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How Jos Crisis opened doors for me — Female casket maker

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When violence broke out in Jos, the capital city of Plateau State in September, 2001, many families apart from losing loved ones also lost property worth millions of Naira.

One of those who suffered losses but managed to survive is Mrs. Loveth Ugochukwu from Abia State.

The resilient mother of four, hitherto trained in tailoring had all she laboured for destroyed in that crisis but in order to survive and cater for her family, she ventured into the casket making business which at that time, would leave many women shudder.

Narrating her journey into the new business to Saturday Vanguard at her shop in Jos, she said she has every reason to be thankful to God for sparing her life and transforming her from paid employment to become an employer of labour.

Her words, “Before 2001, I was living with my family at Rikkos until the crisis of that year broke out. We lost everything we had in that incident and barely escaped with our lives. Somehow, we found our way to Dadin Kowa in Jos South local government area to start life afresh. While at Dadin Kowa, I kept thinking about what to do because before the crisis, I used to sew clothes for people but because we lost everything, I didn’t know where to start from.

“Along the way, I decided to be hawking bread to survive and in the process, we reconnected with one of our neighbors whom I discovered their condition was worse than ours. I started giving helping hands to that family by giving them some loaves of bread and things for tea to prepare for their children. One day, because they knew that I could make clothes, the woman’s husband said he would introduce me to one Baba who dealt in casket so that is can be sewing for him.

“I discussed the option with my husband and because it looked better than hawking bread, we went for it. I was employed to sew for the Baba to design the caskets so from there, I started learning the business of casket making. That was how I unconsciously got involved in this business. For now, I am the only female in the State in this line of business but I want to encourage women to explore the option.

“We were looking for what to do to survive, things were really hard at that time but my husband gave me his support, the money we make is used in solving our problems and helping others. These caskets you see, there is nothing to be afraid of, I see them as ordinary wood because I am always here when they buy the wood and cut them to make the caskets.

“I learnt so much while in Baba’ shop for almost 10 years before I started my own in 2011. Right now, I go to the market myself, buy the wood I want and instruct the machine operators to cut the wood to the shape I want. I bring the wood here and tell my workers what I want them to do. I have eight workers and some of them are married. They take care of their families with proceeds from here.”

Speaking on the challenges and patronage, she added, “There is no work without any challenge, my first shop was scattered by the city renewal people but I got this one and started afresh. We are not praying that people should die but people die. I don’t think doctors are praying that people should be sick but people fall sick. This is just business and we are rendering services to people because instead of waiting to get caskets made when one dies, one can just work to a shop and buy one when there is need.

“I am challenging women not to be lazy no matter the situation, we should work to support our husbands. Don’t sit down and wait for him to bring everything, help your partner so that he will live long for you. With this work, our children are in schools, even though my husband is a miner, I support him in building our home. Jos crisis did not leave me bitter but opened doors for me to do things I never imagined I could do

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JUST IN: Edo state Assembly impeaches Deputy Governor Shaibu

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The Edo State House of Assembly, on Monday, impeached the state’s Deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu.

The impeachment followed the adoption of the report of the seven-man investigative panel set up by the Assembly to probe allegations of misconduct against Shaibu.

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JUST IN: Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun joins ancestors at 81

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The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun has joined his ancestors after a brief illness.

He joined his ancestors at the age of 81.

It was gathered that the late monarch was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning having stayed indoor throughout Tuesday on account of slight malaria fever, though, he was hail and hearty on Monday during which he personally received few guests that paid him congratulatory visits on his second year anniversary on that day.

Making this announcement was the Baba-Kekere Olubadan and his younger brother, Dr Kola Balogun in a statement by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the late monarch, Oladele Ogunsola.

According to the statement, Dr. Balogun disclosed that Oba Balogun would be buried at his Aliiwo ancestral home by 4.00pm on Friday according to Islamic rites just as he said that the State Governor Seyi Makinde, though already verbally informed, would be formally notified early in the morning.

The late Olubadan was the first most educated to have emerged as Ibadan monarch, a British trained P.hd holder, a former university lecturer, former member of management staff of Shell British Petroleum, former gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party, NPP, former Senator and a successful business man.

His last official outing was the Olubadan Advisory Council’s meeting which he presided over last Saturday where the decision to derobed Mogaji Akinsola, Olawale Oladoja was taken.

He however, on Tuesday instructed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade to midwife a small committee to deliberate on last Friday’s decision on what should be the position of Ibadan Zone in the proposed newly reconstituted Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

The decision of the small committee was earlier on Thursday ratified by the Olubadan Advisory Council at a meeting presided over by Otun Olubadan and the former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja and was to be taken to the late Oba Balogun for his signature Friday morning so as to meet the deadline for submission to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later in the day.

The late Olubadan is survived by wives, children and grandchildren.

Announcing the passage of the monarch, Governor Makinde, in a statement, stated that Olubadan, who joined his ancestors late Thursday evening at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, described him as an epitome of royal excellence and a great achiever, who made great marks on Ibadanland in just a little over two years of his reign.

He expressed his condolences to the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State, praying to God to grant repose to the soul of the deceased monarch.

Makinde said: “With total submission to the will of God, I announce the passing unto glory of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

“A mighty Iroko has fallen; Oba Dr. Balogun has joined the ancestors.

“In Kabiyesi, Ibadanland had a cosmopolitan and well-experienced Olubadan, who made indelible marks on the sands of history and achieved greatly within a short while.

“On behalf of the Government and good People of Oyo State, I condole with the immediate family of the Oba Dr. Balogun, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland.

“It is my prayer that God grants repose to the soul of our late monarch.”

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JUST IN: Labour Party National Chairman, Abure arrested for attempted murder in Edo (Video)

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Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure.

Abure was arrested on Wednesday in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on allegations of premeditated attempted murder, amongst other alleged infractions.

The Labour Party chairman’s arrest followed a petition by the LP Youth Leader, Comrade Eragbe Anselm Aphimia.

The petition, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, dated February 13, partly reads, “I, Comrade Eragbe Anselm, write to you with utmost urgency and grave concern regarding a heinous act of violence perpetrated against me on the 29th of December 2023.

“I am a member and National Youth Leader of the Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria, and the events I am about to recount are of utmost importance for justice and the safety of individuals involved in political activities.

“On December 28, 2023, I flew into Benin City Airport around 2 p.m. as part of an official 5-member delegation authorised by the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Alhaji Lamidi Basiru Apapa.

“Our mission was to organise Ward, LGA, and State Congresses in Edo State, as well as supervise the sale of nomination forms for various posts, as mandated by INEC guidelines, within the stipulated time frames.

“On arrival at the Benin Airport, I was received by one Mrs Mary Okheime Newberry, who falsely claimed to be providing transportation and accommodation on behalf of unnamed “stakeholders.”

“She proceeded to lodge us at the Smart Homes Hotel, unknown to us that she was plotting a sinister and gruesome ambush. The next morning, a man named Austin Emeka came to pick me and my colleague, Mr Patrick Anethua, up from the hotel lobby, pretending to take us to a meeting venue.

“Instead, we were violently attacked just outside the hotel gates by a waiting mob.”

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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