UNICROSS VC Visits Students Injured in Okuku Campus Accident

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Prof. Francisca Bassey, on Thursday visited students of the institution who sustained injuries in a motor accident near the Okuku Campus on Wednesday night.

The injured students were identified as Godsblessing Omachifu (Agronomy), Adigor Philomina (Human Physiology), and Success Akomaye (Medical Biochemistry). Also involved in the crash was Obase Ojini Odenga, a University of Calabar student who had visited her sister on campus.

Briefing the Vice Chancellor earlier, Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Dr. Ujong Peter, confirmed that the victims were initially admitted to the Catholic Maternity Hospital, Moniaya, Ogoja. At the hospital, Dr. Madu Abuchi disclosed that one of the students was in a coma for about eight hours, while another was unconscious at the time of admission.

Concerned about their condition, Prof. Bassey directed that immediate chest and head scans be conducted and ordered their transfer to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) for specialist care. She also contacted the Chief Medical Director of UCTH, Prof. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme, and the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Innocent Abang, to ensure medical teams were on standby. The students were later moved to Calabar by ambulance and are now receiving treatment at UCTH.

Eyewitnesses reported that the accident occurred around 8 p.m. when a driver, allegedly under the influence and engaged in car racing, rammed into the students. The crash also destroyed several shops opposite the campus gate, including one owned by a victim.

Prof. Bassey assured that UNICROSS would cover the students’ medical bills and also support the rebuilding of the affected shop.