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Chief Nathaniel Folarin Coker (1923–2020): A Legacy of Service and Culture

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Chief Nathaniel Folarin Coker was born on July 22, 1923, in Lagos, Nigeria. He attended the prestigious Church Missionary Society (CMS) Grammar School from 1934 to 1941, where he excelled academically and served as Senior Prefect.

In 1948, he proceeded to the University of Exeter, England, graduating in 1950 with a Diploma in Public Administration. He later studied law at London’s Court Inns and was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in July 1960.

Civil Service Career

Coker began his professional life as an Information Officer in the colonial service, later working in both Northern and Western Nigeria before joining the Lagos State Civil Service after the state was created in 1967.

Key Appointments

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources / Trade and Industry (1968–1970)

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Community Development (1970–1972)

Chairman, Lagos State Scholarship Board (1970–1972)

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Tourism (1972–1975)

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Social Development (1975–1978)

He retired in August 1978 at the statutory age of 55, leaving behind a reputation for integrity, professionalism, and administrative excellence.

Cultural and Social Engagement

Chief Coker was more than a civil servant; he was a cultural figure and historian. He was conferred with the chieftaincy title “Baba Eto of Lagos” by the Oba of Lagos for his contributions to the city’s cultural and social life. He was later honored as “Baba Eto of Yorubaland” and also held the title of Bobagunwa of Igede-Ekiti.

An active member of Lagos’ social circles, he served as president of both the Yoruba Tennis Club and the Island Club.

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Contributions to Literature and Heritage

A passionate historian, Chief Coker authored several significant works, including:

A Nigerian Hero: Sir Adetokunbo Ademola

Iya Eko: Oyinkan Abayomi

The Life of Bishop Kale

These writings reflect his deep commitment to documenting Nigeria’s history and celebrating its icons.
Recognition and Honours

Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)

Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, University of Port Harcourt (1993)

Lagos State Government named a clinic in Alausa in his honor.

Final Years and Passing

Chief Nathaniel Folarin Coker passed away on August 12, 2020, at the age of 97. Tributes poured in from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, and numerous institutions, all honoring his exceptional contributions to public service and cultural life.

Chief Coker’s life bridged the colonial and post-independence eras of Nigeria. He exemplified the ideals of service, culture, and historical preservation. His legacy remains woven into the civic and cultural fabric of Lagos and beyond.

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Ogogo’s daughters announce plans to enter Nollywood

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Daughters of the late Nollywood icon Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, have announced their decision to pursue acting and filmmaking more actively, pledging to carry on their father’s legacy in the Nigerian film industry.

The sisters, Taiwo Halima Olamide (also known as Lima Ogogo) and Shakirat Taiwo (Kira Ogogo), made the declaration in an appreciation video shared on Instagram and sighted by PUNCH Online on Friday.

The video, credited primarily to Kira Ogogo’s account and also linked to her YouTube channel KiraOgogoTV, has since been widely reported by Nigerian media outlets.

In the direct-to-camera message, the sisters expressed deep gratitude to fans, public figures, and well-wishers who supported the family after Ogogo’s death in August 2026.

“You guys loved our daddy so much. This is an appreciation video to tell you people thank you,” they said.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Lima added: “On behalf of my family and I, we want to say thank you very much to everybody who stood by us.”

They specifically acknowledged support from prominent figures, including Honourable Tayo Ayinde, the First Lady of Nigeria, the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), and the Olu of Ilaro, as well as the many messages of sympathy that poured in during their period of mourning.

The sisters then turned to their future plans. They made clear that their involvement in the industry would not be limited to tributes but represented a long-term commitment.

“We are going to start seeing Ogogo through my sister Kira Ogogo. We are coming to the industry, and we’re here to stay,” Lima stated.

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They urged fans who loved watching their father’s movies to extend the same support to their own projects, encouraging people to watch, share, and promote their forthcoming films and content, particularly on Kira Ogogo’s YouTube channel, KiraOgogoTV.

