Varsity suspends staff, orders hostel supervisor’s sack after student’s death
Story by Susan Mbamah
The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has announced disciplinary actions following the tragic death of Isabella Chioma Ajana, a 100-level law student.
Her death, which occurred last month, was linked to a controversial spare key policy at the Elmada Hostel on campus.
Reports indicate that Isabella, a diabetic patient, misplaced her room key and urgently requested the spare to access her insulin. However, the hostel management allegedly demanded she and her two roommates pay ₦40,000 each, a total of ₦120,000, before they would release the key.
Despite her repeated pleas and explanations about her health, Isabella was reportedly denied access to her medication for three days.
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Her health rapidly deteriorated, and on the third day, she collapsed while still waiting for the key. She was rushed to the University’s Medical Centre, where she went into hypoglycemic shock and passed away a few days before her call to the Law Students’ Bar.
The incident sparked public outrage, prompting the university to establish an investigative committee led by Professor Mike Oddih.
Six weeks after the incident, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Carol Chinyelugo Arinze-Umobi, released a statement announcing the immediate suspension of the doctors, nurses, and security personnel on duty at the Medical Centre the day Isabella collapsed. The suspension will last for three months, pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Additionally, the Vice-Chancellor directed the privately-managed Elmada Hostel to immediately fire the supervisor on duty at the time. This directive is based on the belief that the supervisor’s refusal to release the spare key played a critical role in the events that led to Isabella’s death.
Prof. Arinze-Umobi stated that the university would re-evaluate its relationship with the hostel and stressed that all private on-campus hostels must adhere to international best practices for student accommodation and welfare.
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“I wish to assure the university community and the general public that we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of care and safety for our students, in line with my vision of feeling the pulse of the students and staff and finding solutions,” she said.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor also extended her condolences to Isabella’s family and friends, promising that measures are being implemented to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
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