Ocholi's wards gets scholarship, employment - FG

As part of efforts to support the children left behind by the late Minister of State for Labour, Mr James Ocholi (SAN), the Federal Government has announced automatic employment at the Federal Ministry of Justice for Aaron, his eldest son.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, revealed this to the Ocholi family when he paid a visit to his Kado Estate residence at about 3:00pm on Tuesday, to convey his and President Muhammadu Buhari’s condolence message.

He also disclosed that Aaron’s other siblings would enjoy scholarships for their educational pursuits, courtesy of the Federal Government who has pledged to cushion the effect of the loss of their parents.

The Minister added that the Senior Advocate was a very critical part of the change effort of the Federal Government.

He said that President Buhari personally mandated him to inform the family of the late Minister that his administration would do all within its power to ensure he is not missed.

Mr Malami consoled them that death was a necessary end that was bound to happen, adding that God in his infinite mercy had a reason for allowing them to depart the way they did.

“I am here to convey Mr President’s condolence message and he has asked me to personally inform you that you have been given automatic employment in the Federal Ministry of Justice. The employment letter is in process and you can resume work after now”, he told Ocholi’s eldest son.

“Your father was a very hardworking and conscientious member of the Federal Executive Council who was very passionate and worked hard for the realisation of the change agenda of this government.

“Indeed, it is a sad moment for all of us and the vacuum which his death has created is not only for the family, but the leadership as well. He was a great pillar in the struggle which brought this administration to power. He played a major role in the merger process,” the AGF said.

Mr Malami also recalled that as far back as the days of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Ocholi was one of those who stood strong behind President Buhari and was one of those who took part in the judicial struggle afterward in an effort to claim the presidential mandate at the election tribunal up to the Supreme Court at that time.

He prayed that his departed soul rests in peace.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment died in a road accident along the Kaduna-Abuja highway on Sunday, March 6, along with his wife and son.

The deceased and his family were returning from a private visit in Kaduna.

Pando: The Heaviest and Oldest Known Organism

Pando (Populus tremuloides), which is also known as the trembling giant is the heaviest and oldest known organism. It is a clonal colony of a single male quaking aspen determined to be a single living organism by identical genetic markers and assumed to have one massive underground root system. Pando was discovered in 1968 by researcher Burton V. Barnes.

The heaviest known organism is estimated to weigh 6,000,000kg, covering 43 hectares (106 acres) and having over 40,000 stems which die individually (but have an average lifetime of 130 years) and is replaced by new stems growing from its roots. The trembling giant achieved the climax of being the oldest known living organism when its root system was discovered to be about 80,000 years old (although some biologist claimed it to be about 1 million years old). According to Michael Grant in Bioscience:

“…quaking aspen regularly reproduces via a process called suckering. An individual stem can send out lateral roots that, under the right conditions, send up other erect stems; from all the above ground appearances the new stems look just like individual trees, forms. This collection of multiple stems called ramets, all form one, single genetic individual, usually termed clone.”

Its survival had been enhanced by some ideal circumstances which are: prevention of its main competitor, conifers through frequent forest fires. A climate shift from wet and humid to semi-arid has obstructed seedling establishment and the accompanying rivalry from younger aspens.

P. tremuloides survived underground during intense fire, but after each of the wild fire, its root system sends up new stems.

All Deceased Nigerian Soldier's Children Gets Scholarships to Tertiary Education

The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has reiterated the pledge of the Nigerian Army to sponsor the education of children of army personnel who lost their lives during the counter-insurgency operations in the North East.

He made the pledge through the Chief of Administration of the Army, Adamu Abubakar, a Major General, during the presentation of the Group Life Assurance cheques to the next of kins of each of the bereaved families at the Army Headquarters Friday in Abuja.

Mr. Abubakar said the cheques were to provide succour to the bereaved families to cushion the economic impact caused by the loss of their bread winners.

He also said that aside from the cheques, the Nigerian Army would sponsor four children each of the bereaved families, from primary up to the tertiary level of education.

The families present at the occasion were full of gratitude to the army for showing commitment in alleviating their plight.

Friday’s event came about two months after the wife of the president, Aisha Buhari, appealed to the Nigerian government to strive toward prompt payment of entitlements to the families of fallen soldiers.

Mrs. Buhari made the call at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna where soldiers who sustained injuries while fighting insurgents were being treated.

“The families of the gallant soldiers who lost their lives in the course of fighting insurgency in the North East must be promptly paid because they are national heroes.

“I am appealing to the Chief Army Staff to ensure such payments,” she added.

Source: Premium times