Leading the delegation was the first Secretary-General of Students Union Government, University of Nigeria, and former Commissioner for Education in the old Anambra State, Chief Nduka Eya who explained that the solidarity visit was motivated by the cordial relationship that had existed between UNAA and the Vice-Chancellor and also coupled with the magnanimity of the destruction of facilities in UNEC.
Chief Eya in no unreserved terms expresed the heartfelt sympathy of UNAA, Enugu branch, condemning in its entirety the destruction of properties and facilities in the hitherto serene campus, stating that such violent demonstration was first of its kind.
Chief Eya who is respected for his oratory, among his many qualities said that not withstanding the bitter truth that these students might have played into the hands of miscreants with divergent ideologies who might have manipulated the protest to achieve their selfish aims, yet he maintained that the students had to be held accountable for the deeds.
Chief Eya, therefore, advocated for regular meetings with the students so that they would feel involved, explaining that such close interaction would foster better relationship between the students and the university.
In response, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chukwuma Ozumba thanked the alumni for their visit which he said was a mark of concern. He said that the restiveness of the students penultimate week should be seen as a clarion call for all the stakeholders to come so that they could solve the problem of the university.
Prof Ozumba who received the alumni in the company of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor [Administration], Prof Charles Igwe and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor [Academics], Prof James Ogbonna and other principal officers of the university, explained that in his doggedness to get the major challenges facing the university, that he visited four universities in Sweden including the University of Technology, stating that he had got the panacea to the challenges.
He, therefore, advocated for public private partnership [PPP], which involved bringing in partners both locally and internationally to solve the major problems, which the Vice-Chancellor identified to be water and electricity.
He further stated that an electric generating company had already shown interest in pioneering with the university, and that he had already signed an MOU to that effect, two months ago.'But this company need to get licence to source the coal.
'The Proposals are also ready to regulate water from 12 km in Enugu which when executed will supply water not only to the campus but to the entire Enugu city. You see why we cannot do all these alone', he stated.
A super lioness, and a senior lecturer in the Dept of English and Literary Studies, UNN, Prof Florence Orabueze, in condeming the destruction of facilities in UNEC chided the students for failing to live up to the standard expected of them as students of a highly reputable university as the University of Nigeria.
Prof Orabueze who is also the Deputy National President of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association and an active member, UNAA, Enugu branch, stated that the University of Nigeria graduates her students in learning and in character, explaining that academic prowess without character to match was a fluke
She further stated that the students would have exploited all the peaceful opportunities available to them, like dialogue, and channeling their grievances to the alumni association and super lions like His Excellency, the governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former Governor Sullivan Chime, Dr. Chris Ngige and many others.
'I feel disappointed with these students who will soon join us as lions and lionesses. To be honest, our Vice-Chancellor doesn't deserve this huge embarrassment.
'I have always described our Vice-Chancellor as a good shepherd, a father who is kind and humane; a man who has listening ears', she said.
Similarly, the immediate past President, UNAA, Enugu branch, Agbalanze, R.J.C. Arazu did not` mince words in condemning the students violent protest describing it as a show of shame.
Agbalanze Arazu stated that there was no reason whatsoever to justify the protest, dismissing the students as lacking in character.
He further stated that the students would have embarked on normal protest which would have solved their problems faster.
'I feel terribly disappointed with these students, especially at their insensitivity to the dogged efforts of the present Vice-Chancellor to ensure that University of Nigeria remains on top.
'This is not how to appreciate him, or press for whatever they need;. normal protest would have solved their problems', he said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor [Administration] thanked the alumni for the solidarity visit, stating that what the students did was the least expected.
Prof Igwe blamed the protest to insensitivity on the part of the students in appreciating the efforts of the Vice-Chancellor in fighting tooth and nail to solve the problem of water and electricity, which is not peculiar to UNN alone.
Also in the delegation were the President of UNAA, Enugu branch, Com Okey Emeter, his vice and other members of his executive.
In collaboration with UNAA, Enugu was its Nsukka counterpart represented by Prof Chika Njideka Oguonu, Dr. L.C. Ogenyi, Dr. Nkiru Onyia, and others.