Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, has rescheduled its 18th convocation ceremony due to threats from pro-Biafra groups.

However, the university management denied this, stating that the adjustment was made because the original date coincided with the federal government’s swearing-in of the new Governing Council on May 30.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra had threatened to cause disruptions if the university held events on Biafra land on the day they had dedicated to honouring their heroes.

However, it was gathered that different warnings were issued to UNIZIK and other organizations in Igbo land by IPOB and MASSOB through their leaders, Emma Powerful and Uchenna Madu.

The 18th convocation events were originally scheduled for May 30 and 31, 2024, but have been rescheduled to only May 31.

This adjustment was announced in a statement by Dr. Emma Ojukwu, the special adviser on special duties and media to the Vice Chancellor, and made available to reporters in Awka on Wednesday.Ojukwu explained that the change was due to the constitution of the university’s governing council, which will take place in Abuja on May 30.

He said: “The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka wishes to inform all the graduands, friends of the University, the University Community and the general public that the 18th convocation ceremony of the University earlier scheduled to hold on the 30 and 31 of May, 2024 has now been rescheduled to only May 31, 2024.

“The reason for the rescheduling is because of the federal government’s appointment of new Governing Council members who will be inaugurated in Abuja on May 30, 2024.

“As the University Management is expected to be present in the inauguration in Abuja, it was considered necessary and inevitable to adjust the convocation ceremony date to only May 31, 2024 for all activities of the 2024 18™ convocation ceremony.

“All activities involving the undergraduate, postgraduate, award of honorary degrees and the convocation lecture will now hold on May 31, 2024.

“All graduands and the public are to note this information and disregard any other information not emanating from the University. The University Management regrets any inconvenience this adjustment will cause.”

END.