From TCNEWS.
The traditional ruler of Ama’ba Kingdom, Oboro clan in Ikwuano L.G.A, of Abia State, King O’tuwa 1st, has urged the Management and Students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike MOUAU to embrace peace and find a lasting solution to the recent challenges which appeared to have enveloped the institution.
HRM King O’tuwa 1st.
Some students of MOUAU had on Tuesday shut down the institution to protest against the increase of tuition fees by the management.
They also barricaded the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road, in Ikwuano L.G.A, specifically at the university main gate, thereby disrupting vehicular movement.
It was also reported that the aggrieved students stormed different halls in the university and chased out students writing their first semester examinations and also allegedly destroyed the glasses and other property at the university Senate Building, secretariat of the Students Union Government (SUG), library, microfinance bank, main gate and others.
Reacting to the development, King O’tuwa, strongly believe that protest for a meaningful change should be none violent, urged all sides to calm down and find a way to resolve this without using violence.
His words, “I’m appalled by what is happening at Michael Okpara University. Destruction of property by demonstrating crowd is not the right thing to do.
“It is counter productive to take out anger at the University by destroying property. I believe letting your voice heard without confrontation is a better approach to a peaceful resolution”.
The Royal father reminded the students that the order to hike fees might not come from the Vice chancellor or the University but from the Federal government.
King O’tuwa who reaffirmed his kingdom’s support to the institution, said, “We are proud of the University and its governing body”.
It was gathered that Michael Okpara University is sitting on more than 85 percent of Ama’ba land, the highest donor of the University land.