Female students residing in the four blocks of the King Jaja Hostel on the Delta Campus of the University of Port Harcourt, (UNIPORT) last week protested the power outage and poor water supply caused by the strike embarked upon by non-teaching staff of the institution.
Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) at the university had embarked on an industrial action following the refusal of the government to accede to their demands.
The female students were seen in front of their hostels chanting: “Give us light, we want light,” among other slogans. A male student who didn’t want to be named tried in vain to appease the aggrieved students.
Some female students leaving for classes said they struggled to get water to bathe.
Narrating what happened, a female student who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the protesters took their complaints to the generator house located within the Delta campus, before proceeding to the Vice-Chancellor’s lodge, where they were chased back. She also said before then, they had looked for water at the ASUU Secretariat.
Another student who simply identified herself as a final year student said protest started from Block A.
“The girls started from Block A, to Block B, C and D to mobilise others for the protest. They moved around Delta Campus, then to the VC’s lodge and then to the lecturers’ quarters. All of a sudden, people started running when some security officers chased them.
“After a while, the SUG President came to address the girls. He actually rented a generator that was used to pump water,” she said.
She also said the protesting students wanted to break the padlock used to seal the entrance to the generator station before the SUG President intervened. “The girls actually wanted to break the key used to lock the generator place. The SUG President then appealed for calm and promised to get the keys to the generator room. We heard the fuse was removed, that’s why there has been a power outage,” she said.
However, the SUG President, Comrade Sowari Dikibo brought in a generator to pump water for the students.
When approached by our correspondent, he refused to speak.
On her part, the Vice President, Gloria Okoye, also refused to speak, citing the president’s refusal as her reason.
Efforts to speak to the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Sam Kpenu, were futile. His phone was switched off.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a ban on cryptocurrency purchase and trading in the country.
According to the circular, the ban was to forestall illegal activities. The CBN also noted that cryptocurrencies do not have any intrinsic value and do not generate returns by themselves and are highly volatile.
Cryptocurrency is a digital currency built on blockchain technology designed to serve as a medium of exchange stored in a virtual wallet and regarded as the future of money as it is intended to solve the limitations of traditional paper money, including cross-border payments. Over 6,000 cryptocurrencies exist in the world, one of which is Bitcoin (BTC) being the most valuable crypto.
Cryptocurrency has many advantages. It is the alternative to cash and credit card. It is taking the digital world by storm. Many companies are accepting the payments through cryptocurrency these days. With the rise in the bitcoin value, many people are showing interest in investing in bitcoins. The cryptocurrency is backed by the blockchain technology that is having a positive impact on wallet.
When you are doing business or dealing with brokers or legal representatives, there is a lot of transaction fees that you must pay for every transaction. On top of it, there is a lot of paperwork, brokerage fee, commission and other things to be met. When you use cryptocurrency, it removes the need for middle man. The transaction would take place one to one on the secure network. The transactions would be transparent, and it becomes easier for you to engage in audit. There would be no more confusion on who is going to pay who. The parties involved in the transaction would know each other well.
The blockchain technology will manage the database that has the bitcoin transaction records. The decentralisation would involve only two parties in the transaction, i.e., the sender and receiver. You no more have to deal with any third party. There is no one to monitor what you are doing.
When you perform the transaction in cryptocurrency, you cannot reverse it. There will be a reliable encryption technique used throughout the cryptocurrency transaction process to protect from one from hackers.
The best part of using cryptocurrency is that every transaction you carry out with the recipient would be unique. You can get into terms negotiation in every deal. The information is exchanged based on the push concept. You can only share the information that you want to disclose to the recipient. The financial history will have ample privacy, and your identity would be protected.
Cryptocurrency has gained a considerable acceptance among youths in the country over the years. Bitcoin trading gained much fame in 2016 as a result of the bad economy of the country and non-availability of work for most youths. Nigeria is ranked the world’s second largest user of bitcoin by trading volume.That shows the rate at which our youths invest their time and resources in it.
Nigeria has been unable to tackle its increasing unemployment rate. In 2020, the frontier market witnessed a rise in its unemployment rate due to an ever-growing dependent population, reduction in the total output of goods and services, and the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, which had negative impacts on the economy and led to job loss for thousands of Nigerians.
