The Obafemi Awolowo University, 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 on Wednesday by its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju.
Olarewaju said 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.
He said the university’s Quick Response and Security, QRS, Team immediately moved to the location, while the police were also contacted.
“Officers from the ‘A’ Division, Moore, Ile-Ife, joined the university’s security personnel at the scene,” he said.
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 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.
It added that management had notified the appropriate student affairs authorities for necessary follow-up, particularly regarding the welfare and support of students affected by the incident.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire, expressed condolences to the deceased’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 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 that “no student should feel that he or she has to confront overwhelming difficulties alone.”
He said further information, where necessary and appropriate, would be communicated through official channels.
