…Management says death not due to negligence
Students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), took to the streets on Friday, in reaction to the sudden death of a 500Level student, Akeredolu Clinton Ayomide.
The students, who said they staged the peaceful protest to express their displeasure about the manner the deceased’s health issue was handled at the institution’s Health Center, demanded for a better health facility capable of responding to urgent medical conditions like the one that led to Ayomide’s death.
The protest led to a gridlock on the busy Akure-Ilesa expressway for several hours, with many travellers stranded.
One of the students who spoke to journalists during the protest, alleged that “the late student (Ayomide) slumped on Thursday while in his hostel (Akindeko Hall of Residence) and was rushed to the University Health Center, where he lost his life due to lack of modern medical equipments to rescue him.
The eye witness, who said he was one of those that rushed Ayomide to the hospital, disclosed that: “We rushed the him to the health center around 8:30 pm, and when we got there, there was power outage. Throughout the period of the oxygen set up, CPR and injections they gave him, the light wasn’t restored. We had to use our flashlights. Isn’t it hard to believe that there’s no back up power supply in our institution’s health facility?.”
“Also, sequel to this incident earlier yesterday, the health center refused to attend to another student, a former FUTASU Vice President who was in a critical condition and needed emergency attention, all because she wasn’t with her ID CARD. The Health Center Director said students should do their worst when explanations were demanded from him.
“We are here to express our displeasure using the tool of a peaceful demonstration, and calling on the government to come to our aid as there had been series of similar incidents in the past and demonstrations ended with unfulfilled promises.”
Meanwhile, in a swift reaction, the management of the institution has condoled with the family of the deceased student and his friends over the unfortunate incident.
In a statement signed by the university’s Director, Corporate Communication, Mr Adegbenro Adebanjo, it was stated that the deceased was given adequate attention by the medical personnel at the FUTA health center, but his situation was beyond remedy.
Read the full statement below:
FUTA REACTS TO PROTEST BY STUDENTS AND DEATH OF ONE OF ITS STUDENTS
The Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA mourns the sudden demise of one of our students, Ayomide Akeredolu, who died on Thursday August 24, 2023 in the course of a sudden bout of illness.
From reports pieced together, Ayomide Akeredolu slumped in his hostel and all attempts and medical intervention at resuscitation even at the Health Centre failed with the doctors recording that he was brought in dead.
According to the doctor on duty, “The student was rushed to the Health Centre at about 8:50 pm on Thursday 24th August, 2023. He was brought in dead. Efforts to resuscitate him through Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and oxygen therapy proved abortive. He was subsequently taken to the UNIMED Teaching Hospital, Akure by the medical personnel on duty inside the University ambulance.”
Understandably, his friends and colleagues are devastated by the sad development. The management joins them to mourn at this very difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with our students and the bereaved family.
May the Good Lord grant his soul eternal repose and give the family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss
However due to some perceived misgivings about services at the University Health Centre, students embarked on a protest on Friday August 25,2023 .
It is important to point out that the protest was not directly related to the death of the student.
The representatives of the students, at a meeting with Management called at the behest of the Vice Chancellor, pointed out some lacuna in the process of accessing services at the Health Centre.
The Management in the course of the meeting directed that immediate remedial measures be taken to address the lacuna and other issues raised by the students.
The corrective measures will be reviewed from time to time to ensure that they are being implemented to the letter, and satisfaction of the students.
Again we commiserate with the family of our beloved student and pray for comfort from the Lord.
Signed:
Adegbenro Adebanjo
Director, Corporate Communication
August 25, 2023
