500-level Covenant University student dies after developing breathing problem while playing football on campus

A student of the Covenant University (CU), Ota, Ogun State, has died on campus while playing football.

Toluwase Jesutunmise Emmanuel, fondly called Tunmise, a 500 level Building Technology student died in the school clinic after he was rushed from the football field when he developed a breathing problem.

The university, through a statement signed by Vice-Chancellor Professor Timothy A. Anake, attributed the student’s death to a previously undisclosed heart condition and denied claims of negligence or lack of medical equipment.

The university said Tunmise had stepped out of a football match, part of the Chancellor’s Cup tournament, after complaining of leg pains and fatigue. He was then found struggling to breathe before fellow students quickly rushed him to the school’s medical center.

According to the school’s statement, doctors administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using an automated external defibrillator (AED), but all efforts to revive Tunmise were unsuccessful.

“The management of the University, led by the Vice-Chancellor, was at the Medical Centre from the time of the unfortunate event until the parents arrived and remained with the family until he was laid to rest,” the statement read in part 

The Vice-Chancellor further claimed that there was no shortage of medical personnel or equipment during the incident.

Sudents have, however, taken to social media to counter the school’s official account, accusing the University’s management of failing to  provide basic medical care such as oxygen or nebulizers. Some students claimed that prayers were prioritised over urgent medical intervention and that pastors of the church ,joined in the prayers.

A statement is trending on X which many claim was released by the family of the deceased concerning the incident.

See the statement and online comments below…