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Auto crash left 34-year-old Ibadan lady on valley of death for 6 years : The tragic story of Funmilayo Akinsola
.seeks N30m from Nigerians to walk again
In a bid to avail herself of a job opportunity in Abuja, the nation’s capital, a 34-year-old lady, Miss Funmilayo Akinsola has been rendered dependent as a result of an auto crash that turned her life around while travelling for an interview appointment. The accident occurred in February 5, 2013 at Asejire area of Ibadan along Ibadan-lfe expressway .
Narrating her ordeal on Tuesday, in Ibadan, Miss Akinola who betrayed emotion explained that the bus somersaulted and burst into flames which she said, claimed all the lives on board while she was the only survivor.
According to the only survivor, the accident left her with multiple injuries, deep burnes to her backside, right and left feet and also tibio-fibular fractures and a fractured ankle. Added to this was pelvic dislocation and deep laceration and broken glasses inside.
“l was rescued by men of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan where I underwent several surgeries and treatment for several months. However, my wounds got infected along the line at UCH.”
“Desperate efforts were made to save my life, but there were no improvement, and it got to a point that I was given the impression that my chances of surviving such a complicated case was very slim indeed. At a point, amputation of my legs and colostomy were suggested but which I went against”, Akinsola narrated.
Speaking further, she disclosed that after seven months in the UCH, she requested for referral to the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, but could not be admitted due to the doctors’ strike then, coupled with the unavailability of a vacant bed in the burns unit of the hospital.
Miss Akinsola stressed, “I was taken to a couple of private hospitals before I was eventually referred to Ganga Medical Centre, Cainbatore in South India. This was almost a year after the accident and due to the infection I contracted during my stay in the UCH, most of my bottoms were already decaying.
“Thus, part of my buttocks had to be surgically removed in a very painful and expensive operation. By this time, my loving father had exhausted all retirement benefits on me. We, were therefore, constrained constrained to contact the former Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, through a family friend. It was the former governor that assisted to defray the cost of my 8 months’ stay in India.
“After 8 months, I was returned to Nigeria with a referral to the USA for the continuation of my treatment. His Excellecy Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was still on hand to mercifully bankroll my travelling to Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, USA, where I encountered different surgeons before it was finally concluded that I had to be referred to an expert Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. John Sontich for orthopedic surgeries before I could have plastic and podiatry surgeries.
“All these surgeries cost much and I was later referred again to Metro Health Clinic. It was here I was assured that I could still walk again but would need to undergo other series of expensive surgeries to fix some rods inside my legs and knees.”
Continuing, the accident victim added that the temporary rods were eventually implanted into her legs at a very huge costs and was requested to come back to Nigeria to solicit for funds to first clear the pending bills on her medical records in order to continue with her treatment.
“My parents sold all their property to raise money to offset all this, but despite their best efforts, I still have some pending bills to settle in the USA. My appointment to go back for the removal of those rods have long expired since, without being able to return for the concluding surgeries due to dearth of funds.
“I have been intimated of the danger of my continued having the rods inside my body, as they are temporary, and they are prone to rusting inside me, which can poison my blood and lead to death”, she disclosed.
Miss Akinsola, a graduate of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, who is a native of Idi-Ayunre, Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo state, is using the medium to appeal to all well-meaning Nigerians and Governor Seyi Makinde to seek their moral and financial assistance so that her life might not be compromised to death.
In her words: “Your Excellency sir, I am thus forced to you to seek your fatherly and kind assistance so that my life is not compromised due to this unfortunate incident. As at now, I have three (3) pending surgeries, which are two major (Orthopedic and plastic) and one minor (Podiatry).”
“All these are to cost me something in the neighbourhood of N28.5 million and with the bills pending, I will need a total of N30 million to come out of this ‘valley of death’ which I have unfortunately found myself.”
“I would internally appreciate whatever God can use you to do to make me live to contribute my own little quota to the uplift of this country. My account details are: Akinsola Funmilayo Bisola (Miss), 2001878808 (Savings Account), Zenith Bank. My telephone numbers are: 08035963234 and 09060973216,” she submitted.
As Muslims across Nigeria and the world celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, Member of the House of Representatives representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, has urged Nigerians to exercise heightened community vigilance.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker, who also chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), tasked security operatives at all levels to ensure peace and safety during the festive period.
