Only Amosun sent representative to us – Pilot’s family, …shelves burial plans

By BOSE  ADELAJA

The aged parents of co-pilot Navy Lt. David Adeyemi Sowole, who also died in last Saturday’s chopper crash in Bayelsa State, yesterday refused to comment on the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim’s assertion that the Defence Headquarters had rendered the necessary assistance to the family.

However, they told sympathisers that they were grateful to Governor Ibikunle Amosu of Ogun State who  was the only one that sent a representative to commiserate with them.

The family said there are no burial plans for the late pilot for now.

They also said they did not want to be-labour the issue of partiality by the Federal Government, whom they accused of pretending that only former Governor Patrick Yakowa and former National Security Adviser, Andrew Azazi died in the crash.

They said the family was still having a closed door meeting with other relations in connection to the issue.

The deceased’s elder sister Funke Kalejaye, who spoke to Vanguard in their Iyana-Ipaja abode, said the burial plans will be made public whenever the family is set.

“You know his body has just left Bayelsa and it is proper to perfect our plans before disclosing it to non-members of the family,’’ she said.

Kalejaye, also appreciated the gesture of the press so far, adding, ‘’I also finished from NIJ and I know the impact of the press, but for now, we have said all that need to be said and the rest of the meetings will be behind closed door.’’

When Vanguard visited the No. 28, Akintoye residence, at 9a.m., the family was still in a sorrowful mood as scores of sympathisers urged the deceased’s mother to find the courage to forge ahead.