Category: Campus Life

By Munirat Saliman, UNIBEN

University of Benin (UNIBEN) has emerged winner of this year’s Nigerian Students Poetry Prize (NSPP).

For having the highest number of selected entrants on the initial shortlist and on the list of the top five, UNIBEN emerged as the top-performing school of the NSPP. The previous edition was won by the University of Ibadan (UI).

Instituted in 2016 by Poets in Nigeria (PIN) at UI, the NSPP is reputed for being foremost poetry prize for  undergraduates with a national reach. It has since awarded over a million Naira cash prizes to winning students and published 400 exceptional poems from about 2500 entries in four anthologies:

The Sun Will Rise Again (2016), Mixed History (2017), Deep Dreams (2018) and Micah (2019).

For the fifth edition, Okwubi Godwin Adah (UNIBEN), Samson Abanni (Ebonyi State University) and Biachi Ndidi Anointing (Benue State University) were adjudged winners for the fifth edition of the prize.

The announcement was made at an awards, which held at Virginrose Resorts, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The top three prize winners were received N500,000. An excited Adah went home with a cheque of N250, 000.

The consolation prize winners – Gimbiya Galadima from UNIBEN (fourth best entrant), Uchechukwu Ezenwa-Ohaeto from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (fifth best entrant) and Ndipmong-Uwem Dickson Isaiah from University of Uyo (fifth best entrant) – were not left out.

They shared  N50,000.

By Gbolagade Sunday

The youths, it is often said, are the leaders of tomorrow. But the veracity of that saying is in doubt. Sadly,there would be no hope for the nation if the youth do  not wake up and take their future into their hands. There will be no tomorrow, if our leaders do not leave a legacy of good governance for us.

Nigeria is blessed with agile and active citizens but the dwindling fortunes of our economy has had a negative impact on youths.

In the education sector, Nigeria is lacking. The system which is meant to train for a better tomorrow looks faulty. The majority of the students are yet to figure out why they are in school in the first instance and so many just attend tertiary institutions for the certificates.. Not to mention that lecturers are underpaid and, therefore, don’t go the extra mile to educate students as they should but would rather go on strike for months without being bothered.

In a developed society, citizens have access to free tertiary education, bursary, and those who don’t, have access to financial packages, get assistance from notable personalities. Although, some individuals are trying their best to assist the helpless but our leaders are seen flying their children abroad to learn and later go there to celebrate their graduations while no foreigner would fly in to study here because of our poor education sector.

However, many youths after many attempts of gaining admission and luck shine on them with peer pressure and the bad gang, soon fall prey to cultist activities. This becomes burden on them for the rest of their time as dealing in cultist acts is tantamount to putting one’s life on the line each time their activities are carried out. Youths are usually used by corrupt politicians as thugs to stir up trouble during political and electoral activities such as ballot seizure/stealing, political persuasions, and intimidation, etc. They put their dear lives on the line for those corrupt leaders who would not be shaken if at all they lost their lives in the process. Why they jealousy guide their children who are mostly out of the country during those periods

Youths in Nigeria are claimed to be more than half of the 200 plus million Nigeria and with reports from the National Bureau of Statistics the unemployment rate among the youth at 65 percent

Many struggled through their tertiary days with hopes to find a valid and sensible job which they would in turn use to fend for themselves and their family but so is not the case, as after graduating, many more are left to deal with job searches and the bribe-infested officers in charge of recruiting.

However, the lack of employment opportunities has led  many to involve in some degrading activities such as kidnapping, cyber thefts.

The fraudulent act has become prevalent in Nigeria as youths who engage in fraudulent activities become rich overnight and this is most common among graduates and undergraduates.

In addition, the issue of drug and substance abuse is still a prevalent social ill among the youth. It is true that drugs are used for beneficent therapeutic purposes, effective substance for good health, but they are being abused by people, especially youths. They use it illegally and unlawfully, thus it becomes harmful to the body. It is therefore recommended that parents should take good care of their children during the teenage age.

Also, the invention of social media apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter is for users to connect with the world. But social media use has been abused in the country. Some lazy youths are just looking for avenue to laugh about sex stories to read, celeb news to view, who to criticise in the comment section.

