Tragedy struck as a male lion attacked and killed a zookeeper, Mr Olabode Olawuyi at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju confirmed this in a statement, saying Olawuyi was killed as a result of injuries sustained during the attack.
He said Olawuyi was attacked by a 9- year-old male lion on February 19, 2024, when he was feeding them in their den at the Zoological Garden of the University.
The PRO statement said the other members of staff who were at the scene of the incident did everything within their power to rescue their boss, but the wild cat had already caused severe fatalities.
“On hearing the sad news, the management team, led by the Vice Chancellor, abruptly ended an ongoing meeting for an on-the-spot assessment.
“The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon BAMIRE, was informed, on arrival, by the Acting Director of the University Health and Medical Centre, Dr Tirimisiyu Olatunji, that all first aid and medical efforts to save the life of the victim proved abortive.
“Saddened by this tragic event, the aggressive lion has been euthanized.
“Mr. Olawuyi has been taking care of the lions since they were born on campus about 9 years ago, but tragically, the male lion killed the man who had been feeding them.
“The university management has sent a delegation to the widow and children of the deceased, imploring them to take solace in God, who gives life and also has the power to take life.
“Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
“May the soul of Mr Olabode Olawuyi rest in peace,” the statement said.
In another development, authorities of the University of Ilorin have expelled 14 institution students, including five 500 Level students, over various offences.
In a statement by the university’s director of Corporate Affairs, Kunle Akogun, on Monday, the students were expelled for examination malpractices.
The statement also said that the Vice Chancellor approved their expulsion after the recommendations of the Students’ Disciplinary Committee at its 219th meeting held on Wednesday and Thursday, January 10 and 11, 2024 respectively.
The expelled students also include 400 Level, 300 Level and 100 Level students.
The affected students were drawn from Faculties/Departments such as Agriculture/Aquaculture and Fisheries; Agriculture/Agricultural Extension and Rural Development; Arts/Linguistics and Nigerian Languages;
Others include CIS/Library and Information Science, CIS/ Telecommunication Science; Education/Adult and Primary Education Studies; Engineering and Tech/Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Engr and Tech/ Materials and Metallurgical Engineering as well as Life Science/Zoology.
Particulars:1. Lateef Lukman OlayemiFac./Dept: Agriculture/Aquacultureand FisheriesMatric No:17/10AB029Level: 500Misconduct: ExaminationMalpracticeDecision: Expulsion
2. Kuranga Abdulmuiz OlalekanFac./Dept: Agriculture/AgriculturalExtension and Rural DevelopmentMatric No:17/10AC462Level: 500Misconduct: Examination MalpracticeDecision: Expulsion
3. Adebisi Janet BosedeFac./Dept: Arts/Linguistics andNigerian LanguagesMatric No:21/15CB024Level: 100Misconduct: Examination MalpracticeDecision: Expulsion
4. Ogundijo Abdulmalik AkinkunmiFac./Dept:CIS/Library andInformation ScienceMatric No:20/52HJ070Level: 500Misconduct: ExaminationMalpracticeDecision: Expulsion
5. Ashekun Oladiji QuadriFac./Dept:CIS/ TelecommunicationScienceMatric No:18/52HP025Level: 400Misconduct: Examination MalpracticeDecision: Expulsion
6. Eqwudah Lucky OjonumbaFac./Dept:Education /Adult andPrimary Education StudiesMatric No:19/ 25PK049Level: 300Misconduct: ExaminationMalpracticeDecision: Expulsion
7. Musa Mohammed AsukuFac./Dept:Engr and Tech/Electricaland Electronic EngineeringMatric No:16/30GC073Level: 500Misconduct: Examination MalpracticeDecision: Expulsion
8. Ahmed Saddam OpeyemiFac./Dept:Engr and Tech/ Materials and Metallurgical EngineeringMatric No:18/30GN082Level: 500Misconduct: Examination MalpracticeDecision: Expulsion
9. Ayinla Jamiu OlaitanFac./Dept:Life Science /ZoologyMatric No:17/55EK068Level: 400Misconduct: Examination MalpracticeDecision: Expulsion
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