The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Fuoye crisis: SU seeks justice for slain, injured colleagues

    Students Union(SU) of  the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has called on government and civil society organisations to join hands with them to seek justice for victims of September 10 crisis.

    The Nation earlier reported how two students of the institution- Oluwaseyi Kehinde and Joseph Okonofua, were killed by the police during a protest by the students over poor electricity in Oye and and Ikole Ekiti campuses of the institution.

    Many other students were also injured when the protesters took their grievances to wife of the Ekiti State Governor Erelu Bisi Fayemi who coincidentally was in town to carry out her empowerment campaign. The protest turned violent after a police officer attached to Mrs Fayemi’s convoy slapped one of the students.

    The state government has paid a condolence visit to the bereaved families, participated in their funeral ceremonies, and footed the bill of the injured.

    However, the school management, state government and National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) will make their reports available on the incident this week.

    SU President, Awodola Oluwaseun, lamented that Nigeria practises injustice instead of independence.

    He said:“As the nation celebrates  the 59th  anniversary of our nationhood, it should be the day we celebrate our nation’s comfortable means of livelihood and secured sense of security, but what do we have here?

    “Where is our sense of security and assurance safety if extrajudicial killings of our innocent brothers and sisters continue to go unpunished?

    “Fuoyeites (FUOYE students) have not forgotten the evil perpetrated against us. However, we still appeal to both federal and state governments because of our civility, to seize the moments of the Independence Day in availing the deaths of our comrades.

    “We also use this medium to appeal to all mother union-National Association of Nigeria Students, National Association of Polytechnic Students, National Association of Academic Technologists, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Academic Staff Union of Universities, among others, to ensure justice to the martyrs.”

  • ‘Education, a veritable tool for national development’

    Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar Prof Zana Akpagu, has identified education as a veritable tool for national development.

    Akpagu said no country can achieve meaningful development without investing in education.

    Akpagu stated this at the institution’s Senate Chamber during the ninth annual conference of the Faculty of Education. It had: Inclusive education, entrepreneurship and national development, as the theme.

    According to him, no country can attain real national development without emphasis on formal and informal education. Akpagu underscored the need for the citizenry to be educated and trained in entrepreneurial skills to enable them become employers of labour through job creation.

    “The citizenry needs to be educated for skills development through concerted efforts on entrepreneurship to create wealth and instill balanced development amongst young entrepreneurs,” said Akpagu who was represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof Uche Amalu.

    He described the theme of the conference as apt.

    Akpagu, who also underscored the place of research in the development of any institution, added that any institution that fails in that direction cannot function effectively.

    In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof Simon Akpama, said the faculty’s determination is to sustain sacred academic tradition in a knowledge-driven economy in tandem with global best practices.

    Akpama urged participants to dissect the theme and also emphasise the synergy between inclusive education and entrepreneurship to midwife national development.

    Also speaking, former vice chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Prof Chigozie Asiabaka, described inclusive education as the fundamental principle that children must learn together.

    Asiabaka, who was also the keynote speaker, spoke on the topic: ‘Inclusive education, entrepreneurship and national development.’

    He explained that inclusive education has also evolved with different nomenclatures such as normalisation, mainstreaming and integration.

    Asiabaka stated that inclusive education focuses on supporting all learners, educators and the system to address the full range of learning needs.

    He enumerated benefits of inclusive education to include: creating opportunities for children with varying abilities when motivated; encouraging involvement of parents in the education of their children; fostering a culture of respect; and providing for all children opportunities to develop friendships with one another.

    Asiabaka stressed that inclusive education focuses on providing education for all, irrespective of inabilities, adding that education can be formal or informal.

    He also said inclusive education provides equal opportunities for learners irrespective of handicapping condition or severity.

    Similarly, Prof. Samuel Killian Bassey from Cross River State University of Technology, said equipping learners in an inclusive education system with self-employable skills can ginger national development.

    The conference also featured presentation by special education students.

  • The crisis of values

    I once participated in a project: “The impact of communication on values.” I was in a sub-committee that looked at the impact of integrity, honesty, tolerance and cohesion on society, and the role that communication can play in instilling these values in our youth. Part of the strategy was to arrange focus groups meetings in tertiary institutions.

