Category: Campus Life

With inflation levels fluctuating and poverty on the rise in the country, students of various tertiary institutions have suggested solutions to the problem. Nonetheless, they urge the Federal Government to seek foreign aid, encourage production, boost agriculture, empower small scale and medium enterprises, among others, report HANNAH AJAO(UNILORIN), FEMI ESAN (FUOYE), ZAINAB AHMAD (BUK), ABDULWAHEED SOFIULLAHI (UDUS) and GLORY THOMAS (OGITECH).

Economically, the country is  struggling. Thus, experts have said inflation was deepening poverty and crippling the economy.The World Bank also said additional seven million people have been pushed below the poverty line.

Last month, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in a report said: “Nigeria’s annual inflation rate eased for the second straight month to 17.93 per cent in May of 2021 from 18.12 per cent in April, amid a slight slowdown in prices of food & non-alcoholic beverages & tobacco (22.28 per cent vs 22.72 per cent in April) and despite a recent currency devaluation.

‘’Still, the annual core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce hit 13.15 per cent in May, the highest since April of 2017. On a monthly basis, consumer prices inched up 1.01 per cent  following a 0.97 per cent increase in the prior month.”

Director-General, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Dr Muda Yusuf said: “From month-on-month perspective, inflation accelerated across all parameters and this underscores the fact that inflation remains a major challenge to investors and citizens.

“Inflation is, perhaps, the biggest poverty accelerator because of the weakening of purchasing power.

“It weakens real income, erodes purchasing power, puts pressure on operating costs, aggravates production costs, reduces sales and negatively impacts profit margins across sectors.”

Nevertheless, students across the country have not only expressed their dissatisfaction over inflation levels and poverty, but also have also come up with probable solutions to stem the tide.

Emmanuel Kpono-Abasi Oladokun, a 300-Level Economics student of University of Ilorin, wants the government to use the contractionary monetary policy, whereby there is a reduction in the  amount of money that goes round in an economy by increasing interest rate and reducing bond prices.

“One of the major drivers of inflation in Nigeria is food. It’s the major item in the Consumer Price Index’s (CPI) basket index. If the prices are higher, then inflation  occurs.

“Factors like insecurity in the North, flooding could make food prices go higher which will in turn drive inflation. If those things can be taken care of, there would be enough supply of food from wherever the food is produced in Nigeria, and this will let supply meet demand,” he said.

Irewolede Ibukun Oluwayomi, a 400-Level student of the Department of Economics, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, said: “Inflation has affected the entire economy and has also spiked the level of unemployment, thereby pushing Nigerians into poverty. When the price of energy, food, commodities and other goods and services rise, the entire economy is affected. Rising prices also known as inflation, impacts the cost of living, the cost of doing businesses, borrowing money, mortgages, corporate, and government bond yields, and every other facet of the economy.

“However, the solution to inflation in the country, among others, are: ensuring price stability, facilitating local production, seeking foreign aid and attracting foreign investors, and embracing diversification.”

He noted that some policies needed to be made to reduce poverty, which include increased funding on education and training to enable high skilled work force, increased employment rate and youth empowerment.

Another student, Uzaigbe Moses Anthony of the Department of Business Administration, UNILORIN, said: “Empowering Small Scale and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is vital because 40 per cent of the economy is constituted to them in advanced countries.

“Then, the government should focus on improving local industries, this would reduce demand for foreign goods and our currency might gain strength against foreign currencies.

“Investment in agriculture is also another way to go. It was the major source of our income before the discovery of oil in the 1970s. After that, we left agriculture and faced oil alone and then became a net importer of food instead of exporting. There was a problem in the oil market; the prices of oil crashed. It affected our national income and budget,” he said.

Suraj Ahmad, an Economics student of Bayero University Kano(BUK), noted that stimulating investment and production of goods in the country was crucial to addressing challenges posed by inflation and poverty.

Adewale Ayuba Adekunle, a 200-Level student of Education Economics at Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS), wants the government to create more job opportunities to decrease the rate of poverty.

‘’Money and financial assets lose value as a result of inflation. Money’s worth is determined by what it can be used to purchase. Money’s purchasing power decreases when prices rise. The worth of your bank account diminishes as well, because increasing prices require more money to buy the same amount of products and services.

‘’Obviously, the inflation is affecting the masses. Sadly, our money has no value and our market prices are increasing. The poorest masses, who earn N10,000 monthly, for example, cannot afford to buy enough  foodstuff because of inflation. Hence, this is really increasing poverty levels in the country,” he said.

Adejumo Olalekan, a 400-Level student of the Department of Mass Communication, FUOYE, said: “Inflation is a twin affair; at the surface of inflation, the economy is affected.  The government and the governed have to work concomitantly to fight the battle. The government should be relentless in diversification of the economy and create an enabling environment to drive it well. On the other hand, the governed should be instrumental to the realisation of diversification.”

