Edun Yusuf, Bello Barakat
The management of Benue State University has suspended medical students from levels 200 to 600 for one month, as a consequence of their demonstration on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.
This information was obtained from an internal memo issued and signed by the institution’s registrar, Dr. Mrs. Mfaga Modom on October 30.
MAPOLY Press Club gathered that the protest was staged due to the alleged arbitrary removal of their peers, inadequate water supply, and overcrowding, where up to five students were accommodated in a room designed for two.
The registrar revealed that the university management examined the recent actions of the affected students, along with input from relevant authorities, to arrive at this resolution.
The internal memo reads: “The Management Committee has scrutinized the recent actions of 200 to 600 level Medical Students and has thoroughly evaluated reports from the Dean of Students concerning the student demonstration on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.
The Management Committee has also noted with concern the uncooperative behavior exhibited by these Medical Students before, during, and after the demonstration.
The following resolutions have been reached:
“A special Investigative Committee will be constituted to probe the immediate and underlying causes of the demonstration and make appropriate recommendations.
“The Top Management Committee of the College of Health Sciences is hereby instructed to implement the Resolutions of the Reports of the various committees on the students’ demonstration.
“All 200 to 600 Level Medical Students of the College of Health Sciences are placed on a one (1) month suspension, effective from 8:00 a.m. on Monday, October 30, 2023, and are expected to resume on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.
“Upon resumption, each student must present a Sworn Affidavit from a competent Court of Law affirming good conduct. Additionally, each student should be accompanied by his/her Parent/Guardian who will sign an undertaking.
“The Benue State University Medical Students Association (BESUMSA) is immediately suspended until further notice.
“200 to 600 Level Medical Students are directed to vacate their hostels by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 30, 2023.
“Academic activities for 100 Level Students of the College of Health Sciences will continue as scheduled.”