    In the groups I coordinated, I asked them one simple question: “what will you do if you find a missing N500, 000.00 in a bag in your institution?” I was shocked that only about five percent of the over 200 undergraduates I engaged said they would return the money to the owner, if they know who he is, or to the authorities to find the rightful owner. The responses I got were; “I’d be a big fool to return the money.” “God must have provided the money to pay my school fees.” “I’ll be a ‘happening’ guy on campus.” ”With that kind of money, I can pay for a room for myself in the hostel.” Etc. The project was about exploring the glue that holds society together thus it focused on nationalism, patriotism, tolerance, honesty and integrity, citizenship, development, cohesion etc.

    I was glad that at the end of each day’s deliberation, some of those who affirmed that they would keep the money eventually agreed it was the wrong thing to do. I recollect one of those on the side of integrity raising an important question: “if you succeed in keeping and spending the money then what next?” That question really got home and provided the opportunity for us to look at honesty and integrity dispassionately.

    Basic values are traditional and historic, reflecting aspects of the experience of a society. These values like right and wrong, tolerance, empathy, dedication etc. are oftentimes extracted from the main religious teachings of the society. In fact, a value system is based on averaging the total human experiences and producing a compromised version for all to follow. Religion is often present at the heart of a human value system.

    But our society is today at a values crossroad. The rate at which our youth engage in criminal enterprise has spiked in recent times. The most common is cybercrime and kidnapping. Cybercrime is ‘justified’ – by those who engage in it – on the ground that it does not ‘hurt anyone.’ Kidnapping is getting ‘dues’ from the ‘oppressors.’ This warped reasoning predominates among our youth today.

    As the outcome of the project I mentioned earlier stressed, communication has an important role to play in moving society in the right direction. World leaders realised this following the massive devastation of the World War II period. One of the disruptions that took place was in the area of communication.

    That disruption led to the evolution of communication for development (C4D) which mirrored broader shifts in theories and models of economic and social development. The basic assumption is that there are no countries or communities that function completely autonomously and that are completely self-sufficient, nor are there any nations whose development is exclusively determined by external factors. Every society is dependent in one way or another, both in form and in degree.

    Consequently, communication initiatives adopted a diffusion approach, which uses communication to carry out a transfer of information. This includes large-scale media campaigns, social marketing, dissemination of printed materials, ‘education-entertainment’ and other forms of one-way transmission of information from the sender to the receiver.

    With time, proponents of diffusion theory recognised the limitations of mass media – the way it was being run – in promoting sustained behavioural change. The new thinking thus incorporated interpersonal communication: face-to-face communication that can either be one-on-one or in small groups. The objectives are to share information, respond to questions, and motivate specific behavioural practices. The belief is that while mass media allows for the learning of new ideas, interpersonal networks encourage the shift from knowledge to continued practice. That was why the project I mentioned earlier engaged in focus group discussions.

    Communication for development has thus come to be seen as a way to amplify voice, facilitate meaningful participation, and foster social change. The 2006 World Congress on C4D defined it as “a social process based on dialogue using a broad range of tools and methods. It is also about seeking change at different levels including listening, building trust, sharing knowledge and skills, building policies, debating and learning for sustained and meaningful change.” Such two-way, horizontal approaches to communication include public hearings, debates, deliberations and stakeholder consultations, participatory radio and video, community-based theatre and story-telling, and web forums.

    While the west had known this for long, we only started imbibing them about two decades ago with the establishment of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), a parastatal in the federal Ministry of Information and Culture. If an opinion poll is conducted today, I believe most Nigerians would be shocked that an agency like NOA still exists; one can practically conclude that it is “irrelevant” because of its non-impact and the way it has been run.

    The NOA – because of its spread and network – is supposed to be a game changer in propagating our value system. I will advocate a disruption to professionalise the NOA by engaging professionals with vast knowledge of integrated marketing communication – who know what strategic communication is all about to assist.

    The NOA was established by Decree 100 on 23rd August, 1993. The Decree merged the Public Enlightenment (PE), War Against Indiscipline (WAI), and National Orientation Movement (NOM) Divisions of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture with the Directorate for Social Mobilization, Self-Reliance and Economic Recovery (MAMSER).

    The rationale for the merger was to harmonise and consolidate efforts and resources of the government in the fields of public enlightenment, social mobilization and value re-orientation. The main objectives are: to ensure that government programmes and policies are better understood by the general public; mobilize favourable public opinion for such programmes and policies; encourage informal education through public enlightenment activities and publications.

    Others include establishing feedback channels to government on all aspects of Nigerian national life; establish appropriate national framework for educating, orientating and indoctrinating Nigerians towards attitudes, values and culture which project individual’s national pride and positive national image for Nigeria; awaken the consciousness of Nigerians to their responsibilities to the promotion of national unity, citizens commitment to their human rights to build a free, just and progressive society; develop among Nigerians of all ages and sex, social and cultural values and awareness which will inculcate the spirit of patriotism, nationalism, self-discipline and self-reliance.