Mustapha Ismail Owolabi, a student of Civil Engineering at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic(MAPOLY), Abeokuta,Ogun State, said: “Price of commodities should be uniform irrespective of their various producers. With strict rules from the government, whoever goes  beyond the fixed prices should be subjected to stiff penalties. Recycling can also boost economic growth and reduce inflation due to the bypass of stages of  production of new products.

“Then sufficiently investing in  agriculture reduces poverty. Easy access to good food at a very low cost can only be achieved if attention is paid to the agricultural sector. Inflation would also decrease across the nation due to competition among all.

“Though we still need crude oil to survive, it should be refined in the country and made cheaper.”

Bello Mojeed Ayinla, a  200-Level  Marketing student of UNILORIN, said: “A country where there’s no government regulation on the market price of commodities will, definitely, have inflation. Everyone is pricing their products the way they want. The small scale retail traders can’t keep up with the hike in price of the commodities and consumers too are feeling the heat.

“One of the solutions to inflation is that ogovernment should encourage infant industries. Also, progressive taxing system  (the higher you earn, the higher you pay) should be introduced because a lot of companies have shut down in the last few years.

The government should also encourages  agriculture, empower youths, and also  channel its energy to  the education sector.”

For Oloyede Omoshalewa, a Business Administration student of MAPOLY, the government should reduce the money supply within the economy.

Lawal Abdulazeez, a 300-Level Management student of UDUS, said the government should create more jobs to boost the economy and improve the standard of living of citizens.

‘’In the country, many people cannot feed  their families. In March, food prices inflation of food prices reached 22.95 per cent.It affected grains, yam, meat, fish, and fruits. Conflict between farmers and herders is also to blame for that.

“Things would  improve if government can create  employment opportunities to enhance the economy and improve the standard of living of people,” he said.

A  200-Level Economics student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, who pleaded anonymity, said: “Privatisation, which involves selling state-owned assets to the private sector is vital. It is argued that the private sector is more efficient in running businesses because they have a profit motive to reduce costs and develop better services. Then, allowing new firms to enter the market would make it more competitive. Free trade agreement would also help  to enhance more investment to boost the economy.

“Also, entrepreneurship should be encouraged. It would aid export and citizens would begin to patronise made-in- Nigeria products. With that, the country will be on a sure footing to economic recovery.”

The founder, Penpushing Media, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, has warned media practitioners to guard against the get-rich-quick syndrome, stressing that love of money might endanger the credibility of the profession.

He spoke at the maiden lecture of the Association of Mass Communications Students (AMACOS) of Kola Daisi University, Ibadan, Oyo State.

He noted that journalists could attain greater heights through their passion for their job, adding that journalism remained a noble profession.

Kayode-Adedeji, who spoke on the topic: “Fake news and journalism: Issues, challenges and way forward” urged  budding  journalists to be professional in their duties.

The former Zonal Secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) urged practitioners to do away with fake news to avoid loss of credibility. He recalled that fake news was responsible for the 1967 civil war in the country.

“A responsible journalist must always avoid disseminating falsehood, which is better described as ‘pregnancy stage’ of fake news,” he said.

The media practitioner said fake news could cripple a nation and  cause an unending war, adding that it could also damage the reputation of a person or an entity.

Kayode-Adedeji lamented that the use of social media had also contributed to the spread of fake news because there are many anonymously-hosted fake news websites.

He said effective self- and legal-regulation of social media and web search engines were needed to curb fake news, adding that individuals needed to confront false narratives when spotted, as well as take care when sharing information via social media.

“Clearly, we need effective self-regulation and legally-enforced regulation of social media and web search engines.The information space needs to be flooded with accurate news to displace fake news. Individuals need to actively confront false narratives when spotted, as well as take care when sharing information via social media.

“Multiple strategies for fighting fake news are currently being actively researched, and need to be tailored to individuals’  types of fake news,” he said.

Earlier, Deputy Registrar of the institution, Mrs. Yetunde Alagbe stated that students need to focus on their area of specialisation in journalism. She said passion towards the profession will make them  succeed.

“Many things are associated with journalism, you have to decide on your area of specialisation. You need to think well and decide wisely, you need to understand the passion you have for journalism and this will help you a lot in achieving your dream,” she said.

Mrs Alagbe, however, urged students to think out of  the box and serve as voice to the voiceless in the society.

Kayode-Adedeji  presented a book entitled: “Battlelines: Adventures in Journalism and Politics”  written by  Chief Olusegun Osoba, and a  foremost veteran journalist. He said the book will be beneficial to  the students.

