The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Press club launches mobile app

    Pen Press UDUS of Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS), Sokoto, has unveiled a mobile application, which is available on playstore.

    It encapsulates its blog and facebook page, and enables users to access information on the outfit’s platform.

    Its Editor Yahaya Nurudeen Akewushola said the app was aimed at ensuring access to news on campus, adding that it is data-friendly, as it only requires  readers to turn on their data to access it.

    Akewushola said: “The app has been designed in such a way that it incorporated our facebook page and blog. Thus, it enables fast access to happenings on campus. Pen Press, for the past 25 years and hitherto, has always been the first in every developmental innovation. We are the first press board to start print publication in UDUS among other numerous innovations that we have initiated.”

    Akewushola urged students to download the app for effective communication to keep them abreast of the admission processes and directives from the university management.

    “As we have always been doing, I believe that this innovation has enviably redefined campus journalism and pave the way for apt dissemination of breaking news and other interesting stories about campus chronicles,” he added.

    Adebayo Abdullateef Musa, a 200-Level Radiography undegraduatwe of UDUS, applauded the outfit for making access to information a lot easier and accessible in a world where information and news is power.

    “Pen Press UDUS has taken strides in the right direction by creating a mobile app. This is a welcome development. I give kudos to the entire Pen Press team for being able to think beyond our imagination in this 21st century technological development.”

    Lawal Mutolib Tunde, 300-Level Accounting student, also praised the brains behind the initiative and expressed optimism of future engagement and ground-breaking records from the outfit.

    “I’ll like to commend those who’re behind the initiative of Pen Press mobile app and the entire press team. It’s very pertinent for them to know that this app is beyond physical appearance. As such, this initiative by the team doesn’t only serve as development to UDUS alone but to the entire masses perhaps nation at large.

    ‘’I believe if the people behind this initiative get more support from students, management and other stakeholders, they will definitely do many things that are better than what we’re witnessing.”

    Abdulrazak Ahmad, a graduate of Common and Islamic Law of UDUS, urged the media outfit to maintain the feat, adding that they are up for the stars.

    “Let me start by saying the launch of Pen Press UDUS Mobile app is a feat that I’m so proud of. Conveniently, I can say the officials and members of Pen Press have done us a great good and they have performed beyond our expectations, I hope the chain will continue.

    He continued: “When I was in school, I visited other news apps everyday and the Pen Press board, but I never knew it would be easily accessible everywhere in the world. The app is easy to use, mobile-friendly and doesn’t consume data, I would say it’s of “student standard” and I would recommend it for everyone. Other journalism outfits on campus should emulate same”

  • Anambra Poly unveils e-white boards

    Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu in Awka North Local Government Area, has introduced internet-driven white boards and writing tools for teaching.

    Its Public Relations Officer Mr. Sunday Okagbue told reporters that it was part of its plans to ensure that the institution embraces new technologies in knowledge dissemination.

    He said the move would bring innovation in technology, which polytechnics stand for, adding that it would be managed and maintained by the staff of the institution’s ICT Centre as directed by the Rector, Dr. Nneka Mefoh.

    He said: “The introduction (of white boards) is to improve in the teaching and learning process.  It has internet connection that helps both lecturers and students to instantly access needed information in the course of lecture delivery and, as well, makes practical presentation easier.

    “The technology will be accessible to both teachers and students, but will basically be handled by teachers who are the instructors.”

    According to Okagbue, the classes using the electronic white boards would be in the computer laboratory  until when they are fixed in the classrooms.

    “It is configured to have up to 100 pages to allow note making on separate pages, saving, erasing as your teach and saved notes can be sent to students’ email addresses instantly.

    “The board as well accepts finger touch writing just as in android phones. You can key in many courses in the menu and teach from the selected course menu,” he explained.

    On how to overcome the epileptic power supply to ensure its maximum use, Okagbue said: “As long as the polytechnic runs her daily activities using a source of power, there will always be electricity to power it.

    “However, we call on the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to ensure steady power supply around the institution to facilitate the effective and maximum use of the technology.”

    Okagbue said lecturers who may not be able to operate the new technology need not fear.

    PRO said: “There is plan to organise seminars and training for lecturers on the new technology to get them cue into the innovation. It will not be a one-off training.

    “There will be training and retraining at intervals in line with staff development goals of the institution.”

    The white board is electronically operated and uses an electrically controlled sensor marker and joy-stick for writing on it and for demonstration.

  • ‘How we are promoting students’ welfare’

    Oluwaseun Samuel Awodola (aka Unique AOS) is the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti Students Union Government (SUG) President. In this interview with Daniel-Whyte Ajala and Samuel Akindele, Awodola speaks on his administration’s role in promoting students’ welfare and other issues.

    What is the Students Union Government (SUG) doing to reduce school fees?

    The school fees have been consolidated with entrepreneur, SU Fee and Insurance Fee. The proposal presented to the school management for its  reduction is as follows: it is N103,500 for fresh students in sciences and N95,000 for non-sciences.

    For returning science students, it is N47,000; for non-sciences, it is N39,000. Note that only 100 and 200 level students will pay entrepreneur fees; 300 and 400 level students are excluded.

    But the students are giving us problems as they are paying, despite that we told them not to do so. Specifically, the 100 level students are the one rushing to pay. Now, the school is seeing it as if we are the ones that need the reduction. Nevertheless, we know that the majority of the students are in need of the reduction, though the minority have paid.

    Therefore, we urge all students to suspend payment until we reach a consensus with the management.

     Tell us the number of times you met with the authorities on the issue?

    We have had more than six meetings with the school management and four appeals have been made to effect the reduction. But they have all been inconclusive. During these meetings, we made them see the reason on the tuition that we pay.

    What will SUG do if fees are not reduced?

    We are following a timetable. We have the three ‘Cs’. We are in the second ‘C’. Once what we are demanding is not done, we will do what is needed. But we want to ensure that students’ welfare is protected and the academic calendar  not disrupted. Our decisions will be based on the interest of students.

    Give us an update on the wifi project?

    According to the school management, the provider of the wifi  is Glo Mobile. They are installing the services, but the school is yet to pay because of the school fees.

    What are you doing on hostel  accommodation payment reduction?

    During the third appeal, the vice chancellor approved N5,000 reduction for the hostels, though we proposed N35,000. But on the long run, we agreed on N45,000.

    It is N45,000 being implemented because we learnt students are paying N50,000.

    During my campaign, I said: ‘We are strong, but together we are stronger and with God we are the strongest’. If the body representing you says, ‘don’t do it, please abstain’. When we asked students to stop paying, some had started.They believe that their money would be returned after the agitation; that is what is giving us problem.

    What were the alternatives when you asked them not to pay?

    When we said students should not pay, we knew what we were doing. We actually put all our numbers across to students to contact us, if they were facing any issue on off-campus accommodation and we have been assisting those that have been calling us.

    When we say don’t pay, there are safety measures in place to see to the effect. For instance, we said, ‘keep the money safely and when the time comes, you can pay’. Part of the reasons we said students should stop paying is because we need some infrastructure in place and completion of ongoing projects.

    Secondly, the school hostel can accommodate no fewer than 5000 students out of over  7000 that the school will be admitting, indicating that we only have limited number of students that can occupy it. Part of the measures we are putting in place to solve the accommodation is easy transportation from Aiyegbaju and Ilupeju at cheaper rates, so that students can move to those neighbouring town to depopulate the host community.

    We are working on the male hostel, which has been approved by the Governing Council, to continue with the construction for the Federal Government. In a month’s time, students should be moving to the building.

    What are the measures being put in place to provide accommodation for off-campus students?

    For accommodation, we are looking at reduction in the school hostel by N5000 on both campuses. For students who are off-campus, we have met with the FUOYE’s Related Matters Committee and we have been asked to meet with the landlords. The committee claimed that they had more non-indigenes building hostels in their towns and that there was little the community could do to reduce rents. We were told they could only appeal to landlords on this.

