The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Freshers’ moment of joy

    Freshers’ moment of joy

    The Imo State University (IMSU) has matriculated no fewer than 5,000 freshers, CHIDIEBERE ENYIA (300-Level English and Literary Studies) and EMMANUEL AHANONU (Political Science) report.

    The ceremonies marking the matriculation of the Imo State University (IMSU) put a lot of shine on the event. Many freshers had more time and space to host their friends and family members.

    The matriculation was decentralised and held simultaneously across faculties. The institution does not have an auditorium that can accommodate all the students at the same time.

    No fewer than 5,000 of the about 100,000 applicants were admitted. Instead of the Registrar, Mr Godfrey Aniche, to administer the oath on the freshers, each faculty officer performed that duty on his behalf.

    The dean of each faculty represented the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie. The event was held between 10am and noon. The freshers were in blue academic gowns.

    The ceremony lasted for 40 minutes at the Faculty of Business Administration, where the Dean, Prof P. U. Akanwa, urged the students not to deviate from their primary aim on the campus.

    He said: “You are admitted into IMSU at a time of great privilege and opportunity, revival and renaissance; when we are rising from the ashes of infrastructural neglect.”

    To improve the state of facilities, the VC said: “The state government is currently building six academic blocks spread across the Orlu and Owerri campuses, while also improving on the main access arterial road on the campus.”

    Advising the freshers, he said: “It is time for you to begin to chart your own courses, to find your own paths, to make your own decisions, and even meet new friends who may determine the direction of your development in the coming years. Manage the new freedom that has been given to you. You must shun cultism, examination misconduct, indecent dressing and all similar vices”.

    Mrs. Jane Amaechi stood in for the Registrar to administer the matriculation oath after their Heads of Departments (HODs) presented the freshers.

    At the Faculty of Humanities, the outgoing Dean, Prof Jasper Onuekwusi, told the students to strive for excellence. He described the freshers as “children of the dawn of a new vision”, saying they came at a time the school was undergoing academic revolution.

    As  the IMSU is a non-residential institution, students were made to swear to an  oath that they would be responsible for their accommodation.

    Emmanuel Chimodo, a student of Political Science, who led freshers in the Social Science Faculty, urged the students to reject invitation to joining unlawful groups whose activities are to disrupt academic activities.

    Collins Akaluso, 100-Level Marketing, said his admission was miracle. He said: “I never knew today will come to pass and I really thank God for making it reality and expect his grace to guide me through as I look forward to graduate with first class.”

    Ruth Wilfred, a student of Management Department, who was admitted after six years of writing post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), said: “I am very happy that I finally made it. I have been writing post-UTME since 2008. But I thank God that my effort paid off this time and I am ready to labour for excellence.”

    After the oath, the freshers moved out of the hall and engaged in photo ops. Canopies were mounted at every point on the campus, while music blared from different angles as the students celebrated with their friends and family members. Some students’ associations and campus fellowships also took time to woo new members.

    The celebration was in full throttles in the afternoon; Kegites Club entertained the students with “gyration songs” and palm wine was freely distributed to all.

    A parent, Mr. Jona Mbawho, whose son was matriculated, said: “These are part of the frills and thrills on campuses but a serious student should not be carried away. If anyone is carried away with these excitements, he would have himself or herself to blame at the end of the day.”

    He advised parents to monitor their wards’ academic performance all the time.

     

  • Man caught with ‘explosives’ in OAU

    What was the mission of Rasak Adebayo, a stranger caught in Awolowo Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State? Students claimed he wanted to blow up the campus; the management said he is deranged, reports KEMI BUSARI (Political Science).

    His mission to the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, was not clear, but Rasak Adebayo, a non-student, was found with materials students suspected to be explosives. He was caught at noon on Sunday while attempting to open one of the doors to the Awolowo Hall.

