Varsity dismisses five staff, 21 others undergoing investigation

A member of the Special Intervention Team (SIT), Austin Osakue, while submitting the progress report of the SIT to Governor Godwin Obaseki at the Government House, Benin, disclosed that the staff were dismissed by the disciplinary committee of the institution.

Osakue, who urged the Edo government to constitute a governing council for AAU, and begin the process of hiring principal officers for the higher institution, noted that the work done so far by the SIT would not be appreciated unless AAU reviewed its enabling laws.

He stated that AAU had keyed into the directive of the Edo state government, as it had commenced the contributory pension scheme, which started on August 1, 2023.

The SIT member said: “All staff of AAU that have seven years to leave are exempted from the scheme.

“Edo Health Insurance Scheme is fully operational and running, as all the premiums are paid directly to the EdoHIS account, to ensure accountability, transparency, and sustainability.

“998 students have subscribed, with over N15 million, and 1,800 staff with over N31 million.

“The institution discovered over 30 cases of AAU students living abroad for not less than two years, writing examinations and graduating. The staff members and heads of departments involved have been handed over to DSS and ICPC for action.

“Over 95 percent of AAU’s land mass is ungoverned, and the master plan tempered with. We appeal to you (Obaseki) to collaborate with the institution to restore the master plan.”

Edo governor, in his remarks, assured that his administration was committed to restoring the lost glory of AAU while preparing the higher institution for EdoBEST students, who would be ready to gain admission into the university in about five to six years.

Obaseki said: “We need to clear this school, due to the educational reforms we have embarked on, as our EdoBEST students will be ready in about five to six years for the university, and cannot go into a university, whose standard is below where they are coming from.

“Few people have held the institution to ransom. We are ready to fight and break it. If you are a lecturer, and you have examined students, and have the results, and fail to present it, you should not expect a salary, because you have not completed your work, and if it is based on that you want to go on strike again, we are ready for you.

“It is a fight that is necessary to transform this institution for the students coming. All these reforms and sustainability must be anchored on the new reformed law, and we will be presenting the university’s new bill to the Edo House of Assembly at the end of the month, for speedy passage.’’

Obaseki also revealed that the search for members of AAU’s governing council would commence immediately.

He said: “We will not want to bring in people into the governing council, without the law in place. Edo House of Assembly members are here to be part of this event, to enable you to have background on this issue because they will still come to meet you.

“Political interference has brought the school to the position it is today. We are saying it is time to change because we cannot run a university this way, because of the students coming behind.

“We must make it a first-class university that we all will be proud of. It is only when you have good institutions that you are sure of development.”

Peoplesmind