Two postgraduate students of the University of Lagos were on Sunday drowned in the Elegushi Beach during the celebration of their friend’s birthday.
It was gathered that the deceased – Adesola Ogunmefun and Funmi Odusina – graduated from the Covenant University and were on the verge of bagging Master’s Degrees in International Law and Diplomacy from UNILAG.
According to Punch, the deceased and the host were having fun at the beach around 6pm when they were swept into the Atlantic Ocean. Other visitors to the beach were said to have rescued them, but Ogunmefun died on the spot.
Odusina and the host, identified only as Bolu, were rushed to some private hospitals in the area, but were reportedly rejected. Odusina died on the way to the Lagos Island General Hospital, while Bolu was recuperating in the facility.
A friend of the deceased, Edward Onyemathi, described the duo as brilliant, adding that their demise was a huge loss and painful.
Onyemathi, said, “I learnt Bolu was celebrating her birthday and they went to the beach. While they were there, a strong wave swept them into the ocean. They were rescued by some swimmers. Sola (Ogunmefun) died on the spot, but the host and Funmi (Odusina) were rushed to some private hospitals in the area.
“They were rejected in the hospitals. Funmi died on the way to the Marina General Hospital. Bolu made it, but she had not fully recovered. She will be the best person to give the detailed account of the incident.
“We all studied International Relations at the Convenant University and graduated together in 2011. Funmi was among the most intelligent students we had in our class. She had been my friend even after we graduated. Sola was quiet with charming smiles. They were really good friends and were among the best.”
Another friend, who did not want her name in print, ordered the management of the beach to apologise for “their safety lapses”, which allegedly caused the deaths. She also called on the government to inspect the beach and take appropriate actions.
She said, “Elegushi Beach collected money from them before they entered. In a beach, the regular thing is to have life guards, drugs and ambulance.
“If they had those things, my friends will still be alive. It was their negligence that led to their deaths. The management of the beach should send an apology to the families and the beach should be shut by the government until it has life guards and wave alarm system, among others.
“Funmi was very brilliant. Sola and Funmi just finished their theses in UNILAG, where they were studying International Law and Diplomacy.”
