Tragedy As 3 UNICROSS SUG Leaders, 1 Staff Die In Auto Crash
By Missang AKPET
Tragedy struck the University of Cross River (UNICROSS) community as three members of the Student Union Government (SUG) Executive Council and a staff were reportedly killed in a ghastly motor accident on Friday.
The incident occurred around Odukpani while the team was traveling in a school bus from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, en-route to Calabar.
Sources say the team was returning from an official assignment in Akwa Ibom State when their vehicle was involved in the crash.
The deceased have been identified as Comrade Solomon Uya, Director of Sports, Students’ Union Government; Comrade Lucky Erim, Department of Chemistry; President, Faculty of Physical Sciences Students’ Association & President of Presidents; Comrade Favour Darlington, Department of Educational Management and Mr. Anthony Arikpo, a Staff member and driver of the vehicle.
UNICROSS MOURNS
A statement from the University management and signed by the Public Relations Officer Mr. Onen Ebri Onen, read:
UNICROSS Mourns the Loss of Students and Staff, Extends Sympathy to Accident Victims
The Management, staff, students and the entire University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) community have received with profound sadness the news of a tragic road accident involving twenty-four (24) students and one (1) staff member of the University.
The students, mostly members of the executive body of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), were returning from an official assignment in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, when the unfortunate incident occurred at Odukpani Local Government Area.
Regrettably, the accident claimed the lives of three students and one staff member. The deceased have been identified as Comrade Solomon Uya, Director of Sports of the Students’ Union Government; Comrade Lucky Erim, Department of Chemistry and President of the Faculty of Physical Sciences Students’ Association as well as President of Presidents; Comrade Favour Darlington of the Department of Educational Management; and Mr. Anthony Arikpo, the driver of the vehicle and a staff member of the University.
Survivors of the accident are currently receiving expert medical care at various hospitals.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey, accompanied by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Stella Maris-Okey, visited the affected individuals at the hospitals last night and remained with them until the early hours of today.
Their visit was to express solidarity and to ensure that all necessary medical attention is being provided.
The Vice Chancellor has expressed deep shock over this tragic occurrence and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.
She has reassured the injured students of the University’s unwavering support and commitment to their full recovery and well-being. She also wishes to assure the families of the children who are in the hospital that their children are being given best attention.
The entire UNICROSS community mourns with the respective bereaved families and prays for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed and for the swift and complete recovery of those receiving treatment.
Survivors of the accident are currently receiving expert medical care at various hospitals across the state while he cause of the accident is yet to be determined by authorities.
