By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan
The Association of Veterinary Medical Students (AVMS) and the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Christian Students Fellowship (NVMCSF), University of Ibadan chapter, on Friday held a tribute for their late colleague, Christabel Okareh.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 24-year-old Okareh, a 500-level student of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, died on Sept. 29, after a period of illness.
NVMCSF President, Denis Dunamis, at the tribute and prayers at the Faculty Auditorium, said the event was organised to pray for her family as a spiritual body.
Dunamis described the veterinary community as one family, noting that the tribute was to express love for the deceased.
“Okareh has been sick since May. She was discharged at the end of June, but she relapsed on the 6th of July.
“Ever since then, we couldn’t get much information until the 4th of August.
“We established communication with her since then, and she was recovering.
“She came to school on the 26th of August, but on the 31st of August, we were told she was rushed back to UCH.
“She was in a coma till the day she passed on,” Dunamis said.
In his charge, a lecturer at the faculty, Dr Isaac Arowolo, urged all to trust God even in such a turbulent time.
“We don’t understand why it happened, but we know that God is faithful,” Arowolo said.
“Let’s be comforted with the fact that on the last day, we are going to see her again,” he added.
The Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof. Babasola Olugasa, prayed that in such a situation, the Lord will comfort the Okareh’s family with His glory.
“Lord, let your glory still speak forth in her family, even through the well-impacted life of Christabel, in Jesus name,” Olugasa prayed.
Okareh’s friend, Esther, who spoke on behalf of the 500-Level students, described the deceased as a sister, lover and encourager.
“She loved and served God, ran to Him when things were tough. She loved people and was always willing to help,” she said.
Also, a friend, identified as Sharon, said Okareh was such a pleasant person who was always available in every activity.
“She was unique and different in her own way; words really fail me to give this tribute,” Sharon said.
Other friends, family members and coursemates described Okareh as a special and active person who was always good to everyone.
They expressed shock at her passing, describing the moment as unbelievable.
They, however, hope that since she loved and served God wholeheartedly as a choir member, she has gone to rest with the Lord.
On its part, AVMS held a candlelight procession from the St. Ann’s Hostel to the White House, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
AVMS President, Faruk Odunaike, said the procession was planned to give members space to mourn collectively and demonstrate solidarity with the family.
Odunaike described Okareh as kind and friendly, recalling their interactions in the same clinic group.
The AVMS president stated that the association was committed to standing with the family and supporting them appropriately within its capacity.
He urged students to look out for one another, be kind and not assume people were fine based on appearance.
Meanwhile, the University of Ibadan has commiserated with the family and the student body over the loss.
The Dean of Students, Prof. Demola Lewis, speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, prayed for fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Christabel Okareh was born on Aug. 29, 2002 and passed on Sept. 29, 2026.
NAN
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