Godfrey Okoye University Calls for Urgent Evacuation of Unclaimed Corpses: 21-Day Ultimatum Issued
In a bid to facilitate the renovation of its mortuary, Godfrey Okoye University in Enugu State, Southeastern Nigeria, has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the families of 33 abandoned corpses to evacuate their remains.
Failure to comply with this directive may lead to the university proceeding with a mass burial for the deceased individuals, according to Prof. Christian Anieke, the Vice Chancellor of the university.
During a news conference held on November 13 in Enugu, Prof. Anieke emphasized the necessity of the evacuation order to allow the university to undertake essential renovations and upgrades to the mortuary.
Some of the corpses have reportedly been in the facility for over 18 years.
More Insight
Prof. Anieke urged families to check the mortuary for their relatives and promptly remove the bodies. He highlighted the importance of treating the situation with sensitivity, stating, "We are talking about human beings here and not animals."
The Chief Medical Director of the university's teaching hospital, Prof. Cajetan Nwadinigwe, revealed that a significant number of bodies within the facility lacked proper identification.
Notably, 14 deceased individuals shared identical names. Prof. Nwadinigwe pointed out the absence of documentation regarding the arrival dates of certain corpses, some of which have been present for over a decade.
He further explained that their approach, including seeking a court injunction and advertising warnings in newspapers, aims to alert families and facilitate the proper evacuation of the bodies.
In conclusion, The university's efforts align with its commitment to transforming the hospital into a suitable teaching facility.
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