Nigerian woman dies after arriving UK for son’s graduation
A Nigerian woman named Oluranti Akinyemi died shortly after arriving in the UK for her son's graduation, prompting a fundraising campaign for her repatriation.
Oluranti Akinyemi, a Nigerian mother, tragically passed away in the United Kingdom a short time after her arrival to attend her son's graduation ceremony. Reports indicate that she suffered a cardiac arrest within 20 hours of landing and was taken to Luton and Dunstable Hospital, where she remained on life support for three days. After her condition was deemed clinically dead, her family faced not only the emotional distress of their loss but also the practical hurdles of repatriating her remains back to Nigeria.
In response to the overwhelming costs associated with her funeral and repatriation, a fundraising campaign was initiated on the platform JustGiving with a goal of £20,000. As of the latest updates, about £2,087 has been collected from 97 donors. Family members, including one Adekunle Ogundana, have publicly appealed for assistance, stating, "Help us bring our sister, mother, friend and beloved home." This highlights not only the personal loss but also the communal response required during such difficult times.
Akinyemi's sudden passing underscores the risks associated with travel and health emergencies, especially for individuals who may have underlying health conditions. This situation evokes a broader conversation about the implications of international travel, health insurance, and the responsibility of communities to support each other in times of profound personal crisis, particularly for expatriates and international guests attending significant life events like graduations.