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Otedola Bridge tanker fire: Dotun Oladipo, Publisher, The Eagle Online, Narrates his escape with wife, child, and car, but lost his mechanic

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▪︎Collage of Dotun Oladipo, Publisher, The Eagle Online, (left), and Rotimi Olaleye, the mechanic.

I write this from the point of ‘Pain’ and ‘Gratitude’.

Pain because of the death of a hardworking and honest man, Rotimi Olaleye, who was both a great father, as attested to by his children who he has been taking care of single-handedly since his wife died about five years ago, and an honest and diligent auto mechanic, as confirmed by his clients, including yours truly. 

We met less than a week before his death, but he left an unforgettable impression on me, even in death. Gratitude?

I was less than 10 seconds away from where Mr. Olaleye was when the fire that took his life occurred with my wife and first child.

Let me start from the beginning. I met Mr. Olaleye on March 8, 2025, following a need to change my mechanic.

I was introduced to him by the best car air conditioning technician I had ever met, Mr. Akinola Ayeni. We drove the car together on that day.

He spotted some issues, including the fact that the former handler was as careless as not putting the knots that should be holding the connecting ABS wire to the wheel of the driver’s side, by just driving the car.

That was quickly fixed. And he told me, very honestly, that other things had to wait until Monday. That he needed to finish some other jobs. I left happily.

On Monday, I took the car to him. He appeared meticulous. Aside from the fact, that I told him that on completing the work on the Highlander, which my wife uses, I was going to send my car for servicing, he was not in a hurry to declare the vehicle fit. people behind me.

One woman came out of her car and started banging ours: “Move, move.”

She did it a second time and I wound down the back glass, addressing her and my wife who had also become agitated: “We have a man down there. Let’s see if there is still something we can do before we go too far.”

And then his line stopped ringing. My head immediately told me to call Mr. Ayeni. As soon as he picked it up, he asked me: “Have you collected your car? Rotimi has parked by the gate and is waiting for you.”

He did not even hear me saying there was trouble at the workshop until I shouted at the top of my voice.

Mr. Ayeni, who was at Agidingbi, immediately turned back. He, alongside others, discovered the remains of Mr. Olaleye, lying face down. His apprentices who were with him said as the truck crashed, he told them to flee that he needed to “save his customer’s car”.

Meanwhile, his own car was just behind mine. He succeeded in turning the car around to face the workshop. But that was as far as he made it. I cried that night. Something I have not done in several years. I wept bitterly.

In the short period I knew Mr. Olaleye, I learned a lot of lessons.

He left an impact I would never forget. But it was a pity he didn’t pick up my last call, which was to tell him to abandon the car and flee to safety.

His meticulousness on the job was second to none from what I saw in the three days of being with him. He also knew his job. Adieu Mr. Olaleye.

SylvaNews

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Davido honours deceased mother with new hostel at Clifford University Abia

The university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chimezie Omeonu, commended Davido for his contribution to education and for inspiring young Africans.

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Afrobeats superstar Davido has commissioned a female hostel at Clifford University, Abia State, named after his deceased mother, Dr. Veronica Adeleke.

The facility, Veronica Imade Adeleke Female Hostel, was unveiled during the university’s 6th Convocation Ceremony, where Davido also delivered a commencement speech to graduating students.

Davido urged graduates to lead purposeful lives, emphasising that true greatness is, not fame or wealth, but the lives one touches.

“When I looked into their faces, I saw the same fire that built me — that hunger to be seen, to make something out of nothing, to turn pain into power.

“I told them that talent might open the door, but purpose gives it meaning,” Davido said.

The hostel is a tribute to his late mother, an educationist and philanthropist who believed education and compassion could change lives.

“My mother, Dr. Veronica Adeleke, was a teacher and giver who believed education and compassion could change lives. This building is a continuation of her purpose — turning love into legacy,” he wrote.

Davido was joined at the event by his friend, Cubana Chief Priest, who pledged to sponsor 50 students’ school fees.

The university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chimezie Omeonu, commended Davido for his contribution to education and for inspiring young Africans.

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‘65 percent of my fans are Igbos, not Yorubas– Sir Shina Peters

Now 67, Sir Shina Peters dismissed the idea of returning to active music-making, stating that the current environment no longer supports his creative process.

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Popular Nigerian Juju musician Oluwashina Akanbi Peters, widely known as Sir Shina Peters, has opened up about his personal life, revealing that he had his first child at the age of 14.

In a teaser for the upcoming episode of The Honest Bunch podcast, the Afrojuju legend reflected on his early beginnings in life and music, recounting how success came swiftly for him.

“I started my career at the age of 10. I had my first child at 14. I bought my first car at 13. I built my first house at 16,” he said.

Now 67, Sir Shina Peters dismissed the idea of returning to active music-making, stating that the current environment no longer supports his creative process.

“65 per cent of my fans are Igbos, not Yorubas. My fans are demanding that I give them new music but I don’t just go to the studio. I can’t go to the studio, the atmosphere is not conducive to me. I don’t know what to sing,” he added.

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Imisi Wins Big Brother Naija Season 10

She won with 42.8% of the votes, followed by Dede with 15.94%, Koyin with 15.23%, Sultana with 7.94%, Kola with 5.48%, Jason Jae with 4.84%, Mensan with 3.54%, Isabella with 3.07%, and Kaybobo with 1.72%.

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•BBNaija Season 10 Housemate, Imisi Ayanwale…Photo Credit: Africa Magic.

Africa Magic’s viewers pulling show- Big Brother Naija Season 10 ended yesterday with Imisi Ayanwale emerged as the winner of the competition.

She took home N80 million in cash as part of the N150 million grand prize, after an exciting finale that wrapped up months of drama, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

She won with 42.8% of the votes, followed by Dede with 15.94%, Koyin with 15.23%, Sultana with 7.94%, Kola with 5.48%, Jason Jae with 4.84%, Mensan with 3.54%, Isabella with 3.07%, and Kaybobo with 1.72%.

The humorous and outspoken housemate, who enjoyed massive support from her loyal fanbase known as “Ijoba 606,” beat strong contenders including Dede, who finished as first runner-up, as well as Koyin, Kola, Isabella, and Kaybobo

.Known for her witty remarks and playful personality, Imisi became a fan favourite for her comic timing, authenticity, and ability to lighten tense moments in the house.

Her humour, coupled with her resilience during tough tasks, made her one of the most relatable contestants this season.

This comes after Koyin was shockingly evicted, and Dede and Imisi were instructed to leave the house for the stage.

According to the tradition of the show, the lights were turned off in the house after their exit, an emotional moment for fans who had followed the housemates’ journey for weeks.

This edition of Big Brother Naija has been one of the most engaging yet, featuring unexpected twists, emotional evictions, and viral highlights that dominated social conversations for weeks.

With her win, Imisi joins the ranks of previous champions like Mercy Eke, Laycon, Whitemoney, Phyna, Ilebaye, among others.

All remembered for their unique imprint on the Big Brother legacy.

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