it was a day of grief and heavy hearts as Phyna, winner of Big Brother Naija Level Up season, laid her younger sister, Ruth Otabor, to rest weeks after her tragic passing.

Ruth was involved in a crash on August 13, 2025, when a truck belonging to the Dangote Group hit her near Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State, just six days after she had celebrated her graduation.

The 24-year-old sustained devastating injuries—one leg amputated, damage to the other, alongside severe head and hand injuries. Despite medical efforts and the family’s push for her survival, she passed away on August 31 at about 6:30 a.m.

Her remains were conveyed from Ebony Mortuary, Ikoyi, to her residence in Ikorodu, Ogun State, where family, friends, and loved ones gathered to pay their last respects. Emotional videos from the burial show Phyna flanked by fellow ex-BBNaija housemates Christy O and Groovy, who offered support during the painful farewell.

The Dangote Group, whose truck was involved in the accident, had earlier expressed sorrow over Ruth’s death, stating it had covered her medical bills, made arrangements for treatment abroad, and provided support to the family. Yet, her passing has ignited public outrage, with many Nigerians calling for justice, accountability, and improved road safety measures to prevent similar tragedies.

Opinion: Beyond Condolences—The Call for Change

Ruth’s story is more than just a family’s loss; it is a sobering reflection of the fragile state of road safety in Nigeria. A young woman, fresh out of school and full of promise, had her dreams cut short by an accident that could—and should—have been avoided.

Phyna’s grief is not hers alone. It echoes the pain of countless families who have lost loved ones to reckless driving and poor regulation of heavy-duty vehicles. While the Dangote Group has shown some corporate responsibility by footing medical bills and offering support, Nigerians are right to demand more than sympathy. What is needed is systemic accountability—stricter safety measures, better monitoring of drivers, and genuine reforms that prioritize human lives over profit and speed.

Ruth’s memory deserves to inspire change. If Nigeria is to prevent more families from mourning young lives gone too soon, road safety must move from being a footnote in public discourse to a national emergency.

Because at the end of the day, condolences don’t stop accidents—accountability does.