THE Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife was on Wednesday thrown into mourning following the death of a 200-level student of the department of Linguistics and African Languages, Ms Heritage Ajibola.
Ms Ajibola fell into a suck-away at a private hostel within the university community leading to her death.
While confirming Ms Ajibola’s death, OAU’s management said as soon as it got the information, the emergency response team, including its fire fighters and those from the Osun State government, were mobilised to the scene.
OAU’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, said the student was confirmed dead at the institution’s teaching hospital, where she was rushed to after a joint effort to retrieve her from the suck-away by fire-fighters.
“The university management is saddened by this unfortunate incident. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, who led his management team to the scene, sympathised with the students and commiserated with the parents of the deceased.
“Professor Ogunbodede, who described the incident as tragic and unacceptable, 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.”