Thus, cryptocurrency has helped to tackle the numerous challenges faced in international trade by many Nigerians, who don’t have a bank account. With the help of blockchain technology, many unemployed Nigerian youths now utilise the tools behind crypto and blockchain to generate income.
Cryptocurrency, like bitcoin, has also helped the unemployed facilitate small-scale international trade. Traders can sell products in exchange for Bitcoin and boycott traditional e-commerce systems, which often involves having to set up a merchant account with traditional banks, coupled with its attendant charges. It has also increased financial inclusion of individuals and companies by reducing the transaction fees and time of cross-border payments. This is beneficial for remittance payments, peer-to-peer lending, and international trade. Many youths enjoyed earning decently due to their exposure to the crypto, many were able to fend for themselves and even sponsor their education. Lots of new businesses and jobs were created.
We are in a digital age, hence we should not think as if we are in the Stone Age. Even some firms outside Nigeria are considering paying salaries in $BTC. So, why then should CBN ban it? Technology has taken over everything. Sadly, the action of the government is to stop young Nigerians who have been able to create wealth for themselves through crypto trading. In a country where the government cannot efficiently provide jobs for graduates/ youths, banning cryptocurrency seems detrimental. Cryptocurrency has given young people in Nigeria lots of opportunities and the population hope of better times to come where financial activities are concerned. Now, there’s the ability to send and receive funds globally, for whatever reason, while there’s also hope that cryptos such as bitcoin will provide a viable alternative to traditional banking services within the country.
With the ban, lots of youths will be left unemployed again adding to the rate of unemployment in the country. It is a retrogressive move by government.
Fadeyi is a Mass Communication student of The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
Students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State have decried the security situation in the country, following the attack on their colleagues by herdsmen. However,they have called on school authorities and government in particular to find a way to get rid of them, reports SAMUEL AGBELUSI (AAUA).
Saturday, January 23, 2021, was a terrible day for students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State and the entire community when a Dangote Cement Company trailer conveying tons of cement, lost control and rammed into shops beside the university gate and crushed students and several residents to death at least.
As a result of the accident, students of AAUA came together immediately to protest the bad roads in the state.
This also prompted the management of the institution to shut the school till further notice.
Attack on AAUA students returning from burial in Ondo
It was gathered that herdsmen attacked a convoy of students of AAUA when returning from the burial of their former Students’ Union Government President, the late Samuel Adesomoju popularly known as Sampraise.The burial held on January 25 in his hometown in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
Adesomoju had died on Saturday, January 23 alongside other students as a result of the Dangote trailer accident.
CAMPUSLIFE learnt that the herdsmen kidnapped two travellers, a man and a woman in the students convoy as the remaining students were able to fight their way through.
One of the students who was on the entourage that went for Adesomoju’s burial, said the herdsmen blocked movement on the road they passed through around Ondo Town.
He said: “We went to the hometown of our former SUG President Samuel Adesomoju who died in the trailer accident. He was a 500-Level Law student. It was when we were returning that the herdsmen attacked us in Ondo town. Luckily, we were able to fight our way through but the herdsmen attacked and kidnapped two travellers in our convoy who were not students. The herdsmen fired several shots at vehicles and damaged one of them.We did not get back to campus until around 12 am.”
Some former students of AAUA who witnessed the attack were: Ademuyiwa Opeyemi, Temitope Eyinla, Adebowale Temitope, Kenneth Iloba, Oluwatosin Akinyele and others.They were returning to their base in Akure the following day when the incident happened.
According to Ademuyiwa Opeyemi, one of the ex-students of the institution,they were saved through divine intervention.
“It was only God who saved us from those deadly animals called Fulani herdsmen,” he said.
Another former student, Adebowale Temitope said: “How I escaped is what I cannot really understand, but I give glory to the Almighty God.”
However, following the attack,students have urged government not to treat the issue of security with kid gloves particularly as it involves students and other residents.
Bolanle Esther, a 300-Level student of the Department of Business Administration in AAUA said: “With the current security challenges we are facing in the state and south west generally, I really hope the union leaders will take proactive steps on the safety and security of students. The issue of Fulani herdsmen should be the priority of government at all levels.”
