The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Tension in LAUTECH over new fees

    Barely two years after it plunged into a crisis that disrupted its academic calendar, the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Oyo State, is courting another. Students are asking if it is justified for the school management to increase  tuition fees? The students of the school, jointly owned by Oyo and Osun states, believe the recent increase in tuition fees is part of a grand plan to make education unaffordable for children of the poor.

    The school, last week, issued a memo to announce more than 100 per cent increment in tuition fees. According to the memo signed by the registrar, students who are indigenes of owner states are to pay N200,000, from N65,000 paid the previous academic session, while non-indigenes will pay N250,000, from N72,500 they paid previously.

    The breakdown of the new fees was sent to the students through their email, signed by the school registrar a day before the students came out to protest the tuition fee hike.

    Students, however, rejected the new fee regime, describing it as “commercialisation of education”. In a protest last week, the demonstrators called on the management to maintain the status quo, vowing not to pay the new fees.

    The protesters asked the management to explain the rationale for raising the fee by more than 100 per cent, noting that the school did not consider the current economic situation of the country before embarking on the fees hike.

    The demonstrators, who gathered at the entrance of the school’s main campus by 8am to participate in the protest tagged: #OccupyLAUTECH, chanted various Aluta songs. Their colleagues in the Osogbo, Osun State, campus also staged a rally simultaneously. The protesters paralysed activities on both campuses of the school.

    Bonfires were made on the Ilorin-Ogbomoso Highway, which is directly in front on the main entrance of the Ogbomoso Campus, leaving travellers stranded for hours on the road. The protesters accused the management of insensitivity, saying the increment was ill-timed and needless.

    It should be recalled that the school, two years ago, faced a crisis that resulted in the disruption of its academic calendar. The campuses were shut for more than six months by the LAUTECH chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which accused the Oyo and Osun governments of an attempt to close the institution due to their inability to finance it.

    Sunday Ajani, a protester and clerk of the Student Representatives’ Council (SRC), said many students’ academic pursuits could end with the introduction of the new fees, noting that most students struggled to pay the old fee.

    The students’ leader said the increment was an attempt by the school management to deny the children of the poor their right to education.

    He said: “Education should be a right and not a privilege. Increasing the tuition fees will deny majority of the students their right to acquire education. If education cannot be made free for all, then it should be affordable for the children of the rich and the poor.

    “The management should know that many students are still owing school fees when it was N65,000 and N72,000. How do they expect them to cope with these new fees? We appeal to the Oyo and Osun governments to increase the subvention given to the institution in order to make education affordable. Our parents shouldn’t pay through their nose because they want to give us education.”

    Rofeehat Akinloye, a 200-Level Accounting student, described the new fees as “joke of the year”. She said: “I believe the proposed tuition fees are just a joke, but the school management should know that students won’t take it lightly with them. That’s why there was protest to show the school that the increment shouldn’t be the next thing for now.

    “While we wait patiently for the next action from the management after our protest, I will rather suggest they revert to the old tuition fees paid in 2017/2018 session by indigenes and non-indigenes. I am optimistic that the school will do the needful. They should not chase away the fresh students recently admitted with the new tuition fees.”

    Another student, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “Those governing the school should know that many of us are dependants and our parents struggle to pay the old fees. In as much as we are not the only ones our parents have to cater for, how do they expect us to raise such a whooping amount of money for school fees?

    “I have a younger brother, who wants to sit for Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) next year and these expenses are on my parents. If they cannot get the money, it means that one of us has to stop going to school. I have a classmate whose parents went to borrow money from a credit society last year to pay his fees. Till today, they are still paying back the money. I am just waiting for the school to release our results, after which I may consider applying for a transfer to another school.”

    Some of the LAUTECH students took to social media platforms to express their grievances. A 300-Level student, who simply gave his name as John, wrote on Twitter: “The only feasible solution for me is to drop out now or what do you expect a poor student like me to do? I can’t afford the new fee. I can’t.”

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the Students’ Union Government (SUG) leaders are meeting with the school leadership for a compromise on the new fees. It was gathered that the SUG leaders resolved that they would continue with the protest if the school management does not reverse the increment within 48 hours. The students, it was learnt, are also considering taking their protest to both Oyo and Osun governments’ houses.

