How selfie attempt led to drowning of two FUTA students

The student union government of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has confirmed that two students drowned while trying to take a selfie beside a pond.

Olabiyi Emmanuel, a student of agricultural and environmental engineering, and Olokun Babatunde Alex, a student of project management technology, were both 300 level students.

According to a statement released on Saturday, the student government said that the duo had gone with other students for their entrepreneurship training at the laboratory for fishery and aquaculture.

After the training, the victims, alongside other students decided to take a selfie.

It was in the process that the duo fell and drowned while the other two students swam to safety.

Gbenro Adebanjo, spokesperson of the university, confirmed that the institution has officially notified the parents of the victims.

“FUTA reiterates its commitment to the safety of its students and safety measures where the the incident took place are already being reviewed in order to prevent future occurrence,” he said.

“Rescue efforts were immediately mobilised which the Dean of Students, Professor Kayode Alese coordinated.

“Two of the students were rescued minutes after the incident, while despite all efforts two of them Olabiyi Emmanuel from the department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering (AGE) 300 level, and Olokun Babatunde Alex, from the department of Project Management Technology (PMT) 300 level, died.

“The university is deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident. The parents of the students have all been notified.

“Our prayers are with them at this very trying and difficult times and the university commiserates with them and pray that the Almighty God will grant them the fortitude to bear the painful loss.”