Ogun govt rejects blame for professor’s death in hit-and-run case

The Ogun State Government 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 professor’s death.

In a statement made available by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor, Kayode Akinmade, in Abeokuta, the government regretted that the same residents had blamed it when the road was in a terrible state.

The statement noted that the 7.3 km road is one of over 700 kilometres of roads rehabilitated or constructed across the state for the use of residents and commuters alike by the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration. It pointed out that, 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 to check for reckless driving on the road.

It has 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.

“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 the sensitization 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 the future,” the statement added.