FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Authorities of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have warned returning students that they risked being rusticated should they bring any prohibited appliances, such as hot plate, ring boiler, gas cooker etc into halls of residence.
Over one month after it was shut down, the tertiary institution is set to reopen for academic activities today August 12.
A circular weekend in Benin by the registrar, Mr. Ademola Boboye, which outlined strict terms for the returning students, explained that they are scheduled to come into the halls of residence yesterday, August 11, 2024 while lectures are to resume on Monday, August 12, 2024.
The tertiary institution was shut down for academic activities last July 4 following a protest by aggrieved students over power cut due to outrageous bills by authorities of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), which ballooned from a monthly figure of N85 million to N250 million.
In a statement announcing the closure in Benin by the spokesperson, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, she explained that the decision stemmed from the insistence of students not to shift grounds on their demands for twenty four hours supply of electricity to the two campuses at Ugbowo and Ekenwan.
Mr. Boboye said that each returning student is to swear to an Affidavit of Undertaking to be of good conduct while in the school which must also contain the cardinal points as captured in the attached document.
He added that the Sworn Affidavit should be uploaded on the Student’s Kofa page while the hard-copy should be submitted to the Departmental Course Adviser.
According to him, the returning students are expected to complete this process within two weeks of resumption, and in any case not beyond the end of 2023/2024 academic session, else the result of any defaulting student will not be released.
The circular continued: “All Students returning to the University of Benin must depose to an Affidavit of Undertaking to be of Good Conduct that must contain the following cardinal points:
“Full Name, Department and Faculty of Student; Matriculation Number of Student.
“To undertake as follows: to abide by the arrangement(s) put in place by the University Management for the supply, distribution and utilization of electricity on the campuses of the University of Benin.
“To pay outstanding school charges upon resumption as eligibility for examinations will henceforth be strictly based on presentation of evidence of payment of approved school charges.
They are Not to be involved in any unruly conduct that is against the Rules and Regulations of the University, and to be of good conduct, and not to sponsor or participate in any unauthorized assembly or demonstration within the campuses and their precincts.
