By Gift Obiajuru Ukadikebuazua, Oyinlola Esther, & Joy Uloho

The Secretary General of the Students’ Union Government, University of Benin, Comr. Rita Akpeji, hosted a memorial lecture in honour of William Ubong, with the theme: “The Students, the Union, the Light,” held at the Akin Deko auditorium of the University of Benin. The event which was scheduled for 28th July 2023, and was slated to kick off at 9 a.m., however began at 12:03 p.m.

The event was anchored by Mr. Scott Peters Itepu and Miss Williams Stephanie. The event was declared open with an opening speech by Mr. Scott Peters Itepu, followed by the recitation of the second stanza of the national anthem and the University of Benin’s anthem. Afterward, each Faculty in the university was recognised to honour the students present at the event.

The event was graced by dignitaries within and outside the institution, along with the student union leaders of the institution. The dignitaries present included; The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Lilian Salami, represented by the Dean of Students, Prof. Clement Ighodaro; former Dean of Students, University of Benin, and former Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Ali University, Prof. Benson Osadolor; University of Benin’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr. Benedicta Ehanire; Assistant Dean of Life Sciences, Dr. (Mrs) R.O Okojie; Honourable Commissioner for Arts, Culture, and Tourism, Edo State, Dr. Uyi Oduwa Malaka; Engr. Michael Oshiobugie (UNIBEN SUG President 1997); Mr. Haruna Kadiri (Former NANS President); Dr. Salami, and many other dignified guests. Also, the union leaders present included; Comr. Israel Nmoye (President SUG, UNIBEN); Rt. Hon. Fakorede Ogunjobi (Speaker SUG parliament, 36th Assembly); Comr. Nnamdi Gerald (PRO SUG, UNIBEN); Comr. Lucky Abraham GoodLife (Former Secretary-General of the union), and others.

The welcome address was given by the host of the event, Comr. Rita Akpeji, Secretary General of the Students’ Union Government. In the process of giving her speech, she recognised and welcomed the dignitaries and student union representatives present. She briefly introduced Williams Ubong as a one-time Students’ Union leader who served as the Secretary General of SUG, UNIBEN, in 1997 and died in service.

The Dean of Students, Prof. Clement Ighodaro, was invited on stage to deliver his speech on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor. He mentioned in his speech that the Vice-Chancellor sends her regards and is fully supportive of the programme. He added in his speech, admonishing the students of the University of Benin, saying “students are supposed to be the light, by being well dressed at all times.”

As the event continued, the organisers ensured there were fun activities to entertain the guests present, which included; Spoken words by Miss Oviosun Fulness, flute & saxophone presentation, Dance presentation by Dance Family Crew, song presentation, raffle draws, and even giveaways (airtime and cash prizes), with Mr. Haruna Kadiri (Former NANS President) giving the sum of N30,000 cash prize to a lucky winner picked from the raffle draw.

Engr. Michael Oshiobugie (SUG President, UNIBEN 1997) gave a citation and a brief history of William Ubong and how he died. Engr. Michael was the President with William Ubong being the Secretary-General of the Students’ Union Government in 1997. According to him, William Ubong was a 300-level petroleum engineering student at the time. He spoke of how dogged William Ubong was and how he was stabbed to death after being threatened by the then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin.

Engr. Michael explained that before William Ubong was killed, the Union executives were informed that the Federal Government under General Sani Abacha’s regime wanted to increase the school fees. The University of Benin’s Students’ Union executives did not appreciate such development. The then NANS President, informed them that union leaders were going to have a meeting at the University of Benin over the intended school fee increment by the Federal government.

Engr. Michael said a letter, which he drafted himself, was given to the Secretary General, William Ubong, who, in turn, presented the letter to the Vice-Chancellor of the University at the time. The letter was against the attempt to increase school fees. Later on, Engr. Michael, at the time, was invited to the Vice-Chancellor’s office, where the Vice-Chancellor threatened that he was going to deal with William Ubong. Engr. Michael said he told the Vice-Chancellor at the time that he was the one who drafted the letter but only gave it to the Secretary General to present it. However, the Vice-Chancellor insisted he was certainly going to deal with William Ubong.

Engr. Michael said he left the office of the Vice-Chancellor, only to discover later that William Ubong was also invited to the Vice-Chancellor’s office. He said that William Ubong came to him (Engr. Michael) feeling feverish and very afraid because the Vice-Chancellor had threatened him. Engr. Michael said he told him not to be afraid, that he becomes more vulnerable when he is afraid.

The night William Ubong was stabbed, according to Engr. Michael, they were supposed to have a meeting at the then cafeteria. Upon arriving, someone told him that William Ubong was stabbed and taken to UBTH. On getting there, William Ubong, his Secretary-General, was stone dead and taken to the mortuary. He said that someone said he knows the people that stabbed William Ubong and was ready to point them out. He went to the Police station to report the incident and on his way out of the police station, an officer ran to him and told him to leave Edo state, because his life was at risk. He later discovered the police were looking for him, with a lot of threats coming his way, and that forced him to run to Lagos. In Lagos, he also learnt that he was not safe and that he needed to run again. Upon his return to Edo state, he was arrested at the University of Benin main gate by the Edo state police. He was locked up for some time and then moved to Edo state prison, where he was locked up for 7 months without trial, and the management of UNIBEN suspended him indefinitely. He was freed from prison after the death of General Sani Abacha when he was tried by the court, and a sitting Judge of Edo state declared him a free man.

Prof. Benson Osadolor, former Dean of Students, University of Benin, and former Vice-Chancellor of AAU, gave a keynote address, which focused on the theme of the event: “The Students, the Union, the Light.” He also spoke on good governance. After his address, there was a panel session anchored by a member of UNIBEN Debate Society.

Comr. Israel Nmoye, the President of SUG, UNIBEN, addressed the students present, assuring them of upholding the interests of the University of Benin students. He added that the students’ union government under his watch has been able to intercede on behalf of the fresh students for the 2022/2023 academic session, reducing their first fee payment to N105,000 for Non-sciences and N115,000 for sciences, with subsequent payments of N80,000 and N90,000 for Non-sciences and sciences, respectively. He added that he spoke with the management, and the “No school fees, no examination” policy will no longer be applicable in first semesters but now in the second semesters of every academic session. The president said further that students of the 2022/2023 academic session can now pay their fees in installment, and platforms have been made to assist those who are unable to pay their school fees. He ended his address by donating the sum of N100,000 to 20 lucky students through raffles, with each of them getting N5,000.

Dr. Uyi Oduwa Malaka, the Honourable Commissioner for Arts, Culture, and Tourism, Edo State, addressed the guests and talked about Edo State technology hub established by the Governor of the State, Governor Godwin Obaseki. The hub is meant to train young people in the state.

The award presentation to dignitaries present was carried out by the host, Secretary General of the Union, Comr. Rita Akpeji, with the help of some dignitaries present.

The event ended with a closing remark given by a former Secretary-General of the Union, Comr. Lucky Abraham GoodLife.

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