1 Dead As Unilag Convocation Turns Sour

SAN FRANCISCO, March 04, (THEWILL) – The much celebrated convocation of the University of Lagos has turned sour. This followed the death of the brother of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Kyari Garbai Ibn El Kanemi, in a fire outbreak.

The fire outbreak occurred at the Guest House of the university, where the deceased, A former Auditor-General of Borno State, Mallam Kaka Kyari, and other guests from Borno State were lodged

Kyari, who was among dignitaries in the entourage that accompanied the Shehu to Lagos for his investiture as the UNILAG Chancellor, was said to have died of suffocation while others with him were said to have suffered varying degrees of injuries.

The development was confirmed by the Zonal Spokesperson of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the South West, Ibrahim Farinloye.

“There was a fire outbreak involving members of delegation of Shehu of Borno at UNILAG. The incident happened at the Shehu of Borno Guest House in UNILAG and one person died of suffocation,” he said.

Similarly, the Deputy Registrar/Head of Information Unit of the university, Mr. Toyin Adebule, confirmed the death of Kyari in a statement adding that the university regretted the incident and condoled with the family on the loss.

“The Management of the University of Lagos regrets to inform the general public that there was a fire incident at the university guesthouse at about 2am on Tuesday, March 1, 2016.

“The fire occurred in the A Wing and affected rooms A12, A13 and A14. The university fire service was able to curtail the fire from spreading. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

“Sadly, the incident claimed the life of one of our guests, Alhaji Kaka Kyari, a former Auditor General, Borno State, who was on the entourage of the chancellor and was laid to rest according to Islamic injunctions today, March 3, 2016 in Borno State.

“The pro-chancellor, vice-chancellor, council members, management, staff and students of the University of Lagos commiserate with our chancellor and the people of Borno State on the demise of Alhaji Kaka Kyari.”

The convocation witnessed a new academic record by a psychology graduate of the University, Mr. Ayodele Dada, who obtained a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 5.00 to emerge the best graduate in the history of the 54-year-old university.

Story by David Oputah