The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Group promotes reading culture

    To improve reading, a group, Making Orumba Great Again (MOGA), has organised Readers’ Challenge, in collaboration with the Alumni Association of Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State.

    The event, held at Dr Alex Ekwueme auditorium main campus of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, attracted secondary school pupils from Orumba North and South local government areas of the state, as well as from other parts of the country.

    MOGA President Mr Victor Okoli and the President, College Alumni Association, Mrs Ugwu Laeticia Udodiri, noted that the contest was aimed at awakening and promoting reading among youths.

    Okoli said: “Readers’ Challenge is an offshoot of MOGA and it is targeted at revamping the reading culture of youths in Orumba South and Orumba North.

    “It is crystals, clear that when people read, they are educated and education is the most powerful weapon with which we can change the world, starting from Orumba South and Orumba North  Local Government Area, Anambra State.”

    He continued: “The Reader’s Challenge was divided into two categories: Young Stars Category  (11-17) and Youth Category  (18-25). This year, in the young stars’category, they read Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe for six hours with a break,  after which they wrote an exam based on the book that they read.

    ‘’In the youth category, they read Anthill of the Savannah by Chinua Achebe for six hours with a break after which they wrote an exam based on the book they read. The first position for each category will go home with N50,000, the second N30,000 and the third  N20,000 and cash prizes.

    ‘’Participation in the competition was free and over 170 participants took the examination.”

    In his keynote address, Professor Gershon Ejeckam stated that education is the bedrock of any nation. According to him, any nation that neglects education, neglects the future of its youth and, consequently, the future of the nation.

    He urged the youth to cultivate the habit of reading as academics remain the custodians of knowledge, hence advancement in the society. Continuing, he said: “The solution lies in the youth re-evaluating their values, their mission and their vision and accepting their responsibility to the society and the government recognising the problem and ensuring a sound and robust policy to carter for youth development and advancement of our country.”

    On the choice of career, he advised the students to choose a career that fits their temperament, skills and personality, to get equipped for great opportunities.

    Earlier, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze Provost Dr Tessy Okoli called for concerted efforts to revive the reading culture, enhance writing skills and acquire knowledge that will serve the country well.

    She urged the youth to take advantage of the knowledge, information and education available in books even as she commended the organizers for making out time on impacting on young stars.

    Winners in the senior category are: first position, Marah Bright Ifechukwu, a pupil of Unizik in affiliation with FCET Umunze; second, Okoyeocha Ifeanyichukwu, a pupil of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and third, Ibekwe Favour Ozioma, a pupil of FCET Umunze.

    For Junior category, Agba Makuochukwu Jacinta, a pupil of Community Secondary School, Owerre-Ezukala, second position, Chigozie Akachukwu Precious, a pupil of Ezira Community Secondary School and third position, Isaac Jacinta Oluebube, a pupil of Madonna Girls secondary school, Umunze.

  • 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.”

  • 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, association with brilliant minds was key to catapulting her to the zenith.

    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.

  • MAPOLY Rector raises hope of resumption

    Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic(MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Dr. Samson Odedina, has said the institution is ready to resume academic activities.

    This is coming just as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), the umbrella body of lecturers in polytechnics, suspended its two month-old strike on Tuesday, last week.

    Odedina, told CAMPUSLIFE last week that the crisis rocking the institution had been resolved.

    Initially, MAPOLY lecturers did not join the strike which started in the first week of December. The management of the institution even declared as festive holiday Wednesday, December 12 through to Monday, January 7. However, by January 8, the then ASUP chairman Kola Abiola announced on a radio programme that the institution was on strike, a development that surprised students.

    In an interview with Campus Life, Odedina said the lecturers had received their outstanding arrears.

    Odedina continued: “It has been resolved because our salary has been paid up to date and we are expecting January salary and a one month arrears in 2017.

    “I had a meeting with members of the union on (last) Friday. We are eager to resume, everyone trust me as the new Rector to make things happen.The governor already promised to come and see us. We are expecting him anytime from now. All the union on campus is eager to set the ball rolling.”

    He however declined comment on whether students would still resume despite the elections.

    Ahead of the time, lecturers of the institution were on a partial strike  described as ‘work to rule’, one of the crises that resulted from the transition occasioned by the rechristening of the institution from MAPOLY to Moshood Abiola University of Technology (MAUSTECH).

