The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Stop toying with our future, Mapoly students warn club

    Students’ of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta (MAPOLY), have warned members of the Abeokuta Club to desist from playing politics with their future.

    The Students’ Union body is telling members of the club not to be a clog in the wheels of  Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun’s plans to restore the 40-year-old institution to status quo by reversing its upgrade to Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology (MAUSTECH), as done by his predecessor.

    In a statement made available to CAMPUSLIFE, MAPOLY  Students’ Union President Samson Omoniyi expressed displeasure at the club’s position on MAUSTECH and MAPOLY.

    Omoniyi accused members of the club, led by its president Tokunbo Odebunmi of politicising the issues surrounding the two institutions.

    CAMPUSLIFE learnt that the club issued a statement where it urged Governor Abiodun not to reverse the law that created MAUSTECH. The club reportedly accused the governor of working against the interest of the Egba, which, according to them, did not have a university.

    “We wish to express our displeasure towards the position of members and leadership of Abeokuta Club, which we strongly believe consists of intellectuals. However, we consider their actions as an attempt to politicise the good intention of the state government,” Omoniyi said.

    He continued: “We want to state in clear terms that if the members of Abeokuta Club or any other group refuse to stop playing politics with our school, academics and life, we won’t hesitate to take them on.

    “The plan by the governor to restore and retain MAPOLY is the best decision and the greatest display of fairness by the governor in the general interest of the state.

    “We believe that democracy can only be strengthened when stakeholders are not biased along religion and ethnic lines in their analysis of issues bordering on national development. Sentiments will only weaken our democracy.

    “It is so saddening that a group that failed to lend a voice when the creation and conversion of these institutions, in a mess, now clamours for the retaining of MAUSTECH at the expense of 40-year-old MAPOLY. It will amount to foolishness to kill a 40-year-old king because a prince was born.”

    “It should be recalled that the motives behind the creation and conversion of Ogun State Polytechnic, MAPOLY and MAUSTECH contributed to the brouhaha that rocked the process which adversely affected academic activities of the institution and the economic fortune of the region.”

    The Student Union stated that MAPOLY students have suffered enough over the fate of the institution.

    “We have suffered enough from the confusion that emanated from the creation and conversion process. We cannot afford to experience such again.

    “MAPOLY, our heritage, must be sustained, strengthened and transformed to improve its quality.

    “We want to commend Governor Abiodun for his swift response to every issue that affects MAPOLY and the education system in general. We also look forward to his intervention on the bad state of the road that links the school’s gate from Iyana-Oloke junction,” the students concluded.

  • Revisiting the Next Generation report III

    As we continue our discussion on the 2010 “Next Generation” report, it will be imperative to focus on an area that has been a source of concern to many: Nigeria’s growing population. I have written over four articles on this subject over the years. Recall that the “Next Generation” report is a series of global British Council research focusing on the attitudes and aspirations of young people, and the policies and conditions that support them in becoming creative, fulfilled and active citizens.

    The research projects examines young people’s views around education, employment, and lifestyle, as well as uncovering their hopes and fears for their country, their degree of international engagement and views on the wider world, and the values and beliefs that affect their lives. A ‘Task Force’ of some eminent Nigerians chaired by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at that time the Managing Director of the World Bank and later the Minister of Finance, was convened to explore Nigeria’s future at a time of rapid demographic, social, and economic change.

    In the chapter titled: “Dividend or Disaster: understanding Nigeria’s demographic choices,” the report drew a parallel between Nigeria and many countries that have experienced similar demographic challenges over the past 50 years prior to 2010. The essence was to draws on this international experience by providing a strong base of evidence on which effective policies can be built upon by policy makers.

    The report pointed out that: “demographic dividend is a concept that is well understood by economists. The window of opportunity opens as fertility and youth dependency decline, and the working age share of the population rises. The East Asian countries saw a sharp increase in the number of young adults in the workforce from the mid-1970s onwards, a period that coincided with the region’s economic ‘miracle.’ One third of growth in this period can be directly attributed to the favourable demographic conditions the region was experiencing at the time.”

    But as it rightly pointed out, demography is not destiny. “Countries can only collect their dividend if young workers are healthy, adequately educated, and able to find productive employment. Robust financial markets help too, allowing adults to save for their retirement while generating the capital that can provide a further boost to growth. All this requires an effective government, a strong society, and relatively high levels of peace and security.

    If these factors are not in place, a country will miss its opportunity. The damage may be subtle at first, with decades of underperformance followed by crisis as the baby boom generation reaches retirement.”

    What should frighten us now is the reality of some of the factors the report said would happen if certain actions were not taken. For instance, if young workers are not healthy, adequately educated, or being able to find productive employment, the outcome maybe glaring. “The results may also be much more dramatic, as large cohorts of unemployed or underemployed young people destabilise their societies, fuelling crime and creating conditions where civil conflict becomes more likely. Instead of collecting a dividend, a country that is not well prepared to make the most of its baby boom generation can find itself in the midst of a demographic disaster.”

    I watched a video clip of a demonstration by a group that took place in Abuja last year, and immediately this report came to my mind. I saw a young man atop a fast moving vehicle – movie style, except that it was in real life – trying to use his fist to smash the windscreen while the driver of the vehicle swerved in an attempt to get the intruder off his vehicle. The same daring feat was carried out on the Nigeria Police armoured water canon vehicle. These are some of the individuals we may have wittingly or unwittingly created through serious policy lapses.

    In analysing the seriousness of the demographic risks the country faces, the report had an “upside” and a “downside.” It stated that during the current decade (2010 era), Nigeria’s economy experienced relatively robust growth, with annual per capita income growth far outstripping its historical performance by most measures. “Assuming Nigeria maintains this growth; Nigerians would see significant improvements in their standard of living. By 2020, the average Nigerian could expect to have 48% more income than today. By 2030, his or her income would have more than doubled. Such a sustained period of growth would have a transformational impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.”

    We are today one year shy of 2020 and we all know what the conditions are; Nigeria was not able to significantly accelerate the transformation of its economy. Task Force research modelled a scenario that includes two economic drivers that are at the heart of the demographic dividend: an expanding labour force and steady improvements in life expectancy. Their impact on Nigeria’s prospects would be substantial as “31.8 million people are taken out of poverty by 2030, showing the potential of the demographic dividend to transform lives.” This certainly has not happened.

    Moreover, the research suggests that the dividend could be larger if its effects are augmented and supported by much-needed investment in human and social capital. At 48 years, life expectancy in Nigeria is still shockingly low and is projected to increase only to 56 years by 2030. “We explore what would happen if health improvements raised life expectancy to the current developing-country (excluding China) average of 64 years by 2030, which would correspond to Nigeria achieving a significant degree of catch-up by 2030 to income-adjusted global health standards. We also look at the impact of steady improvements to Nigeria’s institutions, where the country continues to lag well behind international standards on indicators including corruption, rule of law, and public sector efficiency.”

    Again, as it pointed out, the results are striking. Although the impact of better health and institutions looks modest in percentage terms, adding about two percent to per capita GDP in 2030, its true impact is in terms of lives, bringing another 2.3 million people out of poverty. Over the next generation, Nigeria’s demographic wave could bring huge benefits to its citizens – halving poverty and nearly trebling per capita incomes in a generation. Again, this has not happened.

    On the “downside” of the equation, the report noted with concerns that at the same time as Nigeria’s opportunities are increasing, its risks are multiplying. “Demographic change does not take place in the background. It heralds a profound and deep-seated transformation to all facets of a society, and many of these changes are already being felt in Nigeria. In 1960, fewer than 7 million people (17% of the population) lived in the country’s towns and cities. Today, Nigeria is half urban, half rural. Over the next 20 years, the urban population will almost double, increasing by 65 million (64% of the population).”

    This will come with enormous challenges as is being felt in major urban cities across the country. Nigeria’s urban centres are very different in character from its traditional villages. Kinship structures are weaker and families are smaller. Young people – especially those in cities – tend to have very different attitudes and expectations than their parents – and the sheer size of the new generation ensures that it will be an influential, and potentially disruptive, force.

