the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State chapter, has refuted viral reports alleging that a teacher at Soun High School, Ogbomoso, Mr. Fatai Adegoke, was attacked and killed by his students while trying to stop them from gambling during school hours.
In a statement signed by the State Secretary, Salami Olukayode, the union clarified that the late teacher died after a long battle with cancer, not from any form of student violence.
According to the NUT, its independent investigation revealed that Mr. Adegoke had been receiving medical treatment for cancer before his death. The statement added that the deceased’s family confirmed the illness as the true cause of death during his burial and subsequent fidau prayers.
“A reliable information gathered by the NUT through diligent search and investigation showed that Mr. Fatai Adegoke died of a cancer-related illness which he had nursed for quite an age, as against various opinions being peddled by social media bloggers,” the statement read.
The union also disclosed that Mr. Adegoke received both financial and moral support from colleagues and education stakeholders, including the NUT Ogbomoso Zone, ANCOPSS, and TESCOM, who contributed funds to cover his medical bills while he was receiving treatment at Florence Hospital and later at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital.
“It was recorded that a huge amount of money was donated by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ogbomoso Zone, to cushion the effect of his medical bills while at Florence Hospital before he was transferred to LAUTECH Teaching Hospital for advanced medical treatment. Sadly, it pleased God to take his life,” the statement added.
The NUT cautioned members of the public, especially social media users, against spreading unverified information, stressing the importance of proper fact-checking before publishing or sharing news.
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“We wish to advise the public, including social media users, to engage in adequate fact-checking before publishing or sharing news. This will help reduce the spread of misleading stories,” Olukayode stated.
While commiserating with the family, colleagues, and students of the deceased, the NUT described Mr. Adegoke as a dedicated and disciplined educator who served with integrity and passion.