A tragic incident at the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) has left the university community in shock, as a newly admitted student, Emmanuel Nweke, lost his life after falling from a two-storey hostel building in Ikorodu on Saturday afternoon.
The devastating accident occurred around 4:00 pm in the Lasunwon First Gate area, a popular student-dominated neighborhood. Sources within the community have confirmed that the deceased, a 100-level Mathematics student, was attempting to get some fresh air after a prolonged power outage in the area.
According to eyewitness accounts, Nweke stepped onto the first-floor balcony of his hostel to escape the stifling heat caused by the power failure. It was there, as he leaned against the dilapidated balcony railing, that tragedy struck. In an unfortunate turn of events, he lost his balance and plunged to the ground, hitting his head on impact.
“The moment he fell, it was as if time stood still. People ran towards him, but it was too late,” one witness, who asked to remain anonymous, recounted with a somber voice. “There was blood everywhere. We tried to help, but there was nothing we could do.”
Nweke, who hailed from Anambra State, succumbed to his injuries almost immediately. By the time his fellow students rushed him to the nearby general hospital, he had already passed away. The news of his death has left his friends and family devastated.
The hostel building, which houses many other students of the university, was reportedly shut down shortly after the incident, in an attempt to prevent further accidents. While authorities are still investigating the cause of the fall, several students have raised concerns about the condition of the hostel building and the surrounding infrastructure.
In a disturbing twist, the landlord of the property was immediately taken into custody by officers from the Ikorodu Police Division. The police, who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, have not yet commented on the details of the investigation, but they confirmed that the landlord is being questioned about the safety standards of the building.
While police investigations are ongoing, Emmanuel Nweke’s death has brought the issue of student accommodation in the area to the forefront. Many students have expressed concerns over the lack of proper facilities, including adequate power supply and building maintenance, which they argue contributed to the tragic incident.
Sadiq Adams Kiakia, a fellow student and vice chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students Joint Campus Committee, has been outspoken about the incident, accusing the university administration of negligence. According to Kiakia, the failure to provide proper accommodation for students has created unsafe living conditions that put their lives at risk.
“This tragedy is the result of the university’s failure to provide adequate housing for its students,” Kiakia said in an interview with newsmen. “Students are being forced to live in poorly maintained buildings without basic amenities like electricity and water. The university must take responsibility for this and ensure that something like this never happens again.”
The accusation of negligence by Kiakia highlights the growing concerns among students about the quality of infrastructure at LASUSTECH. In recent months, there have been increasing complaints from students about substandard housing conditions and the absence of basic facilities in the university’s hostels. Many students have taken to social media to express their frustration, calling for urgent reforms to improve safety and living conditions on campus.
The incident has also reignited calls for the Nigerian government to prioritize investments in higher education, particularly in the area of student housing. Experts argue that the neglect of educational infrastructure across the country has contributed to the deterioration of conditions at many public universities, leaving students vulnerable to accidents like the one that claimed Nweke’s life.
The university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Bakare, in a statement issued late on Monday, expressed deep sorrow over the death of the student. “We are devastated by the loss of Emmanuel Nweke, and our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time,” Bakare said. “The university will cooperate fully with the authorities in their investigation, and we will do everything we can to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.”
In the wake of Nweke’s death, students have called for an immediate overhaul of the university’s housing policy, with some demanding that a memorial be established in honor of the fallen student. There are also calls for increased safety measures across all university buildings, especially the hostels, to prevent further incidents.
Emmanuel Nweke’s family, who have been informed of his passing, are yet to release an official statement. However, family members have expressed their devastation and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding their son’s tragic death.
The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the university community, and many students are now questioning the safety of the accommodation they are provided with. As the investigation unfolds, the hope is that justice will be served and that urgent reforms will be made to ensure that no other student has to suffer the same fate as Nweke.
Ex-NHIS Boss Speaks from Kuje Prison: Tinubu’s Regime Targets Me for Speaking Out
Professor Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), is no stranger to controversies. Recently remanded in Kuje Prison under allegations of fraud amounting to N90 million, Yusuf’s detention has sparked political intrigue and widespread discussion across Nigeria. Speaking from his prison cell, he issued a passionate statement revealing what he believes to be the true motive behind his arrest: political persecution.
Yusuf, a renowned hematologist and bone marrow transplantation specialist, claims that his detention is politically motivated. “The moment I spoke at the Tafiyar Matasan Arewa summit, I knew they would come for me,” he stated. “The truth I spoke at that summit, calling out the government’s policies and the suffering of northern youths, triggered their wrath.”
