On suicide of OAU student

My thought is on the student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife in Osun State, who committed suicide for poor academic performance. It is a fact that OAU remains one of the best universities in Africa; if you can’t work hard at OAU, you will not graduate.

It is a pity to lose Opeyemi Dara. It was widely reported that one OAU student whose name was Kolapo Olowoporoku took his life too. A Miss Mercy did the same thing in 2017. The management of OAU is expected to set up a committee that will work on how to put an end to further suicide of its students.

Sowore’s arrest: Comparing Buhari with autocratic leaders is unpardonable blackmail, Presidency replies Soyinka

This is the time for the management of OAU to compile the list of all students with poor academic performance and ask them to supply the institution with the details of their parents, including phone numbers, in order to let them know about the poor academic performance of their children and the likely consequences so that the parents can help find out what the challenges are in order to bring about positive change.

If this is done on time by OAU, I believe the parents will know how to work with the school to solve issues before they lead to suicide.

I must add that it is unfortunate to see a university student focused on irrelevant things like games, films and social media rather than academics. Students are expected to devote time to their studies.

However, I also wish to reiterate that no matter the challenge, suicide is not the solution.

Jimoh Mumin Esq.

Ibadan.