The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Our woes, by Danfodiyo varsity students

    The agony of students living in halls of residence at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) is always exacerbated, especially during the hot weather. Students dread meningitis, among others, which they say is rife during this period, ABDULLAH TIJANI, a 300-Law student of UDUS, reports.

    Muhammad Dauda, a final year Microbiology undergraduate of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) is a resident of Jubril Aminu Hostel (Block A).

    He could not withstand the problem in his hostel. His room lacks enough ventilation. He repeatedly wiped his sweat with his underwear. He had to move his mattress outside and use a hand fan before he could sleep.

    Later, Abdulrasheed Adeshina, another resident, who also passed the night outside, noticed an insect struggling to climb onto Dauda’s bed. With a torch, Abdurasheed moved closer to identify the object. He was shocked to find out that it was a scorpion.

    “When I saw something creeping on the bed, I thought it was an ant at first, then I tried to light the torch of my phone and I realised it was a scorpion trying to bite his (Muhammad) leg before I kicked it away and killed it. I was the one who rescued the guy,” Abdulrashhed, a 300-Level student, told CAMPUSLIFE.

    Abdurasheed noted that the spot where the scorpion was killed is a  students’ rendezvous for relaxation.

    “I sleep there (outside the hostel)  because there is no alternative. The scorpion and other dangerous insects may come or not; but the heat inside is not a probability. The danger inside the room is that one might be infected with meningitis, which we are more certain of, especially in Sokoto,” Abdurashhed added.

    Dauda’s case is just one out of hundreds of UDUS’ students who have formed the habit of passing the night outside their hostels, as they cannot bear the conditions of the hostels.

    Abdurasheed may be right on his fear of meningitis as a possible danger. Over the years, meningitis has been  claiming lives in Sokoto State. For instance, in April, Sokoto State Commissioner for Health Dr Balarabe Kakale, recounted how death from the meningitis epidemic rose to 41. The figure, according to him, is from the 600 confirmed cases in the eight worst-hit local governments in the state.

    Threat of meningitis

    Because of its geographical location, Sokoto has a yearly average temperature of 28.3 °C (82.9 °F). In 2010, the city’s temperature skyrocketed to 47.2 °C (117.0 °F), which is the highest recorded temperature in Nigeria. This record made the city the hottest in the country and arguably one of the hottest in the world.

    Between April and June yearly, the temperature in Sokoto city increases to its peak, ranging between an average temperature of 40°C and 44°C. To survive the hot weather and subdue the heat, settlers stay indoor more, supposedly to avoid the outside temperature, while steering clear of reptiles that are also seeking shelter from the hot weather. But the reverse is the case for students of UDUS as most of their rooms are no longer conducive.

    “I feel unhappy and uncomfortable. The situation in the room is very unfavorable,” lamented another victim, Abdulakeem Abdullahi, a 300-Level Chemistry Education undergraduate.

    Abdulakeem knew how hot Sokoto weather could be; he had therefore earlier arrived the school to arrange for his convenience ahead of resumption in February, this year. Abdulakeem came as early as October to do the clearance for the bed space allocated to him and in the process drew the authority’s attention to the technical and electrical appliances in his room. Abdulakeem also complained about the absence of fan, which the officer promised to install before the February resumption.  Thereafter, the hostel officer asked him to pack into his room.

    Surprisingly when he eventually resumed in January, Abdulakeem met the room in the same condition he had left it more than three months ago. Abduakarrem eventually gave up after series of unsuccessful efforts to get the fan and other items installed.

    “He (hostel porter) directed me to the maintenance office, and that office did do nothing as there was no fan in my room. I came back to meet the porter who promised to do something before we resumed fully. That was in October. When I came back in February, there was still no fan. I went back to the maintenance and nothing happened. I went to the porter and they asked me to write an application requesting for a new fan. After I submitted the application, he said they would come and fix the fan, but until now nothing has happened.

    “Also the hall governor, who is in charge of our block came and asked if we have fan. We told him we don’t have and he wrote the number of our room as if he had some miracle to perform. But until this moment, nothing has been done.

    “The room members are sleeping outside. It is better to take a risk than sleep in the room. One cannot bear too much heat in the afternoon.”

    Students Union intervenes

    Special Adviser to the Students’ Union President on Media and Publicity Mr Muhammad Bashir, explained to CAMPUSLIFE efforts by the SU in addressing the challenges.

    Bashir said having realized that workers in the maintenance unit are indifferent towards their plight, they have taken their matter to the management.

    “We had issue with the maintenance section that promised to repair fans but will not show up. Students are complaining that there are lots of tripping lights and absence of fans in some rooms. That’s why we lodged a complaint to the maintenance office.

    “The present administration had a meeting with the maintenance and we had a productive discussion. The maintenance has thereby promised to fix all the light and fans in the hostel.”

    Is management aware?

    It has been an issue of doubt whether the university management is actually aware of what the students are going through. And who knows whether the non-availability of fans in the students’ rooms is an agony that never goes beyond the maintenance table.

    The Dean of Student Affairs (DSA), Prof Aminu Mode, reassures that the ‘maintenance’ officer in charge is working to repair whatever fault still lingers.

    Said Mode: “If you check the maintenance officers, you will see that they have started work. So, sooner or later, they will get the fans.

