A SENIOR director with the Lagos State Government, Mrs. Serifat Talabi, has died in a tragic hit-and-run accident just four days before her 60th birthday and retirement celebration from the civil service.
News Point Nigeria reports that Talabi, who served as Director of Procurement at the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASSRA), was reportedly knocked down by a yet-to-be-identified driver along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, near the Redemption Camp in Ogun State, on Saturday.
According to multiple sources within the state civil service, the incident occurred as the veteran civil servant attempted to cross the busy highway. Eyewitnesses said efforts to rescue her were made immediately after the accident, but she was later confirmed dead at a nearby hospital.
A colleague in LASSRA, who spoke under anonymity, described the deceased as “a disciplined, cheerful, and selfless administrator who was already counting down to her last day in office.”
“She was looking forward to her send-forth ceremony. She had printed her invitation cards and was very excited. Nobody imagined she wouldn’t live to see it,” the source said solemnly.
Originally, her retirement party was scheduled for October 13, but the event was postponed to October 22 to allow the agency’s General Manager, who was away on official duty, to attend.
Another colleague disclosed that Talabi had distributed invitation cards for what was meant to be a dual celebration, her retirement and 60th birthday.
An invitation card sighted by PUNCH Metro showed that the event was billed to hold at the NERDC Conference Centre, NERDC Road, Ikeja, adjacent to the Fela Shrine.
“She said she wanted her last day to be joyful, a thanksgiving for years of dedicated service,” the source added. “Now we are planning a burial instead.”
According to details shared by family members, a wake-keeping ceremony will hold on Thursday, October 23, 2025, followed by a burial service on Friday, October 24, both at 10 Ore-Ofe Street, Ara Hall Bus Stop, Ibafo, Ogun State.
Family, friends, and colleagues have flooded social media platforms and internal WhatsApp groups with tributes, describing the late director as “a beacon of integrity and humility.”
Efforts to reach the LASSRA spokesperson, Basirat Lawal, were unsuccessful as she neither answered calls nor responded to messages sent to her phone as of press time.
Similarly, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, was unreachable. Calls and text messages to her line went unanswered.
Police sources, however, hinted that an investigation may be underway to trace the hit-and-run driver, though no arrest had been made as of Tuesday night.