I never imagined that Lionel Messi could leave FC Barcelona. The words of ‘anti-messis’ were always like, “let him leave his comfort zone, he should try another league.” At a point in time, especially last summer’s transfer, the saying almost defeated him as he wanted so much to leave the club.

After wearing the Barcelona’s shirt for the past 21 years, Lionel Messi finally made his way to Paris. He has joined PSG following a failure of the Catalan giants FC Barcelona to renew his contract. I believe Messi’s case satisfies the implication of the popular saying: No condition is permanent.

Well, let’s leave Barca issue for Barca to deal with, my concern is the ‘Jambito regalia’ we have been wearing for the past three years. I’m very sure you don’t need to be told that the 100-level students are tired of hearing ‘you guys na Jambitos u be’.

Jambito is a word coined for freshers. I think the attitude and the ‘gra gra’ of the newly admitted students must have earned them that title.

While the freshers always bear this title (Jambitos) for a year, this time the case is super different. We did an unprecedented and indelible service to the title. It wasn’t because we enjoy it, but circumstances made us to.

The current or ‘outgoing’ 100 level students got admitted in 2019, and started academic activities in early January, 2020. Shortly after three months, academic activities were put to halt. Coronavirus pandemic made its way to Nigeria. Thus, things became uncertain.

Prior to that, ASSU had embarked on a two weeks warning strike. So, ASUU strike was marauding while we went on COVID-19 break. Not knowing the strike would be the beginning of a nightmare or mosquitoes that sting through the long night.

Following the ease of COVID-19 lockdown around September, the Federal Government ordered the reopening of all schools in Nigeria. This is a good news. Danfodites rejoiced like all other students, unfortunately lecturers who have been waiting patiently started their own. ASUU strike began.

After unending meetings and fake promises — with shattered hope — that lasted for about nine months, everything came to an end. ASUU strike was called off in January, 2021.

All this time, we must admit that UDUS 2019/2020 academic session has been disrupted by COVID-19 and ASUU strike. The distrupted calendar slated our jambito year to end on August 28, 2021. Even though, such could not happen — and did not happen — some of us have relieved ourselves of the compulsory title. We are no more jambito.

Though, the disruption of the calendar did not only affect the 100-level students, how can we just sit and bear a one-year title (Jambito) for almost three years.

Right now, our level has passed ordinary Jambito. In fact, our status now is ‘jambito pro max’.

 

• Jambito class of 2019/2020, I hail thee.

Ahmad Shereefdeen is a 200-level law student of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

 

The ultimate joy and happiness in writing is to see how humanity is taking good life from the content of the books or articles have to the credit. I have seen the manifestation of my political works and articles in the country and other countries of the world as my political philosophy is being used to channel appropriate political institution and governance.

The call to writing is an absolute call to safeguard the activities of the humans. I put so much in all areas of life, but, my major concern is attributed to the political stand of the nations. It is a well said, political stability gives birth to fast growth and development of citizens with their divergent potentials. Though, humans with difficulties do things of their dreams and purposes, but, better and speedier that could be if political stability is established in the nation of dwell.

My political writing is so concerned about establishing oneself and a group or groups to organise peaceful and meaningful crusade on freedom fighting. It is a real apprehensive phenomenon that the opportune are never tired of oppressing the less-opportuned simply to retain and make progress of the wellbeing. To this very fact, “Shadrachcracy” a political system was developed to make sure citizens of all categories can represent in all political offices to ensure the mouthpiece of their various people. If all are represented, all are gained. Humanity and natures give unfair rooms to lives that want to suppress people of it related kind. Therefore, bigger safety must be an activity of the allocated advantages.

How can we make good health and knowledge, yet, our nation is made full of irregularities having prime root from politics which we have well married numerous foreign and local ideologies on? To this fact, I have proudly enjoined my fellow citizens to put up more uniform of efforts in challenging the depressed upright freedom of ours, as outlined in one of my political articles published few months ago.

