Akwa Ibom State Government has evacuated no fewer than 75 indigenes of the State studying at the University of Jos back to the State, following recent killings and violence in Jos, Plateau State which resulted in the closedown of the school by the authority.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, Comrade Clifford Akwaowo who made this known in Uyo on Monday, when he led the leadership of NAAKISS, UNIJOS chapter who arrived the State over the weekend on a Thank you visit the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, stated that students were evacuated following the directive of the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel.
Comrade Clifford commended Governor Emmanuel for facilitating and monitoring the safe return of the students, describing him as a good father full of love and care deserving of accolades, adding that his swift response to the situation was forestalled possible attacks and bloodletting.
In their separate remarks, Mr Benjamin Akpan Jonah, a 400 level Chemistry Student and NAAKISS Vice President, Northern zone and Mr Ekong Blessed, a 500 level Pharmacy student and NAAKISS President, UNIJOS chapter, thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for responding to their distress call for help and coming to their aid.
The Student Leaders recounted their ordeal while in school which they said began on the 14th of August,2021 whereby a group of individuals were attacked and killed in Jos which caused counter-attacks leading to mayhem and loss of lives of some individuals, including students of the University of Jos.
They said with the declaration of curfew by the Plateau State Government and subsequent close down of the school, students were in a critical situation which made them seek the intervention of the State Government.
They particularly lauded Governor Emmanuel, for liaising with Plateau State Government to provide security personnel that escorted their vehicles through to the outskirts of Plateau State, expressing delight to be back home.
Also speaking, the NAAKISS Worldwide President, Comrade Aniedi Michael, who was in the team that visited the Ministry, expressed appreciation for the show of love and magnanimity of Governor Emmanuel who put modalities in place for the safe return of the UNIJOS students, saying that Akwa Ibom State Students are happy and proud of him and would continue to support his lofty goals for the people of Akwa Ibom State.
Comrade Michael also appreciated the State Ministry of Education, led by the indefatigable Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet for her good works in the Ministry as well as reaching out and protecting the interest of students of Akwa Ibom State.
Receiving the students on behalf of the State Governor, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, thanked God for their safe arrival devoid of negative reports.
The Commissioner asserted that as a responsible government that does not play politics with the lives of the people, Governor Emmanuel has demonstrated that the well-being of the students is paramount.
Flanked by the Permanent Secretary, Lady Rose Bassey, Mrs Etiebet commended the student leaders for conducting themselves well and coordinating their colleagues of Akwa Ibom origin for the trip home, assuring of State government’s continued support, while promising to convey their message of appreciation to the State Governor.
