herdsmen in University(FUTO):Awareness to Futo Students asFuto VC Voice out herdsmen’s invasion of school premises

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The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Prof. Francis Chukwuemeka Eze has disclosed that herdsmen invaded the school premises. Eze, who addressed workers on the menace of the action, explained that the herdsmen were not only grazing on the premises, but had also occupied the staff quarters. While warning them to relocate their cattle, he said their incursion was due to the lack of perimeter fence around the school. The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Prof. Francis Chukwuemeka Eze has disclosed that herdsmen invaded the school premises. Eze, who addressed workers on the menace of the action, explained that the herdsmen were not only grazing on the premises, but had also occupied the staff quarters. While warning them to relocate their cattle, he said their incursion was due to the lack of perimeter fence around the school. The VC also disclosed that some workers were buying the land that belongs to the university, warning them of severe consequences if they don’t stop. The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Okoro Ogbobe, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Israel Ndukwe, the Registrar, Mr. John Nnabuihe joined the VC at the meeting. Eze lamented that a 30 per cent shortfall in the Federal Government allocation to the school had led to a corresponding cut in the workers; salaries. He urged them to devise strategies to increase the internally generated revenue in the university, lamenting that some workers were in the habit of stealing the property that belongs to the institution. As part of the efforts to boost revenue, he explained that the institution’s poultry farm would be operated as a business, rather than being attached to the School of Agriculture. While warning against falsification of age to avoid early retirement, he added that the school’s poor financial situation was discussed at the11th Governing Council’s meeting on August 1. He said: “Management received 77 per cent of total personnel cost in June and July and we augmented the amount and paid 80 per cent of workers salaries.’’ Meanwhile, Governor Bello Masari of Katsina State yesterday announced that he would review existing local laws on forest reserves and grazing routes to check farmers-herdsmen clash. He said the review would include delegating powers to a committee of traditional rulers to monitor activities around forest reserves and give updates to the government. Masari lamented the frustration that farmers and herdsmen face when they go to court, adding that the police have been accused of frustrating judges who arbitrate on such cases. The Secretary to the State Government (SGS), Mustapha Inuwa disclosed that a diminishing cattle route has created security threat that must be urgently addressed.