Yenagoa—In the last few days, protests rocked the Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, as a result of the school management’s closure of the school fee portal and the introduction of a new policy mandating students to wear a uniform.
But the Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Student Affairs, Austin Adigio, has confirmed that the crisis is over.
In an exclusive interview with Mangrovepen.ng, Adigio noted that, if not for the prompt intervention of the Bayelsa state government, the crisis in the school would have taken a dangerous dimension.
“The past three days have been very disturbing for the student community in Amassoma, as a result of unrest bothering on the issues of non-payment of fees, which led to the closure of the school fees portal.
“The new uniform policy that was seen as an anti-student policy led to unrest that if not well managed could have taken a dangerous dimension.
“However, the government, led by Senator Douye Diri, as a responsive and a student-friendly government made a timely intervention and invited the school management.
“After two days of discussing back and forth, I can confirm to you that all the issues raised by the student community have been graciously approved and resolved.”
Adigio also pointed out that, “The uniform policy has been put on hold, and the issue of reopening the portal was approved as well.
“The government has directed and the school senate has equally approved the opening of the portal to enable students to pay their school fees in arrears.
“The issue of student union government was equally resolved. The school management has promised that as quickly as possible, they will put machinery into motion to ensure the student union will be set up, and the students will have their elected representatives going forward to pursue their interests.
“That will go a long way in assuaging their fears as they do not have a legitimate, recognized authority that will represent their interest in the university community.
Thanking the state government led by the governor, Senator Douye Diri, his deputy and the commissioner of education for approving the demands of the students, the technical adviser also commended the student community for their peaceful disposition.
“The student community must be commended as well for being very peaceful in the way they went about the protest.”
