By Our Correspondent
Academic activities have resumed in the University of Calabar with students expressing diverse opinions on the issue.
Lectures resumed Thursday, following the expiration of the one week solidarity strike embarked upon by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) after gunmen invaded the varsity’s staff quarters, abducting one Dr. SO Ndifon, his wife and daughter.
When CrossRiverWatch visited the institution’s campus, it was bustling with activities with Caro Ann Aricha, a 100 level student in the department of Marketing saying “It’s cool that we have resumed, I feel good after the week long rest and I like the fact we have resumed, at least I am not in the house”.
“It is okay sha, it is cool, I will not say I prefer staying at home but it is fun to be back in school to continue with academic activities” said Jemimah Atsu, a 100 level student of the department of Human Anatomy, faculty of Basic Medical Sciences who was just returning from class.
Also, Perpetua Ogri, a 300 Level English and Literary Studies student in the Faculty of Arts said that “I am excited sha, the break was a welcomed idea, as in eh, I think I needed it for several reasons you know, but it is good we are back in school”. Asked whether the solidarity action by ASUU was worth it, she said “I don’t know”.
However, Endure Onun, who contested for the position of President in the last Students Union Government elections, said ASUU was never on strike but a break, adding that it may have been worth it.
He said “They were never on strike, what they did was to go on a 7 days break to enable them sort out issues between them and management and yes, part of the reason for the break was to see how they can facilitate the quick release of their kidnapped colleague.”
It will be recalled that CrossRiverWatch had reported that Dr. SO Ndifon, his wife and daughter was abducted in the early hours of Tuesday last week by unknown gunmen who shot sporadically into the air at his residence Block QH Flat 2 UNICAL staff quarters.
Our correspondent however sighted him on Saturday at the domestic arrival wing of the Margaret Ekpo International Airport when he landed from Abuja aboard an Air Peace flight where he hurriedly left after exchanging brief pleasantries with our correspondent.
It is still unclear whether his family has been released with unconfirmed information suggesting he was not kidnapped alongside his wife who is a nurse and daughter but had to leave town immediately after the event for fear of his life.