However, some say youths need  sensitisation on the importance of  participating in governance but does government believe in them? Youths who find themselves in politics today are those whose parents or guardians are already established political figures who then use their influence to elevate them. So, how then can a vibrant youth who’s a son of nobody that knows nobody becomes somebody  be the leader of tomorrow? Today, there are many talented youths who are still striving to survive but do not have the right connection to make headway. Those who are industrious enough to innovate and create wealth are having their businesses taxed to death.

The future of Nigeria is what we make of it today, so what future do we want to see?

When Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu okayed the reduction of tuition fee at the Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU), Akungba-Akoko, the move favoured some faculties and departments. However, Law students feel they have been ‘neglected’ as there was no reduction in their tuition fee, reports PHILIP ANJORIN (AAUA).

When speculations broke out that Ondo State Governor Arakunrin Olúwarótìmí Akérédolú was intending to reduce the tuition fee of students in Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, parents, students and stakeholders were jubilant.

Although some observers queried the motive behind the sudden change of mind, especially after  the students had protested twice ( in 2018 and 2019) over increment in fees.

When the news of the reduction finally broke on August 26, in a circular signed by the Acting Registrar, Mr. Opeoluwa Akinfenwa, it caused a stir among many students whose hope had been raised.

It was observed that the move, which favoured returning students in other faculties except Law, was made after the management, Governing Council and and student leaders met with the governor. It was also established that the reduction was to cushion the economic effects of the lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.

Faculty of Agriculture had luck on its side as students would pay N100,000 instead of N150,000. For Social/Management Sciences and Faculty of Science it is N120,000, down from N150,000. Faculty of Art and Education are to pay N80,000 as against N100, 000.

Law students protest

For Adeosun Francis, a 200-Level student of Law, the move should not be regarded as reduction. Citing it as a political action, he faulted the motive behind the exclusion of Law Faculty from the reduction. He criticised the governor for neglecting the faculty, despite being a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

His words: “First, permit me to say that there is nothing like reduction in the AAUA tuition fee. It is crystal clear that this present government will give everything in its power to make sure that it retains its already faded popularity in the state.

“It is a political move. This same governor was begged back then to reduce the school fees, but he said he would rather lose his second term ambition than reduce it. Why is he now doing it now?

“How can the government exclude Law students from the reduction? The reason for the so-called reduction is the effect of COVID-19. There is a question to be asked: Are law students’ parents and or guardians immune to the effects of the pandemic? What other extra benefits are Law students enjoying that make them undeserving of a reduction if and when there is any?

“Again, you need to see the state of the lecture theatre in which Law students receive lectures. It is not only shameful but an act of total disgrace, especially knowing that the governor is a learned silk,  a Senior Advocate of Nigeria! What can be more pathetic!”

Another student, Ikulajolu Adesola, bemoaned the rationale given for the reduction, stating that no faculty deserved to be neglected in the new payment plan.

“This is obviously not in the interest of the students and the governor should have considered this. However, no one can explain what brought about the sudden reduction, despite a two-time protest in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

“The governor should have made the reduction cut across all faculties and levels of the institution. Reduction in tuition fee should not be a palliative for COVID-19.  That must have been a way to just draw the emotions of the people.”

He urged the management to persist in engaging the Governing Council for the benefit of students.

“As for the students, they should accept this in good  faith and continue to do their best. We all know it is not easy to pay close to N120,000. The management should continue to engage the Governing Council and see how more reduction can be effected.  “On the part of the government, more can be done. Affordable education is what the people are clamouring for,” he added.

We’re neglected, says LSS president

Micheal Adetula, the President of the Law Students Society, AAUA Chapter; disclosed that the association is trying its best  to convince the decision makers on why the Faculty also deserves to be included in the fee reduction.

He further bemoaned the neglect which the faculty has endured since the initial fee increment. He stated  that the faculty deserves  a better treatment. He mentioned that other faculties are favoured with new buildings and better attention than the faculty.

“We’re trying to liaise with the state government and give them reasons they need to reduce our fees too. N30,000 is still something. Law students also participated in the last protest.  We’re still students of AAUA. So, we see no reason the governor will reduce the fees of the institution and we don’t benefit. “Besides that, there’s nothing special we’re enjoying as Law students and this is what we’re trying to make the government understand. Look at the state of things in our institution right now, it shows that they’re not really concerned about us and everything they’ve been doing.

“Other faculties get new buildings and gadgets and there’s nothing for us because they believe that law students are paying lower than what is paid in other private schools. Things are not done that way”, he added.

