you are too busy to notice your admirers. Well not to worry, I am bringing Uncle Bayo to your school tomorrow because I have finished selling your profile to him”

    “If that is a joke, better stop it before I lose my temper” I got up feigning to knock her down with a television remote control gadget I quickly picked from the centre table.

    I was now used to her stupid but realistic jokes.

    By the time I met Adebayo again at the state banquet dinner, we were more or less beginning to like each other.

    The governor’s wife whom I called Aunty Abike was our matchmaker. She believed that I was going to be an asset to my race. She also believed that Bayo was too kind to end up with a bad wife. The governor pretended not to know what was happening. I was too shy and surprised at the fast tempo. Real love doesn’t count days but moments.

    That night the governor was hosting the Italian Ambasador to Nigeria. The man had requested for native songs. Notwithstanding, at intervals  were the music of African pop and highlife maestros such as Tunji Oyelana, Victor Olaiya, Osadebe, Rex Lawson, even Madam Comfort Omoge’s Asiko song  were played.

    Men were coming out to excuse ladies to dance. Bayo came to me where I sat beside the First lady, excusing me for a dance. Before I could say no, Aunty as I called the governor’s wife said in Yoruba that he would dance with the three of us, Justina inclusive. Crazy Justina was already on her dancing feet. As we were dancing to the lyrics coming form Omo Pupa by Victor Olaiya whom I later leant that his grandfather originated from Ekiti, but had many houses in core Lagos areas, the governor came to excuse his wife, leaving Bayo,Justina and I. Seconds later,  Justina said she wanted to use the toilet. It was pre-planned in order to have time for Bayo to really get closer to me.

    We were dancing and in-between whispering things into my ear.  I would move closer to listen to him due to the loud music blaring from the sound system. This would give him ample opportunity for his shoulder to touch mine.

    It was a great night to remember. There were a lot to eat and wine. Bayo settled for palm wine, I opted for cola drink.

    By 3pm, the party was still on, but I told the First Lady of my schedule at the school the following day, hence the need to retire for the day.

    Justina was not ready as she was eager to dance until the music stopped. I bid Bayo good night while Aunty herself drove me to my apartment in her Volkswagen Beetle car. She made sure I bolted the door from inside before she left.

    I thought of the party scene for about one hour before sleeping off .

    It was Yeye , my landlady’s voice that woke me up the following morning. I quickly rushed down to the bathroom in order to be able to get to the school on time. Justina was already at my doorstep fully prepared for the hospital. How she made it was amazing to me.

    “I left you at the party last night, How  were you able to be fully prepared before me?” I quizzed her after greeting Yeye.

    “That is the secret of being an Iyaloja ‘s daughter” she answered smiling.

    “You have not answered my question. When you answer me , I will know.”

    “You better go and take your bath before the driver changes his mind.” She said using one hand to push me aside as she entered my sitting room

    “You are full of mischief, which driver are you talking about?”

    “International VIP, of course”

    “Please, leave me out if this rubbish before I get late to the school. You know the school principal always uses me as an example to the latecomers.”

    I went in to prepare. As we got to the gate,  I saw Bayo truly waiting to take us to our different locations.

    I was too stunned to say something!

    “Good morning Uncle Bayo,” I saluted him.

    Turning to Justina, I gave her a scornful look. She pretended not to see my face.

    “I hope you won’t sell me to the cattle rearers one day because you seem to know the mother more than the child?”

    Replying me, ” Yes, I know the mother more than the child, the wife more than the husband, the school more than the teacher because I am training myself to be your chief bride’s maid soon” Bayo was laughing. We were both enjoying her joke, but I did not answer her.

    We drove to the hospital first to drop her. When I inquired to know why not me first because the school was nearer to my house than the hospital, Bayo didn’t say anything; but Justina whom I just christened Emure Parrot was quick to say: “ How would you two have time to talk about the new development if he drops you first.”

    Still not satisfied, she said as she was running towards the hospital gate,  “Uncle Bee, don’t forget the lunch time. My friend can watch our mouths while we eat.”

    She didn’t wait for any answer as she ran inside. Bayo and I drove in silence until we approached the school gate.

    He placed his right hand on mine own right hand. He asked if it would be wiser to get married in June due to the raining season.

    “Why are you consulting me about such?”

    I asked without looking up

    “Because you are my wife and I need to know your best months.”

    “Wife ?” I queried him angrily.

    “Yes, you are my wife to be and both God and human beings have signed the intention paper. Why should I waste time?”

    “Is that how you marry people without wooing her?”

    “Woo you? Who told you I have not done such?”

    “Do you think I have no boyfriends in Lagos?”

    “Why adding ‘s’ to the word boyfriend? Anyway, I have done my homework and I am fully convinced that we are for each other. I was even in your church in order  to see the family that I am  going to  newly adopt”

    “You don’t mean it?”

    “I mean it, is your church not the Cathedral beside Balogun Market”?

