All forms of celebrations by students after their final year examinations have been banned by the authorities of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) in Enugu, Enugu State.
The ban is in the aftermath of a tragic incident on Monday, in which a newly graduated student, while celebrating, ploughed his car into a crowd of other students, killing one and injuring two others.
The Acting Rector of IMT, Emeka Ejim, announced the ban and other strict measures in a circular issued on Wednesday.
The unidentified graduating student was said to be driving recklessly when the incident happened.
Ejim identified the deceased victim as Chiamaka Ozoigbondu, a student of Peaceland College of Health Science and Technology, Emene in Enugu.
He said the school management extended condolences to the family of the deceased and has declared a three-day mourning period from Wednesday to Friday in the institution.
“Following this regrettable mishap, the Institute, in an emergency joint meeting of management and academic board on 2 October 2024, resolved that all forms of celebration after examinations are hereby banned in the Institute,” the acting rector said.
“Students found celebrating within the Institute will face expulsion, and no amount of pressure will make IMT rescind it.”
Ejim said the Enugu State-owned polytechnic has resolved that vehicles within the campus will not be allowed to exceed the speed limit of 20 kilometres per hour.
“Any driver found violating this rule shall be arrested and handed over to law enforcement agents,” he said.
The acting rector stressed that police officers would no longer be allowed to “escort” affluent students into IMT for any reason.
“Their (law enforcement officers) presence makes it impossible for IMT security men to control these students,” he said, adding that the management would consider fencing the school.
Ejim said, henceforth, students writing examinations must wear their departmental uniforms and identity cards, and students would be made to sign a code of conduct to be of good behaviour.