Category: Campus Life

By Oladele Oge

 

Rotaract Club International has donated 100 waste baskets to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

This, according to the club, is part of its humanitarian services to promote a decent environment for the staff members and students.

The President, Rotaract Club UNN, Mbanugo Johnbosco Chiemerie, said the baskets were aimed at supporting the VC’s administration on the environment.

He noted  that the waste baskets would improve environmental sanitation, provide good aesthetics for the university environment and promote good hygiene  for staff members and students.

He  praised the VC for his support to the club. He described the VC as an “ardent” supporter of a clean and healthy environment, urging other clubs in the institution to emulate the club.

Unveiling the waste baskets, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Patrick Okpoko, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Igwe, lauded the club for its innovation in constructing the immovable metallic waste baskets.

He praised his keen interest to promote environmental sanitation, which, he said, had become essential for every ‘ideal’ institution to protect its image.

Okpoko urged the club members to grow, as well as uphold the cardinal values of hardwork in social and humanitarian services to the university and its environs.

Okpoko, a professor  of  Archaeology and Tourism, emphasised the importance of a friendly environment to health, urging everyone  to embrace “sanity”.

UNN’s Dean of Students Affairs Prof. Edwin Omeje noted that the club’s humanitarian services had shown that the university has  great future leaders.

Addressing the club members, the Public Relations Officer, Dr Okwun Omeaku, who is also a member of the Rotary Club of Nsukka, urged members of the university community to join the club  to enable the execution of more laudable projects that would improve lives in the school  and its environs.

Meanwhile, the waste baskets  have been installed at strategic locations on campus.

Those at the event were the Director of ICT Mr. Paul Oranu; SSA to the Vice Chancellor Mr. Laz Ekeke, Confidential secretary to the Vice Chancellor Mrs. Chidinma Ambrose.

By Kunle Olugbodi

 

The  National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun State Joint Campus Committee (JCC) has urged Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun to reduce the tuition fee of each school in the state to mitigate the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic instead of sharing money or food as relief materials.

“Instead of giving us palliatives in terms of cash, rice, garri and beans, we want him to convert it to a significant reduction in our tuition fee because that will go a long way for  all students, ” Comrade Tomiwa Bamgbose, the chairman of NANS Ogun JCC, said during a post- COVID-19 sensitisation.

He noted that  it was  necessary to equip the 13 Students Union leaders  in the state with buses.

“The leaders of the students in the  state will always have reasons to move from one place to another,” he added.

He appealed to the state government to provide the enabling environment for schools to reopen.

“In relation to the theme of the programme, one of the ways to stop the spread of the coronavirus is to maintain social distancing but the infrastructural capability of our institutions will make it difficult to achieve.

“We want the governor to fulfil  the promises he made during his  campaign. It is time for him to do so.

“We are not asking for money, neither are we asking for gold nor silver. We require facilities and conditions that will  make learning bearable and suitable for students,” he said.

 

By Kayode Alhassan

 

The Vice Chancellor (VC) of Kwara State University, Prof. Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi (SAN), has reiterated his administration’s  commitment to good and inclusive governance to foster harmony among staff members and students.

He said this at a meeting with the Students’ Union leaders at the MBA School, Ilorin.

The VC urged the students to be good ambassadors of the school and aviod actions that would tarnish the image of the institution.

He noted that his administration  would work with students to develop  the institution.

Akanbi, however, expressed dismay at the actions of some students who went online to speak ill of the institution. He told the Students’ Union executives to stop such behaviour that could tarnish the image of the institution.

“You are doing your university a disservice, by going online to bash the image of the institution. I thought we could sit down and resolve issues, that was why I called you, as a student body, to a round table talk. It is important that you see the  university as your own. After our last meeting, I was shocked to hear all sort of things that we never discussed in the media. And as Students Union executives, you are not ready to issue a rejoinder concerning the contents online. Don’t let people destroy your school, stand firm and take good decision that will benefit the institution,” he stated.

