The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Students laud Unizik VC on infrastructure

    A tour of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, (UNIZIK) has revealed a plethora of infrastructural projects. The buildings, which spread across the three campuses of the university: Awka (main campus), Agulu and Nnewi, have continued to attract praises to the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the institution, Professor Joseph Ahaneku.

    CAMPUSLIFE engaged some members of the university community after touring the projects. The institution’s Students’ Union President, Comrade Joseph Okafor, lauded the projects. “I was marveled at the massive on-going projects after touring the University recently. Our amiable Vice-Chancellor is really developing the university rapidly. Of note are the gigantic university hostels, which hopefully would ameliorate the plight of students, who experience hardship in the hands of private lodge owners with regards to the exorbitant rents they are made to pay. When completed, a substantial number of students would indeed be relieved,” Okafor said.

    The National President of the UNIZIK Alumni and Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Ezeonu, while addressing the Vice-Chancellor, expressed satisfaction at the developments in the University. His words: “The Vice-Chancellor has really done well in the level of infrastructural developments in the University. It is highly commendable.”

    A fresh graduate, Miss Jennifer Azubuike, while commending the level of developments in the university expressed concerns about its completion. “I’m really impressed and proud of my alma mater with regard to the extent of infrastructural developments, but I am more concerned at its completion. It is a common thing for people to commence a project and it becomes a herculean task in completing such projects. Though, I’m quite optimistic that Prof. Ahaneku would complete at least a good number of the projects before the expiration of his tenure”.

    A lecturer in the university, who spoke on the condition of anonymity described the projects as laudable. “Returning from the prolonged industrial action, I must confess that I was amazed at the structures scattered round the university. Most of these were not there or some were at the foundation level before we went on strike. Prof. Ahaneku, like I have always known, is a man of action. We are in dire need of classrooms, but with these lecture halls springing up here and there, we would get a reprive,” he said.

    The VC, who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE,  expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for assisting the University through intervention agencies such as the TETFund and NEEDS Assessment.

    Prof. Ahaneku, who is also the Chairman, Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities in Nigeria, added that his administration was able to streamline the needs of the university and pursued it head-on. He listed the already completed and on-going projects to include four gigantic hostels of which two are already completed, classrooms, central store, football pitch, the university main gate, workshops, lavatories and laboratories among others.

    “I monitor these projects thrice a week. The supervisors are equally doing an efficient and professional work  hence, keeping the contractors on their toes. Majority of these projects are nearing completion and a good number of them would be completed and commissioned during the forthcoming convocation ceremony,” he disclosed.

    Ahaneku’s five-year tenure expires in June, this year.

  • KSU holds maiden celebrity award

    Students and celebrities in Kogi State have stormed the maiden edition of Kogi Celebrities Awards (KCA) in the capital city of Lokoja.

    The event saw 45 individuals recieving awards.  Of the lot, 27 came under the Hall of Fame category, while 18 awardees were bestowed with Special Recognitions and Impact Awards.

    Meenatnigeria Media CEO, Amina Idris, organiser of the event, described the turnout as massive and amazing.

    “Wow… the turnout was massive as you can see. I was not expecting the crowd to be this much, but all glory to God. I believe in subsequent editions, this event will be more amazing and impactful. So, expect more from us,” she said.

    At the event, corporate bodies, eminent personalities, government agencies, politicians and celebrities, among others, were honoured for their contributions to their various fields in the state.

    The event kicked off with a red carpet session as celebrities and who-is-who excitedly graced the carpet amid tight security.

    Dignitaries at the event included: Commissioner for Culture and Tourism and KCA  Patron, Dr Paul Ebije; Chairman, Lokoja Local Government, Shiru Lawal; Bin-Ebiaya Shehu Tijjani; Head of Department of Political Science, Kogi State University, Dr. Usman Ogbo; Miss Kogi 2018/2019 Queen Grace Jona and  Miss Ebira 2019 Queen Martina Obari.

