The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Alumnus to donate building to UNN

    Chief Executive Officer of Future Concerns Group Anthony Oguike has laid the foundation for the construction of a multi-million naira Biomedical Engineering building he plans to donate to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

    Performing the ceremony, Oguike, an alumnus of the university,‘ said the edifice would be named Solomon Oguike Building’  in memory of his late father,  who was a lecturer in the Faculty of Biological Sciences of the  institution.

    He said the building, valued at over N120 million, would be completed and inaugurated by September.

    Oguike said his major concern was for students to have a better learning environment and facilities than what was obtainable in his student days.

    “I desire the best for these young people. That is why I feel obligated to do whatever I can to help them,” he said.

    The safety expert said he was motivated by a sense of responsibility to give back to the institution that laid a good foundation for his success in life.

    REad also: Umeadi is UNN visiting professor of law

    Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof Benjamin Ozumba described Oguike as a distinguished alumnus with a heart of gold.

    He praised the donor for his exemplary show of interest in the development of his alma mater.

    “Many people had been here and they left without looking back, but you have shown that you are a rare breed, Ozumba said  urging other alumni of the institution to toe the donor’s path.

    The Dean Faculty of Engineering, Prof Val Ekechukwu, described Oguike as a great contributor to the faculty, having constructed modern restroom for staff and students, built a solar power station and donated project vehicles to the department.

    Ekechukwu said Oguike’s latest donation would enable the Faculty realise its ambition of going into Biomedical Engineering.

    He thanked the donor for mobilising the contractor for the timely completion of the project.

  • A college facilities’ challenge

    Facilities at the 41-year-old Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, are in a sorry state. But management says it is nothing to worry about, urging students and the public to give it time to make amends. APAGUNPOTE OLAYIMIKA reports:

    Facilities  at the Osun State of College of Education, Ilesa, are in a deplorable state. Aside some projects sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), and the only public toilet renovated by the Students’ Union but now in a-not-too-pleasant state, there is little or no facility worthy of note in the 41-year-old institution.

    The ruins of an abandoned college hall can be seen a few metres away. At present, there is no functional public toilet in the school. Though there are clusters of toilets attached to staff offices, and others attached to TETFUND buildings, students have to help themselves in nearby bushes anytime they are pressed.

    CAMPUSLIFE reporter, who visited the school, saw two deserted public toilets. One is located close to the School of Languages, a stone throw to the Central Mosque.  The other is by the School of Education, very close to the entrance of the main campus. Apparently, the toilets have suffered neglect, with fresh and caked human faeces and toilet papers scrambling for space within their surroundings.

    There are only four boreholes channelled to offices of administrative buildings and that of senior members of the staff alone. No halls of residence for students and no guarantee of lives and property, CAMPUSLIFE gathered.

    Yet students are forced to learn under this despicable situation characterised by creaky, dangerous and run-down facilities. Aside some areas obviously overgrown with bush, there are tell-tale signs of collapse in some structures. Walls are crying for a new coat of paints.

    “Thanks to TETFUND, this school would have completely vanished due to a dearth of facilities,” said a rather sad Samuel Awowolu, an alumnus of the institution.

    Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, was established in 1978. Its mandate, like others of its kind, is to provide teacher education at the basic level. The school runs three academic programmes: NCE, a franchised regular and degree programmes by the University of Ibadan, and another franchise, a sandwich programme by the Lagos State University (LASU).

    NCE students pay N20,000 as tuition. The UI franchise (regular) pay N50,000.  However, sundry fees (administrative and ICT fees), among others, were recently introduced by the management.

    Students also complained bitterly about the introduction of N12,000 as teaching practice (TP) fees. Over the years, TP has been free until when it was introduced by the management headed by the Provost, Prof. Kolawole Labayo Kazeem.

    When added together, fresh NCE students now pay N67,000 as school fees; NCE students between 200-300 levels part with N47,000, fresh students of UI must cough out between N76,000 to N133,800 as school fees, while sandwich students pay N66,000 as fees.

    However, the management justified its action, saying what students called a raise in tuition fees was just an introduction of administrative charges. Such charges, it argued, has helped in the speedy payment of staff salaries as well as meeting some running cost of the institution.

    Beyond running cost

    Beyond tuition, however, CAMPUSLIFE learned that the institution makes money via other means, such as the Youth Empowerment Scheme; a Federal Government’s initiative in partnership with the World Bank, Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) Centre, Centre for Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) exam centres and others. There are also speculations that the school makes money from agriculture and other innovative ideas due to its large expanse of land.

     

    Staff shortfall

    Sources at the college complained of staff shortfall. This is coupled with the poor attitude to teaching by some academic staff. This development, CAMPUSLIFE learnt, is making students spend extra time to finish registration and other academic activities. Interestingly, some students are now made to pay a fine for late registration. Although there are new halls built by TETFUND, yet many students hang around during lectures due to congested classrooms. Others simply shift lectures as a result of insufficient classrooms.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the College ICT building that houses close to 300 computers is understaffed, with only four workers (a director and three support staff) manning the facility.

