By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo on Tuesday paid a visit to the Federal University Lokoja to offer condolences following the tragic loss of six students in the Monday auto crash along the Felele — Abuja highway in Lokoja.
Representing the Governor, Deputy Governor Joel Salifu was accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hilary Ojoma Egwudah, and the State Security Adviser, Commodore Jerry Omodara Rtd.
In a statement by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Mr Unubi Emmanuel, the Governor in his address, expressed his condolences to the management, staff, and students of the institution for the dreadful incident, describing it as both dreadful and horrific.
He assured the students that the government is fully committed to ensuring the safety of their lives and property, emphasizing that the governor shares in their grief alongside the entire state over the loss of the students.
According to him, the Governor has already notified the Minister of Works about the situation, who will be visiting the state soon to obtain firsthand information and implement measures to prevent such road accidents in the future.
The governor pledged to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Works to promptly address the issues and provide a lasting resolution to the road challenges.
Governor Ododo commended the students for their composed demeanor during the trying time, assuring them of the government’s dedication to addressing the road challenges.
He instructed the Managing Director of Kogi Road Maintenance Agency to evaluate the road for the construction of pedestrian bridges and directed the State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps to establish checkpoints with properly stationed officers to regulate vehicle speed on the road.
The Governor consequently established a committee comprising the Security Adviser to the Governor, Commissioners for Youths and Sports, Education, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, Student Union President of the Institution, Lokoja Sector Commander of the FRSC, SSAs on Youth and Students Affairs, SSA Youth and Women Mobilization, Lokoja Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, among others.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, expressed gratitude to the state government for their support and appealed for measures to prevent such incidents from reoccurring, urging the Governor to construct the Agbaja – Felele road for student use and provide additional buses for transportation.
The Student Union President of the University, Comrade Benjamin Olorunfemi Timothy, voiced discontent over the recurring accidents claiming the lives and property of students, urging the government to implement stringent policies for safety.
He also appealed for the construction of pedestrian facilities along Felele Road and requested the police to refrain from harassing students but rather focus on their protection.
He acknowledged the state government’s swift response to the tragedy, especially the Governor’s directive to halt daytime truck movements within the state, deeming it timely.
Following the visit, the Deputy Governor chaired an emergency committee meeting regarding the accident at his office in Lokoja.
Concerns were raised about student safety on the roads, security in their lodgings, government support for bereaved families’ funerals, and the necessity to develop a permanent solution to the challenges faced by institutions along the routes during the meeting.
