The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has promised to immortalize Mr Olabode Olawuyi, the institution’s zoologist who was killed by a lion while on duty.
The University Registrar, Mr Adetunji Bakare said this on Wednesday at a one-day workshop organized by the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), to mark the first anniversary of Olawuyi’s death.
The event, held at Pit Theatre, Department of Dramatic Arts, OAU was titled “Workplace Safety Awareness”.
According to reports, Olawuyi died on February 19, 2024, in an attempt to rescue a junior colleague who was attacked by the lion during feeding.
The registrar stated that the gathering was to celebrate the heroic act of Olawuyi and not his death, he then assured the public that the University authorities would immortalize the memory of late Olawuyi.
He also revealed that measures are already in place to priotize safety and create conducive environment for the institution staffs.
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 honour.
Likewise, Mr Reuben Temerigha, the Managing Director of Western Diamond Energy Limited (WEDEL), charged all organization to provide a safe and healthy environment for their staff.
Temerigha, represented by the Manager, Health Safety Security and Environment, WEDEL,by Mr Harry Ipalibo, stated that workplace injuries and hazard remain a pressing challenge adding that the deceased’s bravery and selflessness served as a stark reminder of the risks many workers face on a daily basis.
He thereby called for prioritizing safety and implementing measures that would prevent such incident in the future.
Temerigha pinpointed some challenges to workplace safety ranging from lack of awareness and training, non-compliance with safety regulations, hazardous work environments, fatigue and human error, and poor safety culture among others.
He suggested comprehensive training programmes, strict enforcement of safety technology, encouraging a culture of safety, regular safety audits and risk assessments, employee well-being programmes as the way out to safeguard the workers.
The Chairman of NAAT-OAU, Mr Matthew Oluwaniyi also spoke at the event, saying the programme was to honour the deceased whose demise serves as a solemn reminder of the risks many workers face daily.
He emphasized that the late Zoologist left a legacy that demands actions and not just remembrance, calling for Olawuyi’s immortalisation by naming the OAU Zoological Garden after him.
