FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Socio-cultural organisation, Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide yesterday dismissed rumours about a purported plan by the University of Benin, UNIBEN, to increase school fees, describing it as false and misleading.
The group, who made this known in a press statement, insisted that the alleged fee hike was the handiwork of mischief makers.
Addressing journalists, President of the Movement, Mr Iyamu Culture, said the clarification became necessary, following widespread anxiety among students and parents.
”We are here to state clearly that the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Edoba Omoregie, SAN has not increased school fees and there was never a plan to do, ” he said.
According to him, those peddling the rumour are bent on causing panic within the university community, adding that the rumour was created by mischief makers who do not mean well for the University of Benin,” he added.
The movement warned individuals who it described as “trouble fomenters” to steer clear of the institution. Culture stressed that the organisation would not allow distractions to undermine the impressive performance of the vice chancellor.
Similarly, the Secretary-General of the Movement, Mr Osayuki-Osa Benson noted that the administration of Professor Omoregie had recorded notable progress since his appointment as the 11th Vice Chancellor in October 2024.
He highlighted some of the achievements to include the rehabilitation of dilapidated infrastructure, improvement of learning tools and the employment of 500 academic and non-academic staff within one year. Benson said these efforts had helped to address staff shortage and improve morale.
The secretary-general stated that Professor Omoregie, a seasoned academic and legal expert, had deployed his experience to transform the institution. “His leadership has continued to prioritise the welfare of both staff and students”, he noted.
The group urged students, staff and stakeholders to continue to support the vice chancellor.
The group noted that “the school portal has not been opened, how come some rumour mongers are circulating false information?”
It commended the vice chancellor over what it described as significant strides since his appointment, noting that he has “hit the ground running with impressive initiatives.”
