The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Tears

  • Anger, tears, confusion as 51 accident victims get mass burial

    Fifty-one victims of the Ugbogui Road accident were yesterday interred in a mass burial at First Cemetery in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    They were burnt to death in the accident that occurred on April 5th at Ugbogui Village along the Benin-Ore-Lagos Road.

    Many of the victims were burnt to ashes.

    The accident involved a tanker, a trailer and a luxury bus.

    It was the tanker that exploded after the trailer hit it from behind.

    Several other vehicles parked along the road including motor-cycles and properties worth millions in shops along the road were also burnt.

    Two brothers who were sleeping in their mother’s shop were roasted to death.

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said 36 persons died in the accident but the mortician at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Aikoriogie Wilfred said 51 bodies were brought to the hospital.

    He said he did all he could to preserve the body, adding that the victims could not be identified.

    Families of the victims were incensed when official of the FRSC informed them that death certificates would be issued to the 36 names on the manifest provided by the transport company.

    They argued that many of the victims did not include their names in the manifest.

    Eugene Odiamah said his mother, a nephew and niece died in the accident but only the name of their mother appeared on the manifest.

    Kevin Aniekwe said he lost his wife and two daughters in the accident.

    “It is very painful. I spoke with them before they left that day. The Lord is now my strength. I know I will see them again.

    “They were going to see their grandmother in Enugu. It was gathered that the driver of the vehicle took passengers of another bus that broke down along the way,” he recounted

    The corpses were taken from the UBTH morgue at about 8:30am loaded in a truck.

    At the cemetery, a brief service, led by Pastor Barnabas Chukwukere, was held for the victims.

    Chukwukere urged the families to believe in the Lord and continue to serve Him as death could occur at any time.

    He said: “Remember now the Lord your creator. Leave your life as if it is the end. We are nothing but sand.”

    The families brought photographs of the victims, including wreath and flowers to lay on their graves.

    They were further peeved when they learnt that officials of the transport company were not present at the burial ceremony.

  • Buhari’s 2011 tears

    SIR: Sometime in April 2011, at a world news conference called to round-off his electoral campaigns, the presidential candidate of the CPC, retired army general, Muhammadu Buhari choked with tears and publicly wept for Nigeria. Coming on the heat of electioneering activities, Buhari’s tears immediately became the subject of conflicting political interpretations; as supporters debated with detractors, and sympathizers with cynics. Pundits and spin doctors ranted the news houses with barrage of divergent insinuations and allusions carved out of it.

    While the naïve wondered, asking ‘why did Buhari cry before he was hurt?’ the farsighted counseled us to make much of one, as such tears are quite rare.

    On his part, the three times presidential aspirant did not feel mollified enough to defend his 2011 pre-election tears until a year later at a June 2012 media address. He had explained: “(I wept) having seen how rich this country is and how God really blessed Nigeria, the whole world is almost envious of Nigeria….”

    Did the farmer who cried in the face of a latent third year of failed harvest, do so out of fear of the impending emptiness of his granary; or the looming threat of starvation upon his community and the imminent famine in the land?

    Medically, a teardrop is seen as a sign of emotional overload, since by weeping the choking rage of passion is appeased or expelled. The human eyes shed tears to ease off the burden of the afflicted soul. Hence, General Buhari, known for his tough mind, was after all a human!

    Buhari shed tough tears in the face of that latent danger of missing it on the greater hope of uprooting corruption and suffering, by entrenching change and reforms. Alas, the series of mystifying events that haunted Buhari’s tears, from the post-elections violence, to the fuel subsidy strike of January 2012, the widespread flood disaster of the same year and the subversive kidnapping and insurgency that continued to date; were vindicating enough to the most carefree observer.

    However, quite unlike modern day critics and doomsday prophets who would rejoice when their predictions become vindicated, Buhari has affirmed that he is most dismayed by what is trailing his foreboding tears. Such is Buhari and what he stands for, which may be termed ‘Buharism’; an ideology that promotes low-key radicalism through honourable and principled defense of the masses, with an extremely disciplined and puritanical political stance.

    Buhari is not a bloodthirsty firebrand as he would never instigate any sort of Arab Spring or Russian Winter, when the masses have not been cured of their common reluctance to be armed with indomitable resolution of incorruptibility. The safest and quickest way to sustainable change is not found in a thoughtless resort to taking arms.

