USA/Africa Dialogue, No 441: Nigeria Various

Many killed, several wounded as miners clash in
southwest Nigeria

   LAGOS, March 3 (AFP) - Many people were killed and
several injured in clashes between licenced miners and
villagers in southwestern Nigerian state of Oyo,
police and government spokesmen said Thursday.
   Trouble started on Wednesday at Komu in the
Itesiwaju local government area of the state when
villagers stormed the mining site and tried to
dislodge the miners, deputy police spokesman Remi
Oladele told AFP.
   "Reports reaching us indicate that many villagers
lost their lives during the confrontation, but we
still don't have full details on the incident", he
said.
   He said the locals used machetes, knives and old
hunting rifles during the clashes with the miners.
   A government spokesman said villagers, who have
been pressing for government approval to mine precious
stones in the area themselves, tried to stop the
licensed miners.
   "The move led to a fracas which left many people
dead and several others wounded," he said adding that
some villagers are engaged in mining activities in the
area without government approval.
   Press reports said no fewer than 50 people were
feared dead and several others wounded in the violence
before it was brought under control by the anti-riot
police.
   State Governor Rashidi Ladoja had on assumption of
office in 2003 vowed to stop illegal mining activities
in the community. He also promised to prosecute anyone
caught mining in the area without a licence.

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Bello-Osagie Dies at 81

By Adeyeye Joseph, 03.03.2005 (THIS DAY)
Lagos

Renowned medical practitioner and long-running gynaecologist to
several first families, Professor Tiamiyu Bello-Osagie is dead.
Bello-Osagie, who had a distinguished career spanning over half a
century died in London, United Kingdom yesterday.
While it is still unclear what the cause of his death was, sources
close to the family said his body would be flown in from England
yesterday evening. His family is said to be planning to inter his
body according to Islamic rites today.
Bello-Osagie's remarkable career began at the Island Maternity
Hospital, Lagos, where he started practice as an obstetrician and
gynaecologist. Over time, his expertise brought him to the notice of
successive Nigerian rulers who insisted that he must be in charge
during their wives' pregnancy and delivery.
He rendered services to many of Nigeria's heads of government,
notable among whom were President Shehu Shagari and General Ibrahim
Babangida. He was the doctor who delivered Maryam, the wife of
former head of state, of her last child.
Osagie, who married Iyalekitue Bazuaye in 1954, had four children,
one of whom is one time Special Assistant under the Shagari
administration and ex-chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr
Hakeem Bello-Osagie.
Bello-Osagie was born in October 1, 1924, in Benin City, Edo State.
He had his secondary school education at Edo College, Benin, 1937 to
38 and King's College 1938 to 44. He proceeded to Howard University,
Washington, U.S, 1947 to 49 and McGill University, Canada, 1949 to
53 where he studied Medicine.
Between 1963 and 1972 he was consultant obstetrician and
gynaecologist at Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos, General Hospital,
Lagos and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
He was appointed a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the
University of Benin in 1972 and was Head, Department of Obstetrics
and Gynaecology and Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Provost, College
of Medical Sciences, University of Benin.
He was Pro-Chancellor Delta State University, Delta State and he ran
Osagie Medical Center, Lagos.
He was a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and
Gynaecologists, London, Royal Empire Society and Fellow, Nigerian
Medical College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. He was awarded
Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 1982.

other prominent Nigerians, died yesterday morning in a London
hospital.
Family sources who confirmed the development last night, said Prof.
Bello-Osagie died of cancer. He was aged 79.
The body of the respected professor is expected in Benin, the Edo
State capital, today for internet in accordance with Islamic
injunctions.
Prof. Bello-Osagie was born on October 1, 1926 in Benin City, the
Edo State capital.
He attended Government School, Benin City between 1913 and 1936; Edo
College, Benin, 1937-38; King's College, Lagos, 1938-49; and Mcgill
University, Montreal, Canada, 1949-53.
Between 1963 and 1972, he was appointed Professor of Obstetrics and
Gynaecology, University of Benin; former Head, Department, of
Obstetrics and Gynaecology and later Dean, Faculty of Medicine,
University of Benin; Provost, College of Medical Sciences,
University of Benin, October 1974, and Pro-Chancellor, Bendel State
University (now Ambrose Alli University) Ekpoma.
He was the Medical Director of Osagie Medical Centre, Lagos, and
Chairman, Societe Generale Bank Nigeria (SGBN) Limited.
Late Prof. Bello-Osagie was of several professional associations
including Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) since 1954; Royal
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, London 1963 and Royal
Empire Society, 1968, he was also a fellow of the Nigerian Medical
College of Obstericians and Gynaecologists, since 1970.
In 1982, he bagged the national honour of the Commander of the Order
of the Niger (CON). He was married to Iyalekitue Bazuaye in 1954 and
the marriage was blessed with three sons and a daughter.
His children include Mr Hakeem Bello-Osagie, former chairman of UBA
Nigeria Plc.