The Agagu tragedy: How Deji Falae,others boarded ill-fated aircraft

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. —William Shakespeare

HOW else will you describe the disaster that befell the Agagu family, their friends and relations and indeed Nigeria on Thursday when Associated Airline plane conveying Dr Agagu’s remains to Akure for burial  crashed  near a fuel dump located at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, killing thirteen out of twenty  people on board?

Is there ever any compensation for life? How will you compensate a woman who not only lost her husband in the crash but also the opportunity to say a final goodbye?

CRASHED: Fuselage of the crashed aircraft Embraer 120RT Brasilia, registration number 5N-BJY.

What story would calm a woman who had waited with anticipation for her husband to conclude the business of the day and return home to her warm embrace only to be told he had gone forever?

Would a young man who drove his own brother to the airport and  watched him board  the flight only to hear a big crash that claimed the life of his brother feel the same ever again?

Questions, questions, questions! These were some of numerous questions that demanded answers as relations  of people that perished in the ill-fated Associated Airline  flight trooped to the crash site; LASUTH   or at the Airline’s office at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

It was, indeed, heart-rending as emotions ran high for hours . Some came crying, others registering their protests as they all demanded answers from the officials of the airline and airport officials concerning their beloved ones who were in the Akure-bound flight that Thursday morning.

The tears, the pains, the expression of anger, the visible apprehension, the feelings of hopelessness were all natural expectations from people so anguished by the cruel tragedy.

Who do you calm? The widow, the widower and the orphans whose circumstances were created by the crash? Would some relations of these victims ever get over the agony, the psychological trauma of losing their loved ones?

How would parents who lost their  sons or daughters ever recover from the reality that their wards whom they waited for at the Akure  end of the airport  would never land to their embrace? Could anything  have saved the pilot from embarking on  that ill-fated  journey?

Indeed, there are no answers. Only questions and more questions. It was a pitiful sight at the corporate headquarters of Associated Airline and the crash site as relatives of the dead got nothing but words of consolation coming from the airline’s officials who were also mourning because even their beloved ones also died in the crash.

Saturday Vanguard was at the airport  and came face-to-face with the bereaved families, friends and associates.There was this  feeling of emptiness by the distinct families that they did not  get the opportunity for the last goodbye. We  bring to you the grief, agonies and views of the affected families:

Twin tragedy

IT would be an understatement to say that what happened on October 3 in Ondo state was  a twin tragedy and unprecedented in the  history of the state since its creation 37 years ago. The immediate former governor, Dr Olusegun Agagu who died on September 13 in Lagos while attending a Political meeting was to be given a State burial to be preceded by a Lying- in- State in Akure, the State capital.

But the Lying- in- state organised by the state government was abruptly aborted following an ugly incident. The 20 passenger chartered Associated Airline engaged by the family of the deceased family crashed few minutes after taking off from the airport.

The Associated Airlines charter flight took off at about 9:30 am on Thursday from the domestic terminal at Lagos’s Murtala Mohammed International Airport. It was going to Akure but few minutes after taking off the  engine reportedly failed and it crash-landed and burst into flames,”.

Those on board the ill fated aircraft include the corpse of the former governor, a delegation of the state  government led by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Deji Falae,  a Protocol officer Bernard Daji and two other officials in the state liason office in Lagos.

Deji Falae

Others include the first son of the deceased governor Feyi Agagu, a son-inlaw Femi Akinsanya amongst others. The Akure airport was jampacked with both Chieftains of the ruling Labour Party led by the Governor Dr Olusegun Mimiko while the ‘celebrants,’ the PDP were present to receive the corpse of their leader.

Another private plane owned by the business mogul Jimoh Ibrahim had earlier brought the wife of the former governor Olufunke and her two daughters Solape and Omowunmi from Ibadan to Akure that morning. Leaders of the two political parties threw banters and the joyful mood at the airport was however aborted abruptly via an unpalatable news that the plane conveying the corpse of the leader and family members had crashed.

It started like a rumour but within some minutes, it became a reality and the joyous mood at airport turned into sorrow.
Governor Mimiko who was waiting to receive the corpse got the information from his Chief of Staff Dr Kola Ademujimi and he wept profusely. He was immediately rushed into his car and was driven back to the government House. He wept through the 15 minutes drive from the airport to the government house.

