Tragedy at Michael Okpara University: Final-Year Engineering Student Slumps and Dies During Football Match

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU)

A final-year student of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) in Abia State, Nwachukwu Omiko, has died after collapsing during a football match on the university’s sports pitch on Wednesday.

Omiko, a student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering under the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, was participating in a friendly game with fellow students when he suddenly slumped. Immediate attempts by his peers to revive him on the field proved unsuccessful.

He was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Umuahia, but was confirmed dead on arrival by medical personnel.

The institution’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Ubadire Agua, issued a statement expressing the university’s profound grief over the sudden loss. “The Vice-Chancellor of MOUAU, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, extends the deep regrets and condolences of the university to the parents and family of Mr. Omiko, as well as his colleagues in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology,” the statement read.

Agua described Omiko’s death as a “painful loss” and emphasized that every effort was made to save his life. In response to the incident, the university management has advised all students to conduct thorough health screenings at the institution’s health services upon resumption. They also urged students to avoid strenuous physical activities, especially those with known health issues.

This unfortunate incident echoes a similar tragedy that occurred in January when Adeyemi Adewale, a footballer from Ilesa West Local Government Area in Osun State, also collapsed during a match and was later confirmed dead at a hospital in Osogbo.

Omiko’s untimely death has thrown the MOUAU community into mourning, highlighting once again the urgent need for regular health assessments among young athletes and students participating in physical activities.