Nine expelled FUTO students graduate two years after recall
Chidiebube Okeoma , Owerri
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 .”
Copyright PUNCH.