    We tried to contact the landlords to plead with them, but we were unable to achieve this because some students claimed their landlords were not even living with them and that some got their accommodation via agents and caretakers.

    What is the school doing on  street lights on campuses as demanded by the SUG?

    A committee has been set by the school management on both campuses to actualise the project.

    How about lecture halls and sports?

    We have pushed for the provision of more makeshift classrooms and  furniture. We are pushing for makeshift classrooms in Ikole and we are working alongside with the president of the Faculty of Education to build one. We are also pushing for a shed in the medical centre.

    On sporting facilities, we are making progress. Now we have the football court, volley ball court and basketball court under construction. The only thing delaying the project is the issue of the school fees. We are also making efforts on establishing a standard sport complex in Ikole campus. The sport director has  started an early morning jogging for students to keep them fit and about three sport programmes are being planned by his office for this academic session.

    What has SUG done about transportation on and off campus?

     We held a meeting with road and transport workers and other officials. The only thing left is to sign the agreement.

    The problem we have with the motorcyclists is over-speeding and not putting on their union wear. We   working on the fares the motorcyclists fixed with the last administration after they were stopped from plying campus road.

    Finally, what are your plans for  the year?

    This session will not be based on social activities alone. We will be having activities, such as academic, entrepreneur, cultural seminar and female empowerment programmes.

  • Four injured as hoodlums attack students’ hostel, in Kogi

    A gang of hoodlums has  attacked Kogi State University, Anyigba and dispossessed students of their phones among other valuables.

    The attack took place at one of the school hostels (MH Block 20, Phase One, Room Two) located at the outskirt of the varsity. About four students were said to have sustained injuries during the attack.

    It was gathered that the hoodlums gained entry into the school premises at about  9pm  and broke into the hostels where they beat up the students. Some of the students escaped from the attack and alerted the school security officers, but the hoodlums fled before the security agents could arrive the scene.

    “It was like the hoodlums got entry through the back gate of the school at about 9am and broke into the hostels. They beat up and collected handsets. Most of us sustained heartbreaks from the attack. We are calling on the school authority to liaise with the Police to beef up security in the school,” the students lamented.

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    It was further gathered the hoodlums also stabbed a student (name withheld) four days after the first attack inside the school premises.

    A source told this reporter that the attack was an eyesore as he managed to escape the fireceness of these armed hefty men.

    He said: “We were relaxing in our room when we heard a loud bang at our main door. At first, we thought it was the usual noise from some of our neighbours because, most of the time, they usually play some pranks on us especially at night falls. To our amazement, the bang gets louder and persistent that my brother had to peep through the window to confirm what situation was outside.

    “On peeping through the window, he saw heftymen beating his motorcycle packed outside with sticks. Immediately, he dashed to lock the door at the backyard. Later, these heftymen forced their way in and started beating us with cutlasses among other weapons. They collected our phones and other valuables with us and threatened to kill us if we dare raise an alarm against them. It was really an eyesore.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Students Union Government, Thomas Emmanuel, told this reporter that the situation is under control.

    “We’ve taken the case to the school management and the security unit respectively and they promise to provide maximum security as from now onward. As I speak, one armed policeman will be on guard to secure this premises from further attacks,” he said.

    All efforts to reach the school management by this reporter on this matter prove abortive at the time this report was filed.

  • CAN NYSC BE RESTRUCTURED?

    The travails of the Civil War in 1967—1970 in Nigeria has jeopardised the peaceful co-existence among ethnic groups in Nigeria. During the administration of the then Gen.Yakubu Gowon, he embarked on the operation of 3Rs which stands for Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction of Nigeria.

    It was during this operation that the National Youth Service Corps was created in 22nd of may, 1973. The scheme was established based on decree No 24 which states its establishment.

    Today, however, NYSC is bedevilled some structural deficiencies which must be addressed. These include caustic working environment, lack of welfare amenities, poor feeding of Corps members on national duties, tribalism and nepotism among NYSC officials, etc.

    The question thus is, can NYSC be restructured?