    Students who bore their mind to CAMPUSLIFE either chose not to mention their names or use only their first name for fear of victimisation.

    A 200-Level student, who identified herself as Olabisi, lamented the management’s refusal to recruit or employ more hands to run the ICT building. To further complicate matters, students have no access to their cumulative grade point average (CGPA) until their final year, CAMPUSLIFE further garthered.

    “I have heard several complaints of loss of files and data (by the ICT unit), until I became a victim and I know what I went through before it got resolved. Shortage of staff causes  delay in registration of fresh students. In the end, they (management) end up forcing students to pay N3,000 as late registration fee,” she added.

    Besides, Olabisi complained about late payment of fee and the fact that the institution’s portal, which is supposed to play other functions such as checking of results and uploading of latest information to students, only serve as venue for students’ tuition alone.

    A 400-Level Political Science undergraduate, who identified himself as Joseph, and another who gave her name as Yetunde, a student of English Language and Literary Studies, expressed dissatisfaction about the bogus charges. “They have increased it (tuition fee). We have no choice, but we will be happy if they reduce it. I know a lot of colleagues who have left school as a result of the increment. May God help us,” said Yetunde.

    Another student by the name Abisola has a different opinion. The 400-Level student of Economics Education feels it is a balancing act.

    She said: “Although the increment is exorbitant but the school needs to be run. I went through hell before I could pay my school fees, but the fact is that we are not depending much on the government. Also there are little changes in the school.  In terms of workers-students relationship, I can say it is great.”

    CAMPUSLIFE met Olorunfunmilola, an undergraduate of Geography Education who described management’s action as ‘deliberate’ since the Student’s Union has been proscribed.

    “Don’t mind these people,” Olorunfunmilola said in anger. “This is too much. They proscribed the union and frustrated student-leaders so that no one would talk. They should consider the economy and have pity on our parents who are half salary earners.”

    Adeola, a student from the Department of Social Studies, said the increment could not be condemned outright because it has resolved issues of late payment of salaries.

    “Although what I can afford as an individual, others may not be able to do so.  Students need to pay house rents and settle other bills. Toilets built by TETFUND are restricted to staff alone. Students make use of bushes and forests to ease themselves. They should make school fees affordable to reduce the rate at which students are leaving in droves.”

     

    Proscription of NUESA and suspension of SU

    The Ilesa chapter of the Nigerian Universities Education Students’ Association (NUESA),  was proscribed by the management of the institution when the association reacted against the N12,000 TP fee, late issuing of results and mobilisation for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps. Further, CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the management made attempts to proscribe the union, but later reversed the action to suspension, by proposing a caretaker committee whose members were handpicked by the Governing Council. Similarly, elections into departments and faculties were cancelled. A reliable source who preferred anonymity informed CAMPUSLIFE that NUESA was proscribed while NCE students were on strike.

    “They (NUESA) protested against anti-students policies. We received a letter (from management) four days later that it has been suspended. Ask them why they suspended the union, they have no reason,” our source stated.

    Attempts by CAMPUSLIFE to speak with the Dean of Students Affairs were futile. Nonetheless, the college PRO, Ojolo Olusegun. who admitted some of the claims by our reporter, added that management had not gone to bed over the matter.

    Olusegun told CAMPUSLIFE that the whole college is undergoing renovation, adding that management is working tirelessly to put things right

    “Students won’t tell you that they vandalised water supply projects in the school. They will not tell you that there are toilets attached to TETFUND buildings and renovation is ongoing within the school premises,” Olusegun began.

    “On the issue of increment in tuition fees, this is untrue. There’s no increment at all. Only integrated fees were added as additional charges and they are necessary,” Olusegun added, debunking the tuition fee increase rumour.

    On the portal issue, Olusegun blamed the students for flouting management’s deadline.

    He continued:  “Portal was reopened several times that it became ridiculous and students were so obstinate that they refused to register on time. There’s no institution that does not have deadline for registrations. We have a number of cases where students only paid Acceptance Fees and ignored others.”

    Olusegun stressed that the N12,000 fee on TP became inevitable at least to mobilise supervisors  and materials for TP and its accompanying logistics.

    He expressed shock that the institution is alleged to suffer shortfall in staffing.

    “This is the first time I will hear of such,” Olusegun said.

    He added: “It is important to note that state government has stopped employment into offices since 2011. This is a government school and we cannot employ staff until government lifts the embargo.”.

    “Late registration fee is everywhere. There’s no school that does not pay late registration fee. We have postponed registration exercise for countless times yet some students refuse to pay,” he said on late registration charges..

