The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has berated the Edo State Government for running the state-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma without a Governing Council in almost three years.
The Union insisted that “it is not how to run and manage a University anywhere in the world, especially in the 21st century and in accordance with global practice”.
In a press statement on Wednesday issued in Benin City, the Zone through the Chairperson of the Union’s Chapter in the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin City, Dr. Ray Chikogun disclosed that the lack of a Governing Council in the institution has given room to all manners of aberration and impunity that contradict the ideals and ethos of the university system.
The Union said that AAU, Ekpoma is the only known university in the county that is being managed by a strange structure of governance called Special Intervention Team (SIT).
The Union criticise the development and urged the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to as a matter of urgency constitute a Governing Council for the University.
The Union recalled that “For over two years now, starting June 2021, AAU, Ekpoma has been engulfed in crises engendered by the substitution of the Governing Council with the controversial SIT.
“The development has denied the University of it’s rightful place in the comity of universities in Nigeria”, the Union said.
According to the Union, “At the height of the crises in the University arising from the high-handedness, maladministration and impunity of the SIT, on 16th March, 2023, the Governor of Edo State convened a meeting of stakeholders of the University of diverse backgrounds to possibly resolve the crises.
“Based on the wide spread condemnation and outcry against the tenure and administrative style of the SIT, the Governor resolved and gave ninety (90) days ultimatum to the SIT to wind up its activities to pave way for the constitution of a Governing Council “
“In spite of this, there is evidence that SIT is still holding sway in the University and for how long will the University be in limbo over SIT? the Union queried.
The Union expressed grave concern why the State Government is head bent on foisting SIT on the institution against its disastrous outing and so much uncertainty about the legal administration of the University.
The Union insisted that the sad development in the university underscores the need for the Governor to urgently intervene and constitute a Governing Council for the University, adding that with a robust structure and configuration, a Governing Council will be able to weather the myriads of challenges dragging the University to the mud.
independent
