Category: Campus Life

• By Olawale Iskil Lawal (PhD) Lagos State University

Although the terms “election monitors” and “election observers” have often been used interchangeably, scholars in Political Science prefer separate usage, not just as a matter of correctness but to create strict delineation for their conceptual usage and normative framework. I made similar but humble submission in my recently published work titled: The Challenges of Election Observation in Africa in the INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS) ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS |Volume VII Issue IV April 2023. For this purpose, election monitors have direct impact on elections of a state, as they provide the framework, legal environment, structures, logistics etc. for elections. Example is usually electoral commission of a state. Election observers do not have immediate impacts on elections of a state, to the extent that they only observe and make recommendations to ensure electoral integrity. What they observe do not take effect on the elections they are observing, but their recommendations may influence subsequent elections. This is the fulcrum of the difference between “observe” and “monitor”.

The recent release of the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) about the just concluded General Elections in Nigeria ignites a recourse to writing this. In its report, the EUEOM observes that “although the election showed serious commitment to democracy, it also exposed enduring systemic weakness and therefore signalled a need for further legal and operational reforms”. And there, the EUEOM has done its work.

However, a strong resonance develops when Nigerians transfer political energy and legal amplitude into the otherwise EU recommendations. Almost immediately, some politicians from the two divides combust on the possible impact of this on the ongoing election tribunals. The opposition jubilates in the hope that the EU report will influence adjudication conclusion of the jurists while those in the ruling party fear that the EU EOM is not fair to have released the report in the middle of a judicial process. They quipped a prejudice vulnerability.
It does not work that way, unfortunately. The EUEOM and all international observation missions do not make their report fit for judicial proceedings, one, because they are not electoral agency of a state and two, because credible assessment of an electoral process requires reasonable separation from the administration being observed. The legal utility of observation mission is only to provide and observe how legal evidence is handled and provide recommendation where this is not handled properly. As the EOMs are required to maintain noninterference in the political process of a state, they also observe strict legal neutrality and why a municipal law should not rely on them for supply of evidence.

Smarting from the above, one will observe that there is no single paragraph in the EUEOM report that anyone can rely upon to initiate or submit for judicial proceeding. And because the EU is a diplomatic organ, it is not stark in its pronunciamiento, thus creating some imbalance when it is to be relied upon for legal interpretations. The EUEOM is not an appendage of any political interest. Thus it will not strengthen any judgment, whether political or legal. International election observation missions are more interested in reforms than outcome, and that is why for every observable shortfall, they make clear recommendations for improvements. Now, their recommendation cannot be used as basis of derelictions for judicial notice but for reform purposes. Aware of the political components of their reports and possible legal assistance accruals, details of finding of electoral observation missions are absolutely protected.

Finally, whether elections run in conformity or counter-conformity with established procedures, election observers do not interfere with the electoral process as clearly spelt out — “non-interference in the election process. International observers must not interfere with the work of electoral administrators. Their mandate is not to supervise, correct mistakes, or resolve local conflicts, but only to observe, report, and assess”. Therefore, the goal is, in the longer term, to help ensure electoral integrity, and strengthen civil society’s capacity to promote citizen participation, engage in policy advocacy and foster governmental accountability within and well beyond the election cycle.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Southwest Zone D has appealed for a reduction in tuition by Internally Displaced students (IDP), students with disabilities and less privileged in society.

It said the appeal becomes necessary to make education attractive to such students. 

Speaking in Ibadan at a briefing, NANS Southwest Zone D Coordinator, Com. Alao John, also said facilities on campuses across the zone should be designed to accommodate special students, saying it is the duty of the government to care for these students.

Read Also: NANS endorses Sanwo-Olu for second term

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the Students Loans Scheme into law, adding that the scheme would go a long way in alleviating the suffering of average students.

He noted that the scheme would be less effective if education is not properly funded, urging Tinubu to implement UNESCO recommendation of at least 26%  budget allocation to education, which according to him, remained the bedrock for prosperity.

He lamented insecurity on and off campuses across the zone, saying Southwest NANS was tired of strange occurrences among students in the zone.

• By Tosin Odunewu

A financial institution, Grooming Centre, has concluded plans to award N20 million research grant scheme to undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The scheme is managed by the Centre for Research in Enterprise and Action in Management (CREM).

