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The leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities, Federal University Lokoja, ((FUL) chapter, has urged President Tinubu to urgently take actions that will prevent recurrence of the incessant articulated vehicles accident along the Federal University corridor of the Okene- Abuja expressway....READ THE FULL CONTENT FROM THE SOURCE | READ THE FULL CONTENT FROM THE SOURCE
Even as the Union commiserated with the Management, families of the deceased students, their colleagues and the entire University community over the loss of five students in the ghastly accident that occurred on Monday 17th January, 2025.
The statement signed by the Chairman of ASUU, FUL, Dr. Joshua Silas and made available to Journalists in Lokoja on Friday, noted that the Union is grieved by the terrible untimely death of their beloved students, in an accident by a heavy-duty vehicle which crushed a mini-bus transporting students from the University.
The statement stated that the deaths of these young, promising lives is a heartbreaking tragedy, as their thoughts and prayers are with their families at this terrible time.
The ASUU- chairman assured that the Union stands in solidarity with the whole student body as they mourn the death of their colleagues.
He lamented that this accident is not the first time that students and members of the university community have met such awful ends on this treacherous highway, stressing that the frequency of its occurrence is of grave concern and requires immediate action from all relevant stakeholders.
According to him ” it is clear that a lack of appropriate
infrastructure, including student hostels and staff quarters on university grounds, forces a large
number of students and staff to commute everyday over this perilous roadway, exposing them to unnecessary dangers.
“In view of this repeated tragedy, ASUU-FUL urges both the Kogi State Government and the
Federal Government of Nigeria to work with the university Management on finding long-term solutions to this problem.
“We demand for immediate construction of Student Hostels and Staff Quarters as Many students and staff are
compelled to live off-campus due to insufficient housing at the institution. The construction of hostels and staff quarters will dramatically reduce the number of
individuals who commute every day, lowering their exposure to traffic risks.
” Enhancement of Security on Campus to Improve campus security would not only make the learning environment safer, but, it will also forestall the danger of abduction and other criminal activity on campus. This will make living on-campus more attractive.
“Construction of a Dedicated Truck Lane or Bypass on the Abuja-Lagos highway which is one of the country’s busiest and highest-risk routes. We encourage the government to designate a separate lane for heavy-duty vehicles or build a bypass to move truck traffic away from important commuter routes and opening a Road through the University to Link Felele and Agbaja road .
“This will help decongest traffic on the highway and provide a safer commuting route for students and staff. Regular Enforcement of Road Safety Measures by the government, in collaboration
with appropriate agencies should be stepped up by road safety enforcement officers who shall ensure all heavy-duty
trucks follow all applicable laws to avoid incidents of this sort” He solicited.
While reiterating that the safety and well-being of students and faculty members must be prioritized, the ASUU boss urge President Tinubu as the visitor of the University to commence immediate action to prevent future avoidable deaths on the students.
Kogi auto crash protest; management shutdown Federal University Lokoja indefinitely
As students of the Federal University Lokoja, (FUL), continue to protest the loss of five students killed by an articulated vehicle last Monday, the management of the institution has closed down the university indefinitely to prevent further unrest by the students.
This was contained in a letter with Ref. Number FUL/R/GEN/REGC/03 issued on Thursday by Dr. Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie Registrar and Secretary to Council and copied Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command Director, DSS Kogi State stated that
“Following the unfortunate loss of the lives of five students to a tragic trailer accident at Felele city centre on Monday, 17 February, 2025, students have barricaded the gates of the university despite magnanimous interventions from the State Government as well as frantic efforts and appeal by the University Management for calm.
“Accordingly, arising from the advice of the State Security Agencies and to forestall further loss of lives, the Vice-Chancellor after due consultation with Management has decided on behalf of Senate, that the University (both campuses) be closed down Indefinitely within one hour of release of this circular.
“Students are therefore, to vacate the campuses on/or before 12 noon, today, Thursday, 20th February, 2025. Please note for strict compliance.
The Protesting students of Federal University Lokoja (FUL) had on Wednesday threatened to block the Abuja-Lagos Highway if the Federal Government failed to take steps to hault the incessant killing of their colleagues by articulated vehicles.
Benjamin Timothy, FUL President, Student Union Government (SUG), who made the threat during the procession at the Falele Campus, Lokoja, said the students were tired of mourning their colleagues.
Recall that that five of the institution’s students were killed on Monday when an articulated vehicle lost control and crushed a shuttle bus carrying students.
“The five students killed on Monday have brought the number to 12 students killed by trucks in avoidable accidents in just a space of two months,” the SUG President decried...CONTINUE THE FULL READING HERE:
