Osun worker attempted suicide: Family denies report, says its unconnected with unpaid salary

Press statement I received. Read below...

Family members of Mr. Femi Owolabi who reportedly attempted suicide in Ibokun, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State have denied the report by the Punch Newspaper that the incident was in connection with unpaid salaries. They said the incident was a family affairs, just as they noted that the newspaper goofed by mentioning the name as Ojo Owolabi.

Owolabi, who hails from Ilahun Ijesa,  level-4 Environmental Officer in the council reportedly attempted suicide on Thursday last week by drinking Gramozone in his B 19 Ogbon Egbe street, Ibokun residence.

Speaking on behalf of the family, his sister, Mrs Yemisi Oladipupo, also a civil servant working in the department of community and social development of the same council area, said the incident had no connection with unpaid salary at all.

She said: "That incidence cannot be connected to unpaid salaries at all. Though, our salaries have not been paid up to date, people have started receiving alert for Februray salary now. So, why would he kill himself because of salary.

"I believe it was the devil at work and it is purely a family affair. I see no reason why our family should be dragged into politics by giving such information that it was caused by non-payment of wages.”

"Those that said the incidence was in connection with salary matter goofed completely by saying he is a senior civil servant, because he is a level 4 officers", she said.

Oladipupo said Owolabi was never at any time admitted at any hospital in Ile-Ife, saying he was only admitted in a private hospital in Osogbo on Sunday after being treated at home for about three days in Ilahun, a community in Obokun local government where his mother resides.

Noting that the reporters got the information wrong, she said the victims wife and children have not relocated anywhere as reported by the newspaper, saying, "the wife was in the hospital with his husband, while his children are in their schools"
He condemned what he described as armchair Journalism, saying it has done damage to the name of the family.

During the visit to the Randel hospital today, Friday, Owolabi had recovered and was billed for discharge later in the day.
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However, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Mr. David Owoeye, who was quoted to have confirmed the connection of the incidence to unpaid salary denied making such confirmation..

He said: "Though, I was called by the Punch correspondent, but what I told him was that I did not have the information. Why would I speak on what I do not know.

"It is very unfortunate and worrisome that I was quoted wrongly on such issue that involves life", he said