Our correspondent gathered that after a meeting held on Monday the management of the university directed the affected students to return to school.
The affected students, comprising some members of the Students Union Government, had been rusticated by the Senate of the institution for allegedly leading a protest against an increase in tuition fees.
The students, identified as Osamudiamen Ogbidi, Justus Aidenagnon, Innocent Momodu, Goodnews Ehiabhi and Patrick Majekodumi, had also been accused of mobilising students to disrupt the 47th Founder’s Day Lecture and 43rd Convocation Ceremony of the university.
Two of the erring students were suspended for two academic sessions, while the others were to miss one academic session each.
The students were also barred from holding any office in the campus or participating in students union activities.
When contacted, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Michael Osasuyi, neither confirmed nor refuted the development.
“By tomorrow, you will get the update,” Osasuyi told our correspondent on the telephone.
However, a source in the university stated, “There was no Senate meeting today. Also, I am not aware of any meeting by the management.
“But someone called to inform me that the (affected) students have been asked to resume classes.”
Reacting to the development, however, the UNIBEN chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities commended the management of the institution for rescinding its decision.
The Chairman of the chapter, Prof. Julius Iyasele, said, “We want to congratulate our management for listening to the voice of reasoning. It appears that their earlier decision was not popular.
“So, we are thanking them for, at least, being responsive to public opinion. We are grateful.”
On the need for more collaboration between the unions and the management of the university, Iyasele stated, “Of course, we work together. There is no way we can push the university forward, if we do not have points of convergence. We are working for the peace and progress of the university.”