    And as the report stated, these social and cultural changes are unsettling, but they can have a positive impact with certain conditions in place. Young urban countries can be powerful engines for innovation, but only if the society is sufficiently robust to adapt to new pressures and demands. “Weak states, with stagnant economies, are more likely to find themselves overwhelmed by the demands placed on them, leading to a vicious cycle of failure and decay.”

    In the worst case, Nigeria will find that: growing numbers of young people are frustrated by a lack of employment opportunity. Competition for jobs, land, natural resources and political patronage fuels violent conflict between groups. This unrest is exacerbated by the growing impact of climate change on weather patterns, water and other resource availability, and agricultural productivity.  Cities lack the resources to cope with the speed of their growth and become increasingly dysfunctional and lawless.

    It would appear we are witnessing some of these outcomes already.

  • ‘We lost because of inadequate facility, support’

    The University of Ilorin football team, otherwise known as Warriors, defeated the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti team, known as Dazzlers, in the Higher Institutions Football League (HIFL) with five goals to one, last week.

    The HIFL is an annual football competition for higher institutions in Nigeria.

    The league is open to all member-universities of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) and winners of the league are scheduled to represent Nigeria at the Summer Universiade of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) games.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Philip Orege, a FUOYE student, expressed his dissatisfaction at the outcome of the match and attributed their loss to lack of professionalism.

    “We lack professionalism. We lack adequate facilities, communicative skill and experience,” Orege said, adding: “Unilorin team played very well. The adequate facilities they have showed in their performance.”

    A key player of the team, who pleaded anonymity, expressed his dissatisfaction with the match.

    He said the poor outcome was due to lack of management’s support in addition to some personal technical errors, which they are sorry for.

    “What I can only let you realise is that the participation was because of love for football and the commitment was based on our own personal careers too. We have been representing the school very well so far, despite their unfavorable attitude and gestures to us, but we did not look at those,” he said.

    He continued: “We have played different matches and won, it is just unfortunate this time. We cannot blame our loss on any FUOYE (poor) facilities because it has always been like a situation where we lack almost everything, yet God was always by on side. Students should have a strong belief and should shower us their support in the next match.”

    “We prepared well for our game even when there was no allowances for the players. Majority of us, including myself, could not travel home for the break just to prepare for this match. The support pulled by Unilorin students really saddened my heart because the way they handled sports over there is not the same way in FUOYE. Their Vice Chancellor was even present to watch their match,” he added.

    He appealed to the management to pay more attention to sports.

    “I just hope the university would do better by paying little more attention to sports in FUOYE. It is part of what universities teach students, of course, the main purpose of teaching is to bring out the unique potential in students to prepare them for better future and personal skills students possess are also part of it.”

    The source, however, urged FUOYE students not to lose hope in the team. “We have been representing you well and we are still hoping that by the next leg, we shall be victorious. We promise to play with all our strength to make sure we make it to the next stage of the competition.”

    When contacted, the coach of the university’s football team, Mr Ojo Blessing Ayodeji, said the team was well prepared before the match, adding that their preparations fell short due to dearth of facilities, which could guarantee better performance.

    He decried the lack of good football field among others. “Unilorin players used the advantage of a larger field (breath of the field). FUOYE’s field is not up to the standard field, therefore the players are adapted to where they train every day,” Ayodeji said.

    He continued: “There should be camping of players to be able to have enough time for training before the competition, which other institutions do in readiness for their games. Here (FUOYE) we couldn’t because of lack of finance and it’s having side effects on our players. So to end it up, the readiness was low due to logistics.”

    “Among other things, the management should provide a standby vehicle that will be forsporting activities only so the players can be transported easily to training venues and match locations. This has has been giving them much stress every time.”

    All efforts to get through to the Student Union Sport’s Director proved abortive.

  • Kogi Corps members sensitise women on Lassa fever

    A group of corps members in Kogi State has organised a sensitisation programme for women in Lokongoma Market, Lokoja, the state capital.

    The exercise, CAMPUSLIFE learnt, was to educate the locals on how to take preventive measure against Lassa fever and other epidemic-prone diseases.

    And as they toured the market,  they  told their ‘converts’ how the fever gradually begins  via general weakness, malaise and after a few days, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough and abdominal pain.