    The incident happened barely three days after a fire in the hostel, which students suspected to be an act of sabotage because its source is unknown. Students’ credentials and several other items were burnt in the inferno that razed Room 107 in Block 7 of the hostel.

    Students described the stranger as a bomber. Adebayo was clad in a dirty long cloth and shorts. His hair was unkempt.

    Items found on him included a stove with new wick, a plastic bottle containing suspected mixture of inflammable liquids, some old newspaper pages and used recharge cards of all mobile networks. The stranger, who feigned insanity, was said to have claimed to be a recharge card vendor.

    Eyewitnesses said Adebayo was caught by a student returning from church, who suspected his movement.

    “He stalked him till he stopped at Awolowo Hall annex (Block C), where he attempted to open the door. At that point, the stranger was challenged on his mission in the hostel,” a student who simply identified himself as Felix said.

    When Adebayo could not explain his mission, it was gathered that the student alerted other occupants of the hostel. Students said the items found on the stranger showed “beyond doubt” that he was up to mischief.

    Felix added: “His explanations were incoherent and we could not make out any logical conclusion from his statement because he was feigning insanity, but the items we found on him made us conclude that he was responsible for the fire in the hostel on Tuesday, last week. We concluded that his mission was to do the same when we would have gone out to watch the final match between Germany and Argentina today (Sunday).”

    After minutes of questioning, students released him to security officials, who transferred him to Moore Police Station.

    Mr Olanrewaju Abiodun, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), denied the stranger was a bomber. He, however, confirmed that “a mentally unstable man” was apprehended by the school security personnel with a stove, kerosene and water.

    He said: “Because he could not explain himself properly, the school security operatives believe he is mentally unstable and handed him over to the police. We want people to know that the objects found with the stranger were not explosives.”

     

  • Teaching practice orientation for students

    As a prerequisite for the teaching practice programme for all prospective student-teachers, 200-Level students of the Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), have participated in a one-week orientation.

    The orientation was held at the Education Lecture Theatre of the university.

    Speaking during the programme, the guest speaker, Dr  A.T. Alabi said: “Teaching provides an individual the opportunity to observe oneself. It goes beyond standing in front of a class with a chalk or a marker in your hand and talking to the students. Teaching requires a whole lot of technicalities and adequate experience.”

    She enjoined the students to be dutiful during the exercise, stating that teaching was a very rewarding and fulfilling profession.

    The Sub-Dean of Students Affairs Unit of the university, Dr Abdulraheem Yusuf, encouraged the students to comport themselves responsibly.

  • Nigeria @ 100: What hope for the youth?

    On January 14, this year, Nigeria attained 100 years of existence. One hundred years in which its people have lived together as one howbeit reluctantly and the federal government of Nigeria had rolled out the drums to celebrate such a ‘historical feat’. The union called ‘Nigeria’, which was unceremoniously solemnised by the British colony with their own agenda uppermost in their minds, has weathered the storm to be where it is today.

    However, 100 years down the line, could we possibly say that we are close to our destination? Have we fared better together in the last 100 years? What hope for the future generations? Why all the in-fighting? Are we celebrating only our togetherness at the expense of our peace?

    While these and many more questions beg for answers, the journey into another 100 years is clouded by uncertainty. On a yearly basis, Nigeria has continued to plummet in many sectors of the economy as predicted by expert agencies. For instance, the Financial Derivatives Company Limited (FDC), a Lagos-based financial advisory firm, stated that the unemployment rate is expected to increase further by about two per cent up from the current 23.9 per cent. According to the same report, external reserve is expected to deplete further to $40 million while recurrent expenditure is projected to increase to 72.71 per cent of total government spending.

    Thus, at the start of a new century of existence, the country is already battling with over a century of spill over challenges from the previous century and this is not in any way a good omen for the leaders of tomorrow and indeed the nation at large.

    An overview of the achievement of the country in the last century leaves much to be desired. Apart from the togetherness of a largely heterogeneous people, there is hardly any other strong indication that the marriage of the Southern and Northern protectorate in 1914 championed by Sir Lord Lugard is blissful.

