The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Seminar for students’ leaders

    Student leaders at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, have been charged to always use dialogue and consultation in engaging management of the institution for conflict resolution.

    The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Rotimi Ajayi,  said this at a two-day training workshop held for students’ leaders of the institution at the National Institute for Educational and Administration, NIEPA, Ondo State.

    The annual workshop was designed to impart leadership etiquette and effective students’ unionism in Nigerian universities.  The theme of this year’s event was “Leadership and Responsible Unionism.”

    Prof. Ajayi, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof Femi Mimiko, attributed the prevailing peace in the university to the dialogue between management and students’ union leaders.

    While admonishing them to follow the legacy laid by their predecessors, Ajayi said it would be shameful on them if the university experience student unrest during their tenure.

    “If your predecessors had worked for stability for over five years, I see no reason why you should not sustain the tempo. Don’t allow yourself to be misguided; you must be in constant touch with the management through the Dean of Students’ Affairs to resolve any pressing issue because students are at the centre of our administration”, he said.

    The DVC also read the riot act to them, saying: “You are not allowed to address any student on any agitation or demand when you have not discussed such with the Dean of Students’ Affairs. You are not allowed to proceed on any expedition that is not approved by the management. You must learn to respect constituted authorities and all staff of the university. You must obey all rules and regulations as stipulated in our handbooks.”

    He challenged them to complement the efforts of the management to move the school forward rather than sabotaging it through unnecessary unrest.

    The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Olujide Ajidahun, said the workshop was to let the student leaders know their core values as leaders, give them opportunity to bare their minds and put them on the right track.

    “Service should be uppermost in your hearts. As leaders, you must deliver; it is not how much you get from a system but how much you give. So work as a servant-leader,” he stated.

    Some of the students who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE praised the initiative.

  • ‘He slept but never woke up’

    ‘He slept but never woke up’

    Staff and students of Microbiology Department of the Olabisi Onabanjo Uiniversity (OOU) in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, were confounded by the death of a final year student, who was seen playing about the previous day.

    Sanmi Osinaike, who was preparing to defend his final year project thesis, died in his sleep on Sunday. Students, who saw him on Saturday, said he was telling his friends about his readiness to defend his thesis, which was to take place last Monday.

    But in the evening, Sanmi went to bed, but never to wake up. He died in his off-campus hostel, close to the school.

    His colleagues and staff of the department received the shocking news on Monday when the deceased was to defend his project. A gloomy atmosphere pervaded the department after the news. Many asked if the late student was ill.

    The late Sanmi was described as “smart and fashionable”. He won the department’s Most Fashionable Graduating Student during the award night held a few weeks ago.

    His close friend, Adekunle Salu, fought back tears when CAMPUSLIFE spoke to him. He said: “It is really sad. Sanmi’s death is mysterious and heart-breaking. I saw him a few days ago and he was full of energy. I still can’t believe Sanmi is dead.”

    A candlelight procession was held in his honour last Tuesday.

  • Student loses kidney failure battle

    Student loses kidney failure battle

    He was in Abuja to perfect his plans to travel to India for a kidney transplant. But, Zakariyyah Abiodun Olowo, a 300-Level Law student of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) could not make the trip. He died before he could obtain a visa, reports HABEEB WHYTE (Nigerian Law School, Abuja)

    What happened to him? This was the question Law students of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) were asking when news of the death of Zakariyyah Abiodun Olowo hit the campus.

    Zakariyyah, a 300-Level Law student, was in Abuja to obtain Indian visa for medical trip. Unknown to many of his classmates and friends, Zakariyyah had been battling kidney failure.

    He planned to travel to India for transplant, but he died while trying to get the travel documents. His death disrupted activities at the Faculty of Law because Zakariyyah was the best student in his class. He was also a member of several students’ associations.

    He had just been elected president of the UNILORIN chapter of the Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ). He was the Organising Secretary of the National Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS) and a member of Law Students’ Society (LSS) Judicial Council.