 Speaking in Lagos to announce its 2023 university grant, the Chief Operating Officer, Centre for Research in Enterprise and Action in Management (CREM), Mr. Clifford Onyeike, said the scheme was the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the centre.

He said the grant would be awarded to 100 undergraduate and 50 postgraduate students carrying out their final year research in  microfinance, rural development, inclusive finance, social enterprise, micro small and medium enterprises (MSME) and women in development.

 Onyeike said  the grant was aimed at catalysing research, knowledge and management “by providing monetary incentives through a grant system to 150 undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking their research works in the aforementioned sectors each year.”

He noted that application  would open on June 26 and would  close on August 18. He said the  research must show a high level of originality, imaginative thought and data-inclusiveness.

“Applicants must be either a student at the postgraduate or undergraduate level in a Nigerian tertiary institution whose research study is in the area of microfinance, rural development, inclusive finance, social enterprise, MSME and women in development. The focus of the research study must be relevant to the Nigerian context, practical, innovative and should be capable of promoting any of the above areas of interest in Nigeria,” he said.

 Head of Special Projects, Grooming Centre, Chikezie Egbulefu, said each of the 50 postgraduate potential beneficiaries who could come from any part of the country and university or polytechnic would get a sum of N200, 000, while their undergraduate counterparts would get N100,000 each.

He said: “Applicants must submit a written recommendation from his/her project supervisor to benefit from the N20 million available.

“The applicant must submit a research concept of between 10 to 25 pages which will include an introduction, a literature review, and research methodology along with the candidate’s personal profile. Awardees will be required to submit final soft copies of the research project on completion of the study. There is no age, gender, religious or ethnic barrier to the application.”

Egbulefu said many students in the country would want to carry out  problem-solving research but are hampered  by lack of funds,hence the grants would  assist them.

• By Familusi Faith Olamide

A customer-focused organisation realises the importance of listening to customers and collecting their feedback on their products and services. Customer feedback is an essential part of product development and design. With  increasing competition in the market, it is essential to stay relevant and keep delivering products and services that meet and exceed customer expectations.

Customer feedback is used to develop new products or improve upon existing ones. Companies can utilise various methods to collect customer feedback, such as surveys, customer reviews, social media forums, and even direct feedback from customer service conversations. By collecting customer feedback, companies can address any product or service shortcomings and make the necessary adjustments to stay relevant and competitive in the market.

Some companies use customer feedback to create new products by evaluating the needs and wants of their existing customers. This approach helps organisations anticipate future customer requirements and helps create innovative solutions that are catered to their requirements.

When integrating customer feedback into product development, it is  essential to prioritise objectives and make necessary adjustments based on their impact. The most straightforward approach is to categorise feedback as either high or low priority, providing organisations with a clear view of the feedback and what needs to be addressed first.

• By Abike Sanusi,

Emeritus President LASSESA-LASU Adetimirin Yusuf Olamilekan has built a fountain for President Bola Tinubu at Lagos State University (LASU)  main  campus in Ojo.

On why he built the fountain, the ex-LASU student said it was aimed at honouring Tinubu for blazing the trail in paying West African Senior School Certificate Examination WASSCE and National Examination Council (NECO) exam fees for students and for introducing the One-Day Governor programme when he was Lagos State Governor.

Read Also: Five-point observations to President Tinubu

Adetimirin appealed to  the President to help with the inauguration of the project on  campus.

Describing the fountain,he said: “The Water Fountain has four lions which symbolise his courageous and harmonisation pedigree capacity in the North, South, West, and East.

The  two eagles  signify his tenacious eagle ability of the present and future events.His bust having a hand pointed to his head symbolises his visionary thinking capacity beyond imagination.

“All those on the  fountain symbolise his  struggle as the Father of Modern Democracy and a Greater Nigeria.”

• By OPEYEMI ADEBIYI

Failure, a word that often evokes fear and shame, holds within it the seeds of transformation and growth. In a world where success is idolised and failure is stigmatised, it is essential to redefine our relationship with failure and recognise its potential as a catalyst for personal and professional development.

Failure is not an endpoint but a stepping stone on the path to success. Society’s perception of failure has ingrained in us a fear of making mistakes and taking risks. However, by adopting a growth mindset, we can reframe failure as a valuable learning opportunity. Instead of dwelling on the negative emotions associated with failure, we can shift our focus to the lessons it offers. Failures provide us with insights into what didn’t work, allowing us to refine our strategies and approaches. They teach us resilience, adaptability, and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Building resilience and character are some of the most significant gifts failure bestows upon us. When we encounter failures, we are forced to confront our limitations and find ways to overcome them. Failures challenge us to think creatively and outside the box, pushing us to innovate and develop new solutions. They teach us to navigate uncertainty and embrace change, ultimately shaping us into stronger individuals.

