David was found dead at the male Hostel inside the University premises, with a rope around his neck on Friday, August 20, 2021.
The management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University has explained what it knows about one of its 200-level undergraduates who committed suicide.
The school management said the parents of the late David Ogbonna who are pastors, told them during a meeting with the university management, Council and the Students’ Union Government that the young man complained about one of his examination results in the school.
David was found dead at the male Hostel inside the University premises, with a rope around his neck on Friday, August 20, 2021.
According to a statement signed by the school Information and Public Relations Officer, Chika Gladys Ene, "The University community is saddened by the death of our student David Ogbonna allegedly via suicide. He was found inside a wardrobe dangling with a rope round his neck. He was a 200 level student of the Department of Industrial Physics.
"The incident occurred on 20th August, 2021 at the male Hostel inside the university’s premises. Media reports attributed his death allegedly to hike in school fees. The university management upon hearing the sad news, carried out due protocol by inviting the university's medical centre and the Nigerian Police Force who evacuated the body to the mortuary.
“The university management and the NPF have consequently launched an investigation into the alleged suicide act by the late student and its ongoing.
“The parents also met with the university management to uncover their side of the story to be able to unravel the mystery behind his death.
“The parents of the late student, Pastor and Mrs. Ogbonna, during the meeting with the university management, the council and the SUG affirmed that hikes in school fees would not have been the reason for their son's death as they provided everything he needs.
“The parents affirmed they supply him with food items regularly up until last Thursday before his unfortunate demise. They also said that other siblings of their late son contributed money at intervals to assist their late brother. This was affirmed by one of the brothers of the deceased, Samuel Ogbonna who accompanied them.
“The mother, Mrs. Esther Ogbonna revealed that their late son was hardworking as he ventured into some vocational jobs like tailoring and laundry services to augment the provisions from home. She said that her son also complained about his poor performance, as she recalled in one of her conversations with the late son where he expressed displeasure over one of his results and she advised him to buckle up in subsequent examinations to remedy the deficiency.
“As we work assiduously in unraveling the cause of the unfortunate demise of late David who is the last child of his parents, it is important to note that his three older siblings graduated from the departments of Medical Rehabilitation, Radiography and Anatomy, the College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University.”
"The University Management is deeply pained by this unfortunate incident in this citadel of learning and further calls on members of staff and students to remain calm as investigation is ongoing. Members of staff and students are encouraged to visit the Centre for Counselling and Career Development which was created on the heels of the assumption of the Vice-Chancellor and mandated to entertain issues, especially one that disturbs mental health.”