Information Management in Crisis/Disaster Situation: The No Fee, No Exam Policy of Abia State University Uturu

Discussions in academic and social circles are suggestive of the fact that crises and disasters are part and parcel of every human society. In fact, some academics have gone as far as arguing that a moderate degree of crisis can stimulate ideas, promote healthy competition and energise behaviour. Thus far, Africa, nay, the region of sub-Saharan Africa, has had its fair share of crises and disasters. In some cases, they come in the form of famine, flood, cyclone, earthquakes, soil erosion, abduction, child trafficking, etcetera. At other times, they assume the form of health challenges such as cholera, typhoid, cancer, gonorrhea, staphylococcus, HIV/Aids and, most recently, the coronavirus (COVID-19) currently ravaging the world, especially Europe and America. Crises or disasters can be ideological, natural or even social in nature, but whatever be their colouration, they constitute a serious threat to the peaceful atmosphere of whatever society they visit. And whenever and wherever crises and disasters visit, the media will always be on hand to carry out their surveillance function. Unfortunately for the situation, advancements in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT’s) have brought about a proliferation of media of communication, which in turn has undoubtedly increased the rate at which both information and misinformation are disseminated. The “no fee, no exam” policy of Abia State University Uturu is one issue that attracted mixed reactions across the publics of the university. Against the backdrop of the increased rate in the spread of information and misinformation, and the mixed reactions generated by that policy (no fee, no exam), this study examined the information/communication strategy adopted by the university authorities in the management of that crisis, and what determined the effects of such information/communication strategy on the publics of the university. The study was anchored on the Transactional Analysis Paradigm of Eric Berne. It adopted the textual review approach to research, where data were sourced from secondary sources. The textual review method was supported by oral interviews with personnel of the Public Relations Unit and a couple of students of the institution whose unbiased opinions were sought in respect of the contentious issue. The study concluded, among other things, that the application of appropriate methodologies, competence level of the information managers, as well as the timely dissemination of accurate information combined to enable the authorities of Abia State University Uturu to nip the crisis in the bud.