Author: The Nation

Preparations are in top gear for the 27th convocation of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) next month.

The programme of events, as approved by the school Governing Council, at its 103rd Statutory meeting, will begin with a special convocation Jumat service on Friday, January 24, at the university’s Central Mosque. This would be followed by an interdenominational church service at the Chapel of Grace on Sunday, January 26.

Read Also: FUNAAB VC warns contractors

 

The convocation lecture is  scheduled for January 27, at the Ceremonial Building while on January 28, the convocation, which would feature the presentation of prizes, conferment of degrees, higher, and honorary degrees, will hold at the same venue by 10 am.

A former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the incumbent President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr.  Akinwunmi Adesina, will be conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Science at the ceremony.

 

The Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), has taken the campus edition of its Youth Empowered initiative to the premier university in Nigeria, University of Ibadan (UI).

The two-day workshop, which had about 700 participants in attendance, exposed the students to Entrepreneurship, Life and Networking skills to prepare them to start their own businesses or for meaningful employment.

Speaking during the workshop held at the Large Lecture Theatre (LLT) of the institution last Thursday and Friaday, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo praised the company for the novel initiative to assist the students prepare for life outside the school environment while also harnessing their potentials. She urged participants to take advantage of the unique opportunity by applying themselves to further learning throughout the duration of the workshop.

“This is a big opportunity which you must take advantage of. It is an opportunity of a lifetime, which may be difficult to come by later in the future. You have to make use of the two-day workshop and apply the principles learned to your life. I am confident if you look back in five years’ time, you would appreciate the decision you have taken to be part of this program considering the impact it would have had on your career or business”, she said while speaking to the students.

Read Also: Group trains fresh graduates, others

 

In her opening remarks, the Sustainability and Community Affairs Manager, NBC, Ifeoma Okoye described the initiative as one of the channels the firm uses to empower young Nigerians.

Okoye stated that the campus version of the Youth Empowered Initiative is tailored to help undergraduates achieve their career or lifelong ambitions by providing guidance, support and mentorship as they transit from school into meaningful employment or self-employment. The modules covered in the intensive 2-day training range from project and time management to business planning, negotiation, financial literacy skills, communication and sales skills.

From Kehinde Ogunyale

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) practitioners, Ogun State chapter, has honoured the Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Samson Odedina, as well as a final year student of the institution, Aminat Olaleye, for their exemplary actions in public.

The duo was honoured along with others during a colloquium organised by the institute, tagged: Strengthening Nigeria’s institutions PR Dimensions.

Aminat Olaleye a HND II student of Accountancy was recognised for returning the sum of N20,000 she found on the campus; while the Rector, was recognised following several awards from various associations and institutions across the state and beyond.

Read Also: MAPOLY students embark on sensitisation

 

In his address, the chapter chairman, Lekan Togunwa, said: “We would also most honourably recognise a number of people who have distinguished themselves in line of duty. We are doing this as members of the watchdog group in the country, having understood that the right acts by an individual member of the public are all we need to revive our comatose public and national values as a country.

“To this end, Ogun NIPR will be awarding amongst others Comptroller Agbara Micheal, the Area Controller, Nigerian Customs Service Ogun State Command; Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Dr. Samson Odedina; Mr. Deinde Boye of Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC); Dr. Samuel Olalekan Odunsi; Mrs. Iyabode Aderonke Oniyide; Mr. Adekoya Mayowa Jacob and Miss. Aminat Olaleye.”

By Patience Wilfred and Mcdouggie Ekperikpe

Newly admitted students of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) gathered last Sunday on campus to praise God for seeing a new month and gaining admission into the university.

The thanksgiving session was chaired by Dr. Monday Dickson, dean of Students’ Affairs.

Read Also: The Fountain Bureaucrat: A review

 

Some of the freshers who identified themselves as Treasure Reuben, Grace Dennis, Noble Udoma and Eunice Ibanga told CampusLife they were excited to be among the few chosen by the university.

They all promised to abide by the rules and regulations of the institution.

 

By Rukayat Omoro

As the 2019/ 2020 academic session kicks off, the NASFAT-owned Fountain University, Osogbo has admitted over 60 to study Nursing, one of its newly accredited courses.

Its Vice-Chancellor, Prof Hamidu Sanni Olalekan, said the university had begun constructing buildings and laboratories for the course.

Read Also: FCTA shuts Unity Fountain for maintenance

 

He said the university would expedite action on the projects to ensure they are completed as quickly as possible and equipped facilities in order for the nursing students to gain as much knowledge and experience as required.

 

By Habeebullahi Abdulwasiu

The inauguration of the newly-elected executive and legislative members of the National Association of Mass Communication Students (NAMACOS), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) chapter will hold December 9.

The date was contained in a memo signed by the General Secretary-elect, Boluwaji Emmanuel.

