Category: Campus Life

Visioner and Coordinator of Noble Women Help Centre (NWHC), a non governmental organisation in Ibadan, Oyo State, Mrs Dolapo Oludakpo has reiterated the NGO’s commitment to students, women and children.

 The graduate of Dublin Business School noted that she is passionate  about supporting others, empowering and encouraging women and children to be a better version of themselves.She said the centre donated 1,200 books to students,  paid school and examination fees of indigent ones,gave uniforms and sanitary pads to special needs children during school visitations.

 “In 2022, over 100 less privileged families were fed during Christmas. This year,  hospital bills of over five pregnant women were paid, and school meal was provided for a motherless child whose father absconded, street outreach were done where  we fed two hundred of people on the street. We also distributed baby essentials to new moms and babies during hospital visitations. 

“We also helped register a boy with cerebral palsy for physiotherapy sessions, we also organised educative sessions for teenage girls(students)  on body hygiene. We donated food, sanitary pad, exercise books to orphanage homes. Overall, we have reached out to over 800 children and women.”

 “At the Centre, we support the less privileged children, orphans, widow, single mothers in the society to have and live a better life.

Specifically, we focus on provision of financial assistance, monthly foodstuff provision for widows,  students, less privileged children and single mothers and provision of school lunch. We also provide support in training women who wish to start their own business and how they can effectively manage it,” she said.

On  her background,she said:”I was born in Ibadan; Oyo State and I grew up in London. I studied Healthcare Support, this allowed me to work with special needs families. I graduated from  Dublin Business School where I studied Big Data for Business. I have supported homeless people in Ireland by sharing the necessity they need. I am passionate about supporting others, empowering and encouraging women and children to be a better version of themselves.”

 On what inspired the centre, Oludakpo said: “By the special grace of God, I am privileged to be an instrument in God’s hand to pray with people most especially women and children. The name of the prayer group is Noble Women and when I got the leading from God to launch an NGO, I wanted the name to portray the vision God gave me and that’s how Noble Women Help Centre was formed. The meaning of the name Noble Women Help Centre, is a woman who builds (Proverbs 31, story of a wise woman who builds her house),  Help Centre (there’s no one who runs to God that does not receive help); a place where those that need help can run to and receive help. 

“As a little girl, I met some brilliant children, but they were limited because their parents could not afford to pay their school fees. A lot of women have lost their lives or their babies during pregnancy and childbirth. I remember the promise I made with God as a child, that I would love to establish a centre that will cater to women and children. I am grateful to God today because he made the vision come to reality.”

 She said the centre is determined to  build a training centre to educate students and teenagers and  reach out to 5000 children and pregnant women by the end of this year, adding that  by 2028 it would  have provided shelter for homeless children, and  testing centre for pregnant women.

 On upcoming programmes of the centre, she said:”This year we are organising end of the  year Christmas party for children on December 19 and next year February we have an event to educate parents who have special needs children. We will also be conducting free health checks and training to empower women and teenage  females students  who want to further their education or start a business.”

• By Emmanuel Ochayi

Adams College, Lagos has honoured top scorers at this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). No fewer than 100 students of the college scored over 300.

At the school’s yearly award and launch of an educational foundation entitled “Adams Adebola Educational Foundation”, the Proprietor, Mr. Adams Adebola, said he was impressed by the students’ performance.

He said: “I am very happy that we are celebrating achievers.They spent time studying and scored above 300 in UTME, so we are celebrating all of them.

“I feel so excited. They are everywhere dominating and doing extremely well in many universities in Nigeria, now you will see our students in various departments who are doing well, and being celebrated daily.”

Read Also: Soludo awards best UTME scorer scholarship

  On the newly-launched foundation, Adebola said it had been established before, but was not fully registered. According to him, the  foundation’s main goal is to address out-of-school youths by providing educational resources, encouraging their return to school, offering mentoring programmes for students, collaborating with non-governmental organisations to empower students domestically and globally.

Adebola called on the government to support and recognise talented youths who pursue education diligently, not those who gained fame through fraud.

A student from Anambra State, Amadi Chidera Stanislaus, this year’s top scorer in  UTME at the college, had 345. He hailed authorities at the institution for their impact.

 “I am so happy that this college exists and they are strictly against examination malpractice. This ceremony where they award top scorers is very good  because it brings out people that are academically inclined to put in more effort,” he said.

 Another student, Onitiju Taofeek Iyanda, who had the second-highest score, 341 praised the college for the achievement. He acknowledged the positive impact of the college on his moral, psychological, and academic growth. He described his academic performance as mediocre before enrolling at the college.