    The final set of objectives include encouraging the people to actively and freely participate in discussions and decisions on matters affecting their general welfare; promote new sets of attitudes and culture for the attainment of the goals and objectives of a united Nigeria State; ensure and uphold leadership by example; foster respect for constituted authority; and instill in the citizens a sense of loyalty to the fatherland.

    I doubt if there’s anyone out there who would disagree that these are not a fantastic set of objectives. The question to ask is why have they not been achieved? Why didn’t we make progress and why were Nigerians not better informed about the workings of government? The simple answer is professional incapacity and strategy.

    The United Nations (UN) realises the critical importance of capacity this is why it employs the services of key and knowledgeable professionals to manage its interaction with people of diverse cultures and nationalities. Managing information is fundamental toward progress because it a delicate balance between progress and anarchy; It is not “job for the boys.” One of the major reasons for the Rwanda genocide was the poor management of information.

    It is amazing that when the world is moving forward, we are either static or moving backward. I see this happening daily. One of the ways to address this is for the NOA to explore ways of partnering with institutions and schools – tertiary, secondary and basic – to use their platforms to communicate with the students. They already have offices in all the local government areas in the country. So what is holding the agency back? Could it be dearth of capacity and strategy?

  • AOCOED: Parents, mgt discuss students’ well-being

    Management of AOCOED has praised the Lagos State government for playing a leading role in the educational development of the state through prompt payment of salaries of teachers/ lecturers, improved infrastructure and modest tuition for students in the state-owned tertiary institutions.

    Management, therefore, vows to reciprocate the gesture by providing quality teacher education in the 61year-old institution.

    Bursar of AOCOED Mr Adebisi Adeyanju announced a new tuition in the college during a management/parents forum that held at the school premises.

    According to him, as against N28,000.00 (including Acceptance Fee) charged Year 1 students, they will henceforth  pay N20,000. 00, while Year 2 and Year 3 which formerly paid N20,000.00 would now part with N15,000. 00.

    Adeyanju told the excited parents that the review became necessary following students’ rejection of the initial fees two years ago.

    He said: “Remember that we last held this forum two years ago, “Adeyanju began.

    “That was when we introduced N28,000 for new intakes while Year 2 and Year 3 students paid N20,000 respectively; but our students appealed that the fee should be reviewed downward.

    “We then notified government of their (students) complaint and they (government) allowed us to review the fee s downward.

    “Here, we usually do not charge tuition but administrative fees. However, we realised that some students will collect money from their parents yet failed to remit it to the school account.  Therefore, management has decided to henceforth slam a N5000 as punishment for students who fail to remit their fees within the first two month of resumption of every semester.

    Registrar of the college Mr Shehu Muhideen, urged parents to ensure bio-data of their wards are correctly included in the Students Files and designated portions signed by them and their wards before being returned to the office of the Dean of Students’ Affairs, for keeps.

    He said Students File accommodates documents of academic performances of each students, adding that it could also be used for referral, for issuance of academic profiles and most importantly a proof that a particular individual was once a student of the college.

    He said the school’s ID card is valid for students of the institution for three years only, and additional two years for students with references after which such individuals ceased to be students of AOCOED.

    Shehu noted that parents have a duty to inform management officially when their wards take ill while at home, noting that defaulting students risk carry over (CO)

    “When students are indisposed, they can forward their position or send someone to notify the school. If any students misses exam, that is summary CO; but if such matter is genuine and duly reported, management will not treat the matter as CO. We have other provision where such students will be allowed to rewrite the papers after enough findings are made.”

    The Provost, Dr Aina Ladele, and her deputy Dr Deborah Dele-Giwa, urged parents to bond with the school authority by keeping  some of the hotlines provided by management with which they could reach any of the college top principals for enquiry.

    Ladele said the college discovered that many of the children left their various homes pretending to be godly or innocent but turn out wayward and heady once they get to school.

    “Some of them no longer listen in class preferring to play with their phones during lectures. Some will not even come to class or do their assignments. Some will litter the classrooms with their jotters after lecture.

    “Some females cannot close their laps. Some will even sit carelessly on the laps of their male friends. Some males and female students now co-habit at their various hostels.

    “We have mothers to blame for this. Most of us no longer teach our children the values. When you duly perform your role to the children, you help the society and through that you help the nation.”

