Some of the students during the protest Photo credit: YNaija
The main campus of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has been shut following students’ protest on Monday, October 12, over the institution’s neglect of their welfare.
The protest which started around 5.30am created panic as workers and traders got stranded at routes linking the university.
The students carried placards, which read: “VC, give us water and light, students cannot study without light and water, electricity and water is our right,” among others.
Emeka Ebere, one of the students who spoke to NAN, said that the students had been staying without adequate power supply and water in hostels for more than three weeks, adding that the school authorities were doing nothing about the situation.
He said: “Rats come to eat our legs when we sleep because everywhere is bushy and there is no light for more than three weeks now.
“Again, we have not had water for months now and students have to go long distances into the town to fetch water.”
Emeka blamed the situation on Professor James Epoke, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university, alleging that the VC was not showing concern over students’ welfare because his tenure would expire soon.
On her part, Theresa Kahi, another student who expressed her displeasure over the issue, claimed that the students were protesting majorly because of the VC’s negligence.
The students carried placards, which read: “VC, give us water and light, students cannot study without light and water, electricity and water is our right,” among others.
Emeka Ebere, one of the students who spoke to NAN, said that the students had been staying without adequate power supply and water in hostels for more than three weeks, adding that the school authorities were doing nothing about the situation.
He said: “Rats come to eat our legs when we sleep because everywhere is bushy and there is no light for more than three weeks now.
“Again, we have not had water for months now and students have to go long distances into the town to fetch water.”
Emeka blamed the situation on Professor James Epoke, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university, alleging that the VC was not showing concern over students’ welfare because his tenure would expire soon.
On her part, Theresa Kahi, another student who expressed her displeasure over the issue, claimed that the students were protesting majorly because of the VC’s negligence.
Some of the students at the gate during the protest Photo credit: YNaija
According to her: “The last time we demonstrated within the school premises, they charged us for damages but now we are protesting outside the school gate because we want water and light.
“We, the students of this school are tired of the attitude of the university’s management.
“The protest is to send a strong message to the VC that we need water and light inside the university.”
While commenting on the latest development, the vice-chancellor did not deny the allegations leveled against him by the students, but assured that everything would be pout under control in no distant future.
A statement signed by the institution’s registrar, Moses Abang has now confirmed that the school has been shut for two weeks following the student’s protest.
The statement reads: “The management of the University of Calabar has announced a two week mid semester break for all students of the University with effect from today, 12th October, 2015.
Naij.com
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