    At 100 years, Nigeria is one of the world’s poorest countries, with the majority of the population living on less than $1 per day, despite the fact that Nigeria is one of the world’s biggest exporters of crude oil.

    At 100, even though we are the 9th largest producer of crude oil in the world, yet we pay heavily for its purchase and even experience scarcity of the products. At 100 years, petrol and fuel are said to be subsidised yet it is barely affordable for the average Nigerian that lives on approximately 1 dollar a day while a few opportunist at the corridors of powers are feeding fat from such subsidies. At 100 years, Nigerian youths are roaming the streets as a result of a growing unemployment. Youth restiveness is geometrically on the increase. The result of this is evident in all the crises besetting the country at the moment.

    Perhaps, the major challenge of this new century is the direction in which the leaders of tomorrow are headed. Majority of the social vices besetting the country today are perpetrated by youths. Youths who have been overly neglected by successive governments in terms of their well-being. Youths, who have been misled by the ruling class and used as veritable instruments in the achievement of selfish objectives and abandoned after the achievement of those selfish goals.

    At 100, Nigerian youths of this new century cannot be compared to youths before amalgamation and attainment of independence. Nigerian youths immediately after amalgamation were concerned with championing the cause of independence. The likes of Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Agunyi Ironsi etc devoted their lives to the creation of the Nigerian state. After the attainment of independence, they became agents of change and ensured that they put the country in the right direction of greatness.

    However, the story has changed. Successive youths after the attainment of independence have refused to lay solid foundations for youths after them as it was laid for them and this resulted in poor developmental activities and the likes in the country. This also led to the struggle for survival by successive youths and the desire to acquire wealth and become rich irrespective of the methods employed in acquiring such wealth. The result is the complete neglect of a hitherto progressive state.

    At 100, almost one in every four Nigerian youth that is willing, able and capable to work is unemployed yet it is expected that these crop of youths will spearhead a new Nigeria where justice, fairness and equity stands supreme.

    If, at 100 years, a father still cannot walk on its two feet and is still crawling, then it behooves on the children to fend for them and refuse to crawl at their old age like their father. It is high time that the youths of this present dispensation came together and put together a workable blue print that would tackle this mirage called unemployment that is currently ravaging our beloved country. Corruption in high places would not allow governmental plans concerning its citizenry to work hence people of like minds are needed to come together and work as a team to proffer solutions to the problems facing the youths and the society in general.

    We must rise to the challenge of freeing this generation and century from the ills of the society. We must borrow a leaf from those who struggled for the independence of Nigeria and fought to make Nigeria the best among its equals. Their dream must not die. We cannot sell the future of generations yet unborn for peanuts like the current crop of leaders have done for we have active consciences that pricks us and motivates us to do exploit. The time to save our country is now for a stitch in time, saves nine.

  • A rebirth of our consciousness

    Memory is so vital and delicate. Its preciousness makes it a needed feature of a computer and a vital part of the human physiology. Physically, people ‘forget’. Digitally, files ‘delete’ from memory. People ‘recall’ after gaining consciousness of what transpire around them but electronically, the computer ‘restores’, that is, to bring back lost information.

    It is natural that humans grow from babies to adults and then come of age. During these stages of human development, we often find ourselves doing things that may hurt or please those around us.

    A question is put forward: “why on earth will someone live as though he is a computer system that needs to be refreshed always before it works properly? If I would say, he’d been affected by a virus.

    Judas’ brain, perhaps storage unit, is almost full to the brim with little or no memory to save information and limited processing speed. Thoughts of his present condition, secrets, financial status, and health weigh him down. Other peoples’ secrets are all enclosed in his memory. Always drunk and on hard drugs, he is often haunted by grievances and problems of all sort. The evil deeds he has committed are boomeranging. Feelings for others he could not express. He can’t think straight any more. Sometimes, he acts as though he is going crazy, with weird styles of dressing.

