By our Reporter
Arising from University of Benin,(UNIBEN) Senate meeting which met and reviewed the 2019/2020 academic session calendar,the Students Union of the institution has been sacked by the management following tip off over planned protest.
The Notice that led to the Planned Protest
The Senate, presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Lilian Salami, affirmed that first semester examinations end on Thursday 1st of April, 2021, as earlier scheduled.
All students are, therefore, to vacate the Halls of Residence and proceed on mid-session break on the 1st of April, 2021.
The 2019/2020 second semester is expected to commence on Monday 19th April, 2021, while students are to return to the Halls of Residence on Sunday 18th April, 2021.
University Management Reactions to the Planned Protest
The University of Benin (UNIBEN) had suspended the Students’ Union executive of the institution and installed a caretaker committee in its place.
In a statement by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the institution, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, the institution’s Senate took the action to forestall a breakdown of law and order following a planned protest by the Students Union body in reaction to the shift in the school’s academic calendar.
“The Union had persistently engaged in subversive activities including incitement of other students to disobey lawful instructions by the school authorities. This is in spite of concerted efforts by the management, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, to provide their basic needs of water and electricity, as well as enhanced infrastructure for learning.
Also, the union account has been frozen and their secretariat sealed. All members of the erstwhile Union executives are to hand over their Students’ Union Identity Cards to the Chief Security Officer of the university immediately. They are also to vacate the privileged hostel accommodations accorded them latest 6:00pm on Tuesday, 30th March, 2021,” the statement added.
The university’s PRO praised the majority of the students who have resisted attempts by the Union executives to drag them into unwarranted agitations.
“The Senate wishes the students the best in their on-going examinations and a restful break from the 1st of April, 2021, until their return to campus for the second semester on 18th April, 2021.”
Reactions
Many Students of the University had faulted the decision of the University to sack the Students Union saying this is as a resut ofmischief makers who wanted to do everything at all cost to find themselves in power.
A Student who preferred anonymity says the new caretaker are the ones peddling rumours of protest pledging loyalty to the management.