The family of Agagu led by the wife was equally rushed away from the airport when the situation was becoming unbearable as tears flowed freely.

The venue of the lying in state became rowdy as guests already seated got wind of the development and there was stampede. Within 30 minutes, the guests had dispersed while musicians and other people invited to add colour to the ceremony left the venue with long faces while both the young and old could not control their emotions. Leaders of the two parties gathered in groups to discuss the unfortunate incident.

For over two hours, it was evident that leaders of the two political parties were totally confused not knowing the next line of action.

It was like a dream that should never come true. Immediately the news of those that died in the crash filtered out, the journey to  their  families  houses started as hundreds of people from both political divides visited to sympathise with them.

The 76 year old father of the Culture and Tourism Commissioner Deji Falae, Chief Olu Falae who is a Leader of Afenifere and former Secretary to the Federal Government and Presidential candidate of AD/APP in 1999 witnessed an unprecedented number of visitors including the Governor, Dr Mimiko.

Chief Falae who could not utter a word was being consoled by clergymen including the new Bishop Simeon Borokini, former Bishop of the Anglican Diocese, Rt Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, Chief Korede Duyile, top government functionaries, some Pastors from his Church- St David’s Anglican Church. Also said to have visited include Afenifere Leader, Chief Rueben Fasoranti, Sehinde Arogbofa and other leaders of the Yoruba socio political group.

Leaders of Akure, mostly traditional title holders were seen surrounding  Chief Falae late Thursday, consoling him.

He however remained speechless throughout just as he gazed aimlessly at nobody in particular. Some members of the Saint David’s Anglican Church were also present at his residence.  The women group of the Church concentrated on the wife of Chief Falae who was shaking her head and  praying.

His Obaile residence was jampacked with political associates who revealed that the old man was short of words.
His deceased son,Deji was  a lawyer. He was  married with three children and was in his early 40s before his death.

He was a product of ObafemiAwolowoUniversity, Ile Ife.

He was appointed Commissioner after his ambition to go the House of Representatives was not achieved.
His re-appointment as Commissioner by Mimiko during the second term in office is a manifestation of the confidence the governor reposed in him during his first two years of steering the ship of the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

His former staff in the Ministry wailed and rolled on the floor when the news that he did not survive the plane crash came.

His colleagues in the State Executive Council described him as easy going, loving and unassuming.
However, report had it that the family of the deceased governor insisted that the burial plans would not be altered despite the death of many passengers in the ill-fated plane.

The wife of the former governor Mrs Olufunke Agagu according to report approved that the burial should still hold as scheduled.

Consequently, the corpse of the former governor was after the crash conveyed by road to Iju-Odo, his country home last night. A solemn wake keep was organised on the day of the crash at his country home.

Speaking with Saturday Vanguard on the plan to continue with the burial despite the casualties and grief the death of the other passengers had caused their families, the PDP state Chairman Hon Ebenezer Alabi confirmed that the burial plan would not be altered.

Alabi said: “the decision to go ahead with the burial was taken after a meeting with the members of the family.

“We just consulted with the family and the family has decided to go ahead with the burial moreso that the son of the former governor survived, the son-in-law survived  and the son of  Olusegun Obasanjo survived and the casket was not scratched at all.

“So, while the family sympathised with the those that lost their lives and the their loved ones, they have decided to go ahead with the burial as was initially planned”.

The PDP in the state described the plane crash  as shocking and called for sober reflection.
In a statement by Director of Publicity, Mr. Ayo Fadaka said, “We received with absolute shock the news of the crash involving the corpse of Dr Olusegun Agagu and prominent citizens of the State.

“This development to say the least is incomprehensible and unprecedented in the annals of our history as a State.

“In view of the development, we appeal to our party members and the people of OndoState to remain calm”.

The state government in a statement  signed by  Governor Mimiko’s Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola said that “A commissioner, family members, associates and other top government officials were also involved in the crash.

Information available indicates that there were casualties and a few survivors of this unfortunate crash. We are however still expecting more information.

“No doubt, this is an unfortunate disaster in the life of our dear State. We can only pray that God will visit the State with mercy and give us all the strength to bear these unfortunate losses.

