A law student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Miss Isabella Ajana, has died of diabetes.
Ajana’s death occurred on Friday, July 4, about four days after a 300-level student of the Department of Microbiology at the institution, identified as Tochi, slumped and died while playing football.
The death of the 100-level student has stirred controversy, with imputation that hostel authorities’ failure to provide spare key to enable late Ajana gained access into her room after locking her key inside contributed to her demise.
“The unfortunate event began on Friday night, June 27, when the deceased and her roommates were locked out of their room at Emalda Hostel after mistakenly leaving their key inside.
“Immediate efforts were made to reach hostel authorities for access to the spare key, but were unsuccessful. It was discovered that the key custodian was out of the state and could not provide access until Monday morning.
“However, by Sunday night, the situation took a dangerous turn. As a Type 1 Diabetes patient, the deceased’s insulin and essential medication were locked in her room. Her condition deteriorated rapidly.
“Though managed overnight, the spare key was finally retrieved by Monday morning, granting access to her medication. Unfortunately, efforts to stabilise her condition proved ineffective, even after the insulin was administered.
“She was rushed to the UNIZIK Medical Centre, which, regrettably, was unable to provide necessary care and referred her to the teaching hospital, where she was admitted and placed under treatment,” a source said.
A report circulating also claimed that the deceased’s roommates accused those in charge of the keys of demanding N40,000 before releasing the spare.
The account and the tension that is precipitating has drawn response from the school management via a statement by the Acting Director, Information and Public Relations/Protocol, Njelita Louis released.
It reads partly: “The attention of the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has been drawn to the distressing incident involving Miss Isabella Ajana, a 100-level student in the Faculty of Law.
“It’s pertinent to inform all concerned at this moment and to assure the university community and the public that the university is actively working to get to the root of this unfortunate situation.
“We understand the anxiety and uncertainty this has caused, and our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our students. The management acknowledges the issues at hand with deep concern and is leaving no stone unturned in taking immediate steps to address them.
“Currently, there is an ongoing investigation into the circumstances that led to the demise of our dear student.
“Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka is committed to transparency in this investigation and will keep the university community and the public informed and properly updated on the progress and outcome as soon as possible.”