    “The students cannot tell us what to do. If they have any problem, they should just report it, not that they will be asking us for a new fan. They should just report their problems and when it is time, the university will do the needful,” Mode added.

  • Buhari for prosecution by ICC: Not on anybody’s life!

    Browsing through the internet shortly before the presidential election, my eyes caught a piece by one Abiodun Egunjobi writing on an online platform. It was titled: “Petition to arrest and prosecute President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria for crimes against humanity”, and addressed to the Office of the Prosecutor, Information and Evidence Unit, at the International Criminal Court at The Hague, in the Netherlands.

    “Dear Madame Prosecutor,” the piece began, “May I please seize this opportunity to present to you this very important request on behalf of the country Nigeria. It is a disheartening exposition on both Nigeria and international peace and security that we all cherish.

    ‘’Popular wisdom counsels that it takes the failure, unwillingness or inaction of good people to act for evil men and geniuses to take over and run a country. As the defender of last resort of the free world, the honorable court is called upon, in this instance, to act, not only in defense of seemingly helpless Nigerians but to mitigate the threats to humanity and international peace and security posed by the conduct of current President Buhari.”

    The piece then went on to describe what the writer felt were the shortcomings of President Buhari’s administration in Nigeria, adducing reasons why Mr President should be promptly presented before the ICC for prosecution for “crimes against humanity.” To date several instances of the crimes indicated below had been carried out and continued to be carried on unabated by the Buhari administration:

    • crimes against humanity of murder, enslavement, sexual enslavement, rape and causing serious bodily injury;
    • war crimes of murder, cruel treatment of civilians, attacking civilians, pillage, inducing rape and enlisting child soldiers, cruel treatment of civilians, attacking civilians and pillage survivors were imprisoned in a room filled with corpses, women and girls were sexually enslaved;
    • refusal to order and prosecute armed Hausa/Fulani herdsmen that continue to cause mayhem on the farms of innocent Nigerians because they are his people; and
    • encouraging the use of religion to foster terrorism and conflict, committing murder, sexual slavery and kidnapping of school children and using children under 15 years to participate actively in hostilities.”

    Upon reading the article, I was immediately reminded of two incidents-one about late American president Gerald Ford and, the other, comments and actions attributed to Mike Pompeo, the American Secretary of State on the almost two decades-old American war in Afghanistan.

    At a point in his administration, President Gerald Ford’s then 18- year-old daughter had, in answer to reporters’ question about a policy issue her father just pronounced remarked that ‘the president was stupid’ for adopting the policy in question. Reporters hounded President Ford.  He was asked for his comments on his 18 year-old daughter’s assertion. Ford explained that he saw the clip of his daughter’s comment on television. “She said the president is stupid,” he exclaimed and then proceeded to say that his daughter, as an American citizen with citizenship rights has the right to say whatever she liked or disliked about the president or any policy pronouncements. “She didn’t say my father is stupid. How many 18 year-olds in America pass worse comments about the president and presidential policies on a daily basis, he asked? Millions! It turned out to be a presidential defense of a citizen’s rights. End of story.

    The other incident is recent and it involved the attempts by several human rights activists and organisations to have ICC investigate, allegations of several human rights abuses leveled against American service and other personnel in the prosecution of the war in Afghanistan over a period of years. Secretary Pompeo promptly rejected the calls and placed visa and other travel restrictions on ICC personnel wanting to travel to the US for such investigations.

    Against these backdrops, I thought about the request by a Nigerian citizen to have a sitting Nigerian president docked by ICC. Not in your life, I concluded! Americans defend, not only their presidents to the end, they equally defend their citizenship rights absolutely. How can and why do we Nigerians do this to ourselves?

    A few weeks back, at a celebratory event marking President Buhari’s victory at the polls, the Master of Ceremonies had rhetorically asked the thousand-plus guests at event how many of them have not been beneficiaries of one government largesse or the other; such as using government vehicles to convey children to school, running errands to markets, etc. ‘Let such a person stand up,’ the MC exhorted. Buhari quietly stood up to a thunderous ovation. He was the only person who could stand up. And this is the man, Nigeria’s epitome of integrity, dedicated honest service, decency and what else have you, being requested for prosecution by ICC for the impunities of officers in his administration!

    The moral of the incidents could be summarized as follows: Nigerians have the absolute rights to say anything they wish to say about their president, especially within Nigeria, which no other nationals enjoy; because of this, they are the only ones who can try their president on any allegations. At the same time, no Nigerian has the recourse or right to invite other countries or international agency/ies to come and arrest an ordinary Nigeria not to talk of a sitting Nigerian Head of State for prosecution. It is the height of all that is unpatriotic! For that reason, Abiodun Egunjobi is best advised to try to execute his request all by himself.

    Mr. President must be accorded respect and defended by Nigerians at all times. That is what people in civilised climes do for their presidents, not throw them under the bus! It is an invitation to the security organisations to get to work.

    Long Live Nigeria!

    • Ahmed 300-Level, English Education, Lagos State University (LASU).

  • Campus journalists celebrate PTI principal at 54

    CAMPUSLIFE journalists of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State have celebrated the Principal/Chief Executive of the institute Prof Sunny Iyuke who turned 54.

