Reverend Williams Omatu, brother of three siblings killed in the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House fire on Christmas eve, has described Nigeria as a scam and a failed nation.

“It’s a pity that we have a failed nation called Nigeria. Nigeria is a scam. May Nigeria never happen to you. This is where Stephen used to sit with his wife and children; he’ll be smiling, and Casmir was, you know, so strong,” Mr Omatu said on Wednesday during a service of songs for his deceased brothers in Lagos. “So, mass was going on, and you know, I was looking for my brothers. Up till now, the reality has not yet done in me; I am having pains all around me.

The service and a mass were held at the Jesus the Saviour Catholic Church in Ejigbo.

“On the 9th of this January, it will be 28 years since we lost our mum, and on the 14th of June, it will be eight years since we lost our dad. I never expected such a thing to happen, and my elder sister was playing the role of both father and mother to our younger ones. Yes, we have our step-mum who is in the village.

“I can’t imagine my younger brothers Stephen, 40 years, Casmir 39, Collins 37, just go like that, it’s still unbelievable to me, but I cannot question God. Keep praying for me,” said Mr Omatu.