    When reached for comments, the Head, Public and Alumni Relations Unit, Mr Lekan Fadeyi said he was not authorised to speak on the matter.

    “I cannot speak on the matter. You know it is a Council decision.  It is only the Registrar that can speak as he is the Secretary to Council,” he said.

  • Amosun opens software centre at Gateway Poly

    Determined to ensure that the youth explore opportunities in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun has opened the Gateway ICT Polytechnic application development centre.

    The centre, which focuses on software and mobile application development, was inuagurated during the institution’s second convocation.

    Representing the governor at the event, Commissioner for Education, Modupe Mujota, said the government would work to ensure that the institution achieve its goals through partnership with global players in mobile application development.

    She said: “We are expecting the newly commissioned centre to bring out the creativity of our youths. We are also going to connect the school with globally acclaimed tech firms, which have links and capacity, such as Google to look at what we are doing here.”

    Speaking on what necessitated the centre, the rector, Dr Isaiah Oyeyinka, said the aim was to train undergraduates, who will be independent, imbibe entrepreneurial spirit and become self-reliant.

    He said: “Not only that we will train people on apps development, we will also do technology incubation and nourish tech companies to grow before we release them to the society. We took the cue from places like America where they incubate their technology and that is why there are great things coming forward from such a place.”

    Dr Oyeyinka said the polytechnic remained committed to providing quality teaching in engineering, science and technology, and ICT within the mandate of the national policy on education and subject to regulations of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

     

  • YABATECH students march against drugs, rape

    To curb drug abuse and rape on their campus, students of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) with support  from their Rector, Mr Femi Omokungbe, and notable alumni of the institution have organised a 5,000-man walk and concert tagged: “The walk against drug abuse and rape in YABATECH”.

    During the walk organised by Elbrarach Worship Team, a Christian group on campus, participants moved round the campus bearing placards with messages like: “Codeine is not for refreshment”, “Mini skirt is not consent; no is no”, “Drug abuse can affect your mental health”.

    The concert, themed: “An evening with the King”, which held at the packed YABATECH Sport Complex, featured popular songstress, Shola Allyson Obaniyi as one of the artistes.

    Addressing the students, the Rector, who was represented by Dean Student’s Affair, Mrs Olape Shobande, urged them to say no to drug abuse and rape, and extricate themselves from codeine and tramadol use.

    She praised the students, organisers, YABATECH Magazine, YCTCU and Elbrarach for bringing out such meritorious initiative aimed at making the school more learning- condusive and student-friendly.

    Popular fashion designer and alumna, Ejiro Amos Tafiri, who was also at the event, showed utmost approval for what the students did.

    She said: “Rape in our society has been on the high side.  It is high time we speak out.”

    The Editor in Chief of YABATECH Magazine, Ohore Emmanuel, spoke about the concert being the first of its kind in the history of YABATECH.

    He said: “Never in the history of YABATECH has a programme of such magnitude happened. The substances, though a gradual process, have been killing our youths and it is high time we talked about it. It is a good thing that the students have realised the problem and decided to tackle it as that has shown good patriotism in them.”

    YABATECH Alumni Association President, Pastor Olufemi Martins, a popular comedian, Owen G and patron of the YABATECH Magazine, Dr Olurotimi Ajibola, were present at the event.

  • UNN has achieved its goals under my watch, says VC

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof Benjamin Ozumba, has said the university, under his watch, achieved some of the objectives for which it was established by its founding fathers.

    One of those objectives, Ozumba said, was to become a globally recognised tertiary institution where liberal education would be offered to restore man’s dignity. He said the school had achieved this goal.

    The VC spoke at the just-concluded 58th Founders’ Day where a special convocation was held to confer honorary doctoral degree on Mr Austin Avuru, an alumnus of the university from the Department of Geology. He was conferred with the honorary degree in Business Administration after bringing Platform Petroleum to donate a building to the department in his honour.

    According to a statement by the school’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr Okwun Omeaku, the complex, which is named after Austin Avuru, is valued at over N1 billion.

    Ozumba said the special convocation was organised for the conferment of the award on Avuru, who was shortlisted for the award in 2014 by the school Senate.

    “Avuru accepted the degree after he had completed a signature project in the university,” Ozumba said, pointing out that the school only conferred its honorary degrees on people of integrity, who have distinguished themselves in services to humanity, and not those who lobby to acquire the degree with money.

