By: Felix Ikpotor
The Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Rivers State has suspended two students for one academic session following social media posts by the duo considered to be offensive to the school.
The students are Chibuzor Remmy of the Department of Educational Management and Sunday Idongesit Okpokpo of the Department of Social Sciences.
The students are to resume studies in the 2020/2021 academic session at 100 level.
A statement from the Public Relations Officer of the school and posted on the schools’ official facebook page stated that: “Mr Sunday Idongesit Okpokpo had over the weekend created panic and confusion when he posted on the social media calling for the cancellation of the final year examination of the school scheduled to commence Monday, November 2, 2020 as well as the cancellation of the Matriculation ceremony slated for Saturday November 7, 2020”.
It also said: “Mr Chibuzor Remmy was found guilty of inciting students with his social media post. He had called out students on that post to protest on Wednesday November 4, 2020 against the University authority for having only one bank on the campus”.
According to the letter of suspension addressed to the students, Director of Students Affairs, Dr C.A. Ajie on behalf of the Registrar advised the students the students to hand over the universities in their possession to the Heads of Department or Hall Warden.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Civil Society Coalition, RIVSCO has faulted the decision of the school management to suspend the students.
Chairman of RIVSCO, Enefaa Georgewill in a social media post described the action as tyrannical and an abuse of the students fundamental rights of freedom of speech as enshrined in the constitution of the country.
