A group of students of the University of Benin on Wednesday barricaded the ever-busy Benin-Ore-Sagamu road to protest the ongoing industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

ASUU declared a four-week warning strike on Monday, after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos, to compel the Federal Government to implement the renegotiated 2009 agreement it had with the government.

They were in their numbers by the entrance of the Ugbowo campus of the university chanting slogans and solidarity songs like “education is our right,” among others.

The students expressed their frustration over the incessant strike of university teachers, urged the federal government to heed to ASUU demands.

The protesting students carried placards with various inscriptions such as “5 years course has turned to 7 years; “FG settle ASUU” and “Enough is Enough.”

Some of them turned the highway into a football field, playing in sets while the student’s leaders were sharing bottles of water, soft drink, pies and doughnuts to the demonstrators for refreshment.

The students’ action caused a gridlock on the highway for about four hours, forcing many motorists to avoid the route while those going into the Edo capital had to divert their ways.

Consequently, passengers were also stranded as many walked a long distance before getting vehicles to their destinations.

Leading the protest, the President of the Students Union Government (SUG) in the institution, Foster Amadin, said they had been frustrated by the perennial strikes by the academic union.

Amadin, however, appealed to all concerned to see to the reason why they were at the gate protesting.

Interim Chairman, Progressive Academic Staff Union of Universities, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Professor Osita Chiaghanam, says the institution’s priority is academic excellence.

Chiaghanam in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Awka, said that the university would not be part of any programme that do not have the highest good for the academic excellence of its students’ growth and development of the institution.

Chiaghanam said the main mission of the institution is to ensure that students of the University complete their courses and graduate at the stipulated time.
“We do not desire to see a breach in the academic pursuit of our undergraduate and post-graduate students and we yearn for a rapid growth and development of the institution.

“We have a commitment to make our institution a world-class citadel of knowledge, we are determined to fight for the progress of the school diplomatically without disruption of academic calendar,” he added.

“The Progressive Academic Staff Union of Universities of the Chukwuemeka Odumewgu Ojukwu University is committed to restructuring of educational sector in their capacity, he said”.

“We will not accompany any individual or group on a national strike that will not benefit no one at the Chukuwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

“We recalled the achievements of the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Greg Nwokoby, which include promotion of staff as at when due, completion of the Academic Staff Union of Universities Secretariat, among other achievements,” he said.

Chiaghanam said that the institution has no problem with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) National.

“Before now, the state-owned universities do join the national ASUU strike but at the end of the struggle the state-owned institutions are referred to their governors while federal pays the federal schools.

“Therefore let us remain and dialogue with our managers and finetune a progressive way to run our school to optimal level.

“We want peace and would engage in any activity that would promote the academic excellence and development of the university with any progressive group,” he said.

He further urged teachers at the institution to protect the university from Unions or activities that are threatening its stability and progress which has brought sanity to the institution.

The West African Examinations Council, WAEC Nigeria, has announced the release of results of the  West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, for Private Candidates, 2021 – Second-Series, stating that Twenty Five Thousand and Eight, 25,008 candidates representing 48.61%,  out of a total of fifty One Thousand, Four Hundred and Forty-Four, 51,444 candidates, obtained credits and above in a minimum of five (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

The Head of Nigeria National Office, WAEC, Patrick Areghan while announcing the results on Monday, noted that of the above WAEC results, 49.07% were male and  50.93% were female candidates.

Areghan added that a total of One Hundred and Thirty One candidates with varying degrees of Special Needs who partook in the WAEC examinations also have their results been released.

Speaking at a press briefing, Areghan expressed delight over the successful conduct of WASSCE pro-bono for candidates in the South East who were initially hindered to write some subjects due to insecurity.

According to the Head of Nigeria National Office, WAEC, the examination which took place from November 12, 2021, to Wednesday, December 22, 2021, was conducted at the same time in the five members countries, had the same international timetable.

“I also wish to report that a total of One Hundred and Thirty-One (131) candidates with varying degrees of Special Needs, were registered for the examination. Out of this number, Ten (10) were visually challenged, Nine (9) had impaired hearing; Eight (8) had a low vision; Four (4) were spastic cum mentally challenged, and Three (3) were physically challenged. All these candidates with special needs were adequately provided for in the administration of the examination.

“Out of the total number of candidates that sat the examination, Forty-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty-Four (49,584) candidates, representing 96.38% have their results fully processed and released while One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty (1,860) candidates, representing  3.62% have a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors on the part of the candidates.

” Efforts are, however, being made to speedily complete the processing to enable all the affected candidates to get their results fully processed and released, subsequently.

“Candidates who sat the examination are now free to check the details of their performance on the Council’s results website: www.waecdirect.org.

“The WAEC Result Checker PIN and Serial Number needed by candidates to check their results online are contained on the candidate’s Identity Photo Card used during the conduct of the examination.” He added.