The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has explained the rationale behind the declined approval for the proposed venue of a lecture to be delivered by the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi.
Abiodun Olarewaju, the public relations officer of the institution stated in a press statement that the organisers failed to provide adequate details about the event and the invited guest until Friday, a day before the programme.
He explained that the short notice made it impossible for the university to make necessary security and logistical arrangements required for hosting high-profile personalities and as such could not grant the approval for the venue.
“It is important to note that events involving high-profile personalities of such standing require adequate prior notification to the university authorities because it will enable the institution to make necessary logistical and security arrangements, including proper liaison with relevant security agencies such as the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), in order to ensure the safety of the guests, members of the university community and the general public.
“Consequently, given the short notice and the attendant inability to complete these critical arrangements, the university authorities could not approve the use of Oduduwa Hall for the event as requested by the organisers,”
