The Vice chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Prof. Daniel Nwachukwuu has appealed to the indegenes living in the university land to vacate and stop building new structures on the land, noting that the land has been given to the university and the community awaits for their compensation from the state government.

He maintained that the continuous occupation of the indegenes in the land is restricting the university from establishing the master plan of the university and called for relocation of the indegenes to another place.

Nwachukwu made this known while receiving the university host community in a courtesy visit in his office at Alex Ekwueme Federal university, Ndufu Alike Ikwo.

He frowned at the attitude of some community members who have formed the habit of putting illegal structures within the university fence, stressing that plans are underway to beautify the university including the wall of the fence.

“Our major challenge now is how to relocate the indegenes living in the university land. It is not right. The land has been given to the university and the community is expecting compensation. It is the state and not the Federal government that will pay compensation.

“Let them stop building new structures within the university land. It has been enumerated before and we will use that to pay the compensation. It is restricting us from establishing the master plan of the university.

“The Vice chancellor has no lodge, Register, Bursar and indeed non of l the principal officers has a lodge let alone senior staff quarters. Living here forms an integral part for development.

The Vice chancellor assured the host community of maximum cooperation and cordial relationship and that whatever is due to them in terms of employment opportunities, admission for their sons and daughters, the university will not hesitate to give it to them.

He said that the university is looking forward to partner with Israel in the area of agricultural development, adding that there will be community engagement which will assist her in modern cropping as well as provision of medical care and organizing of outreaches for the community.

Earlier, the President General, Ndufu Alike Development Union, Dr Collins Chibuike Nwuguru said the essence of the visit was to establish a cordial, structured and enduring relationship between the university and Ndufu Alike community, stressing that they consider the university an integral part of their community and reaffirm their commitment to maintaing a relationship on peaceful coexistence and constructive partnership.

Nwuguru stated the community’s preparedness to work with the university within the limits of her responsibilities as a host community to promote peace, security and an environment conducive for effective teaching, learning, research and institutional development.

“It is an opportunity to establish a cordial, structured, mutually beneficial and enduring relationship between the university and Ndufu Alike community.

“The primary concern of Ndufu Alike community is the success of Alex Ekwueme Federal university Ndufu Alike Ikwo.

Also speaking, the Director of Academic Planning, Ebonyi state University of Aeronautic and Aerospace engineering, Onueke, Prof Agabus Chidiebube Nwuzor urged the Vice chancellor to liase with the Development Union led by Dr Collins Nwuguru for a harmonious relationship with the community.

In his remarks, the medical director, Ikwo general hospital, Dr James Okata Nwali emphasized that 95%of the university land is owned by Ndufu Alike community and that no other people should drag the host community with Ndufu Alike