“We ask all residents to be in a sober and prayerful mood at these trying times as God is indeed the only person we should call upon in this period.

“Government assures that further and better information will be released as soon as they are available.
The burial programme

The burial event  announced by the burial committe in conjuction with the family members of the former governor led by his brother Femi Agagu and first child Feyi Agagu is  a 3-day programme.

It kicked  off at the International Conference Centre, University of  Ibadan being a tribute Day.
On the 3rd of October, the body of the late politician  would leave   Lagos to  arrive  the AkureAirport by 9am in the morning, while he would lie in state at the Democracy Park Akure.

Another  lying in state cum wake-keep  was scheduled to  take place on the same day begining from 5pm at the Civic Centre Iju-Odo, Okitipupa Local Government.

A burial service was scheduled   for the deceased on the Friday, 4th of October at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Iju-Odo also in  Okitipupa Local Government  by 11 am while the remains of the Late Dr Agagu would be interred at the same venue and   reception follows at Manuwa Memorial Grammar School in the same town.

Speaking with  Anglican Bishop of the Diocese On the Coast, Rt. Revd. J.E. Ogunele, he  described the late Dr Agagu as a highly principled, disciplined , dilligent and intelligent leader.

“The death is shocking and devastating. Agagu’s death is a colossal loss to Nigeria, OndoState and the Ikales.
“He will be greatly missed by everybody including his political rivals who know him to be an intellectual and Administrator per excellence.
“He  proved to us that one can  be in a position  and serve the people rightly without cheating or defrauding them.

“He proved that one can serve the people sacrificially without looking for immediate reward.
“His political opponents only opposed him to win election and not to prove him wrong. God will reward his generations for good and grant his family and the entire Diocese the fortitude to bear this colossal loss.
“He did his very best for the Church where he was born as he raised fund for the Diocese on two different ocassions.”

Governor Mimiko  who  had earlier  declared a 7-Day of mourning  in honour of the late  Agagu described the late Agagu whose demise he said is an irreparable loss to the people of the state and Nigeria,  as a colossus of intellectual and political capabilities, who  achieved so much greatness in  his life time.

The deceased he stressed contributed immensely  to the state and national development during his tenure as minister, deputy governor and governor of the State.

Also prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and religious leaders  paid tributes to the late  Dr Agagu, describing him as the best that ever happened to the state.

Former governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni described Agagu as a person who used his intellect to develop both the PDP and the country while he served as Minister of Aviation, Power and Steel and governor of the state.
The Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, Revd. Simeon Borokini said people should prepare for death as nobody can stop it when it is time.

He advised the people to always live according to God’s will and shun evil ways as death would come when they are least prepared for it.

Similarly, the Chief Imam of Akure, Alhaji Yayi Akorede said it was Agagu who helped in the building of Central Mosque in Akure, the state capital and he never failed in his promise to the people.

He described the tenure of Late Agagu as one that brought peace, growth and development to both Christian and Muslim communities in the state.

The Chairman of Amnesty programme of the Federal government, Mr. Kingsley Kuku said it was Agagu that brought the Ijaw who are clearly the minority in the state to the mainstream of the state politics.

However, Kuku said Agagu was the most betrayed among the governors that ever ruled the state as most of those who benefited from his government had left him before his death.

The Director General of National Sports Commission, Mr Gbenga Elegbeleye described the late Agagu as a sport’s man who represented the old Ondo state in lawn tennis in the mid 60s.

Former Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode SAN, governorship candidate of the party in the last governorship election, Chief Olusola Oke and others said the tenure of Agagu as governor would not be forgotten in a hurry as he would continue to live in the minds of the people who loved him.

The State Chairman of the PDP, Hon Ebenezer Alabi, his predecessors Dr Gbakinro and Dr Tayo Dairo described the late Agagu as a gift to the state and the country. They advised the followers to uphold the legacy of the former governor.

Tense atmosphere at LASUTH

It was just as the song of late Fela Anikulapo which says, “double wahala for dead body and the owner of body, double wahala for dead body, dead body get accident yepa, double wahala for dead body”.

But, about seven people including Feyisayo Agagu, Akinsanya Femi, Akintunde Akeem, Akintunde Taiwo, Samson Hassan, one Felix and one unknown male survived.