    First, all sorts of residential inconveniences at the camp sites should be fixed before the arrival of Corpers. This is to ensure they are well taken care of, even as they serve their fatherland.

    Nepotism and favouritism are highly rampant in the firmament of NYSC. When Corpers still have to pay some token to officials in camps and secretariats to get things done, is the Scheme not then guiding partcipants in the way of corruption?

    After all, we’ve seen many corpers serving in their state of origin— which is against the rules of the Scheme. How else could they have bypassed that rule, uncaught, if not through bribery or nepotism? This has to be restructured.

    Unemployment, also, has been known as a major phenomenon baffling this Nation. As the number of graduates increase rapidly, on yearly basis, so does the number of unemployed youth. Therefore, this is the time to start looking into NYSC for a solution to this problem.

    After a year of service, the Corpers should be posted to work place like companies, schools, and industries. And they can also be retained at places where they are Initially posted to. If this can be done, I think NYSC can serve as a panacea to unemployment in Nigeria, and unemployment will become the thing of past.

    Faozy Aduagba, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

  • WHY RESTRUCTURING OF NYSC IS NECESSARY

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) scheme has over the years degenerated in its aims and objectives on which its creation was based.

    While the most cherished aspect of it is to serve our fatherland, persistence insurgencies harming the nation have made average youths despise the scheme, most especially when put into consideration the stipend called allowance, and the neglect after the programme.

    It then becomes difficult for one to risk their life from a particular region to the deadly region where Boko Haram massacre innoncent souls, or to places where kidnapping is the order of the day. Many ways have been employed by corp members to avoid these axis and in most cases, through what can be tagged “back doors.”

    There is however need for salient steps to make the scheme convenient and more productive to Nigeria’s economy.

    First, rather than posting most of these youths to places like local government councils, government corporations, offices and the likes, most especially schools wherein there are enough teachers on ground, they can be diverted into other areas.

    Education sector is filled already, what needs to be done is to improve the provision of educational equipment and infrastructures. None of these places enlisted above is having lesser workers.

    What do we now say of the Agricultural sector to which backs have been turned by the youths? This is a sector that contributes 21% of the Nigerian economy. It has not been able to to keep up with its rapidness on production rate. Nigeria which has once be a major in exporting food, now imports most of her food products.

    It is the task of the government to introduce the youths to such area, as no youth is willing to go back to farm after the years they have spent in the university.

    This is mainly because of being ignorance about the dividends. Even if it is based on subsistence level, because to feed a family, is to feed a nation. Seminars and orientations should be held to educate this youths.

    They should be provided with the active factor, which is land and other factors of production. Since much capital is not required.

    Second, let the allowance be increased if not hugely but to a pocketful amount. The expenses of each Youth Corp during service is inestimable. So, this does not create chance for saving out that token given.

    Then how do youths get capital to help themselves at the end of the year?

    The allowance should, as earlier said be, increased to a pocketful amount, then divided into two. One should be given at the end of each month and the cumulation of the second part should be given at the end of service.

    For instance, if N30,000 is to be allocated to a Youth Corp, let N15,000 be given monthly and the remaining N15,000 which will be cumulating N180,000 be given at the end of the year. With this huge amount a sensible youth should be able to establish themselves.

    With respect to the former suggestion which is diversion into agricultural sector, this latter suggestion will help in establishment with the knowledge acquired from orientations, seminars and practical which they undergo. Even if it will be on a small scale farming, it will have its own qouta to add to Nigerian economy.

    The demand for agricultural products in Nigeria and abroad will always be on the highest level as food will always be inevitable. Therefore, every youth can dwell into this demand and establish an agro-allied business, creating chance for enormous wealth for him/herself.

    The reason why every youth who wishes to become an entrepreneur must look into agriculture is that, there are endless opportunities awaiting. And it’s high time we recognized them to boost up our nation’s economy.

    Tijani Ibrahim, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

  • HEALING THE ILLS OF NYSC

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), created on 22nd May, 1973, is a scheme through which Nigerians, who are below the age 30, are obliged to serve the nation for few months, after their graduation from their various tertiary institutions.

    This scheme was created after the civil war that lasted for 30 months; to breed unity and tolerance amongst Nigerians. Thus, youths from the North are sent to the South and those from the South are deployed to the North, vice versa. The target is getting these youths acquainted with diverse cultures and religious beliefs. For tolerance comes with peace, and there would be no tolerance without understanding our differences.

    However, the two main essence of setting up this scheme, promoting national unity and engaging youths in nation building, are fast approaching defeat. These days, the option of seeking redeployment by corps members has become as easy as swatting a fly; the decision of which part of the country one should serve is now very much in the hands of corps members. Thus, a Southerner would at best go outside his/her state to another Southern state. Same thing happens with youth of other parts of the country.

    With the misuse of this option by those in charge to earn money from these corps members, who are unwilling to leave their comfort zones to other parts of the country, one is safe to say the aim of the scheme (NYSC), is approaching defeat, or has been the defeated.

    If one should do a survey of northerners serving in the South East today, you will find the statistics discouraging. Do same in the North, you will find a handful of Easterners but it will interest you to know that, the chunk of them reside and schooled in the North. With this, how are we to get acquainted with our diverse cultures?
    Of course, there are corps members with good reasons for seeking redeployment; but the question is, do we really scrutinize applications for redeployment?

    Nowadays, it is more about who you know or what you can offer to be redeployed. If really we are committed to promoting unity, the issue of redeployment is one we need to revisit. If NYSC finds a particular state secure and conducive, then it should take the required procedure to secure redeployment.
    Another issue that has to be revisited if we want a productive NYSC, is the basis of posting members to their place of primary assignment (PPA).

    Read Also: WANTED: A REFURBISHED NYSC

    Corps members are sent to PPAs that have no relation to their disciplines. I know a serving corps member whom studied Soil and Crop Sciences, but is currently teaching Literature-in-English, in a secondary school. Can you imagine a science students teaching art courses?

    There are many cases like this one. You don’t expect productivity when you have square pegs in round holes. The NYSC should be a give and take scheme. Corps members should be sent to places where they can effectively contribute their quota to the development of the nation and at the same time sharpen their teeth with regards their discipline.

    “Now Your Struggles Continue,” is a perfect interpretation of the acronym NYSC. After four or more than four years of struggling for degree or HND, graduates have another 11 months hurdle to scale. Eleven months of serving the nation with a N19, 800 take-home that can’t take them home.
    There are even cases where corps members are sent to PPAs without provision of accommodation, they rent rooms with this “peanut,” feed themselves, and pay transport fare. With this, you still expect them to be productive? It’s high time the government increased corps members’ allowance. For nobody will be productive with an empty stomach.

    One of the objectives of the NYSC says, “To inculcate discipline in Nigerian youths by instilling in them a tradition of industry at work.” But what we find in our orientation camps today are not in conformity with the afformentioned objective. They have been report of how sex and money have been giving in exchange for postings to better PPAs.

    Some corps members stay away from drillings and some don’t even show up in camps just because they have people on the inside. A scheme that is set up to inculcate discipline should be corruption free.
    The Federal government should do more in checkmating the activities of those in charge of orientation camps. We should not only pay lip service to inculcating discipline, we should walk the talk.

    Another objective states that, “the Nigerian youths are encouraged to eschew religious differences”. Sadly, it doesn’t seem to be happening in our orientation camps.

    If NYSC can’t allow Muslim ladies to put on their full hijab then they should be allowed to wear sporting trousers that will cover them down to their ankles. Having them expose their kneels is far from being fair.
    God bless Nigeria.

    Abdulrahman Yahaya, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

  • Fee war at AUUA

    Has tuition fee been increased at the Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State? Yes, claim the students. But the school is denying the allegation, saying it has directed them to pay the old fee. ADESOLA IKULAJOLU 300 Level Mass Communication (AAUA) reports.