    Campus Press Club, popularly referred to as The Actualiser’s Team (TAT), paid Prof Iyuke a visit in his office and presented him a beautiful portrait. The visitors praised Iyuke for his tireless efforts since his appointment into office since July 2016.

    The team was led by its grand patron, who also doubles as the Public Relations Officer of the institute, Mr. Brown Ukanefimoni. Ukanefimomi was accompanied by the President of the Press Club, Comrade Kimuenu Andrew.

    Other executive members in attendance include: Ofunne Judith, Omovigho Clinton, Umoh Michael, Isaiah Omachi, Ehibor Jeffery, Gilead Chikezie, Abu Ibrahim, and Ohwofa Odafe.

    Read Also: Wanted: Better welfare for journalists

    The team further praised management on for its infrastructural feats as well as provision of basic amenities especially at the school hostel, administrative block and school field.

    Iyuke, who was excited by the visit, applauded the visitors, admonishing them to continue the good work.

    He spoke of plans to collaborate with the Calgary University in Canada(U-Calgary) for possible students and staff exchange programmes  in no distant time.  He also announced that the Ministry of Education has approved NTI to issue Master of Technology, which will kick off very soon.

    Iyuke advised the young journalists to improve on their role of enlightening, educating, and entertaining on campus and the nation, adding that life doesn’t end on campus.

    He also advised the young reporters to improve the campaign on cleanliness, in addition to conserving of energy that would help generate more funds in developing the institute. He advised the students never to neglect their primary objective which is their studies.

  • MAPOLY Rector: we’re open to students, business

    Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta Rector  Dr Samson Odedina has announced that the institution is  open for academics as well as business activities.

    Odedina stated this during the inauguration of the Students Union (SU ) executives held at Ramotu Ibironke Babalakin hall of the institution.

    He confirmed that the lingering issues had been resolved.

    Odedina said: “We are coming in as new Mapoly. Tell your friends to come back to Mapoly. We’ve settled our differences. We are now open to students and business.

    “Tell your friends not to go to other schools. There’s a polytechnic in Abeokuta.”

    Odedina said the management of the institution has also extended the school fee payment and registration deadline by two weeks, adding that there would  be no penalty on school fees payment for the session. He said the 2019/2020 advert would soon be published for 44 accredited programmes in the institution. The rector said the polytechnic has also been certified by the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAN) to run accounting programmes for another three years.

    Odedina congratulated the new executives, saying that they were a product of credible election.

    “I congratulate you new executives because you’re a product of credible election. You have conducted the best election in the history of Mapoly and your tenure will also be credible because you came in with credibility.

    “I’m sure the new president (of SU) will go places because anytime you speak, you speak Mapoly. You’re the new face of Mapoly and we are ready to celebrate you, “he said

    Odedina equally congratulated the past executive led by Razaq Owoiya and all departmental heads, adding that they all laid the foundation for restoring MAPOLY. Odedina promised to listen to the students.

    “As the new Rector, we’ll listen to you. We would seek your advice and nobody would oppress or harass you. As you also know that if you want to be a successful father, you must be able to discipline your children with love, we’ll also discipline you with love,’’ he said.

    The new students’ Union President Samson Omoniyi promised to fulfil his campaign promises.

  • Why I dumped medicine for music, by UNIZIK student

    Alvin Chinedu Okpogba is a final year student of Music at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, the Anambra State capital. In this interview with EMMA ELEKWA, the Imo State-born singer reveals what informed his decision to abandon Medicine and Surgery for Music.

    Can you share your early life with us?

    I’m a native of Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, but I grew up in Anambra State, precisely Otolo Nnewi. I attended two primary schools – St. Joseph Nursery/Primary School, Dala-Imo Otolo Nnewi and The Good Shepherd Nursery/Primary School, Nnewi, respectively.

    I later proceeded to St. Paul’s Seminary, Ukpor, Anambra State. I withdrew from the school for a Pre-Science programme in Mbaukwu, Awka South Local Government Area of the state where I was admitted to study Medicine. After my first year, I switched over to the Department Music.

    Why did you leave the seminary?

    Every seminarian makes music. In fact, that’s one thing I learnt there. I felt there’s more to what I’m doing there. I actually learnt music in the seminary, but I realised there’s more to my talent. I want to explore more of music and I should devote more concentration to it. The seminary helped to fine-tune the talent. Music has actually been the driving force in all my changes.

    Initially, I didn’t know how to tell my parents about my plans to leave the seminary because I felt they would oppose it with the argument that it was the seminary that brought me this far. But I eventually did.

    At what point did the passion for music come up?

    I must say I was a very good dancer. I had to travel to Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt to perform. It was really glaring to all that I had talent in singing and dancing. But dancing had to give way for singing and writing when I had a surgery in my JS3.

    I think music is hereditary in my family. At present, my siblings are into music. My parents have nice voices and can sing. As kids with Catholic background, my parents would take us to early morning Mass. We were more like a morning mass choir.

    I remember those days, I would be singing on top of my voice in the church. It was fun. I see myself living out that part of my father, which he didn’t really pay much attention to.

    Securing admission to study Medicine couldn’t have been a child’s play?

    Yes! When I left the seminary, it was like a different journey altogether. I saw an academic environment as an entirely different world. I was determined to succeed; so I had to face my studies squarely, giving it every seriousness it deserved. I had two options – either to get admission directly or pass the Pre-science programme.