Adetula informed our reporter that his administration is not relenting in their efforts, as they’re taking steps to ensure that their target is achieved.

“From our end, we’ve submitted our letter to the Office of the Governor since Monday, last week. I also called some other stakeholders that are close to the Governor like Chief Olusola Oke and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education.

“We told them why they should reduce our fees too. The fact remains that law students are not different from any other student in the university and we deserve a  reduction too. We’ll continue to agitate, God willing.”

Adetula,however assured the students and stakeholders that they were working tirelessly to resolve the matter.

“The battle is far from over. We’re pressure groups, we’ll keep pressurising because that’s what we can do, now. We’re happy with the stage we are now, so we’ll do more,” he said.

Pro-Chancellor: reduction not political

The Pro-Chancellor of the university, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, during a phone interview on what prompted the reduction, explained the factors put into consideration before the reduction was effected. He said the move didn’t have a political undertone.

His words: “We considered the impact of COVID-19 on parents, mainly because the business of most parents was literally halted, and in some cases almost extinguished. While it is true that we need funds to run the university and in reality, we’re charging the most minimum rate. We had to look into this with the government.

“So, we had a dialogue with government and put across the issues on the table. If we’re to reduce the school fees, there are some conditions attached to make it work, which we presented to the government. We were able to reach a good understanding that is beneficial to the students and also convenient for us. “To the best of my knowledge, Law Faculty was the only sector excluded. This year, alone, we had over a thousand applicants for the faculty and we’re only taking less than 100. That means that we’re taking less than 10 per ecrntw of the applicants. “It’s a question of demand and supply. And since the demand for Law Faculty is extensively high, there is no reason  we need to reduce. In the case of Agriculture, you will realise that we reduced more than others because they don’t have enough students in the faculty and our major advancement as regards the income generation is in the area of agriculture.

“So, we need more students in Agriculture Faculty who can participate as workers in the Work-Study programme in the agriculture sector. The innovative plan made us reduce it from N100,000 to N150,000 because we don’t have enough students and we need them massively. Law is a different case; we have a lot of students and we only need few. “The reduction is not backed by a political intent. The decision was taken by us. The governor only directed us to look into the issue at the application of the students.

“NANS led the student leaders to meet with the governor and pleaded with him which made the governor serve the matter to us. We told him the condition on which it can be reduced. It had nothing to do with politics. When you consider the long term effect of COVID-19, it becomes paramount that the government make some moves to reduce it, at least for the parents.”

BY Babatunde Adebayo

 

The campus is a reflection of the Nigerian society on a small scale.

We have a standard unit of a society running within the four walls of a tertiary institution; name it, politics, governments, commerce, lovers/families and journalism. With the guidance of the bigger Nigerian society as a big screen, the campus plays the role of a mini-Nigeria all too well.

Unionism in Nigeria was pioneered a long time ago, and over the years has seen many reforms, but it is not what it used to be.  Ideally, the union is created  to fight for students’ welfare and its executive/legislature are selected by the common students to serve. However, it’s not the same story these days. A regular unionist most likely got such position without merit. You will find a students’ union president who cannot  string up a word or two in English, yet they want to  represent the students in a formal setting. How do you win an argument when you cannot even speak? I have  seen an aspirant who cannot even construct a single sentence in English Language vying vigorously for a post that would require eloquence.

The structure in schools is  quite similar to that of the Nigerian society: the students’ union serves as the federal government, the faculty associations as state and departmental association as local government. It is well fitting and there’s the students’ representative council (SRC) which  serves as the Senate. A proper democracy!

Unsurprisingly, this environment is often marred with exports of corruption, something ridiculous for such level were academics should be a priority. Also, government and school management are now an active presence in the games of campus politics. They give off a passive outlook, but are actually firm in their hold over who is who in this power plays. In plain words, they support people controllable, weak-willed or the corrupt ones that could be bought with incentives.

This has  put a dent on  campus politics in such a way that the ideal and well-meaning individual is scared away from unionism.

The ritual and politics required to campaign, be voted for and run a campus position is too complicated for the level. The criteria for running are shorn of decency. Radicalism is worshipped but when it comes to confrontation, you find unionists  trying  to consolidate, trying to reach some agreement. And when it is time to be diplomatic, they start to bicker.