  • Lectures in full swing at OOU

    The Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, campus has come alive with activities after the suspension of the ASUU strike. The school, during the three-month nation wide strike  embarked upon by ASUU, was like a ghost town. Students are now beaming with smile to their various lecture rooms as academic activities have resumed fully on all the university campuses at Ayetoro, Ibogun and Sagamu.

    The university, in its bid to hit the ground running, called for an emergency Senate meeting on February 12, 2019, adjusted the Academic Calendar for the 2018/2019 session and directed the commencement of lectures where it stopped before the strike action. Affected in the newly adjusted calendar are fresh students’ orientation activities, which began on February 25 to March 1, 2019 while their matriculation will come up on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.

    To ascertain that lecturers are already teaching, the university management team divided themselves into groups and paid unscheduled visits to the various campuses and lecture rooms. This is despite the fact that the Harmattan Semester examination has been rescheduled to commence on April 23, 2019 through to May 10 2019, in line with the readjusted University Academic Calendar for 2018/2019 session.

    Going round the campuses, it was evident that lectures are in full swing, the university library, the heart of any university, is a bee hive of activities. Students were seen at the popular motion ground typing and making photocopies to update their notes and academic records. The university and the community are both alive witnessing academic and economic revival activities on and off the various campuses.

  • Partnership vital to my success, says FUT MINNA’s best

    Miss Esther Ayobami emerged the Best Graduating Student at the 28th convocation of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA), Niger State. In this interview with ABDULSALAM MAHMUD, Miss Ayobami, who studied Mechanical Engineering with 4.76 CGPA, reveals the secrets of her success. According to her, her association with brilliant minds was key to her success.

    You emerged FUTMINNA’s best graduating student. How do you feel coming tops?

    Graduating with a First Class is not a mean achievement! Like every other student, I steadfastly prayed and worked very hard to be celebrated as the best graduating student, someday. But, I was absolutely over the moon when I got to know, just few days to the convocation that I emerged outstanding in the 2017/2018 academic session. I am still overjoyed and proud of my truly profound accomplishment.

    How did your success begin?

    I have been on First Class grade right from 100-Level. I started with 5.0 cgpa (Cumulative Grade Point Average) in first semester, and had 4.85 after the second semester of my first year in school. By 200-Level second semester, I had 4.84. By 300-Level, my GCPA increased to 4.86. At the end of my 400-Level and 500-Level first semester, I had 4.88 and 4.87 as CGPA. I eventually graduated with 4.76 as my final CGPA. All through my study, I had only 4 “Bs” and 2 “Cs” in my results. The rest were A.

    Engineering is considered to be very challenging, especially for females. How did you weather the storm?

    I dare say that Engineering is, perhaps, the simplest field of study. It is not as difficult as people consider it to be. Although it may be intellectually-tasking, due to the ‘crazy’ calculation in some courses, it is simple if one knows the basic concepts and formula, otherwise, the claim that it is difficult, if I would say, is just a myth.

    Describe your reading time-table or programme

    I read very often. I study my books and read each course immediately after lectures. Unlike most students, I don’t practise what is commonly known as ‘Till-Daybreak’ or TDB. Though I study my materials every evening before going to bed. To help me properly assimilate and retain what I studied, I tutor my colleagues. I also answer past questions of my courses.

    Most First Class students are not known to be very social. Are you an exception?

    Right from the outset, I had plans to fully experience and also enjoy the social life in school. I didn’t think it should all be about books, hence I wasn’t extremely studious. As a socialite, I attended a couple of parties organised by students’ groups on campus. I partook in several drama programmes organised by FUTMINNA student-members of the Redeemed Christian Fellowship (RCF). During weekends I visit my friends staying off-campus and also watch movies during my leisure hours. Besides, I actively participated in students’ unionism, though I lost the SUG Vice-Presidential election, which I contested in my 200-Level.

    You are a combination of brain and beauty. How did you resist the overtures of male students?