    I fear failure so much because I know its impact in my life anytime it occurred to me. Having left seminary, I realised all eyes were on me.

    But one could have expected you to continue with the same spirit?

    Honestly, I had to focus on what I wanted. Yes, initially, I had wanted to bear the title, ‘Doc’, for the fun of it, but later I felt I could still go on with the music and later follow it up with a Ph.D.

    What informed your decision to drop medicine?

    When I enrolled into the Pre-science programme, music became more of serious distraction to me, even though I enjoyed it. Lecture would be going on, but music would be singing on my head. Some of my best songs were written during lecture hours. That was not really ideal, but that was making much sense to me.

    At a point, I became scared that if I continued that way, I might not graduate, especially considering the nature of the course. Besides, I felt that if I continued and eventually graduate in medicine, I’ll still come back to study music. I felt sacrificing my passion for about five to years was not worth it. So, I decided to follow my heart fully.

    What I wanted to do was music, though I came from a lineage of teachers. My mum is a retired principal while my dad is a lecturer. So, the choice of medicine could have made more sense to them.

    It was just the fear of their reactions that made me delay in informing them of my decision as at the point I did. I believed that when the time came and I opened up, they had to understand me.

    Definitely, your parents couldn’t have accepted the switch- over just like that?

    It was actually my dad that felt somehow. Then, he was my class teacher and you know what that meant. He was teaching Chemistry, and I had to face him everyday. I had to summon the courage one day and walked to his office to tell him my mind. That was after the day’s lecture. He had to tell some of his friends to convince me. But then, I had already made up my mind.

    Is it that your parents didn’t see the inate talent in you or they just wanted you to be a medical doctor?

    Naturally, a father would want his son to toe his line; but I don’t see my dad wanting to do that. At a point, I felt I was just trying to please someone. But I later felt I should live my life. There’s no point continuing in a course only to come make a u-turn later.

    Did your friends and classmates mock your decision?

    Yeah. I could remember while I was studying medicine, my classmates would advise me to follow my passion because to them, being with them was a mere waste of time since my heart was elsewhere. But since music was something I had neither dreamt of nor wanted to study as a course, I didn’t give it a second thought.

    Even at the seminary, I had wanted to be a priest, not a musician. I was even underrating the profession. But when the conviction became strong, I saw myself embracing it as the best thing that could happen to me and I’ve never regretted that decision. The fact remains that the power of passion is so real and fascinating that it’s always difficult to resist. If you do, you may likely lose it eventually.

    Since you left medicine for music, how has the experience been?

    Since I followed my passion, I’ve known inner peace. I’m someone who wants to be happy before paying attention to whether the whole world is happy with me. It’s not really being selfish, but one needs to be contented with what one has, and what one can offer to the society.

    I could remember someone entering my room while I was in the Pre-science school, and saw me composing songs. He said something very provoking, ‘What nonsense are you doing? Others are here studying and you are busy writing songs?’ I simply looked at him, smiled and continued with what I was doing.

    The truth is that life without music and sound is boring. Music is power; it can trigger a revolution that can bring an end to a bad government. It’s a force that can permeate and break barriers.

    As someone from the academic world, my music is expected to be distinct, including my dress code. My music plus my dress code are a complete package on its own. I have to bring in what I studied in school. I like corporate music and I intend to bring in originality to my music because I’m a champion of originality. Maybe that’s why I don’t have too many works.

    Where do you expect to be in five years?

    Every good hardwork will always pay. It only takes time to materialise. I believe that in five years’ time, I will have been more of a celebrity.

    How many songs do you have to your credit and do you have any sponsor?

    I have about 15 songs. I’ve done works on Christmas and New Year periods. I have done works on Mother and Father’s Day. Right now, I’m working on that of children. You discover that these are songs for special days, but there are hardly songs for them.

    Talking about sponsorship, it’s actually a challenge because it’s always difficult to convince people to buy into your project for sponsorship. I’m looking at exploring African opera with drama, including Igbo songs that are going into extinction.

  • ASUU builds N50m students’ hostel

    The Cooperative Society of the Academic Staff Union (ASUU) of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL) in Niger State, has built a multi-million naira students’ lodge.

    The off-campus facility, located close to the institution’s permanent site on Paiko-Lapai Road, was inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Muhammad Nasir Maiturare, who lamented that most tertiary institutions across the country grapple with the challenge of accessible and quality accommodation for students’ burgeoning population.

    Maiturare applauded ASUU for embarking on the landmark project worth N50million, which he believes, would   complement management’s effort at providing standard accommodation for both workers and students.

    Maiturare said: “The students who are going to occupy this beautiful and functional lodge must imbibe the culture of maintenance. Let them maintain the modern facilities provided in the hostel for their own comfort and memorable stay in school. They should not become agents of vandalism who will destroy valuable properties.

    “I commend the effort of IBBUL-ASUU for putting in place this aesthetic edifice. It will surely be gratifying, and I urge other staff unions in the university to emulate what ASUU has done. They should embark on similar projects that will add value and make meaningful impact on the living condition of members of the university community.”

    IBBUL-ASUU Chairman Mohammed Kudu Yusuf, said the project was initiated to assist the management tackle the lingering accommodation problem faced by students, and generate revenue for the university.

    He said that hostel christened ‘Academic Lodge’ is made up of 17 self-contained standard rooms.