By Hannah Ajao

Life, indeed, does change after school. It is not always easy. After leaving school, things and situations around begin to change drastically. There would be lots of new experiences and challenges. It is the stage where uncertainty prevails; where the course of study has no monetary prospect; the stage where there is a never-ending cycle of needing experience to get a job, and the stage where life goals will seem hard to achieve.

School life is considered as the golden period of one’s life. However, as soon as one finishes  school, there comes a sense of responsibility over one’s life, and it can cause  great anxiety for  many youths. After many years in school, one could be overwhelmed by fresh responsibilities. Most times, youths are concerned with earning money. No matter what, life after school is usually different from what it used to be in school.

The future begins after school. This is when important decisions are made. It is evident that people end up on various paths from what they had anticipated, but it is still important to have an idea of the path to take. The freedom to choose among career, course, job, life partner, recognition, decent living, among others, pose challenges.

One of the biggest challenge is to decide on a career and build it. Whether to go for higher studies, seek  a job, or to be an entrepreneur  to make a good living. For higher studies, you need to decide a career path and pursue it, choose a good course, university and then attain the required qualifications. A search needs to be done and several factors to be considered before finalising. If the decision is to get a job, you would need to hunt for  opportunities. To be an entrepreneur, you would need to be innovative, creative, industrious, and also versatile to survive the tide in the business world.

Life after school is not a complete freedom from rules, but basically stepping into a new set of them. It is  a big black hole, unless you have a job lined up. Not everyone secures a good job immediately after school. Some even get a job not in their field because of the present condition of the country. The truth is that many students don’t have plans for life after school because they were either carried away by activities of their studies or did not just plan ahead.

Fresh graduates may feel stressed out until they land a good job.

Some will lose out because of lack of experience. But how could a new graduate not be given any opportunity to develop their professional skills? Graduates often have the mentality that they know everything there is to know about a job and this should be rightfully so after spending four to seven years in the university.

The task of finding a job can be daunting. Furthermore, our parents have drummed it into us that education is the ticket to a better life.

It is hard for fresh graduates who are yet to find employment.They may even avoid family gathering.

It might come as a huge shock that having a degree does not mean that you can just walk into your dream job. Instead, graduates are confronted with more experienced candidates competing for the same position. With so many students in tertiary institutions, the competition for jobs is fierce.

With cost of living such as rent, food, and fare rising, financial pressures can be a struggle to mee.

Many might feel they’re quite good at money management while at school, for they have been managing their budget and expenses on their own for quite sometime. But managing finances in school where a major source of incoming money comes from pocket money given by parents is different from managing finances after school because you would need to learn how to save and make judicious spending, pay your taxes and send money home to your parents.

Maintaining a balance between personal and professional life is yet another challenge faced by graduates.There are social adjustments. Sometimes, relocating to boost career prospects is required. Life can be handled smartly, if you plan things properly. However, you will need to face the real world, meet, deal, and build contacts with all kinds of people.

The ability to manage situations cannot be overemphasised. If you cannot control your time and expenses, life after school might be rocky for you.

Nowadays, life and career is not accelerated by what you know, but by who you know. This is why networking and cultivating  productive relationships for business and employment have become an important practice for  professionals. Here networking comes to mind. Networking is a huge investment in yourself, and your future in life after school.

Growing up is a part of life, so is life after school. However, you must accept the changes in life positively without succumbing to the pressures of the real world.

Life after school begins with a new and exciting stage of life with its unique challenges. From preparing to enter the job market to adjusting to full-time employment, navigating through the twists and turns of the working world will require a willingness to be adaptable.

The world is a beautiful place to live in and there is more to life beyond school. It gives you the freedom to make a choice. It is up to you to decide what you want to make of it. So, dream big and strive to achieve your goals once you step out of school.

 

• Ajao is a 200-Level Mass Communication student of University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

By Dorcas Aluko, AAUA

The Department of Mass Communication of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) has produced a movie  to challenge abuse of child rights.

The movie, entitled “The Scar”, was directed by 400-Level Mass Communication students. It takes a strong stance against child labour, child trafficking, sexual abuse and home-based violence.

The movie was premiered at the Olusegun Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall of the school.

The course lecturer, Mr. Lamidi Ishola Kamorudeen, noted that the department partnered UNICEF, which was well known for child right advocacy,  to produce the movie, adding that the idea was conceived during last year’s UNICEF conference in Owerri.

“I have been nursing the idea that the department should be able to do something apart from class work and embark on more robust advocacy as far as child right is concerned.The idea was to enlighten people on the need to refrain from child abuse.

“Thus, when I got back to school, I told my students that our next movie would centre  on advocacy, especially  highlighting the untoward attitude of people towards children in our society. I told them we should do something that would be in form of advocacy  and bring to the fore what some  children were facing in terms of child abuse,” he said.

