Category: Campus Life

By OSAKWE IFUNANYA, UNIBEN

The  Mass Communication Students Association (MACSA) of  University of Benin has launched a blog for the department. This was done during the first General Assembly of MACSA.

According to  its President, Adepoju Oluwatosin, the world is advancing digitally, hence, it is imperative for Mass Communication students to embrace digital life.

Oluwatosin noted that the new  blog would be accessible to every student of the department.

“I came up with the initiative of creating a blog for MACSANS because we need to move forward and think ahead, especially now that the world is becoming digitalised.

“With this blog, students  of Mass Communication Department will have access to past questions, lecture notes and information concerning the department and University of Benin.

“Moreover, it will give the students among us who are talented in areas such as podcast, video creation, music and writing an opportunity to create their contents and publish it on the MACSA blog without  stress,” he said.

He urged students of the department to take advantage of the blog to show their works.

“These days communication and media  industries are looking for graduates who have potentials and not just degree. They want to know not only what you can do but what you have done in your area of specialisation.If you can be a content creator on this blog,you can refer them to the site to see your work.

“Let us also not forget that this is a huge development and requires more effort on our part and so we all must work together to sustain the blog,” he said.

Meanwhile, students of the department praised the MACSA  executives  for launching the  blog.

A Mass Communication student, Chisom Merit said the blog would help students learn practical aspects of news writing.

“The MACSA blog came as a surprise to me. This is a great development and I believe it will help students learn the practical aspects of news writing,” she said.

A 400-Level Mass Communication  student, Isioma Wealth, urged students to participate actively in the affairs of the association and use the blog.

“Fortunately, there are platforms to learn news writing, page planning in MACSA and I am encouraging you all to take the opportunity to educate yourselves here because this will not be easily made  available outside this school”, he said.

A 100-Level Mass Communication student, Augustine Orapine, praised MACSA for creating the blog,adding that the provision made for lecture notes  would help students read ahead in their courses.

“The creation of the   blog is the best action taken by the MACSA executives. For example, the blog has a gallery for Mass Communication past questions and this is very important to students who want to know how previous examinations are done.

“When I came to this department, it took me time to have access to  past question papers; but this blog has made information easily accessible to everyone. Also, the provision made for lecture notes on the blog is outstanding as it will help students to have access to books on the courses being offered and read ahead of time.”

By Femi Esan, FUOYE

Coordinator of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) Printing Press, Dr.  Mike Abiodun, has urged undergraduates to venture into publishing, describing it as a viable means of livelihood.

He gave the advice to students of the Department of Mass Communication, who visited the university printing press to acquire practical knowledge of book publishing.

Describing book publishing as  lucrative,  Abiodun noted that students did not have to wait until they got huge amount to procure machines before they could engage in printing.

He urged students to hone their writing skills, adding that it would pave way for them in the publishing world.

“You don’t have to own a printing press before you can produce a book. Your writing skill is a great asset. As a good writer, even as a student, you can partner a publisher to produce a book. Once the content is topnotch, then you’re good to go.

“However, I won’t advise you to write just any book. Rather pay more attention to academic books like nursery and secondary school books. I challenge you to develop a manuscript on any elementary school subject. I will pay whoever does that  N50,000,” he said.

Abiodun condemned the attitude of students who waste their time on the social media engaging in dubious activities when there are a lot of opportunities to tap into, of which he named publishing as one.

He charged youths to embrace hardwork, while upgrading their skills to better position them in the labour market.

“Human beings have  opportunity to possess three essential skills: the inbuilt or God-given skill/talent, skills acquired from your parents and skills acquired by virtue of learning. If any or all of these skills are effectively utilised, then, the sky remains  the starting point,”  he noted.

Students in various polytechnics across the country have called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to ‘regularise’ their admission for them to be mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, report KAYODE ALHASSAN (KWASU) and GLORY THOMAS(OGITECH).

These are not the best of times for students of polytechnics. From Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) to Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara; to Osun State Polytechnic, Irene, among others, the story is the same: Students who have completed their programmes are finding it difficult to be mobilised for the yearly National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme because their admissions have not been ‘regularised’ by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

 

‘JAMB regularisation’

A JAMB official, who preferred anonymity, explained that  the Board’s regularisation was the process of ensuring that it validated candidates admission details with the insitution that offered them admission.

He noted that it was done in their database to either grant candidates gateway to securing admission via direct entry or proceed for service.

He said: “It also involves the reconciliation of your OND/ND/NCE/HND admission between your institution and JAMB.

