VC Calls For Calm As Protest Rocks Delta Varsity Over Death Of Student

For two days running, protest has erupted at the Delta State University (DELSU) Abraka, over the death of a 300-level student of Fine Arts, Ayaemene Eugene.

Angry students blocked the campus gate at Site 3 after staging a protest on Sunday and continued early Monday morning at the main entrance in Site 2.

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

Sources alleged that he was not well taken care of and was later referred to another hospital in Warri.

“He died while they were rushing him to a Warri hospital,” a student leader, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed.

Another account said the reason for the students’ grievance was because of the alleged ill-treatment of the patient by the health workers on duty, which 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 to another hospital because his health was deteriorating, they told us that there was no fuel in the hospital’s van,” one of the protesting students told our reporter.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor, DELSU,  Prof. Andy Egwunyenga, has called for calm amid the students’ protest.

The Vice-Chancellor in a 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.

“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,” the VC pleaded.

Attempts to speak with the Dean of Student’s Affairs, Prof. Iwegbue, for more clarifications on the incident proved abortive.

He, however, promised to brief the press on the development later this Monday.