    Yes. Buhari wept! The great patriot wept because he foresaw defeat; but which? It was the defeat of the people’s power. He had seen that the masses could not stand and those standing could not count. In such a defeated circumstance, no language could be understood more than tears, and crying is the noblest language.

    In the end, only time will tell if Buhari’s great cry and burning tears were in vain. Although the truth is some tears are not shed more than once!

    • Mazhun Ya’u Idris

    Hanwa GRA, Zaria.

  • Tears, as Goldie is laid to rest

    Tears, as Goldie is laid to rest

    Emotions heightened yesterday, as Nigerian singer and former Big Brother Africa Stargame Housemate, Susan Harvey, popularly known as Goldie, was buried. The interment, held at Ikoyi Vault and Garden, Lagos, was witnessed by entertainers, music honchos, friends and family of the late singer, who were there to pay their last respect.

    Entertainers present included: Kenny Ogungbe, Jaywon, Julius Agwu, Jimmy Jatt, Essence, Chidi Mokeme, Olisa Adibua, Capital Femi, Tiwa Savage, Tee Billz and Kenny Saint Best. The publisher of Ovation magazine, Dele Momodu, was also present.

    The activities, which marked the final home-going of the late singer, started from the Chapel of the Vaults Garden. The short service and admonition was presided over by Pastor Oluleke Akinola and three others. The cleric took his biblical reference from Matthew 7:12-14. He said the occasion was a clarion call for others, still living, to be closer to their creator: “Although she died at a time when her glory was supposed to start to shine, God knows best,” he said.

    Shortly after, colleagues of the late singer paid tribute to the deceased. The crowd was touched by emotional comments made by Kenny Ogungbe, Denrele, Dele Momodu, Tiwa Savage and the twin brothers of the late singer, Gideon and Joshua Filani.

    For close to 10 minutes, the Kennis Music honcho, Ogungbe, could not utter a word; he was merely shivering and crying.

    Goldie’s widower, Andrew Harvey, looking very pale, had some heart touching words to say about his late wife: “Susan, you walked into my life. It was like God sent you as a fresh breath. I still remember your response to my first love message. You said, love killed Romeo, sent Diana to an early grave and killed Jack. Forget about love, just let us have friendship. There will be no other Goldie.”

    Denrele, Goldie’s acclaimed best friend, said: “You were a lifeline, a therapist. You inspired my success and worldwide recognition. I could remember that we used the same shoe size and had the same body proportion. Even when you were not around and a tailor wanted to make your dress, they took my measurement. What I still find it hard to come to terms with is how I will manage with our reality TV show; True Friendship. I’m dedicating it to your memory and I’m going to do all I can to get it off the ground.” Among Goldie’s friends, Denrele seems to be the most hit, as he couldn’t control his tears and anguish.

    Kenny Saint Best was equally emotional, wailing at the top of her voice. When she found her voice, she could only advise her colleagues. She pleaded with them to be cautious of stardom and draw closer to God.

    Dele Momodu described the late singer as an amiable personality. He noted that she was a person that anyone would love to be attached to. “She is indeed a big loss to the entertainment industry, hence a clarion call that we should take care of our health because we don’t know who is next,” he said.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Rain of tears as Yakowa’s body arrives in Kaduna

    Rain of tears as Yakowa’s body arrives in Kaduna

    WITH the arrival of former Governor Patrick Yakowa’s body in Kaduna yesterday, the grim reality of his death was fully felt.

    The city was thrown into mourning as the AirForce aircraft carrying the body — and the late Yakowa’s friend Dauda Tsoho’s — touched down at the Kaduna Airport in a golden casket draped in the green-white-green national colours.

    The body was conveyed from the airport through the Nnamdi Azikiwe Western Byepass to the St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, accompanied by the widow and three of their children — all clad in black dresses.

    The airport was filled with sympathisers. Many wept profusely as the plane hovered before landing.

    The huge crowd defied the security barricades and rushed on to the tarmac as the casket was being brought down from the plane to catch a glimpse of it.

    Women fellowship groups and church societies were praying and singing choruses at the airport and when the casket was brought out of the aircraft, they burst into tears.

    While handing over Yakowa’s remains to Governor Multhar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State, the leader of the Bayelsa State government delegation and Deputy Governor John Jonah said the government yesterday held a valedictory executive session in memory of the late governor who he described as a bridge builder. He urged the people to support Yero to enable him carry on with the foundation laid by the late Yakowa.

    Yero praised the government and people of Bayelsa State for their prayers. He assured the people that he would continue with the foundation laid by the late Yakowa for the sustenance of peace, unity and progress in the state.

