The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State, led by Mrs. Olayinka Nasamu, has denied any connection to the hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of Pelumi David Idowu, a student from Gateway ICT Polytechnic in Saapade, Aiyepe Annexe.
Idowu, a 24-year-old ND1 Public Administration student, and 22-year-old bike rider Hassan Ariyo were hit by a driver outside the NYSC Orientation Camp on Sagamu-Ikenne Road last Monday. Both individuals tragically lost their lives in the accident.
In response to the incident, students in Ogun State, under the National Association of Nigerian Students and the National Association of Ogun State Students, protested on Tuesday, accusing the NYSC State Coordinator of a cover-up. They claimed that the driver responsible for the accident, identified as Ojo Aina, was an NYSC worker who sought refuge in the orientation camp to avoid justice.
However, Mrs. Nasamu firmly refuted these allegations, calling them “a figment of the students’ imagination” and completely untrue. She expressed her heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the Student Union Government of the polytechnic, emphasizing that she would never support any actions that hinder justice.
Mrs. Nasamu stated, “First and foremost, I want to extend my condolences, on behalf of the NYSC as a responsible organisation and myself as a mother, to the families of the victims affected by this unfortunate incident. May they find strength and comfort in this difficult time. We also condole with the Student Union Government and the entire Gateway Polytechnic community.”
She mentioned that a thorough investigation conducted by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force in Ogun State has cleared the NYSC of any wrongdoing.
Additionally, she noted that the management of the polytechnic, including the Rector and the Student Union President, had visited her office to apologize for the false accusations against the NYSC. The Student Union President, Rector, and Dean of Student Affairs have acknowledged their mistake and promised to issue a public apology to correct the misinformation circulating in the media.
Mrs. Nasamu also clarified that Ojo Aina, the person falsely accused by the students, is indeed an NYSC employee. However, he was only called upon after the accident occurred and had driven his car from inside the camp to the gate to help with the situation.
