TRAGIC:

Four Igbinedion University Lectures Die In  Auto Crash  

Ahead of the 78th birthday anniversary celebration of business magnate  Gabriel Igbinedion, disaster struck yesterday, September 5, in Edo State, where his son Lucky was governor for eight years.
Four persons believed to be lecturers in Igbinedion University, Okada, reportedly died in an automobile accident while returning from an event which they attended at the instance of their principal and Esama of Benin  Kingdom, Chief Igbinedion. The vehicle conveying the lecturers - one of the several on the Esama's entourage - reportedly plunged into Ovia River killing the four occupants instantly.
The causalities whose identities could not be ascertained,  were said to be lecturers of the Igbinedion University, Okada, all from the Department of Business Administration, travelled with Chief Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, who had earlier in the day lunched his Benin-based Independent Television into satellite for viewing in 101 countries.
The carnival-like train had left for the country-home of Chief Igbinedion, Okada, after the launching at the television station where another celebration took place, after which they returned to Benin City.
Disaster struck when the driver of one of the cars  an Audi 80,  on the convoy lost control and plunged into Ovia River, along the Benin-Ore Road, killing all four occupants.
The tragedy has generated anxiety in the ancient city with some persons recalling the coincidence of similar inexplicable deaths  years back,  preceding the birthday of the respected chief.
­Three years ago, during his 75th birthday celebration, one of his staff allegedly died in an accident while running an errand for the Benin high chief.
Omoregbe Okpenye, a musician who was entertaining his guest at his palatial residence in Benin was suddenly kidnapped by unknown gunmen and later killed during the Esama's birthday last year.
Efforts to evacuate the ill-fated vehicle from the river is still in progress.