Lamidi said the movie was the fifth to be produced by the department. He appealed to the Ondo State Government and AAUA leadership to support the department financially.

“What I want the school and the government to do is to encourage students, young talents in showcasing their talents and, of course, encourage them to use their talents positively in the development of our society, which we are already doing in AAUA. The kind of support we are talking about here is financial support.

“Proper funding of the department will not only help it to reach its full potential, but  also put the department in a vantage position to assist the university in the handling of some of her audiovisual production.We have capable lecturers that can handle this and what we need is modern equipment and additional technical staff. If we have all these things, I can assure you that it will go a long way in assisting the university,” he noted.

The movie Director, Olubodun Akintunde, a 400-Level  student of the department, admitted that directing the movie was tedious. He, however, noted thatit was a worthwhile experience.

“I had a lot of sleepless nights thinking about how to carve the script to a more interesting story that will catch peoples’ attention and tell a story to the society. I had a lot of experience on how to deal with people, man, relationship especially leadership role. It was during this directing that I knew that leading people is a very tedious job. But to God be the glory, most of the experience I had during the shooting, scripting and directing of  the movie are nice experience; they will help me to build myself for more important goals.”

 

By Glory Thomas, OGITECH

Rector, Ogun State Institute of Technology (OGITECH), Igbesa, Ogun State, Dr. Olufunke Akinkurolere has urged fresh students of the institution to develop their entrepreneurial skills to give them an edge over their counterparts in other institutions.

She spoke at the institution’s 15th matriculation where over 2,000 students were matriculated.

The event held at the Dapo Abiodun  Twin Lecture Theatre.

Those who attended  include the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Igbesa Police Divisional headquarters, Mr. Abayomi Adeniji, principal officers of the institution, members of academic board of the institute, the parents of the new intakes, among others.

The rector, who  described students of the institution as the ‘nation’s pride’, told the new students they were fortunate to be admitted.

She said:” This ceremony marks the official entry of newly admitted students into the institution. We have formally admitted candidates who have been tested and tried. In fact, they are fortunate to  have been  offered admission into this great citadel of learning.

“This institution is a place  where  premium is placed on academic excellence, godliness and moral values.”

She said the institute had got approval for two new programmes in Higher National Diploma (HND), Estate Management and Valuation and National Diploma (ND) Welding and Fabrications in the  accreditation exercise which  held in February this year.

Akinkurolere urged the matriculants to shun  misconduct and social vices, noting that the institution’s leadership would not hesitate to sanction erring students.

“I implore the new intakes  to show respect to their colleagues, staff (both teaching and non-teaching) in the institute to make their stay fruitful and productive.

Also, shun all forms of deviant behaviour and other vices and remain focused,” she said.

The rector also  enjoined them to be modest and decent in their dressing  and adhere to the rules and regulations  in the students’ handbook.

She charged them to make use of the opportunity offered by parents and  ensure  they attend classes at the right time.

University of Ibadan(UI), like other tertiary institutions in the country, resorted to e-learning following COVID-19 disruptions to education and other sectors. Nevertheless, students of the institution have urged authorities to improve their online learning system, reports TIJANI ABDULKABEER (UI).

Following the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many schools had to switch over to e-learning. The  University of Ibadan (UI) was not left out as it announced that lectures for the first semester  the 2020/2021 academic year would be virtual.

The decision was taken by the Senate of the university.

A statement by the Senate said: “The Senate of the University of Ibadan, at its meeting, has reiterated its earlier decision that lectures for the first semester of the 2020/2021 academic session will only be delivered online.”

Further, the statement stated that students were not expected to be on campus until second semester. There were, however, advised to read extensively about Moodle, an e-learning platform, in preparation for virtual classes.

According to Omitoyin Oluwaferanmi, Students’ Representative Council (SRC) speaker in UI, Moodle-based Learning Management System, adopted by the institution, is a platform where resources like slides, videos, and voice recordings are provided and made accessible to concerned individuals. He noted that the platform was user-friendly and consumed less data. Thus, business organisations and various learning institutions have made Moodle their go-to platform for virtual activities.

However, students of the institution have   expressed their displeasure with the virtual learning mode and the non-responsive attitude of the management towards addressing  the problems identified.

Olu Adeleke,  a 100-Level student,  said the irregularities in the school’s virtual learning system made him lose motivation.

He said: “I am in need of motivation for studies. I am really tired. I am drained and fed up of the system.”

Another student, Kunle Akinwale, also said  the online learning model had been tiring. He said he had issues with the model he had to attend to, if he truly wanted to come out good at the end of the semester.

Ire Oluseye, a  300-Level student in the Faculty of Science, is displeased with the virtual classes  being conducted by the school management.

She complained of difficulty in sourcing for  data  to join classes coupled with the fact that the nature of her course wasn’t put into consideration.