    Olusegun declined to react on complaints by the ICT unit, referring the CAMPUSLIFE reporter to the director of the unit for clarification.

    He equally denied management’s hand in students’ unionism.

    “Management did not proscribe the union,” he said.

    He added: “Students were on strike when the tenure of the SUG elapsed. They were not able to organise elections so the board of governors selected some students to act as members of the caretaker committee.  They (caretaker committee) have been charged to organise election which will be done very soon.”

    Nonetheless, the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Osun State axis, confirmed the suspension to CAMPUSLIFE, saying both the union and management of the institution are at present making efforts to resolve the issue before the month runs out.

  • Vice chancellor’s admonition (I)

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State, Professor Dapo Asaju last week wrote a letter which went viral. In the strongly-worded message to parents and guardians of the institution, the VC expressed his disaffection over what he described as overindulgence of the students by their parents and warned about raising the “next generation with the same corrupt and indisciplined ethos that has ruined Nigeria.”

    Prof Asaju said his action was informed by the “insubordination of some parents” in the affairs of the university. He said many parents whose children and wards are facing one disciplinary action or the other want to use their influence to stop trials, and that one parent “had even sued the University for suspending his 400-level son who sexually abused two female students in a classroom on the campus.”

    The VC’s letter was in reaction to protests among some parents who had complained that their children were being treated like “secondary school students.” He pointed out that students are no longer punctual in schools and faculties, and that rather than being chastised by their parents, they are further indulged.

    In a chat with a reporter to verify the authenticity of the letter, Prof Asaju said; “My brother, I am very sad over what our universities are becoming. If faith-based institutions can be experiencing all these immoral habits, how much more of public institutions.

    “Our parents think their children only do well when they flout rules and regulations simply because they claim they have paid fees. It is quite unfortunate, but when parents have failed in their responsibilities, where else do we run to? I am afraid of the future of this country if right-thinking men and women do not rise to salvage the situation. Our societal problems have been traced to the homes and until the homes are fixed, we will just be working in vain.”

    Principally, the letter was addressed to parents against the backdrop of what, in my opinion, is the crisis of parenting in the country. I will implore readers to get involved in this important conversation. I was completely taken aback when I first read the letter because it is quite unusual; something must have pushed the VC overboard. Taken aback because this is perhaps the first time I’ll be reading such a direct letter from a university VC in Nigeria. Forgive me; I attended a traditional university where I could hardly imagine my VC writing such a letter – which Prof Asaju himself confirmed in his introduction. The times have really changed indeed.

    Secondly, – and most importantly – I am concerned about what was not said in the letter – the negation of the entire notion of the university. I wonder if we are not gradually deviating from our understanding of what a university is or should be. Is the proliferation of private universities in the country negating what universities are and stand for? This is certainly worth interrogating and will form the nucleus of the second part.

    While still in the university several years ago, I overheard two elderly mothers discussing about parenting. Their discussion – which has been etched in my memory ever since – was triggered by an interaction they had with a young mother who had pleaded with them to babysit her child while she attends a paid conference on parenting. When the young mother left after explaining what a parenting conference was, the elderly mothers – who didn’t have formal education – started ruminating how they were able to successfully raise twenty one children without attending any conference.

    They wondered why anyone would pay in order to learn how to be a good mother or parent. The lessons I learnt eavesdropping on these mothers – alongside those learnt from my mother – prepared me in the journey of parenthood when I became a father. They resolved to sit the young mother down and give her free and timeless lessons in motherhood.

    I used to sit “at the feet” of a retired war time army general discussing various societal issues, especially the problems of Nigeria. In one of our discussions, a guest joined us and informed the general that his son – who was a commissioner in his home state – has been accused of embezzling public funds. Without blinking an eye lid, the general said; “That can never happen; I didn’t raise my sons to be thieves. Go and tell the governor to investigate him.” He continued with our discussion as if nothing had happened.

    About a month later, the general – who is now late – sent for me and handed me an open newspaper without uttering a word; there was also another newspaper on his lap. The news story I read was the outcome of a probe panel set up by the state government to investigate if the commissioner (the late general’s son), or his accomplices were complicit in embezzling public funds. When I was done reading the first story, he handed me the second newspaper.

    The news story – which was about the panel report – did not find the commissioner culpable in any act of embezzlement of public fund and he was allowed to continue serving the state in that capacity.  The second story – a feature story written by the same reporter – was quite detailed from an entirely different angle. The reporter focused on the family background of all those accused – that is the commissioner and his perceived accomplices. That of the commissioner was quite instructive.

    The reporter wrote about the general, his long years of impeccable service in the military with particular reference to his civil war records and how he treated his men. He also focused on the commissioner’s other brothers and how they are excelling in their chosen fields of endeavour. What he succeeded in doing was to draw a strong correlation between ones conduct and the family one was raised in. He did this without even interviewing the general; he only interviewed close associates of both the general and his son which further added impetus to his report.

    After I finished reading both stories, he delivered a strong sermon on fatherhood to me which has been helping me since I became a father myself. He told me he was confident in the sons and daughters he raised ensuring they lived, not only within their means, but to be content with whatever they have. He also informed me that he taught them not to focus on his earthly properties but strive to have theirs and train their own children along that line. I wasn’t surprised when he passed on that his house was put up for rent – all because his children were encouraged to strive for theirs or rent one until they have theirs.

    Slightly over three years ago, I was patiently on the queue at a supermarket alongside other customers waiting to pay for purchases when a young man in his twenties walked past all of us straight to the cashier to make payment. The gentleman in front politely asked him if he’s not aware of the other people in the queue. He simply waved and said “so?” The visibly angry man pushed him away and told him to join the queue. He was trying to cause a scene when we all insisted he join the queue. He didn’t but simply left the purchases on the cashier’s desk and walked away.

      I have witnessed several incidences of jumping the queue and other deep societal challenges like drugs, kidnappings, fraud etc to arrive at the conclusion that we may be facing a parenting crisis in the country. Many of our adults, young men and women behave as if they do not come from homes. The home is the bulwark of who we truly are. But unfortunately, what we know as home in the traditional setting is gradually melting away. In its place we are inadvertently raising a generation of citizens without any sense of responsibility whatsoever.

  • ‘Agric processing averts food insecurity, attracts forex’

    “As the challenges of food insecurity and climate change continue to assume a frightening dimension, there is the need for efficient preservation of food crops for industries, livestock and man’s existence,” says Eli Kolo Tsado, a professor of Crop Production, Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMINNA), Niger State.

    Tsado said quality processing and storage of food crops make them durable, attractive and valuable. They also go a long way in mitigating global food insecurity.

    Tsado spoke on the theme: The end of crop storage is the beginning of new products.

    Tsado said: “The benefits of crops processing are numerous. It helps to make food available even during the off-season. It helps in the durability of food crop products. It adds value to the produce. It creates room for commercial agriculture, thereby promoting agricultural activities. If we process our food crops regularly, then more food will be in our food reserve, which will then aid in adaptation and mitigation of climate change. Processing provides raw materials for further studies and for industrial uses. Through processing, some materials are produced (by-products), which can be used for formulation of animal feed.”

    The don observed that agricultural products provide raw materials for industry workers, while industries in turn provide finished goods (consumables, tools and equipment) used in carrying out agricultural activities.

    He noted that post-harvest activities can make a big difference to the financial impact of small-scale agriculture

    He said: “Agricultural processing takes place after the crops are produced. It is simply transforming the primary agricultural products into other useful products. Or better still, it is any activity that maintains, raises the quality or changes the form or characteristics of an agricultural product. The ultimate aim of processing is to preserve or improve the quality of agricultural products and thereby minimising losses.”

    He continued: ‘’Agric produce processing gives income to a farmer and improves his standard of living. When a country processes her food crops, then exportation will be high, thereby improving her foreign exchange earnings. Processing provides employment for individual and the masses. Through agric processing of crops like sugarcane, bio-fuel is produced, which is then used to generate farm or industrial power. The siting of processing factory in rural areas attracts development to the areas.”

    He said it is an important marketing function which involves holding and processing goods from the time they are produced until they are needed for consumption.

    In Nigeria, Prof. Tsado said storage of food crops and other agricultural produce(s) is at farm or grass root level, middle level and large or commercial level. He listed duration of storage, size or scale of storage and principle of storage, as the basic classifications of agricultural storage.

    “The on farm storage technology includes storage in gourds, pot, drum, tins, pit, hanging on trees, platforms, heaps, baskets, polythene bags, sacks, rhombus, and calabashes. The middle level storage technology is for farmers who produce at fairly average quantity. They use ventilated structures such as mud walled rhombus and cribs. The commercial level storage techniques are for large scale farmers, traders, exporters and agro-based companies. Their structures are mainly silos and warehouses,” he said.

    Tsado observed that indiscriminate importation of food discourages local farmers and processors, bad roads, lack of storage structures, non-availability of processing machines in rural areas where the bulk of agricultural produce comes from.

    “A ban should be placed on the importation of crops such as rice, while commensurate effort should be made to encourage local production, processing and marketing of such crops. It is pertinent that there should be synergy between post-harvest technology and other areas of agricultural engineering. Storage structures for local use should be adequately provided. There should be regular training of manpower at all levels to enhance food processing and crops’ storage. Among other important things, government should provide extension services to farmers as well as proper linkage between producers and end users,” the don recommended.

    The event had in attendance, Prof. Abdullahi Bala, the Vice-Chancellor (VC); Prof. Ahmed Iyaka, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Administration; the Registrar, Mr. Amos N. Kolo and Bursar, Hajiya Hajara Kuso, among other top principal staff of the institution.

  • Alumni launch N250m hospital project

    Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State Alumni Association, has proposed N250 million for a hospital project. The project, when completed, would be a 150- bed space.

    Launching the project at the school auditorium, chief launcher and co-chief launcher, former Deputy Governor of Osun State Senator Iyiola Omisore and  Chief Rotimi Ibidapo as well as the Chairman Pacific Drilling, West Africa Chief Rotimi Ibidapo, were represented at the occasion.

    In his speech, National President of the alumni, Elder Tope Omolayo, stated that the facility would cater for both students and staff of the institution.

    He said: “The hospital facility is not only to cater for the medical needs of both staff and students of the institution but one that can generate funds for the school.

    “With God on our side and your robust support, we intend to commission the facility as part of activities to mark the 40th anniversary of the creation of the school slated for next year.”

    Also in attendance was Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who praised the alumni for their initiative.

    “I pondered and pondered on what gave the vision of having people with sound health with equal access to health facility. It is a different opinion,”Akeredolu said, adding that the institution qualified as ‘father of institutions’ because of its existence many years before the coming of other tertiary institutions in the state.

    Like Rugipo, the governor said other tertiary institutions are being owed arrears, assuring that government is putting plans in place to offset them.

    Akeredolu praised the management for their diligence, commitment and hardwork. He also assured that government would be willing to commission the proposed project when completed.

  • College mourns ex-provost

    Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers State, has been thrown into mourning following the passing-on of a former Provost of the college, Prof Sir Addison Mark Wokocha.

    The late Wokocha, who held the Ikemba of Ogbaland title, was the third to administer the institution between 1998 and 2005. The deceased was honoured as a Fellow of the college in 2016 because of his good work while in the saddle.

    As a mark of honour, management had declared a three-day mourning with the college flag flown half-mast throughout the period. Similarly, a condolence register has been opened at the Administrative Block in honour of the deceased.

    A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the college, Prince Charles Amadike-Otoboh, stated that the management of the institution led by its Provost, Dr. Emmanuel Ikenyiri, had earlier paid a condolence visit on the deceased family at his home town, Okposi near Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

    Speaking during the visit,  Ikenyiri described Wokocha’s demise as a big loss to the institution, noting that his achievements remain unmatched by any of his successors. He prayed the Almighty God to grant the soul of the former provost peaceful rest.

    Replying on behalf of Wokocha’s family, Chief Mark Wokocha praised the management for the prompt visit. He also thanked the management for the honour accorded the deceased.

  • MAPOLY promises free tuition for visually-impaired

    New Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta Mr Samson Odedina has pledged financial assistance to visually-impaired students.

    Odedina said this in a chat with CampusLife after he was given an award by the Students Union (SU) of the institution.

    The SU had earlier renovated the bus shed of the polytechnic and christened it ‘Samson Adeola Odedina Bus Shed’, in honour of Odedina who was appointed in January by the Ogun State government.

    Odedina was honoured by the students for his effort in resolving the crisis that had prevented them from writing the second semester examination, which began on Monday.

    At the inuaguration of the facility, some visually-impaired students had approached the Rector to seek financial and moral support.

    The leader of the group, Tobi Itomi, an HND student of Mass Communication, said they had potentials to unleash given a more conducive environment.

    Itomi, who was runner-up at the public speaking competition of his department, said his good academic performance is a testimony of his commitment to his studies.

    He said: “People with disabilities are often discriminated against in the society and even in the family,we are considered last in everything.

    Itomi continued: “In spite of my condition, I am the most read member of my family. I was the first runner-up at the last public speaking competition. This is to tell you sir, that I have passion for learning.

    “I am pleading with the management to render more assistance to us, especially in the payment of tuition. Some of us are sponsoring ourselves. Our family members do not expect anything positive from us, hence, they abandoned us’’.

    Odedina, who later spoke to CAMPUSLIFE in his office, said he would ensure that the request of the visually-impaired students is fulfilled.

    He said if SU could pay the fees of some less privileged students, he would do more for students with special aids.

    Odedina said: “I don’t need to be begged. Since I came on board, we have done greater things that we don’t want to make public in terms of welfare and support for special people.

    “As far as I am concerned, it (their request) is a done deal for them. I want to know if there are other groups like that so that they can get the support of the management and the Students Union.”

  • Fidei Poly matriculates 543

    Five hundred and forty-three students have matriculated at the Fidei Polytechnic, Gboko, Benue State.

    It was the institution’s 19th matriculation held at its premises.

    Delivering his speech, the polythenic’s Acting Rector, Mr. Aper, Chris Igbadio, admonished the new students to be more committed to their studies. He warned that any student that flouted the rules and regulations of the institution would be dealt with.

