Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has scrapped the payment of ‘pandemic prevention fee’ in Abia State University (ABSU) following outrage from Nigerians on social media.

Nigerians took to social media to express their displeasure on reports that Abia State University (ABSU) asked its students to pay a ‘pandemic prevention fee’ of N15, 000 ahead of the school’s resumption scheduled for Monday, November 9, 2020.

This was made known in a notice circulating on social media, dated October 21, 2020, and signed by the school’s Registrar, Acho Elendu.

However, on Friday, November 6, ABSU confirmed to Eons Intelligence that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had scrapped the payment late on Thursday Night, November 5.

The Governor said his administration will henceforth pay N30,000 to each Abia student in the institution as further support to them, their parents and guardians in this very difficult moment of economic downturn caused by the global health crisis.

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In the notice that surfaced on the internet, ABSU urged all regular students of the Institution to strictly adhere to COVID-19 protocols outlined by the Abia State Government and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The notice reads;

“RESUMPTION FOR COMPLETION OF SCHOOLS, 2019/2020 ACADEMIC SESSION

“This is to inform all Regular Students of Abia State University, that the University resumed for the completion of First Semester, 2019/2020 Academic Session, on Monday, 26th October, 2020.

“Having fumigated the Hostels and lecture halls, Students are expected to return from Monday, 9th November, 2020.

“The first Semester, 2019/2020 Examinations will commence on Monday, 16th November, 2020.

“All Returning Students are to pay a Pandemic Prevention fee of Fifteen thousand (#15,000) Naira only, ensure registration of their courses, to be eligible to participate in the Examinations.

“All payments should be made through the online payment portal of the university, before the commencement of the Examinations.

“Please note, that it is for the students health and that of others, that it will be necessary to show evidence of payment of the pandemic prevention fee before entry into any campuses.

“Parents, guidance and the public are to note as appropriate. All Covid-19 protocols will be strictly observed If there is any further change, We’ll let you know!! Please be properly guided!!”

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