Education

Edo varsity students live abroad, write exams, graduate in absentia

The management of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, says it has discovered over 30 students of the institution living abroad for about two years, writing examinations and graduating.

A member of the Special Intervention Team, Austin Osakue, made the disclosure while submitting the progress report of the SIT to Governor Godwin Obaseki at the Government House in Benin, the Edo State capital, on Sunday, August 20, 2023.

Osakue added that the AAU management has also dismissed five staff members of the state-owned tertiary institution, with 21 Heads of Departments currently undergoing investigation for various criminal offences.

He stated that the university officials and the Heads of Departments involved have been handed over to DSS and ICPC for action.

He said: “Edo Health Insurance Scheme is fully operational and running as all the premiums are paid directly to Edo HIS 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 exams and graduating. The staff members and Heads of Departments involved have been handed over to DSS and ICPC for action.

“Over 95 per cent of AAU land mass is ungoverned and the master plan tempered with, we appeal to you to collaborate with the Institution to restore the master plan.”

On his part, Governor Obaseki stated that his government is committed to restoring the lost glory of AAU, preparing the tertiary institution for Edo best students who he said will be ready to gain admission into the university in about five to six years time.

Obaseki added: “We need to clear this school due to the educational reforms we have embarked on as our Edo best students will be ready in about five to six years’ time for the university and can’t 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 failed 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’s 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 Edo House of Assembly at the end of the month for speedy passage.”

The governor, therefore, said the search for members of the Governing Council will commence immediately.

The Star