The Management of Rivers State University (RSU) has ordered the immediate suspension of the 2023 Student Union Government (SUG) week-long activities following the death of a student during the Jean Carnival.
A statement signed by the RSU Registrar, Dr Sydney Enyindah, and made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, confirmed the suspension of the other activities to mark the students’ week.
According to the statement, “Following the unfortunate and sad incident which occurred during the ‘Jeans Carnival,’ on Tuesday, 5th September 2023, resulting in the death of a student, the Management of the University has directed the immediate suspension of the remaining activities of the Student Union Week.”
An eyewitness who pleaded for anonymity said the student was sitting on the window of a moving vehicle during the Jeans Carnival before he lost balance and fell off.
He was immediately rescheduled to the hospital, but died later due to severe injuries.
Meanwhile, the parents of the deceased fresh student said they suspect foul play, and called on the university authority to carry out a thorough investigation to ascertain the true cause of their son’s death.
In a related development, the SUG on its social media handle has frowned at the sudden suspension of the Students’ Week, saying that the suspension was unnecessary.
The Tide gathered that the SUG did not take into considerations the precautionary safety measures not to have allowed the deceased to sit on the window of a moving vehicle.

By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana