- University administration downplays the seriousness of the situation, causing concern among students and staff
- University staff member, calls for government intervention and immediate closure of the school to prevent further deaths
Enugu State Government officials conducted a visit to the University of Science and Technology in response to reports of an unusual ailment that claimed the lives of 13 students in under a month. Led by Dr.
Ikechukwu Obi, the State Commissioner of Health, the team went to the Agbani campus to investigate the circumstances surrounding these incidents.
According to Punch, despite causing worry among students and staff, the university administration reportedly downplayed the seriousness of the situation. Rev. Godwin Onah, a university staff member, expressed concern about the alarming situation and urged government intervention.
He said, “There are massive mysterious deaths at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, yet the Enugu State Government and school management are non-challant about it.
“The Enugu State Government or Federal Government should close the school immediately to avert further deaths.”
However, the National Association of Nigerian Students South-East Zone has called for the immediate shutdown of the university till further notice to allow for proper investigation into the cause of the outbreak of the strange illness.
NANS, which made the call in a statement issued on Thursday titled: “Call to shut down Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) immediately,” warned that it would not stand idly by while the lives and welfare of its students are endangered.
In the statement signed by its Zonal Coordinator, Chidi Nzekwe, NANS, stated that the “leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students NANS Zone F-Southeast expresses our deepest concern and utmost dismay over the frequent and tragic deaths of our students in ESUT.
“Our investigations have shown a high level of negligence on the part of the school administration, ranging from non-functional student clinic, which is a major factor for the unfortunate death of our students.
““In the light of these disturbing findings, the leadership of NANS Zone F has decided to order the immediate shutdown of the institution from tomorrow, August 24, 2023, till further notice.
“This action is necessary to allow us to engage in extensive meetings with relevant stakeholders including the university management, medical experts, security agencies, and student representatives.
“Failure to shut down the institution with immediate effect, we will be compelled to escalate our actions and the university management should get ready to contend with the armless battalion of Nigerian students in the zone.
“The leadership of NANS Zone F is committed to protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerian students. We will not stand idly while the lives and welfare of our students are endangered. As we seek a quick intervention to this crisis, we urge all our students in ESUT to return to their respective homes where they will be safe till further notice.
“May the souls of our dear departed students Rest in peace.”
Yet, when journalists reached out to the University’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ikechukwu Ezianioma, via phone, he dismissed the rumors and claims as false, maintaining that there was no occurrence of an unfamiliar illness at ESUT.
According to him, “The Commissioners of Health, Education and Secretary to the State Government, with a whole lot of other government officials came to the university today and after check, they discovered that the reports circulating were false.
“So, I would advise you to contact the commissioner of health and he will be in a better position to tell you whether there is such or not. All I can tell you now is that there is no strange Illness killing students in ESUT.”