Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has confirmed the death of a final-year student of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Oluwole Oluwaseun.
The university disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju.
This is as the institution disclosed that the Nigeria Police has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to the statement, “The university received information at about 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, concerning an emergency involving the student at an apartment in the Damico Area of Ooni Layout, Ile-Ife.
“The university Quick Response and Security, QRS, Team immediately moved to the location after receiving the information.
“The Nigeria Police was also contacted, with officers from the ‘A’ Division, Moore, Ile-Ife, joining the university’s security personnel at the scene.”
Oluwaseun was subsequently taken to the OAU Health Centre, where a medical doctor certified him dead.
The university said it was concerned about the circumstances surrounding the student’s death and had handed relevant information and items recovered from the scene to the police.
“The police have commenced investigation into the circumstances of the incident,” the statement said.
The university management also said it had notified the appropriate student affairs authorities for necessary follow-up, particularly regarding the welfare and support of students affected by the incident.
The statement said the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, has expressed condolences to the deceased student’s family, friends, classmates and colleagues, while also expressing concern for members of the university community who may be emotionally affected.
The university urged members of its community to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information or speculation while the police investigation continues.
It also encouraged students experiencing severe emotional distress, relationship difficulties, financial pressures or other personal challenges to seek help from trusted people and appropriate university support structures.
Bamire reaffirmed management’s commitment to the welfare of staff and students, stressing, “no student should feel that he or she has to confront overwhelming difficulties alone.
“Further information, where necessary and appropriate, would be communicated through official channels.”