Efio-Ita Nyok|17 January 2018
Forum of Faculty Presidents of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) led by her chair, Mr Bernard Okpi, has stood up to both the management and students of the said tertiary academic institution in respect of the latest increment of admission 'Acceptance Fee' reportedly increased from N15, 000 to N25, 000 NegroidHaven can report.
In a letter dated 12th January 2018 and signed by the forum chairman and Scribe, Mr Bernard Okpi and Eno Kennedy respectively the student activists said that they expressed their displeasure on the increment while meeting with the Dean of Students Affairs over the development. According to the letter, the Dean explained why it was so but promised to take their reservation to the school management. Meanwhile, the students leaders also dissociated itself from any group planning to demonstrate with placards against the decision of the Prof. Zana Akpagu-led vice chancellorship of UNICAL.
Their letter reads in part, 'We engaged the University administration through the Dean of Student's Affairs, Asso. Professor E. B. Uda, on the 12th of January 2018 at the University of Calabar Hotel by 2pm. The meeting lasted for two hours. We expressed our displeasure and inquired into the reason for the increment. He outlined some veritable reasons that led to the increment.
'However, we spoke from the students point of view and strive (sic) to protect the interest of newly appointed students. The Dean assured us that he will communicate our resolutions to the Vice Chancellor…
'We therefore dissociate ourselves at all times from any group… Converging to carry placards, singing solidarity songs, matching peacefully or doing anything in the guise of sending message to the management over this matter or any other related matters thereof'.
In his Facebook wall, Okpi said thus being named respect of the brouhaha : 'If we keep quiet over critical issues then we might mortgage the future of our children's children… We appreciate the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu for his students' oriented administration. We believe that he would not promulgate policies inimical to our academic welfare'.
Meanwhile, a presumed newly admitted student simply identified as Aondo has reacted angrily at the increment in the following words, 'I pay my acceptance fee today (25,000). It pains me alot but i have no option than to pay. Can you ….. Only acceptance fee 25k. HABA VC WHAT HAS UNICAL NEWLY ADMITTED STUDENT DON TO YOU?'
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger, the Editor-in-Chief & Publisher of NegroidHaven