    Life to Judas has been turbulent like the sea waters. His habits are spiral in nature just like the spring. His subconscious has reached its breaking point and elastic limit almost exceeded. With dirty deals been executed, he has trampled upon lives to pave way for him to get to the top. Always fighting, he is full of envy and anger. Fear of being caught visiting diabolic places plagues him. Words, he could not utter. Plans and dreams have been dashed away.

    Properties worth millions he has stolen from both the church and from people have become an eternal yoke on him. The bribes he has given and collected; the countless lies been told; the hearts he has broken due to his lustful desires pretending to be in love; the unredeemed pledges; unpaid credits; images and notices declaring him wanted have taken a toll on him. All this thoughts and deeds in form of a virus are all encrypted in him.

    On this breezy and cold morning, Judas thought to himself within some micro-seconds. And he recalls the words of a preacher saying: “make way for the Son of God is coming soon”. He then exclaims in a low tone and said: “I wish I have no memory of all my life.”

    All this traits demonstrated by Judas, who is a young man, describes the situation of the Nigerian youth. Through a rebirth of our consciousness, instincts, beliefs, character, school of thoughts and attitude, our youths needs to wake up to the reality of their time. This is to re-awaken the youths to the challenge that much work is waiting for us to do and bring about the desired positive change in policy, governance, moral decadence of our dear country Nigeria. This will, nevertheless, create a new Nigeria that is void of bad governance, corruption, tribalism, drug abuse, religious sectionalism, cultism, nepotism, terrorism, unemployment, lawlessness and above all youthful exuberance.

    To start with, the change begins with the individual then collectively with the immediate family and largely with the community and by extension the country as a whole.

    Finally, in the last quote by our beloved literary genius, Prof. Chinua Achebe, in his book “There was a country”, he said: “…the task before the Nigerian youth is to transform this country Nigeria to a nation”. As Prof. Dora Akunyili would rather say: “Good People, Great Nation.”

     

    Benjamin, just finished from Physics Education, UNIAGRIC Makurdi

     

  • Youths donate blood to mark Donors’ Day

    Young people have been urged to be active in voluntary blood donation. The State Co-ordinator of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NTBS), Calabar Centre, Dr Wilfred Ndifon, gave the charge during a voluntary blood donation exercise held on Monday to commemorate the World Blood Donors’ Day.

    Dr Ndifon said: “Apart from voluntary blood donation being a noble act, it helps to make blood available and affordable to people who are in need of it. Thus, it plays a very great part in saving life. Those who donate blood also derive some benefits from the exercise.”

    Speaking on the theme: Safe blood for saving mothers, Mr Okanga Ngim, said several people were in dire need of blood every day.

    “There are a lot of people who need blood to survive. Their health depends on you and I because when we donate blood, it becomes available and affordable,” he stated.

    He lamented the low turnout of donors, which according to him, was caused by ignorance.

    Ngim said a donors’ club, Club 25, had been established in higher institutions to create more awareness on voluntary blood donation.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE,  Odey Emmanuel, 300-Level, Library and Information Science, University of Calabar, said curiosity made him become a regular blood donor. Emmanuel who is also the president of Club 25, UNICAL chapter, encouraged other students to join the club and donate blood regularly.

  • Youths, the future beckons

    I have come to realise that there is always the last chance to learn the truth. The truth would definitely set one free. The truth about our country’s political activity must be told. I don’t know the actual truth but somebody knows the truth. Whether it is All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Musiliu Obanikoro or Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, I don’t know either but I know that someone knows what majority of Nigerians do not know.

    The nub of this piece is not the rightness or wrongness of claims and counter claims of our leaders but how it affects our destiny as a people. I am bothered by the fact, that when our peers in other developing countries will be handed a progressive nation with well-defined national goals, we would be handed a failed state with aimless goals.

