The Kebbi state Government on Thursday announced the closure of College of Health Technology, Jega, following demonstration by the students.
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The Commissioner for Higher Education, Isah Abubakar Tunga, stated this while addressing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday evening, that the school would reopen after intensive investigation to forestall recurrence.
“The ministry of higher Education in consultations with the chairman Governing board of the College took the action to forestall further disturbances and restore normality.”
“This morning at about 9 am, the Provost called me on phone to complain that there is a problem in the school”,
“Students pursuing two diploma programmes are saying they will not sit for examinations scheduled for Tuesday next week, because the courses have not been accredited by National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and on graduation, they would be awarded Ordinary Diploma instead of National Diploma”,
“They alleged that certificates of students who graduated with Ordinary Diploma were rejected by employers, those who secured appointment were later booted out”,
“This is the main reason for the riot, the students completely burned down the house of the Provost and severely damaged his car”,
“The Commissioner also said, DPO had to take him away for protection, to avoid being lynched by the rampaging students, they could have murdered him, he was their target”.
The students complained about other issues which are subsidiary, lack of water and electricity supply as well as non provision of toilet facilities.
The Commissioner told newsmen that he headed a powerful team of officials from the Higher Education Ministry to Jega to assess the situation, and took the inevitable decision to close down the college for about one month to put things in order.
“Before our arrival, the traditional ruler of Jega, Sarkin Kabin Jega had gone to the college to pacify the students, but they were adamant, I also tried to talk to them, but they were rowdy, they were many, about 2000”,
“We then asked for dialogue with their representatives to hear their grievances, they sent about ten students”,
“Afterwards, we held a meeting with the traditional ruler of Jega, Sarkin Kabin Jega, the DPO, the DSS and the Chairman Governing Board”,
“The college will remain shut, and on reopening, every student will come with his father to sign a bond to be of good conduct throughout the duration of the course, any further act of misbehavior is instant dismissal”,
” He said, we are setting up a committee to commence intensive investigation right away, whoever is involved in this mayhem would be punished according to the law”.
The Commissioner said security operatives have been ordered to take over the entire premises of the school till further notice.
“The wall fencing the female students’ hostel has been breached by the students who threatened that any woman who remain in the building to sleep over should have herself to blame”,
“The commissioner said government has directed all students, males and females, to vacate the school premises immediately, the college is hereby closed down”.
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