All academic activities at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, have been abruptly suspended for an indeterminate period of time, according to the university’s management.
The University stated that the suspension of academic activities became necessary following an emergency meeting of the University’s Senate in Ekpoma on Monday to assess the ongoing, days-long student protest. The document was written and signed by the University’s Acting Registrar, Ambrose E. Odiase.
The management stated, “Senate was left with no other choice than to direct an immediate suspension of academic activities in order to avert a complete collapse of law and order as well as the necessity to guarantee the safety of lives and property in the University community and its environs.
To that end, all on-campus hostel residents are required to leave the buildings without exception in the upcoming twenty-four (24) hours.
This means that by 3:00 PM on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, no student should be observed in or around the university’s residence halls.
Recall that for approximately three days, university students have been protesting what they claim is an increase in the tuition for returning students. This has interfered with academic activity and a planned memorial service for the late professor of economics, Prof. Moses Isunu Aliemen. The Student Union Executive was terminated as a result of the circumstance.
The University had declared in its several publications that the tuition for returning students had never been raised.
The university’s 40th matriculation ceremony, which was supposed to take place on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, has also been postponed indefinitely.
Earlier on Monday, Platinum Times claimed that the administration of the institution had abolished the students’ association for organizing a demonstration against tuition fee increases and accused student extortion by the authority.
The university management ordered the immediate dissolution of the students’ union in an internal document published on Friday, September 1, 2023, for allegedly breaking some of the rules and regulations of the school.
The memorandum reads:
“While it is not out of place for students to exercise their right to protest, it is paramount to emphasize that there are laid down procedures to be adopted, which are clearly defined in the Student Information Handbook.
“The protests of 31 August and 1 September, 2023 by students led by the Student Union officials, which manifested in the illegal locking of the University main gate, clearly disrupted academic and administrative activities in the University, and created security tension. Specifically, it disrupted the commendation service for late Rev. Professor Moses Isunu Ailemen, which had been scheduled to take place at the International/Students Conference Center on 1st September, 2023.
“To this end, the Student Union, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma has completely flouted the provisions of Section 19, subsections (h) and (i) of the rules and regulations enshrined in the Student Information Handbook. Under subsection (1), it is clearly stated, without any form of ambiguity, that the organizers of demonstration must ensure that there is no disruption or obstruction of educational and other activities of the University including administration, lecture, tutorial, and other related events.
“Consequent on the above, the entire Student Union, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma is hereby dissolved and stands dissolved. The Student Union officials should return all union properties in their possession to the Security Division within 48 hours.
“All students are advised to go about their normal academic activities as all issues in contention will be resolved through dialogue and other relevant mechanisms.
According to a school source, the students’ protest was actually brought on by a “huge increase in tuition fees despite economic hardship in the country,”