Mr. Ojo Owolabi, a senior civil servant in the Obokun Local
Government Area of Osun State,tried to kill himself by drinking
a large quantity of insecticide.
It was gathered that Owolabi tried to kill himself because his
salary hadn't been paid for the last 6 months, hence was
unable to feed his family.
According to Punch, the incident which took place last
Saturday caused panic in the neighborhood when the news
spread that Owolabi had tried to commit suicide.
Owolabi, who is a sanitary officer at the council was
receiving treatment at a hospital.
A source close to Owolabi said he became frustrated because
he couldn't take care of his family.
The source said: Baba Ibeji (Owolabi) drank herbicide.
He was frustrated because he has been unable to feed
himself and other members of his family. You are
aware that the state government has not paid workers
for some months now. I think he just lost hope and
decided to take his life by drinking Gramoxone.
Members of his family rushed him to a hospital in Ile Ife,
where he was admitted.
A factional Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr.
Gambi Yusuf, said the unpaid salaries had caused the workers
untold hardship. Yusuf said:
Anybody who is not paid for six months is a walking
corpse. What do you expect him to eat? Even if the
workers can fast, won’t they break their fast? How do
you expect them to feed their children? The
government of the day should be more serious about
workers’ welfare. We are appealing to the government
to pay workers because workers deserve their wages.”
Owolabi’s wife and children could not be reached for
comment.
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