Nationnewslead reports that The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, has said the institution will commence an investigation into the recent protest by students and ensure that appropriate measures are taken to check a recurrence.
He assured that nothing would derail the reforms being put in place by the institution.
Na’Allah said these during a programme organised in honour of the school’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof Sani Adam, who was recently conferred with the rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee.
Students of the institution recently protested against alleged hike in tuition fees and other issues along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Expressway and the main entrance to the campus against alleged hike in tuition fees and other issues.
The students reportedly carried placards with different inscriptions, kicking against the alleged closure of the portal meant for the payment of tuition fees and others.
They also demanded the scrapping of the late registration fee, review and reduction in the tuition fees ahead of the next session, and postponement of the first semester examination from February 8 to March 8.
Describing the students’ protest as unfortunate, the VC said his administration had resolved to take the university to greater heights to compete favourably with its peers abroad.
Na’Allah said, “It is unfortunate that the students resolved to protest. The truth is that this university is on its way forward and not backward. It is a university where, before now, some students would not register throughout the year. Some students even graduated without registration.
“It is a university where many students do not understand that we have deadlines. We as a university are responsible for training people so that when they become leaders tomorrow, they are mature enough to do the right thing.
“We are going to investigate the protest to find out what actually happened, although I have heard that they were sponsored by some forces.”
Extolling Adam’s virtues, Na’Allah challenged him to use his elevation to promote peace and the development of Nigeria.
“For them to appoint one of us to be equal to that task [SAN] is indeed a thing of pride to this university. We are proud of Adam and I want you to know that wherever you go, bear in mind that you are representing the University of Abuja,” he said.
Responding, Adam commended the university for celebrating him.
He, however, decried the high level of corruption in the judiciary, stressing the need for collaborative efforts to reform the system.
“All the problems that we are having today is because the judiciary has failed woefully. It is our collective responsibility to reform our laws to ensure that cases are dispensed immediately, with all honesty,” he said.
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