The Nation Newspaper

Tag: weeps

  • Woman weeps to save marriage

    A 58- year-old trader, Mrs Morenikeji Awotedun has pleaded with an Alagbado Customary Court, Lagos to save her 44-year-old marriage.

    Mrs Awotedun wept while responding to her husband’s allegations that she turned their children against him and being diabolical.

    She said she and her husband lived happily as a family before another woman came in between them.

    “There was a day I caught another woman with him which made us at loggerheads for a while. Our families have intervened. My first son and I reached all his friends for reconciliation but to no avail. “I am not fetish. I did not do anything to him. In fact I still love him,” she said in tears.

    A 65-year-old retired pilot, Tajudeen Awotedun, has gone to the court to dissolve their union.

    “Since I left the house, none of our children asked about my wellbeing let alone where I live. There was no father-children relationship between us and they all have their own families,” he said.

    Mr Awotedun said since it was revealed to him spiritually that his wife wants to kill him, he stopped eating her food or related with her.

    “Things were not the same anymore. I don’t wish to be with her anymore.”

    The court’s President, Dr Rasaq Adeyeri, adjourned the case till August 24.

  • Agatu killings: Mark weeps

    Senate President David Mark wept yesterday when he saw the bodies of children between the ages of one and two, who were killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    They attacked Agatu communities and killed over 90 people.

    Mark sympathised with the victims at Obagaji, the headquarters of Agatu Local Government.

    He condemned the killings  of harmless Idoma farmers, saying enough of shedding of blood in Idoma nation.

    The Senate President, who also visited the graves where those killed were buried and the General Hospital to see the injured, wept when he saw children between ages one and two, who were killed with machetes by the invaders, who sources said, were clad in Army uniforms.

     

  • Galadima weeps for Nigerian football

    Galadima weeps for Nigerian football

    The purported removal of the Aminu Maigari-led Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has been flayed by a former chairman of the NFA, Ibrahim Galadima who said it was done in bad taste and would damage the gains made by Nigerian football in the last four years.

    Galadima argued that the same brazen manner by which he was removed from office as then Nigerian Football Association (NFA) Chairman, is again being displayed only with FIFA standing for the truth at the moment. “If the Sports Ministry and the National Sports Commission(NSC), say they were using the Jos Court judgement to displace the present Executive Committee, then they have flouted the court’s order, because the court also said there should be no congress. So, where did they get the powers to appoint an administrator and start to sack all management staff members? It’s absurd, illegal and we pray that common sense will prevail,” Galadima said.

    “As far as some of us are concerned, the country is retrogressing instead of moving forward internationally in football. If it has to do with funds management then we can understand and there are better ways of going about it instead of putting Nigeria in bad light for the wrong reasons internationally.”

    Galadima called on the minister to, if possible, retrace his steps and look for better counsel, instead of grandstanding on the removal of the executive committee of the NFF.

    “This matter is not about any individual but about the nation and the bad report and the possible damage this development will do to our football,” Galadima said.

    “We hear the minister and another official are going to FIFA headquarters when the World Cup is going on, it will amount to nothing. Let’s settle at home.”

  • NIPR chief weeps for abducted girls

    President of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Rotimi Oladele, broke down in tears last Saturday, while praying for the safe return of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

    He said: “As a human being and as a parent, I feel the pains of the young girls and indeed, the trauma of their parents. I just hope that the insurgents will be God-fearing enough to release them so that we can have them back alive and healthy.”

    Two days earlier, he called out his colleagues for a “Media review” of all the efforts aimed at ensuring the return of the girls. They were dressed in branded T-shirts. The event took place at the National Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos Mainland. While the discourse lasted, the mien of Oladele and his colleagues, including Hadjia Rabi Mohammed, wore total sobriety.

    “There is nowhere in the holy books where murder and terrorism are preached. And terrorists all over the world must know that whatever they sow, they shall reap. The Law of Karma is clear on it. Let them apply civility in whatever their grievances are,” Oladele pleaded.

    He praised the federal government for setting up an emergency and disaster information management task force and further advised that such a mechanism must be sustained and empowered.

