Saturday, 15 August 2015
Watford 0-0 West Brom: Berahino misses sitter as Rondon makes debut
Tottenham 2-2 Stoke City: Spurs squander two-goal lead
Mauricio Pochettino's side looked to be heading for a comfortable victory but have to wait for their first win of the season after a shock second half turnaround
Spurs went in front through an Eric Dier header in the first half, before Nacer Chadli's effort was deflected beyond Jack Butland.
But, after Harry Kane was substituted with an ankle injury, the hosts conceded a penalty which Marko Arnautovic converted.
And with the momentum having shifted in the game, Mame Biram Diouf scored in the final 10 minutes to earn Stoke a point.
Hugo Lloris returned to the Tottenham starting line-up to make his 100th appearance for the club after being confirmed as captain amid speculation over a move to Manchester United, while Ryan Mason replaced Nabil Bentaleb.
Stoke boss Mark Hughes reacted to the defeat against Liverpool by making just one change, with fit-again midfielder Arnautovic starting at the expense of Charlie Adam with record signing Xherdan Shaqiri unavailable due to suspension.
Lloris breathed a sigh of relief when his casual stray pass gifted Diouf a sight of goal, but went unpunished as he saved the striker's shot before Mason blocked Marco van Ginkel's follow up.
It was Tottenham who were in front 19 minutes in, with the impressive Christan Eriksen - who forced two early saves from Butland - swinging over a corner which Dier rose to meet at the near post after losing his marker.
Stoke showed more of a threat late in the first half and Diouf should have equalised two minutes before the break when he headed straight at Lloris.
Butland then produced a fine save with his feet to deny Mason after Kane picked him out with a fine pass, but Tottenham were not to be denied a second goal in first-half stoppage time.
Kane once again showed there is more to his game than goals when he lifted a pass in front of Ben Davies, who surged forward and found Chadli with a pinpoint first-time cross and the winger clinically volleyed home.
Butland made an outstanding save from point-blank range to deny the lively Kane a goal on his 50th top-flight appearance early in the second half as Stoke troubled to contain the home side.
Hughes brought on Joselu and Stephen Ireland before the hour-mark and the latter made an impact almost straight away when he delivered a cross which Diouf again headed too close to the agile Lloris.
Arnautovic pulled a goal back from the spot 13 minutes from time after Alderweireld hauled down Joselu in the area.
And there was worse to come for Tottenham, as Diouf glanced Ireland's inviting cross in after 83 minutes to complete the comeback.
Swansea City 2-0 Newcastle United: Gomis & Ayew on target again as Janmaat sees red
Sunderland 1-3 Norwich City: Impressive Canaries turn over Advocaat's men
Norwich City ruthlessly exposed Sunderland's defensive frailties as they ran out comfortable 3-1 winners at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Sunderland, who suffered a 4-2 defeat in last weekend's Premier League opener against Leicester City, were all at sea again at the back, as Norwich deservedly celebrated a first win since returning to the top flight.
Captain Russell Martin knew little about the opening goal as he bundled home, but there was no fortune about Steven Whittaker making it 2-0 as the full-back finished a well-crafted move.
Nathan Redmond - rewarded with a start after making a positive impact off the bench in last week's 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace - then scored his second goal in as many league games just shy of the hour.
Substitute Duncan Watmore netted a late goal for Sunderland but it was little consolation on another dismal afternoon for the Black Cats.
Southampton 0-3 Everton: Lukaku sweeps Saints aside
A dominant display from Romelu Lukaku helped Everton to a 3-0 victory over Southampton at St Mary's.Lukaku opened the scoring, heading a perfect Arouna Kone cross beyond Maarten Stekelenburg from close range after a sweeping counter-attack.
And the Belgian doubled the lead before half time, latching on to a Ross Barkley pass to beat Stekelenburg with a well-taken first time shot.
Graziano Pelle went close and Southampton gave Oriol Romeu a debut as they attempted to find a way back into the game, but Barkley made sure of the win late on with a cool finish.
Lukaku signalled his intent early on, his powerful run halted by Matt Targett's foul just outside the area before Barkley's free-kick clipped the wall and deflected over the crossbar.
Everton were pressed into defensive action in the 14th minute when Pelle's downward header picked out Dusan Tadic, but his shot was blocked and the visitors scrambled the ball clear.
Pelle, with three goals in the opening three games of the season, then failed to connect properly with a back-post header and flicked it harmlessly wide of Howard's right-hand upright.
The hosts continued to force the issue and Sadio Mane brought an excellent stop from Tim Howard with a low close-range effort, before Southampton were caught on the break.
Barkley set Arouna Kone – the visitors' only change from the opening day after his late leveller from the bench against Watford – free down the right following a Southampton corner and his superb delivery was expertly headed home by Lukaku, who was quick to acknowledge the quality of the assist.
Martinez's men should have extended their lead just before the half-hour mark, but Barkley's tame strike from the middle of the area was saved by Stekelenburg and Tom Cleverley put the rebound wide.
Lukaku did make it 2-0 on the brink of half-time, though, stroking his shot past Stekelenburg after gathering Barkley's pass.
New Saints signing Romeu was introduced for Tadic for the second half and Koeman's charges started brightly, with Pelle's half-volley stinging Howard's palms.
The Italian carried his side's most potent threat, heading another chance over the bar in the 66th minute as Southampton looked to breach an Everton outfit with only one clean sheet in their last 17 away league matches.
Mane went close, bringing a full-stretch save from Howard from distance, but Barkley's fine right-footed finish put the result beyond doubt in the 84th minute.
For Martinez, who has promised new arrivals, it was a demonstration of the quality already at his disposal, while Southampton's focus will now switch to the first leg of their Europa League qualifier against FC Midtjylland on Thursday.
