SAD! How popular footballer was electrocuted in Lagos, buried

*Late Taiwo Victor Akinlusi

Residents of Ejigbo, a popular Lagos suburb are yet to come to terms with the tragic electrocution of popular socialite and ace footballer Taiwo Victor Akinlusi.

Akinlusi was until his death a renowned football enthusiast and member of the Ejigbo All Stars Soccer Club.

The 48 years old oil industry worker hailed originally from Iwoye- Ijesha, Osun state but lived most of his life in Lagos after studying at the Osun state College of Technology Esa oke.

Eye witnesses narrate how the deceased was descending the stairs of a popular one storey building complex  in the area after doing business at one of the numerous offices situated on it and mistakenly hit his head on a naked power cable and was instantly electrocuted.

According to the witnesses, all efforts to resuscitate him by those who were on ground at the scene failed as he was declared BID (brought in dead) at an unnamed hospital when he was finally evacuated from the scene.

A source who claimed he witnessed it all, narrates “The death of Taiye is a very unfortunate incident. He had a tall and huge frame and so quickly discovered the naked cables and lowered his head to pass into the office on his way up. Unfortunately, on his way down the stairs, he was busy reading a piece of paper and forgot to duck when the naked cable snapped him with a huge shock giving out a huge bang.

Since his unfortunate electrocution and recent burial at Ayobo cemetery,Lagos, friends, family and associates have been thrown into deep mourning.

According to David, proprietor Davsol schools whom he had left on that day with a promise to return soon after “I have never been shocked like I was on the day Taiye died. We had before then been seeing each other and passing by without closeness but in recent times a certain business idea brought us together. On the day he died, we were discussing our new found plan when I got distracted by a visitor. Taiye told me he was just going off to pick up something at the next bus stop and would soon be back to join me. You could then imagine how I felt when news came after about fifteen minutes that the person who told me he’d soon be back has died. The sad incident did not first strike me when the story of electrocution first filtered in. It was later that the victim’s identity was announced to me and I wept bitterly”

Members of his soccer loving “family” All Stars soccer club have also been lamenting the loss of a dear member. Members rallied themselves to support the organizing of what many consider a befitting wake and service of songs and eventual burial of their “main man”.

At the Ayobo cemetery Lagos where his remains were interred,  Chairman of the club Chief Ike Agina told ECD that “Taiye’s death is a big and shocking blow to All Stars soccer Club. He was a very supportive and cooperative member who made sure all went well. In his death, we lost a great mobiliser in our association. He was a happy man. On the field of soccer, he was a fine midfielder and we will miss him dearly.

I pledge on behalf of all members of Ejigbo All stars soccer club that we shall not forget the family our mate left behind according to the dictates of our constitution”

For another top member of the club Rudolf Obi “Taiwo was a good man, filled with passion for football that brought us together. Jolly good fellow, my heart goes with his family and all the loved ones till we meet again.”

By Fred Iwenjora