VC shuts down Michael Okpara varsity over student protest

Abia Police Command Tuesday confirmed massive protests by the students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU, over school fees and payment mode.

Information has it that “the protest kicked off when the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, went from college to college, driving out students who had not paid their fees from the examination hall.

“Complaining, some of the students stated that the Vice Chancellor told them to drop out and come back in ten years when they have the tuition.

“The students who took to the streets and grounded academic activities in the school stated that there would be no examination until the situation was sorted out.

“They also made it clear that students who paid their fees but were not reflected on the website of the school were not allowed to write the examination,” the source said.

The students allegedly blocked the convoy of Prof. Iwe, demanding a reversal of the fees, but that was ineffective.

However, the Abia command’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO ASP Maureen Chinaka, said, “The command is aware of the student unrest that happened today at MOUAU Umudike. In line with our professional and constitutional duty to ensure the peace and security of the state, the Commissioner of Police detailed men to that place, and officers who were deployed there calmed down the situation.

“At this moment, the area is calm compared to what it was when they started the protest. Police have been able to clear the road, and the area is calm. We are working professionally, and it behoves us to ensure the peace and security of the state, and we have deployed our men.

Following the massive protest, therefore, the management of the university has shut down the institution indefinitely.

According to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, in a statement titled “INDEFINITE SHUT DOWN OF THE UNIVERSITY AND SUSPENSION OF ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES,” “This is to notify the public that the Michael Okpara 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, and claiming that they were not allowed to take their 1st-semester examination owing to their failure to pay their charges.

“The university’s records show that more than 70% of the students had paid their charges and were peacefully taking their examinations, while more than two thousand were in the queue to pay and register their courses before the miscreants and hoodlums took the stage to cause trouble and disrupt 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 5.00 pm on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.”

On February 2, a circular was issued by the registrar, Dr. Mrs. Nkeiruka Mbanasor, stating that students who had not paid their fees would not be allowed to write their fees. It was gathered that over a 60% increment was made on the fees.

In the “Internal Memo” addressed to the “University community,” dated February 2, 2024, with the heading “ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE FIRST SEMESTER 2023/2024 EXAMINATION, the Registrar said, “I write to notify you that the First Semester Examination of the 2023/2024 Academic Session will commence on Monday, February 5, 2024.

“Consequent upon the above, the following criteria should be met for students to be eligible to participate in the examination: (1) The students should have registered all the required courses and confirmed through biometric capture; (2) Students who have not registered and captured biometrically should stay off the examination halls; and (3) Students who desire and are willing to participate in the examination, however, could be allowed to register the courses and do their biometric capture during the period of the examination but can only participate after the processes have been concluded.

“Please, staff involved in conducting or supervising the exercise should ensure strict compliance with the above directives.”