The Nasarawa State Government has condemned in its entirety, the wanton destruction of property at the College of Education (COE), Akwanga, by students of the institution last week. 

It would be recalled that last week, the students of COE, Akwanga, embarked on a protest, leading to the destruction of property worth millions of naira.

It would also be recalled that following the students unrest, the Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, has ordered the immediate closure of the institution.

The state deputy governor, Chief John Michael Abdul, who led a powerful delegation on an on-the-spot assessment of damages at the college, assured the management and staff of the college that adequate security measures would be taken to ensure the safety of lives and property in the college and its environs.

According to him: “It is expected that all grievances should be channeled through appropriate authorities and not for anyone to take the law into his hands”, adding that government would, henceforth, not condone any such acts of indiscipline.

The deputy governor declared that adequate measures have been taken by the state government to forestall a future reoccurrence of such an ugly situation, saying that “the security agents posted to the institution will remain there for a while”.

Chief Abdul called on the academic and non-academic staff of the college to use the period to do more research and prepare lecture notes, cautioning them against abandoning their duty posts.

Earlier in his address, the provost of the college, Dr. Isa Muhtari Waya, said the damage done was enormous, explaining that seven vehicles belonging to the institution were burnt and the provost’s official residence located within the college was vandalized.

Other areas affected during the students’ riot, according to the provost, included the college’s internet café, Home Economics Department and the Administrative block.

The provost appealed to the federal ministry of works to erect bumps on the highway around the college so as to check over-speeding by motorists.

Meanwhile, the state government has constituted an administrative committee to investigate the cause of the unfortunate incident at the college last week.

A press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mohammed Ohitoto, and made available to Nigerian Newsday, said the committee was to “recommend appropriate measures to be taken by the state government”.

The statement reminded citizens of Nasarawa State that peace and harmonious coexistence were necessary prerequisites for development and progress in any society.

“Government will therefore, not hesitate to deal decisively with any person or group of persons caught willfully taking the law into their hands”, the statement said

The statement advised citizens and travelers to go about their normal businesses as the situation had already been brought under control.

In another development, the Nasarawa State Government has reiterated its desire to collaborate with the private sector to improve the standard of education in the state.

The state deputy governor, Chief John Michael Abdul, gave this indication while playing host to members of the governing council of the Bingham University, Karu, who paid him a courtesy call in his office in Lafia, last week.

He observed that private sector participation in the field of education would go a long way to lessen the burden of financing education by the government alone.

He commended the vision and foresight of the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA), founders of Bingham University, for deeming it wise to site the institution in Nasarawa State.

He urged authorities of the institution to ensure that it was ranked among the best universities in the world.

Chief Abdul challenged the governing council of the institution to accord indigenes of Nasarawa State priority in its admission and employment policies, assuring that the government would soon commence work on the construction of access road leading to the institution.

Earlier in his address, the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Dr. Peter Abdu, commended the state governor, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, for his sterling leadership qualities in piloting the affairs of the state, saying that the governor has demonstrated that government was existing to serve the interests of the common people.

Dr. Abdu also commended the state government for its financial contribution and the provision of land, roads, electricity and other infrastructure to the university’s permanent site.

Other members of the council on the pro-chancellor’s entourage included Barrister Pius Akubo (SAN), the vice-chancellor, Professor Felix Anjorin and the registrar, Mr. Sonni Sule.