Students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro has protested the death of their HND 1 colleague, Abimbola Ajayi who died at the school clinic on Tuesday.
This is as the students blamed the negligence on the part of the school clinic as reason for Ajayi’s sudden death.
According to a statement by jointly signed by the Students Union President of the institution, Thanni Abdullahi, Deputy Coordinator National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) South-West, Oloyede Hassan, NANS Sport Director, Solomon Bammeke and NAOSS National Treasurer, Isreal Folarin, the students would have survived the tragic death if she was properly attended to at the school clinic.
The statement reads partly:
“In a tragic turn of events, a student has lost their life at the school clinic of the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro due to alleged negligence on the part of clinic staff. This incident, unfortunately, is not an isolated one, as reports suggest a pattern of indifference and neglect towards students seeking medical attention.
“The distressing reality is that this isn’t the first time such negligence has resulted in the loss of student lives. Despite being entrusted with the responsibility of providing medical care, the clinic staff’s alleged disregard for human life has led to preventable tragedies.
“As students, it is our collective demand for justice that drives us to speak out against these injustices. The loss of a fellow student is a loss to the entire community, and it is imperative that those responsible for such negligence are held accountable.
“Calls for a total reform and reshuffling of the clinic staff are not unwarranted. It is evident that a systemic change is needed to ensure that such tragic incidents do not occur again in the future. Students should feel safe and assured that their health and well-being are prioritized when seeking medical assistance on campus.
“Also, there is an urgent need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding these incidents. Those found guilty of negligence must face appropriate penalties to deter future occurrences and uphold the sanctity of human life.
“The resolve of the student body is firm, as we stand united in our demand for justice. We refuse to accept complacency or indifference in the face of such grave injustices. The decision to confront this issue head-on reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students.
“In light of recent events, there is a growing sentiment among students to take action, even if it means temporarily shutting down the clinic to prevent further loss of life. Every life lost due to negligence is a stark reminder of the urgency of our demands.
“The time for change is now. We urge the authorities to heed our calls for reform, accountability, and justice. Let this be a turning point in ensuring that no student ever suffers due to the negligence of those entrusted with their care. Our voices will not be silenced until justice is served, and the safety of students is guaranteed.
“We are using this medium to call on all students to come out en masse to join us in our stance against this injustice. What happened to the student today could happen to any of us tomorrow. It is a sobering reminder that none of us are immune to the consequences of negligence.
“We extend our call for action to the school management and the government. We urge them to listen to our pleas and come to our aid in this critical time. It is their responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of students on campus, and they cannot turn a blind eye to the injustices that have occurred.
“Together, as a united student body, we have the power to demand accountability and enact meaningful change. Let us stand together in solidarity to ensure that justice is served and that no more lives are lost due to negligence.
“In addition, it is imperative to emphasize that no student should face repercussions for exercising their right to protest and demand justice. Fear of retaliation or unjust punishment should not deter students from speaking out against injustices. It is unacceptable for students to feel intimidated or threatened by the prospect of disciplinary action from the school administration.
“We call upon the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) National, as well as the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Student Engagement, to intervene in this matter because this is a Federal Institution. We urge them to ensure that students are protected from any form of victimization or reprisal for their participation in peaceful protests and advocacy efforts.
“Furthermore, we assert that if anything untoward happens to any student as a result of their pursuit of justice and exercising their rights, the school management must be held accountable. It is their duty to foster an environment where students feel empowered to voice their concerns without fear of retribution.
“Let it be known that we will not tolerate any form of suppression or silencing of student voices. We demand a safe and conducive environment where students can freely express themselves and seek redress for grievances without fear or intimidation. The responsibility lies with the school management and the authorities to uphold the rights and well-being of students at all times.”
Meanwhile, the school management while reacting on Thursday through a statement signed by the Institution Medical Director, Dr. B.M Jesusina, the students death was caused by criminal abortion she made which led to loss of blood.
The management said her case was an emergency as the clinic staff tried their best in resuscitating her.
According to Dr. Jesusina, the scan revealed that she was pregnant and the baby on her womb was already dead possibly from abortion to terminate the pregnancy.
