The Alumni Association of Offa Polytechnic, students, staff and people of Offa on Tuesday mourned students who were killed during the May 8, 2000 crisis which erupted between the students of Offa poly and their host community, Offa.
It would be recalled that some students were killed and properties were also destroyed during a crisis that erupted between the people of Offa and students of Offa poly in year 2000 over restriction of the students in some areas of the ancient town.
The programme which was tagged ‘May 8 Symposium on Peace; we are better together’ was aimed at ensuring that peace reign in Offa and other communities around as well as to ensure people live together peacefully.
Speaking during the symposium, the President of Alumni Association, Mr Ayo Adeyemi said the purpose of the gathering was to bring everybody together and forget the incident of the past.
"Let me say here that this gathering is meant to celebrate freedom, peace and unity in Offa. Also an opportunity for Offa people to be part of students life and see them as their own," Adeyemi said.
He also announced that the programme will be an annual event where issues of importance to the students, the community, Kwara state and Nigeria would be discussed and proffer solution to some challenging issues.
Also speaking is the Student Union President of the school, Comrade Ojajuni E. Oluwasomidotun who eulogised those who laid down their lives for them to enjoy freedom in our today and also appealed to the alumni association to speak to officials of the NURTW to consider reducing transport fare for students.
Highlight of the event is presentation by different bodies represented at the programme such as Offa Descendant Union, NURTW and vigilante as well as peaceful rally within the school to mourn their fallen heroes.
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