Ogogo, a respected figure in Yoruba cinema known for his calm and authoritative screen presence, died on August 23, 2026, at the age of 66 after a battle with stage-four cancer. He was buried the following day in Ilaro, Ogun State, according to Islamic rites.

His death prompted widespread tributes across Nollywood and beyond.
The daughters’ announcement has been welcomed by many who followed their father’s career, viewing it as a way to keep his influence and contributions alive for a new generation of audiences.

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Nollywood veteran, Francis Duru, dies at 57

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Veteran Nollywood actor, Francis Duru, has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness.

His family announced his death on his official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, expressing appreciation to fans and well-wishers for their support.

“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness.

“We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen,” the statement read.

Duru’s death comes months after he dismissed reports that he was battling a life-threatening illness.

In June, concern spread among fans and colleagues after a video showing the actor looking frail circulated on social media.

Responding to the reports, Duru shared a video on Instagram in which he described the footage as “fabricated and malicious”.

Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education in the country before relocating to Nigeria for university studies.

He gained admission to the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he studied Theatre Arts and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.

Duru began his acting career in 1989 with Missing Mark, a film directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko.

However, he gained wider recognition in 1995 after featuring in Rattlesnake, an action-comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe. He played Ahanna in the film.

Throughout his career, Duru received several awards and honours for his contributions to the Nigerian film industry. He was also named a United Nations ambassador of peace in recognition of his influence on young people.

See also  Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Algeria, Lele, dies at 50

In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.

Duru married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and they had four children together. The family lost one of their children, Ifeanyi, in August 2024.

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Lifestyle

SOME MOTHERS-IN-LAW DON’T WANT TO LOSE THEIR CHILDREN — THEY WANT TO CONTROL THEIR CHILDREN’S MARRIAGES!

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**A MOTHER-IN-LAW CAN GIVE BIRTH TO A HAPPY FAMILY’S BIGGEST NIGHTMARE!**

Imagine marrying someone you love, only to discover that you are not just married to your husband or wife — you are also expected to answer to their mother for almost everything!

She wants to control your home, influence how you spend money, interfere in how you raise your children, and determine whether you are good enough for her son or daughter.

And the moment you speak up, you are labelled disrespectful, ungrateful, or a bad husband or wife!

**BUT HERE IS THE BIG QUESTION: IF YOUR CHILD IS OLD ENOUGH TO GET MARRIED, WHY IS THAT CHILD NOT OLD ENOUGH TO MAKE MARRIAGE DECISIONS WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION?**

Parents deserve respect. But marriage is not a lifelong competition between a mother and her child’s spouse.

A mature mother-in-law understands that her role is to guide, not control; to support, not sabotage; and to encourage peace, not create division.

And let us not pretend the problem always lies with the mother-in-law. Some husbands hide behind their mothers because they lack the courage to set boundaries. Some wives or husbands deliberately provoke family conflicts. Sometimes, the entire family contributes to the problem.

But when a married person consistently allows a parent to humiliate, undermine, or control their spouse, the marriage begins to suffer.

**YOUR PARENTS MAY BE YOUR FIRST FAMILY, BUT YOUR MARRIAGE ALSO DESERVES PROTECTION, LOYALTY, AND RESPECT.**

**LET’S SETTLE THIS DEBATE!**

Who is the biggest problem when a mother-in-law interferes in a marriage?

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1️⃣ The mother-in-law who refuses to let go of control?

2️⃣ The husband who cannot stand up for his wife?

3️⃣ The wife who refuses to respect her husband’s family?

4️⃣ Or the couple who allows outsiders to dictate the future of their marriage?

**BE HONEST! WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?**

Share this post. Someone needs to hear this truth today!

#MarriageIssues #MotherInLawProblems #FamilyDrama #RelationshipDebate #MarriageAdvice #Newsbreak365

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