    When contacted, the newly elected MAPOLY ASUP Chairman, Babatunde Osifalujo told Campus Life to direct his questions to the management.

    The union was expected to hold its congress today (Tuesday) to address issues surrounding MAPOLY- MAUSTECH, among others.

  • ‘Youths are positive agents of change’

    Youths have been described as vanguards of progress and positive change agents in their respective communities if their boundless energies are well harnessed and directed.

    This was the submission of former Chairman, Ondo State Teaching Service Commission, Prof. Francis Igbasan, while speaking as a guest speaker at the fourth annual lecture series of Ikale Youth Ambassadors, which held last Thursday at the United Grammar School, Ode Irele.

    The event witnessed donations of over 1,000 branded exercise books to pupils of the school. The gesture was in honour of the Patron of the group,  a distinguished son of Ikale land and Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun.

    Igbasan in his lecture identified ages 15-35 as the most active segment of the youth and conceded that those above 35 years, but who share the ideas of a progressive society, are also regarded as youths.

    His words: “Youths represent a vast and often untapped resource for immediate and long term community development efforts. So, the youth constitute the major resource base for any country that want to embark on any meaningful community development programmes.

    “A whole range of community development activities such as construction of bridges and culverts, schools, markets, music and drama, preservation of natural environment, vocational skill training seminars, membership empowerment and awareness raising campaigns, are some of the roles performed by youths.”

    He cautioned that for youths to be effective agents of community development, they must adopt the concept of active participation, which makes them a subject rather than object of development. According to him, it also guides them to appreciate that success could be achieved when they participated willingly in their own affairs.

    Igbasan also listed poverty, low level of awareness, illiteracy, unemployment, lack of cooperation among youths, lack of skills and opportunity as factors militating against the potential and effectiveness of youths in their community development efforts.

    Earlier, Co-ordinator of the group, Mr. Olusola Bobola and Secretary, Dr. Gbenga Daso, charged participants to see themselves as beacons of hope and agents of transformation in their communities. The duo noted that the era of absolute dependence on government is gone, adding that youths should position themselves as drivers of the emerging change in global developmental efforts.

    The Publicity Secretary of the group, Mr. Seun Akindele, who gave the vote of thanks, appreciated the organisers for their support and cooperation.

    Other speakers at the event called on the youth to rise up to the challenge of contributing their quota to the socio-economic development of their communities.

    The event also witnessed cultural dance and display by members of staff and pupils of the school, as well as members of the group and other guests.

  • Igbinedion University hosts Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria

    Igbinedion University, Okada in Edo State, has hosted the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), Anita Ukah.

    The event, which held at the University Conference hall on Thursday, last week, featured the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, who described Ukah’s visit as a ‘homecoming’

    In his welcome address, Ezemonye said Ukah, having graduated from the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences in 2016, is a worthy alumnus. He said the institution’s alumnae were always productive in every part of the world, adding that the university is putting measures in place to enhance study tours by students abroad, as well as international conferences.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE after the event, Ukah expressed her gratitude to her alma mater for the  support and encouragement all through the contest and after. She disclosed that the university served as her stepping stone to the world of pageantry.

    She said: “I want to thank Igbinedion University, Okada, for the opportunities given to me while I was a student. The university provides students with opportunities to pursue their dreams and aspirations while balancing their academic performances.” She urged students to plan and look out for things that make them different.

    In his response, the Secretary of the Igbinedion University Alumni Association, Obi Kelvin Ezendigbo, charged Ukah to make transparency and accountability her watchword. Ezendigbo added that the association was ready to support any project that may be embarked upon by Ukah in the university. He advised  graduates of the university to maintain good relationship with their alma mater.

    The Dean of Basic Medical Sciences, Dr. Joshiah, described Ukah as a hardworking lady. He added that during her undergraduate programme at the university, she was  a good student who balanced her pursuit and academics. He advised her to keep up the good work and continue to be a good ambassador of the university. Ukah was crowned Miss IUO  2014.

  • Yobe varsity to become center of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

    Yobe State University is set to become the centre of Robotics & Artificial Intelligence after signing  a memorandum of understanding with the ICT University, Louisiana, USA in Damaturu penultimate week.

