News
Nigerian Mother loses 3 kids as car crashes in Canada
A Nigerian mother, Uche Osagie who lost her three children in a car accident which occurred on New Year’s Day has spoken out on the devastating event.
Narrating how the devastating and unimaginable loss occurred, Uche said her three children died in the collision which took place at northern Ontario highway while on her way to file an appeal for permanent status in Canada.
The Nigerian mother who fled Nigeria eight years ago with her two oldest children for a better life in Canada, said she was travelling to Toronto to get a lawyer to file a federal appeal after receiving a letter that her second appeal had been denied.
Osagie said she received a letter from Immigration Canada on December 23, saying her application to stay in the country had been rejected.
She said she was given 15 days to respond at the risk of deportation
The bereaved mother said;
“I thought I was doing the best thing for them to bring them to Canada to give them a better life, but I don’t know anymore.
“The celebration they longed for, they are no longer here to celebrate. So, to me, I think I’m a loser. I lost it all. All my fight, everything, is in vain and I ask myself, once again, and I keep asking God, ‘Why did you keep me?’ You should have taken me and let those children have a better future. It’s all about them. I lived all my life for those kids.”
Osagie drove to Toronto, spending the Christmas holidays searching for a lawyer to appeal the case. She finally found a lawyer to represent her family, and was making the 400 kilometre trip back.
“My son Destiny said ‘no, I’m not going back to Nigeria,” Osagie said. “I want to live in Canada. I would rather die than be deported.”
“Today, my son is going to be buried in Canada.”
A Nigeria man, Mgbokwere added that fears of deportation plague the Nigerian community in Canada.
“Most of us here are facing the same situation, our individual claims had been rejected, most of us are awaiting their removal from here,” he said.
“We are only asking the Immigration….please if they can be able to allow us to stay here,” he said.
“A lot of families are in trauma here. If we deport them now when they get to Nigeria they face the same situation. Most of them would die of different ways.”
The funeral for the Osagie family is expected to be on January 18.
Flags are reportedly flying half-mast at Chelmsford Public School in Greater Sudbury community of Chelmsford where all three children; Destiny, Flourish, and Britney attended.
The Nigerian Consulate in South Africa, in collaboration with the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has offered a free repatriation flight for Nigerians wishing to return home permanently due to the worsening xenophobic attacks in May 2026.
This follows reports of at least two Nigerian fatalities and widespread property damage in cities like East London, Cape Town, and Durban
Amid rising unrest in South Africa, the Nigerian Consulate in the country, in collaboration with the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, has offered a free repatriation flight to Nigerians willing to return home permanently.
The President of NICASA, Frank Onyekwelu, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH, acknowledged that the situation had forced many Nigerians to shut their shops and businesses.
According to him, there is currently no structured support system in place for affected Nigerians, but the consulate’s intervention is already providing an option for those who wish to leave.
Onyekwelu said many Nigerians were already indicating interest in returning home.
He said, “The Nigerian Consulate in conjunction with NICASA has offered a free repatriation flight to any Nigerian who wishes to leave South Africa permanently, and the process is ongoing as we have recorded many Nigerians signalling interest to return home.”
Meanwhile, Nigerians in South Africa have narrated their harrowing experiences.
They lamented that the recurring violence had continued to threaten their safety, livelihoods, and mental well-being.
Those who spoke to our correspondents said they had been forced to stay indoors, and were now living in constant fear amid targeted attacks on foreign nationals.
Violent anti-foreigner protests erupted in cities such as Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, East London, and parts of KwaZulu-Natal, resulting in harassment, looting, property damage, and injuries.
This has triggered fear and panic within the diaspora community, with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission directing Nigerian business owners to temporarily shut down to minimise risks and avoid losses.
The protests, according to reports, are being driven by community groups, anti-immigration organisations, and social movements such as Operation Dudula, the March and March Movement, and similar local initiatives, often under the banner of tackling illegal immigration and unemployment.
The demonstrations are organised by groups accusing migrants of causing economic hardship and crime, with activists demanding the deportation of undocumented foreign nationals, particularly those from African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Somalia.
Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji and his wife, actress Adebimpe Oyebade, popularly known as Mo Bimpe have announced the arrival of their triplet sons.
Adedimeji made the announcement via his official Instagram page, sharing an emotional message in which he described the children as his world, responsibility, and legacy.
“I’ve been quiet… not absent. I was building, protecting, and embracing the greatest blessing of my life. God gave me more than I prayed for — a woman who became a mother of three, and three kings to call my own,” he wrote.
The actor, who closed the post with the Islamic expression of gratitude, “Alhamdulilah,” did not disclose the date of birth or the names of the children.
The announcement drew an outpouring of congratulations from fans and colleagues.
Fellow Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe wrote, “To God be the glory. Congratulations.”
OloyedeJuliana also wrote, “God is Good!!! God is Good!!!God is Good!!! Watching this again, I’m in tears, congratulations my fam, so happy for you two. Can’t believe
I’m an Auntie”
Also reacting, Omowumi Dada wrote, “Such GOODNEWS for the month of May. THANK YOU JESUSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Congratulations fam”
Adedimeji and Mo Bimpe, both prominent figures in the Yoruba film industry, had their wedding ceremony in 2021.
A devastating fire has destroyed an aluminum company and a residential building in two separate incidents in Oyo State this week.
The aluminum company, located at Km 110, Iyaganku area of Ibadan was razed on Thursday while the fire incident at the residential building in Ogbomoso occurred on Wednesday.
Chairman, Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande confirmed both incidents, saying his men have brought the situation under control.
“Upon arrival, a building used as an office with adjoining warehouse was engulfed by fire. The fire was caused by electrical sparks from an appliance plugged and unattended to and it ignited nearby combustibles, and set the building ablaze.
On the building in Ogbomoso, he said, “Upon arrival, it was discovered that the first room by the right of an ancient residential building was engulfed by fire”.
Xenophobia: FG Weighs Evacuation Options As Anti-Migrant Groups Plan Nationwide Shutdown In SA
Nollywood Couple Lateef, Mo Bimpe Welcome Triplets Sons
Aluminum Company, Ancient Building Razed In Separate Oyo Fires
FORCE LEADERSHIP ORDERS DISMISSAL, PROSECUTION OF OFFICERS INVOLVED IN EFFURUN SHOOTING
Lagos 2027: Samuel Ajose Defies APC Consensus, Buys ₦50m Nomination Form
Major Blow For ADC Faction As Court Restrains INEC Over State Congresses
Effurun: Spirituality Only Reason For ASP Nuhu Usman’s Fatal Shooting – Police Spokesman
Pastor Killed, Worshippers Kidnapped In Ekiti Church Raid
Zenith Bank Launches Côte D’ivoire Subsidiary, Strengthens Francophone West Africa Presence
