Post Graduate Students of the University of Benin — UNIBEN — have taken a stand against the autocratic and high-handedness leadership of the Postgraduate Students’ Association, led by Dr Christopher Ovie, Platinum News is reporting
In a meeting with the Vice Chancellor, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin), Professor Mrs Catherine Ufumwen Ukponmwan, on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, the students expressed their grievances against Dr. Ovie’s administration. The students cited gross misconduct, maladministration, abuse of power, and overstay of tenure.
Spokesperson for the Congress Planning Committee, Comrade Charles Idehen, presented the students’ demands. The demands include the immediate removal of Dr. Ovie from office, the inauguration of a Congress Planning Committee to oversee election processes. Additionally, the placement of a Post No Debit (PND) on the association’s account until a new executive is inaugurated.
Comrade Confidence Obasi, supported these demands, emphasizing the abuse of power and overstay of tenure by Dr. Ovie-led “executives”.
The University’s top officials, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Ekenwan Campus), Professor Ayinde, and the Dean of Postgraduate School, Professor Aliyu, acknowledged the students’ concerns. The officials however assured them that the school management would investigate and take necessary actions.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin) requested a copy of the constitution drafted by Dr. Ovie for review and promised to get back to the students after meeting with Dr. Ovie.
This development comes amidst growing concerns about the leadership of the postgraduate student association at the University of Benin, where Dr. Chris Ovie has been in office since 2018.
Meanwhile, the students awaits the Academic Staff Union of University, UNIBEN branch’s meeting this Thursday. The meeting is expected to call off the ASUU strike that has lingered for long.