    The short ceremony was held at the Senate Chambers of the University in Damaturu with the Vice Chancellor of Yobe State University  Prof. Yakubu Mukhtar and the President, Board of Trustee  of the ICT  University, Prof. Victor Mbarika both signing on behalf of their institutions.

    “We will be having a lot of Lecturers and Students Exchanges in this institution. Our number one goal is research and scholarship and we will ensure that good researches come out of both institutions so that Yobe State will be one of the Premier destinations of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence and modern areas of IT Research,” Prof Mbarika disclosed.

    Speaking shortly before the MoU signing, the Vice Chancellor of Yobe State University Prof. Yakubu Mukhtar said his institution will continue to open her doors and establish linkages with other institutions, home and abroad to fast track its growth and development.

    Prof Mukhtar also maintained that the MoU with ICTU will surely open ways for YSU in future collaboration to various opportunities and institutions across the world.

    “No Organization can exist as an Island on itself.  As  an institution of higher learning, we need to collaborate both within and outside the country. That is why I am so pleased with this collaboration and I am sure, Yobe State University is going to benefit immensely from it. We are very keen to give every support to see this MoU to the next level”,  Prof. Mukhtar promised.

    Read Also: Army repels Boko Haram attack in Yobe

    In his remarks, the President of the ICT University, Professor Victor Mbarika disclosed that the institution is very seriously keen  with the implementation of the project, stressing that “all equipment will be flown from New York to Lagos for collection in the next 6-8 weeks”.

    His words: “We are very seriously keen  about our partnership because we are answerable to ICT University Foundation and its funding agencies. So to be fair to them and to the institutions in the developing world that we collaborate with, we want to ensure that we don’t just stop at the signing of MoUs and MoAs but to actually see to their implementations.

    “After the signing of an MoU like this, within the period of six to eight weeks, we do everything possible to fly the equipment from our hub in New York City to Lagos where the equipment will be collected.

    “We have equipment for the E-learning and the E-Library and a Multi-Media equipment to help with the implementation of the Health Information Technology Diploma Program with this University’s School of Medicine. Our goal is to ensure that there is a strong information technology presence or we continue to enhance the presence of IT that this institution already has through the great leadership of Prof. Mukhtar,” Prof Mbarika said.

    Our correspondent gathered that ICTU has gotten an approval to establish the West African Campus in Kaduna State in addition to other campuses in Uganda, Cameroon.

     

     

     

  • MAPOLY students’ dilemma

    It started out as Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta, in 1979. Few years later, it was renamed Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY). Two years ago, the government upgraded it to Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology (AMUSTECH). But today, MAPOLY, MAUSTECH and Ogun State Polytechnic, which was founded in 2017, share the same campus at Ojere. The students are confused about the status of the institution. Is it MAPOLY, MAUSTECH or OGUNPOLY. Micheal Babatunde, HND 1 Mass Communication asks.

    Students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, are confused over their status.

    Reason: the school and two other institutions-the Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology (MAUSTECH); and the Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia share the same campus at Ojere.

    MAPOLY was upgraded to MAUSTECH by Ogun State government in 2017; it was replaced with OGUNPOLY, which is to be sited in Ipokia.

    MAPOLY was to gradually metamophorse into MAUSTECH, and then pave the way for the coming of OGUNPOLY.

    Since the announcement of the upgrade, MAPOLY has ceased to admit students  for its national diploma (ND) programmes. But its doors are still opened for the higher national diploma (HND) programmes. Ogun Poly is expected to admit its pioneer ND students for the 2018/19 academic session at MAPOLY, Abeokuta.

    Investigation by CAMPUSLIFE showed that graduates of MAPOLY who have been mobilised for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps have Ogun State Polytechnic written on their mobilisation credentials, a development that further compounded the students’ woes.

    As things stand, lots of questions are hanging in the air on the specific status of the institution! Ogun State Polytechnic is at present admitting into ND programmes, MAPOLY, into HND programmes, with a possible commencement of admission into degree programmes by MAUSTECH, all in MAPOLY campus in Abeokuta.

    Ahead of the upgrade, MAPOLY had a record of a peaceful institution. After that announcement however, the institution has continued to witness series of strikes, social media bullying, protests and even prolonged academic calendar.

