The College of Health Sciences and Technology, Jega, in Kebbi State, has been shut down following students unrest.
The students are protesting the alleged extortion of the sum of 23 millon naira by the college management regarding the Index registration of 250 graduands.
Some of the students within the college, revealed that the controversy Stems from the newly Introduced Public Health Program Initially affiliated with reproductive Health and the Public Health Association of Nigerian.
However, the College Management Merged the 2 with the Environment Health depertment to secure certification, As a result, students were asked to pay the sum of 65,000 Naira for Index regestration .
The Ministry for Higher Education Kebbi State in consultations with the Chairman, Governing Board of the college, took the action to forestall further disturbances and restore normalcy
Commissioner for Higher Education, Isah Abubakar Tunga, informed Journalists in Birnin Kebbi, that the school would reopen after intensive investigation to forestall recurrence.
He said, Students pursuing two diploma programmes are saying they will not sit for examination scheduled for Tuesday next week, because the courses have not been accredited and on graduation, they would be awarded Ordinary Diploma instead of National Diploma”,
“This is the main reason for the riot, the students completely burnt down the house of the Provost and severely damaged his car”,
“The 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 like lack of water and electricity. non provision of toilet facilities.etc
The Commissioner told journalist that he led a powerful team of officials from the Higher Education Ministry to Jega to assess the situation, and took the inevitable decision to shut down the college for about one month to put things in order.
“The college will remain shut, and on reopening, the government will set up a committee to commence intensive investigation right away.
The security operatives have been ordered to take over the entire premises of the school till further notice.
“The government has directed all students, males and females, to vacate the school premises immediately, the college is hereby shut down.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
