Oshiomhole Gives Succour to 2012 Accident Victims 4 Years After

Adams Oshiomole has shown his human and sympathetic side once again after the effervescent governor fulfilled a longtime promise to a group of journalists left to rot by an accident.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state

 

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state has given relief to seven of the journalists who were seriously injured in the fatal accident that involved his convoy four years ago. The accident happened on 28 April, 2012, when the governor who was then seeking a re-election, went to campaign in some parts of Edo North senatorial district.

 

Three journalists, George Okosun, Olatunji Jacobs, both of Benin-based Independent Television and Radio; and Fidelis Okhani of Africa Independent Television (AIT), had lost their lives in the accident, while Eddy Aimankhu, Gabriel Asika, Samson Inobeme, Henry Odeh, David Acha, and Rosemary Obayuwana‎, sustained serious injuries.

 

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Some of them have been undergoing serious health challenges relating to fracture on their legs and other parts of their bodies.

 

The governor who addressed the accident victims in his office when the leadership of the state Executive Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, led by Sir Roland Osakue paid a courtesy call on him, promised N15 million as succour and immediately directed a medical review of their situation for further action. Oshiomhole who personally met the victims, regretted their seeming abandonment which he said may be as a result of breakdown in communication.

 

“We said government will take care of their bills. Why will they discharge them when they are not yet okay? I thought these my friends are okay and walking all these years but never knew that they are still suffering. If the hospital knows they don’t have good orthopaedic doctors I think the best thing would have been to inform us so we can look for alternative.

“But discharging when you know they still have problems was very very bad. And the challenge with this now is that the wounds would have worsened. But we will keep faith alive, thank God we are still alive today. I believe your people can still walk well. We will examine the state of the wounds and if it is something we cannot take care of here in Nigeria, we will take you abroad for treatment,” Oshiomhole said. ‎

 

Responding to the governor’s magnanimity, the Edo NUJ chairman, Roland Osakue, commended him for his gesture and prayed God to “continue to bless you and your family. This gesture has given our colleagues hope again, that at least they can still walk like others.”