    The corps members, under the aegis of Editorial and Publicity Community Development Service (CDS) and medical and health groups, were seen in three groups carrying placards with various inscriptions such as ‘Keep your environment clean’; ‘Don’t allow rodents in your homes’; ‘Fry your garri, don’t dry it’; ‘Keep your foods away from rats’ and ‘rear cats in your homes’, among others.

    A few weeks ago, Kogi State Commissioner for Health Dr Saka Audu confirmed four cases of Lassa fever, which claimed two of the victims’ lives.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, President, Editorial CDS group, Mr. Fidelis David, said the sensitisation became imperative, following the recent outbreak of the fever. He added that in heeding the national call, members needed to act fast via enlightenment of their host communities.

    Fidelis also described the fever as an endemic hemorrhagic disease that has claimed many lives, not only in Nigeria, but in other parts of West Africa. He added that humans can easily get infested when rats make droppings or urinate on foods that are meant for human consumption.

    Aside the aforementioned, he said other symptoms include fever, general weakness, tiredness, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, and abdominal pain, swelling, fluid in the lung cavity, bleeding from the mouth, nose and vagina among other symptoms.

    Fidelis said individuals, who stand greater risk are those who live in overcrowded environments, slums, and rural areas where sanitation is not only poor, but lacking basic hygene.

    According to him, their role is to complement Federal Government’s efforts  across various levels by ensuring that all hands are on deck to eradicate the disease in Nigeria.

    Also speaking, President, Medical and Health CDS group, Miss Oluwafemi Omotayo Blessing advised Nigerians to immediately report any suspected cases to a health care facility. Omotayo also warned residents to avoid eating food or household items contaminated with excretions of rodents or better still, visit the nearest hospital for medical consultation whenever they feel any changes in their system.

    According Omotayo, Lassa fever is an endemic acute viral hemorrhagic disease, which was first discovered in Sierra Leone in the 1950s, but the virus responsible for the infection was not known until 1969 when it claimed the lives of two missionary nurses. This fever was named after a village called Lassa in Borno State, Nigeria.

    Reacting, some of the beneficiaries of the enlightement, including Mrs Idris Halimat, Mrs Adebayo Taiye and Mrs Eneojo Grace described the synergy between the two CDS as ‘laudable’, stressing that such sensitisation has equipped them with more ideas on the preventive measures against the fever.

  • RUGA: avoid ethno-religious war, govt told

    The Federal Government has been urged to tread with caution over Rural Grazing Area (RUGA), to prevent it from degenerating into tribal or religious war.

    A professor of Environmental Sustainability, Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Anthony Kola-Olusannya, who gave this warning at the Lagos State University (LASU), urged governments to seek homegrown solutions to the matter.

    Kola-Olusanya, who spoke at a public lecture organised by LASU’s Centre for Environmental Studies and Sustainability Development, noted that some unscrupulous politicians have hijacked the RUGA initiative, using same to escalate trouble among locals.

    He warned government not to trivialise the matter by taking it to the National Assembly ostensibly for debate. Rather, the locals should be made to engage in conversations and ground-shifting, a practice which he said once encouraged a symbiotic relationship between the two groups in time past.

    He said: “The (farmers-herdsmen), crisis is facilitated by tribal leaders, by eminent personalities so that the matter would be taken to Abuja for solutions. But it is not that kind of solution whereby you sit in Abuja, or National Assembly to debate, we need to engage the locals- community leaders, farmers, youths and women, so that we now devolve solutions arising from such conversations.  I strongly believe those ones formed out of serious conversations that can bring about lasting solutions.

    “The farmers and herders conflict could also be interpreted as Christian-Muslims. Who are the Christian? Farmers! Who are the Muslims? Herders!, In another manner, it can become a tribal war-like the Jukuns and Tives in the middle belt if care is not taken.”

    “Ab initio farmers and herders used to be at peace. How did they do it? The issues are what the two groups can discuss between their relationships in a non-acrimonious way.

    “See, the locals have always been talking about how to promote peace between herders and farmers. It is unfortunate the politicians have hijacked this.”

