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Gov Otti Amongst Prominent Nigerians, Abians To Bid Farewell To Irukwu, Ex-Ohaneze President
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti was amongst the cream of prominent Nigerians and Abians as the body of the former President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, late Professor Joseph Ogbonnaya Irukwu, was laid to rest.
Prof Irukwu, who died in July at the age of 89, was buried on Saturday in his hometown, Amokwe Item, Bende Local Government Area, Abia State, after funeral ceremonies that traversed London, Lagos, and Umuahia.
The body of the erudite insurer, lawyer, and administrator was committed to Mother Earth after an inter-denominational church service at Jane Egbichi Oteh Mini-stadium, Amokwe Item, where the virtues of the late elder statesman were generously captured in tributes and eulogies.
Governor Otti recalled expressing shock at the news of the death of Prof Irukwu, regretting that he missed an opportunity to have “a sit down” with him to discuss the deceased’s desire to see a positive change in Abia. Prof Irukwu died barely one and half months after Governor Otti assumed office on May 29.
“I can tell you that the departure of Dee Ogbo got me with some kind of shock not because I expected he would be here forever, but at 90 with the kind of good health that God had blessed him with, the kind of effort he made to see a change in Abia, I thought he would be here for a longer while,” the Governor explained.
Governor Otti acknowledged the significant achievements of the late prof Irukwu in various fields, such as insurance, law, and his leadership within Ohanaeze, but stressed that the most profound accomplishment of the late insurance guru was his devotion to the Christian faith.
The Governor encouraged the guests to emulate Prof Irukwu, saying, “If you believe you’ve achieved great success in life but have neglected to sit and pray to God, it’s time to reconsider your priorities.”
He expressed hope that Irukwu would rise again on the resurrection morning alongside all those who had devoted their lives to Christ. He urged the family of the late Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to bear the loss with fortitude.
In his tribute, former President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Gary Igariwe, on behalf of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, said Irukwu was an exceptional leader who distinguished himself in service and prayed to God to console the family he left behind.
Also, the President-General of the Item Development Association (IDA), Sir Onwuka Orji, asserted that the late Prof Irukwu trained and mentored many Item professionals and captains of industry, who are excelling all over the world, maintaining that his passage had created a big vacuum in Item land and Nigeria as a whole.
The event attracted an array of dignitaries from all walks of life including former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel; former governor of old Imo State, General Ike Nwachukwu (Rtd); Sen Enyinnaya Abaribe, former senate president, Adolphus Wabara; President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; a former Director General of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and prominent daughter of Item, Arunma Oteh; a former gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State, Tonye Cole; as well as other distinguished Nigerians and sons and daughters of Item Okpi.
The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has urged for necessary measures to protect journalists and other media workers during this weekend’s off-cycle elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States.
The group sent the request to the federal and state governments, as well as law enforcement and security agencies, stressing that the role of journalists in disseminating information about the electoral process is critical to ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections.
In a statement issued ahead of the elections in Lagos and signed by the Communications Officer, Media Rights Agenda, Idowu Adewale, MRA also urged journalists to be cautious and to use its existing hotline (08138755660) to report any threat or attack they may encounter during the process, as well as any obstacle.
Adewale said in the statement: “Given the pattern of heightened attacks on journalists and the media during previous elections, including the recent 2023 general elections, as well as the tense political climate in the three states in the lead-up to the elections, measures must be taken to ensure general security during the elections and provide adequate protection for journalists covering the elections.”
“Access to information allows citizens and other members of the public to have the information they need about political and electoral processes, facilitating effective public participation in elections,” he says.
“Journalists and the media play an important role in ensuring residents and other members of the public have access to information and may participate in the process.
“As part of efforts to preserve the integrity of the polls, it is also critical that the safety and well-being of these interlocutors be assured and safeguarded.”
Lamenting the increased number of attacks on journalists in the run-up to the off-cycle elections, as well as earlier this year in the run-up to the general elections, he emphasised that “a free and vibrant media is fundamental to a healthy democracy, and journalists must be able to carry out their duties without fear, coercion, or violence.” During this vital phase, MRA stands ready to assist them and assure their safety.”
Men from the Edo State Police Command are said to have detained Mrs. Toluige Olokoobi’s husband after he allegedly murdered her.
