Olayiwola Matthew
The three Omatu brothers who lost their lives in the inferno that gutted the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Lagos Island will be laid to rest on January 14.
The fire, which broke out just hours before Christmas Day, spread to adjoining structures including a mosque and a nearby plaza, with thick smoke towering over the skyline.
Among those caught in the tragedy were siblings Steve (40), Casmir (39) and Collins (37) Omatu, who were trapped inside the building and believed to have died in the blaze. A fourth brother, Camillus, narrowly escaped.
According to a family update shared on Monday, their sister, Mimi Nonyerem, disclosed that a service of songs will hold on January 7 in Lagos, while the burial will take place on January 14 in Ihiala, Anambra State.
“The burial date for our brothers has been scheduled for January 14th, 2026,” she wrote in a Facebook post, requesting prayers and support for the grieving family.
Nonyerem had earlier marked the posthumous birthday of one of the deceased siblings, Steve, on January 3, expressing sorrow and disbelief at the loss.
Preliminary findings by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency indicated that the fire originated from an apartment on the fourth floor before spreading to upper levels.
Emergency responders battled the blaze for hours, extending into days, as business owners fled the building. As of last Monday, about 20 persons were still believed to be trapped under the rubble, with relatives submitting names and photographs of missing loved ones.