She said: “Lecturers were just dropping slides on the learning platform and cases of lab tests that dealt with preparations ended up with jargons. I couldn’t do practicals. What if my job requirements demand that?”

Boluwatife Owin, a 100-Level Chemistry student, described the school’s online learning system as tiresome.

She complained that the majority of students had challenges attempting test online.

“Online learning is impracticable in a country that lacks necessary facilities,” she said.

For Muftau Shuaib, a 100-Level student, it is difficult to cope with data prices.  He noted that  he relied on his parents for data subscription.

“I am fed up. I don’t even know what to do. My parents have stopped attending to my call because they know I am only asking for money for data,” he said.

Michael Odeniyi, a 200-Level student, said: “Virtual learning is increasingly adopted to limit the total disruption in this sector and even UNESCO recommended the use of distance learning programmes, open educational applications, and platforms by schools and teachers to reach learners remotely.

“Sadly, as pleasant as this solution is, the presence of some major internal crisis coupled with the unpreparedness of our government for situations like this, makes it impossible to be achieved.

“Poverty is one of the factors making it impossible. As stated by the World Poverty Clock, the nation has about 50 per cent of its population living in poverty, with many of the citizens struggling to afford three square meals, despite the palliative measures by the government. Looking at the above indices coupled with some others, there are lots of students who do not have access to either food and  shelter, television, standby smartphones amid erratic power supply. Such students also do not have access to the internet nor educational resources, a situation that would keep on creating gaps in their academic progress for as long as this pandemic persists.”

Another student, Mutiu Oduwole, said:”I couldn’t access  lectures. I was forced to move down from Sokoto and that’s because I couldn’t get information about the virtual classes. The whole thing is even tiring.”

Busayo Ogungbayi, a 200-Level  student in the Faculty of Social Sciences, while decrying the online learning system, said:”I have taken my mind off the online classes to attend to more urgent personal issues.

“Attending online classes is not interesting to me. I will only give attention to what places food on my table and that’s my side hustle.”

Similarly, Wale Johnson, a100-Level student of English, explained that he lost a test schedule to hold for two minutes on the Moodle application.

“Just imagine, I had an English test slated to hold for two minutes, and considering the congested traffic on the Moodle site, it was difficult for many students to access the test page at the same time, before I could load the page to get the questions, several minutes had gone and by the end of the duration, I couldn’t even attempt any question,” he said.

Similarly, in some departments, the larger proportion of students decried the state of electricity around UI metropolis and the poor teaching method adopted by most lecturers.

Ranti Adelakun, a 100-Level student in Arts and Humanities,  said: “Some lecturers just come online and lecture the normal way and at the end drop bulky materials for students to read.

“Students find it difficult to cope with reading those materials and when it is time for tests, many find it difficult to attempt questions.”

Despite the challenges, some  students are pleased with the institution’s virtual learning system.

Omolola Ekundayo, a student of French, said: “This virtual learning is beneficial to me. It takes away unnecessary stress and let me engage in some other things that matter in my life. It gives me time to do other tasks. I just pray it continues.”

For Tunde Adeniyi, a 300-Level student, the hitches could be rectified, noting that the system was still work-in-progress.

“Data issues, network issues and all could be worked on to achieve better results in future. Nobody knew the coronavirus would catch us unawares.The management just needs to improve the overall system. Encouraging results can still be achieved and students won’t complain anymore,” he said.

Also, for Segun Ogunbanjo, a 300-Level Physics student, evaluation of the online learning system and application to detect major challenges would go a long way in ensuring that the issues were properly addressed. He, however, said virtual learning through Moodle was interesting, despite the hitches.

“The management should do a thorough evaluation of the online learning system to detect major challenges encountered by students.This would help in solving the technical hitches.The Moodle application is quite interesting to utilise in learning, despite the challenges,” he said.

Reacting to this development, a lecturer in the institution who pleaded anonymity explained that the virtual learning was worthwhile, stressing that it was so seamless that he could engage more with his students.

He said: “I enjoyed the virtual classes.”  Speaking on some challenges faced, he noted that the management promised the lecturers data which  came just a few weeks to the end of the semester. He complained of spending very much on data to ensure that he organised online classes.

He said the challenges faced by students were  inevitable, adding that they should be ever ready for such. He blamed the Federal Government while absolving the school management of any blame.

“This is not really a management thing. The Federal Government should take the blame. Virtual learning  has come to stay. Hence, the need for Federal Government’s intervention,”  he said.

Expert speaks

A Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) expert and an international youth ambassador, Olasupo Abideen, expressed dissatisfaction with the poor handling of alternative education.

He said the education sector remained comatose  with the government paying lip service to it. He said it was very unfortunate that a country like ours couldn’t properly explore virtual learning in public institutions.

