The University of Lagos (UNILAG) yesterday spoke on the death of two of its postgraduate students on Sunday at Elegushi Beach, saying they were not on school assignment.
Funmi Odusina, 24, and Adesola Ogunmefun, 27, were swept away by heavy tide on Sunday during the birthday celebration of a friend, simply identified as Bolu.
Deputy Registrar (Information) Mr Toyin Adebule said the institution knew nothing about the party, adding:
“They are postgraduate students. They were not on our assignment. They were there on their own. What can we do?
We were not aware that they went there. Please leave the UNILAG out of this. We can only commiserate with the families. It is a coroner case and the police should handle this. If it happened in our lagoon now, we would have been involved. But when students are out of the institution, they are not under our watch. The Dean, Students Affairs (DSA) and Dean of Postgraduate Studies would contact the families on our behalf,” Adebule said.
Family members and friends yesterday took to social media to relive their last moments with the deceased.
Odusina was brought out of the water dead by local divers; Ogunmefun died after being rescued. Bolu Akinyokun, who survived, was discharged from the hospital yesterday.
It was gathered that Funmi whose father’s birthday, according to her elder brother, Gbenga Odusina, was last Monday, boycotted a family function that Sunday to attend Bolu’s beach party.
The Nation learnt that the families are insisting on autopsy on the bodies, which are still at the Lagos Island General Hospital mortuary.
According to Funmi’s older sister, Bukola Odusina, their family is devastated by the incident. On his Facebook wall, Gbenga Odusina said his sister was not a swimmer, stating:
“Sadly, I saw these two on Sunday afternoon…I even joked with Shola about her makeup against Funmi’s own. She just came back from church and had to hook up with my sister for the party…Wished I restrained them from going to meet their death. Their friendship baffles me even in death. They had the same hairstyle and died the same day. At the mortuary, they weren’t too far apart too. My sister laid there dead even as my other sisters cried to her to please wake up…
“It felt like a deep sleep and her feet were cold with water still running out of her nostrils. Sadly, she doesn’t swim and I would have bet she wasn’t anywhere near the ocean until I saw this picture.
“I respect life more now and would make the best of every opportunity while still here. I wonder what we keep malice for; hold grudge against someone and never get another opportunity to say something to someone or forgive them. Life is short! Rest in peace Shola Ogunmefun and Funmi. Get well Bolu too!”
Gbenga, the first family member to comment on the issue on Monday went on:
“Happy birthday to my dad as much I would have loved to celebrate his 65th birthday, death snatched away his baby daughter; my sister Funmi, a few hours before. I have never experienced death this close.
I still saw her in the afternoon (Sunday) making up. I even asked her, ‘Funmi you’re really dressed like a big madam today.’ She cleaned her room so well; maybe she knew she was going to meet her creator a few hours ago.
“I saw her lifeless body at the mortuary. But I never really queried how God does His things and I continue to give thanks to Him for all. Rest in peace dear sister!”
A close friend to Ogunmefun, Samson Tobore Chritos, who took a picture with her in church that Sunday recalled the peck she gave him.
He said:
“It was just two days ago (on Sunday) that we were both together laughing, playing, taking selfies at church and you gave me a kiss on my right cheek, only to find out the next day that you’ve departed this world. I never knew that was a goodbye kiss and that was the last time I was going to see you.
“It’s sad how a lot could happen within 24 hours. Like Morenike Olusanya will say ‘Life is too short. Please learn to appreciate the people in your life all the time. Be at peace with them, help them, show them love, compliment them, treat them well, forgive them. Nobody knows when nor what will happen’. “Rest in peace dear. You will forever remain in our hearts. You will forever be a part of our family. We will always love and remember you Adesola Olubola Ogunmefun.”
Another of their friend Mayowa Oyebanji, said Ogunmefun had promised to attend his wedding.
“R.I.P. Adesola Olubola Ogunmefun and Phummie Toe’dunni Odusina So I lost two of you in a day! I still can’t believe you are gone Sola…No!
“Sola, you promised to be at my wedding as Iya oko the last time I came to your house. Memories won’t let me be…been reading our chats, stalking your instagram and trying your phone number maybe you will pick.
“Continue to rest in heaven my teflon nihga till we meet to part no more. No goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart,” said Oyebanji.
The police have begun investigation into the matter. The parents were at the Ilasan police station, Lekki yesterday afternoon.
