By Chuks Eke
Authorities of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka, Anambra State, have debunked the speculations making the rounds that one of its personnel was caught in inappropriate behavior, as trended in a social media viral video.
In a tacit press statement issued yesterday titled: “debunking the misleading report of sex scandal in the university”, UNIZIK Director, Information and Public Relations, DIPR, Comrade Aloysius Emeka Attah (mnipr), noted that after due verification, it has been established that the incident did not occur in UNIZIK.
According to the statement, “The attention of the Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has been drawn to a viral video and news reports circulating online about a lecturer erroneously identified as a staff of UNIZIK reportedly caught in inappropriate behavior with a student within university premises”.
“We wish to categorically state that the report is not only false but misleading. After due verification, it has been established that the incident did not happen at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. The man in question seen in the viral video is also not a staff of Nnamdi Azikiwe University. For the records, no staff or student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University is connected in any way to the said incident”.
“Nnamdi Azikiwe University upholds the highest standards of professional conduct and discipline among its staff and students. Staff members of the university are guided by strong ethics while the University management also has zero tolerance for students’ exploitation under any guise. We will not be associated with false information that damages the reputation of our institution”.
“The advent of citizen journalism, social media and the rush to break news first and also gain traffic has fueled misinformation, disinformation and spread of outright falsehood. However, digital communication has also made it much easier to balance news reports and fact-check certain information before public dissemination”.
“We therefore urge members of the public, media houses, and online platforms to desist from spreading unverified information and to take immediate steps to retract and correct the publication. We also encourage journalists to always verify facts with the appropriate authorities before publication as we reiterate an open-door approach to information and communication.”
