Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The management of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, has taken a drastic action against the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the institution.
This follows the violence that erupted during the visit of the Edo State Labour Party governorship candidate to the University’s Senior
Staff Club on Friday 12h April, 2024.
In the said incident, students of the university led by the Students’ Union president were said to have invaded an interactive session by staff of the university with the Edo State governorship candidate of Labour Party, LP, Olumide Akpata.
And in the process demanded a halt of the event, claiming that they (Students’ Union) were not informed of the event.
The students were said to have acted unruly at the event and in the process rough handled many of the staff including a member of the Academic Staff of the Universities (ASUU), who was reportedly beaten and eventually taken to the hospital.
As a result, the management of the university have reportedly set a panel to investigate the incident with a view to unraveling the truth.
A statement signed by A.A. Bobola, Registrar of the university and made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday April 29, 2024, said, “after due consideration of the Report by the Management, the Vice Chancellor has approved the suspension of the University’s Students Union.”
The statement partly reads: “The suspension which is indefinite, takes immediate effect, that is, from today, Monday 29th April, 2024.
“Accordingly, all Officers of the Students’ Union are to handover all properties of the Union in their possession to the Dean, Students’ Affairs not later 4:p.m on Tuesday 30 April, 2024.
“In the interim, a Caretaker Committee composed of representatives of Faculties, Schools and Institutes has been approved to coordinate students’ activities during the period of suspension.
“The above directive of the Vice Chancellor is hereby communicated for the attention of the University Community and compliance of the erstwhile Union Officers as appropriate.”