LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE

SANWO-OLU PAYS CONDOLENCE VISIT TO GOVERNOR ABIODUN OVER FATHER’S DEATH
•Says the Late Pa Abiodun Lived A Good Life

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured his Ogun State counterpart, Prince Dapo Abiodun, of Lagos State would stand by him in the funeral rites of the late Pa. Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun, the father of Ogun State Governor.

He said it is important for Lagos to be part of the funeral rites of late Abiodun to demonstrate that Lagos and Ogun states are indeed together.

The funeral rites of late Abiodun, who died on Monday August 2 at the age of 89 years has been scheduled for September 6 to 9 in Ogun State.

Speaking during a condolence visit to Governor Abiodun’s family house at Iperu in Ogun State on Sunday, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the deceased lived a good life.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde; Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr. Anofi Elegushi, his Local Government and Community Affairs counterpart, Dr. Wale Ahmed; Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharm. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf and Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement., Princess Aderemi Adebowale, also presented Lagos State Letter of Condolence to Governor Abiodun to sympathise with him, his entire family and Ogun State.

He said: “I am here on behalf of the people and government of Lagos State to commiserate with you and appreciate God for what He has used Papa’s life for. Today, we are thankful and happy that though painful, we are not mourning. We are indeed celebrating the life of Papa Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun.

“I want to assure you that Papa has gone to rest in the bosom of the most high God. I am sure his fond memories will continue to linger on. I believe and I can see from all the members of the Abiodun family that indeed Baba lived a good life. He was not just a father, he was a teacher in the entire neighbourhood and I am sure he was a disciplinarian. That is the product of what we are seeing here today.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu who was one of the earlier callers to Governor Abiodun shortly after the demise of his father on Monday August 2, prayed that God will continue to give his Ogun State counterpart the knowledge, capability and ability to move his state forward.

“I commiserate with the entire family and ask God to continue to strengthen you in this very difficult time. It does not matter how old they lived; there would still be a part of them that we will continue to cherish. So, we want to commiserate with you and wish you God’s guidance and continue to pray that as you lead the entire Ogun State right now, God will continue to give you the knowledge, capability and ability to continue to carry your state forward.

“We will continue to join you in prayers and Lagos State will want to be part of the final rites; It is important for us to demonstrate that indeed we are together,” he said.

Responding, Governor Abiodun, who appreciated God for surviving his father, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu and his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi for finding time out of their tight schedules to commiserate with him and his family.

He said his father lived a humble life and served God with everything in him.

SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
AUGUST 22, 2021

23 August 2021

Access Bank spotlights issues around blood donation with Employee Volunteering Scheme

In a bid to address issues surrounding the low rates of blood donation in the country, the Corporate Communications Group of Access Bank PLC, has partnered with Haima Health Initiative and the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service to launch the Save a Life project.

The initiative, which is an offshoot of Access Bank’s longstanding Employee Volunteering Scheme, aims to plant seeds of positivity by emphasising the lifesaving power within a pint of blood by raising over 200 pints of blood from donors. The group surpassed this target, recording a total of 213 pints across the two-day activation.

Speaking on this project, the Group Head, Corporate Communications at Access Bank Plc, Amaechi Okobi, stated that Nigeria’s National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) revealed that only about 25,000 blood pints were sourced exclusively from voluntary unpaid blood donors that were screened, collected and distributed in 2019 and 2020.

He added that this figure was dishearteningly low compared to the amount required in hospitals across the country. The low rates, he said, are majorly due to the knowledge gaps and scepticism around blood donation.

“In Nigeria, there are too many erroneous perceptions about blood donation and the resultant effects of this is a widening disparity in the number of pints of blood needed to save lives and what is available in our blood banks. Hence, what the Corporate Communications Group of Access Bank (comprising about 20 staff members) in collaboration with our partners aims to achieve through the ‘Save a Life’ project is to debunk misguided beliefs and emphasise the enormous benefits of this humane act. We are optimistic that individuals and corporates alike take a cue from what we are doing and join the quest to save lives”, he said.

Through the Employee Volunteering Scheme, Access Bank’s employees contribute ideas, skills and resources to address social, environmental, and economic challenges whilst acquiring practical experience and fulfilling their roles as positive role models in society. With several other initiatives focused on tech, healthcare, agriculture, amongst others, Access Bank through its employees, continues to practically demonstrate its dedication to being more than banking.

PRESIDENT BUHARI MOURNS “POLITICAL LEGEND,” ISYAKA SARKIN YAMMA

President Muhammadu Buhari expresses condolences over the demise of “political legend,” Alhaji Isyaka Sarkin Kudun Yamma Ibadan, a man he described as one of his earliest and most ardent supporters.

The Sarkin Yamma, who spearheaded formation of the advocacy group, “Buhari Campaign Organization (BCO)”, successfully nurtured the group which is one of the major support groups of the President.

