The Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, has stated that setbacks and failures should be viewed as a natural part of the journey to success, not as reasons to give up.
Prof. Bamire stated this in reaction to the tragic d3ath of a student of the institution, Ajibola Ibitayo, a Part Two student of the Faculty of Dentistry, who allegedly took his own life after learning he would have to repeat the academic year.
In a statement issued on Thursday, August 14, by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, the Vice-Chancellor expressed profound sorrow over the incident and prayed for divine strength for the bereaved family, members of the faculty, and the entire university community.
The Vice-Chancellor called on parents and guardians to teach their children that temporary setbacks, particularly in academics, should not be seen as the end of the road but rather as opportunities for growth and redirection.
According to the statement, the deceased committed suicide following the release of the previous semester’s results.
“The entire community of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has been thrown into mourning following the d3ath of a Part Two student of the Faculty of Dentistry,” the statement read.
“The student. identified as Ajibola Ibitayo (Matriculation Number: DEN/2021/023), committed suicide after learning that the results of the last semester examinations, released yesterday, would require him to repeat Part Two for another academic year. He had already been repeating Part Two during the last session.
”The student, whose father is a medical doctor, reportedly injected himself at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State.”
Describing the d3ath as irreparable, the Vice-Chancellor urged students to seek help whenever they feel overwhelmed, stressing that academic challenges should never push anyone into making such a drastic decision.
“Setbacks are a natural part of the journey to success. Failure should be seen as a stepping stone to greater achievement, not a reason to give up,” Bamire said.
