RUFUS GIWA POLYTECHNIC DISPROVES CLAIM THAT DECEASED YOUNG MAN WAS A STUDENT
The management of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), has formally denied that the man whose body was found hanging in Emure‑Ile, Owo Local Government Area, on Monday was a student of the institution.
The deceased, identified as Audi Emmanuel, was initially reported in several media outlets as a Computer Engineering student at the state‑owned polytechnic. The reports quickly spread on social media, prompting public concern and condolences directed at the school.
In a statement released on Thursday, Senior Assistant Registrar for Public Relations and Protocol Olumide Olugosi said the polytechnic’s records contain no enrolment for any student bearing the name Audi Emmanuel in the Department of Computer Engineering Technology, the Continuing Education Centre, or any other faculty. “We express our sympathy to the family of the deceased, but we must correct the misleading reports that have linked him to Rufus Giwa Polytechnic,” the statement read.
The polytechnic’s review of academic files did reveal a similarly named applicant, Audu Emmanuel, who was offered admission to pursue a National Diploma in Computer Science for the 2024/2025 academic session. The admission, however, was never finalised; the applicant did not complete the required registration procedures or sit for any institutional examinations. As a result, Audu Emmanuel never became a registered student of the polytechnic.
The institution emphasised that associating the tragic death with the school is inaccurate and could damage its reputation. It called on media practitioners and the public to verify information before publishing, particularly in cases involving personal identities and sensitive circumstances.
Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, established in 1979 and renamed after the late businessman and philanthropist Dr. Rufus Giwa, offers programmes in engineering, science, technology, and management. The school has previously been the subject of misinformation campaigns, prompting a more rigorous approach to fact‑checking in its communications.
While the polytechnic extends condolences to the bereaved family, it has not disclosed further details about the investigation into the death, which remains under the jurisdiction of local law‑enforcement agencies. The institution’s statement underscores the need for accurate reporting and cautions against the rapid spread of unverified claims that may affect the reputation of educational establishments.
The clarification arrives as media outlets continue to monitor the story, and it highlights the broader challenge of misinformation in the digital age, especially when it involves vulnerable individuals and institutions.