The memo reads: “The National Association of Mass Communication Students hereby invites all students of the department to its forthcoming handing over programme which will hold on  December 9 at the mass communication relaxation centre. Students of the department are invited and implored to attend the programme.”

Read Also: Aaua students appraise dress code enforcement

 

The new leaders were elected in August – with Adesola Ikulajolu emerging the president; Kieribo Esther (vice president); Ohwofasa Dorcas (welfare director): Akeju Samson (social director); and Abdulwasiu Habeebullahi (public relations officer).

Others are: Emmanuel Temitope (general secretary); Harrison Susan (financial secretary); Onikoro Tomiloba (assistant general secretary); Adeboye Mary (treasurer); and Olubodun Samson (sports director).

For the legislative arm, Ojo Timothy (constituency II), Idowu Rilwan (SUG SRC), Ogunsami Kolade (constituency III) will also be inaugurated.

Ikulajolu and Abdulwasiu are CAMPUSLIFE reporters.

By Abdulwasiu Mujeeb and Abdulwaheed Sofiullahi

Students of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) have bemoaned the new academic calendar.

The UDUS Senate at its 334th meeting approved the 2019/2020 academic calendar.

The calendar, which extends the resumption date of the school from December 9, to January 6, 2020 has been described by many students as unfavourable.

Reacting to this, Abdullahi, a 500-Level Medical Laboratory Science student, expressed disappointment over the calendar, referring to it as “backwardness.”

“I am disappointed with the 2019/2020 academic calendar released by the management. They should try to continue it the way it was last session. This is backwardness, as our calendar was faster before ASUU strike arose.”

Abdullahi advised the management to amend the calendar.

“I urge the management to please find a solution to it.”

Fatima, a student of Veterinary Medicine, bemoaned the four weeks first semester break and the three weeks for registration of new and returning students.

“It would be very slow to spend four weeks for a semester break. The number weeks for the registration for returning and new students are too much. They should be considerate,” she lamented.

Fatima also urged the school management to amend the calendar.

“I urge the management to amend the calendar. They should pity us that are reading six-year courses.”

In his own reaction, Ismaila Suleiman Khalifah, a 300-Level student of Education and Islamic studies, expressed shock over the extension of the holiday.

According to him, the school will be lagging behind in terms of academic stability.

Read Also: Panic as kidnapping increases in Adamawa

“I was shocked and amazed as to why the school calendar would be changed like this. We don’t understand the reason behind the extension of the holiday.

“Seeing this calendar, unlike when we were affected by strike. The school would be lagging behind in terms of academic stability.”

Khalifa urged the management to amend the calendar to maintain its position as one of the schools in the North with fast academic calendar.

“I urge the management to please adjust the calendar, for this university is one of the fastest universities in the northern part of this country, some years back. I wish the university to remain raising the standard.”

Also, Muhammed Aminu Ismaila, a student of Chemistry said the calendar was unfavourable.

“I personally felt unexcited when I saw the newly approved 2020/2021 academic calendar. While the last calendar kept our mindset in peace that we are going to resume on  November 9. Now, the backwardness of the calendar was revealed.”

However, while many students called for its amendment,  a few of them praised the university for the calendar.

Adeleke Abdulrahman, a 300-Level Education Mathematics student, sees no wrong in it.

He said the long calendar was the best way for students to understand what they are being taught in class.

“The calendar is not bad. The management did so well by adding three months to the calendar and that the best way through which students could understand what they are being taught in class,” he said.

Olookoba Abdulwasiu, a 300-Level Law student, acknowledged the university’s decision on the calendar. According to him, the calendar was planned in a cool manner and that should not trigger negative reactions from students.

 

By Rukayat Omoro

STUDENTS  of the Fountain University, Osogbo, will not forget in a hurry their experience last Wednesday with snakes.

At 8:54pm some female students who went to get food from the school cafeteria, saw a big snake in the bush.

It was claimed that the snake passed between a male and female student who stood talking in front of the hostel gate.

The screams of the student who saw the snake first drew the attention of other students who were outside the gate and the school’s security unit called Farsars.

The security men quickly rushed to help the students, using a very huge bamboo stick to hit the snake until it died.

Read Also: Gorilla ‘swallowed’ N6.8 million’, says Kano zoo accounts officer

About 20 minutes later, at exactly 9:15pm, another snake was found in one of the rooms in the hostel.

All five members were in the room at the time.  One of them who saw the snake quickly notified others and FARSARS visited again.  However, they could not find the snake after several hours of searching.

The occupants of the room were asked to vacate the room until the snake was found.

There have been more reports of snake sighting lately.

The university has promised to take preventive measures as quickly as possible to avoid any further complaints of snakes in the hostel, especially the bathroom.