The administration of Obafemi Awolowo campus (OAU) in Ile-Ife has committed to immortalise Mr Olabode Olawuyi, a veterinary technologist who was slain by a lion at the campus zoo.
Mr Adetunji Bakare, the university’s registrar, announced this on Wednesday during a one-day workshop commemorating the first anniversary of Olawuyi’s death, which was held at Pit Theatre, Department of Dramatic Arts, OAU.
The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) hosted a workshop titled “Workplace Safety Awareness”. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Olawuyi died on February 19, 2024, while attempting to save a younger colleague who had been mauled by a lion while eating. The registrar indicated that people were not gathered to commemorate Olawuyi’s death, but rather his heroism.
Bakare pledged that the university officials would honour the late Olawuyi’s memory. The registrar praised Olawuyi’s fortitude in standing in the gap of others’ deaths. He stated that steps had been done to prioritise workplace safety for employees and create a positive environment for them.
Speaking during the event, NAAT National President Mr. Ibeji Nwokoma described Olawuyi as a martyr who died to save another’s life. Nwokoma, represented by the immediate past National Treasurer, Dr Rachel Hassan-Olajokun, requested university officials to rename the zoo in Olawuyi’s honour.
Similarly, Mr Reuben Temerigha, Managing Director of Western Diamond Energy Limited (WEDEL), urged all organisations to offer a safe and healthy environment for their employees. Temerigha, represented by Mr Harry Ipalibo, Manager, Health, Safety, Security, and Environment, WEDEL, stated that workplace injuries and dangers continue to be a major concern.
He went on to say that the deceased’s bravery and altruism served as a sharp reminder of the dangers that many workers confront on a daily basis, and he urged people to prioritise safety and put measures in place to prevent similar situations from happening again.
Temerigha highlighted several problems to workplace safety, including a lack of awareness and training, noncompliance with safety standards, hazardous work settings, weariness and human error, and a bad safety culture.
He advised thorough training programs, tight enforcement of safety technology, creating a safety culture, regular safety audits and risk assessments, and employee well-being programs as ways to protect workers.
Speaking, Mr Matthew Oluwaniyi, Chairman of NAAT-OAU, stated that the programme aimed to remember the departed, whose death serves as a sombre reminder of the dangers that many workers confront on a daily basis. Oluwaniyi underlined that the late zoologist left a legacy that requires action, not just remembrance, and advocated for Olawuyi’s immortalisation by dedicating the OAU Zoological Garden after him.
