Agagu’s Casket Intact, As 13 Die in Plane CrashDiet It was double tragedy for the family of former Ondo State governor Dr Olusegun Kokumo Agagu. He had died suddenly on September 13 in Lagos, and, while his body was being conveyed to Akure yesterday, there was an air crash. Miraculously, the casket containing his body was intact after the Embraer aircraft belonging to Associated Airlines with registration number 5N-BIT crashed shortly after take-off from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. The 30-seater aircraft, which had 20 passengers including seven crew members on board, crashed about 9:30am. The casket bearing the identity of a famous undertaker, MIC, was later removed from the plane, put in an ambulance and moved out of the crash site. According to the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) commissioner, Captain Muktar Usman, who briefed the press, search-and-rescue operations had been concluded. He however said the manifest could not be made public until the family members of the accident victims were notified. The plane also had on board close family members of the late politician including his son and friends. A statement from aviation minister Princess Stella Oduah, who is in Montreal, Canada, for the 38th Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council, said the aviation agencies had commenced investigations into the causes of the accident. She said, “The black box (which contains recorded information regarding the flight) of the aircraft has been located and is in the custody of the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau which, with the cooperation of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant agencies, has commenced full investigation into the cause of the accident. While it is too early to determine the cause of the accident, we urge the public to be patient while the investigation progresses. I assure the public that the investigation will be thorough and that our airspace remains safe and secure.” An eyewitness, Mr. Eugene Ejimeto, said the aircraft was unable to gain height after take-off and crashed after a few seconds when one of its wings hit a wall at the airport’s Joint Users Hydrant Installation (JUHI), the reservoir where aviation fuel is stored, and burst into flames shortly and disintegrated. A combined team of fire service and security personnel commenced emergency rescue operations immediately. Survivors who were pulled out from the aircraft were rushed to the hospital. Eyewitnesses said most of them had high-degree burns. Meanwhile, airport sources said the Associated Airline’s aircraft had remained on the ground for several months and was, until yesterday’s accident, the only aircraft in the airline’s fleet. Last year, the airline had told journalists it planned to purchase new aircraft, but that did not materialize. Alhaji Muhammed Tukur, former assistant secretary, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), who spoke to journalists on the crash site, appealed to President Jonathan to intervene in the plight of Nigerian airlines, even as he said that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) should be asked to concentrate on its main functions of regulating the industry instead of burdening the airlines with unnecessary charges. He stressed that the $3, 000 tariff imposed on non-scheduled operators by NCAA for any take-off of their aircraft is an aberration and could make an airline cut corners, thus negatively impacting on the safety of airline operations in the country. “There is a possibility that there is a lot of pressure on airlines, which might want to cut corners. I have seen an airline getting an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) without doing any test flights,” said Tukur. The NCAA has set up an accident emergency response centre at the NCAA annex at the Lagos airport. Olu Falae weeps as Mimiko confirms death of commissioner Tears flowed freely at the Akure residence of the former secretary to the government of the federation and former minister of finance, Chief Olu Falae, as the news of the death of his son, Mr Deji Falae, was broken yesterday. The news of Deji’s death was broken to his parents by Governor Olusegun Mimiko. Deji was the state commissioner for culture and tourism. Mimiko, who was accompanied by his wife Olukemi, attorney-general and commissioner for justice Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), commissioner for education Arc Jide Adejuyigbe, commissioner for lands and housing Mr Bade Omoloja, state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other political associates to the Oba-Ile Road residence of the Falaes, betrayed emotions after he told the patriarch of the Falae family that his son had died in the plane crash. The younger Falae was the head of the state government delegation to Lagos who were accompanying the corpse of the late Agagu to Akure for lying-in-state. The Falae house was besieged by sympathisers who thronged the place to get first-hand information about the fate of Deji. Chief Olu Falae could not utter any word after the news of his son’s death was broken to him, but he was wiping tears off from his face. Deji Falae and others were being expected at the Akure Airport with the remains of the former governor by eminent personalities including Governor Mimiko, Agagu’s widow Olufunke and her daughters, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni, and other PDP stalwarts when they got news of the plane crash. Also, at the Democracy Park in Akure, venue of the proposed lying-in-state, many dignitaries were already on seat when the news of the crash got to the state. They included former governor of the Old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, former governor of Osun State Senator Isiaka Adeleke, commissioners, members of the Ondo State House of Assembly, PDP stalwarts and political associates of the late former governor. Confusion in Akure over whereabouts of Agagu’s family members There was palpable tension in Akure, the Ondo