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UNIBEN lecturers threaten to boycott April 28 resumption over attack

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities, the University of Benin branch, said on Monday that its members may not resume academic activities on April 28 due to attacks on lecturers and management staff by students of the institution.

The ASUU leadership also noted that it is a constraint to embark on teaching and research in an environment in which lecturers are prime targets for brutalisation or elimination by some students who are labouring to impact the wealth of their intellectual property following the attack on their members.

The ASUU position is coming on the heels of the attempted murder of Dr Presley Osemwengie, a lecturer in the Department of Economics and member of the University of Benin Branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, by some members of the Executive Committee of the University of Benin Students Union when Labour candidate Olumide Akpata came to the school on April 12 for an interactive session.

A statement signed by the Chairman and the Secretary, UNIBEN ASUU, Ray Chikogu, and Success Abusomwan and made available to journalists in Benin said Dr Osemwengie was attacked, hit in the back of his head with a small axe and left for dead in the pool of his blood by some of those in the company of the Students Union President.

The statement reads in part, “We are constrained to issue this statement based on the spate of violence and general atmosphere of insecurity that has permeated the Ugbowo campus of the University of Benin of
late.

“This culminated in the attempted murder of Dr Presley Osemwengie, a lecturer in the Department of Economics and member of the University of Benin Branch of ASUU, by some members of the Executive Committee of the University of Benin Students Union led by their President and some ex- as well as non-students of the University on Friday the 12th of April, 2024.

“On that fateful day, the President of the Students Union of the University of Benin marched upon a gathering of staff of the University and their invited guests, ordering them to discontinue their interaction as he was not pre-informed and, consequently, did not grant permission for the interaction to be held.

“In the resulting melee, Dr Osemwengie was attacked, hit in the back of his head with a small axe, and left for dead in the pool of his own blood by some of those in the company of the students union president.

“It is necessary to note that this worrisome trend began with the assault by both students and non-students of the university on the person of the current Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin in September 2021 when she was humiliated and marched from her residence to the Main Gate of the University in very hostile circumstances.

“Other similar and very unsavoury incidents in which students of the University of Benin have threatened and brutalized lecturers have also been reported at different times. This cannot continue.

“We wish to state now that it is impossible for our members to hereafter dispose themselves to any teaching and research in an environment in which they are prime targets for brutalisation or elimination by some of the students they are labouring to impact with the wealth of their intellectual property. So, it is incumbent on the administration of the University of Benin to provide adequate security for the university staff and create an atmosphere conducive to effective teaching and learning on our campuses.

“To the end that our members will feel safe to conduct their business of research, teaching, and supervision going forward from the 28th of April 2024 (being the date of resumption for the next academic session) therefore, and without prejudice to the work of the Committee set up by the University Administration to investigate the incident at stake, we state as follows as encapsulated in the resolutions of the meeting of the Congress of ASUU UNIBEN on Thursday the 18th of April, 2024.”

“Our Union condemns, in very strong terms, the rebellious and terrorising acts of brigandage being carried out by our students both as individuals and under the cover of student unionism in their entirety,” Chikogu said.

Education

Governor Abba Yusuf donates N2m to islamic school

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Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has donated N2 million to Mu’assasatu Balarabe Bello Hamza Islamic School, located on Sokoto Road in the state capital.

The donation was announced during the Qur’anic graduation ceremony of 13 students held on Sunday at the school premises.

Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Makoda, the governor highlighted the significance of learning the Holy Qur’an and applying its teachings in daily life.

He congratulated the graduating students, their parents, and teachers on the milestone and encouraged them to expand their knowledge beyond religious studies.

A press statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment at Kano Government House, Usman Gwadabe, revealed that certificates were presented to the 13 graduates during the event.

Speaking at the occasion, the Head Teacher, Mallam Jamilu Yusha’u, stated, “The school was named after the late Balarabe Bello Hamza, who established the school for special extra lessons for children during the holidays.”

However, he prayed to the Almighty Allah to forgive him and reward him for the good work he did for the benefit of humanity.

In his remarks, the Director-General of Protocol, Kano Government House, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, who delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the parents and the school authorities appreciated Yusuf’s good gesture for the “donations and for his administration’s readiness toward improving the educational sector in the state.”

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UNIOSUN mandates new students to apply for student loan

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The Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University, Professor Clement Adebooye, has mandated the institution’s fresh students to apply for Federal Government student loan anchored by the National Education Loan Fund, NELFUND.

This is as he disclosed that the university could only admit 11,000 students out of the 30,000 that applied for the 2024 academic session.

Speaking at the 18th Matriculation ceremony held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium at the main campus in Osogbo on Friday, he assured the newly admitted students of the timely completion of their courses of study.

He disclosed that the FG loan scheme would make learning easy for the new students due to the ongoing economic crisis in the country; hence, new students must apply for the loan.

His words, “I must also seize this opportunity to announce to you the opportunity for student loans provided by the Federal Government through NELFUND. As this is an intervention to cushion the effect of economic hardship on students, the management of this institution has decided that every new student must apply and access it to further make student life easy for you”.

He charged the newly admitted students to work tirelessly to achieve academic progression, saying they are among the few lucky ones to gain admission.

“It will interest you all to note that well over 30,000 candidates applied for admission into the university this year. Of this lot, we are only able to admit 11,000 (approximately one-third) into the various academic programmes across colleges and campuses. Though this means you are among the very lucky few admitted, it also shows you have all it takes to be undergraduates in any Nigerian university.

“But then, you all have to note for your all-time guidance that it is not everyone that starts any race that usually completes the race. The race in this context is competence building and knowledge acquisition, which come with regular lectures, assignments, tests, examinations, and character moulding all through your residency here.

“In this esteemed institution, we uphold the values of integrity, discipline, and moral uprightness. Social vices such as examination malpractice, cultism, indecent dressing, drug abuse, sexual harassment, and truancy are strongly condemned,” he added.

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Outrage as students reject renaming of UniAbuja after Yakubu Gowon

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Students of the University of Abuja have vehemently opposed the Federal Government’s decision to rename their institution after former military leader Yakubu Gowon.
The announcement, approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday, December 16, has sparked widespread protests.

Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, disclosed the council’s resolution following its final 2024 meeting at Aso Rock Villa. However, students and alumni immediately reacted with anger.

On Thursday, December 19, students rallied at the university’s main gate, holding placards with messages such as “The voice of men is the voice of God,” “We stand for UniAbuja,” and “Solve hunger problems, not renaming UniAbuja.”

Comrade Nkem Silas, President of the Students Union Government (SUG), urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the decision.

“Renaming the university can have psychological effects on students. We will formally express our concerns to the Federal Ministry of Education through the Vice Chancellor,” Silas said.

Prof Jeremiah Vambe, an alumnus and lecturer in the Department of Public Administration, also criticised the move.

“Renaming the university involves economic, legal, and psychological costs. The law establishing the University of Abuja must be amended to accommodate this change,” Vambe explained.

Comrade Adamu Abdulbasit, President of the Abuja Indigenous Students Association (AISA), proposed an alternative.

“Instead of renaming UniAbuja, the Federal Government should complete the abandoned University of Science & Technology in Abaji and name it after Ladi Kwali University, Abuja,” Abdulbasit suggested.

The protests highlight the growing discontent among students and stakeholders, who see the renaming as threatening the university’s identity and legacy.

Calls for a reversal are gaining momentum as the controversy unfolds.

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