A tragic event unfolded yesterday at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, where Esu Rita Ema, a final-year student from the Department of Foreign Languages, lost her life at the university gate while en route to submit her final year project.
As reported by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the incident involved a Lexus vehicle with the Abuja registration number ABJ 427 LQ, operated by Lasisi Sodiq Segun.
Rita was attempting to cross the Ife-Ibadan expressway near the campus entrance when she was struck by the vehicle. The collision resulted in catastrophic injuries, leading to the loss of both her legs and the severing of her head.
Emergency responders from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) arrived swiftly, recovering her remains and transporting them to the mortuary at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex.
The driver has been apprehended by the Nigerian Police and is currently under investigation.
In light of this unfortunate incident, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, conveyed his sympathies to Rita’s family through the Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Adeolu Odedire.
’If it is unfortunate to lose a domestic animal, how can anyone quantify the loss of a child, most especially a grown-up child who was a young, promising adult with a lot of potential? A final year student, for that matter“. Therefore, he appealed to his parents, siblings, family, friends, and classmates to seek solace in God,” the VC said.
