Mrs. Adebisi Coker, mother of Toyin
and Bukky, who were killed in the building collapse at Jakande Low Cost Housing
Estate, Isolo, Lagos on Wednesday has been discharged from Oja Health Centre
where she was taken to for treatment after she was rescued from the debris of
the building.
PUNCH Metro tracked her down on Thursday, but she was not aware that
her two children had died.
An elder in the area, Mr. Michael
Adegoke, had taken her in until her family members could be notified of the
incident. He could not tell Coker about her children.
Some ‘good Samaritans’ had sent Coker
some of her documents found in the debris. She was busy rummaging through the
documents and searching for her money and ATM card, which she could not locate.
Our correspondent spoke with her.
Excerpts:
Thank God for your life madam. Do you
remember how the building collapsed?
How could I? I was in a ‘dreamland’
at the time. I did not even hear any sound. I just found myself in the hospital
and I was told what happened. I have a bruise on my back and leg as you can
see.
But I was told a man came to warn you
before the collapse that you should leave the house. Do you remember that?
That is a lie. How can someone be
kind enough to warn me that the building was about to collapse and I would
still stay there? I was very concerned about the state of the building. I could
not have remained there if I was warned that night.
Did you ever see any sign that the
building was distressed?
Yes of course, that’s why I said I
was concerned with the state of the building. Sometimes this year, I went to
Lagos Building Investment Company to make a report that the other wing of the
house was cracking. But you know government, nobody came to see it.
Can I ask how old you are?
I am 68 years old. I retired from
Shell Petroleum 15 years ago. I bought the flat with part of my retirement
benefit. The rest has gone into my children’s education.
What about your husband?
I have been a widow since 1995. I am
from Ogun State.
Meanwhile, Adegoke, told our
correspondent that efforts were being made to contact some family members of
Coker.
He, however, said Toyin was not a
doctor, contrary to the information some residents gave PUNCH Metro on Wednesday.
Adegoke said, “She and her sister
read Education courses in the University of Lagos. In fact, I have been
searching for a job for both sisters for a while.
“The two girls and their mother were
very close to me. I have known the family for a while, they were very good
people. Toyin and Bukky were her (Coker) only children.
“There was a time I secured a
two-month part-time job for Toyin in a ministry. It’s a real tragedy. I only
told her (Coker) the girls are still receiving treatment.
Adegoke said the bodies of the
sisters had been deposited at the Isolo General Hospital morgue
Olubukola Mitchele Coker is the lady whom i was gonna get married to as agreed by the both of us early next year. I last saw her on saturday when we were together in same house that collapsed from 12pm till 7pm because she was the only one at home waiting for her mum and her sister (Toyin) to come back from their outing. She told me her mum went to see her old friend while Toyin left us in the house. we talk everyday through BB and phone calls too. she told me on tuesday that we should shift our introduction to this year while i was at work (Spectranet which i just resumed on monday 19/11/2012)and i spoke to her on the same plan we had agreed which was settled too. On tuesday when i got home, she sent me BB msgs but i was told tired to reply any. so when i wokeup, i called her but she had slept. as i woke up early in the morning, because normally she send me msg as early as 4am, and i did not find any, i started calling her till i got to work. My mum called me to say my dad called her but she never understood him, so i decided to call my dad and he was saying there is nothing; i kept on asking him because i felt something had happened but never thought i was going be to someone i was going to spend the rest of my life with. i thought she lost or left her phone at home; i still tried it after C.O.B till i got home. Only for my dad to break the news to me. Yesterday 23/11/2012, i went to locate if her mum is ok and also the person she is staying with for now. Mr Michael Adegoke but people never wanted us to get hi,. which i understand because of she has not gotten to know the situation of things. My name is Bolaji moses anuoluapo. and her mum knows me as Anu. my numbers are 08098512449, 08027661469 should anyone knows where Mr Michael Adegoke is staying in the estate o should anyone have is number please send it to those numbers so that we can always communicate with him. I miss Bukky so much and May she her sister's soul rest in perfect peace.
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