Adeleke University offers rape victim scholarship
The management of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, has offered to give a scholarship to the 18-year-old admission seeker allegedly raped by a part-time lecturer of the University of Lagos, Mr. Akin Baruwa.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that the institution became concerned about the fate of the girl following series of PUNCH reports detailing the girl’s experience.
Our correspondent contacted the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Oluwole Amusan, who confirmed this on Wednesday.
The university don explained that the institution decided to take the step because the management was moved by the plight of the girl, who was allegedly raped in the course of her quest for a university education.
The VC said, “Giving out scholarships to indigent students is not new to us. Our founder had a foundation whose existence preceded the university, through which scholarships were given to students.
“Since the university was established four years ago, the tradition has continued.”
According to the VC, the scholarship would cover the four-year duration of Mass Communication, which the girl has chosen to study, a course which UNILAG has said she was not qualified for with her 211 score in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
He said it has not been determined whether the scholarship would be full or partial since he had not yet interacted with the father of the victim.
With a student population of over 1,000, one fifth of Adeleke University undergraduates are on scholarship, it was learnt.
The father of the alleged rape victim, told our correspondent that he had been contacted by the institution to come to the university.
“I was so happy when I was contacted. May God bless you so much for seeing the case through. I am so happy. Such scholarship would be a big blessing to my daughter,” he said.
PDP chieftain caution against attack on Buhari
Alhaji Shehu Gabam, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said President Muhammadu Buhari has good intentions for the country and urged the opposition to support him.
Gabam, Chief of staff to former Gov. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, made the call on Saturday in Tilde-Fulani, Toro Local Government Area, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
According to him, President Buhari has a good intention for the country and there is no need for the opposition to start bombarding him.
“Well, I believe the president should be allowed to determine his own pace of speed and also determine his own cruising level.
“As an opposition party, we are monitoring with keen interest with a lot of maturity, and a lot of respects for him.
“He is the president of the country whether you voted him or not, he is the President of Nigeria.
“The institution of presidency must be respected, and I am among one of them who always appeal that everybody should respect the position of the presidency,” Gabam said.
“You can differ with him on issues, operational issues, policies and programmes, and you can take him up on any other issues, we should be decent and not rascal in our approach.
“As for me, nobody should insult the president, nobody should insult the institution of the presidency,” he stressed.
The PDP chieftain further appealed to the president not to run a government that is purely investigative, but run a government that will alleviate the suffering of the people.
According to him, there are too many issues this country is looking forward to for his proper attention.
“The President should, therefore, be sensitive to the needs and aspirations of the people,” he said.
Liverpool reject Roma loan bid for Sakho
Liverpool have rejected a bid from Roma to take central defender Mamadou Sakho on a season-long loan, Goal understands.
The France international was left on the bench by Brendan Rodgers for the Reds’ first game of the season against Stoke City as Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren were partnered in defence.
This comes after Lovren was given a number of opportunities to impress during pre-season despite struggling following his arrival from Southampton in the summer of 2014.
Despite this, Brendan Rodgers is not keen to let 25-year-old Sakho depart the club, though his defensive ranks have been bolstered over the summer with the signings of Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez as well as Tiago Ilori’s return from a loan spell at Bordeaux.
Sakho has made just 32 Premier League starts in his two seasons at Anfield due to a number of injury issues but has become something of a fan favourite due to the confidence that he has shown in possession following his move from Paris Saint-Germain.
Roma are looking for defensive options following the sales of Alessio Romagnoli to AC Milan and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa to Lyon during the past week.
Enyeama ‘outstanding’ for Lille against Monaco
Vincent Enyeama underlined his position as one of world’s best goalkeepers with a fine performance as Lille OSC held AS Monaco to a 0-0 draw in France on Friday.
The 33-year-old was in supreme form at Stade Louis II as he produced top class saves to deny the Principality club what would have been a deserved victory, supersport.com reports.
The highlight of the Super Eagles captain’s performance came in the second half when he dived spectacularly to beat out Ricardo Carvalho’s goal-bound effort in the 76th minute.
Enyeama has not missed a Ligue 1 match for Lille since he returned from his loan spell from Israeli club, Maccabi Tel Aviv, in 2013.
Lille boasts of one point from the opening two matches in Ligue 1 following last weekend 0-1 defeat at home to champions, PSG.
The 33-year-old was in supreme form at Stade Louis II as he produced top class saves to deny the Principality club what would have been a deserved victory, supersport.com reports.
The highlight of the Super Eagles captain’s performance came in the second half when he dived spectacularly to beat out Ricardo Carvalho’s goal-bound effort in the 76th minute.
Enyeama has not missed a Ligue 1 match for Lille since he returned from his loan spell from Israeli club, Maccabi Tel Aviv, in 2013.
Lille boasts of one point from the opening two matches in Ligue 1 following last weekend 0-1 defeat at home to champions, PSG.
News (UPDATED) Borno deputy governor dies in Yola
Deputy Governor of Borno State, Zannah Umar Mustapha, has died in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
Though no ailment was reported, the state government, which expressed “shock and disbelief” at the deputy governor’s death, said Mustapha was in Yola to represent the state government at the convocation of the Modibbo Adama University of Science and Technology, Yola.
A statement by the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Alhaji Usman Shuwa, on Saturday, added that the deceased was also scheduled to visit Borno State indigenes, who are quartered in the Internally Displaced Persons camps in Yola.
The statement by Shuwa read, “It is with deep sense of utter shock and disbelief but with complete submission to the will of the Almighty Allah that the Borno State Government hereby announces the passing away of His Excellency, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, the Deputy Governor of Borno State.
“He died in his sleep this morning(Saturday) in Yola, Adamawa State, where he was to represent Borno State Government at the convocation ceremony of Modibbo Adama University of Science and Technology, Yola.
