Reprieve came the way of Gombe State University fire victims as the state Governor , Muhammadu Yahaya, on Monday announced an immediate relief package of N20 million for the affected students, just as he also has cautioned them against violating hostel regulations, particularly cooking inside the hostels.
Recall that the recent fire outbreak in the institution destroyed parts of the female hostel. It was gathered that the female hostel was engulfed in a cooking gas incident based on a preliminary report by the Federal Fire Service.
The governor, who made the announcement when he visited the university on Monday to commiserate with the management, staff and students, described the incident as unfortunate, while pledging immediate government support for the affected students.
“I was so worried when I saw the fire on social media. I got across to the stakeholders, especially the fire brigade and also the Vice Chancellor that night, who assured me the situation was under control. Despite the rules of the hostel, some of you don’t want to behave. You must control yourselves.
The management has to enforce discipline because the safety and lives of students are the priority of the government. Going forward, you must abide by the university rules. What we have seen is disturbing, even though the space is tight. I understand this building wasn’t meant to be a hostel.”
To address the challenges facing the institution, Yaya ordered the Commissioner for Higher Education, in collaboration with the Commissioner for Works, Housing, and Transportation, to commence plans for the construction of a befitting hostel and classroom blocks for the expanding university population.
“We need to go vertical to save space and put up modern facilities. That will be the next action to forestall a repeat of this incident.
“The management must also look into safety and security, especially fire-fighting equipment. Standards must be enforced,” he said
“I’m directing the Commissioner for Higher Education to process the sum of N20 million to be released tomorrow for students directly affected.
“It should be shared fairly—50 per cent to those directly impacted and 50 per cent to other students who were traumatised by the incident. Everyone should be part of this support”, the governor said.
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Yahaya also instructed the university management to ban cooking in hostels and provide a designated kitchen and an affordable cafeteria system within the school.
“No more cooking in the hostel. Registrar, provide a space to serve as a kitchen, and revise the feeding system. There should be a cafeteria cheap enough for students to afford. If this had been done, this incident wouldn’t have happened,” Yahaya ordered.
Responding, GSU Registrar Abubakar Bafeto commended the governor for his swift intervention and pledged proper use of the funds.
“On behalf of lecturers, students, and the entire GSU community, we sincerely express our gratitude for this visit. Your presence demonstrates your concern for the students and the entire university. We are deeply thankful, and we pray that God rewards you abundantly,” Bafeto said.