    The Arch bishop of Kaduna Diocese of the Catholic Church, Archbishop Mathew Ndagoso, Bishop George Dodo of Zaria Diocese and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah prayed.

    A Valedictory Executive Council meeting will hold today (Wednesday) at the Government House by 10am. The wake-keep will hold at the Government House later in the day by 3pm

    The body is expected to leave St. Gerald Catholic Hospital on Thursday for the Fadan Kagoma, for the interment after a funeral mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Fadan Kagoma.

    The bodies of Yakowa and his friend, Dauda Tsoho, arrived in Kaduna yesterday aboard a Nigeria AirForce cargo plane at about 2.45 pm. They were received by Governor Mukthar Ramalan Yero and the widow, Amina Patrick Yakowa.

    The bodies were accompanied by former Governor of Bayelsa State and other top government officials.

    Others at the airport to receive the bodies were Senator Danjuma Goje, Senator Bukola Saraki, family members and top government officials.

    The bodies were later conveyed in a St. Gerard Hospital ambulance and driven in a motorcade through the Nnamdi Azikiwe Western bypass to Saint Gerald Catholic Hospital where they were deposited in the mortuary.

    Senate President David Mark and his wife later joined the others at the hospital from where they proceeded to the Government House to see Yakowa’s family.

    Senator Nenadi Esther Usman and the Southern Kaduna People in the United States said yesterday that the death of Yakowa has robbed the state of a bridge-builder and a unifier.

     

  • Tears as two-year-old baby drowns in Awka

    Tears are still flowing ceaselessly from the eyes of  Mrs. Uche Uba and members of her family in Nnewi , Nnewi North local government area, whose little boy of two years yesterday drowned in a gutter in Isiagu street Amikwo, Awka, Awka South local government area , Anambra State capital.

    Mrs. Uba, a pregnant food vendor, was alleged to be sleeping in her kiosk when her little boy wandered about playing with another two-year-old girl.

    She woke up and looked for her son everywhere to no avail until somebody, a ware vendor, allegedly said she should check the gutter.

    Behold, the boy was found inside the gutter already stone dead. He was though rushed to a hospital close by, it was a little too late, living the mother distraught and inconsolable. The speechless and confused Mrs. Uba who appeared not to comprehend the situation was appeased by hundreds of sympathisers who thronged the venue.

     

  • BoT chair: North’s interest tears PDP apart

    BoT chair: North’s interest tears PDP apart

    THE jostle for the chairmanship of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has split the organ with most members insisting on the zoning tradition of the party by allowing the North to produce the new leader.

    Thirteen candidates have applied for the seat, including a former Chairman of the BOT, Chief Tony Anenih; a former National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmadu Ali; ex-President of the Senate, Chief Ken Nnamani; Chief Harry Akande and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

    It was however learnt that some influential members of the PDP are mounting pressure on a former Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme to lead the BOT.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo vacated the seat in April.

    National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh confirmed the number of interested candidates to our correspondent on telephone yesterday.

    Metuh, however, could not give the names of all the candidates off hand, saying he was speaking from his village in Anambra and as such could not lay his hands on the file at the time.

    “So far we have about 13 candidates on the list. I don’t have the file with me so I cannot recall all the names off hand. As a matter of fact I am speaking with you from my village in Anambra”, Metuh said.

    A high-ranking member of the party yesterday said Ekwueme has not formally applied for the office.

    But there were strong indications that more candidates might emerge following what a top member of the BOT as the “continuous search for an ideal candidate.”

    Also, contrary to speculations, President Goodluck Jonathan has decided not to back any candidate.

    Jonathan wants to leave the post open to BOT members to decide.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that there is a split among members of the BOT with most of them insisting on the zoning tradition of the party.

    A reliable top BOT member, who spoke in strict confidence yesterday, said: “Some of our leaders might have applied but it appears that we may need more leaders to signify their interest.

    “I can say that the BOT is still searching for the ideal candidate because there are some variables which we still have to put into consideration.

    “The position of most members is that the party must take its zoning tradition into consideration in choosing a new BOT chairman or else we may slip into a deeper crisis in the party.

    “We have a tradition that anytime the North produces the President, the BOT chairman will come from the South.

    “This is the zoning tradition we have adhered to since 1999. The last holder of the BOT chairmanship, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo came from the South-West, what will be the rationale for choosing or electing a new one from the South again.

    “So, you can see that we have a major zoning hurdle to cross in electing the new chairman of the BOT. The appropriate thing is for the North to produce the next BOT chairman.

