More Trouble for UNN VC As Nsukka Youths Join ASUU, NASU to Demand His Removal

Posted by African Examiner education, Featured, Latest Headlines, News Saturday, January 4th, 2014

IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu

The lingering crisis rocking the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN worsened Friday, as youths in the area staged protest rally in the university town, calling for the immediate removal of the embattled Vice Chancellor, (VC) Prof Batho Okolo.

UNN Protests

The youths, numbering over 500 said apart from his alleged role in the unjust suspension of the pro-chancellor Prof Emeka Enejere, Okolo was running a corrupt administration in the university.

The Friday’s protest came two weeks after three staff unions in the institution, as well as the Alumni Association had staged similar demonstration requesting the federal government to the immediately sack the Vice Chancellor.

They had displayed different placards with various inscriptions which read “Nsukka Land does not want Batho Okolo again”, “Nsukka wants reinstatement of Enejere”, “We will continue this protest until the VC is removed”.

Speaking with newsmen, spokesmen of the group, Comrade Victor Ezeugwu and Dr Fabian Ugwu, explained that they decided to carry out the protest with a view to drawing the attention of government to the unholy activities of Prof Okolo at the University.

“The people of Nsukka has suffered untold hardship ever since the inception of this administration under Prof Okolo”, they declared,

They accused the VC of denying the host community of employment and admission quota and other benefit they enjoyed under previous administration before him.

“The employment and admission we enjoyed under previous administrations are now being denied us since Batho Okolo assumed office as Vice Chancellor of UNN.

“President Goodluck Jonathan should act speedily on our call for the removal of Prof Okolo, everyone in Nsukka including workers of the university have joined in this call for Okolo’s immediate removal.

“We are not mindful of the fact that he has few months to complete his term, we want the VC removed. Government must not sacrifice the progress of UNN by keeping Prof Okolo”, they said.

The group also called for the reinstatement of the Pro-chancellor, Emeka Enejere.

African Examiner recalled that similar protests were carried out by ASUU, NASU, NAAT and the Alumni association in the past two weeks calling on government to recall the pro-chancellor.

Reacting to the latest demonstration, a former gubernatorial Aspirant of labour party LP in Enugu state, Barr. Okey Ezea, said he was in total support of any protest that would lead to the reinstatement of Enejere and the removal of Prof Okolo.

“I totally support the protest for the reinstatement of Enejere and the removal of Okolo. If Okolo is not removed now he will ruin UNN. The protest should continue until justice is done”, he insisted.