Tragedy as ex-Akwa Ibom university SUG President dies at NYSC camp

Etimbuk Daniel, a past SUG president at the Akwa Ibom State University, is said to have passed on at the NYSC orientation camp in Enugu State after claims that he was treated with fake drugs without prompt attention to his health condition.

Daniel was serving the national service programme when he fell ill with a headache and was given some medication, but the illness worsened after taking the drugs.

The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, disclosed the development in a statement, alleging that Daniel’s request to be taken to a hospital was not granted in time.

According to Afeez, the former student leader died before he could be taken to a medical facility for further treatment.

“According to the information available to us, Comrade Daniel complained of a headache and was administered some medication. Unfortunately, his condition reportedly worsened after taking the drugs,” Afeez said.

“He requested to be taken to the hospital, but the necessary approval allegedly came too late, and he passed away before he could be taken for medical attention.”

Afeez further alleged that a doctor subsequently identified the medication administered to Daniel as fake, adding that the circumstances surrounding the death required a thorough investigation.

“We were further informed that the doctor later identified the drugs administered to him as fake. These are deeply troubling allegations that require a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding his tragic death,” he said.

The incident has raised concerns about the standard of medical care available to corps members at orientation camps and the procedures for responding to emergencies requiring treatment outside camp facilities.

Afeez described Daniel’s death as a devastating loss to his family, colleagues, the Akwa Ibom State University community and the wider student movement.

He also expressed concern over the prevalence of fake and substandard medicines in Nigeria, calling for stronger safeguards and accountability to prevent avoidable deaths.

“The menace of fake drugs continues to pose a grave threat to lives in our society, and this tragic incident underscores the urgent need for accountability, proper medical care, and stronger measures to protect the lives of our young people,” Afeez said.

The NANS president said the association was mourning the former student leader and would announce further actions and its official position after more facts about the incident had emerged.

The student body also extended its condolences to Daniel’s family, the university community, the government and people of Akwa Ibom State, the NYSC community and his fellow corps members.

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters said it contacted the NYSC Enugu State Secretariat for comments on Daniel’s death, the allegation that he was administered counterfeit medication and claims that approval for hospital treatment was delayed.

However, the secretariat had neither responded to a message sent to its contact number nor answered calls as of the time the report was filed.

The allegations have yet to be independently established, and the circumstances surrounding Daniel’s death remain unclear.