THISDAY

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.

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