An Alumni group, Noble Foundation Pharmacists, has expressed sadness over the death of a 600-level pharmacy student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Idoko David Ikechukwu. The deceased was the only son of his parents.
David was one of the victims of the multiple accidents which occurred in Enugu last weekend, involving a cement truck and other vehicles. The Noble Foundation, an Alumni group from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, angered by the development, has now petitioned the UNN Governing Council, outlining measures that should be put in place to stave off such avoidable deaths.
It expressed deep concern regarding the unsafe conditions and inadequate logistical support faced by 600-level pharmacy students attending clinical training at UNTH, Ituku Ozalla.
While recalling the gory way the student died, the Alumni queried, in the petition signed by Pharm Chidiebere Ugwu, Emeritus President, queried: “How can we use our future scientists to test run a program without Logistical Support and inadequate safety measures?”
It decried that the student pharmacists were subjected to serious challenges that compromise both their personal safety and academic performance. Some of the issues being faced by the students included “No accommodation infrastructure at Ituku Ozalla for them. “Lack of adequate lighting in and around village premises they rented – face me, I face you; “Absence of school security personnel at the premises.
“Unsafe transportation routes, which just cost us the only son of our parents. Lack of emergency response systems. Insufficient Logistical Support as coordinating lecturers are resident at the Nsukka campus. Absence of basic amenities such as water, rest areas, and food services.”
It said those conditions not only hindered their ability to focus on clinical training but also posed serious risks to their health, well-being, and life span. It urged for immediate assessment and risk analysis of the safety conditions of Pharmacy students at Ituku Ozalla.
Other measures outlined by the Alumni group included: “Relocation of Pharmacy Students back to Nsukka campus immediately based on safety grounds. Provision of a reliable clinical training site temporarily within Nsukka and in the long term expand the capability of the UNTH satellite location at Obukpa.
“Establishment of basic support services, including accommodation, meal plans, and emergency care for student Pharmacists. Regular consultation with student class representatives to ensure ongoing feedback and improvement.”
While expressing hope that the Governing Council would treat the matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserved, the Alumni declared commitment to working collaboratively to ensure that students can pursue their education in a safe and supportive environment.
Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof C.S. Nworu, has responded to the letter by the Alumni. The Dean blamed the incident on reckless drivers and bad roads. Nworu, who thanked the Alumni for reaching out, said the untimely death of the student “is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of our young people in a challenging environment.”
He said the university remained resolute in its commitment to “safeguarding our students, strengthening our programmes, and improving their welfare and learning conditions”.
