Category: Campus Life

From Olaogun Abiodun

 

The  President, National Post- Graduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPGMCN), Dr Musa Mohammed Borodo, has promised to raise the standard of the college and fulfill the vision of its founding fathers.

Bogoro made the promise during its investiture as the 21st president  at the college premises in Ijanikin Lagos.

He promised to operate open door policy, attract investments, consolidate on linkages, improve on facilities and jerk up the college internally generated revenue among others.

For instance, Bogoro promised  to consolidate on training across the college 16 existing programmes as well as a new faculty-Emergency Medicine, promising that the said training to resident doctors would be also undertaken at zonal level to save cost to students.

Bogoro vowed to introduce clinical simulation materials as additional learning tools to supplement the rapidly contracting real life clinical disease scenarios in the training centers.

He said: “One important way of bridging this gap as obtainable  in other climes is through the introduction of clinical simulation materials as additional learning tools to augment the rapidly contracting real life clinical diseases scenarios in the training centres.

Accordingly, we would vigorously pursue a programme of developing a robust central simulation laboratory here at the college to be supported by modest ones at zonal locations in  the country to ease resident training at reduced transportation and accommodation cost obviating  the need of all residents to converge at the college simulation centre here  in Ijanikin.

Read Also: Buhari to launch medical outreach programme

 

Under his watch, Bogoro said the college would vigorously pursue new linkages, while consolidating on existing ones.

“Already, initial exploratory efforts started in the regime of my immediate past president have started yielding results in the surgical specialty at the University of Colorado in the USA where we now have MoU for exchange of residents and young fellows. I can assure other faculties that we would explore additional areas of linkages,” he added.

He thanked the Federal Government for enacting the Medical Residency Training two years ago and with the college as regulator, all in a bid to make residency training more available with adequate funding and improved exit time

He assured that his administration would fast track the second phase of the college learning resource centre which he said, has dragged for nearly a decade owing to inadequate subvention from government.

Bogoro gladly announced that the college is set to kickstart a pre-fellowship British type MD programmes with the cooperation of its regulatory body-National universities Commission.

“I’m glad to announce that after a successful resource verification exercise, NUC has given approval for this programe late February this year. Accordingly, all hands must be on deck for the commencement of registration for the course this year for residents who are interested,” he said.

In view of the expanding responsibility of the college, Bogoro equally harped on the need to recruit more hands with commensurate financial backing so as to allow it discharge its mandate more effectively.

He promised to rejuvenate the almost comatose limited liability company established by the college founding fathers ‘NAPOSTMED Ventures’, three years ago, in the quest for boosting its internally generated revenue.

He said his administration has floated the ‘President’s award for supervision and examination of research work’ which, according to him, aimed at motivating some of his colleagues that have displayed exceptional commitment to the often demanding task of supervision and examination of these works which is a sine quo non to the college fellowship.

 

From Sola Owoeye

 

Workers of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Ijanikin, Lagos have debunked rumours of students uprising on Monday.

The workers accused the state government of attempting to witch-hunt them for being whistle-blowers.

The leadership of the four unions, which held a briefing at the college premises yesterday, said the government did not give them a fair hearing before going hard on them.

Chairman, College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) Comrade Ige Ajayi, was reacting to a letter, purportedly written by the Office of the Special Adviser on Education, which directed the leaders of the unions to report to government secretariat in Alausa daily until further notice.

However, Ige insisted workers would not rest until the Registrar and Bursar Messrs Shehu Muhideen and Adeyanju Adebis, explained the accrued payment of rent on a communication mast as well as two banks operating within the college, among other allegations.

The unions last week accused the Registrar and Bursar of fraud, asking them to vacate office for an investigation. The situation degenerated into accusations and counter accusations among the parties, as police from Ijanikin Police Station were brought at the instance of the Registrar.

In a briefing at COEASU secretariat on Tuesday, the unions comprising COEASU; Non-Academic Staff unions (NASU); Senior Staff Unions of College of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN); and National Academic Staff Technologists of Colleges of Education (NACEATYON), accused Shehu and Adebisi of taking it upon themselves the task of buying equipment for the college, thereby leaving the Procurement Department redundant.

Ajayi said when confronted with the allegations by workers, the duo could not provide documents between the college, and its contractors and vendors.

Ajayi debunked the insinuations making the round that workers were planning to cause trouble to destabilise the peace in the college.

Read Also: AOCOEAOCOED Provost promises openness at matriculation

 

Ajayi lamented that the college has no principal signatory, adding that the Registrar, Bursar, and Deputy Provost, and Deputy Bursar have been signing cheques at will, with Provost acting only as an approval signee.

He noted that in the last nine days, the union did not plan to make it public  until the Registrar petitioned them before the government the following day and later expressed his position in the media, thereby externalising the crisis.