    Yes, I was able to, and it was very much easy for me. Since I know it will be difficult to effectively combine love relationship and studies, I strongly resisted the overtures made to me by males. In fact, I don’t waste much time in telling them ‘hell, no’. However, there are those who I accepted as friends, and later co-opted them into my religious fellowship. So, for me, my studies always take the lead position, and then others follow.

    Tell us about your memorable days in school.

    Each time I checked my semester results, realising that I still maintained my First Class grade are days which have remain unforgettable for me. Coaching my contemporaries and other students during tutorial sessions are days which I will also cherish. My joy was also indescribable on the day I received a certificate of academic excellence both from my department and faculty in my 500-level. But the greatest moment for me was when I was called up to the podium as the ‘Best Graduating Student’ during the convocation.

    Do you have plans to acquire higher academic degrees very soon?

    Certainly, I do!

    Right now, I am planning to proceed for my masters abroad. There, I intend to major in Artificial Intelligence. If my plan works out, I see myself leading a research team someday. A team that will apply advanced engineering technology to solve man’s problem.

    Any advice for those still in the university system?

    First, every student must resolve to be hardworking, serious and dedicated to their academic pursuit. They should put their studies above every other thing they wish to do in school. They should avoid missing lectures. They should also seek further explanations on areas they seem to have challenge in their studies from more knowledgeable colleagues.

    More importantly, they should associate more with brilliant students. Let them learn to surround themselves with bright and gifted people. While in school, my friends were practically the best in their departments. I also had lecturers as friends and mentors, who helped me to attain the feat I just recorded in school. I will implore my juniors to do same. And, lastly, they shouldn’t forget to seek divine assistance and guidance. It is very important.

  • Shun misconduct, VC tells 569 freshers

    Vice-Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof Sam Guobadia, has enjoined newly admitted students of the institution to desist from all forms of misconduct and embrace the virtues of Godliness and excellence.

    Speaking during the institution’s  matriculation, Prof Guobodia urged the new students to be law-abiding and respect their lecturers.

    His words: “I charge you all to make the most of the opportunity afforded you by your parents and guardians. Kindly ensure that you attend classes, shun all forms of deviant behaviours and other vices, and focus on why you are here. At Benson Idahosa University, we have zero tolerance for any form of misconduct, and we do not hesitate to sanction them.”

    Guobadia also admonished the matriculating students to be security-conscious and be wary of the friends they keep.

    “I wish to assure you of adequate security on both campuses of ours. We, however, plead with you not to hesitate to report any suspicious activities to the Dean of Student Affairs, security officers or indeed, any staff of the university for immediate response.”

    He explained that the institution has lived up to expectation since it was established, adding that discipline and academic excellence with Godliness, have been their watch words.

    Guobadia said the university would continue to focus on its core purpose, which is to change Nigeria. This, he said, would be achieved by instilling the vision and mission of the institution in the students.

    He commended the new students and their parents for choosing Benson Idahosa University for their wards to pursue their chosen courses. Nonetheless, he assued that the management of the university would give them the best.

  • MSSN challenges Muslim women on hijab

    Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN),  Lagos State Area Unit Sisters’, has re-emphasised the wearing of hijab by women as a commandment by Allah in the Holy Quran.

    This clarification was made at MSSN Sisters’ Da’wah conference in commemoration of the World Hijab Day, at Federal College of Education (Tech), Akoka, Lagos. It was themed: ‘’The rope that binds’’.

    The  event, graced by many adult females and teenage sisters, had sessions on the use of hijab. A workshop  treated issues of hijab in Lagos anchored on the controversy surrounding the use of hijab in public schools, despite the approval by the state government.

    Against this backdrop, sisters were asked to share their reasons for wearing hijab and what they could do to help in the fight against wearing hijab in public schools in the state.

    Guest speaker and Manager Tax, Federal Inland Revenue Services, Dr. Fauzuyah Olajide, noted that people use hijab for diverse personal reasons.

    “Some use it as an identity, others feel it makes them beautiful,” Olajide said.

