UNICAL Shut Over Students’ Protest

Authorities of the University of Calabar have shut down the school for two weeks following an early morning protest by students following claims of lack of electricity and high tuition fees.
The students blocked all access roads leading   to the school as early as 5 am last Monday, claiming that the tuition fees in the school were too high and that the hostels have been without  electricity for over three  weeks.
Some of the students  who spoke with our correspondent said the  tuition fees of N32,000 for returning students and N42,000 for final year students are too high compared to other federal universities.
“We are asked to pay the sum of 32,000 for returning students while final year students are to pay the sum of N42,000 which is too high. UNILAG students pay N12,000 and in UNIPORT, the fee is just N10,000” a student who gave her name as Jane stated.
Another student, who did not want his name in print, said students have been staying without light and water in the hostels for more than three weeks, accusing the school authority of being insensitive to the plight of the students.
“Do you know that 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,” he complained.
He blamed the situation on the attitude of the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. James Epoke, alleging that the VC was not concerned about students’ welfare because his tenure expires next month.