    Handing over of leadership is not a choice; it is an established natural law that nothing can change. Those nations with enlightened leaders are conscious of the inevitability of death; that is why they mentor the youth to take over. Our leaders seem ignorant of this fact of life, that is why they chose to be part of the problems of Nigeria rather than being part of the solutions.

    Why should we be engrossed in myopic politicking when our health system is amongst the worst in Africa, our education is deteriorating every day, corruption is escalating on exponential scale and employment is killing our national potentials, insecurity and terrorism creeping into our national life?

    The Boko Haram issue is a complete mockery of our national dignity and it is actually a manifestation of degenerations in every stratum of our national architecture. I believe strongly that some people are working day and night to disintegrate this nation. Unfortunately for us, they are more purposeful and better co-ordinated than our leaders across board. They are more dedicated to their mission than our leaders and even more disciplined.

    Asiwaju Tinubu made a mistake in 2011 by opening the Southwest to the PDP rather than Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), with which the progressive could work with in finding alternative governance for the country. He allowed himself to be misled by the old Afenifere/NADECO caucus whose agenda since after June 12 remains diabolic. The same folks are his greatest enemies today when he chose to merge with Muhammadu Buhari’s CPC. Maybe Buhari’s tear in 2011 is what is haunting us today.

    Achievements of Tinubu in our national life are too significant to be made feeble by anybody, not to talk of Obanikoro. Asiwaju did not only provide the Southwest with a performance-based leadership template, he also courageously engaged the ruling PDP in battle of idea, making the ruling party to promote some modicum of idea.

    If it took the PDP to mobilise substantial components of the national security apparatus to ‘intimidate’ Ekiti people to win the election, it only implies that Asiwaju and his party have not failed. It connotes too that the ruling party truly needs to engender purpose-based leadership and respond to yearning of the citizens.

    But then, Obanikoro and his principal should know that it weakens the moral character of the military to be employed in domestic issues. What should matter to an average soldier must not be local politics, but securing the nation from external aggression. Once we involve soldiers in local matters, we would have destroyed the last apparatus of our national unity.

    Ambassador Obanikoro would earn the respect of the youth if he could channel the energy of our soldiers to checkmate security challenges facing us rather being used to chase politicians. He is a politician, so we cannot say he shouldn’t play politics. But there should be limits to political desperation.

    If the junior minister could express an opinion that Boko Haram mess was created by Tinubu’s friends who promised to make Nigeria ungovernable for this government, then it speaks more of political desperation.

    Perhaps, Obanikoro knows something we don’t. In a saner country, he would have been questioned. It means he is abetting crime against innocent Nigerians.

    I will conclude by appealing to all political gladiators to employ decorum in their utterances and know that politics can only take place when there is peace. We should borrow from aphorism of Magareth Fuller, which says: “Men, for the sake of getting a living, forget to live”. If you have to destroy the nation to govern it, it only indicates one thing: foolishness.

    To the youth, I want us to see beyond loyalty to personalities in politics, so we can begin to evolve progressive principles. If we demand good governance, they will be compelled to give it. Our population is made up of over 62 per cent  youths, which means Boko Haram kills six youths out of every 10 victims. When 10 people died in road crash, six youths may be involved. When 10 people vote, six youths would be among. Let us appreciate our strength and give our fatherland a secure future. I leave you with a mind full of hope. If it is to be, it is up to you.

     

    Habeeb is a student of Nigerian Law School, Abuja

  • The other side of Apete bridge

    The other side of Apete bridge

    Students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan (IBADAN POLY) have joined residents of Apete in calling on the government to repair the bridge linking the school to the community. OMOLARA OMONIYI (HND II Mass Communication) reports.

    Apete Bridge in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, is in the news again. The bridge collapsed in 2011 after a flood that killed many. The bridge was the only link between Apete and communities, such as Ijokodo, Agbaja and Sango. After it collapsed, residents built a makeshift wooden bridge to reconnect Apete with neighbouring communities.

