The alumni association of the Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu (OUI), has distanced the school from the death of a Masters student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Mr Timothy Adegoke.

It will be recalled that the remains of Adegoke who was declared missing on November 7 was found near Hilton Hotel and details surrounding his death remain sketchy.

He had gone to town to sit for an exam at the OAU Distance Learning Centre, Moro campus, and had lodged in the hotel owned by Chief Ramon Adedoyin who doubles as the founder of Oduduwa University.

It will also be recalled that police in the state have arrested the manager and owner of the hotel in connection to the incident.

But President, Oduduwa University Alumni Association, Quadri Olatunji, in a press statement on Saturday, noted that the university should not be linked to Adegoke’s death since the incident did not happen on Oduduwa University premises.

While commiserating with the family of the victim, the association called for a thorough investigation into Adegoke’s disappearance and death, noting that “Mr Adegoke, like every human being, had a right to live and did not deserve to die in his prime.”

The association, however, condemned news reports linking and disparaging Oduduwa University over the incident.

“Our higher citadel of learning which has produced highly placed youths in the society in just 12 years of her existence has no affiliation whatsoever in the unfolding story and as such it became a surprise as to why peddlers of substandard news would drag the name of the university into the mix.

“There is no justification in the actions of these half-baked media outfits who normally should know the intended and unintended consequences such mudslinging act would have on old, current, and new students of OUI, yet attempted tarnishing the image of the school for monetary gains. This act should stop at this stage, Hilton hotels is not Oduduwa University!

“It is entirely unfair to discredit the institution over something unconnected to it. Private institutions are not cheap in Nigeria; hence one can guess what a lot of parents and students (old and new) must have gone through to pay tuition and all.

“We, therefore, implore well-thinking Nigerians to be mindful of our stand on this case as an Alumni body. Oduduwa University is one of the most peaceful private schools in Nigeria with zero rates of unrest or obnoxious incidents. The school has never recorded any form of interruption to its academic calendar except of course during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“The students and alumni of Oduduwa University should not have to go through this avoidable emotional trauma. The public should please refrain from unmindfully linking the institution to any disreputable act,” the statement reads in part.

(Nigerian Tribune)

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