Outcome of the ongoing examinations of the students of the Edo State owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, is uncertain, as the Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), declared the entire examination process as illegal and fraudulent.
Leadership of the Benin Zone of ASUU, which made the declaration at a press briefing in Benin City, described the ongoing examinations process as not only illegal but an academic fraud being perpetuated by the authorities of the university with the connivance of the state government.
Zonal Coordinator of Benin Zone of ASUU, Prof. Fred Esumah, supported by Dr. Ray Chikogu (ASUU chairman, UNIBEN), Dr. Cyril Onogbosele (ASUU chairman, AAU-Ekpoma), Prof. Simon Ehiabhi (ASUU chairman, AAU-Akungba-Akoko), Prof. Godwin Demaki, (ASUU chairman DELSU, Abraka), Prof. Ezekiel Agbalagba (ASUU chairman, FUPRE, Effurun), Dr. Shola Rotimi (ASUU chairman, OAUSTECH, Okitipupa) and Comrade Desmond Ekokotu (ASUU chairman, UNIDEL, Agbor), told newsmen that ASUU members in AAU were neither involved nor supported the questionable students examinations.
They condemned the use of past questions in the pool of the university in conducting the ongoing examinations, noting that “this is being done without the consent or input of many relevant course lecturers”.
They accused the university administration of demarketing “the quality and value of certificates of degree programmes of the university in global competitiveness due to the academic fraud being perpetuated in the name of forced resumption of academic activities in the university and the illegal conduct of examinations.
“Due to the desperation to protect his position as Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Asomwan Sonnie Adagbonyin has approved the conduct of fraudulent examinations in the university.
“The second semester examination of the 2020/2021 academic session which commenced on 14th July, 2022 is being conducted in breach of the university’s rules and regulations and regulatory/professional guidelines.
“Students have been examined during the ongoing strike in courses yet to be taught. Examination questions were neither set and approved by course lecturers/departmental board of studies nor moderated by external examiners being administered to students.
“Examinations have been conducted for students in some partially taught courses that did not meet the minimum requirements of lectures before examinations.”
They further claimed that “this academic fraud is worsened by the mass upgrading of failed courses to cover up deficiencies, particularly in CBE courses without the approval of the relevant departmental board of studies, faculty board of studies and the senate.
“The implication of the aforesaid academic fraud is that the standard of academic programmes in the university is being compromised. If the trend is unchallenged, it will reduce the quality of graduates produced by the university.
“The Benin Zone of ASUU is seriously disturbed by these developments and is in contact with its national leadership to call the attention of the NUC in particular, and other relevant authorities to the academic fraud going on in AAU, Ekpoma.
“We must not allow Prof. Asomwan Sonnie Adagbonyin to destroy our own university for his self-ambition. In fact, the current administration in the university has shown its gross lack of capacities to maintain educational quality and standards in the university.”
ASUU, further lamented that the lingering industrial crisis at the university, has resulted to its members and associations at AAU being owed about N4 billion.
The union alleged that a recent reduction in the monthly subvention of the university to an abysmally low N41.3 million from N270 million has led to the workers being owed 20 months salary arrears from 2020 to date, with 15 months of unremitted sundry deductions to staff unions.
Prof. Fred Esumeh, frowned at the poor funding and mismanagement of the university’s resources with the management’s inability to meet its obligation of payment of staff emoluments, hence a resort to irregular and selective payment of salaries.
To achieve industrial peace at the university, the union leaders said the management and the Edo government would have to return to the path of truth, dialogue and sincere commitment to the resolution of the crisis.
“All outstanding emoluments – salaries, check-off dues and other deductions of staff in the university should be paid without further delay to avoid the continuation of the local strike when the national strike is suspended.
“The Edo Government should approve a bail-out fund for the university and satisfactorily increase the monthly subvention to the university.
“The ongoing academic fraud in the university should be investigated and dealt with decisively. We therefore call on the regulatory agency, the NUC to immediately do the needful.
“The Edo Government should make haste to release a white paper on the report of the Special Visitation Panel to the university in Oct. 2020 to deter further embezzlement of the finances of the university and À of its affairs,” he said.
The union leaders, also called for the restoration of governing council to pave way for immediate appointment of substantive principal officers.
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