Osinbajo in the warm embrace of an old woman in Kabba, Kogi state after the helicopter crash
By Banji Ayoola
The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, was on Saturday marked safe as his chopper crash landed in Kabba, Kogi State.
He was on his way to a campaign rally in the state, in continuation of the nationwide campaign seeking the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari and himself for a second term in office
The Presidential election for which he and President Buhari have been going round the country in an intensive house to house campaign, is scheduled for February 16, about two weeks away..
Osinbajo has reassured all those who have expressed sympathy with him and his entourage over the incident, saying that they were safe and sound.
Indeed, he on his verified Twitter handle, shared a video of himself inside a moving vehicle, signalling to a cheering crowd.
He tweeted, “We are safe and sound! Thank you to everyone who has expressed concern and thank you to the crew who managed the situation well. We believe that God will continue to keep us and Nigeria safe even as we go higher.”
Prof Yemi Osinbajo✔@ProfOsinbajo
‘We are safe and sound! Thank you to everyone who has expressed concern and thank you to the crew who managed the situation well.
We believe that God will continue to keep us and Nigeria safe even as we go higher.
We continue #NextLevelEngagements in Kabba, Kogi State.’ 3,7714:00 PM – Feb 2, 2019
The incident reportedly occurred when the propeller of the Nigerian Air Force Helicopter he was travelling in suddenly pulled out at the Kabba Township Stadium.
According to an eyewitness, the helicopter managed to land at about 2.22 pm at the township stadium before its propeller suddenly pulled off to the surprise of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who had gathered to welcome the Vice President.
There was, however, no casualty recorded while the remote cause of the accident was unclear as at the time of filing in this report.C
It was gathered that the pilot of the helicopter found it difficult to land the chopper due to the dusty terrain of the stadium.
Immediately the incident happened, Vice President Osinbajo was said to have been immediately evacuated from the scene into a waiting vehicle.
He, thereafter, proceeded to the palace of Obaro of Kabba in convoy of other political office holders in Kogi, where he paid a courtesy call on the traditional ruler.
Prof Osinbajo later addressed some party supporters at the St Augustine’s College in the town.
He was billed to launch the TraderMoni in Kabba and expected to visit Okene in the central axis of the state.
The Vice President was also expected to visit Idah in the eastern axis of the state before returning to Abuja.
Spontaneously, Nigerians had taken to Twitter to show support for their Vice President, the nation’s number two citizen.
A tweet earlier by his spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande, had said that Osinbajo and all the occupants of the chopper are safe.
According to Akande, the Vice-President continued on his campaign trip after the incident.
He wrote: “VP Osinbajo’s Chopper crash lands in Kabba, but he and the entire crew safe. He is continuing with his engagements and plans for the day in Kogi State.
“We give all the glory to God, our able Protector and commend all the Flight Crew officials for their service. We are marching on for indeed we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us!”
In their spontaneous reaction, some Nigerians thank God for keeping the Vice-President safe and sparing his life with those of others on board.
Following are some of the reactions on Twitter:
Breaking: This looks very much like VP Osinbajo’s helicopter, which just lost control and crashed in Kabba stadium. Occupants were rescued according to sources & no one got hurt. God sure warns ahead. #GraceEnough #SeekPenance @rccghq4003:27 PM – Feb 2, 2019422 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
God just saved Vice President Osinbanjo Life, after his helicopter crash in Kabba! I don’t like you man, but I don’t wish you death.1633:46 PM – Feb 2, 2019104 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacyView image on Twitter
This crew be standing in front of the chopper..they dunno tha chopper use to explode, in American film…#kabba24:13 PM – Feb 2, 2019See Ebinum Chukwubuikem’s other TweetsTwitter Ads info and privacyView image on Twitter
H.E. VP @ProfOsinbajo arrives Kabba, Kogi State. His chopper crash landed after a landing incident but everyone is safe and in good shape. The Vice President continues his campaign [right now]:2123:22 PM – Feb 2, 2019134 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
YOU CANNOT BRING THIS MAN DOWN FOR HE WILL ALWAYS PUT NIGERIANS FIRST BEFORE HIMSELF. Despite a minor landing incident, VP Osinbajo is still continuing his engagement in Kabba. Truly a man of the people. #NextLevel #NextLevelEngagements363:18 PM – Feb 2, 201932 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
Kola Ologbondiyan@officialKolaO
@OfficialPDPNig commiserates with @ProfOsinbajo over the crash of the helicopter that flew him to Kabba, Kogi State.1063:51 PM – Feb 2, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy50 people are talking about thisView image on Twitter
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s chopper crashed in Kabba, Kogi State. He, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and other people onboard escape unscathed. Thank God for averting this calamity.2033:24 PM – Feb 2, 2019 · Nigeria112 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
Vice President @ProfOsinbajo has continued his campaign in Kabba, Kogi State. He is hale and hearty, agile and spritely as ever!753:26 PM – Feb 2, 201949 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacyView image on Twitter
BREAKING: A helicopter in which Nigeria’s vice president Yemi Osinbajo was travelling crash landed in Kabba, Kogi State. The VP and the crew were unhurt.
O give thanks unto God; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever. 1003:40 PM – Feb 2, 201957 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
The helicopter conveying Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo crash-landed in the Kabba area of Kogi State on Saturday. This is the second crash in 7 months.
No one was hurt. Thank God.
Power belongs to God.14:09 PM – Feb 2, 2019See OluwayomiAoko’s other TweetsTwitter Ads info and privacy
Vice president Yemi Osibanjo helicopter crash-lands in kabba, kogi state. The vice president and his aides came out alive tho! I fear my kogi people64:21 PM – Feb 2, 2019See hispania__’s other TweetsTwitter Ads info and privacy
VIDEO: VP Osinbajo’s Helicopter crash landed at Kabba, Kogi State in what would have been a national tragedy.
The VP has continued with his schedules as planned.414:27 PM – Feb 2, 201958 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
Mazi Marvin the Paranoid Android@Boboye_Ak
Professor Osibajo’s helicopter crashing in Kabba to me is a warning like the one God gave Jonah.
Return to the message the Lord sent you oh man of God.214:09 PM – Feb 2, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacySee Mazi Marvin
