News
Makinde speaks on mother ‘s death, says life is truly ephemeral
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, said, on Sunday, that the death of his mother, Madam Abigail Omojolagbe Makinde, has further confirmed to him that human beings’ stay on earth is truly temporary.
Makinde, who was giving his vote of thanks at the Thanksgiving Service in honour of his late mother, who was buried on Friday, said that no matter how long human being lives, the reality of death was unmistakable.
A statement by Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, indicated that the Thanksgiving Service, which was held at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Yemetu, Ibadan, had in attendance the deputy governor and his wife; the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), other top government functionaries as well as friends and political associates of the governor and his siblings.
Siblings of the governor in attendance include Engineer Sunday Makinde; Mr. Kayode Adedeji; Chief Muyiwa Makinde and Pastor Omololu Makinde. The last child of the family, Iyabo Muyiwa (nee Makinde) was unable to make the trip from the United States.
Governor Makinde said: “I really want to appreciate you all for what you did at the funeral service of my late mother at Aremo Cathedral. I thank God for the kind of life my mother lived.
“I sat down after my mum passed away to do some calculations to know the number of days she spent on earth. And I discovered she spent exactly twenty-nine thousand, five hundred and nine days (29,509). We can think the days are long; but it will end one day. That’s just the truth.
“Even, if anyone will spend 100 years on Earth, such person will spend about thirty-six thousand (36,000) days. So, it will end one day. The word of the Lord would not go without being fulfilled on any of us.
“We really appreciate your support and thank you very much.”
He thanked the clergy and everyone who contributed to the successful burial of his mother, declaring that every support was well recognized.
The governor, who also led the congregation in singing two of his mother’s favourite songs, said that his late mother had a way of getting things from him, even if he was determined not to yield.
The service also saw the inauguration of the governor’s brother, Chief Muyiwa Makinde as a member of the Youth Wing of the Church, while his wife, Olabisi Muyiwa Makinde was inaugurated as a direct replacement of the late Madam Abigail Makinde in the Imole Ayo Society.
In his sermon, the Assistant Priest of St. Pauls Anglican Church, Yemetu, Rev. O.J. Alo, called on the congregation to always remember that death could come any time, adding that every living soul shall taste death one day.
He said that Mama was a devout Christian, whom he said the Church will greatly miss.
He added, however, that the late Madam Abigail Makinde lived a fulfilled life.
Those who graced the service include the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan and his wife, Prof. Bolanle; the SSG, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun and her husband Akinjide; the Chief of Staff to Governor Makinde, Chief Oyebisi Ilaka; and other top government functionaries.
The service also had in attendance top clergies including the Prelate Emeritus, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Prelate Sunday Ola Makinde, and the Venerable Dr. Samuel Osungbeju, who the Yemetu Church, among others.
The Northern Senators Forum has expressed its sadness over the lynching of travelers in Uromi, Edo State, saying that they were taken aback over the gruesome killing of innocent Nigerians because of the zone where the victims came from.
The Forum was reacting to the attack that led to death of individuals on 27th March, 2025 while travelling to the Northern part of the country after they were tragically stereotyped as Fulani kidnappers and brutally murdered in a despicable manner.
The Forum in a statement issued by its Chairman, Abdulaziz Yar’adua strongly condemn the killing and described it as a heinous act which must be investigated with the culprits brought to book.
It read: “We strongly condemn this heinous act, which is a clear violation of the fundamental human rights of the victims. We urge the Edo State Government to take immediate action to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of this gruesome murder.
“We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing the police and other security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident, with a view to arresting the culprits.
“This swift action demonstrates the government’s commitment to upholding justice and protecting the rights of all citizens.
“As stated in Section 41 of the Nigerian Constitution, every citizen has the right to freedom of movement and residence throughout the country. No citizen can be expelled from or refused entry into Nigeria. We must uphold these fundamental principles and ensure that all citizens are treated with dignity and respect.
“We call on the Edo State Government, the security agencies, and all stakeholders to work together to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. We must promote a culture of tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.”
The Ex-Head of Service of Rivers State, George Nwaeke has revealed how the embattled Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara ordered bombing of the State House of Assembly complex in 2023 to avoid impeachment moves by legislators loyal to Chief Nyesom Wike.
The governor who was suspended from office in the heat of crisis rocking the State however, swiftly denied the allegation and urged the public to disregard it.