    “Some (use) as obedience to people. Some naturally feel uncomfortable exposing parts of their body.  Others feel the need to cover because they have issues with certain body part, while some just want to impress people. But the only valid reason anyone  who use hijab should be because Allah commanded it and because irrespective of colour or race, hijab is a unique bond of love that binds all Muslim sisters together. Any other reason outside these would at some point wither due to certain situations that would warrant you to drop the hijab; hence, we must have the conviction that hijab is not meant for anyone else but Allah,” she said.

    Olajide  also talked about expectations from hijab users.

  • Students magazine to hold dialogue

    Youths’ Digest Magazine, organisers of the yearly campus journalism awards, in partnership with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has announced the launch of Campus Journalism Dialogue (CJD).

    The magazine is also calling for applications from student-writers and campus journalists.

    According to a statement, the initiative formed part of efforts to address challenges facing student- journalists.

    It stated that the dialogue would feature student-writers and campus journalists across tertiary institutions in the Northwest to participate in the maiden edition of the dialogue come April, this year.

    “Youths Digest in partnership with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) is calling on student-writers and campus Journalists across all tertiary institutions in Northwest geo-political zone to participate in its maiden ‘Campus Journalism Dialogue’ (CJD)”

    The thee-day event, which would educate participants on issues such as hate speech, fake news, defamation, libelous publication and brown envelope syndrome in contemporary journalism practice, among others, called on students of Mass Communication, student-writers and campus journalists to start sending their published works for application.

    “Students of Mass Communication, gifted students with flair for creative writing from other departments and campus journalists can send their opinion articles, literary works, news reports, among other genres of publications to youthsdigest@yahoo.com, with ‘My CJD application’ as subject,” the statement further emphasised.

    All applications are to contain applicants details; name, school, level, contact, email address and passport photo with titles and weblinks of their published articles, creative writings, and news reports attached on or before Thursday ,February 28.

    The statement added that successful applicants would be fully-sponsored to attend the dialogue. Also, gifts and cash prizes have been lined-up for participants who produce quality, authoritative, edifying and top-notch writings during the event.

    “Fifty applicants will be shortlisted and fully-sponsored to attend the CJD after a panel of judges comprising  seasoned journalists, accomplished academics and prolifics writers, have assessed all entries.”

  • Our deferred poll story, by adhoc workers

    For National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, participating in election as adhoc staff can be fun. Besides the stipend that comes with the job, the experience is unforgettable. But it was a different ball game for those deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for last Saturday’s postponed elections in parts of Lagos State. They share their experience with ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA, JANE CHIJIOKE, LAWAL ENIOLA and DAMILOLA SEBIOTIMO.

    THEY were set for the job at hand. By Friday, many of them had reached their station where they would serve as adhoc staff in last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections. But suddenly the elections were postponed till this Saturday.

    Before the postponement, many of the Corps members and students depolyed as adhoc staff by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had become disenchanted because thy had not been paid their allowances.

    The postponement compounded their woes. They had left their homes for their assigned local government areas (LGAs) or Registration Area Centres (RACs), before the polls were shiffted, it was sweet relief to many of them.

    They bemoaned what they called the unbearable treatment by the electoral umpire and blamed the National Youth Service Corps (INEC) for allegedly failing to   plan for their safety.

    It was learnt some Corps members may soon begin a social media movement to warn the government against treating them as  “slaves”.

    The Corps members are agitated over the disparity in their training allowances.

    Ad-hoc staff in Lagos were to be paid N4,500 for the three-day training while, more or less was to be paid in other states. But, many are yet to collect the stipend, which they planned to receive last Saturday before the polls were postponed. Their election stipend is still a subject of controversy and many of them do not know how much it would be.

     

    NANS blasts INEC

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is leading the campaign for  better treatment of the adhoc staff.

    It said INEC’s inability to conduct elections, despite allocation of huge resources to it by government, showed its incompetence to handle a national assignment.

