Metro
Emotion, Tears As LAWMA’s Public Affairs Director Buries Husband
The remains of Mr. Oluwashola Kadiri, late husband of the Director of Public Affairs of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Folashade Kadiri, were laid to rest on Friday, 12th of August, 2022 at the Private Vaults, Atan Cemetery, Yaba, Lagos.
Mr. Kadiri, popularly called ‘Solar,’ an accomplished businessman, died on 28 July, 2022, after a brief illness.
The funeral service held at Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, commenced with the processional hymn, ‘Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! The strife is o’er, the battle done; the victory of life is won; the song of triumph has begun, Alleluia!’
In his message, Vicar of Christ Anglican Church, Oworoshoki, Revd. Canon Garba Ibrahim Rika who presided at the service reminded the congregation about the inevitability of death for every human being, adding that individuals should endeavour to make positive impact on people and leave the society better than they met it.
He stated that Mr. Oluwashola Kadiri touched many lives meaningfully and should be emulated by all and sundry.
He, however, charged the congregation not to be found wanting in rendering assistance to the less privileged and downtrodden in society.
In a tribute, the wife of the deceased, Folashade, described him as a great family man, personal friend and confidant, a workaholic and good-natured fellow, who lived a rancour-free life and held no grudge against anyone.
In her words: “Dearly beloved, as you take those glorious steps, down the long lonely road, towards the waiting hands of our Lord, please remember to look back at intervals, to your loved ones you left behind, and assume your new role of a guardian angel; watching over and praying for us without ceasing.
“I must also inform you ‘Solar’, that it is not all tears upon your early transition. We got consolation from numerous testimonies of friends, acquaintances and others, all affirming your eventful life that permanently impacted humanity.”
According to her, “I am deeply filled with immense gratitude to God Almighty, who made it possible for Oluwashola to have lived a life worthy of emulation. It has been a long journey of over 25 years together with him and I find it difficult to say good-bye here on earth.
“I am, however, consoled that my beloved husband has gone to rest in the bosom of the Lord and has fulfilled the desire of every Christian which is to one day leave this sinful earth and meet our maker in heaven just like Oluwashola has done.
“I am also comforted in my hope and prayers that Oluwashola and I would one day meet again to part no more, at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The children of the deceased, Olasunkanmi and Olamide, also extolled the virtues of their father.
According to them, “we thank God for your life, as I remembered days we argued about football, world politics or random days I just chose to challenge you on a random topic because it was one of the best ways to get great insights from you. We even shared mutual interest in our love for cars and art.”
According to Olamide, “I can’t bring myself to write this because a part of me is still waiting for you to come home and say “Olamide Kadiri” while rubbing my head. I never could have asked for a better father, you showed me I could achieve anything in life if I could only put my mind to it. You worked hard and played even harder, never failing to be there for your family and friends.”
Scores of LAWMA staff led by the management team to the service, which commenced at 10am., joined wife of the deceased, her children, family, friends and well wishers to pay their last respect to the departed business tycoon.
In the tribute, e-Signed by the Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni described Mrs. Kadiri as a woman with rare ability to combine traumatic personal pressure, with demanding official responsibilities, without portraying negative emotions.
According to him, “She is the kind of woman I would describe as the real amazon, having the uncanny ability to cope with tense personal situations, yet found not wanting at work.
“The management and staff of LAWMA stand firm with you at this profoundly challenging period even as we unanimously pray that God will comfort you, your children and the extended family of your husband.”
The two days programme commenced on Thursday, 11th of August, 2022 with the wake-keep which was held at the Beehive School Hall, Alausa CBD, Ikeja and it enabled family, friends, associates, partners, well-wishers and mates from his Alma Mata pay their tribute.
The wake-keep and interment were attended by notable dignitaries, including present and past Permanent Secretaries, Special Advisers, Managing Directors, Directors in the Public Service, business tycoons, among others.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has inspected seven Modified Light Tactical Vehicles procured for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to enhance and strengthen their operations in securing life and property in the country, according to a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
Gaidam performed the function in company of the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Anuma Ogbonaya Nlia, and top Management of the Ministry at the Federal Secretariat, Phase III, in Abuja.
The Minister stated that the seven Modified Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles were acquired from the budgetary allocation of the Ministry, and they would be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to enhance their security operations to enable them to perform better. “They are supposed to use it professionally to combat insecurity in the country,” he stressed.
A stray bullet has allegedly killed a student who was heading to the examination centre to sit for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination being organised by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The incident happened on Gbagi market road in the Egbeda Local Government Area of the state when a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police officer in pursuit of a suspect hit and allegedly killed the student on Tuesday.
Investigations revealed that the boy was on a motorcycle with his father and twin brother when the incident struck.
The student, according to multiple eyewitnesses, was on his way to the examination centre.
One of the sources, simply identified as Ajani, said, “A police officer opened fire while chasing a fleeing vehicle. One of the bullets reportedly hit the student. The student was riding on a motorcycle with his father and twin brother.
“The victim was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Another witness said, “The deceased was on his way to the examination centre alongside his twin brother when the tragedy happened.”
Meanwhile, irate youths took the student’s lifeless body to the state Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, to demand justice and called on Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene.
The deceased body has been deposited at Adeoyo Hospital morgue.
As of press time, authorities have not released an official statement on the incident.
The Punch
The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU)and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have condemned the recent distribution formula for the N50 billion earned allowance approved by the Federal government for university-based unions.
The unions expressed their displeasure in the sharing formula in a jointly signed statement by the President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, and the General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi on Sunday in Abuja.
The Federal government last month approved the release of N50billion to universities as earned allowances.
The N50billion is to be shared between the Academic Staff Union of Universities; NASU, SSANU and National Association of Academic Technologists.
The statement said: “We wish to make it clear that this is not a contest of supremacy among unions. Rather, it is about fairness, recognition, and the equitable treatment of all workers who form the backbone of the Nigerian University system.”
The unions further demanded a review and reversal of the allocation formula, which they describe as “grossly unfair” and “totally unacceptable.”
The unions argued that the distribution was capable of creating industrial disharmony and accentuating the teaching/non-teaching dichotomy in Nigerian universities.
They vowed to stand united in demanding justice, fairness, and recognition of their rightful place in the university community.
They warned that going ahead with the unfair distribution will breed resentment and trigger widespread industrial disharmony.
“Non-Teaching staff of Nigerian Universities are not second-class citizens but are critical stakeholders who contribute immensely to the day-to-day functionality, administrative efficiency, research excellence, technical operations, and overall development of the Nigerian Universities system.
“A harmonious and productive academic environment can only be achieved when all stakeholders are treated with respect, dignity, equity, and fairness,” the statement added.
