The acting Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, Prof. Kate Omenugha, has revealed the tragic deaths of 12 students in road accidents over the past 10 months. The fatalities have been attributed to the lack of on-campus residential hostels and school transportation, forcing students to commute through neighboring communities on tricycles and motorcycles.
Prof. Omenugha made the disclosure on Friday during the third Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Memorial Lecture series held at the university’s ETF Auditorium. She described the incidents as deeply concerning and called for urgent interventions to enhance student safety.
Tragic Circumstances
“I feel terrified as a mother about these incidents,” Omenugha said. “Since I assumed office 10 months ago, about 12 students have lost their lives through tricycle and motorcycle accidents along inter-community roads linking to the university.”
She attributed the fatalities to the absence of adequate residential hostels and the lack of university-provided buses, which force students to rely on potentially dangerous local transport systems. Highlighting the need for immediate action, she appealed to well-meaning individuals and organizations, particularly in Anambra State, to assist in addressing these challenges.
“We need hostels to curb these avoidable accidents. We also require staff quarters and other facilities to improve the campus environment. There are many areas where partnerships can make a significant difference,” she emphasized.
Call for Support and Ongoing Concerns
Prof. Omenugha commended the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for his efforts to promote development through the Private Public Community Partnership initiative. However, she stressed that the government alone cannot meet the university’s growing needs, urging the public to contribute toward safeguarding students.
The university’s concerns about road safety are not new. In November 2020, the institution’s management considered banning motorcycle transport for students after three separate accidents claimed the lives of three female students at the Igbariam campus within a single weekend. One of the deceased was a final-year student.
Memorial Lecture and Broader Vision
The lecture series was graced by former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, who delivered a keynote address titled “Harnessing Education for National Development: Lessons from the Life and Vision of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.”
The university’s leadership remains determined to address the challenges facing its students, recognizing that infrastructural improvements and safety measures are essential to preventing further tragedies and creating a conducive learning environment.