    Dele-Giwa said she is a living testimony of some of the best products of the institution who, as an alumnus, rose through the ranks to become deputy provost of the institution.

    Chief Security Office of the College Olajide Sanyaolu, said management has illuminated the entire campus to make it is safe and students can study unhindered.

    Guest Speaker Mr Akolade Lapite who spoke on ‘improving students’ welfare’ urged parents to provide enough resources for their wards’ books and accommodation since students live off campus.

    Lapite said the school has a robust Guidance/Counselling Unit where worried or anxious students could visit, for counsel.

    “Here, we provide academic support for our students especially those ones below average. We also monitor our students off campus through the Students Affairs Division. We take time to visit the various communities particularly across Oto and Ijanikin axis where majority of our students stay, so we can get feelers from our community leaders about our students’ activities.

    Lapite also advised the students to be of good conduct and make positive use of the social media.

  • Group accuses NANS member of disrupting election

    THE Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Mr Azeez Adeyemi, has been accused of disrupting the election of the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS).

    A group led by Comrade Ade Bash from the University of Lagos, described as ‘spurious’ the NAOSS election conducted at Iwe–Irohin in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, which produced Olamileke Ogunronbi as president.

    It, however, endorsed another election conducted at NSCDC’s College of Security and Management, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta where Saka Azeez Abidemi also emerged president.

    Bash told CAMPUSLIFE that ahead of the election, Adeyemi allegedly sent some threat messages to some NAOSS contenders, asking them to drop their ambitions or be dealt with.

    But Adeyemi described the group as’ impostors’, adding that their action amounts to ‘impersonation’ because Ogunrunbi is NAOSS’ legitimate president.

    CAMPUSLIFE learnt that the accusations and counter accusations, were the fallout of NAOSS election, which appeared to be producing to parallel leaderships.

    CAMPUSLIFE checks revealed that the crisis started during a run up to the election, held in June after the electoral commission was instituted at a pre-convention earlier.

    The election produced Comrade Kehinde Olaonipekun Olusegun of the National Open University (NOUN), Abeokuta as the electoral committee chairman, alongside other members.

    Bash further alleged that Adeyemi mobilised some armed people to the election venue to disrupt it.

    “Nobody knew who they were. But, it was ascertained that they were not senators neither were they members of NAOSS,” said Bash,  a leading supporter of the Abidemi-led NAOSS.

    Read Also: NANS hails improved security in Katsina

    The group said the invaders were sponsored by Adeyemi who was also bankrolling a presidential candidate.

    “The NANS members came up with various moves and antics to disrupt the peace and serenity of the elections. They lured the security officials into dancing to their tunes to have their ways,” the group said.

    “While everyone was patiently waiting for the arrival of the electoral commission to conduct the elections, NANS agents were seen preparing for the election on their own and insisting that the election must hold for that day. We were wondering why they were adamant on the election holding when they are not even members of NAOSS,” he added.

    The source further explained that Adeyemi, alongside some NANS executive members, ensured they had access to the voting arena, while NAOSS members were shut out.

    Bash said as is the tradition, the outgoing president, who was also barred from entering the venue, was expected to declare the convention open as a prelude to voting. He said certain key members of NAOSS, who were observers in the election, were also denied access into the hall.

    “Out of 21 offices, they conducted election into three offices without the use of any ballot papers which is against the rules of NAOSS and election guidelines and the electoral chairman was forced to declare the results,” the group said.

    Bash noted that after the election, some students of Ogun extraction  summoned a peace meeting of stakeholders in the student unionism.

    The fallout was a resolution for fresh election, which held at the state Command of NSCDC, Oke-Mosan, where Abidemi emerged winner.

    Adeyemi, however, described the allegations as tissues of lies.

    Speaking through NANS Press Consultant Olasunkanmi Akinlotan, Adeyemi  said the election followed due process.

    Adeyemi denied ever mobilising thugs to the election venue. He described the elements behind the story as ‘irrelevant group of individuals’ desirous of heating up the polity.

    “The election held at the Iwe Iroyin was free and fair. It was keenly contested to the extent that it dragged till nightfall.

    “Many of your colleagues (refereeing to CAMPUSLIFE reporter) from national dallies as well as police and other security officers were in attendance as witnesses. In the end, Olamileke Ogunronbi from Ogun State Cooperative College Ijeja-Abeokuta won, and was declared president by the chairman of the electoral committee, who was also shielded by security officers while announcing the results.

