The passing of Ajayi Abimbola Adejoke, a pregnant HND 1 student of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, has sparked tensions between the school’s management and the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
While the student body is blaming the school management for dereliction and negligence, the school is saying that the lady died of complications arising from the pregnancy she was carrying.
NANS, in a statement on Thursday by the NANS Senate President, Comrade Akinteye Afeez, ssid the death was preventable if prompt attention was given to the lady at the school clinic and if the clinic was well staffed and equipped.
“The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro community is reeling from the tragic loss of Ajayi Abimbola Adejoke, a student in the Department of Leisure and Tourism, HND 1, who passed away under distressing circumstances. As details emerge, it has become apparent that her death was not only preventable but also indicative of a larger pattern of negligence and disregard for students welfare in the school’s clinic.
According to reports, Ajayi was rushed from the kitchen, where she was engaged in practical activities, to the school clinic. Despite being pregnant, she was left unattended and subjected to mockery by clinic staff, highlighting a callous indifference to her well-being. The school’s failure to prioritize her safety and provide timely medical intervention is a grave injustice that cannot be overlooked.
“The attitude of the clinic staff, characterized by negligence and playful behavior, underscores a systemic issue that has plagued the institution for far too long. Students have voiced concerns about the lack of professionalism and compassion exhibited by clinic personnel, who seem to view their duties as a mere inconvenience rather than a solemn responsibility to safeguard lives.
“It is deeply troubling that the school administration, instead of taking swift and decisive action to address the root causes of this tragedy, has resorted to deflecting blame onto the victim. This pattern of behavior, aimed at protecting the school’s image at the expense of student lives, is unacceptable and must be met with accountability and reform.
“In light of these troubling revelations, we demand justice for Ajayi Abimbola Adejoke and all those who have suffered due to the negligence of clinic staff. We call upon the school management to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, hold those responsible accountable, and implement meaningful reforms to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.”
Meanwhile, the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State has clarified the circumstance surrounding the death of Miss Ajayi, saying that the girl died as a result of pregnancy related complications.
The institution’s Deputy Registrar, Public Relations, Sola Abiala, in a statement, said the medical report obtained from the Director, Medical Services of the institution, showed that she was not neglected when brought to the clinic and that she had some complications arising from the pregnancy she was carrying.
He added that the deceased was rushed to the clinic from a practical class, complaining of abdominal pains.
“The deceased was accompanied by her boyfriend to the School Clinic and he confirmed that the late student was actually pregnant.
“Realising that the Clinic might not be able to treat the case properly, due to its nature, she was quickly referred to a private hospital in the town and was conveyed to the said hospital in one of the institution’s ambulances, accompanied by a nurse and the boyfriend of the deceased. Her parents were promptly contacted, and they reportedly came to Ilaro.
“The Dean, Student Affairs of the institution, Dr. J. O. Omowunmi confirmed that the parents of the deceased had taken the remains of the deceased back home in the Polytechnic’s ambulance”.
“In as much as the Polytechnic regrets the unfortunate incident and commiserate with the parents, it is pertinent to reiterate that the death of Miss Ajayi was not as a result of negligence by the clinic as being peddled, but as a result of pregnancy related complications.”
