UI loses N10 bn property to Ibadan flood

BADAN—THE University of Ibadan lost property estimated at N10billion to the flood disaster that ravaged Ibadan city last Friday. The flood claimed several lives and property in the ancient city. While lamenting the havoc caused the premier university in the country, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac Adewole, in a statement, said the loss was so much that the management had appealed to the Federal Government for assistance. He said the appeal for financial aid did not leave out the state government and other corporate bodies in the society Prof. Adewole said: “There is no way we can handle this alone. For us to return to our form, we certainly need government’s assistance because this devastation is quite massive”. Breaking down the losses, he said: “The major calamity suffered by the university include the washing away of the Fish Farm with different species of fish valued at about N300 million, over flooding of the Zoological Garden, leading to the death of animals, extensive damage of the Teaching and Research Farm and the destruction of books estimated to the tune of N2billion. ”Besides, many gigantic buildings, laboratories and expensive equipment were destroyed by the flood which equally pulled down the university fence and 13 electricity poles, thereby compounding the hitherto poor electricity supply to the institution.” The Vice Chancellor added that disaster also affected tudents living at the Obafemi Awolowo Hall, especially those in ground floor and topmost floor. Corroborating Prof Adewole, Head of Department of Fishery, Dr Bamidele Omitoye, said that special species of fish such as claias gariepinus, heterobranchus bidorsalis, oreochromis niloticus and parachana obscura were swept away. C