The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka has pulled down its new fees structure following protests by the students.
Angry students of the institution on Monday, protested the hike in their school fees, barricading the Enugu-Onitsha highway to register their displeasure.
Recall that a statement by the Acting Head, Information and Public Relations of the institution, Chika Ene, on Saturday, refuted the increase in school fees of returning students of the institution for the 2020/2021 academic session.
Ene had urged students, staff and the public to dismiss the report as fake, and targeted at causing unrest and destabilising the peace being enjoyed in the university.
However, the students insisted that the increment was real, adding that the university Management is in connivance with the Student Union Government over the increment.
It was gathered that the University had also increased the fees to over N50,000 from the initial N26,000 last year.
Chairman of Anambra State of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Peter Onyenwe ife, while addressing the students assured them that his executive would never be a party to any form of increment.
He appealed to the students to ensure the protest was peaceful and within the confines of the campus environment.
According to him: “Any student protesting outside the gate is on your own. Anybody can release gunshots from anywhere, and once that’s done, we’re all gone, and the aim of the protests is defeated.
“I’m standing here as your representative. We can never be a party to any form of increment. That’s why we’re here to plead with you. Our voices must be heard.
“If these same group of students were the same students that gave me support in 2019, I want to assure you that I won’t for any reason support anything that will hurt you.
“I want to put my integrity on the line, in all honesty, the VC is currently in Abuja. But the DVC, academics who’s the second in command will brief us on his behalf”, he pleaded.
Also, Professor Frederick Odibo, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, who spoke to the students on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Charles Esimone, said the institution’s fees structure had been pulled down, while discussion with the students union government was ongoing.
According to him, “We’ve heard your agitations, and they’re okay. You have freedom of protest and that’s why we’re handling you as our children.
“The VC is not around, but I’m in touch with him. He suggested he addresses you via zoom, that’s the essence of technology.
“We’ve pulled down the fees structure of the university, and we’re discussing with the students union government”, he added.
“On his part, the Dean, Students Affairs, Professor Nonso Achebe, called on the students to suspend the protests, assuring them of a town hall meeting with the VC on return.
“You’ve registered your displeasure, please let’s meet at the round table for negotiations. The DVC has addressed you and I’m lending my voice as the number one student.
“Let every fray nerves be calmed so we don’t spoil the good work we’ve started. Let’s broker an agreement. Tommorow by 11 am”.
