Business
Driver of Late Minister of state for Labour, James Ocholi to be prosecuted for over-speeding
A few hours after the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) gave its report on last Sunday’s road accident where the Minister of State for Labour, Chief James Ocholi, his wife, Blessing and son, Joshua died, the Federal Government says his driver will be prosecuted for over-speeding and possession of a fake driver’s licence.
The move to try the driver identified as Mr. James Elegbede was disclosed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir Lawal.
Lawal, who is the chairman of the Federal Government’s 13-member burial committee for the deceased minister, disclosed this to newsmen in response to questions on the fate of the driver who had been indicted by the FRSC’s interim report.
He, however, stated that the prosecution of the driver would wait until FRSC’s full investigation report is made available to determine the level of his culpability.
Lawal said: “Nigeria is not short of laws; the problem is that Nigerians find it very difficult to obey the laws. There is a speed limit in place and so if anybody chooses not to obey the traffic laws, of course, it is subject to prosecution by the agencies concerned.
“But as to this particular incident, I think we will leave it until the final report of the investigation comes out. But as we say, accident is accident and nobody goes out deliberately to somersault and die.”
Assuaging concerns that the injured driver and other aides’ still recuperating in the hospital after the accident and their families may have been neglected, Lawal said that “the government decided to give employment to the children of the late minister because he was the breadwinner and the children are now orphans.
“On the other hand, the driver survived and the government is taking care of their medical bills at the National Hospital and they (other aides) are also government workers as some of them are policemen, SSS and others.
“So, they are on salary and are treated free, but – God forbid that had any of them suffered the same fate as those who died, the President would have willingly included them in the list of beneficiaries.”
On reports that a family member made allegations of foul play in the death of the Ocholis, the SGF said that government was not aware of that but that anyone with useful information should report to the appropriate agencies.
The FRSC had on Monday told President Muhammadu Buhari that over-speeding and non-use of safety seat belts led to the accident on the Abuja-Kaduna Road.
The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, who presented the interim accident report on the crash at a valedictory session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in honour of Ocholi, said that the driver of the vehicle was inexperienced and had no valid driver’s licence captured on the national database.
Oyeyemi said that following the impact of the crash, the late minister and his son were ejected from the vehicle while the wife was trapped by the left passenger door before the car slid to a halt.
It added that “the ejection of the minister and his son who occupied the rear seats confirmed the fact that their rear seat belts were not in use and on the contrary, the driver and the orderly survived because the front seat belts were in use.”
Oyeyemi said “information gathered revealed that the driver of the crashed vehicle was actually moving in excess of the stipulated speed limit when he had a burst tyre.
“The crashed vehicle driver was driving too fast and he slammed on his brake so hard. These two factors materially contributed to the inability of the driver to maintain control when the left rear tyre burst.
“Skid marks and grooves found on the westbound shoulder made by the Lexus LX570 for about 15m and 9.3m respectively before it began somersaulting severely and the ejection of the minister and his son, showed clearly that the travelling speed of the Lexus LX570 presented unsafe consequences in the event of certain road risk that may have occurred.
“The driver must have entered into a panic situation which resulted to his hard application of brakes and subsequent loss of control that took him into the bush path.
“The DOT number of the tyres were inward which cannot easily be read from outside. This indicates that the orientations of the tyres were not properly fixed which could adversely affect the performance of the tyres.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps Investigation Team (FIT) determines that the probable cause of the March 6, 2016 fatal crash at KM34 Kaduna -Abuja Expressway near Rijana Village Kaduna State was the driver’s failure to maintain directional control of his vehicle when the rear left tyre burst occurred.
Boboye also revealed that there were potholes within the vicinity of the accident and that road shoulders where the accident happened had started failing.
Also, occupants of the minister’s back-up car behind noticed that the tyre of the minister’s vehicle was not fully inflated and with no communication equipment (walkie-talkie) to inform the driver, a GSM call to the driver did not also go through.
They attempted to overtake the minister’s car in order to warn the driver but could not do so before the sad incident.
He however explained that a driver ought not to step on the brake in the event of a tyre burst but to hold firmly to the steering and gradually navigate the car until it comes to a stop.
Meanwhile, Buhari started the FEC valedictory session by requesting for a minute silence for Ocholi and the Army General who died the previous day in another car crash along Maiduguri-Damaturu Road on Monday.
The president praised Ocholi’s humility and capacity for hard work.
Six ministers were chosen from each of the geopolitical zones to pay tributes and they all spoke glowingly on the kindness, humility and love for family of the late Ocholi.
Lawal announced the burial arrangements for Ocholi thus:
March 16: Service of Songs at International Conference Centre, Abuja
March 17: Corpse leaves for Dekina LGA, Kogi State; March 18 is for internment at noon.
*PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status
To prevent any misunderstanding regarding our affiliation with the United Nations, we hereby provide a formal clarification on the status and identity of the United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC), formerly known as IPGC.
UNIPGC is an independent Civil Society Organization and Non-Governmental Organization with continental chapters registered in the United States, Germany, Canada, and several countries across Africa. The organization is committed to promoting the values and principles of the United Nations, particularly in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), as well as advocating for good governance globally.
In furtherance of its mandate, UNIPGC has established partnerships with reputable diplomatic civil society organizations, including the United Nations Association of Nigeria and the United Nations Association of Ghana. These collaborations are aimed at strengthening its engagement with initiatives aligned with United Nations ideals.
Additionally, UNIPGC has entered into diplomatic relations with the International Organization for Economic Development (IOED), an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), to enhance its capacity for international cooperation and diplomatic engagement.
We wish to clearly state that UNIPGC is **not** an entity, agency, or organ of the United Nations.
Members of the public and media practitioners are respectfully advised to refer to the organization by its full and correct name: **United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC)**, and not as the United Nations.
Thank you.
Business
Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour
Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour
Laffmattazz, one of Nigeria’s foremost comedy and live entertainment brands, is pleased to announce its official partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for the highly anticipated Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour, themed “Next Chapter: A New Season of Laughter.”
Now in its 15th year, Laffmattazz—the brainchild of renowned Nigerian comedian Gbenga Adeyinka (Gbenga Adeyinka 1st)—has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its seamless fusion of comedy, music, and live stage performances.
The 2026 tour, which kicked off on Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2026 at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey. Building on over a decade of success across Nigeria, this year’s edition signals a bold expansion into the international market, with a multi-city run in Canada, alongside major stops in Akure, Abeokuta, and Lagos.
This strategic partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited underscores a shared commitment to excellence and innovation. It is also aligned with FirstBank’s First@Arts initiative—a significant and ongoing program dedicated to supporting the creative arts, entertainment, and cultural sectors. Through this initiative, FirstBank provides financing, advisory services, and actively fosters a sustainable value chain for artists and creative entrepreneurs, while supporting key industry platforms such as the Nigerian Entertainment Conference.
Speaking on the collaboration, the Laffmattazz team stated:
“We are delighted to welcome First Bank of Nigeria Limited as a strategic partner for the Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour. As we mark 15 remarkable years of Laffmattazz, this partnership reinforces our vision to take premium Nigerian entertainment beyond borders, while delivering even bigger, better, and more memorable experiences for our audiences.”
As a key partner, First Bank will enrich the tour through innovative customer engagement initiatives, experiential activations, and exclusive fan experiences across all tour locations.
With its distinctive blend of humor, culture, and live entertainment, the Laffmattazz 2026 Tour is poised to connect audiences across cities and continents, bringing laughter to thousands of fans worldwide.
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About Laffmattazz
Laffmattazz is a premier Nigerian comedy and entertainment brand, now in its 15th year, renowned for its vibrant live shows and nationwide tours. Founded by Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, the brand continues to deliver high-quality experiences that celebrate creativity, culture, and laughter.
About First Bank of Nigeria Limited
First Bank of Nigeria Limited is Nigeria’s oldest financial institution, widely respected for its legacy of trust, innovation, and customer-centric financial solutions that support economic growth and development. Through its First@Arts initiative, the Bank continues to play a pivotal role in empowering the creative industry and driving sustainable growth across the sector.
Business
MREIF is Better: FirstBank’s Mortgage Loan Is the Game-Changer for Home Ownership in Nigeria
MREIF is Better: FirstBank’s Mortgage Loan Is the Game-Changer for Home Ownership in Nigeria
Anyone who has tried to get a loan to buy a house in Nigeria knows the drill: endless forms, property valuation, and eventual down payment of a minimum 25% or more on the property. Sometimes, interest rates could go as high as 30% per annum, while the typical loan limit is N50 million.
Now, FirstBank is making homeownership more attractive.
FirstBank, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), has introduced the MREIF Home Loan. MREIF loan is a game-changer, offering a single-digit interest rate of 9.75% per annum, with a loan amount of up to ₦100 million and a repayment period of up to 20 years. This is perfect for salaried individuals, including Nigerians in the diaspora, looking to purchase homes in approved locations.
The MREIF loan stands out with its lower interest rate, higher loan amount, and flexible equity contribution as low as 10%. This makes it an attractive option for those seeking affordable homeownership.
You are one quick decision away from being a landlord.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy a home, FirstBank’s MREIF Home Loan is the smartest route to owning property in Nigeria today. Visit the FirstBank website https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal/loans/mreif-home-loan/ to get started.
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