    The NIPR chief was unsparing in commendation for the nation’s military and the media for their “impressive roles so far.” However, he cautioned the government against inviting foreigners to come and manage the country’s reputation. Doing so, he reasoned, would amount to opening up the nation’s defence base to strangers, adding that it would be too dangerous a mistake.

    “Our military are professional and so is the nation’s media. Instead of being quick at criticizing them, we should always appreciate what we have while working to improve it,” he added.

    Oladele warned government against rebuffing security reports to prevent future disasters: “If the federal government had taken security reports seriously, maybe the kids couldn’t have been kidnapped. Government can get security reports from a pepper hawker or a truck pusher. It behoves such a government to study and work on them in the interest of the people.”

    The private sector, he urged, must support efforts at giving succour to victims of terrorism and their relations.

  • First Lady weeps as stakeholders shun meeting

    First Lady weeps as stakeholders shun meeting

    First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan was all tears yesterday at a meeting she convened in Abuja over the abduction of school girls in Chibok, Borno State.

    Her first meeting on Friday set up a committee headed by the Borno State governor’s wife to ensure attendance at yesterday’s meeting. But the governor’s wife did not attend.

    Mrs Jonathan was said to have wept when she learnt that the school had no stand-by power generator.

    Besides, no extra security was provided at the school, she was told.

    She was devastated that the governor’s wife did not show up for the meeting on Friday and yesterday .

    The First Lady  insisted that the state government and the Commissioner for Education should be blamed for the abduction of the girls as they allegedly failed to act on the letter from the Minister of Education for relocation of West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) candidates to Maiduguri or safer places.

    The West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the school’s principal disagreed at the meeting over the number of candidates for English and Maths in the school.

    Among those that did not show up for the meeting were parents of the girls who escaped from the insurgents and teachers from the school.

    Also, no student who escaped from the terrorists came for the meeting.

    The vigilante group, wife of the Chibok village head, the gateman of the school, chairman and secretary of the Parent Teachers Association and the school matron were also absent.

    Mrs Jonathan said: “I told the governor’s wife to call the parents of the abducted children; she did not honour it till today. The next thing I saw was women demonstrating on the streets. Now again, before Friday, my protocol (officer) called her and she gave 100 per cent assurance that she will be here on Friday. But she did not.”

    “Now again, she is not here. Because she is the mother of Borno, she is the mother of those children and I am the grandmother. She should feel more concerned. But she is not. I and the Nigerian women are calling her, but she is not here.

    “It is left for you. If you tell me you are not pained, why should I cry more than the bereaved? If I do so, the world will ask me questions.

    “You people are playing games. This thing will not help us. After today, if these Borno people say we should not help them, you Nigerian women should not go out to demonstrate because they are playing games. You can keep it in Borno and let it end there.

    “The Police came with their own; the Army came with all their own, WAEC came with all their own, but the Borno government came with a few. No parent is here to tell us that a child is missing. They cannot produce a parent whose child is missing.”

    The First Lady wondered why some people were dying and others playing politics.

    She noted that the next kidnap victim could be anybody, including her.

    The First Lady added: “As a person, I really want these killings to stop. We may be the next people to be kidnapped if we let things pass by like this. We should not fold our hands and let things happen like this.

    “Our sisters in the North, we are one country and we are sisters. We are not accusing you; we do not mean any harm and we are not quarrelling with anybody; we just want to stop all these killings.”

    “We don’t wear bullet proof, we don’t know who they have already targeted. I’m not exempting myself or my husband. If I’m found guilty, let me go. Whoever is behind this, let us go politely to him and ask him to let all these stop.

    “If it is the Constitution that is causing this, let us go to the National Assembly and beg them to amend whatever it is.”

    “When something happened, let us all find solution. Look at the way the matter was brought up. The country would have gone on fire. You are making it look as if the President abducted the children,” she said.

    During the responses from the school principal, Asabe Kwaburah, the Commissioner for Education, Musa Kubo and the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Chibok and some army officers at the meeting, the First Lady said the Police and Army cannot be blamed as they were not informed that the students sitting for the exams sleep in the school.

    “The lapses here are on you the Commissioner of Education and the state government.”