Potentially, the semantic meaning, contextual analysis and conceptual discourse of one of my political works, “The Stakeholder” is full of balancing political rigmarole and governance in the major pillars that are liable to make good and productive nation in all ramifications. So, in the play, prevailing politically-oriented guidelines towards selecting a representative, skeptical approach to betray the ill-hearted politicians to making good living of youthful age is presented, the best way to maintain separation of power is equally involved, and the host alike, responsible of shaping and reshaping our nation’s governance.

Youths are the bedrock of all nations whereas the children are the pillars of all nations. If the youths refuse to work, the children can’t have access to work. Betrayal stays behind any struggle and freedom fighter. One can stand out of millions to bring change. So, it is never a big deal or strange thing in fighting for the nation or the world alone. In this circle, my writings have brought inspirations and motivations on how the standard of risking and sacrificing oneself for the people can hold. Much more, the dividends of my writings have showcased the triumphant of environmental lenience, the best link to political stability. The transformative engagement of my political writing is an expressway to integrate international relations making much to advocate collateral regulations of natural resources to maintain barter of trade. Equal leverage is the stakeholder of the prime contents as much gained is much have and less gained is less have. Rightful political admonition from one another open flexible and meritorious transaction. This has made my political writing more familiar and eligible to be practice by all.

Big excitement is always uprooted on account of personal necessitated with meritorious labour. Living a whole part for someone to help is an invitation to abject failure, in most cases. On this, I put together ideas that can liberate the less-privileged and physically-challenged people to navigate efforts with activists on a course of bringing the desirable needs on the tables. Tentatively, interestingly, my third developed subject, “Ojonugwaology” is on the mission. This is to make sure, comfortability reaches the outskirts of villages so that citizens could easily come to romance the contents of it results.

So far, the writings have been circulated and the relevance remains the trademark of my struggles to regulate dividend of political institution and it governance across the globe. The major pointer of its direction is to create enabling environment for the citizens. I am so sure the highlighted necessities would reach out for the desired goals. And I ever have it that as many taking leads on the philosophies are certainly guarantee for good living and exemplary life.

I would continue to embrace our patriotic citizens to marry my political ideologies to gain the desirable environmental look in all segments. The instrument of the contents is channel through non-violence resistance. It is through this, easy activation of freedom desired is gained no matter how. So, as soon as all the guidelines are maintained, it is then left for time to judge, as respectively.

I categorically enjoin the political leaders to embrace the total body of democracy. It is upon this democracy, plenty relevant political discourses are hold on. African political leaders are to love this fact most in order to completely do away with the dictatorship. My nation, Nigeria, has suffered enormously under the present government. Spontaneously, Nigeria is under rulership, not leadership. So, citizens are no longer followers, but, slaves. This is a great evil to humanity. The punishment waits in the vanity of eternity. Citizens can only eliminate this through peaceful and meritorious protest. Politicians can refrain from this evil act by periodically activating democracy in governance. In addition, resources must be available to all if there is no partial allocation, because, if we can labour with similar strength and efforts, we can take similar advantage. Bribery and corruption is the sole platform that establishes poverty in the governance. And the sign post of political instability is poverty elevation. We must begin to work on good things today to avoid violence tomorrow. Natures know how to fight as many who thought oppressing citizens is a medium of satisfying desires. And for as many that refuse to take up responsibilities to challenge people that are oppressing, natures equally know how to punish such people for embracing pain and sorrow which are not part of plan our Creator have for us. This is what my political writing always gets concern of.

Having a relationship in school has always been a controversial topic of discussion anytime. Some are of the opinion that it may serve as a source of distraction to students, while some see it as training for what is to come in life after school. What are the views of students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic on dating in school? Jeffrey Ikolo and Opeyemi Peter report.

If you were someone like Oyindamola Falola, then the moment you hear the word “dating” and you are in school, you should flee!

Falola, an ND 2 student of the    Department of Civil Engineering  of Moshood Abiola Polytecnic, Ojere, Abeokuta said this when CAMPUSLIFE               reporters told her that relationship while in school was a distraction.

Schooling, obviously, comes with the objective of academic excellence. But it cannot be denied that young adults in school most times get caught in the decision whether to go into a relationship while they pursue what brought them to school in the first place, or not.

History has been fair and unfair to this topic with some people having good tales to tell and some with sorrowful tales.

 

Age and maturity parameter 

Adetubo Rasheedat Oluwatosin believes that age is a fundamental determinant of whether or not to go into a relationship while in school.

Rasheedat who is from the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, added that although there were different reasons people dated, for her, only a relationship leading to marriage should be engaged in while in school, with maturity not tossed aside.

She said: “Actually, it depends on age. If someone is old enough and mature, the person would know that he or she is ready to date. And there are ways in dating. If dating would lead to marriage, it is another case. Does dating lead to marriage? I think definitely is a “yes”, because actually you can meet your partner anywhere. Anyone can meet his or her soulmate in school and they can date.”

She added: “Dating in school is still much better, yes! depending on how mature the person is.”

On maturity and age, Anumuyika Ayomide from the Department of Mass Communication said dating in school boiled down to how matured one is to handle the consequences.

Ayomide highlighted jealousy, mental toughness and emotional balance, stating that if one could not handle such dating consequences, then one should not even think of dating in school.

“Dating in school depends on you;  whether you are matured enough to handle the consequences and side effects of dating, if you have the ability to comprehend the consequences. Because when you are dating in school, you would have to take your mind off some stuff. You would be jealous because the person you are dating  might be attractive to other guys and they, also, might love to be with the girl or move closer to her. And when you are seeing that as a guy, that will create some jealousy in you which you would not want to show and that might be killing you inside.

“So if you know you cannot handle dating in school, then do not go into it. But if you feel that you can do it or control your emotions, then it is fine, you are good to go,” he said.

The outright “yes” guys

For ThankGod, he would most likely thank God if he sees a girl that is not materialistic and frivolous. To him, dating in school is not bad as dating goes beyond having sex or fun.

“To me, I will actually say yes. Though everyone sees things from different perspectives. But, to me, I will actually say yes. Because dating is not all about having fun and  sex. The real thing there, is finding someone that can connect you to the right source. If the girl is about material things, all about going out, it is a red light for me,” the ND2 Mass Communication student said.

Some have, over time, argued that dating in school was an opportunity to be close to one’s partner in order to know them more in preparation for marriage; this school of thought appeared to be one Daniel Joseph supports. To him, dating in school is cool as it offers him time to know his babe more.

He went further to say aside  also having a friend whom he once dated in school whom he is married to, he dated while in school.

“I would say it is a ‘yes’ for me. Having to spend quality time to know each other more. I have a friend. They actually met in their 100 level in school, and of recent they just got married. It is something of over five or six years, they actually dated. So, I think it is actually cool to date in school. You’d have a long time to know your partner properly,” he said.

Ogunsola Bolaji also joined in the conversation, “If you are dating in school, it makes you and your partner closer. Because communication matters a lot. You might be communicating for a month, three months, a year without seeing each other and yet cheat. Even if your partner is not in the same school but around the area, for instance; if you are schooling in Ogun State and your boyfriend is at Ibadan, he will cheat on you, there is no how. So it is better dating someone closer.

 

Why No?

You will recall how Falola described dating as destructive and distractive at the start of this report, as such, to her, dating is a no-no!

For Gift Ezugwu, Science Laboratory Technology ND2, she can not date in school because of the burden of wanting to please the other person, the feeling of insecurity and the limitation of freedom.

If you were to ask Sharon Meshack of Mass Communication, ND1, she would most likely say: “Dating in school is a big no for me. I won’t and will not advise anyone to date in school. Dating in school is just nonsense. It is rubbish.”

Where do we, then, draw the line?

Certified Relationship expert, Michael Jacob said there was no official or generally acceptable place to date or not to date.

He said: “There have been reports of people who started their love life on campus and ended up getting married. We have however heard cases where dating hampered educational pursuits.”

Jacob drew the line by advising students to know that relationship would tax them a lot, reiterating that anyone who was not matured enough should not date.“My advice is that students should know that relationship demands time, money and maturity, vis-à-vis side dramas that love brings. Dramas such as cheating, heartbreaks and distractions.

“Anyone who is not emotionally mature to handle the complexities of another being;  lady or guy, should not date.

 

Anyone who cannot manage his or her time well, especially considering the fact that academics is time consuming should not date.”

Quite symbolic is a popular line by a hip-hop artiste, Davido, in one of his songs where he said that ‘With money, love is sweeter.’  Jacob stressed that a student, whether a guy or a lady, who does not have the financial capacity for a relationship should not think of dating.

“It does not matter if you are the boy or the girl, if you are getting into a relationship because of money or you do not have money; then, by all means, get your priorities straightened out before you date,” he said

 

The wedding bell which had been waiting to sound for the love birds found full expression during their service year. There was an exchange of marital vows at the altar of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Felele, Lokoja.

The solemnisation was between Miss Emmanuel Oluwafumike Edith, a serving corp member in Kogi State with the 2020 Batch B Stream 1a and Babalola Oluwatobi Peter, a corp member serving in Kwara State with the 2020 Batch B Stream 1b. It witnessed a massive turnout of corps members who added glamour to the celebration.

In an interview, the couple said they met during their service year.

Read Also: ‘2,206 NYSC members ready for Anambra governorship poll’

 

The Church Minister, Rev. Abimbola Julius, spoke at length about “Love and Unity in Marriage”. He read from Genesis 3:1-12, and admonished that the couple should have one voice and should not give room for third parties in their marriage.

The Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, earlier stated that the scheme encouraged and supported inter-tribal marriage among corps members.

The NYSC bye-law states that “a corps member who desires to get married during the service year shall be allowed to perform the marriage ceremony in any place of his/her choice.”

About 50 corp members attended the wedding.

Students of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) pay the Students’ Union dues twice without justification. However, there seems to be no plans by university management or student leaders to stop the practice reports ELINT EERIE – 100-LEVEL FUTO student.

 

 

Students are accusing the authorities of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) and the Student Union Government (SUG) of making them pay some dues twice.

New and returning students are affected. They told CampusLife they pay some levies twice in a session when the practice is to pay once at the beginning of the session.

The students said whenever they paid school fees, SUG dues/registration, medicals, library, and sports levies were always included.  However, later in the same session they would be asked to pay again.

The students claimed they pay N3,500 for SUG dues; N5,250 for medical and health; N200 for sports and N500 for library twice. They said the dues were included in the school fees they paid first.

New students who saw the advert to register for the SUG went to the venue (SUG Resource Centre) only to be asked to pay N3,500 to collect their receipt as well as N200 for sports fee.

Emma, a new student, did a double take when he realised he had to pay for things he had paid for before.

“I thought I was the only that did not have eyes.  I saw in my school fees’ receipt that I had paid the SUG registration and dues of N3,800. But when I came to register today (July 26, 2021) I was told I was to go inside with N3,500, I had to call my parents to send the money.  I withdrew from the ATM there and then proceeded to register.”

Some old students who have come up with the saying that “You no get money, you come FUTO who you wan Impress hello!” said double payment was “normal” in the institution.

When CampusLife spoke to a 300-Level student simply called Favour-K, the student said: “Right from the time I entered FUTO, every payment I make in the school fees, I will still come back again and repay them either at the SUG secretariat or FUTO micro finance bank.”

A new student who said he was already bankrupt, popularly called “SAPA”, among the students, said: “My parents in Lagos paid my school fees and then gave me hostel and feeding money but, right now, I have used them to double pay for things I paid in the school fees.”

Another FUTO fresher, who wanted to be identified as Egwu, said he would do all it took to stay in school.

“I have been longing for this admission for years, so I do not mind tasking my parents or even drinking garri to make sure I survive here,” he said.

However, for another fresher, it is not so easy asking for money from her parents who are resident in Owerri.

“My parents are already complaining about me calling them to update them on anything relating to paying fees again; things are hard for them here in Owerri town,” she said.