    On June 28, the makeshit bridge collapsed, killing 10 persons, following a downpour. It was the second time the bridge would collapse since it was built three years ago.

    The collapsed structure connected The Polytechnic, Ibadan (IBADAN POLY) to Apete.

    For its proximity to the school, Apete is the choice place for students who prefer to reside off-campus. The number of students living in the community is unknown, but it is believed that many, who could not secure accommodation on campus, are staying there. Through the wooden bridge, students accessed the campus in less than 10 minutes.

    But since its collapse, they have been spending more time and money getting to school.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the makeshift structure became impassable last year when parts of it broke. To prevent disaster, the wooden bridge was closed, forcing students to take the Ajibode route, which is about 20 minutes  to the school.

    Before it was repaired, motorists cashed in on the situation to exploit students, who spend hundreds of naira on transport fare on the long journey.

    Students and residents felt relieved when the government mobilised a contractor, Nairda Construction Company, to reconstruct the concrete bridge last year. But the students and the community are complaining that the pace of work is slow.

    Residents repaired the wooden structure and restricted vehicles’ movement on it, pending when the concrete bridge would be completed.

    When the wooden bridge collapsed, the students and residents, took to the streets, destroying properties. The timely intervention of the Operation Burst team saved the day.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that residents used various means to draw the government’s attention to their plight.

    A resident, who simply identified herself as Mrs Folasade, berated the contractors for what she called the slow work pace.

    A meat vendor, who gave his name as Ibrahim, said: “Apete has suffered a lot in terms of infrastructure, despite its closeness to the Polytechnic. The roads are laden with potholes; no electricity and residents live in fear of armed robbers, who are taking advantage of the situation. We are urgently in need of help from the government.”

    Secretary to the state government, Mr Ismail Alli, attributed the delay in completion of the concrete bridge to climate condition, citing design revision and project alteration as part of the problem.

    Adesola Mohammed, a student living in Apete, said: “The people that are supposed to save students from inconveniences are the ones who have closed their eyes to the plight of students. The best we can do is to plead for a quick repair of the concrete bridge to make movement easy.”

    Hakeem Adeboye, another student, said: “They left the bridge like that until it claimed lives. This should make them to move into action and complete the main bridge being constructed.”

    Last week, the government said it has constructed a pedestrian bridge on the river which has since been opened.

    Commissioner for Works Mr Bimbo Kolade told reporters that though the bridge is strong enough for vehicular movement, it would only be used by pedestrians for the meantime, until the completion of the main bridge.

    Kolade assured residents that another pedestrian bridge would be constructed on the other side of the bridge in two weeks.

    According to him, the second pedestrian bridge, on completion, would serve pedestrians and commercial motorcyclists with the exception of vehicles.

  • Nursing students review role in politics

    The role of nursing students in politics was the heart of discussion at a seminar held last week at the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

    A guest speaker, Prof Adenike Ojo of the Department of Nursing Science, said if the students could be involved in politics, problems facing the profession would be solved.

    Prof Adenike, who spoke on The Nurse and contemporary politics, highlighted the challenges facing the profession.

    He decried the rivalry between nurses and community health workers, who were assuming the role of nurses in rural areas. He urged nurses to accept others without prejudice, adding that the competition for supremacy among nurses was hindering progress of the profession.

    Dr A. Osasuyi of the Department of Nursing Sciences, Delta  State University, Abraka, spoke on the causes and effect of peptic ulcer.

    Dr Osasuyi stated that government must provide employment for the population, adding that the major cause of the disease was hunger.

    Highpoint of the event was the launch of the Nigeria Universities Nursing Students Association (NUNSA) Almanac.

    Awards were later presented to deserving staff of the department including Dr F. E. Okafor, Mrs Bolaji Osagie and Dr Florence Adeyemo.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, praised the department for organising the seminar.

    “I have listened to the agitations of the nursing students of which the issue of internship for graduates of nursing topped the list. I will take their agitations to the floor of the National Assembly for deliberation,” he stated.

