Dana Air Tragedy: RIP Ijeoma Onyiuke – 153 Passengers & Crew…
“Death is the veil which those who live call life: They sleep, and it is lifted.” Percy Bysshe Shelley
Dana Air Tragedy: RIP Ijeoma Onyiuke – 153 Passengers & Crew…
Dana Air Tragedy: RIP Ijeoma Onyiuke – 153 Passengers & Crew… Photo Credit: Emmanuel Arewa/AFP/Getty Images
On Sunday, June 3rd, at 3.45pm, a Dana Air flight crashed into a church, Mountain of Fire, and a two-storey building in Lagos, Nigeria, killing all 146 passengers and 7 crew members aboard. My dearest sister-in-law’s sister, Ijeoma Terri Onyiuke, was on board that ill-fated flight and our hearts are broken as we shed tears for a vibrant life cut short, and for the lives of many others who perished in that tragic event. Flight 9J-992, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 was on route from Nigeria‘s capital, Abuja, to Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos when, as reported, it developed engine problems. There were also casualties on the ground and those numbers still need to be fully verified. President Goodluck Jonathan declared a 3 day mourning period in Nigeria, and the gruesome task of identifying and claiming the bodies of loved ones will soon begin. For now, Dana Air’s license has been suspended and an investigation is under way, but our pain, grief, and tears will linger for years to come…
“The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.” Harriet Beecher Stowe
Dana Air Tragedy: RIP Ijeoma Onyiuke – 153 Passengers & Crew… Dearest Ijeoma Rest In Peace..
Introit for the Requiem Mass and Kyrie
Introit for the Requiem Mass and Kyrie
Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine, Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,
et lux perpetua luceat eis. and let perpetual light shine upon them.
Te decet hymnus Deus, in Sion, A hymn becomes you, O God, in Zion,
et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem. and to you shall a vow be repaid in Jerusalem.
Exaudi orationem meam; Hear my prayer;
ad te omnis caro veniet. to you shall all flesh come.
Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine, Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
et lux perpetua luceat eis. and let perpetual light shine upon them.
Kyrie eleison
Kyrie eleison; Lord have mercy;
Christe eleison; Christ have mercy;
Kyrie eleison Lord have mercy.
Ijeoma was a brilliant and talented marketing executive with over 15 years experience in the field. Up until her death, she was Head of Marketing at Hewlett Packard West Africa. Ijeoma graduated from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, with a BA (Hons), in English Language & Literature, and from Cranfield University, UK, with an MSc, in Marketing Management. She was returning from a weekend event in Abuja, and the shocking news was confirmed when the passenger list/manifest was released. On a personal level, she was poised, very stylish, a skillful conversationalist, lots of fun, and a good soul. She was a woman of faith and loved God. Ijeoma was also a voracious reader who loved romance novels, Movies; especially Nollywood, Polo shirts (she had them in every color); platform shoes and cocktail rings. Above all, Ijeoma was a loving sister and a dear friend to many. I still can’t fathom that she is gone… She will be terribly missed by all of us. On his visit to the accident site, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan wept. He promised to launch an investigation to ensure that it won’t happen again. “We will make sure this will not repeat itself in this country…” We call on the government to conduct a thorough and rigorous investigation. My condolences to all affected by this tragic event. More below!
“Say not in grief s/he is no more – but live in thankfulness that s/he was…” Hebrew Proverb
Dana Air Tragedy: RIP Ijeoma Onyiuke – 153 Passengers & Crew… Vale Of Rest. RIP All…
As the families and friends of those who died begin the painful ordeal of gathering their personal effects, and preparing for funeral services, it is imperative that we pause and reflect on how to impress upon the leadership to regularly review all airline inspection records and maintenance issues, to reevaluate the used plane buying process, and to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. Flight 9J-992 was 22 years old; in violation of a ban on flying aircrafts older than 20 years in Nigeria. What checks and balances exist in the used aircraft purchasing business? If a plane is no longer airworthy in Country X, should it even be considered a viable purchase in Country Z? What other lessons can be learned from this event; especially as per securing the site of an accident and improving the search and rescue effort? In the coming weeks, Nigeria’s aviation division will have to conduct a painstaking, and hopefully, transparent investigation. The government will have to make good on its promise, as the families and friends of the dead continue the painful process of picking up the pieces of shattered lives. Visit: Memorial to Ijeoma Onyiuke. RIP: Ijeoma & All on the Dana Air Flight 9J-992 Tragedy…
What are your thoughts? Do share! Thank you.