Founder and President of Accra Institute of Technology (AIT), Ghana, Prof. Clement Dzidonu, has described Nigerian students as ‘enterprising’ people who strive to establish companies and create jobs after graduating from the institute.

Dzidonu spoke last week at a briefing in Lagos.

“Nigerian students are always more enterprising than Ghanaian students. While still in school, they are already thinking of how to set up their own companies that will ultimately employ people. But that is not the case with most students from Ghana, whose mindset is to get employed,” he said.

 The don said the independent technology-focused institution is affiliated with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Open University of Malaysia, allowing it to offer expansive, flexible and quality academic programmes at highly affordable rates.

 He described AIT, which was founded in 2009, as a unique institution modelled on a top technology institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT),United States.

Dzidonu noted that the school operates a campus-based system where students come for face to face lectures and an open system where workers have opportunity to study and work without coming to campus.

He noted that Nigerian students are admitted through the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or National Examinations Council (NECO) exams, adding that there was a need to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

 He said its campus-based programmes included  Business Administration, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Electronics, and Computer Science, among others.

 “We introduced the open university system to improve access to education, especially in Ghana, because less than 20 per cent of people who qualify get admission in Ghanaian public universities,” he said.

 On how the institute operates,he said: “”For our open university and campus-based programmes, no students buy textbooks, everything is online and they can write exams from home. Lecture notes and materials are free of charge.

During COVID-19, we were the only university that ran smoothly in Ghana and we got an award for it.Our programmes  are highly affordable. And we have highly qualified facilitators spread around the world. For five consecutive years, we won best technology institute in Ghana, and  for three consecutive years best private university in Ghana.

 “We also have PhD programmes in Education, Information Technology and Business Administration.We graduated the largest PhD students in Ghana,even more than public universities. At present, we have over 200 PhD students,the highest in  Ghana for any university,public or private.

 “Master’s  programmes are also available. We accept HND holders with three years working experience for  Master’s programmes. For instance, Engineers with HND who have three years experience can continue to work in Nigeria and study for Master’s through our open university. We are also  partnering with UK universities to boost our operations.”

 The don said the school offers multiple degree opportunities in which students can do a campus-based programme in Engineering and also do an open university programme in another course, without paying for two degrees.

 Dzidonu noted that it has the support and endorsement of the Nigeria High Commission in Ghana.He said the school’s international student support unit provides resident permit for students,protects their interest and finds job attachment and opportunities for them, picks them  from the airport and finds them accommodation.

World Youth Skills Day, celebrated on July 15 yearly, serves as a poignant reminder of the crucial role education plays in shaping the future of  youths. As we reflect on this important day, we not only focus on the present challenges but also appreciate the historical significance that led to its establishment.

The origins of World Youth Skills Day can be traced back to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2014. Within this framework, Goal Four emphasises inclusive and quality education for all, while Target 4.4 specifically highlights the need to enhance youth skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship.

In response to this global call, the UN designated July 15  to raise awareness and foster action towards achieving these goals.

Since its inception, it has served as a platform to address the challenges faced by youths in acquiring and developing skills necessary for their future success. Each year, a specific theme guides the celebrations, shedding light on critical aspects of youth empowerment. This year, the theme: “Skilling teachers, trainers, and youths for a transformative future”, emphasises  the importance of investing in teachers, trainers, and young individuals for a prosperous and inclusive society.

The historical significance of this day goes beyond mere acknowledgment. It symbolises a collective commitment by governments, political leaders, parents, and educators to actively participate in equipping our youth with the skills they need to thrive. Governments worldwide have recognised the imperative to invest in comprehensive teacher training programmes to ensure educators possess the necessary knowledge and tools to guide students effectively. Also, collaborations between public and private sectors have enabled the creation of vocational training programmes that align with the evolving demands of the job market.

The Day also highlights the indispensable role of parents in supporting their children’s educational journeys. By fostering open communication and advocating for a holistic approach to education, parents play a crucial part in empowering their children to embrace lifelong learning and skills development.

Together, let us strive towards a future where every young person is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and resilience needed to navigate the complexities of an ever-changing world.

• Adebiyi wrote in from Lagos.

• By Emmanuel Ochayi

Students and lecturers at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) are participating in an ongoing five-day training on financial literacy and leadership skills, organised by Professors Without Borders (PROWIBO).

The training, which started on Monday, would end on Friday. It  will run for three hours daily at the Faculty of Law.

PROWIBO, a non-profit organisation established in 2016, is tackling the global education gap. Its mission is to provide supplementary education to marginalised communities worldwide.

The group is committed to making quality education accessible to all.

Leader of the team and Chief Programme Officer Rachel Warnick noted  that PROWIBO was founded to bring these exceptional, skill focused opportunities to students in their home environments and help bridge the gap between education and workforce.

