NEWS
The Life And Death Of Afeez, The Tallest Man In Nigeria
Afeez Agoro, known as the tallest man in Nigeria gained significant attention due to his extraordinary height of approximately 7 feet 4 inches.
His imposing stature instantly captures people’s interest wherever he goes, overshadowing those around him.
Agoro, nicknamed “Mr. Tallest,” has embraced his celebrity status and ventured into the entertainment industry, pursuing a career as an actor and reality TV personality.
Born on December 13, 1975, in Sabo Yaba, a community in Lagos State, Nigeria, Agoro grew up in Akoka Yaba, receiving his education there. Initially, he displayed average height during his childhood and adolescence.
However, his growth spurt began at the age of 19 when he experienced an illness that caused him to rapidly increase in height.
Despite medical attempts to determine the cause of his unusual growth, no concrete answers were found.
Agoro’s height eventually surpassed that of anyone his friends, family, and neighbors had ever seen, unofficially crowning him as Nigeria’s tallest man.
Agoro’s father, recognizing his unique height, built a house to accommodate his son’s needs before his passing in 2005.
Following his father’s death, Agoro’s mother sought medical examinations to understand the reason behind his extraordinary height.
It was only during a visit to the United States that Agoro discovered he had been diagnosed with acromegaly, a condition causing abnormal growth. Despite receiving medication to halt further growth, it proved ineffective.
In 2016, Agoro gained widespread recognition when his images went viral on the internet, showcasing his remarkable height and capturing the curiosity of the public.
He began to be referred to as “Nigeria’s tallest man” and garnered media attention through interviews and appearances on television shows.
Agoro’s popularity grew among celebrities who shared photoshoots with him on social media, solidifying his unofficial title as Nigeria’s tallest man.
Although Agoro’s height has brought him fame, it has also presented challenges in various aspects of his life. He faced difficulties in finding employment due to his towering stature, often being rejected by potential employers.
Transportation posed another hurdle as his height made it challenging to fit into vehicles. Agoro had to resort to customized cars, motorcycles, and occasionally Uber taxis, making adjustments to accommodate his size.
The Nigerian colossus encountered health issues associated with his rapid growth, such as joint problems and rheumatism.
He underwent heart surgery in the United States, as it is a common procedure for individuals with abnormal growth patterns. Additionally, finding suitable clothing and shoe sizes proved problematic, necessitating custom-made options from tailors and shoemakers.
Agoro’s height also affected his romantic life, with many potential partners feeling intimidated by the extreme height difference. However, he eventually found love with one of his fans, and they are now engaged.
Despite the challenges, Agoro’s height has brought him some blessings. He is highly regarded in his community, where he is treated as a unique individual with remarkable abilities.
Agoro’s fame led to opportunities in the entertainment industry, including acting roles in films such as “Fate of Alakada” and his own reality TV show called “I Am Agoro.”
Interestingly, Agoro shared an amusing anecdote about obtaining a US visa. Due to his towering height, the Consular General was convinced that Agoro would not attempt to escape, leading to a swift approval of his visa application. He spent six months in the United States following the visa issuance.
Recall that Afeez Agoro passed away at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) after battling a prolonged illness on Wednesday night as reported by BIZTELLERS.
The news of his demise was shared on Thursday by popular Twitter influencer Pamilerin Adegoke through a tweet.
Announcing Agoro’s death, Adegoke tweeted; “Nigerian tallest man Afeez Agoro Oladimeji is dead after suffering from prolonged sickness.”
Before his death, he had been bedridden for the past 8 months.
NEWS
Kano Businessman’s Daughter Kidnapped After ₦8m Ransom Payment
In a shocking incident on Sunday morning, unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers invaded the home of Alhaji Auwal, a prominent businessman, in Garo Town, Kabo Local Government Area of Kano State.
The gunmen, estimated to be around 10 in number, forced their way into the residence, breaking down a door to gain entry.
An anonymous source revealed that the attackers were heavily armed, with three carrying firearms and the rest wielding other weapons.
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They quickly gathered the entire family in one room, instilling fear and panic in the household.
According to the source, Alhaji Auwal pleaded with the assailants to spare his family and agreed to meet their demands.
The kidnappers, who were determined to extort money, received ₦8 million from the family.
Despite this payment, the gunmen took the businessman’s eldest daughter, Zainab, a secondary school graduate, before fleeing the scene.
The whereabouts of Zainab remain unknown, and as of now, the kidnappers have not contacted the family.
This abduction comes just 48 hours after the tragic kidnapping and subsequent murder of former Gombe State Permanent Secretary, Atiku Mu’azu, who was killed by gunmen after a ₦10 million ransom was paid.
The two incidents have left the residents of Kano in shock and fear, prompting calls for increased security measures in the area.
Attempts to reach the spokesperson for the Kano Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, for comment were unsuccessful as his phone remained unreachable.
Authorities have yet to make any official statements regarding the investigation.
International News
Colombia Blocks US Deportation Flights Over Migrant Treatment
In a bold move, Colombian President Gustavo Petro declared on Sunday that he would not allow US deportation flights carrying Colombian migrants to access his country’s airspace.
The left-wing leader took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his strong stance, stating, “The United States cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals. I forbid entry to our territory to US planes carrying Colombian migrants.”
Petro made it clear that such flights would only be accepted once Washington established a protocol to ensure the “dignified treatment” of deported migrants.
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The president later confirmed in a separate post that he had already turned back US military planes that were en route with Colombian migrants on board, although he did not provide further specifics on the matter.
While AFP sought confirmation from US authorities regarding the blockade of deportation flights, no immediate response was forthcoming.
Petro’s statements come just a day after Brazil’s government voiced similar outrage over the treatment of deported Brazilians.
Brazil condemned the US administration under President Donald Trump, citing instances where Brazilian migrants were deported while handcuffed on flights, describing it as a “flagrant disregard” for their basic rights.
In his remarks, Petro emphasized that he would be open to allowing civilian US flights to transport deported migrants as long as they were not subjected to treatment “like criminals,” signaling a broader call for humane treatment of migrants under international deportation policies.
NEWS
Four Dead, Many Injured As Explosion Rocks Niger State Mining Site
An explosion at a mining site in Sabon Pegi, Mashegun Local Government Area of Niger State, claimed the lives of four individuals and left several others injured on Sunday morning.
The blast occurred as miners resumed operations, sending shockwaves through the community.
While the exact cause of the explosion remains undetermined, local residents have pointed to the poor handling of explosive devices by mining companies as a possible factor.
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The incident has sparked concerns about safety practices within the mining sector.
Community sources confirmed the recovery of four bodies, but authorities fear the death toll could rise.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the blast and assess the full extent of the damage.
One resident, Aminu, described the chaos that followed the explosion. “The sound was so loud that many of us thought it came from the hydroelectricity dam nearby. People panicked and ran into the bush for safety,” he recounted.
Another community member highlighted the potential role of mining operations in the tragedy.
“Mining companies here frequently use explosives during their activities, and this seems like an operational issue, not something related to terrorism,” the resident said, dismissing concerns about a security threat in the area.
As of the time of reporting, neither the state government nor security agencies have released an official statement regarding the explosion.