The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Cracking the code of change

    Studying change and leadership is one of my passions. I’ve dedicated quality time over the years in studying how societies change and the effect leadership plays in influencing change. From Singapore to China, from Ghana to India and elsewhere I’ve read about how hitherto hopeless situations are turned around, some almost in the realm of miracle. In all these transformations, the Bible singled out the “renewing of your minds” as a key factor because it is in the mind that ideas are toyed with and formed, and it is better done when one is young and open to receiving positive ideas.

    I participated in two conferences last week – the annual SWAT leadership academy and the 13th edition of our Coca-Cola/NBC sponsored Campuslife Correspondents’ capacity building workshop – which gave me hope that all is not lost after all regarding our dear country Nigeria despite the almost endless bombardment of negative news we hear and read about daily.

    At the Strategic learning, Work ethics, Attitude, Technology (SWAT) Leadership Academy where I co-presented a paper on reading and writing with my partner Desmond Ekeh, I met a group of dedicated and passionate undergraduates and graduates from 40 higher institutions in Nigeria and other African countries cutting across various disciplines engaged in activities that will definitely secure their future in an era where role models are becoming a rarity.

    Led by Evangelist Emmanuel Emeh, a minister in the International Church of Christ (ICOC), the SWAT Leadership Academy is a not-for-profit, faith based leadership and citizenship training initiative for University and other College students, operating from Nigeria with a widespread international chain of affiliates. Its core strategy and approach rests on the quadrant of SWAT and is tailored after the hardcore discipline of the elite special operations tactical unit found in some national law enforcement agencies.

    Since its debut in 2009, the annual International Campus Leadership Conference (ICLC) is held annually. This has since grown to becoming a significant rallying point for many University and other college students, not just in Nigeria and West Africa, but has also attracted participants from other African countries and vacationers from Europe and the United States of America.

    This five-day grooming event has consistently provided an incredible opportunity for cross culture interaction, academic enlightenment, skills empowerment and Leadership transformation amongst others.

    What I found interesting about the leadership academy is the core focus of impartation of leadership values and provision of relevant mentorship and tools needed to build a generation of young men and women who will in turn impact their immediate community and country at large. This starts from a monthly leadership focused seminars from the beginning of each year. Fallout of these seminars is the call to action for each participant to engage in individual or group social and community service. An exclusive time out with a renowned personality always follows such interaction.

    These are geared toward building generations of dynamic and hardworking men and women with character, honour and self-discipline. I met and interacted with almost 200 students and the passion they exude for what they do is almost infectious.

    Even though participants from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cote d’ Ivoire and Ghana were prevented from coming for the conference by their governments due to the Ebola health crisis, I still found some students from Cote d’ Ivoire who came despite threats that they won’t be allowed back home once their passports are stamped that they visited Nigeria! That should serve as lessons in determination and that the conference has things to offer that the eyes cannot see.

    A very zealous Emmanuel Emeh told me all registrations are done online. “If you respond by filling our online form, we evaluate your health data and when we recognize that you are ready to be impacted with what we are offering, you are in. So many participants here are known to the organisers only when they arrive here,” he said.

    Regardless of the financial challenge of providing accommodation and feeding for hundreds of students for five days, this minister of the gospel in all sense of the word said support comes mainly in kind from some corporate organisations and brands. “The International Church of Christ is our biggest donour. A lot of brands have been supporting as well, but majorly in kind. Globacom gave us lots of materials, some FMCGs and banks have also provided things intermittently.

    “We are not really there yet in terms of financial support but we are really encouraged by the appreciation shown by those who supported us this year.  Two of our supporters visited twice. They came late evening, unannounced and they were quite impressed with what they saw. They promptly made the commitment to support in cash and kind next year. We are really hopeful that next year, we will achieve much more in the area of sponsorship.”

    After spending time with Emeh and the students, I left with the conviction that the country’s future is bright. I saw some students who started when they were in medical school but are now qualified doctors offering services free of charge to their colleagues at the camp. The same goes for other professionals as well. The artists among them ensured that they did not leave the venue – Eko tourist resort – the way they met it.

