By Our Correspondent
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha, has announced that twelve students of the university have lost their lives in road accidents within the past ten months.
Prof Omenugha made this somber announcement during the third Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu memorial lecture series held at the university’s ETF Auditorium on Friday.
The vice chancellor attributed the tragic incidents to the lack of residential hostels and school buses, forcing students to commute through neighbouring communities using tricycles and motorcycles.
“I feel terrified as a mother about this incident,” Prof Omenugha said, adding, “Since I assumed office ten months ago, about twelve students have lost their lives through tricycle and motorcycle accidents along inter-community roads linking to the university.”
Prof Omenugha appealed for assistance from the public, particularly well-to-do individuals in Anambra State, to support the university’s development.
“We need hostels to cut the rising spate of avoidable accidents. We need staff quarters for staff. There are many areas for partnership,” she emphasized.
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s efforts through the Private Public Community Partnership (PPCP) initiative were acknowledged, but Prof Omenugha stressed that the state government cannot tackle the challenges alone.
The event featured Chief Osita Chidoka as guest lecturer, with the title “Harnessing Education for National Development: Lessons from the Life and Vision of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.”
Dignitaries in attendance included Deputy Governor of Anambra State,Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Mr Labara Maku, and Prof Ngozi Chima-Udeh, among others.
The university’s plight has sparked concerns about student safety and the need for urgent intervention to prevent further tragedies.
