The student identified as Chidinma Ogbonna, a final year student of Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management, was said to have been hit by a truck driver who lost control of his vehicle as he was negotiating a failed portion of the dilapidated highway.
In a video of the incident seen by Pointblanknews.com, Chidinma’s brain was splattered on the road.
A student of the institution, who gave his name as Kelechukwu, told Pointblanknews.com, that many students of the University have died from auto crashes occasioned by the deplorable situation of the federal highway.
“Many students have died from auto crashes due to the bad condition of the road. Now, we have lost a final year student because the federal government has failed to fix the road. Enough is enough. We have suffered for too long .Today; we will remain on this road until it is fixed.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe had while addressing the protesting students described the death of the final year student as painful and urged the students and entire University community to maintain calm and return to their lawful businesses while waiting for FERMA and the State Government to mobilize and commence work on the road.
“The VC is aware of the challenges presented by the sorry state of the road and has not been idle. For the past few weeks, the VC through his SA on Projects, Engr. Richard Onyeaso, invited the local FERMA on an inspection of the bad spots, took pictorial evidence and prepared a strong appeal letter to FERMA. The VC personally took these documents to FERMA headquarters in Abuja to make further physical appeals. His efforts were rewarded with an official approval for palliative work to begin on the road.
Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, disclosed that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu ,has directed PUMECO Construction company to mobilize to site on Wednesday 6th October and fix all the failed portions of the highway.