    Our campus correspondents from the capacity building workshop also had a nice time as they were taken through two lectures under the theme ‘Towards a sustainable environment.’ Mrs. Iwalola Akin-Jimoh, executive director of Ovie Brume Foundation and Seun Akioye of The Nation presented papers in line with the theme. For the first time, we had a panel session where alumni of campuslife recounted how the platform prepared them for the future.

    One of them, Jumoke Awe, who was quite emotional revealed how the late editor and initiator of The Nation’s campuslife, Mrs. Ngozi Agbo gave her “wings to fly.” Today Jumoke runs a consultancy employing seven workers. “Campuslife and aunty Ngozi prepared me to take my destiny in my hands by thinking how to create jobs and not to depend on the government. Today, I’m a brand strategist and run my own firm”

    Femi Asu, who is now a reporter with Business Day newspaper and Francis Egwuatu of the Federal University of Technology Owerri – who won the Mr. Universe Nigeria 2014 competition – were also filled with praise for what the platform taught them and the opportunities it opened. They all commended the sponsors for their support. The campuslifers, as they fondly call themselves, ended the day by interacting with the students at the SWAT academy synergizing what they learnt at both conferences.

    As we took our students back to their hotel it wasn’t lost on me that there is a massive global search for a new breed of leaders who have what it takes to lead and do things differently politically, socially, economically and spiritually, this is even more pronounced in Nigeria and Africa.

    Nations and organisations are constantly looking out for competent leaders who will lead them to the realization of their corporate goals and destinies. The failure of the previous generations of leaders has now turned the spotlight on the emerging generation of leaders which is what these two conferences set out to achieve. But the question however is; are they prepared to lead where others have failed?” From what I observed, they are prepared.

    As a parting shot, I identified five key points they should keep close to their chest as they face the leadership challenge of the future. These are: vision, courage, integrity, servant leadership and demonstrable faith in their abilities. I strongly believe that it is always better to prepare for leadership responsibilities and not have an opportunity to lead than to take on a leadership responsibility for which you have not been prepared.

    The complexities of the 21st century require that leaders be extremely visionary. It is expected of leaders that they develop the capacity to see more than their followers. It is also imperative that they develop the capacity to see farther than and faster than others see. However, it is important to note that beyond seeing more than, farther than and faster than their followers, there is an overarching need that as leaders, they need to develop the capacity to see more clearly than their followers. Clarity of vision and purpose is therefore a critical success factor for all would-be leaders.

  • ‘Corps members’ safety is our priority’

    Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Governing Board have visited the Ekiti State Permanent Orientation Camp in Ise-Orun Emure as part of their effort to ensure seamless operation of the scheme.

    Addressing corps members during the visit, the chairman of the board, Dr Gordon Bozimo, lauded the discipline displayed by the corps members, noting that the board was impressed with their attitude.

    Bozimo reiterated the board’s commitment to the security of corps members during their service year, saying: “I want to inform you that the board is not unmindful of the happenings in the country and has made concerted efforts to address some of these challenges. The board has made a special case to the Federal Government about your security and efforts have been made to redouble the certification of all NYSC Orientation Camps with armed personnel for 24-hour surveillance.”

    Bozimo urged the corps members to shun partisan politics in the coming 2015 general elections, stressing that the youth must remain positive and use their God-given energy to inspire sustainable development.

    The state co-ordinator, Mr T.C. Ibeh, thanked members of the board for the visit, noting that the camp was peaceful and devoid of violence.

    Ibeh, who hailed the corps members and camp officials for their patriotism, said he would embark on landmark projects to make the orientation course memorable.

    He listed some of the projects to include installation of Closed-Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV), replacement and repairs of damaged water pipes at the secretariat, construction of an extra six-room VIP toilets and renovation of hostels’ roof.

    Ibeh praised the Ekiti State government for supporting the programme, stating that the partnership would contribute to improve corps members’ welfare in the state.

  • Telling the coke story

    I want to tell you a story. It is a tale of grit, grace and sheer resolve to challenge generally accepted norms. It is a story anchored on the capacity of the human spirit to rise above the powers of darkness and bring hope to generations to come. It is a story laced with love and empathy for those who cannot speak for themselves or stand up for themselves when it matters. It is a story told by young and old, rich and poor; a story whose impact shines on like sands in the seashore.

