Respite will soon come the way of tertiary institutions in Nigeria as regards menace of in adequate security and power
The initiative is coming from the chairman of the board of Trustee BOT, of the tertiary education trustfund, Hon Aminu Masari just as The Daily Crucible reports that on Wednesday, the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) refuted the claims in a viral video by human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu.that a 17-year-old girl named Joy Eze had been killed on campus and that kidnappings and other crimes were rampant at the institution.
In refuting the claims, the university’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Dr Okwun Omeaku, said the campuses are safe, and no student deaths or kidnappings have been reported even he demanded a retraction of the video and a public apology from Gwamnishu.
Omeaku stated, “We want to state categorically that these allegations are false. No 17-year-old girl named Joy Eze was killed on our campus, and no students, male or female, were kidnapped on any of our campuses.
“While the country faces general security challenges, it is important to clarify that no incidents of kidnapping involving our students have occurred within the confines of the University of Nigeria’s campuses,
“As a responsible institution, the management of the University of Nigeria has consistently issued security advisories, urging students to avoid unnecessary travel and to exercise caution in their associations.
“It is disappointing that Harrison Gwamnishu resorts to spreading misinformation instead of using creative approaches to grow his online presence and engage with his followers. Fabricating stories about the esteemed University of Nigeria is a serious matter.
“We urge the public to disregard Gwamnishu’s claims. Our campuses are safe, and our students go about their activities without fear.”
However, speaking recently at the two- day retreat organised by the National Assembly, with the theme ‘Challenges of Insecurity and Power in Higher Institution, Hon Masari said, the new initiative was to create a new intervention line aimed at addressing issue of security and power in Nigeria tertiary institutions.
According to Hon Masari, who was represented at the programme by Abdulmumim Oniyangi, Director of Public Affairs at TETFUND, he underscored education’s pivotal role in nation development and the urgent need to improve the funding of the sector.
“Education is the bedrock of national progress, and its funding must reflect its importance. We need to spark a national conversation about sustainable financing models that can ensure the future of higher education in Nigeria,” he emphasised.