Ojediran Oyedele, a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Osun State, died on Tuesday.

Mr Oyedele’s death was Confirmed by the chairperson of the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Anthony Odiwe, and the National Coordinator of the Congress of Universities Academics (CONUA), ‘Niyi Sunmonu.

The two union leaders spoke in separate messages to our reporter.

“It is true, it is very shocking and devastating. He was full of life before his untimely death,” Mr Odiwe said.

The university spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, has also confirmed the development.

The lecturer, who teaches at the faculty of education, slumped in his office on Tuesday morning and was rushed by his son and other lecturers to the university health centre, according to one of his students, Emmanuel Adedapo.

“It was in the morning around 8a.m. It was his first son, who is also a student of OAU, and some lecturers that took him to the health centre. And he died at the health centre. They could not rescue him,” he said.

He did not give details of the lecturer’s son.

‘Our members are stressed’

Meanwhile, the OAU ASUU chairperson, Mr Odiwe, said academic staff in the university are overwhelmed and overstretched.

He said some of the academics have retired while others have left the university system as a result of the harsh working conditions. Yet, he said they have not been replaced.

“This is one of the issues of the union, sincerely. We cannot continue like this,” he said.

“Our members are seriously under stress and pressure from work-related issues. Some of our members are retired, some left the system because of the conditions of service and the working environment that is not conducive. So fewer hands are now available to do the work of so many,” he added.

Displeased with the content in the viral video, the Vice- Chancellor of the University, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, has directed the setting up of a fact-finding committee to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate occurrence.

The University authorities wish to state categorically that what happened in the viral video, is not in the University’s character. The University is a decent and diligent institution, which will not tolerate any form of abuse or maltreatment from anyone. The University authorities, therefore, apologise to the generality of the people, especially our alumni, whose sensibilities might have been assaulted by that shenanigan. 

The University authorities appeal to the students to remain calm and go about their normal academic activities. All stakeholders are assured that justice will be served accordingly and appropriately.