    He said: “As you officially start the next level of your career, I urge you to be focused, and realise the task in front of you that will set you on the path of your profession and personal life. You must remember to be law-abiding at all time and constantly resist all forms of vices such as examination malpractice, cultism, theft, hooliganism, drug abuse, and fighting, that we consider unacceptable here. I encourage you to strive for excellence and never to spend time on social entertainment. Also, your primary aim of coming here is to study, and I urge you that we will make your stay here as pleasant as possible.”

    Benue State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Dennis Tyavyar, who was represented by Mr Utuku Iormough, congratulated the new students and charge them to be serious, steadfast, unrelenting, and give their all.

    “I, therefore, urge you all to be serious, steadfast, hard working, and also give your all to education. Polytechnics are always the best in terms of technology because students who undergo polytechnic education are never stranded in the labour market. They are usually well trained to be independent in terms of innovations, and entrepreneur skills, among others. Also, the ministry appreciate Fidei Polytechnic for good works in academic excellence.”

  • Mass failure in General Studies at Sokoto Varsity

    Management and students of the Usmanu Dan Fodio University (UDU), Sokoto, are trading words over the mass failure in General Studies (GST). The students claimed that the GST Unit mishandled the course. The management blamed the failure on the students’ indifference. ABIODUN JAMIU, UDUS 200-L Political Science, reports.

    As they always do, the Usmanu Dan Fodio University (UDU), Sokoto students were  at the General Studies (GST) notice board where information and sometimes results are pasted. They were checking their names on the  list of students who did not sit for the GST continuous assessment (CA) across various levels during the second semester of 2017/2018 academic year.

    To the chargrin of many who sat for the continuous assessment, their names were on the list. By implication, students with no CA records have automatically failed.

    More interesting was that some students, who came to mock their colleagues who failed, were shocked to discover that they were also victims.

    The 100-Level students write GST102 (Nigerian people and culture); GST 103 (Information and Communication Technology); GST105 (Communication in French) and GST106 (Communication in Arabic). For 200 Level students there are courses such as GST211 (Communication in English ll) and GST214 (Peace and Conflict Resolution); while the 300-Level undergraduates sit for GST312 (Venture Creation and Growth).

    As practised in other institutions, UDU students undertake GST that are multi-disciplinary in nature, covering Philosophy, Science, Social Sciences, and Citizenship Education, among others.

    But many students expressed disappointment over repeated failures in GST– a development they blamed on the alleged shoddy manner the division handles its affairs.

    Nonetheless, the school’s management has absolved itself, blaming the situation on students’ I-don’t-care-attitude towards GST.

    One of the victims, a 200-Level student of Political Science, Umar Sheriff, lamented what he described as the school’s ‘negligence’, adding that it would affect his hope of getting a better result in his first year.

    Like every other ‘Danfodite’, Sheriff recalled how he had burnt the midnight candle ahead of GST examination; yet, his results were not commensurate with the efforts he had invested.

    Aggrieved, Sheriff along with other students in his shoes, approached the GST Director of General Studies, Dr Farouk Tambuwal, who assured via the secretary of the unit that the matter would be resolved.

    “Quite a number of us met the secretary, who told us that since the students involved in the mix-up were many, the division would certainly find a way out. Even with the promise by the secretary, when the results were released, I saw “F” on my GST102 (Nigerian people and Culture),” Sheriff said.

    Sherrif’s claim was substantiated by Eeboade Hassan, another 200-Level Law undergraduate, who bemoaned the manner the test was conducted.

    “The test? It was not in any way formally and accurately conducted,” Hassan said, adding: “The question sheet provided was the same on which we were to put down the answers. Moreover, the pages were not attached. So, we were the one attaching the pages with a broomstick.”

    Hassan said he anticipated erroneous markings due to the numerous answer scripts that were loose after the test was written. According to him, the unattached papers may have caused the mix-up.

    He continued: “Right from that day (the day the test was conducted), I presumed that there would be errors in the process of marking the scripts. But the “F” was actually outside my thinking, I was shocked.

    “The error was from the division. During the process of computing results of the test, they made mistakes with people’s names. Names were alphabetically disorganised, some with their admission number. For instance, instead of 000 of my admission number, they only put double zero,” he lamented.”

    Asked what steps he took when he saw his name on the list, Hassan said he went to the head of the GST Division who acknowledged that the mix-up was theirs and the division would rectify it.

    He continued: “At the office of the Exam Officer, the Director, Dr Tambuwal, brought out the comprehensive list of those who sat for the test with the assertion that ‘if I should open this and your name and scores are absent, just forget it, you will carry over this course even if you score 60/60 in the exam’

    “We thereafter wrote our correct admission numbers and names after which they accepted the mistakes were theirs. He promised us that proper rectification will be done. But, unfortunately, he never fulfilled his promise. ‘F’ was written on my GST106 (Communication in Arabic)”.

