By Our Correspondent

A 200 level students of the Faculty of Dentistry, at the Obafemi Awolowo University OAU, Ajibola Ibitayo on Wednesday commit sucide after failing his examination for the second time.

Daily Echoes Media gathered that the student whose father is a medical doctor reportedly injected himself at his parent resident in Ejigbo.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the institution on Thursday, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Simeon Bamire, confirming the ugly incident urged parent to instil in their wards the understanding that temporary setbacks in the pursuit of success are part of life and not the end of it.

He however, expressed his condolences to the parent and family of the diseased, stressing the entire university has been thrown in mourning following the demise of Ibitayo.

The statementreads in part, “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.

“Disturbed and saddened, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, appealed to parents and guardians to instil in their children and wards the understanding that temporary setbacks in the pursuit of success are part of life and not the end of it.

“Professor Bamire also urged students and young people to view failure as an opportunity to redirect their paths toward success and greater achievements.

“The Vice-Chancellor prayed that God Almighty would grant the parents, family, Faculty, College of Health Sciences, and the University community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, Comrade Tarinyo Akono, has strongly criticized the purported suspension of the Okpoama Kingdom Chiefs Council Executive, led by High Chief Nathan Egba-Dienegha. The suspension followed a controversial Ibekobiriya meeting held on July 26, 2025, at Okpo Square, which Akono described as poorly organized and a “kangaroo gathering.”

Akono voiced his disapproval during a chat with newsmen in Yenagoa in response to a statement issued by Bebara Egein, who issued a statement on the outcome of the meeting.

He dismissed allegations that Chief Egba-Dienegha was attempting to usurp the functions of the ‘regent’, labeling the claims as baseless, spurious, and unfounded. According to Akono, the suspension was part of a calculated plot to destabilize the community for selfish interest, saying that such purported suspension cannot stand since there was a subsisting matter in court.

The Ex-NUJ Boss accused Chief Paul Briggs-Suobagha and his allies of displaying “shameless desperation” in their efforts to seize control of the Okpoama Kingdom, alleging that they are using misguided youths to intimidate perceived enemies.

Addressing the recent suspension of elders and chiefs from the Ayah Chieftaincy House—following their protest letter concerning the appointment of Tubonimiworio Opuene as the Okpoama-Ewoama King without due consultation—Akono insisted that the protest was a constitutional right of the people. He described their suspension as evidence of high-handedness and authoritarian behavior.

Akono, who hails from Okpoama, further asserted that the actions taken under the guise of the Ibekobiriya were aimed at sidelining the Ayah Chieftaincy House from playing its rightful role in the affairs of the kingdom.

“Mark my words gentlemen of the press: a time will come when these desperate individuals will turn against each other—and eventually, against those who are sponsoring them. Sadly, some of them don’t even realize they’re being used and will be discarded in the end,” Akono stated.

Akono alleged that their tactics is to incite, intimidate and oppress; and called on the youths not to allow themselves to be used by people who don’t mean well for them. Adding that the law will catch up with any offender wherever he or she lives.