    “Without equivocation, NANS calls on the INEC chairman to immediately resign and save Nigeria an impending electoral doom,” the body said in a statement made available to CAMPUSLIFE by its National President, Danielson Bamidele Akpan on Monday.

    The statement continued: “Painfully, despite the release of N234billion to INEC since October 2018 to commence preparations and Nigerians granting all moral support required for smooth operation, one wonders what logistics issues could have suddenly necessitated the postponement just five hours to the commencement of presidential and national assembly elections.

    “From all available information, it is a fact known by all Nigerians, that INEC is incapable of delivering a near-perfect electoral process. Is it not alarming that even ad-hoc staff employed by INEC slept on bare floors, open spaces and school fields without sanitation and protection? Why should they be left vulnerable few hours to an important election? The peace of our nation is dependent on the peaceful, seamless and credible conduct of 2019 general elections by INEC.

    “We urge Nigerians, especially students of voting age, to remain committed and patriotic to this civic obligation of enthroning popular choices to represent them across board.”

     

    Ad-hoc staff relive experience

    A Corps member, who identified himself as ‘Franklin, described his experience as terrible.

    He said: “Earlier that Friday, I was deployed to our registration area centre (RAC) in Ejigbo. While on my way, we were called back to assemble at our local government – Oshodi Local Government. On getting there, we were told to, again, proceed to RAC. I felt so bad with this back and forth movement. I eventually arrived at my RAC at  midnight. I didn’t even see any security in place. No INEC staff to attend to us. The school had no light. We slept on the floor, and were exposed to mosquitoes. Some of us had prepared well for the exercise. Some bought enough food to sustain them all through the election. With the postponement, all that became waste of money and efforts.

    “Some of my colleagues who had cars were able to take themselves back home. I left around 5am, walked a long distance before I got a bus to convey me back to my destination.”

    An ex-Corps member Daniel Saiki said: “On Friday,” he said, “we all assembled here (Oshodi Local Government Area). That was the day our names were pasted, but we were told not go to our RAC until we received instructions from our supervising presiding officer (SPO). The place was more like a refugee camp. We stayed here all through the night in the open field, no bed and we were exposed to dew, and mosquitoes. Some just placed their heads on cars parked in the compound. It was a terrible night to recall. Some of us slept on the field, with no food to eat.  It was around 3am that we heard the election had been postponed. This is unfair to us. We need compensation.The government is not helping us at all.”

    For Juliet Adibe, who was deployed in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, her resolve to serve her fatherland remains unshaking despite challenges INEC foisted on her and her contemporaries.

    “For me, I have always tried to be open-minded at all times and that was how I took the election.  However, it was a sad experience. Notwithstanding, I have taken it upon myself to do this job.

    “I am not weighed down at all. I will participate in it on Saturday. Before the postponement, it was mandatory for corps members to participate; but after that, we were told that we can pull out if we do not want to participate anymore.”

    Another corps member who simply identified herself as Susan said: “I cannot pull out (from INEC) now because I have to finish what I have started,” said Susan deployed to Ojo Local Government.

    “I have suffered for it. I went through the training. Friday was the climax of the sufferings. All of us were here (Ojo Local Government) till the next morning.  (We) slept on the field with no bed at all just because of election.”

    Another Corps member from Mushin Local Government, Ibaro Taiwo Paul, said the welfare package was poor compared with what was given them during the previous election four years ago.

    “The welfare was not fair at all,’’ Ibaro lamented.

    “My experience (during the elections) in 2015 was better in terms of welfare. We were paid N9,500 each and I don’t know why it was reduced to N4,500 this year, despite the huge budget INEC got from the government. I can only pray everything gets better during the election by weekend.”

    Muyiwa Daniel, another Corp member, corroborated Ibaro.

    He said: ‘’The welfare was poor. They did not give us food until between 1 and 2 am, and despite that, it could not go round. Materials like ballot paper were not released as at 3am. Other sensitive materials were not enough.”

