The campus of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara went agog with excitement and emotions as the eight (8) remaining abducted students were received back on campus into the waiting hands of CUSTECH Council Members, Management Staff, parents and the staff members of the university.
According to Balogun Omeiza David (BOD) Head, Public Relations,
CUSTECH, Osara, said the ceremony of handing over the eight (8) students to their parents took place at the university auditorium which was filled to capacity. The event of reuniting the freed students back to the fold of CUSTECH started with opening prayers. Afterwards, a minute silence was observed to remember the souls of the two students that lost their lives in the hands of their abductors.
Speaking to the large crowd who turned up at the auditorium, the Vice-Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Abdulrahaman Asipita Salawu gave thanks to God Almighty for coming to the rescue of the abducted students, a feat he linked to the leadership prowess of His Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State and all others who joined forces with him to see that the students returned back unhurt.
The Vice-Chancellor who spoke with tears rolling down his cheeks said, “I am glad that God Almighty brought to pass the heart desires of His Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State when he said the students will return back unhurt. We cannot express how sad we are to have lost two of our students to the hands of their abductors. We will continue to have them green in our memory as we pray that God Almighty will give their parents, the CUSTECH family and the state at large grace to bear their irreparable loss.”
The Pro-Chancellor and Council Chairman of CUSTECH, Osara, Prof. Olu Obafemi who was present at the event gave thanks to God Almighty for the safe return of the students.
He further appreciated the concerted efforts of the President, His Excellency, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and His Excellency, Alh. Usman Ahmed Ododo the Executive Governor of Kogi State for making sure no stone was left unturned to see that the students regained their freedom. In his words,
“The step the father of the nation took by surrendering the forces of this country to see that our students returned back to us safely is a sign of good leadership that we must commend. As citizens of this great country and state, I must confess that we are super proud of our leaders.”
“I want all of us to know that what has happened about this kidnapping case that saw to the return of our promising students is an additional stimulation that will make especially our Governor to do well as it is glaring that the citizens of Kogi State are happy with him. We thank him. We congratulate him. It is my profound prayers that he will not stumble nor slumber as he steers the affairs of the state. I have clearly seen it from his antecedents that he is rightly on course to take all of us along to succeed.”
Speaking about CUSTECH, Prof. Olu Obafemi prayed fervently saying that, “CUSTECH will become a global university that will get to the highest pinnacle. This ivory tower will distribute knowledge to all the corners of the world. I throw my deepest regrets and sorrow to the parents of the departed students.
“This abduction saga is to be likened to the parable where one sheep out of hundred was lost and it had to be found. We struggled but death still claimed two of our students. May their parents be better consoled by God Almighty. Our university griefs over them as we never want to lose any of them.
“I also want to thank the Vice-Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Abdulrahaman Asipita Salawu for his courage, credibility and accountability in handling the situation. It is my prayers that God Almighty will propel him to greater heights.”
The Pro-Chancellor of the Kogi State University, Kabba, Prof. S.O.E. Sadiku who came to felicitate with CUSTECH on the safe arrival of the eight (8) students prayed fervently that God Almighty will not allow this abduction issue to reoccur at CUSTECH nor in any institution in Kogi State. He asked a thought provoking question saying that held everybody spell bound, “When has the desire of acquiring education become a crime?”
The handing over of the eight (8) students who regained their freedom was performed one after the other by Prof. Olu Obafemi.
He took his time to welcome and pray for each student and their parents for returning back safely into the family of CUSTECH. The Registrar, Ms. Olufunke Hudson gave the vote of thanks as the event came to an end.
In another development, the CUSTECH Council that was inaugurated on Tuesday 4th June, 2024 at the Government House, Lokoja by the Secretary to the Government of the State (SGS), Dr. Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade held its first meeting at the office of the Vice-Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Abdulrahaman Asipita Salawu.
The meeting was chaired by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Olu Obafemi. Other members of Council are: Prof. A R. Salisu, Prof. S.K. Ahmed, Prof. Abubakar Salihu Abdullahi, Prof. Olusegun Adeyemi, Dr. Jummai Zainab Umar Ajibola, Shaibu Victor Ekele JP, Musa Yusuf Falilat (Ex-Officio Member) representing Ministry of Justice, Lawal Saratu Lamy (Ex-Officio Member) representing Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Salami Ere Matthew (Ex-Officio) representing Ministry of Education.
The Internal Members of Council who were inaugurated at the meeting were the Vice-Chancellor of CUSTECH, Engr. Prof. Abdulrahaman Asipita Salawu, the Registrar, Ms. Olufunke Hudson, Pharm. Muhammed Asuku Audu, Dr. Shehu Abdulazeez, Dr. Apeh Daniel, Aliyu Fati Ohiare, Dr. Yomi Sunday Bldr. Ismail Adoke and Aliyu Ohiare Fati.