20th April, 2012
Following the death of two female students when a well on campus collapsed, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, southsouth Nigeria, has released N1 billion for the completion of ongoing rehabilitation of infrastructure in the various campuses of the state-owned Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma.
To this end, authorities of the university have put on hold resumption for academic activities till further notice to ensure the completion of the rehabilitation of infrastructure.
Spokesman of the University, Mr. Chris Adamaigbo, disclosed that this was to forestall recurrence of the incident which led to the closure of the university over a month ago following violent protest by students over the death of two female students.
According to him, part of the ongoing renovation work includes the completion of the administrative block which had been abandoned for eight years.
Eight students of the institution fell into a well located inside Kudirat Abiola Hostel while trying to fetch water.
Two of the students were later confirmed dead at the Irua Specialist Hospital, Irrua.
The death of the two female students sparked violent protest by the students who marched through the major streets of Ekpoma and neighbouring towns, following which authorities of the university forced the students to go on compulsory Easter vacation.
—Jethro Ibileke/Benin