Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has visited Gombe State University (GSU) to inspect the site of last Thursday’s fire outbreak at the female annex hostel and commiserate with affected students and the university community.
Speaking during the visit, Governor Yahaya said he was deeply disturbed upon receiving news of the incident and took immediate action to ensure the safety of students and containment of the fire.
“That very night, I contacted relevant authorities to ensure the situation was quickly brought under control and that no student was harmed. Today, I’m here with a high-powered delegation to express our solidarity and support,” the Governor stated.
He was accompanied by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi; and other top government functionaries.
In response to the incident, Governor Yahaya announced a N20 million cash support to assist affected students and others impacted by the fire. He directed that part of the funds be used to compensate students who lost personal belongings, while the remainder should be handed over to the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) for equitable distribution.
Additionally, the Governor revealed plans for the construction of a new female hostel, aimed at addressing accommodation challenges and enhancing student safety. He directed the Commissioners for Higher Education and Works and Housing to begin immediate preparations for the project.
“The safety and well-being of our students are a top priority. I also urge students to strictly adhere to all school safety rules, especially refraining from cooking in hostel rooms,” the Governor emphasized.
He further directed the university management to improve fire prevention infrastructure and announced that the State Fire Service had been instructed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire to prevent future occurrences.
In his remarks, GSU Registrar, Dr. Abubakar Aliyu Bafeto, thanked the Governor for his swift response and generous support. He confirmed that no lives were lost or injuries recorded during the incident and assured that measures were being put in place to forestall future incidents.
