PitStop Lagos, a vibrant cycling and fitness community, paid tributes to Dr Olaolu Mudashiru on Sunday, December 10, with a memorial ride in honour of the former Deputy Managing Director of Vetiva Capital Management.
Dr Bob, as he was affectionately known, tragically lost his life in a hit-and-run accident while cycling along Gerrard road, Ikoyi, a year ago.
Dr Olaolu Mudashiru, the first son of the late Captain Gbolahan Mudashiru, a former military governor of Lagos, was not only a dedicated cyclist but also a distinguished University of Lagos-trained medical doctor. He co-founded Vetiva Capital Management, contributing significantly to the investment banking sector.
Members of the PitStop community, along with colleagues from Vetiva Capital Management, family, and friends, gathered at Bourdillon, the site of the unfortunate incident. The memorial ride commenced at Bourdillon, passed through significant locations such as the deputy governor’s lodge, the French Embassy, and concluded at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, reflecting the routes Dr Bob frequented during his cycling endeavors.
Opeyemi Adegboro, the General Manager of PitStop Lagos, expressed the community’s profound sadness and emphasised the importance of concluding the investigation into Dr Bob’s untimely death.
Adegboro called on security agencies to expedite their efforts in providing closure for the grieving community.
He said: “Today marks exactly one year Dr Bob was callously run over by a vehicle on Gerrard road. So, we are gathering to honour his memory.
“He took health and fitness seriously. He was a doctor who knew the importance of health and fitness, and as a community whose focus is on health and wellness, we know his value.
“We are still saddened by his loss. It’s more saddening that a year after his passing, the security agencies have not been able to conclude the investigation into the accident.
“We are gathered once again, to remember him, to remember his role and to also use this opportunity to call on security agencies to conclude the investigation into that accident and tell us their findings.”
Bolatito Ajibode, Dr Mudashiru’s sister, shared cherished memories of her brother and called attention to the lack of adequate infrastructure for cyclists on Gerrard road. She urged authorities to consider constructing cycling lanes to enhance the safety of cyclists, emphasizing the need for such provisions in road reconstruction projects.
“I feel really sad that the driver has not been found. We took every step as a family. We wrote to all the authorities, but the truth of the matter is that what we needed to get the killer was unavailable. And it is rather unfortunate that in the entire Gerrard road, the CCTV did not work and even the one that was installed did not work.
“I think, going forward as we construct our roads in Lagos, we need to bear in mind that we have cyclists, and they have special lanes in advanced countries. As we reconstruct our roads, we need to build cycling lanes,” she averred.
Damilola Ajayi, Executive Director of Vetiva Capital Management Limited, commemorated the 20 years of close collaboration with Dr Bob and announced the upcoming launch of a foundation in his honor. Ajayi expressed a commitment to preserving Dr Olaolu Mudashiru’s legacies and ensuring that his warm memories endure.
As the PitStop community continues to remember and honor Dr Olaolu Mudashiru, the call for a swift resolution to the investigation remains a poignant reminder of the need for justice in the face of tragic loss.