They are critically injured and presently receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, LASUTH,  Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, GbagadaHospital and NigeriaAirforceBaseHospital, Ikeja.

Even as passengers and crew members of the aircraft were terribly affected, it was gathered that late Agagu’s corpse was not touched or burnt by any means. The corpse as learnt was placed in a safe cabin in the plane.

Officials of the Associated Airline took to their heels as  efforts to get them to address journalists or members of the affected victims proved abortive.

The atmosphere at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Thursday was tense as  family members, friends and  well wishers besieged the Emergency Surgery department of the hospital. They came from far and near wanting to know  the next line of action.

As at Thursday, 13 bodies were confirmed dead and their corpses  deposited at the Lekan Olusola Mortuary at LASUTH while seven others are receiving treatment at Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, GbagadaHospital and NigeriaAirforceBaseHospital, Ikeja.

On how to identify the victims who were burnt beyond recognition, the Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, Prof John Oladapo Obafunwa  said a forensic autopsy examination would be carried out to determine the cause of death and assist with the identification of the victims.

He explained that the Coroner has given the go-head to carry out the autopsy and assured that the result would be ready within the next 72 hours.

He advised those who have relations on board the ill-fated plane to come forward for the identification. Those required are either the parents of the deceased, their children or siblings. “We will take some samples from their mouth. It is not a difficult process; we are not putting needles on them. We will compare it with the DNA of the victims,” he said and assured that the process would be hastened because “we appreciate the urgency and feelings of the various individuals”

I reluctantly escaped death— Wasiu (M.I.C staff)

—as he describes Tunji Okusanya as an easy going man

*The late Tunji Okusanya

The once quiet but busy Odunlami Street, beside CSS Bookshop, Obalende area of Lagos was on Thursday thrown into pandemonium following the death of the Chief Executive officer, M.I.C undertakers, Mr. Tunji Okusanya who was involved in the Agagu family aircrash.

Passers-by who knew how busy the street used to be had no option than to stop and ask what the problem was.

Tears couldn’t stop flowing as some of his workers described him as an easy going fellow with a large heart. If Tunji had the premonition that his intention of joining the entourage of the late former Ondo Governor would lead to his death, he would have taken another decision.

Perhaps, he would have waited for them at  Akure, Ondo state as he used to do for other  clients but as the saying goes, man proposes and God disposes. He never knew that his journey to Ondo state was a journey of no return.  The most painful part of the story was not only that Tunji was involved but as a loving father, he went along with his only son who recently assumed the position of the Managing Director of the company and four members of his staff.

According to a staff named Wasiu, he was so grateful to God for sparing his life as the earlier scheduled flight with his boss to Akure which was later cancelled by the boss, has spared his life. “ I am so thankful to God that I was not part of the team that was assigned to travel with the corpse.

“I was selected by my boss earlier in the morning for the travel but he later sent me to another assignment which I reluctantly carried out, not knowing that I would have been a dead man if I had followed them. I must tell you the truth, a night before this incident, my boss was behaving funny. His mood was very gloomy which surprised all of us. It was so unlike him.

“He was acting as if he had the premonition that something strange was going to happen the next day (Thursday).  He spoke so much parable about death. He was an easy going man with a brave heart,” Wasiu said.

He went further to say that what happened on Thursday morning was very strange  as their boss never  followed the clients on such an event. “Instead, he would prefer to wait for them at the burial scene.

“On a very good day, my boss would not  embark on this kind of journey but I think the reason  he followed was because of the personality that was involved. If my boss had known, he would not have followed the corpse. What he used to do before was to arrange for us to follow and he would join us in another vehicle. It was so unusual for our boss to follow the corpse along with the family members. All the same, whatever God has said, nobody can stop it. The most painful part of the whole story is that, his only son, who he has handed over the management of M.I.C undertakers to, was in the flight with him alongside four other of my colleagues. They all died,” he said.

A minor drama ensued at the office when a female passerby who would not want her name in  print said that Mr. Okusanya has not officially been confirmed dead but that the ring he wore to the airport was found somewhere close to the crash scene. But another woman refuted that saying that the man died alongside his son and some of his staff.

“He got burnt to ashes, he is dead,” she said.

