HIFL2021: UNIMAID VC pardons suspended students in spirit of victory celebration

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BY ABUBAKAR H. MUHAMMAD, OCTOBER 13, 2021, 3:10 PM


Prof. Aliyu Shugaba, vice chancellor, University of Maiduguri has pardoned female students suspended for participating in protest in the school last week demanding reduction in tuition fee and security in hostels which the university said the protest was not done properly.

The university had said after the suspension that the students will face panel in the school for next action to be against them.

However, Prof. Shugaba decided to pardon the students in the spirit of overwhelming celebration in the university after the school's football team won a national football tournament in Lagos State on Saturday.

Prof. Shugaba gave the directive in his remarks to welcome the school team gathered at the University Garden on Monday.

'Last week, we had an unfortunate situation in this university, where some set of students, particularly from the girls' hostel, were trying to raise a dust in an improper way. Profiles of the students were given to me and I ordered for their suspension from the hostel.

'Our intention was to bring those students before the disciplinary panel but in the spirit of the happiness we are enjoying today, in the spirit of today's celebration, I want to pardon these students. While I pardoned them, I want to state that it should serve as the last warning for them,' Prof. Shugaba said.

He explained that he has no problem with students raising their voices but they should do it in a proper way and the management is always ready to listen to their complaints and will not hesitate to address it.

'We are here because of you, we would have no business if you are not here, so your problems are our problems and whenever you spotted any, channel it to the appropriate channels to tell us and you will find us there,' he added.

At the event students also made a verbal request for the revival of social activities in the school cancelled to prevent the spread of Corona Virus.

Others were about inadequate water supply challenges in their hostels.

While responding, the vice chancellor promised to take immediate action on challenges in hostels and promised to look into the matter of social week fairly.

The social week is a week-long social activitiy organized by graduating students every year to mark their celebration.

Ali M. Fannami, president, Student Union Government, SUG, of the school thanked the vice chancellor for pardoning the students, describing it as a merciful act.

'Even before the pardon, we are confident that he would not send them away but rather to punish them despite breaking the laws of the school.

'He has proven to always be there for us by his actions just like you can see it today during the reception of the football team,' Fannami said.

The president also called on the students not take advantage of the VC's mercy to further indulge in unwanted activities that would cause tension and destruction in and outside the school.

'On social week, we have been pushing for it already, and now that the students were able to bring it to his attention at this joyous moment, they have made the job so much easier for us and we hope that we would be able to have social activities at the end of this session,' Fannami explained.


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