Entertainment
Otedola Bridge tanker fire: Dotun Oladipo, Publisher, The Eagle Online, Narrates his escape with wife, child, and car, but lost his mechanic
▪︎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
Entertainment
Is Wizkid Bigger Than Fela? What’s your take?
Seun Kuti had warned against comparing modern artists to his father, saying it was disrespectful and an attempt to “steal the man’s image
Photo collage of Seun , Fela and WizKid?
Grammy winner Wizkid has finally broken silence after days of criticism from Seun Kuti, who accused Wizkid’s fans of disrespecting his father, legendary Fela Kuti.
The dispute ignited last week after Seun, publicly accused his colleague’s fanbase, known as Wizkid FC, of disrespecting his late father’s legacy by drawing comparisons between Fela and the Grammy winner.
In a response shared on Instagram, Wizkid posted a video of a woman defending him, saying he’s done more to promote Fela Kuti’s work to a new generation.
Wizkid added: “Fela fight for freedom this Dey fight fc!! I big pass your papa, wetin you wan do? @bigbirdkuti I’m Big Wiz everyday bigger than your papa!! Wetin u one do”
Seun Kuti had warned against comparing modern artists to his father, saying it was disrespectful and an attempt to “steal the man’s image”.
Entertainment
Valentino Garavani, Italy’s fashion king, dies at 93
Best known as just Valentino, the designer’s creations — many of them in “Valentino red” — were worn by the who’s who of the international elite, from Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Nancy Reagan to Sharon Stone, Julia Roberts and Gwyneth Paltrow in recent years.
•Valentino Garavani / Getty image
Valentino Garavani, Italy’s fashion king has died at his home in Rome. He was 93.
Valentino launched his label in 1960 and found worldwide fame dressing European royals, American first ladies, and stars of the day.
“Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones,” wrote his Rome-based foundation on social media.
A funeral is planned for Friday in the Italian capital, with a lying in state on Wednesday and Thursday.
Best known as just Valentino, the designer’s creations — many of them in “Valentino red” — were worn by the who’s who of the international elite, from Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Nancy Reagan to Sharon Stone, Julia Roberts and Gwyneth Paltrow in recent years.
When the empress of Iran, Farah Pahlavi, escaped the country during the 1979 revolution, she was wearing a coat made by Valentino.
Dubbed “the Sheik of Chic” by Women’s Wear Daily in the 1980s, Valentino was celebrated by the New York Times in 1997 for his “single-minded dedication to glamour.”
The Nigerian music industry is in mourning following the sudden death of rising Afrofuji and Afrobeats singer Afeez Adeshina, popularly known as Destiny Boy, at the age of 22.
The heartbreaking news broke earlier today when popular Instagram investigative journalist Temilola Sobola announced the singer’s passing on social media, writing: “Singer Destiny Boy has passed away.
May his soul Rest In Peace 🕊️.
”Destiny Boy, born in 2004, first gained widespread recognition in 2019 with his energetic Fuji-infused cover of Davido’s hit song “If.
“His unique blend of traditional Fuji rhythms with modern Afrobeats earned him a dedicated fanbase and established him as one of Nigeria’s most promising young talents in the genre often referred to as Afrofuji.
The young artist’s death comes just months after significant personal milestones. In November 2024, he joyfully welcomed his first child at the age of 20, and earlier that year in March 2024, he made headlines by proposing to his partner with a reportedly multi-million-naira diamond ring.
As of now, no official cause of death has been confirmed by the family, management, or credible authorities. While unverified reports and speculation including claims of a prolonged illness, vomiting blood, or other circumstances have circulated online, these remain unsubstantiated.
A viral video allegedly showing the singer’s remains has further fueled discussions and grief on social media.
Destiny Boy’s young wife was seen in a widely shared clip breaking down in tears, pleading “Afeez wake up” as she mourned the devastating loss, highlighting the profound personal impact on his family.
Fans and colleagues have flooded social media with tributes, shock, and reflections on life’s fragility. One emotional post read: “So tomorrow is not sure for anybody.
”The sudden passing marks a tragic end to a career that showed immense promise. Destiny Boy’s high-energy performances and distinctive sound had already taken him on tours across Africa and the UK.
Further details, including funeral arrangements, are expected as the family processes this immense loss. The music community and fans continue to send condolences to his loved ones, including his young child and wife, during this difficult time.
May his soul rest in peace. 🕊️
Rivers Chief Judge : “Why I Can’t set up Fubara ‘s probe panel”
Kudirat Abiola’s Murder: Supreme Court Dismisses Lagos State Appeal for Retrial of Al-Mustapha
Governor Mutfwang condemns attack on plateau mining communities
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
News2 days agoLagos urges residents to prepare for 64 days traffic from Lekki Phase 1–Ajah Bridge as reconstruction begins
-
News3 days agoSanwo-Olu says ₦4.4trn 2026 budget for prosperity of Lagos residents
-
Entertainment3 days agoValentino Garavani, Italy’s fashion king, dies at 93
-
News3 days agoNOA DG Urges National Assembly to criminalise Fuel Scooping
-
News2 days agoLASEMA releases update regarding fire outbreak at Computer Village Ikeja
-
Health2 days agoObasanjo to champion Nigeria’s newborns health as 800 die Everyday
-
Business3 days agoWEF 2026: Shettima commissions first-ever Nigeria House in Davos
-
News2 days agoMajor Fire Engulfs Section of Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos