JOS — Students of the University of Jos, UNIJOS, yesterday came out in their numbers to mourn their colleagues who lost their lives in the twin bomb blasts at Terminus area of Jos, last week.
The students, who had declared the day lecture free, dressed in black, carried placards and walked round the main campus of the institution singing dirges and in tears, urged those in authority to do all that it takes to put an end to bombing, insecurity, kidnapping and terrorism plaguing the country.
Addressing the students, Senior Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Youths and Students Matters, Jude Imagwe, who is also an alumnus of the institution, sympathised with the students over the losses and urged them to continue praying for the nation.
Imagwe, who was in the institution as a representative of President Jonathan, described as unfortunate the incidents which claimed the students’ lives.
Remain calm, be united
He, however, appealed to the students to “remain calm, be united” and continue praying that the efforts of the President in bringing terrorism to an end be fruitful.
The SA also urged Nigerians to have faith in the military and give them every support needed in fighting the war against “these enemies of Nigeria.”
However, the Deputy Vice‑Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Abdullahi Musa, who also addressed the students, said the entire university community mourns the death of the students.
According to him, “we are concerned with the students’ welfare and we are all mourning as a result of this incident. We call on all citizens to be united and patriotic so that the country will progress. We should keep praying for the government to succeed in bringing this evil to an end.”
Earlier, the President of the Student Union Government, SUG, Comrade William Lar, said the students were sad at the loss of their colleagues at the time their parents were looking forward to reaping the fruits of their labour.
Lar called on the students to bond together, focus on their studies and trust God that none of them will be victim to the senseless termination of human lives again.
Group condemns bombings
Similarly, the Jos Forum of the Centre for Human Development, a Swiss-based non‑governmental organistaion, has condemned the various bomb blasts in Jos.
In a statement in Jos and signed by Messrs Bankole Falade, Chairman, Yoruba Steering Committee; Zacch Nwankpa, for Ndigbo; Mr. Isha Nyam, for Afizere; Aminu Agwom, for Anaguta; Dr. Jonah Madugu for Berom, and Salim Musa Umar, representing Fulani Steering Committee, the group enjoined all communities to remain calm and desist from any acts that may disrupt the peace the state had enjoyed for the past two years.
The statement said: “The forum condemns in strong terms the senseless bomb blasts in the Terminus market in Jos that led to the loss of lives and left many injured. The forum expresses its deepest sympathy to the government and people of Plateau State and extends its heartfelt condolences to those families who have lost relatives, friends and loved ones.”