Okpara varsity shut down indefinitely as fee hike protest gets out of control * Three-wing hall set ablaze * VC’s vehicle attacked * Students ordered to vacate hostels

Okpara varsity shut down indefinitely as fee hike protest gets out of control

* Three-wing hall set ablaze
* VC’s vehicle attacked
* Students ordered to vacate hostels

By Steve Oko

The Management of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU, has announced the indefinite shutdown and suspension of academic activities in the university following a protest by students against school fees hike and denial of access to examination hall for non payment of fees.

Vice Chancellor Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, in a statement he personally signed, said the measure was taken because “miscreants” hijacked the protest to unleash violence in the campus.

The statement which said the Vice Chancellor’s official vehicle was attacked by the protesters ordered students to vacate the university before 5:00 pm Tuesday.

The statement read:”This is to notify the public that the Michael Okpare University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, woke up to experience the violation of the long- existing peace of the university this morning.

“Miscreants took over the university, chasing and pursuing the Vice-Chancellor, damaging his official vehicle and those of his officials claiming that they were not allowed to take their 1st Semester examination owing to their failure to pay their charges.

“The University’s record show that more than 70% of the students had paid their charges and were peacefully taking thew examinations, while more than two thousand were in the que to pay and register their courses before the miscreants and hoodlums took the stage to cause trouble and disrupted the long-standing peace of the University.

“To safeguard life and properties on Campus, the University Management has on behalf of the Senate, ordered an indefinite shutdown of the University.

All students are advised to vacate the University premises immediately, but not later than 5.00pm on Tuesday, 6th February 2624. ”

Meanwhile, a video of a popular lecture hall in the university – Three Wing Hall- on fire emerged Tuesday evening shorting after the students were ordered to vacate the campus.

Some other buildings including the secretariat of the Students Union Government were torched by the protesters.

During the protest, students were chatting ant-managemet songs, and demanded immediate reversal of school fees which they claimed, were hiked twice in 2023.

Some of the students said they previously paid N50,000 as fees but were now charged between N120,000 and N150,000.

The Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the university, Mr Patrick Opara, had earlier told our Correspondent that the situation had been brought under control.

 

Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.

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