By SUNNY OKIM

Actual cause of actress Rachael Oniga's death revealed, as Third Force, activists mourn

Amidst rumours trailing the death of veteran actress Rachael Oniga earlier today, the actual cause of the mother of three has now been revealed.

While some posts on the social media claim the actress died from COVID-19, others say she died of complications arising from malaria and typhoid fever.

But the deceased family has disclosed that she "died from a heart related issue; an ailment she battled with for a short period before her demise."

Sister of the late actress,

Deaconess Toyin Odusote disclosed this in a statement issued earlier today on behalf of the family and made available to News Express.

The statement with headline,

"An Official Statement on the passing of Chief. Rachel Tabuno Oniga" reads in full:

With a heavy heart and total submission to God, we write to announce the passing unto glory of our beloved sister, mother and grandmother: Chief. Rachel Tabuno Oniga. She died in a Lagos hospital at the age of 64, on Friday, 30th of July 2021, at about 10pm.

Contrary to diverse reports informing that she died from COVID-19 complications, we write to inform the general public that she died from a heart related issue; an ailment she battled with for a short period before her demise.

We accept her sudden transition as God's design and we see it as a function of a race of life well finished. Painful as it may be, we accept it in good faith and total submission to her maker.

We therefore desire to be allowed to mourn her death privately for now, as we do this with deep sense of respect for her soul and the glorious life she lived.

Burial arrangements will be announced in due cause. We appreciate the calls, messages and condolences expressed by everyone and we pray for a sweet repose of her beautiful soul.

Please accept this release as the only authentic one on behalf of the family until we come up with another.

Thank you.

Deaconess Toyin Odusote (Sister) For the family

Meanwhile, The Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM) otherwise known as The Third Force, has expressed shock at the death of the star actress, Rachael Oniga.

According to a statement issued today by the movement led by Olisa Agbakoba SAN and Dr Abduljeleel Tafawa Balewa, the actress was a committed member of NIM steering committee and member of the Board of Trustees of the movement's registered political party, People's Trust (PT).

The statement signed by NIM Director General, Sir Olawale Okunniyi, a copy of which was made available to News Express, says Rachael Oniga's legacies will be immortalised by the mass movement.

According to the statement, the deceased was "a very committed Ambassador of the movement agenda to take back power to the masses of Nigeria and she was involved in the movement accords in some states of the federation and at the National level, which yielded results during the 2019 elections".

Below is the NIM press statement in part:

Leaders of Conscience under the auspices of Nigeria Intervention Movement NIM, a mass movement co chaired by Olisa Agbakoba, SAN and Dr Abduljeleel Tafawa Balewa have expressed regret over the sudden demise of Ace Actress and National Ambassador of the Group, Chief Rachel Oniga, who departed the world yesterday, Friday at 64 years, after a brief illness.

It will be recalled that Rachel Oniga as a member of the leadership of the Nigeria Intervention Movement during her lifetime, helped to promote the ideals and values of the group tremendously. She was at the inaugural meeting of the movement at BON Hotels, Asokoro, Abuja on November 28, 2017, where she spoke as the voice of the Nigerian Nollywood

She was a very committed Ambassador of the movement agenda to take back power to the masses of Nigeria and she was involved in the movement accords in some states of the federation and at the National level, which yielded results during the 2019 elections. Lady Racheal Oniga, a Title Chief of Ile Ife, installed by Oba Sijuwade Olubuse, lived and died as a voice of the voiceless

Our consolation in her exit, is drawn from a life well spent by the screen goddess and ambassador of the voiceless. We therefore pray for the repose of her soul and fortitude to bear this huge loss by her children and family members. We hope to explore a way of immortalizing her legacies in succeeding days. Racheal Oniga lives on

E Signed:

Sir Olawale Okunniyi

Director General,

Nigeria Intervention Movement NIM

Also, political activists around the country have continued to react to the death of the veteran Nollywood star, business woman and activist.

Some of the reactions read:

"Really sad.I pray for strength for her family a loyal supporter of Justice has just departed !" - G.O. Hashim, 2019 presidential candidate of the People's Trust party (PT).

"No way...

I woke up this morning with shock of the loss of one of us. A Quintessential Thespian and a successful mother.

I am still short of words over this happening.

I send my prayers and love to the family of the great woman.

Mummy was a Great Person with a great personality.

All is well... we take solace in the understanding that she is in a better place now.

All is well." - Abayomi Mighty,

Youth leader, NIM

"Oh no! May her soul Rest In Peace." - Derin Oke

"I'm still in shock. Omg

We Love her dearly but her maker love her most ,

May her soul rest in perfect peace" - Winifred Kakada, Woman leader, NIM

"Rachel was strong, subtle and determined. She really wanted a Nigeria full of humanitarian virtues, equity and fairness. Rather than sit and expect others to intervene she threw herself in, and manifestly played her role. She was very much a part of the PDP struggle to take on Lagos and worked assiduously with Agbaje. After that she was also very visible with the third force stance to change the atmosphere of old charade determined and relentless in her pursuit of which she was an ardent contributor . Binuyo is what I call her, she would rage but immediately subside as soon as she gets a reasonable appeal. This Nation will never forget her, she shared her deep experiences in life with me , instead of getting bitter , she fought her way through and got better. I will say her life was the greatest movie which comprises of stoicism, astuteness and passion to make our space a better place. I know your children will reap all the blessings tied to this labour of love , this is my prayer streaming from my attestation of a vibrant woman, actress and politician in the Matchless Name of my LORD JESUS." - Pastor Funke Awolowo, grand daughter of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and political activist.

"May her soul rest in peace. Mankind have lost a precious gem. Rest in peace, my gentle volcano" - Dr Abduljeleel Tafawa Balewa, son of Nigeria's late Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa

"This is so sad. What a great loss!May Almighty God console her family and grant her eternal rest. She was committed to a better Nigeria. Adieu Rachael!!" - A.S. Kamal

"She was such a kind and thoughtful lady, whose goals and preoccupation was to serve humanity.

Rest well Lady Rachael Oniga." - Mallam Naseer Kura, former President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and activist

"Adieu! May the good lord accept her soul! Amen" - Khairat Animashaun, American based political activist

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