Yusuf Oketola
THE Student Union Government of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has demanded for justice over the death of a female student, Heritage Ajibola who died after falling into a soakaway in her private hostel.
Heritage, a 200L student of Linguistics and African Languages, was confirmed dead after falling into a soakaway on Wednesday afternoon at Bver Hostel, Ile-Ife.
According to a statement signed by the SUG President, Secretary and the Public Relations Officer, Festus Olayiwola, Samuel Odewale and Taofeeq Ogunpari respectively, Ajibola’s death would have been averted had the soakaway system been properly constructed and covered.
The statement reads: “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.
“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”.
Reacting to Ajibola’s death, the OAU management in a statement signed by Abiodun Olarewaju, expressed its sadness on the development.
The university sympathised with the students and commiserated with the parents of the deceased.
It described the incidence as unacceptable, just as it 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.
