By Gabriel Chy Alonta
Parents of David Ogbonna, a 200 level Industrial Physics student of Nnamdi Azikiwe university, who recently committed suicide in one of the school’s hostels have denied media reports attributing their son’s death on inability to pay school fees.
The parents, Pastor and Mrs. Ogbonna made this known through the university management. They urged the public to disregard misleading media report on the cause of their son’s death, as according to them, all his needs were seamlessly provided without worry by the family.
Speaking during a meeting with the university management, council and the SUG to unravel the mystery behind the death, the parents said, “Hike in school fees wouldn’t have been the reason for their son’s death as they provided everything he needs in the school.”
Mrs. Esther Ogbonna, the deceased mother further described her late son as hard working student, who ventured into some vocational jobs like tailoring and laundry services to augment the provisions from home.
According to her, late David Ogbonna had previously called to complain bitterly about his poor academic performances in school. She recalled that in one of her conversations with the late son, “he had expressed displeasure over one of his results and I advised him to buckle up in subsequent examinations to remedy the deficiency.”
Similarly, Samuel Ogbonna, one of the deceased brother, who accompanied the parents to the meeting, affirmed that his late brother “was supplied with food items regularly up until last Thursday before his unfortunate demise.”
Meanwhile, a statement signed by the Unizik Acting Head, Information and Public Relations/Chief Protocol Officer, Chika Gladys Ene, said the university community was saddened by the incident that occurred on 20th August, 2021 at the male hostel inside the university premises.
According to the statement, “The lifeless body of the student was found inside a wardrobe dangling with a rope round his neck and the university management upon hearing the sad news, carried out due protocol by inviting the university’s medical centre and the Nigerian Police Force that evacuated the body to the mortuary.”
“The University Management in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force have launched investigation to unravel the truth behind the alleged suicide act by the late student. We however, expressed displeasure and worry at the unprofessional attitude of some media houses who, the statement said, “are bent on tarnishing the image of the institution.
“As we work assiduously in unraveling the cause of the unfortunate demise of late David who is the last child of his parents, it is important to note that his three (3) older siblings graduated from the departments of Medical Rehabilitation, Radiography and Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.”
“The Management called on the entire university community to remain calm as investigation is ongoing. They also urged Members of staff and students to visit Centre for Counselling and Career Development created by the institution to entertain issues, especially one that disturbs mental health”, the statement reads in part.