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A tragic accident claimed the life of Esu Rita, a final-year student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Thursday. Rita was reportedly on her way to submit her final year project when she was struck by a speeding vehicle along the Ife-Ibadan road near the university campus.
According to eyewitness accounts, the accident occurred when Rita attempted to cross the highway. A Lexus vehicle, traveling at high speed, knocked her down, resulting in fatal injuries. The driver of the vehicle has been identified as Lasisi Sodiq Segun.
In a statement, OAU’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed the incident, describing it as “tragic and unfortunate.” He provided further details about the victim, stating that Rita, with Matriculation Number FRM/2019/041, was a final-year student in the Department of Foreign Languages.
“Esu Rita was crossing the Ife-Ibadan axis of the road at the campus gate when she was hit by a Lexus car with Abuja Registration Number ABJ 427 LQ. She was on her way to submit her final year project to her supervisor,” Olarewaju stated.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) promptly responded to the scene, recovering Rita’s body and depositing it at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex mortuary. The Nigerian Police have since arrested the driver for investigation and further necessary action.
Reacting to the incident, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Professor Simeon Bamire, expressed his deep condolences to Rita’s family. Through the Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Adeolu Odedire, the Vice-Chancellor conveyed his sorrow, saying, “If it is very sad to lose a domestic animal, how can anyone quantify the loss of a child, most especially a grown-up child who was a young, promising adult with a lot of potential? A final year student for that matter.”