Another student of AAUA, Anuoluwapo Ruth, a 200-Level student of Chemistry said: “I can’t believe we were asked to go home during this period especially a time like this when we have serious challenges facing the school. The Fulani herdsmen attack and other issues should be addressed by the management urgently for students to be able to have hitch-free learning.”
A 200-Level student of University of Ibadan, Michael Adegunwa, said: “In the first place, Fulani herdsmen should not have been allowed to occupy our roads not to talk of being in possession of firearms. If the government does not do something urgently about it, then we are in for serious trouble.”
For David Udoji a 300-Level Engineering student of University of Benin(UNIBEN), governors in Southwest should put measures in place to secure their region and put an end to the issue of herdsmen. He noted that government should prioritise security of all citizens, adding it is high time an action was taken on the issue.
“The herdsmen should be called to order. Attacking students is uncalled for. In saner climes, cattle are not allowed to roam the highway. Government should prioritise security before the situation gets worse,” he said.
Tunde Adeniyi, a 300-Level Mass Communication student of Ekiti State University (EKSU) noted that the issue of security in the country at large has become worrisome,hence, government should look into it and stop herders from roaming the highway.
He said: “We are in serious trouble in this country. For herders to attack innocent citizens and students,then the security situation of the country has degenerated and has become increasingly worrisome. We can only urge government to fashion out measures to curb the herders.”
Student Union President of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Obagunwa Oluwasegun said: “The union is taking every little step towards the safety and security of lives in the university community and as such we are meeting the management to let them know our plight. What really happened to our students at the hands of the Fulani herdsmen shows we are no longer safe in this country. I really want to urge all the students to remain calm as we take every diplomatic measures to make sure we reach a consensus on behalf of students and everyone.”
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Committee Ondo axis also condemned the attack in a statement released by the Chairman Akinteye Babatunde
He said: “What happened shows that the current government does not value student lives. This came barely 24 hours after an unfortunate incident occured in the university community and we are yet to get over it. The government must work hand in hand with the management of the institution to address the current situation and work towards improving the welfare of students.”
However, governors from Southwest met in Akure, the Ondo State capital, to discuss insecurity in the region especially as it relates to the heinous killings and abductions by the suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The governors had decried the insecurity situation which necessitated their decision to ban open grazing by herdsmen in the region.
For the past two weeks, fatal accidents have plagued the roads. Students have also been involved leaving many dead and others injured. However, following the recent road crash involving students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, the government has been urged to ensure safer roads and stem the tide of incessant accidents, reports ABDULWAHEED SOFIULLAHI (UDUS).
The coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown was announced last March across the country. It forced students to stay at home for some months.
As if the lockdown was not enough,the longest industrial action in the history of the country further crashed the hopes of students going back to school — the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, held for nine months before it was suspended.
The directive of the Federal Government that schools should resume on Monday, January 18, 2021 was a good relief for students who had been eager to go back to school. Thus, they started packing their belongings and set out to return to their schools.
But cruel fate befell some of them as they were involved in fatal accidents. A week ago, some students of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State lost their lives in tragic circumstances when a Dangote trailer rammed into some shops beside the school gate. Some students of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) were also involved in a ghastly accident last week in Itawure, Ekiti. Though no life was lost, they were seriously injured.
As the university community in AAUA was mourning their students, another accident involving Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) students occurred Saturday, last week along Yauri Road, in Kebbi State.They were returning to school from Ilorin. It was also gathered that three other UDUS students lost their lives on their way from Ibadan to school.
Attahiru Saka, a 500-Level student of Fisheries, who lost his life in the Yauri Road accident had written on his WhatsApp status: “Journey back to school, Allah’s mercy I plead for and journey mercy.” Sadly, some hours later, the bus which conveyed him and his two colleagues reportedly caught fire in a fatal accident.
Also, Abduljaleel Ayanwale, a 200-Level student of English Language popularly known as “Jbright” because of brilliance was among those who when coming from Ibadan. He was an aspirant for the post of Social Director on campus. He was an advocate of good governance. He also shared the same revolutionary ideology like Omoyele Sowore, activist and Saharareporters founder.
