The remains of Ibrahim Okanlawon, a corps member who died in the line of duty during the House of Assembly election in Ondo State on Saturday, were buried in Akure on Monday.
Okanlawon, who was one of the ad hoc workers engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the poll, died when the boat conveying him and other electoral officers capsized at Arogbo in Ese Odo Local Government Area of the state.
However, six other electoral officers on the boat survived the accident but sustained injuries.
It was learnt that Okanlawon did not wear the life jacket given to him before the incident.
The state chairman of the NYSC Governing Board and Commissioner for Sports and Youths Development, Mr Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, said the corps member was buried in the presence of government and NYSC officials, as well as some members of his family.
He said, “We would have taken him to his hometown, Abeokuta, but his family requested that we should bury him in Akure.”
The NYSC in the State, on Monday, expressed sadness over Okanlawon’s death
Okanlawon, a graduate of Accountancy from the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, was involved in boat mishap while returning from Agadagba Obon, in Ilaje Local Government Area, after election duty on Saturday.
The State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs Grace Akpabio, described his death as unfortunate, saying the late corps member served meritoriously at Herald of Hope Group of Schools, Ojuala in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the State.
Akpabio, while speaking on behalf of the Director-General Major General Suleiman Zakari Kazaure, said the management and the entire corps members have been thrown into mourning as a result of this unfortunate incidence.
She said the deceased would continue to live in the heart of the commission and expressed heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the departed compatriot.
“We pray that Almighty Allah reposes his soul and give the family the fortitude to bear the loss,” she said.
The state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, while speaking during the burial, also expressed sadness over the unfortunate death.
Akeredolu who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye commended the patriotism of the late corps member and prayed for repose his soul and give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Ibrahim Okanlawon with code number OD/18C/1199, was buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
Punch/Tribune
