*Outrage trails picture of wrong doctor
Family members and friends of the medical doctor,
Dr. Oji Allwell Chiawolamoke, who dived into the Third Mainland Bridge Lagoon
on Sunday, besieged the scene yesterday, wearing mournful looks.
Several people were sighted at the bridge, watching
as officials of the Lagos State Emergency Agency, LASEMA, and other emergency
agencies frantically combed the nooks and crannies of the lagoon, hoping to
recover the remains of the doctor, said to be in his mid-thirties.
One of the people, who stood by the rail of the
lagoon, staring into the lagoon, was his mother. Grief was stamped on her face.
New Telegraph visited the scene yesterday and
sighted different vehicles, belonging to the relatives, friends and the
emergency agencies were parked on the bridge. Relatives, friends were too
bereaved to comment about the incident, while the circumstances which led to the
death were still discussed as they watched the emergency responders on water.
The late doctor’s Nissan SUV with registration
number LND 476 EE, remains in police custody while the driver of the doctor had
been detained.
Effort to speak with family members at the doctor’s residence,
3 Odunnukan Street, Abule Ijesha, was rebuffed.
The family said people and journalists should
respect and allow them to grieve in peace. They turned journalists away and
locked their gate.
Yesterday, emergency agencies begged marine police
and fishermen and residents of the area to be on the alert and inform the
government whenever they find his corpse.
The LASEMA General Manager, Adeshina Tiamiyu confirmed
that the body was yet to be recovered.
He said: "The body is yet to be recovered as
the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and other stakeholders are still on
ground. The marine police and local divers are still combing the area.”
Dr. Attah Essien, who studied Medicine and Surgery,
University of Lagos, stated on his Facebook wall that the late Oji was known to
him.
He said: “Dr. Orji Allwell was my junior and also a
graduate of College of Medicine University of Lagos. Indeed I left the great
citadel of learning just when he was learning the rudiments of the profession
hence our paths never crossed but if they had, I would have embraced him like a
brother and share ward round tales of how we survived the likes of Professor
Bode and Professor Odum.
“But Dr. Orji is dead. I heard he jumped off Third
Mainland Bridge in an apparent suicide. What could have pushed the young man to
take his own life? What level of frustration can kill the joy of life in an
intelligent young man? Indeed the dark-side of Medicine in Nigeria has once
again reared its ugly head. A profession that is in the final death throes of
extinction has claimed another victim. Indeed many see Doctors as being on top
of the food chain hence they carry a heavy burden. Numerous relatives feast on
their finances like hungry vultures who keep on coming back for more carion.
They can never take no for answer for it is said Doctors always have money as
if they work in Nigerian Mint.”
It was also gathered that Oji is a 2008 medical
graduate (MBBS) of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
He is described as Locum Medical Officer (part time
doctor), with Mount Sinai Hospital, Lagos. He was born on May 21. He loves
reading books during his spare time.
A magazine
presented by Essien, on the Oji, stated: “Dr. Oji found the practice sessions
on respiratory and cardiovascular examination most interesting and useful in
his practice. He had amusing moment adjusting to male simulators of female
patients during practice sessions. His favourite teachers were Dr. Amao and Dr.
Chukwukelu. His best trainer was Dr. Ariba. His memorable classmate is the
class governor, Dr. Onobola.”
Meanwhile, desperate for information about Oji, some
online Medias made a blunder by presenting the picture of one Allwell Orji as
that of the late doctor.
It turned out that the picture was that of a Port
Harcourt based nurse. The picture of the nurse, presented as dead, was said to
have caused untold grief to his frightened family. The nurse quickly made a
video, declaring that he is alive. Family and friends have condemned the
irresponsible action of the online Medias.
One of the nurse’s friends, Nwosu Godfrey Ikenna,
said: “This is embarrassing! You
just pick up picture of someone because his name is Allwell Oji (not even Orji)
and you don't verify if that's the person you're looking for. That is the picture of my friend. He is
alive. He's a nurse and not a doctor. And he's not even up to 30. You've caused
a lot of panic among his family and friends using the wrong picture for this
news. Shame on you!”
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO),
Olarinde Famous Cole, said: “Ever since the incident happened, the police have
been in touch with the victim’s family. The Commissioner of Police, Fatai
Owoseni, has visited the scene. The investigation is holistic. We’re still
trying to recover some of his belongings and his body. We’re still on all round
investigations at his place of work, his home and we don’t want to bring more
sorrow to the family and relatives, who are already mourning. Our
investigations will cover whether it was a premeditated suicide as is making the
round or something else. That is why we say this investigation is not a 24-hour
thing. We need time.”
On the deceased actual name and identity, the PPRO
said those information would be authenticated at the end of the investigation.
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