3 Health Workers Die Returning From May Day Celebration

Three health workers were killed in a road accident in Kwara State on Friday while returning home from the May Day celebration.

The accident occurred when the deceased and their colleagues were returning to their base in Ekiti local government area after participating in the 2026 Workers’ Day rally in Ilorin, the state capital.

The victims were members of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Ekiti local government area chapter.

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that the accident occurred along the Oke-Onigbin–Omu-Aran road when the vehicle they were traveling in had a burst tyre, causing the driver to lose control.

Reacting, the chairman of Ekiti local government area, Hon. Awelewa Gabriel, described the development as a painful blow to the council, the health sector and the state as a whole.

“Our hearts are heavy. These were dedicated professionals who left their homes to celebrate the dignity of labour, only to meet this unfortunate fate on their way back. We have lost patriots who served our communities with compassion and commitment,” he said.

The Kwara State chapter of MHWUN has  declared a three-day mourning period over the incident, directing its members across the state to fly the union’s flag at half-mast in honour of their fallen colleagues.

Also, the executive secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), Prof. Nusirat Elelu, has expressed sorrow on the accident.

Elelu described the incident as painful, shocking, and a great loss, not only to the families of the deceased, but also to the entire health sector and Kwara State at large, especially at a critical time when efforts are being intensified to protect children through the ongoing polio immunisation campaign.