Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu Alumni Association (OUIAA) has condemned in strong terms, attempts by some individuals to discredit the private university over the death of Timothy Adegoke, a Master’s student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, at the Hilton Hotels and Resort, Ile-Ife, Osun on November 5.
In a statement by its President, Quadri Olatunji, the former students described as “unethical, distasteful, unreasonable, illogical and selfish”, the manner in which “some prominent news media” in the country framed and projected the story.
While alluding to the fact that Adegoke, like every human being, did not deserve to die in his prime, Olatunji maintained that the sad incident “did not happen in Oduduwa University’s premises”, wondering why the citadel of learning had been made a target.
“Our higher citadel of learning which has produced highly placed youths in the society in just 12 years of her existence has no affiliation whatsoever in the unfolding story and as such it became a surprise as to why peddlers of substandard news would drag the name of the university into the mix,” he said.
Olatunji maintained that there is no justification for anybody to tarnish the image of Oduduwa University, even though Chief Ramon Adegoke Adedoyin is the owner of both the school and the hotel.
“There is no justification in the actions of those who normally should know the intended and unintended consequences such mudslinging act would have on old, current and new students of OUI, yet attempted tarnishing the image of the school for monetary gains. This act should stop at this stage. Hilton hotels is not Oduduwa University!” he stressed.
While commiserating with the family of the deceased, the Mass Communication graduate urged the police to be thorough getting to the root of the death of the OAU post graduate student.