    As the popular saying goes, when two elephants fight, the grass beneath pays the price! It is common knowledge that the current predicament of the students emanated from the rechristening of MAPOLY and the fallouts pertaining to workers, students and representatives of government.

    However, to resolve the impasse, some experts have intervened, advising that MAUSTECH should take off on a new ground, while MAPOLY should remain because of the status it has earned for itself over the years.

    During the institution’s 14th convocation in March 2016, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun announced plans to upgrade MAPOLY to a degree awarding institution. The announcement, which would see MAPOLY rechristened MAUSTECH, was received with exhilaration by the entire polytechnic community. Incidentally, the announcement came at a time when there were arguments across quarters over HND/B.Sc dichotomy. Lecturers and other non-teaching staff also saw prospects of a leap in their careers. However, the biggest gladiators were the students who saw it as a victory over the B.Sc intimidation.

    Determined to walk its talk, the state government in January, last year, signed a bill passed by the Ogun State House of Assembly. The bill which in part also sought the establishment of Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia, enjoyed a speedy passage and became a law two month late.

    Meanwhile, almost everyone at the time, hailed government’s move, thinking it would follow the path of Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE) which metamorphosed into Tai Solarin University of Education under former Governor Gbenga Daniel in 2005. And while the university remains in Ijagun, the College of Education was eventually relocated to Omu-Ijebu.

    All seemed to be going well until April 2017when Amosun inaugurated a transition committee headed by a former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Peter Okebukola. Amosun had promised that the committee would be disbanded once the Governing Council of MAUSTECH was constituted.

    In three months, the committee facilitated NUC’s presentation of an approval letter for the upgrade of  MAPOLY to MAUSTECH to a delegation of Ogun State government. Pronto! MAUSTECH was declared the 45th state university and the 85th public university in the country by the NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, who officially presented the approval letter to the state governor at the NUC headquarters in Abuja.

    During the presentation, Prof Rasheed had noted that Ogun has managed two state-owned universities (Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye; and Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun) to an ‘enviable level’, expressing optimism that the third would not be an exception. Nonetheless, the NUC helmsman urged the government to do more in infrastructural development of the institution.

    He added that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB, the Tertiary Education

    Trust Fund (TETFund); and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), had been informed of the institution’s new status.

    Interestingly, all the aforementioned bodies have since remained silent on the status of MAPOLY, MAUSTECH and Ogun State Polytechnic.

    This good news didn’t last long as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) of MAPOLY staged a protest over what members described as a threat to their job by the Okebukola-led committee.

    The committee had issued a directive ordering more than 250 lecturers in the institution to turn in their resignation letters and reapply. The information had irked ASUP members who immediately took to the streets in protest. The lecturers who chanted solidarity songs and also displayed fetish objects, had shut the school’s gate, blocking it with two vehicles,

    Thus, the first strike MAPOLY would have in a long time came sometime in August 2017. The aggrieved workers however, shelved their grievances to resume work. They sent series of letters (which were allegedly not acknowledged) to the state Ministry of Education Science and Technology.

    Students of MAPOLY immediately took to the streets in protest of the delay in their second semester examination schedule and relocation of the institution to Ipokia from Ojere.

    While the delay in examination was linked to lecturers’ strike action, students in their hundreds headed for the Governor’s Office at Oke Mosan in Abeokuta.

    They held Abeokuta to ransom for almost a week, setting social media ablaze with various harshtags to announce their plights to the world.

    The governor said: “Creating Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology will not affect you. We have said nobody in the school will be relocated to Ipokia. It will take four years before MAPOLY goes into extinction. The reason is this: those in Higher National Diploma (HND) now, you will leave, those in Ordinary National Diploma (OND) 1, you will be in this Abeokuta. All of you here, you will go through your normal course.”

    Calm returned, activities went back to normal and the session ended; but the graduating students who ought to be serving their fatherland couldn’t join their colleagues owing to delayed results, hence another round of protest.

    Briefly after the result issue was settled, the institution began to experience a slow academic calendar. Oftentimes, lecturers embarked on industrial action (work to rule) which gave them liberty to act as they wished.

    CAMPUSLIFE also gathered that the situation was not unconnected with the failure of the government to offset the backlog allowance owed to part time staff.

