President of AAUMSA addresses school fee increment controversy, criticizes the defunct SUG EXCOs

In a recent development, Precious Odiyi, the President of the Ambrose Alli University Medical Students Association (AAUMSA), has been at the center of allegations regarding school fee increments affecting all departments within the College of Medicine at Ambrose Alli University, Myschoolnews report.

Odiyi, in response to these allegations, has chosen to break his silence and clarify the situation.

According to Odiyi, the controversy surrounding the fee increment pertains solely to the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, and he emphasizes that he and other stakeholders from this faculty were summoned to the Edo State Government House in Benin on July 27th to discuss this specific issue. He also notes that the fee increase primarily affected returning students within the Faculty of Clinical Sciences due to several factors, including a lack of new students entering the department.

Furthermore, Odiyi highlights some crucial points for clarification:

1. The executives of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences have made numerous trips to the Edo State Government House and Secretariat in their efforts to resolve the school fee increment issue, more than any other faculty president, faculty association, or student body.

2. Odiyi criticizes the dissolved Student Union Government (SUG) for not proactively engaging in negotiations to prevent the fee increment when it initially began with the Faculty of Clinical Sciences. He mentions that the SUG attended only one of several meetings with university management and relevant authorities, arriving late and remaining largely quiet during discussions. Consequently, the Faculty of Clinical Sciences had to negotiate the fee increase independently, resulting in a new fee of 220,000NGN.

3. Odiyi points out that the SUG became actively involved in addressing the fee increment only after it had expanded to affect all 66 departments within Ambrose Alli University. He acknowledges that he has faced ongoing criticism and character attacks, leading him to speak out publicly to preserve his reputation and address the misrepresentation of facts.

In conclusion, Odiyi expresses a commitment to continuing negotiations and hopes for a resolution to the prolonged controversy. He encourages all parties involved to act responsibly, set priorities, and not take negotiation opportunities for granted, stressing the importance of unity in their shared struggle.