Protest in OAU over death of final year student

STUDENTS of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife on Friday went on rampage to protest over the death of Adesina Aishat, a 400 level student of the Department of Foreign Languages who reportedly lost her life at the Health Centre of the University due to alleged negligence. 

The students, who came out in their numbers to stage the protest, barricaded Ile-Ife – Ibadan Road and the Osogbo – Ife Road and blocked the main entrance to the university and disrupted the free-flowing of vehicular and her to be a graduate with prospects. 

“We send our condolences to the family of the deceased. But while we mourn Aishat, we cannot lose sight of the circumstances that led to her death, especially the role of the University Health Center. Aishat’s death is not the first to happen due to negligence of duties by the workers at the Health Center. It is only one out of many. 

“Without a proper and quick investigation (one which must actively involve and be communicated to students) and punishment meted, the university management will be putting the lives of students in danger. We cannot let our lives become toys. We will have to protest this, as we cannot afford to keep losing our lives like fowls. 

“As we await the university’s reaction and action to this sad occurrence, we  urge all union members to see this incident not as a loss to the family of Aishat, her class, department or faculty, but as a loss to all students of the university. We solicit your support as we demand for justice to be done in memory of Aishat and many others like her. It was Aishat today, it could be anyone tomorrow. We cannot wait until another sad occurrence like this happens. Our lives matter! 

“Meanwhile, the authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, in reaction to the development, have announced the closure of the institution until further notice. The public relations officer of OAU, Mr. Biodun Olanrewaju, who made this known in a statement said “in view of this, all students are hereby directed to vacate their halls of residence and the campus latest by 12:00 noon on Saturday, 2nd October, 2021. 

“Consequently, the swearing-in of the newly elected Students’ Union officials has been put on hold, pending a review of the situation. 

“In the meantime, the University management has put in place the machinery to unravel the circumstances surrounding the immediate and remote cause(s) of the crisis.” 

He hinted that the institution took the decision after its inability to stop the continuous and uncontrolled protests by the students “culminating in unbridled brigandage, blocking the Ife/Ibadan and Ife/Ede highways and other adjoining roads that could be used as alternative routes, and engaging in other acts that are detrimental to their health and the safety of the generality of the public.” 

The statement said: “On Tuesday, 28th September, 2021 Adesina Omowumi Aishat, a 24-year old, female, Part 4 student of the Department of Foreign Languages reported to the Health Centre with signs and symptoms of a severe infection. She was promptly treated with some drugs prescribed and asked to report back as an out-patient. She reported back to the Health Centre in the morning of Thursday, 30th September, 2021. 

“Upon examination, she was referred to the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital for further management where she regrettably died on Thursday 30th September, 2021.” 

Olarewaju, stated that, the “Management understands the grief resulting from this untimely death within the community and sympathises with the parents, friends, colleagues and the entire students of the University on this sad loss, and prays for the repose of her soul. 

“However, Management condemns in strong terms the continuous and uncontrolled protests by the students culminating in unbridled brigandage, blocking the Ife/Ibadan and Ife/ Ede highways and other adjoining roads that could be used as alternative routes, and engaging in other acts that are detrimental to their health and the safety of the generality of the people. 

“Therefore, having exhausted all necessary avenues to call the students to order and allow normalcy to return to the Campus and its environs, the authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, have accordingly closed down the School until further notice. This is to forestall further breakdown of law and order.”