CSNews Desk
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, CSG, has called on Nigeria security agencies to commence proper investigation into an alleged case of blackmail against the leadership of the National Open University of Nigeria,(NOUN).
The president of the coalition, Comrade Etuk Bassey Williams, made the call while addressing the press yesterday in Abuja.
He said findings had revealed that some students of the university with unresolved disciplinary problems were behind the blackmail to taint and discredit the image of the institution and its leadership.
Bassey, wondering why some students would want to run down an institution like NOUN which he said remained one of the cheapest distant learning institutions in the world despite it comparably world standard just for personal reasons.
He maintained that the importance of the institution to Nigerians was the major reason the coalition took time to investigate the allegations, adding that the allegations were pure blackmail bereft of facts as all payments to the institution were done online, which implied that records of payments made to the institution by students were traceable.
According to him, education is indeed a necessity and condition precedent for building a sustainable socio-economic and political development.
“The several innovations brought to bear on the institution by Prof. Vincent Tenebe are legendary and should be embraced by all.
“We condemn in its entirety the continuous media blackmail of the institutions’ leadership by these students and their sponsors with the aim of discrediting the good work so far achieved in this institution. This unethical conduct of blackmailing credible and hardworking Nigerians is fast becoming the order of the day and its time this is nipped in the bud because of the unquantifiable damage this would have on the reputation of upright and committed individuals since not all government officials are corrupt.
“All fees paid to the institutions are legally approved statutory fees payable online only to the institution’s account and all expenditure spending follows due process.
“NOUN, based on our findings, remains one of the cheapest distant learning institutions in the world thereby affording Nigerians not only the opportunity to work and learn but access to cheap and qualitative education.”
Source: National Mirror