“He was also scheduled to follow up on his earlier visit to Yola, in connection with the welfare of Borno State citizens internally displaced as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.
“His is remains would be brought to Maiduguri for funeral at the Government House, Maiduguri at 4pm today, Saturday, August 15, 2015. He will be buried in Maiduguri.
“His Excellency, Kashim Shettima, the Governor of Borno State, expresses his heartfelt condolence to the family of the deputy governor and the entire people of Borno State for the irreparable loss and appealed for prayers for the repose of the soul of our late deputy governor.”
Drama at Ooni’s palace: Wives, children barred from Ooni’s burial
The final burial rites of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, was performed on Friday, but his wives, children and family members were unable to pay their last respects as they were barred from the programme.
Some other people who had expected to see the body of the monarch lie in state were also disappointed as his remains were neither brought out for people to see nor was any casket displayed during the burial service.
The event was attended by the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Rear Admiral Akin Aduwo (retd.), Gen. Alani Akinriande (retd.), Senator Babajide Omoworare, Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko and many other dignitaries and government representatives.
Traditional prayers were offered for the late monarch by Tadimole Awo Ilare, Chief Faloba. The event was conducted in less than three hours.
A source at the palace told one of our correspondents that no member of the royal family was allowed to see the remains of the monarch since he was brought back to the palace.
He said, “As we are holding this interdenominational service here, those concerned are performing their own rites inside the palace where the body is kept.
“You can see that the gates of the palace are locked and nobody is allowed to go inside. Nobody can see him again except those who will bury him.
“The wives and children were not even supposed to see his corpse at all but tradition was broken this time around because he (Sijuwade) died in London. But no family member can see him again. Those performing the rites are there now and they will complete it today (Friday). He will be buried in the middle of the night, but nobody will be there apart from those who will lower him into the grave.”
The source said those who saw the bodies of the previous Oonis were attacked by smallpox and did not survive the ailment.
A monarch in Osun State, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, disclosed to one of our correspondents that traditional rulers of the town went to various shrines, including the Obalufon shrine in Ife to perform some rites for Sijuwade on Friday.
He said the traditional rulers later went into Ooni’s palace shortly before an interdenominational burial service for the king commenced on the palace premises.
The monarch said, “Nobody can see the Ooni, not even the US President, Barrack Obama. We are with him. It’s only the initiates who can see him. His wives and children cannot see him.”
During the service, the Preacher, Bishop of Ife Diocese of Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Oluranti Odubogun, said despite his riches, Oba Sijuwade died when it was God’s time to take him away.
The bishop, who was represented by the Very Rev. Olusola Akanbi, said the Ooni brought fame and popularity to his domain.
His said the monarch’s demise demonstrated that every mortal man would die no matter their status.
He said, “Baba has gone. He will stand before the King of Kings who will judge what he did while here on earth.
“Some persons have started jostling to succeed him now but we must all remember the judgement day when we will give account of all that we did on earth.
“I urge you to make today a memorable one and give your life to Christ. Jesus is the only way, accept him today.”
But as the interdenominational service was about to take off, there was a mild drama as worshippers of Oro cult in Ife, also called Isoro, stormed the venue and attempted to stop the service. The worshippers claimed that it was a sacrilege to hold an interdenominational service for the departed king. And as the service went on outside the palace, the traditional worshippers sang and danced inside the palace.
Women barred
Also, our correspondents learnt that as part of the palace tradition and custom, women are forbidden from entering the palace while traditional rites are being performed for a passing monarch.
As the interdenominational service was going on, sounds of gunshots suddenly rent the air, making some of those present at the service to scamper for safety.
A reliable source told Saturday PUNCH that more gunshots would be fired later in the day, as from 5.00 pm, adding that curfew to last for seven days would start by 4.00 pm on Friday.
One of the palace chiefs, Sooko Adelugba, told one of our correspondents that many parts of the town had already been deserted by residents who were eager to comply with the curfew as announced by the palace.
One of the initiates told one of our correspondents who had tried to interview him that it was an abomination to speak publicly of traditional rites offered for a departed Ooni.
His final resting place
Meanwhile, fresh facts have emerged as to why the monarch would be buried beside the immediate past Ooni, Oba Adesoji Aderemi.
It was gathered that the cemetery inside the palace, where other Oonis were buried, was full, which informed the decision to build a mausoleum inside the palace for Oba Aderemi.
The mausoleum is said to be located at the rear end of the palace.
A palace source said the final resting place of Sijuwade had been constructed in the mausoleum, adding that the cemetery inside the palace is called Ile Nla (mighty house).
Traditionalists clash with residents
The worshippers of Oro cult in Ife, also called ‘Isoro’, clashed with residents who were erecting tents for the interdenominational burial service at the frontage of Enuwa Palace.
A prominent chief in Ife, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the ‘Isoro’ descended on the people who erected the tents because they (initiates) wanted to observe a seven-day burial rites for the departed king.
The chief said, “The ‘Isoro’ saw the erection of tents for an interdenominational burial service as a sacrilege against custom and tradition.
“They descended on the people erecting the tents and flogged them heavily. They destroyed the tents and swore never to allow anybody do any interdenominational service at the palace.”
The chief revealed that the state government had to wade into the crisis before the service was allowed.
He said, “It took the intervention of officials of the state government, who appealed to the ‘Isoro’ to allow the people to hold the interdenominational service before the issue was resolved. If not for the intervention of the state government, the interdenominational service would not have been allowed.”
Meanwhile, Saturday PUNCH learnt that Sijuwade’s family members flew to see his body immediately after he transited in a highbrow hospital in England.
Investigation by Saturday PUNCH revealed that Sijuwade’s eldest son, Tokunbo, and some other family members flew to England immediately the monarch breathed his last to join the king’s three wives, Morisola, Ladun and Odunola – who were already there.
Morisola is the eldest wife, Ladun is the second wife and Odunola, who is the daughter of the immediate past Orangun of Ila, is the youngest wife.
It was learnt that the family members flew down to England to pay their last respect to the departed monarch.
The Araba of Osogbo land, Chief Yemi Elebuibon, who spoke with one of our correspondents on Friday, disclosed that the corpse of the Ooni belonged to Ile-Ife and not his family.
He said, “The traditional burial rites of the kings of Ile-Ife and Oyo are strictly complied with and they are comprehensive.
“When the Ooni dies, the body becomes that of the town. The ‘Isoro’ cult group will take over. The ‘Isoro’ initiates are the ones who worship the ‘Oro’ deity.
“It is the ‘Isoro’ people that would inform the various deities, who were worshipped and appeased when the Ooni was crowned, that he (the monarch) is no more.
“It’s a rite. Nothing must stop it.”
The Araba dispelled the belief that the heart of the late king would be fed to the next Ooni.
He said, “The eating of the heart of a departed King by an incoming one belonged to the past. It no longer exists. People still make this insinuation because many are barred from witnessing the burial of a king.
“What the incoming king will eat is the heart of an animal and not that of a human. Nobody would be buried with the Ooni. Nobody would be killed for any form of sacrifice.”
Elebuibon explained that animals are now used for the burial rites of Yoruba Obas because of modernisation, noting that Christianity and Islam also stopped the use of humans for sacrifice when God stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son, Isaac.
Let Sijuwade rest
As the guests who attended the interdenominational service departed, a man in white robe and a white cap appeared at the palace entrance and told some of the people around the gate to leave the vicinity of the palace and allow the monarch to rest.
He said, “The service is over, it is time for you all to start going. Leave the palace and let Sijuwade rest. You are warned to leave.”
Meanwhile, a cleric, Evangelist Toluwase Akeredolu, had disputed insinuations that Sijuwade, as a prominent monarch, was in the cult. Akeredolu had said that Oba Sijuwade died as a born-again Christian.
Akeredolu said this on July 29 after the transition of the monarch was announced by the media.
The cleric, an evangelist with the Christ Apostolic Church, said the monarch had few weeks before his transition, confessed all his sins to God after he preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to him.
Akeredolu said he was privileged to have ministered to the monarch few weeks before his death.
He said, “Oba Sijuwade told the congregation at the last crusade we organised in Ile-Ife that he had forsaken sins and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and personal saviour. He confessed publicly that he would live the rest of his life to serve the Almighty God.
“During the revival, Oba Sijuwade said he had committed the rest of his lifetime to Christ, the saviour of all and had sung the popular song ‘All to Jesus, I surrender.’”
It will be recalled that the late monarch dropped the title of ‘Oluaye’ (owner of the universe) in 2010 in deference to the Almighty God.”
Some other people who had expected to see the body of the monarch lie in state were also disappointed as his remains were neither brought out for people to see nor was any casket displayed during the burial service.
The event was attended by the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Rear Admiral Akin Aduwo (retd.), Gen. Alani Akinriande (retd.), Senator Babajide Omoworare, Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko and many other dignitaries and government representatives.
Traditional prayers were offered for the late monarch by Tadimole Awo Ilare, Chief Faloba. The event was conducted in less than three hours.
A source at the palace told one of our correspondents that no member of the royal family was allowed to see the remains of the monarch since he was brought back to the palace.
He said, “As we are holding this interdenominational service here, those concerned are performing their own rites inside the palace where the body is kept.
“You can see that the gates of the palace are locked and nobody is allowed to go inside. Nobody can see him again except those who will bury him.
“The wives and children were not even supposed to see his corpse at all but tradition was broken this time around because he (Sijuwade) died in London. But no family member can see him again. Those performing the rites are there now and they will complete it today (Friday). He will be buried in the middle of the night, but nobody will be there apart from those who will lower him into the grave.”
The source said those who saw the bodies of the previous Oonis were attacked by smallpox and did not survive the ailment.
A monarch in Osun State, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, disclosed to one of our correspondents that traditional rulers of the town went to various shrines, including the Obalufon shrine in Ife to perform some rites for Sijuwade on Friday.
He said the traditional rulers later went into Ooni’s palace shortly before an interdenominational burial service for the king commenced on the palace premises.
The monarch said, “Nobody can see the Ooni, not even the US President, Barrack Obama. We are with him. It’s only the initiates who can see him. His wives and children cannot see him.”
During the service, the Preacher, Bishop of Ife Diocese of Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Oluranti Odubogun, said despite his riches, Oba Sijuwade died when it was God’s time to take him away.
The bishop, who was represented by the Very Rev. Olusola Akanbi, said the Ooni brought fame and popularity to his domain.
His said the monarch’s demise demonstrated that every mortal man would die no matter their status.
He said, “Baba has gone. He will stand before the King of Kings who will judge what he did while here on earth.
“Some persons have started jostling to succeed him now but we must all remember the judgement day when we will give account of all that we did on earth.
“I urge you to make today a memorable one and give your life to Christ. Jesus is the only way, accept him today.”
But as the interdenominational service was about to take off, there was a mild drama as worshippers of Oro cult in Ife, also called Isoro, stormed the venue and attempted to stop the service. The worshippers claimed that it was a sacrilege to hold an interdenominational service for the departed king. And as the service went on outside the palace, the traditional worshippers sang and danced inside the palace.
Women barred
Also, our correspondents learnt that as part of the palace tradition and custom, women are forbidden from entering the palace while traditional rites are being performed for a passing monarch.
