Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Ondo lecturer burnt to death in mysterious fire

By Oluwaseun Akingboye, Akure and Dennis Erezi, Lagos
10 October 2018   |   3:44 am
Tragedy struck yesterday at the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa, as a 65-year-old lecturer, Prof. Adegboyega Obadofin, was burnt to death. The deceased was the Acting Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the university. He died in the ugly incident that occurred at his residence located at Ayeka, a nearby community…

Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa

Tragedy struck yesterday at the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa, as a 65-year-old lecturer, Prof. Adegboyega Obadofin, was burnt to death.

The deceased was the Acting Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the university. He died in the ugly incident that occurred at his residence located at Ayeka, a nearby community to the university.

The charred body of the professor was found at about 12:50a.m. yesterday by his neighbours.

The Guardian gathered that the fire began around 2:00a.m. at his residence.

Sources in the institution, who noted that the cause of the fire outbreak was still a mystery, said: “”This is mysterious because there was no power supply to the house nor was his power generating set on when the incident occurred.

So, no one could state the cause of the fire. We have informed his family who are in Lagos about the incident and I heard the school management has visited the home of the deceased.

The circumstance surrounding the death, other sources added, caused a scare in the university community as academic activities were disrupted over the incident.

Prof. Sunday Oginduyile, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, who also confirmed the incident, said the university community was currently mourning the deceased.

“The incident happened in the midnight and residents confirmed that Obadofin was burnt to ashes.

This is a shocking incident to us in the university, because we never expected this sad incident, mostly at this trying time.

I have visited his home with some management staff and it was a great shock when we got to the home to see the remains.

“Everyone will miss him. He was a nice man to the students and even his colleagues at work. We can only pray that God should give the family the fortitude to bear this loss,” he said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, who confirmed the incident, stated that the command had begun investigation.

According to him, “we are yet to know how it happened and the cause of the incident but we have started investigation on the matter.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos State University (LASU) has dismissed three lecturers due to offences bothering on sexual harassment of students.

The lecturers are Dr. Odubunmi Ayoola Sunkanmi, Dr. Ogunwande Isiaka Ajani and Dr. Gbeleyi Emmanuel Orilade.

Although the university did not disclose instances of sexual assault and harassment offences committed by the lecturers, it stated that there had been series of such allegations against them.

“Lagos State University Governing Council has approved the dismissal of three academic staff namely for offences bordering on sexual harassment,” LASU said in a statement.

“The individuals were sacked on the recommendations of the Joint Council/Senate (Academic) Disciplinary Committee of the university having been found culpable of allegations leveled against them at different points.”

LASU’s decision to fire these offenders have been applauded by members of the public and former students of the school.

One Olami said “Odubunmi finally met his Waterloo, every day for the thief, but one day for the owner! Kudos to the governing council for taking the right decision!!”

Mumuni Damilola urged the school to intensify its disciplinary actions to other offensive cases hidden from the public domain.

“Please let us know if we can report cases of misconduct that happened but were swept under the carpet; sorting; sex for scores demands and receipts.”

However, the institution also announced the promotion of academic and non-academic staff, as well recruitment of internal staff.

0 Comments