    “With singular delight, I also wish to inform all at this ground-breaking ceremony that our cooperative has already embarked on building another 20 self-contained apartments. At the moment, construction at the lodge has reached 40 per cent percent; and very soon, it will be due for inauguration,” said Yusuf.

    Some students expressed delight with the project, urging management to toe ASSU’s line. They urged the management to enter into public private-partnership (PPP) with corporate bodies to facilitate the construction of more hostels and other critical infrastructure at the insitution.

    Zainab Yahaya, 300-Level Public Administration, called on ASUU to subsidise the amount ASUU would charge for rooms, and provide maximum security for occupants.

    She said: “The private individuals who build lodges in Lapai town, and thereafter fix outrageous amounts on the rooms in the estates, want to maximise profit. But IBBUL-ASUU has no ground to charge exorbitant amounts for the rooms in their newly lodge. They should rather subsidise the rent fee for students.”

  • Suicide attempt: ‘UNIBEN student was under pressure’

    The University of Benin (UNIBEN) final year student of Accounting who attempted  suicide was under pressure, her colleague has said.

    The friend denied that the student Ifeoma atempted to kill herself because she was jilted.

    The victim’s friends rescued her  and took her to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

    An eyewitness, who gave her name as Esther Osagiede, said Ifeoma was depressed owing to class workload.

    Ifeoma allegedly took some pesticide.

    Osaigede said: “I will like to dispute the rumour that Ifeoma took the poison due to a break-up. Ifeoma did not break up with anybody. She was just under pressure due to her final year project and other school activities. She just didn’t know who to confide in; so she became depressed.’’

    ‘’She is not a crazy person like most people believed. She was lost and misguided. But we are happy she survived,’’ another of her roommate said.

    CAMPUSLIFE learnt that Ifeoma has been discharged.

    According to CAMPUSLIFE, the incident occurred at Queen Idia Hostel (Hall 1) in the university’s main campus Ugbowo.

    Osagiede recounted how the incident happened.

    She said: “Ifeoma is a very good and humble person. I was shocked when on that fateful day, I rushed into the hostel and saw that she was the one who took the sniper poison.’’

    Osagiede said she and Ifeoma’s  roommates forced her to drink palm oil to detox the poison.

    One of the victim’s roommates, who preferred to remain anonymous, also told CAMPUSLIFE how they tried to rescue her.

    “After giving her palm oil, we rushed her to the University of Benin Health Centre. When we got there, the doctor referred us to University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Luckily for us, we got there on time. She was placed on admission while the doctor commenced treatment immediately.

  • We’ll dismiss any lecturer who harasses female students, VC vows

    Prof. Suleiman Mohammed, Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK), has vowed to dismiss any lecturer caught harassing female students on campus.

    The VC said this on Thursday while delivering a goodwill message at a seminar organised by the Centre for Gender Studies of the university in Keffi.

    Represented by Prof. Akinwumi Olayemi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), of the institution, Mohammed said the laws of the university was clear on the issues of sexual harassment.

    “The sanction for any staff found culpable of the offence is instant dismissal from the institution and the management would make sure the law is enforced to serve as a deterrent to others,” the VC said.

    He commended the centre for organising the seminar and promised to support in championing the cause for Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the country.

    In her welcome address, Hajiya Hauwa’u Mainoma, the Director of the Centre, called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to urgently take steps towards addressing gender-based violence in the country.

    She explained that the seminar was first of its kind by the centre since its inception in 2017.

    Read Also: Sex for Marks: Ekiti varsity investigates, queries don

    According to her, the increasing rate of sexual and other forms of violence in institutions informed the centre to put together the event aimed at creating awareness on the menace.

    Mainoma called for stiffer punishment for perpetrators of gender-based violence, adding that it will create equal opportunity for all to put their God-giving potential to good use.

    In a presentation, Prof. Charity Angya, former Vice-Chancellor, Benue State University, Makurdi, said gender-based violence goes beyond mere physical attacks on someone based on the person’s gender.

    Angya said that both genders suffered violence in one point or the other in Nigeria, but that more women are molested than men.

    She explained that gender-based violence exists more in work places and academic environment due to high discrimination in careers and field of studies.

    “Education is a right and government must abolish any custom or tradition militating against girl-child education in the country.

    “Such move will naturally address the violence that women go through in the society,” she said

    The former VC advised that men should massively take on careers and courses hitherto assumed to be exclusively reserved for women and vice-versa, as a panacea to gender-based violence in Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seminar has as its theme; ‘Gender Based Violence and the Survival of Education in Nigeria’.

  • Tension over renewed cult clashes in Kogi

    Cult clashes among students of some higher institutions in Kogi State have resurged, heightening tension in their host communities. Although calm has since been restored, social and economic life remains under threat. AROGBONLO ISRAEL reports.

    There is fear in some communities in Kogi State as no fewer than 10 students have  reportedly been killed between January and now in cult clashes.

    The development is affecting the economic life of the state, especially in communities, such as Anyigba, Idah and Akpa, that have become most vulnerable in recent times.

    The cult clashes, CAMPUSLIFE learnt, occurred a fortnight ago at Anyigba in Dekina Local Government Area of the state, where about seven students were reportedly killed.

