Professor Oladipo Ademuyiwa, a distinguished scholar in Biochemical Toxicology at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has been fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver.
The tragedy occurred on the recently renovated Kemta-Somorin Road in the Kemta area of Abeokuta, Ogun State on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
Professor Ademuyiwa, in his early sixties, had just exited a taxi and was attempting to cross the road from the Prof Wole Soyinka end when a speeding vehicle collided with him.
The driver fled the scene immediately, leaving the professor critically injured.
Despite prompt medical attention, Professor Ademuyiwa succumbed to his injuries, marking a significant loss to the academic community and the nation at large.
The Ajebo Road Housing Estate Community Development Association (CDA), led by Chairman Dr. Ayo Ajasa, expressed profound grief over the incident, labeling it a preventable tragedy.
Dr. Ajasa highlighted that the community had repeatedly appealed to the Ogun State Government for the installation of speed breakers and other safety measures on the Kemta-Somorin Road.
These pleas, however, went unheeded. He noted that while speed bumps were promptly installed on the Ilugun section of the road, similar requests for the Ajebo Road Housing Estate were ignored.
Dr. Ajasa emphasized the urgency of implementing speed breakers, lorry barriers, and clear traffic signage to deter reckless driving and prevent further loss of life.
Alarmingly, within 24 hours of Professor Ademuyiwa’s death, another accident occurred on the same stretch of road, underscoring its perilous conditions.
The community’s frustration is palpable, as residents lament the government’s inaction despite the clear and present dangers posed by the road’s current state.
Dr. Ajasa articulated the collective sentiment, stating that it is unacceptable for a law-abiding community to endure repeated accidents and fatalities due to governmental neglect.
In light of these events, the community is fervently calling upon the Ogun State Governor and relevant authorities to take immediate action.
The implementation of traffic calming measures, such as speed breakers and adequate signage, is deemed essential to safeguard pedestrians and motorists alike.
The community also seeks stricter enforcement of traffic laws to curb excessive speeding and reckless driving within the estate.
The tragic loss of Professor Ademuyiwa serves as a poignant reminder of the dire consequences of infrastructural neglect and the urgent need for proactive measures to protect lives.
