A final-year student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Oluwole Oluwasegun, from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, has reportedly died by suicide.
The university’s Public Relations Officer, Olarewaju Abiodun, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that the incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon at the student’s off-campus residence around the Damico area of Ooni Layout in Ile-Ife.
According to the statement, the university management was alerted to the incident and immediately dispatched its Quick Response and Security (QRS) Team to the location. The Nigeria Police was also notified, after which officers from the ‘A’ Division in Moore, Ile-Ife, joined the university security personnel at the scene.
The student was later taken to the university’s Health Centre, where a medical doctor confirmed his death.
Abiodun said the university was concerned about the circumstances surrounding the incident and had handed relevant information and items recovered from the scene to the police to assist their investigation.
The police have since commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
The university also informed the relevant student affairs authorities to provide necessary follow-up, particularly concerning the welfare and support of students affected by the incident.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, conveyed the management’s condolences to the deceased’s family, friends, classmates and colleagues.
The institution also urged students facing severe emotional distress, relationship problems, financial difficulties or other personal challenges to seek assistance from trusted individuals and available university support services.
The Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to the wellbeing of students and staff, stressing that students experiencing overwhelming challenges should seek help rather than face such difficulties alone.