    “I saw him last week,” a student screamed as the deceased’s colleagues gathered to mourn last Friday. Many were in tears; some wore pensive looks, asking why such fate befell their colleague.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the late student was disgnosed of the ailment months ago and had been managing it, pending the end of the session when he would travel abroad for proper attention. When he could not cope again, he took excuse to abandon the second semester examination to enable him travel. It was learnt that the late Zakariyyah had already written two papers when his health deteriorated. He was in UNILORIN Teaching Hospital for a while before he left for Abuja.

    His body was brought to Ilorin for burial. As the corpse was being awaited, members of the Law Students’ Society and UCJ gathered at the UNILORIN Bus Terminus at Tipper Garage area to attend the funeral in group. They left for the deceased’s family house in Adewole area of Ilorin to condole with the Olowos, from where they went to the cemetery in the university’s Marcopolo bus.

    After Asri (late afternoon worship), the students left in group to Ilorin Muslim Cemetery for the interment.

    The cemetery was besieged by students. At exactly 6pm, a Toyota Sienna bus brought the remains to the cemetery. The body was taken into a building in the graveyard for spiritual bath. Afterwards, Janazah (funeral) prayers were said.

    Students fought back tears as the body was being lowered into the grave. It was an emotional ceremony attended by sub-Dean, Students’ Affairs, Dr Yusuff Abdulraheem, Dean of Law Faculty, Dr Yusuff Arowosaiye, his deputy, Dr Bashir Omipidan, Head of Property Law Department, Dr Hakeem Ijaiya and ex-president of UCJ, Barrister Mohammed Alabi, among others.

    Titilope Anifowoshe, his classmate and Vice President-elect of the Students’ Union Government, described the late Zakariyyah as a “very good friend”. She said his brilliance and writing skills stood him out of many. “Zakariyyah was particularly nice to friends in need. He gave his best in everything he did and always helped the sick. He was also an entrepreneur,” she said.

    Alabi described Zakariyyah’s death as a personal loss. He said: “I only had glowing memory of him. His scholarship, writing skill and above all, his being a devoted Muslim. May Allah grant him eternal rest and give his distraught family the fortitude to bear this obviously irreparable loss.”

    Nurudeen Olalekan, his classmate, said he was still in shock. “Members of NAMLAS visited him at his hostel in Adeta area a week before his death, where we made an appeal to his family to fast-track the medical trip abroad. We did not know it would be the last time we would see him alive,” he said.

    Zakariyyah’s deputy in UCJ, Kayode Nissi, described him as a “great colleague and classmate”.

    Wale Bakare, graduating student of Zoology, who should have handed over to the deceased as UCJ president, said Zakariyyah’s death was “very painful”.

    Adam Muhammed, a 400-Level law student, said the deceased was a campus activist. He said: “Fighting the cause of justice and using the pen for advocacy was his way. His latest advocacy was the condemnation of engineering students, who held dinner party after one of their colleagues died. The late Zakariyyah wrote a three-page article criticising engineering student for not having respect for the dead. He earned my respect for this singular act but little did he know that his own time was around the corner.”

    The late Zakariyyah was his parents’ first child. He was in his early 20s and best student in his class.

     

  • Freshers’ moment of joy

    Freshers’ moment of joy

    The Anambra State Students Association (ASSA), University of Nigeria, Nsukka chapter, has held orientation for new members. The ceremony which took place at Social Science Quadrangle was witnessed by a large turnout of students.

    Guests at the ceremony included former Dean of Social Sciences, Prof Ezeani, former Head of Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Prof D.O.N. Obikwelu, among others.

    President of the association, Nnaekezie Ekene, said he believed the freshers were the future leaders that would take Nigeria to greater heights. He advised the students to take their academics seriously.

    A guest lecturer, Prof D. O. N Obikwelu, encouraged the freshers to make good use of their time on campus and make rewarding friendship with people who are determined to change the world through new ideas and positive thinking.

