When Adewura Lateefat Bello was declared missing recently, many concerned citizens joined in spreading the message in the social media, praying she would reunite with her family in Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos.
The 26-year-old chartered accountant had left her workplace in Ikeja for home about 6pm on May 15. She reportedly had a telephone conversation with her sister while at Cement Bus stop, less than three kilometres away that she was on her way home.
When she did not arrive home as expected, another call was made to her phone, which was not answered. It was assumed that the downpour at the time prevented her from answering the phone call.
The family realised that something was amiss when Adewura could no longer be reached on the phone throughout the night and they immediately launched a search.
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Residents around a street opposite Shagari Estate, Ipaja, later gave the clue that led to the discovery of Adewura’s body in a canal in Abule Odu community, several kilometres away from her destination. Witnesses said a young lady had boarded a commercial motorcycle to take her home and, as the motorcyclist made to wade through the flooded street, the residents warned him not to pass through the flooded area, but he allegedly ignored the warning. While meandering through, the motorcycle fell. The rider was able to save himself, but the lady was unlucky, as the flood swept her into an open manhole on the road into a tunnel, leading to the canal where a decomposing body, identified as Adewura’s, was later found.
Adewura, a 2013 graduate of Accounting from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), was described as smart, humble and kindhearted. It is very sad losing a young lady with a promising future in such a tragic manner. We pray for the repose of her soul. We also commiserate with her family and colleagues.
Adewura’s tragic death is yet another in a long list of painful and avoidable deaths recorded in our nation on a regular basis.
In this unfortunate incident, government had failed to provide a proper channel for flood in the area, necessitating the opening of the manhole. This is disturbing.
Residents around the area where Adewura slipped into the manhole had reportedly contributed money and erected an iron fence around the hole, to prevent a recurrence of such incident. While commending the effort, we are, however, disappointed that the residents waited until the danger they had been living with consumed a life before taking action.
This, sadly, is the prevalent disposition in many communities and neighborhoods across the country. Most times, we pay scant attention to life-threatening situations or inadequacies until they get out of hand.
We must learn to place premium on life and never delay in taking measures to prevent loss of lives.
It is frightening seeing how Nigerians litter the streets and drains with disused pet bottles and other non-biodegradable items, not minding that they clog the drainage systems and waterways, thereby contributing to flooding.
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Hundreds of lives were reported lost to flooding in several states across the country last year.
We recall that last March 29, two male students of a private secondary school were picked up dead in the flood after a heavy rain in Alagbado area of Lagos.
The boys were found in the water at Casso Bus Stop on Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway by shop owners and passersby and rushed to a nearby private hospital, which confirmed them dead.
Similarly, 11 residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, including a mother and her two sons drowned in flash floods after a heavy rain on July 13, last year.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that 108 lives were lost to rainstorm and flooding across 12 states between August and September 2018 alone.
With the onset of another rainy season, climate change and attendant massive flooding, we urge all citizens in flood-prone areas to take precautions and protect themselves from harm.
We particularly appeal to parents and guardians as well as school authorities to caution their children and wards to steer clear of flood whenever it rains either on their way to or from school.
Government at all levels should do more to save lives through sustained mass enlightenment about the dangers of flooding, dredging of canals and waterways and evacuation of citizens in threatened communities when necessary
