Following the heightened tension in Plateau State, the Akwa Ibom and Oyo States government respectively have joined the number of students evacuation from University of Jos (UNIJOS)
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday, received 85 students of the University of Jos, who are indigenes of the state, evacuated from the troubled Plateau State.
The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon Segun Ogunwuyi, assured the students that the state government would always do everything within its capacity to protect the lives and properties of its indigenes and residents.
The governor had, at the weekend, ordered the evacuation of the students of Oyo State origin, having deployed his Special Assistant , Students Affairs, to Jos, to lead the evacuation.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the Chief of Staff reassured the evacuees, on behalf of the governor, that the state would always be proactive in protecting the lives of its indigenes and residents, irrespective of their places of residence or locations.
The evacuees were ferried into the Governors Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, in two buses owned by the Oyo State Pacesetter Transport Company.
The elated students expressed joy and appreciation to the governor for bringing them out of the troubled zone.
While addressing the students, the governor said that the whole process evidently proved that his administration is quite committed to the wellbeing of Oyo State indigenes.
In his remarks, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Matters, Comrade Victor Olojede, who led the contingent to Oyo State, commended Governor Makinde for providing all that were needed in accomplishing the task.
He appreciated the good gesture and the commitment of the state government to its students across the nation, adding that the students were grateful for the kind gesture.
The leader of the evacuees who is also the President, National Oduduwa Students Association, UNIJOS Chapter, Kolawole Paul, described Governor ‘Seyi Makinde as an exceptional leader whom he said will never subject his people to any form of hardship.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Government has evacuated no fewer than 75 indegenes of the State studying at the University of Jos back to the State, following recent killings and violence in Jos, Plateau State which resulted in the close down of the school by the authority.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, Comrade Clifford Akwaowo who made this known in Uyo on Monday, when he led the leadership of NAAKISS, UNIJOS chapter who arrived the State over the weekend on a Thank you visit to the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, stated that students were evacuated following the directive of the State Governor,Mr Udom Emmanuel.
Comrade Clifford commended Governor Emmanuel for facilitating and monitoring the safe return of the students, describing him as a good father full of love and care deserving of accolades, adding that his swift response to the situation forstalled possible attacks and bloodlettings.
In their separate remarks, Mr Benjamin Akpan Jonah,a 400 level Chemistry Student and NAAKISS Vice President, Northern zone and Mr Ekong Blessed ,a 500 level Pharmacy student and NAAKISS President , UNIJOS chapter, thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for responding to their distress call for help and coming to their aid.
The Student Leaders recounted their ordeal while in school which they said began on the 14th of August,2021 whereby a group of individuals were attacked and killed in Jos which caused counter-attacks leading to mayhem and loss of lives of some individuals, including students of the University of Jos.
They said with the declaration of curfew by the Plateau State Government and subsequent close down of the school, students were in a critical situation which made them seek the intervention of the State Government .
They particularly lauded Governor Emmanuel,for liaising with Plateau State Government to provide security personnel that escorted their vehicles through to the outskirts of Plateau State, expressing delight to be back home.
Also speaking,the NAAKISS Worldwide President,Comrade Aniedi Michael, who was in the team that visited the Ministry, expressed appreciation for the show of love and magnanimity of Governor Emmanuel who put modalities in place for the safe return of the UNIJOS students, saying that Akwa Ibom State Students are happy and proud of him and would continue to support his lofty goals for the people of Akwa Ibom State.
Comrade Michael also appreciated the State Ministry of Education,led by the indefatigable Commissioner for Education,Mrs Idongesit Etiebet for her good works in the Ministry as well as reaching out and protecting the interest of students of Akwa Ibom State.
Receiving the students on behalf of the State Governor, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, thanked God for their safe arrival devoid of negative reports.
The Commissioner asserted that as a responsible government who does not play politics with the lives of the people, Governor Emmanuel has demonstrated that the well-being of the students is paramount.
Flanked by the Permanent Secretary, Lady Rose Bassey, Mrs Etiebet commended the student leaders for conducting themselves well and coordinating their colleagues of Akwa Ibom origin for the trip home, assuring of State government’s continued support, while promising to convey their message of appreciation to the State Governor.
