Edo varsity teachers blame govt for hostel tragedy

Bauchi community laments state of schools

THE Ambrose Ali University (AAU) Ekpoma, Edo State chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday blamed the state government for last week’s tragedy in the female hostel of the school where eight students collapsed into a well leading to the death of two while one was seriously injured.

A statement by the union’s Chairman and Secretary, Prof. Frederick Esumeh and Dr. Stanley Omoikhoje, also “condemned” the state of facilities in the university “particularly the decay in learning and teaching facilities.” ASUU advised the state government to honour the dead and the injured students with radical intervention in the decay in the university.”

The university teachers expressed their sympathy and condolences to the families of the affected students. They said: “ASUU AAU, Ekpoma is shocked to note that in the 21 century of human development, undergraduates are still made to pass through the harrowing experience of lack of water, electricity and other related facilities. In fact, it is more painful when youths, the acclaimed leaders of tomorrow, are made to lose their lives in search for water while our leaders globe-trotting in a seemingly celebration of failed state, neglect and abandonment of the nation’s university system.”

It would be recalled that two students of the school died as a result of eight students reportedly falling into a well in Kudirat Hostel meant for female students while relaxing on top of the well.

The incident led to students embarking on protests in the university town while suspected hoodlums looted the co-operative office in the school where they were said to have carted away raw foodstuffs. The development has led to the closure of the school.

Meanwhile, some villages in Yali Ward, Ganjuwa Local Council of Bauchi State have lamented that their children are still studying under the trees due to the dilapidated nature of the school buildings.

The 29 villages expressed their concern yesterday at a forum with local council officials, politicians and Network of Civil Society on Water and Sanitation in Nigeria (NEWSAN) Bauchi State chapter to identify community problems, priority and areas that they want government to intervene.

Speaking at the forum, the Community Committee Coordinator, Alhaji Gambo Saleh, said one of the cardinal objectives of NEWSAN was to assist communities in the area of water, health and education to increase access and proximity.

Also speaking, the community Relations Officer, Mustapha Madaki, said the ward had a few existing primary health care facilities without health personnel to man them. He lamented that only 40 per cent of the people have access to potable water, adding that only 20 per cent keeps their environment clean.