Entertainment

Otedola Bridge tanker fire: Dotun Oladipo, Publisher, The Eagle Online, Narrates his escape with wife, child, and car, but lost his mechanic

Published

1 year ago

March 17, 2025

OhiBaba

484 Views

▪︎Collage of Dotun Oladipo, Publisher, The Eagle Online, (left), and Rotimi Olaleye, the mechanic.

I write this from the point of ‘Pain’ and ‘Gratitude’.

Pain because of the death of a hardworking and honest man, Rotimi Olaleye, who was both a great father, as attested to by his children who he has been taking care of single-handedly since his wife died about five years ago, and an honest and diligent auto mechanic, as confirmed by his clients, including yours truly.

We met less than a week before his death, but he left an unforgettable impression on me, even in death. Gratitude?

I was less than 10 seconds away from where Mr. Olaleye was when the fire that took his life occurred with my wife and first child.

Let me start from the beginning. I met Mr. Olaleye on March 8, 2025, following a need to change my mechanic.

I was introduced to him by the best car air conditioning technician I had ever met, Mr. Akinola Ayeni. We drove the car together on that day.

He spotted some issues, including the fact that the former handler was as careless as not putting the knots that should be holding the connecting ABS wire to the wheel of the driver’s side, by just driving the car.

That was quickly fixed. And he told me, very honestly, that other things had to wait until Monday. That he needed to finish some other jobs. I left happily.

On Monday, I took the car to him. He appeared meticulous. Aside from the fact, that I told him that on completing the work on the Highlander, which my wife uses, I was going to send my car for servicing, he was not in a hurry to declare the vehicle fit. people behind me.

One woman came out of her car and started banging ours: “Move, move.”

She did it a second time and I wound down the back glass, addressing her and my wife who had also become agitated: “We have a man down there. Let’s see if there is still something we can do before we go too far.”

And then his line stopped ringing. My head immediately told me to call Mr. Ayeni. As soon as he picked it up, he asked me: “Have you collected your car? Rotimi has parked by the gate and is waiting for you.”

He did not even hear me saying there was trouble at the workshop until I shouted at the top of my voice.

Mr. Ayeni, who was at Agidingbi, immediately turned back. He, alongside others, discovered the remains of Mr. Olaleye, lying face down. His apprentices who were with him said as the truck crashed, he told them to flee that he needed to “save his customer’s car”.

Meanwhile, his own car was just behind mine. He succeeded in turning the car around to face the workshop. But that was as far as he made it. I cried that night. Something I have not done in several years. I wept bitterly.

In the short period I knew Mr. Olaleye, I learned a lot of lessons.

He left an impact I would never forget. But it was a pity he didn’t pick up my last call, which was to tell him to abandon the car and flee to safety.

His meticulousness on the job was second to none from what I saw in the three days of being with him. He also knew his job. Adieu Mr. Olaleye.

■ SylvaNews

Related Topics:Featured Otedola Bridge tanker fire victims

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Entertainment

Good News According to Jesus Films Delight Thousands at Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Eternal Happiness Convention

As part of this year’s three-day programme (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), convention delegates are viewing Episodes 4, 5 and 6 of the dramatized series.

Published

2 days ago

August 2, 2026

OCHEFA

52 Views

• A cross section of delegates at the Badagry 10 convention, Sunday August 2, 2026 | Ohibaba image

Thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses across Nigeria are learning practical Bible principles for achieving genuine happiness through a series of Bible-based talks and the screening of The Good News According to Jesus video series at the ongoing Eternal Happiness Convention.

As part of this year’s three-day programme (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), convention delegates are viewing Episodes 4, 5 and 6 of the dramatized series. Episode 4, “This Is Why I Have Come,” highlights Jesus’ early miracles, his healing works and his selection of the apostles. Episode 5, “Astounded at His Way of Teaching,” focuses on the impact of Jesus’ powerful teachings, while Episode 6, “Are You the Coming One?” explores events surrounding John the Baptist’s question about Jesus’ identity and mission.

The Good News According to Jesus series debuted in May 2024 as a special feature of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Declare the Good News! regional conventions, with the release of its first episode.

Episodes 2 and 3 were presented during the 2025 conventions, while Episodes 7 and 8 are scheduled for release at the organisation’s conventions in 2027.

Filming for the ambitious multi-episode production began in May 2022. Since then, new instalments have been released progressively at annual conventions, providing audiences with a detailed, chronological portrayal of Jesus Christ’s life and ministry based on the Bible.

Episodes 7 and 8 are scheduled for release at the organisation’s conventions in 2027.

The video presentations are among the highlights of the Eternal Happiness Convention, complementing Bible talks that encourage attendees to strengthen their faith and discover lasting happiness through applying Jesus’ teachings in their daily lives.

Entertainment

Face of Unijos student, Mbaya, killed over alleged phone theft

A video of the incident, which has gone viral, showed how the suspects beat him with planks and canes and subsequently subjected him to different forms of punishment that led to his death.

Published

1 week ago

July 28, 2026

OCHEFA

110 Views

A 25-year-old University of Jos graduate, Ibrahim Mbaya, popularly known as “Ibee,” has been killed by students over alleged phone theft.

Ohibaba learned that the incident occurred on Sunday at an off-campus apartment behind the City of David area, along Ring Road in Jos.

A video of the incident, which has gone viral, showed how the suspects beat him with planks and canes and subsequently subjected him to different forms of punishment that led to his death.

It was further learned that Mbaya, who was still processing an outstanding academic issue, had attended a social event on campus before deciding to spend the night at a friend’s residence in Ring Road because it was too late to return to his home in Rayfield.

It was reported that the following morning, his friends claimed an iPhone had gone missing and insisted that since they were the only occupants of the room, he was the prime suspect. Thereafter, they beat him to death.

Entertainment

BBNaija Season 11 Opens with 24 Housemates

The contestants introduced during the premiere are Tram, Temi Nkem, Martins, Abi, Chimsom Chuka, Keivo, Mercedes, Kamsy, Sultex, Aikou, Flora, Bells, Gerard, Oyin, Sheba, Araga, Ricky, Nomy, Barry, Neche, Yusuf, Goddessa, Bluethophia and Cassi.

Published

1 week ago

July 27, 2026

OCHEFA

99 Views

•BBNaija Season 11 housemates

Big Brother Naija Season 11 officially began on Sunday July 26, with the introduction of 24 housemates

They comprise 12 men and 12 women, who will compete over the next 10 weeks for a record ₦160 million grand prize.

The premiere, hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, opened with a performance by rapper Falz before the contestants were introduced into Biggie’s house. Rapper Ycee later performed after the unveiling of all 24 housemates, bringing the launch show to a close.

The housemates come from different parts of Nigeria and represent a range of professions, including entertainment, fashion, healthcare, technology, business and the creative industry, setting the stage for what is expected to be another competitive season.