Lingering ASUU strike claims Benin varsity staff, kills self over hardship
Lingering industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has claimed the life of a staff of the University of Benin, identified as Carter Oshodin, who reportedly committed suicide in Edo State over alleged hardship.
Confirming the incident, weekend, the Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwanbuzor, said, although the command is aware of the unfortunate incident, it is yet to officially receive the report.
“Yes, the command happens to be aware of it by following up events and processes in the state, not that the family of the man who committed suicide reported it officially.
“The case remains unreported to date but we are aware of it because of our interest in following event in the state,” the PPRO said.
The deceased was said to have taken his own life over the economic hardship brought on him and his family following the continued closure of public universities as lecturers have remained on an industrial action over disagreement with the Federal Government on demands yet unresolved.
ASUU had on February 14, shut down all public universities.
The late Oshodin was working as a data entry staff at the University of Benin, but reportedly became financially constrained following the strike action by the academic and non-academic unions in Universities.
It was learned that the deceased had lamented his inability to offset some bills including his daughter’s school fees, as he had fruitlessly failed to get needed help from some neighbours he approached.