    He continued: ‘’Card readers and ballot papers for the National Assembly elections were available on that day but ballot paper for presidential elections were not supplied. So, it was at the point of distributing the ones available that the Electoral Officer (EO) received the call and asked us to offload all the loaded buses. He then arranged the materials back in their office. It was a rancorous environment as many people were there to know their fate; that is, if they would work on that day or not.’’

    Sunny Odozie, an ex-Corps member who chose not to identify his deployment post, said:  “As instructed, we arrived at RAC at exactly 2pm on Friday, expecting to see INEC officials who were to brief us on our roles for the day. While there, rumours started flying that we might pass the night there. As sheep without shepherd, we waited till around 2.55am when news came that the election had been postponed. We were without food, drink or accommodation. Most people slept on chairs, students’ benches and on bare floor. Thanks to the management of the school that provided about five electric bulbs to light the field. Till 5am that we left the place, there was no official to brief us. Most of us were poorly prepared as we thought we would be allowed to go home and prepare since they asked us to report by 2pm.’’

    Miss Ann Chinoso, from Surulere Local Government, said: “We were at Surulere Local Government awaiting the materials. We waited all night not until around 3pm when we read on the social media that the election had been postponed. There was no INEC official to address or pass any information to us. We were just there –  no security, nobody gave anything to us, not even sachet water. There was a DJ, who was just there playing music. Everything was disorganised.”

    For Esther Oyedele, who was deployed in Agege Local Government, nothing was different.

    She said: ‘’Prior to the postponement of the general elections, we received a message from INEC to report at our RAC by 2pm. On getting to the place, there was no INEC official, or security. We had to wait until midnight. About 11.30, we heard from our SPO that they’d not received materials and that INEC officials were holding a crucial meeting. At this point, we went online to listen to news. About 3am, INEC chairman announced the postponement. We wanted more information from INEC but none came. About 4.30am, some people started to remove the bulbs. We challenged them and they told us they were acting on instruction from their boss. At that point, we realised we needed to move out of the place fast.”

    Oyebamiji Kehinde deployed in Ikorodu Local Government recounted how it had been smooth for her until Friday.

    ‘’The training was okay,” Oyebamiji began. “INEC tutors were awesome and I was able to grab everything. On Friday, however, I received a call around 12:00 pm from my SPO. He told me to be at the RAC before 2pm. When I got there, I met two Corps members and I noticed that preparations were still ongoing (for Corps members).

    “We had to wait for hours for any INEC official to address us but nobody showed up. No arrangement was made. We slept on the bare floor. There was no electricity. Even the generator was malfunctioning. Each Corps members took care of his/her own welfare.”

    Eniola Adebowale, who was deployed in Ikeja Local Government, was lucky to have come with his car which he eventually converted to a makeshift accommodation.

    “I actually made the night a fun but felt bad seeing my fellow Corps members being downgraded,” Adebowale bemoaned.

    “I slept in my car. I actually went through no stress before INEC selected us. I would still be participating because it’s actually my first time,” he added.

    “It was horrible, really horrible,” lamented Mike Olarinmoye, another ex-Corps member deployed in Kosofe Local Government.

    He continued: “We were asked to report to our RAC by 4pm. They did not provide anything whatsoever with regards to welfare except a place to charge phones. No food, no drinkable water, no mattress, no mosquito net, no security operatives. We were not even given an enclosed place to sleep. A lot of us slept on primary school chairs and tables, some slept on bare floor, and outside the classrooms. The most painful part was that for the over 12 hours, we were there, no official of INEC or NYSC came to address us; not even after the postponement of the elections. We were treated like animals.”

    For Durojaiye Hammed Olawale, the Saturday experience was simply a pointer that Nigeria has no plans for her youths.

    “Saturday night was the day I realised the Federal Government has no provision for the citizens,” said Durojaiye, who was deployed to Alimosho Local Government.

    He continued: “I find it very difficult to remember the last time I slept on a bare floor with a carton, all in the name of serving my father’s land. The apartment provided for us is a memory I will never forget. Even if refugees were given this apartment, they will reject it.

