Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu has revealed how a private hospital in Ibadan declined to treat Ajibade Babalade before the retired 3SC defender died in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Friday afternoon.
According to Shorunmu, who is Babalade’s teammate at the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal, the former footballer died in Ibadan after suffering cardiac arrest.
The 48-year-old died while being rushed to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, GoalBall has learnt.
He is survived by a wife and three kids, who are all based in the US.
However, Shorunmu disclosed that the former Shooting Stars Team Manager was denied treatment by the first hospital he was taken to, before he was referred to UCH.
“The first hospital he was rushed to in Ibadan, he was rejected by the doctors and referred to the University College Hospital. But on his arrival at the UCH premises, he gave up the ghost at the gate. May his soul rest in peace,” Shorumu narrated to Saturday PUNCH.
Shorunmu said he was informed of Babalade’s death in the afternoon, after attending Jumat service.
“I went to the mosque for Jumat service this (Friday) afternoon, so I switched off my phone. Immediately I put it back on, I got a message from Ajibade’s in-law that I needed to be at his place. So, I went with my wife, but on our arrival, the (Babalade’s) family broke the news to me,” Shorumnu said.
“I’m very sad as we speak now. This is someone whom I spoke with two days ago (on Wednesday), when he celebrated his son’s birthday.
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“I was told he had cardiac arrest in the (Friday) morning. I had to console his wife and kids, who are based in America, over the demise of their father. He died at the UCH gate.”
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago
