FUNAAB sets up committee to probe female student’s death

The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), Abeokuta, Ogun State, Prof. Olusola Oyewole has ordered an immediate constitution of a committee to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of a female undergraduate, Miss Maria Atere, last Sunday.

The late Atere, a 300-level student in the Department of Plant Physiology and Crop Production, was on her way to the campus on a commercial motorcycle, when it collided with an oncoming vehicle.

A statement by the institution’s Head, Directorate of Public Relations, Mrs Emi Alawode, read in part, “Contrary to unfounded allegations of negligence, made by some individuals against the university, Atere was never brought to the university Health Centre for treatment, hence, no doctor had the opportunity to quickly examine her and arrive at a decision on the most appropriate form of medical treatment.

“Nevertheless, the University ambulance was dispatched to the private clinic at Camp (venue of the accident), when a request was made.”

The accident happened along the Camp-Alabata Road, around the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority gate, Abeokuta.

The 22-year-old lady allegedly had a fracture on her skull and she was rushed to a private hospital for medical treatment. She was however said to have been referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba, Abeokuta.

Academic activities were disrupted in the institution on Monday, as scores of the students of the institution protested the death of Atere.

The students who were led by Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students in Ogun State, Dotun Opaleye, blocked the entrance of the school, as early as 6am. The protest, which lasted for about two hours.

The students accused the medical personnel of the institution of negligence which according to them resulted in the death of the their colleague.