NEWS
79 -year-old Father of Lady Found Dead in Anambra Hotel Cries for Justice
The family of Mr Patrick Awuda, father of Chinyere Awuda, 27, who was found dead at Cosmilla Hotel, Awka, last Monday, has described the loss of his daughter as a huge shock.
Awuda, 79, who hailed from Nnobi in Idemmili South Local Government Area who spoke to journalists in Awka on Sunday, called on the Anambra government and the Nigerian Police to ensure that his daughter did not die in vain.
Chinyere was said to have gone clubbing in a nightclub within the hotel during the birthday party of a young man (currently in detention) on July 16 but was found dead in an abandoned swimming pool in the premises the next morning.
She was alleged to have died from beating by the birthday celebrant and his friends for yet-to-be established cause.
Narrating his ordeal, Elder Awuda said the death of Chinyere had left the family broken.
He said that his daughter who graduated from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, did not deserve to die the way she did and called on relevant authorities to ensure that her killers were brought to justice.
According to him, on that Monday morning, I called to check on her as she usually does but after several calls Chinyere did not respond.
“My wife then called my son who contacted her friend. We were later taken to the hotel but were made to wait until 4pm when a Police team came and asked if we wanted to see Chinyere.
“They then took us to the abandoned swimming pool and led me in and I saw the lifeless body of Chinyere with physical injuries, they refused us to take pictures and quickly moved her to the morgue.
“My daughter was a lovely person, she was not a thief as alleged, no evidence to show that she stole, she is a murder victim, that is why we are calling for a thorough investigation of this matter,” he said.
Awuda said he was ready to make peace as some persons have been reaching out to him, but only justice would be enough for his departed daughter to rest in peace.
According to her, a lot is being said about the cause of my daughter’s death, even the hotel is operating, we ask for investigation to establish the real cause of her death and it should be made public.
Also speaking, Mr Ekene Awuda, the elder brother of the deceased, said the family had been privileged to see CCTV video footage of the incident leading to her death.
Ekene said the clip showed that she was beaten to death as shown by the injuries on her body and head as seen in the morgue.
He said the government and security should not deny the family justice because of their social status but ensure that those responsible for the death of Chinyere were brought to book.
On his part, Mr Don Onyenji, the state Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, said the State government had shutdown the hotel but reopened it following a preliminary report.
Onyenji said the suspects had all been arrested and that investigation is ongoing.
“Government directed the reopening following a Police preliminary report.
“All the culprits have been arrested and are undergoing interrogation, it’s unfortunate the girl died,” he said.
In a reaction, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra, said the four suspects including the birthday celebrant, had been arrested.
Ikenga said the matter was under investigation and that an autopsy would be conducted on the deceased to determine the root cause of her death.
He urged the public to dismiss any claim or account flying on the internet while assuring that the incident would be thoroughly investigated. (NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
The remains of elder statesman and President General of the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, have been slated for burial on November 1.
Chairman of the burial committee, Senator Ben Obi, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Alongside with the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb Okey Emuchay and burial sub-committee chairmen, Senator Osita Izunaso, Gen.
Azubuike Ihejirika (retd) and others, Obi unveiled a series of activities culminating into the actual burial ceremony.“Our message today is to convey the dates for the burial of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Lagos day of tributes, Wednesday 16th October 2024 at Eko Hotels and Convention Centre.
“Abuja Day of Tributes Friday 18th October, 2024 at the National Ecumenical Centre.
“Enugu Day of tributes, Saturday 26th October with a brief stop at Ohanaeze headquarters, 7 Parkland GRA Enugu while the main event will be held at the Okpara Square.
“Owerri Service of Songs Tuesday 29th October 2024. Commendation Service on 1st November in Owerri and Imo day of burial on Friday, 1st November 2024,” he said.
He added that further details will be communicated in due course.
On whether the Federal Government would participate in the burial, Senator Obi said the committee will visit President Bola Tinubu to intimate him about the transition of the statesman and details of his burial.
“We will be visiting President Tinubu to formally announce to him details of this transition and I am sure the President knows all that Chief Iwuanyanwu had done and he will do the needful,” he said.
Asked whether the late newspaper publisher had regrets about his inability to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and ensure the realization of a restructure federation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo scribe said Chief Iwuanyanwu died a fulfilled man because he never shies away from doing his best in the circumstance.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu and I visited Kanu in jail and I think that was his last official assignment before his demise.
“Prior to that, he had never missed any opportunity to call for the release of Kanu.
“On restructuring, he never minced his words on equity, fairness and justice and he knew that he couldn’t do it alone.
“So he operated with the South-South PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum and Afenifere. He asked for parity in the number of states in each geopolitical zone.
“We in Ohanaeze will continue to pursue these issues that were very dear to his heart and we want to give the assurances that we will not fail,” Obi said.
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)
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