    Few years ago, a young lady was angry with happenings in the country: corruption battled for the soul of the nation. Campuses revelled in total decay and reckless abandon. Religious leaders shelved aside the gospel of redemption for the frenzy of miracles and wonders. Nigerian graduates wandered the streets furtively in search of non-existent jobs. The art of leadership was lost. And so, the followers wobbled in a ditch. A nation tottered vulnerably on the fringes of a precipice.

    And later, that anger translated into an idea that would grow to be bigger than its initiator, the late Ngozi Agbo. With the same fervency with which the fury became an idea, the initiative soon found a willing army that was ready to carry that gospel to every doorstep. Nigerian campuses were the battlefield. The Nation, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and its bottling partner, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited became the megaphone to get the message heard in a noisy world.

    Just last week, the students gathered at the comfy Citilodge Hotel to share that story; to chart the course for a nation in need of direction, leadership and voice. “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful,” crooned Pakistani education rights activist, Malala Yousafzai. But the beauty was the fact that, that voice has inspired scores of young people across the country to drive the gospel of change. From those who have added the Campus Life pullout to their weekly menu, to those who expend their energy, time and resources to send in stories from their various campuses, the impact of that idea has grown like wild fire.

    Of all the impactful sessions that trailed the workshop, Campus Life alumni session topped them all. For brand strategist and street-to-school advocate, Jumoke Awe, Business Day’s Energy reporter, Femi Asu, Francis Egwuatu, who was recently crowned Mr Universe Nigeria and yours sincerely, success stories and testimonies soaked the atmosphere. If anything, the session provided the needed springboard to drive home the point that all of us can reach the stars when we maximise opportunities. “On such a full sea are we now afloat, and we must take the current when it serves or lose our ventures,” says William Shakespeare in Julius Caesar.

    As we recounted our stories to the expectant crowd of students that sunny afternoon, I saw strands of hope and promise platted on their flat faces. I saw optimism and faith oozing from their unwavering gaze.  I saw renewed determination to take spaces and succeed together. Above all, I saw the possibility of a better future for those who commit their lean resources to follow their dreams, braving the odds.

    As we narrated our struggles, fears, shared hopes and teary climb to the top, the students watched as though we possessed all the powers and savoir-faire to do it all. What many did not realise was the fact that aside the luxury of grace at our disposal, commitment to our passions – even at the expense of material gains – has remained the secret of whatever we become today. As Catherine Pulsifer reminded us, the most important element in the failure equation is our personal commitment to keep trying.

    And today, Coca-Cola Nigeria and NBC have given us a voice; a voice to silence impunity and right wrongs, a voice to neutralise the darkness that hounds us as youths of Africa’s most blessed nation and yet suffers the worst of deprivation. The firms have instilled in us a sense of pride, hope and achievement. They have taught us how to be different, how to win, how to kiss the stars of heaven and how to appreciate the glow of the sun every day.

    That voice continues to lend credence to the quest for national integration, converging youths from various parts of the country twice every year to share common aspirations. And at a time when Nigeria is embroiled in religious and ethnic tensions as well as discordant sentiments, which push us further apart, bringing folks together under one platform could serve as antidote to our divisiveness.

    But the biggest story from the conference is about Aunty Ngozi and us. It is about somebody taking the initiative to forge new paths and build bridges for those folks suppressed by the corruption of the system. It is about how young people can re-adjust the clock and spearhead the gospel of national renaissance. The story is about the virility of synergy between individuals and organisations to re-direct the pulse of society. Alexander Smith was quick to remark: “A man doesn’t plant a tree for himself. He plants it for posterity. Aunty Ngozi, The Nation and Coca Cola system did just that.

     

    Gilbert is a corps member, NYSC Ado Ekiti

     

  • Olabisi Onabanjo University shut

    To forestall breakdown of law and order, Ogun State Government has directed the Governing Council of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, to close down the university immediately.
    According to a statement signed by Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, Secretary to State Government, the decision to shut the university was taken in the overall interest of peace and order
    The government said students of the institution have continued to issue threats while rejecting all entreaties and concessions made by the government on their various demands concerning the recently announced reduction of school fees.
    The government advised all parents whose wards are students of the university to immediately call them to order as the government will not tolerate any act that will disturb the peace being enjoyed by the people of the state.

