The Ebonyi State Police Command had on Thursday, confirmed the death of Favour Ugwuka, a final year student of English in the Ebonyi State University, who reportedly committed suicide after finding out that her name was missing from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Senate list in her school.
The state command’s spokesman, DSP Joshua Ukandu, had informed news reporters on Thursday via a phone conversation that an investigation into the ugly incident would begin on Friday, May 24.
According to reports, the student committed suicide in her hostel at the University’s Ishieke Campus in Abakaliki, the state capital.
In a short video which has been making rounds on social media, a woman, reportedly the deceased’s mother, could be seen, blaming an unnamed lecturer for her daughter’s death.
At the time of filing this report, the university authorities have yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.
What They’re Saying
A friend of the deceased, Nwome, had this to say, “Favour was my classmate and best friend in the English Department. She passed all her courses, with the exception of one, which she repeatedly failed due to alleged issues with the lecturer handling the course.”
What It Means
This incident highlights several important issues plaguing the average Nigerian higher institution.
- Firstly, it shows the intense stress students face, especially regarding academic results and administrative processes like having their names on the NYSC Senate list.
- Secondly, it raises concerns about the influence of university staff and potential misuse of power by lecturers.
- Thirdly, the widespread sharing of the incident on social media brings more attention to tragic event, influencing public opinion and increasing the calls for accountability.
Bottom Line
There is an urgent need for better mental health support and fair academic practices in Nigerian universities to prevent such tragedies form repeating itself.
