By Sesi Noah Balogun, a final-year student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), was set to begin his teaching practice on Monday. He was al...
By Sesi Noah
Balogun, a final-year student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), was set to begin his teaching practice on Monday. He was also the president-elect of the Nigerian Universities Education Students Association (NUEESA), UNILAG chapter. Sadly, he never lived to take up those roles.
According to findings, Balogun had gone with other executive members of the association for a handover party at a beach in Idado community. He was in the company of the outgoing executive members, the General Secretary, and a few colleagues when tragedy struck on Thursday.
A close associate who witnessed the incident but asked not to be named explained that Balogun ignored several warnings about the dangerous ocean current.
“What happened was that the incoming president-elect and some others had gone to the beach for a handover get-together with the outgoing executives. Balogun had served as vice president, so he joined in. They went to Akodo, where they spent the night. By Thursday afternoon, only Balogun, the General Secretary, and the outgoing vice president were still around.
“After a game of football around 2pm, Balogun walked towards the shoreline and asked the General Secretary to take photos and videos of him. He was warned that the ocean current was too strong, but he insisted he wanted to ‘enjoy the village life’ a little longer.
“At some point, the General Secretary left him at the water’s edge. Not long after, locals began shouting that Balogun was waving for help inside the water. Strong currents dragged him under, and local divers couldn’t rescue him.”
His body was later found on Saturday morning, two days after the incident, and buried the same evening in Museyo.
In a tribute, the Lagos State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS-JCC) described Balogun as a “beacon of hope, a courageous leader, and an advocate for students’ rights.” They praised his dedication, cheerful spirit, and passion for service, noting that “fate dealt a devastating blow when the ocean claimed him.”
When contacted, UNILAG’s spokesperson, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, declined to comment over the phone and requested a text instead, but had not responded as of press time.
Sadly, this isn’t the first time Lagos has witnessed such a tragedy. In 2022, four teenagers drowned at Elegushi Beach in Lekki while celebrating the end of their WAEC exams.
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