Stephen Ukandu (Ikengaonline.com)
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU, has been shut down indefinitely by the Management over students’ protest on Tuesday.
Vice Chancellor Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe who announced the shutdown in a statement said that the action had become necessary as “miscreants” took over the protest and unleashed violence on the university.
Ikengaonline had earlier reported that students of the university took to the streets to register their grievances over the refusal of Management to allow them access to examination halls for alleged non-payment of school fees.
Meanwhile, some buildings in the campus including the three-wing lecture hall, were reportedly set ablaze by the protesters.
Students were ordered to vacate the university before 5:00 pm Tuesday.
The VC’s 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 records 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 lives 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.”
During the protest, students demanded immediate reversal of school fees which they claimed, had become unaffordable by parents, arguing that it is a federal university and should not be made too expensive.