OAU Explains Denial of Venue for Obi Lecture
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University has explained its decision to deny approval for a venue where Peter Obi was scheduled to deliver a lecture.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the university said the organisers failed to provide timely details about the guest, noting that the request was made barely a day before the event.
The institution said the short notice made it impossible to put in place the required security and logistical arrangements for hosting a high-profile personality.
It added that such events require proper coordination with agencies including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to ensure safety.
The university stressed that the decision to withhold approval for the use of Oduduwa Hall was based solely on safety and established protocols, and not a reflection of Obi’s status.
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Earlier, Obi had raised concerns over what he described as repeated cancellations of his engagements at universities, warning that the trend could undermine intellectual freedom in higher institutions.
He said the latest incident was part of a pattern, noting that similar occurrences had happened more than 10 times.