    He also condemned the labeling of Fulani herdsmen as ‘kidnappers’, particularly in the Southwest. Unfortunately, he said Nigerians are now beginning to associate all sorts of atrocities committed to the Fulani tribe alone.

    “But we have crafted that gun-toting herdsman into our memory with a negative image,” Kola-Olusanya lamented.

    He also frowned at Nigerians condemning the Federal Government’s Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) initiative to end farmers-herders clashes nationwide.

    According to him, RUGA could alternatively be modified into ranches, grazing area or cattle colony, adding that it is the ‘RUGA’ nomenclature that is now inspiring suspicions among Nigerians.

    Nonetheless, he praised the government for suspending RUGA initiative because of the misconceptions it has generated.

    “RUGA simply means rural grazing and does not connote anything in Hausa or Fulfulde as it is being speculated,” he added.

    “I also want to say RUGA is not what is generating problem; rather, it is some unscrupulous politicians trying to create problems in the country because they are no longer benefitting from the pot. So, these people have made politics out of the issue of RUGA and continue to create fears in the mind of the people.

    “There are many towns that have been labelled into banditry even in Yoruba land and these acts of banditry are being perpetrated by indigenes. All of a sudden, all those killings have been associated with the Fulani. It takes somebody within to allow an enemy without to come in. So, suppose we say, Fulani herdsmen are running over us, that then means there are collaborators across Yoruba and other ethnic groups,” he said.

    The host and VC, Prof Lanre Fagbohun, who was represented by his deputy (Academics), Prof Olumuyiwa Noah, thanked Kola-Olusanya, who is an alumnus and former president of LASU Students’ Union.

    Fagbohun noted that the country has always had issues across ethnic, religious lines but usually come out unscathed.

    “Nigeria had in the past had problems along ethnic and religious lines, but in all these we survived. So I believe Nigeria will definitely survive this too,” Faghohun concluded.

  • Ogun students get new executives

    Ogun State students, under the aegis of National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS), have  elected new executive members to manage their affairs for the one year.

    The peaceful election, which took place at the Training College of the Civil Defence Corps in Abeokuta, had in attendance delegates from various tertiary institutions.

    Under the watch of reporters, security agents and stakeholders, they voted their preferred candidates.

    According to the electoral committee chairman,  Comrade Kehinde Olaonipekun, Zaka Abidemi Azeez emerged president with 17 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ogunrombi Gbemileke, who had seven votes, while two votes were voided.

    Other executive members are: Akinremi Samson Eniola (Vice I); Okeleye Odunayo (Vice II); Adegelu Collins (Vice III); Sowole Basit (General Secretary); Abdulazeez Bashir Adegboyega (Public Relations Officer I); Jolaosho Azeez (PRO II); Nurudeen Popoola (PRO III); Abolade Ibrahim (Financial Secretary); Adeyeri Sodiq (Treasurer); Adekunle Tobi (Welfare Director), Abidogun Abisoye (Social Director), Olaniyi Timothy (Assistant General Secretary I), Bamgbela Surprise (AGS II).

    Similarly, elected legislators are: Sodiq Shakiru (Senate President); Ajayi Oluwafemi (Deputy Senate President), Oshikomaya Gbolahan (Clerk) and Sodunke Ganiu (Chief Whip)

    Olaonipekun described the election as satisfactory and in line with the constitution of the association.

    The electoral chairman also used the medium to state why the previous election was cancelled.

    “You will recall that the first election was held at Iwe Iroyin last month, but was hijacked by some miscreants. In the wake of that incident several petitions were received from the delegates, chapter heads, stakeholders and security agencies. As a result of this, we declared that election null and void.

    “I am happy that today’s election is peaceful and followed due process. We had 26 chapters accredited out of 48 as a result of threat by some hoodlums, who do not want this rerun to take place,” he concluded.

    In his reaction, Zaka, a 400-Level Mechanical Engineering undergraduate of Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), expressed appreciations to all who stood by him. He promised to sustain the peaceful atmosphere in Ogun State and work with  Governor Dapo Abiodun in the interests of all indigenous students

  • Campus reporters to new VC: consolidate on past gains

    National Association of Campus Journalists (NACJ), Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS) chapter, has hailed the appointment of Prof Suleman Bilbis as the new Vice Chancellor of the university. Prof Bilbis took over from his Prof A.A Zuru. The student journalists advised him to ‘do things more differently and better’.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, NACJ president, Muneer Yakub, lauded the immediate past administration, urging the new man to consolidate on the achievements of the institution.

