OAU Zoo Safety Concerns Persist One Year After Tragic Incident
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Benjamin Oluwakasayo Emmanuel One year after the tragic death of Olabode Olawuyi, a zookeeper at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), there is still no official report on the circumstances surrounding the incident. This has raised concerns about workplace safety and the handling of the investigation by the university management. Olawuyi, a veterinary technologist, lost his life on February 19, 2024, after being attacked by a lion he had cared for since its birth nine years ago. The incident occurred while he was feeding the lions, and despite efforts by his colleagues, he succumbed to his injuries. Following the attack, the lion was euthanized, and an investigation was ordered by the university. At a workshop held to mark the first anniversary of Olawuyi’s death, Matthew Oluwaniyi, chairman of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), OAU chapter, expressed disappointment over the delay in releasing the investigation report. He stated, “Regrettably, despite ma...