Connect with us

Education

Cross River gov mourns UNICROSS students, staffer killed in crash

Published

on

Governor Bassey Otu has expressed grief over the death of students and a staff member of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) who died in a road accident along the Calabar–Itu Highway.

In a statement shared on Facebook on Sunday, the governor described the incident as devastating, noting that it had plunged the state into mourning.

“I received with a deeply broken heart the devastating news of the tragic road accident involving students and a staff member of the University of Cross River State. This painful incident has cast a heavy shadow over our dear state and brought immense sorrow to us all,” he said.

He lamented the loss of young lives, describing the victims as promising individuals whose futures had been cut short.

“In one heartbreaking moment, we have lost some of our brightest young minds, full of promise, hope, and potential, alongside a committed staff member whose service reflected dedication and sacrifice,” he added.

“These were not just students; they were the future of Cross River State, dreams alive with purpose and possibility, now painfully cut short,” he added.

The governor also sympathised with the families of the victims and members of the university community affected by the tragedy.

“As a father, I cannot begin to imagine the depth of pain the families are going through at this time. My heart goes out to the parents who must now bear this unimaginable loss, to friends and classmates left in grief, and to the entire UNICROSS community weighed down by this tragedy.

See also  Only Kebbi offers 100% free education nationwide – Idris

“Please know that you are not alone. Cross River stands with you,” he said.

He offered prayers for the deceased and wished injured victims a speedy recovery.

“I pray that Almighty God grants eternal rest to the departed and comforts every grieving heart. In this moment of sorrow, I also extend my thoughts and prayers to those currently receiving treatment, trusting God for their speedy and full recovery,” he stated.

The governor added that his administration would continue to engage relevant authorities in response to the incident.

“As your Governor, I stand in solemn solidarity with all affected, and my administration will continue to engage with relevant authorities as we respond to this tragic incident,” he said.

“This is a painful time for us as a people. The pain of UNICROSS is my pain, and it is the pain of every Cross Riverian.”

PUNCH Metro had reported that at least three students and a staff member of the university died after a coaster bus conveying students collided with a container truck in Odukpani Local Government Area.

The accident occurred on Friday night as the students were returning from an official assignment in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The university confirmed that 24 students, mostly members of the Students’ Union Government executive, were involved in the crash.

Among those who died were the SUG Director of Sports, Solomon Uya; Lucky Erim, a Chemistry student and faculty president; Favour Darlington of the Department of Educational Management; and Mr. Anthony Arikpo, a staff member who drove the vehicle.

Survivors are currently receiving treatment in hospitals, while the police said investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash and locate the truck driver who fled the scene.

See also  Oyebanji inspects EKSUTH 80-bed hospital ward construction

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Education

Oyo government suspends school excursions, field trips over rising security concerns

Published

on

The directive, which affects both public and private schools, was contained in a circular issued by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Bamidele Oyinloye.

According to the ministry, the decision forms part of urgent precautionary measures aimed at protecting students, teachers and other school personnel amid the prevailing security situation.

The circular, addressed to the Executive Chairman of TESCOM, Permanent Secretaries, Tutors-General, Local Inspectors of Education, principals and head teachers across the state, stated that all previously approved trips and outdoor activities have also been cancelled until further notice.

“In view of the recent security concerns, the Ministry is taking proactive steps to safeguard the lives of students and members of staff in all schools across Oyo State,” the statement read.

The ministry further directed that “all school administrators are hereby instructed to suspend all excursions, field trips, sports competitions and any other activities that require moving students outside school premises until further notice.”

It added that “prior approvals granted by the Ministry are hereby overridden by this directive.”

Oyinloye stressed that the welfare and safety of students must remain the highest priority of every school authority, insisting that no academic or extracurricular programme should compromise the security of children.

“The safety of our children is non-negotiable and takes precedence over all academic and extracurricular activities,” she stated.

See also  CSOs slam NASS over interference in JAMB, WAEC

The circular also instructed school administrators to strengthen internal monitoring within school environments and maintain close communication with security agencies in their respective areas.

Schools were specifically advised to ensure students remain within school premises during school hours and to promptly report any suspicious movement or activity around school communities to law enforcement authorities.

“This directive takes immediate effect and will be reviewed as soon as the security situation improves,” the Permanent Secretary added.

The development has generated mixed reactions among parents, students and education stakeholders.

While some students expressed disappointment over the cancellation of planned excursions and sporting events, many parents commended the government for prioritising the safety of children.

A parent, Mrs. Funke Adeyemi, described the decision as timely, saying, “Security should always come first. As painful as it may be for students to miss their activities, no parent wants to take chances with the safety of their child.”

