A senior lecturer in the Department of Science and Technology Education, Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Dr. Ayodele Isaac Ojediran, slumped and died in his office.
The incident which happened on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, has thrown the entire university community into mourning.
Ojediran was reportedly rushed to the institution’s clinic immediately he slumped but did not make it.
The President, Faculty of Education Students Association of Nigeria, Victor Adesokan, who confirmed the development to the Punch on Wednesday, said he was with Ojediran the night before his death.
According to him, the deceased, whom he described as a father, complained of headache, adding that the lecturer appeared very weak.
Adesokan, who complained of inadequate academic personnel in the faculty, noted that Ojediran’s demise is the fourth death among the lecturers in the faculty in the outgoing year.
“On Monday night, he complained of headache and stress. We told him to rest. They (lecturers) have too much workload on them. The school needs to recruit more lecturers, especially that of Faculty of Education. For example, a lecturer that is supposed to be a level adviser will now be doing the work of 6 to 7 lecturers,” Adesokan said.
“Throughout last week, they couldn’t rest, all of them almost 70% of them. This is the fourth death that will be recorded this year in that faculty. Government and the school management should stop wasting our lecturers’ lives,” he added.
A close ally of the deceased, Ayodeji Obisesan, confirmed the sad incident in a post on his verified Facebook page.
“Dr. Ayo Ojediran, a Senior Lecturer in Faculty of Education OAU slumped and died in his office today. Such a very nice and humble man to the core. Always willing to help. My namesake toh sure. God will give us your students, friends, colleagues, associates and family members the fortitude to bear this great loss. May your soul rest in perfect peace Dr Ojediran Isaac Ayodele,” he wrote.