Education

AAU, Ekpoma Crisis: Alumni Rejects Special Intervention Power Law

Published

3 years ago

May 23, 2021

Chides Edo Speaker For Connivance

The National Executive Council (NEC) of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Alumni Association Worldwide has in strong term condemned the University Special Intervention Powers Provisions Law 2021, which empowers the visitor to the University who happens to be Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to appoint an acting Vice Chancellor for the University.

Edo State House of Assembly had recently passed a law ceding the administration of the state-owned University, Ekpoma to Governor Godwin Obaseki,
through what it called ‘Special Intervention Powers for visitor to the University.’

The passage was sequel to the consideration of the bill as requested by Governor Obaseki.

The bill empowers the visitor to set a special intervention team comprising experts to manage the affairs of the university during the period of the special intervention.

The bill further conferred on the visitor powers to appoint interim principal officers for the day-to-day management of the University, just as it empowers the visitor to approve all financial expenditures over and above the approval limit of the special intervention team.

Acting on the power confined on him by the new law, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on May, 11, 2021 appointed Prof. Osarhieme Benson Osadolor as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University and dissolved the Governing Council.

But in an emergency meeting held in Benin over the weekend, the Alumni NEC frowned at what it termed the
“unprecedented amendment of the University Law by the Ambrose Alli University (Special intervention Powers) provisions law 2021′, which resulted in the appointment of an Acting Vice Chancellor for the University by the Edo State government.

A communique signed by its President, Chief Dave Emakunu Esq. and Hon. Johnson Idolor Akpolome, Secretary respectively, the Alumni also condemned what it termed a deliberate attempt to damage the cherished image of the University which according to them has produced quality manpower who are holding forth in their respective endeavors.

Further condemning the industrial actions by all the unions in the University which has paralyzed academic activities, the Alumni chided the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly for the role he played in the passage of the “obnoxious law and the deliberate underfunding of the University by the Edo State government.”

The Communique reads in part:
“The National Executive Council(NEC) of AAU, Ekpoma expresses displeasure at the Ambrose Alli University Special intervention Powers Provisions law, 2021 which was hurriedly passed by the Edo State House of Assembly without due process as there was no public hearing to seek the input of all the major stakeholders in the University and the general public.

“NEC condemned the new law in its entirety and sought that it be repealed without further delay, as the law is capable of causing anarchy in the University and creating a legacy reminiscent of military dictatorship. By that, the appointment of an Acting Vice-Chancellor should follow due process and with a definite duration, after which the process of appointing a substantive Vice-Chancellor should commence by the 1999 University law as amended.

“The dissolution of the Governing Council of the University was done in bad faith and should be rescinded as there are no indicting reports against the Council in the Public domain.

“NEC calls on the Government to immediately consider the Visitation Panel’s report and issue a white paper that would guide future actions in the University and by best governance practices as was done in the case of the University of Lagos recently.

“NEC expressed displeasure over the repeated scandalous remarks made by the Edo State Government about the products of the University and viewed such remarks as an attempt to give a “dog a bad name to kill it”. Most of the products of our University are doing excellently well in their choosing endeavors.”

While sympathising with all unions in the University over the hardship occasioned by non-payment of salaries, checkoff dues, and other sundry deductions running into several months, the body called on the state government to, as a matter of concern, do the needful to enable the striking unions call off their strike and return to work.

“We noted with dismay the actions of the members of the Edo State House of Assembly who are Alumni of the University in colluding, conniving, and condoning the enactment of the obnoxious law. Accordingly, NEC passed a vote of no confidence on them.

“NEC expressed with dismay the level of underfunding of the University and calls on the Edo State government, to as a matter of urgency, adopt genuine ways of ensuring adequate funding of the University.”

The Alumni said it has resolved to collaborate with the government and the University to facilitate regular and adequate funding of the University.

Its appealed to Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki to follow best practices in the University in genuinely exercising his visitorial powers.

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A Communique Issued At The End Of An Emergency Meeting Of The National Executive Council (NEC) Of Ambrose Alli University Alumni Association Held May 21, 2021 In Benin City [Read…]

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Education

How To Check 2023 WAEC Result On Your Phone Via SMS

Published

9 months ago

August 7, 2023

Editor

The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has released the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations, WASSCE, results.

The Council stated that it was able to surmount challenges of insecurity, and cash policy among others, via technological innovation that saw over 91 percent of candidates’ results released 44 days after the examination ended.

WAEC’s Head of Nigeria Office, Mr. Patrick Areghan, said this at a briefing on Monday, at the body’s national office, Yaba, Lagos.

