From Teryima Ajijah, Jos
The acting Vice Chancellor, University of Jos, Prof.Greg Ejikeme, has assured parents, students and the entire university community of adequate security after resumption for the continuation of examinations.
Prof. Ejikeme gave the assurance in his office at the university, while speaking with journalists on the measures taken by the Senate of the institution before allowing students resume.
On the on-going continuation of examinations, the vice chancellor designate said the institution has banned late hour examination.
“We have directed that all examinations for each day must stop by 4:00pm, because government have banned the easier commercial mobility tricycles also known as (keke) by 6:00pm.
He debunked insinuations making rounds that management of the university closed the institution without informing the necessary authorities.
Prof. Ejikeme explained that the insecurity warranted authorities under his watch to have suspended examination, to safeguard lives of students and the university community, following death of a student as a result of civil unrest.
“We didn’t close the university, no management of any university in Nigeria has the right to shut down any institution, if that must be done, National Universities Commission, NUC must give permission; therefore, management of the University of Jos only suspended academic activities after due consultation with dean’s and directors on the precarious situation,” he said.
Ejikeme however, explained further that “the students who died as a result of the crisis were killed outside the environment.”
Speaking on other safety measures used by the university authority to have safeguarded lives of students, he explained that “we evacuated students to safer places before we directed suspension of academic activities.”
He further explained measures taken before the current resumption saying, “Senate of the university tasked us on resuscitation of campus community and security, that should be empowered. We were also directed to ensure physical security at the campuses, which we have done.”
The acting VC regretted that some students who were evacuated by individuals and government officials during the crisis were later abandoned half was to their destinations, which he said was unfortunate.
He spoke on the efforts being done by the management of the University of Jos to secure students, but it has been difficult, due to inadequate funds.
“We have written severally for security intervention to enable us carry out the parameter fencing of the hostels, but till date, we haven’t gotten any intervention,” he lamented.
He stressed that, “it cost us lot of money in providing security on campuses.”
Prof. Ejikeme thanked the Plateau state government for the measures taken, which prevented further loss of lives during the unrest.
“The curfew imposed on Jos by the Plateau state government was lots of help for us as an institution, because our students were forced to remain indoor on campuses.”
On the authenticity of resumption for the ongoing examinations, The Voice interviewed a female student, a 100 level Psychology undergraduate who just sat for one of her examinations, Miss Maureen Aseba, and she said she is glad to have resumed.
She however, begged the university authority to ensure that the atmosphere is conducive for writing of the rest of the papers and possible full resumption of all academic activities.