The Students’Union President, Comrade Kazeem Olaitan, expressed appreciation to the VC for granting the union executives audience.

He noted that the timing of the proposed increase in school fees was worrisome.

He however reiterated his resolve to work with the school authorities to move it to greater heights.

By Stephen Ademola

 

The Special Assistant to Ogun State Governor on students’ matters,Comrade Adeyemi Azeez Amoo has said the government has  a plan in place to prevent any undesirable house rent increase by landlords.

He disclosed during a post-Covid-19 sensitisation in Abeokuta recently  that he would  ensure that students  paid only half of their rents by meeting with the community leaders.

“The students need to get in touch with their students union leaders because I’ve talked to them and we’ve held a virtual meeting on this issue.

“The students should rest assured that we will be available to address all these issues and it will be a win-win situation, not that landlords will give total waiver for everything. We will work on having a 50-50, probably the landlord taking off 50%,” Amoo said.

The essence of the training and sensitisation workshop on was to equip student leaders with the COVID-19 safety protocols while    mobilising and re-orientating the student populace in tertiary institutions across the state.

The workshop was graced by motivational speaker and security mogul, Ubong King, who  urged the students not to be complacent in their studies.

A risk management tool of the state government to curb the possible spread of the coronavirus at mass gatherings was also made available by the Senior Special Assistant on Health, Dr. Ololade Kehinde.

 

 

By Kayode Alhassan

 

The Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof Christopher Odetunde, has been appointed the Vice Chancellor of Augustine University, a private Catholic-owned university in Ilara, Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.

This was contained in a five-paragraph congratulatory message signed by the Director of University Relations, Mr. Abdulrazaq Sanni.

Parts of the statement reads: “The Vice Chancellor, Kwara State University, Prof Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi (SAN), on behalf of the management, staff and students of the university wishes to congratulate Prof Christopher Odetunde, on his appointment as the Vice Chancellor of Augustine University, Ilara, Epe, Lagos State.

“Odetunde is a professor of Astronautical and Aeronautical Engineering at the Kwara State University. He was until his appointment the Dean, Faculty of Engineering.

The new VC is known for his erudition and administrative acumen.

In his letter to the university,  Odetunde assured the school of his  support and involvement in the growth and development  of KWASU’s Astronautical and Aeronautical Department.

The appointment, which is for a term of five years, takes effect from October 5.

 

By Mudathir Hayatullahi Folorunsho

 

The National Association of Political Science Students (NAPPS) of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), led by Comrade Abdulmajid Bala Kangiwa, has congratulated the 74th President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Prof. Tijjani Muhammad- Bande, on  the successful completion of his tenure.

This was contained in a letter to the former diplomat.

The letter reads:”On behalf of the entire students of Political Science of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, we would like to warmly congratulate you as your tenure comes to an end as the president of the United Nations General Assembly.

“When you were elected president of the 74th session of the UNGA, we proudly told everyone that the United Nations has made the right decision. Now, the whole world is celebrating you and singing your praises, everyone has come to appreciate your unique style of leadership.

“You have made the entire students of politics, Nigeria and the whole world proud by the way you perfectly led the 74th administration of the United Nations General Assembly, you have indeed displayed a high level of good morals, dedication and sacrifice, we are proud of you, sir and would continue to look up to you as a role model.

“At the end, we wish you all the best as you continue to rightfully and competently represent our dear country Nigeria at the United Nations.”

Prof. Muhammad-Bande was born on December 7, 1957. He was the Nigerian ambassador to the United Nations from 2010 to 2016, he was the director-general of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, and was the vice chancellor, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, from 2004 to 2009.

He assumed the office of the President of United Nations General Assembly on September 7, 2019 and ended his tenure on September 15, 2020; after previously serving as Vice President.

By Mudathir Hayatullahi Folorunsho

 

The  National Council of the Federation of Oyo State Students (FOSSU) has suspended its planned protest over the non-payment of bursary to students following an invitation to dialogue by the government.

