The Management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma has shut down the institution indefinitely and suspended all academic activities following students’ protest over what they described as a hike in tuition fees.
It should be recalled that students of the institution have been protesting over the alleged increase in school fees of returning students for about three days, which disrupted academic activities and a scheduled commendation service in honour of a late professor of economics, Prof. Moses Isunu Aliemen.
However, the protest has led to the dissolution of the student union executive and the postponement of the 40th matriculation ceremony of the institution indefinitely.
The University, in a memo signed by its Acting Registrar, Ambrose E. Odiase, and obtained by Daily Trust said the suspension of academic activities became necessary following an emergency meeting of the University’s Senate in Ekpoma on Monday to appraise the continued protest by students running into days.
“In order to prevent a total breakdown of law and order as well as the need to guarantee the safety of lives and property in the University community and its environs, Senate was left with no other choice than to direct an immediate suspension of academic activities.
“To this effect, all students residing in the hostels on campus are to vacate the Halls of Residence without fail within the next twenty-four hours. This indicates that no student should be seen in or around the Halls of Residence of the University by 3 pm on September 5.”