Goke Odeyinka pays tribute to Bello, journalist, lawyer, and Lagos State Commissioner for Environment
I have always wondered why some people think I am the closest person to Tunji Bello. But I know I am not. I came to know Tunji when I joined National Concord Newspapers as a reporter in the 80s, and he was on the Features desk. Since he normally passed by the newsroom before getting to his office, he would breeze in on few occasions. There was nothing special about that except for the exchange of pleasantries whenever we met along the corridor or elsewhere.
Our “friendship” however started when he was appointed Politics Editor. His office was directly opposite the newsroom, and I visited there regularly for information on happenings in the political arena. Apart from “politricks” (as our Publisher, MKO, would call it), we talked sports (football mostly) and music, especially Abami Eda’s (Fela’s) afrobeat.
Kogi NUJ condoles with Bello s aide over father s death — Nigeria — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News guardian.ng - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from guardian.ng Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Daily Trust reports that each of the 13 coaches of the train had 86 passengers on board. The two-hour journey lasted for about six hours (6:40am to 12:15 pm).
At 7:20 am, the train finally broke down at Dutse substation. The passengers were stranded until 10:12 am when another locomotive was brought.
Security personnel on board the train took strategic positions to protect the passengers. The fear of kidnapping has made many motorists abandon the Abuja-Kaduna Road for the train.
A passenger, An Assistant National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Midat Joseph, said the train developed fault around 7:am.
“I left my house as early as 5:am to join the 6:40am train but unfortunately I was trapped in the forest for three hours. This is not the first time I will be experiencing this mess,” he said.
The stranded passengers
Hundred of passengers on Abuja/Kaduna train are currently stranded in Dutse, Kaduna, as the train developed faults few minutes into the journey.
Daily Trust reports that five minutes after the train departed the Rigasa Station in Kaduna, it developed a mechanical fault.
Twice, the train stopped before getting to Dutse, where it finally broke down.
Midat Joseph, an Assistant National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), who is one of the passengers, said the train developed fault around 7:am.
“ I left my house as early as 5:am to join the 6:40am train but unfortunately I have been trapped here in this forest. This is not the first time I will be experiencing this mess,” he said.
Need to defend press freedom by all lawful means msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.