Read Also: Youths protest FUTO encroachment on ancestral land

 

Checks across some other universities showed that students only pay the SUG dues once in a session. When CampusLife contacted the SUG Secretary-General of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Adedoyin Victor Oluwafemi, he said: “My government and previous governments only take once per session.”

A student of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti  (FUOYE), Helen Idi, also said she paid SUG dues once.

“I can confirm to you that we only pay once per session for SUG, medicals and others too,” she said.

CampusLife also reached out to students from the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, University of Maiduguri, Federal University of Technology, Otuoke, and all confirmed they only pay the dues once with the school fees.

Responding to questions about the issue, the Students’ Union Financial Secretary, Sunray Nnamemeka, confirmed the double charges, saying: “Yes, they do pay twice but we give them SUG Book and sometimes SUG Polo (shirt).

“When they come to the SUG resource centre to pay, we give them SUG Book and also issue them receipt of the one they paid in the school fees.”

When CampusLife asked him why the stu   dents had to pay twice, he was quiet for some time before saying: “We give them SUG Book and that’s all.”

Explaining the extra SUG charge, the Students Union General-Secretary, Solomon Okechukwu, said: “If we add the N3,500 in the school fees, it will be cumbersome for them to pay so that is why we charge it here in the resource centre.”

Some returning students said the payment was illegal.  However, they added that that was the way the SUG used to get more money.

Efforts to seek clarification from the SUG President, Madu Kennedy, were futile as he kept rescheduling to speak to CampusLife later.

All calls, WhatsApp messages were unanswered and unreturned.

Dean of Students Affairs, FUTO, Prof. Chikwendu Emenike Orji, as well as the Associate Dean of Students Affairs, Prof Ikpe, and the Bursar, Helen Onuoha, also did not respond to CampusLife’s queries regarding the double payment.

 

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Anambra State has appointed corps member Anyacho Ebuka Darlington AN/21B/0076 as the first ever Corps Camp Director.

Anyacho, an Accounting graduate from the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, and a native of Okigwe, Imo State, was appointed in an epoch-making event at the State Orientation Camp in Umuawulu/Mbaukwu, Awka South Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking during the ceremony, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Yetunde Baderinwa said the appointment was made in line with the directive from the NYSC Headquarters Abuja to deliberately involve corps members in the leadership of the camp.

“He is to act as liaison between the camp management and the corps community on the orientation camp and is expected to report to the State Coordinator.

Read Also: NYSC urges corp members to adhere to COVID-19 precautions

 

“Before his appointment as Corps Camp Director, Anyacho, class of 2018 and born on December 17, 1990, was the leader in charge of Platoon Six,” she added.

Reacting to his appointment, Anyacho thanked the NYSC for the privilege given him to serve.  He pledged commitment to the mandate while soliciting support of fellow corps members.

Addressing the corps members, Mrs. Baderinwa implored them to get involved in camp administration by joining committees that would make their camping experience worthwhile.

She congratulated them for the successful conclusion of their academic pursuits and safe trip to the orientation camp.

She also felicitated with them for surviving the COVID 19 scourge, urging them to conform to all the rules and regulations governing the course.

Mrs. Baderinwa also enjoined them to take the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) in-camp training seriously, describing it as the surest way of alleviating unemployment in Nigeria and becoming self-sufficient.

 

Nigerian Government, through the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), last April 8, inaugurated the first solar-powered Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station in Nigeria. It was inaugurated at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto (UDUS)being a collaborative project between NADDC and UDUS.

It happened just a few months after the debut of the Hyundai KONA Electric, the country’s first locally-built electric vehicle. But there are speculations that this could kill the oil economy and tone down gas and oil business despite the project being 100 per cent renewable energy.

Nigeria, perhaps, Africa at large should know that this is energy generation through energy use, and there are zero emissions and waste. In fact, it was unveiled that three Nigerian universities partnered with NADDC which are UDUS, the University of Lagos, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. This, for sure, will give birth to more fascinating research and development projects as students will be able to comprehend vehicle electrification and other related renewable energy technology in order to build better solutions for Nigeria or entire Africa.

