The School Gate
A tragic incident has struck Covenant University, Ogun State, following the sudden death of a 500-level student, Toluwase Jesutunmise, who collapsed during a football training session on campus.
According to an official statement released by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Timothy Anake, the unfortunate event occurred on Monday, April 6, 2026, during a routine student football practice.
Jesutunmise, a final-year Building Technology student described as vibrant and dedicated, had reportedly stepped out of the game after complaining of leg pain and fatigue.
Moments later, his teammates noticed he was gasping for breath, prompting an immediate rush to the university’s medical centre, located directly opposite the playing field.
Despite the swift response, he reportedly stopped breathing before arriving at the emergency unit.
The university disclosed that medical personnel promptly initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), including the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), but all efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. He was subsequently pronounced dead.
Preliminary indications, according to the institution, suggest that the student may have had an undisclosed underlying heart condition.
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The incident has since sparked reactions online, with some individuals alleging delays in emergency response and inadequate oxygen supply at the university’s medical facility. One social media user claimed that the issue of oxygen availability had persisted for years.
However, the university management has firmly denied any form of negligence. In its statement, the institution maintained that all necessary emergency equipment was available and properly utilized during the response.
“The university wishes to clarify that there was no shortage of required medical equipment, and no negligence occurred in the handling of the situation,” the statement read.
The management further noted that the Vice-Chancellor and members of the university leadership were present at the medical centre throughout the incident and provided support to the bereaved family.
Covenant University expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased, describing his passing as a painful loss to the academic community and society at large.
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