His comments came after his address at a summit in Bauchi, where he chaired a gathering of northern youths. Yusuf warned of the worsening socio-political climate in northern Nigeria, pointing out issues like pervasive insecurity, the dangers of religious divide, and the lack of youth empowerment. He believes these issues have been exacerbated by the current administration’s decisions, particularly the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 elections.
“The government doesn’t want to hear the truth,” Yusuf declared. “The same government that has led the country into economic hardships now wants to silence voices like mine.”
Yusuf’s claims extend beyond just personal grievances. He argues that the government’s focus on silencing critics through the apparatus of state power—including the EFCC’s abduction of him from his home—signals a return to dark days of authoritarian rule. “It’s not about justice. It’s about terrorizing families and suppressing the truth,” he added.
However, Yusuf’s statement is not just about grievances. He emphasized a critical message to the youth of northern Nigeria. “We cannot let ourselves be divided by religion, ethnicity, or the whims of politicians. We are the future of this nation.”
Despite the dire circumstances surrounding his detention, Yusuf remains optimistic. He revealed that while Kuje Prison is undoubtedly restrictive, he is being kept in the VIP section, a relatively more comfortable area. “It’s not a luxury,” he clarified, “but it’s far better than the conditions that most detainees here endure.”
Yusuf’s supporters have rallied behind him, questioning the timing and legitimacy of the charges against him. His arrest comes amid mounting criticisms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, and many believe it’s a deliberate attempt to neutralize dissent.
Whether Yusuf’s legal battle will be successful or not remains to be seen. For now, he remains a vocal critic of the government, even from within the confines of Kuje Prison.
Prison Walls Can’t Silence Me: Ex-NHIS Boss Shares Reveals Prison Experience
Locked behind the high walls of Kuje Prison, Professor Usman Yusuf, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), refuses to be silenced. In a statement from his prison cell, Yusuf pulled back the curtain on what he describes as a political vendetta aimed at suppressing his outspoken criticism of the Tinubu administration.
Yusuf, a specialist in hematology and bone marrow transplants, has found himself at the center of a storm following his arrest on charges of alleged corruption. The former NHIS boss faces accusations of misappropriating N6.8 billion, a claim he vehemently denies. “They want to discredit me,” he said. “But the truth will always come to light.”
His arrest and subsequent six-day detention at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ignited further controversy. Yusuf described his detention as a calculated act of intimidation. “It was an abduction,” he insisted. “No arrest warrant, no invitation. They came to my house in the dead of night like I was a fugitive.” He added that the presence of armed mobile policemen during his abduction was intended to terrorize his family and humiliate him.
Yusuf’s detention follows a speech he gave in January at a summit for northern youths in Bauchi. He used the platform to criticize the current government’s economic policies and its divisive Muslim-Muslim ticket. “I didn’t just speak as a citizen, but as someone deeply concerned about the future of our youth,” he explained. “This government is tearing our country apart with its divisive politics.”
Throughout his ordeal, Yusuf remained defiant, making it clear that his stance was not just personal but political. “The arrest is part of a larger effort to suppress the voices that criticize this administration,” he said. “It’s not just about me; it’s about the silencing of any opposition to a government that is failing its people.”
Even within the confines of Kuje Prison, Yusuf’s voice is not muted. He finds solace in his interactions with fellow detainees, many of whom are young men accused of various crimes. “I speak to them about the importance of unity, peace, and standing against injustice,” he shared. “Many of them are just like the youths I spoke to in Bauchi—caught in the web of circumstances beyond their control.”
Despite the harsh conditions of prison life, Yusuf finds some comfort in the camaraderie of other inmates. He described the treatment by the Nigerian Correctional Service as professional, noting that guards were respectful, and the environment was relatively calm, especially in the VIP section where he was held.
However, the personal toll of his incarceration is evident. “It’s painful to be separated from my family,” Yusuf remarked. “I’ve missed several important moments with them, including my daughter’s birthday. But I remain steadfast in my resolve.”
Looking ahead, Yusuf’s legal battles are far from over. His lawyers are pushing for bail, and his supporters are rallying to his cause. But Yusuf’s resolve is unshaken. He concluded, “They may imprison my body, but they can’t imprison my spirit. I will continue to fight for justice, for truth, and for the future of our country.”
