Following the suspension of the evaluation and accreditation process for degree certificates originating from Togo and Benin Republic by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Nigerian Lecturers In Benin Republic have called for calm while reiterating support for the process.
The body situated at Lot A/1 Finagnon, Zone des Ambassades, Akpakpa, Cotonou, in a release issued and signed by its President, Gabriel Kona, FCSm and Allen Michael, the General Secretary, respectively, implored the public to desist from spreading untrue stories about Benin and Togo, dragging the entire university system to the mud.
In a five-point statement made available to newsmen, they commended the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Education (FME) in its recent step in suspending the accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates issued to Nigerian graduating students in Benin and Togo universities.
The statement affirmed: “As the ministry clearly stated, this suspension is pending conclusion of their ongoing investigations, which we believe is to serve as deterrent geared towards sanitising the tertiary institutions to ensure quality assurance of university graduates.
“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.
Furthermore, the Nigerian Lecturers in Benin wish to state categorically, that we condemn in the strongest term all activities of quacks and academic racketeers in our midst perpetrating various heinous acts including the on-going certificate saga.
“These actions are denting our hard-earned image and academic reputations we have worked tirelessly to build over the years.
“Finally, we wish to assure you that we have been doing our best to give our Nigerian students quality education in Benin Republic and we will continue to do so. We will not hesitate to work with all and sundry to ensure that the bad eggs among us are fished out and dealt with decisively.”
The academic body concluded, “We cannot for the crime of one institution currently under investigation, subject other reputable institutions to public odium.
“May we in our sound judgments, understand that there abound a good number of innocent students in Benin and Togo who are diligently undergoing their studies.
“We also appeal to the public to remain calm as we await the outcome of the investigation.”
