* Tasks host communities on security of varsity property
The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) is reeling after the theft of some of the institution’s expensive solar panels.
The university under the administration of the current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Alloysius Michaels-Okolie, had late last year commenced installation of the solar powered street lights within the university’s main campus at Agbani in Nkanu West local government area of the state.
But, as they were being installed, the panels had been carted away by thieves.
Speaking when the people of Obe and Umueze autonomous communities in Nkanu West local government area of the state donated additional 30 plots of land for the building of the nursery, primary and secondary school projects of the university, the VC, Prof Okolie lamented that the university is threatened by the activities of thieves and private developers, who also block the road to the university campus.
“We have been having issues of theft here in the university. People come in from different directions to loot our property.
“Our solar panels were stolen as they were being mounted. Let’s help ourselves. We have been enduring a number of things because we want peace
“Also, people who build houses, are blocking our roads. Let’s respect right of way. We need peace here in ESUT”, the VC said.
While commending the people of Obe and Umueze autonomous communities for sacrificing a lot for the university through donation of land, Okolie urged them to see the university and its property as their own.
He informed them that Governor Peter Mbah had already given approval for the construction of perimeter fencing to protect university from further encroachment and theft.
Okolie, who announced the employment of 10 security personnel from the host communities, assured them that as far as they continued to treat the university as their personal property, more privileges would be extended to them.
The communities vowed to do everything possible to apprehend those who stole the street lights and panels, promising that henceforth, “Anybody who steals from ESUT is now fighting us”.
One of the community leaders and traditional ruler of Obe Community, HRH Igwe Stephen Nweke, said the decision to cede the land to the university was due to the newly established cordial relationship existing between the host communities and the university, which he said was made possible by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Alloysius Michaels-Okolie.
The monarch, who stated that the two communities had resolved to own the university in order to protect its property, said with the performance of the VC and the vision of Governor Peter Mbah for the state, nothing could be too much for them to do for the university that had brought development to the community.
Igwe Nweke said: “Today, we are here to hand over the land documents which are owned by the Umueze and Obe communities for the establishment of ESUT Nursery, Primary and Secondary school to you and the management of ESUT. We’re here because we have seen a better approach in you than the past VCs”.
