Death of student: SSANU commiserates with Obafemi Awolowo University; Slams ASUU OAU chapter 

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Chapter has sent a message of condolence to the family, friends, colleagues, students and the entire University Community “on the unfortunate death of Adesina, Omowumi Aishat, a part four student in the department of Foreign Languages.”

In the condolence message by Comrade Taiwo Arobadi, SSANU Branch Chairman, OAU chapter, the association called to question the ” unfortunate online release” of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), OAU chapter which alleged, conclusively, that the death  of Aishat “was as a result of the negligence by the staff and workers of the Health Centre.”

While noting that the University had sent out a statement on the circumstances of the student’s demise and had gone further to put machinery in motion to get to the root cause of the issue, the SSANU wondered why ASUU OAU chapter should jump to their hasty position, and concluded that it must be “borne out of puerile hatred for the non-teaching staff .”

Full text of the statement reads:

SSANU COMMISERATE WITH THE UNIVERSITY

The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), OAU Chapter wants to use this medium to sympathize with the family, friends, colleagues, students and the entire University Community on the unfortunate death of Adesina, OmowumiAishat, a part four student in the department of Foreign Languages.

The attention of SSANU has also been drawn to the unfortunate online release of ASUU OAU Chapter that the death of Adesina, OmowumiAishat was as a result of the negligence by the staff and workers of the Health Centre. SSANU felt it is very necessary and appropriate to put the records straight on the circumstances that greeted the death of the said student.

It would be recollected that in the Press Release circulated by the University Public Relations Officer, it was clearly stated and understood that “On Tuesday, 28^th September, 2021; a 24 year old, female, part 4 student of the Department of Foreign Languages reported to the Health Centre with signs and symptoms of a severe infection. She was promptly treated with some drugs prescribed and asked to report back as an out-patient. She was back to the Health Centre in the morning of Thursday, 30^th September, 2021. Upon examination, she was referred to the Seventh-Day Adventist Hospital for further management…”

Apart from this statement from the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the University it was further reiterated that the University has put in place machinery to unravel the circumstance(s) surrounding the immediate and remote cause of the incidence; the outcome of which is yet to be released by the University management.

The Academic Staff (ASUU) that is supposed to be above board in its judgement on issues has suddenly become hypocritical and object of social instability within the system. It is equally obvious that the release of ASUU is not only misleading but also capable of inciting the general public against the management of the Health Centre and by extension, the University management.

Further claims by ASUU in their release of perennial complaints of both the Staff and students was both specious and unfounded as it is borne out of puerile hatred for the non-teaching staff. It has also been discovered that the complaints was a result of the resistance by the Health Centre against the high-handedness of some ASUU members anytime they visit the Health Centre for treatment.

In conclusion, SSANU, OAU chapter wishes to use this medium to advise ASUU OAU to always look into issues without prejudice and do away with undue sentiments and emotions. We also want to appeal to the Students to be law abiding as SSANU will continue to protect the interests of both students and Staff in general. SSANU also implore the University Management to ensure that the school is reopened and students are called back to campus to complete the suspended examinations and move forward.

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Comrade TaiwoArobadi

SSANU Branch Chairman