Only Feyi was asked to travel with the corpse—Iron (Agagu security man)

The atmosphere at the Lagos residence of the former Ondo state Governor, Late Agagu at Glover Road, Ikoyi, still retained its normal serenity and quietness. It was as if nothing happened as the Suya seller who operates in front of the gate went about his normal business on Thursday evening when Saturday Vanguard visited. If you were not told, you would hardly believe that another tragedy had befallen the family.

When the gateman who was the only person in the house was approached, he said the family members all travelled weeks back waiting to receive the corpse at Akure and that only Feyi Agagu came back Lagos to accompany the remains. According to Iron, Agagu’s maiguard, “They have all travelled home for the burial. It was only the first son, Feyi, that was asked to travel with the corpse to the village for burial.

He was the only person that travelled with the corpse. His mother, wife and children are in the village. Right now, he is not dead, he was rushed to the hospital for proper medication and I pray he recovers quickly,” Iron said.

When the news first broke, it was reported that the entire Agagu family were in the plane but that information posted online by some online media was false.

I have no idea any member of Falae family died in the crash —Falae’s Lagos Security man

When Saturday Vanguard visited Chief Olu Falae’s Lagos residence  in Victoria Island, there was no relation in the house. The security man told Saturday Vanguard that Chief Falae and the family has not been staying in the house for more than five years and have  rented it out to other people.

Talking about  the crash, the  security guard said he had no idea that any member of the family was involved in the crash. “ I am not aware of anything like that, I know Oga has not been staying here for quiet a long time now,” he said.

Afenifere, Adebanjo express shock

THE Ikoyi residence of late former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Kokumo Agagu wore a gloomy look on Thursday when the news went round that the aircraft conveying his corpse, his first son, Feyi and others crashed at the Murtala Mohammed international Airport in Lagos.

When Saturday Vanguard visited the Agagu residence, visitors including journalists were prevented from entering the compound as according to the gateman, “that was the instruction given to us.”

When Saturday Vanguard  probed further to know how he got wind of the plane crash, the gateman said it was the “houseboy that informed  me what had happened to Oga.”

Efforts by Saturday Vanguard to get information from the gateman proved abortive as he “does not want to get into trouble.” But a family member, who spoke under anonmity, at the Ikoyi residence, told Saturday Vanguard that Agagu’s eldest son, Feyi, had left home Thursday morning to ensure “their journey to Akure was hitch-free”.

The source added that “Feyi left home, in company of his friend and a mobile policeman to the airport but we later heard of the unfortunate incident. I have spoken with one of my elder brothers who has since gotten in touch with him. We thank God that he is okay but it is a pity that Chief Falae’s son, among others, did not make it.”
It’s a rude shock—Afenifere

In it’s reaction to the plane crash, Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere expressed shock.
Afenifere’s national publicity secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin, tearfully told Saturday Vanguard that “It is a terrible tragedy that such a bubbling young son of Chief Falae died in the crash. Words are not enough to console him because this is their first promising child, with such energy and zeal.

For him to have died in the plane crash is shocking to the Olu Falae at this point. One can only pray that God Almighty will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. May the soul of the young man rest in perfect peace.”

It is unfortunate—Adebanjo

Another Afenifere topnotch, Chief Ayo Adebanjo expressed sadness saying “it’s unfortunate, it’s a big tragedy to the country. Only God can console the bereaved.”

Also, Afenifere Renewal Group condoled with the Agagu family and others involved in the crash.
ARG’s publicity secretary, Kunle Famoriyo said that “Agagu’s burial rite does not deserve such a terrible ill-fate occasioned by nothing other than the rot and corruption that has bedevilled our nation in an un-restrained manner.”

ARG, however, condemned the spreading rumours, which aim to attribute the obnoxious incident to some unfounded fetishism. Such barbaric utterances could affect the atmosphere needed to ensure the immediate and remote causes of the crash. We therefore urge all Nigerians to replace such rumour with the clamour for transparency and uncompromised upholding of aviation standards and policies.”

It added that “when previous errors are not decisively and wholesomely corrected, there is bound to be a repeat. We cannot confidently say that plane crashes have been handled in such a way that will forestall it, judging from the frequency of occurrence.

”Our heart grieve and we condole with the Agagu family and families of other victims of the plane crash, the government and people of Ondo State, the entire Yoruba land and Nigeria as a whole”, it stated.