Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, paid a visit to the Federal University Lokoja to offer condolences following the tragic loss of six students in the Monday road crash along the Felele route.
Representing the Governor, Deputy Governor Joel Salifu, was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Hilary Ojoma Egwudah, and the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara Rtd.
In his address, the Governor expressed his condolences to the management, staff, and students of the institution for the dreadful incident, describing it as both gory and horrific.
He assured the students that the government is fully committed to ensuring the safety of their lives and properties, emphasizing that the governor shares in their grief alongside the entire state over the loss of the students.
READ Photo News : Kogi Reps Candidate Cheats Death in Ghastly Motor Accident
According to him, the Governor has already notified the Honorable Minister of Works about the situation, who will be visiting the state soon to assess the situation firsthand and implement measures to prevent such road accidents in the future.
Governor Ododo commended the students for their composed demeanor during this 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.
Furthermore, the Governor promptly established a committee comprising the State Security Adviser to Kogi State Government, Commissioners for Youths and Sports, Commissioner for 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 lives and properties of students, urging the government to implement stringent policies for safety measures. He also appealed for the construction of pedestrian facilities along the 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. 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.
Unubi Emmanuel
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor
