Tears as three survivors of Ojudo accident battles life as 15-year-old, others remain on oxygen

*Parents appeals to Lagos State Government for financial support

By Linus Akomolafe

For Mr. Ajibade Olarenwaju, father of 15-year-old Dauda Ajibade who survived Tuesday’s trailer accident, it was a mixed feeling seeing his son placed on oxygen for life support. Whether his son would recover without implications or pass on still remains thoughts trailing on his mind.

The SS2 student of Ojodu Grammar School is one of the three survivors Ikejabird visited at Gods Apple City Hospital on Wednesday.

According to Mr. Ajibade, Dauda has a fractured leg, placed on oxygen and has blood dripping from his ear.

When asked how he would incur the medical expenses, he said the nurses already demanded a sum of N100, 000 for initial deposit and he hoped that the Lagos State Government would wade into the situation before it gets worse.

“I was told that immediately the accident happened, two died immediately but I haven’t heard anything. How the government would help us on this matter is important. Although the Ojodu Local Government Chairman, Hon. Kayode Ajakaye visited on Tuesday and promised us everything. But you know we are in Nigeria, there are few things that I can say. But the government should help us for maximum health for these children because they are the leaders of tomorrow.He is currently on oxygen. They said his breathing is low and that he needs oxygen,” he said.

Another survivor, 12-year-old Akinkunmi Usain, a JSS1 student of Omole Junior School, was seen with bandages on both sides of his head with inability to speak.

His father, Mr. John Francis, an uber driver said, an initial deposit of N30, 000 has been paid as they are in prayers for his recovery.

Francis got to know of the incident while he was ending a trip in Alausa. He said his younger sister had called in to inform him of the tragedy.“ It was my younger sister that called to inform me about the accident and I was working at that time. Thank God I was close by around Alausa. From there I drove down to the school to find out what happened. He had closed from school and was on his way home. He crossed over to grammar school and wanted to make his way to Aina Street when the trailer hit him,” he said.

Ezejiofor Wisdom, an SS3A student of Ojodu Grammar School, School sustained bruises on his body, legs and waist.

His mother, Mrs. Ezejiofor Grace, a business woman, when he woke up this morning he was limping and unable to work.

She added that the x-ray that was carried out showed that the 17-year-old had severe injuries beneath his spine down to his leg and had been informed by the nurses that he was under observation.

“They have been treating him since morning and when the Doctor asked him how he was he responded fine. He sustained some injuries to his side, leg and waist. We did x-ray and they said he had injuries on his waist and they would monitor him. Because he limps when he walks. “

She said her daughter who is in SS2 called her to inform her of the accident and that when she got to the scene of the incident, she burst into tears when she saw her son’s shoe on the road without his body.

“My daughter told me there was an accident that involved a trailer and she is not sure if he is still alive. Immediately I got to the scene I saw my son’s shoe, I screamed and said my son is among them. I was shouting and saying I want to see my son, where did they keep them? They were asking me to calm down. it was my daughter that called to give the address of this hospital.”

“When I got here I saw that they were already giving him drip and I went down stairs. He’s getting better now.

“There have been a lot of people who have visited both the local government, Commissioner of education, principal and teachers. They didn’t ask me anything, they only told me to calm down and that everything will be okay.”

“I have paid the initial deposit. I gave my husband N20, 000 but he told me that it’s N15, 000 they have collected. I just want my son to be alright,” she said.