    “These people later approached the Ogun State chapter Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC College of Security and Management and misled the provost that they wanted to have a students event, only for them to conduct a kangaroo election that produced Abidemi.

    “We later reached out to the Provost of the college, who said the students lied to him that they wanted to organise students activities, but he didn’t know it was election they wanted to conduct.

    “How could you conduct election with about 15 members on ground? What they have committed is simply impersonation.

    “They have been going from place to place to finding legitimacy to their faction. At a point, we wanted to take up the matter with them, but it was this same that Adeyemi who felt as the chairman of NANS, he would not close his eyes while his colleagues are being harassed.

    “They have been going around sending fake stories with scam mails to certain media houses without revealing their identities. Let them come out as we are coming out, if they are sure they have nothing else to hide. We are ready to honour any invitation by anybody since we have no skeleton in our cupboard.”

    Meanwhile, a top police source, who also witnessed the election at Iwe Irohin, described the Bash-led group as ‘unreasonable’.

    “To the best of my knowledge, the election was very peaceful and a winner unanimously emerged,” said the source who also craved anonymity.

    He continued: “We ensured we mobilised enough police officers to the venue. All efforts by some unscrupulous elements to thwart the election were resisted. So, if some people are saying the election was disrupted, that was a lie from the pit of hell.’’

  • Niger College of Agric, IBBUL sign MoU

    Niger State College of Agriculture, Mokwa (NSCAM), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), in the areas of teaching, research and community development services.

    At the ceremony,Vice-Chancellor, IBBUL Prof Muhammad Nasir Maiturare, said the university appreciates and acknowledges the paramount role agriculture plays in the development of any nation; hence its determination to explore every opportunity towards facilitating the development of agricultural programmes being offered at the institution.

    Maiturare explained that the MoU would also cover staff training and exchange programme, together with the introduction of Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programmes in crop science and production, as well as farm management.

    In his remarks NSCAM Provost Dr Aliyu Muhammad, said he was optimistic of fruitful collaborations between the two institutions. Muhammed is also upbeat the MoU would impact positively on the agricultural sector of the state, and the country, at large.

    Delivering the vote of thanks, Registrar, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, appreciated the Faculty of Agriculture of IBBUL for initiating several partnerships and collaborations with reputable institutions.

    The climax of the occasion was the signing of MoU.

  • Dangerous beauty trends amongst ladies

    We live in a world where a woman’s skin and her body shape define her beauty and fate; a  world where you’re being judged by how you look, your skin colour and body curves. A world where beauty and body become a criteria for women to obtain a good job, a criteria to attract people get likes on social media and be respected.

    Newsweek columnist, Jessica Bennett, once said: “ In this economy, looking good isn’t just vanity, it’s economic survival. Then it is not surprising and only natural that women try to obtain that criteria and fit into that world for economic survival.”

    However, what’s shocking is what most women do to fit into that world and its injurious effects.

    Women resort to different methods and ways to look good and fit perfectly into the ideal world of pretty women with charming body curves. Due to the pressure on women on the need to look good and the requirements of our contemporary society for a beautiful woman, many have subjected themselves to dangerous procedures, barbaric and expensive means just to obtain and maintain the so-called right body and face. Most women go through series of heart wrenching pains to achieve pretty looks and the most shocking is the adverse effects that come with it or follow after.

    Face is one of those parts that the world believes makes a beautiful woman, and that’s why women go the extra length to make their face beautiful either by bleaching, make-up, piercing of the ears, eyes, nose and lips, and worse still undergoing surgery, among others.

    However, bleaching, surgery and make-up seem to be the most widely used. There are lots of materials seen to be used in reaching their desired dream, such as bleaching soap, bleaching cream. Most women use to tone their skin colour, especially those who believe being black isn’t beautiful. There are also different types of cosmetic surgery many women undergo to improve their facial appearances despite the risk and high cost, Such cosmetic surgery includes: botox (to conceal wrinkles), cheek lift, chin surgery, aleph atop pasty (eyelid surgery), face-lift, neck lift, otoplasty (ear surgery), and rhinoplasty (nose surgery). Also, the most widely used is make-up, which is predominant among female Nigerians, such as foundation for different skin tone, concealer, eye pencil, lipstick, face powder, eye liner, mascara, eye lashes, have been prioritised and socially uplifted.

