Prince Carter Oshodin, a member of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) personnel, killed himself on Friday in Upper Sakponba’s Umelu Community due to allegedly difficult financial circumstances.
Oshodin allegedly went months without receiving his salary as a result of the university unions’ strike. He worked at the university as a data entry employee.
It is discouraging that they have not received payment since the strike action started, according to a lecturer at UNIBEN who did not want his name published yesterday. He questioned why people who ended their strike were still not receiving compensation from the government.
He responded, “Yes, he was one of our employees who committed suicide for want of money. He was reportedly offering individuals coping mechanisms even a few months prior, but he still committed himself, putting his family in even more trouble.
“Since going on strike, we have received zero compensation. The non-academic staff workers who have now returned have not received any pay as of today, September 10.
According to a coworker who goes by the name Edward, Oshodin complained about his financial obligations and the difficulty he was having paying his two daughters’ tuition on his Facebook page.
He said: “He committed suicide on Friday and according to a post on his Facebook, he said he was facing financial difficulties and could not pay the school fees of his two young daughters. It is a pathetic situation.”
Edo State Command Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said the matter was not reported to the police but the DPO of the area went to the community for an on-the-spot assessment where the community head confirmed the incident.
