Tragedy struck on Sunday as two postgraduate students of the University of Lagos drowned in the Elegushi Beach during the celebration of their friend’s birthday.
It was learnt that the deceased –
Adesola Ogunmefun and Funmi Odusina – graduated from the Covenant
University and were on the verge of bagging Master’s Degrees in
International Law and Diplomacy from UNILAG.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the deceased and the host were having fun at the beach around 6pm when they were swept into the Atlantic Ocean.
Other visitors to the beach were said to have rescued them, but Ogunmefun died on the spot.
Odusina and the host, identified only as
Bolu, were rushed to some private hospitals in the area, but were
reportedly rejected. Odusina died on the way to the Lagos Island General
Hospital, while Bolu was recuperating in the facility.
A friend of the deceased, Edward
Onyemathi, said the deaths could have been avoided if adequate safety
gadgets were provided at the beach.
He described the duo as brilliant, adding that their demise was a huge loss and painful.
Onyemathi, said, “I learnt Bolu was
celebrating her birthday and they went to the beach. While they were
there, a strong wave swept them into the ocean. They were rescued by
some swimmers. Sola (Ogunmefun) died on the spot, but the host and
Funmi (Odusina) were rushed to some private hospitals in the area. They
were rejected in the hospitals. Funmi died on the way to the Marina
General Hospital. Bolu made it, but she had not fully recovered. She
will be the best person to give the detailed account of the incident.
“We all studied International Relations
at the Convenant University and graduated together in 2011. Funmi was
among the most intelligent students we had in our class. She had been my
friends even after we graduated. Sola was quiet with charming smiles.
They were really good friends and were among the best.”
Another friend, who did not want her
name in print, ordered the management of the beach to apologise for
“their safety lapses” which allegedly caused the deaths. She also called
on the government to inspect the beach and take appropriate actions.
She said, “Elegushi Beach collected
money from them before they entered. In a beach, the regular thing is to
have life guards, drugs and ambulance. If they had those things, my
friends will still be alive. It was their negligence that led to their
deaths. The management of the beach should send an apology to the
families and the beach should be shut by the government until it has
life guards and wave alarm system, among others.
“Funmi was very brilliant. Sola and
Funmi just finished their theses in UNILAG, where they were studying
International Law and Diplomacy.”
Asked to let our correspondent speak with the deceased’s parents, the friend said “they are grieving at the moment.”
On Twitter, colleagues of the deceased
expressed their shock at the deaths, which they blamed on the alleged
inadequacies of the beach management.
“I’m honestly still trying hard to accept the news. I’ve not been myself all day. My heart bleeds,” a friend, Temie, wrote.
Another friend, Kay, while lamenting the
incident, wrote, “What would it cost to have life guards, emergency
medical units and patrol units at the beach?”
“Sola and Funmi died like that.
Countless people lost their lives due to lack of safety protocols at the
Eleguish Beach,” Edward wrote.
Marc wrote, “Funmi and Sola were two of
the most amazing people I have ever met in my life. I am so grateful for
their friendship. Sola was a true friend in every sense. Funmi was ever
ready to help. This is sad.”
The Lagos State Police Public Relations
Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the incident was reported at the Ilasan
Police Division on Monday and investigation had commenced.
She said, “The families of the deceased
just reported the incident to the police that the hospital did not want
to release the corpses. Investigation has commenced and the culpability
of the management of the beach will also be investigated.”
The UNILAG spokesperson, Mr. Toyin
Adebule, descibed the incident as unfortunate and promised to get back
to our correspondent on the verification of the deceased’s studentship.
He said, “I have left the office but I
will verify that when I get to the school tomorrow. It is unfortunate
but the incident has nothing to do with the university. They were on
individual assignment.”
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