The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has pledged to pay the medical bills of students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, who were injured during a recent incident at the institution’s amphitheatre.
The event occurred on Thursday when a torrential rainfall, accompanied by a whirlwind, struck the amphitheatre while students were attending a lecture.
The weather conditions caused a portion of the ceiling to collapse, injuring several students.
Visiting the university on behalf of the governor, the state Commissioner for Education, Dipo Eluwole, expressed sympathy to the university’s management and the parents of the affected students.
According to a statement on Saturday made available to PUNCH Online by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the governor sympathised with the management of the university and the parents of the affected students.
During the visit, Eluwole was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Osun State Ministry of Education and was guided by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Simeon Bamire, and other principal officers to the scene of the incident and the health facilities where the injured students were receiving treatment.
Elated by the students’ positive response to treatment, Eluwole commended the university’s swift response to the emergency and the prompt medical attention provided to the students.
“Honourable Dipo Eluwole, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of Osun State Ministry of Education, lauded the university management for its quick response to the emergency and prompt medical attention given to the students,” the statement stated.
Visiting the four students receiving treatment at the University Health and Medical Centre, the commissioner praised their bravery and wished them a speedy recovery.
At the Neurological ward of the University Teaching Hospital, where two other students were being treated, Eluwole urged their parents to view the incident as a natural occurrence beyond human control.
“He, thereafter, informed the Vice Chancellor that Governor Adeleke has pledged to bankroll all medical expenses that may be incurred in the course of treatment of the students,” the statement noted.
Expressing gratitude, the Vice-Chancellor, Bamire, commended Adeleke’s kindness and fatherly role towards the students and the people of the state.
“Professor Bamire, then, prayed for more divine wisdom, knowledge and understanding for Governor Adeleke with sound health so that he would be able to take Osun State to much greater heights,” the statement added.
PUNCH
