The National Association of Nigerian Students, Ogun State Joint Campus Committee, has threatened to mobilise students for a protest at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, over the death of a Post-Basic Nursing student, Taiwo Godwin.
The association gave the hospital management 24 hours to explain the circumstances surrounding the student’s death, warning that failure to provide a satisfactory response could trigger mass demonstrations across the state.
The Chairman of NANS Ogun JCC, Faruq Olabode, disclosed the demands in a statement issued on Saturday, describing the incident as troubling and raising concerns about patient safety and the quality of medical services at the facility.
The statement read, “NANS Ogun JCC hereby gives the management of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, 24 HOURS to publicly explain the circumstances surrounding the death of the student and clarify the medical attention he received before his demise.”
The student body called on the Nigerian Medical Association, security agencies and relevant medical regulatory authorities to conduct an investigation into the incident and ensure that anyone found responsible for wrongdoing was held accountable.
It also demanded an independent autopsy review to establish the cause of death and determine whether negligence or any lapse in medical care contributed to the incident.
According to the association, the review must be conducted by qualified professionals, with appropriate consent and in accordance with the law, to ensure transparency and credibility.
NANS further appealed to the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, to intervene in the matter.
It warned that failure by the hospital to provide an acceptable explanation within the stipulated period could lead to the mobilisation of students from across Ogun State.
“Should the hospital management fail to provide a satisfactory explanation within the stipulated 24 hours, NANS Ogun JCC will consider mobilising Nigerian students across the Gateway State for a massive protest at the facility in demand of transparency, accountability, and justice,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the hospital management has confirmed that it has begun investigating the circumstances surrounding Godwin’s death.
In a separate statement issued on Saturday, the hospital expressed sadness over the incident, which occurred while the student was receiving treatment at its General Medical Practice Unit.
The statement, signed by the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Abiola Ajibola, on behalf of the Acting Provost and Medical Director, assured the public that the investigation would follow established procedures.
The management also pledged to expedite the process and ensure that it remained thorough, impartial and transparent.
It said, “We further assure all concerned that every necessary step will be taken to establish the facts, address any issues identified, and ensure that justice is served.”
