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Eulogies pour in for late This Day newspaper law correspondent, Akinwale Akintunde

Ayodele Olalere

Eulogies are pouring in following the sudden and tragic death of This Day newspapers judiciary correspondent, Akinwale Akintunde.

The late Akin, as he’s fondly called by colleagues, died in the early hours of Tuesday, May 5, 2020, following an accident in Apapa area of Lagos State on his way from office.

Late Akintunde was crushed in-between two packed trucks while on commercial motorcycles and navigating his ways in between the trucks.

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He was rushed to the hospital but all efforts to save his life proved abortive as he was reported to have lost so much blood.

Eyeswitness account also reported that medical personnel at the hospital were of the opinion that had he survived the treatment, he would have been paralysed downward.

The news of his death spread like wildfire as close colleagues, friends, lawyers were shocked at the news of his death.

While eulogising the virtues of the late journalist, a legal practitioner, Mr. Akeem Aponmade said late Akin left a a vaccum that would be difficult to fill in the judiciary reporting in Nigeria media industry.

“I received with a heavy heart the news of the sudden demise of a Nigerian patriot, Mr. Akinwale Akintunde. Until his untimely death, Mr. Akintunde was the Judicial Correspondent for This Day Newspaper. He was at a time the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel at Ikeja High Court, a place I am honoured to be regarded always as a member of the family. A brilliant, dedicated and focused journalist, Mr. Akintunde was a model journalist. I would always remember him for his impassioned argument about the judicial system and how far our nation still needed to go to achieve an effective and efficient justice delivery system,” Aponmade said.

He added: “It is unfortunate that he died at such a tender age, leaving behind a pregnant wife and a 2 year old child. He died before his dreams for himself, his family or his nation could be realised. It is more painful that the circumstances of his death are quite avoidable. Akinwale has become another victim of insane discipline among truck drivers in Nigeria. Insanity and indiscipline among road users are however not peculiar go Nigerians but what seems to stand our country out is the failure of government to instil discipline and punish infractions.

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 There is hardly anywhere in the world that can be compared to the sheer madness that Apapa traffic gridlock can be compared to.

 Trucks parked without due regard to traffic rules. Sadly, it is in between two of such trucks at Apapa that this promising young Nigerian found death while returning to the office. His death would be in vain if government continues to fail in its duty. The way trucks are parked at Apapa is not normal. A lasting and lawful solution must be found. Those involved in traffic management and road safety must think outside the box and come up with a sustainable solution. This is the only way that future senseless and avoidable deaths of Nigerians can be stopped and it is the most reasonable legacy that Akinwale’s death can give us.”

“On behalf of my family and I, I want to express our very deep condolences to Mrs. Akintunde, her son, the entire Akintunde family and the management and staff of Thisday newspaper as well as the Chairman and members of the Judicial Correspondents’ Chapel at Ikeja High Court. May the good Lord comfort us all.”

Also,  Mr Debo Adeleke, a legal practitioner said :”My sincere condolences. May his soul rest in perfect peace. I wish the entire journalists that are friends of my law firm fortitude to bear the loss. Please let me know what you people have for this wife and son do that our law chamber can contribute our own small financial contribution. Once again, my sincere condolences.

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