Lagos building collapse: Widow wants daughters resurrected

Mrs. Adebisi Coker, the 68-year-old widow who lost her only two daughters, Bukky and Toyin in the November 21 building collapse at Jakande Low Cost Housing Estate at Isolo, Lagos, is yet to come to terms with the death of her children.
A relation, Mr. Muyiwa Olulode, who is watching over her at the Lagoon Hospital, Apapa, Lagos, where she is receiving treatment, told our correspondent on Saturday that Coker has broached the idea of contacting a prophet who could raise her daughters from the dead.
Olulode said even though he tried to counsel her, the widow’s heart has continued to hope that she might see her daughters again.
Bukky (25) and Toyin (30) were buried at the Ikoyi Cemetery, Lagos, on Friday, but the family did not inform her.
He said, “She is really confused. When she told me to look for a prophet, I told her that only God has the power to save and to raise the dead.
“I told her she should look to God for peace. We did not tell her that her daughters were buried yesterday, (Friday). That may aggravate her mourning process.”
It is not yet clear when Coker will be discharged from hospital as the doctors have suggested being on admission as the best option for her at the moment.
The widow’s family is also trying to prepare her second flat at Jakande Estate for her to move into when she is discharged.
It was learnt that Coker would have moved into the flat, which she bought the same time she bought the collapsed flat but a tenant who was yet to pack out of the house, prevented her relocation.
She had told our correspondent few days after the collapse that she was aware the building was distressed but not to the point that it might collapse.
A family friend, Mr. Michael Adegoke, has been at the forefront of the arrangement to settle Coker in her new home when she leaves hospital.
He said, “Right now, the occupant of the flat will look for another apartment.
“But she needs a lot of care to see her through this ordeal. We have not determined when she will leave the hospital yet. She has to stay there until everything is ready in her new home.”
Adegoke called on the state government to come to the widow’s aid.
He said apart from the fact that Coker needed people around her to make her feel loved, she also needed financial help to help her continue life after such enormous tragedy.
“She lost everything in that collapse. It will be a great gesture if government helps her financially,” he said.
Our correspondent learnt that the Coker’s hospital bill is being taken care of by her retired colleagues.
Coker said she retired 15 years ago at Shell Petroleum.
culled: Punchng