By Thompson Yamput
The Kogi Government on Wednesday pledged to immortalise the two slain students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara.
The two slain students, James Anajuwe, a 100 level Information Technology student and Musa Hussein, a 100 level Software Engineering student, were among the 31 students abducted by bandits on May 9.
Gov. Usman Ododo made the pledge while addressing students and management of the institution on improved security on the university campus by his administration.
Addressing the 29 rescued students of the university, Ododo said the visit was to restore their confidence, and demonstrate commitment of his administration to safety and security of students and educational institutions in the state.
“This government will no doubt, immortalise the two slain students of the university, James Anajuwe and Caleb Musa, who were killed by their abductors as our way of honour to them.
“My administration is very ready to complete the perimeter fencing of the university within 16 weeks and ensure full security surveillance of the campus with capacity for round-the -clock emergency response by security agencies.
“I will work with management of the university to consistently review security architecture of this institution and make improvements where necessary in line with safe school initiative of the state government.
“I want to assure that nothing will deter my administration from making education accessible to the teeming population of young people in Kogi.
“Therefore, we are committed to providing safe learning environment for students in all parts of the state, just as no effort will be spared to defeat criminal elements wherever they are found in the state,” he said.
The governor also promised to inspect the university senate building, new male and female hostel projects under construction and the University Demonstration Farms to ensure their completion.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Education, Mr Wemi Jones, commended the governor for the decisive steps taken to rescue 29 of the 31 abducted students.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of CUSTECH, Prof. Abdulrahman Salawu, expressed appreciation to Ododo for the fatherly role he had continued to play in the lives of the students since their abduction and release from captivity as well as his support for families of the deceased students.
The vice chancellor pledged cooperation of the university management to ensure speedy development of the institution as desired by Ododo’s administration. NAN