MOUAU Vice Chancellor Blames Radio Programme for February 6 Riot

In a startling revelation, the Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, has pointed fingers at a radio program aired in Umuahia as the catalyst for the unrest and riot that engulfed the university on February 6. Speaking at a press conference held on Wednesday, Professor Iwe disclosed that the inflammatory content of the radio show incited some students who then colluded with miscreants to wreak havoc on campus.

Professor Iwe condemned the radio station's provocative program, stating that he had forewarned them about the potential consequences of their incendiary content. "I am sure that you the media people listened to that inflammable program of that radio station. Before it happened, I called them and wrote that their program was going to ignite a fire in my University and it did," he remarked.

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Addressing the media on the circumstances surrounding the riot and the university's response, Professor Iwe attributed the uprising to a minority of students who allowed themselves to be manipulated under the guise of protesting against fee hikes. He revealed that out of the total student population of 16,759, a significant majority of 13,898 (representing 70%) had already paid their fees as of Monday, indicating that the unrest was driven by a minority.

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Furthermore, Professor Iwe emphasized that the implementation of the 'no registration, no examination' policy was not new to the institution and reiterated the necessity of fee payments for the acquisition of knowledge. He lamented the disruptions caused by returning students who resumed late and failed to adhere to fee payment deadlines, leading to distortions in the academic calendar.

Regarding the extent of damage inflicted during the riot, the Vice-Chancellor expressed dismay at the destruction of university facilities, including lecture theatres, the library, laboratories, and donor projects. He noted that the full extent of the damage would be assessed in due course.

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Professor Iwe also highlighted the efforts made by the university management over the past three years to provide a conducive learning environment and facilities for students while ensuring the welfare of staff members. However, he lamented that these efforts were being undermined by disgruntled elements within the academic community.

The riot, which occurred on February 6, saw a group of angry students storming lecture halls and disrupting ongoing examinations, prompting the university management to suspend all academic activities indefinitely.

The MOUAU administration has vowed to address the root causes of the unrest and restore normalcy to the campus environment, pledging to take necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.