    Another criteria used is the woman’s body shape and parts, the curve which has been proclaimed as figure 8, the breasts, the butt, shaped midsection, straight legs and wide hips. It is a general belief, in Nigeria, that a woman with a fit body and curve attracts men more, and also has a higher chance of getting job opportunities. I guess that’s why most women subjected themselves to different painful exercises and means such as; using waist trainers, padded bra, cosmetic surgery, body enhancer cream, hip enhancer, stretch marks removal cream, butt enhancer, breast enhancer, flat tummy balm etc. Some women engage themselves in various cosmetic surgery in pursuit of admirable curve. Abdomen reduction/ tummy tuck, arm lift, liposuction, belt lipectomy, and inner thigh lift are all sorts of surgery recorded.

    Women also go through the pain of fixing nails, using hair extensions, drawing tattoos, wearing high-heeled shoes. Nevertheless, it is shocking that women still troop in to fit into all stated above despite the adverse effects.

    Yes! Beauty is pain, but at what expense? Most of these things we do in the name of beauty come with unfavourable effects that are injurious to health. Cosmetic surgery including face and body cosmetic carry greater risk. These risks include: Infection at the site of incision; which may worsen scarring and required additional surgery, Fluid buildup under skin, skin breakdown, nerve damage, high probability of varieties of cancer; and even death in some situation. Besides, it comes with a high cost and complicated procedures such as:stable weight for six months to a year; not chewing tobacco; gums or lozenges for four to six weeks before and after surgery, and signing of consent form in case things go wrong, among others.

    Bleaching creams are also known to contain harmful ingredients such as hydroquinone, mercury, tretinoin, serotonin etc. Tretinoin also known as trans retinoic acid is used mainly for skin discoloration. Using it makes the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet rays therefore the need to avoid sunlight.

    Now, the question is: Is the beauty really worth all these pains? Do you really have to fit into the world idea of a pretty woman at the expense of your life? I mean even if you want to, there are safer ways to do it by using natural remedies, eating right and staying happy instead of resorting to methods that could cost you your life and health.

    And to women, I believe we’re strong enough to accept ourself for who we are. Be proud of who you are. You don’t have to give up your health, life and freedom in order to fit into the world’s idea of a good looking woman.

    Yes! It’s nice to look good, but do it in a safe way. Facial beauty attracts people but not for long. Nobody cares about a pretty corpse. If you’re so worried about how your lover and the world will look at you, then what happens when the beauty fades.

    Women deserve to be happy, Yes, We deserve that!!!

    • Owolabi Khadijah is a 200level student of Law, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto.

  • Obolo Students hold Cultural Day

    It was all fun at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic (AKPOLY) last weekend when Obolo students marked their Cultural Day. Clad in different attires, the students under the aegis of National Association of Eastern Obolo Students (NAEOS), thronged the AKPOLY mini stadium, venue of the programme.

    The event, which was organised to showcase the cultural heritage of Obolo natives, was graced by many members of theObolo community in IkotEkpene, as well as lawmakers from the National Assembly.

    In his addressthe president of the association Moses Etem, expressed gratitude to God for making the day a reality. He said his strength and leadership ability would set the association on progressive pace after his tenure.

    The chairman of the occasion, Uro Bill, emphasised the need for students to unite and promote their language and cultural heritage wherever they may be. According to him, Obolo culture remains one of the richest, while transmission from parents to children is fluid.

    He urged lecturers to always instill morals and good values on the students, saying such would encourage students to focus on their future.

    The cultural troupe of the association entertained guests and members with agaba and nwatamdance steps. Also, some of the members recited the Obolo anthem to the surprise of the guests.

    One of the students, Cecilia Anthony, 200-Level Business Administration, told CAMPUSLIFE that the messages of Agaba and Nwatam drums were to educate and prick the conscience of the people in Obolo society. He added that agaba and Nwatam remains relevant in today’s society to speak the truth to the power that be.

    The highlight of the occasion included the presentation of awards to some of the guests;launching of the association’s almanac and decoration of the pioneer MR and MISS Obolo.

  • AAUA: Students bemoan bad roads, harvest of deaths

    For locals and particularly students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State, incessant motorcycle mishaps are not alien to them. From time to time, students recount horrendous tales of accidents by desperate and overzealous motorcyclists. The incident has left many dead while majority of those who survived have remained handicapped. The latest accident, which killed Miss Esther Ayo, a 100-Level Plant Science and Biotechnology student, is raising fresh concerns on the security of lives of AAUA students generally, ADESOLA IKULAJOLU a final year MASS COMMUNICATION student, reports

    Miss Esther Ayo was happy when she was offered admission to study Plant Science and Biotechnology at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State. Little did she realise that she would not survive the first year before death cut her life short.