  • Engineering students make case for quality education

    The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka chapter of the Nigerian Universities Engineering Students’ Association (NUESA) has held a symposium to mark its Engineering Week.

    The event, which held at the FEG Engineering Hall, hosted students from Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT), Delta State University (DELSU), Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), and Anambra State University (ANSU).

    In his paper entitled: The importance of university and industry collaborations in engineering research, president of the DELSU chapter, Jude Uti, said collaborations between universities and engineering firms led to industries making giant strides in product improvement, service delivery, technology and medical advancement.

    He said the event offered students opportunity to meet with industry professionals, who could help them to choose mentors in their respective area and equip them with necessary knowledge to make them employable.

    A lecturer in the Department of Industrial Production Engineering (IPE), Prof Christopher Ihueze, in his lecture titled: The making of Nigerian engineer and common engineering courses: Panacea for infrastructural development, said poor and inadequate infrastructure hinders Africa’s development. He said the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Vision 20:2020 may not be attained if infrastructure is left to rot without funding.

    He condemned people’s attitude to emphasise university education without quality, stressing that corruption, insufficient and poor infrastructure, lack of incentives and obsolete engineering curriculum reduced performance of engineering students.

    The Director of Electronics Development Institute (ELDI) in Aba, Dr Michael Ndinechi, who spoke on From research to realisation, said: “A successful national research endeavour requires a number of facilities to be put in place, which include knowledge institution, laboratory facilities, funds and researcher-industry linkage.”

    At the event were  former UNIZIK Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof Sam Omenyi, president of the Students’ Union Government Chukwunonso Ibe, presidents of NUESA in ANSU, FUTO and ESUT chapters Kingsley Anyadike, Chibuzo Okonkwo and Igwe Ofodile respectively.

  • Poly marks union week

    Students of the Rivers State Polytechnic (RIVPOLY) in Bori have organised the Students’ Union Government (SUG) Week, which ended last Sunday with a thanksgiving at the Chapel of Jesus Christ on the campus.

    The week-long programme was declared open by the Director of Students’ Affairs (DSA), Mr Emmanuel Oma. Activities on the first day of the week featured a welcoming event for freshers in National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes, orientation and familiarity exercise with the SUG leaders.

    Students came out in funny attires on the second day to mark the “Old School Day”. The next day, they held “Rag Day”, which had them moving around the Bori community to raise money for the less privileged. The “Gala Nite” and “Departmental Day” were also held.

    The last activity was the Cultural Day, which held last Saturday, where students wore various attractive traditional attires to promote their culture. Although, Duncan Mighty, the artiste, who was billed to entertain the students, did not come; his absence did not stop the fun as students thrilled themselves during the night party.

    Some of the students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, described the event as memorable, noting that it was properly organised. They hailed the union leaders and the management for the success of the Week.

  • Students discuss declining standards

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter of the Social Sciences Students Association (SOSSA) has held its maiden annual conference. The event brought together students from all departments in the faculty.

    The event with the theme: The university system in the 21st century: Expectations, misconceptions, challenges and prospects, was initiated by Kunle Onikoyi, the association’s president, to address declining standard in tertiary education.

    Dr Nkem Onyekpe of the History and Strategic Studies Department, in his lecture, noted that the universities in contemporary times must conform to the realities of the century, which, he said, was being affected by globalisation, neo-colonisation and cultural imperialism, amongst others.

    The don stressed that standards were declining because of the underfunding, low remuneration, corruption in employment procedure and politicisation of staff promotion. Management of higher institutions, he said, spend invest more on infrastructures rather than human capital development.

    Dr  Onyekpe asserted that the withdrawal of the state from its obligatory duty of funding school turned tertiary institutions to commercial centers for profit making.

    Proffering a solution, the don said tertiary institutions must stop playing politics with academics. He urged schools to return to scholarship and tackle intellectual laziness.

    He said: “When these challenges are solved, we, in the system, would be able to achieve the three fundamental aims of scholarship, which are to seek the truth, to teach the truth and to preserve the truth for the good of society.”

    Dr Olukayode Eesuola of the Department of Political Science stressed that university was supposed to be a place, where there should be mutual interaction between students and lecturers. He said higher institutions must discourage anything that could dampen the purpose.

    “University is not a place of religiosity; it is a place where ideas flow,” he said, urging lecturers to use conflict of opinions to creates knowledge.

