MOAU Assesses Damages Following Student Protest

In the aftermath of a student protest at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), the university's management is currently evaluating the extent of damages inflicted on campus facilities. The protest, which occurred on Tuesday, resulted in significant destruction, prompting the university's Vice Chancellor, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, to address the media during a press conference on Wednesday evening.

Professor Iwe clarified misconceptions surrounding the protest, asserting that he was not physically assaulted by students as reported by some media outlets. He attributed the violence to "miscreants" who infiltrated the protest, emphasizing that genuine students would not engage in such destructive behavior.

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During the press conference, the VC revealed that the university's Senate would convene on Thursday to deliberate on the appropriate course of action in response to the incident. He emphasized that the university has been striving to provide a conducive learning environment despite financial constraints, receiving only a fraction of the necessary monthly funding.

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Contrary to rumors circulating about fee increases, Professor Iwe clarified that there had been no such adjustment and reiterated the importance of students settling their fees to sustain the university's operations. Additionally, he explained the rationale behind implementing biometric verification to prevent exam malpractice and uphold academic integrity.

Despite facing resistance from vested interests, the VC affirmed his commitment to purging the university of corruption and ensuring accountability among staff members. He vowed to mete out severe sanctions to individuals found compromising academic standards.

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The protest was reportedly triggered by students' objections to alleged attempts by the university management to prevent them from taking exams due to outstanding fee payments. However, the situation escalated, resulting in the destruction of several campus buildings.

As the university assesses the damage and deliberates on its response, stakeholders await further updates on the measures to be taken to restore normalcy to MOUAU's campus.