“The purpose of regularisation is to ensure that JAMB has your admission details that tally with the admission/registration record in the school that offered you admission.

“This allows candidates with admission but with no prior record with JAMB ability to regularise and get admission letter from JAMB.

“The  process is either called JAMB regularisation, condonement of illegitimate admission or late application method.”

He said a candidate who gained admission without a JAMB registration number or his/her mode of admission does not require a JAMB registration number to go through the process of regularisation’ to be able to serve or apply for Direct Entry.

He added that a registration number given to candidates in their insitutions needed to be changed to JAMB’s for their admission to be valid.

 

Students want urgent action from JAMB

However, students who completed their various programmes, have urged the Board to validate their admission for them to be mobilised for NYSC.

Adesina Oluwaseyi, who just completed his programme at the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), said he did his ‘regularisation’ early this year and submitted to the appropriate office, but his JAMB portal still reads: ‘No admission.’

” I did my  regularisation January 2021, signed and submitted to the appropriate office.Till date, “no admission” is what I see on my JAMB portal, it is disheartening that after several years of struggling in school, we still have to wait before we get our admission letter. JAMB claims that our admission is illegal despite writing UTME. And this will prevent  us from  being mobilised for NYSC,” he said.

Anaro Hope, a Business Administration graduate of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi Uku, said:” I did my JAMB regularisation early January. I want to have  my PIN, so I can register for this NYSC Batch B. We need JAMB to grant our request so that we can go for service. We graduated last year, we are tired of sitting at home.”

Chaotuodi Iheme of Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, lamented: “Honestly, I am confused. I wrote UTME in 2015 and scored 252. I was happy when  my first choice institution gave me admission.

“Shockingly, I couldn’t find my name on JAMB Matriculation List. When I asked for the way out, I was told to go and regularise my admission and that it could only be done at JAMB state offices. I went there in March, last year and was told that the staff members went for a meeting. Hence, no work that period.

“The second time I went,  I was told that I must book an appointment before coming again which I did.

“However,  after paying N5,300 and passing through all the stress, it was time to fill the indemnity form. A JAMB official then told  me I  met all criteria for admission, but wondered why it didn’t reflect on the list.

“JAMB puts regularisation on hold, but why collect money from people for registration?

“My plea is that JAMB should regularise our admission so that we can join our colleagues in service.”

For Olorunlambe Saobana, a graduate of the Kwara State Polytechnic, he is tired of waiting for approval, having registered for ‘regularisation’ since 2019.

” I had registered at the JAMB office in Ilorin since November 2019, and have lodged several complaints as regards  the approval, but it has not been approved. No reason was given. It seems they are  just extorting us with the so called regularisation. If they want to discontinue this activity, they should do and let us not waste our time,” he said.

Onoja Sunday, who graduated from Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, said: “Many of us did the  JAMB regularisation last year. Since then, we have not received any message regarding the approval. This has caused  delay for us. Our names have not been updated on  the NYSC Senate list.

“We are appealing to JAMB to help us look into the issue.’’

A graduate of LASPOTECH, Ajao Segun Isaiah, wondered why JAMB would not regularise students admission despite it legality.

“I don’t understand why JAMB would refuse to regularise our admission when it’s not that we  got admitted illegally into our various institutions.Their failure to regularise our admission has delayed our mobilisation for NYSC and we want a change to that effect.

“Apart from that, it would also affect those who want to apply for Direct Entry admission for further studies.”

Another graduate, Adeola Deborah Daniel, said: “I finished from the University of Ibadan  affiliate school in Oyo State. I did  my regularisation in November last year, reprinted and submitted, but I’ve not been regularised. It is  quite frustrating seeing my colleagues (we graduated together) going for service while I am still at home waiting for admission regularisation. I have stayed at home for two years.”

Adeleye Tobiloba, who graduated from Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, Ogun State, said: “Education is the bedrock of any nation. Today in Nigeria, there are too many forces against the  youths. Unfortunately, JAMB regularisation recently has added to the list. Despite the increasing number of applications unattended to, we urge those in charge to urgently attend to our regularisation as our future is important to us.”

To Sunday Adeniyi,  a graduate of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree: “JAMB regularisation is our right. Officials of the exam body should come to our aid because without regularisation, we will not be able to serve our father land. We are calling on the government to look into this issue as a matter of urgency.”

But Ernest Rosemary Omotunde of Heritage Polytechnic, Eket in Akwa Ibom State, claimed: “I did my regularisation last November, but I have not got admission regularised.

“Sadly, I was not  able to register with the previous NYSC batch that went to camp because   my details showed I have not been matriculated.”

