OKECHUKWU OBETA, who covered the burial of three brothers who were consumed by the fire that ravaged the Great Nigeria Insurance House in Lagos, reports that tears flowed from sympathisers and relations as the remains of the three victims were buried in Anambra a few days ago
The atmosphere in Nze Omatu Ikwuamaeze family house in Uzoakwa village, Ihiala local government area of Anambra state, on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, was, indeed, pathetic as hundreds of mourners gathered to bid farewell to three brothers of the family who lost their lives in the 24 December 2025 fire disaster that ravaged the Great Nigeria Insurance House in Lagos.
The mood among those who thronged into the sprawling family compound in their hundreds, most of whom dressed in black attire, was, indeed, that of deep sorrow and heavy heart.
Some even wailed, bore swollen eyes with tears flowing down their cheeks like running taps as the three caskets bearing the remains of the three brothers were placed in the family compound for the requiem Mass.
Mourners became more grieved and emotional when the eldest son of the family, a priest of the Catholic Church, Minna Diocese, Niger state, Rev. Fr. William Ugonna Omatu, narrated the tragic story of the demise of his three brothers in the 25-storey building, Great Nigeria Insurance House fire disaster.
The deceased brothers were Steve, aged 40, Casmir, aged 39, and Collins, a twin, aged 37. He said that it was possible that his three brothers and even other victims might have been saved if the Lagos state government had intervened early to save the situation. The Catholic clergy insisted that the Lagos State government, particularly the state government’s fire service, did not intervene when the inferno engulfed the Great Nigeria Insurance House. So, he called for a thorough probe into the fire disaster, describing it as a “national tragedy”.
He notably dismissed the superstition rumoured among some traditional worshippers in the town that it was a “curse” that claimed his three brothers.
It was gathered that it was firmly believed by some traditional worshippers that their late father, Polycarp Omatu, a Knight of St John International, refused to make a sacrifice to a deity in the community, so they believe that the deity, popularly known as “Ogwugwu”, caused the untimely death of the three sons as revenge.
But, Rev. Fr. Williams dismissed the insinuation with a wave of the hand, saying that the superstition “does not hold any water”, arguing, “My three brothers were not the only ones who died; there were others who died”. He narrated the sad story of the death of his three brothers in an interview, saying, “It (the death of his three brothers) is a national tragedy. It is so unfortunate that the world is not aware of what happened to my three brothers, and not only my three brothers, but many other souls perished in the Great Nigeria Insurance House on the 24th of December, 2025.
“I want the media to find out what happened. It is said that injustice done to one is to all. How must souls be there languishing on 24 December, and the Lagos state government could not provide fire service to rescue Nigerians who were there? It was too unfortunate. And it is my wish that this will never happen to anyone again.”
The clergy argued that the fire raged with the trapped victims for more than one week, from 24 December to 31 December, and the Lagos state government could not do anything to rescue the victims. “What kind of government do we have?” he asked. The clergy continued, “Let the whole world know what is going on in Ihiala, Anambra state, those three brothers: Steve, Casmir, and Collins Omatu – they were my younger brothers, they were victims of what happened on 24 December 2025.
“I am speaking for others who also lost their lives because nobody is speaking for them; I am a priest, and, by virtue of my ordination, I am bound to speak on justice for those who cannot speak for themselves. So, I want the media to find out what happened there. Let there be research, let there be a documentary on what happened on 24 December 2025. It shouldn’t be swept under the carpet”, Rev. Fr. Omatu advised.
An uncle to the deceased three brothers, who said that he was an eyewitness to the Great Nigeria Insurance House fire disaster, Chief Basil Bobity Ndedigwe alleged that it was the Lagos state government’s nonchalant disposition toward the fire disaster that made it impossible for some of the victims to be rescued.
He said that immediately after the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, visited the fire disaster site, government agents cordoned off the area.
Narrating the story of the fire incident in an interview on the sidelines, shortly after the three brothers were interred, Ndedigwe said, “I was there live. The most important thing that got me annoyed is that when the Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, arrived, they did not allow us to go there to explain certain things.
“And the announcement is what baffled me most. He (Gov. Sanwo-Olu) said there were no casualties. And after two days, when they were bringing out some corpses, they (agents of the government) refused that the corpse be videoed.
“They said, ‘If you video it (the corpses), what will you say when the governor has said that there was no casualty?’ So, if you are carrying it and the police stop you and ask you where you are carrying the corpse from, where will you say you are holding the corpse from?”
