FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Academic and administrative activities have been disrupted at the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma as a result of massive protest by students of the institution over obnoxious student policies of the University Administration.
Report from the University indicated that as early as 6.00am of Thursday (6/6/2024) , the main gate to the University was locked by the protesting students against the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sunnie Adagbonyin and other staff of the university.
The protesters who were dominated by students of the faculties of law and management science anchored their grudge on obnoxious policies of the Adagbonyin-led University Administration, which among others compelled majority of them to be transfered to other departments via introduction of proceeding list they said was unknown to the law, rules and regulations of the University.
Staff and visitors to the University were stranded yesterday as the protesting held on to closure of the University main gate branding placard of varied inscriptions, including the tyrannical management style of the University Administration.
Just yesterday (5/6/2024), academic and administrative activities were also grounded at the University’s College of Medicine following similar protest by students of medical laboratory against anti-student policy of the University.
The students’ protest is coinciding with growing frustration among staff of the university as a result of failure by the State Government to tackle the sundry problems, including the absence of Governing Council, payment of arrears of salaries, repression and victimisation of workers by the expired Special Intervention Team (SIT).
There is also the critical problem of complete withdrawal of funding to the University which has led to selective payment of salaries, non-payment of salaries of many staff for 28 months and unpaid arrears of check-off dues and other sundry deductions for several years.
Meanwhile, an emergency Senate meeting of the University has been called by the University Administration for 1pm today (6/6/2024) in a swift response to the students protest ravaging the university.
A memorandum issued by the Acting Registrar of the University, Mr. Ambrose Odiase said: “I am directed to convey an emergency meeting of Senate today, 6th June 2024, to address matters of urgent importance, including the issue of course registration and proceeding list for law students.”
According to him, the “meeting is mandatory for all members.”
