Racketeering: Nigerian Lecturers in Benin Back FG over Suspension of Accreditation of Certificates

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Nigerian lecturers in universities in Benin Republic have thrown their weight behind the recent suspension of the evaluation and accreditation process for degree certificates originating from Benin and Togo Republics by the federal government.

The lecturers in a statement, yesterday, by their President, Gabriel Kona, and Secretary, Allen Michael, respectively, while calling for calm over the matter, implored the general public to desist from spreading untrue stories about Benin and Togo so as not to drag the entire university system in the mud.

In a five-point statement, the lecturers lauded the step by the Federal Ministry of Education to suspend the accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates issued to Nigerian graduate students in Benin and Togo universities pending conclusion of ongoing investigations, stating that it would serve as deterrent geared towards sanitising the tertiary institutions to ensure quality assurance of university graduates.

They disclosed that they have on their own set up a fact-finding mission to assist the Ministry of Education in its investigations, assuring that they would support the ministry to get solution to the problem discovered.

The statement read in part, “We wish to state that, we are ready to join forces with both the FME and other stakeholders both in Nigeria and Benin Republic, to ensure that we find lasting solution to this ill wind threatening to destroy the long standing bilateral synergy we have enjoyed as a result of our regional integration and peaceful coexistence.

“To ensure we do not allow few disgruntled elements to destroy us, we have set up a committee on fact-finding mission to delve into this matter to help unravel the whole truth about this issue and proffer lasting solution to this menace rearing its ugly head amongst us.”

While condemning what they described as activities of quacks and academic racketeers in their midst perpetrating various heinous acts especially in the on-going certificate saga, the lecturers noted that these actions are denting their hard-earned image and academic reputations they have worked tirelessly to build over the years.

“We have been doing our best to give our Nigerian students quality education in Benin Republic and we will continue to do so. We will not hesitate to work with all and sundry to ensure that the bad eggs among us are fished out and dealt with decisively.

“We cannot, for the crime of one institution currently under investigation, subject other reputable institutions to public odium. May we in our sound judgments, understand that there abound a good number of innocent students in Benin and Togo who are diligently undergoing their studies. We also appeal to the public to remain calm as we await the outcome of the investigation”, the statement added.