    “The former VC did really well as we all know, specifically in terms of maintaining the uninterrupted academic calendar and putting in place some infrastructure. As the President of NACJ, I’ll say that the new VC should continue on the legacy of his predecessor. However, he should try to do things more differently,” he said.

    He noted that even though the former VC did well, there are still grey areas that his successor needs to address.

    “Generally, the last VC did well, but we can’t score him 100 per cent because there are still things left undone, which the new VC needs to critically look into. Based on his exposure, he should try to do things differently.

    “For example, in terms of academics, I can’t remember the last time we had an inaugural lecture. In fact, most students will tell you that UDUS is very dull because we lack such things,” he said.

    Muneer also emphasised the role of campus journalists in exposing wrongs on the campus. He therefore, appealed to the school management to allow NACJ members do their work unhindered.

    “Well, we want the VC to allow us practice journalism the way it ought to be practised. We want freedom of expression. We want to expose wrongs that need to be fixed. The essence of journalism is to bring change to the society,” he added.

    He also urged the management to allow journalism to thrive without fear or threats, as well as take appropriate action when campus journalists report important issues.

    He admonished the new management to imbibe open-door policy and be partner NACJ.

  • UNN electric shuttle excites students

    Two weeks ago, the University of Nigeria Nsuka (UNN), Enugu State launched a prototype five-seater electric vehicle to the admiration of students. The school is seeking to partner local manufacturers for the vehicle’s mass production across universities nationwide, INYA AGHA EGWU reports.

    Movement on campuses in many  unversities is a problem.This is nationwide. The students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) were upbeat when  the institution launched a made-in-Nigeria electric campus shuttle a fortnight ago.

    To the students, this shows that UNN has engineering prowess over other varsities, especially in Mechatronics Engineering.

    The rechargeable vehicle is propelled by litton ion battery instead of a combustible engine.

    Some of the students who were part of the production team hailed the feat. They said their involvement in the production of the device would boost their training.

    The production was anchored by the Mechatronics Research Group, with Dr. Ozoemena Ani as the coordinator and some students as members.

    Students’ testimonies

    After the launch, the locomotive device conveyed the Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof Charles Igwe, his predecessor, Prof Benjamin Ozumba and Dr David Oyetunji of the National Automative Design and Development Council (NADDC).

    A member of the group and final year student of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Job Victor Chukwuebuka, said he gained practical experience during the construction of the vehicle.

    “I did the computer-aided design, worked on the brake system and was involved in the mathematical calculation of the vehicle. I can tell you it was a wonderful experience,” Chukwuebuka said.

    On the advantage the vehicle has over others, Chukwuebuka said the electric motor is 60 percent efficient compared to 40 percent efficiency of vehicles that use combustible engines. He added that the electric vehicle mitigates carbon emission and saves more money on the long run.

    Another student member of the group, Eze Chukwuemeka George, a final year student of the Department of Electrical Engineering, said  the electric shuttle excites students. “I was involved in the production of the prototype. I can tell you that if the government can help us provide at least two charging stations, we can kick-start the shuttle service with what we have produced,”George, who has a passion for power electronics said.

    Oliorah Patrick, a final year student in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, said the development of the electric vehicle was in line with global movement away from fossil to clean energy.

    “I am impressed that my university has joined the moving train,” Oliorah said,  adding that the launch of the electric vehicle will boost the spirit of innovation among students of the university.

    The Pharmacy student said the use of the vehicle for shuttle services would ease campus transportation.

    “When introduced, the vehicles will definitely reduce the cost of transportation since it won’t be needing fuel. The only problem I foresee is the possibility of the product not getting government’s approval and sponsorship,” he said.

    Abdulahi Abubakar Sadiq, the Students Union(SU) secretary, Nsukka campus, said he was looking forward to the mass production of the vehicle and its deployment for shuttle services.