    Following the 2017/2018 increment in tuition fees by the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), the university management has announced another review through the school’s edu portal.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that students, who logged into the portal for the 2018/2019 session, especially the final year and 200 Level students, noticed that the payment invoice did not change despite their being on a new level, which sparked reactions.

    Last year, AAUA tuition fee was increased across all faculties by Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, the Visitor to the institution. The fees were as follows: New Students of Faculty of Arts and Education paid N100,000; 200-Level and 300-Level, N80,000. New students in the Faculties of Social and Management Sciences, Agriculture, Sciences and Law paid N150,000; while 200-Level and 300-Level paid N100,000. All final year students paid N70,000.

    However for this session, CAMPUSLIFE learnt that rather than the returning students paying less according to their levels as expected, they are to pay the same amount they paid last session.

    By implication of the directive to students to maintain status quo, 200-Level students of Faculty of Arts and Education will now pay N100,000 as against N80,000; 300-Level will maintain their N80,000, while final year students of same faculty would pay N80,000 instead of N70,000.

    Students of the Faculty of Sciences, Social and Management Sciences, Law and Agriculture in 200-Level will pay N150,000 instead of N100,000; 400-Level (and 500L in some five-year courses) will pay N100,000 instead of N70,000 for final year.  Newly-admitted students will pay N150,000.

    This indirect increment is causing disagreement between the management and students’ union.

    The students’ union under the leadership of Comrade Adesomoju Samuel (Sampraise), has warned students not rush to pay such fee until the issue is resolved.

    In a statement jointly signed by the General Secretary of the union, Comrade Adebayo Jesutola (Tolajay) and Senate President Adebowale Temitope (Don Richy), the union asked the “students to exercise patience as regards the payment of tuition fees for the new session”.

    The statement reads: “This is in connection with the recent review of fees payable by students across all faculties and academic levels as made public by the university management on our different accounts within the edu-portal.

    “We make to say it boldly that no student should pay the tuition fee for now, not until all issues have been resolved.

    “We urge the students to await further instructions, which will be relayed subsequently by the union as events unfold.”

    The school has, however, denied increasing the fees.  In a rejoinder, the Registrar, Dr. M. S. Ayeerun, described the news of fee hike on the social media as rumour.  He noted that the students were only required to pay the amount they paid last year.

    “The university is hereby using this medium to inform our highly esteemed students, parents, guardians and the public that it did not increase or propose to increase its fees.

    “In other words, the school fees regime for last academic session (2017/2018) still subsists in 2018/2019 academic session. As such, students are to pay the fees they paid last academic session for the 2018/2019 academic session,” the registrar said.

    While the students’ union asked students not to pay the tuition fee, the university management has directed that all online registration, including payment of tuition fee, must be done before resumption.

    “Meanwhile, fresh and returning students are required to start and complete their online registration before resumption. All students are, therefore, advised to commence their online registration and payment of school fee,” Ayeerun said.

    However, the resumption date was not stipulated.

    Ayeerun noted in a circular that “the resumption date for the 2018/2019 session will be announced later.”

    Some students that spoke to CAMPUSLIFE were not happy. They said the new review was like a silent way of increasing the fees and should not be accepted.

    One of them, Aluko Dorcas, said the increment might force her to drop out.

    “The tuition fee review is really an avenue to aggravate our agony as students. Up till this moment, I have not got the courage to tell my widowed mother about the review without her contemplating my drop out. I feel the school management could have treated us better but they choose the opposite which seems like telling us to neglect education,” she said.

    Director of Campus Affairs for National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Oyedokun Isreal said changing the schedule of fee payment was increment.

    “It is an increment. In every institution, there is scheduled fee for all levels.  In AAUA, what is applicable is reduction in the tuition fee when moving from 100-Level to 200-Level and when in final year. To bring the policy of pay what you paid last session is tampering with the tuition fee systematically,” he said.

    Another student, Jemilugba Ifeloluwa, lamented that the fee hike was against Governor Akeredolu’s campaign promise.

