UNIBEN dissolves SUG, suspends union leaders

The authorities of University of Benin, on Wednesday, announced
the suspension of members of the three arms of Students’ Union
Government in the institution.

The institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr Benedicta
Ehanire, in a statement issued in Benin, said that a caretaker
committee would be put in place to manage the affairs of the
union.

Ehanire said that the institution’s Senate took the decision to
forestall breakdown of law and order, following the planned protest
by the students’ union body against 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 management, led by the
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, to provide their basic needs,
such as water and electricity as well as other facilities necessary
for learning.

“Consequently, the bank account of the union has been suspended
and their secretariat sealed.

“All members of the erstwhile executives are to hand over their
students’ union identification cards to the Chief Security Officer
of the university immediately.

“They are also to vacate the privileged hostel accommodations
accorded them with immediate effect,” she said.

Ehanire noted that the senate, however, commended the students
for resisting attempts by the students’ union executives to drag
them into unwarranted agitations.

“The Senate wishes the students the best in their ongoing
examinations and a restful break from April 1until their return to
campus for the second semester on April 18,” she said.

Efforts to get the reaction of the president of the suspended
union, Benjamin Egwu, however, proved abortive as he neither picked
nor returned the calls put through to him.

Meanwhile in another statement, the institution’s senate
announced the review of the 2019/2020 academic calendar.

Ehanire quoted the senate, presided over by the vice- chancellor
as affirming that first semester examinations would end on
Thursday, as earlier scheduled.

The authorities of University of Benin, on Wednesday, announced
the suspension of members of the three arms of Students’ Union
Government in the institution.

The institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr Benedicta
Ehanire, in a statement issued in Benin, said that a caretaker
committee would be put in place to manage the affairs of the
union.

Ehanire said that the institution’s Senate took the decision to
forestall breakdown of law and order, following the planned protest
by the students’ union body against 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 management, led by the
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, to provide their basic needs,
such as water and electricity as well as other facilities necessary
for learning.

“Consequently, the bank account of the union has been suspended
and their secretariat sealed.

“All members of the erstwhile executives are to hand over their
students’ union identification cards to the Chief Security Officer
of the university immediately.

“They are also to vacate the privileged hostel accommodations
accorded them with immediate effect,” she said.

Ehanire noted that the senate, however, commended the students
for resisting attempts by the students’ union executives to drag
them into unwarranted agitations.

“The Senate wishes the students the best in their ongoing
examinations and a restful break from April 1until their return to
campus for the second semester on April 18,” she said.

Efforts to get the reaction of the president of the suspended
union, Benjamin Egwu, however, proved abortive as he neither picked
nor returned the calls put through to him.

Meanwhile in another statement, the institution’s senate
announced the review of the 2019/2020 academic calendar.

Ehanire quoted the senate, presided over by the vice- chancellor
as affirming that first semester examinations would end on
Thursday, as earlier scheduled.