Birthdays

Maryam Babangida, former fisrt lady and wife of Ibrahim Babangida, former military president, 61, November 1. Born in Asaba, Delta State, Maryam studied at the Lasalle University, Illinois, Chicago, USA. She was the president, Nigeria Army Officers’ Wives Association, NAOWA, from 1984-1985. She initiated the Better Life Programme for Rural Women during her husband’s tenure as president.

Francis Arinze, cardinal and president, secretariat for Inter-Religious Dialogue, the Vatican, Rome, 77, November 1. Arinze was educated in Nigeria and England. He became the second Nigerian Cardinal in 1985. He was president, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.

Chuka  Momah, microbiologist, sport analyst, businessman, 59, October 28. Born in Onitsha, Anambra State, he was educated at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1976. He later joined Mereck Sharp and Dohme Nigeria Limited as senior medical representative between 1978 and 1980. Momah was the chief executive of Sport Spectacular Limited before he joined the National Concord where he worked as a journalist from 1982-1985. He was also a columnist with The Guardian Newspaper, 1985; contributing editor and columnist, Newswatch magazine, from 1985 to date. Momah was the chairman, Lawn Tennis Association, 1995-1997 and was re-elected president, Nigeria Tennis Federation, 1997-2001; vice chairman, African Tennis Federation, 1991-1994.

Fola Adeniran, geologist, administratior, 67, October 29. Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, he was educated at the University of Ibadan, 1965-1969; Watford College of Technology, 1971-1972 and University of Aston, Birmingham, 1972-1973. He began his career as a geologist at the Geological Survey, Kaduna in 1971; became general manger, Nigeria Shoe Company Limited, 1974-1976; advertising manager, Daily times of Nigeria, 1976-1980; head, department of management studies, Ibadan Polytechnic, Ibadan, 1983-1984; head, department of business administration, Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, 1987. He is also a member of the Nigeria Institute of Management.

Emily Okheren Aig-Imoukhuede, historian, 68, October 27. Born in Sabongida-Ora, Owan, Edo State, she was educated at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, Ibadan, 1959-1961; University of Ibadan 1961-1964. She was a history teacher at St Anne’s School, Ibadan in 1966. She served as a member of the health care financial committee, federal ministry of health; member of the board, National University Commission, 1986; director, Nigeria Cargo Handling Company, 1987 and president, National Council of Women’s Societies of Nigeria, NCWSN, 1988. She is the publisher of The Seven Maidens and Other Stories.

Modupe Fadina, lawyer and consultant, 61, October 28. He was born into the Ijemo Royal family of Ota, Ogun State. He attended St  Paul’s Primary School, Igbore, Abeokuta; Iganmode Grammar School, Ota; CMS Grammar School, Bariga; University of Ife, and University of Lagos. He worked with UAC Nigeria PLC and CAP Plc before retiring into private practice. He is a member of Ikoyi Club; Island Club, Lagos, and he is a chorister at St Paul’s Church Breadfruit, Lagos.

Aruwa, Nuhu Wada, retired chief superintendent of customs, 57, October 18. Born in Ebeje, Dekina Local Government, Kogi State, he studied at LGA Primary School, Odu-Ogboyaga 1960-66, Government Secondary School, Dekina, 1967-71, Advanced Diploma, University of Lagos, 2003/2004. Aruwa joined Nigeria Customs Service in 1972 and retired in 2007

Raphael Oluremi Aina, professor of business education and vocational training, 70, October 24. He was educated at St Nicholas, Catholic Primary School, Otan-Ayegbaju, Osun State, 1945-1953; St Murumba College, Ile-Ife, 1957; Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, USA, 1970-1976. He started his career as a teaching staff at Loi-Norix Secondary School, Kalamazoo, USA; he also taught at the University of North Dakota, USA, 1974-1977. Aina started as a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1977 and rose to become a professor in 1989. He also had a stint in teaching at the Nigeria Defence Academy and was later registrar and chief executive officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board, NABTEB, 1992-2002. He is the author of two books: Three Decades of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Nigeria and Assessment and Contemporary Issues in Education 

Died

Onwuchekwa Agwu, on Monday, September 28, aged 81. He died at his home in Lagos. He will be buried on Friday, December 18, in his home town, Elu-Ohafia, Abia State.

Elizabeth Olusola Duruojaiye, nee Johnson, aged 77. She was the mother of Engineer Jide Durojaiye, an engineer and principal manger, (projects) Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, Abuja. She is survived by three children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She would be committed to mother-earth on the October 30, 2009 at Attan cemetery, Yaba, Lagos, while entertainment of guests will take place at the Federal Civil Service Club, Yaba, opposite Abule Ijesha road gate of Yaba College of Technlogy.

Ekanem Louis Eyo, aged 86, on September 27, at a Lagos Hospital. A native of Ikot Uyo Okon, in Cross River State, she was instrumental to the setting up of an early branch of the Presbyterian Church in Ikeja area of Lagos.

She is survived by six children, 17 grandchildren and four great grandchildren among whom is Elizabeth Ikem, provost of the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, NIJ, Ogba, Lagos.