VC Urges Parents to Reassure Children That Setbacks Are Not the End of the Road
A 200-level Dentistry student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, Ajibola Ibitayo, has tragically taken his own life after repeating a class twice.
The university community is mourning the loss of Ibitayo, whose father is reportedly a medical doctor. The student, identified by matriculation number DEN/2021/023, was a part-time student in the Faculty of Dentistry. According to university officials, he injected himself at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State, after the recent release of his exam results indicated he would need to repeat part two for another academic year.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Bamire, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and called on parents and guardians to reassure their children that temporary setbacks do not define their future. He emphasized that failure is a part of life and encouraged young people to see setbacks as opportunities for growth and redirection.
In a statement, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed the tragedy and urged the community to support the grieving family. Professor Bamire prayed for strength for all affected and hoped that God would grant the family, faculty, and university community the resilience to cope with this profound loss.
