Colleagues say he killed himself out of frustration and inability to afford medical care.
A lecturer in his late 50’s, Mr Friday Orobator, at the defunct College of Education, now Tayo Akpata University in Ekiadolor, Edo State, on Friday committed suicide by hanging himself at his Obakhazbaye residence in Benin City, the state capital.
Late Orobator’s lifeless body was discovered behind his apartment at about 1.30 p.m., with the rope which he used to hang himself, tied around his neck.
The tragic incident attracted a large crowd of neighbours, sympathisers and passers-by, who expressed shock over his death.
The late Mr Orobator, said to be in his 50’s, was a member of the College of Education Academic Staff Union, (COEASU), and a principal lecturer at the Department of Adult Education. He was said to have complained bitterly to close associates over his inability and lack of money to tend to his failing health.
The late lecturer had informed a colleague that he was tired of begging for money from friends to cater for his family needs and his health challenges.
Attempts to get his family members at his Obakhazwaye residence to comment on the incident were unsuccessful as they were mourning the demise of their breadwinner.
However, the Chairman of the College of Education Academic Staff Union, (COEASU), Fred Omonuwa, said their colleague died as a result of lack and inability to access medical care.
He appealed to the state government to pay the workers their 13 months unpaid salary.
According to Mr Omonuwa, “It is clear the death came as a result of lack and inability to access medical facilities. Some months ago, he became very sick and depended on friends for assistance but very recently he started complaining of getting tired of consistently begging to survive.
