Kebbi urges calm as meningitis kills six university students
Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, has urged residents to remain calm and stay safe in the face of the cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak in the state.
The governor’s call follows the death of six students of Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, due to meningitis.
In a statement made available to our correspondent on Saturday, the University’s Public Relations Officer, Mustapha Ango, confirmed the death of the students.
Ango, on behalf of the university management, condoled with the families of the deceased students, stating that the Vice-Chancellor, Mr B. G. Danshehu, was deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident.
“Upon detecting the initial signs of the outbreak, KSUSTA took immediate and decisive action to mitigate the spread of the disease. A specialised committee led by the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Balarabe Isah, was formed to conduct a thorough investigation.
“We promptly reported the outbreak to the Kebbi State Ministry of Health, and the Ministry for Higher Education. A stakeholders’ meeting was convened, bringing together key health sector experts, including representatives from the World Health Organisation United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, Médecins Sans Frontières and other medical professionals.
“Despite the best efforts of the university and health authorities, six students have succumbed to the disease. We deeply regret these losses, and our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families.”
The university, however reassured parents, guardians, and the public of its commitment to safeguarding student welfare.
Speaking on why the school was not shut as a result of the outbreak, Ango said the management decided not to create panic in the society by closing the institution.
“The school management decided not to close it because of the high population of non-indigenes among the students. Closing down the school may send a wrong signal to their parents and guardians.
“The school management, in conjunction with the state government, has risen to the occasion and we are curtailing it successfully” he added.
Meanwhile, the state government has expressed its readiness to ensure safety of other students and staffs of the school.
The Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Ahmed Idris, said the state governor had immediately alerted the state commissioner of health to act on the matter.
“The governor has given directive to the ministry of health to tackle the issue of meningitis in the school. It is under control, there is no cause for alarm,” he added.
