UNIBEN recall rusticated students who attempted disrupt 43rd Convocation ceremony

By Angela James,

The authority of the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, has recalled students that were rusticated for their roles in attempting to disrupt the University’s 47th Founder’s Day and 43rd Convocation ceremony.

The University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Friday Orumwense said this at a media parley on the issues bothering on management – Students’ relationship.

He said that no student was rusticated for protesting against increase in accommodation charges noting that the new charges was for the new students.

Prof Orumwense averred that the claims that the Chancellor of the University, HRH, Muhammed Sanusi 11, (CON) Sarkin Kano is responsible for, or involved in determining the new charges is completely untrue.

He said that the Governing Council of a university headed by a Pro Chancellor is solely responsible for the financial operation of a university and that the new charges approved by Council after exhaustion of all relevant considerations.

The VC wondered why the Student Union Government would call a protest within 24 hours after receiving the assurances of the Pro – Chancellor and Chairman of Council who upon receiving the students’ protest letter, assured that he would speedily look into the matter of slight increase in the charges of accommodation.

While condemning the protest, Prof. Orumwense said it was meant to portray the institution in bad light and disrupt her academic calendar, adding that the promoters of the protest hijacked the media attention on that day to further their illegitimate goals.

He called on all to disregard the unpleasant commentaries on the University and her processes on social media and reiterated their determination to exercise the powers vested on the institution in deserving cases such as the one in issue.

The Vice Chancellor also commissioned and presented vehicles to various schools of the University to facilitate their work and to move the institution forward.