MYSTERY DEATH: EGBA CHIEF FOR BURIAL TODAY
The remains of the late Egba Chief, Apagun Oluwole Olumide, who committed suicide on Friday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital will be buried today, just as mixed reactions greeted the mystery death.
Olumide took his own life after he plunged into an artificial lake located within the beach, which he had managed along with others for over two decades as a business venture.
Daily Sun reliably gathered that the burial plans were on even amid division betweem family members on autopsy to be performed on the late businessman, whose successive governments in the state found difficult to ignore.
It was further learnt that since the remains of the late Apagun of Egbaland and Balogun of Imo had been deposited at the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, morgue, security around the facility had been beefed up.
Preparation for a befitting burial began yesterday at his 'Toria'' white house located at Surulere Area of Ita Eko, which played host to many dignitaries.
As at the time of filing this report, preparations were in top gear with chairs, tables and canopies being erected and his final resting place being dug inside the compound.
As at 2.30p.m., a grey Mercedez Benz car with registration number Lagos TOS 5 bearing the casket that would be used for the burial of the late tourism business promoter arrived.
After parking the car by the side of the white house with black gate, the casket was later moved from it in a carton by four men, who were cautioning each other to be careful because of its fragility.
Confirming the preparation to bury Olumide, a member of the family, who spoke on condition of anonymity said: 'We have concluded plans to bury him today after an emergency meeting of the family yesterday.
He declined comment on whether an autopsy would be performed on the deceased before his burial.
Journalists from the erst while governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who had converged on the house to cover the progress of the event, were politely asked to excuse them.
The delegation from Daniel, was led by the former commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Aare Tunde Alabi, who told the family that the former governor received the news of the death of Apagun Olumide with shock.
He asked them not to be disillusioned as God would strengthen them at this trying period.
Alabi, who was accompanied by Chief Kola Sorinola, Mrs. Jokotade Odebunmi, former chairman of Obafemi/Owode Local Government, Akeem Adesina, Princess Ronke Ogunremi, Alhaji Isiaka Odejimi among others later presented a letter of condolence from the former governor to the family.
The letter was received on behalf of the family by one of the children of the deceased, Femi, who received the delegation in the presence of the widow, Bisi Olumide , chiefs from Imo and other family members.
Other callers at the Olumide's house were the former police commissioner in the state, Mr. Tunde Alapinni as well as Chief Alani Bankole, the father of the 6th legislator's speaker and others.
Meanwhile, a psychiatrist has advised Nigerians to always visit Neuro-Psychiatric hospital when occasions demanded.
Dr. Abayomi Olumi, who worked at the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro Abeokuta said what happened to the late Egba Chief was the climax of many psycho-social problems, which could have been avoided if he had visited a psychiatrist.
His words: 'It is an act that is not only illegal, but criminal that reflects the multi-facet health challenges in the country which governments at all tiers must give urgent attention.''
'For a mortal, who loves all the good things of live to have decided to take his own life through whatever method is the climax of overwhelming psycho-social problems, which could have been avoided if he had seen a psychiatrist.''