Group threatens varsity authorities over expulsion of final year students

April 30, 2017 7:05 PM

According to Patrick, the expulsion of the students is aimed at diverting the attention from the real cause of the demonstrations.

Members of the Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neo-liberal Attacks have urged the management of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, to revoke its decision to expel six final year students of the varsity.

The undergraduates in question are up for expulsion for demonstrating against the hike in school fees of the institution.

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In a statement signed by the Registrar, J. U Nnabuihe, the school authorities decided to dismiss the students on the grounds of gross misconduct and flouting the regulations of the institution.

The expelled students are Collins Ogbonna (Fishery and Aquaculture Technology department), Elvis Onuoha (Animal Science Technology), Ebuka Odunze (Computer Science), Kenneth Megwa, (Prosthetics and Orthotics department) and Nnamdi Madu and Collins Ugwu (Optometry).

The National Public Relations Officer of ANSA, Majekodunmi Patrick, while addressing journalists in Owerri, the Imo State capital, said the group would mobilize Nigerian students across the country to shutdown FUTO on May 8, 2017, if the management fails to comply with their request by restoring the students.

He said, “We have met with the organized labor in Imo State and with the Academic Staff Union of Universities. We have told them that we do not accept the unjust expulsion of the six students. We demand that they are restated and the grievances that led to the protest addressed.”

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As earlier reported, on February 17, 2017, students protested alleged increments in school fees, course registrations, Internet and hostel fees, and generally everything the school management was charging them for.