The students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State, who were abducted by unknown gunmen on Thursday, have been rescued by the security agents, including gallant vigilant men.

The students were kidnapped while on campus preparing for their first semester exams, scheduled to start on Monday.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement made available to newsmen in Lokoja, on Sunday, confirmed that the students were rescued hours after Governor Ododo visited the campus and promised to rescue the students unhurt.

He commended the gallantry efforts of all the security agents who went all out to rescue the students from their abductors, saying the unknown gunmen were confronted with superior power that made them abandon their victims.

He also disclosed that the rescued students and many other kidnapped victims have been taken to a medical facility for proper attention.

Fanwo said that security agents are currently combing the forests to ensure all the students still in captivity are found and brought home safely.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner stated that in the sporadic gun battle to rescue the students, a local hunter and a DSS operative sustained injuries but they are currently receiving medical attention.

“We commend our local hunters and all the conventional security agents for their bravery and gallantry. Of special commendation is the DSS for acting on credible intelligence to coordinate a fearless confrontation on the outlaws.

“The security agencies have once again demonstrated why Kogi State will remain an uncomfortable place for bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements.

“The success recorded so far is a clear testament of the readiness of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to ensure adequate and uncompromising security for the people of Kogi State.

“We urge residents to report anyone with gun wounds found in their communities to law enforcement agents,” the statement read in part

The management of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI) has expelled two of its students filmed assaulting a female colleague.

A video that made the rounds on social media today May 7, showed one Miss Opemiposi Precious Bolaji, an 18-year-old 100L Mass Communication student beating her colleague identified as Miss Gloria Ajayi, a 100L Mass Communication student, in a private hostel outside the University campus.

Reacting to the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Temitope Akinbisoye, said the students caught in the video were summoned on Monday, May 6 and were meted the appropriate punishment for their actions.

”In accordance with our institution’s policies and extant regulations, the students who were captured in the viral video appeared before the Students’ Disciplinary Committee at its emergency meeting held on Monday, May 6, 2024, for interrogations and appropriate recommendations, the report of which has been submitted to the University authorities.

The University authorities condemn in strong terms, any form of violence or misconduct in our University or by any of our constituents. Such behaviour is entirely inconsistent with the values we uphold and the standards of respect and dignity that we expect from all members of our University.

Miss Opemiposi Precious BOLAJI with Matriculation No. 10232, a 100L Mass Communication student who was beating her colleague with a stick and threatening to inflict bodily harm on her for allegedly destroying her 3-year old love affair with her boyfriend was found guilty of misconduct and flagrant breach of her matriculation oath and consequently EXPELLED with immediate effect.

Miss Genesis OSARO, a 100L Mass Communication student with Matriculation No. 10257, who provided the stick with which Gloria AJAYI was beaten, was found guilty of misconduct (as an accomplice) and flagrant breach of her Matriculation oath and consequently EXPELLED with immediate effect.

Miss Gloria AJAYI, a 100L Mass Communication student with Matriculation No. 10295, who was seen being beaten in the viral video but did not retaliate or engage in fisticuffs with her tormentors, was EXONERATED.

The duo of Miss Mistura Eniola ADEJUWON with Matriculation No. 10435 and Miss Precious Oluwapelumi OLANREWAJU with Matriculation No. 11126, who gleefully recorded the video and posted on social media were WARNED and advised to always report such incident to the Directorate of Students’ Affairs and the Security Unit of the University rather than escalating it on social media.

Mr. Olawale AJEWOLE, a 200L Mass Communication student with Matriculation No. 6021 was EXONERATED for making efforts to lock Miss Gloria AJAYI inside a room to prevent further beating.”

The University authorities also said it would want to” encourage anyone who witnesses or experiences any form of harassment, abuse or violence against any student to report it immediately to the appropriate authorities.”

”Moving forward, we will continue to prioritize the well-being and safety of our University community. We will also reinforce our efforts to educate and promote respectful and responsible behaviour among our students.” the statement read in part

Meanwhile the Ekiti state police command has commenced a discreet investigation into the incident. A statement by the Ekiti State Command Police Public Relations Office, DSP Abutu Sunday, Anipr said the state Commissioner, CP Akinwale Adeniran, has already directed the Ikere Area Commander to liaise with the Management of the Institution and ensure the perpetrator is identified, investigated and made to face the legal consequence(s) of her barbaric action

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has solicited for collaboration between the Royal Institute of British Architects and tertiary institutions in Ogun State, offering architecture as a course of study.

The governor also challenged the Nigerians Institute of Architecture (NIA) to design a competition that would inspire architecture students in the country to sharpen their skills and come up with masterpieces for the development of the country.

Governor Abiodun spoke on Tuesday when he played host to the President of the Royal Institute of British Architect, Mr. Muyiwa Oki, in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Muyiwa Oki is a Nigerian-born British architect who, on September 2023, emerged the 80th President of the Royal Institute of British Architect, thus becoming the youngest and first black president at the age of 32.

The governor, who described Mr. Oki’s feat as uncommon, having defied all odds to become the first black man to lead the institute, urged him to ensure the felicitation of such collaboration in such areas as research and development.

He said: “We believe that through your office, you should support your home State (Ogun). We have in some of our tertiary institutions Department of Architecture and I believe that a collaboration with you and your office in terms of research into how to build more sustainable and affordable housing units will go a long way.”

The governor said that his administration has constructed about 3,500 affordable houses at Kobape, a suburb of Abeokuta and turned the area into a bubbling town, noting that similar projects have been executed in Sagamu, Ota, Ilaro and Ijebu-Ode.

“We have done this believing that beyond making people landlords, we look at the entire value-chain, the entire eco-system which starts with architecture that design our sustainable and affordable housing but also the workers in terms of the artisans, bricklayers, carpenters, painters, among others and this created jobs for the people,” he said.

The governor noted that his administration is embarking on renewal through the Urban Renewal and Rejuvenation Process across the state, beginning with old Abeokuta housing scheme, saying new and more sustainable housing projects are being put in place in conjunction with the United Kingdom Development Office.

While commending Mr. Muyiwa Oki for making the state and country, Nigeria proud, Governor Abiodun said: “We consider this your elevation as something that we can benefit from. The kind of synergy can exist between you, the organization you represent, the position you hold, and your home state. You have distinguished yourself in your chosen career.”

Earlier in his remarks, Muyiwa Oki commended Governor Abiodun for giving him an audience, even as said that he has lined up three areas of interest to address as the president of the institute

Mr Oki stated that he would use his new office to promote the importance of architecture as a profession that plays a major role in the lives of the people; address the challenges created by climate change and promote unity in diversity being the first black man to attain such a position in the history of the institute.