UNIBEN Students Victims Of Neglect, Misplaced Priorities Under Salami

> The recent remarks made by the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Lilian Salami, labeling the majority of UNIBEN students as “uncultured” and likening the institution to a motor park, are not only deeply offensive but a clear attempt to deflect attention from her administration’s failings. Her derogatory comments serve as an unwarranted attack on students who were left with no other recourse but to protest against the systemic neglect and poor living conditions under her leadership. A Misguided Administration: Neglecting Students for Aesthetic Projects Throughout her tenure, Professor Salami prioritized the beautification of the university’s environment, focusing on trees, grasses, and flowers while leaving critical student welfare issues unaddressed. It is worth asking: What good is a serene campus environment if the students within it are subjected to substandard living conditions? Dormitories, which should have been safe havens for learning and personal growth, often lack basic amenities such as water and electricity. Students were forced to live in overcrowded and dilapidated hostels while the administration turned a blind eye to their suffering. Food vendors operate without proper regulations, leading to frequent cases of food poisoning. Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor’s office was more concerned with external appearances, prioritizing manicured lawns over the well-being of the university’s most important stakeholders — the students. A History of Protests Under Professor Salami’s administration, protests became the norm rather than the exception. Students repeatedly raised their voices against the administration’s inability to address their legitimate demands for improved living conditions, affordable tuition, and functional facilities. Rather than addressing these concerns, the administration often responded with hostility and repression. Instead of seeing these protests as a cry for help, Professor Salami has chosen to describe these students as “uncultured.” But what is truly uncultured is an administration that consistently ignored its responsibilities, forcing students into the streets to demand what should have been theirs by right. From blocked highways to sit-ins, these protests were borne out of frustration with a leadership that refused to listen or act in the interest of the student body. The former Vice-Chancellor’s recent comments reveal not just a lack of understanding of the challenges faced by UNIBEN students but also her inability to take responsibility for her failures. By blaming students for their own plight, she exposes her lack of empathy and leadership skills. Strong leaders face challenges head-on and work collaboratively to find solutions. Weak leaders, on the other hand, deflect blame and seek excuses for their ineptitude. Professor Salami’s administration will be remembered for its incompetence and ineffectiveness. Rather than addressing the core issues affecting students, she sought to silence them with dismissive remarks, hoping to shift public focus away from her years of mismanagement. This is not the hallmark of a leader but of someone desperate to salvage a tarnished legacy. Students Are Not the Problem; They Are the Victims It is essential to set the record straight: UNIBEN students are not the problem. They are the victims of years of neglect and mismanagement. The “uncultured” label used by Professor Salami is both baseless and insulting. It fails to acknowledge the resilience and courage of these students, who have continued to excel academically and personally despite the odds stacked against them. Instead of painting students as troublemakers, Professor Salami should reflect on the systemic issues that led to their protests. Why were students forced to block highways? Why were basic needs like water, electricity, and security left unmet? Why was the administration so quick to dismiss their concerns? These are the questions that demand answers. A Call for Accountability and Apology We demand an unreserved apology from Professor Salami for her remarks, which have done nothing but further alienate students who suffered under her leadership. Her comments do not reflect the values of the University of Benin or the hardworking students who continue to bring honour to the institution despite its challenges. Furthermore, it is imperative that future administrations learn from these failures. A university is not just a collection of buildings and greenery; it is a community built around its students. Their welfare must be the top priority, not an afterthought. In conclusion, Professor Lilian Salami’s comments are a feeble attempt to deflect attention from her administration’s glaring failures. Rather than owning up to her shortcomings, she has chosen to insult the very students whose lives she failed to improve. History will remember her not as a leader but as a symbol of misplaced priorities and unfulfilled promises. It is time for the University of Benin to turn a new page, one that centres on student welfare and restores the dignity of its academic community. Divine Oguche Concerned Alumnus, SUG PRO – Students’ Spokesman 2014/2015 Academic Session

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