    Prof Ezeani urged the freshers not to be carried away with the distractions of campus life, saying: “if you study hard and become somebody to be reckoned with, your family and society will benefit.”

    The event witnessed talk shows, dancing competition and other forms of entertainment.

    Onyedika Nwankwo, 300-Level Geography, said: “This event is for the freshers to know themselves very well and to learn from the older students about the norms of university life.”

     

  • My plans for UNIZIK, by VC

    My plans for UNIZIK, by VC

    Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka Vice Chancellor Prof Joseph Ahaneku has unveiled his plans for the institution, which he will administer for five years. OBY OKEKE (400-Level Mass Communication) reports.

    Prof Joseph Ahaneku’s appointment as Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, is being applauded by many. He is seen as a round peg in a round hole. But they did not know his plans for the institution on assumption of office last month.

    Last week, the VC faced members of the university community, including academic and non-academic staff, students and members of the Governing Council to unveil his plans for the institution.

    The ceremony was held at the university auditorium. Members of the audience included his wife, Dr Gladys, former Vice-Chancellors of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Abia State, and Anambra State University in Uli (ANSU), Prof Ikenna Onyido, and Prof Paul Orajiaka, and former Anambra State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof Stella Okunna.

    Prof Ahaneku promised to ensure that the university got a global rating as one of the best in research and academics.

    He said admission procedure would be reviewed to enforce academic discipline, pointing out that learners must not only be educated, but should be also prepared to be change agents and inventors. This, he said, would be done in consonance with the goals and legacies of the institution’s founding fathers.

    He said: “This is the time and the period to focus our ideas and desire on the culture and tradition the university is known for. We must make a statement that we have an ivory tower where students will get the best.”

    Prof Ahaneku pledged to run an open administration, saying he would welcome good ideas from any good-minded individual, who shares the vision of developing the university with him.

    The university, he said, was rated the most preferred institution, noting that there was a need to introduce a research-based learning process in its Science, Engineering, Arts and Humanities disciplines.

    Unveiling his infrastructural plans for the institution, Prof Ahaneku proposed construction of a staff club, guest house, post-graduate residential quarters, Pro-chancellor’s and VC’s lodge within five years, adding that his administration would embark on beautification of the campus, including administrative block and the university’s main entrance, among others.

    He promised green environment and beautiful architecture, which he said were necessary to engender a conductive place for learning.

    On staff welfare, the VC promised to revive the institution’s transportation scheme, saying there would be buses to move workers to the campus at 8am. He said the scheme would not stop overtime allowances for deserving staff.

    He reiterated that the university admission process would only be for deserving students. He urged the public to stop from making unrealistic demands from the university on admission exercise, which he said would be strictly on merit.

    On the promotion and advancement of workers, Prof Ahaneku said his administration would not give room for delays or short-circuiting, noting that staff would be promoted on merits.

    He added that that there would be Internet connection on both campuses of the university to connect over 30,000 users to aid learning and research.

    The university would pursue empowerment of youths, he said, through agriculture and establishment  of research institute. The VC said the existing entrepreneurship centre would be strengthened to serve its purpose of skill acquisition and technology provision centre, with a view to solving  unemployment riddle.

    Prof. Ahaneku urged staff to re-dedicate themselves towards making the university the best in the country. To realise his vision, the VC said there must be co-operation among staff.

    In their separate responses, Prof Onyido, Prof Orajiaka and Prof Okunna pledged support to the new administration, praising the VC for his vision.

    In his remarks, the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof Austin Nnonyelu, described the VC as a game changer, saying the programmes reeled out showed Prof Ahaneku prepared for the task of leading the university.

    Prof Ahaneku is the fifth substantive VC of the institution. He was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of academics during the administration of Prof Boniface Egboka whose tenure ended last month.