In a statement by the President of the union, Comrade Azeez Muritala Olowoeko and Senate President Senator Ajadi Isaac Oluwasegun, the association had decided to embark on the protest at a virtual meeting, which had in attendance  executive members.

The protest was scheduled to hold early this month.

The union had called the attention of Governor Seyi Makinde to the non-payment of bursary to students and issued an ultimatum of 14 days which lapsed last month.

However, at a meeting with the members of FOSSU, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Students’ Affairs, Victor Olojede, and other educational board members at the meeting, faulted the union for not following the three Cs in Unionisms (Consultation, Consolidation and Confrontation) as expected.

He  said: “FOSSU didn’t make any consultation on the issue of bursary and other privileges expected  from the government as they claimed that they did in February. The union met the government for introduction and familiarisation, but no consolidation followed their introduction before now that they were planning a peaceful protest.”

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Seun Fakorede, also advised the union members to remain calm and always send their requests through the appropriate channels with back-up, rather than fighting for their rights in a wrong way.

He noted that the payment of  bursary was not compulsory, adding that they should appeal for it because it was a privilege.

His words: “It is not compulsory for the state government to pay bursary to students because it’s not their right but a privilege which should be appealed for.

“Things are expected to change at this era of ours because we have the government that is always ready to listen to the masses. We must act intellectually and change the story of being radical youths. Fight if necessary, but fight intellectually.”

The students were assured that the bursary would get to them as it was already in the year’s budget.

FOSSU National President, Comrade Olowoeko, however, urged his members to be calm and suspend the protest. He gave the FOSSU local chapters two weeks to get the data of their students submitted and forwatded to the right place, then wait for response before making any decision.

He  said: “Let’s give the FOSSU local chapters two weeks’ to get the data of their students signed and submitted and then forwarded to the right place. We will then wait for a reasonable response from them, but besides that, protest shall then be the next step.”

 

The Federal University of Technology, (FUT) Minna has solicited the support of the former Military Administrator of Kano State, Colonel Sani Bello (rtd), to fund the construction of its research farm.

Its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Bala, said the research farm would help to curtail the incessant clashes between herders and farmers.

Bala  stated this when he led a delegation of the  management team to Kontagora to visit the former military administrator.

Col. Bello is the father of Niger State Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello.

Speaking at the conference room of the Sani Bello Foundation office, Bala said the university’s laws also permitted it to establish a School of Medical Sciences.

He however said the establishment of a School of Medical Sciences was capital-intensive, adding that it would require the construction of a new complex, recruitment of staff in medical-related fields, as well as the building of a teaching hospital.

According to Bala, FUTMinna had concluded arrangements with the management of the Federal Medical Centre in Bida to use its facilities as teaching hospital for clinical practice.

He said the university already had some support departments needed for a medical school.

Bala, while decrying the inability of Niger State to fill its allotted admission quota yearly, urged the former military governor to look into the construction of a female hostel at FUTMinna for Niger State students to boost the enrolment from the state.

He added that FUTMinna was ready to partner the foundation in entrepreneurial and Information Technology training.

Col. Bello thanked the VC for the visit. He informed his guests that his foundation had commenced the construction of a university in Kontagora to complement FUTMinna and other universities’ efforts in providing qualitative education.

He advised the institution to commence medical programmes so that more students from the state would be given opportunities to pursue their dreams of becoming doctors.

Bello urged the university to look at the possibility of spreading some of its faculties across the state to bring education closer to the people.

He assured the school of his decision to engage one of his companies, Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, to liaise with the institution to undertake the funding of a project in the institution as part of its corporate social responsibility.

 

 

As tertiary institutions across the country prepare to resume after six months of staying at home due to the coronavirus  pandemic, students have relived their experiences outside the world of academics and their engagement in various skill acquisition programmes, reports TUNDE ADEBAYO (IBADANPOLY).

