The Federal University, Lokoja (FUL), has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of one of its brightest minds, Dr. Kemi Emmanuel, a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts, who lost her life in a fatal road accident in Lokoja, Kogi State.
According to reports, the heartbreaking incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Friday near the Crusher area of Felele, when Dr. Emmanuel, who was said to be on a commercial motorcycle, fell off and was crushed by a speeding trailer.
The Kogi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Tenimu Etuku, confirmed the incident, describing it as “highly unfortunate.”
He said the victim was immediately taken to the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival. Her remains have since been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.
Dr. Emmanuel’s sudden death has plunged the university community into deep sorrow, with colleagues, students, and friends struggling to come to terms with the loss of a woman many described as “the heart and soul of Theatre Arts.”
On social media, tributes have continued to pour in from across the country. Her students, especially, are inconsolable. One of them, Olanrewaju Rotimi, captured the mood of many when he wrote:
“RIP to the Mother of Theatre Arts, Federal University Lokoja, Dr. Mrs. Kemi Emmanuel Owonubi. We spoke till 1 p.m. yesterday because I was supposed to follow you to get some vendor receipts for the convocation.
I told you I wasn’t feeling well, and you prayed for me to be fine. A few hours later, I got the saddest call that you had been taken to the Specialist Hospital.”
Rotimi recalled how the late lecturer’s compassion extended beyond academics.
“Just last week,” he said, “she asked me to help distribute some clothes she bought for 100-level students who couldn’t afford costumes for class presentations. That was who she was — a mother to all.”
A colleague from the Department of Theatre Arts described her as “a woman whose passion for mentoring young people was unmatched.” She recounted how Dr. Emmanuel’s office was always open to students seeking advice, guidance, or just a listening ear.
“She taught not just acting and directing — she taught humanity,” the colleague said, struggling to hold back tears.
Born and raised with a deep love for the arts, Dr. Kemi Emmanuel dedicated her life to nurturing creativity and excellence in young people. At FUL, she was known for her vibrant energy during rehearsals, her laughter echoing through the department, and her insistence that “Theatre is not just performance — it’s life itself.”
Her students often fondly called her ‘Mama Theatre’ for her unwavering commitment to their growth, both professionally and personally. Many credit her with inspiring them to stay in school and pursue their artistic dreams against all odds.
Beyond the campus, Dr. Emmanuel was active in community theatre projects and youth development initiatives across Kogi State. She believed that storytelling could heal communities and often used the stage to promote peace, tolerance, and civic awareness.
The tragic manner of her death has reignited anger among residents of Lokoja, particularly over the recurring accidents involving heavy-duty trucks in the Felele and Obajana–Lokoja corridors.
Several residents have renewed calls on the Kogi State Government to implement stronger safety measures and restrict the movement of articulated vehicles through densely populated areas.
It would be recalled that in May 2025, a similar crash claimed 19 lives, including five children, along the Obajana–Lokoja Road — a tragedy that prompted Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to order stricter enforcement of traffic laws. Despite such measures, accidents have persisted, with another ten lives lost in a crash on October 12 this year.
For those who knew her, Dr. Emmanuel’s death is not just another statistic in the nation’s road tragedy; it is a devastating loss of light, laughter, and love.
Her students say the department feels empty without her voice — the one that encouraged them to dream big, speak boldly, and act with empathy.
As the Federal University, Lokoja, prepares to honour her memory, the stage she so passionately brought to life now dims in silence — the curtain falling too soon on a woman who lived, taught, and loved deeply.
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