Agagu’s Casket Intact, As 13 Die In Plane Crash

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 Organisation
(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
materialise.
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

Comments