Crash Victim Maimuna Anyene: A Charming Woman Who Died Along With Nine Family Members

Meimuna Anyene
Maimuna and family
By SaharaReporters, New York

One of the most tragic stories from the ill-fated flight Dana Air 992 that crashed in Lagos on Sunday revolves around Maimuna Anyene, a Connecticut-based Nigerian woman, who died along with her husband, sister, her four kids, two cousins and her mother-in-law.

 

Ms. Anyene, who is being mourned by friends, relatives and colleagues around the world, was described by several sources as having a boisterous laughter, a happy spirit and an infectiously cheerful disposition.

 

One of the late woman’s spirits closest friends captured her spirits. “When Maimuna laughed, she was always loud, joyful, and even crazy in the good sense. She laughed spontaneously and excitedly. It was a full-of-life kind of laughter that seemed to come from deep within her belly. She laughed without inhibitions. She was pretty and had cute dimples that made her round face memorable.”

 

Maimuna was born into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ndanusa and Birikisu Mijindadi on July 30, 1979. Her father, from Bida, Niger State, was a professor at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Her mother had worked for a few years as a nurse in the United States before returning to Nigeria where she began and ran several enterprises, including a large grape farm in Zaria. 

 

Maimuna attended primary school in Zaria and completed secondary school at Queens College, Lagos.

 

She proceeded to the University of Ibadan (UI) where she studied Economics, graduating in 2001 with a second class (upper) degree. At UI, she made many friends, staying close to several of them years beyond her university days. 

 

One friend said she stood out as the most studious in her circle of friends. “Maimuna was the one who talked to her friends to focus on their academic work whenever she found them in danger of getting too distracted by the many temptations of student life,” said the friend. “No surprise that we called her ‘effico,’ a nickname for nerds and bookworms. It meant she was efficient in organizing her study and play time. She was diligent and hardworking, and simply never lost sight of her priorities.”

 

Another friend said she fondly remembered how she and others called Maimuna “effico.” “It was a term of endearment but also a playful kind of derision. We derided her for keeping us honest by enforcing group discipline. And, at last, we cherished her for keeping us honest that some of us graduated with honors from Ibadan and other universities.” 

 

On graduating from UI, Maimuna returned to Zaria for a few months before heading to Lagos for the mandatory one year stint as a member of the National Youth Service Corps. She served with Citibank in Lagos.

 

Maimuna was married to Onyeka Anyene, a lawyer who has offices in Abuja and Lagos. Friends described the marriage as one founded on religious tolerance and broadmindedness. A devout Muslim, Maimuna married Mr. Anyene, a Christian. 

 

A few friends disclosed that Maimuna’s parents were at first reluctant to approve their daughter’s choice of husband-to-be. Even so, Maimuna and Onyeka displayed their determination by heading for the Marriage Registry in Ikoyi, Lagos to solemnize their wedding. The ceremony was marked by a simplicity that was characteristic of the couple; it was witnessed only by three persons: a close friend of Maimuna’s from her U.I. days, and a couple who were friends of the groom.

 

A relative said Maimuna was a woman of great professional ambitions who was willing to work hard to prepare for the realization of her dreams. This led her to Pennsylvania State University in the United States where she earned a Masters degree. In 2005, she relocated to Connecticut and lived there until her death in the Dana Airlines crash that also claimed close to 160 passengers as well as an unclear number of people on ground. The plane crashed into buildings in the densely populated suburb of Iju-Isahaga, in Agege, Lagos. 

 

Ms. Anyene and her husband had four children: Kamsi (two-years old), twins Kayna and Kayne (one-year-old), and Kamal, also known as Noah (seven-months-old).  

 

One friend in Connecticut recalled how “Maimuna loved to take pictures, to capture every memorable moment on film whenever possible.” 

 

One source said she had traveled to Nigeria to visit with her husband, who lived mostly in Nigeria. “She also went to attend the wedding of her younger brother, Ndako, scheduled to take place in about a week’s time – on June 9,” added the source. 

 

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may God forgive u

@lawal, may God forgive u. Pple like u love to see others in sorrow. You need to think before u open ur stupid idiotic mouth to write on a page like this.

I know it may be difficult for the President, but .....

I sincerely believe that like other Nigerians, our President, Goodluck Jonathan and his family are very grieved by the untimely death of many Nigerians and the loss suffered by a large number of people arising from the Dana air crash. I join others to extend my sympathy to him and the bereaved families.

