The Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday led some members of the State Executive Council
on a sympathy visit to the state council Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Gbenga Opadotun and the National Treasurer of the union, Alhaji Fatimah Abdulkareem who are currently on admission at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
The duo were among the NUJ officials involved in a ghastly motor accident last Friday in Osun town on the Ilesha-Ibadan Expressway while returning from an official trip to Abuja.
The government’s team also paid a condolence visit to the Federal Radio Corporation (FRCN), Ibadan over another NUJ official and staffer of the corporation, Mr. Olatunde Oluwanike who also died in the accident, and to his family at their Awotan, Ibadan residence.
Represented by his deputy, Chief Alake Adeyemo, the governor said the death of Mr. Oluwanike was an irreparable loss and a void that cannot be filled.
While speaking during the visit, the governor described the incident as highly unfortunate but added that it was an act of God.
He said that the state government was deeply touched by the incident, reiterating that the medical bills of the injured union officials would be borne by the state government.
Chief Adeyemo expressed appreciation to the management of UCH for the best treatment so far given to both Opadotun and Abdulkareem, urging it to continue in that regard until the NUJ chieftains fully recovered.
At the FRCN Ibadan National Station where he was received by the Zonal Director, Pastor Zacheaus Oloruntola, the Governor prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and enjoined the staffers to take the incident with equanimity.
The Governor also expressed the condolence of Governor Abiola Ajimobi to the widow of the late Mr. Oluwanike, Omolara and the children, praying that God would comfort them at this time of their grief.
He also seized the occasion of his visit to UCH to pay a get-well visit to the state correspondent of Thisday Newspapers, Mr. Tunde Sanni, who is also on admission at the hospital.