*Please bear with me as I continue to catch up on your blogs and commenting… Thank you all for your patience!
Positive Motivation Tip: Cherish the memories of loved ones lost and offer prayers and consolation from the heart… RIP Ijeoma. RIP All 153 passengers, crew members, and other lives lost on the ground. Condolences extended to all affected by this tragedy.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All photos Funeral flowers, Vale of Rest, via Wikipedia and/or via Flickr. or Identified.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Related articles
- The Last Flight – DANA 153 (afriqtalk.wordpress.com)
- Dana Air MD83 crashes near Lagos Airport (nigerianaviation.wordpress.com)
- We were forced to fly the faulty plane – Dana Air official (deebeedeborah.wordpress.com)
- Death and Life (seanwhitenack.wordpress.com)
- Dana Air Plane crashes in Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos…Newsfeeds (transformationwatch.com)
- 153 Dead in Nigerian Plane Crash (voanews.com)
- Black Sunday: Dana Air Crashes in Lagos (naijaspleen.wordpress.com)
- Dana Air Crash killed 153 passengers as Boko Haram strike churches in northern Nigeria! (waleorims247.wordpress.com)
- Dana Airline Carrying 153 Passengers Enroute Abuja-lagos Crashes…homes on Fire!!! (olaoluwabimibola.wordpress.com)
- Irregularities in Dana Airlines Registration – The Will (thenigerianoracle.com)
- Official: 153 on Plane, at Least 10 on Ground Dead After Crash (fox8.com)
- Nigeria suspends Dana Air’s operational licence (aviationnigeria.wordpress.com)
- Missouri City sisters among 153 killed in Nigeria plane crash (chron.com)
- Prayers for Nigeria, and all of those affected by the crash of Dana Air Flight 0992 (my52wow.com)
- FG withdraws Dana Air operating license (vanguardngr.com)
- Dana Air Crash kills all its passengers and crew in Lagos, Nigeria (kish.in)
- FG Suspends Dana Air’s Operating Licence (kayceeweezy.wordpress.com)
- At least 153 feared dead as plane hits Lagos building (dawn.com)
- Nigeria Mourns Plane Crash & Suicide Bomber Victims (ayannanahmias.com)
- Nigeria grounds airline after deadly crash (dawn.com)
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 – From The Holy Bible (King James Version)
Attributed to King Solomon
To everything there is a season, and
a time to every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and
a time to die;
a time to plant, and
a time to pluck up
that which is planted;
A time to kill, and
a time to heal;
a time to break down, and
a time to build up;
A time to weep, and
a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and
a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and
a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and
a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and
a time to lose;
a time to keep, and
a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and
a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and
a time to speak;
A time to love, and
a time to hate;
a time of war; and
a time of peace.
A memorial site has been set up for Ijeoma. RIP
I am so sorry for your families loss.. I wish you strength to endure the days ahead..
TY Helen… We appreciate the kind words.
So sorry for your great loss.
All words seem meaningless right now…
Wishing you and your family a lot of strength during this difficult period.
Your goodwill wishes are appreciated at this sad time. TY!
I am so sorry to read of your loss.
Tilly, Thank you for your comment. We appreciate the kind words.
I am so sorry.
TY Jm! It has been a sad time for all…
The tragedy is sad enough but to have family killed in it too, my heart goes out to you, Elizabeth.
Catherine, TY. Your kind words are appreciated…
The only comment I can think worth making is to repetition of the eloquent Hebrew proverb you shared:
“Say not in grief s/he is no more – but live in thankfulness that s/he was…”
Amen and thank you for the kind thoughts and words.
My condolences to your family. Words can never give enough comfort in a loss but our thoughts are with you all.
B
TY dear B. It has been difficult for many and the condolences are welcomed.
My deepest sorrow for the loss of such a bright light in your life, Elizabeth. I know the shock, pain, and outrage that comes with an ending that should not have happened. God bless all whose lives she touched. Love and strength to you as you grieve her. But remember that she will live on in all your memories and is in a place where she will now be able to watch over you at peace. xox
Ijeoma will live on in our hearts and memories and I thank you for your condolences Karen.
This is a tradegy on so many levels. My condolences to you and your family,and to all the families and friends who lost loved ones. We pray the regulators will take heed; this is too high a price to pay for inefficiency of governance and regulation, if this is indeed the case. May their souls Rest in Peace.
Yes, there is a lot that needs to be addressed and my prayers are yours. TY for the condolences Chichi.
What can I say, Elizabeth? My deepest condolencies on your painful loss. May the good Lord keep Ijeoma resting in His bosom. Indeed to all those who died, may God keep them safe. I can only agree with you on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Take care of yourself, Elizabeth.
C, thank you for your comforting words. Ijeoma is resting safely in the bosom of the Lord and same for all the others… Thanks again.
I send my heart felt condolences…Oh, how tragic…to
hear of such a horrific event so far away is one thing…
but, to hear from someone that actually had a family
member lost…is quite another…God Bless! ~mkg
TY Marilyn for your condolences. Your message is deeply appreciated by our family.
I am sorry for your great loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. SE
TY Suellen, your message means a lot to us and we are thankful for the many kind words that have been shared here and elsewhere.
I am so sad for you and your family, Elizabeth.
TY Trisha for your words of comfort… Much appreciated.
Oh no! I am so very sorry to hear of your personal loss, and the heartbreak to your whole family. I had a friend killed in a major airline crash many years ago, and so whenever I hear a news report of a crash mind mind always immediately goes to the families. Thank you for sharing Ijeoma’s beautiful face and something about the lovely person she was in life, and I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers. oxo Debra
Oh Debra, what a day, what an event, how terribly tragic… Thank you for your condolences and prayers.
It is always such a tragedy to lose someone so bright and full of promise too soon. My heart goes out to you and yours Elizabeth. May she truly rest in peace.
b
Barb TY! Ijeoma was bright and full of promise and she will be sorely missed…
Elizabeth, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to Ijeoma. May God’s heart fill Ijeoma, you and your family with peace and healing. Karen
Karen, Thank you for your beautiful words… they are appreciated.
MAY UR GENTLE SOUL REST IN PEACE MY LOVELY SIS, I COMMISERATE WITH THE ENTIRE ONYIUKE FAMILIES AND NIMO INDIGENTS AT LARGE IT IS GREAT LOST INDEED .
TY so much for your comment… Dalu Okafor, Ijeoma a lago n’akụkụ chineke.
Your comforting words are appreciated.
Elizabeth I realize this must be a very difficult time for you and yours as you try to face this tragedy. The prayers of my family are for you, yours, and the families of those on Flight 9J-992. May God’s peace be in of your hearts.
Be encouraged!
Amen and thank you for your kind words…
I am so sorry for the loss of Ijeoma and so many lives too soon. A tragedy, terrible, terrible. My thoughts are with the families left behind.
Gilly, thank you for comforting us during this sad time…
I love that Hebrew proverb, although love it does not stop me from mourning you and yours at this time.
May her memory be a blessing.
TY and her memory will be a blessing to us all… Appreciated.
Thank you Liz, Ijeoma was much loved because she loved much.. May her gentle soul rest in peace.. She’s not dead, she’s only switched realms..she lives on in the bosom of the Lord.
Amen… nwa nnem… o di egwu!
Elizabeth, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and the family. Your post is a moving tribute! Virtual hugs being sent your way.
Angeline… Your kind condolences are welcomed. Thank you!
My thoughts are with you and yours at this time of great loss. I have endured the tragedy of living after somebody’s life has been cut short too soon. I found comfort in David Harkins poem – You can shed tears – I hope it may help you.
“You can shed tears that she is gone,
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back,
or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her,
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her only that she is gone,
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back.
Or you can do what she’d want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”
Reading what you have written about this fantastic woman I am sure that she would have wanted you to “open your eyes, love and go on.”
With love from the other side of the world Elizabeth. 🙂
This is a beautiful and poignant poem Judith. I appreciate it and will share with my extended family. TY for your kind condolences…
Such a terrible tragedy, my heart goes to all concerned, and to the people clearing up I hope they manage to live with the sight they have had to cope with I hope it does not damage them… so many lives touched.
TY Willow for your kind comment and condolences… much appreciated.
How terrible, Elizabeth. I am so sorry for this tragic loss of life.
Bluebee TY. It is a painful time for many and your words are appreciated.
so sorry…praying for comforting of hearts while grief is upon you.
TY Shelly for your comforting condolences…
I am really sorry to hear that. My thought go out to you and all her family.
TY so much… your kind words are truly appreciated by many at this time.
I am very sorry for your loss. I knew Ijeoma from secondary school (FGGC Onitsha). She definitely had a beautiful soul and will surely be missed. May her soul rest in peace. Amen
Amen. Thank you Joy for your kind words and memory of Ijeoma… much appreciated. If possible, do visit the Memorial page set up in her name. There might be others from FGGC Onitsha adding their voices there too. TY!
Stay Blessed!
Rest in peace Ijeoma.
My condolences to her family and friends. Thank you Elizabeth for sharing. Take care…
Thank you Sunshine… She was a bright light extinguished in her prime… We will all miss her.
Elizabeth, I am so sorry. This is a horrible tragedy but even worse with such a personal connection. Prayers for you and for Ijeoma’s family…
TY Natalie. It has been a trying time for all involved and the goodwill wishes are appreciated.
I thought of you when I heard of the crash, Elizabeth, not thinking you’d be affected. My heart is heavy, looking at the site in her honor. I love that photo of her in the yellow dress – such a bright light cut short.
Sending my deepest condolences and prayers for your families and for those of the other 150+. May you all be comforted by the memories of your Ijeoma.
Amen and thank you Marcia! It was all quite shocking… she wasn’t even meant to be on that flight but… God knows. Thank you again!
Elizabeth, I am so sorry for your family’s loss. Wishing you strength and courage during this challenging time.
Elizabeth, we are all saddened to hear you lost a relative. Such a sad, sad, day.
I am so sorry for your loss.
TY Leanne… appreciated.
I am very sorry for your loss too.
Thank you for your kind words…
Of course, I “liked” this post, but do not really like anything about what had to be endured for it to be so….You’ve put up a lovely tribute here – thank you.
Sending you warm thoughts – so sorry for your loss. Ijeoma sounds like a wonderful person – you honored her very well.
Dear Elizabeth, this was such a fine tribute to your sister-in-law, and you do a great service to all the victims of that disaster by putting a face and a name to one of the victims. Every one of those people was loved, like your sister-in-law, and the loss of one precious life is too many, especially when it could have been avoided. People need to understand that. I am glad that the airline is being punished for breaking safety rules. I am so so sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss. Wonderful words written for someone you loved. My prayers to all.
TY and I really appreciate your feedback… She was loved; as were all the others in this tragedy.
May ijeomas soul and all those who died in dana crash rip
Amen! Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by…
Elizabeth