Vice-Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Muhammad Mainoma has called on the new leadership of Students’ Union Government (SUG) to close ranks with authorities of the institution for peaceful and harmonious learning environment.
The vice-chancellor made the call recently at the inauguration of elected officials of SUG in Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area of the state.
Our correspondent reports that the university has been without SUG for almost five years.
The ban on SUG was due to protest staged by the students of the university over scarcity of water in 2013, a development that led to the killing of some students by suspected security operatives.
Mainoma also urged the new leadership of the union to initiate good policies and programmes that had direct bearing on the lives of the students.
He also advised SUG officials to be transparent, fair and just while discharging their duties in the interest of peace.
“Being a one-time union leader who fought for the rights of students, it would not be good if I have not restored SUG in the university before my exit as Vice Chancellor,” he said.
Mainoma challenged the students leadership to strive toward preventing a repeat of the incident that led to the dissolution of the union, by making amicable resolution of grievances and welfare of students a priority.
The vice chancellor also called on the students to be serious with their studies in order to excel in life.
He restated his administration’s commitment to ensure good policies and programmes that had direct bearing on the lives of the lecturers and the students.
The legal officer of the university, Mr Jennifer Ibi, who administered oath of office on the new officials tasked them to lead with diligence.
He, however, warned that a breach of the oath they had taken would not be tolerated.
Responding, the SUG President, Mr Newman Maitoro, thanked the management and students of the University for the confidence reposed in the union and promised not to let them down.
He also promised to place the unity and academic excellence of students above every other consideration, but called for support from the management, students and the university community to enable the union succeed.
Our correspondent reports that other elected officials of the union include; Tabitha Dogo, Vice- President, Mathew Ablaku, the Secretary-General and Helen Akolo, Treasurer.
Others  are; Adams Ezekiel,Financial Secretary, Michael Joseph, PRO, Mathew Sunday, Director of Sports and Hassan Tijjani, Director of Welfare among others.