Former Ogun State Health Commissioner, Dr Abisola Sodipo-Clark, has strongly refuted claims that the state government was indifferent during rescue operations following a recent fatal accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Her defence comes after public criticism over the emergency response to a crash that involved former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, and two of his friends, who tragically lost their lives.
Defending a Legacy: The GAVES Initiative
Dr Sodipo-Clark, a population medicine specialist and APC chieftain, pointed to the state's long-standing emergency framework. She recalled her pivotal role in establishing the Gateway Accident Victims Emergency Service (GAVES) in 1997, during the military era. This state-owned outfit, she insisted, predated similar emergency response initiatives in neighbouring Lagos State.
She explained that the service was designed with fully equipped ambulances stationed at strategic locations, notably around the Sagamu Interchange. This deployment was intended to cover not just the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway but also other major routes in the axis. "The initiative was inspired by my professional exposure as a World Health Organisation fellow and USAID staff member," she stated, adding that GAVES has saved countless lives over the decades.
Surprise and Call for National Coordination
Addressing the specific incident involving Anthony Joshua, Sodipo-Clark expressed bewilderment at the reported failure of the system she helped create. "I was surprised that none of the ambulances arrived at the scene early enough. That should not have happened," she admitted.
She revealed that Lagos State officials once visited Ogun to understudy the GAVES model before replicating aspects of it in their own emergency framework. This historical context, she argued, underscores Ogun's pioneering role in road emergency management.
The former commissioner used the tragic event to highlight a broader issue. She stressed the urgent need for a more coordinated national strategy on both accident prevention and emergency response. Emphasising her specialisation, she noted that population medicine focuses significantly on preventive care and overall human wellbeing, areas crucial for improving road safety outcomes.
The Tragic Incident
The fatal crash, which sparked the public outcry, reportedly involved Anthony Joshua and two friends. The accident occurred on the dual carriageway of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. All three individuals lost their lives and were later buried in the United Kingdom.
Dr Sodipo-Clark's comments serve as a defence of the state's institutional preparedness while simultaneously acknowledging a critical failure in its execution during a high-profile tragedy. The event has ignited conversations about the reliability of emergency services on one of Nigeria's busiest highways.