    Apparently oblivious of the evil that dotted her path that fateful Saturday, Esther had attended lectures after which she returned home, excited.

    In the evening, Esther made her way to the market to get some foodstuff, only to  run into an errant cyclist at Okusa quarters (an area in  Akungba). The impatient cyclist had a head-on collision with Esther at top speed. She  never survived it  as she died on the spot.

    News of her sudden death, earlier this month rang through the length and breath of the school. Besides, it left many students shell shocked and resigning to fate amid seeming hopelessness over their vulnerability to reckless motorists and cyclists’ popularly known as okada.

    President of AAUA Students’ Union Comrade Adesomoju Samuel lamented how Esther’s life was cut short by a tragedy that could have been avoided.

    He said: “I’m shocked with this sad report of accident mostly due to reckless riding of our motorcyclists. So sad that Esther left us so soon. We love her but God loves her most.”

    Adesomoju appealed to appropriate quarters to checkmate the situation and protect the students against future incidents.

    Esther’s case was one of those needless deaths caused by the propensity of motocyclists to an innocent life; no thanks to deplorable roads that often aid such calamity.

    In 2016, a motorcyclist knocked down a student. The development prompted wide protests by students against the recklessness of public transport operators in Akungba, a community that houses a chunk of students of AAUA.

    CAMPUSLIFE observed that the accidents do not only occur on the major roads in Akungba-Akoko , but also on minor  roads in the community.

    According to road users, the deplorable state of the Akungba – Ikare road (a federal road) has made road accidents almost a daily occurence. Owing to those needless road mishaps, Akungba community decided to build  bumps along streets apparently in a bid to reduce the speed of public transport operators.

    But has the accidents abated?

    Some of the students complained of over-speeding by the riders. Others say they recklessly bump into portholes; yet others complained of their impatience which sometimes make them collide with one another at top speed.

    President of the Osun State students in AAUA, Comrade Abodunrin Samuel, described the attitude of the cyclists as ‘unbecoming’.

    He said: “They ride as if they have an extra life somewhere, all because they want to make money. They risk their lives and that of their passengers’. Some of them even drink and smoke. Once intoxicated, they become something else. They don’t care what type of car is approaching or at what speed the car is driving towards them.”

    Abodunrin, who is a final year Mass Communication student of the university, said bad road has been another cause of accidents in Akungba, most especially around market areas on market days.”

    He added: “If concerned associations can look into rehabilitating these roads and cautioning cyclists, then accidents will be reduced to the barest minimum. Passengers should also look before they board motorcyclists. They should avoid cyclists that are addicted to substances.”

    “The reckless riding of motorists/cyclists in Akungba is becoming unbearable, “said another 400-Level student of Mass Communication, OluponaTemitope.

    Temitope continued: “I really don’t know if probably they are in haste or something else. Recently, a student of the university was knocked down due to this reckless driving. Students are no longer safe when walking or crossing roads. The school needs to address this issue. Students’ lives  are at risk here, the school should hold a meeting with  the association of transport operators in Akungba, and make them see reasons why this recklessness must stop. The safety of students is very paramount here.  It is getting out of hand and the school must act to avoid protest.”

    On his own part, AdeyefaTolulope, who is a second year Political Science undergraduate, lambasted transport operators for their carelessness, and propensity to ignoring traffic signs.

    “Most of the many mishaps occurring on the highway in Akungba,are as a result of carelessness and recklessness on the part of motorcyclists. Their carefree attitude towards traffic regulation is often the cause of accident, which at times results into loss of lives. Majority of them ride under the influence of alcohol and India hemp. As long as this remains their stock in trade, they cannot but be reckless.”

    Adeyefa suggested that more officers from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) should be mobilised to apprehend and mete appropriate sanctions  to traffic offenders. This is in addition to making more bumps on roads that are vulnerable.

    Oluwaseun Blessing, a final year student of English Studies, said it becomes more dangerous for students and pedestrians to cross the road as motorcyclists could run across from anywhere without using the horn.

    She said: “I am tired of the behaviour of these cyclists; they act like the owner of the roads. At evenings, it becomes very difficult to cross even normal streets. They appear from any angle without using the horn. They have little or no consideration for pedestrians.”

    Another student Emmanuel Ade, who claimed to have been a victim of road accident in Akungba, also condemned the reckless attitude of the cylists.