    While the full-time students were managing the work-to-rule action of lecturers, their part time counterparts were not attended to at all. In show of their grievances, the part time students shut down the school gate, paralysing academic activities for a week.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE at the weekend, a Computer Engineering HND 1 of the school, Oluwaseun Adepegba said: “It is not possible for the three institutions to co-exist in the same compound considering the fact that university students will want to be superior to poly students and the professors won’t want to mingle with lecturers. Classes won’t be enough for the three institutions to run.

    “If MAPOLY should be eradicated or name changed, which name will be on my HND certificate? is it Ogunpoly/Mapoly? How will I explain to the companies I sent my CV to that MAPOLY is now OGUNPOLY if it’s an international company?

    Omokehinde Abdul-Azeez, another HNDI Computer Sceince, also lent his voice.

    “Government’s conversion of MAPOLY into MAUSTECH has become a threat to the entire staff of MAPOLY, while also putting the students career at risk.

    He continued: “Why asking the lecturers to resign and apply fresh because it is not certain everyone would be reabsorbed into the system. What is the possibility that lecturers that lose their jobs in the process will get another anytime soon. Ultimatum should have been to them to upgrade their credentials while still working as members of staff of the polytechnic.

    “I don’t really blame them because none of their children is schooling here in Nigeria to face exactly what we are facing. For this reason, they have total disregard for  our careers regardless of efforts our parents are putting to make our lives better here.”

    Also Oluwatobi Odeyinka, ND2 Mass communication, added to the heat

    “Whatever its name is, whether MAPOLY, OGUNPOLY or MAUSTECH, we don’t even know anymore. We don’t know how long we would remain at home; even the lecturers don’t know their stand or so they claim.

    “The studentship of all students of MAPOLY is uncertain. MAPOLY no more exists as an institution and that is evident in its absence in the brochure of JAMB. I am still wondering what institution would award me a certificate after graduation, whether it is MAPOLY, OGUNPOLY or MAUSTECH.

    “For me, the government of Ogun State was unreasonable to have taken the decision to scrap MAPOLY and establish a university without taking necessary steps, otherwise.”

    Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) of MAPOLY Comrade Kola Abiola, put the root of the crisis in bad advisers appointed by the governor.

    He said:  “It is a pity that the Ogun State governor appointed bad advisers. I can say that the governor had good intention but his advisers did a bad job and immediately they started, we raised alarm. It was just like taking a carpenter to head an hospital.”

  • ASUU and the power of paradigm (I)

    In 2001, a group of “investors” came together, floated a company with the sole aim of bidding and buying the Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL).

    They approached a first generation bank and secured a whopping loan because of their closeness to the powers that be at that time. It was supposed to be a done deal because their cronies in government were pulling the strings to ensure the deal pulls through.

    This was however not to be as the bubble burst. In the drama that ensued thereafter, the MD/CEO of the bank lost his job and had to resort to legal means to clear his name in the botched bid. If the bid had pulled through these fraudsters’ would have bought a national treasure without putting in a dime of their money!

    About five years ago, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) – which really didn’t resonate with the people as they kept referring to it as NEPA, its former acronym – was “unbundled” and partly sold off to Distribution Companies (DISCOs). We were told that our days of darkness would be over in a matter of months as each DISCO reels out “glorious” plans for the future where darkness would be a thing of the past as Eldorado is just by the corner. Is that the situation today?

    Most electricity customers who have been burdened by the phenomenon of estimated billings now long for the “good old days of NEPA!” They pay for prepaid meters to curtail estimated billings but these meters are nonexistent. They look to the government for solution but the government says it is “helpless” because its “hands are tied” as a result of clauses’ inserted into contracts signed with the DISCOs!

    I can go on. It would appear that our system deliberately creates problems in order for our so-called elites to cash in on. This is the singular reason I commend the fight by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in its quest to ensure that our government appropriately fund the public university system. Their action may be painful, but it is a pain undergraduate have to endure. I endured such pain during my days in the university in the 90s and lost a year in the process.

    Sometimes I wonder if there isn’t a deliberate policy to underfund our public varsity system to pave the way for “privatization.” Can you imagine a group of “investors” appearing someday to “buy” a whole city like the University of Ibadan? Do not think this is impossible, it is possible and members of ASUU may have seen this hence their determination to ensure they hold successive government to the social contract they have with Nigerians.