“One of our co-founders, Dr. Caroline Varin, was invited to teach some students of the London Summer School of Economics, and she saw vividly how such a programme can have an impact on the students even though they were very short. Young people who come from families who have no money to pay for school fees or money to send them overseas can secure visas for the U.K. or the U.S.,” he said.

Warnick reiterated the belief that quality education should not be a luxury reserved only for the privileged elite. “We believe that quality education should not be a luxury,” she added.

She said to achieve their goals, they collaborate with partners and focus on locations where they are invited. She added that the partnership with UNILAG is facilitated by PROWIBO  Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Titus Ayodele.

She noted the importance of entrepreneurship and how it could be applied.

“UNILAG has been very focused on entrepreneurship which is a key need identified for young Nigerians. In fact across Africa, we all know about increasing youth population and decreasing employment availability,” she added.

Entrepreneurship is one big solution. The principle of entrepreneurship can be applied even when you are working with someone else’s business,” she said.

On Financial Literacy and Leadership training,  Warnick added that at the end of the training, they  should be able to reignite students’ love for learning and encourage critical thinking so that they can apply  knowledge acquired  to real-life problem-solving scenarios.

Members of PROWIBO later paid a courtesy visit to the office of the  Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola  where they were received by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development Services, Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa alongside some principal officers of the university.

Atsenuwa emphasised the university’s commitment to harnessing and capitalising on the possibilities presented by scholarly involvement.

She  said the university was not merely setting higher standards in research and education, but  also dedicated to fostering student engagement.According to her the goal is to cultivate young individuals who are prepared for the future, equipped with valuable human capital skills and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

By Victor Billy

Oxford International Education Group (OIEG) has honoured Avail International Consult Limited (AICL) for placing deserving students in higher institutions in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

The firm secures and processes admission for indigenous students to study abroad.

After receiving the ‘Best Performing Agent’ in Nigeria, AICL Chief Executive Officer Mrs. Bola Agunbiade, said  through shared vision, passion, and hard work, organisations could create a supportive and inspiring environment that would enable individuals to thrive and achieve excellent results.

She said the provision of opportunities and resources played a role in honing the students’ skills, expanding their knowledge and helping them to realise their potential.

She expressed gratitude for the recognition and rewards that accompanied the firm’s achievements, noting that the acknowledgement and celebration of her company’s performance had not only boosted its morale but also motivated it to set new standards of excellence.

“Your commitment to recognising and appreciating exceptional performance is a testament to your dedication to fostering a culture of success,” she said.

Mrs. Agunbiade said the award would serve as a motivation to continue striving for excellence.

She said her company as a study- abroad organisation focused on securing and processing admission for students to study abroad.

According to her, the firm helps students to gain admission and obtain visas to study abroad, in addition to assisting them to register for examinations like IELTS, TOEFL, and GMAT.

• By Sunday Aderinoye, AU

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved new programmes at Master’s and Doctorate levels for Augustine University, Ilara- Epe, Lagos.

The programmes are Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.), Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) in Computer Engineering, postgraduate diploma, Master’s and doctorate programmes in Computer Science.

According to the NUC’s letter of approval sent to the insitution, the programmes would start in the 2023/2024 academic session.

Vice Chancellor, Prof. Christopher Odetunde, noted that this new feat underscored the university’s dedication to providing comprehensive and multifaceted education, adding that the approval is an opportunity for the university to increase its student population.

According to Odetunde, the additions to the university’s academic programmes would pave the way for its  students to contribute meaningfully to society and the global workforce.

With an  advanced technological infrastructure, the institution has been fully licensed to operate as a private university by NUC since 2015.

Other programmes already accredited include:Accounting,Banking &Finance, Business Administration,Economics,English Language, Mass Communication, Philosophy, Political Science, Biology, Biotechnology, Fisheries&Aquaculture, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Computer Science,Cyber Security,Information Technology Mathematics,Software Engineering and Physics.

• By Daniel Adeleye

Al-Hikmat College, Lagos State has honoured Aminat Yusuf who graduated with First Class at the Lagos State University (LASU) with a 5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), and four other alumni of the college who also graduated with flying colours in various departments at LASU.

At the event on Friday, the proprietress of the school, Mrs. Aminat Abdulkareem expressed delight at the outstanding performance of the students, describing them as worthy ambassadors of the college.

Abdulkareem ,who premised the  feat achieved by the students on academics, moral and religious discipline instilled in them during their stay in the college, reiterated the school’s commitment to academic excellence.

The seasoned educationist who identified poor parenting as a critical factor responsible for deteriorating standard of education, urged  stakeholders to team up with the government and bring back morals.

