The Acting Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, disclosed that twelve students from the institution have lost their lives in road accidents over the last ten months.
The announcement was made during the third Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Memorial Lecture at the university’s ETF Auditorium.
Prof. Omenugha attributed these tragic deaths to the absence of on-campus hostels and school buses, which forces students to travel through neighboring communities using motorcycles and tricycles—transportation methods notorious for accidents.
She expressed deep concern, stating, “I feel terrified as a mother about this incident. Since I assumed office ten months ago, about twelve students have lost their lives through tricycle and motorcycle accidents along inter-community roads linking to the university.”
The vice chancellor appealed to well-meaning individuals and organizations in Anambra State to assist the university in building residential hostels and improving infrastructure to reduce such preventable tragedies. “We need hostels to cut the rising spate of avoidable accidents. We need staff quarters for staff. There are many areas for partnership,” she urged.
Prof. Omenugha also acknowledged the efforts of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Private Public Community Partnership (PPCP) initiative but emphasized that the state government alone cannot address the university’s challenges.
The memorial lecture, themed “Harnessing Education for National Development: Lessons from the Life and Vision of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu,” featured Chief Osita Chidoka as the guest lecturer.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Mr. Labara Maku, and Prof. Ngozi Chima-Udeh.
