The National Association of Non-Teaching Staff of Universities (NANTSU) has condolences over the tragic death of Olabode Olawuyi, a veterinary technologist, who was killed by a lion on Monday in a devastating incident at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) zoological garden.
NANTSU OAU branch chairman, Wole Odewumi, confirmed the unfortunate incident and revealed that another staff member was injured during the incident.
Details surrounding the incident remain unclear as Odewumi mentioned that information about how the incident occurred has yet to be disclosed.
There are speculations that the deceased may have left the cage open while attempting to feed the lion, resulting in the fatal attack. However, Odewumi refrained from confirming this claim, pledging to visit the scene to gather more information.
Expressing condolences to Olawuyi’s family, Odewumi highlighted the association’s commitment to meeting with the university’s management to discuss the welfare of the bereaved family.
He emphasized that the deceased’s death is a significant loss to the entire OAU community.
“A member of the association also working at the garden reported to me that the incident happened while the deceased was trying to feed the animal. Immediately, I heard of it, I contacted other people on campus. It is true that another staff also got injured,” said Odewumi.
He continued, “The injured staff could have sustained the injury when those at the scene were running helter-skelter in panic during the incident. As a union leader, I have to get the facts around the incident. I condole the family. The person may be the breadwinner of his family. May God console them. I urge them to accept the incident.”
Odewumi concluded by expressing the association’s intention to engage with the university management to address the steps they plan to take regarding the family left behind by the deceased.
