The host community of the Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo
(FUNAI), Ebonyi, State, the Ndufu-Alike autonomous community, has
reiterated their irrevocable commitment to the
peaceful coexistence of their people and members of the university
community and the development of the institution.
They made this known yesterday when some strategic stakeholders of
the community led by Hon. Chukwu Abel Kelechi and Chief Ambassador
Francis Igwe paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor of the
University, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba.
Speaking during the visit, Hon. Chukwu noted that their visit was to
discuss possible ways of strengthening the already existing cordial
relationship between their community and the University.
He maintained that their community is peace-loving, and pledged their
continued support to the development of the University.
He also
extolled the Vice Chancellor for the numerous transformational projects
going on in the institution, adding that the University was on its way
to international recognition because of its wonderful academic
activities and infrastructural renaissance.
He also used the opportunity that solicit the intervention of the
University Management in providing more job and admission opportunities
for the indigenes of their community even as he also appealed to the
University to support their efforts in getting compensation from the
Ebonyi State government for the land they donated for the establishment
of the institution in 2011.
Other speakers including Chief Igwe, Apostle Emma Mbam and Hon. Dave
Onuoha also commended the Vice Chancellor for his forthrightness and
peaceful disposition in dealing with members of the host community
especially those who are still living within the University premises and
advised him to engage their people in more regular discussions to avoid
mutual suspicion.
Responding, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nwajiuba assured them of the
University’s support in dealing with some of their challenges, adding
that he has decided not to force any occupant out of the University
premises but to work-out peaceful means of resolving the problems.
“We insist on having a good relationship with our host community. We will never quarrel with you”, the Vice Chancellor stated.
He also maintained that it was not the duty of the University to pay
land compensation but that of the State government who surveyed and
handed over the land to the federal government for the establishment of
the University, and advised the occupants of the university land to
leave now as infrastructural development is already sweeping across the
campus.
On the issues of employment and admission opportunities the Vice
Chancellor noted that the University has done well, as many sons and
daughters of the community have been employed to work or admitted to
study in the University and promised to do more taking into cognizance
of the government policies governing both matters.
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