The authorities of the University of Benin have suspended the Students’ Union executive of the institution.
This was contained in a press statement by the Public Relations Officer of UNIBEN, Benedicta Ehanire, titled, ÚNIBEN senate suspends Students’ Union executives’, on Tuesday.
Though the management blamed the suspension of the students’ union on the instigation of protest over a shift in the school’s academic calendar, our correspondent reliably gathered that the union was suspended over students’ refusal to vacate their hostels ahead of the National Sports Festival.
The PUNCH learnt that the school management had asked students to vacate hostels immediately after their exams on April 1 for athletes participating in NSF, which is expected to hold between April 2 to 14.
However, some of the students rejected the management’s order, stating that they are expected to vacate the hostels after their second-semester examinations.
“How is that possible? I stay in Kaduna, some of my colleagues also come from a far distance. How did they expect me to move my things the same day I will be taking an examination. This is unfair and inhumane,” one of the students protested.
When contacted on the telephone, Ehanire accused the Students’ Union of moving from hostel-to-hostel to encourage the students not to vacate.
But the Students’Union President,Comr. Benjamin Egwu, denied the claim, saying that the management had always threatened to suspend the SU each time they had a challenge implementing a directive & he stated the demand of the students Union.
1. Definite date for Second semester Resumption
3. Provision of holding facilities for students' property especially those residing in Halls of residence
3. Provision of free Buses to convey our students living in far distance.
The Union had persistently engaged the school authorities but to no avail.
“Consequently, the account of the Union has been suspended and their Secretariat, sealed. All members of the erstwhile students’ 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 today, Tuesday 30th March, 2021.
“The Senate praised the majority of the students who have resisted attempts by the students’ 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.”
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