Olabode Olawuyi, a veterinary technologist who was killed by a lion in the university zoo, will be immortalized, according to a pledge made by the administration of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), located in Ile-Ife.
The registrar of the university, Mr. Adetunji Bakare, stated this on Wednesday at a one-day workshop to mark the first anniversary of Olawuyi’s death, held at Pit Theatre, Department of Dramatic Arts, OAU.
The workshop, organized by the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), was titled “Workplace Safety Awareness.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olawuyi died on Feb. 19, 2024, while attempting to rescue a junior colleague who was attacked by the lion during feeding.
The registrar stated that people were not gathering to celebrate Olawuyi’s death, “but his heroism.”
Bakare assured that the university authorities would immortalize the memory of the late Olawuyi.
The registrar saluted Olawuyi’s courage for standing in the gap of death of others.
He assured that measures have been taken to prioritize workplace safety for staff and create a conducive environment for them.
Speaking at the event, NAAT National President Mr. Ibeji Nwokoma said Olawuyi was a martyr who died saving another life.
Nwokoma, who was represented by the immediate past National Treasurer, Dr. Rachel Hassan-Olajokun, urged the university management to rename the zoo in Olawuyi’s honor.
Similarly, Mr. Reuben Temerigha, the Managing Director of Western Diamond Energy Limited (WEDEL), charged every organization to provide a safe and healthy environment for their staff.
Represented by Mr. Harry Ipalibo, the manager of health, safety, security, and environment, WEDEL, Temerigha maintained that workplace injuries and hazards remain a pressing challenge.
He added that the deceased’s bravery and selflessness served as a stark reminder of the risks many workers face on a daily basis, calling for prioritizing safety and implementing measures that would prevent such incidents in the future.
Temerigha identified lack of awareness and training, non-compliance with safety regulations, hazardous work environments, fatigue and human error, and poor safety culture, among others, as the challenges to workplace safety.
He suggested comprehensive training programs, strict enforcement of safety technology, encouraging a culture of safety, regular safety audits and risk assessments, and employee well-being programs as the way out to safeguard the workers.
Speaking, the Chairman, NAAT-OAU, Mr. Matthew Oluwaniyi, said that the program was to honor the deceased, whose demise serves as a solemn reminder of the risks many workers face daily.
Oluwaniyi emphasized that the late zoologist left a legacy that demands actions, not just remembrance, calling for Olawuyi’s immortalization by naming the OAU Zoological Garden after him. (NAN)
