The administration of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, has refuted allegations that a proposed lecture embarrassed former presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Abiodun Olarewaju, the university’s public relations officer, clarified this in a press release on Sunday.
According to the statement, Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, was invited by
“The university authorities were not duly informed about the invitation or the status of the guest until Friday, just a day before the scheduled program,” claims Olarewaju.
“The university authorities were not duly informed of the status and calibre of the invited guest until Friday, just a day before the scheduled program,” he said.
Olarewaju emphasized that sufficient advance notice is necessary for events involving well-known individuals in order to facilitate appropriate planning and coordination.
“Such notice allows the institution to make logistical and security arrangements, including liaison with the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services, DSS,” he continued.
a group of students to give a talk on campus
“This is necessary to ensure the safety of the guest, members of the university community, and the general public,” stated Olarewaju.
The statement noted that due to the short notice, “the university could not complete the required arrangements and therefore did not approve the use of Oduduwa Hall for the event.”
He stressed that the decision was taken purely in the interest of safety, orderliness and adherence to established protocols and added that it was not a reflection of disregard for Obi, whom the university holds in high esteem.
The statement also stated that the Vice Chancellor, Adebayo Simeon Bamire, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to hosting distinguished personalities, provided due process is followed.When organizing events at the university, the administrator urged the public, employees, and students to follow established protocols.
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