A final-year student of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Nwachukwu Omiko, slumped and d!ed during a football training session.
The tragic incident occurred at the San Siro Football Pitch within the university on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
The Mechanical Engineering student, said to be asthmatic, was playing football with his mates when he suddenly collapsed.
Immediate efforts by fellow students to resuscitate him were unsuccessful, prompting them to alert the University Health Services.
According to a statement signed by the Chief Public Relations Officer of the university, Ubadire Agua, the student was rushed to the hospital but was confirmed d3ad by doctors on arrival.
“He was immediately rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in the university’s oxygen-equipped ambulance at neck-breaking speed,” the statement read.
“Despite the swift intervention and medical efforts, the university expressed deep regret over the loss of the promising student.
“The university regrets that despite the efforts to keep Mr Omiko alive, it lost him to the cold hands of death.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, has also extended heartfelt condolences to Omiko’s family, the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, and the entire student community.
The university management appealed to all students to prioritise their health by checking their status with the university health services upon arrival on campus.
It also advised students with underlying health conditions to avoid engaging in strenuous physical activities.
