The student leaders, Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan of NAPS and Comrade Olushola L. Oladoja from NANS, expressed serious concerns over the accidents, which have resulted in student injuries and distress to their families. 

Paul Eshiofune used the cases of Ruth Obadon Otabor, a student from Auchi Polytechnic, who lost a leg from the accident. He mentioned several other victims whose lives had been cut short by the negligence of the drivers on the road.

They called for swift intervention, adequate compensation for victims, and the implementation of long-term safety measures.

In response, the Director of Insurance, Dangote Group, Mr Obashola Alo, addressed the specific cases of victims, saying: “In the case of Ruth Otabor, upon receiving the news of the accident, Dangote’s welfare committee representatives visited the police to obtain a report and visited the hospital, assured the family of full responsibility, arranged an air ambulance from Lagos, flew to Edo and evacuated Ruth from Irrua Specialist Hospital to Lagoon Hospital, Lagos, one of the country’s foremost hospitals.

“On Elizabeth Obi, he admitted the company was not initially aware of her case until it was brought to their notice. He requested NAPS to urgently provide her family’s contact details for immediate intervention.

“He added that all documented daily expenses incurred by victims’ families will be reimbursed by the company.”

They also noted that all Dangote truck drivers are undergoing recertification, and surveillance systems are being introduced to monitor compliance with safety standards. 

It was also clarified that some trucks with the Dangote logo are operated by independent partners.

The meeting concluded with an agreement for continued collaboration to ensure justice for victims and improve road safety. 

The student associations pledged to monitor the situation to ensure concrete results.

A statement released by her family, confirmed the passing of Ruth Obadon Otabor.

The students body, which gave this warning while briefing journalists at the NUJ secretariat Owerri, Imo State, said any fuel station that fails to dispense the FG subsidized petroleum products allocated to Imo State by Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, within the next 24 hours, “shall have us declaring such product found in such station FREE FOR ALL”

Comr. Asefon Sunday Dayo, NANS National President, who spoke on behalf of the students said, “because our members are the worst hit and students in Imo State can no longer go to school because over 80% of our students are living off campuses as a result of inadequate hostels on campuses.

“We have invited you to express frustrations and economic hardships imposed by IPMAN members on imo State.”

“As you are aware, for the past two weeks, IPMAN and members have withdrawn the services of dispensing FG subsidized PMS and other allied products under the pretense of agitation and making unfounded dubious demands.”

Also speaking, Comr Joy Gerrald Imo Joint Campus Committee, JCC Chairman said, “they claimed that one of their members won a case in court against imo State government, a judgement that is currently being appealed by the Imo State Government, yet this elements in their desperation has continually refused to render services to Imo State people, same people the government granted them operational licenses to service.”

“You may wish to know that these people only open at night where they sell these same subsidized products at an exorbitant prices of #350 to #400 Naira, which is an indication that these elements are just out to make life unbearable to Imo people and by extension Nigerians while selfishly profiting from the suffering of the people.”

“This wickedness exhibited by IPMAN members has given rise to astronomical hike in the prices of goods and services in imo State thereby making life more difficult to the already impoverished imo people.”

“In our thinking, IPMAN is acting like a mere cartel, illegally selling the FG subsidized fuel at exorbitant prices, depriving Imo people from enjoying subsidized products which they are entitled to unconditionally and hording same to sell illegally at hiked prices. This is not only a criminal but also and economic sabotage which must be resisted.”

“We have received complaints of frustrations by our members occasioned by this wickedness, where a distance from Douglas road to Fedpoly Nekede, Futo, Imopoly and others are costing over Seven hundred naira per trip.”

“We feel challenged and can not fold our arms and watch our people suffer while some elements hiding under the umbrella of IPMAN, with the under the supervision of DPR to continue to criminally enrich themselves to the detriment of unsuspecting Imo people, especially our students.”

“After due consultation with all affected groups in the State, we have resolved to lead a struggle to ensure that these products are made available and distributed as contained in the license issued to petroleum dealers.”

The student’s body also commended the Lagos State Governor for his impressive achievements, especially in the educational sector since the inception of his administration.

Asefon who spoke with newsmen said Lagos State had become a reference point of good governance for other states in the federation through the demonstrated exemplary leadership of Governor Sanwo-Olu.

Comrade Asefon also asserted that there has been a massive overhaul and repositioning of the educational sector of Lagos State since Babajide Sanwo-Olu became the governor.

He, however, explained that a boost in the academic performance of Lagos State students could very well be ascribed to the numerous positive developments so far witnessed in Lagos State University as well as other educational institutions in the state.

“In the educational sector, he has done creditably well. As we always do, NANS leadership under my watch will celebrate governors that give priority to the educational sector. Sanwo-Olu is one of the governors that has shown commitment to the development of education in this country.

“So far so good, I have not heard anything bad on the issue of bursary and scholarship in Lagos state. I must also commend him for the way and manner he managed the issues of the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos. This is highly commendable and we need to give him credit on that also,” he said.

Source: Nigerian Tribune

Asefon said another strike coming on the heels of last year’s paralysis of the country’s universities owing to industrial action would not augur well for education in the country with dire consequences on the students.

ASUU had,  last week, threatened to resume the industrial action it suspended in December 2020 over the Federal Government’s alleged failure to honour many of the agreements it signed with the lecturers.

The NANS President, in a statement titled, ‘NANS pleads with ASUU, FG to find common ground to avert another industrial Action’, said, “Since the inception of this democratic dispensation in 1999, ASUU has now gone on accumulated strike for over five years.

“This development is not only worrisome, but also portends great danger to the education sector, national development, research, and security in Nigeria”.

The students said that although ASUU is entitled to press home it’s welfare needs, the lecturers as parents, should “consider our interest at the centre of their negotiation because we represent the succession generation and as such our education must not be allowed to suffer for the labour disagreements with the government.

“In the same vein, we call on the Federal Government to consider the implication of another industrial strike on our education and national security and find a lasting solution to the contending issues raised by ASUU.

“No responsible government should allow another industrial action in less than a year after the longest industrial action in our history. Government must show genuine commitment to their previous agreement with ASUU to ensure any possibility of another industrial action is averted.

“We call on both parties to act as parents and do all that is required to solve this impasse without resorting to another industrial action. This is not only honourable, but it is also necessary for national security,” Asefon stated.

Source: The Punch