EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: ‘Till I Put Him In The Ground, He Was My Baby’ – Ojia Adamolekun Opens On Brother Dr Irawo’s Death

The death of an acquaintance shocks. That shock becomes intense when the lost one is a colleague, a close friend or a loved one, but when it is of one’s only surviving sibling, shock is an inadequate word to use, and
undoubtedly, healing will take a long time.
In this interview, Ojia Adamolekun, the sister of the recently murdered doctor, Irawo, shares the many challenges that come with losing a loved one.
I watched you speak at the candle light session and I was amazed at how powerful you sounded.
I am a powerful person by nature. I like to take care of people, which is something I do naturally, and again, I have a profession that amplifies that love for humanity, so it’s become a part of me now and I have become a strong black African woman.
What kind of person was your late brother Irawo?
He was a funny person. His jokes were something else. He gave my dad different nicknames. I remember there was a day he had an asthma attack. He (probably) played ball in school against [our] warning. That night, I noticed he was panting (in an unusual manner) and I called my mom, and when we asked what was wrong with him, he could not say much. Quickly I carried him on my back and raced to the hospital, and while he was there and taking medication, he would cry and call my name.
Share with us memories of your growing up.
I am not going to share many memories of my brothers. I’d rather sell the memories line by line.
Why?
Because I want to buy ambulances for (hospitals to help) the poor. I want to make sure that certain forgotten areas in the country get help, and if the government really cares about the citizens, they should join me and buy more. Not only that, there are jobless doctors and graduates who want to work. They don’t want to be frustrated to the extent of holding guns. I am not mad at the murderers, it’s a fundamental problem. They are deprived of something and they want take it out on the rich, who, to them, may include people who drive cars.
How do you intend to make money with the memory?
My publishers are already at work. I am not going to let this deter our dream, but that wonderful childhood everybody wants to know about, I am the only one who has it, and I am going to utilize it, because I need money to make sure ambulances start working. I’m working on a book that will have all of those memories in details. I cannot tell you when it will be out.
What was your first reaction when you were informed?
It wasn’t a good story to receive, but my profession made it a lot easier to get the truth out. I know usually a point blank range gunshot to the head in Nigeria never makes it. It is a different case in the UK and US, where quick responses are given to emergency cases.
How have you been able to deal with the loss?
It is a tough reality that has occurred twice in a row. My other brother’s (death) was in school and we could not get an ambulance for close to five hours. He bled so much and eventually passed away. Let me state here that [survival] chances of an accident victim are higher if attention is given within the first 40 minutes.
When do you hope to get over the loss?
You never get over things like that. You just grow each day and learn to draw a line between what is important and what is not. It is tough, there are random emotions of anger, pain, but you just can try to smile. I’m glad I am not going into depression like most people expect me to. The God I serve made it easier by feeling Imole’s death first. He died of pain, he waited for analgesic and got none till he died. I do not want that to happen again. That is why I am calling on everybody to join me on this cause.
 When you think about the incident, what do you feel angry about?
I cannot tell you that. That is my grieving process, not yours.
How did you get to know about his death?
A colleague from his hospital (Dr Chiama) called to inform me that he was shot in traffic just beside the hospital. At first, I thought he was there with them, but I was informed the police had taken him to LASU. At that point, I knew he was dead. We (doctors) are practical people. We do this everyday and we know what to expect when you know what the accident is about, but I thank God for the strength I had all through the process.
How did you feel when you saw his body?
I was not afraid. I am not afraid of dead bodies. I prayed for him everyday at the morgue. Till I put him (Irawo) under the ground he was my baby.
What word do you have for people out there who share in your grief?
I just want to urge Nigerians to keep showing love. Love includes checking up on and caring for each other now that we all are alive, so we don’t regret when the person leaves. We should make friends and have good memories now.