    “Aaaaaah!”

    “Is your daddy’s seat not closer to the organist’s arena?”

    “You must be out of your senses.”

    “Yes, out of my senses to a worthy cause.”

    That was it as we got married six months later.  Justina as she said before became my best lady. It was a classy society wedding. The encomiums were too much.

    Bayo was a perfect gentleman, friendly, romantic, open-minded and easy-going, a bundle of happiness to me and the entire household.

  • Tears as Mama Theatre goes home 

    Tears as Mama Theatre goes home 

    With undisguised emotions, fans, colleagues and family members have continued to evoke memories of veteran thespian and broadcaster, Bukky Zainab Ajayi, who passed on in the early hours of Wednesday.

    In life, she meant many things to many people.  While some celebrated the late theatre icon for her stage and cinematic performances, many extolled her religious fervour as a devout Muslim.

    Incidentally, Mama Theatre, as she was fondly called in some quarters, died a few hours to the Eid-il-fitr celebration yesterday, which signifies the end of the Ramadan fast for Muslim faithful.

    No doubt, it could be said that she died a fulfilled woman, as she survived Laylatul Jaaizah (Night of Prize giving), the eve of  Eid-il- Fitr. It is said that Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) would not sleep on the night preceeding the day of Eid-il-fitr in order to dole out rewards. And, in a report by Ibn Majah, Prophet Muhammed said: “Whoever stands up (in worship) on the nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his Lord, his heart will not die when the other hearts will die.”  Consequently, the late Octogenarian, who converted to Islam in the 80s, could be said to have had the rare opportunity of fulfilling her spiritual needs on earth.

    Whether the late actress had any premonition of her death or not, she lived her life expecting that at 82, she was moving towards meeting her Creator. So, it didn’t really matter to her that she was battling a knee problem that had confined her to a wheel chair or that she was reportedly suffering a heart-related ailment.

    It was gathered that she had expressed the desire to be buried without delay, according to Islamic rites, whenever she passed on. For her, the wish was granted yesterday with clerics praying at her Surulere, Lagos home, before her remains were interred at the Atan cemetery, Yaba, Lagos by 5:30pm.

  • Tears as The Nation man Uyoatta is buried

    It was an emotion-laden ceremony attended by family members and journalists as the remains of Uyoatta Eshiet, the Akwa Ibom State Correspondent of The Nation, were interred yesterday.

    Friends and well-wishers wept when the brown coffin bearing the body of the late journalist arrived at his family’s compound in Afia Nsit Urua Nko, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.

    The late Uyoatta died on April 13, after an illness.

    A mass was conducted by clerics of the Living Faith Church (aka Winners’ Chapel).

    They prayed for the late Uyoatta and the children he left behind.

    The clerics urged sympathisers to examine their lives, have more intimacy with God, live a holy life and be prayerful, if they wanted to make heaven.

    The eldest son, Daniel, described the late Uyoatta as an easy going man who could hardly hurt a fly.

    Daniel said: “I don’t know exactly where to start from because it is just too frustrating and disheartening. Just two years after losing a precious jewel, and still going through the process of healing, you had to take away the second pair of my precious jewel.

    “Dad, after all the stress you went through, depriving yourself of the basic necessities of life, just to meet those of my siblings and I, without even reaping the fruits of your labour, death took you away.

    “Death! Why now, when he was just about to start reaping the fruits of his labour? I feel like I’m dreaming and someone needs to wake me up from this nightmare. But every time I think about it, it all keeps getting real that I and my siblings are left alone. It tears me up inside, knowing you won’t be there to see your children become what God destined them to be in life.”

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel, in a condolence message to the family, described the late Uyoatta as a great loss to the state and The Nation.

    Represented by Information Commissioner Aniekan Umanah and Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Ekerete Udoh, the governor noted that by Uyoatta’s death, the family, community and the state would miss his services.

    The governor urged Christians to avoid taking the wrong direction but allow God to dictate their affairs because they would account for every deed in the hereafter.

    The state’s Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Chairman Patrick Albert described the deceased as a good natured person whose contribution to journalism would always be remembered.

    The NUJ chairman, who also said the late Uyoatta distinguished himself as a humble, gentle and respectful journalist, added that everything in life was driven by something.

    But he said until something is driven by God, there would be misadventure.

  • Tears are not enough

    It is ironic that the tragic death of six doctors in an accident on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway has been attributed to the failure of the health care system. The victims were among the Ekiti State delegates on their way to the 56th Annual General Conference/Annual Delegates Meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Sokoto. The driver also died in the accident.

    The Chairman, NMA, Ekiti State, Dr. John Akinbote, was quoted as saying that lack of immediate and proper medical attention caused the April 24 deaths.

    Dr. Akinbote told reporters on his bed at Saint Gerald’s Catholic Hospital, Kaduna, where seven other survivors were receiving treatment: “Those who died would have survived if we got good medical attention from the point of the accident to the Doka General Hospital in Kaduna.”

