A senior civil servant on Saturday, 16 May 2015, in the Obokun Local Government Area of Osun state, has attempted to end his own life by gulping a large quantity of insecticide.
Mr. Ojo Owolabi, who is a sanitary officer at the council, reportedly resorted to committing suicide because of his inability to feed himself and his family.
Owolabi’s plight was as a result of the failure of the state government to pay its workers’ salaries for the past six months.
A source close to Owolabi revealed that he had became very frustrated due to financial hardship that made it difficult for him to cater for his family.
“Baba Ibeji (Owolabi) drank herbicide. He was frustrated because he has been unable to feed himself and other members of his family.” the Punch Reports
“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. We are praying that he survives it”, the source said.
Gambi Yusuf, a factional Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, speaking on the incident 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.”
The Director of the state Bureau of Communication, Semiu Okanlawon, claimed ignorance of the incident.
He said, “I am not aware of the incident and I don’t see the nexus between a man drinking poison and when the government will pay workers’ salaries.”