    Durojaiye added: ”Why should we be given N4,500 as training allowance? The selection  shows that corruption will never stop in Nigeria. People who attended the three-day training were not given the job. Those who got the job were those who tipped the coordinators before they added their names. If we should judge with what happened on Friday, no human being in his right senses will participate in the (next Saturday) election. However, if we can’t fight for our nation, who will?’’

  • ASUU and the power of paradigm (II)

    When the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), commenced its now suspended strike action three months ago there was an outcry as always. Some analysts appealed to the union to explore alternative means of compelling the government to honour its part of whatever agreement it enters into with the union. But these analysts failed to propose what these “alternatives” should be in a country where those in authority do not value public education. One thing is however clear: this certainly would not be the last strike action by ASUU – as the union pointed out in very clear terms.

    Prior to the suspension of the strike two weeks ago, a memorandum of action was signed by the two parties. The minister of labour and productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige had earlier said the government had resolved the eight contentious issues that led to the strike, maintaining that some of the items have been implemented. The minister said the union agreed with the government that N25billion naira will be released toward the revitalisation of public universities.

    Accordingly, visitation panels would be constituted to commence work on March 2, 2019. From ASUU’s standpoint, it embarked on the now suspended indefinite strike following government’s failure to implement the agreement reached with the union in November 2016. In announcing the suspension of the strike, ASUU president, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi listed eight items contained in the agreement signed with the federal government.

    “In addition to the N20 billion for 2018, the sum of N25 billion only would be released in April/May 2019, after which government would resume full implementation of the MoU of 2013…While announcing the suspension of the nationwide action, however, our Union made it categorically clear that ASUU will not hesitate to review its position should government renege on the signed Memorandum of Action.

    “Comrades and compatriots, as we have always argued, the last thing ASUU members love doing is to cause disruption in smooth intellectual engagements with colleagues, friends and students right on our university campuses. This has nothing to do with the dubious advertorial of “non-disruption of academic calendar” by proprietors and administrators of some cash-and-carry universities and other self-styled enemies of ASUU. Rather, it is about deep-seated pains members of the Union undergo to prevent strike actions and the equally painful consequences strike.”

    Now that academic activities has begun on our campuses the questions on most people’s minds is when the next strike action would happen with its attendant disruption and dislocation in academic calendars. From ASUU’s statement the ball is in the governments’ court. For now, all we need do is wait to see what the government would do from May.

    However, ASUU is strongly convinced – and rightly too –  that if academics fail to fight the cause of university education, the fate that befell public primary and secondary schools would soon become the lot of the public university system in Nigeria. ASUU’s advocacy on the need to stem the continued slide into rot and decay in public universities since the 1980s has fallen on deaf ears. By its numerous actions the union has shown that successive governments in Nigeria always entered into negotiated agreements only to placate those pleading the cause – be it education, health, civil service etc.

    One cannot help but sympatise with ASUU because of the proclivity of the Nigerian ruling class  to look the other way when issues that affect common citizens are on the front burner. With over 100 private varsities – and still counting – it can be assumed that issues bothering on public varsities are far from the minds of the elites. After all, their children and wards do not attend public varsities in the first place. But suffice to say that had it not been the agitations of ASUU, our public varsities would have been placed on the chopping block of dubious privatisation.

    As we move forward, what, according to ASUU, are the outstanding issues that would bring a semblance of normality? They include: funding for the revitalization of public universities based on the FGN-ASUU MoU of 2012, 2013 and the MoA of 2017; reconstitution of the current Government Team to allow for a leader and Chairman of the FG-ASUU Renegotiating team who has the interest of the nation and the people at heart; release of the forensic audit report on Earned Academic allowances (EAA), offsetting the outstanding balance of the EAA and mainstreaming of same into the 2018 budget.