Said Ajayi:”Imagine that the Registrar single-handedly wrote a petition and submitted same to the government without the knowledge of any principal officers in the college. It was at the point of submission that he (Registrar) was asked to reroute his letter through the Provost office.”

Ajayi said the unions had written to the DPO of Ijanikin Police Station, warning him of the implication of meddling in union matters, militarising the campus and intimidating innocent workers.

Ajayi said the unions suspended the planned congress scheduled for Tuesday to forestall a scenario where such a gathering would be hijacked by fifth columnists to disrupt the first semester exam, which started a day earlier.

He said though workers did not stealing confidential documents, they would be willing to give government clues on how to substantiate the allegations levelled against the duo.

In his reaction, however, Mr Shehu told The Nation that he had not been  informed about the allegation.

“I’ve not received any allegation, be it verbal or in writing. Let them (workers) put forward their allegation in black and white. There are procedures in public service which they know. Let them follow the procedures,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Speacial Adviser on Education Mr Tokunba Wahab, insisted that the due process would be followed to the letter.

“The unions do not own the school and, therefore, cannot run the school for us. The government is the owner and I’m the surrogate in council. Where there are issues, the unions suppose to report to government first and not take laws into their hands. They did not go about their allegations in the right way.

He continued: “We will follow due process this time around. We shall set up a panel to appraise the scenario before we come back to look at their allegations.

“I never lied against them that they slapped the Registrar and even the school CSO. That is against the rule in public service. Now, we will no longer condone indiscipline. We will run the school according to our dictates and not theirs.

 

 

By  Mudathir Hayatullahi

 

Today, many kids suffer from series of fears and when they have no guidance or someone to help them fight it away, they end up becoming victims who find some simple things to be the most difficult task in the world.

Fear in human beings may occur in response to a certain stimulus occurring in the present, or in anticipation or expectation of a future threat perceived as a risk to body or life.

 

What do kids feel afraid of?

Toddlers feel separation anxiety. At sometime between 10 months and two years, many toddlers start to fear being apart from a parent. They don’t want a parent to leave them at daycare, or at bedtime.

Young kids fear ‘pretend’ things. Kids  from ages four through six can imagine and pretend. But they can’t always tell what’s real and what’s not. To them, the scary monsters they imagine seem real. They fear what might be under their bed or in the closet.

Older kids fear–real life dangers. When kids are seven or older, monsters under the bed can’t scare much because they know they’re not real. At this age, some kids begin to fear things that could happen in real life. They may feel afraid about natural disasters they hear about. They may fear getting hurt or that a loved one could die.

Preteens and teens might feel anxious about how they look or whether they will fit in. They may feel anxious or afraid before they give a report or answer questions in class, start a new school, take advanced exams, or play in big games.

 

Some causes of fear

Fear can be caused by experiencing or watching a frightened traumatic accident. For example, if a child falls into a well and struggles to get out, he or she may develop a fear of wells, heights, enclosed spaces, or water.

 

How to help our fearing children

Be patient

Please don’t force your children to confront their fears before they’re ready. That said, you also don’t want to overindulge the fear, which may work to validate it into something more concrete. Instead, talk them through the emotion they’re feeling in a calm and comforting manner.

 

Lead by example

Do you have a fear of your own? Perhaps you’re afraid of heights or don’t like being stuck in crowds. Sometimes the best way to teach your child how to overcome their fear is to ‘show’ them how it’s done. Lead by example and put yourself in situations where your child can witness how you navigate your way through your fears calmly and confidently. If Dad or Mum can do it, so can they!

 

Introduce role models

Childhood fears are common and for this reason there are a plethora of resources out there to assist you in teaching your child how to deal with them. Seek out age-relevant children’s books, toys and movies with characters and storylines that deal with overcoming fears and being brave. I’m sure this will also work.

 

Give them control

Fear can be a direct response to feeling physically threatened and helpless. Kids who are scared of the toilet, for example, are concerned they will be flushed down the loo; children who are afraid of dogs are worried they’re going to get bitten; kids who are so scared can scream when even an ordinary goat approaches their way; little ones who are terrified of the monster under the bed are feeling vulnerable on their own in the dark.

Giving your child an element of control in the management of their fear will go a long way towards making them feel safe. For example, if they are afraid of intruders in the night, make shutting and locking their bedroom window one of their night-time responsibilities.

 

Encourage and praise

Dismissing your child’s fears or teasing them will achieve absolutely nothing positive. Belittling or ignoring your child may force them to internalise their fear rather than deal with it and also break their trust in you. Instead, talk to your child about their fears, reassure them that you are there for them and encourage them to deal with their fears in their own way – and in their own time. It’s also important to praise their efforts – even mock up a ‘certificate’ to give them when they do something out of their comfort zone.

It will go a long way towards building their confidence and overcoming their fears.