The former HoS who resigned from office recently gave the revelation during a press briefing on Friday in Port Harcourt, adding that bag of money was allegedly handed over to the former House of Assembly leader, Edison Ehie, who later became Fubara’s Chief of Staff to attack the Assembly complex located along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
He said, “First, it all started with the Rivers State House of Assembly, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara directed his Chief of Staff (Edison Ehie) to burn down the Assembly to avert his impeachment. That evening, Edison was in Government House with two other boys, including the former Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, one Chijioke.
“I was there with them when a bag of money was handed over to Edison for that operation, though I do not know the amount inside. I want to tell the people of Rivers State today that the House of Assembly Complex on Moscow Road was deliberately brought down by Edison Ehie under the instructions of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. I challenge him to an open confrontation, and I will provide more details.
“A day after that incident, I almost resigned, but I was very scared because I knew the power of a sitting governor. He knew that I was aware of the whole plan and that I was uncomfortable with the unconscionable act and his deliberate posture of innocence.
“Another attempt was also made to destroy the residential quarters of the House of Assembly members. If not for the press conference held there by Rivers youths, Rivers elders, and National Assembly members, that would have been another barbaric demolition in Rivers State.
“I realised that they actually wanted to demolish that second building because, weeks later, he personally told me that if he had known earlier, he would have pulled down their hall before targeting the residential quarters of the Assembly. He didn’t realise they had such a beautiful hall where they are now holding their sittings.
“I was shocked and asked myself: how could a man who wants to lead his people be destroying state assets and wasting public funds on a needless ego fight?”
Nwaeke stated that he resigned voluntarily, countering speculations that he was sacked or pressured to leave.
“With the load of misinformation in print and electronic media, I have chosen to set the record straight.
“I was not sacked, nor was I pressured to resign; I did it willingly from the depth of my heart,” he clarified.
Nwaeke further alleged that another attempt was made to destroy the residential quarters of the House of Assembly members but was thwarted by a press conference held by Rivers youths, elders, and National Assembly members.
According to him, Fubara had openly expressed a desire to demolish more state property, raising concerns about his leadership style.
He also claimed that Fubara had made comments about using the Ijaw people to influence Nigeria’s presidency, referencing control over oil pipelines and potential disruptions.
Reacting, Fubara denied the allegations levelled against him, asking Nigerians to disregard them.
The governor described Nwaeke’s allegations as “laughable” in a statement he signed on Friday.
“The truth is that Dr. Nwaeke has been compromised, and whatever he is saying is only aimed at fulfilling his promise to those who may have paid or coerced him to lie against me.
“I call on all well-meaning Nigerians and the good people of Rivers State to disregard everything said by Dr. Nwaeke as they are mere desperate attempts to discredit me and my administration, and undermine the peace process by Mr. President,” he said.
Overland Airways, Nigeria’s longest serving private domestic airline is pleased to announce the resumption of flight services from Abuja to Jalingo and return. Overland Airways has also introduced Lagos to Jalingo flights through Abuja.
Overland Airways has been the pioneer airline on the route for years but flight services were temporarily suspended in November 2024 due to expansion work at the airport. The airline is now set to reconnect the two cities providing passengers with convenient and reliable travel options.
Effective April 3, 2025, Overland Airways will resume three (3) weekly flights on the Abuja-Jalingo-Abuja route. The flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using Overland Airways’ brand-new Embraer 175 aircraft. Flights will depart Abuja to Jalingo at 10:00am and Jalingo to Abuja at 11:30am.
Passengers across Overland Airways network including Lagos, Akure, Ibadan, Minna and Ilorin, amongst others can connect to Jalingo through our hub in Abuja.
Capt. Edward Boyo, Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Executive of Overland Airways says: “We are excited to reintroduce our Abuja-Jalingo-Abuja services which will not only enhance connectivity but also boost economic activities in Taraba State in particular and the Northeastern region of Nigeria in general. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Governor of Taraba state, His Excellency Dr. Agbu Kefas for his unwavering support and commitment to the development of the Danbaba Suntai Airport. We would like to also thank our customers for their patience and understanding and assure them of our usual excellent customer services.”
Jalingo has been a long existing route for Overland Airways, and for the very first time, Overland Airways will be operating our brand-new Embraer 175, a dual-class 88-seater modern jet aircraft featuring Premium class seats with spacious legroom and the regular Economy class on this route. We are keen on providing our Jalingo travellers with unparalleled convenience and comfort.
Overland Airways service offering has evolved from an all-turboprop fleet to a mixed fleet with the introduction of brand-new Embraer E175 jets. In October 2024, Overland Airways renewed its IOSA safety certification for the 5th consecutive time reaffirming its position as a safe and leading African carrier.
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