His words: “According to a recent United Nations report, it noted that because a good percentage of all technologies deployed for learning are being imported, it says the cost of maintaining stable internet access will be challenging.

“The United Nations ranks Nigeria under the Lower Middle-Income Countries which record only a 20 per cent access to the internet and a personal computer.”

According to him, a World Bank report published in June, last year, also established that the education sector would be disrupted after ban on schools opening are lifted.

He added: “Without effective policy responses when students return to school, approximately $10 trillion of lifecycle earnings could be lost for learners — because of their lower levels of learning, their lost months in school closures, or their potential for dropping out of school.

“This is approximately 16 per cent of the investments that governments have made in  students’ basic education.”

Olasupo further noted that there was the need to review the curriculum to conform with the virtual space, and for the government to start training lecturers, and equipping public institutions with modern equipment that would  make virtual learning realistic.

“In a recent report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), it was revealed that an estimated 1.725 billion learners were affected by school closures, representing about 99.9 per cent of the world’s student population. In response to these statistics, developed countries had to embrace technological innovations.

“It  is imperative  for the Federal Government to start considering the categories of students that we have in various institutions while the state government should ensure proper internet usage,” he added.

However, in a chat with Campuslife, Mr Olatunji Oladejo, Director of Communication University of Ibadan, noted that the institution was aware of the virtual learning challenge and remained ready to address it holistically. He assured the students of lasting solution.

By Jide Orintunsin – Abuja

Former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State and Chairman, Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Visitation Panel, Senator Ayo Arise, has lauded the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for addressing the infrastructural deficiency in institutions of higher learning.

He made the remarks in Abuja while donating some studio equipment to the Mass Communication Department of the Polytechnic.

Arise noted the huge infrastructural projects being undertaken in the institution at the instance of TETFUND would ultimately stimulate learning.

He also appealed to the intervention agency and management of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi to ensure the human capital in the institution was developed by identifying quality teachers and encouraging them with incentives while also poaching from other citadels of learning.

He said: “The panel submitted a very robust report which formed a substantial part of what we are giving to the federal government.

“I noticed that the impact of TETFUND is almost everywhere on the campus. I felt very impressed because I didn’t see any single abandoned project.

“I have not visited other places (campuses) but I believe if TETFUND is that effective everywhere, I think in terms of infrastructure they have done very well. We will continue to encourage the government to ensure that they continue to get value for money on all the campuses.

“Once this is done, lifting our tertiary institutions up from decay will be very possible in a matter of three to five years.

“From what I saw, all that will now be left will be the human capital, in which case, ensuring that we get competent people, lure all those people, doctorates to the campus and ensure they have a clear path so that those doctors can become professors. I think that will form part of our recommendation to the federal government.”

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Commending the initiative of Senator Arise in donating the equipment, another member of the Visitation Panel, Mr Missang Oyama, said the chairman’s gesture was exceptional..

“I thank you (Arise) for making us very proud because you have shown that we didn’t just go to Auchi to look at the problems but we have also provided a solution with this (studio equipment). That’s exceptional.

“This stands us out because of all the other panels, of the 25 or 26 Polytechnics in the country, I’m not sure anyone has this kind of initiative. This is outstanding, this is awesome.”

Head of Department, Mass Communication Auchi Polytechnic, Dr. Afam Anikwe, who represented the Rector, Adeboye Mustapha Zubair, said the studio equipment would give a facelift to the institution Mass Communication Department.

Items donated to the institution include Cannon Video Recorder, Studio microphone and background Stand, full camera stand, two different zoom lenses, computer lab top and the light condensers and noise filters.

By Mohammed Bayero Yayandi

Northern Nigeria is on the frontline of the Sahara Desert, where the effects of climate change manifest ominously as desert encroachment, erratic rainfall, and a drastic reduction in surface and underground water sources.

To address this, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) partnered with the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to co-finance and the Kaduna State Water Board now Kaduna State Water Corporation (KADSWAC)  as implementation agency in the implementation of the Zaria Water Supply Expansion and Sanitation Project.

Under this arrangement, IsDB funded the construction of transmission mains, service reservoirs, and booster stations while FGN funded the construction of the Galma Dam, and AfDB funded the rehabilitation and expansion of the distribution network and the provision of toilet facilities to support and boost the underdevelopment of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for more than two decades.

Zaria Local Government, Kaduna State, North-West, Nigeria, is one of the oldest cities in Nigeria with various prestigious secondary schools like Barewa College and Alhuda-Huda and tertiary institutions like Ahmadu Bello University (ABU  Zaria), Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, and Federal College of Education.

The overall objectives of the water project were as follows:

• To improve access to safe water supply by residents (51% female) in the city of Zaria and its environs, from current levels of about 30% to 80% by 2016, and improve sanitation in schools, health centres and other public places like markets and motor parks (to 90%) by 2016
• To improve service provision and commercial viability of Kaduna State Board, and
• to improve personal hygienic practices among school pupils and residents.

