By Evelyn Usman

Although July 10, 2011 has come and gone, many Lagosians certainly will not forget the devastating impact of the rain that fell that day, in a hurry. Most woke up that fateful Sunday unsure of what the day had in stock for them.

But they soon found out when they returned from church to meet their comfort zones submerged in water, thereby destroying most of their most prized possessions. Others whose buildings collapsed from the assault of the torrential downpour were rendered homeless.

But then these individuals may still count themselves lucky as there is still hope of replacing what they have lost. Unfortunately this is not the case for those who lost their lives in the rampaging flood: the loss is irreparable as it cannot be replaced by any material thing.

One of the families hit by this tragedy, Dr. and Mrs. Oloruntoba, lost their 33- year-old son, Taiwo Abiola and their pregnant daughter in-law, Abosede Adeola. The couple, as gathered, drowned in the canal at Gbagada. Taiwo, as he was fondly called, was a staff of the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja branch of Guarantee Trust Bank.

*Taiwo and Abosede...met a tragic end in flood

A member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of Refuge Parish, Alagomeji, Yaba, Taiwo was said to be returning home from church in the company of his pregnant wife when the unexpected happened.

On arriving the flooded area, his wife who was driving, was reportedly cautioned by those walking along the area, with their trousers and wrappers folded to their laps, to be cautious at the canal area.

At that point, she was said to have handed over the steering to her husband presumably because he knew the area better. But that singular action cost them their lives as barely had she stepped out than she was carried away by the furious flood.

Acting like a loving husband, Taiwo reportedly rushed out to save his wife. But unfortunately he got stuck in the mud and could only watch helplessly as his pregnant wife was swept out of sight. His cry for help did not elicit the desired reaction as none dared to risk their lives.

Vanguard Metro gathered that a man who earlier attempted to save the life of a teenager ended up paying with his life.

The news of the tragedy that befell the couple was unknown until the following day when Taiwo’s absence was noticed by his colleagues, something unusual of him. This was because the keys to the bank’s vault was in his possession.

Apprehension, as gathered, set in when efforts to reach him on phone proved abortive. The tension heightened when his wife could also not be reached on phone.

Out of concern some of his colleagues headed for his place, only to discover that his apartment was under lock and key. Further search led to the discovery of his car. Not far from there was the bloated body of the cash officer. That of his wife was reportedly recovered in the Majidun area along Ikorodu Road after a long search.

News of the tragic incident left the banker’s parents shattered. They are yet to come to terms with the shocking reality that their 33-year-old promising son is dead.

In fact, they could barely speak as sympathsiers throng their Olaiya abode to console them. His mother who he was said to be fond of, was reportedly later taken away from the house.

At the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of Refuge Parish, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos, where the couple worshipped last, the news was received with palpable shock.

This was because preparations towards his ordination as a parish pastor was in top gear. Vanguard Metro reliably gathered that the deceased and his wife only moved to Gbagada two weeks ago.

A member of the parish who described the late Taiwo as an amiable fellow said: “He was living in Bariga. I just got to know that he moved out two weeks ago”.

His remains were interred on Friday July 15 at Atan cemetery, Yaba while his pregnant wife was earlier buried on Tuesday July 12 at the same cementery. Tears flowed freely during the funeral service at the City of Refuge Parish, with an outpouring of tributes that cut the heart. Taiwo and Abosede got married August 2009.