He expressed grave regret that when he was eventually allowed entry into the scene of the fire disaster, even the skeletons of his three nephews had turned into ashes. So, all he could do was to take the ashes for burial at home. He said that the government agents only allowed him access to the burnt building more than a week after.
Emotions deepened in the mourners at the sight of the children and widows of the deceased when they were being helped to the graveside to perform the burial rites of throwing sand into the grave. Their sights, indeed, provoked heavy hearts as many mourners wailed and rained curses on whosoever had a hand in the circumstance that caused the lives of the three brothers.
Steve left behind a widow and three children: first, two daughters, Ifunanya, aged 7, and Chukwunonyerem, aged 5, and the last child, a boy, Somtochukwu, aged 1. Casmir, according to one of their uncles, who also said that he lived in Lagos with the deceased’s three brothers, left a pregnant widow. Their third brother, Collins, a twin, has not been married. According to tradition, his twin brother, Ugochukwu, was absent from the burial ceremony. He was not allowed to see the remains of his twin, even as his casket was being lowered into the grave. Their parents, Sir Polycarp Omatu and his wife, Lady Juliana, have also already joined their ancestors some years ago. With the demise of their three children, those left in the family are the priest, Rev. Fr. William Omatu, who is, incidentally, the first male child, but second child, after Adaora (first child), Ujunwa (third child), and Ugochukwu, the last child. Adaora and Ujunwa are already married. So, Fr. William and Ugochukwu are left to care for the two widows and children of their deceased brothers.
However, a former Anambra State governor, Mr Peter Obi, who visited the bereaved family, consoled them and promised to maintain a close relationship with them. He told them that he shared in their pain over the tragic demise of their family members. The Chairman of Ihiala local government, Hon. Anayochukwu Ojiakor, said that he was mandated by the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to represent him at the funeral. He promised that his local government would do everything within its power to support the bereaved family of the three deceased brothers.
But as far as Fr. William and the homilist during the requiem Mass, spiritual director of Upper Room Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Anthony Nnaji, are concerned, “God does not abandon orphans”. They expressed strong faith that God will always cater for the widows and orphans. For instance, Fr. William, referencing the Bible passage, said, “In Job chapter 19:25, Job said ‘I know that my redeemer liveth’. And in Romans 8:37, it is said ‘in all these things we are more than conquerors’”. “What we have today is by the grace of God. The sustenance of the two widows, children, and my siblings is in the hands of God,” Fr. William said. Fr. Nnaji was emphatic that God knew about the tragedy that befell the three brothers. He particularly cautioned those making negative comments about their death to desist, warning that such statements could be a reason for such people to be condemned to hellfire on their last day. “God does not tell anyone when He will come for him or how He will come for him,” Fr. Nnaji admonished.
Similarly, the president of the Ihiala indigenous priests and religious, Rev. Fr. Desmond Ebulue, a Redemptorist priest, dismissed the superstition being alluded to as the cause of the tragic death of the three brothers. He said that though their death was a tragedy, as Christians, they were not subject to any deity. The Vicar-General of the Minna Diocese, Rev. Fr. Tadeus Umaru, represented the Bishop at the requiem Mass attended by 47 Catholic priests and over 20 Reverend Sisters.
Chinedu said that he got the worst beating of his life from soldiers and police personnel when he attempted to go to the scene of the fire disaster to see if he could rescue his three trapped nephews. Chibuzo Mbachi, a trader at the Balogun Market, dealing in ladies’ wear and T-shirts, said that he lost goods worth over N70 million to vandals who invaded the market. He lamented that, even though security agencies and other agents of the Lagos state government prevented them from entering the market to retrieve their goods, the thieves still carted them away.
“I want to plead with the Lagos state government to come to our help. In such a market, we are supposed to have a functional fire service station. I lost between N70 million and N78 million. I deal in ladies’ wear and T-shirts. As we were running away, because security people were chasing us away, thieves were carting away our goods,” Mbachi lamented.
US President Donald Trump said Friday he is sending envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv with a plan to end more than four years of war in Ukraine.
The move marks Washington’s latest bid to break a diplomatic stalemate in Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
A senior Ukrainian official told AFP the envoys were due in Kyiv on Sunday.
US outlet Axios reported they would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday, and then President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Sunday. The Kremlin declined to comment.
Trump told reporters that the two negotiators would seek to gauge whether progress towards peace was possible.
Peace efforts have stalled due to Washington’s war with Iran, while Moscow and Kyiv have intensified long-range attacks, driving up civilian casualties to levels not seen since the start of fighting.
“I sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two great negotiators. They’ve done a great job, and we sent them over to see whether or not we can get something done. And there may be a good chance that we’ll do it,” Trump said.
