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

364 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

My son wants me to re-marry – Tiwa Savage

Jamil is the only child from Tiwa Savage’s previous marriage to talent manager Tunji Balogun, popularly known as TeeBillz.

Published

1 day ago

April 20, 2026

OCHEFA

30 Views

Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage has revealed that her son (Jamil Balogun), expressed a strong desire for her to find a husband rather than a “baby daddy.”

The conversation occurred while Savage was engaged in a lighthearted debate with a friend over the physical appeal of British rapper Skepta and actor Aaron Pierre.

As Savage scrolled through social media to show pictures to her friend, she said: “You remember the collaboration thing with Skepta? So, literally, we were talking about him and the whole Aaron Pierre thing. So, I was just like showing… so she was saying to me she doesn’t think Skepta is fine; she thinks Aaron is finer. I was going mad! I was going through his Instagram, and I was showing her like, ‘What about this one?’

According to the singer, Jamil immediately interjects, stating that she should not have a “baby daddy” because she deserves a “husband.”

And then Jamil goes, and he’s like, ‘What’s that? What are you showing her?’ Then I said, ‘My baby daddy,’ and then my son was like, ‘You are not going to have a baby daddy.’ And I am like, ‘Why would you say that?’ He said, ‘Because you deserve a husband.’” She explained.

Jamil is the only child from Tiwa Savage’s previous marriage to talent manager Tunji Balogun, popularly known as TeeBillz.

The pair married in 2013; the marriage was considered one of the biggest celebrity events in the Nigerian entertainment industry at the time. However, the marriage faced significant public challenges and internal friction, leading to a formal separation in 2016.

Since her divorce, Savage’s private life has been a frequent topic of public discussion.

Speculation regarding her relationship status has often linked her to various high-profile figures, including fellow musicians and international collaborators.

Most recently, her creative partnership with Skepta on the track “Gas” fueled rumors of a romance, though neither party confirmed a relationship beyond their professional work.

Entertainment

Asha Bhosle: Bollywood’s legendary singer dies aged 92

Her death marks the end of an era in Bollywood music – with her career spanning more than eight decades and encompassing more than 12,000 songs

Published

1 week ago

April 13, 2026

OCHEFA

126 Views

Photo: Asha Bhosle / Credit: AFP

Asha Bhosle, a legendary Bollywood singer who became a cultural icon, has died aged 92, her son has confirmed.

The unrivalled queen of Indian playback singing died in Mumbai, having been admitted to hospital after suffering a heart attack.

Her death marks the end of an era in Bollywood music – with her career spanning more than eight decades and encompassing more than 12,000 songs.

Bhosle’s distinctive voice breathed life into countless film songs as actors lip-synced to her unforgettable tracks.

(BBC)

Entertainment

Tuface, Laolu Gbenjo, others set to electrify Vanguard Personality of the Year Award

The 14th edition of the prestigious award ceremony will take place at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on April 24, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Published

1 week ago

April 13, 2026

OCHEFA

125 Views

Afrobeats legend, Tuface Idibia, is set to thrill guests at this year’s Vanguard Personality of the Year Award.

Known for his timeless hits that resonate across generations, the iconic performer is expected to deliver an unforgettable performance featuring his evergreen songs.

Also billed to entertain at the glamorous event is The Laolu Gbenjo Band, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated live music groups. Adding more excitement to the lineup is the Black Edge Performance Troupe.

The 14th edition of the prestigious award ceremony will take place at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on April 24, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Interestingly, the event promises to be a night dedicated to celebrating outstanding Nigerians who have excelled in various sectors.

Over the years, Vanguard Personality of the Year Award has grown into one of the country’s most distinguished media recognitions.