    “I had to be sure it was my name. At a point, I started crying because I couldn’t imagine myself having a ‘carry over’ in GST” said another victim, Shadiyah (not real name), who failed GST106, (Communication in Arabic).

    Unlike Hassan, Shadiyah didn’t have a premonition of what was to come. She even told CAMPUSLIFE that she would never have admitted her name was on the list if told by her course mates.

    “Although I heard students lamenting that they had issues with the GSTs; I wasn’t perturbed. It never occurred to me that my name would feature on the list, until a friend drew my attention to it.”

    She continued: “We were attended to that very day, and were told to check if our names were on the comprehensive lists. Some students’ admission numbers were mistyped, just like mine; there was a mix-up in my admission number. Instead of 98, 78 was on the list. After all the complaints, we were all given an “F”. We all knew that without tests, we would all carry the course over.”

    Similarly, Ahmad Muhammad Saulawa, a 400-Level Microbiology undergraduate, expressed shock when he saw his name on the list, despite that he even assisted the course coordinator to invigilate the same course. Like Shadiyah, Saulawa’s attention was drawn to the list by a friend.

    “I wrote mine in the first batch and after submitting, the lecturer asked me to join her to invigilate the class, and I did,” Saulawa recalled.

    “The other batches wrote theirs and I was still there with her (coordinator). I gathered all the test question papers and handed it to her. However, I was shocked when I heard that my name was among those that didn’t sit for the test,” he said.

    Saulawa recounted how he later approached the lecturer of the course, who assured him that it was a general problem and that the division would definitely resolve it, adding that the problem had not been resolved as at the time of filing this report.

    Read also: On Sokoto rerun election

    Beyond the affected students, GST Division in UDUS has been a subject of crisis, especially among students who constantly moan repeated mass failure, missing grades and late release of results, among others.

    A student, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, recalled how students performance in GST has declined in recent years. He lamented that GST results were not appealing and not in any way commensurate with students’ efforts.

    “GST result in recent time in UDU is not appealing,” the source stated.

    He continued: “Students have been recording low grades, which in the long run affect our GP(grade point), if not all. The bitter truth is that it is not that the students are unserious. The problem with the division is the belief that majority of students take the course for granted. It is on this basis that the administration felt the need to be harsh on students with regards to grade.”

    However, Maryam Abdullah, a 400-Level student of Modern European Languages and Linguistics (MELL), lauded the result. Unlike previous ones, Abdullah noted that the management’s introduction of computer based test (CBT) made this year’s a lot better.

    “Though students seem to complain more about their results, I think these results are better, compared to the previous results from the division,” she added.

    But Emelife Uchenna Maximus, a 200 Level Literature in English undegraduate, bemoaned the technical problems that has plagued GST over the years, urging the division to improve on performance to demonstrate more transparency.

    “The GST results, I would still say is fair. The division, in the previous session, graded poorly GST 104 of all first years, and took on an overwhelming CBT system that almost led to me missing an examination”

    The division should carry out a proper test-run of its CBT to avoid mistakes and technical issues,” Uchenna advised.

    Nevertheless, until students learn to be more committed, the mass failure in GST would continue, the management has said.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, UDU Dean, Students’ Affairs, Prof Aminu Mode, expressed dissatisfaction at the nonchalant attitude of students towards GST.

    He said: “This (mass failure) is nothing to argue on. The reality is that most of the students do not attend GST lectures.

    “For instance, you will find an average GST class of 1000 students, but only 50 or 60 students will attend the class. Throughout the session, there are some students that would never attend GST lectures.

    “Why would students not fail when they don’t attend lectures? Students believe, especially in GST courses, that ‘we don’t need to attend lectures to score As or Bs, let me just go and read’ not knowing that what we want as teachers is for them to attend lectures and thereafter challenge us.”

    Further, Mode said results in the universities are released subject to consultations with stakeholders before it would be approved by the Senate, adding that no division or faculties can unilaterally fail students. Mode, therefore, urged students to attend lectures promptly as it aids learning and equips them ahead of time.

    “Attending lectures reduce a lot of burden on you as a student; you understand better what a lecturer said and at the same time remember how he gestured. Unfortunately, students of nowadays have taken GST courses for granted,” he concluded.

     

  • ‘I want to provide quality education to people across board’

    Prince Louis Omolayo Adekola is one of the 100 Most Influential Young Nigerians and one of the 12 African youths honoured by Egyptian President AbdelFattah El-Sisi with the Promising Youth Award of the World Youth Forum. In this interview with CAMPUSLIFE CORRESPONDENT ADESOLA IKULAJOLU, Adekola relives how he surmounted some of his challenges. Excerpts:

    As a young leader, what is your mission?