    “It is an increment, when SUG is saying no increment, school is saying they should write letter. Why will they write letter if there is no increment? When Governor Akeredolu was contesting, he made a promise to the students not to increase fees and within a year in office, he did – from N35,000 to N150,000. Where do they expect our parents to see this money? I have mates that had to leave school last year because of the hike. I wonder what will happen this year. The new tuition fee is painful because we are falling victims a second time.”

    On his part, Anjorin Philip faulted the former leadership of the Students Union led by Ijanusi Olawale for conceding to the increment last year, which he believes gave room for the present increment.

    “The moment Optimum (Ex SUG President) allowed it to N150,000, I knew it was a matter of time; it might increase. The management think they will confuse us by saying we are paying what we paid last session and our portal is saying something else,” he said.

    However, Adekun Ayo-Lawrence ‘D Gr8’, who was the General Secretary of the SUG EXCO led by Ijanusi, said they were c                                                                                                                         ompelled to agree with the government on the fee hike.

    Lawrence said Ijanusi did not sign any document for the fees to be reviewed.

    He said: “(our administration) needs to clearly state that as part of our agitations at the inception of the hike in tuition fee, we never succumbed to any form of increment until fate had us coerced to this quagmire situation Nigerian students are finding themselves.”

    He added that they were “surprised that OPTIMUM-led administration has been branded to have signed a deal in which in two years’ time all students will be paying N150,000 or more”, adding that any “attempt to drag our names into mud will not be taken lightly as we might be left with no option than to take legal action.”

    He said that in virtually all institutions, final year students paid less tuition fees than other levels.

    Gbemisola Adesola described  it as a betrayal, saying there was no new development in the school to justify the increment.

    “It saddened my heart when I heard about the new fee. Many are still struggling to pay for last session. All I see is that they actually played on our intelligence.  If they had told us it will be like this, majority of the previous freshers would not have resumed.   Most of us resumed with the hope that we would pay lesser amount the following year. The thing is with that huge amount we paid last session, there is still no new development in the school or in Akungba itself. Will this continue till when poor people will not afford to go to school?”

    In his own view, Adepoju Williams said the new arrangement was not an increment but the fees should have been left the way it was.

    He said: “The New Fee is not an increment according to the school but maintaining the status quo. It is actually right. But the question is, why should 200-Level pay the same tuition fee with 100-Level? Why should finalist pay the same tuition fee with 300-Level? It is often believed that the higher you go, the lower the fee. Why should it be different in AAUA?”

    At a meeting summoned by the SUG penultimate Saturday, the students in attendance argued in favour of decreasing fees as they progress through the school.

  • AAU to resume Sunday as some dons ditch ASUU for CONUA

    The Senate of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma has called on students to resume for the 2018/2019 academic session on Sunday ahead of academic activities starting Monday, February 28, 2019.

    The resumption dates were announced following an emergency meeting of the university Senate on Monday during which the decision was taken to recall students to school and the academic calendar reviewed.

    The resumption is coming while the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is still on nationwide strike which started since November 4, 2018.

    It is not unconnected with some lecturers of the university breaking away from ASUU to join the Congress of Universities Academics (CONUA), which held its inaugural meeting Wednesday last week.

    A statement signed by the Deputy Registrar, Information/Public Relations Officer of the university, Edward Aihevba, directed both new and returning students to resume and the lecturers to return to class by Monday.

    The statement reads: “Senate, at its emergency meeting held on Monday, 21st January, 2019, after due deliberations, has directed as follows: that students should come into their halls of residence on Sunday, 27th January, 2019; that Academic activities should resume in the University on Monday, 28th January, 2019; that lecturers should immediately commence lectures; that Registration for courses, clearance of Fresh students, payment of school fees, etc should commence immediately and; that Heads of Department are required to closely monitor compliance with the above directives. All staff, students and the University community should please be guided.”

    CONUA also met on Monday to direct its members to resume academic activities on Monday in line with Senate directives.

  • CAMPUSLIFE writers win seven of 15 awards

    Seven campuslife writers were among the 15 journalists honoured during the second edition of The Youths’ Digest magazine Campus Journalism Awards (CJA 2019) held at the Nicon Luxury Hotels, Abuja on Sunday.

