Plane crash: Atiku, Mark, Tambuwal, govs, others mourn

FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the news of several deaths arising from the crash of the aircraft conveying the remains of the late former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu, members of his family and some senior officials of the Ondo State government from Lagos to Akure had shocked him to the marrow.

A terse message signed by his media office in Abuja, on Thursday, said the news of the air crash and the resultant deaths was difficult to believe, yet true.

“As we await the full details of who and what we as a country had lost, my thoughts are with the Agagu family and all the other families involved in this tragedy. I pray for strength for all those involved, and speedy recovery for survivors,” the statement read.

It’s more than double tragedy —Mark, Ekweremadu
Senate President, David Mark, described the death of the victims of the ill-fated Associated Airline in Lagos, on Thursday, as more than a double tragedy.

This was as his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, also said the sad occurence came as a rude shock.

Senator Mark, in his reaction, said “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 standing to question our creator. In all circumstances, we give thanks to the Almighty. May God’s wish be done.”

Mark said the Senate shared in the pains and, indeed, grieves of the family of the victims of the crash.

He prayed God to give the nation, especially the immediate families of the deceased, the fortitude to bear the painful loss, just as he prayed that the souls of the departed rest in peace.

Similarly, Ekweremadu described the event as a rude shock, given the progress made in repositioning the nation’s aviation sector, including improvements in aviation safety in recent times.

“This comes as a rude shock, and it is, indeed, a double tragedy, not only for the late Chief Agagu’s family, the government and good people of Ondo State, but for the nation as a whole.

“I feel most saddened over this unfortunate incident and send my heartfelt condolences to all the affected families. I pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of all those who lost their lives,” he said.

He called on all Nigerians to pray for the nation, noting that Nigeria needed divine intervention in addition to the government’s efforts to mitigate such occurrences.

Tambuwal calls for investigation
Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, on Thursday, called for a thorough investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the plane crash in Lagos.

Tambuwal, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mallam Imam Imam, in Abuja, said the crash was “tragic and sorrowful.”

The speaker particularly expressed sympathy to the Agagu family, saying they needed all the support and encouragement of all Nigerians “in this dark period.”

It’s a national tragedy —Amosun
Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, expressed disbelief and profound shock at the news of the crash in Lagos of an Associated Airline aircraft conveying the remains of Agagu, his family members and others to Akure.

Amosun expressed his deepest sympathies to those who lost their loved ones in the ill-fated flight.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, Amosun described the crash as “a national tragedy.”

According to the statement, “I join the entire nation, especially the government and people of Ondo State, in lamenting this monumental disaster.”

Amosun called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the plane crash, with a view to preventing a recurrence.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead and wished those that sustained injuries a speedy recovery.

Aregbesola declares 3-day mourning, prayers
Flags are to fly half-mast in Osun for three days, beginning from Thursday, in honour of those who died in the plane crash involving the aircraft conveying the remains of Dr Agagu.

People of all faiths have also been enjoined by Governor Rauf Aregbesola to devote the three days of mourning to prayers, for the repose of the dead and speedy recovery by 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 Dr Agagu, in Lagos, on Thursday, the governor of Osun State, Mr 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.

“The governor expressed regrets over the tragedy. He described it as a calamity for all Nigerians. This is, indeed, another national calamity in the history of our nation. The aircraft, an Associated Airline, with 20 passengers on board, I was informed, crashed immediately after take-off.

“That it happened at this time makes it even more tragic and painful when the people of the entire nation still bask in the euphoria of our 53rd anniversary.

“I feel pained that, having lost a fine gentleman, politician and redoubtable academic in Agagu, we should still be bereaved of those conveying his remains to his last resting place.

“I offer my heartfelt condolence on behalf of myself, the people of Osun and the government to Agagu’s immediate and extended family, the government and people of Ondo State and President Goodluck Jonathan over this sad development.”

Uduaghan expresses condolences
Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, expressed condolences with the people and government of Ondo State, as well as families of victims of Thursday’s plane crash.

In a statement by Felix Ofou, his press secretary, the governor noted that the crash occurred when the nation was still at its wits on how best to console the people and government of Ondo State on the untimely death of former Governor Agagu.

Uduaghan said it was more painful that the corpse of the former governor and key members of his family and other sympathisers were involved in the said crash.

