- There was jubilation at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, on Thursday, as nine student activists, who were expelled in 2017 for championing a protest against increase in school fees, hostel and Internet fees, eventually graduated.
There was jubilation at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, on Thursday, as nine student activists, who were expelled in 2017 for championing a protest against increase in school fees, hostel and Internet fees, eventually graduated.
The Senate of the institution had on March 30, 2017, handed the student leaders, who were involved in a peaceful protest, expulsion letters.
The affected students are Ogbenna Collins, Mmegwa Kenneth, Naomi Chizoba, Ukwu Okey, Onuoha Elvis, Mmadu Nnamdi, Odunze Ebuka, Ihuka Victor and Choke Fred.
Dissatisfied with their expulsion, the affected students had approached an Owerri Federal High Court and got judgment mandating the school management to recall them on July 28, 2018.
One of the students, Ogbenna, who spoke to our correspondent after they wrote their final examinations, said, “We commend the staff and students of FUTO on the VIP treatment given to us before graduation and our immense appreciation goes to dogged comrades, who identified with us as the struggle lasted.
“Though a course of five years lasted seven years, we thank God for seeing us through. We stood for the students and we never regretted our actions. We keep supporting actions that are beneficial to the growth of the ordinary people.”