Ajoboh Peace Ibhade, a graduate of Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, added: “I submitted the regularisation printout since March 2020 to the school, but I heard nothing. I re-submitted  in January 2021. I learnt it was submitted to JAMB. Up till today, no PIN, no message from JAMB.

“I can’t keep waiting like this.They should either do it or give us access for NYSC. The school  gave  us their own admission letter and we even graduated. So, what is stopping JAMB? They should do something fast.

“Later, they will say we are disqualified from serving because of age.”

Adewunmi Taiwo, a graduate of Computer Science, is unhappy with the system. To her, the whole system is sickening. She said: “I  did my regularisation since January 2020 and have submitted the indemnity form to the school three times. I also learnt that it has already been submitted at JAMB office in Abeokuta. But JAMB is  yet to send me a pin or even  registration number.”

Ayegboyin Adeleke Azeez, a graduate of Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, said: “I did my JAMB regularisation last November. Since then, I have not received any message from JAMB. I went  to JAMB office in Ibadan where I did my regularisation several times to complain, still  nothing was done.They should just consider the fare  I spent from Lagos to Ibadan. It is sad.

“I went to Ibadan because someone told me it will be done there. Unfortunately, all my efforts were fruitless. While my mates with whom I  graduated are in camp, I am here battling with JAMB regularisation, it  is unfair.

“Nevertheless, I want the authorities at JAMB to look into the matter urgently. I am tired of  the  challenges being  faced as a result regularisation.”

David Stella Endurance, an Accounting graduate is also displeased. Having done her regularisation last year, it has not been approved.

“I did mine  last year. As of now, no admission letter, no mail, text message,  nothing from JAMB. It is saddening,” she said.

Njagwani Grace, a graduate of Marketing said: “I did my JAMB regularisation January 2020. It so sad seeing my colleagues embarking on the  NYSC programme and I am at home because of regularisation. “I am appealing to authorities in JAMB to regularise my admission and give me admission letter.”

 

JAMB reacts

In an interview with CAMPUSLIFE, JAMB’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, noted that the examination body was not responsible for the woes of students who had not been mobilised for NYSC because their admission was not validated.

Benjamin reminded the students that JAMB scrapped ‘Regularisation’ in 2017. Hence, affected students should go to their institutions to sort out the issue.

He said: “JAMB is not to be held responsible for their regularisation because we scrapped it in 2017. They should go and complain to the authorities in their schools and sort out the problem. And for those who claimed, they paid money on JAMB office, they should report those who collected money from them for regularisation.”

Our Reporter

Youths serving under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in Oyo State have been enjoined to consider non-oil exports as a way of creating jobs for themselves after the one-year mandatory national service.

The Trade Promotion Advisor of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Ibadan Export Assistance Office, Mrs. Bolanle Emmanuel, stated this at the orientation camp at Iseyin, Oyo State.

In her paper titled: ‘Export Business opportunities for youth corps members: Export procedures and documentation’, Emmanuel encouraged them to key into the export business through some of the avenues for export.

She said there are opportunities young graduates can take advantage of instead of roaming the labour market as job opportunities continue to shrink in the formal sector.

Some of the avenues for export, she mentioned, include African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), African Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA), International Trade Centre (ITC), She Trades etc.

“Opportunities abound for you to start a business in the export sector,” she said, adding “A lot of corps members may have several abilities and talents that can be engaged productively. Some others have deliberately acquired skills in order to make a living because not all of you would be absorbed in employment immediately.”

Stating further, Emmanuel, who was a former Head AGOA at the NEPC, Lagos office said: “Export sector has opportunities for you to do business especially under AGOA, the most important thing is to plan to go into business.”

Admonishing further, she advised, like minded youths with same goals may team up to register a limited liability company and prepare for the future in export business.

“Getting resources may not be as easy as you think, like-minded people among you can team up to register a limited liability company and have a plan to export.

“NEPC will guide you on how to go about it under the zero to the export initiative of the Council. Form a team and pull resources together so that you can move fast instead of wasting time operating individually,” she counseled.

CEO of Jokelinks Clothing Ltd. & Planet 3R; an eco-friendly outfit, Adejoke Lasisi, delivered her paper on Accessing grants and loans for export business.

READ ALSO: Raising export entrepreneurs

Lasisi, the winner of the 2020 MSME Award of the Year, spoke extensively on different sources of grants for Corps members to start up an export business.

She however enjoined the participants to be deliberate about life and be careful about their social media activities.