    Other outstanding issues include: payment of all arrears of shortfall in all universities that have met the verification requirements of the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA); provision of a platform by the federal government for ASUU to engage Governors on the proliferation of universities, underfunding of university education and undue interference in the affairs of the universities; release of PFA operational license to NUPEMCO and the payment of EAA to loyal ASUU members at the University of Ilorin.

    While it may be clear that these demands cannot be met in the immediate, the government should ensure that the doors of continuous dialogue remain open. This is to forestall the incessant strike actions in our public varsity system from becoming a marketing tool by unscrupulous private varsities to attract students.

    Beyond this, I support the concern raised by ASUU regarding “the covert and overt roles of some vice chancellors in the management and application of funds attracted by our Union to Nigeria’s public universities.” The union consequently condemned, in the strongest terms, “Vice-Chancellors who have made efforts to undermine and, in some cases, attempted to break our patriotic struggles for the revitalization of public universities in Nigeria. ASUU will not shy away from taking headlong those Vice-Chancellors who are reputed for acts of impunity, nepotism and other forms of conduct which are antithetic to university culture and the progressive development of our universities.”

    As the dialogue with the government continues, ASUU members should also begin putting their thinking caps on so that we can effectively address the issue of alternative funding for our public varsities since it is gradually becoming clearer now that only government cannot do it alone. Perhaps it is now time we start by having honest discussions about the possibility of shifting some of the burdens to the students. Painful as this might sound, it is a conversation we must honestly have.

    If we start having such conversations we’ll be opening ourselves to answer tough questions like how do we assist brilliant indigent students to acquire university education? How can we encourage private individuals and organisations to give scholarships to this group of students? How feasible is an education bank in Nigeria? What roles should our varsities play in opening up the economy so that opportunities would abound?  There are enormous untapped resources in our varsities; the question is how do we tap these resources? Is the solution to the crises in the tertiary education sector the proliferation of more varsities? There are many other questions we can ask and proffer answers to.

    From the federal, state to private, our universities appear to be failing in the area of promoting scholarship in the real sense of the term. Lecturers and professors have become contractors and prefer executive positions to academic ones. Some have failed to serve as mentors to younger academics because they are not on their seats to offer direction and guidance. I wonder how many professorial chairs are truly funded by either corporate organisations or government. If the chairs are not funded, how will the professors conduct research? So many things are wrong with our universities. Beyond the strike we are on an intellectual war!

    University administrators are also partly culpable for the internal rot within the universities. However, it must be equally acknowledged that those internal problems are rooted in under-funding, under-staffing, and under-equipping of the universities as well as the devaluation of education and scholarship by successive governments and the substandard environment under which teaching and learning are now taking place. This is the crux of the matter now.

  • UNIZIK Chinese community marks Spring festival

    Chinese Community of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has marked the start of the Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New year or the Spring Festival.

    Students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, and Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State,  also celebrated the festival.

    Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board, Confucius Institute of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Joseph Ahaneku, expressed his gratitude for the partnership between Nigeria and China.

    He drew a line of similarity between Nigerian culture and its Chinese counterpart.

    Ahaneku continued: “The Chinese New year is similar to what Ndigbo has in Ofala or the New Yam Festival”. He added  that the synergy between the university and the institute is of great benefit.

    “The idea of Confucius Institute is in line with the Nigerian dream, the African dream to redefine and make ourselves useful globally. The benefits are enormous, bordering on technology, job creation, science and entrepreneurship.”

    At the event were the Director (Nigeria) of Confucius Institute, Prof. Charles Esimone;  the Director (Chinese) Prof. Job Yu; Director, Confucius Classroom & International Linkages, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Walter Ezenata; the Director of Information and Public Relations, Dr. Emmanuel Ojukwu and the Director of Infrastructure and Development, Prof. Godson O. Okafor, among others.

    Highlight of the event was the Chinese opera by the students. Other performances include: karate, martial art performance, dance, and recognition and certification of different levels of HSK and HSKK students.

    The Chinese/UNIZIK synergy started since 2008 and has been very rewarding to both communities.