More than 80 per cent  of those in these capacities are not mentally equipped for such engagement.Motives need to be questioned. Most of them are not necessarily after anyone’s welfare but theirs alone. This is the same greed that has condemned this country to its current sorry state. Students’ unionists would fight for something that only personally benefits them at the expense of the public.

Besides  trying to use this capacity to enrich their pockets, they see this position as a tool to advance their relevance.

They soon start abusing power; intimidation and nepotism become the norm.

Most of these politicians have godfathers and stakeholders inside the same campus. Just like a  remix of the big game in Aso Villa.

To prove my point, I will share the story of an incident  that happened at  The Polytechnic  Ibadan, last July. The Oyo State Government had  provided palliatives for the students’ union to distribute. Apparently, this was an initiative championed by the SUG President, Fadare Blessing alone.  He had consulted and lobbied for this provision from the state for students stranded due to the pandemic lockdown and also students living around campus with their source of livelihood cut short  by the curfew. A survey link was released to the school social community to take demographics of the least privileged students and the most affected.

The palliatives did arrive. All kudos to the SUG president and the state government. Then the day of the distribution was  a nasty affair.

Poorly planned, the  inaction from the unionists frustrated most of the beneficiaries into leaving angrily. But that wasn’t the worst of it. After distribution had started, some students  stormed the venue. They were the  faculty and departmental presidents. They along with nameless stakeholders littered the students’ union building. They demanded that the distribution be stopped using  ‘ transparent’ criteria, and that the palliatives be handed to them equally so that they  handled the distribution  by themselves.

Mind you, only the SUG knew and fought for this provision and it was only fitting they distributed it accordingly.

Now it was a stalemate, the SUG could not give in to their demands and these  ‘cabals’ laid siege to the union building threatening to hijack the proceedings. They realised that if the criterion was followed through, there was a chance they would not benefit from the provision as they had declined taking part in  the survey. Selfishly, they would prefer to monopolise the sharing under any pattern they deemed fit, this would limit the chance of the stranded students benefiting from it as these politicians would share it among loyal friends and acquaintances.

This was a deliberate  ploy to enrich themselves and their friends. These saboteurs intended to destroy the face of the government; I wonder what they would do at the main stage of national politics. In plain words, these young men and women would prefer to seize a provision for about 200 stranded students to share among  themselves and only give people with political affiliation with them.

Many of these students go to any length to get power.Sadly, we have more figureheads than leaders in campus. Thus, most comrades are deficient in executing their duties effectively.  And there you have it, a government from cabals, for the cabals and by the cabals.

This reminds me of a discussion I had with a fellow campus journalist from Ado Bayero University, Kano. She shared how a SUG president and some  key members of the union were sacked and probed for corruption. Apparently, they had cornered some millions. Fast forward two years later, students were complaining about the inactivity of the union. Unknown  to them, the problem was from the school management.

The deanery controlled and oversaw the union expenditure.

Politics as far as anyone is concerned, is only a tertiary objective of all students in any institution. The primary and secondary being academics and social experiences respectively. Academic excellence should be our major concern.  Less than 10 per cent  of the individuals who delve into school politics do so for the service to humanity. It just comes as a thought, and they follow the feeling because it feels right. Why? Because they feel that they are ripe for whichever roles they want. But even that isn’t the worst.

Though student unionism remains relevant, there are still some dents which are to be corrected. Some sets of students depict unionism as a means of making ends meet. Reorientation is required to ingrain values of what proper leadership entails coupled with  a proper psychological test for  candidates vying for office.

By Sam Ibok

 

No fewer than 100 female pupils in Eastern Obolo, in Akwa Ibom State, have been enlightened on the dangers of teenage pregnancy, rape, the importance of personal and menstrual hygiene and the rights of a girl-child, at a seminar organised by the National Association of Eastern Obolo Students, (NAEOS) University of Uyo (UNIUYO) chapter.

The seminar with the theme: Educating Ebibaan Kiji (Educating our females) held at the Obolo Hall complex. It was attended by pupils from Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Amadaka; St. Silas Comprehensive Secondary School, Okoroete; Community Secondary School, Iko Town; and Heroes International Academy, Okoromboho, among others.

Addressing the participants, one of the resource persons, Candy Festus, a lawyer, who spoke on The Girl-Child Rights, told pupils that they have the right to education and parental care. She advised them to take their studies seriously and never feel inferior to boys.

