It is with a heavy heart full of frustration and disbelief that the above named association write to inform the general public on the health situation of the survivors of the ghastly motor accident that happened on the 13th July, 2012 along the Akure – Owo road that claimed the lives of Four colleagues of ours who were on their way from Abuja where they went to grace an award presentation to Governor Olusegun Rahman Mimiko of Ondo State by the national Body of NANS.
We have subject ourselves to this means of communication after a breakdown of relationship with the state government on the aforementioned issue.
Ladies and gentlemen of the press, it is pertinent to give a brief account of what the situation has been. Immediately after the accident, the Governor himself visited Federal Medical Centre, Owo where the victims were rushed to for medical attention. He thereafter ordered that those whose case was severe be transferred to University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State. This was done and four of our comrades were moved to UCH where they were attended to. Surgeries were carried out on them. Months after, the management of the Hospital abruptly stopped administering treatment on their patients (our comrades) on the ground that they’ve not been paid for the service they rendered. This almost led to the death of the only survivor that was still on admission at the hospital. This action prompted comrades in Ondo State to spring into action and protested the neglect.
However, our comrade was discharged from the hospital and brought to Akure. They were promised that their physiotherapy will continue at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure at the expense of the government. Ab initio, the government kept to this promise. Another round of surgeries was carried out here in Akure. They were discharged and their physiotherapy continued
One of the survivors who's condition seems critical, Biodun Owonola has to go to the hospital everyday to get necessary medical attention. This stopped after a couple of weeks after his discharge from the hospital. He immediately after the stoppage of the transportation to the hospital, wrote a letter to the State Government requesting for some essential needs so as to go for clinical follow up both at the SSH, Akure and UCH, Ibadan.
His request was turned down, when his school resumed, he wrote another letter in July, 2013 to the state government to please help him with mobility as it is near impossibility to get him into public transport cause of his condition (still on wheelchair). This we were told by the government has been approved by the state governor. But since resumption, he has been handicapped to get the necessary apparatus that will enable him get his degree as all left is a semester for him to graduate.
Since our agitation has not been met, we have been fenced from seeing the governor who was on our neck to see us prior to his second term election. Pathetic.
The government promised to immortalise the four student union leaders that was killed in the accident. Up to this moment, nothing of such has happened. These comrades lost their lives to get the governor re-elected. And this is what has happened to their colleagues they left in the struggle for the emancipation of the Nigerian student. Some of the survivors still need necessary medical attention as some have mental cases to deal with and some permanently disabled as there were no further effort to get them back on their feet.
It is absurd that a government could make a promise and renege on it. It would have been a different case had it been the trip was not at the instance of the government. We have to ask ourselves what will our government do to a citizen in distress even when not connected to the government.
OUR DEMANDS.
That government fulfills her promises.
That our slain Comrades be immortalized by the state governor has he promised.
That July 13 every year is used to celebrate our heroes.
That government set in place motions to empower the survivors of the accident as some of them can’t do any work that will be need great strength.
That the government help with the speedy conclusion of the academic processes of the victims whose mates have graduated by now.
That government investigates the molestation of Comr. Owonola Abiodun on 30th January, 2014 at the commissioning of the State Primary Health Board in Akure, Ondo state when he made an attempt to seek an audience with the governor.
May it be brought to the notice of the government that we resort to this medium to voice our grievance because we’re frustrated with government procrastination tactics. We will however plead that government take this as a serious issue before it is too late. Thanks.
God bless NANS.
God bless Ondo State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed.
Comrade Olawande Ajayi,
Zonal Treasurer NANS.
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