Bello Mansuroh, a 200-Level student of Accounting also died in the same bus that carried the aforementioned casualties from Ibadan,Oyo State.
Ibrahim Aminah, a 300-Level student of Islamic Studies and Ayobola Aishat, a 100-Level Microbiology student, were among those who lost their lives in the Yauri Road accident in Kebbi State, having set out from Ilorin, Kwara State.
They were returning to school with glee,but unfortunately their dreams perished with them.
Students worried about bad roads to Sokoto State
Abdulganiyu Mohammed Hawal, a 300-Level Public Administration student, has lamented the poor state of the roads leading to Sokoto from Kwara State.
He said: “To be specific Niger Road is not safe for conveying animals not to talk of human beings.It is beyond mere potholes, the road is terrible. I remember we almost had an accident on that road. Let it be known to everyone that accidents of this kind happen on a daily basis, the recent went viral simply because it involved students, anyone who is conscious of the happenings while traveling on dangerous roads will never have an iota of doubt about this.
“Again, insecurity has become worrisome. According to a report, it was gathered that the Oyo accident happened because armed robbers were chasing the said bus conveying students from Oyo to Sokoto. While trying to free themselves from the robbers, their bus hit objects placed on the road by those armed robbers. This shows the level insecurity on Nigeria roads.
“Security personnel who are supposed to secure the road users are just there to collect money from the drivers, some of those men in uniform will even threaten driver sometimes if they fail to comply. Government should call them to order. The government has talked about waging war against corruption,but it leaves much to be desired. It is so sad!”
Soliu Ridwan Adisa, a 300-Level Public Administration student while decrying the condition of the roads, said: “It is no longer news that some roads leading to Sokoto State like that of Niger and some parts of Kebbi State have since become deathtraps. Law enforcement agents are also not helping matters with the way they extort drivers.
“These are the agents that were employed and paid out of the hard earned money that commoners pay as tax. While trying to forcefully extort money from drivers and travellers, they assault those that refuse to part with their money. Yet, the government that is saddled with protecting lives does not seem to be proactive enough.
“The government should take the safety of its citizens as something more than a priority and provide infrastructural amenities like good roads. May the souls of the deceased rest in peace.”
Yusau Abdulrazak, a 300-Level Adult Education student, who was at the scene of the Yauri accident in Kebbi State, said:
“When we reached there (Yauri) with another bus, we hurriedly stopped and other buses that were occupied by the students coming from Ilorin were stopped to confirm what caused the accident. A person who pleaded anonymity said that Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officers were chasing a bike which collided with the bus ,then the bus tumbled.That left many students seriously injured while two died on the spot.”
An eye-witness,who pleaded anonymity, said: “I don’t want to remember the horror scene. It’s something that made us weep continuously because we didn’t expect such to happen. The driver didn’t help matters, too. He was on high speed. He couldn’t control himself again when the bike crossed him.”
UDUS Management to fund treatment of injured students
The Students Union (SU) President of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Faruq Barade, while condoling with families of those who lost their lives in the accidents, noted the school management had promised to sponsor the treatment of students who were injured.
He said: “I received with great shock and dismay the news of the death of our students.Among those who died is one of my closest friends who intended contesting SU Sports Director. I really sympathise with their families and friends and the entire management of UDUS for the loss. May their gentle souls rest in peace.
“And regarding those admitted in UDUTH, we have already appealed to the school management to help in their treatment. We will make sure that something is done to take care of them.”
He, however, said that the school management had taken it upon itself to bankroll the medical expenses of three students admitted in UDUTH.
” Please make it known that the Vice Chancellor has just given approval that the school would sponsor all medical expenses of the three students admitted in UDUTH,” he said.
Kwara State Governor mourns dead students
The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye, mourned Kwara students killed in the auto crash while also lauding Kebbi, and Sokoto governments for their support.
The statement reads: “Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has commiserated with the families of the students who died in an auto crash in Yauri, Kebbi State, on Saturday, describing the incident as devastating.
“The governor mourns with the parents and families of all those affected in these accidents. He prays the Almighty God to repose their souls and comfort the families they left behind. It was indeed a very sad day.
