Academic Activities will resume today, Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU three months after students were sent home after a peaceful protest that went awry.
Peoplesmind gathered from sources in the Vice-Chancellor’s that all returning students would be charged a compulsory reparation levy of N25,000 to cover cost of repairs to properties damaged during the protest.
The students would equally be compelled to submit to the university authorities, signed undertaken to be of good behaviour henceforth.
According to a timetable from the Directorate of Academic Planning, titled : ‘Continuation of 2023/2024 First Semester Academic Calendar ‘ academic activities which commences on May 7 would begin with ‘Payment of outstanding charges and reparations’
From May 7 – 14, activities include submission of signed undertaking. Students would return fully to campus on May 19 according to the timetable.
MOUAU Vice Chancellor, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe told newsmen that the Federal Government after studying the report of the investigative panel on the riot, directed that each student should pay a reparation fee of N25,000 before being re-admitted to the institution.
The VC added that students would write a letter of undertaking with an affidavit endorsed by a High Court, and scan same to their respective Heads of Departments ahead of the resumption date when they would return with the hard copy of the letter.
“If any person destroys Government property, that person will answer for it. The students rioted on February 6, 2024, and to rescue lives and remaining property, the university after receiving approval from Government, announced a closure.
“Government gave us mandate to investigate and we went for investigation which lasted for four to five weeks. After the investigation, we submitted the report to Senate on 28th of March, and by April 2nd the report got to Government.
“Government released the report on May 3 and directed that processes towards reopening the institution should commence. I delivered the message to the Senate today (May 6), and Senate has accepted it.
“So, the processes will commence tomorrow, May 7 and terminate on May 19 when our students are expected back on campus. Before their return, they will go through a number of processes articulated in the report
According to the VC, other processes leading to the return of the students include: ”Those still owing the university their charges for 2023/2024 session will pay. The regulation of the university has no room for split payments. But in public interest, students are going to be allowed to pay 70% now, and complete the balance of 30% by the first four to six weeks of the second semester.
“Secondly, they have to register for their courses because many of the people that stopped the exam didn’t register their courses. They also have to write a letter of undertaking to be of good behaviour because they have contravened their matriculation oath by rioting. The letter has to be endorsed by a High Court after swearing an affidavit.
“Government has kindly allowed that they pay N25,000 each. The payment has to be done online through an account details that would be posted on the university website tonight.
“We don’t expect students to come back here until May 19. Those who have not done their biometric capturing will be given from May 20 to 23 to do that in their various colleges and get ready for exams that will restart on Monday, May 27.”
Peoplesmind
