DELSU VC Calls For Calm, Orders Investigation As Protest Rocks Institution Over Death Of Epileptic Student

By Daniel Dafe

Vice Chancellor, Delta State University, Abraka, Professor Andy Egwunyenga, on Sunday called for calm after students began protests over the death of a 300 Level Student of Fine Arts, Ayaemene Eugene.

The Vice-Chancellor in his statement, said he “received with sadness the reported death of Ayaemene Eugene, a 300 level student of Fine Arts, after reference by the University Health Centre.”

He added: “An investigation has been instituted by the Vice-Chancellor on the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.

“This is to assure the students and the university community at large that anyone found professionally culpable will be dealt with in accordance with the extant university regulations. All students are urged to remain calm and conduct themselves peacefully as adequate steps are being taken to prevent the occurrence of this ugly incident in the future.”

Eugene, an epileptic student resident in Abraka Hall was rushed to the school’s Health Centre on Saturday.

Sources allege that he was not well taken care of and was referred to a hospital in Warri.

“He died while they were rushing him to a Warri hospital,” a student leader told Oasis Magazine under conditions of anonymity.

At the time of this report, angry students were on their way to block the campus gate at Site 3 after they staged a protest on Sunday and continued early Monday at the main entrance in Site 2.

Meanwhile, another account said the reason for the students’ grievances was because of the ill treatment from the health workers that led to Ayaemene’s death.

“He was down for two days and was at the university health centre. When students asked that he be referred from the hospital because his health was deteriorating, they told us that there was no fuel in the hospital’s van,” one of the students participating in the protest told our reporter.

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When contacted, attempts to speak with the Dean of Students, Professor Maxwell Iwegbue, for more clarifications on the incidence proved abortive.

He however promised to brief the press on the development later today.