FPI Responds To Alleged Missing Applicant, Calls For Responsible Journalism

…Applicant Found Safe After Creating Panic

ILARO-YEWA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro in Yewa South Local government area of Ogun State, has addressed reports of a missing applicant, Miss Ibukun Victoria Odebode, who participated in the screening exercise for the institution’s Higher National Diploma (HND) programme on Thursday, November 7, 2024.

In a statement released by Sola Abiala, Deputy Registrar, Public Relations and Protocol, it was clarified that Miss Odebode has been found and reunited with her parents.

The institution emphasized that Miss Odebode is not yet a student of the Polytechnic, as applicants only attain that status upon admission.

Labeling her as a student in news reports was deemed “erroneous and misleading.” The Polytechnic urged journalists to adhere to the principles of Accuracy, Balance, Objectivity, Conciseness, and Currency (ABOCC) in their reportage.

Contrary to initial concerns, the statement revealed that Miss Odebode was not missing, but allegedly had gone to visit her boyfriend after the screening exercise.

Her phone battery was allegedly gone flat, preventing her from contacting her family, which led to unnecessary panic and anxiety.

The management reiterated the importance of verifying facts before publication and warned against defamation through unverified reporting.

“The institution does not and will not take kindly to future defamation of character, by any news medium, either online or traditional, as a result of unverified facts regarding the Polytechnic,” the statement read.

For any additional details concerning Miss Odebode, the Polytechnic directed inquiries to her brother’s phone number, as shown in the accompanying image in their release.

This development highlights the need for clear communication and responsible news reporting to prevent the escalation of unfounded concerns.