  • Enactus challenge begins

    Barring last minute cancellation, students from several higher institutions, who are members of Enactus Nigeria, a non-profit organisation promoting entrepreneurship on campuses, will converged on the Eko Hotel, in Victoria Island, Lagos next Tuesday for the opening of ceremony of the organisation’s annual national contest.

    The four-day event with the theme: See possibilities, will feature an innovation summit, in which the topic of the discourse will be role of innovation in driving entrepreneurial success and how it will engender positive change.

    After the first round of the contest on Tuesday, the semi-final and final contest will come on Thursday and Friday respectively, where students will display their dexterity in entrepreneurship and problem-solving.

    At the competition, students will showcase innovative impact they have been making in communities across the country and how they are impacting lives through life-changing projects. Also to feature at the event is the “Light up Nigeria” power challenge and the “My Cashless Campus Challenge” projects.

    The “Light up Nigeria” power challenge was developed to inspire Enactus teams to explore the opportunities in the value chain of providing sustainable solution to power challenge in the country.

    Students used their innovation to design projects that address electrical power shortage being experienced in rural communities, leveraging on wind and solar energy sources and the creative use of water plants to generate electricity for rural communities.

    “My Cashless Campus Challenge” is an on-campus competition that inspires Enactus teams to develop and implement strategies that will transform their campuses into cashless communities using debit card.

    This year, about 36 higher institutions, including universities and polytechnics are expected to compete for the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the Enactus World Cup Challenge in Beijing, China in October.

    A statement from the Enactus Country Director, Mrs Adesuwa Ifedi, welcomed the participants to the contest and urged them to be decorous in conduct in the duration of the event.

  • UNIMAID,Nursing School mourn as eight students die in road crash

    UNIMAID,Nursing School mourn as eight students die in road crash

    The University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) and Borno State School of Nursing lost eight students in a road crash while on their way to Abuja for the yearly Conference of Fellowship of Christian Nursing Students. They died when one of the three buses in which they were travelling veered off the road and raced into the bush. TAIWO ISOLA (300-Level Human Anatomy, UNIMAID) reports.

    Students of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) and Borno State School of Nursing are in grief. They are mourning the death of eight of their colleagues in a road crash, last Wednesday. Five were injured.

    The Nursing students were travelling to Abuja for the yearly Conference of Fellowship of Christian Nursing Students when they had an accident in Bauchi State.

    When the news hit both campuses, academic activities were disrupted. Students gathered in groups, discussing the mishap.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that over 60 students from both institutions left Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, for the conference in three buses.

    It was learnt that the driver of one of the buses attempted to avert a head-on collision with a vehicle coming in the opposite direction, but lost control and somersaulted. The bus crashed into the bush.

    Among the dead was the president of Fellowship of Christian Nursing Students in UNIMAID, Edward Peter Mshelia, and Benita Wilson.

    The news of their death shook their colleagues, who recalled their last moments.

    In tears, Mary James, a 300-Level Pharmacy student of UNIMAID, said she saw the late Benita a few minutes before she embarked on the journey. “I saw Benita this morning when she was leaving the hostel for the park. She stopped by at my room and bade me goodbye. She promised to return by weekend. The next thing I heard was that she died in an accident. I wished she was not among the dead but I have not heard she is among the survivors.”

    The late Edward’s friend, Bitrus Dalori, said: “I was with him for about two hours on Tuesday night and I was the last person he saw before going to bed. As I left for the campus on Wednesday morning, I called him to ask about the journey; he told me they had already left Yobe State. I was happy they were out of the crisis-ridden area. After my lecture, I called him again but he did not pick up. I thought he was asleep. Several minutes after, I called him again but what I heard from the other end shook me. The voice said ‘sorry, we lost him’. Is this how people die? It is still like a dream to me that Edward is dead.”

    It was gathered that Edward’s sister, a student at the School of Nursing, was also among the dead.

    According to Janet Yagana, a student of the School of Nursing, the deceased were dedicated students. “But we accept the fact that there is nothing we can do about it,” she said.

