Mixed Reactions as OAU Student Dies After Falling Into ‘Soakaway’
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Mixed Reactions as OAU Student Dies After Falling Into ‘Soakaway’
Kaosara Olayemi Oladimeji
Heritage Ajibola, a female student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), is said to have died after accidently falling into a soakaway at one of the school’s hostels.
She was a student of the Department of Linguistics and African Languages.
According to reports, the deceased body was found in a soakaway at Bver Hostel, Maintenance Hostels, Ile-Ife, Osun state, on Wednesday afternoon.
Ogunperi Taofeek Olalekan, the school’s students’ union president, confirmed her death in a statement, saying that her death may have been avoided if the soakaway system had been properly installed and covered.
“This incident is highly unfortunate. The Union mourns her. May her soul rest in peace. May God give her family, friends, and coursemates the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
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“It must be noted that Heritage’s death was avoidable if the soakaway system was properly constructed and covered. It is saddening that this has happened despite the huge amounts of money paid by students for rent.
“The Management of the Hostel must answer for the death of Heritage. The Union is immediately demanding justice for Heritage, with a view to forestalling a possible reoccurrence of this.”
The management of the university has also confirmed the incident.
The university Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the student Ajibola Heritage Ayomikun, was a resident of BVER hostel, one of the privately run hostels in the Students Village.
The OAU spokesperson, who explained that the university management was saddened by the unfortunate incident, added that when the news got to management, it immediately mobilised the firemen from the university, Osun State and the OAU Teaching Hospital who through concerted efforts got the student out.
Olarewaju stated that immediately she was brought out from the hole, she was rushed to the OAU Teaching Hospitals Complex where she was certified dead.
He stated that the university Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, who led the rescue team to the scene, while appealing to the students to remain calm and law-abiding, added that the police had been briefed about the incident and they have commenced investigations.
Describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable, Ogunbodede also promised to critically look into the circumstances that led to the student’s death and mete out appropriate sanctions against those involved or whoever is found culpable.
“The Vice-Chancellor, therefore, appealed to the students to remain calm and law abiding as the police, who have been briefed, are also investigating.”
The death of Ajibola Heritage Ayomikun is coming three months after the death of Aishat Omowumi Adesina, a part four students of the Department of Foreign Languages.
Recall that the death of Aishat had earlier sparked a protest as the students accused the OAU management of negligence.
