Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has called on the management of the Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA), to go beyond dissocisting itself from to shameful act perpetrated by a senior lecturer at the institution, Dr. Fred Ekpa Ayokha, 53, and to sanction the culprit to serve as deterrent to others.
Engineer Sule made the call during a condolence to the Government House by the management of the University led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Shehu Abdur-Rahman, on Thursday.
While appreciating the university management for dissociating itself from the conduct of the lecturer, the Governor however called on the university to further sanction the culprit in order to send a message that such conduct is unacceptable.
“And I am happy, to hear that the management has since disassociated itself from that shameful act. But I want to call on you to in addition to dissocisting yourself to send a message that that is not acceptable.
“You have to send a message clearly no matter the position of the lecturer. The lecturer must go through proper punishment for such act so that it must be serve as deterrent,” Engineer Sule stated.
According to the Governor, the act perpetrated by Dr. Ayokha and members of his family, will not be condoned not only within the institution but in Nasarawa State and the country at large.
Engineer Sule told the Fulafia management to take decisive action on the matter as the entire state awaits the outcome of such decision.
“People who are learned are supposed to show good examples not to be the other way round. Don’t allow it to be swept under the carpet. I thank you sincerely for the position you have already taken and we look forward to hearing what will happen next,” he said.
On the purpose of the visit, the Governor acknowledged that every life must be tested.
“We read that every day, we see that every day. We say we believe in that every day but any time death occurs, it actually test us. Allah SWT has said he will challenge us, challenge our faith with situations like this, with death, with loses and also just to see who among us will say, inna lillahi wa inna illahin rajiun!,” Engineer Sule added.
He thanked the FULafia vice chancellor for leading the management of the university on a condolence visit to the Government House, praying for Allah to reward them appropriately.
Earlier in an opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Lafia, Professor Shehu Abdur-Rahman, said they were at the Government House to condole with the Governor over the demise of his friend, confidant and Special Adviser on Special Duties, the late Hon. Murtala Lamus.
The FuLafia VC described the death of Hon Lamus as a loss to the entire state.
We are here to present condolence message from the Federal University of Lafia on the death of our brother, your brother and your friend, who was resourceful for this state. This loss is not for you along, it’s for the entire state.
“We pray for Almighty Allah to forgive all his short comings. This is just what brought us, to console you and pray for our brother,” the VC stated.
The university lecturer and members of his family were remanded on a six count-charge of criminal conspiracy, house breaking and criminal force or assault to woman with intent to outrage modesty, kidnapping and inflicting physical injury on another.
The suspects were arrested in connection to the case of assault on female teenager named Blessing Mathias in Lafia last week that was captured in a video that has gone viral.