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My Parents Are Jailed Because Of Me, I Feel Guilty — Sonia Ekweremadu
Published
12 months agoon
By
EditorSonia, daughter of a former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed sadness and guilt over the sentencing of her parents in an organ-harvesting plot suit in the United Kingdom on Friday.
A United Kingdom court on Friday sentenced Ekweremadu to a total of nine years and eight months imprisonment, while his wife, Beatrice, was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment for plotting to harvest a man’s kidney.
The third accomplice, a medical doctor, Dr Obinna Obeta, was jailed 10 years. Ekweremadu, 60, and his wife Beatrice, 56, wanted a new kidney for their 25-year-old daughter Sonia.
In an interview with BBC after the court judgement on Friday, Sonia said she felt guilty about the whole situation.
READ ALSO: [UPDATED] Organ Harvesting: Ekweremadu Bags Over Nine Years Jail Term In UK
“I don’t think it will ever be the same again. And obviously, I feel guilty because I feel like all these have happened because of me,” she said, while holding back tears.
On how her parents have handled their current reality, the 25-year-old who admitted that she can’t speak about what they truly feel, said they are “quite calm”.
“They are quite calm, surprisingly. But I can’t really speak about what they are feeling. This is just from an outside perspective of me seeing them. They are okay, they are just neutral,” Sonia said.
On what she has learnt over the whole saga, Sonia said, “Life is just some dynamic. Like you’re one day in your house chilling and the next day your whole life is turned around, upside down.”
Speaking further on the court judgement, she added, “It’s sad. It’s been really hard to wrap my head around it. I understand the conviction. Personally, I disagree with it; however, that’s from a very biased perspective as their daughter, and I would obviously back my parents.
READ ALSO: Ekweremadu: ‘I’m Scared, Can’t Return To Nigeria’, Victim Begs For Stay In UK
“However, the law has taken its course, and we just have to now move forward as a family.”
Asked about what she would be doing next, Sonia said, “My main focus is to try to help, specifically people with kidney conditions. This is just to show them they don’t need to be scared.
“I will continue to support my parents and siblings as well.”
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Lagos, Ondo, Taraba Top In Highest Okada Fares In March – NBS
Published
2 hours agoon
April 28, 2024By
EditorA recent National Bureau of Statistics report shows Lagos, Ondo, and Taraba recorded the highest Okada (motorcycle) fares in March.
The data indicates substantial differences in transportation costs across various Nigerian states.
In March 2024, the average fare for Okada rides per trip in Nigeria rose by 2.15% compared to the same period last year, with fares reaching N472.16, up from N462.21 in March 2023.
This was contained in the most recent National Bureau of Statistics Transport Fare Watch report for March 2024, published on the agency’s website.
READ ALSO: Ondo 2024: lT Expert Emerges As SDP Candidate
However, fares in Lagos, Ondo, and Taraba states were notably above the national average for March 2024.
Lagos had the highest Okada fare at N850 per trip, with Ondo following at N725 and Taraba at N670, illustrating significant differences in transportation costs across regions.
Imo and Yobe states, with average Okada fares of N655 and N630 respectively for March 2024, ranked fourth and fifth among Nigerian states for the highest motorcycle journey costs per trip.
News
Trouble Looms As OAU Students Threaten Shut Down With FG Over Fuel Crisis
Published
2 hours agoon
April 28, 2024By
EditorThe students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University said on Sunday, said the challenges faced by students due to the sudden surge in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit and the scarcity of the product have reached unprecedented levels.
The President of the union, Abbas Ojo, in a statement released on the campus in Ile-Ife, Osun State, and sent to The PUNCH, urged the Federal Government to immediately address the issues.
The union threatened to hit the streets in protest if the situation persisted.
Since the weekend, queues have surfaced across some filling stations in Ogun and Lagos states as some stations also remained shut.
The PMS also known as petrol has been selling between N700 and N800 at some filling stations. Some persons claim to buy the fuel at prices higher than N800 in Lagos and Ogun with the situation causing a hike in transport fares.
READ ALSO: Residents Displaced As Rainstorms Wreck Havoc In Edo Community
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited had said some supply issues were responsible for the queues, urging customers to exercise patience.
A resident, Tomisin Bakare, who said he bought PMS from a filling station around the Lagos State University-Igando axis stated that he was shocked when the attendant said fuel was N700 per litre.
“This is after I had already spent over 50 minutes in the queue,” he added.
According to the students’s union president, the situation is not different in Osun, particularly around the campus environs where he noted bus drivers had increased fares.
“We, as students, can no longer endure the burden imposed by the government’s economic policies,” Ojo said.
READ ALSO: 86-year-old Injured As Fire Guts Building In Kwara
“Last year, when the decision to remove fuel subsidy became public knowledge, many, including students, harboured doubts about its impact on the nation’s economy. Even those who supported the removal of subsidies were skeptical, given the absence of concrete plans to alleviate the ensuing challenges,” he added.
President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, during his swearing-in, announced the removal of fuel subsidy. Since then, Nigerians have been grappling with harsh economic realities coupled with the depreciation of the naira against the dollar.
“From soaring electricity tariffs to the skyrocketing cost of living, the adverse effects of the government’s capitalist policies have spared no one.
“Despite these challenges, students persist in their pursuit of education and academic endeavours. However, recent events such as fuel shortages and fluctuating prices have left students stranded both on campus and outside campus,” Ojo stressed, noting the students had been pushed to limits.
The union demanded immediate action from the FG to address the fuel scarcity, curb suspected hoarding of fuel, and regulate prices.
“We also demand that the government should revive the country’s refineries. The government must not test our will by not addressing these demands within the next 48 hours. Failure to do so, we shall hit the streets till the government addresses the fuel crisis which constitutes a threat to our academic pursuit,” the statement added.
Popular Gospel singer Morenikeji Adeleke, also known as Egbin Orun, is dead.
Her colleague Esther Igbekele, confirmed the death in an Instagram post on Sunday.
The gospel singer expressed shock and sadness, sayin Egbin Orun departed suddenly without bidding farewell.
According to her, the two had recently spoken, unaware of the impending tragedy.
READ ALSO: How God Saved Me From Firing Squad – Gospel Artiste, Buchi
Igbekele praised Egbin Orun’s beauty, kindness, and strong support for her ministry.
She wrote, “I got home from my program to hear about this great loss.. Prophetess Morenikeji Egbin Orun you left without saying goodbye..
“We spoke together last week not knowing you are about to embark on a journey to the great beyond.. You are such a beautiful and kind hearted woman and a very good supporter of my ministry.
READ ALSO: Outrage As Kingsmen Flogged Anambra Man To Death [VIDEO]
“I am deeply saddened with your demise but God knows best. You will be greatly missed and your good deeds will continue to linger in our hearts.
“Ah Egbin Orun. Good night! Keep resting in the bosom of Christ.. Ah Gone too soon..Yeeee.”
The cause of her death remains undisclosed and no official statement has been issued.
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