    They were selected from 241 entries received for the award among which 30 finalists were shortlisted. Of the 30, 15 awardees emerged. The award committee assessed entries for accuracy, clarity, originality, creativity and unique delivery styles.

    Maryam Abdullah, a 400 level student of Modern European Languages and Linguistics at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), was the star writer of the event as she won two categories, the gender equality award, and the prestigious campus journalism awards.

    Her classmate, Ibrahim Adeyemi, bagged the Editor of the year award, while Mahmud Abdulsalam of Niger State, won the Upcoming Writer category.

    Other CAMPUSLIFE writers were: Ekpali Joseph, a 400-Level Mass Communication at University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, (Best Feature); Adejumo Kabir, an English student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife (Best Photojournalist); Yusuf Akinpelu of the University of Ibadan, UI (Best News Reporter); and Oluwatobi Odeyinka of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) Abeokuta (Best Opinion Writer).

    Winners of other categories were: Abdulhamid Aliyu of Bayero University Kano, BUK (Best Entertainment Writer); Emmanuel Ayamga of Ghana Institute of Journalism (Best Sports Reporter); UNILORIN Watch represented by Daud Adebayo (Best Magazine); Aondover Eric of Bayero University Kano, BUK (Best Author); Alfred Olufemi of OAU (Best Investigative Reporter), Adekola Mercy of Adekunle Ajasin University, AAUA (Best Broadcaster); Fatima Abbas of University of Maiduguri, UNIMAID (Social Media Influencer of the Year); and  MAPOLY Press (Best Pen Club).

    For her feat, Maryam has been offered an all-expense paid trip travel to the U.S. for a two-week course on female and gender development, courtesy of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).

    Executive-Director, CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, while making the pledge, expressed delight in a female winning the star award.

    “The fact that a female student emerged as campus journalist of the year at this event CISLAC partnered is absolutely wonderful. This goes to show that there are immense potentials in our young girls. Therefore, I urge Maryam to build on this unique and brilliant achievement by remaining focused and continue to write edifying and must-read opinion articles and news reports so as to harvest more special awards for herself.  I, on behalf of CISLAC, congratulate and heartily felicitate with Maryam Abdullahi on this special occasion,” he said.

    Rafsanjani also promised Maryam a cash gift of N50, 000 as well as offered automatic employment to all final-year students among the 15 awardees.

    Commenting on her victory, Maryam Mariam who shouted, “Oh, My God!” when she was named winner said: “It is amazing. I did not expect it.”

    She continued: “Though, journalism itself has always been time amazing and as well time consuming; the fact that one has to focus on academic which is the primary assignment and also the second assignment, Journalism.  I want to use this medium to say a special “Thank you” to Youth Digest for organising such an amazing event.”

    Editor of Youths’ Digest, Mr Gidado Shuaib, said the objective of the annual event was to encourage students to do quality journalism.

    “As the CJA enters its second year, I want to remind us of the reasons why we at Youths’ Digest started it. The award is primarily aimed at motivating, recognising and celebrating student journalists, young writers, pen clubs and campus media outlets,” he said.

    To address challenges students faced practicing journalism on campus, Shuaib announced the launch of the campus journalism dialogue (CJD) which he said would help fight unethical practices of journalism in campuses.

    “While we bask in the merry of today’s event, I want to point out the fact that campus journalists face challenges- victimisation, absence of quality mentorship and non-availability of funds for investigative reports.

    “Indeed this motivation has birthed the campus journalism dialogue which we intend to flag off this year. This intiative will address key areas in campus journalism and support victims of oppression who are often deserted by their peers after a fall” he said.

    Speaking further, Mr. Olarenwaju Oyedeji , Senior Reporter, Youths Digest, said CJD would serve as a platform to properly mentor brilliant student-writers and campus journalists.

    He said CJD would visit campuses to educate participants on issues such as hate speech, fake news, defamation, libelous publications, and brown envelope syndrome, among others, in contemporary journalism practice.