“We’ve been having students coming out with first class in  universities but Yusuf Aminat’s case is extraordinary because it’s not easy to get accurate 5.0 CGPA in the university. So, I am really happy that we have someone like her,” she said.

Principal of the college, Alhaji Bishi Ayodeji advised the students not to settle for their laurels, saying more laurels would come their ways if they allowed themselves to be guided by the injunction of God on hard work.

“Don’t feel fulfilled yet, put more efforts for God is looking at what you are doing. Work hard and pray hard and the sky will not be your limit,” he said.

One of the students, Bello Bilqees Omotolani, who emerged LASU pioneer best graduating student of Pharmacology 2021/2022, thanked the staff and management of the college for laying a solid foundation for her.

She urged junior students in the college to work hard in their studies.

AbdulRasheed Bilal Adekunle, a Biochemistry graduate of LASU also thanked the school for attending the convocation recently.

Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) is prepared to incorporateclimate-friendly initiatives into its activities, its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, has said.

She said re-introducing nature and ecosystems on campus would benefit the university community, residents of Lagos and the public.

Lafiaji-Okuneye spoke last week at the Annual Tree Planting Ceremony on the main campus in Oto/Ijanikin.

The event was organised, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government.

The VC, who was represented by the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Dr. Morufu Adedayo Daodu, said the warnings from the environment underscored the enormity of the environmental hazard confronting the human race.

“Current weather extremes already affect millions of people thus putting food and water security at risk, and threatening agricultural supply chains and many coastal cities. Also, climate change is deeply intertwined with global patterns of inequality,” she said.

The don said as the impacts of climate change mount, millions of vulnerable people faced disproportionate challenges in terms of extreme events, health effects, food, water, and livelihood, migration and forced displacement, loss of cultural identity, and other related risks.

She said planting and preserving trees were assured ways to stimulate the production of enough oxygen to fortify that of the ozone layer  to properly shield the earth planet from the sun’s ultra-violet rays.

She thanked theNigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) for donating 400 tree seedlings to the university and the Lagos State Government for the yearly tree planting initiative.

NCF representative Ms. Salawu Folake enjoined attendees to embrace the planting of seedlings as well create awareness on the essence of  planting trees, adding that it would enable healthy and conducive environment.

Before the commencement of  planting of tree seedlings,  Daodu charged staff and students of the Department of Agricultural Education to be the custodians of the trees to ensure nature is well preserved.

Awori indigenes of Iba community have said claims by Ojo community to be owners of the land on which Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo campus is sited were false.

Speaking on behalf of indigenes, Bale of Sabo Oniba Taofeek Oseni, described a statement by Ojo Kingdom laying claim to the land as a rude shock to them. He wondered how they could claim what doesn’t belong to them.

Oseni said the Iba community doesn’t want crisis on the issue, adding that the government had acquired the land and both kingdoms were benefiting from the institution.

He said: “We, the Iba people, are a peace-loving kingdom. We don’t want crisis in both kingdoms, government had acquired the land in question and both kingdoms are benefiting from the school sited on the land.

“Even if the government wants to pay compensation today, to the real land owner, they know where to go. They have their intelligence report and also a survey since colonial era up to the Independence period.

“If the government doesn’t want to be biased with the issue, they know better than Ojo and Iba kingdoms on the ownership of the land. We are not ready to fight anybody, but if they are ready, we are going to confront them.

“We want to correct the insinuation made by our brothers from Ojo Kingdom that the entire land that houses LASU is on Oniba land under Oniba Kingdom. Even the entire land of Ojo itself, from time immemorial, is on Iba land but was later ceded to them for peace to reign between the two kingdoms.

“After the cases that came up, there was settlement between parties and the current boundary, which everybody knows and we are aware of Iragbogun, which passes through the bridge at Alaba International Market that demarcated Ojo from Sabo Oniba and came through to where we now know as Franklass, went through the gate of LASU, came through to some parts of Iyana Iba.

“We have our facts if the Ojo Kingdom doesn’t have theirs. If you go to where I’m talking about, you will see  these descriptions and that is our  bargain between Iba and Ojo. LASU, as we all know, is land that was acquired and before LASU was sited at where we known today, it was formerly a Federal Government College, which has been taken to where we know as Agric in Ojo.

“The transfer of that college was necessary when the Lagos State government came with the idea of having that place to be used for the Lagos State University. As you can see, what was being moved from the land, which was on the land, is a Federal Government College.

‘It means the Federal Government acquired the land initially and the acquired land is part of the army cantonment acquired from Iba Kingdom, of which part is being used for the Federal Government College. It was later transferred to Ojo Kingdom to be used for the Lagos State University and everybody knows it.”