The University of Ibadan (UI) has reacted after viral footage showed a professor of the institution and a female student in a dispute over an unsurrendered skateboard.
The academic, later identified as Joseph Anthony Orighomisan Woods, was seen arguing with the student on the roadside after the lady failed to surrender her skateboard as ordered.
The circumstances surrounding the conflict were not immediately clear but the professor could be heard ordering the protesting student to report to the school’s security unit.
“I can’t have any conversation with you. Give me [the skateboard] and meet me at the security office,” he yelled.
“I don’t want to rough-handle you. Give it to me. You’re disobeying. You’re irresponsible as far as I’m concerned.”
As pedestrians attempted to placate Joseph who appeared to be pulling the female student along by the shirt, the professor interjects: ” Are you staff? You cannot instruct me here. Go away.”
TheCable Lifestyle contacted the school management to ascertain the facts of the controversy.
In a statement on Wednesday, Olubunmi Faluyi, the registrar and secretary to the university council, said the student was caught alongside another male skating along Oduduwa Road, which the official described as UI’s busiest street.
Faluyi said skating on major roads on campus was “illegal” and “unsafe”.
The registrar also denied claims that the student was assaulted, discrediting the social media backlash on the matter.
“Professor Woods stopped the skaters and requested that they should be taken to the campus security office. At no time did he rough handle the lady. Posting the video on social media was a pure act of mischief,” Faluyi said.
“In general, skating on major roads is illegal and unsafe. Worldwide, it is only allowed on walkways and designated parks and not on highways.
“The action taken by the professor was to protect the lives of the skaters and other road users.
“The management, therefore, condemns the way the story is being posted on social media and the unkind comments.
“The management seizes this opportunity to reiterate that it is illegal to skate on major roads within the campus. Learner drivers are also not allowed on the major roads within the university campus during peak periods.”