“Alhaji Isyaka will be remembered as a political legend. He was blessed with unparalleled power of organization, due to which he mobilized support, not only in the Southwest where he resided, but throughout the country ensuring victory for me in elections,” the President said.

“On behalf of myself and government of the federation, I extend my condolences to his family, friends and innumerable admirers. Rest In Peace,” he added.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 21, 2021

Oneya impacted society greatly, says Okowa

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Sunday, said the demise of former military administrator of Benue and Kano States, Brig-Gen Dominic Oneya (retd), was an impactful loss to the state and Nigeria.

He stated this when he visited the deceased’s family in their Effurun home in Uvwie Local Government Area on condolence.

Okowa said that Oneya lived a life of great impact in all the positions he held in the country, adding that the former military officer epitomised humility and sincerity in his life.

He was accompanied on the visit by the Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori; Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Kingsley Esiso; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Engr Lawrence Ejiofor, Chairmen of Uvwie and Ughelli North Local Government Areas, Mr Ramson Onoyake and Mr Godwin Adode and other top government functionaries.

The governor pointed out that late Oneya affected many lives positively in public service and community and was a prominent chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

“I have come here today to condole with the wife and family of our leader, Brig-Gen. Dominic Oneya (retd). The news of his death was quite a shock because I never heard he was sick before before his passing.

“He was in my office less than two months ago and his passing away actually came as a shock but we cannot question God.

“He made his impact across the nation where he held important positions and we thank God for his life because he attracted so many people to himself and I am sure that a lot of people will miss him.

“He was of the leader of the PDP in Ughelli North and was an embodiment of peace and always playing his role as an elder statesman.

“We pray that God will continue to encourage you and fill the gap he has left because as human beings we are unable to, but the spirit of God will fill the gap for you,” Okowa said.

He said the state government would support the family in giving late Oneya, who was also Chairman of Nigeria Football Association (NFA) a befitting burial.

“As you prepare for his rites of passage, it is my prayer that you will remain strong and be in health.

“As a state government we will assist you in ensuring that he gets a befitting funeral because he was a great man who made his mark and played very important role in this country and we recognise his role as a statesman.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, please accept my condolences to you and the extended family even as we pray God to grant his soul eternal repose,” the governor added.

Obasanjo, Okowa, task Olu of Warri on nation building

Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday called on the new Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, to work for the unity of his kingdom and contribute to nation building.

Obasanjo spoke at the thanksgiving service to mark the coronation of the monarch as the 21st Olu of Warri at the Palace Ground, Aghofen, Warri.

The former President prayed for the new monarch saying that his reign would be long, peaceful, adding that his reign would bring unity and prosperity to Itsekiri land and contribute to development, unity and prosperity of Nigeria.

He said the monarch had a responsibility and duty to perform the role which God had given to him and urged him to work for the unity of the kingdom and the nation.

“I am one of the happiest on your installation because God has specially favoured me to see three Olus and I don’t pray to see a fourth one.

“I want to emphasise that the position you occupy today is given to you by God but with your own people surrounding you and you must always remember that.

“If God has given you a role to perform you will be offending God if you fail to perform that task,” he said.

He said the title of Majesty carried along with it a lot of responsibilities, adding that he was convinced the monarch had started well and would lead the Itsekiri people to a new dawn.

He urged the monarch not to shun the experience and the advice of elders and urged him to make use of experienced people around him.

“Be very close to God in whatever situation you may find yourself and God will surely make a way for you,” Obasanjo stated.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in his remark, congratulated the new Olu on his successful coronation describing him as a man of peace and urged him to work for the unity of the Iwere nation.

“I congratulate you because I know that you are a man of peace and I know that the Lord God has chosen you to ascend the throne at this time.

“It is a time for healing and a time for your Majesty to ensure that the kingdom comes together.

“I know that some people can be very stubborn but I urge you to extend the olive branch to them and I know that it will be well with the Itsekiri people.

“You have a lot of work to do not just in Itsekiri nation but in the entire nation,” the governor stated.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta we congratulate you and the Itsekiri people on your successful coronation.

“We know that your reign will truly bring peace and development and I believe the Lord God has prepared you for a time like this and may the presence of God be with you on this throne,” Okowa prayed.

Guest Speaker Apostle Tomi Arayomi ,said God ordained the King to rule at this time, adding that God was willing to partner with people who were willing to partner with the spirit of God.

He said God would never move unless there is a man or woman who is willing to surrender to God for the use of His kingdom

“God is looking for people to use to advance the kingdom, discipleship and nation building and I urge you to surrender the throne to God and He will bless your throne and the Warri kingdom,” the cleric said.

Also speaking, former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said God never gives a man an assignment he never prepared him for and charged the monarch to ensure unity of the Iwere nation.

Deputy Governor of the state, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, former Governors James Ibori, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, and Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, attended the thanksgiving service.

Others include State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Kingsley Esiso, Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah, Publisher of Thisday and Arise Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, among others.