The sad news of the passing of Esu Rita Ema, a final year student from the Department of Foreign Languages at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has been shared by the university’s management. The incident reportedly occurred near the institution’s campus, as a result of a speeding driver named Lasisi Sodiq.
A statement released by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, revealed that the late student, identified with matriculation number FRM/2019/041, was fatally hit by a Lexus car bearing Abuja Registration Number ABJ 427 LQ, driven by Lasisi Sodiq Segun.
According to Olanrewaju, the tragic event took place as the student was en route to submit her final year project to her supervisor, attempting to cross the Ife-Ibadan road near the campus gate.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps promptly retrieved the student’s body and placed it in the mortuary of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital complex around 12:35 pm. Simultaneously, the driver was apprehended by the Nigerian Police for further investigation and appropriate measures,” the statement detailed.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Prof. Simeon Bamire, conveyed his condolences to the bereaved parents through the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Adeolu Odedire.
Reflecting on the tragedy, Bamire empathized, “Losing a pet is heart-wrenching, so the unimaginable pain of losing a child, especially a young adult full of promise like a final year student, is incomprehensible,” the statement quoted.
He urged the family and friends of the deceased to seek comfort in faith, stating, “May the Lord grant us the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss.”