    What he said about the state of things when the accident victims got to the General Hospital sounds incredible. It is inconceivable that a public hospital could be in such a useless state. Dr. Akinbote said: “It became worse when we got to Doka Hospital, there was no doctor to attend to us and the only nurse on duty had no first aid facilities to administer treatment.”

    Considering Dr. Akinbote’s status, it is reasonable to assume that he knew what he was saying when he said emphatically: “I am sure if the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) personnel who took us to Doka Hospital and the nurse on duty had medical facilities to give first aid treatment, our doctors and driver would not have died.”

    Following the tragedy, the NMA directed all doctors to observe one week of mourning, and said in a statement that doctors should wear a black band on the left arm of their white coats.

    But not only doctors should be mourning. The country should be in sorrow, and not only because the six doctors and their driver died. To go by Dr. Akinbote’s picture of Doka General Hospital in Kaduna, it is obvious that the health authorities should hang their heads in shame. The same thing goes for the FRSC, which perhaps should have facilities for first aid treatment based on Dr. Akinbote’s observation.

    It is not enough to shed tears as people in power have done concerning the disastrous deaths. Those concerned should take proper action. Fixing the health care system is more positive than futile crying.

  • Tears as Nomoreloss goes home

    Tears as Nomoreloss goes home

    Thursday 7 and Friday 8 April 2016 were days to remember as multitalented singer, songwriter, producer, master compere, and mentor to a generation of Nigerian singers; Olumuyiwa Osinuga popularly known as Nomoreloss was laid to rest. The first leg of the rites of passage of the rapper was the Service of Songs and Tribute night which kicked off at the Foga studios and event centre, Alausa Ikeja.

    The sombre event had in attendance the likes of Dede Mabiaku, Sola Idowu; Weird MC, Clarence Peters, Charles Oputa, Gbenga Adeyinka, OJB Jezreel, Ruggedman, Omo Baba, Daddy Showkey, Azadus and lots more. Anchored by comedian and compere, Omo Baba,  Sister Bukky led the praise worship while a poem recital was done by Dapo Osinuga.

    Pastor David Bakole of the Penniel Mission officiated, and in his sermon spoke of the fact that death was the expected end of all men. He enjoined all to remember that nothing they did or said would affect the affected singer now. He prayed that God give the widow, children, siblings and family the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Kicking off the tribute night was female Nigerian rapper; Weird MC (Sola Idowu) whose speech was often intermittently broken with sobs, she said, “Nomoreloss was a genius period. Creativity personified. Every fibre of his being emitted creativity. Many did not get him, but I did. He was committed and loyal.”

    Speaking about Nomoreloss’s love for the arts, and his mentorship and interest in the careers of other entertainers, Dede Mabiaku said that Nomoreloss was the one musician he came across who was willing to put aside his talent, to manage the careers of upcoming musicians.

    “The first time Muyiwa came up to me to say that he was managing the careers of some younger musicians, and wanted to help them, I was dumbfounded and told him, ‘you dey craze? How you go say you dey manage people when you sabi sing pass?’ The guy was hurt, but he was not deterred. He continued managing the guys.”

    Weird MC said that he did not reveal the seriousness of his illness to her despite their closeness.

    “I knew something was wrong,” she said.

    “We usually chatted, and chatted as usual a few days before his death, at a point he said, ‘Mama, I will get back to you’. He never did until I heard of his death.”

    Alluding to Nomoreloss’ personal struggles, in his tribute, Rugged man said, “When he was doing Nomoreloss Live, I never saw this many people but I thank you all for coming. We did Ehen, and it happened. Please take care of yourselves. I am tired of doing tribute songs.” Another friend was quick to urge anyone going through troubled times to seek help and a listening ear, apparently alluding to the depression and other travails that the late singer battled with.

    OJB Jezreeel was another friend of Nomoreloss who mounted the stage to talk about his late friend. Reminiscing about his departed friend and a friendship that lasted twenty odd years, he recalled that he least expected to lose Muyiwa. He also said that he was livid with Nomoreloss when he started the campaign to get OJB back on his feet. Surprisingly, it saved OJB, and the rest they say is history. As OJB reminisced, “I never thought this would happen. The Yorubas say that elders expect to bury younger ones. I remember that we fought three years ago when he started the campaign to save OJB, and within one week it happened.”

    At the end, the sombre event turned out to be a celebration of sorts, as the likes of Wierd MC, Daddy Showkey, and many others came on stage to sing.

    The final leg of Mr. Nomoreloss’s last journey took place the next day at the Foursquare Church, Norman Williams, Ikoyi. The funeral service was conducted by Deacon Abayomi Ayanbanjo. Afterwards, the convoy moved to the Ikoyi cemetery where the internment took place. At the burial were the likes of Weird MC, Sasha P, Omo Baba, Princess Adekoya, Buga, amongst others.