I know it would be difficult for him to read the amalgam of comments and wish list on this issue. Let me say that one of the touching but relevant interviews on the unfortunate incident is the one by a Pastor, on whose property the calamity fell. He was not selfish and he was sorry to see the sea of idle and unemployed Nigerians capitalizing on the incident to loot. Dr. Abati, please summarize this for Mr. President under "Matters Arising".

No words can express the sorrow

Reading about this family and thinking about how that can happen is so painful that i have consistent nightmares regardless that i do not know them.
However sahara reporters is fast becoming a site that publish falsehood without verifying, when this happens this will lead to distrust among the millions of followers who rely on you for accurate information. This might be out of point but its not possible for her to have 1year old twin and seven months old after that.Also the picture you presented to viewers all over the world as the captain of the crashed airplane is not the person i know very well. Too many lies have been published about this crash in a rush to create sensation that will not do us good in knowing how to avert this horrible accident again.

Heart Rending.

Maimuna, Nigeria mourns you and beautiful members of your family. We are distraught. It is difficult to believe that a calamity such as this will befall one family just like that. We had cried profusely and keep wandering why you, your husband, all your children, your mother in-law, your sister and two cousins would perish in seconds like that. The pain is too much for every Nigerian. May your beautiful souls and all the souls in the Dana air craft during the crash rest in the bosom of the Lord, Amen.

What Creature Are You

I wonder whom you are, We are talking about a family been eliminated but you are questioning the family status. What concern you about how the woman of blessed memories gave birth to her children. This is a pathetic situation and you are making it worst. May God forgive you.

Your point being? I think you

Your point being? I think you might have missed the issue at hand. A beautiful person died - needlessly I might add. You then in your infinite wisdom decide to ask about something completely unrelated. Good going sunshine. You clearly have brains.....

You're a stupid idiot for

You're a stupid idiot for that comment! People are here trying to deal with the loss of a loved one and you're concerned with how she gave birth in such a short span. How does that concern you? Fool like you, I'm sure you were one of those yeye people trying to take picture with your fucked up blackberry when the plane crashed instead of clearing the way for the Emergency Services to do their best.
If you're not here to help console those who've lost a loved one, then get off here and go do something productive with your life. How dare you? Have you no respect? I understand that this is an open forum but show some decency. This is someone's daughter, sister and friend. Please educate yourself before you go and embarrass yourself in public. Stupid animal. Mscheeeeeeew!

this is so tragic, may God

this is so tragic, may God bless their souls... i so much pity and felt deeply sad for her, .. the kids, hubby, mother in law and sisters all in one day... this is unbelievable.... i cry ...

it absolutely believable how

it absolutely believable how rumours fly, it never true that Dana big men is on the run, they are doing everything possible to ensure that necessary things required by the federal government and NCAA to aids the investigation. also, they ensuring that necessary setlement and entlement and benefits are compensated.

@ lawal. u are a big fool

@ lawal. u are a big fool with no brain cell. Does it matter if she had 10 kids in 9 years? u had to open ur stinking mouth and try n get on line for publicity sake. Show some compassion and keep your senseless thoughts to yourself please u moron

Is only God that know the source of this problem Nigerian.

All these powerful men and women of God who claims that they eat in thesame table everyday with God. Is not yet time when you people will put head together and pray for Nigeria. This is not good we can't sitdown and be watching our lovely one's to go like that if not motor accident it will bomb now is air crash. Tomorrow may be You or i nobody knows please i plead you all to do something so that something will stop doing us. We need God intervention if we all can benddown and face the fact because we cannot serve two masters at a time

how dare you?? what does it

how dare you?? what does it matter if she had 4kids in 3yrs??!!Is that the point...the woman is dead with her kids, husband,mother and sisters...please be compassionate!!

Very tragic! However, how

Very tragic! However, how come she gave birth three times in the span of a little over two years? First child two years; the twins born a year after the first and the last born three months after the twins? Unbelievable!!!

Need for passenger warning.

I am not moved by the empty promises people in authority always make when horrible man-made disasters happen in this country. Our rulers will always chorus that steps will be taken to ensure such accidents never reoccur, just to dowse frayed nerves. But we all know that the next accident is already imminent due to corruption and our collective loss of memory. I blame families who decide to put all their eggs in one basket. Nigeria is not yet ripe to merit such trust. For now it better for government to direct local airlines to place public warnings in their airplanes, as they do on cigarrette packs such as " TRAVELLING WITH YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS MIGHT RESULT IN THE TOTAL ELIMINATION OF YOUR LINEAGE". God help Nigeria!

