The University of Benin has won the Africa Outstanding University Award of the Year for 2023 in Rwanda.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Lilian Salami, was also honoured as Africa Pillar of Education for her impact in education development on the continent.

According to a statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire on Saturday in Benin, the awards were presented at the 1st Africa Education Summit, held at the University of Rwanda in Kigali.

READ ALSO: UNIBEN Ranked 6th In Global Rating For Universities

Ehanire said besides her leadership role in the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities, Prof. Salami was also the Vice President of the Association of African Universities with headquarters in Ghana.

This position, the Public Relations Officer said, the vice-chancellor had utilised to project and promote the achievements of many African universities, including the University of Benin.

Information reaching INFO DAILY says the management of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has sacked over ninety (90) staff (mostly senior staff).

INFO DAILY gathered that out of the 90 staff sacked, 20 are academic staff while the other 70 staff are non academic.

No substantive reason was given in one of the disengagement letters sighted by INFO DAILY.

One of the sack letters sighted reads: “In repositioning the University, the Management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma writes to convey to you the decision of the Special Intervention Team ( S.I.T) of your disengagement from the services of the University with effect from March 10, 2023.

READ ALSO: AAU, Ekpoma Crisis: Alumni Rejects Special Intervention Power Law

“You will be paid all your entitlements in line with the provision of the Ambrose Alli
University, Ekpoma Staff Regulations and Scheme of Service.

“By a copy of this letter, the Bursary Department is directed to process your entitlements,
subject to your clearance of any indebtedness to the University.

“You are kindly advised to submit all University property(ies) in your possession to your
Head of Department on the receipt of this letter.

“The Management of the University sincerely thank you for your past services and wish
you success in your future endeavour.”

When contacted, one of the affected staff (name withheld) said: “…it is true that I was given a letter of disengagement in the disguise of repositioning the University.

“The truth is, it is because of the last protest embarked on by ASUU, NASU and SSANU saying I was part of it. This is a true example of a Government under the leadership of a tyrant.

READ ALSO: Management Of AAU, Ekpoma Proposed Salaries Slash, ASUU Kicks

“The Government of Edo State under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki who refused to pay us for months is coming now to sack us for protesting for our rights. If it is not for the protest, what is our offense?” The victim asked.

Recall that the 11-man Edo State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Marcus Onobun in 2021 approved Governor Godwin Obaseki’s request to set up Special Intervention Team, but was resisted by the University’s branch of ASUU, NASU and SSANU, saying, the S.I.T. was aimed at sacking “the hardworking staff of the University.”

In one of one of its meeting in 2022, Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), faulted Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on the administration of the state-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma without Governing Council, describing the government’s idea as alien to university administration globally.

A 400-level Computer Engineering student of the University of Benin, Edo State, Destiny Osasenaga, has been killed by gunmen suspected to be cultists.

It was gathered that the deceased was abducted at his residence in the Uwelu area of Benin by gunmen in the presence of his father and other family members.

A source stated that the gunmen suspected to be secret cult members stormed the deceased’s house in search of his elder brother who they said had offended one of their gang members and subsequently declared him wanted.

The source added, “When they could not find their target, they abducted the deceased, put him in a Mercedez Benz GLK Jeep and zoomed off to a bush path along Benin-Akure Road by Oluku community.

“The deceased was beaten to death by the gunmen and dumped at a refuse site by the roadside,” the source added.

It was further revealed that the principal suspect, one Kenneth Ediagbonya, has been arrested by the police in his hideout in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

READ ALSO: NLC Gives FG 7-day-ultimatum Over Naira Scarcity

When contacted, Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident and the arrest of Ediagbonya.

He assured that other gang members who are at large would be arrested.

“It is true that one of the suspects has been arrested while other members of the gang are at large. However, the police are working hard to ensure other gang members are arrested,” he added.