Ogun denies blame in FUNAAB lecturer’s death, cites reckless driving
The Ogun State government on Tuesday said it cannot be blamed for the death of a resident of Wole Soyinka-Kemta-Idi-Aba-Somorin road, Prof. Oladipo Ademuyiwa, caused by a reckless hit-and-run driver.
The government noted that it is unfair and mischievous for anyone to blame it for the death of the Professor of Biochemical Toxicology at the Federal University of Agriculture, which sad event occurred on Sunday.
The government disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade and made available to newsmen.
The government regretted that the same residents were blaming the government when the road was in a terrible state.
The statement stated that the 7.3 km road is one of over 700 kilometres of roads rehabilitated or constructed across the state by the Dapo Abiodun-led administration for the use of residents and commuters alike.
It pointed out, “Apart from providing necessary infrastructure in line with international standards, speed breakers and other safety measures were also installed to protect road users and their properties and check reckless driving on the road.”
The statement noted that it had been established that Prof. Ademuyiwa was knocked down by a reckless driver who did not comply with established traffic rules and regulations.
The government said that while it sympathizes with the victim’s family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours, it is irresponsible to blame it for the unfortunate incident.
It stated further that “Just last December, in response to the call of the communities in the area, the government installed a total of 11-speed breakers in addition to the one earlier installed on the road.
“This is apart from other relevant road signs that have been strategically placed to guide drivers and other commuters plying the road.
“While we deeply sympathize with the family, colleagues and other community members of the late Prof. Ademuyiwa, we wish to call on all relevant stakeholders to embark on sensitisation of all categories of road users, particularly motorists, on the importance of obeying traffic rules and regulations across the state at all times in order to prevent such unfortunate incidents in future.”
Dr Ayo Ajasa, the Chairman, Ajebo Road Housing Estate CDA, described the tragic loss of the university lecturer in a statement on Tuesday as very avoidable had the government of the state heeded the community’s several pleas in the past on the need to install speed breakers on the road.
He described the professor’s death as a quantum loss to the community and the country as a whole, given his invaluable contributions to knowledge sharing and dissemination in one of the country’s ivory towers.
Ajasa said, “This unfortunate incident, which occurred on Sunday, February 16, 2025, has once again exposed the dire need for immediate government intervention to prevent further tragedies on this road.
“It is disheartening that despite repeated appeals to the Ogun State Government and relevant agencies, no concrete action has been taken to install speed breakers and other necessary safety measures on this road.
“The government did not hesitate to install speed bumps on the Ilugun end of the road but ignored our persistent requests to safeguard lives in Ajebo Road Housing Estate.”