    Dr Franca Arthur stressed that the students should get involved in unionism, saying: “If you don’t participate, you have no right to complain.”

    Comrade Shiyanbola Loremikan, a former National Public Relations Officer of Committee for Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) stressed the need for good character. “Let us promote good citizenship and let people know that Nigerians can succeed with hard work,” he said.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rahamon Bello, represented by his deputy, Prof Babajide Alo, hailed the students for the initiative, which he said discussed germane issues affecting tertiary education in the country.

     

  • Are they medical doctors or murderers?

    Perhaps a 300-Level Biochemistry student, identified as John, would not have died if the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is not on strike. John was allegedly poisoned by a friend at an off-campus hostel. He returned to his hostel in pains, vomiting blood. Immediately, he was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). On getting there, there was no medical personnel to attend to the dying student. Doctors were on strike, the symphathisers were told. No first aid was administered on him. The poor John was left to writhe in pain.

    He was then taken to the university Health Centre. Unfortunately, he gave up the ghost on the way. What a way not to die! What is the meaning of wickedness? How else can the brutality of mankind be felt?

    Just because of pride and administrative recklessness, innocent lives are being lost. The President is fighting tooth and nail to end terrorism and Ebola. Now, NMA is pursing another agenda.

    It was in grief that I wrote this piece about the ongoing doctors’ strike. If I had not lost a colleague, maybe I would not have given this article a thought.

    A philosopher had once advocated death for all men as solution to the mischief they have caused to the world. In his time, corruption was a norm and a way of life. In his own reasoning, he prescribed death as the solution to the trouble he faced.

    But it was evident that his solution was synonymous to the cynical attitude of the ostrich who buries his head below the sand in the site of trouble, while its other parts were exposed. This is the part that our Nigerian medical doctors have chosen to plough. The moment they really need their head to think, it is buried!

    Doctors, who swore to the Hippocratic Oath to save lives, are the ones snuffing life out of the people through their self-serving strike. Just at the time the nation needs them the most, the doctors turn their back. Threatened by terrorism and the gruesome Ebola, the medical doctors are sitting in their houses while scores are dying. This is exactly what an illiterate man would do and will be termed a murderer. The so-called elite doctors, under the guise of NMA, are doing the same thing, with full immunity. They are well exercising their right to murder!

    Since when did the NMA start passing by-laws for para-medical profession, such as Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN) and other health workers association? Are these professions under the NMA? When will these doctors know that lives are more important than any other thing?

    They’ve shown gross irresponsibility, fatuous ferocity and crass insolence. Leaving your responsibility as a life saver, all in the guise of helping the patient, you are now sentencing them to their early grave. Has it ever been told where the police force go on industrial action? No matter how corrupt a police force could be, their importance can never be downplayed. They are ‘essential workers’. They know their place.

    They said pharmacists should not be called doctors. A pharmacist who graduated with a Bachelor in Pharmacy (Pham B) is not called a doctor, but those with a Pham D would be tagged doctors. They argued that Pham D would bring confusion to the hospital chain of command. Why have we not heard about the confusion in developed countries of the world were Pharm D certificates are also issued? This is nothing but a mere figment of their lustful imagination, driving them to a catastrophic, embarrassing and disappointing end.

    Who are mostly affected by these actions? The poor. This is simply because most rich people have their personal doctors and can also afford the exorbitant fees of private hospitals owned by these same doctors who are on strike!

    I began to ask myself whether our doctors are truly protectors of life as they claim, or merchants of death. I began to ask myself whether this group is humane or just a bunch of greedy wolves in sheep clothing. It’s really disheartening to know that the health and lives of the poor have been sold on the platform of individualism and overblown ego.

    Indeed, strikes are anti-medical profession; this is because the ultimate job of the doctor is to care for the sick and save lives, even in its tiniest form. I have painstakingly read the grievances the doctors tendered for the recent strike. They are not just selfish, but a sign of myopic thinking. Let it be known that whatever you have sown, that you shall reap.

     

    Ezekiel, 300-Level Pharmacy, UNIBEN

  • Don preaches skills acquisition

    For Nigeria to overcome the challenges of sustainable development and growth, there is need for review of curriculum of tertiary institutions, which must emphasise skills acquisition. This was the submission of Prof Ayodeji Olukoju, Vice-Chancellor of Caleb University in Imota, Lagos.