    While the school principal, who claimed that her grand-daughter is among the missing girls, said 395 students sat for English subject, the WAEC official, Charles Eguridu told the meeting that 387 girls sat for English subject before the abduction and 80 girls sat for Maths after the attack.

    The principal said she was not around during the abduction as she was in Maiduguri for diabetic treatment. Acoording to her, she goes to Maiduguri every two weeks for the treatment.

    The Commissioner for Health told the gathering that she had not seen any of the abducted girls that escaped from the terrorists.

    The First Lady broke down and wept the second time towards the end of the meeting saying: “You want to kill my husband; you want to make me a widow before you go and rest. My God will never make me a widow.”

  • Beyoncé weeps after tour

    Beyoncé weeps after tour

    After all the highs of her Mrs Carter World Show, Beyoncé broke down in tears in front of thousands of fans on Thursday night, as her tour came to a dramatic end.

    The star posted an Instagram picture of her leisure spot to her 11 million followers on Saturday, two days after finishing the final show of her tour in Lisbon, Portugal.

    In the picture, the singer appeared barefoot, wearing sunglasses, a simple pair of black trousers and a matching top, with her long blonde hair tumbling in waves around her shoulders.

    The quiet time became necessary for the singer who is said to have performed to fans all over the world for a year, and stepping out 132 times, not spending enough time with her little daughter, a reason she wept in front of fans.

    “When I first started the tour, my baby was not even walking yet,” she told the crowd. “I just want you to know that I am so lucky. I’m giving you all an ugly cry- thank you all again.”

    But Beyonce’s hubby, Jay Z and daughter Blue Ivy were never far from her during her tour. The little girl got a royal treatment when she turned two, on Jan. 7. Her famous parents rented out Jungle Island, a wildlife park and botanical garden in Miami, as birthday treat.

    Queen Bey, as she is fondly called had excited fans who screamed and cried.  Jay Z, who performed in the final show, was quick to embrace his wife and treat her to some celebratory refreshment.

    Grabbing his favourite champagne, Armand de Brignac, the rapper poured his wife a big glass but she happily grabbed the whole bottle.

    Cheering the crew, Beyonce, Jay Z and all her dancers were seen posing in a group photo before getting to the real partying.

  • Bada’s wife weeps

    Bada’s wife weeps

    It was tears, tears and tears yesterday as the the wife of former World Champion and Olympic gold medalist, Late Sunday Bada, Mrs. Adesumbo Bada could not control her emotions at the Presidential Villa, Abuja

    This happened when President Goodluck Jonathan received members of the Nigeria’s four by four hundred meters relay men at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney Australia and were decorated before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday.

    Those who were rewarded yesterday included six athletes, Clement Chukwu, Jude Monye, Sunday Bada (represented by his wife), Fidelis Gadzama, Aniefiok Udobong and Nduka Nwanze. They got N5 million each.

    Two of the team’s handlers, Innocent Egbunike and Solomon Abari also got N7 million each. The seven of them will also be given a national honour in due course.

    The Late Sunday Bada, who was Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), died in December, 2011 when he was reported to have slumped and rushed to a hospital in Lagos.

    Announcing the cash rewards yesterday, President Jonathan recalled that he was part of the delegation to Sydney 2000 as Bayelsa State Deputy Governor. He expressed happiness that the handshake he missed then with the victorious athletes, he was now getting as President.

    According to him, the athletes’ accomplishment during the competition speaks volume of their hard work, tenacity and indomitable will to succeed.

    Jonathan also condemned short-cut means to fame, adulation and wealth, as he declared that cheating in whatever field was evil.

    He said: “Once again I congratulate our victorious 4x400m men gold medal relay team at the Sydney Olympics games. You have done yourself and your country proud. The nation is equally appreciative of your sterling achievements for which I have the honour to announce some token, this happened in 2000 but since we are receiving it today is only proper that on behalf of government we show some token appreciation.”

    “For the six members of the relay team we are given you a token of N5 million each. And the team couldn’t have done that without the handlers Innocent Egbunike and Solomon Abari who directly handled this team will get N7 million each.

    “One of the guidelines for giving honors is getting gold in Olympics so automatically you will be given a national honour in due course”. I am delighted to receive the gold medal of the 4×400 relay team who won the gold medal at the Olympics Games in Sydney, Australia in 2000. On behalf of the Nigerian people I congratulate the team and it’s achievements and it’s honour which they have brought to our country.”

