Source: http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=165583In its determination to restore lasting peace and possibly reopen the Nsukka campus of the University of Nigeria (UNN) shut down in the wake of last month’s students’ demonstration which led to the destruction of properties worth several millions of naira, the institution’s governing council yesterday set up a nine-member panel of inquiry into the crisis.
The panel is headed by the former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Chief Patrick Adaba, while the Federal Ministry of Education also has a representative.
The Acting Registrar and Secretary of Panel, Anthony Okonta, in a press release issued after the council’s meeting, stated that the panel which had a week to submit recommendations would determine the circumstances of the students demonstration between January 16 -18th 2010 at the Nsukka campus in all its ramifications.
“It would determine and identify the immediate and remote causes of the students unrest; determine and identify the people, groups and individuals, students, staff and outsiders and the like who were behind or participated in the crisis and apportion blame as well as determine the extent of damages done to property and facilities and their value”, the statement added.
The panel is also to recommend appropriate disciplinary action against the identified perpetrators of the mayhem, make specific and general recommendations to avoid the occurrence of similar incident in the future.
It would also examine and investigate any other related issues and matters and make recommendations as appropriate. Other members of the administrative panel of inquiry, according to the release are: Prof. Gregory Akenzua, Chief Ben Eleu, Prof. Chinelo Nzelibe, Prof. Felicia Monye, Prof. Grace Ofoma and Chief Obinna Ayogu.
Okonta added that the council further directed the members to work round the clock to meet the time frame so as to ensure early resumption of academic activities.
It could be recalled that students of the Nsukka campus of the University embarked on violent demonstrations on January 16 over alleged increases in tuition and other fees by the Vice Chancellor Prof Bartho Okolo.
Though, the school authority denied the alleged increment, the students’ violent protest culminated in the destruction of several valuables of the university, including 10 brand new project and security vehicles, the temporary quarters of the Vice Chancellor, among others.
