Despite insistence by his kinsmen that late Commissioner for Health in Ondo State, Dr Wahab Adegbenro did not die as a result of COVID-19, the state government buried him in compliance to COVID-19 precautionary measures.
Adegbenro was laid to rest today at his Ilara Mokin hometown in Ifedore Local Government Area at a ceremony attended by a large crowd of sympathisers.
There was minimal use of face masks and no social distancing by the uncontrollable crowd.
The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly Bamidele Oleyelogun as well as members of the State Executive Council attended the brief and grief-stricken ceremony.
The Chief Imam of Akure kingdom, Alhaji Abdulakeem Yayi Akorede led graveside prayers before the remains of late Adegbenro was interred under the supervision of officials of the National Center for Disease Control despite the surging crowd.
But many of kinsmen wailed and insisted he did not die of COVID-19.
"He did not die of COVID-19, the government should stop lying. He was killed by those envious of his life of impact and philanthropism," one of the family members said.
Some of the late Adegbenro's family members threatened to take over the interment from the NCDC officials.
His wives, children, family members wept uncontrollably during a short prayer session to pray for the repose of his soul.
Adegbenro who is also the chairman of the Ondo State Inter-Ministerial Committee on COVID-19 died on Friday amid speculations of COVID-19 and a statement by the state government did not confirm nor deny this.
"This is one death too heavy to bear. The excruciating pains the timing has unsparingly, wrought on us in Ondo State are no less potent. To say the least, Dr Adegbenro was our General, and died healing others. Having served humanity with the attendant kindness, he played his part honourably." Donald Ojogo, the Information Commissioner said.