 

The coronavirus has severely crippled activities around the world, the education sector not left out. In Nigeria, as soon as the confirmation cases reached double figures, schools from nursery to tertiary/postgraduate, both private and public institutions, were shut.

And for almost six months, students remained mostly at home. This was because the alternative to classes, e-learning, was  sub-standard.

Some schools do not even have the infrastructure to engage in it. While some schools had vacated, others were on strike before the lockdown.

This inactivity over a long period of time, with a seemingly indefinite end, has forced students to find other areas of interest.

Interestingly, the past decade had seen the inclusion of entrepreneurship study in the  educational syllabus. Also, lucrative vocational training has been re-branded as a viable alternative to academics. This meant that when the lockdown occurred, about a sizeable percentage of students  already had an alternative skill to learn as schools stayed shut.

However, with the rate of unemployment in the country, some students  decided to acquire skills that would be beneficial and make them self-employed. This , according to them, will also make them contribute to the country’s economy.

Samson Oluwafemi,  a 300-level  Marketing student of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, noted that the state of the economy and the effects of the pandemic on it were expedient to learn a trade.

“With the state of the economy and the  damaging effects of the pandemic contributing to it, acquiring new set of skills is  a great eye-opener for many. However, I made up my mind to learn graphic design. Considering I am studying Marketing, graphics was a new experience for me to broaden my horizon,” he said.

For Timothy Olaniran, an HND student of Civil Engineering at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, the lockdown afforded him the opportunity to create digital adverts, promotion, branding and web design.

“It hasn’t been easy. You know, this lockdown was unexpected. But  I had to learn web designing, graphic designing and then also French Language. I help clients on digital adverts, promotion, branding and the likes. And, to be honest, I wouldn’t have acquired these skills had the pandemic not occurred. So, I would say, the lockdown was a blessing in disguise,” he said.

Mariam Fawaz , a 200 level Physics student  at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, noted that she had to hone her tailoring skills to become a better designer.

She said: “After the announcement, I dreaded having to travel home to Ogun State, and I was a bit depressed not knowing I was in it for six months. But after a month, I realised that the virus wasn’t going anywhere so I just stopped hoping and faced my trade. I had enough time to fine-tune my tailoring skills. Then I thought about the need for face masks in my city, and  in the first few months, I made more than 5,000 face-masks, and I sold out more than that. I made it affordable for people in my town.The lockdown has helped me achieve quite a lot.”

Another student, Azeez  Ganiu, who studies Electrical Engineering at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, said: ”During the lockdown, I acquired skills on solar energy. And I’ve  since been active on the construction of electric panels, breakers and other industrial gadgets. I study Electrical Engineering, but there’s little we can learn in class, so I chose that route of learning more from active technicians so that I would add the practical knowledge to the theory learnt in class. It’s more than just an added knowledge, I feel a strong sense of completeness after finishing my training, something I won’t have found time for had there not been a lockdown,” he said.

On her part, Blessing Ajuwon, a final year student of Chemistry at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, said she was able to learn soap-making and cream productions.

She said: “I took online classes and some physical classes in cosmetology, it wasn’t really hard for me to grasp because I have been studying Chemistry. But it did take some time before I was actually able to get running on my own. Since July, I’ve had my own line that I sell to friends and family and I can say it took my mind off the frustration caused by pandemic.”

Simisola Ogundare, a Computer Science student at the University of Ilorin, noted that the lockdown gave her the opportunity to learn hair dressing, fashion and make up.

“At first, the emergence of COVID-19 and the stay-at-home order by the government for weeks gave students ample time to rest.

“However, when it dawned on me that schools wouldn’t resume as early as expected, I decided to sign up for courses online on fashion, make up and hairdressing. Though it was not easy to keep up with the online courses due to light and network issues, I can boldly say that I can do different make up, wigs and sew pretty gowns. All these I learnt and mastered during the lockdown,” she said.

Folami Ojo, a Political Science student of  Oduduwa University, Ife, said: “To be honest, this whole issue of the coronavirus made us spend too much time at home.

