By Matins Fasusi
The people of Ajapa in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State have been thrown into mourning following the killing of two children of different parents, Igulapelewe Inuesokan and Justinah Seiwei by flood caused by prolonged rainfall.
It was gathered that Igulapelewe, two years old and Justinah, three years old were found missing when their parents went through canoe to find the means of preventing their floating house which has been partially submerged by flood.
It was when they returned that the two children were discovered missing
Effort to speak with the bereaved family was not successful as they could not be reached as at the time of filing this report.
Ajapa a riverine community has for some time now been submerged by water which has rendered hundreds of people living in the community homeless before this latest incident.
While confirming the incident, The Iginabou of Ajapa Community, High Chief Godwin Akpos gave the names of the two parents who lost their children as Mr. Mike Inuasokan and Mr. Posi Feiwei.
In his words ” It has never happened like this before. The situation has badly affected the whole community, no house was spared including schools and churches “
“It started about four days ago but today is the worst. All our houses and property are gone. It was so unfortunate that we even lost two children to the incident “
He described the situation as worrisome which has resulted in starvation and economic loss.
” Presently, there is a serious starvation and famine in the community, We are appealing to the governments and all other relevant agencies to come to our aid by way of providing relief materials ” he said
Also speaking, Chief Jolowo A. G, Secretary of the Council said the flood was caused by excessive rain which has destroyed property and crops worth several millions of naira.
“As we speak now, it is raining thereby adding more to the destruction. All our houses have been submerged and over flooded. “
” We are finding it difficult to survive, our economy has been broken down completely, even to cook is a serious problem, fishermen and women could no longer fish “
“All my property are inside the water ” he lamented.
In his own contributions, Mr. Luke Azerege, Principal Okubama High school, Ajapa described the flood situation as very pathetic which has taken away whole of the school premises there by making teaching and learning impossible.
He appealed to the governments for immediate and urgent attention in order to bring succor to the community which is seriously In a state of help.
It would be recalled that most communities in Ilaje and Ese Odo LGA which include Igbotu, the home town of the mother of the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, were badly affected by the flood menace thereby making the state government to compel public primary and secondary schools to proceed on three weeks holiday in order to forestall incident that may affect vulnerable pupils and students while the government works out remedial measures.s
