The atmosphere in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital on Tuesday was gloomy, as tears flowed freely like torrents of rain when the remains of the medical doctors who died along Kaduna-Abuja road were brought into the state capital in seven ambulances.
The medical doctors, who were on their way to the national convention of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, in Sokoto State had their lives and ambitions prematurely cut short by a ghastly motor accident.
The deceased, from the major health institutions in the state were part of the 12-man delegation led by the State Chairman, Dr John Akinbote to the on going NMA national convention.
Only six, including the state chairman survived the crash, while those who lost their lives include, former Chairman of Ekiti NMA and Chief Surgeon at the FETHI, Dr Tunde Aladesanmi; 1st Vice Chairman Ekiti NMA and Consultant Pathologist at EKSUTH; NMA Secretary, Ojo Taiwo; a Resident Doctor with FETHI, Akinyele Alex and J. Ogunseye of the Health Management Board.
Others were, President, EKSUTH Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Olayiwola Olajide; Dr Adeniyi James of the FETHI and their driver, Mr. Moses Ajibola.
Immediately the news of their demise filtered into town, on Sunday evening, activities in all the major health institutions in Ekiti State, were paralysed.
Grief and protest
Unhappy at the unfortunate situation, doctors, nurses and other staff of FETHI, which had lost three medical doctors in the accident, trooped out as early as 7am on Monday, locked the main gate of the hospital in protest, a situation which stirred serious panic among patients and intending visitors.
Adewunmi Aladesanmi, a younger brother to late Dr. Aladesanmi, a Chief Surgeon at the Federal Teaching Hospital told journalists that he spoke with his brother at about 2:30 pm on Sunday.
He said; “shortly after, I could not get to him again. I spoke with him again around 4 p.m. Around 5 p.m I called him again his line had been switched off. 10 minutes later I received a call that the vehicle was involved in an accident. Immediately I went to his house to inform his wife. After sometime, I received a call again from someone who said he had died.”
Bodies arrive Ekiti
Many residents of Ado Ekiti lined the streets to behold the remains of the doctors.
Some of the onlookers, especially the elderly women, were seen intermittently wiping their faces with either handkerchiefs or their wrappers. Some of the deceased’s relatives wept uncontrollably as they beheld the ambulances.
The convoy caused serious traffic hold up especially at Adebayo Road which leads to the EKSUTH.
Some close relations of the deceased doctors were seen weeping uncontrollably as the ambulances were taking their beloved along the streets of Ado Ekiti to the mortuary.
Funeral service
Meanwhile, at the funeral service of Dr Aladesanmi at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Life Fountain Cathedral on Bank Road in the state capital, the President of Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Kayode Obembe, said Aladesanmi impacted positively on people that came across him.
Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola led the state government officials to the ceremony where friends and family extolled the virtues of the late surgeon.
Olusola, who represented Governor Ayodele Fayose, urged the family to remain firm in God.
“God in his infinite wisdom allows certain things to happen because he knows the end from the beginning. The enemy has not succeeded.
Pastor Steven Omotayo of Ekiti Province 1, in his sermon, cautioned people against making derogatory remarks during sudden sad occurrence.
“When sudden things happen to you, watch your mouth,” he said.
The national President of NMA, Obembe, was represented at the church by the Ogun NMA Chairman, Dr. Adenike Odewabi, who is also the South West Coordinator.
Tributes for late Dr Aladesanmi
He said, “Even though his life was short, it is impactible. We will defend the dream
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