    Students, traders, businessmen and even public transport operators are  counting their losses from  the development that is gradually eclipsing the once-booming night life of the communities.

    CAMPUSLIFE learnt that the activities of rival cult groups have continued to assume dangerous dimension, as they are now more daring and operate in broad daylight.

    Some sources attributed the heightened tension to the presence of tertiary institutions in the areas mentioned. The higher institutions are Kogi State University, Anyigba, Federal Polytechnic, Idah, and the College of Education, Ankpa.

    Death, destruction

    A source who pleaded not to be named revealed that the clashes were triggered by two rival cult groups – Eiye confraternity and Aro Bagger confraternity.

    The source said the two factions had been in existence for nearly a decade, and are often enmeshed in a war of superiority, leading to deaths across both flanks.

    According to the source, the clashes were sparked by the latter group after killing a member of the former. Irked  by the action of the other group, the Eiye confraternity was said to have gone on a revenge mission resulting in the death of six more persons. The victims were gunned down at various places in the community, the source added.

    Following the incident, fully armed military men were deployed to Anyigba to maintain peace, the source also said.

    Last month, a graduate of Sociology of KSU, Olorunmola Emmanuel, was gunned down around the school premises  by unidentified hoodlums who removed with their victim’s private parts.

    Students, residents jittery

    “It’s obvious the level at which students are being attacked at their various lodges and hostels. I keep asking myself if we have security on this campus. Students can no longer read at their convenience. So, how do you expect us not to perform very low in exams if these killings are not tackled in time?,” lamented Aminu Mukthar Adejoh, a 300-Level Political Science undergraduate of UDUS.

    Read Also: LASU suspends 3 students over cultism, rape

    Adejoh’s coursemate, Oruma Mankind Abimaje, lamented that the government and school authorities have looked the other way for too long.

    He said: “How long would our government continue to watch and encourage the wrong doings of these rascals that would soon truncate the future of our dear state? I pray things like these don’t happen again.”

    However, a final year student from the Federal University, Lokoja (FUKOLOJA), Idris Olorunleke, praised the security measures in his institution.

    “Here (FULOK) is very peaceful and conducive for learning. We have no record of murder cases except the inter (political) party clashes that occur once in a while outside the school premises.”

    A 300-Level student of the Department of Political Sciences (FULOK), agreed with Olorunleke.

    “I don’t think there is any security challenge here at the moment except early this year when a student was stabbed inside the  school, but the matter has since been put to bed.”

    An undergraduate of the College of Education, Okene, Aimola Israel, from the Department of Social Studies, drew the public’s  attention to certain atrocities perpetrated by some unscrupulous elements on campus.

    He said: “The only security challenge we are currently facing is the bullying of students by some group of students popularly known as ‘Peace Committee’. On several occasions, the students are flogged and maltreated for no offence by this set of people.”

    He added:“We have reported them to the school management several times but nothing has been done as the management insists on concrete evidence to support our claims.”

    A source from Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, who did not want to be named said: “One of our colleagues was attacked last week by some unknown men who injured him and collected his phone. We need more security measures so as to reduce the high rate of crimes on campus. The security operatives should be more strategic and dynamic in their approach towards ensuring maximum security.”

    Mrs Stella Onogu, a trader within KSU premises said owing to the cult clashes, she now closes early and get  home on time as most of the attacks were done outside school premises.

    Nonetheless, another trader within KSU premises who introduced himself as Mr Victor did not have a good story.

    “To some extent, the recent killings among other security challenges have really affected my business. For instance, before the recent clashes, I usually made more sales at nights compared to day time where we have many competitors around.”

    A resident at Abuja area of Anyigba, who identified herself as Mummy Favour, lamend thus: “The killings are just too unbearable for us.”

    She added, “In recent times, most of us have been treading with caution due to the insecurity as at then. But we are a bit relieved now.

    “The students are now under a safe condition compared to previous weeks where the killings were on the high rate. We now have security personnel parading at night to keep watch over students.

    “I would like the government to still improve on its security measures towards safety of the community members at large. We can’t rely  on our local vigilante men alone for maximum security when we have other armed forces on ground.”

    Interestingly, the association of motorcycle riders in KSU have also become victims of the insecurity.

    One of the motorcycle riders, who pleaded not to be named said: “Before now, they (students) always patronised us mostly at night especially on weekends when some of them usually go to a popular hotel not too far away, for partying. Now,it is the opposite as the students rarely go out of their lodges at night.

    “The government should put more adequate measures in place. We are no longer safe at night and this is affecting our business seriously.”

    Another motorcycle rider, who identified himself as Idrisu also lent his voice.

    “Our major sales point which is the back of the school, is now a no-go area at night because of the killings going on around the school.

    “It is dangerous taking passenger to the back of school at nightfall, particularly NTA area because of the activities of these killers. There are so many of them in that area and I wouldn’t risk my life for money,” he said.

    Mrs Usman, another trader whose shop is located at the school gate corroborated Usman.

    “I close very early these days because of the low patronage from students. They (students) are my major customers and since they are no longer allowed to loiter around at night because of the killings, my business has been seriously affected. I now close by 9pm because of  the fear of the unknown,” she said.

    A resident of Anyigba, Mr Obaje (not real name), told CAMPUSLIFE that following the incident, residents now live in fear as no one knows who would be next on death toll.

