By Rauf Oyewole
It is now a month since the reckless driving of Aminu Abdullahi, a clerical assistant attached to the Bauchi State Ministry of Higher Education, brought sorrow to 13 journalists’ homes. Three weeks ago, I wrote Part One of the account of the crash with gratitude to God that none of us had lost his life. That was on a Friday. See the part one of the article here.
In the early hours of Sunday, February 15, the saddest news came through a friend and fellow survivor: “Have you heard? Kani has gone!” The caller ended the call immediately.
My heart began to pound heavily as I wept for a dependable colleague and respected elder brother. When I drove to his house, the atmosphere was deeply sobering. Mourners had begun to gather while Madam Kani cried uncontrollably. Then Kemuel, Kani’s first child, innocently told his friend while they played within the premises, “My dad is coming to see these plenty visitors in our house.”
That statement struck my heart the most, and tears rolled down my eyes.
Kani had died 10 days after the terrible crash along the Yashi–Duguri road in Alkaleri Local Government Area.
On the day of the accident, five victims – including myself – were asked to continue treatment at home. One by one, others were discharged as their conditions improved. At one point, Saheed Olaide and Kabiru Ilelah (Matawale) were the last colleagues still on hospital admission.
Sadly, Kabiru later succumbed to his injuries after a condition that worried everyone who visited him on his sickbed. He could neither turn his neck nor sit without support while doctors passed fluids through his right nostril.
Kabiru’s death deepened the grief among survivors and well-wishers. As I write this, many of the survivors still see the incident as a dream, unable to explain how they ended up on hospital beds.
What began like a joke has now led to the burial of two vibrant colleagues who died in active service. Kabiru officially retired on his sickbed, while Kani Ben, one of the finest camera operators of Channels Television, left behind two young children.
The Support
Since the crash occurred, support has continued to come from many quarters. Governor Bala Mohammed immediately dispatched a medical team and top government officials to Duguri to ensure prompt medical attention. He directed his personal physician to supervise the treatment and ordered that the state government should cover all medical expenses.
The Governor personally visited survivors receiving treatment. His Wife, the Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government, commissioners for Information, Humanitarian Affairs and Finance, the Special Adviser on Media, the Accountant-General and other officials also paid visits and offered support.
Governor Mohammed said he was briefed that reckless driving by the driver caused the tragedy and subsequently ordered his disengagement from the state civil service.
He also announced the immediate employment of Mrs Kani Ben and Kabiru's son into the state civil service to support her children. He ordered the immediate payment of Kabiru's entitlements.
The Board and Management of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) provided support by replacing the journalists’ working tools with sophisticated gadgets and offering financial assistance.
Above all, we give thanks to God, the All-Knowing, who plans everything according to His will. We glorify His name.
Special thanks to the President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chairman of State Council of NUJ, Chairman of the Correspondents' Chapel, Khalid Idris Doya and you.
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