    “For me I think today I am as happy as yourself because as the Minister of sports mentioned, I was there in Sydney with you as the Deputy Governor of my State. And if this medal was given to you there I could not have had a handshake with you but what I missed in 2000 I am getting it today.”

    “So I personally congratulate you for this. Even though the honour you have been accorded today is most belated through no fault of your own, it is as the saying ‘better late than never’. Your accomplishment at the highest level where the competition is very keen speaks volume of your tenacity, hardwork and indomitable will to succeed.”

    “What has been proven by the gold medal that you have just received is that if we do things the right and honest way, truth will always prevail, no matter how long it takes. This is part of the transformation of values that we seek to bring about and inculcate in your people today.”

    Jonathan continued: “What your experience has shown is that our sports men and women must endeavour to operate and compete within the rules of the game. They must resist any temptation to take a short cut to fame, adulation and wealth.”

    “Let me use this unique opportunity to condemn cheating in all it’s ramifications, whether in sports, or in academics, in business or in politics. Be informed that malpractice in any form is evil to society. We must build a society that puts premium on integrity and transparency and hardwork.”

    “I also must congratulate the International Athletics Committee and my good friend whom I have been interacting with since I was in Bayelsa State, for holding the tenets of a drug free sports and it’s continuous efforts to provide a level playing field for all competitors. We all know that without their persistence and insistence on a drug free regime for sports competition this celebration we are witnessing today wouldn’t have been possible”.

    Highlighting the role of sports in Nigeria, he said: “Sports is a unifying tool for our country we must therefore do everything possible to nurture it and encourage it’s development. We convened a retreat on sports which came up with a clear road map in the short, medium and long term. The national sports commission has a central role in this enterprise to build synergy with all stakeholders at states and local government levels, even the community level and the private sector in it’s quest for enduring sports glory for our nation.”

    Jonathan said that he has had the honour of receiving many athletes this year who have done the nation proud in major international competitions.

    “In February our gallant Super Eagles won the African Cup of Nations, in May I hosted a joint reception of the U-17 football team and our athletes to the maiden African U-18 Athletic of Championship for their exploits in Morocco and here at home in Warri. Early in June we launched the rhythm and play campaign for grassroots sports mobilization for young Nigerians under the age of 17. We are determined to maintain the tempo in our sports development drive,” he said.

    Earlier, the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, recalled that the sliver medal won by Nigeria’s 4x400m relay men at the 2000 games in Sydney Australia was recently upgraded to gold medal by the International Olympics Committee (IOC).

    He said “this was due to the disqualification of the United States of America’s male relay team which initially came first at the event as a result of doping infraction. Though this victory is coming 13 years after the games we are happy with this result becuase Nigeria was unethicaly defeated during the games. With this award, Nigeria has therefore moved up from position 55 to 41 on the medal table in the 2000 Olympic games with one gold and two silver medals. Nigeria’s overall performance at the Olympic games therefore now stands at three gold medals, eight silver and twelve bronze medals to place 68 on the overall medal table.

    “Even though this is not a true reflection of Nigeria’s huge potentials in sport, we are optimistic that with the unprecedented commitment that your excellency has demonstrated and the various initatives that we are currently undertaking with Mr. Presdent’s guidance, Nigeria will soon be ranked amongst the very best in the world”.

    The Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi while acknowledging the efforts made by various people over the years to ensure that justice was done, said: “I will specifically recognise here the former minster of sport, Mr Damishi Sango who did all within his will to ensure that this gold medals are properly awarded to Nigeria.

    “Let me also state here that in a way, this gold medals are yours. I recall that your excellency was present during the event at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, then as deputy governor of Bayelsa state, doubling as the commissioner for sport. It is therefore quiet appropriate that this event is being today brought to a closure under your leadership”.

  • al-Mustapha weeps over detention ordeal

    Major Hamza al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, arrived Kano at the weekend to a rousing reception.

    The soldier, who had been portrayed with a steely mien, betrayed his emotion as he wept openly at the Government House in Kano.