What's the cause of the heat

What's the cause of the heat about an innocent soul's skin colour?

NIGERIANS, RETURN TO GOD

This lady looks too pretty to die! Well, maybe so. So were the other 153 people aboard that plane and the others killed on ground. Truth is, I wish no one had died but I cannot dictate it. I hope and pray the good Lord has mercy on the departed and also on us all. Let us fast and pray for our dear country Nigeria, that God will raise up leaders who are firm and grounded in Him, to lead us and help our beautiful country. Despite what people say about us Nigerians, cheats, fraudsters etc, we are a loving people, we love God too but we have lost our way due to corruption. If we do not change, our sins will continue to separate us from God and He will not hear or save us. Let us return to God, in spirit and in truth, so that He will guide and guard us always. Love.

What makes my heart bleed is

What makes my heart bleed is that foreigners bribe their way out of every situation and it is Nigerians in high places that protect them. How else can they have the audacity to do the things they do in Nigeria.
I pray Nigerians can unite against corruption - that really is our National Problem. As some military personnel are involved, maybe we will hear the outcome of the investigation on the crash this time. Lord have mercy

HERE YOU FIND ALL dana ADDRESSES, and more !!!

http://www.danagroup.com/Contact-Us.aspx

Chief Executive Officer of Dana Air, Jacky Hathiramani,

follow twitter, search for

donotflydanaair

on twitter

HERE YOU FIND ALL dana ADDRESSES, and more !!!

http://www.danagroup.com/Contact-Us.aspx

Chief Executive Officer of Dana Air, Jacky Hathiramani,

follow twitter, search for

donotflydanaair

on twitter

RIP

May their soul rest in peace

DANA BIG MEN ON THE RUN.

Why have Dana senior oficials all indians on the run?All businesses in nigeria with indian connections should be properly investigated.Indians should not be given license in critical sectors like clinics,aviation,oil,banks etc.A word is enough for the wise.

An Iriplacable Loss

Its a tragidy, may their soul rest in peace

LETS SEPERATE OUR EGGS IN VARIOUS BASKETS

SADDENING!!!!!
DEATH WILL COME WHEN IT WILL BUT THE WAY & MANNER IT COMES;VARIES.
THIS IS WHY I WOULD LIKE US TO SEPERATE OUR EGGS IN DIFFERENT BASKETS NO MATTER HOW BEAUTIFUL IT WOULD BE BEING TOGEDA.
WE ARE PUPILS IN THE CLASS OF ALMIGHTY GOD EVERY INCH OF OUR LIVES LEARNING VARIOUS DEGREES OF LESSONS.
WHO KNOWS WHETHER SOME ANYAENES WOULD HAVE BEEN STILL ALIVE IF ALL OF THEM WERE NOT ON BOARD THAT AIR-COFFIN?
OUR MOTHER-EARTH IS SO PATIENT WITH US NO MATTER WHAT PRESSURES WE INSERT ON HER;SHE IS SURE THAT IT MUST BE HER THAT WILL CONSUME OUR BEAUTIFUL SELVES.WHAT A BEAUT!
ADIEU!!!REST IN PERFECT PEACE ALL OF YOU INCLUDING THE GROUND VICTIMS.

So so sad.

So so sad.

Yes oda ppl died in d crash.

Yes oda ppl died in d crash. Dey focused on her bcus she died with her whole family. Immediate nd extended. She was going to attend her brothers wedding. As in right now can we even imagine wat d brother must be going through. So yh dey focused on her.

painful exit

my heart is bleeding, rip.

what a great loss

Even, without known her. But what I read about her and the look on her face shows the kind of person she was. Can we blame creator for what happened? We cannot. Because we can't ask HIM why? But my prayer to GOD is to forgive em their sins and grant them peace in their place of rest! A whole family member what a sad news. May GOD give their family heart to bear the loss!! GOD save this nation from all this evil, it's coming too much. Deliver us from the hand of wickedness

Man has dominated man to his

Man has dominated man to his injury!!!

Impeaching Jonathan is

Impeaching Jonathan is cutting the leaves of a tree in order to kill the tree. In your words, does the affect anything?

hi

may their RIP

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