Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has ordered an investigation into the deaths of four University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) students following an off-campus sign-out party.
The governor also announced plans to work with tertiary institutions to ban sign-out parties and other excessive celebrations, which he said had resulted in avoidable deaths.
Mbah’s position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by his media aide, Mazi Uche Anichukwu.
The incident reportedly left six other students hospitalised.
Governor suspends UNN town hall
Mbah described the incident as a heartbreaking loss to the affected families, the university and Enugu State.
He also suspended his scheduled town hall meeting with the UNN community, which was billed for Friday, November 13, as a mark of respect for the deceased.
“I received with rude shock and deep sense of loss the news of the off-campus sign-out party leading to the death of four students of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and hospitalisation of six others,” he said.
The governor expressed sympathy with the families, particularly the parents who had made sacrifices to sponsor their children’s education.
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“Our hearts go out to their parents in particular, who sacrificed personal comforts to sponsor their children through the university, but only to face this sad turn of events,” he added.
Mbah promises investigation, calls for ban
The governor said his administration had ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He promised to work with the university authorities and security agencies to establish the cause of the deaths and prevent a recurrence.
Mbah also said the state would collaborate with tertiary institutions to enforce a ban on sign-out parties and other excessive celebrations.
“Going forward, we will work with the authorities of tertiary institutions to enforce a full ban on sign-out parties and other excessive celebrations, a trend that has cost more lives and brought more sorrows than joy to families and higher institutions of learning,” he said.
He further urged government agencies and educational institutions to intensify public enlightenment campaigns on the dangers and consequences of drug use and abuse.
The governor prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased students and strength for their families, friends and the UNN community.
