Tragedy struck on Thursday at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife when a final-year student lost her life after being run over by a reckless driver of a Lexus car while on her way to submit her final-year project.
The victim, ESU RITA EMA, with Matriculation Number FRM/2019/041, was studying in the Department of Foreign Languages. She was knocked down and killed by a Lexus car with Abuja Registration Number ABJ 427 LQ, driven by Lasisi Sodiq Segun.
As a result of this tragic incident, the entire university community is in mourning, with students, lecturers, and staff grieving for the young woman and extending their sympathies to her family.
In a statement, the university’s public relations officer, Mr. Biodun Olanrewaju, said, “The entire Obafemi Awolowo University community has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of a final-year student due to the reckless driving of an individual.”
He added, “The student, identified as ESU RITA EMA with Matriculation Number FRM/2019/041, was struck and killed by a Lexus car driven by Lasisi Sodiq Segun.”
It was reported that Rita was crossing the Ife-Ibadan road at the campus gate when the accident occurred as she headed to submit her final-year project.
Members of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived to recover her body, which was taken to the mortuary of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex around 12:35 p.m. Meanwhile, Nigerian Police officers arrested the driver for investigation and necessary actions.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, has expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased through the Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Adeolu Odedire.
Professor Bamire, who was visibly affected by the tragedy, stated, “If losing a pet is heart-wrenching, how can one quantify the loss of a child, especially a grown-up child with so much potential? A final-year student, no less.”
He urged the parents, siblings, family, friends, and classmates to find solace in God, saying, “The Lord will grant us all the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss.”