    Obaje said aside repeated clashes from rival groups, some of the hoodlums do engage in other atrocities like rape, stealing, and drug trafficking among others.

    A student of KSU who pleaded anonymity fears that more teenagers and youths are being initiated into dangerous associations. He urged the government to organise sensitisation programmes for youths and students in higher institutions in the area on the dangers of cultism and the need for initiates to renounce their membership.

    SU seeks fighter security

    The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of KSU Students’ Union Thomas Emmanuel, informed CAMPUSLIFE on steps by the union towards addressing the issue.

    He said: “They (cult clashes) all started last year when a student in Natural Sciences was stabbed by some cultists along Century Lodge. This year however, the crisis deepened.

    Emmanuel continued: “Last year, our SU base was raided alongside the Man O’war base with valuables stolen by some cult members. We reported the incident to the security unit, but to our surprise, we were told that the unit lacks sophisticated resources and manpower to tackle the security challenge at the time. We had no other choice than to rely on God for the security of our dear lives and properties.

    “From January till date, the school has experienced a plethora of cult attacks that amounted to deaths of no fewer than 10 students.

    “Subsequently, I wrote letters to various stakeholders in the state, but there was no response until recently when the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, intervened in the matter. I will still appeal to the government to salvage the students from the hands of these murderers.”

    We lack equipment, manpower

    Corroborating Emmanuel, KSU Commander of Man O’War group Samuel Adeyemi said issues bordering on security have been a herculean task.

    “The security challenge on campus has been a huge burden on our shoulder for the past one month,”Adeyemi began.

    “We have been tirelessly working to get that reduced to the minimal level. As part of our security measures, we have started embarking on night patrols since the time we got information about cases of theft in the school hostels. Though the low work force from the school security has been a major challenge to us but, we have been working efficiently through the benevolence of the school management.

    “During the patrol, we discovered that most of our students were not adhering to the usage of ID card within and outside the campus, which is very useful for our security duties. We use this medium to implore all students of KSU and Anyigba citizens to be security conscious and to desist from cult or cult-related activities,” he warned.

    Kogi youths want cultists to steer clear

    Kogi State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Comrade Oladele Nihi equally condemned the trend, and charged those involved to make a u-turn in the interest of their future.

    Nihi vowed that NYCN would intensify sensitisation campaigns among students in the community against cultism and other social vices.

    He called on security agencies to apprehend those involved in such clashes to serve as deterrent.

    Kogi govt goes tough on KSU

    Bello has sacked the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of KSU Major M. M. Adama (rtd). CAMPUSLIFE learnt that the governor was irked by the inability of the security arm of KSU to stem the tide of violent cult clashes

    Adama has been replaced by the former Commander of SARS (State Anti-Robbery Squad) in the state, Mr Aurelius Yusuf Adejo, who has vowed to come up with a more innovative approach to address insecurity in the institution.

    “Recently, we had a meeting with Mr Adejo, on the way forward as regards security crises bedevilling the school,” said the spokesman for the newly appointed CSO, Mr. Benjamin Akor.

    “At the meeting, we were briefed on some security measures that the new administration would put in place to curb the incessant attacks by these cult groups. As part of what was highlighted, the CSO recommended the mounting of CCTVs at some strategic places within the campus to checkmate the rate of crimes in school.

    “Mr Adejo also advised the management to block all illegal routes that link the campus and thereafter fence the school.

    “Aside the killings that occurred outside the school by some political thugs and cult members in previous months, KSU campus has been very peaceful, and we would ensure that the  lives and properties of our students are well secured.”

    We have made some arrest, says police

    Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Command said it had arrested some of the suspects involved in the cult clashes at Anyigba.

    The spokesman of the Kogi State Police Command William Aya, said all the suspects arrested are students of KSU.

    Aya noted that a joint operation by the army and police in Anyigba led to the arrest of six suspected cult members.

    He said exhibits recovered from the suspects include one English pistol, one locally made pistol, one short gun, 10 cartridges, one axe and charms.

    Aya warned those engaging in cultism and other crimes to repent, or face the full wrath of the law.

    • Additional reports by Adegunle Olugbamila

  • JAMB and new varsities

    In 2009, a Moroccan education economist, Dr. Jamil Samli listed what constitutes a “World Class University” in a publication for the World Bank: “The challenges of Establishing World Class Universities.” According to Samli, a former coordinator of the Bank’s tertiary education program, a world-class university has three distinguishing outcomes: first, highly sought graduates; second, leading-edge research; and third, dynamic knowledge and technology transfer. Samli attributed these outcomes to three complementary sets of factors at play in these universities.

    The first factor is a high concentration of talent, consisting of faculty, students, researchers and internationalization. The second factor requires favorable governance features that encourage leadership, strategic vision, innovation, and flexibility and that enable institutions to make decisions and manage resources without being encumbered by bureaucracy.

    The third factor consists of abundant resources to offer a rich learning environment and to conduct advanced research. It is therefore the dynamic interaction among these three factors that defines world-class universities.

    As an advocate of a solid university system in Nigeria, I’ll be addressing an important issue raised recently by the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Prof. Is-haq Oloyede. While delivering the 4th convocation lecture of the Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, Prof. Oloyede called for an embargo to be placed on the creation of new public and private universities in the country. He said there was the need to place the embargo so that the country’s existing institutions could be adequately catered for.

