The Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga has set up a special committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Ayaemene Eugene, a 300-level student of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts.
This is coming as students protested the death of their colleagues, insisting it was due to negligence by the school health centre.
Eugene, an epileptic student resident in Abraka Hall of the University, was rushed to the institution’s Health Centre on Saturday.
Sources alleged that he was not well taken care of and was later referred to another hospital in Warri.
“He died while they were rushing him to a Warri hospital”, a student leader, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed.
“He was down for two days and was at the University Health Centre. When students asked that he be referred to another hospital because his health was deteriorating, they told us that there was no fuel in the hospital’s van,” one of the protesting students told our reporter.
The special committee has Prof. Eze Nwangwa as Chairman, Mr. Monday Izu, as member/secretary; Dr. Callister Obi, Dr. Ufuoma Awhefeada and Mr. Caleb Okupa (Students Union Government President) as members
According to the information gathered, the terms of reference of the committee is “to investigate the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident leading to the death of Ayaemene Eugene and other issues incidental to the above.”
Following the death and the attendant protest, the SUG, led by its President, Okupa issued a special bulletin, calling for an investigation into the incident.
The bulletin read: “The Executive Committee members of the Student Union Government hereby wish to condemn in its entirety, the unfortunate incidence of the death of Ayaemene Eugene, a 300-level student of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts on his way for further medical treatment after being referred by the University Health Services.
“The Student Union body and the university management had quickly set up a committee to investigate the circumstance surrounding this unfortunate incidence with a view to unravelling the cause of the demise of our dear student and the perpetrators will not go unpunished.
“Arising from the above, all Delsuites are advised to remain calm and law-abiding in order to avoid the breakdown of law and order.
“We are assuring all Delsuite that we are on top of the matter. Injury to one is an injury to all:.
To calm fray nerves, Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga also issued a bulletin to express his dismay over the incident.
