BRRDA, NYSC meet to resolve certificate racketeering in Benin Republic

To resolve the ugly trend of certificate sales/racketeering levelled against some foreign universities, Benin Republic Registrars and Directors Association (BRRDA), recently held a one- day interactive session with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) officials in Cotonou, Benin Republic, to agree on lasting solutions to the fraudulent trend.

The Director of Corps Mobilisation, NYSC, Mrs. Ukonu Nnenna Ifegwu, who led the NYSC delegation to the Benin Republic, said during the just-concluded evaluation and mobilisation screening exercise of Nigerian graduate students from foreign universities to mobilise them for one-year NYSC, many fake certificates were seized and she was not comfortable with the trend.

She appealed to the association to set up an investigative committee to join NYSC to fish out bad eggs among them. She propelled the association to set an enviable academic standard within institutions in the Benin Republic, otherwise, the NYSC might be forced to withdraw its working relationship with them.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director of Evaluation, NYSC, Mrs. Victoria Ango, said NYSC has resolved to mobilise Nigerians from Benin Republic universities and institutions on the following requisites: original transcripts, original academic certificates and copy of such certificates should be sent to NYSC before mobilisation period for proper verification.

Ango also added that only international passports would be allowed for Nigerian students, not ECOWAS Passport, stating that Benin Republic Universities and Institutions should desist from the running unaccredited courses.

“Money extortion from students for evaluation and mobilisation in the name of NYSC is becoming unbearable, NYSC does not collect money for evaluation and mobilisation; so you are advised to stop the act. In the case of student transfer from one institution to another, submit a proper narrative to NYSC, the graduate list should be submitted to the NYSC before the mobilisation of students, Nigerian admission standards should be maintained. That is, five credits at two sittings, English Language and Mathematics inclusive and each school should appoint a liaison officer to relate with NYSC on the aforesaid prerequisites and more,” she declared.

Assistant Director Mobilisation Department of NYSC, Mr. Samson Ateli, said the aforesaid prerequisites would further promote national security and tranquility.

Deputy Chairman of the Association of Registrars and Directors, Republic of Benin, Dr. Shehu Yekini, said they were not responsible for the allegations levelled against them, but could not rule out the fact that there might be some bad heads among them with the interest of sullying the good image they have built in the academic sector of Benin Republic. 

“Based on the allegations leveled against our universities and institutions, we shall set up a disciplinary committee forthwith to investigate and warn bad eggs among us to stop such unlawful activities.

“ We shall ensure that our respective liaison officers are in close contact with the NYSC to ensure universities submit their authentic and verified lists of graduating students to eradicate certificate racketeering and further strengthen our ties and national security with Nigeria,’’ he affirmed.

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