The Edo deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, on Thursday called on the authorities of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) to ensure they properly maintain the institution’s sports facilities.
Shaibu, who made the call shortly after inspecting the hostels of UNIBEN and the Ekewan campus in Benin, said the state government would be very happy to see proper maintenance.
The hostels on both campuses would be used to camp athletes during the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged “Edo 2020’’.
“It’s very sad to see that UNIBEN cannot maintain its facilities. It’s very sad to see that this is where our brothers, sisters and sons are being accommodated.
“The past leadership has failed this institution. They didn’t do their work. It’s not about teaching these students in the classrooms. It is also about their behaviour in the hostels.
“And if they have to live in this kind of environment, you can imagine the attitude they will graduate with.
“For me, this is not acceptable that we have to allow these facilities to run down this way before seeking intervention.
“The management of this institution will have to redefine how this university will live up to expectations not only in terms of academic performance, but also in infrastructure.
“I am appealing to the new Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, to up her game and not behave like previous vice-chancellors,’’ the deputy governor said.
He however said he was still worried about how the university was going to ensure a proper maintenance of the facilities.
“My fear now is that state government is bringing tax-payers money to maintain these facilities. After fixing these facilities, what is the guarantee that we will not go back to this same situation,’’ Shaibu said.
The deputy governor, who also expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of renovation of Queen Idia Hall 1 hostel in UNIBEN, called on the contractor to step up the level of work.
In his reaction, Olanrewaju Adeleke, who is a representative of the contractors handling the hostels’ renovation, Peculiar Ultimate Consult, reiterated the assurances earlier given.
He said the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has assured that the hostel would be ready for the Festival in the next 14 days.(NAN)
 to ensure they properly maintain the institution’s sports facilities.){kind=link}