By Gift Obiajuru Ukadikebuazua

In the late evening of Monday, July 3, 2023, students of the University of Benin were agitating for a protest over the alleged omission of their colleague’s name from the University’s senate graduation/NYSC list.

Between the late hours of Monday and the early hours of today, students were trending the hashtags “#freeobinna” and “nathisonegocauseprotetnow” in solidarity with the alleged victimized student, Obinna Ezechukwu. He is part of the graduating set of the 2020/2021 academic session. Many students believe that his name may have been removed from the graduation/NYSC list of the University’s senate due to a publication by Obinna calling for transparency and accountability of the university’s management.

In the early hours of today, July 4, 2023, the main gate of the institution was said to have had men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) around the vicinity. This may have been because of the earlier planned protests by the students of the institution.

While students were waiting for the Dean of Students at the office, some students complained of receiving calls from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of one of the divisions around the university environment, asking to see them. The reason for the invitation is unknown.

However, amid the agitations by the students of UNIBEN, Obinna and some students had a meeting with the Dean of Students at the Students Affairs Division of the institution because of the issue of his name being removed from the NYSC mobilization list. The Dean of Students, Professor Clement Ighodaro, pleaded with the students present and assured that Obinna Ezechukwu’s name will be on the next NYSC mobilization list, which is Batch B, Stream 2. He gave the students his word that upon the return of the Vice Chancellor, who is not available at the moment, everything will be settled and Obinna will be mobilized for NYSC Batch B, Stream 2, expected to take place in July or August.

The planned protest by the students of the University of Benin appears to have been suspended, and they are awaiting the outcome as promised by the Dean of Students. Further updates will come as things unfold.

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