State capital, over the whereabouts of members of the immediate family of the late Dr Agagu, following the news of a plane crash in Lagos. As the news filtered into the state at about 10:30 in the morning, the crowd that had gathered at the Akure Airport to receive his corpse disappeared in a jiffy. Also, political associates of the former governor and personalities that were already arriving at the Democracy Park, Akure, started leaving in droves, each wearing a sad look. In the ensuing confusion, some politicians loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were advising the people around not to believe the “rumour”, saying it was the handiwork of the ruling Labour Party (LP) in the state to discredit the well-planned burial for the late former state helmsman. All efforts to confirm whether the children of the deceased were in the crashed plan proved abortive as none of their associates contacted picked up the phone. Security operatives have, however, been drafted to the Democracy Park to maintain law and order as people gathered in groups discussing the likely whereabouts of the once first family in the state and the corpse of Agagu. When LEADERSHIP FRIDAY eventually got across to the state publicity secretary of the PDP, Mr Ayo Fadaka, he said that he could not confirm anything. Agagu’s Ibadan residence deserted The Ibadan residence of the former governor of Ondo State was on Thursday deserted. When LEADERSHIP FRIDAY visited the house located in the Old Bodija, no family member was around. A police corporal identified as Enoch said all family members had moved to Ondo State for the final burial. On the plane crash, he said the family was aware and it would affect the ceremony. He said that the first son of the deceased had asked everybody to move to Akure for the burial. It was gathered that the widow of the deceased former governor, Funke, was not involved in the plane crash. The son, Feyi, it was also gathered, survived the crash contrary to early reports. The widow, the children and close family members had left the airport in another plane for Akure. Jonathan Orders Probe of Lagos Plane Crash President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday ordered full investigation into the remote cause of the plane crash that killed close family members of late Agagu in Lagos with great shock and sadness. Jonathan, who disclosed this in a statement made available yesterday by his spokesman, Dr Rueben Abati, added that he had directed that a thorough investigation over the incident to ascertain the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident. The statement reads in part, “President Jonathan views the plane crash as most unfortunate and regrettable, given the concerted efforts of the Federal Government to enhance aviation safety in the country. He has therefore ordered a thorough investigation of the crash by all relevant agencies with a view to determining the cause and taking further actions, as may become necessary”. The president, who noted that he received news of the tragic airplane with grief, stated that he shared “the grief and pain of the Agagu family as they grapple with the further loss of beloved relatives and associates so soon after losing their husband, father and mentor”. Associated Airlines reacts Associated Airlines Chief Operating Officer, Alhaji Taiwo Raji told reporters the aircraft is insured with Sema Reinsurance, Nigeria while the aircraft had its last flight before the crash on August 30, 2013. He said the aircraft went through an A check on the 14th of June, 2013 and confirmed there are seven survivors and 13 dead. Five survivors are at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, one at Federal Medical Centre Ebute Meta and one at the Nigerian Airforce Hospital. They also confirmed the manifest as earlier released by the Ondo government. 20 passengers on board, 12 died, 8 survived – Aviation Ministry However, the Aviation authorities have said that eight out of the 20 passengers and crew on board the crashed Associated Airline airplane survived the crash. Joe Obi, the minister’s media assistant, said last night that, “We can confirm that the actual number of survivors is eight, and not six. Two other passengers who were rescued and taken to a different hospital are confirmed to be alive.” But at the time of filling this report, there is conflicting reports over those who survived from the crash, as aviation ministry is yet to release the manifest of the flight or the identities of those involved in the crash. Industry sources have attributed the cause of the flight to engine failure. Osun declares three days of mourning, prayers Flags are to fly at half-mast in Osun State for three days beginning from today in honour of those who died in the plane crash involving the aircraft conveying the remains of the late Agagu at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday. Governor Rauf Aregbesola has also urged people of all faiths to devote the three days of mourning to prayers for the repose of the dead and speedy recovery of those who were injured in the crash. A statement by the director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, quoted Governor Aregbesola as describing the plane crash as a national tragedy: “In honour of those who have lost their lives in the crash involving the plane conveying the remains of the former governor of Ondo, Dr Olusegun Agagu, in Lagos today, the governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has declared a three-day mourning in the state. To this end, the governor has enjoined people of all faiths to devote the three days of mourning to intensive prayers for the repose of the souls of the dead and prayers against such calamities in our state and our region in the future.” Lagos mourns crash victims The Lagos State government has described as monumental and unfortunate the loss of lives of people in the ill-fated Associated Airline plane which crashed Thursday morning in Lagos. A statement by the state’s commissioner for information and strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, said that the news of the heartrending accident was received with shock and dismay by the state government. The state government commiserated with the families and friends of the deceased, the Ondo State government and indeed the whole country over this irreparable loss. Atiku Abubakar condoles with Agagu’s family Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has expressed shock over the tragic airplane crash which led to the death of a dozen. In a statement signed by the former vice president’s media officer yesterday in Abuja, he said the news of the plane crash and the resultant deaths was difficult to believe but yet true. “My thoughts are with the Agagu family and all other families involved in the tragedy. I pray for strength for all those involved and speedy recovery for survivors,” Atiku said in the statement. Death too cruel - Mark Senate president David Mark has also mourned the death of passengers in the ill-fated Associated Airline plane crash. In a statement signed by his special adviser, media and publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, Mark prayed that God give the country, especially the immediate families of the deceased, the fortitude to bear this painful loss. “This is more than double tragedy. It is sad. It is disheartening. This is death too cruel. “This is one tragedy that a man is tempted to question the essence of human existence. But as ordinary mortals, we lack the locus standi to question our Creator. In all circumstances, we give thanks to the Almighty. May God’s wish be done,” Mark said. Tambuwal condoles with family The speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has described as tragic and sorrowful the plane crash which occurred in Lagos on Thursday morning. In a statement issued in Abuja by his special adviser on media and public affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said the news of the crash had left him sad and heartbroken. He particularly expressed his sympathy to the Agagu family which, he said, needed all the support and encouragement of all Nigerians in this dark period. Extending his condolence to the families of the victims, the speaker implored aviation authorities to carry out thorough investigation into the remote and immediate cause of the crash. Northern govs demand thorough investigation The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has expressed shock and deep sadness over the air accident involving an aircraft belonging to Associated Airline conveying the remains of the late Agagu, describing the crash as a national tragedy. Chairman of the forum and governor of Niger State Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu on Thursday called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the crash with a view to preventing a recurrence. A statement by Governor Aliyu’s spokesman, Danladi Ndayebo, said far from the rituals of mourning the victims of air mishaps and ordering a probe, this latest crash must not be allowed to go the way of the previous ones. “The safety of the flying public must be of paramount importance to those saddled with the responsibility of ensuring safe air travels, and no stone should be left unturned in ensuring this,” the forum said. The forum expressed its condolences to the government and people of Ondo State, the family of the late governor Agagu as well as the families of all those who died in the crash. Ondo Calls For Prayers In an official statement released by the chief press secretary to Governor Mimiko, Mr Eni Akinsola, the state government said, “This is an unfortunate disaster in the life of our dear state. We can only pray that God will visit the state with mercy and give us all the strength to bear these unfortunate losses. We ask all residents to be in a sober and prayerful mood at these trying times as God is indeed the only Person we should call upon in this period.” Gov. Ahmed mourns Kwara State governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has commiserated with the people and government of Ondo State over the death of some government officials in a plane crash in Lagos. Ahmed, who described the incident as very shocking, said that the state has lost some of its vibrant officers at the time their services were needed most. Gov Wada commiserates with Agagu family Kogi State governor Idris Wada has also commiserated with the people of Ondo State in general and particularly the immediate family of the late Agagu over the crash of the plane conveying the remains of the diseased politician from Lagos to Ondo State in the early hours of yesterday. In a statement made available yesterday by the Kogi governor’s special adviser on media and strategy, Mr Jacob Edi, Wada stated that he received the news of the crash and the attendant casualty with shock and disbelief. New PDP mourns victims The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the leadership of Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje yesterday said it was shattered by the news of the plane crash in Lagos. The plane was carrying the body Dr Agagu, who died on September 13 and is scheduled to be buried this weekend. The party recounted that, as confirmed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Associated Airlines chartered flight heading for Akure, the Ondo State capital, took off at roughly 9:30am (0830 GMT) from the domestic terminal at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, but the engine failed on take-off and it crash-landed and burst into flames. According to the spokesman of the party, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, “we are shattered by the news of this unspeakable tragedy, especially as the flight also had some prominent personalities on board. Traffic congestions in Lagos as hoodlums loot victims of plane crash Amid the tragedy that struck in Lagos when an Embraer 120 plane belonging to Associated Airlines conveying the remains of late Agagu crashed yesterday in Lagos, some hoodlums swooped on the victims carting away huge sums of money and other valuable items. A security guard identified as Sunday Hameed at the Joint Users Hydrant Installation depot, very close to where the plane crashed, told our correspondent that the hoodlums rushed into the premises and robbed the victims. According to him,” I was about going home when the plane crashed here at the back of our depot. Some people were crying please help, please help, but instead of assisting us to help them, these area boys that rushed in just started collecting their money, phones and wrist watches. This kind of attitude we have in this country is not good.” He said the casket and remains of the late Agagu was recovered intact in one piece. As the rescue operation was on, there was traffic congestion at the ever-busy Airport Road leaving motorists to groan in the traffic congestion for hours. Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps traffic wardens were seen controlling vehicular traffic. Agagu to be buried today The remains of the late Dr Agagu will be buried in his country home at iju-Odo today Friday, Femi Agagu, younger brother of the deceased ex-governor said last night. Lagos to conduct DNA on 13 charred bodies Lagos State government has said it will conduct DNA test to identify the 13 bodies burnt beyond recognition in the plane crash that was conveying the remains of late Agagu to his country home for burial. Speaking with journalists shortly after visiting survivors receiving treatment at the Surgical Emergency ward of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja (LASUITH) , the Lagos State deputy governor Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire said the state government had 13 charred bodies and seven survivors in its custody. The deputy governor called on people whose relatives travelled in the ill-fated aircraft to come to LASUTH for the DNA test process for the identification of the victims. According to her, “Two minutes after the plane took off from MMIA Terminal 2, we were told that 20 people were on board. Our emergency agencies were able to recover 13 bodies and seven survivors. The survivors are here in the hospital receiving treatment. “The 13 bodies recovered cannot be identified at the moment. But we are still waiting for the manifest of the passengers from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. The survivors are receiving treatment here at the Emergency Surgical ward for treatment. “So what we want to let the public know is that anyone who knows that he or she has anybody among the travelling party to Ondo state aboard the flight not among the survivors should see the pathologists at the LASUTH”. How Obasanjo received son’s rumoured death Former president Olusegun Obasanjo was momentarily in shock yesterday following the rumoured death of his son, Gbenga, in the crash. As news about the ill-fated plane filtered in yesterday, Obasanjo was literally bombarded with phone calls apparently from friends and sympathisers who wanted to ascertain the truth from him. The former president had received the news during a photo session with head-boys and head-girls from various primary schools who had come for a leadership training workshop at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta. LEADERSHIP FRIDAY correspondent, who covered the event, observed that the countenances of the ex-president changed immediately he received some phone calls. Obasanjo, who was in company with a renowned scholar, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, and former executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, was seen working frantically on his mobile phone for a few minutes. An unidentified woman was sighted weeping profusely and being consoled by some guests at the event. In one of the calls put to him, Obasanjo was heard engaging in conversation with an unknown caller in Yoruba language. “Gbenga wo? Gbenga wa ni Abuja” (meaning “Which Gbenga? Gbenga is in Abuja”), the former president was heard responding to his caller. He, however, managed to conclude the photo session, after which he dragged Mabogunje from the crowd and whispered to him. Obasanjo subsequently left the frontage of the OOPL auditorium and went into a nearby building where reliable sources said he further made contacts over the plane crash. LEADERSHIP FRIDAY correspondent, who later visited Obasanjo’s Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, learnt that the rumoured death of the ex-president’s son was a false alarm. Though security operatives manning the residence did not allow reporters to gain entry, the atmosphere did not suggest any calamity had befallen the Obasanjos. An aide of the former president, who spoke with LEADERSHIP FRIDAY on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the incident, said it was untrue that Gbenga Obasanjo died in the plane crash. Meanwhile, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State yesterday described the plane crash in Lagos as “a national tragedy”. In a statement by his senior special assistant on media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, the governor expressed sympathy with those who lost their loved ones in the incident. “I join the entire nation, especially the government and people of Ondo State, in lamenting this monumental disaster,” he stated. Amosun, however, called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the plane crash with a view to preventing a recurrence. He also prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead and wished those that sustained injuries a speedy recovery. THOSE ONBOARD Passengers Feyi, son of late Agagu Femi Akinsanya Akintunde Joseph Akeem Akintunde Tunji Okusanya Chijioke Duru Kingsley Amaechi Deji Afolabi Mrs. E.O. Alabi Daji Bernard Deji Falae Samson Hassan Olatunji Okusanya Crew members Capt. Yakubu Flight officer Oyinlola Engr. Saroh Elaiye Flight dispatcher Ibrahim Mr. Felix Tatoye Cabin attendant Samson Cabin attendant Owolabi
Posted on: Fri, 04 Oct 2013 09:46:33 +0000
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