Answer their questions

Although childhood fears are usually based on imaginary or exaggerated perceptions, that doesn’t mean they aren’t very real to your child. Talk with them about their fears and try and understand where they’re coming from.

Encourage your child to ask you any questions they like and do your best to answer them in gentle, age-appropriate ways. If you don’t know all the answers, research them together at the library or online.

Little steps

You can help your child conquer their fear by gentle exposure to that fear, which gradually increases with time and practice. You can do this in consultation with your child.

For example, if he’s afraid of the bath, you can start by having a small amount of water in the bath, then gradually add more. Use a jug to pour a little on his hands, then progress to pouring a little on the back of his neck. Keep taking small steps until he feels comfortable and confident.

Don’t be angry, stay calm

It’s never a pleasant experience for a parent to witness their child in a state of distress and sometimes parents may feel helpless in the face of it.

Responding angrily or with humour will often result in further distress for your child. Remaining calm and consistent will ensure a quicker resolution.

When your child is in a state of fear, they’re not able to discuss the issues reasonably. Just be there to soothe and comfort.

From Mohammed Yakubu and Hamzat Ibrahim Abaga

 

Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities-Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (ASUU-IBBU) Dr Kudu Dangana, has stated why lecturers might continue the strike even after the two weeks’ warning strike declared by its national body that will expire tomorrow.

The national body of the union on Monday, last week began a two- week warning strike in protest against the non-payment of salaries to federal universities, an attempt by the Federal Government to enrol ASUU on Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), as well as its failure to respect the agreement reached in 2009.

Dangana told CAMPUSLIFE that ASUU-IBUUL still has some ‘in-house’ challenges, which he said might extend the strike, if urgent steps are not taken. He said Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), and promotion arrears, among others.

Read Also: ASUU strike: Causualising the professorial chair

 

“Our EAA is paid in an amputated form which is very unjust on the side of the state government. Enough is enough, we cannot continue receiving our allowances immaturely,”Dangana told CAMPUSLIFE.

“Also, our promotion arrears are not being paid effectively, especially of those integrating from senior lecturers to associate professors and up to professors. All these together with other issues provided by the national body triggered our chapter to join the struggle.

Reacting to this, Dangana said: “Government has directed that all parastatals and ministries should be paid through  and ASUU felt it is against the autonomous feature of universities. So ASUU cannot join”

Suggesting an alternative, Dangana said government could set up a visitation panel that will be monitoring universities in order to keep them accountable.

He said: “We can’t join IPPIS but the government can set up a visitation panel that will solely monitor the influx of funds coming into the universities and how they are being used.

“Another reason is that our members in federal universities are not paid and ASUU strongly believe that an injury against one is an injury against all.”

Going down memory lane, Dangana said after ASUU strike of 2009, the government promised N200 billion to be allocated for universities yearly. But, the money was only paid once and subsequently evaded.

Assuring the public of the union’s integrity, Dangana, affirmed that some of the demands by ASUU are not only for their benefits but also for the welfare of the students as well as ensuring an improved system of education.

 

 

 

 

Students leaders have been asked to exhaust the option of consultation whenever they have an axe to grind with their leadership. This is because violence is fast becoming obsolete and being supplanted by constructive negotiations.

A Professor of Sociology and Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Lagos State University (LASU), Wahab Elias, said some students  engaged their leadership in their quest for demanding certain rights, only to discover that such bad attitude would haunt them at the point of graduation or better still, later in life.

Elias addressed 26 members of the Students’ Union (SU) and Students Representative Council (SRC) of Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree, during a four-day training  organised for them by the management, in conjunction with Kasa, a management consultancy firm.

The workshop had as theme: Producing proactive leaders for mutual understanding in tertiary institutions.

Speaking at the Toll Plaza Hotel, along Lagos/Badagry Expressway, Elias recalled his undergraduate days as a former general secretary of Lagos State University SU in 1994. Although he eventually emerged the best graduating student in his department, his respect for constituted authority as a students’ leader, paved way for strings of opportunities that dotted his path later in life.

“The narrative (of unionism) has changed from hooliganism to constructive engagements. You must learn to use tact and never get tired of consultation. As a student leader, try to leave good legacies because you don’t know where you will find yourself in the near future,” Elias said in his lecture titled: ‘Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.’

He continued: “A great future awaits you all. Tell truth to management without resorting to brigandage.

“In life, there is a point your past will always meet today and tomorrow. Therefore embrace virtues such as honesty, integrity, openness, discipline, humility and trustworthiness.

Elias praised the management of OSPOTECH for the initiative, saying they are indirectly reproducing those that would take over the administration of the school and country.

Nonetheless, he equally admonished management to be flexible, have an open-door policy, as well as sincerity of purpose, saying that students often show great understanding once they have management that demonstrates integrity and openness.

