From TCNEWS
A Rotary International Past Assistant Governor, PAG Njoku Uchechukwu Njoku has sued for peace over the crisis that rocked the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike MOUAU following the alleged denial of some students to write the first semester examination as a result of their inability to pay school fees, which was recently hiked.
PAG Njoku who was reacting to the protest embarked on the aggrieved students, said he was not against peaceful protest but turning a protest to a violent one is unacceptable.
“The physical attack on Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, MOUAU Vice chancellor and other staff of the institution by the students, added to the destruction of property worth several billions of Naira is barbaric and highly condemnable.
“In this era of uncertainties, University students should be protecting the little resources they have for learning. It is unthinkable that the same group of students will be destroying the lean resources they have for learning.”It is very worrisome that at this point in time in our society we still have situations like this, where students would burn down lecture halls and hostels, destroy vehicles, shatter glasses and all that, in the name of protest. They forgot to note that government is not funding the universities and they are also the one that will pay for the damages”.
PAG Njoku.
PAG Njoku pointed out that the situation in MOUAU, was what the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU has been talking about over the years, that Universities be funded adequately by the government and Nigerian students/citizens have unhindered access to this education.
“ASUU is saying for example, let a person who is paid N30,000 minimum wage be able to afford the fees of an average tertiary institution in Nigeria”, PAG Njoku also said, but decried that most parents, guardians and students, whom ASUU is fighting for, are yet to appreciate its efforts.
The Rotarian who sympathized with the MOUAU Vice chancellor, University management and staff, suggested a round table discussion where both parties will brainstorm and fashion out means to come out from the mayhem already caused.
He further suggested that fees be paid on time and on semester basis too; and also students be reminded to pay their fees before the commencement of the semester examination.