“How can anyone explain what has happened? How can we console those who have been thrown into another round of mourning? What of sympathisers who have become victims in the crash?” He asked.

The Delta governor, however, said instances such as these called for prayers from all, especially for the Agagu family and Ondo State in general.

“These are times when we must draw closer to God. It’s a time when we must come together to pray for the Agagu family, victims of the plane crash and Ondo State. We share in their grief,” he added.

Uduaghan prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the crash and speedy recovery for the survivors.

Ekiti declares 3-day mourning
Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has declared a three-day mourning period in the state to mourn victims of plane crash.

Fayemi, in a statement by Olayinka Oyebode, his Chief Press Secretary, described the crash as “a calamity of unimaginable proportion.”

He said the three-day mourning was in solidarity with the government and people of Ondo State and the entire families of the victims of the crash.

The mourning period, which starts today, will end on Sunday.

Senate Leader mourns
Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, on Thursday, condoled with the family of Dr Agagu and Ondo State government over the plane crash which occurred in Lagos, claiming lives.

Senator Ndoma-Egba, in a condolence message made available on Thursday, said he was greatly devastated with the news of the plane crash, which occurred as the nation was getting set to give the former governor a befitting rite of passage.

He also commiserated with the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, over the losses incurred by the state through the accident.

The Senate leader also asked the families of all those who lost beloved ones in the crash to take heart and leave everything to God Almighty.

“I was greatly devastated by this sad news, which hit the entire nation like a thunderbolt,” the Senate Leader said, adding that “I could only pray that God grant the state government and the Agagu family the fortitude to bear the losses.”

He also asked the Agagu family to take solace in the good works and the good name left behind by the former governor, who also served as minister at different times.

“I urge the family to take heart as I equally pray that the Lord would provide them a soothing balm at this trying moment,” Senator Ndoma-Egba said.

He equally commiserated with the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, over the development, while he tasked her not to relent in taking the right steps to forestall any future occurrence.

Lanlehin calls for aviation overhaul
The vice chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning, Economic Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, has called for urgent overhaul of the aviation industry, to prevent incessant loss of lives of Nigerians.

While reacting to the crash of the private plane conveying the body of Dr Agagu to Akure for burial in his hometown as earlier scheduled for today, Senator Lanlehin described the incident as “most shocking and very devastating.”

Lanlehin, in a statement issued by his media aide, Olawale Sadare, said such incident might have been prevented if proper checks had been carried out by those saddled with the responsibility of certifying planes for safe flight in the nation’s air space.

“The crash, no doubt, has left another sad chapter in the history of Nigeria.

“However, it was reported that the incident occurred as a result of engine problem developed by the ill-fated plane but one would want to ask how it was passed for flight by the aviation engineers at the airport, because it had barely set out before it came down in flames,” he asked.

It’s unfortunate —Lagos govt
Lagos State government has described as monumental and unfortunate, the loss of lives of people in the ill-fated Associated Airline plane, which crashed in Lagos, on Thursday.

A statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, said the news of the heart rending accident was received with shock and dismay by the state government.

It thereby commiserated with the families and friends of the deceased, including the Ondo State government in particular and, indeed, the whole country over the irreparable loss.

The commissioner prayed God to grant the families and the nation the fortitude to bear the loss.

PDP expresses shock
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, expressed shock over the ill-fated plane crash conveying the remains of Dr Agagu from Lagos to Akure for burial

This was contained in a statement issued by the national publicity secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh and made available to newsmen in Abuja, last night.

According to the statement, “the party is deeply saddened by the death of  promising Nigerians in the ill-fated flight.”

It condoled with the families of the dead and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

New PDP mourns
THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, has expressed shock over the plane crash.

The party, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Chukwuemeka Eze, said “we are shattered by the news of this unspeakable tragedy, especially as the flight also had some prominent personalities on board.

“Our hearts go out to the Agagu family, the families of victims of the crash, as well as to the people and government of Ondo State, and especially President Jonathan and, indeed, all Nigerians.

“We also sympathise with the management of Associated Airlines on this great tragedy.

“We urge Nigerians to remember the victims and their families in their prayers and to intensify prayers for our dear nation in these difficult times.”