“He also prays for speedy recovery for those injured. The government, meanwhile, is following up with every detail concerning the students who were injured in the Yauri accident. A government delegation, which comprises a director and medical doctors, have been dispatched with an ambulance to visit the students in (Yauri) Kebbi and the Teaching Hospital in Sokoto where the three students who sustained serious injuries have been taken to for proper care. Another delegation will visit the two families who lost their children to share in their grief.
“The governor, especially, commends the governments of Kebbi and Sokoto states for their prompt responses to the distress calls of the Kwara State Government. This is inspiring and (again) speaks to the general good nature of the people of Nigeria. He commended the Secretaries to the Governments of Kebbi (Alhaji Babale Umar Yauri) and Sokoto States (Alhaji Saidu Umaru) for taking over the cases of the students and ensuring they were properly attended to. The people and government of Kwara State are indeed very grateful for this kind gesture,” the statement added.
The death of some students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State in an accident that occurred near the gate of the institution has thrown the entire university and student community into mourning. Students have called on the state government to dualise the Akungba Road, report SAMUEL AGBELUSI and PETER EMMANUEL (AAUA).
When the duo of Samuel Adesomoju and Oluwaseun Ojinni gained admission to further their education at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), little did they know what fate had in store for them.
Adesomoju was a final year student of Law and former Students Union President; Ojinni was also a final year student but of Business Administration and first female President of the National Association of Business Administration and Management Students. Also, Pope Kelvin, a graduate of Business Administration of the AAUA, had dreamt of a glorious future after graduation.
However, it was a black Saturday on January 22, as they lost their lives in tragic circumstances. A trailer loaded with cement belonging to Dangote Limited coming from Ikare axis rammed into shops beside the school’s main gate as a result of brake failure and crushed many people to death while leaving others injured.
In a twist of fate, earlier on Saturday morning, the Students Union Executives had organised a programme tagged: “Akungba Prayer Walk,” to pray against such disaster as they prepared to resume. Sadly, the fatal accident occurred some hours later.
One of the victims, Adesomoju, was buried on Monday amid tears and wailing from students of the institution.
School management reacts
The management of the school in separate statements by its Acting Registrar Mr. Opeoluwa Akinfemiwa, announced the postponement of examinations and indefinite closure of the school following protests from youths in the community. It equally promised to provide solutions to incessant accidents on Akungba Road.
VC wants articulated vehicles barred on Akungba/lkare road
The Acting Vice Chancellor of AAUA, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, during a visit to the scene of the accident, called for the banning of heavy-duty trucks from the route.
Ige, who condoled with the families of the victims, described the accident as a tragedy on the part of host community, the management of the university and the students at large.
He said colleagues of the deceased had been placated not to take law into their own hands.
“Sadly, it is a tragedy to the community and all Nigerian students. It is painful some of our students were involved and sadly they lost their lives for coming to school to learn and to get themselves educated.
“The last one that happened, we had to constitute a committee whose recommendations we have implemented.
“The committee recommended that roadside trading should be banned and the community market should be relocated and it was complied with.”
Proffering a lasting solution to the incessant trailer accidents, the VC said the hilly route of the community, near the university, should be levelled.
Students’ Union seeks end to accidents
President, AUA Students’ Union, Olwasegun Obagunwa, in a statement said it met with stakeholders and a barricade foundation had been erected to stop heavy duty trucks plying the road.
The statement reads in part: “With great distress, we show our sincere condolences to the deceased and the entire student populace.
‘’However, the best of this is to ensure our great icons do not just pass away without ensuring lasting solution to the recurrence of such within the student community.
“The Students’ Union has met with all necessary stakeholders and a barricade foundation has been erected today to put a total stop to heavy duty trucks plying our road.
“The union has also issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Ondo State Government to find a permanent solution to the issue of accidents in Akungba community.
“It is working vigorously to ensure that the lives of everyone is safe as we can never afford to lose anyone to accident whatsoever anymore.
“We make bold as to reiterate that the Student’s Union wouldn’t tolerate any attempt to infringe on the welfare of students from any quarter. We shall always do everything in our capacity to put smiles on your face and uphold the Students’ Union constitution.”
