From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka has debunked a viral report which alleged sex scandal in the institution.
The disclaimer was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Information and Public Relation(DIPR) for the University, Comrade Aloysius Emeka Attah made available to journalists on Thursday.
The statement reads, “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 Nnamdi Azikiwe University reportedly caught in an inappropriate behavior with a student within a 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 too 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.”
Comrade Aloysius Emeka Attah also encouraged journalists to always verify facts with the appropriate authorities before publication even as he reiterated open door approach to information and communication.