Some school administrators also acknowledged the challenges the directive may pose, especially for schools that had already made financial and logistical preparations for educational trips and competitions.

However, many agreed that the measure was necessary under the current circumstances.

tribuneonlineng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Education

LASUSTECH and Polish varsity sign MoU for collaboration

Published

on

The Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) has taken a major step in its internationalisation drive following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with SGH Warsaw School of Economics, one of Europe’s leading business institutions.

In a statement on Thursday by LASUSTECH communication unit, the university said the agreement, signed at the SGH campus in Warsaw, Poland, would open up new opportunities for students, faculty, and the wider academic community.

Vice-Chancellor, Olumuyiwa Odusanya, who signed on behalf of LASUSTECH, described the partnership as a milestone in the institution’s global engagement efforts.

“This partnership positions LASUSTECH within an elite global academic network and creates pathways for our students and faculty to benefit from international exposure and collaboration,” Odusanya said.

The SGH Rector, Piotr Wachowiak, signed on behalf of the Polish institution.

According to the statement, the LASUSTECH delegation included the Dean of the College of Applied Social Sciences, Olumuyiwa Olamade, and Ayo Eso, who also worked on establishing implementation plans during the visit.

The university noted that the collaboration would grant LASUSTECH access to SGH’s “Triple Crown accreditation standards and elite global networks,” enabling student exchange programmes with credit transfer, faculty exchange initiatives, and joint research.

“The partnership will also facilitate collaborative research in critical areas such as financial inclusion and the digital economy, while providing access to extensive academic resources,” the statement read.

It added that the visit created opportunities for engagement with Polish funding agencies and innovation platforms, including the CIC Innovation Hub.

Odusanya further explained that the agreement aligns with the university’s IMPACT model and the Lagos State Government’s development agenda.

See also  FULL LIST: FG approves nine new private varsities

“This collaboration strengthens our curriculum, enhances faculty development, and improves student mobility, while also connecting us to European research funding opportunities such as Horizon Europe programmes,” he said.

The university emphasised that the MOU represents a concrete step in its vision to contribute meaningfully to global academic discourse.

“We remain committed to building a university that is globally relevant and locally impactful. This agreement marks another important milestone in our internationalisation journey,” the statement added.

Continue Reading

Education

Meet Segun Aina who started at JAMB as corps member, now registrar

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday appointed Professor Segun Aina as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, succeeding Professor Is-haq Oloyede, whose two-term tenure expires on July 31, 2026.

Aina’s appointment has drawn attention partly because of his age, he turns 40 in July, and his rise through Nigeria’s academic, technology, and public policy sectors.

Here are things to know about him:

He trained entirely in the United Kingdom

Aina built his academic foundation across two British universities.

He obtained a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent in 2008, then proceeded to Loughborough University, where he earned an MSc in Internet Computing and Network Security in 2009.

He later completed a PhD in Digital Signal Processing at the same institution.

Back in Nigeria, he added a Senior Management Programme certificate from Lagos Business School.

He began his career at the very board he now leads

Long before his appointment as registrar, Aina had a firsthand encounter with JAMB.

He began his professional journey with the board during his National Youth Service Corps posting, gaining early experience in national admissions processes and data-driven institutional management.

The State House said those foundational insights have since shaped his contributions to examination reform and systems optimisation.

He became one of Nigeria’s youngest Computer Engineering professors at 39

Aina was appointed Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, at the age of 39, making him one of the youngest professors in his field in Nigeria.

See also  University students must declare status or forfeit UTME registration — JAMB

His promotion was based on strong research output, leadership roles, and efforts to link academic knowledge with real-world solutions.

He will now become JAMB’s youngest-ever registrar.

He has advised the presidency and state governments

With over 15 years of post-graduation experience, Aina has worked beyond the lecture hall.

His consultancy assignments have spanned public and private sector institutions, including the Job Creation Unit in the Office of the Vice President and several state governments.

His advisory work has focused on system design, digital transition, and operational reform, areas the State House said it expects him to bring to bear at JAMB.

He has consulted for Nigeria’s major examination bodies

Aina’s familiarity with Nigeria’s examination ecosystem goes beyond JAMB.

He has served as a consultant to NECO and NABTEB, as well as various State Ministries of Education, providing expertise on ICT systems, examination integrity, and digital process optimisation.

He co-founded a technology company

In 2010, Aina co-founded Fluid Click Solutions Ltd, an IT services and engineering project management company, with professional interests spanning education technology, agriculture, hospitality, capacity building, and technical and vocational education.

He belongs to several professional engineering bodies

Aina is a member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

He has also authored about 30 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers.

Continue Reading

Trending