JCC, students, others react
The President, National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) Joint Campus Committee (JCC) Ondo axis, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, wants trucks belonging to Dangote Company banned from Ondo roads until the organisation issues a statement and reveal the identity of the driver.
” At JCC Ondo, we are indeed very sad. We are calling on the federal and state government to dualise the Akungba Road. We also don’t want to see any truck belonging to Dangote Group pass through Ondo State anymore until the company issues a statement and produce the driver. Therefore, we have informed all SUG presidents in the state to make sure any Dangote truck that passes through their school is stopped,” he said.
Emmanuel Aderogba, a 300-Level student, lamented that heavy-duty trucks belonging to Dangote Group has been causing accidents in Akungba-Akoko for some time.
•Onlookers at the scene of the accident
He said: “About seven months ago, a trailer belonging to Dangote Group was involved in an accident. After the accident in the town market (Ibaka market), the government relocated the market to another location for safety. Sadly, the failure of the driver to detect that the brake was faulty before driving, has resulted in the death of promising students and other residents.
“The narrow Akungba-Akoko Road is not good enough to be considered as interstate road. Therefore, the state government has work to do to avoid fatal accidents like this. The road should be expanded to two lanes.”
Ayobami Grovvy, a student of Law, who spoke at the scene of the accident, said: “The government needs to really do something about the road, as there are not enough speed-breakers to curb the speed of vehicles. I feel really bad for the victims who lost their lives in the process of getting educated. It is just too sad hearing about accidents almost every time we resume as this has already created fear in the mind of the students.”
Alo Favour, a 400-Level Guidance and Counselling student, said: “It is sad that accidents occur frequently in a student area like this. I can’t just imagine that some lives were lost just because they were preparing for their forthcoming examinations, it is just too painful.”
Emmanuel Adesida, a student at the Business Administration Department, said: “I actually lost two of my dear friends in this accident after seeing them a couple of hours ago. It is quite painful that I won’t see them again. And we are all preparing for graduation. So sad!”
Another student, Tunde Akinyemi, said: “This accident really shattered the hopes of many promising young Nigerians who wanted to get quality education and make their parents proud. The university community is in a mournful mood right now as we look forward to favourable response from the state and Federal Government to do something about this road.”
A lecturer, who preferred anonymity, said : “It is with a heavy heart I speak with you as I hope few people should be able to survive it. My heart goes out to all students of the institution.
‘’A similar accident of such happened just last December, involving two trucks which later got burnt and spread to other parts of the school community.”
Mr. Akin Ogunlade, an eyewitness, noted that nobody had a premonition of the tragedy, adding that it would be hard for victims to survive .”What happened I can’t really explain because I was talking about business with my friend when all of a sudden a vehicle rammed into a busy mini market where students do get reading materials. It is very uncertain that no one will survive this accident.”
Mrs. Favour Ogunlesi, a trader said: “I lost a dear friend and her son to this accident. They normally hawk their goods just right at the front of the affected shops, I was lucky enough not to get involved as I was just coming from Ikare, having planned to stop over and inform her about some things.”
Dangote Group to sanction erring drivers
In a letter by its Group Managing Director, Michel Puchercos, addressed to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, the company commiserated with the entire university community, adding that it was ready to sanction erring drivers who cause avoidable accidents and death of innocent citizens through reckless driving.
” Already, strict internal control measures are in place across the Cement Group operations to check and sanction all erring drivers or third party officials who through their careless actions cause avoidable accidents or loss of innocent lives,” the company said.
The Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Prof Edward Olanipekun, has said the institution will be relentless in its drive for human development in the state and nation at large.
He said this during the virtual matriculation of the institution’s Directorate of Part-Time Programmes for fresh students in various study centres for the 2019/2020 academic session.
Olanipekun told the new students to work hard, stressing that the institution was not meant for lazy students.
He said: “Since the university was established in 1982, it has continued to justify the dreams of its founding fathers by playing responsible roles in contributing to the human development needs of Nigeria and Ekiti State in particular.”
He further advised the matriculants to shun cultism, examination malpractices and all other vices that could jeopardise their academic success in the university.
He assured them that they would enjoy the same rights and privileges with the regular students as long as they obey all rules and regulations.
