Samuel Olufemi Obajolu, an Owo indigene and philanthropic businessman, who has lived in Maryland, United States of America for over 30 years, shares the story of how a reckless driver almost snuffed the life out of him during his last visit to Nigeria. The Vice President of World Council of Owo Association (WOCOA) narrated the incident and the lesson he has learnt to Taiwo Abiodun.
It was a horrific sight. Blood gushed out of his head and body, soaking his immaculate white attire in seconds. Moments earlier, a reckless car driver had run into his vehicle, mangling his car and causing him grave head and body injury. To make matters worse, the driver took to his heels, leaving him for dead. Within seconds, an exciting Boxing Day celebration turned bleak.
However, US-based Samuel Olufemi Obajolu, summed up courage and with his last strength, dragged himself out of his damaged car, brought out his cell phone and called some doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, Ondo State, where he and his townsmen in the Diaspora had over time donated medical equipment, drugs and beddings.
As the saying goes, one good turn deserves another. On receiving his emergency call that night – around 10.15pm, the doctors on ground wasted no time in swinging to action. They offered to send an ambulance to pick him up. In the meantime, some Good Samaritans, who recognised him as a popular philanthropist also offered to take him to the hospital.
At the FMC, the doctors immediately swung into action. “Dr. Liasu Ahmed, Dr. Fasiroti, Dr. Oyemolade and Dr. Ibrahim Taoheed on sighting me, remembered me as one of those that came from the United States of America to donate medical facilities to the hospital (FMC) last April. They treated me with same equipment we donated months earlier. What a life!” He reflected.
Back to the US on wheelchair
Even though he came into the country on his two feet, Obajolu went back on a wheel-chair. He said the treatment continued and he had to undergo several stitches and surgeries. “When I was to return to the United States, I was given a wheelchair, with which I boarded the plane at the Murtala Mohammed Airport; same, when I arrived the US.” He said.
He added jokingly that he now had tribal marks, courtesy of the crash.
His story
According to Obajolu, his plan was to kill several birds with one stone. He said ”I went to Nigeria for three major reasons: One was to attend the coronation and installation of the new Olowo of Owo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Gbadegesin Ajibade Ogunoye’s coronation ceremony. Secondly, I went there to attend my step-mother’s burial ceremony slated for December 26 and 27, and lastly, to celebrate with one of my friends, who lives in Arizona, America, who was celebrating the silver jubilee anniversary of his marriage.”
“I was part of the planning with my friend, so we were all upbeat and looking forward to the event. We planned it for December 28, which was why I planned my leave to coincide with it. Unfortunately, I was only able to attend the Olowo’s installation of December 14. On that Boxing Day, the devil did its worst and effectively aborted my other plans.”
Narrating how it happened, the man whose voice still trembled from the shock and impact of the accident, said the whole incident still plays like a dream. ”I went to attend my stepmother’s wake keep and on my way back home, went to make a ‘U’ turn at Imade College Junction and parked at the intersection of Arotiba and Oke Ogun Street. A friend, Adeleye Okeowo Ogunleye, who is like an adopted son to me, was driving. He drives me around whenever I am in town. I asked him to park so that my friend would join him. He had already parked, my friend, Victor Akin Oladimeji drove MAZDA SDF Acura and I drove Toyota Corolla LSR 161FM. As he parked, I parked behind him. I was still sitting by the driver’s side and my engine was still running, with the light on and the street lights on, so even the blind could see. The driver therefore had no business coming to hit me on the third lane. As soon as my driver came down, I just heard a heavy slam on my car from behind.”
With voice laced with emotion, the American citizen continued, ”I believe the guy must have been speeding between 80 and 100 miles per hour because of the loud bang and impact on my car. The force pushed my car forward, so both front and rear of the car were severely damaged.”
“I called Dr. Ahmed of the Federal Medical Centre and he wanted to send an ambulance right away but I told him I would come on my own. A man walked over to me and offered to take me to the hospital in his car, but the bleeding was too much and I didn’t want to stain his car. The man, whom I came to know as Olumolawa, however, insisted. The medical team was on standby and they immediately took me to the theatre on arrival. The second day, I was taken to Akure by ambulance to do MRI because I was having pain on my neck.”
I had 15 stitches on my ear
Obajolu said the accident almost took his life. ”The glass that broke from behind cut my ear and it had to be held together with 15 stitches. The glass gave me a ‘tribal mark’ on my cheeks and my eye brows were stitched as well. It was so scary and that was how I came to have facial marks overnight,” he said jokingly.
He said what pained him most was the way the driver who almost killed him behaved. ”The driver that hit me ran away from the scene of the accident. Throughout the time I was in the hospital and until I left Nigeria for the United States, I did not for once see him. Even if I stumbled on him in the town, I would not know him.”
Grateful to the Olowo and other royals
Obajolu said he is grateful to the royal fathers who came to check him up at the hospital. “His Imperial Majesty, Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ajibade Ogunoye III called me several times and even came to see me at the hospital. Ditto, the Oliyere of Iyere, Oba Omotunde Adako, who came with his entourage and Are Atuluse of Owo, Chief Rotimi Ibidapo.”
Eye-opener
Obajolu said he learnt a big lesson from the accident. ”I learnt a big lesson that we should help one another. I’ve always supported bringing medical facilities to all hospitals in Owo, especially FMC, and see what happened to me now. In fact, I didn’t pay a dime for the medical expenses at FMC and I really appreciate that. Now I am going to do more and help people. I bought a lot of medication and I paid about 60,000 naira for the MRI in Akure.”
While the surgery was on, he said he noticed a lot of lack of basic equipment. “I remember when they stitched some part of me and the scissors used was not strong enough. Also there was not enough high density medical light to enable visibility, although they had light for 24hours. One of the doctors used the flashlight of his phone during the surgical. The nurses also had to bring things bit by bit, I believe it will help them if it they had a table that has wheels to expedite their action. God help me, I am going to supply all these sooner or later.” He said.
Naija forever
Asked if he would visit Owo anytime soon, Obajolu laughed and said, ”Of course I will. But can you believe that up till the moment of speaking with you I have not heard from the guy who hit me? I learnt his family came to meet my family members begging. But for what? If I had died, that is how he would have run away. Anyway, the police are handling the case. But above all, I thank those who stood by me and I thank God who made me survive. I am still going to the hospital here in the United States for treatment, but I am healing steadily.”
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