    “Some students were involved in the production of the vehicle. This would boost innovation and creativity in the university,” Sadiq said. He pleaded that the product should not be dumped.

    Ugwu Chukwuemeka, a 400-Level undergraduate of English and Literary Studies, said: “UNN has once again set the pace in innovation. Using the electric car for campus shuttle will definitely reduce the cost of transportation and that is exactly what we want. However, I am concerned about the distance it can cover”

    Okoye Esther Ihunanya, a 200-Level Nutrition and Dietetics undergraduate also has a different view

    “The electric car is a good innovation from the university. However deploying it for campus shuttle services when we are still battling with epileptic power supply is not a good idea. What if it stops you halfway when you are rushing for lectures and there is no power to charge the battery?”

    The Beginning

    Checks by CAMPUSLIFE revealed that the electric car was the fallout of less than two-month intensive work by the Mechatronics Research group of the university, which was challenged by Igwe to demonstrate its capabilities by working ahead of NADDC’s vision for electric shuttles on campuses.

    Ani told CAMPUSLIFE how he developed a keener interest in electric vehicles during his stint as a visiting scholar at the Michigan State University (MSU), United States last year. At MSU, Ani said he worked on solar-powered rechargeable multi-function electric tractors, which could perform both stationary and field operations.

    On his return to the country, Ani said he forwarded a proposal to NADDC for the production of six of such tractors for medium scale farmers across the six geo-political zones.

    According to him, the proposal yielded a meeting convened by NADDC with some other universities, including UNN, Uthman Danfodio University, Sokoto (UDUS), National Metalogical Institute, University of Lagos as well as the University of Ibadan.

    At the meeting, NADDC discussed its plan to explore the production of electric campus shuttles and electronic tractors, requesting participating institutions to submit proposals.

    Ani, who is also the Acting Head of the Department of Mechatronics Engineering, recalled how Ozumba, took him to task after the meeting with NADDC by approving N1.6 million and mandated his group to deliver  the  electric car project in six weeks.

    The first two weeks, according to Ani, were dedicated to developing the drawing before the search for the materials, 80 per cent of which was sourced from Onitsha, Nnewi and Nsukka while the others were bought from China.

    He said his group spent about N800,000 on materials, excluding cost of  labour and transportation.

    “We still need grants to perfect the design before sending it to the industry for commercialisation,” Ani said.

    Ani, who told CAMPUSLIFE that as a primary school pupil, he had a dream of driving his personally-produced car, said he would prefer an indigenous manufacturing industry to take up the mass production and commercialisation of the vehicle.

    “The university is a knowledge hub and we have demonstrated that we are capable of producing electric vehicles. With the help of NADDC, industries can sign a good memorandum of understanding with our university and take it up from there,” Ani added

    When CAMPUSLIFE enquired if he was not bothered by National Assembly’s non-disposition to the innovation, Ani responded in the affirmative, adding that Nigeria needed to plan for tomorrow in line with emerging global trends.

    “Like the technology of GSM, electric cars will come upon us regardless of how we see them now,” he said

    Ani’s response re-echoed VC’s stance who warned during the launch of the car that Nigeria cannot afford to stagnate while the rest of the world moves on.

    He expressed the preparedness of UNN to lead the country to the fourth industrial revolution through innovations.

    Igwe promised that his administration would improve on the foundation laid by his predecessor to ensure that the university launches more innovative outputs within the span of his five years tenure.

    We are willing to partner, says NDDC.

    David Oyetunji, who represented the Director of NADDC at the launch, congratulated UNN for setting the pace in the production of electric vehicle in Nigeria. He said the product was in line with the vision of the council which it had demonstrated by inviting proposals from selected universities.

    “NNDC will like to partner with the University of Nigeria and work towards the commercialisation of the developed prototype,” he said.

  • Corps member organises seminar for Kogi teachers

    A National Youth Service Corps member in Kogi State, Attah Blessing Edidiong, has organised a seminar for teachers in public schools in Lokoja Local Government Area.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Edidiong said she initiated the workshop to equip teachers with the knowledge in their profession.

    The workshop, which held at the Children’s Amusement Park, forms a part of Edidiong’s community development service.

    It was tagged: ‘Seminar/training for teachers and welfarism for humanity’.

    Edidiong, a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt, was confident that the seminar would introduce a dynamic approach to learning, thereby making experience for pupils fun.

    Also, the training would instill in the trainees the culture of diligence, self-reliance in pupils, helping teachers to mentor learners.

    According to Edidiong, teachers are the most neglected, adding that this should not deter them from giving their best to their students.

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    She thanked the sponsors of the project, including Prof. Otokmefa of the Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, whom she described a great personality and mentor.She also thanked the Proprietress of Koggie Academy, Mrs Mary Egeuda.

    Delivering her lecture, titled: Indispensable teacher and how a teacher can guide a child in discovering his purpose/destiny,  the guest lecturer Mrs Egueda noted that pupils are like flowers with potential which need to be watered daily.

    Mrs Egueda explained that a good teacher must have objectives, sense of purpose, humour, and maintain good communication with parents to give their learners emotional support. She added that teachers are expected to know when to listen to pupils and when to ignore them.

    She advised teachers to help students discover their potential, motivate them, give them inspiration and guidance, as this would, ultimately, spur them to success.

    Other topics discussed at the seminar include: ‘Helping a child to choose a career; How to help a child that learn slowly, among others.’

    Some of the teachers who took part in the seminar said the opportunity has improved their horizon and spurred them to efficiently and effectively impact good ideas on their students.

  • CU’s best gets perfect score at 14th convocation

    Covenant University (CU), Ota, Ogun State made history at the weekend when it  produced the Best Graduate Student with a perfect score.

    Miss Ajia Motunrayo Victoria from the Department of Petroleum Engineering emerged CU outstanding graduate with a cumulative grade point average of 5.0.

    This is the first time the university would be attaining such feat, the closest being the 2016 convocation where Deji-Folutile then 21, from the Department of Architecture, had 4.97 CGPA.

    Amid photo shots, Ajia mounted the podium to  deliver the valedictorian address amid congratulatory shouts from fellow graduates and parents.

    Substantiating Ajia’s  feats, Chancellor of CU, Dr David Oyedepo, said one of the secrets of excellence of the  17-year-old institution, is her determination to depart from the age-long myths to life-changing innovation.

    Speaking on the theme: ‘What makes CU unique‘, Oyedepo said the university was conceptualised to have a shift in thinking, values and action, as well as a result-oriented mindset towards addressing challenges peculiar to the black continent.

    Oyedepo said some of the institution’s custom-built programmes, such as the Total Man Concept (TMC), Entrepreneurial Development Studies (EDS), Leadership Development studies (LDS), and Towards Total Graduate (TTG), all emanated from CU’s core values meant to equip graduates with the weapon to be futuristic and entrepreneurial-driven.

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    “As we say here at Covenant, ‘until one is transformed, he cannot transform his environment, society or nation’. This is why we focus on equipping the persons of our students, so they can continue to generate impact in their various vocations in life and that without prejudice to the pursuit of academic excellence.”

    Oyedepo attributed the meteoric rise of the university to committed funding. He lamented that the government is not looking at the future generations by upping funding for public institutions nationwide.

    “Our worst enemies today is corruption!” Oyedepo lamented.

    ‘This cuts across both private and public lives. So much is being wasted by our governments on things that I can describe as frivolous.

    “I keep saying that our governments should increase funding for public institutions. Who says our universities cannot measure up to other world-class universities elsewhere? African has got what it takes in terms of intellectual endowment. All we need do is complement this with infrastructure and conducive atmosphere. Unfortunately, we don’t have governments that are looking into the next generation.”

    National Universities Commission (NUC) Executive Secretary, Prof Abubakar Rasheed, who praised CU mandate for its ground-breaking efforts assured that the Commission would provide support for the 173 universities nationwide.

    Rasheed praised CU for translating its commitment to the development of tertiary education in Nigeria into action.

    In his keynote address, former Director of Business Environment, USAID Trade Hub, Accra, Ghana, Dr Monisoye Afolabi, noted that African continent, which is projected to have more population than China and Indiai In the not-too-distant future, must consolidate on her burgeoning population especially through investment in education.