The Registrar, Mr. Akin Arogundade, administered the matriculation oath on the 174 students who participated through the Zoom app in compliance with the COVID-19 protocols.
The National Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ) has elected new executives to pilot the affairs of union for another one year.
Samuel Ajala, a 400-Level student of the Department of History and International Studies Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, won the seat of president with 88 votes, beating his closest rival, Abdulbasit Abdulazeez of Federal University of Technology, Akure, who had 83 votes.
Eze Glory Chika of the University of Ilorin clinched the post of Vice President unopposed.
The election was held online due to the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
Chairman Electoral Committee, Uthman Samad announced the result of the election.
He praised members for their contribution to the success of the elections.
Other elected campus journalists are Uchenna Igwe as National Secretary, Yahya Nurudeen Akewushola as Publicity Secretary while Abiola Precious clinched the post of Financial Secretary.
The former president, Ibrahim Adeyemi, charged the elected officials to be diligent and forthright in their duties.
“Our election today signifies a significant story of students journalism in Nigeria and it gives hope that campus journalism still stands on a solid rock of progress.
“For the first time, we staged an online election peacefully and came up with the most credible outcome ever — many had thought this would fail,” he said.
He, therefore, thanked all the members of the electoral committee for their efforts.
The President-elect, Samuel Ajala, lauded everyone for believing in him to steer the affairs of the union for the next one year.
“As soon as we are inaugurated, we will get to work with all key stakeholders immediately. The first agenda in the coming week will be creating a comprehensive database for the union nationwide,” he said.
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Students’ Union (FUNAABSU), President Michael Oloyede, said the union made tremendous progress last year, despite that the coronavirus pandemic disrupting the education system.
He noted that the union played an integral role in the distribution of palliatives to students shared across the four geo-political zones of Ogun State, covering Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba; distribution of palliatives to cushion the effects of the pandemic.
He said his team embarked on a project to rehabilitate the long-abandoned Students’ Union Recreational Centre and the Students’ Union Building.
Oloyede said the union participated and mobilised students during the survey of the Rural Electrification Authority Audit, a sponsored project by the World Bank, to generate uninterrupted power supply in FUNAAB.
The president re-affirmed the union’s commitment to student welfare, noting that it has a lot of engagements, interventions, programmes, innovations and projects to execute this year.
He thanked the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kolawole Salako; Dean, Students’ Affairs Division, Prof. Mobalaji Omemu; Students’ Representative Assembly and other students for their support.
The President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria(NPMCN), Ijanikin, Lagos, Dr Musa Muhammed Borodo, has appealed to the Federal Government to put measures in place to curb brain drain.
He urged the government to improve employment opportunities and create a conducive working environment for graduates.
Borodo stressed the need for the government to provide the college with funds to discharge its duties effectively.
“We urge government to improve the employment opportunities and working environment of graduate fellows in the country to discourage further brain drain that is steadily depleting the nation of it’s critical well-trained health manpower,” he said.
Speaking at a briefing to announce the college’s convocation, which holds today, Borodo explained that 656 candidates would be presented for graduation. He also said the institution had started a research aimed at getting long-term solutions to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our college and residents are diligently researching into getting solutions to the Coronavirus pandemic,” he said.
He also charged the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to provide funding for research projects being undertaken by the college.
The management of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto(UDUS) has reached an agreement with the landlords of the private apartments on the campus for students to pay 50 per cent of their rent.
Students across the country have been at home for the past 10 months, partly because of the COVID-19 outbreak and the industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
However, the management and Student Union President, Faruku Barade Wamakko, at a meeting last week agreed that students should pay half of the new rent, which is 50 per cent.
Barade said he had appealed to landlords not to collect rent for the new session, but they didn’t agree.
“The meeting between the management, students and landlords of private hostels has come to an end. We tried all our best and we came to the conclusion that students are to pay 50 per cent of what they used to pay.
“For example, if you have been paying N50,000 house rent before, be ready to pay N25,000 this time round, for the whole session,” he said.
He urged students to abide by the COVID-19 regulations as they were returning to campus to contain the spread of the virus.
” I urge all students to abide by the COVID-19 safety protocols as they return to campus and make sure they don’t breach any of them,’’ he said.
