In a somber turn of events at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the community is grappling with the loss of Olabode Olawuyi, a dedicated veterinary technologist and caretaker of the university's Zoological garden for over a decade.
The sorrowful incident unfolded on Monday afternoon when Olawuyi was attacked by a nine-year-old male lion while carrying out his routine feeding duties. Despite valiant efforts by fellow staff to rescue him, the lion's aggression resulted in severe injuries, leading to the tragic fatality.
The university management, led by Vice-Chancellor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, promptly halted proceedings for an on-the-spot assessment. Despite immediate medical intervention, all efforts to save Olawuyi's life proved unsuccessful.
The aggressive lion has since been euthanized as a precaution. As the community mourns, the university management has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, while extending condolences to the bereaved family
