Confusion as FUTA Student Commits Suicide

By Esther Ayo Mogaji

Olona Babajide Joseph, a 300-level student of the department of Industrial Design was found hanging lifeless in his room on the 21st of January, 2023, UCJ FUTA has learnt.

Until his death, Joseph was the Financial Secretary of his department. He also had a clothing brand called ‘Tart Angles.’

Speaking with Omoniyi Enoch, his close friend and neighbour. He shared with UCJ FUTA what led to the suicide. 

“When school resumed for the 2021/2022 session, the Treasurer of the department wasn't around to receive payment for due. Joseph decided to receive the payments from students.

“The President requested that Joseph should send one hundred thousand naira (₦100,000) to him for a departmental project. Joseph sent it using his digital bank — Carbon. He was debited but the President didn't receive the payment. 

“Several emails were sent to the bank but the issue wasn't resolved. Due to that, he was so pressured about it and everyone secluded him. He hasn't attended lectures since we got back from the Christmas break because of the pressure.” Enoch explained.

"Yesterday morning, I went to get my phone from Joseph because his phone is faulty and we both shared my phone. He informed me that his HOD called his daddy and said he engaged in fraud. He was very disturbed about it. He requested to follow me to my office at the Students' Union Building (SUB) because he didn't want to stay alone. I left him at the office to attend the homecoming event that was held at the T. I Francis auditorium and also watched the Awopegba match.

“When I got back to the office, he had already locked the office door. He came back to give me the keys and left. When I got home, I forced him to eat. At 7:40 pm, I knocked on his door but he didn't open it. I left thinking he was still angry with me for leaving him at the office. At 8:30 pm, I knocked again but there was no response. At 10:01 pm, I tried again but there was no response and I went to sleep.

“This morning, I went to knock around 8 am but there was no response. I had to go and check through his window and I saw him hanging from the ceiling.” He concluded.

After so many trials, UCJ FUTA was able to reach the President of the department association, Owomoyela Oladotun. He explained that Joseph mismanaged the departmental funds but doesn't think it is the reason behind Joseph's suicide.

"Olona Joseph is a student of Industrial Design and the financial secretary of the department. He mismanaged the association funds and was asked to remit it back.

“After the first-semester examination (last year), he promised to pay back the money in instalments. Since then, I haven't seen him. I just got a call this morning that he committed suicide. It seems like a dream because the money isn't worth him taking his life", he explained.

Meanwhile, as of the time of compiling this report, UCJ FUTA could not reach the Head of the department. All efforts to reach the HOD proved abortive as calls made are not reachable.

First published by UCJ FUTA