“I delved into forex trading and crypto currency. I’ve always had a strong interest in them but the lockdown gave me a lengthy free period to go into them. I’m gaining financially from it, crypto currency especially comes easy for me, and I can do better with forex.

“Learning this wasn’t easy. It was hard to find a genuine teacher these days. Most people want to swindle trainees, while others have not even learnt enough to teach. So, I did intrinsic research, read books, watched YouTube videos and Telegram trends, Nairaland trends to have various angles to this complicated trade, and with this, I learnt enough to be a standard trader.”

For  Elizabeth Adesina, a 200 level student of Economics, University of Calabar, the lockdown came at a better time as she was able to learn catering and interior decoration. According to her, the way things are going in the country, white collar jobs are hard to find, hence, the lockdown gave her the opportunity to explore other areas of endeavour.

She said: “When the lockdown began, and later continued, I saw it as an avenue to learn catering and decoration. It has been my dream to learn a trade because I do not want to rely on my certificate when I finally graduate. In fact, the economy does not encourage over reliance on college certificates. Every year, the labour market keeps swelling, and the jobs are not readily available. So, learning catering and decoration has really been beneficial because I can support myself financially, rather than depending on my parents.”

A student of Computer  Science, Olumide Fuwa of the University of Ibadan whose final exams were delayed as a result of the lockdown said he learnt graphics and has been making money from it.

He said: “I have been making money more than I’ve ever thought I could without my certificate. If not for the lockdown, I would not even know I am worth this much. I made  five figures for just a graphics banner for these online firms. You know the virus forced everyone to go online, so often I get  to design a platform for webinars, fliers and all, and it just keeps getting better, all that was on my mind was  the Youth Service, but now, I don’t even think about it again”

Zaynab Ahmad a fourth year Mass Communications student at Ado Bayero University, Kano, said:  “One would find that Nigerians are a hardworking lot with strong resolve to get things done by getting their hands on lucrative business despite the scarcity of opportunities. Though the lockdown  made it strenuous for one to engage in  some activities.  I won’t say I learnt any trade during the lockdown, I already learnt baking and I am doing well. Then  as a campus journalist I have to keep students updated on  things happening in Kano while I’m miles away.”

Femi Olatunde, a 200-level student of Human Kinetics,University of Ilorin, noted that learning shoe-making was worthwhile during the lockdown. According to him, the trade has afforded him the opportunity to try his hands on making shoes for his family and friends.

“I had the opportunity to learn shoe-making during the lockdown. In fact, I made shoes for my friends and family members. Again, if I decide to stop schooling today, I have what it takes to be financially independent,” he said.

 

 

By Caleb Ijioma, AAP

The National Public Relations Officer, College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) , Dr. Ahmed Lawan Bazza, has said it will be dangerous to reopen  schools without adequate preparation and proper health facilities.

He said: “COEASU is not averse to schools resumption but all the COVID-19 protocols especially the non-pharmaceuticals aspect as presented by the Presidential Taskforce should be implemented.

“Any inadequate preparation in that regard could result to a spike, which may be catastrophic to an already stressed nation in terms of public health facilities.

“The implementation of the NEEDS assessment in public tertiary institutions is also a key factor in addressing some of the issues.”

Ahmed also said the government had not  attended to the demands of the union. The union has,  however, declared an industrial action calling on the Federal Government to attend to their demands. Some of the demands made by COEASU includes the implementation of Needs Assessment, renegotiation on the 2009 agreement with the government, review of the act establishing the colleges of education, state  government insensitivity to the plight of colleges of education in the states, autonomy to award degree also known as dual mode, review of outsource services and mainstreaming of our securities into government payroll, integration of our staff schools as components of colleges of education in Nigeria.

On the resumption of college’s of education in line with the Federal Government’s directive to reopen schools, he said the union would be having a National Executive Council meeting to take a position on the issues of industrial concern.