Even as the Rescue Mission government of Rochas Okorocha has reiterated its stand on absolute free education at all levels since after his victory for a second term in office, fresh levy palaver seems to have reared up its ugly head between the management of the Imo State University, IMSU, and its students once again.
Trumpeta reliably gathered that the attention of students of the state-owned university has been drawn to a notice about a new levy tagged “IMSU graduation/post-graduates levy”.
According to the notice, graduates of the institution from 2008 till date are required to pay the sum of twenty thousand naira (N20,000) before the collection of their degree certificate/statement of results/convocation. Each graduate or post-graduate is expected to present his or her original bank teller before collection of their results.
The affected students who spoke to our reporter on anonymity expressed their displeasure over the new development accusing the management of creating unnecessary hardship and tension on the students.
One of the students who is expecting to proceed for his NYSC programme by November this year noted that the action makes nonsense of the so-called free education the state government claims it is running in the state, pointing out that while non-indigenes who pay seventy thousand naira (N70,000) as school fees will pay extra N20,000 for the new levy, totalling N90,000. Imo indigenes will spend N20,000 plus another N20,000 making it N40,000they paid to access the N100,000 school fees bond from the state government.
An inside source told Trumpeta that this latest notice on payment was part of the reasons why the former Vice Chancellor, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie was unceremoniously relieved of his appointment.
The source revealed that Prof. Awuzie was asked to see how school fees could be subtly introduced in the school again but he asked how such could be communicated to the school community and the entire state that have been told that education is free.
His total refusal to blow the false tune was part of the undercurrent why he was ousted.
