No fewer than six people was injured after the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife’s Amphitheatre collapsed on students while receiving lectures.

The roof collapsed after a whirlwind around 9:00 am on Thursday, May 16, 2024.

According to an eyewitness; “There was a whirlwind that collapsed the covering inside Amphi theatre. Four people was  rushed to the hospital. 

“The students were rushed to Seventh Day Adventist Hospital but were rejected but were later taken to OAUTHC, and the VC came to see the injured students at OAUTHC.”

A statement signed by the Students’ Union President Abass Akinremi also confirmed the development saying that six of its students were injured after the roof of the school’s Amphitheatre collapsed.

The Union tasked the Federal Government to focus more on funding tertiary institutions, especially in the area of renovation of dilapidated buildings.

While commending the University medical team for the prompt attention given the injured students, he noted that the students leadership will remain vigilant in identifying potential safety hazards in the school.

The statement reads; “It is sad to note that the whirlwind caused a damage to the ceiling covering at the Amphi theatre which sparked a collapse of some section of the ceiling resulting in injuries to a number of students who were in the SER 001 Class at the time.

“Our preliminary assessment indicates that approximately six students were affected, with varying degrees of injuries. Some sustained injuries to the head, others to the legs, and some have incurred injuries to other parts of their bodies. Immediate action was taken, and every arm of the school management swiftly responded to the emergency.

“We wish to assure the Great Ife community and the public that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected students. Those in critical condition were promptly transported to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) for urgent medical attention”.

Meanwhile, the management of the university has called for calm following an accident that occurred on the campus. 

The call was made in a statement issued by the university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olanrewaju.

The statement disclosed that the Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebayo Simeon Bamire and other principal officers were at the medical and health centre of the university where the students were rushed to for medical treatment.

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2024
Bamire while calling for calm assured that the injured students were given adequate medical attention.

He also urged the students and staff to go about their academic and administrative activities as the Amphitheatre has been sealed off until further notice.

The statement reads, “The torrential rainfall of early Thursday morning, accompanied with a whirlwind, which started as students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, were having a lecture, SER to be precise, in the Amphitheatre of the Oduduwa Hall, affected the ceiling of the Amphitheatre as it fell off and injured a few of the students.

“The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire led other principal officers to the Medical and Health Centre of the University, and ensured that the injured students were given adequate medical attention.

“The Vice-Chancellor also followed two other students, whose cases demanded more medical attention to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), where the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Professor John Okeniyi, physically supervised the proceedings.

“The Vice-Chancellor has, therefore, appealed for calm and urged students and staff to go about their academic and administrative activities without any form of untoward action.

“Meanwhile, the management of the University, has sealed off the amphitheatre, the venue of the unfortunate incident, until further notice.