As the interdenominational service was going on, sounds of gunshots suddenly rent the air, making some of those present at the service to scamper for safety.
A reliable source told Saturday PUNCH that more gunshots would be fired later in the day, as from 5.00 pm, adding that curfew to last for seven days would start by 4.00 pm on Friday.
One of the palace chiefs, Sooko Adelugba, told one of our correspondents that many parts of the town had already been deserted by residents who were eager to comply with the curfew as announced by the palace.
One of the initiates told one of our correspondents who had tried to interview him that it was an abomination to speak publicly of traditional rites offered for a departed Ooni.
His final resting place
Meanwhile, fresh facts have emerged as to why the monarch would be buried beside the immediate past Ooni, Oba Adesoji Aderemi.
It was gathered that the cemetery inside the palace, where other Oonis were buried, was full, which informed the decision to build a mausoleum inside the palace for Oba Aderemi.
The mausoleum is said to be located at the rear end of the palace.
A palace source said the final resting place of Sijuwade had been constructed in the mausoleum, adding that the cemetery inside the palace is called Ile Nla (mighty house).
Traditionalists clash with residents
The worshippers of Oro cult in Ife, also called ‘Isoro’, clashed with residents who were erecting tents for the interdenominational burial service at the frontage of Enuwa Palace.
A prominent chief in Ife, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the ‘Isoro’ descended on the people who erected the tents because they (initiates) wanted to observe a seven-day burial rites for the departed king.
The chief said, “The ‘Isoro’ saw the erection of tents for an interdenominational burial service as a sacrilege against custom and tradition.
“They descended on the people erecting the tents and flogged them heavily. They destroyed the tents and swore never to allow anybody do any interdenominational service at the palace.”
The chief revealed that the state government had to wade into the crisis before the service was allowed.
He said, “It took the intervention of officials of the state government, who appealed to the ‘Isoro’ to allow the people to hold the interdenominational service before the issue was resolved. If not for the intervention of the state government, the interdenominational service would not have been allowed.”
Meanwhile, Saturday PUNCH learnt that Sijuwade’s family members flew to see his body immediately after he transited in a highbrow hospital in England.
Investigation by Saturday PUNCH revealed that Sijuwade’s eldest son, Tokunbo, and some other family members flew to England immediately the monarch breathed his last to join the king’s three wives, Morisola, Ladun and Odunola – who were already there.
Morisola is the eldest wife, Ladun is the second wife and Odunola, who is the daughter of the immediate past Orangun of Ila, is the youngest wife.
It was learnt that the family members flew down to England to pay their last respect to the departed monarch.
The Araba of Osogbo land, Chief Yemi Elebuibon, who spoke with one of our correspondents on Friday, disclosed that the corpse of the Ooni belonged to Ile-Ife and not his family.
He said, “The traditional burial rites of the kings of Ile-Ife and Oyo are strictly complied with and they are comprehensive.
“When the Ooni dies, the body becomes that of the town. The ‘Isoro’ cult group will take over. The ‘Isoro’ initiates are the ones who worship the ‘Oro’ deity.
“It is the ‘Isoro’ people that would inform the various deities, who were worshipped and appeased when the Ooni was crowned, that he (the monarch) is no more.
“It’s a rite. Nothing must stop it.”
The Araba dispelled the belief that the heart of the late king would be fed to the next Ooni.
He said, “The eating of the heart of a departed King by an incoming one belonged to the past. It no longer exists. People still make this insinuation because many are barred from witnessing the burial of a king.
“What the incoming king will eat is the heart of an animal and not that of a human. Nobody would be buried with the Ooni. Nobody would be killed for any form of sacrifice.”
Elebuibon explained that animals are now used for the burial rites of Yoruba Obas because of modernisation, noting that Christianity and Islam also stopped the use of humans for sacrifice when God stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son, Isaac.
Let Sijuwade rest
As the guests who attended the interdenominational service departed, a man in white robe and a white cap appeared at the palace entrance and told some of the people around the gate to leave the vicinity of the palace and allow the monarch to rest.
He said, “The service is over, it is time for you all to start going. Leave the palace and let Sijuwade rest. You are warned to leave.”
Meanwhile, a cleric, Evangelist Toluwase Akeredolu, had disputed insinuations that Sijuwade, as a prominent monarch, was in the cult. Akeredolu had said that Oba Sijuwade died as a born-again Christian.
Akeredolu said this on July 29 after the transition of the monarch was announced by the media.
The cleric, an evangelist with the Christ Apostolic Church, said the monarch had few weeks before his transition, confessed all his sins to God after he preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to him.
Akeredolu said he was privileged to have ministered to the monarch few weeks before his death.
He said, “Oba Sijuwade told the congregation at the last crusade we organised in Ile-Ife that he had forsaken sins and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and personal saviour. He confessed publicly that he would live the rest of his life to serve the Almighty God.
“During the revival, Oba Sijuwade said he had committed the rest of his lifetime to Christ, the saviour of all and had sung the popular song ‘All to Jesus, I surrender.’”
It will be recalled that the late monarch dropped the title of ‘Oluaye’ (owner of the universe) in 2010 in deference to the Almighty God.”
Black box of crashed Bristow helicopter recovered from lagoon
Two days after a Bristow helicopter carrying 12 passengers from an oil rig crashed in the lagoon in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos, the Accident Investigation Bureau announced that it had recovered the helicopter’s black box.
Six passengers died while the remaining six were said to be receiving treatment in a Lagos hospital.
The black box, also known as a flight recorder, is an electronic recording device placed in an aircraft for the purpose of facilitating the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents.
The black box contains the cockpit voice and the flight data recorders.
