I want to see video footage of the accident that killed my son, Father of undergraduate

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Until the video footage of the factory accident that led to the death of his son is produced,Mr. Shola Gbadebo, father of Richard, the 300-level student of the University of Ibadan at a factory in Ibadan, Oyo State, will not be convinced there was no foul play in circumstances that led to the death.

Mr. Gbadebo made the demand on Thursday when the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Oyo State, Dr. Bashir Olanrewaju, led a state government delegation on a condolence visit to the residence of the bereaved family in Ibadan.

Mr. Gbadebo said the presentation of the footage must come before any attempt to initiate talks with the family by the management of the soap factory.

According to him, the family had to be sure that there was no foul play or conspiracy in the death.

His words: “What I want to say is, the issue of compensation does not arise now. My son could become Governor or President in future if he is alive. So, I don’t care about what they will offer me.

“My appeal is that the government should assist me to pressurize the company to show its CCTV footage so that the whole world will see how my son died.”

It will be recalled that the student died in an industrial accident late last month, having reportedly fallen into the factory’s soap-making machine.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State government said it had commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Richard Gbadebo.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the state government had begun a safety audit of the factory and would ensure that necessary sanctions were meted out on the company upon completion of investigations.

The state government also assured that compensation would be given to the bereaved family.

The Permanent Secretary who led the delegation equally emphasised that the current administration under Governor Makinde remained committed to ensuring that no resident of the state suffered injustice or undue exploitation irrespective of social status.

He said: “We are here to condole the parents of the deceased and to inform the family that measures are being taken by the government to ascertain the cause of Richard’s death.

“The administration of Engr. Seyi Makinde will ensure that justice is served so as to prevent the recurrence of an event like this in the future. So, the government will get to the roots of this gruesome incident and give due compensation to the family of the family.

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