Two UNILAG postgraduate students ‘drown’ in Elegushi beach

Two postgraduate students of the

University of Lagos have been

reported drowned in the Elegushi

Beach during the celebration of their

friend’s birthday on Sunday.

It was learnt that the deceased –

Adesola Ogunmefun and Funmi

Odusina – graduated from the

Covenant University and were on the

verge of bagging Master’s Degrees in

International Law and Diplomacy from

UNILAG.

Sources said that the deceased and the host were having fun at the

beach around 6pm when they were swept into the Atlantic Ocean.

Other visitors to the beach were said to have rescued them, but

Ogunmefun died on the spot.

Odusina and the host, identified only as Bolu, were rushed to some

private hospitals in the area, but were reportedly rejected. Odusina

died on the way to the Lagos Island General Hospital, while Bolu was

recuperating in the facility.

A friend of the deceased, Edward Onyemathi, said the deaths could

have been avoided if adequate safety gadgets were provided at the

beach.

He described the duo as brilliant, adding that their demise was a huge

loss and painful.

Onyemathi, said, “I learnt Bolu was celebrating her birthday and they

went to the beach. While they were there, a strong wave swept them

into the ocean. They were rescued by some swimmers. Sola

(Ogunmefun) died on the spot, but the host and Funmi (Odusina)

were rushed to some private hospitals in the area.

“They were rejected in the hospitals. Funmi died on the way to the

Marina General Hospital. Bolu made it, but she had not fully

recovered. She will be the best person to give the detailed account of

the incident.

“We all studied International Relations at the Convenant University

and graduated together in 2011. Funmi was among the most

intelligent students we had in our class. She had been my friends

even after we graduated. Sola was quiet with charming smiles. They

were really good friends and were among the best.”

Another friend, who did not want her name in print, ordered the

management of the beach to apologise for “their safety lapses”

which allegedly caused the deaths. She also called on the

government to inspect the beach and take appropriate actions.

She said, “Elegushi Beach collected money from them before they

entered. In a beach, the regular thing is to have life guards, drugs

and ambulance. If they had those things, my friends will still be alive.

It was their negligence that led to their deaths. The management of

the beach should send an apology to the families and the beach

should be shut by the government until it has life guards and wave

alarm system, among others.

“Funmi was very brilliant. Sola and Funmi just finished their theses

in UNILAG, where they were studying International Law and

Diplomacy.”

Asked to let our correspondent speak with the deceased’s parents,

the friend said “they are grieving at the moment.”

On Twitter, colleagues of the deceased expressed their shock at the

deaths, which they blamed on the alleged inadequacies of the beach

management.

“I’m honestly still trying hard to accept the news. I’ve not been

myself all day. My heart bleeds,” a friend, Temie, wrote.

Another friend, Kay, while lamenting the incident, wrote, “What would

it cost to have life guards, emergency medical units and patrol units

at the beach?”

“Sola and Funmi died like that. Countless people lost their lives due

to lack of safety protocols at the Eleguish Beach,” Edward wrote.

Marc wrote, “Funmi and Sola were two of the most amazing people I

have ever met in my life. I am so grateful for their friendship. Sola

was a true friend in every sense. Funmi was ever ready to help. This

is sad.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos,

said the incident was reported at the Ilasan Police Division on

Monday and investigation had commenced.

She said, “The families of the deceased just reported the incident to

the police that the hospital did not want to release the corpses.

Investigation has commenced and the culpability of the management

of the beach will also be investigated.”

The UNILAG spokesperson, Toyin Adebule, descibed the incident as

unfortunate and promised to get back to our correspondent on the

verification of the deceased’s studentship.

He said, “I have left the office but I will verify that when I get to the

school tomorrow. It is unfortunate but the incident has nothing to do

with the university. They were on individual assignment.”





Source:Theeagleonline.com