    “One would think reckless driving occurs on Owo-Ikare expressway and other major roads in Akungba alone, but that is not true. Minor roads and even bush paths are not spared of this act of carelessness. I have been an accident victim in Akungba and can boldly say that motorists, especially cyclists are the major destroyer of the roads,” Emmanuel said.

    “Considering the number of accidents that have occured on Akungba roads this year, one does not need a soothsayer to infer that the cyclists need  to be cautioned.”

    A student who pleaded anonymity, attributed the recklessness of motorists to bad roads.

    “It is imperative to note that most of the roads in Akungba need reconstruction. I would not really blame cyclists who try to make use of every available path, as it is just a way of wriggling out of the messy situation they found themselves .”

    Defending his colleagues, a cyclist who identified himself as Gabriel Olagbemi, attributed incessant road mishaps to bad roads. He also commented on the indifference of pedestrians, majority of who are students.

    He said: “It is not our fault that some accidents occur sometimes. The roads are not good enough especially in this rainy season. Everyone tries to sort himself out.

    “Concerning the rise in the rate of accidents, I think the pedestrians have their own share of the blame. They act with carelessness  and are quick to verbally attack cyclists when being corrected.”

    He added: “This is not to say that all cyclists are good. There are some who get drunk before setting out for business of the day which is not a good thing.”

    Olagbemi further pleaded with pedestrians to exercise patience while also calling on the government to repair and reconstruct damaged roads.

    Meanwhile, the Students Union has scheduled a meeting with the Akungba chapter of  the Amalgamation of Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association of Nigeria ((ACOMORAN), which comprises motorcycle transport operators nationwide.

    General-Secretary, AAUA-SU, Comrade Adebayo Jesutola, noted that the union is inundated with reports of recklessness of cyclists in Akungba .

    “Following the various reports of recklessness of motocyclists in Akungba-Akoko and its environs, the Students Union of AdekunleAjasin University has reached out to the chairman and other executive members ACOMORAN). We need to deliberate because this thoughtlessness has become too much.

    “The Students Union leadership has repeatedly admonished members of ACOMORAN against the use of hard drugs before mounting the motorcycles. This, we believe, will also reduce their recklessness on the highway,” Jesutola added.

    In the same vein, management has waded in promising to partner with necessary agencies to ensure that students are always in safe hands.

    The university’s Head of Information, Protocol and Public Relations Unit (IPPRU), Mr Victor Akinpelumi, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, lamented that the university has received several reports bordering on threatens to students’ life.

    Akinpelumi said management has put in place a patrol team that would help reduce the ugly incidents happening to students off-campus, especially at night.

    He said: “The AAUA management received the reports of armed robbery attacks on students living off campus, precisely in the Medoline and Cele areas of AkungbaAkoko.

    “The university has held several meetings with students and landlords in the affected areas on how best to stop this menace.

    “Apart from this, the university has also put in place a joint patrol team comprising the police, our security outfit in the institution, and paramilitary outfits.”

    Akinpelumi explained that the management is also engaging a local vigilante group that would work in conjunction with the people in a joint patrol of the aforementioned areas.

  • MAPOLY gets N10 million endowment

    A BUSINESS mogul Chief Olatunde Ayinla Abudu  has donated N10million to  Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta.

    Abudu, a  Fellow of the institution, made the donation when the management of the institution paid him a visit in his Abeokuta residence to canvass financial support for the institution.

    Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Samson Adeola Odedina, who led the management team, thanked Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, for returning the institution to status quo ante in June.

    Odedina said the meeting was meant to reopen a relationship with all stakeholders to bring back the institution’s glory.

    Odedina told their host that their effort was aimed launching the institution back to prominence through the 2019/2020 admission with the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB).

    He said management has reached an understanding with its regulatory body, the National Board For Technical Education (NBTE), to return the institution to its portal. In view of the ongoing development, Odedina assured  a revalidation and accreditation of 44 programmes previously run by the polytechnic, including its first set of agricultural and land-related courses.

    According to him, the institution is also taking advantage of the new Polytechnic Act signed by the Federal Government which empowers polytechnics nationwide to partner with other relevant institutions to produce high-level manpower.

    In his response, Chief Abudu reiterated his belief in the institution’s ability to address capacity gaps and employment generation in Nigeria.

    The nonagenarian educationist praised the Odedina-led management for initiating moves to re-ignite the relationship with stakeholders towards improving the lots of the institution.

    In 2017, the 40 year-old institution was rechristened Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology by the immediate past administration, a move that created an identity crisis before the present administration directed that status quo should be maintained.