“Do things that are reliable, don’t allow your social media handles to be full of junks. If you have junks there, please this is the time to go and clean it up,” she counseled.

Lasisi who had benefited from grants to enhance her business told the participants that grant agencies may decide to run background checks on social media on their would-be beneficiaries

“I applied for a grant on Instagram and they tagged me on Facebook. They must have gone running a background check on me to find out if I was genuine.

“When you want to get a job, they will go and search for you online. If you are the type that uses bad languages online, they will not take you seriously. I have a friend that lost a very big job because of what she posts on Facebook. So let’s be careful,” she advised.

By Abike Sanusi

The Chairman, Mushin Local Government, Hon. Olanrewaju Emmanuel Bamigboye, has restated his commitment to assisting indigent students and improving infrastructure in schools in Mushin, Lagos State.

“We have been distributing free General certificate of Education (GCE) and West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) forms to indigent students. We will continue to assist students who are financially down. Also, plans are underway to give scholarships to them,” he said.

He made this known during a  stakeholders’ summit at Mushin Local Government Secretariat last week.

He stressed the need  to also renovate schools for students to have conducive environment for learning.

“We will improve on infrastructure and renovate old school buildings. It is very important we embark on infrastructure upgrade to create a better learning environment for our wards,” he said.

He lauded the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support for education.

Education Secretary, Mushin Local Government Education Authority,  Princess Olufemi Akinlude, urged the government to help parents at the grassroots to mitigate poverty.

“The economy  across the country and the coronavirus pandemic is a threat to the future of an average man on the street. Poverty is increasing crime and other vices in the society. Hence, government should help parents cushion the effects of the high rate of poverty  at the grassroots,” she said.

The stakeholders urged the government to pay  more attention to education.

By Abdulwasiu Mujeeb, UDUS

A former student of the Faculty of Law, Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS), Rufai Khalid, has donated 200 textbooks to the faculty and final year students.

The book entitled: “Company Secretary and Legal Adviser”  was distributed on campus.

The Dean of the faculty, Prof. Mufutau Rufai, said 150 copies were  given  to  final year Law students, while 50 would be distributed to the faculty library, school library and college of legal studies library.

Rufai said the donor,  who graduated from the faculty in 1990, had served in various capacities at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). He praised him for giving back to his alma mater by donating those text books.

After the distribution, the dean  urged the students to emulate the donor.

He said: “You are now in your final year, also remember to give back to the faculty when you go to the larger society. There are different alumni of the faculty who had been assisting the faculty in one way or the other. There some who donated money as prizes for the best students upon their graduation and others who donated internet facilities to the faculty. We also have others who promised to give to the faculty. These are the activities of the alumni, in case you want to be part of the sucess story.”

Speaking on behalf of the students, Ibrahim Sanyinna, a final year Law student thanked the donor for the gift. He lauded the dean and other faculty staff for their efforts in providing good mentorship for the students.

“On behalf of the final year students, we thank   the faculty and the donor who found us worthy of such fantastic gift. We would do same after our graduation and later in life. We thank them immensely and may Allah reward them abundantly,” he said.

By Joseph Eshanokpe, PTI

New students of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, have been advised to focus on their studies to enable them achieve their goals on the campus.

Its Acting Principal/Chief Executive, Dr. Henry Adimula, gave the advice during the matriculation of 1,901 fresh students last Friday. He said they should count themselves privileged that of 2,831 candidates who applied for admission, through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and their subsequent success in the PTI’s Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), they were among those chosen.

He noted that PTI is neither a university, nor a polytechnic, but rather is a specialised institute for training manpower for oil, gas and allied industries.

“You have advantage over your peers in the other educational institutions of higher learning in Nigeria in that you have about the latest technology domiciled in the institute’s laboratories and workshops that is on the wish list of many institutions,’’ he noted.

He urged them to  make  academic excellence, innovation, resourcefulness and character development their watchword.

Adimula said the institute was poised to develop inventors, technologists, technicians and hands-on personnel among the matriculants to fill gaps in the industry in development and cloning of technology, manufacture of solar devices, motorised electric powered devices, among others.

He said the institute was committed to providing conducive learning environment for them to  excel.

He advised them to be guided by the Students’Handbook, warning that offences such as exam misconduct, cultism, drug peddling and smoking of Indian hemp on campus; certificate forgery, physical and sexual assault and stealing would be severely  sanctioned.

He said they should also take advantage of the various certification programmes being offered by PTI to enhance their competence and give them better opportunities for employment.

“Entrepreneurship Development is another area that we are building the capacity of our students,” he added.