6th August, 2010
Chief Bass Collins-Ogbu, the proprietor of Jotina Hotels, Surulere, Lagos, believed to be possibly the longest surviving night club in Lagos, is dead.
He died at his residence in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State, in the early hours of Tuesday, 27 July, 2010, at the age of 58.
News of his death has been sending shockwaves across Nigeria as he had a chain of friends and patrons from all corners of the nation. Jotina Hotels and Night Club opened shop in 1971.
According to one of his bosom friends and chairman of the Burial Committee, Engineer Bonny Onwudiwe, “the death of Basso, as most of us, his friends, know him, is a great shock. He was a friend to all. Some of our friends who were with him up till a few hours to his death said he was bubbly as usual and that there was no indication whatsoever that we were about to lose a great friend. We are still trying to come to terms with the fact that he is no more. It is like a bad dream.â€
Onwudiwe disclosed that Chief Collins-Ogbu who is also the Atoyeje of Lagos and Ilado, will be buried on Saturday, 14 August, 2010 at his home town, Ngor Okpalla, in Imo State.
He also disclosed that a wake and possible lying in state are being arranged for Jotina Hotels, Surulere, Lagos, on Wednesday, 11 August, 2010.
Family members, friends and Jotina Hotels management have continued to receive condolences from the deceased’s numerous friends from across the nation including the Emir of Fika, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Muhammadu Abali Idrissa and His Royal Highness, Oba Mobadenle Oyekan, the Onilado of Ilado, Lagos State.