OAU: Zookeeper Killed By Lioness Repeatedly Warned About Unsafe Work Conditions – Official

The chairman of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, Comrade Matthew Oluwaniyi, has accused the institution of failing a zookeeper who was killed by a lioness in the university’s zoo.

THE WHISTLER recalls that Mr Olabode Olawuyi was killed by a lioness he raised for 10 years on February 19, 2024, while attempting to save his subordinate from the claws of the animal.

The burial arrangement of the late zookeeper commenced on Monday with a memorial service held in his honour at OAU’s Biological Science Department. The burial was fixed for Wednesday.

In his tribute, the NAAT chairman described the late zookeeper as a hero who sacrificed his life to save his junior colleague attacked by the lioness.

“As a university, we have failed him, as a union we have also failed him. We haven’t listened closely enough to his repeated warnings about unsafe work conditions most times when he visited the secretariat. We haven’t done enough to create a secure environment.

“But that ends today. As a united force, we vow: Never again will we allow any member to face such dangers. We will work tirelessly with the university administration, local and international organizations, and regulatory bodies to ensure every institutional resource is harnessed towards creating a safe and secure work environment for all.“

The memorial service was attended by the management staff of the university, colleagues and his friends.