    Ozumba said his administration had created an atmosphere of peace in the university by restoring the confidence of the alumni, who, he said, showed willingness to enhance the image of the university.

    The VC, who used the occasion to give account of his administration, said the school vigorously pursued linkage programmes and collaborations with renowned universities in the world.

    The result, according to the VC, led to an enhanced global perception of the university, including the improved Webometric rankings and the latest recognition by the Times Higher Education global ranking of universities.

    Ozumba, who recently played host to a team of academics from Michigan State University, who were in the school to revive an age-long relationship with the UNN, said his leadership had made the university a toast for international collaborators.

    He said: “I recall we made it clear that our overall agenda was to provide the University of Nigeria the leadership needed to become an academic giant and a pacesetter in quality scientific research. The level of UNN innovative teaching and the robustness of its community service among communities in the developing countries.”

    Ozumba reiterated his promise of improved welfare made to members of staff and students of the university at the inception of his administration in 2014.

    He attributed the progress the university has made under him to hard work, commitment and the culture of excellence which, he said, his administration injected in all spheres of the university’s system.

    In his response after being conferred with the degree, Avuru said he was humbled by the honour from his alma mater, stating that what he benefited from the university could not be quantified.

    Avuru announced N10 million travel grant for workers of the Faculty of Physical Sciences of the university, adding that the money will be used to sponsor anyone who wishes to attend conferences abroad from the Department of Geology and other departments in the Faculty of Physical Sciences.

  • Professionals to medical students: be job creators

    It was boldly written on participants’ faces at the second annual youth Leadership Workshop of the Guild of Muslim Professionals (GMP) that they were fulfilled with the programme.

    The students from various medical higher institutions within and outside Lagos converged on the Chattered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Alausa, Ikeja in their hundreds on Sunday, October 13, to be tutored on career development, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

    The GMP’s workshop, organised by its Medical Group, saw students being trained on how to develop leadership and entrepreneurship skills and how to run a viable hospital/diagnostic business, among others.

    During the workshop, the speakers shared practical experiences with the participants and encouraged them to be innovative and creative.

    Commended by participants for its “high standard”, the workshop also featured an interactive session with experienced experts as its discussants.

    The experts include Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta Medical Director, Prof. Abdusemiu Musa; FIRMCARE Diagnostic and Medical Services, Medical Director, Dr Abdulgafar Jawando; a wellness expert and motivational coach, Mr Sesan Kareem; Citiserve Managing Director, Dr Jubril Salaudeen; Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Dr Ibrahim Oreagba; Lefas Pharmaceuticals Managing Director  and Muslim Pharmacists Association of Nigeria (MPAN), Lagos State Chairman, Mr Lekan Asuni and a Consultant Paediatrician at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr Mohammed Salisu, among others.

    In his opening remark, GMP’s Board of Trustee Chairman, Mr Akeem Oyewale, said one of the goals of the professional body is to encourage the youth to go into entrepreneurship.

    Oyewale, Stanbic IBTC Nominees Chief Executive Officer, told the students that it’s not compulsory to be an employee as a health professional.

    According to him, the workshop is one of GMP’s programmes to equip medical students with the knowledge they need to become entrepreneurs.

    “We believe that by giving them this skill, they will have major impact on the larger society in the nearest future. We need to encourage them that it is not compulsory they  work for someone. You can create a mechanism where you can hire people and build businesses that relate to the medical profession,” he said.

    Oreagba, a member of the organising committee, said the workshop was to bring out the innate ability in the participants.

    ”We believe that youths are key to a better future. The youths need to be empowered. A lot of work needs to be done on our youths. They go around looking for job when they can create one. This programme is aimed at empowering them. It is a programme to bring out the innate ability in youths and realise that they have many things to do for themselves.

    ”Entrepreneurship is very key. There is a very little effort in medical and pharmacy profession. It is just coming up. This will serve as a booster for them. This will serve as a practical experience for them.”

    Prof. Abdusamiu, who chaired the occasion, urged participants to disabuse their minds from the insinuation that medicine favours a particular gender.

    The FMC Abeokuta boss hailed the organisers for their foresight. “Our younger ones need a lot of counselling and guidance. The workshop is very good; its organisation is excellent. I will encourage and recommend it to anyone that is willing to do so.