Who Initiated the Zaria Project?

According to the Daily Sun Newspaper report, the Zaria Water Project has a tall history. It was initiated in 1989 by the Late Brigadier General Tanko Ayuba, continued by General Sarki Muktar. It was inherited by ex-governors Namadi Sambo and Muktar Ramalan Yero, both implemented the project up to 80 percent completion.

Interestingly, the project has been commissioned three times in the past seven years. The first was done by Governor Mukthar Ramalan Yero, the second by Governor Nasiru el-Rufai while the third was by the then Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adogie Oyegun in 2017. It was gathered that there is a general belief that the project has since become a conduit pipe, as funds repeatedly allocated to the project have been probably diverted.

Governor El-Rufai, the current governor of Kaduna State in 2018 accused past governments of diverting the funds set aside for the project: “Already, we have agreed with the contractors to carry on with the project and we will pay them their money monthly until the completion of the project. The project is expected to garner over N60 billion.

“The water treatment plant is going to cost us N24 billion. We are going to spend about N20 billion on the expansion rather than the transmission. It will now cost the state government about N60 billion. The reservoir together with booster stations would cost about N16 billion. Other components of the project include solid waste management under the sanitation programme.

“From what we have seen on the ground, if it continues like that, we are convinced they will meet the target and for the expansion, it will be completed around the middle of next year.” He explained that some people built on the water lines while some others built on the transmission lines: “There were so many encroachments into pipeline areas. We have gone far in the rehabilitation of pipelines, we have excavated and removed old pipes and in one way or the other, that will affect people. “Again, by the time you excavate a road, definitely you would discomfort some people, especially road users, as the people will be forced to change their route.

“We have sensitized the general public through opinion leaders on the project of Zaria Water Supply and Sanitation which already is reaching conclusion now. We shall also continue with the excavations and laying of new pipes as well as the expansion of pipes that would take the treated water down to various wards in Zaria. We are going to lay the service pipes that would enable the connection to various residents and industrial consumers within Zaria,” said El Rufai.

Members of different communities and their views regarding the progress of the final phase of Zaria Water Project

Malam Ibrahim Mustafa, a resident of Gyellesu, said, “Honestly, we are begging to see changes in water supply in the town. At the moment we have started receiving water through our taps, which means the project will soon be completed.”

Aliyu Danazumi, a lecturer at Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, said: “Although the project has been on for many years, the test transmission is on, but most areas do not know anything about water running through their taps so there is a need for change.”

Professor Ibrahim Musa Magaji lives at Hanwa GRA: “It is important to remind Mallam el-Rufai of the need to shun politics in the project. The project was commissioned severally, yet no water was received.”

COVID-19 and WASH Facilities in Zaria

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illnesses. The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes, and how it spreads.

COVID-19 has changed a lot of things in the world ranging from physical things to virtual for training, meetings, and so on. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Kaduna state is the 3rd most populated and oldest state in Nigeria with over a 7.7million population.

Kaduna State had over 9,036 confirmed cases, 8,935 recoveries, and 65 deaths of COVID-19 (NCDC). It will be hard to curb the virus without adequate WASH facilities in communities and schools, also equally difficult to control the spread of the virus. The State Government in partnership with development partners and CSO has been making a lot of effort to provide WASH facilities in all communities including MDAs, Motor Parks, Schools, and worship centers through KAD-RUWASSA to help in curbing the spread of the virus.

Progress  and Status of the Project

On Thursday, 22nd August 2019, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, Commissioned the Phase 2 of the Zaria Water Supply Expansion Project (Transmission Mains, Service Reservoirs, Booster Stations and Distribution System).

The project is aimed to be completed by 2020 but due to the pandemic and bans of four companies for fraud by AfDB which also contributed to the delay of the completion of the final phase of the project.

Kaduna was the first state in Nigeria to sign up to the Open Government Partnership (OGP), making it easy to access all information related to projects and financial documents which have been made available by the State government as part of the agreement of joining OGP in ensuring transparency and accountability.

The status of the Phase 3 of the project which is the provision of toilet facilities is currently ongoing, which is hoped to achieve before the end of 2021. Recent information on the project and daily update can be found on AfDB Project Portal.

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This Investigative Report is supported by Orodata Science

By Precious Adeshina, FUOYE

Many females are out proving stereotypes against them  are wrong. They have done a lot of things worthy of standing ovation and acknowledgement. Their works from time immemorial can’t go unnoticed. There are women pulling their weight in various spheres  of life. We have them as artistes, academics, actresses, economists successful business and property owners, surveyors, politicians, and so on. Some have  died but their achievements still speak for them.

