A cycling community, PitStop Lagos, has called on the state government to create cycle lanes while constructing new road or rehabilitating existing ones across the state.
This clarion call was made recently during a memorial ride in honour of the Deputy Managing Director and Co-Founder of Vetiva Capital Management, late Olaolu Mudasiru.
Dr. Bob as Mudasiru was fondly called, was killed on Sunday, 11th December 2022, in a hit-and-run accident while cycling with two other persons on Bourdillon road in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
The Vetiva Co-Founder was the first son of Gbolahan Mudasiru, a former military governor of Lagos state, who died in 2003.
The cyclists alongside other well-wishers, colleagues and friends gathered to hold a memorial ride from Bourdillon road where the sad incident happened, to the deputy governor’s lodge, to the French Embassy and then a final stop at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The General Manager, PitStop Lagos, Opeyemi Adegboro while speaking to journalists on the anniversary of Mudasiru’s death, said: “Today, marks exactly one year Dr. Bob was callously run over by a vehicle on Gerrard road. So we are gathering to honour his memory.
“He took health and fitness seriously. He was a doctor who knew the importance of health and fitness, and as a community whose focus is on health and wellness, we know his value.
“We are still saddened by his loss. It’s more saddening that a year after his passing, the security agencies have not been able to conclude the investigation into the accident.
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“We are gathered once again, to remember him, to remember his role and to also use this opportunity to call on security agencies to conclude the investigation into that accident and tell us their findings.”
A sister to the deceased, Bolatito Ajibode who recalled fond memories of Dr. Bob said: “He lived his life to the fullest. He taught us to love and forgive. He taught us to be charitable. He taught us to stay healthy.
“I feel really sad that the driver has not been found. We took every step as a family. We wrote to all the authorities, but the truth of the matter is that what we needed to get the killer was unavailable. And it is rather unfortunate that in the entire Gerrard road, the CCTV did not work and even the one that was installed did not work.
“I think, going forward as we construct our road in Lagos, we need to bear that in mind that we have cyclists, and they have special lanes in advanced countries. As we reconstruct our roads, we need to build cycling lanes.”
Similarly, the Executive Director, Capital Management limited, Damilola Ajayi who worked closely with Dr. Bob for 20 years said: “We cherish the warm memories that he left behind. We are committed to ensuring his legacies are preserved.
“Also, one of the things that we’re working on is a foundation in his honour, which is going to be launched soon. Also we will continue to pursue the interests and legacies of Dr. Olaolu. We miss him so much.”