    “If Jonathan allows the party to abandon this tradition, we will assume that zoning is dead and this may affect the primaries for 2015 poll.”

    Asked why the North will push for BOT chairman when the secretary of the board, Alhaji Wali Jibrin is from the North-Central, the source added: “Wali came in as an interim secretary. When we meet, the North will have the option to either serve as chairman or secretary.

    “If the North opts for the chairman of BOT, Wali has to automatically step down.”

    On the alleged intent of Ekwueme, the source said: “Some leaders of our party are pressurizing Ekwueme to lead this vital organ of the party.

    “With age not on his side again, Ekwueme is actually not keen on the job. But our leaders won’t allow him to rest because of what he did to reconcile aggrieved members of the party some years ago.

    Concerning the alleged anointing of one of the candidates by the President, the source said: “I am in a position to know, Jonathan has confided in some leaders of the party that he would allow democratic process to run its full course on BOT.

    “The President is not backing any candidate but it is convenient for some people to drop names.”

    But another source said: “You should also take note of the fact that the National Chairman of PDP is from the North-East. Do you want the North to produce the chairman of the BOT again?

    “The situation is dicey. We have a tradition but this is a party that believes in equity too. I know at the right time, BOT members will iron out issues and move forward.

    “I am aware that we also have a group within the BOT calling for a younger element to lead this organ of the party. I am talking of a leader who is between 60 and 65 years.”

    Article 12.77 of the PDP reads in part: “The BOT shall elect a chairman and secretary from members of the Board. The chairman and secretary shall also be members of the National Executive Committee.

    “Without prejudice to the provision of this Constitution, ensure that the person to be elected chairman and secretary respectively are of proven integrity and have contributed immensely to the growth of the party.

  • Tears as Ogun gives N7.5m to families of slain policemen

    It was a tearful event yesterday when the Ogun State Government presented N7.5 million to the families of the five policemen, who were killed by robbers on Sunday and Monday.

    Their widows were given N500,000 each to bury their husbands.

    A million naira is to be given to each of the slain policemen’s next of kin through the Police Command.

    The deceased are Inspectors Christopher Ugwu, Istfanus Day and Josiah Ehodah; Corporal Nwachukwu Udoka and Sergeant James Adejor.

    The government described them as “courageous men and heroes”.

    A 15-man robbery gang killed two of the policemen in Ibafo on Sunday and the three others in Abeokuta, the state capital, around 2:30am on Monday. Some others were injured.

    The widows of the slain policemen, Mrs. Chinyere Ugwu, Mrs Ene Ehoda, Grace Adejor and two others were accompanied to the Governor’s Office by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye; Mr. Mohammed Abdulkadir and O/C Mopol, Mr. Baba Audu.

    Mrs. Ugwu, who was there with her 16-month old daughter, Asumpta, broke into tears when she received the money from the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa.

    She has four children.

    Adeoluwa described the killings as “unfortunate and regrettable”. He assured the bereaved families that the government would stand by them.

    He said the policemen’s death would not dampen the resolve of the Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration and the police to secure the lives and property of residents.

    Adeoluwa said: “The government and people of Ogun State salute the bravery of these gallant officers, even in death. We remain grateful and indebted to them and to the Police Command. At this point in time, our thoughts and prayers are with the widows, children and the immediate families of these fallen heroes.

    “We will not be discouraged. The police have been directed to bring the perpetrators of these dastardly killings to justice. They have assured the government that they have become more determined to ensure security in Ogun.

    “To the families of our fallen compatriots, we share your pain. There is nothing we can do to bring back the dead. We pray that God will accept their brave souls in His bosom. Be sure that our prayers are with you in this difficult time. The Great Comforter, our Lord Almighty, the creator of all and the owner of life will strengthen and uphold you all.

    “As a Government, we deem it fit to support the families as they prepare for the burial of their loved ones. Mr. Governor has approved the payment of N2,500,000 million cash to the five families to assist in the burial of our slain heroes. After the burial, the Next of Kin of the fallen officers will get N1 million each, totaling N5 million.”

    The SSG said the government would pay the medical bills of the policemen that were injured by the robbers.

    He said: “We thank God for sparing the lives of those injured. We are happy that they are responding to treatment and wish them quick recovery. Mr. Governor has said the state will bear their medical expenses and will continue to monitor their recovery.”

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. David Ayoku thanked the government and prayed that the state would not experience such a loss of again.