Tanker Explosion: Kogi Poly Declares Lecture Free Days In Honour Of Victims

The Management of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has declared Wednesday 23rd to Friday 25th September, 2020, as lecture-free days in honour of members of the Polytechnic community affected by the inferno caused by the tanker explosion in the early hours of Wednesday. 

The decision was reached at an emergency stakeholders meeting of the institution immediately after the most regrettable incident. 

The stakeholders which comprise the principal officers, deans, directors, the chief security officer, the public relations officer and student union leaders, also resolved that normal academic activities are to continue on Monday, 28th September, 2020. 

In a statement issued by the public relations officer, Uredo Omal, the institution also set up a committee to carry out careful and thorough identity check of members of staff and students affected by the inferno with the view to ascertaining the nature and level of damage done to them. 

The committee, chaired by the Dean, School of Art, Design and Printing, Mr Pedro Peter Akande, immediately swung into action, and has so far reported that three members of staff sustained injuries in the incident. 

According to the statement, the identified members of staff who, though sustained minor injuries, were rushed to the Hajiya Hauwau Oziohu Bello (Polytechnic) Health Centre, treated and discharged immediately. 

They are in very stable conditions. “While details of the identities of those affected by ways of death or injuries are yet to be fully ascertained, management and the entire Polytechnic deeply mourn and sympathise with victims and their families over the sorrowful incident. 

“The Polytechnic will avail members of the public with details of members of staff and students who might have lost their lives or sustained severe injuries as accurate details are unravelled in conjunction with relevant security agencies.  

“Members of the public, especially parents, are enjoined to exercise patience in respect of the exact details of the victims as immediate identification of victims in such a carnage is a huge challenge. 

“Meanwhile, the Polytechnic Management is determined to provide succour and support to identified victims immediately the details of such victims are ascertained.

 “Once again, the  Acting Rector, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, Management and the entire Polytechnic deeply commiserate and sympathise with victims and families of those affected by the highly regrettable incident,” the statement said.