Colleagues of the three students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University who died in a road crash on the Ilisan- Ago Iwoye Road on Friday have expressed their sorrows over the incident.
The students, who spoke with PUNCH Metro in separate interviews on Sunday, expressed sadness and described the incident as one that has thrown the university community into mourning.
Speaking in a telephone interview with our correspondent, the Student Union Government President of OOU, Adeyemi Ogunmakin, disclosed that several efforts made to save the life of one of the deceased students proved abortive as she sustained severe head injuries.
“It was a sad incident that has thrown the university community into mourning. We did everything to save the lives of two of the deceased students but it was futile.
“When the incident happened, I was contacted and I rushed there with my team. Upon getting there, we realised that one student died on the spot and we rushed the rest to the hospital. It was surprising that one of them who was already responding to treatment eventually gave up.
“We have buried one of the female students involved in the accident on the instruction of her parent and in the presence of her uncle.”
He concluded that the union might declare every December 20 as a day of remembrance for the deceased students.
“The VC addressed the students yesterday (Saturday) and we visited the parks too to encourage the drivers to shun speeding.
“The union will also work on a day, maybe we can declare every December 20 as a day to honour the departed students.”
Similarly, the executive committee of the OOU Basic Medical Science Students Association, in a statement by its president, Adesola Adetokunbo, prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed students while promising support for the hospitalised victims.
“With heavy hearts, we mourn the tragic loss of three dear students of Olabisi Onabanjo University who were involved in a ghastly accident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and loved ones during this difficult time.
“We also extend our support to the five students who survived and are currently receiving medical care. We stand united as a community, offering them our prayers for a quick recovery. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may their families find strength and comfort,” Adetokunbo said.
Also, the executive of the National Association of Ogun State Students, OOU Chapter, described their death as unfortunate and saddening.
Its president, Peter Adesanya, urged other students to prioritise safety when embarking on road journeys.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the tragic loss of some of our esteemed members in a fatal accident that occurred on Friday. This unfortunate incident has left us deeply saddened, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the deceased
“As we mourn this great loss, we urge all NAOSS members and OOUITES to be extra cautious while travelling, especially as we approach the holiday season. Let us be prayerful, vigilant, and mindful of safety precautions on our journeys,” Adesanya said.
Meanwhile, efforts to get the reaction of the university management proved futile as calls and messages made to the phone of the acting Deputy Registrar, Adewale Balogun, had not been responded to as of the time this report was filed.
PUNCH Metro recalls that the students died in the road crash after the vehicle conveying them veered off the road due to excessive speed.
The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday, said the accident led to the immediate death of a male passenger suspected to be a student of OOU while two other students of the same university were rushed to a private hospital, but they eventually gave up.
The statement read, “A fatal motor accident occurred on December 20, 2024, at about 3:30 pm along the Ilisan-Ago Iwoye Road.
“The incident involved a commercial Opel Safira with the licence plate Lagos AAA-126HE, which was driven by one Adekunkle Adebiyi, residing at 5 Sunmibare Street, Awa Ijebu.
“The Opel was travelling at a high speed towards Ilisan from the Ago Iwoye direction when the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to flip into the bushes.
“A male passenger whose identity has not yet been confirmed but is believed to be a student from OOU died at the scene. His body has been taken to the General Hospital Ijebu Ode mortuary.
Odutola noted that two female students identified as “Dada Oluwanifesimi, 18, a sophomore in Mass Communication, and Miracle Ogo Oluwa Daniel, 19, a junior, were rushed to Love and Care Hospital but unfortunately succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment.”