“They’re bringing with them a proposal to end the war,” he said.
The US president would not say whether the plan involved Ukraine ceding territory as he has previously suggested, but added: “We have an idea for peace.”
It will be the first time that Trump’s businessman friend Witkoff and son-in-law Kushner have visited war-torn Kyiv since Trump returned to office last year with a pledge to resolve the conflict.
Witkoff and Kushner, who have been involved in negotiations for ceasefires in Gaza and Iran, have travelled repeatedly to Moscow in previous attempts at diplomacy.
– Grinding war –
The renewed push for diplomacy comes as Russia and Ukraine pummel each other with long-range missile and drone attacks.
Just hours before Trump’s announcement, a Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s SBU security service in central Kyiv, according to Zelensky.
The strike, which Zelensky said was aimed at the office of the agency’s acting chief, was the first on its headquarters since the start of the invasion.
Despite the unprecedented nature of the strike, the Ukrainian president proposed observing a ceasefire with Russia for the duration of the US envoys’ trip.
“There will be no airstrikes on our part, and Russia must reciprocally ensure a ceasefire — without its own airstrikes — for the duration needed to conduct these talks,” he said in his evening address.
Russia did not immediately comment on the proposal.
Hours later, Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration, said a Russian strike killed four people and wounded five in the southeastern city of Kamianske.
Zelensky had said on Wednesday that Russian airspace would be “completely unsafe” and filled with Ukrainian drones as long as Moscow continued its war.
Witkoff and Kusher’s trip comes more than week after a rare visit to Moscow by CIA director John Ratcliffe, who warned Russia against any attack on NATO member states, according to US media.
Earlier this week, the United States welcomed the Russian finance minister at a G20 gathering in North Carolina.
Lewis Hamilton says he has been reflecting on the significance of potentially becoming the first black Formula 1 driver to win for Ferrari at the Italian Grand Prix as he targets his maiden victory for the team at Monza this weekend.
The seven-time world champion, in his second season with Ferrari, said the possibility of breaking new ground at the team’s home race had been among his thoughts ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.
According to Sky Sports News on Thursday, Hamilton had already won at Monza five times in his career, but none of those victories came in Ferrari colours.
“Winning in Monza for the first time with Ferrari is something I’ve witnessed Charles [Leclerc] win in 2019, when I was on the podium with him. But to do it while I’m here would be phenomenal.
“And the thought of if I did do that, probably I would be the only black driver to ever do that for Ferrari in Italy probably in history, maybe, and so just like a lot of those thoughts have been through my mind,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton’s first Ferrari Grand Prix victory came in Barcelona in June, boosting his hopes of challenging for the championship in his second campaign with the Italian team.
He currently trails Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli by 59 points with 11 rounds remaining, while his prospects at Monza have been further strengthened by Antonelli’s grid penalty for exceeding his permitted engine-part allocation.
Reflecting on the significance of another potential victory at the circuit, Hamilton said: “I’ve really thought coming into this weekend, as I pondered, just thinking of the sheer magnitude of the concept that I’m coming to this Grand Prix, I didn’t even know that I had I was equal with Michael [Schumacher] on [five Monza] wins, for example.”
“But the thought that there’s a first ahead of me, in the sense that potentially, if I was to win, you go into new territory.
Hamilton also acknowledged the pressure that comes with racing Ferrari at its home event, where thousands of passionate supporters known as the Tifosi are expected to attend.
“The pressure is high. You also want to deliver for the team. There’s all those people at the factory, many of them will get to come to this race, the Tifosi, who come in huge numbers and the passion is unmatched, and you want to deliver for them as well,” he said.
Hamilton will also have his mother at Monza, adding another personal dimension to the weekend.
The F1 hero said, “And my mum’s here this weekend because I don’t think she’s been to Monza, but also particularly on a Ferrari weekend. I wanted her to experience that and you know bring any of the lucky dust she can bring.”
Engine upgrade won’t recover ‘whole gap’
Hamilton’s chances of challenging for victory have also been boosted by Ferrari’s latest engine upgrade, with the team confirming it had used its second permitted opportunity of the season to improve its power unit.
Ferrari’s engine deficit to Mercedes has been one of its weaknesses this season, and Hamilton said the upgrade could help narrow the gap, although he did not expect it to eliminate the deficit entirely.
“Every little helps, and I think up until this point of the year we’ve been losing, even in the last race on such a short circuit we were losing four tenths a lap through the race. That’s a huge deficit and we’ve carried that through the year to this point.