    “A situation where universities are only established to massage the ego of rich individuals and politicians is not healthy for educational development of the country as tertiary education is too crucial to be reduced to a commercial outfit for an ego-tripping venture…since education is everybody’s business, all Nigerians should support the effort towards educational development,” he said. Oloyede, who took a critical look at the recommendations of the 2017 Presidential Retreat on Education which recommended a declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector, advocated increased funding of education in the country by committing nothing less than 15% of the national budget to the sector.

    I agree with Prof Oloyede’s caution about the dangers of reducing varsities to “commercial outfit for an ego-tripping venture.” Government need to pull the breaks, take an honest look at existing varsities and see how they can be revamped rather than establishing more. If we want to be honest, some of the varsities established recently fall within this category. I have visited some of them and they fall within what a writer described as “glorified secondary schools.”

    I belong to the school of thought that believes very much in the relentless pursuit of world class ambitions, goals and purposes. This is because the pursuit of globally recognized excellence in any endeavour is absolutely necessary to guarantee the attainment of feats and heights that are uncommon, from a global standpoint, and which deserve to be proudly celebrated on the world stage. I believe also that with the right sets of people and policies some of our varsities have potentials of being world class.

    Read Also: JAMB’s 2019 Policy Meeting

    It is no longer unusual or implausible for a citizen of any country outside the UK, for instance, to choose a world class and well renowned institution like Cambridge University, over and above every other University in his home country, for his tertiary education. Indeed, if the challenge of meeting the admission criteria does not constitute an insurmountable barrier, it will be unlikely for this student, to jettison the opportunity to go to Cambridge in favour of a local and less highly regarded university alternative.

    The situation will be the same for universities in any country, where available universities therein are not seen to be capable of offering the “world class” benefits/values that are widely associated with highly regarded tertiary institutions. If this tendency is not challenged, the result will be that these not – highly – regarded Universities anywhere in the world would not be able to attract the top echelon of very good students, faculty, and/or research grants, either from within the local environment or anywhere else in the world. It is not difficult to predict the ‘future’ that awaits such institutions.

    I am of the view that with good management, a university in Nigeria can still aspire to be in the league of ‘world class’ institutions despite the current challenges faced by most of them. All it requires is ‘out-of-the-box thinking.” This comes by being innovative in bridging the funding and other gaps – for public varsities. In doing this, strategic brand management has a critical role to play – from faculty, grants, students, environment, positioning etc. If properly understood and implemented, it has the potentials of firmly establishing clear preference for the university in the minds of a sufficiently large number of topflight faculty and students from different parts of the world within a set time-frame.

    However, the varsity must be essentially driven by the need to gain recognition, first as an aspiring “world class” institution, and, ultimately, as a “proud member of this elite group” within a realistic time-frame. The mandatory steps in the process of adoption and application of the strategic management principles inherent in this approach include professional understanding of the meaning and significance of the “Brand,” both as a concept and a strategic tool for business growth.

    A clear understanding of the process of leveraging the “Brand” for a full establishment of its customer connection potential is a fundamental prerequisite. Also important is the acquisition of strong insights into the drivers of choice amongst topflight students, world class faculty members, donor agencies and discerning and top rated employers of university graduates.

    Systematic application of insights for the injection of appropriate and superior benefits values into the university Brand Essence, and for the subsequent development of a winning value proposition for the university should also be desired. Strategic leveraging of the value proposition for consistency with the evocations of the “Brand Pillars” and systematic “Brand Building Structures and Action” will further drive the aspiring varsity toward world standard.

    Another key essential is the “Product” or “Physical Manifestation Pillar:” This refers to both the “intrinsic” and “extrinsic” values of the physical manifestation of the Brand. It speaks to the “Functional Benefits” of the Brand (i.e. the potential to give the target customer a veritable reward for the adoption of the offering). In particular, emphasis should be focused on unique facilities and environmental features that set the brand apart, first as one of the best amongst its peers, and as a potential world class institution. As a rule, these reward elements or components must be visible and, must come across as tangible benefits.

    Next is “The Personality or Social Standing Pillar:” This is an expression of what the institution would look like if it were a person or a physical entity. This usually comes in various descriptions as follows: masculine/feminine; elegant/ordinary; smart/reticent; handsome-beautiful/ugly; accessible/clumsy; international/local; world class/ordinary, etc.

    Each one of these associations comes with perceptions that can shape the opinion of target customers concerning the suitability or otherwise of the institution for their purposes. It is therefore important to ensure that knowledge of customer insights on drivers of choice are excellently leveraged to guarantee the projection of the right image/personality for the institution.

    “The Symbols and Symbolism Pillar” is also part of the mix. It is the combinations of design elements, logos and colors that have been adopted for the brand. By definition, these must be very pleasing to eyes and mind, and must also convey the images of international quality, class and style for the institution.

    The uniqueness and attractiveness must be so striking and unique to the extent that the brand will readily come to mind, even if the symbols are made to feature as “stand alone” images. It is absolutely essential that the process of evolving the character and value associations for each of the brand pillars must end up with a consistent message that will define the brand as envisioned. In other words, if the adopted “Heritage” values are presenting the brand as “international,” the defined value associations with the physical manifestation pillar should not be evocative of anything else but international values.