Authorities of the University of Port Harcourt have accused students of deliberately orchestrating violence against the institution.
Vice Chancellor of
Uniport, Professor Ndowa Laale said this when he received the Deputy
Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, DCP Mobolaji Odesanya on
his visit to the institution.
Professor Laale who
decried the violent attitude of the students told newsmen that no fee has been
increased since his assumption as VC nine months ago.
The VC of Uniport
claimed that the protest was a ploy to make him resign or be removed from
office.
While commiserating
with the family of the student that lost his life during the protest, Professor
Ndowa Laale disclosed that the circumstances surrounding his death were still
sketchy.
“First of all, all you
hear is that the Vice Chancellor has increased fees but let me place it on
record that in Federal Universities, no one pays fees. Government only allows
us take some charges which we use to provided certain services for students.
“The charges that are
being paid today are negotiated about 2 years ago under the leadership of Prof.
Ajienka (the former VC). I have done only 9 months and since I came, I have not
increased any fee by a kobo.
“More than 90% of the
students had complied and less than 10% has not paid or registered.
“And just like it is a
tradition among students that don’t want to write exams, the 90% that has paid
later joined the other 10% to go on that riot. And that is what has caused the
massive destruction of the school.
“The protest was
well-orchestrated, I don’t know what they intended to achieve but I understand
that some of the organisers are in touch with some other people who for
whatever reasons want the VC out,” he said.
Earlier, the Deputy
Commissioner of Police, DCP Mobolaji Odesanya who is now the Acting
Commissioner of Police said his visit was to ascertain the level of damage done
by the students.
Calm has returned to
the Uniport environment with armed police officers providing security and
students are seen leaving the campus.
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