    The Head of Department of Nursing Sciences, UNIBEN, xx, called on the Federal Government to consider the plight of nursing students, stating that graduates of nursing be  allowed to undergo a one year internship like their colleagues in the medical and dental disciplines.

    He lauded the management of the university for supporting the growth of nursery education in Nigeria.

    “Most of our achievements are tied to the developmental strides of our Vice-Chancellor, Prof Osayiuki Oshodin. Upon his assumption of office, we lacked accreditation. His effort succeeded in our moving to a permanent site and procurement of learning materials. During the last accreditation exercise, the accreditation team was impressed by the level of infrastructural development in the department. “

    The seminar which held at the lecture theatre II of the School of Basic Medical Sciences had in attendance participants from the Igbinedion University, Okada and Delta State University, Abraka.

  • ‘Mystery’ fire at Awolowo Hall

    There was a fire at the Awolowo Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, last Tuesday. The occupants described it as mysterious and an attempt by the management to eject them. AFEES LASISI reports.

    For more than 30 minutes last Tuesday, students and fire fighters battled to save Room 107 in Block 7 of the Awolowo Hall at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, from being razed by fire.

    The incident, according to witnesses, occurred at 11pm when the occupants went to watch the World Cup match between Argentina and Netherlands in the Postgraduate Hall. Some students, who were around the building, noticed the fire and raised an alarm.

    Their alarm attracted the attention of viewers in the Postgraduate Hall and porters, who called the institution’s fire service. Before the fire could be put out, most of the items in the room, including students’ credentials, had been burnt. Some parts of the wall also got cracked.

    The cause of the fire could not be ascertained immediately but some of the hall’s occupants said it could have been caused by candle light. There has not been power supply to the Halls of Residence since the management ordered students to leave the campus, following their protest over fee hike.

    An occupant of the room, who did not give his name, said: “I left the room around 8pm and came back after the match only to see that our properly had been burnt. I cannot estimate my loss until I settle down but I know that all my documents are in the room.”

    He also denied that his roommates left a lit candle before they went to view the match.

    One of the students, who saw the fire, described it as strange, saying: “The first thing I heard was the creaking sounds. I thought it was a disturbance by rats which have formed a colony in the hostel. Later, I realised that it was a fire when I saw thick smoke coming out of the room. That was when I raised the alarm and got people to salvage the situation.”

    Some students said the fire became intense because the fire fighters did not respond immediately, saying the security personnel on duty brought only one fire extinguisher, which did nothing.

    “None of the fire extinguishers we saw were working,” said a student, who simply identified himself as Segun.

    The management on June 18 ordered students out of the campus and announced an that the institution has been closed indefinitely because of the protest.

    Some students felt the decision was harsh, having paid for accommodation on campus. They stayed back. Some of them are not sure about the cause of the fire but students believe the management may have planned the incident to evict students from the hall.

    A student, who gave his nickname as Choco Milo, said it was difficult to believe that “ordinary candle flame” or stove could cause such damage.

    He said: “We are still investigating what really happened that night. An expert that assessed the magnitude of the damage to the wall of the room said it was beyond what candle or stove could cause. So what caused the fire?”

    Speaking to our correspondent on telephone on Monday, the institution’s Public Relations Officers (PRO), Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju, dismissed the allegation as illogical and unreasonable, wondering why the management would destroy the school property. He said the management had begun an investigation into the incident.

    He said: “We have ordered the students to vacate the hostels after their protest a few weeks ago. The good students have since left and gone back to their parents but those around are miscreants. So, it is illogical and unreasonable for anyone to attribute the cause of the fire to the management. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bamitale Omole, is a responsible man, who is doing everything possible to protect lives and property on the campus.”

    While the source of the inferno remains a puzzle for management and students to unravel, the question on the lips of many is: what caused the fire when there was no electricity supply to the building and students claimed they did not light any candle?