Olokoobi was the mother of Oreofeoluwa Lawal-Babalola, the tiny boy whose video went viral in 2020 after he pleaded with his mother, “Mummy be calming down.”
Oreofeoluwa rose to prominence on social media after a video of him crying in an attempt to confidently appeal to his mother, who chastised him, went viral.
The film inspired Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who used it to deliver an Eid-el-Kabir appeal to Muslims and Lagos people in general to remain calm during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Following that, the youngster and his family met with the governor, who praised his bravery and poise.
While little has been heard about the family in three years, heartbreaking news broke on social media on Tuesday that the boy’s mother had committed suicide.
According to an X user, Olokoobi committed suicide in Benin, the capital of Edo State, for unknown reasons.
The X user, who stated that he was present at the site on Monday afternoon, went on to say that she had refused to disclose her difficulties with anyone before committing herself.
“The woman in the viral Mummy Calm Down video has just committed suicide here in Benin,” he stated in an email.
“She refused to discuss her problems with anyone.” She abandoned three children for her husband, including the well-known Mummy Calm Down boy.”
Meanwhile, confirming Olokoobi’s death in a chat with BBC Pidgin, the spokesperson of the Edo State police command, Chidi Nwabuzor, said her husband has been arrested and detained for questioning.
Nwabuzor said the husband reported the matter to the police.
The police spokesperson quoted the husband to have said that “he came home from the market when he saw his wife hanging with rope on her neck”.
Nwabuzor said she was rushed to the hospital and then to the mortuary after she was confirmed dead. (Adapted from a Vanguard report).
The Anambra State Police Command Headquarters Conference Hall was a hive of activity Thursday as CP Aderemi Adeoye took turns decorating around 18 promoted officers of the command with their new titles.
The delight of some of the officers whose wives assisted the CP in decorating their husbands with their new ranks knew no bounds, as their husbands duly saluted their wives and the CP for their new positions and responsibilities.
Obi Innocent, one of the officers elevated to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), whose wife joined CP Aderemi Adeoye in adorning him with his new rank, said it was wonderful that the Inspector General of Police thought him worthy.
CSP Obi Innocent, the officer in charge of the Legal Department at Zone 13, Police Zonal Headquarters Ukpo, stated that his new rank was a call to service and that he would do his best to uphold the charge given to them by CP Aderemi Adeoye to respect and protect the citizenry’s fundamental rights in the discharge of their new assignments.
Charity Akharame, who was honoured with the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and was the only female officer among the 18 promoted officers decorated with new ranks, said it was not an easy feat but she was grateful to be among those who were decorated with their new ranks.
DSP Charity Akharame, the officer in charge of stores in the Anambra State Police Command, recalled how she began as a Police Constable and worked her way up to her current position as Deputy Superintendent of Police.
She stated that as a very disciplined police officer, she would follow the Police Commissioner’s directions regarding respect for all and sundry in the fulfillment of her constitutional obligations.
Jane-Frances Obi, one of the spouses of the officers elevated to the level of CSP, stated that being the wife of a police officer was not an easy assignment. As a result, she recommended any lady who is married to a police officer to be patient and understanding because the job is quite demanding.
Jane-Frances Obi, whose husband is Innocent Obi, the officer in charge of the Legal Department at Zone 13 Ukpo, believes the promotion is a reward for years of being patient, understanding, and standing in for them when they are not present.
Meanwhile, Emenike Chinenyenwa, who was decorated with the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and presented a vote of appreciation, expressed deep gratitude to the IGP and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission for considering them worthy of being adorned in their new ranks.
ACP Emenike, the officer in charge of Medicals, stated that the elevation comes with increased responsibility and that they will work harder in their new tasks.
CP Aderemi Adeoye praised the current promotion winners in his remarks, noting that two aspects make the police career very interesting and eventful. He stated that one is for promotion and the other is for positions.
CP Adeoye, on the other hand, urged the newly honored officers to develop more empathy, compassion, care, and dedication in the performance of their jobs.
The police chief insisted that newly promoted officers must first recognise that they share the same humanity as others, and as a result, they must treat all people with dignity and protect their fundamental human rights at all times.
CP Aderemi Adeoye stressed that without the enormous roles of spouses, they wouldn’t have been successful in their careers. He therefore congratulated all the promoted and prayed that God gives them good health to enjoy the new ranks and the energy to discharge the responsibilities of their new offices.
- Source: Independent
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