Amosun, NANS Commiserate with OOU over Death of 12 Students

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), have commiserated with the management, staff and students of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, over the tragic loss of 12 students of the institution in a ghastly motor accident that occurred last Friday along the stretch of Lagos-Benin Express way near Sagamu end.

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, who led the delegation on a condolence visit to the governing council of the institution stated that the state government received the news of the demise of the students of the institution with rude shock and devastation.

She said  it was disheartening to lose the leaders of tomorrow in such a circumstance.
Onanuga, who condemned the incident, stated: “It is sad that the students died in their prime, at a time the country needs the younger generation to contribute their knowledge toward the growth of the society.”

She prayed to God to grant those that lost their loved ones and family in the unfortunate accident the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses and the deceased persons, eternal rest.

The deputy governor ceased the opportunity to read the riot act to any motorists driving recklessly on the road, especially on highways linking Ogun and neighbouring states.

She said government would hence forth sanction any motorist caught driving against traffic, while urging the members of the public to take it as a civic responsibility to intimate government of any erring drivers at the expense of precious lives.

She then pleaded with the student union of the institution to remain calm as they mourn their colleagues, maintaining that justice will surely prevail.

Onanuga, who also led government delegation on a visit to the only survivor of the accident, Miss Akinbo Laughter Ibukunoluwa, at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan Remo, expressed satisfaction with her health. She thanked the management of the hospital for the prompt attention to her medical needs.

In his response, the university Vice-Chancellor, Professor Saburi Adesanya, thanked Amosun-led administration for sympathising with the management and family of the bereaved.

A truck carrying a container drove against the traffic last Friday and ran into a Toyota Hiace Passenger Bus in which the Students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago – Iwoye, who were heading towards Lagos boarded. The fall of the container on the Toyota Hiace bus, killed 12 passengers including the driver.

On its part, NANS in a statement signed by its the Vice-President (National Affairs), Ayenuro Gbenga, mourned the death of the students, saying “it is with caring thoughts that the national secretariat of NANS regrets and commiserates with the teeming Nigerian students and the Olabisi Olabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, over the death of 12 students of the institution.

“We learnt that an unlatched 20-feet container from a moving truck came off when the driver was driving against traffic and in a bid to avoid obstruction, the container fell on the passenger-bus conveying some students along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“Words seem inadequate to express our sadness over the incident. On behalf of the national secretariat, I send this to support the Nigerian students in our grieving process with sincere sympathy.

“The loss of a loved one is always an unfathomable tragedy which is compounded when such death occurs at an unripe age.

“May their hearts and souls find peace and comfort.’’

The association then wished the students union government of the institution, the deceased families and the entire university community peace, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in their hearts.

NANS urged drivers to always obey traffic rules, adding that motorists flouting road traffic regulations with impunity would not go unpunished as their action was becoming more unbearable.

“We hereby caution motorists against reckless driving because strict compliance to traffic laws will minimise road accidents,’’ the association added.