By Thomas Abidoye
The lawmaker representing Ede Federal Constituency, Hon. Bamidele Salam, has offered scholarship support to the family of Ezekiel Olapade, the 14-year-old boy who was killed in the run-up to the recently concluded Osun State governorship election.
Salam disclosed this on Monday after visiting the bereaved family, where he met with the deceased’s parents and his elder brother, Peter.
He said he had listened to the family and described the visit as an emotional moment for him and members of his entourage.
As part of his support for the family, Salam offered to sponsor Peter’s education up to the tertiary level, as he prepares to begin senior secondary school in September.
The lawmaker also assured the family of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s commitment to their welfare, including an employment opportunity for the deceased’s mother, who is an NCE holder.
Salam said efforts were already being made towards securing the employment opportunity and ensuring that the family gets justice over the death of Ezekiel.
Salam wrote, “This morning I visited the bereaved family of Ezekiel Olapade, the 14-year old boy who was killed by an APC thug in the run up to the recently concluded election in Osun State.
“I listened to the mother, father and Peter, the elder brother of the deceased. It was a very emotional moment for me and those on my entourage.
“As my modest support to the family, I offered to give scholarship up to Tertiary education level to Peter who will be going to Senior secondary school in September.
“I also assured the family of Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adelekes commitment to their welfare which include an employment opportunity for the NCE holder mother which is being worked upon as well as getting justice for the family.
“May God grant all bereaved families comfort and peace.”
The deceased was shot during an attack at the entrance of the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat in Ilobu on June 21.
The Osun State Police Command on Monday June 29 paraded Kareem Saheed, popularly known as Tanfeani, and 23 others arrested for alleged offences ranging from membership of unlawful groups to political thuggery and other violent crimes.
Saheed was alleged to have led a group of hoodlums to the area during the incident.
However, while being paraded at the Police Command Headquarters in Osogbo, he denied involvement in Ezekiel’s killing, saying he was not at the scene when the incident occurred.
The deceased’s father, Gbenga Olapade, had also alleged that Saheed led the group that attacked his wife’s palm wine bar opposite the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat, resulting in gunfire during which Ezekiel was hit by a stray bullet.
