As part of measures to cushion the effects of destruction caused by the fire disaster last week, the Yobe State governor Hon Mai Mai Mala Buni has supported 195 victims of the State University female hostel inferno with the sum of N19, 500, 000 Cash.
One of the female hostels of the Yobe State University with a total of 128 legal occupants with some squatters had on the 13th of February 2024, gutted by fire leaving the entire building into ashes.
Presenting the cash to the Vice Chancellor of the Yobe State University, Professor Mala M. Daura, the executive secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Mohammed Goje, represented by the director Rescue of the agency, Dr Baba Jalo said the measure was to reduce the hardship of the victims.
Goje said the gesture followed the directives of governor Mai Mala Buni that all the affected victims be identified, assessed for the support to ameliorate their sufferings.
He said, “His Excellency Hon Mai Mala Buni was shocked with the report of the inferno and directed us to as a matter of urgency ascertain the level of damage for onward support.
“Each of the 195 students received 100, 000 Naira Cash, three wrappers.
“This is in addition to earlier supports earlier provided to them in terms of Fast Food, Non Food Items (NFIs), Sanitary and Hygiene kits as well as Free 3 Square meal for 3 weeks while the University management is intensifying effort to find a new hostel for them
“All the affected students are now hosted in temporary accommodation with access to basic services, safety and with dignity,” Goje reiterated.
During the incident, the management of the Yobe State University and other government officials led by the deputy Governor Hon Idi Barde Gubana who represented governor Buni, the SSG, Baba Mallam Wali, commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Mairo Ahmed Amshi, security adviser to the Governor, General Abdussalam (Rtd), among others were at the scene while SEMA officials led by the Executive Secretary as well as officials of the State Ambulance Services spent the entire night rescuing and supporting the victims.
SEMA has after assessing the temporary site provided by the university authorities for relocation swung into action and activated a team to deliver first line life saving kits to the students.
The ES SEMA said, “As at 11 pm of 13th February, 2023, we were able to mobilised and handed over the following items for safe temporary re-accommodation of the girls students, 5 Cartons of Sanitary Pads, 51 Double sized Vitafoam Mattresses, 188 Pcs of Nylon Mats, 57 Pcs of Blankets.
“Others are 350 Pcs of Mosquito Nets, 200 Pcs of 20 Liter Buckets, 200 Pcs of Dining Plates, 200 Pcs of Cups, 159 Pcs of Bathroom Slippers, 80 Pcs of Bread, 52 Sardines Fish Fast Food, 20 cartons of Indomie Noodles, 2 Cartons of Toilet Soap, 200 pack of Sachet water.
While delivering the Items, ES further assured the management of the University of more support as the need arises.
“No Life was lost, as 16 students reviewed at the hospital were all discharged in the night,” Goje said.
