By Waheed Ojo
Amidst the cloud of doubt surrounding the genuine cause of his death, Richard Gbadebo has been finally laid to rest in the early afternoon of today, Friday, August 7, 2020.
Richard, who was a 300 level student of the department of European Studies (German) Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, was alleged to have died in an industrial accident on Tuesday, 28th of July, 2020 at Henkel Global Industries Ltd, located at Oluyole Industrial Estate, Ibadan, Oyo State, where he worked as a casual operator.
The body of Richard left the morgue of Tẹju Specialists Hospital in Ibadan around 12:55 pm, today. He was accompanied by members of the Students’ Union of the University of Ibadan to Sango Cemetery in Ibadan, where he was laid to rest after a short gloomy period of hymnal songs and prayers by Pastors of Life in Jesus Church.
In attendance at the burial session was Mr Akeju Oluwasegun, the Students’ Union president of the University of Ibadan, Comr. Opakunle Oluwafumbi Mayowa, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)/ Joint Campus Committee(JCC) Oyo state Chairman, and Comrade Kayode Olusegun Martins of the Ibadan chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Meanwhile, the management of Henkel Global Industries Limited company, where the deceased was alleged to have met his death, were absent and no representative was sent.
Comr. Opakunle, while describing the absence of the company, where the deceased died, said: ” It augur well, not having a single person to represent them.” Meanwhile, he gave words of advice to his fellow students who have intentions to work in any company, that “They need to make their safety their paramount concern. He went further to state the condition for the reopening of the company, which has been closed down over the death of the deceased, that the student body (NANS) “Is going to look at the edict that binds the welfare of workers in the company, and that if things are not properly done, the company will not be allowed to reopen.”
Comr. Kayode Olusegun, while speaking on the role of the Nigeria Labour Congress in curbing the unfortunate circumstances that pose threat to the welfare of workers, said: ” We will do everything from our end to make sure things like this never happen again.”
Speaking about the deceased, Mr Akeju Oluwasegun, Who described the sudden death as being very unfortunate said that according to reports he received from the classmates of the deceased, Richard “Was a well-behaved individual, a meaning Nigerian and someone with a bright prospect of moving Nigeria forward.”
At a condolence visit, after the burial, to the home of the deceased at the Elebu area of Oluyole extension by members of the Student Union of the University of Ibadan, the SU President, Mr Akeju Oluwasegun while pledging the support of the union to the family of the deceased said: “You can always call on us if you need our help.” The sister of the deceased, Adesewa Gbadebo, amidst puffy eyes and a face obviously reddened by long days of tears, mustered the strength to say words of appreciation to the students. In her address, she said: “We acknowledge and appreciate your help and support, and pray you don’t receive such gratitude.”
