The president-elect of the Nigerian Universities Education Students Association, University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter Damilola Balogun has been swept away by ocean currents at a beach in Ibeju-Lekki.
Penpushing reports that Balogun a 400-level student of the Department of Education, had gone to the beach in the Idado community with other executive members for a handover get-together where the sad incident occurred
The deceased who was supposed to begin his teaching practice on Monday, was in the company of the outgoing executive members, the General Secretary, and a few colleagues when he lost his life on Thursday.
Penpushing further a close source of the deceased, who witnessed the incident but preferred anonymity said Balogun ignored warnings to stay away from the rising ocean current.
“What happened was that the current president-elect and other members went for a get-together with the immediate past executive members. The new president-elect had served as vice president in the outgoing administration, so he joined them for the handover party’, the source said.
“They went to Akodo in Idado, where they spent the night. By Thursday afternoon, only the president-elect, the general secretary, and the outgoing vice president were still around’, the source added.
“Around 2pm, after playing football, Balogun went towards the shoreline and asked the General Secretary to take pictures and videos of him. The General Secretary warned him that the ocean current was too strong, but Balogun insisted he wanted to ‘enjoy the village life’ a little longer’.
“At some point, the General Secretary left him at the shoreline because he could no longer withstand the waves. He only noticed from afar when locals began shouting that the president-elect was waving for help inside the water.”
Penpushing also reports that the source added that attempts by local divers to rescue him failed as strong currents pulled him under, while his body was later discovered two days later at the Museyo community, opposite the spot where he drowned.
“The incident happened on Thursday. By Saturday morning, the Baale of the community alerted us that a body had been found at the shoreline. We confirmed it was him. He was buried that same evening in Museyo,” the source said.
Penpushing reports that Lagos State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Joint Campus Council, described the deceased as a beacon of hope, an embodiment of courage, and a steadfast advocate for the rights and welfare of students.
The association in a statement jointly signed by its chairman and spokesperson, Abdul-Raheem Abdul-Quadri and Ridwan Ajayi, pointed out that Balogun, was a brave, strong, and dogged comrade, a shining light in the Lagos State student movement.
“He embodied resilience, dedication, and a genuine passion for service. He was a happy soul, a star with dreams as bright as dawn, and a leader committed to advancing the welfare and aspirations of Nigerian students’, the statement reads.
“His life was marked by an uncommon dedication to service, a cheerful spirit, and a resolve that inspired everyone privileged to know him. In the prime of his journey, fate dealt us a devastating blow when the ocean claimed him. Yet even in his final moments, he remained who he had always been — a fighter.”
Penpushing further reports that spokesperson of University of Lagos (UNILAG) Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem when contacted declined to comment, nor issue any official statement on the sad incident.
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