    My mission is to provide access to quality education for people irrespective of age, gender, background and social status. I hold a bachelors’ degree in Educational Management and my postgraduate focus is on International and Comparative Education. I am the Founder of the Ambassadors of Africa, an organisation created in 2009 with the sole aim of building Africans into global giants. I am also the Country Council President of World Merit Nigeria, Artistic Director of Frikanah Theatre Company and my firm-Edvant Edge Africa, focuses on helping universities in Africa establish and manage functional and successful advancement centre/offices so that they can become 21st Century institutions indeed.

    What inspires you the most?

    My inspiration comes from the knowledge I have that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Once I conceive an idea, I ensure to spend time analysing it and understanding the solutions that such an idea would provide. I am the kind of person who believes that problems are meant to be solved and only the passionate ones get to do this. So, I am inspired by all the passionate people all over the world, both past and present, who have stepped out of their comfort zones to create real life solutions in their communities and in our world as a whole.

    How do you cope with challenges and what’s the biggest you’ve faced?

    The biggest challenge that I have ever faced is doubting myself and my potential. When I started the organisation as a teenage-undergraduate student, I had a lot of discouragement from some of my friends and even some older people, who I expected to get advice from. Due to the reoccurrence of such discouragements, I began to think maybe they were right but I was blessed with a good network of friends and a fantastic family; those who constantly remind me how incredibly smart I am. If I had listened to the voices of naysayers, I would not be where I am today.

    You were among the Young Most Influential Nigerians, how do you feel?

    I feel great actually.

    I mean, getting nominated as one of the 100 Most Influential Young Nigerians in 2017 confirmed to me that when you are doing something, whether good or bad, people are noticing. The overwhelming support I received during the voting process, which ranked me as fourth in the entire country and second under the Personal Development and Academia category, showed to me how much of impact I have made over the years and the extent of love that people have for me and my works. In 2018 again, I was ranked in the Africa Youth Awards as one of the 100 Most Influential Young Africans and I felt really honoured to have received such a recognition.

    What earned you that feat?

    After being admitted to study Educational Management at Adekunle Ajasin University, I struggled really hard with that reality as I wanted to study Business Administration or Banking and Finance at the time. After finally accepting my ‘fate’, I buckled up with my studies and when I went on my first teaching practice, my whole life changed. I was inspired by all the amazing kids I was teaching, however, I was saddened by the terrible education system that subject students in public schools to harsh learning conditions and obsolete curriculum and pedagogies. Besides, the level of poverty in these rural communities makes the chances of further studies very slim as well as the way people like them had turned out in these communities. I knew I could do something about it; I was not going to look away like many others and so I started to act.

    So how did you do it?

    My career counselling/mentorship activities, student seminars, and teacher training programmes in 2009 and 2010 gave birth to the A-Students Project and my organisation, the Ambassadors of Africa. Over the years, this organisation has positively impacted the lives of over 35,000 people in various African countries and now has teams in over 10 countries. Apart from the A-Students Project, our BrainStorm, KickStart as well as the CoLearn Hub and Community Library projects have transformed the lives of people in many countries in Africa. This and more of my volunteering works with other organisations like Enactus and World Merit earned me that recognition at the Africa Youth Awards and, though I do not know the people who had nominated me.

    You were recently awarded by the Egyptian President; can you tell us about it?

    Sincerely, it was like a dream!

    I was on my desk one day when I received a message on LinkedIn from the World Youth Forum team. Not long after my discussion with the person who had contacted me, I received an invitation to attend the inaugural Arab and African Youth Platform, which was scheduled to hold in Aswan, Egypt and I was excited to attend. Then, I was invited to feature in a documentary about youths from these two regions to showcase the amazing works of young people, who are creating sustainable change. Again, I was excited to be a part of this amazing group of 12. After arriving in the beautiful city of Aswan and honouring several interviews, I joined the ongoing shots for the documentary. On the opening day of the event, which also marks the launch of the Egyptian Chairmanship of the African Union, we were informed that we would be receiving awards on the following day as “honourees” of the World Youth Forum. We were all stunned and I was completely gobsmacked.

    How do you cope amidst countless responsibilities?

    My major strategy is very simple – I do what I ‘have’ to do before I do what I ‘want’ to do.

    It is all about setting priorities and managing time effectively. Another strategy I have is to keep my house, office, and system clean and orderly so that I can always switch between tasks without any hassle. It might not seem like much, but it works well for me. When I don’t have several minutes/hours looking for my hair brush in my house or a file in the office or a document on my system, I get a lot of things done. Another thing I do is to always keep a positive attitude, I give myself affirmations from time to time reassuring myself that ’I can do it’; and then I surround myself with the right kind of people. All of these with the support of my incredible teams across various organisations, my colleagues at my workplace and my wonderful family, I am able achieve my set goals.