Read Also: Meristem to Nigerians: embrace financial planning

 

Elias identified three categories of leaders- affectional, charismatic and rationale, challenging the students of the possibility to inculcate attributes that characterise the three leaders.

“You must also stay out of cultism. As leaders, you subjects see you as role models. Nothing good comes out of bad associations; they will one day consume you,” he further warned.

Similarly, Dr Ayo Oladejo who also teaches at Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Ijagun, Ogun State, stated that conflict occurs when misunderstanding or  misconception or clash of interest or variations in opinions.

Speaking on the topic: Alternative dispute resolution as a veritable tool for solving conflicts in tertiary institutions, Oladejo identified a ‘breakdown in communication’ as the underlining factor during crisis periods, urging participants to choose constructive conflict resolution over disruptive conflict resolution. While the former possesses some elements of force, the latter dwells on diplomacy and persuasion, Oladejo stressed.

Oladejo urged them to embrace communication; sink every biases by being neutral; be good listeners and willing to shift ground and have  determination to take critical decision when the chips are down

Similarly, Lead Consultant Kasa Management, Dr Kolawole Jaiyeola, who defined attitude as  man’s predisposition or mindset to issues, enjoined the trainees to embrace positive attitudes in order to minimse conflict.

The high point of the event was the presentation of awards to the speakers and representatives of the OSPOTECH management, and trip to certain fascinating areas in Lagos.

Earlier, Rector of OSPOTECH Dr Olawoye Olaniran, said management initiated the training to bridge leadership lacuna even in government circles.

“Nigeria today is blessed with lots of resources but lack quality leadership. Therefore, the essence of this initiative is to ensure that these young leaders will henceforth adopt a different approach having learned from these resource persons. I enjoin you all to put into practice all that you would learn today,” said Olaniran who was represented by the school’s Director of Media, PR and Protocol, Mr Fadeji Joseph.

Student’s Union president of OSPOTECH Comrade Raji Kehinde Ademola, recalled that the workshop which was once an annual exercise had been put on hold since 2013/2014 academic session.

“When we came on board in October last year, we agitated for the revival of this training workshop, especially because of the management/student faceoff which led to the burning down of the school’s Health Centre last year.”

“Now, we want to inculcate the culture of lobbying and consolidation, as well as constructive engagement with management on issues that affect our members.”

From Ashafa Khadijah Ummi

 

There was pandemonium in Lapai community as a tanker heading towards Bida from Abuja road knocked  down a man that the locals simply identified as Babangida, and critically injured two others, one of who is a student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai (IBBUL), Niger State. An eye witness who craved anonymity, recounted the scenario to CAMPUSLIFE.

He said: “The driver of the trailer was reckless on the wheels. Sighting a bump ahead of him, he suddenly applied the brakes at breakneck speed, but the trailer skidded off the road and ran into people standing by the roadside, killing Babangida, and injuring several others.’’

Read Also: Five persons attending burial feared dead in auto crash

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that one of the injured persons was a final year student of English Department, while the other is yet to be identified as at press time.

According to a source, the student, who was initially taken to Lapai General Hospital, has been transferred to Minna General Hospital in the state capital due to severity of their condition.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, Jantabo Amidu, has ordered the demolition of roadside shops as a means of reducing incessant road mishaps on Abuja-Bida road.

From Oluwatobi Odeyinka

 

University of Ibadan (UI) has suspended international conferences to be hosted by the school, as well as foreign travels of workers.

This was contained in a statement by its leadership as part of efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The management also instructed faculties and halls of residence to provide facilities for hand washing as well as sanitisers.

Students and workers are further advised against handshakes and other body contacts.

The statement reads in part: “As part of precautionary measures to prevent members of the university community from contracting coronavirus (COVID-19), management in consultation with the Director, University Health Service and Director, Infectious Disease Institute, University College Hospital, has taken the following measures:

“All international conferences to be hosted by the university have been suspended until further notice.

“All international travels of staff are suspended until further notice.

“All incoming and outgoing exchange programmes as well as international visits of professors, foreign partners and collaborators are suspended until further notice.

Read Also: COVID-19: Senate urges Buhari to address Nigerians

 

“All departments, faculties, units, halls of residence, places of worship and other places with high concentration of people on campus are hereby advised to make provision for or resuscitate facilities for handwashing in the immediate environment in order to encourage routine washing of hands. Adequate signs pointing to such should also be provided.

The management also advised that individual members of the university community as well as internal programme organisers to have alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

The management urged students and staff not to panic as preventive measures are being taken to forestall any case of coronavirus in the university.

“Management is working to complement the recommended preventive measures. A monitoring team will go round to ensure compliance.

“There is no need for anyone to panic. These are precautionary measures as education on prevention is still considered the major intervention against COVID-19 and similar diseases,” the statement reads further.