18th February, 2025
By Abiodun Lawal
Residents of communities around Kemta-Somorin road, Abeokuta, Ogun State where a professor of Biochemistry, Oladipo Ademuyiwa, was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Sunday said the tragedy could have been avoided if the state government had heeded their cries.
The late Ademuyiwa was a lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta (FUNAAB),
The incident was one of several recorded on roads in the city recently, in addition to others involving trucks and other road users.
Dr Ayo Ajasa, a community leader in Abeokuta said if the Ogun State Government had heeded calls to install speed-breakers and other necessary safety measures on the road, the tragedy could have been prevented.
Ajasa, who is the Chairman of Ajebo Road Housing Estate Community Development Association (CDA) in the city said this in a statement in reaction to rising cases of road mishaps.
Ajasa explained that the incident at Kemta-Somorin was avoidable if necessary safety measures had been put in place.
He said it was lamentable what he called the insensitivity of the state government to instal speed-breakers on the road, in soite of several requests made.
“The Ajebo Road Housing Estate community at Kemta in Abeokuta is saddened by the tragic and avoidable loss of Prof. Oladipo Ademuyiwa.
“Prof. Ademuyiwa fell victim to a reckless hit-and-run driver on Prof. Wole Soyinka road within Kemta-Somorin road.
“This unfortunate incident has once again exposed the dire need for immediate government intervention to prevent further tragedies on this road.
“It is disheartening that in spite of 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,” Ajasa said.
The community leader then demanded immediate installation of speed-breakers along Prof. Wole Soyinka road, installation of lorry barriers and clear traffic signage to caution motorists against reckless driving.
“It is unacceptable that a community of law-abiding citizens must suffer repeated accidents and near-fatal encounters, and now the loss of an esteemed Professor, simply due to government inaction.
“Another accident indeed occurred within 24 hours of this tragic incident involving the Professor, proving that this road remains a death trap,” he added.(NAN)
