Kazeem Ugbodaga

Oluchi Anekwe: electrocuted

Thousands of students of the University of Lagos, UNILAG protested vehemently today and shut the school gate in solidarity with a 300 Level Accounting student of the institution who was electrocuted by a naked wire.

The student, Oluchi Anekwe was walking with her sister on Tuesday when a spark from a high tension wire from one of the poles in front of the entrance occurred.

The pole was said to have fallen on her and she got electrocuted immediately. She was rushed to the Medical Centre where she was certified dead.

The death of Anekwe led to the protest at the school gate on Wednesday as the student were angered that the management of the institution did not declare a day of mourning for the deceased.

The students, in their thousands trooped out and headed to the school gate chanting  ‘aluta’ songs. They  shut down the gate, barring vehicles from coming in and out of the school and declared a lecture-free day for themselves.

 The protest was led by the Students Union President, Comrade Abiodun Martins.

According to Martins, “the University of Lagos Students’ Union regrets to announce the passing away of one of us, our very own Oluchi Anekwe,  a 300 level student of the department of  Accounting.

“Oluchi, till her death, was a first class student, and a very active student in class. Our condolence goes to her family, relatives and friends. We pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Martins lamented that the event that led to her death was in its entirety avoidable and called on the  authorities to swing into action so as to prevent future occurrence.

“In this regard, we hereby declare that all academic and social activities of the school and of the students’ are hereby suspended for today and no unnecessary sound around the campus in honour of the lost soul.

“The entire University of Lagos Students loved her, but God in His wisdom saw fit to embrace her. Oluchi, good night,” he mourned.

He said the management has hereby announced that Wednesday had been declared a lecture free day in honour of the late Student.