She said: “The world has changed from where women used to be weaker vessels to those who will inherit the inheritance. “

Candy encouraged pupils to have  good role models, shun indecent dressing, report sexual harassment and maltreatment from teachers, friends and parents.

Another resource person, Miss Dorathy Jaja, a 500- level Medical Student from the University of Uyo counselled students on the the importance of maintaining good personal and menstrual hygiene.

According to her, using one sanitary pad for a whole day during menstruation causes many  problems to the body.

She advised them to avoid using  one underwear for a long time to avoid infections,while urging them  to always bathe  several times daily.

The programme Coordinator and Chairman Planning Committee, Miss Josephine Ntene, a 500-level Petroleum Engineering student, said the initiative was borne out of the passion to educate future female leaders who will, in turn, be able to educate the generation to come.

She added: “We are having this enlightenment seminar because of our observation that many female students consider themselves as second fiddle to their male counterparts and rush into early marriage. We see this as a challenge that must be properly addressed before we can move forward.The  girl – child must enjoy equal rights as the opposite gender.”

The event also featured drama presentation from Obolohood TV crew, paper presentations, quiz and debate competitions.

Some of the participants, Blessing Awajiokanuche, Selinah Adasi and Benice Daniel told CAMPUS LIFE that the seminar had inspired them to be focused.

“We have come to know that we don’t need to feel inferior, and that we have right to quality education. We have learned to believe in ourselves, and that nobody can tell us that we cannot make it in life.

We were also made to understand that education is  the best legacy,” they said.

Other dignitaries at the event were NAEOS Uniuyo President, David Enoch; NAEOS Uniuyo Vice President,  mother of the day, Zilpah Ukafia, Sarah Iyokossa, actress; Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students National President, Daniel Nkarijo, NAEOS Worldwide SU President, Gwun-awaji John, and NAEOS Worldwide VP, Sunday Uroetor, among others.

High point of the event was the distribution of sanitary pads to the female pupils.

By Azeez Ridwan

 

The Osun State Government  is poised to establish a committee to ensure the safety of students when schools reopen. This was made known last week at an emergency meeting with stakeholders of Osun State Students Association.

Osun joined other states to shutdown schools due to the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic in March.

The emergency meeting held with the leadership of the National Association of Osun State Students, led  by the President, Salahudeen Teslim, following a notice of protest served to the state government for failure to reopen schools on  Monday, August 31.

Read Also: Schools reopen September 21 in Ogun

 

However, at the meeting, representatives of the state government led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’Affairs and Social Mobilisation, Mr. Kehinde Ayantunji, decisions  were made that a committee be put in place and  adequate measures taken for the safety of students. Explaining the outcome of the meeting, Comrade Teslim said the government was fully ready to reopen schools and had set up a committee to that effect.

“At the meeting, our demands were stated clearly that schools must reopen as a matter of urgency ,” he said.

He added: “Bursary must be paid to cushion the effect of the pandemic on Osun indigenes who are students and that there should be special reduction in tuition fees for citizens of the  state.’’

By Habeebullahi Abdulwasiu

 

The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)  has disowned a statement circulating around that the management has fixed a new resumption date for its students and staff.

The statement, which went viral last Tuesday on all social media platforms stated that the university would resume for the continuation of 2019/2020 academic session on September 19, 2020, adding that academic calendar will be adjusted after it has been halted by the Coronavirus pandemic.

It reads in part: “This is to inform students and staff of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife that the school will resume for academic activities on the September 19, 2020. This is to ensure the continuation of activities put on hold as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

However, the university management in a statement published on its official Twitter handle admonished students, parents and guardians to disregard the directive put up by unknown individuals.

It further stated that students should stay calm and await authentic information from the school management as regards the resumption date which would be in line with the directive of the Federal Government.

Read Also: MTN Foundation donates e-Library to OAU

 

“The attention of the authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, has been drawn to a circular purportedly issued and signed by the University Registrar which has gone viral. The university management wishes to officially inform our students at all levels, their parents and guardians, that the said circular is fake and malicious both in content and context and it should be disregarded in its entirety.

“Obafemi Awolowo University is a Federal Government owned institution and the instruction to go on recess in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, in the month of March 2020, by the Federal Government has not been reversed.

“Accordingly, we want to use this medium to urge our students to remain calm, and await authentic information from the university management as soon as the Federal Government gives the go ahead to reopen the university,”  the statement said.