By our Reporter
Prof Oladipo Ademuyiwa,a lecturer in Biochemical Toxicology at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has been killed by a hit-and-run driver on the newly rehabilitated Kemta-Somorin road.
His death on Sunday has left residents of Ajebo Road Housing Estate, Kemta, Abeokuta, in mourning.
The professor, in his early 60s, had just stepped out of a cab and was attempting to cross the road from the Prof Wole Soyinka end when a reckless driver struck him and fled the scene.
According to Dr Ayo Ajasa, Chairman of Ajebo Road Housing Estate Community Development Association (CDA), the tragic loss of the university lecturer could have been avoided if the Ogun State government had heeded the community’s repeated calls for speed breakers on the road.
Ajasa, in a statement on Tuesday, described the professor’s death as a quantum loss to the community and the nation, given his invaluable contributions to knowledge sharing in one of the country’s top universities.
“This unfortunate incident, which occurred on Sunday, February 16, 2025, has once again exposed the dire need for immediate government intervention to prevent further tragedies on this road,” Ajasa said.
He added, “It is disheartening that despite 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.”
“The government did not hesitate in installing speed bumps on the Ilugun end of the road, but ignored our persistent requests to safeguard lives in Ajebo Road Housing Estate,” he stated.
Ajasa called on the state government to urgently install speed breakers and lorry barriers along the road with clear traffic signage to caution motorists against reckless driving.
He also advocated for stricter law enforcement to curb excessive speeding in the estate.
He further disclosed that within 24 hours of the professor’s tragic death, another accident had occurred on the same road, proving that it remains a death trap.
“We hold the government accountable and call on the Governor of Ogun State to intervene immediately before more lives are lost,” Ajasa said.
“We also appeal to the media, civil society organisations, and well-meaning Nigerians to amplify this call for justice and safer roads in our community.”
Responsding, Kayode Akinmade, Ogun State Governor’s Aide said while 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 neighbors, 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 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 future,” the statement added.