For the students who will be checking results, here are steps to follow.

Step 1: Type: WAECExaminationnumberPIN*Examyear through your phone (there should not be a space in between).

Step 2: Send to 32327.

Step 3: You will receive a message instantly containing your WAEC statement of result.

It should be noted that only MTN, Glo and Airtel subscribers can actually check their WAEC results using this SMS method.

Students can repeat the step if they do not receive your WAEC result via SMS, kindly repeat this step again.

SMS charges will be applied when checking your WASSCE result using text messages.

You will need to have purchased the WAEC Direct Scratch card in order to check your result via text message. The scratch card pin is what is needed in the PIN section of the SMS you will send to 32327.

Candidates who registered for the May/June examination can do also access their results through the portal of WAEC.

Education

BREAKING: 8 States Owing WAEC Won’t Have Candidates 2023 WASSCE Results

Published

9 months ago

August 7, 2023

Editor

Eight states owing the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, for various services rendered, will not have their candidates’ 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE results, released.

This was stated at a press briefing on Monday at Press Briefing Hall, WAEC national office, Yaba, where the body lamented that the inability to pay for services rendered was posing a great challenge in the activities of the examination body.

Responding to a statement on the number of States owing WAEC, the National Office of the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, Mr. Patrick Areghan noted that: About eight States are owing WAEC. We won’t mention them all as some are going to pay.

“However, Zamfara and Niger states are the highest debtors. Again Zamfara did not present any candidate for this year’s WASSCE.” Areghan noted.

Education

NANS Tackles ASUU Over Call For FUTO VC’s Resignation

Published

9 months ago

August 6, 2023

Editor

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has cautioned Academic Staff Union of Universities ,ASUU, over its call to the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri, FUTO, Prof. Nnenna Oti, to resign.

It warned the university lecturers’ organisation to rescind from such ugly move or face the wrath of students.

The students’ body which noted that the FUTO vice chancellor had not done anything wrong to deserve such call, accused ASUU of being responsible for instability in the nation’s universities.

Recall that members of ASUU, Owerri zone, had last Friday, demanded the immediate resignation of the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Prof. Nnenna Oti, over alleged corrupt practices and anti-union activities.

ASUU, through its Zonal Coordinator, Dennis Aribodor, at press conference in Awka, Anambra State capital,demanded immediate resignation of the FUTO Vice Chancellor.

The union is composed of members from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State University, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia and Nnamdi Azikiwe University,Awka.

But reacting to ASUU demand while addressing the media, Sunday evening, in Abuja, NANS’ Vice President,Comrade Ezenagu Victor, while noting that ASUU had long deviated from its core mandate,called on the federal government to proscribe the union.

He said: “It has become expedient to address the unbecoming attitude of the leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities. The latest of which is the provocative call by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU,zonal leaders for the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology,Owerri,to resign her position over alleged corruption.

“We feel concerned to react to the ASUU demand because the Vice Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. Nnena Oti, is a mentor to many of us, particularly, our female folks. We were shocked when we read about the ASUU demand in most national dailies about the woman who has personified integrity, honesty and transparency. Sequel to this, NANS has been able to carry out investigation by interacting with both students and staff of the institution”.

“Although we were not able to have any discussion with members of FUTO Management as they said part of the issue we wanted to inquire of was already in court. Our finding has shown that the allegations against the vice chancellor were not only unfounded, but also malicious and wicked. Testimonial evidences garnered by NANS points to the fact that the action of the ASUU leaders is a mere political vendetta.”

NANS claimed that the alleged attack on Prof. Nnenna was because of her gender, as well as transparency in the discharge of her duties as Vice Chancellor.

“Those who lost to her during the vice chancellorship contest as well as those who could not use her to achieve their ungodly aims during the national assignment have resulted to using ASUU to grind their axe with her, thus making the university ungovernable,” he alleged.

He spoke further: “We, the National Association of Nigerian Students, wish to draw the attention of ASUU in particular and the public in general, that those fighting the Vice Chancellor of FUTO by proxy are obviously threatening peace and tranquility in the university.

“We are already informed that the disturbance is aimed at causing industrial action at the university so as to bring her to disrepute at the expense of students’ learning. It should be well noted that all industrial disputes have major side effects on students who suffer untold hardship during and after such disputes.”

Some of the effects,he mentioned,include waste of students’ precious time, amounting to the students spending longer years in the university and waste of resources, as student end up paying more school fees.
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