Oseni, who has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, noted that Eid is a time for joy, spiritual reflection, and renewal.
The federal lawmaker added that the period is also an opportunity to recognize the critical role of security personnel in protecting lives, property, and public spaces.
“Eid-ul-Adha reminds us that peace and security are shared responsibilities,” the statement read.
“As we celebrate with our families and loved ones, let us remain vigilant and supportive of the men and women in uniform, whose courage, dedication, and professionalism make it possible for citizens to enjoy this festive season safely.”
Oseni commended security agencies across Oyo State and Nigeria, noting their unwavering commitment, discipline, and resilience, often under challenging conditions. He further urged citizens to partner with security operatives, report suspicious activities, and strengthen neighborhood cohesion, emphasizing that national security is a collective responsibility that transcends political, local, or individual interests.
The APC chieftain also highlighted the importance of responsible citizenship, calling on Nigerians to reflect the values of compassion, integrity, and communal solidarity that the Eid festival embodies.
“Our collective vigilance, cooperation, and commitment to the common good are what sustain peace and foster sustainable development,” he added.
The legislator extended warm Eid-ul-Adha greetings to all Nigerians, praying that the season brings joy, unity, and renewed hope for peace across the nation.
The South West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) has urged the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to intensify efforts to secure the immediate release of pupils and teachers abducted in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The media group described the incident as heartbreaking and traumatising, warning that it had deepened fears over worsening insecurity in Oyo State and the wider South-West region.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Bisi Oladele, and Publicity Secretary, Remi Oladoye, SWEGOP said the abduction was not only a painful attack on the victims’ families and affected communities but also a direct assault on the peace and stability of the region.
The guild lamented that many residents were gradually losing confidence in the safety of their environment, noting that the growing wave of insecurity had continued to inflict fear and psychological trauma on citizens.
According to the group, the continued captivity of the victims further exposes the fragility of Nigeria’s security architecture and underscores the urgent need for more coordinated and proactive responses to insecurity.
“The unfortunate abduction of innocent pupils and teachers in Oriire is deeply disturbing and unacceptable. Beyond the immediate pain inflicted on affected families and communities, this incident has heightened anxiety and fear among residents across Oyo State and the South-West,” the statement partly read.
While commending security agencies for ongoing rescue operations, SWEGOP urged the Federal and Oyo State governments not to relent until the victims were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.
The guild also called for stronger collaboration between government and relevant stakeholders capable of supporting rescue efforts, stressing that all necessary resources must be deployed to secure the victims’ freedom.
It further appealed to security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve surveillance across vulnerable communities and adopt preventive measures to forestall future occurrences.
SWEGOP maintained that protecting lives and property remained the foremost responsibility of government, urging authorities to take decisive actions capable of restoring public confidence in the nation’s security system.
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Adha celebration.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani.
According to the statement, the declaration reflects the government’s respect for the Islamic faith and the spiritual importance of the festival to millions of Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe.
“The Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has declared Wednesday, 27th May and Thursday, 28th May, 2026 as public holidays to mark the celebration of Eid-ul-Adha,” the statement read in part.
The minister congratulated Muslim faithful in Nigeria and in the diaspora, describing Eid-ul-Adha as a festival rooted in sacrifice, obedience to God, and compassion for humanity. He urged Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the nation and support ongoing efforts to ensure national peace, security, and prosperity.
“The Federal Government urges all Nigerians to use this period for prayer and sober reflection, asking for divine guidance upon the country as it continues its pursuit of peace, security, and prosperity for every citizen,” the statement added.
The government also wished Muslims a peaceful and joyous celebration while calling for unity, brotherhood, and mutual understanding among Nigerians.
Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Eid-el-Kabir or the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the most significant celebrations in Islam and is observed by Muslims worldwide.
Meanwhile, travellers have begun moving across several parts of the country, including Lagos, ahead of the holiday period.
To ensure safety on the roads during the festivities, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kwara State Sector Command, said it had deployed 950 personnel, including officers, marshals, special marshals, and first responders across the state. Sixteen patrol vehicles, four ambulances, and a 70-tonne tow truck have also been positioned to support traffic management and emergency response during the celebrations.
Motorists were advised to strictly comply with traffic regulations, with the FRSC warning against offences such as speeding, dangerous driving, wrongful overtaking, overloading, mobile phone use while driving, tyre violations, lane indiscipline, and seatbelt violations.
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