Couple Crushed To Death On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

A couple who both worked with the Lagos State Government Civil service lost their lives to a fatal accident last weekend at the Ogere axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.

Mr. Rotimi Olugbuyi and Toyin Olugbuyi were said to be returning to their Ogun state residence after attending a wedding ceremony in Ibadan, Oyo state last Saturday when the unfortunate incident happened. The couple, until their death, were staff of the Lagos State Civil Service.

Rotimi Olugbuyi was a Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Ministry of Information attached to the state Scholarship Board, the wife Oluwatoyin was a Public Relations Officer attached to the state Judicial Service Commission.

According to an eyewitness, the deceased were very unlucky as their car, which was driven by Rotimi, said to be in his late 40s, had one of its tyres burst while on motion and skidded off to the other side of the road where a trailer, already on a high speed and heading towards Ibadan, rammed into them, crushing the car and the occupants.

As a result of the impact, their bodies were shattered. The dismembered bodies were later taken to the Ogere office of the Federal Road Safety Corps, where their relatives were contacted.

It was gathered that the remains of the couple, who had been married for 13 years without a child, were buried side by side amid tears at their Mowe residence

Colleagues from the Lagos state government secretariat, who were present at the burial, described the couple as very nice, loving, caring and dedicated staff while alive

A source, who pleaded anonymity, said Toyin was three months pregnant before the unfortunate
incident. This is a very sad situation, after waiting for thirteen years, just when they were now expecting a child, they died.

However, the Lagos Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by its Chairman, Mr. Deji Elumoye, has paid a condolence visit to Lagos Information Chapel of the union at the Ministry of Information and Strategy over the death of the couple

While expressing regrets over the death of the two members, Elumoye stated that he was satisfied with testimonies of colleagues of the deceased couple which indicated that they lived good lives worthy of emulation.

He urged colleagues of the deceased to rededicate themselves to duty and impact positively on the lives of the people around them, noting that death is an inevitable end for all.

The chairman also prayed to God that such calamities would not befall members of the union again.

Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry, Mrs. Ronke Osho, noted that it was consoling that people outside the ministry shared in the pains arising from the loss of the couple

Most colleagues were short of words but described the couple as very loving, dutiful and easy going fellows. The colleagues are still wondering how could death dealt a big blow on the family, relatives and state civil service by taking them away at their prime.[Vanguard]