Just In: Ebonyi Govt donates relief materials to AE-FUNAI students affected by building collapse

One hundred and fifty students affected by the collapse of Pentagon Hostel at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI) in Ikwo Local Government Area have received relief materials from the Ebonyi State Government to help cushion the shock of the incident.

The State Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Mrs. Ann Aligwe, made the donation at the university’s Senate Chamber. Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Onyebuchi Nworie, the Commissioner said the gesture was a demonstration of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s commitment to the People’s Charter of Needs.

She explained that following the July 2025 incident, the state government immediately set up a compliance team that sealed the building and conducted an integrity test, which later revealed the cause of the collapse. Although the structure was privately owned, she said the governor found it necessary to support the affected students who went through traumatic experiences.

Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. Charles Okolie, appreciated the government for its timely intervention despite AE-FUNAI being a federal institution. He assured that the university would continue to cooperate with the state government on all matters affecting students’ welfare.

Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Affairs, Joshua Nwafor, said Governor Nwifuru has shown consistent love for students and the general public, referencing similar interventions during past flood incidents and other emergencies. He noted that the relief materials would have arrived earlier but were delayed due to the school being on break. He further revealed that the Ministry of Capital City Development, led by Hon. Sunday Inyima, has been directed to intensify inspections to ensure that buildings within student communities pass integrity tests before occupation. Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Students Mobilization, Angel Odono, assured students of more initiatives targeted at their welfare and encouraged them to remain law-abiding to continue attracting government attention. President of the National Association of Ebonyi State Students (NAES), Collins Ogbonna, described the day as special, stating that the materials presented were of significant value and urged the beneficiaries to make good use of them. One of the affected students, Miss Ojiego Chimamanda, thanked the state government for the support and appealed to the school management to assist students whose documents were trapped in the collapsed building, especially those preparing for final year clearance. She also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to intervene. Recall that the Pentagon Hostel collapsed in July 2025, fortunately without any loss of life.