A final year student from Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, named Emem Okon Jimmy, has tragically passed away in her sleep.

The Journalism and Media Studies student passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025, and her body was found around 10:00 PM on Friday by concerned neighbors.

An eyewitness reported that the young woman was hale and hearty the day before and even had dinner with other residents at the student lodge before going to bed for the night.

A neighbor said that the lodge’s caretaker became worried when she was not seen outside all day on Friday.

The neighbors attempted to open her door, but it was locked from the inside.

“At that moment, all the tenants gathered, accessed the roof, and broke through the ceiling to enter the room,” the neighbor shared.
“The deceased was found covered by her bedspread, holding her cell phone tightly – indicating she might have wanted to make calls but couldn’t.

“It was noted that blood had leaked from her nose, staining the mattress as she lay face down, lifeless,” the source revealed.

The caretaker contacted the deceased’s older brother, who came from Uyo to Ikot Ekpene to take the body to the mortuary.

Students at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic held a candlelight vigil in honor of the departed on Thursday, July 24.

She is set to be buried on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Uyo.

During the procession, Dr. Inemesit Umoren, Head of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at the school, urged students to make regular medical checkups a priority.

In the meantime, friends, classmates, and acquaintances have turned to Facebook to express their grief over her loss.

One Udemese, Abasi James, stated: “Initially, I received a call on Thursday from your caretaker at 10:08 PM, informing me that you had refused to open your door. At that moment, I felt my legs weaken, and I began to tremble because that is not typical of you. Consequently, I hurried over to your residence, and to my dismay, you did not even rise to answer my calls.

“On Thursday, we had a conversation at school; why did you not inform me that it would be our last? I would have gazed at you even longer. You mentioned you would be attending lectures on Thursday and Friday, yet you only attended on Thursday.

“There is so much I wish to share with you. I need to show you the things people are saying about you. I have been anticipating your responses to my messages. Our discussions replay in my mind continuously. I keep listening to your voice messages.

“If anyone dares trouble me, just one look from you would send them away. You referred to me as ‘Mummy,’ but you fulfilled the role of an older sister to me until the very end. Jimmy, look at what you have done to me. How could you give up so easily like this?

“Why did we have to force our way into your home to find you when you could have simply opened your door as you usually do? Does this mean I will no longer wait for you in class? Should I refrain from writing your name on the attendance list again?

We intended to kick off our project while others are nearing completion, making it an exciting yet stressful adventure for us. How could you leave me in this situation? I was ready to show you the poses you’ve been curious about.

I have numerous questions for you; I informed everyone that you were taking a break and would return. However, it appears you have given up on your family, the content, and everyone else.

Since you’ve decided to part ways like this, I will let you go. I will refrain from calling you wicked or heartless. I will stop now. Yet, I will always treasure every single memory, and I will miss you deeply.

I miss our laughter over trivial things that would annoy others, I miss waking up at night to share my dreams with you, I miss waking you up to tell you not to sleep because I can’t either, and when you’ve had enough, you’d say you’d chase me out of your house, and I’d stop, only to wake you up again.

Bless the day I met you. Thank you for the wonderful memories. My school story would be incomplete without you. I will continue to share your story, My Friend. Rest peacefully, My Daughter. For always standing by me and making me laugh until the very end, may God grant you eternal rest. Take care. Don’t worry about anything anymore. Be good.

Late Emem Okon Jimmy