Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has faced backlash for the unnecessary details included in his announcement regarding the tragic passing of his Special Assistant, Mr Ndifreke Saviour Mark. He stated that Mr. Mark left church on Sunday to go to Mildy Lodge and Apartments in Garki, Abuja, accompanied by an individual whose identity is still unknown.
FFK, sharing the detailed information on X, formerly known as Twitter mentioned that his aide, who has been with him for the past 34 years, attended a Mass at the Catholic Church of the Assumption in Asokoro on October 13, 2024. Afterward, the aide went to a hotel where he suddenly slumped and died in front of FFK.
He was immediately taken to the hospital but couldn’t make it. He revealed that while the hotel had been sealed by the police, the receptionist was detained for questioning by the police and the mysterious individual was also detained.
However, FFK faced criticism for the insensitive way he described the incident, failing to protect the wife of the deceased and his family from embarrassment and potential backlash.
Fashion icon Nobel Igwe wrote “Someone served you for so many years, devoted their time and life but upon their passing you came on Twitter to talk about how he went from the church to a hotel room to have sex and died in the process.
You intentionally dragged his family in your faux eulogy.”
Michael Egwuonwu wrote “There are only two things to see here.
1. A garrulous man that is bereft of of the simplest form of the art of information compartmentalization.
2. A man that would use any and everything to remain in the limelight. Even the death of his trusted aide and his abuse of privileges through the continued detention of innocent Nigerians.
The annoying part is that @PoliceNG and @Princemoye1 would continue to be willing accomplices to this dastardly abuse of privileges.
Like I said, nothing new to see.”
The handle @buchi_laba wrote “Honestly, this is too much information.
You can’t mention him having a guest at the hotel and also grieving with his wife. The internet does not need those important information.”
@ojiugo_nwa wrote “May your friends not cast y’all when you’re gone in the name of announcement…
Guys, say Amen to this important prayer.”
@talk2veee wrote “He probably died in “active service”
The guest that was with him is probably innocent & this man has underlying health issues that only his wife knows about …
RIP to the dead”
His posts reads; “It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my devoted Special Assistant, Mr. Ndifreke Saviour Mark, who was with me for no less than 34 years.
He left home at 5.40am on the morning of Sunday 13th October for morning Mass as he was a devoted Catholic and member of the Catholic Church of Assumption, Asokoro after which he went to a hotel by the name of Mildy Lodge and Apartments in Garki, Abuja.
According to the police he took a room at the hotel and spent some time there with an individual after which he apparently slumped and died in that individual’s presence.
He was taken to Asokoro District Hospital, was pronounced dead upon arrival and has since been put in the hospital morgue.
The individual he was with at the time of his death in the hotel is now in police custody and I have insisted on a full criminal investigation of the matter and an autopsy.
The hotel receptionist has also been detained by the police whilst both the manager and the owner of the hotel were invited for questioning earlier this week.
The entire hotel was also sealed up by the police for two days and the room in which he lodged remains sealed till today.
I have broken the sad news to his family, I have met with his wife Barrister Patience Ndifreke-Mark and his Uncle, Mr. Clement Mathias, (who represented his family) and I have also told them of my intention to ensure that, if indeed there is any foul play, justice is done and those behind it are brought to book.
Mark was like a son to me and his passing is a huge blow to me and my entire family.
We shared many dreams and aspirations and fought many battles together shoulder to shoulder.
Now he has gone it has left much pain but I give thanks to God for his life and for the 52 years that he spent on earth.
I have assured his wife and family of my intention to stand by them at this difficult time and to ensure that they do not lack or want for anything.
I have absolute confidence in the FCT Police Command to get to the bottom of this matter after which we can proceed to bury a man that was my most loyal staff and most trusted aide.
Most important of all is the fact that he was a kind, reliable and compassionate soul who brought joy to many and who was incapable of hurting a fly.
I will never forget him and though he has passed he lives on in our hearts.
I thank all those that have found the time to come and mourn with us at this difficult time.
May Ndifreke’s precious soul rest in peace and may the Lord comfort his wife and two beautiful young children.
(FFK)”