This project, without a doubt, indicates that Nigeria is advancing to the level of a European automobile industry. It is worthy to note that Europe, Asia, and other foreign countries are transitioning from producing gasoline-powered vehicles to solar-powered vehicles.

In fact, more car firms that previously only built gasoline-powered vehicles have turned their focus to producing electric automobiles for everyday usage, with Tesla leading the way. Electric cars revolution should not be seen as a way of competition but as innovation. There are a lot of climate and air quality reasons to be using electric vehicles.

Read Also: On Nigeria’s first solar-powered electric vehicle

 

Electric vehicles have a number of advantages over internal combustion engines, including reduced fuel consumption. Majority of experts agree that the costs of maintaining an electric vehicle are significantly lower. They have fewer moving parts, use fewer fluids to maintain, and are kinder on brake systems.

The future is here; this is the cheetah generation— and innovations are unavoidable. Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common, and as the technology supporting electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries improve, problems such as high costs, limited range, performance issues, long charge times, and a scarcity of charging stations would become less of an issue.

Automobile giants like Volvo have stated their intention to convert to electric-only production in the near future, and even luxury electric vehicles like Tesla are providing more affordable options to the consumer, changing the public perception of electric cars as something only the wealthy can afford.

Sooner than later, we will have little chance of not going solar or electric. The world is evolving and unfolding; electric cars are only signifying preparation for future generations at the instance of humanity.

But as the drawbacks of any new technology melt away, the decision to go EV or not will become the easiest this generation has to make. High cost, limited range, performance concerns, long charge time, and a lack of charging stats would be sorted out as major issues raised by technology doubters.

It can be recalled that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) stated that unless new hydrocarbons are discovered in some parts of the country, the country’s present 37 billion barrels of reserves will be depleted in years to come, based on a projected 2.3 million barrels per day by 2023.

After obtaining independence from British colonialists in 1960, Nigeria has relied significantly on crude oil, but the country’s Department of Petroleum Resources, has forecast the country’s crude oil reserves of 37 billion barrels, of which two percent is produced yearly, will be drained in 49 years. This means there should now be rooms for solution-based innovations, and Nigeria or Africa at large should sit tight.

 

• Hammed J. Sulaiman is a student of Law, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and fellow writing at African Liberty.

 

By Kasim Isa Muhammad

Education  is the bedrock of development. If the education system in the country can be revised to emphasise the practical aspect of study and particularly entrpreneurship, there is a great tendency that youths will be self-reliant and employers of labour.This is because they must  have developed  knowledge in technology and had productive knowledge for the future.

Education can be the key to success if the government, at all levels, can create a technical support platform for undergraduates to learn how to transform their knowledge into something useful for the nation.

Also, education can be considered a key to success when the students acquired good studies from tutors that are well known and have experience in teaching. The government needs to look for  quality teachers, put them at the forefront, pay them good salaries, and equip the educational buildings with modern materials. If the students go through such a way of acquiring knowledge, education can be described  as key to success.

There is no doubt that education is the key to the problem in every human society, but, unfortunately in Nigeria, the case is completely different, where graduates roam the streets looking for jobs. However, in the developed countries, students are taught to invest in entrepreneurship.

Recent statistics establishes that 25 million graduates are unemployed in the country, indicating that the government cannot employ the high population of the graduates, thus, there is a need for government at all levels to think and rethink in providing job opportunities for our teeming youths.

Nonetheless, the government is doing its best  to reduce unemployment with many programmes initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. The N-power is a good example. The programme was solely established to reduce the level of unemployment bedeviling the country, but unfortunately, many Nigerians are misusing the money given to them that will help them to invest in entrepreneurship.

Yes, education is still a key to success when some skills are acquired. What many of our graduates  do not know is that skill is sometimes more important  than a certificate. It is obvious that in the real world people need to see what you can give, not what you have.

We all need to wake up from our deep slumber because the government cannot do it alone. We need to use the skills that we acquired to help find lasting solutions to problems bedeviling the country.

 

• Muhammad is a 300-Level student of   University of Maiduguri.