NAAT declares one-day mourning for member killed by Lion in OAU Ile-Ife

The National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, has declared one day mourning over the death of its member, Mr. Olabode Thomas Olawuyi, a Veterinary Technologist, in-charge of the Zoological Garden in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who was killed by lion.

NAAT in a statement to announce the mourning of its member, said the late Olabode Thomas Olawuyi went to grave without receiving his withheld five months salaries and seven months arrears of occupational hazard allowance.

The statement signed by NAAT President, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, regretted that considering the nature of work of an Academic Technologists, there is a clear evidence of lackNwokoma, regretted that considering the nature of work of an Academic Technologists, there is a clear evidence of lack of adequate protective arrangement for them in their various workplaces.

He said that the leadership of NAAT had emphasized the need for the full implementation of the FGN/NAAT 2009 Agreement especially on the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), institution of Occupation Hazard Insurance Policy (OHIP) and safe working environment which have not been attended to by the government.

The statement read: “The entire Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Community and indeed the nation were thrown into great shock by the sad incidence of a fatal attack by a lion leading to the untimely death of Mr. Olabode Thomas Olawuyi, a Veterinary Technologist who was in-charge of the Zoological Garden in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

“He was attacked while trying to rescue his female subordinate who was under attack by this lion. On Wednesday 6th March, 2024, the body of Mr. Olabode Thomas Olawuyi will be laid to rest.

“The public should note that over the years, the leadership of NAAT has emphasized on the full implementation of the FGN/NAAT 2009 Agreement especially on the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), institution of Occupation Hazard Insurance Policy (OHIP) and safe working environment.

“These and many others have not been addressed at all by respective University Governing Councils. Considering the nature of work of an Academic Technologist, there is a clear evidence of lack of adequate protective arrangement for Technologists in their various workplaces.

“From those that are in Biological and Chemical Laboratories inhaling on daily basis high doses of heavy chemicals including those handling radioactive materials, to those in workshops prone to Mechanical and Electrical hazards and inhaling nanoparticles daily to our members in farms/ field and zoos handling wild animals such as bees, Snakes and Lions who on daily basis face the hazard of paying with their lives or being maimed.

“As Mr. Olabode is laid to rest, his seven (7) months arrears of occupational hazard allowance remains unpaid by Government even after several meetings, promises and Memoranda of arrears of occupational hazard allowance remains unpaid by Government even after several meetings, promises and Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs).

“Unfortunately, Mr. Olabode has paid the Supreme price with his life in his place of work without being paid his five and half month of withheld salary arrears, seven month arrears of Occupational Hazard Allowance.

“Till date, the approved 25% and 35% salary increase promised our members after several MoUs, remains a mirage and our hero went to mother earth without being paid, while the payment of arrears of earned allowance budgeted for in 2023 Federal Government budget has become a waiting game.

“In view of these, the National Executive Committee on behalf of NEC declared Wednesday the 6th March, 2024 as a National Day of Mourning which was to be observed in all our branches and work places.

“Gentlemen of the Press, NAAT uses this medium to call the attention of Government, University Governing Councils, Management and the General Public to the challenges being faced by Academic Technologists in their workplaces and appeal for intervention to prevent future occurrence of the deadly incidence such as this one at OAU, Ile-Ife.”

Vanguard