AN ACCOUNT OF MY TRIP TO ABEOKUTA

For years now, I've only been hearing and reading news of ghastly auto-crashes claiming lives, till I witnessed it on Saturday (Sept. 14, 2013) along Kobape-Shagamu Expressway, Abeokuta, Ogun State; though it occurred minutes before I got to the spot. I journeyed into Abeokuta via the roughly-abandoned Ajebo Road which cut across many villages and the famous Obafemi Town, the Headquarter of Obafemi-Owode Local Government; along this road is Sapon, Abeokuta.

Flashed through my mind when I got there (Sapon) was the Yoruba adage my Grandfather kept singing into our hearing, his children, friends and associates before his death: “Se bi o timo, elewa Sapon”. So, this rural community with rows of buildings and a rustic, rutty skyline homes that popularly referred to beans seller- IYA ELEWA SAPON. Also, along this road, at the outskirt of Abeokuta, lies the Ogun State Television (OGTV) House.

My ply through the route was a pain in the neck, because the road is not in good condition- bumpy and in some stations outmoded. The asphalt on the road has worn off and has been overridden by sand and dirt while the path is overgrown with shrubs and bushes, almost shrunk to a walkway. Journeying into Abeokuta, was torturous for me because of the port-holed road, but also adventurous to some extent for as a lover of nature, I saw forests and landscaping trees and beguiling bushes with verdant leaves that gives one the sense of wildlife mixed with serenity.

Getting to Abeokuta, I headed directly to an eatery for a sweet repose, “Sweet Sensation”, beside the strategically well-sited architectural magnum-opus OPIC Skyscraper, in a cool environment with permeating refreshing breeze and fascinating scenery, at “Oke-Ilewo”. There I ate my favourite dish with boneless and succulent meats of specie I couldn't identify; also took a chilled bottled tipple to satisfy my parched throat.

Done with my mission, at around 3pm, though delayed; heading out of the city, I took the Kobape-Shagamu expressway, where lies Folarin Dally Schools, Obasanjo Villa and the State Government Secretariat, at “Oke-Imosan”. Kilometers away from Abeokuta; occurred this ugly, fatal car accident, involved two vehicles; there I saw car parts scattered at differing angles while the other had plunged into the bush, being razed down by fire. While wondering how the incident could have happened for the road is not bumpy like that of Ajebo, besides, it's of two-lane. I then sighted lifeless human body cut into two (from the waist downward) lying helpless on the road; the other part(s) were nowhere to be found.

I've never for once in my life witnessed such incident; I only see it pictures in newspapers and online until I saw it live. I lost control of myself, felt being struck with an iron rod, and like a heavy burden placed on my head. The Camera in my hand dropped; my thoughts were just imbalanced! What if I hadn't been delayed? Maybe I would be involved in this? I might also be lying helpless and lifeless here, damn dead? What really happened? How possible could a hit occur in this plane two-lane road? Hold on, is this how death strikes? How would human being die in such a tragic and horrifying way? So, this man is gone and gone forever, no trace(s) again? Would this man be recognized?

If eventually recognized, how would his friends take the news of his awful death? What about his wife/wives and his children, what would be their actions and reactions? What holds the future for his children? Those were the salient questions that flashed through my disturbed mind at the spot, as I was frightened - shaking, vibrating and farting seriously. I can't say about the survivor of the second driver or maybe there were passengers in the both vehicles; but saw people running helter-skelter. I was shocked; still treating the shock though, for the picture of the scene keep flashing my memory. And I cannot possibly imagine the shock and sorrow that has been thrust on his and other possible casualties, friends and family now. I was told the car accident that claimed the life of that popular Yoruba horror movies Director cum Actor, Ishola Durojaiye widely referred to as Hammed Alasari, occurred in the same road.

Also, where the Toyota Camry car of Chief Gbenga Dally was over-run by a truck which lost on the wheels, with him dying on the spot, claimed lives of few others; Chief Gbenga Dally was the 'Akinfimogboye of Egbaland'. He was a top Educationist and Senior Lecturer at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye; he owns the Folarin Dalley Schools, one of the top Schools in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Auto-crashes have become a regular occurrence along that Kobape-Shagamu road, claiming lives of sung and other unsung homo-sapiens. What could be the cause(s) of the occurrence and reoccurrence of such incident in a bump-less planed road like that? Could it cause(s) be metaphysical, as asserted by some inhabitants of the towns and villages along the lane? If so, I opine the traditional rulers of the towns and villages along the route meet and proffer a lasting solution to these ugly incidents.

The worst auto-crash I experienced was when involved, and then I was three (3) years old. My mother and I were heading to Ilesa from Akure in the evening, of that fateful day. The car plunged inside the bush and tumbled thrice before being stopped by a tree; in APOTI commune- a village along the then gully Ilesa-Akure Expressway. All I could remember was that I shouted “JESUS” and held firmly the Puff-Puff in my hand; I was nowhere to be found while rescuing other passengers by the villagers. I overheard my mum shouting “Omo mi, Omo mi”, but never cried or screamed for an attention.

I was lying, covered with broken glasses and legs hung-dangling underneath the car; busy eating the Puff-Puff in my hand, enjoying the cool and refreshing breeze oozing beneath the car. While doing that, flames had started escaping from the car bonnet, with doubtful sign(s) of possible fire-caught. For my swift rescue, the villagers employ the services of axes; hearing the sound of the car being axed, still I never cried or screamed, not until an iron rod struck my hand in which I forcedly let go of the Puff-Puff I was eating.

The car caught fire immediately I was rescued, though later quenched. I was unharmed- no little scratch on my body, though shocked, not because of the incident but the actions and reactions of the people around. I was mobbed and treated like a celebrity; of course I was, at that very scene. “You're a testimony”; “may you days be long, you'll not die young”, “no weapon fashioned against you shall prosper”, “you shall not die but live to glorify the Lord”. Those were the utterances of the rescued passengers, the passersby and the villagers.

Hold on, what if the car caught fire while enjoying underneath? What would've happened, dead by now? Razed into ashes? Oh…that would be tragic. If you were to judge the cause of my death, what would be your assertion? FOOD? Huh??? However, I really thank God for his guidance and protection over my life; He has really been faithful to this wanderer- a clay-molded statue breathes into; a mere sculptural work (masterpiece) in His Hand. And I pray for His infinite protection over my life as I continue to wander round this nation and offshore.

Oluwatomilola Boyinde, a Social Commentator and Public Affairs Analyst, writes from Osogbo, State of Osun.