News

Encomiums As Afejuku Bows Out Of UNIBEN

Published

11 months ago

June 12, 2023

Editor

Adibe Emeyinu of Thisday, Suyi Ayodele (Nigerian Tribune), Professor Tony Afejuku, his wife, Mrs Augusta Alero Afejuku, Michael Egbejuke (Guardian) and Tony Osauzo (Sun) joined Afejuku to cut his retirement commemorative cake at the retirement reception organised for him by the Friends of Afejuku (FAJ) at the Banquet Hall, University of Benin, on Sunday.

It was an evening of praises for Prof. Tony Afejuku who pulled out of the services of University of Benin (UNIBEN), after attaining the age of 70 years.

Afejuku, a Professor of English and Literature, who hails from the Itsekiri ethnic nationality of Delta State, taught in the university for 43 years.

A retirement reception put together by the Friends of Afejuku (FAJ) to celebrate the literary icon, who for over two decades tended literary minds in the university.

Speaking at the ceremony that held at the University of Benin Banquet Hall, Benin City, the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Mon Nwadiani, described Afejuku as someone who left a legacy of truth and boldness.

Nwadiani noted that it was the first time such ceremony was being held for a retired teacher in the department and faculty, a testimony, he acknowledged, stood the celebrant out amongst others who retired before him.

Nwadiani therefore, advised those still in service to emulate the qualities of Professor Afejuku “who is seen as a friend to all and enemy to none”.

He also poured encomiums on the wife of the retired don, Mrs. Augusta Alero Afejuku for being able to be there for her husband all the time, especially at the home front, and prayed that God would grant Afejuku, good health in his post retirement age.

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Former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, also described Afejuku as “one of those who point the way to progressive change, and match his words with action”; while Professor Felix Ogonna, described him as “a detribalized Nigerian who does not care where you come from but your ability to do what is right”.

Narrating how Professor Afejuku helped him gain employment into the University of Benin, Ogonna noted: “I have been in the faculty for about 25 years and I have never seen the kind of person like him. He is one who acknowledges excellence but also want you to do same. He has a philosophy, ‘No paddy for jungle’, because even as he came be your friend, he will at the same time want you to do what is right at all time without taking sides.”

Others who spoke in glowing terms of the celebrant are Suyi Ayodele of the Nigerian Tribune, Dr. Abigail Eruaga of the Department of English and Literature of University of Benin, and Professor Kola Eke, who described Afejuku in a poem read by Dr Edafe Mukoro, as an intellectual ‘iroko’, a man of many parts, “a radar detector of linguistic infelicities, and a chopper that goes round rudiments of language”.

In his response, the retired professor thanked God for his life from the very beginning to the present. He also gave kudos to his parents of blessed memory, his wife and children for being there for him especially at critical moments.

He also thanked his friends especially those he influenced who decided to converge and honour him, adding “when people say I am detribalized, it is because I have travelled and many of those who helped me in life incidentally are not from my Itsekiri ethnic nationality.”

News

Moment Chief Defense Staff Hosts Prince Harry, Meghan Markle In Reception [VIDEO/PHOTOS]

Published

5 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Editor

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended a reception hosted by the Chief of Defense Staff.

This was after they attended a volleyball game earlier in the day.

During the reception, which held at the Armed Forces Officers Mess & Suites in Abuja, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex received asho oke gifts from Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

The couple also danced with Dabiri-Erewa.

The purpose of the visit was to introduce the royal couple to Nigeria’s rich socio-cultural heritage and provide an opportunity for the Duchess of Sussex to explore her Nigerian lineage.

News

JUST IN: Again, Aircraft Skids Off Runway At Lagos Airport

Published

12 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Editor

Photo: file copy

Barely 16 days after Dana Air was shut down by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authorities, another aircraft belonging to XEJET Airlines also skidded off the runway and landed in the grass at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Saturday.

Following this development, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has shut the 18/Left runway of the airport

The Airbus with registration 5N-BZZ with 52 passengers on board departed Abuja and landed in Lagos at 11.29 am.

Just last month, Dana MD-82 aircraft was involved in a skidding off of the runway, necessitating the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to order the suspension of the carrier for a comprehensive auditing.

Last year, in November, two aircraft from two different airlines skidded off the runway, in one week.

Aero Contractors, flight NG 119 with a registered Boeing 737 aircraft 5N-BYQ from Lagos to Abuja had a total of 133 passengers on board.

All passengers were safely evacuated through a controlled disembarkation.

The temporary closure of the runway by FAAN limits the airport to one single runway which is expected to lead to aircraft delays and landing.

The spokesperson of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Bimbo Olajide, confirmed that an aircraft belonging to Xejet Airlines skidded off the runway of the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport on Saturday.

She stated that a team had been deployed to the site of the incident.

“Our teams are there and on top of the matter. But whether or not the runway will be reopened today, i cannot immediately answer questions on that.” NSIB spokesperson told PUNCH Online.

News

Ededuna Obaseki’s Descendants Congratulate King Charles On Coronation Anniversary

Published

15 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Editor

The entire direct descendants of World War II Veteran and a recipient of World War II Medals of Honour, Capt. Ededuna Walter Obaseki, has congratulated His Majesty King Charles III on his first coronation anniversary.

A congratulatory message signed by Mercy Ededuna Obaseki on behalf of The descendants, and made available to INFO DAILY prayed God to bless the King with long life, honour, and good health.

“We wish His Majesty good health so that he can effectively pilot the affairs of The United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland and The Realms of The Commonwealth,” the message added.

The descendants, while thanking the British government for preserving the records of their late father, urged the King of the Great Britain to “start soon, the Colonial Legacy review in Nigeria because it is so important to us.”

While approaching efforts being made by His Majesty to review Colonial Legacies, the descendants said in hearing the King’s move to review it, “our Joy knew no bounds, and this feeling of great Joy increased more abundantly when we saw that indeed he was already doing this.”

“We watched with great happiness and excitement, The King presenting replacement World War II Medals in Kenya to the Veterans of The Second World War.

“We hope the King will also take action soon in actualising and fulfilling our dreams that both the British and the Nigerian government meet our demands that our father’s entitlements and work benefits be paid to we his direct descendants. It is also our prayer that the King empowers and supports us in our quests and in the present circumstances that we are in right now, your quick help is highly solicited.

“Our father Ededuna Walter Obaseki was a captain of the British Merchant Navy, a World War II Veteran and a recipient of The World War II Campaigns and Gallantry Medals of Honour. The 1939-1945; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; British War Medals were
Awarded to our father Ededuna Walter Obaseki and other officers and Seamen of the British Merchant Navy by HRM King George VI.

“Obaseki was a pioneer industrialist, governor, prime minister and head of government, and he handled the British administration in Southern Nigeria that brought great success to Nigeria in many areas like modern agriculture, education, healthcare, and maritime Shipping. The forming, shaping and developing of the navies during the time of the boom that both countries enjoyed and its citizens can still speak well of in sheer glories of remarkable advancement today.

“We are aware of some attempts by the Federal Government of Nigeria particularly in 2014 to help bring out and make known, the legacies of those that played active and very important roles in making this country Nigeria to be great, especially the Merchant Navy Officers who were the first ambassadors, head of administration and head of the British Board of Trade that brought about very positive growth and boom in Nigeria through the exports of timber, rubber, cocoa and palm produce, etc.

“We also want the distinguished senators and honourable members of the House of Representatives of Nigeria to grant our request that our father’s entitlements and work benefits for service in Nigeria to be paid to us by the Nigerian government. We need them (The Law Makers) to use their voice to also make our demands from The British Government.”