The lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Friday, visited Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, Kogi State, to express her sympathies to the school management and offer her support following the recent attack by kidnappers.
The lawmaker said it was unfortunate that her first visit to the university had to address the tragic situation.
“What has befallen CUSTECH few weeks ago is what has happened to many institutions in Nigeria, and it’s quite worrisome. No child should fear for their safety in a place of learning; educational institutions should be the safest places,” she said.
The Senator pledged her readiness to support the university in any way possible to tackle the insecurity and to complement the measures already in place.
She asked the University Vice Chancellor to write to her about any area where she could support the school.
“Education is something I value dearly, and many of my 2024 constituency projects focus on strengthening our educational institutions. We have already included the Federal College of Education, Okene, Abdul Aziz Atta Memorial College, Okene, and Government Technical College, Oboroke in our pilot projects, and we can replicate the same thing here.
“I hope we will all come together, irrespective of political affiliation, and work for the good of Kogi State and Nigeria. My doors are open to everyone, regardless of political differences. I sympathise with you and hope no student will ever suffer this again,” she added.
Reacting, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Abdulrahman Salawu, said the management was pleased to welcome her to the university to commiserate with the institution.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the time of politics has passed, and it is now time for governance and collaboration.
He said despite the government’s efforts to mobilise security officials to rescue the abducted students, two of the students had been killed by their abductors for the singular reason of choosing to be educated.
He called on the Senator to raise her voice for the Federal government to rise to the occasion and tackle the current insecurity, adding that collaboration is what the state needs to bring about the best governance.
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