x

Niger Delta University shut down over hike in school fees

The Bayelsa State government-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), has been shut down following protests by students over hike in school fees, early closure of school fee portal and recent order by management for students to wear uniforms to avoid indecent dressing in school premises.

Reports had it that the school was shut on Wednesday after an announcement made by the registrar, Mr. Benjamin Joffa.

The letter read” Following the ongoing unrest in the university, I am directed to inform the general public and the university community that academics activities have been suspended indefinitely with immediate effect”

”Consequently, all students are directed to vacate the university campuses and its facilities before 3pm.

The recent development which threw the student community into protests has also been greeted by condemnation and call for the sack of the school leadership.

The V.C Professor Edoumiekumo had on Monday, ordered the closure of the school payment portal, adding that any student yet to pay for his/her clearance will have their admission withdrawn and sent home.

Edoumiekumo also said wearing uniforms by students of the institution will be made compulsory and that the said uniforms will only be made available for sales through the school management.

However, a former Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Egbemo Clan Central Zone, Comrade Daniel Sapele, called for the sack of the Vice-Chancellor, describing his actions as not only unlawful, inhuman but also wicked and barbaric.

Sapele said “The declaration by the Vice-Chancellor that all engineering students henceforth must be on school uniform and that the uniform must be the one the school authority will provide at a cost of thirty thousand naira (#30,000) for Marine Engineering students, while students from other engineering departments must have their uniforms at the rate of twenty thousand naira (#20,000), shows he is not a good father”

He said “Many homes are finding it very hard to feed due to the effects of the global pandemic and Nigeria’s current economic maladies and not to talk of paying such huge needless amount of money as learning fees”

Education is the birth-right of all Bayelsans and the government at all levels are under obligation to provide not just quality but education that’s accessible and affordable and not the way and manner the VC. is running the institution like his private farm.

The VC runs the school like his private estate without recourse to public sympathy and human feelings which is the bedrock upon which all government institutions are founded, and if he isn’t sacked and replaced with someone with human feelings and conscience all efforts and legacies previous administrations have contributed to the advancement of one of the most revered tertiary institutions in heart of the Niger Delta will go down the drain.

The Director-General Centre for Women and Youth Development, Bayelsa State Constituency 1 Hon. Timi Tubonimi, pleaded with the university management to consider students and reopen the school fees portal, to enable students who have not paid school fees for the past session pay.

In her statement through a media Aide, she urged the management to reopen the portal for one month bcos about 80% of students are currently affected.

Meanwhile, the state government through the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emelah Gentle has called for calm, noting that the government has met with the management of the institution and all issues would be resolved accordingly.

The Commissioner made this known after meeting with the Pro-Chancellor of Niger Delta University, Mathew Seiyefa, Msi., the Vice-Chancellor Niger Delta University, Prof. Samuel Gowon Edoumiekumo, in his office at the Education House, Ovom, Yenagoa.

Reports also gathered that the government received the communique issued by students of NDU to the Bayelsa State Student Management Committee-SMC, that earlier visited the institution to interface directly with the protesting students.

The Commissioner also disclosed that all pressing issues raised were discussed extensively with the leadership of the University.

He added that Government has taken a stand and has communicated the same to the management of the University to work with.

As at the time of filing this report, the management of the school is locked in a crucial meeting with members of the State House of Assembly at the Assembly complex in Yenagoa.

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalistAs...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

PANDEF Blasts Wike’s Inflammatory Statements, Demands Retraction

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on...

United States And Terrorism Financing: The Paradox Of Global Security Initiative

By Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim,  AbujaIt is pertinent to trace...

El-rufai opens up on Tinubu’s issue in Chicago University, drugs traffics

*Say's "We were aware", regret supporting Tinubu By Achadu Gabriel,...

Kaduna ECWA DCC retired Pastors, others console family of late Elder Jatau Danladi Bako

Idibia Gabriel, Kaduna A delegation of retired pastors from Kwoi...

USPF Secretary Applauds ITU, UK-FCDO’s partnership on Nigerian rural connectivity

The Secretary of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)...

Police debunks alleged abduction of El-rufai ex-commissioner Jafau

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaKaduna state police command has debunked...

Governor Yusuf Unveils Dangote’s 1Million Ramadan Food  Programme.

By Jabiru Hassan.   Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img