The AIB Commissioner, Dr. Felix Abali, displayed the two devices to aviation correspondents at the bureau’s headquarters in Lagos. Meanwhile, the AIB spokesperson, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, told our correspondent that the agency would get in touch with the oil company whose workers were involved in the accident before the manifest would be made public.
He said, “Yes, we have the manifest, but we cannot release it yet until all protocols are fully observed. We will contact the oil company to know when we should release it, after they must have got in touch with the family members of the victims.”
The External Communications Manager, Bristow Helicopters, Julie King, told our correspondent in an email that the company would keep the public abreast of whatever information was deemed important.
She said, “As required by the Nigerian law, Bristow has released the requested passenger manifest to the NCAA and the NCAIB. We will continue to release details about the incident.”
Meanwhile, Bristow Helicopters said it was conducting a comprehensive inspection review of its S-76 fleet and that, with the full endorsement of the NCAA and the AIB, it had resumed flying those aircraft that had been inspected.
“We would wish to reiterate our appreciation for the help, support and understanding we have received from the NCAA, the AIB, our clients and other industry stakeholders during this very difficult period,” Bristow’s Regional Director Africa, Duncan Moore, said in a press release on the company’s website.
The company had on Thursday suspended operations, less than 24 hours after one of its helicopters crashed into the Lagos Lagoon in Oworonshoki area.
The company added that it would continue to cooperate fully with the AIB on the ongoing investigation.
Six passengers died while the remaining six were said to be receiving treatment in a Lagos hospital.
The black box, also known as a flight recorder, is an electronic recording device placed in an aircraft for the purpose of facilitating the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents.
The black box contains the cockpit voice and the flight data recorders.
The AIB Commissioner, Dr. Felix Abali, displayed the two devices to aviation correspondents at the bureau’s headquarters in Lagos. Meanwhile, the AIB spokesperson, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, told our correspondent that the agency would get in touch with the oil company whose workers were involved in the accident before the manifest would be made public.
He said, “Yes, we have the manifest, but we cannot release it yet until all protocols are fully observed. We will contact the oil company to know when we should release it, after they must have got in touch with the family members of the victims.”
The External Communications Manager, Bristow Helicopters, Julie King, told our correspondent in an email that the company would keep the public abreast of whatever information was deemed important.
She said, “As required by the Nigerian law, Bristow has released the requested passenger manifest to the NCAA and the NCAIB. We will continue to release details about the incident.”
Meanwhile, Bristow Helicopters said it was conducting a comprehensive inspection review of its S-76 fleet and that, with the full endorsement of the NCAA and the AIB, it had resumed flying those aircraft that had been inspected.
“We would wish to reiterate our appreciation for the help, support and understanding we have received from the NCAA, the AIB, our clients and other industry stakeholders during this very difficult period,” Bristow’s Regional Director Africa, Duncan Moore, said in a press release on the company’s website.
The company had on Thursday suspended operations, less than 24 hours after one of its helicopters crashed into the Lagos Lagoon in Oworonshoki area.
The company added that it would continue to cooperate fully with the AIB on the ongoing investigation.
Black box of crashed Bristow helicopter recovered from lagoon
Two days after a Bristow helicopter carrying 12 passengers from an oil rig crashed in the lagoon in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos, the Accident Investigation Bureau announced that it had recovered the helicopter’s black box.
Six passengers died while the remaining six were said to be receiving treatment in a Lagos hospital.
The black box, also known as a flight recorder, is an electronic recording device placed in an aircraft for the purpose of facilitating the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents.
The black box contains the cockpit voice and the flight data recorders.
The AIB Commissioner, Dr. Felix Abali, displayed the two devices to aviation correspondents at the bureau’s headquarters in Lagos. Meanwhile, the AIB spokesperson, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, told our correspondent that the agency would get in touch with the oil company whose workers were involved in the accident before the manifest would be made public.
He said, “Yes, we have the manifest, but we cannot release it yet until all protocols are fully observed. We will contact the oil company to know when we should release it, after they must have got in touch with the family members of the victims.”
The External Communications Manager, Bristow Helicopters, Julie King, told our correspondent in an email that the company would keep the public abreast of whatever information was deemed important.
She said, “As required by the Nigerian law, Bristow has released the requested passenger manifest to the NCAA and the NCAIB. We will continue to release details about the incident.”
Meanwhile, Bristow Helicopters said it was conducting a comprehensive inspection review of its S-76 fleet and that, with the full endorsement of the NCAA and the AIB, it had resumed flying those aircraft that had been inspected.
“We would wish to reiterate our appreciation for the help, support and understanding we have received from the NCAA, the AIB, our clients and other industry stakeholders during this very difficult period,” Bristow’s Regional Director Africa, Duncan Moore, said in a press release on the company’s website.
The company had on Thursday suspended operations, less than 24 hours after one of its helicopters crashed into the Lagos Lagoon in Oworonshoki area.
The company added that it would continue to cooperate fully with the AIB on the ongoing investigation.
Six passengers died while the remaining six were said to be receiving treatment in a Lagos hospital.
The black box, also known as a flight recorder, is an electronic recording device placed in an aircraft for the purpose of facilitating the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents.
The black box contains the cockpit voice and the flight data recorders.
The AIB Commissioner, Dr. Felix Abali, displayed the two devices to aviation correspondents at the bureau’s headquarters in Lagos. Meanwhile, the AIB spokesperson, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, told our correspondent that the agency would get in touch with the oil company whose workers were involved in the accident before the manifest would be made public.
He said, “Yes, we have the manifest, but we cannot release it yet until all protocols are fully observed. We will contact the oil company to know when we should release it, after they must have got in touch with the family members of the victims.”
The External Communications Manager, Bristow Helicopters, Julie King, told our correspondent in an email that the company would keep the public abreast of whatever information was deemed important.