    The VC made the suggestion at a conference of School of Business and Management Studies, Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH). He was the lead speaker at the conference with the theme: Sustainability of political, economic and educational systems in developing countries.

    Olukoju said: “The curriculum of formal institutions needs a strong element of skills acquisition and vocational training. For those of us in tertiary institutions, the relevant questions to answer at this juncture are: should tertiary institutions provide general knowledge or specialist training? What should universities, polytechnics and colleges of education be doing? To what extent do we maintain academic standards and remain globally competitive?  I wish to suggest that a holistic curriculum is required to at this stage of our national development.

    “We need to produce graduates of tertiary institutions who can work with their hands and think on their feet. Ultimately, we should make our education sector more directly relevant to the needs of the economy and society. Entrepreneurial education and vocational training should form the backbone of the curricula.”

    Olukoju urged students to avoid demanding grades from lecturers, saying they should instead submit themselves to quality peer review.

    He added: “Students should engage in skilled jobs and as well face their studies because skill acquisition and academics qualification produce better output as a graduate.”

  • Exploring opportunities in information science

    The University of Ibadan (UI) has admitted Master’s students for the Africa Regional Centre for Information Science (ARCIS) programme. The students were taken through an orientation last week, reports STANLEY IBEKU.

    They came from various disciplines – science, medicine, agriculture, engineering and others – but their mission is one: to acquire the requisite knowledge and skills in information science needed for the information age.

    This is the aim of the new Master’s students of the Africa Regional Centre for Information Science (ARCIS) at the University of Ibadan (UI).

    They were welcomed into the Centre last week at an orientation.

    The Director of the Centre, Dr Wole Olatokun, told them that their admission was a golden opportunity to improve their knowledge in Information Science.

    He described the Centre as a sea where people come with different types of container to take water. Some will come with bottles, Olatokun said, while some will take drums, depending on their need.

    The don admonished the students to use the opportunity to broaden their knowledge base, noting that the students are privileged to be admitted from thousands of candidates, who applied to the Centre. He revealed that one of the successful students had been applying to the Centre since 10 years ago.

    T56+he Centre’s immediate past Director, Prof Muta Tiamiyu, urged the students to take advantage of the rapid developments in the Information Technology world. He decried a situation in which young people fail to learn trends in technologies, saying young people must not be reluctant to acquire skills that would help their career. He said the course outline was thorough, adding that students needed to show seriousness towards their studies.

    President of the Africa Regional Centre for Information Science Students’ Association (ARCISSTA), Towo Adeyemi, enjoined the freshers to pay attention to instructions from both academic and non-academic staff.

    Other lecturers at the Centre took turns to advise and enlighten the students in the areas of registration, students’ welfare, examination and result computation. Also, the students were enlightened on the use of the library and the Information Technology laboratory.

    The event afforded the students the opportunity to ask questions affecting them especially on academics. But it was not all talks, as the students took the dance floor after the orientation. Also there were photo sessions.

    Other officials present at the event included the Acting Postgraduate Coordinator, Dr Funmilayo Omotayo, Results Officer, Dr Adeola Opesade, Registration/Welfare officials, Mrs Folake Longe and Dr Janet Adekanbi, and Examinations Officer, Ms Kemi Ogunsola.

    Some of the students spoke on why they chose to take their Master’s in information science.

    Believe Gbaruko said he had always wanted to be an engineer in Information Technology (IT) to make meaningful impact in the sector. According to him, he is interested in computer applications and he is hopeful that the degree would develop his abilities.

    Also, Oluwafemi Egbodofo, said he was fulfilled being admission into ARCIS, saying: “It is a place I am meant to be. I love computer and IT; I have always been engulfed in things related to them. I chose ARCIS because of the centre’s reputation in the training of information professionals. I have always wanted a discipline that would spur me to do great things and I believe ARCIS would meet my expectations.”

    Kunle Adekoya hopes to explore opportunities in information science and he is confident that his expectations would be met.

    ARCIS was established in November 1990 as a Master’s degree programme with the aims to give students a broad knowledge in the foundations of information science and technology. It seeks to equip graduates with relevant skills in the development and management of information systems.