BRRDA, NYSC meet to resolve certificate racketeering in Benin Republic Varsities
By Tunde Eso
In a bid to resolve the ugly trend of certificate racketeering leveled against some foreign universities, Benin Republic Registrars and Directors Association (BRRDA) held a one day interaction session with National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), on Monday, August 12, 2019 at Green Horse Hotel, Cotonou, Benin Republic to agree on lasting solution to the fraudulent trend.
The Director of Corps Mobilization, NYSC, Mrs. Ukonu Nnenna Ifegwu, who led the NYSC delegation to Benin Republic, said in her opening address at the one day interactive session that during the just concluded evaluation and mobilization screening exercise of Nigerian graduate students from foreign universities to mobilize them for one year National Youth Service Corps, many fake certificates were seized.
She said she was not comfortable with the racketeering trend, thereby appealing to the association to set up an investigative committee to join the Nigeria’s NYSC in effort to fish out bad eggs among them, even as she propelled the association to set an enviable academic standard within institutions in Benin Republic, otherwise they might be forced to withdraw their working relationship.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Director of Evaluation NYSC, Mrs. Victoria Ango, said NYSC has resolved to mobilize Nigerians from Benin Republic universities and institutions on the requisites of original transcripts, original academic certificate and copy of such certificate should be sent to NYSC before mobilization period for proper verification.She added thato only international passport and not ECOWAS passport will be allowed for Nigerian students school in that neighbouring country.
She also warned that Benin Republic universities and institutions should desist from running unaccredited courses; money extortion for students for evaluation and mobilization in the name of NYSC, which she lamented was becoming unbearable.
“NYSC don’t collect money for evaluation and mobilization, so you are advise to stop the act’, in the case of student transfer from one institution to another, submit a proper narrative to NYSC, admission at inception and graduate list should be submitted to NYSC before mobilization of students, Nigerian admission standard should be maintained, that’s Five Credits at two settings English Language and Mathematics inclusive and each school should appoint a liaison officer to relate with NYSC on the aforesaid prerequisites and more.,” she said.
Assistant Director Mobilization Department NYSC, Mr. Samson Ateli, said the aforesaid prerequisites will further promote national security and tranquility if the institution can strictly adhered to the mandate because that is their role as stakeholders.
Dr. Shehu Yekini, Deputy Chairman of Association of Registrars and Directors Republic of Benin in his response at the one day interaction session said they are not responsible for the allegations levy against them but cannot rule out the fact that their maybe some bad heads among them with the interest of sullying the good image they have built in the academic sessions of Benin Republic.
“Henceforth, based on the allegation levy against our universities and institutions, we shall set up disciplinary committee forthwith to investigate and warn bad heads among us to stop such unlawful activities and if they refused to stop thereafter, we would blow the whistle and eject them from our academic system, aside this we shall henceforth work with both embassy for proper information.
“Lastly, we shall ensure that our respective liaison officers are in close contact with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to ensure admission lists of students are duly submitted and mobilization list is properly verified to eradicate further certificate racketeering, thereby ensure they will adjust strictly to the vital points raised by the NYSC personnel that came to further strengthen our tie and national security in Nigeria.’’ he affirmed.