    I spoke with a lecturer last week who told me that there are a rising number of undergraduates who are pleading for a “time out” to enable them do menial jobs to be able to pay just N12, 000 fees. If we only have private varsities would such undergraduates not be shut out from acquiring education because of excruciating poverty?

    In his book “The 8th Habit” the late Stephen Covey made this important point: “The problem is, managers today are still applying Industrial Age control model to knowledge workers. Because many in positions of authority do not see the true worth and potential of their people and do not possess a complete, accurate understanding of human nature, they manage people as they do things. This lack of understanding also prevents them from tapping into the highest motivations, talents and genius of people. What happens when you treat people like things today? It insults and alienates them, depersonalizes work, and creates low-trust, unionized, litigious cultures.” (emphasis added).

    Would it be wrong to assert that those in authority do not realise the age we are in? For the avoidance of doubt we are presently in the “knowledge economy” era. And what propels this era and age? Education does first; so why can they not see the importance of education in the mix? I am glad that despite this Nigerians are going ahead to use the knowledge era to resolve “complex” issues. However, I need to point out that education qualifications are indications of a person’s explicit knowledge and, to some extent, tacit knowledge. But, a large part of the knowledge economy comes from learning by doing and falls outside the scope of traditional education.

    For sometimes now the nation has been grappling with farmers/herders clashes which unfortunately have led to loss of precious lives of innocent Nigerians. While some in authority are romanticizing about “cattle tracks” some Nigerians have gone ahead to create mini ranches of their own – since the government proposed ranches are viewed as politically toxic – and encourage investors to invest in the business and make profits in the process. The same goes with other forms of farming. These – and other- innovations were made possible because of knowledge era we are in. This is one of the powers education bestows.

    If the mini ranch innovation catches on, and pilot projects succeed, we would have solved a critical social problem through simple knowledge. In the process we may even begin to solve the problems inherent in nomadic education in which hundreds of millions of naira have been sank in the past without visible evidence. If we succeed in keeping the nomads in one location we would kill two birds with one stone – their herds would be healthier, produce more milk and this would give them the elusive education that millions of naira has failed to provide. This is just a tip of the iceberg of how knowledge can help us resolve issues.

    In traditional models of economic activity that is being left behind, the main factors of production are Land, labour, capital, entrepreneur. A Knowledge-based economy is however important for widening the scope of labour from producing goods on an assembly line to greater flexibility in design, manufacture and implementation of business ideas. To this end, it taps into explicit knowledge through facts, figures and data. It also enhances tacit knowledge – how things work, experience, judgement, intuition and the way of dealing with people.

    Innovation and knowledge have always been important to any economy, but some economists argue that in the past few decades the modern economy is becoming more knowledge-based. This is shown by the rise in high-tech industries, the growth of the service sector, rise in self-employment and an increase in the number of patents.

    It is becoming increasing glaring now that knowledge and information are the key drivers of productivity because of growth in high technology investment and industries; this is made possible through growth in knowledge intensive service sectors such as education, communications and information. Knowledge, I must stress, is a non-finite resource. Capital gets used up but knowledge is not limited and can be shared without losing it. In fact, sharing can help boost overall knowledge.

    This era is witnessing growth in demand for higher skilled labour/university degrees which Increases the importance of tacit knowledge – the skills and ability to implement codified knowledge. Innovation is driven by both producers and users; knowledge equally spillovers from one industry to another. Knowledge economy and high-tech industry raise scope for increased automation of production processes leading to rapid changes in the labour market.

    A knowledge economy is therefore important because it has the ability to help business be more efficient, dynamic and innovative by enabling product innovation and customisation through greater role for human capital.

    Like everything in life there is an obverse side. The knowledge economy increases the gap between high skilled and low-skilled workers due to decline in well-paid manual labour. There may be other factors behind increased wage inequality but the knowledge economy is one potential reason. It may create more opportunities for those with high intellectual capacity, but those with lower skills may find work increasingly temporary and low-paid.

    But despite the rise of high-tech industries, many jobs don’t require the highest levels of qualifications. For instance, in the US in 2013, 66% of jobs did not require a university degree. If properly handled we can transit toward the knowledge economy and still find rooms for those without degrees.

  • Shun misconduct, VC tells freshers

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

    Speaking at the institution  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.