By Adesina Wahab
The Alumni Association of Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Osun State, has said that the institution has received a report on the alleged murder of a master’s student at Obafemi Awolowo University, Mr. Timothy Adegoke, a few days ago in Hilton Hotels, Ile Ife, should be separated.
The panel said in a statement by national president, Mr Olatunji Quadri Olayinka, on Saturday that repeatedly mentioning or highlighting the university while commenting on or reporting the matter would be a disservice to the university, students and alumni.
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“The Oduduwa University Ipetumodu Alumni Association (OUIAA) is closely following the news of the sad event that claimed the life of Mr. Timothy Adegoke; an Obafemi Awolowo University Masters student who is slated to be housed at Hilton Hotels, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on November 5, 2021.
“Mr. Adegoke, like everyone, had a right to life and did not deserve to die in his prime.
“We currently send our condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Mr. Timothy Adegoke, and pray that God will give them the strength to face this great loss.
“In the same way, we ask the Nigerian Police to persevere in their efforts to clarify the truth about the incident that claimed the life of the innocent man and to ensure that justice is done.
“We strongly condemn, however, the unethical, tasteless, unreasonable, illogical and selfish ways in which some of the country’s prominent news outlets frame and project history just to get more” traffic “to their online sites and more newspapers the newsstands.
“The sad event that is currently being investigated did not take place on the premises of Oduduwa University!
“Our higher citadel of learning, which has produced high-ranking youth in society in just 12 years of existence, has no affiliation with developing history and, as such, it was a surprise why peddlers with inferior news would bear the university’s name.” into the mix.
“While Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu (OUI) is one of the many companies founded by Hilton Hotels owner Ramon Adegoke Adedoyin, the university is operated and administered by a qualified Senate Committee and Governing Council that has experienced professionals in their fields are expertise. Hence, there is no justification for the actions of these half-baked media outlets, which should normally be aware of the intended and unintended consequences of such a mudfight for old, current and new students at the OUI, but which have tried to damage the image of the cash-for-profit school. This act should stop at this point, Hilton Hotels is not Oduduwa University!
“It is completely unfair to discredit the institution for something that has nothing to do with it. Private institutions are not cheap in Nigeria; hence, one can guess what a lot of parents and students (old and new) must have gone through to pay for tuition and everything.
“We therefore ask well-thinking Nigerians to be aware of our position as an alumni organization on this case. Oduduwa University is one of the most peaceful private schools in Nigeria with zero civil unrest or offensive incidents. The school has never seen any form of interruption in its academic calendar, except of course during the Covid-19 lockdown.
“Oduduwa University students and alumni shouldn’t have to go through this avoidable emotional trauma. The public should please refrain from carelessly associating the institution with any disreputable acts, ”the statement said.
