- Safiu Kehinde
A Covenant University student, Jesutunmise Emmanuel, has tragically passed away after suffering heart failure during a football training.
Jesutunmise was reported to have slumped during the football training on the school campus on Monday with his colleagues rushing him to a nearby medical centre where he was pronounced dead.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Timothy Anake, further recounted how the incident occurred.
Anake disclosed that the late student had stepped out of the pitch due to fatigue before his colleagues noticed him gasping for breath.
“On Monday, April 6, 2026, the Covenant University community experienced the unfortunate loss of one of our precious students.
“Jesutunmise, a diligent and vibrant student, participated in a student’s football training session on campus.
“He stepped out of the game to rest after he was said to have complained of leg pains and being tired.
“In a short while, his football mates observed that he was gasping for breath, and they responded swiftly by taking him to the Medical Centre’s emergency unit, which was directly opposite the playing field.” He said.
The university Don Jesutunmise was pronounced dead on arrival as he had stopped breathing by the time he arrived at the medical facility.
Anake however refuted claims of negligence by the institution as he held that the late student was urgently attended to with adequate equipment.
“Though he was brought in dead, the doctors responded immediately by administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with an automated external defibrillator (AED).
“However, all efforts to resuscitate Jesutunmise were unsuccessful. Subsequently, he was certified clinically dead due to prior undisclosed heart condition.
“We wish to confirm that there was no form of negligence in the response of the medical personnel or a shortage of any required equipment for the treatment.
“The management of the University, led by the Vice-Chancellor, was at the Medical Centre from the time of the unfortunate event until the parents arrived, and remained with the family until he was laid to rest.” He said.
While expressing his condolences to the family of the late student, Anake thanked the public of their concern.
“The entire Covenant University community extends our deepest condolences to the family for this loss.
“This is also a loss for the University and the entire society, which was deprived of the special gift that Jesutunmise represents.
“We thank the general public for your concern and support at this time. Please keep the family in your prayers as they navigate this difficult period.” The Covenant University Vice Chancellor added.