    Ruth Edet, a graduating Nursing student of UNIMAID, said: “It is sad and my heart goes out to their families. We lost our president. Edward was focused and courageous. He was a blessing to the department. His death is a big loss.”

    Idris Mohammed, a student, said: “The students survived gun and bomb attacks in Maiduguri and Yobe, only to die in an accident on the highway. It weakens my heart that they had to die this way. They won many battles but they lost this one.”

    The deceased have been taken to their home towns for burial. The injured are still in a government hospital in Bauchi State.

  • Uproar over ‘outrageous fee’

    Students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, gathered on the campus to protest what they called “outrageous fee” in the university.

    President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Olusegun Ifade, said the fees were unaffordable for students, noting that the welfare of students must be paramount.

    The students complained that the new fees were introduced to keep them out of school. “The same outrageous amount I paid in 100-Level is the same I paid in 200-Level and they want me to pay the same in 300-Level,” said an angry Law student.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Olusegun said: “Students’ Union Government rejects the outrageous fee in and we view it as anti-education. So far, we are engaging in wider consultation on how to achieve a downward review of the exorbitant fees. The Ogun State Government, since 2011, has been reluctant in reducing the fees, thereby forcing hundreds of students to drop out of school every year.”

    He continued: “We hope the state government will not wait to see students occupy Oke Mosan and the streets of Ogun before yielding to our demands. Let it be known also that apart from school fees reduction, we also demand proper funding of our university. It is surprising that since 2011, no single capital project has been initiated in the university.”

  • History students contest in debate

    Members of the National Association of History and International Studies at the Imo State University have held a debate titiled: “Did Europe actually underdevelop Africa?”at the Faculty of Humanities.

    In her remarks, Chairman of the session, Ekeanyanwu Chinmma,  said the inter – class debate was aimed at inspiring positive change on the mindset of students.

    President of the department, Nwadiaro Sylvester, stated the initiative would help provide answers to the intellectual needs of the students.

    He thanked the Staff Adviser, Mr Jerry Nwoke, Head of Department, Prof John Cliff Nwadike, Dr Martins Woko and students for turning out en masse for the debate.

    Nwoke said he was happy to see his students engage in healthy intellectual engagements, adding that the debate would deepen the knowledge base of the students.

    He praised the executives and organisers of the event, stating that the department would work effortlessly to improve the debate.  After series of argument from both sides, the supporting team won, convincing the judges that Europe underdeveloped Africa mainly through the enthronement of boundary dispute, political dependency, slave trade, capitalism and neo-colonialism.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Chima Anaele, 300-Level, said: “I am happy to be one of the speakers in this debate. I feel more needs to be done to improve the standard of the debate from the binary style to the global debating standard which is the British Parliamentary system of debating”.

  • Association welcomes freshers

    Association welcomes freshers

    Educational Management Students’ Association (EMSA),  University of Ibadan (UI) chpater, has held orientation for freshers. The event was aimed at guiding new students of the department to achieve career success.

    In his address, the Head of Department, Dr Femi Akinwumi, urged the new students to concentrate on their studies and shun all forms of social vices that may hinder their academic excellence.

    A lecturer, Dr Ismail Raji, taught the freshers how to calculate their Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).

    Dr Ademola Atanda and Dr Abiodun-Oyebamiji spoke on the department’s dress code, urging the students to wear sky blue on black trousers.

    Three first class students, Ajoke Asaolu, 400-Level, Ademola Adbulbasit, 300-Level and Carine Okeh, 200-Level of the department were awarded prizes to encourage fresh students to study hard.

    The Staff Adviser, Dr Jerome Isuku, charged the new students to always seek advice and approach lecturers of the department assistance.

    One of the award recipients, Ajoke, thanked the department for recognising her academic excellence, saying it would motivate her to remain focused in her academics.

    President of the department, Hammed Hamzat, thanked lecturers at the orientation exercise for finding time to educate the fresh students despite their busy schedule.