Ogun SSG dies in auto crash

Olayinka Olukoya, Abeokuta - 28.01.2008

THE Secretary to the Ogun State Government (SSG), Chief Saqid Olumayowa Olukoya, is dead. The SSG died in an auto accident at Onipepeye area on Sagamu-Isiun-Kobape expressway while returning from the burial of the father of the Vice-President, Goodluck Jonathan, which was held over the weekend in Balyesa State.

A source confirmed to the Nigerian Tribune that Olukoya died alongside his orderly whose name could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

Also involved in the incident was the state Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Kehinde Sogunle, who sustained injuries and was said to be responding to treatment at the State Hospital, Ijaye, in Abeokuta.

The late SSG, according to the Nigerian Tribune findings, died at the hospital at about 3.30 p.m. despite efforts by medical personnel in the hospital to save his life for over an hour.

It was gathered that the front tyre of the Honda Odyssey, an official car of the SSG, burst and the car skidded off the road into a ditch, where they were rescued by a good Samaritan before the state ambulance was brought in and they were taken to the hospital for treatment.

His two thighs were said to have been badly damaged and he was said to be bleeding profusely while his orderly had a head injury. The late SSG was the immediate past president of the Rotary Club International, District 9110, and hailed from Ijebu-Ife, in Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state. He was said to be in his early 60s.

It was also learnt that the late SSG was to receive an award from a Muslim organisation, Abadiya Muslim Organisation yesterday alongside the Minister for Mines and Steel, Alhaji Safaradeen Tunji Ishola.

The state hospital was filled with top government functionaries who all wore mournful looks over the incident. He was sworn into office in June 2007 alongside the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Wale Adedayo.

His remains had been deposited at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu. The deceased, according to a government source, will be buried at Ijebu-Ife today according to Islamic injunctions.