By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has debunked and distanced the institution from the viral video and accompanying reports alleging that a lecturer of the university was caught engaging in inappropriate conduct with a student.
The university described the reports as false, misleading and capable of damaging the reputation of the institution and its members.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the university, Comrade Aloysius Emeka Attah, the institution said its attention had been drawn to the said viral video and online publications claiming that a lecturer of the university was involved in an alleged sex scandal within the university environment.
According to the statement, the university immediately carried out verification following the circulation of the reports and discovered that neither the incident nor the individuals involved had any connection with the institution.
Attah specifically stated that the incident did not occur within the Nnamdi Azikiwe University community and that the man seen in the viral video is not a member of staff of the institution.
He further stressed that no staff member or student of the university was connected in any way to the incident being circulated on social media and other online platforms.
The University Spokesman expressed concern over what he described as the increasing spread of misinformation and false narratives in the digital space, noting that the desire to break news quickly and attract online traffic often leads to the dissemination of unverified information.
While acknowledging the growing influence of citizen journalism and social media, the University maintained that the same digital tools also make it easier for journalists and content creators to verify facts before publication.
The institution reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high standards of professionalism, discipline and ethical conduct among both staff and students, adding that it operates a zero-tolerance policy against exploitation and other forms of misconduct.
According to the statement, UNIZIK will not allow itself to be associated with false reports capable of tarnishing its image and the reputation it has built over the years.
The university therefore called on members of the public, media organisations and online publishers who circulated the report to retract and correct the misleading information, while also urging journalists to always seek clarification from appropriate authorities before publishing sensitive reports.
It further reiterated its commitment to openness and accessibility in matters relating to information dissemination, assuring that its management remains available to provide accurate information whenever necessary.
Recall that an amateur video had recently gone viral showing some irate individuals (said to be students) as they purportedly stormed with weapons to attack a man said to be lecture in his office. The video further shows the said lecture standing half-naked in a nearby as he allegedly jumped down from the fence to escape for his life.
Watch the video HERE