He praised the work being done by Ferrari’s staff, saying he had noticed a greater sense of direction within the team compared with his first season.
“What I can say is I’m really proud when I go back to the factory and see how hard everyone is working. They’re really just heads down, and everyone’s so enthusiastic.
“I see a different focus this year to last year. Last year, I felt like there wasn’t really a north star. We were doing the best we could, but not really knowing exactly what we were trying to aim for. Now we have a north star, and we know where we need to work towards,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton said the latest upgrade represented progress but acknowledged that Ferrari still had ground to make up.
“I think they’ve done a tremendous job to really pull together and deliver. This is a step forward, it’s not the whole gap that we need but we knew that would be the case.
“But to see bits coming each weekend, adding to the car, it’s exciting to see that we are pushing and I strongly still believe that we’ve got what it takes to win,” he concluded.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health has debunked claims that officials of Randle General Hospital delayed treatment and attempted to extort money from a vulnerable patient, saying the woman who made the allegation also gave the wrong age of her daughter.
The ministry, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, on Thursday, said its investigation established that the patient, Alimat Oshodi, is 21 years old and not 13 as claimed in a viral social media post.
According to the ministry, Alimat first presented at the hospital’s Mother and Child Centre on August 4, 2026, as an emergency case requiring immediate medical intervention.
It said she received life-saving emergency care under the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care programme at no cost to her family and was discharged on August 11.
“The initial value of the emergency care provided was ₦75,950, free of charge,” the statement said.
The ministry said Alimat returned to the hospital on August 27 for follow-up care and investigations, after which the hospital’s Social Welfare Unit provided ₦5,000 on August 28 and another ₦13,000 on August 31 towards subsequent investigations.
It added that the patient contributed ₦10,000, while the total state assistance provided to her stood at ₦93,950.
Explaining the controversy over a Point of Sale transaction, the ministry said the patient sought a refund of the ₦13,000 already paid on her behalf by the Hospital Welfare Fund after an NGO offered to cover the cost.
“She was informed that Social Welfare payments could not be refunded at the Paypoint in accordance with established procedure,” the ministry said.
The ministry said the case demonstrated that the state’s social health protection mechanisms had been applied to ensure that financial difficulties did not prevent the patient from receiving necessary care.
It listed the mechanisms as Ilera Eko, hospital-based Social Welfare support and the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care programme.
“This investigation has established the facts surrounding the incident and confirms that the State’s social health protection mechanisms work seamlessly and, in this case, provide timely support at no cost to the patient when she required emergency care to the tune of ₦93,950,” Abayomi said.
He said the findings were contrary to the impression created by the social media post that a Lagos State government hospital was trying to delay access to care and extort money from a vulnerable patient.
PUNCH Online had reported that controversy followed a social media post by Mrs Oshodi, who alleged that hospital officials delayed treatment and demanded money from her daughter, whom she claimed was 13 and in need of urgent medical intervention.
The post went viral on social media, prompting the Lagos State Ministry of Health to investigate the circumstances surrounding the patient’s treatment.
The ministry said its investigation established that the patient was 21 and had received emergency treatment as well as subsequent financial assistance from the government.
It added that it was improving payment processes across public hospitals through the rollout of the Smart Health Information Platform and regular audits of fee collection practices.
The Lagos State Sports Commission also intervened in the case of her daughter, a young squash player, Mariam Oshodi, who missed a tournament after she complained that some officials of a local government allegedly locked up her shop where her daughter’s sports equipment was kept.
The Director-General of the commission, Lekan Fatodu, on Wednesday met with Mrs Oshodi and her daughter, following the viral video in which she expressed frustration over the circumstances that prevented her daughter from participating in a regional tournament.
Mariam, who represents Lagos State in squash in the U-15 category, was reportedly unable to assess her squash racket after the shop where it was kept was locked by officials of Surulere Local Government.
According to the mother, the officials usually cite environmental concerns for such actions, despite their efforts to keep the surroundings clean.
In the viral TikTok video, Kafayat alleged that while she was out of town, her daughter took some of the medals she had won in previous competitions to the local government office in an attempt to convince the officials of the importance of the racket to her sporting career.
She alleged that the officials nevertheless refused to give the young athlete access to the shop.
Responding to the concerns, Fatodu assured the family that the commission would immediately engage the government entity involved in the incident to prevent a recurrence.
He also outlined mid- and long-term measures, including the activation of a robust policy framework to mitigate similar circumstances, improved communication channels between the commission, parents and young athletes, and increased awareness among ministries, departments and agencies on the need to protect and support emerging sporting talents.
