AAU Acting VC, Prof Asomwan Sonnie appeal for Peace to reign , debunk claims of tuitions increment
By Mercy Akuba
The acting Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Ali University (AAU) , Prof. Asomwan Sonnie Adagbonyin has called on those fanning the embers of war in the University to desist and give Peace a chance for the smooth running of 2022/2023 Academic session.
Prof. Asomwan who stated this while briefing Newsmen at the Secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin City stressed that the University did not at anytime increase the tuition fees of returning Students exception of add-ons which cumulated to 50,200 for each Student.
Clarifying the position of the University management, he explained further that the only tuition fees that was increased remains that of the new intakes and not returning Students.
Explaining why the Student Union Executive was dissolved, Prof Sonnie said the student union body were constituting nuisance in the University environment by alleging fees increments just to misinform the public and using it as a guise to carry out babbaric behaviors such as embarking on protest without the University permission, carrying out nocturnal meetings while chasing away Staff and students from entering the Campus.
According to Prof. Sonnie, the protesters further prevented the ambulance conveying the remains of a departed Professor from entering the main Campus of the University and chasing mourners and sympathisers who graced the commendation service of the late Professor away.
“The Students have been paying add-ons before now and they include Student Union dues, Alternative Subscription Model (ASM) fees formerly known as technology fees,Interswitch Transaction Charges, EDOHIS, Access Card ( formerly ID Card), Accreditation fees, Student Union dues and Sports Development fees. ( These are Details of these “add-ons” . )
“The political protest that has been going on in the University is worrisome as persons under the guise of fee increment are often seen locking up the gate”
Speaking further, he stressed that the dissolved Student Union Executive were among those who negotiated the add-ons fees they are now protesting against.
“When the leadership threatened to shut the University gate because of some perceived issues, that of school fees was not even high up on the list of the issues, the only agitation then was fees with the inclusion of old Students in the Edo Health Insurance scheme (EDOHIS) “.
” They claim that they had an agreement with management of EDOHIS to exclude 300 level and above from the scheme but as we speak, EDOHIS have not communicated that agreement with us and I want to put on record that in all the tertiary institutions paying the fees, AAU pays the least.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, these add-ons amounted to Filfty Thousand , two hundred naira ( 50,200.00) only for all the programme in the Faculties of Arts, Law, Management Sciences, Social Sciences and Environmental studies; and for all the programme in the Faculties of Agriculture, Education, Engineering , Technology , Life Science and Physical Sciences “.
According to him, the add- on payment is a one off that Students must pay once throughout their program.
He however adviced Students to set emotions aside and always seek clarification on information on the existing School fees and shun unnecessary unrest that would end up delaying their academic calendar.