She said, “As required by the Nigerian law, Bristow has released the requested passenger manifest to the NCAA and the NCAIB. We will continue to release details about the incident.”
Meanwhile, Bristow Helicopters said it was conducting a comprehensive inspection review of its S-76 fleet and that, with the full endorsement of the NCAA and the AIB, it had resumed flying those aircraft that had been inspected.
“We would wish to reiterate our appreciation for the help, support and understanding we have received from the NCAA, the AIB, our clients and other industry stakeholders during this very difficult period,” Bristow’s Regional Director Africa, Duncan Moore, said in a press release on the company’s website.
The company had on Thursday suspended operations, less than 24 hours after one of its helicopters crashed into the Lagos Lagoon in Oworonshoki area.
The company added that it would continue to cooperate fully with the AIB on the ongoing investigation.
Black box of crashed Bristow helicopter recovered from lagoon
Two days after a Bristow helicopter carrying 12 passengers from an oil rig crashed in the lagoon in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos, the Accident Investigation Bureau announced that it had recovered the helicopter’s black box.
Six passengers died while the remaining six were said to be receiving treatment in a Lagos hospital.
The black box, also known as a flight recorder, is an electronic recording device placed in an aircraft for the purpose of facilitating the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents.
The black box contains the cockpit voice and the flight data recorders.
The AIB Commissioner, Dr. Felix Abali, displayed the two devices to aviation correspondents at the bureau’s headquarters in Lagos. Meanwhile, the AIB spokesperson, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, told our correspondent that the agency would get in touch with the oil company whose workers were involved in the accident before the manifest would be made public.
He said, “Yes, we have the manifest, but we cannot release it yet until all protocols are fully observed. We will contact the oil company to know when we should release it, after they must have got in touch with the family members of the victims.”
The External Communications Manager, Bristow Helicopters, Julie King, told our correspondent in an email that the company would keep the public abreast of whatever information was deemed important.
She said, “As required by the Nigerian law, Bristow has released the requested passenger manifest to the NCAA and the NCAIB. We will continue to release details about the incident.”
Meanwhile, Bristow Helicopters said it was conducting a comprehensive inspection review of its S-76 fleet and that, with the full endorsement of the NCAA and the AIB, it had resumed flying those aircraft that had been inspected.
“We would wish to reiterate our appreciation for the help, support and understanding we have received from the NCAA, the AIB, our clients and other industry stakeholders during this very difficult period,” Bristow’s Regional Director Africa, Duncan Moore, said in a press release on the company’s website.
The company had on Thursday suspended operations, less than 24 hours after one of its helicopters crashed into the Lagos Lagoon in Oworonshoki area.
The company added that it would continue to cooperate fully with the AIB on the ongoing investigation.
Six passengers died while the remaining six were said to be receiving treatment in a Lagos hospital.
The black box, also known as a flight recorder, is an electronic recording device placed in an aircraft for the purpose of facilitating the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents.
The black box contains the cockpit voice and the flight data recorders.
The AIB Commissioner, Dr. Felix Abali, displayed the two devices to aviation correspondents at the bureau’s headquarters in Lagos. Meanwhile, the AIB spokesperson, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, told our correspondent that the agency would get in touch with the oil company whose workers were involved in the accident before the manifest would be made public.
He said, “Yes, we have the manifest, but we cannot release it yet until all protocols are fully observed. We will contact the oil company to know when we should release it, after they must have got in touch with the family members of the victims.”
The External Communications Manager, Bristow Helicopters, Julie King, told our correspondent in an email that the company would keep the public abreast of whatever information was deemed important.
She said, “As required by the Nigerian law, Bristow has released the requested passenger manifest to the NCAA and the NCAIB. We will continue to release details about the incident.”
Meanwhile, Bristow Helicopters said it was conducting a comprehensive inspection review of its S-76 fleet and that, with the full endorsement of the NCAA and the AIB, it had resumed flying those aircraft that had been inspected.
“We would wish to reiterate our appreciation for the help, support and understanding we have received from the NCAA, the AIB, our clients and other industry stakeholders during this very difficult period,” Bristow’s Regional Director Africa, Duncan Moore, said in a press release on the company’s website.
The company had on Thursday suspended operations, less than 24 hours after one of its helicopters crashed into the Lagos Lagoon in Oworonshoki area.
The company added that it would continue to cooperate fully with the AIB on the ongoing investigation.
Black box of crashed Bristow helicopter recovered from lagoon
Two days after a Bristow helicopter carrying 12 passengers from an oil rig crashed in the lagoon in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos, the Accident Investigation Bureau announced that it had recovered the helicopter’s black box.
Six passengers died while the remaining six were said to be receiving treatment in a Lagos hospital.
The black box, also known as a flight recorder, is an electronic recording device placed in an aircraft for the purpose of facilitating the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents.
The black box contains the cockpit voice and the flight data recorders.
The AIB Commissioner, Dr. Felix Abali, displayed the two devices to aviation correspondents at the bureau’s headquarters in Lagos. Meanwhile, the AIB spokesperson, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, told our correspondent that the agency would get in touch with the oil company whose workers were involved in the accident before the manifest would be made public.
He said, “Yes, we have the manifest, but we cannot release it yet until all protocols are fully observed. We will contact the oil company to know when we should release it, after they must have got in touch with the family members of the victims.”
The External Communications Manager, Bristow Helicopters, Julie King, told our correspondent in an email that the company would keep the public abreast of whatever information was deemed important.
She said, “As required by the Nigerian law, Bristow has released the requested passenger manifest to the NCAA and the NCAIB. We will continue to release details about the incident.”
Meanwhile, Bristow Helicopters said it was conducting a comprehensive inspection review of its S-76 fleet and that, with the full endorsement of the NCAA and the AIB, it had resumed flying those aircraft that had been inspected.
