Election Day Boat Mishap: Corps member buried in Akure, survivors receiving treatment (photos)

lbrahim Olalekan Okalanwon, a NYSC corps member who died on Saturday, after the State House of Assembly election in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, was buried on Monday in Akure in accordance with Islamic rites.

Olalekan, from Ogun State, was a graduate of Accountancy from the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara. Until his death, he served at Herald of Hope Group of Schools in Ojuala, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Olalekan, an ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission and his colleagues were returning from Agadagba-Obon after completing their duty before the boat capsized. Seven others, who survived the boat mishap but sustained injuries, were taken to a community health centre in Ese-Odo.

The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi, who condoled with the family, ordered that other victims of the boat accident be transferred to the Gani Fawehinmi Health Diagnostic Centre in Ondo town for adequate treatment.

During the burial, Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, commended the patriotism of the late corps member.

The State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs Grace Akpabio, who spoke on behalf of the Director General of the corps, Maj.- Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, also condoled with the family of the late NYSC member. A statement by NYSC  reads:

OUR HEART GOES OUT TO OKANLAWON FAMILY OF OGUN STATE

The National Youth Service Corps Scheme is diminished by the death of any Corps Member, and therefore feels utterly devastated by the untimely demise of  Okalanwon Ibrahim Olalekan OD/18C/1199, who hailed from Ogun State. He died under very tragic circumstance, on Saturday, 9th March, 2019.

Olalekan, a young man, burning with patriotic zest stood to be counted at the hour of national need by availing the Nation of his services as INEC ad-hoc staff, deployed to Arogbo Ward 2, Ese - Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, his state of Service, for the State House of Assembly Election.

Regrettably, he had successfully concluded the national task before meeting his untimely death, arising from boat mishap on his way back to his place of abode.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him at this difficult time.

We implore the Almighty Father to grant the family, friends and NYSC Community the fortitude to bear the painful loss, and in the same vein grant his kind soul everlasting happiness.

His remains were interred  Monday, 11th March, 2019 in Akure, Ondo State, according to Islamic rites.

See photos of the injured corps members receiving tretment in a community health centre in Ese-Odo.