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Transition: Michelle Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson, dies at 86

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Marian Robinson, the mother of former US First Lady Michelle Obama, has died at 86, her family has announced.

In a statement, the Obamas said that Robinson had died “peacefully” on Friday morning.

Robinson was a well-known fixture at the White House during the eight years of Barack Obama’s administration between 2009 and 2017.

She spent much of that time taking care of her two granddaughters, Michelle and Barack Obama’s daughters Malia and Sasha.

In a statement posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Mrs Obama called Robinson her “rock, always there for whatever I needed”.

“She was the same steady backstop for our entire family, and we are heartbroken to share she passed away today,” she wrote.

In a separate tweet, Mr Obama said that “there was and will be only one Marian Robinson”.

“In our sadness, we are lifted up by the extraordinary gift of her life,” he added. “And we will spend the rest of ours trying to live up to her example.”

No further details were given about the cause of death.

Born in 1937, Robinson grew up one of seven children in Chicago, the city where she spent much of her life before agreeing to come to Washington DC after Mr Obama’s electoral victory.

Early in her life, she studied to become a teacher before working as a secretary. She raised Michelle and her other child, Craig, together with her husband Frasier Robinson on Chicago’s South Side.

“At every step, as our families went down paths none of us could have predicted, she remained our refuge from the storm,” the Obama statement said.

“On Election Night in 2008, when the news broke that Barack would soon shoulder the weight of the world, she was there, holding his hand.”

An image taken on the night in 2008 when her son-in-law made history as the nation’s first African-American president showed Robinson sitting on a sofa with him, watching the results come in.

The statement added that Robinson had agreed to move to the White House after a “healthy nudge” from Barack and Michelle Obama, who, along with their daughters, “needed her”.

It was said that she insisted on doing her own laundry there.

In a later interview with CBS, the BBC’s US partner, Robinson said she felt compelled to move to Washington because she felt “like this was going to be a very hard life” for her daughter and son-in-law.

“And I was worried about their safety,” she added. “I was worried about my grandkids. That’s what got me to move to DC.”

Robinson – whom Mr Obama once called “the least pretentious person” he knew – said that it was a “huge adjustment” to have her needs met by White House staff.

“Rather than hobnobbing with Oscar winners or Nobel laureates, she preferred spending her time upstairs with a TV tray, in the room outside her bedroom with big windows that looked out at the Washington Monument,” the family statement said.

“The only guest she made a point of asking to meet was the Pope,” it added.

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Breaking News: Sacked Osun LG Chairman Killed Few Minutes After Returning To Office

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The sacked chairman of Irewole Local Government, headquarters in Ikire in Osun State, Mr Remi Abass is dead.

Abass was shot dead by some hoodlums who invaded the local government secretariat today.

Abass was among the chairmen who were reportedly returned by the Court of Appeal last week.

Details later….

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Nigeria’s federal workers underpaid January salary due to system error

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The Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, JPSNC, has explained that the Nigerian government paid its workers incomplete January salaries due to a system error in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS.

This comes as JPSNC assured federal workers that the government is addressing discrepancies in January salaries, which were reportedly lower than those of previous months.

According to NAN, Mr. Benjamin Anthony, National Chairman of the council, made this statement on Monday.

Anthony was responding to concerns raised by some federal civil service workers about shortfalls in their January salaries.

He revealed that the shortfalls in January salaries were traced to a “systematic error” in the IPPIS.

“We received complaints, though not in writing, from workers about reductions in their January salaries compared to what they received from October to December 2024.

“Following the complaints, we issued a memo to all industrial unions to gather details from their members and revert to us so the council can escalate it to the federal government for correction.

“Some sources, though unconfirmed from IPPIS, told us that there was a problem. They said it was a systematic mistake from the computers and that they are working to correct it.

“I believe they are working on it and it will be corrected,” he said.

“We have already written to the Head of Service of the Federation, and she has promised to forward the complaint to the Accountant General’s office to determine what the issue is all about.

“She also assured us that, if there are issues, every worker will be paid their correct salaries,” he said.

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IFON INCIDENT: SENATOR IPINSAGBA SUE FOR PEACE, SEEKS JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS.

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Senator Jide Ipinsagba, representing Ondo North Senatorial District, has expressed his deepest condolences and solidarity with the people of Ifon, Ose Local Government Area, following a distressing incident in the community. The incident, which saw the Ifon Divisional Police Station set ablaze by angry youth, was triggered by the tragic death of an individual who reportedly died as a result of police torture while in custody.

The news of the death ignited outrage among residents, leading to a protest that escalated into violence at the police station. In a statement, Senator Ipinsagba condemned the actions that led to the loss of life, calling for thorough investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

He emphasized that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background, and that such occurrences must not be allowed to continue. Senator Ipinsagba urged law enforcement authorities to ensure accountability and transparency in their operations, particularly in relation to how individuals in custody are treated.

The senator reassured the people of Ifon that efforts are being made to ensure justice is served and peace is restored in the community. He urged the youth to remain calm and allow authorities to address the matter appropriately. Senator Ipinsagba expressed his commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Senator Ipinsagba reaffirmed his dedication to the welfare and safety of his constituents, promising continued support in the pursuit of justice and Peace.

Signed:
Prince Adeyinka Ajagunna
SSA to Senator on Media and Communications

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