From Our Assembly Correspondent
... as Nasarawa Assembly visits the institution to offer condolences
The Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed, stated that the institution has established an investigating committee regarding the deaths of two students and injuries sustained by seven others during a stampede while distributing palliatives on Friday, March 22, 2024.
Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed made this statement while receiving members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Science, and Technology, who came to offer condolences to the university in Keffi today.
The VC expressed regret over the loss of two students' lives and the hospitalization of seven others due to the stampede during palliative distribution in the institution.
"During the palliative distribution, two students died, and seven were hospitalized. Out of the seven hospitalized students, four were discharged, and three are responding to treatment," he said.
He thanked the assembly for their solidarity with the university in light of the unfortunate incident and prayed for abundant blessings upon them.
The VC also took the opportunity to express appreciation to the House for their unwavering support and cooperation, without which the university's achievements would not have been possible.
" What we have accomplished would not have been possible without your support and that of the House in general," he said.
Earlier, Rt. Hon. Abel Yakubu Bala, the Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Science, and Technology, stated that the condolence visit aimed to sympathize with the university over the deaths of two students and the injuries sustained by others during palliative distribution.
" The Rt. Hon Speaker, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, instructed us to visit and offer condolences to the institution regarding the unfortunate incident.
" On Friday, 22nd March 2024, the entire nation's attention was drawn to the State University due to the regrettable deaths of two female students in a stampede at the convocation ground where palliatives from the Nasarawa State Government, intended for the students, were distributed.
" The incident was extremely unfortunate and saddening. The thoughts and prayers of the Rt. Hon Speaker, Principal Officers, Honorable members, and indeed the members of the Committee on Education, Science, and Technology are with you," he said.
Rt. Hon. Abel, who also serves as the Deputy Majority Leader, prayed for comfort for the university community and the immediate families of the deceased students.
" We also pray for the healing of those students traumatized and suffering from various degrees of injuries, hoping that such a scenario does not recur," he said.
The Deputy Majority Leader assured the university of the House's commitment to continue prioritizing the education sector in the state.