    ”With what we have said today, I know the participants are guided and we will definitely have an impact in their lives. Medicine does not favour any gender more than the other. You just have to prove your worth. It depends on your dedication to duty,” he said.

    Dr Salaudeen identified the need to continuously train youths to ensure that they prioritise job creation.

    He urged the participants to seek mentorship from experienced people, stressing the need for the inclusion of entrepreneurial skills development in academic institutions curriculum.

    He said: “This is just the beginning, and I think we should have more engagements. This is an opportunity to engage doctors that are being trained at Nigeria universities and positioning them for a career in private practice; and something that gives them an edge, make them employers of labour by putting up a structure that is more sustainable.

    ”Though doctors are trained to be caregivers, there is a need for us to inculcate entrepreneurial training. Government hospitals cannot employ all the doctors that have been trained. So, there is a need for them to create an opportunity for them to be able to practice, earn income and contribute to the community.”

    Kareem blamed the failure of many businesses on over assumption and poor preparation, adding that before starting any business, one must have the right strategies to apply. Studies, he said, have shown that seven out of 10 businesses fail in five years. He noted that failure in business is based on lack of proper understanding.

    ”Many people believe that immediately you start a business, you are going to succeed. No one has ever done that. The greatest companies in the world experienced failure.

    ”As an entrepreneur, you must understand that it is a long term journey. In the beginning, you are going to make some assumptions; the market will tell you the reality. In the beginning you are going to make some mistakes, learn a lot of things in the hard way, but those are your building blocks to actually achieve your goals. Market your ideas, product and services in a very consistent manner,” he said.

    Dr Jawando emphasised the importance of ensuring that every doctor has an entrepreneurial skill. ”Entrepreneurship should be included in schools curriculum. It is included in that of the school that I attended, but it is very theoretical. I have to come back to ensure its practicality,” he said.

    The Legit-Way-Out founder Mrs Kifayah Adeniyi-Omotosho (a.k.a Mompreneur) told the students not to be scared to start their own businesses. The Niqab (veil)-wearing woman said many noticed her outstanding performance despite putting on a veil.

    She urged the participants to be bold enough to start a business regardless of their challenges.

    ”The truth is that before I started my own business, I used to think that all businesses are gone. All the geniuses have taken over all the business ideas. It just came up to me one day that I was in a fix, I was really disturbed. I used to call that time my rock-bottom time. After seven days of depression, no help, no food. It later occurred to me that I need to teach people how not to fail the way I failed,” she said.

    After the panel session, the participants were divided into four groups and told to come up with business ideas. They were later presented with certificate of attendance.

  • OAU: Students call for improved transport service

    Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife have called on the management of the institution to resolve the transportation crisis on the campus.

    They made the call in separate interviews over the lack of enough buses for transportation within the campus.

    A student, Tolu Adams said ” the transportation crisis has not yet been resolved despite the promises made by the school management. The management shouldn’t make vain promises when they know they can’t achieve anything as regards the issue.

    ” I miss some of my lectures sometimes when there are not enough buses that can convey me from campus. I had to miss a test last semester due to this same transport issue” he said.

    Timothy Adedeji who spoke with our correspondent expressed displeasure on the transportation crisis which has been a major issue in the campus.

    “The school management should be able to put everything in place when they know their plans. The school has no plans for over 80% of students who stay in town. I almost missed my exam last semester because of this same issue and the management hasn’t done anything yet to curb this”

    “Is it because there is no student union on campus that is why the management is doing all this? The management should be after the welfare of the students and not to make the students suffer” he added

    Kemi Adagunodo pleaded with the management to take a drastic step as regards this transport issue.

    ” If the school management can’t do anything to this issue then more hostels should be built on campus, so students can have access to stay on campus”

    “They should be able to look into this before the new intakes come in before everything gets out of hand ‘ she advised.

  • UNILORIN Students Council holds Parliamentary Summit

    The Students Union Senate Council of the University of Ilorin will hold a “Students Parliamentary Summit” from November 1- November 3, 2018.

    The Summit will feature orientation for 2018/2019 Senate Council of the student Union on the day one, Inter University debate on day two and legislative summit on the third day.

    The orientation program is aimed at inducting new senators into 21st century legislation, while the inter university debate is an avenue to allow legislators across universities in Nigeria and invited west African universities to debate on contemporary issues where winners shall emerge.