“We have women like Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, a writer and a feminist activist; Buchi Emecheta, a writer of true female issues and relatable situations; Folorunsho Alakija, a philanthropist and remarkable woman, to mention a few. All these women are from various age groups but their impacts are felt. Imagine if they were not educated.

In this age, it is disheartening to the female population that there are still questions on whether to educate them or not.

There are fathers who do not see the relevance or importance in girl child education. Some feel there is  a limit they must get to while studying, others  feel it is a waste of time.

A survey has shown that  five per cent  decides to marry their daughters off after their primary or secondary education; three per cent sends their females to higher institution to increase their  bride price; sadly, it  is only two  per cent of  fathers  that give their daughters quality education because  they deserve it.

Some fathers even prefer to send their younger sons to school in cases where there isn’t enough to sponsor all the children, because they believe the male is the superior and  better option to take care of.

In some cultures, even in modern times, it is said that girl-child education should be discouraged. Some cultures encourage child marriage for their daughters instead of sending them to school.

In some societies, females are expected to stop their academic pursuits and career to follow and support their husbands immediately after marriage.

Mothers are not left out; they tell  their daughters, as they have been taught themselves, that they are to live their lives with the deadline of their coming marriage. They tell their daughters that after marriage, she ends up in the kitchen and by so doing, kills the child’s dream and aspirations.

Emphasis is made on the fact that their sole duty is to be groomed as wife and mother and any other thing is a minor issue.There are brilliant and intelligent female children who would have done well with the right encouragement and environment; but they have to neglect it because of the society they find themselves.

In fact, females have to work extra hard than their male  counterparts in their studies before they can be  recognised as  genius.

Some men find it intimidating to marry  educated  women educated.The belief is that  educated women  are indecent and dangerously exposed. But it should be explained that this is a  civilised world , and being educated gives understanding and not indecency. Civilisation is controlled by education.

Whether one is educated or not ,civilisation will always evolve. Instead, moral education should be prioritised. Education is important and a necessity to all children irrespective of gender.

. Adeshina is a 200-Level student of University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

By Omojowo Ajosanmi

The majority of citizens can testify to the long-running  battle between farmers and herders.

The clash has allegedly claimed the lives of more than 19,000 people with hundreds of thousands displaced. It would be interesting to know the remote cause of the clash.

The herders who largely depend on grass to feed their cattle have been accused  countless times of grazing on peoples’ farm.This has led to a seemingly endless rift between both parties.

Oftentimes, when the farmers challenge the herders, it usually results  in bloody clashes. But,it is imperative to curb or better still, stop the killings.

Several scholars, including Justice Adewale Thompson’s judgment in 1969, have proffered solutions  to   the frequent and avoidable clashes between farmers and herders.

In a judgment suit No. AB/26/66 delivered in 1969, Hon. Justice Adewale reportedly said:

“I do not accept the contention of defendants that custom exists which imposes an obligation on the owner of the farm to fence his farm while the owner of cattle allows his cattle to wander like pests and cause damage. Such a custom, if it exists, is unreasonable and I hold that it is repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience and therefore unenforceable.It is highly unreasonable to impose the burden of fencing a farm on the farmer without the corresponding obligation on the cattle owner to fence in his cattle.

“Hence, I ban open grazing for it is inimical to peace and tranquility and the cattle owners must fence or ranch their animals for peace to reign in these communities.”

In 2017, a bill on anti-open grazing was passed into law in Benue State. The law puts in check the bloody engagements between  farmers and herders, though some have faulted the restrictions on open grazing in the state citing a section of the constitution which talks about rights to movement, but the  right to movement doesn’t give anyone the right to terminate other peoples’ lives.

In connection with the judgment of  Justice Thompson and the Land Use Act of 1978, Ondo State Government placed ban on open grazing. The Rotimi Akeredolu-led administration blamed  the incessant clashes between farmers and  herdsmen on the inability of the latter to build ranches for their cattle.

On May 11, 2021,  17 southern governors came to Asaba, the Delta State capital, to dialogue on open grazing. They, however, reached a consensus, and banned open grazing across the south.

A governor, as the number one citizen of the state, should provide  security for  lives and properties.

Therefore, the governors should be lauded for coming up with solutions to end bloody duels between farmers and herdsmen.

Countries like Argentina, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, France, Mexico, Spain and, even the United States of America are examples of countries that have put an end to open grazing and resorted  to the using  ranches. Thus, if we  truly want to put an end to the incessant and avoidable clashes between farmers and herders, anti-open grazing law should be embraced  by all.

Fortunately,it has been proved that  herders produce more cattle when they are in one place(ranch) compared with when they resort to open grazing. Instead of grazing openly, why can’t they resort to building ranches in their respective states which would fetch them more profits?

• Ajosanmi is a 200-Level student of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA).