Obaseki, ASUU Disagree Over Management of Edo Varsity

The Benin Zone of the Educational Employees Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday, expressed concern over Governor Godwin Obaseki’s fashion of managing the disaster within the Ambrose Alli College (AAU), Ekpoma.

ASUU stated Obaseki’s latest actions didn’t solely represent an assault on the college’s autonomy however portended grave hazard within the administration of public universities within the nation.

Rising from a gathering on the Federal College of Petroleum Assets, Effurun (FUPRE), the union condemned Obaseki’s modification of the college’s legal guidelines, dissolution of the Governing Council and appointment of an Performing Vice-Chancellor.

In a press release issued by the Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Fred Esumeh, ASUU famous that the modification of the college legal guidelines was not solely unconventionally and rapidly completed, but in addition shrouded in secrecy, including that conferring extraordinary powers on the governor left a lot to be desired.

He described the brand new regulation as a plot to impose a Sole Administrator and an rising dictator on the establishment.

The union, due to this fact, tasked Governor Obaseki, who’s a customer to AAU to rethink his actions to permit the establishment to run in accordance with international greatest practices, the Nationwide Universities Fee (NUC) tips and autonomy of the college system.

BESIDES, the particular visitation panel to the college has indicted the quick previous administration of the establishment of indiscriminate procurement of loans and overdrafts amounting to N1.7 billion.

The panel, which was constituted by Obaseki within the wake of unions’ and different stakeholders’ agitations within the college, was mandated to research income era, transparency, accountability, adherence to due course of, employment, promotions and sustainability.

Professors Ikponmwosa Omoruyi and Prof. Lawrence Atsegbua of the College of Benin (UNIBEN) headed the panel, which was arrange in October 2020.

The panel’s report, which was submitted to Governor Obaseki in March 2021, revealed that there was indiscriminate procurement of loans and overdrafts, noting that the N1.7b, procured inside the interval underneath assessment was not sustainable.

It additionally stated indiscriminate procurement of automobiles by means of lease financing ought to be stopped as fee of N133m in 5 years by means of lease financing was not possible.

MEANWHILE, Obaseki has appointed a particular intervention crew to train powers and capabilities of the Governing Council of AAU in accordance with the provisions of the AAU Particular Intervention Powers Regulation 2021, besides the appointment and removing of principal officers.

The crew, headed by Managing Director of Schlumberger Nigeria Restricted, Andrew Olotu, has Patrick Inegbedion, Uyi Izekor, Prof. Esther Ikuoria, Mrs. Imo Okundaye, Emmanuel Etomi, Osen Iyahen, Yusuf Mohammed, Austin Osakwe, as members, whereas Oaihimire Idemudia Edetalehn is Secretary.