“We would wish to reiterate our appreciation for the help, support and understanding we have received from the NCAA, the AIB, our clients and other industry stakeholders during this very difficult period,” Bristow’s Regional Director Africa, Duncan Moore, said in a press release on the company’s website.
The company had on Thursday suspended operations, less than 24 hours after one of its helicopters crashed into the Lagos Lagoon in Oworonshoki area.
The company added that it would continue to cooperate fully with the AIB on the ongoing investigation.
Six passengers died while the remaining six were said to be receiving treatment in a Lagos hospital.
The black box, also known as a flight recorder, is an electronic recording device placed in an aircraft for the purpose of facilitating the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents.
The black box contains the cockpit voice and the flight data recorders.
The AIB Commissioner, Dr. Felix Abali, displayed the two devices to aviation correspondents at the bureau’s headquarters in Lagos. Meanwhile, the AIB spokesperson, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, told our correspondent that the agency would get in touch with the oil company whose workers were involved in the accident before the manifest would be made public.
He said, “Yes, we have the manifest, but we cannot release it yet until all protocols are fully observed. We will contact the oil company to know when we should release it, after they must have got in touch with the family members of the victims.”
The External Communications Manager, Bristow Helicopters, Julie King, told our correspondent in an email that the company would keep the public abreast of whatever information was deemed important.
She said, “As required by the Nigerian law, Bristow has released the requested passenger manifest to the NCAA and the NCAIB. We will continue to release details about the incident.”
Meanwhile, Bristow Helicopters said it was conducting a comprehensive inspection review of its S-76 fleet and that, with the full endorsement of the NCAA and the AIB, it had resumed flying those aircraft that had been inspected.
“We would wish to reiterate our appreciation for the help, support and understanding we have received from the NCAA, the AIB, our clients and other industry stakeholders during this very difficult period,” Bristow’s Regional Director Africa, Duncan Moore, said in a press release on the company’s website.
The company had on Thursday suspended operations, less than 24 hours after one of its helicopters crashed into the Lagos Lagoon in Oworonshoki area.
The company added that it would continue to cooperate fully with the AIB on the ongoing investigation.
Black box of crashed Bristow helicopter recovered from lagoon
Two days after a Bristow helicopter carrying 12 passengers from an oil rig crashed in the lagoon in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos, the Accident Investigation Bureau announced that it had recovered the helicopter’s black box.
Six passengers died while the remaining six were said to be receiving treatment in a Lagos hospital.
The black box, also known as a flight recorder, is an electronic recording device placed in an aircraft for the purpose of facilitating the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents.
The black box contains the cockpit voice and the flight data recorders.
The AIB Commissioner, Dr. Felix Abali, displayed the two devices to aviation correspondents at the bureau’s headquarters in Lagos. Meanwhile, the AIB spokesperson, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, told our correspondent that the agency would get in touch with the oil company whose workers were involved in the accident before the manifest would be made public.
He said, “Yes, we have the manifest, but we cannot release it yet until all protocols are fully observed. We will contact the oil company to know when we should release it, after they must have got in touch with the family members of the victims.”
The External Communications Manager, Bristow Helicopters, Julie King, told our correspondent in an email that the company would keep the public abreast of whatever information was deemed important.
She said, “As required by the Nigerian law, Bristow has released the requested passenger manifest to the NCAA and the NCAIB. We will continue to release details about the incident.”
Meanwhile, Bristow Helicopters said it was conducting a comprehensive inspection review of its S-76 fleet and that, with the full endorsement of the NCAA and the AIB, it had resumed flying those aircraft that had been inspected.
“We would wish to reiterate our appreciation for the help, support and understanding we have received from the NCAA, the AIB, our clients and other industry stakeholders during this very difficult period,” Bristow’s Regional Director Africa, Duncan Moore, said in a press release on the company’s website.
The company had on Thursday suspended operations, less than 24 hours after one of its helicopters crashed into the Lagos Lagoon in Oworonshoki area.
The company added that it would continue to cooperate fully with the AIB on the ongoing investigation.
Six passengers died while the remaining six were said to be receiving treatment in a Lagos hospital.
The black box, also known as a flight recorder, is an electronic recording device placed in an aircraft for the purpose of facilitating the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents.
The black box contains the cockpit voice and the flight data recorders.
The AIB Commissioner, Dr. Felix Abali, displayed the two devices to aviation correspondents at the bureau’s headquarters in Lagos. Meanwhile, the AIB spokesperson, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, told our correspondent that the agency would get in touch with the oil company whose workers were involved in the accident before the manifest would be made public.
He said, “Yes, we have the manifest, but we cannot release it yet until all protocols are fully observed. We will contact the oil company to know when we should release it, after they must have got in touch with the family members of the victims.”
The External Communications Manager, Bristow Helicopters, Julie King, told our correspondent in an email that the company would keep the public abreast of whatever information was deemed important.
She said, “As required by the Nigerian law, Bristow has released the requested passenger manifest to the NCAA and the NCAIB. We will continue to release details about the incident.”
Meanwhile, Bristow Helicopters said it was conducting a comprehensive inspection review of its S-76 fleet and that, with the full endorsement of the NCAA and the AIB, it had resumed flying those aircraft that had been inspected.
“We would wish to reiterate our appreciation for the help, support and understanding we have received from the NCAA, the AIB, our clients and other industry stakeholders during this very difficult period,” Bristow’s Regional Director Africa, Duncan Moore, said in a press release on the company’s website.
The company had on Thursday suspended operations, less than 24 hours after one of its helicopters crashed into the Lagos Lagoon in Oworonshoki area.
The company added that it would continue to cooperate fully with the AIB on the ongoing investigation.
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