... as he calls for calm over the unfortunate incident
The Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, has expressed sympathy for the families of students who lost their lives and those injured in a stampede at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, during the distribution of palliatives at the institution.
The Speaker also extended his condolences to the State Government and the management of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, over the incident.
In a statement personally signed and made available to journalists today in Lafia, Speaker Jatau described the palliative distribution initiated by Governor Abdullahi Sule as a commendable effort. However, he lamented the stampede that resulted in the loss of lives and injuries among the students.
"We have received with shock the news of a stampede at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, today. On behalf of the Principal Officers and Honourable members, I want to express sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives and those injured as a result of the stampede. The House regrets the death of some students, and may their souls rest in peace," he said.
The Speaker urged the parents of the victims and the people of the state to remain calm in the face of the incident.
He commended the state government for taking steps to investigate the cause of the stampede, which disrupted the government's efforts to provide relief to the students.
Jatau assured the management of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, of the government's commitment to continue rolling out packages that will bring relief to the students, with full support from the State Assembly.
It was reported that on Friday, March 22, 2024, the tragic incident occurred when suspected hoodlums and some misguided students forcibly entered the school's convocation ground to steal the rice intended for distribution as palliatives to students.
The unfortunate event happened just hours before the scheduled official flag-off on the same morning, Friday.
It was further reported that Engineer Sule had introduced the widely applauded initiative to distribute rice and provide ₦5000 cash each to students in all tertiary institutions in the state.
