…the university urged students, staff, and the public to always comply with laid-down procedures.
OSUN, NIGERIA- The iNews Times| The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has denied claims that it embarrassed former presidential candidate Peter Obi over a proposed lecture.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju.
According to the statement, a student group had invited Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, to deliver a lecture on campus, but the school authorities were not properly informed in advance.
Olarewaju explained that the institution only became aware of the guest’s status and the planned event on Friday, just a day before it was scheduled to take place.
He emphasised that events involving high-profile personalities require sufficient notice to allow for proper planning and coordination.
Such preparations, he noted, include necessary logistical and security arrangements in collaboration with agencies like the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to ensure the safety of the guest and the university community.
Due to the short notice, the school said it was unable to complete the required arrangements and therefore could not approve the use of Oduduwa Hall for the programme.
The management stressed that the decision was made strictly in the interest of safety, orderliness, and adherence to established procedures, and not as a sign of disrespect to Obi, whom it said it holds in high regard.
The Vice Chancellor, Adebayo Simeon Bamire, also reaffirmed the institution’s willingness to host distinguished personalities, provided due process is followed.
The university urged students, staff, and the public to always comply with laid-down procedures when organising events on campus.