    The theme of the legislative summit is 21st Century Legislation; The Role Of Young Parliamentarians in Effective Governance.

    A digitalized compendium will be launched on the day of the summit.

    President of the Student Union Senate council, Senator Jesunifemi Akano Joseph urged students of the institution to attend the occasion and be assured that they will leave with additional knowledge.

  • Industrial Court reinstates sacked UNIBEN staff

    The National Industrial Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital has ordered the authority of University of Benin (UNIBEN) to reinstate its Deputy Director of ICT Department for unlawful dismissal from the university’s service in 2013.

    The University’s director, Kehinde Samuel, a claimant, approached the court on October 9, 2013 over his wrongful dismissal by the Governing Council of the university on July 18, 2013 without any substantive offence committed.

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    Justice Oyebiola Oyewumi in her ruling said the dismissal of the claimant from his employment was unlawful and of no effect.

    Oyewumi said the purported dismissal was contrary to the rules of Natural Justice and the Laws and Regulations regarding the nature, tenure and discipline of senior staff of the university.

    She explained further that the employment of the claimant with the defendant was still subsisting notwithstanding the said dismissal.

    According to her, “It is obvious that the claimant’s claims succeed in the most part and for the avoidance of doubt, I declare and order that the dismissal of the claimant by the defendant by a letter dated July 18, 2013 is unlawful and hereby declared null and void.

    “The letter is hereby set aside and that the defendant is ordered to reinstate the claimant back to his employment.

    “And that the claimant is to be paid all his salaries and allowances from July 18, 2013 till he is reinstated.

    “That the claimant should be reinstated and his salary and allowances paid within 30 days of this judgement failing which it is to attract 10 per cent interest per annum,”

    Earlier, the claimant’s counsels, Clement Dike with Mrs Laurent Ezezobor had prayed the court to order the university to reinstate their client and pay all his salaries and allowances.

    They sought the order of the court for the defendant to pay N52.5 million as exemplary damages for the ‘oppressive’ dismissal of their client which occasioned him and his family hardship and emotional torture.

    The defendant’ counsel, Benjamen Ojumah, told the court that the claimant, through his expertise in ICT, engaged in sharp practices.

  • Ekiti students union greets Fayemi, makes demands

    The Leadership of the Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union has congratulated the governor of Ekiti State, Dr Fayemi Kayode on his swearing-in.

    The Governor was congratulated in a letter signed by its National President, Akomolafe Hide Petkoff aka Aare of Peace alongside other executives.

    “The National leadership of the above named Union wish to expressively register our warm congratulations on the inauguration ceremony of His Excellency, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi given the victory recorded at Ekiti 2018 gubernatorial poll held on July 23rd, 2018.

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    “ It’s is our utmost belief that our dear state shall witness advanced developments during your governance.

    “Also, we are not oblivious of the ardent zeal of His Excellency; Dr. John Kayode Fayemi towards students’ constituency.  We believe the incoming Governor of our state will continue to extend his hand of an all-inclusive government towards the entire Ekiti students’ populace.”

    To protect the academic and general welfare of all students of the state of the state, both home and abroad, the federation demanded for free education for primary and secondary students, review of fees payment in the state owned institutions and prompt disbursement of bursary and scholarships.

  • ‘Regulating social media will amount to tyranny’

    CEO of Amen Estate Babatunde Gbadamosi has said that the regulation of the media will amount to muzzling freedom of expression.

    He stated this at the Ngozi Agbo lecture organised by the Press Club of the University of Lagos on October 11, 2018.

    Gbadamosi said there is no need to regulate the information exchanged on the online platform since the opinions expressed in meeting places like the vendor stands, eateries and others cannot be regulated.

    “Even if we go ahead to regulate the information exchanged on the online platform , are we still going to regulate the information and opinions exchanged and expressed at the vendor stand, eateries and other places?”

    He also urged the government to leave the regulation of the online platform and meet the infrastructural needs of the technological sector which he said will increase employment.

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    “Leave the regulation of the social media and provide strong networks and other necessary infrastructure to meet the unending employment needs, provision of shelter and meet the basic needs of man”

    He added that journalists have failed in delivering top notch investigative reports by not investigating the past of politicians which are most times ugly.

    On the problem with the country, he said “the issue with Nigeria is that Nigerians are too superficial, they like things that are shining.“