TRIBUNE
AN 80-year-old native doctor identified as Lamidi Babare is yet to come to terms with the loss of five grandchildren in a collapsed building that claimed the lives of 10 persons on Thursday at Yegede-Foworogun,Ibadan, in Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Over nine others sustained varying degrees of injury during the incident.
Babare, who is currently on admission at the MercylanAd Hospital, alongside eight other victims, is said to be a native psychiatric doctor. Some of his patients were among the victims that died during the incident, while others are currently receiving medical attention at various government and private hospitals in the state.
The octogenarian had been using the ill-fated one-storey building as both residential and mental care home. It was gathered that patients came from far and near to receive treatment at the place.
Babare, according to one of his wives who identified herself as Yidiat,had just finished using the toilet when the building came down around 1am on Thursday.
“I am not staying with Baba presently, but I was called by the people in the neighborhood after the incident happened around 1am on Thursday, shortly after the downpour.
“Baba was downstairs after leaving the toilet to arrange the chairs at the reception hall when the incident happened. Even though he escaped death by a whisker, this could not be said of his five grandchildren and some of his patients.
“Baba stays in the house with his children, grandchildren and his patients. He is a native doctor who specializes in the treatment of patients with mental ailment and other diseases.
“We are appealing to the governor to come to the aid of Baba. He has lost everything, including his children, grandchildren and the house that he labored to build over seven decades ago.”
The General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Service, Rev Akinremi Akinyinka, while confirming the incident, said, “The Oyo State Fire Service received a distressed call at about 2 am this morning from Jegede Olunloyo area in Ona-Ara Local Government Area, of which 10 persons have been recovered from the debris of the collapsed building, while seven persons have been rescued alive.”
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