Encomium
2014 has been a mixed grill of event. While some were jubilating and rejoicing, some families were wailing and mourning as a result of the passage of a loved one.
ENCOMIUM Weekly presents you an account of passages of the outgoing year.
AMAKA IGWE
Her demise on Monday, April 28, 2014, shook Nollywood and the entertainment industry due to her role in the development of the home video circuit and in making of stars like Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Julius Agwu and others.
The talented Nollywood movie maker was also reputed for producing one of the most popular television shows ever aired in Nigeria, Checkmate.
Amaka Igwe died of Asthma attack in Enugu at 51. She was buried on Friday, June 13, 2014, in Ndiuche, Arondizuogu, Imo State. Top shots of Nollywood as well as fans came from far and near to say a final goodbye.
KEFEE
Branama queen, Irikefe Don Momoh bid the world goodbye on Friday, June 13, 2014, at Desert Springs Hospital, Las Vegas, USA.
She reportedly collapsed on a flight to Chicago in the United States of America on May 28, 2014, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing.
She was rushed into the intensive care unit of Desert Springs Hospital, where she was in coma for 15 days before she eventually kicked the bucket.
Kefee had a powerful voice to her advantage. Her hit song, Kokoroko featuring Timaya crossed gospel borders and was well received by secular pundits.
Her departure left her husband of two years, Teddy Momoh inconsolable thereafter.
She was buried on Friday, July 11, 2014, in her hometown Okpara Inland, Ethiope East LGA, Sapele, Delta state. She was aged 34 and died as a result of lung failure.
DORA AKUNYILI
Dr. Dora Akunyili was known for discipline and determination. She revolutionized the food and drug sector before becoming the Minister of Information and Communication from 2008 to 2010.
She died in an India hospital on Monday, June 7, 2014, at 59. Before she passed on, a lot of Nigerians were worried about the deteriorating state of the amazon as she was losing a lot of weight. It was alleged that she died of cancer.
She was buried on Thursday, August 28, 2014. A lot of celebrities and dignitaries were in attendance.
Dora Akunyili was once the Director General of National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Minister of Information and Communication from 2008 to 2010.
She ran for election as Senator for Anambra Central for APGA in April 2011 but was defeated by Dr. Chris Ngige of ACN.
CHARLES B
The broadcasting icon whose real names are Charles Bruce Chukwuma died on Saturday, November 22, 2014.
Charles B was known for his programme Sharing Life Issues with Chaz B on Monday through Friday at 5.30 to 7.00 p.m on Rhythm 93.7 FM. A lot of people needing inspiration and trying to get a handle on life usually turn to Chaz B’s soothing voice for direction and comfort.
He died as a result of renal failure. Chaz was reported to have had a history of health problems related to the kidney. He had undergone a successful kidney transplant in 2012 after receiving a kidney donation from his wife. He was buried on Wednesday, December 10, 2014, at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, Lagos.
CLEM ONYEKA
His light was tragically put out as a result of a stray bullet in a fierce gun battle between officers of the law and armed robbers on Tuesday, October 14, 2014. They were robbing a bullion van in Asaba, Delta State. Clem died just when he began to find his feet in the Nigerian movie industry. His death came as a rude shock to the movie industry.
He was survived by his wife and three boys.
KUNLE FADIPE
Popular lawyer Kunle Fadipe was stabbed to death in his home at Harmony Estate, Ifako Ijaiye, Lagos on Thursday, July 3, 2014.
An intruder got into Fadipe’s compound, seized his son and directed him to take him to his father. The intruder stabbed the lawyer repeatedly before he was overpowered by security guards who rushed in to help. Before then, he had stabbed his daughter and mother-in-law as well.
Kunle Fadipe actually died as a result of multiple injuries from the attack. However, his mother-in-law died some days later.
STELLA AMEYO ADADEVOH
Even though she was not relatively known, she was a true Nigerian heroine. She helped the country prevent Ebola virus disease from spreading by disallowing the quarantined Liberian patient, Patrick Sawyer from leaving the hospital.
Dr. Adadevoh was the first Nigerian to be diagnosed with the disease. She died on Tuesday, August 11, 2014. A consultant endocrinologist, member of the Nigerian Medical Association and the British Nigerian Association, Adadevoh encountered Sawyer on Sunday, July 20, 2014, while she was the lead consultant at First Consultant Medical Centre, Lagos. She died after contacting the disease from Sawyer.
TAIWO OSHADIPE
Inspirational singer and one of the famous Oshadipe Twins died at 6.30 a.m on Friday, October 3, 2014.
Taiwo complained of chest and heart pains around 5 a.m, waking up with a scream, ‘My chest, my chest,’ and died on her way to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos.
She was buried at Victoria Court Vaults, Lekki Epe Expressway, Lagos, without fanfare. She left behind a baby boy, Obama whom she had in July 2013 for a man whose identity is still shrouded in secrecy.
Taiwo had ceaselessly complained of chest and heart pains. She had several medical test but the problem could not be diagnosed. She showed great sign of recovery on October 1, 2014 but eventually died two days after.
DIMGBA IGWE
Veteran journalist and Vice Chairman of The Sun Newspapers, Dimgba Igwe died on Saturday, September 6, 2014, after he was ran down around Okota Roundabout, Okota, Lagos, by a hit and run driver.
In the early hours of the day, a Toyota Camry hit him and zoomed off. He was rushed to St. Raphael’s Hospital, Okota, Lagos, where he was treated before the harrowing journey that eventually ended in his tragic death.
A service of songs was held at Evangel Pentecostal Church, Chidi Okafor Street, off Canal Avenue, Okota on Saturday, October 4, 2014. He was buried on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at Ohafia Igbere Primary School, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
BAMIDELE ATURU
Nigeria’s foremost and human rights activist, Bamidele Aturu passed on at 49 on Friday, July 25, 2014. Aturu was rushed to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos in the early hours of the day but was confirmed dead by medical personnel hours later.
Sources said, the brilliant lawyer died of high blood pressure. He was laid to rest in his hometown, Ogbagi Akoko in Ondo State.
Aturu left behind his wife, Bimpe and children, Erioluwa and Tobilola Aturu.
KEMI OMOTOYINBO-ELOAYI
Kemi Omotoyinbo walked down the aisle with her heartthrob on September 13, 2014. She was placed on admission a couple of days later precisely on September 22, 2014. She had a baby but unfortunately surrendered to death as a result of internal bleeding after delivery, 20 days after her wedding.
When the news went viral on social media, accusing fingers were pointed to the doctors who took the delivery until the truth about her death broke. It was said that she could not pay her hospital bills so she was abandoned by the management of the hospital.
However, Kemi had a baby boy before she passed on.
-SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN and DOLAPO AMODENI