    Al-Mustapha was relieving his ordeal in Kirikiri Prison, where he was held for 15 years for the alleged murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, wife of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Bashorun Moshood Abiola.

    The former CSO was visiting Kano State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso with his family and close associates, including the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) founder, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun.

    al-Mustapha told the governor that he was a victim of trump-up charges.

    al-Mustapha was released following last Friday’s Court of Appeal verdict.

    The former CSO said he was returning to an empty home, having lost both parents when he was in detention.

    He said: “…Even though I lost my father and my mother, who I was forced to see only two times in 15 years – I am their first child; I am their confidant and best friend in my family. Yet, even when the court forced the then authorities to allow them set my eyes on them, the approvals of the court were flagrantly refused. I was kept and punished the more; a ploy to ensure that I didn’t set eyes on my parents.

    “I saw my father in 2001, and later I saw him in May 2007. For my mother, I was allowed to see her in August 2001. Then I was allowed also to see her after a long battle, despite all instructions from the Federal High Court, Lagos. I saw her in 2006; she died last year, in the month Ramadan.”

  • Uduaghan weeps at service of songs for Azazi

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan yesterday wept for the late former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Owoye Andrew Azazi.

    The occasion was the service of songs for the late General at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The governor broke down as he led dignitaries to sing a hymn for the late Azazi.

    He said the deceased served the country well within and outside the Army.

    Dignitaries from parts of the country attended the event.

    They include the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan; Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson; former NSA, Col. L. K. K. Areh; Business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihenjirika and Senator Andy Uba.

    Others are: former Chiefs of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshalls Paul Dike and Oluseye Peterin; former Chief of Naval Staff, Allison Maduaeke; Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BOI), Ms. Evelyn Oputu; Chairman, Silverbird Group, Ben Bruce; as well as Chairman, Heirs Holdings Limited, Mr Tony Elumelu.

    Ibrahim said Azazi was a major pillar for the success in tackling insecurity in the country.

    He said: “In him, I enjoyed respite in tackling the security challenges. Infrastructure means different things to a lot of us.

    “The emergence of Boko Haram caught all of us flat-footed due to inappropriate infrastructure to tackle the situation. But Gen. Azazi did not give up.

    “Although it was in his nature to smile always, those radiant smiles did not come often during those Boko Haram insurgencies. We were looking forward to celebrating our major breakthrough with him, but he is no more. With his demise, a big part of us has gone.”

    Dickson noted that a large part of the country’s military has gone with Azazi.

    The governor said Azazi would be buried in the newly constructed Ijaw Heroes’ Park in Yenagoa and not in his home town, Peretoro, Ekeremo Local Government.

    He added: “A lot has been said and a lot will be said about my brother Azazi. But the truth remains that a large part of the military has gone with him.”

  • Dickson weeps at mortuary

    Dickson weeps at mortuary

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson wept yesterday at the Federal Medical Centre Mortuary in Yenagoa where he went to inspect the bodies of Governor Patrick Yakowa, ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Gen. Patrick Azazi and four others who died in Saturday’s helicopter crash.

    Dickson, with whom were Service Chiefs and other notable personalities, described the incident as “sad, tragic and an irreparable loss” to the government and people of Kaduna and Bayelsa states.

    Dickson expressed condolences to President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo. He described the crash as a monumental loss.

    He declared a three-day mourning period during which flags will be flown at half mast.

    Expressing the readiness of the state to collaborate with the various organs set up by the Federal Government and the Naval Command to unravel the mystery behind the crash, Dickson said the government would partner with the government and people of Kaduna State to ensure that the right thing is done.

    Dickson described Yakowa as “a bridge builder”, who came to Bayelsa State on a visit to strengthen and deepen the bonds of brotherhood and unity, but ended up dying.Of the late Gen. Azazi, the governor said: “For our brother and leader, the the late General Andrew Owoye Azazi, the Chairman of the Bayelsa state Post Flood Management Committee inaugurated two weeks ago, and the Chairman-designate of the Bayelsa State Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC), I really have no word to express the profound sense of loss and tragedy that has befallen the state and our country.

    “I am short of words. It is a very terrible tragedy. I pray that God should comfort the bereaved families and good people of Kaduna State.”