Student’s death: SUG writes AKHA

BY KENNETH JUDE

The President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), University of Uyo, Comrade Kufre Samuel has called on the State House of Assembly to conduct an independent investigation to unravel the possible cause of the death of Mr. Ukeme Monday, the best graduating student of class 2015 who died recently at the National Youth Service (NYSC) orientation camp in Zamfara State.

In a letter dated 6th December, 2016 and also signed by the Secretary of the SUG, Comrade Aniefiok Paulinus and sent to the State House of Assembly through the Member Representing Etinan State Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Human Right and Public Petition, Barr Aniefiok Dennis, the body noted that the demise of Ukeme, a graduate of Engineering Department untimely and mysterious.

“It is worthy of note that the Etinan born scholar, until his untimely and mysterious demise had no known health disorder thereby making his death questionable and mysterious just a week at the NYSC Orientation Camp. we strongly appeal that the State House of  Assembly take up this case and conduct a comprehensive finding with respect to the cause of his death.’’

Meanwhile, Comrade Kufre Samuel has called for immediate sack of the State Director of NYSC. He stated this during a procession held for the late Ukeme at Convocation Park main campus of the institution. He noted that it is not necessary to send students out for service if their safety cannot be guaranteed. “I am calling for the sack of the state Director of the NYSC in Zamfara State if they are not sure of the safety of our students and people, they should stop posting us. It is indeed very sad that this time around, three people died in the NYSC Camp; people with great future for this country.

The Federal Government should step in and protect the students by taking proactive measures. The State Coordinator of the NYSC in Zamfara State should be sacked. 

These deaths are very unfortunate. I am calling on the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to probe the death of Ukeme. Osun State have started probing the death of their daughter, Ladipo that died at Kano Camp, so, our state should not keep quiet and let Ukeme die like that. This is Ukeme that was not sick, he was very healthy. He died a week after being mobilised for Service. 

This is very questionable and must be followed to a logical conclusion.’’

He added   that it will be unfair to allow such a bright son of the state die like that; he called on the state and federal governments and indeed all stakeholders involved to explain the circumstances that led to the death of Ukeme Monday.

He called on student to remain calm and pray that such a calamity does not befall the institution again.

Also speaking, Comrade Akwaowo Clifford, Chairman NANS Joint Campus Committee, Akwa Ibom State Chapter stated that the union will always stand with students at all times. He assured the family that they will do everything within their power to ensure that justice is done to the death of their son, Ukeme.

The procession which began in the early hours of the day at the Permanent Site of the institution along Nwaniba Road moved to the main Campus and ended at the Annex wing of the institution at Ikpa Road.