FERMA Engineer Dies Watching Nigeria, Ivory Coast Match

An Engineer Ismail Owolabi of the Federal Road Maintance Agency, FERMA, in Ogun state died during Sunday’s Super Eagle and Elephants of Ivory Coast quarter-final match from the excitement and shock of the match.

Owolabi Ismail was reported dead at Oke-Sokori, Abeokuta, at a viewing centre following the excitement and shock.

Owolabi collapsed during the early minutes of the African cup of nation quarter final match between Nigeria and Ivory Coast in South Africa.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital where there was no doctor on hand to attend to him only to give up the ghost while being rushed to another hospital in the area.

An eyewitness, Mr Wasiu Akinlotan  who narrated the incident that led to Owolabi’s death told LEADERSHIP that the victim had earlier had an accident involving a petrol tanker at Lagos-Ibadan expressway at the eve of Christmas last year but survived the accident.

“Imagine a petrol tanker with full load of fuel crushed a car along Ibadan Express-road, all the occupants of the car died except Owolabi, If you see the damaged done to the car which is still parked at Obasanjo’s One way road at Ita-Iyalode, you will be surprised”.

He lamented further “unfortunately, while Owolabi was watching NIGERIA-COTE D’IVORE’s match yesterday, he was shocked when our boys  scored a goal! Owolabi shouted with Shock and died immediately!”

Akinlotan who expressed shock over the incident described him as a nice person and loved by all in the neighbourhood.

The viewing centre, Promise Stadium located at Lanlepe compound, Oke-Sokori is also very close to the house of the victim. When LEADERSHIP visited the Centre, it has been deserted.

The elder sister of the victim, Mrs Rashidat Owolabi said that the late Owolabi popularly called Engineer or Baba Ibrahiim was survived by two children, a male and female.

Mrs Ismail said the deceased was also survived by his parents.

She said the late Owolabi has been buried at his personal property at Block C one at Olomore Housing Estate, Abeokuta according to Islamic rites.

Sympathisers and mourners have been visiting the family to condole with them on the unfortunate incident.

One of the In-law of the deceased, Ibrahim Ajadi told LEADERSHIP that he heard of the incidence while watching the same match in Ibadan.

A neighbour, Miss Azeeat Olukunmi described the late Owolabi as a friendly, nice, accommodating, and generous person.

-- Leadership