‘We Hold Our Candles Not Just For Remembrance, But For Compassion,’ UIMSA and Zik Hall Honour Ifeloluwa Akinmade
The University of Ibadan Medical Students’ Association, in collaboration with Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall and Students’ Union, held a candle light procession in the University of Ibadan, in honour of Ifeloluwa Wisdom Akinmade, a third-year medical student, who passed away in the early hours of Monday, March 2, 2026, at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
After a short address by Folusho Olu-Adegbola, UIMSA’s president, the candle light procession started at exactly 6:15PM at the Block B basement, Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, with processional hymns as the crowd was guided through the designated paths by Zik Hall’s defence team.
With unlit candles in hands, members present moved through the Zik Hall’s pedestrian back gate towards the Zik-Bello axis, then followed the front of Bello Hall towards iTeMS, Lord Tedder Hall, Mellanby Hall, and UI bookshop. There was a stop at the bookshop where Temidayo Adeboye, Students’ Union president, re-addressed the crowd.
The walk continued towards Catholic Church, then Amina Way to Department of Anatomy where the procession converged by the Physiology Lecture Theatre gazebo. Student leaders coordinated the lighting of candles and people filled the condolence register with tributes as the crowd sang hymns.
As tributes were written, people were invited out to say some words about their time with the deceased. Oluwafemi, Majority Leader of the class, poured out his heart. ‘Ifeloluwa was more than a classmate to me. We gathered here for someone who is a friend, hall mate, classmate, to different persons here and it’s very difficult to put into words the weight of how we feel. We hold our candles not just for remembrance, but for compassion,’ he said.
Christopher, the Majority Leader of the Dental counterparts, also added that Ifeloluwa’s death left a painful void in the life of his family, friends, and classmates. Afterwards, Zik Hall chairperson, Ayomide, spoke about the essence of brotherhood as practiced in the hall, and admonished the crowd to always look out for one another.
UIMSA’s President also talked to the crowd. ‘We are here not just to mourn, but to have a reflection of the life of the young man that departed. It’s not ideal to go through life alone. Please ensure that you reach out whenever you need help with anything. I, and many other people, are always available to listen’, he said.
He rounded off with a note of appreciation to everyone present there, including sister associations, UADS, USA, ABH, and student leaders from other halls of residence. Boluwatife Elusiyan led a prayer for the deceased, his family and friends, and everyone that came around. The procession ended at 7:40PM.
