The management of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, AAUA, has ordered the closure of the institution for two weeks, following the deaths of à 300 level Biochemistry student, Olakunle Mathew Olayinka, by suspècted cultists and another 200 Level student of the school, Miss Temitope Patience Ayedun of the Department of Educational Management, within a space of 24 hours.
Investigations showed that Temitope Ayedun was suspected to have died as a result of Lassa fever.
The institution has also recorded another case of Lassa fever and it was also gathered that the patient has also been referred to FMC, Owo, for intensive management, a source at the school’s Health Centre told The Hope.
Indications to this development emerged yesterday through a statement issued by the institution’s Acting Registrar, Mr Opeoluwa Akinfemiwa, which announced a two – week closure of the institution.
According to the institution’s statement made available to the press, “As a follow-up to the earlier memo conveying the University Management’s heartfelt condolences to the University community and the families of the deceased on recent painful loss of our students and the subsequent postponement of the First Semester Examinations, the Ag. Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, on behalf of the University Senate, has approved a two-week Mid-Semester Break for all students with immediate effect.”
The university posited that the break was declared to enable the students refresh and prepare well for the First Semester Examinations for 2019/2020 academic session upon resumption.
It directed students to resume for the continuation of the First Semester, 2019/2020 academic calendar on Monday, 22nd March, 2020.
The development was not unconnected with the deaths of two students of the university who lost their lives on Thursday and Friday last week.
The 200 level student of the school, Miss Temitope Patience Ayedun of the Department of Educational Management, who was initially admitted at the University’s Health Centre, where medical personnel tried their best to manage her until she was referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo where she was intensively managed before she died on Thursday.
It was reliably gathered that she was diagnosed of Lassa fever.
In a related development, Olakunle Matthew Olayinka was shot dead by unknown gunmen suspected to be cultist at Akungba Akoko on Friday.
Olakunle, a 300 level student of the Department of Biochemistry of the University was said to be returning home from the school around 8pm when he was shot in error by suspected cult members who had laid ambush for another rival cult group.
He was said to have been rushed to the school’s Health Centre where a team of medical experts fought to revive him but later died as a result of the gunshot injuries.
However, efforts to speak with the Director of the Health Centre were not successful as he could not be reached at the time of filing this report.
The Hope
