A section of the University of Port-Harcourt (Uniport) Alumni Association based in the United States of America and Britain has called for accountability from the school’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Lale, for his alleged authorization of the use of maximum force against protesting students, which led to the brutal murder of Mr Peter Ofurum.
Ofurum was a final year student in the Accounting Department and a serving president of the Management Science Students Association (FAMASSA).
Reports indicate that many were also injured, and several others arrested and taken into police custody during a students’ protest that was apparently peaceful until interrupted by men of the Nigeria Police. Students were protesting a hike in school fees as well as a school policy of “no payment no exams”, which would have led to affected students losing an academic year.
The group’s coordinator, Aniefiok Udoh, in a statement condemned the killing which he attributed to excessive use of force saying it was unnecessary. The group also decried alleged attempts to criminalize slain Peter Ofurum and sell to the public the false notion that he was a cultist and not a real student of the university. Reports indicate that the student records of Ofurum were immediately removed from the school online portal and other university records even though he had paid his school fees and was in good financial standing.
The alumni coordinator, while reiterating that the vice chancellor owes the public an explanation, maintained that the true evidence of growth in leadership is ability to be calm and a commitment to peace and stability in the face of crisis, instead of a disposition to violence that is all too commonplace. He said the rules of engagement in the case of protests and demonstrations by any group need to be clearly spelt out by both student and University leaders at a time of peace. “Students and any groups within a University deserve to have a platform to dissent peacefully and know their voices are being heard, without fear that they will be victimised or ultimately come to harm, Mr. Udoh said.
Also recall that the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Rivers State chapter condemned the Killing of the Protesting Students and called for investigation and resignation of the Vice Chancellor.
The statement which was signed by State Chairman Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu read in part:
“The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Rivers State condemns in its entirety the unwarranted killing today of three students of the University of Port Harcourt who were on a peaceful protest. We are worried that if three unarmed protesting students will be killed in cold blood then there is no guarantee that protesting workers or citizens will not be killed.
“We call on the authorities of the University of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General of Police and the Hon. Minister for Education to as a matter of utmost urgency identify and prosecute those who killed the innocent protesting students. We note that students all over the world have the right to protest. And as a matter of fact, the right to peaceful protest is protected by the Nigerian constitution.
“We want to state categorically that if within 14 days our demand is not met, we shall convene an emergency TUC State Council meeting and invite the State Council to take a decision on this matter including the decision to withdraw the services of all our members in Rivers State.
“We appeal to all parents, civil society organizations and people of good conscience to rise up against the unwarranted and cold-blooded killing of these students, whose only offence was protesting against the policy of the authorities of the University of Port Harcourt. We want to state categorically that if the Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT cannot handle a mere student protest, then he should resign immediately.
“Silence in this matter cannot be golden but an actively collaboration with the murderers of the students.”