Read Also: JUST IN: Stop blaming us for your failure, INEC tells Obi, LP

A failure-friendly culture is essential for personal and professional growth. By encouraging risk-taking and experimentation, we foster an environment where failure is seen as a natural part of the learning process. Destigmatizing failure allows for open dialogue and sharing of experiences, providing a platform for individuals to learn from one another’s failures and successes. Mentorship and support systems play a crucial role in guiding individuals through failure, providing them with the encouragement and guidance needed to bounce back stronger than before.

Embracing failure as a catalyst for growth requires a mindset shift. It entails setting ambitious goals, persisting in the face of failures, and using setbacks as motivation to keep striving for success. Failure becomes an invaluable feedback mechanism, offering insights and lessons that shape our future endeavors. It also fosters adaptability, enabling us to pivot, reinvent ourselves, and seize new opportunities that may arise.

In conclusion, failure, when embraced and leveraged, becomes a powerful catalyst for growth. By viewing failure as a stepping stone to success, building resilience and character, drawing inspiration from success stories, cultivating a failure-friendly culture, and embracing failure in personal and professional growth, we can unlock our true potential and create a brighter future filled with innovation and success.

• • WICE holds annual conference

Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics and Research, University of Lagos(UNILAG), Prof. Bola Oboh has urged teachers to develop student-centred approach to teaching because nowadays students have short attention span.

Oboh was the keynote speaker at the 2023  Annual Conference of the National Association of Women in Colleges of Education (WICE) Federal College of Education Technical (FCET) Akoka chapter, which had as theme: “Role of teacher education and women participation in good governance”. The conference held on the college campus last week.

She stated that teachers were crucial to sustainable development, poverty eradication and inclusiveness, hence, a  21st  century teacher must be well-equipped  with critical thinking skills, student-centred pedagogy and effective communication skills.

“Teacher education is professional education of teachers towards attaining right skills and attitude to ensure high level of productivity and impacting the nation positively,” she said.

She said teaching methods needed to change because students now have ChatGPT  to work for them.

Oboh,who said teachers were facing many challenges,urged the new administration to focus on education at all levels.

The DVC urged women  to begin to play active roles in unions in the university and ensure their voice is heard because data globally points to the under representation of women in all spheres of life.

She said having more  women in decision-making was beneficial  because they are interested in their immediate environment.

Oboh also charged leaders on good governance, adding that it was important to abide by the rule of law. She said good governance in higher institutions drive performance.

Former Dean , School of Business Education,FCET, Dr  Janet Adeboye in her lecture stated that teacher education and women participation in good governance were  essential for the progress and development of any society.

 “By promoting critical thinking, tolerance, accountability skills, teacher education can create and inform and responsible citizens.  Correspondingly, by promoting gender equality, social justice, a different perspective, civic responsibility, and sustainable development, women participation in governance can create a just, equitable and sustainable society,” she said.

Read Also: Wike inaugurates 250-bed PAMO Teaching Hospital

She urged different groups like the Forum for African Women Educationalist in Nigeria (FAWEN), Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), Africa Regional Democracy Fund (ARDF) to  seek advocacy visits to leaders and gatekeepers to change perceptions, attitudes and social norms that obstruct women’s political participation as was done by WICE  when they visited Oyo and Rivers states.

Provost of the college and Patron of WICE, Dr Wahab Ademola Azeez  noted that women were well represented in the college. According to him,there was no proof that males were better than females.

Chairman of the occasion, Provost of Corona College of Education, Lagos, Dr Olajumoke Mekiliuwa said women were crucial to the actualisation of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), hence, teachers should continue to be role models and encourage girl-child education.

Chairperson WICE FCET,  Akoka chapter, Dr Oluwakemi Aladenusi, said women participation in good governance could not be overemphasised. She said at times roles of women were not appreciated, but they contribute to good governance.

Conference Chairperson, Dr Grace Alabi noted that women were vital to achieving good governance.She said the moving the college forward was a collective responsibility and not the Provost’s alone.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)  has a history of going on strike to press for better working conditions, improved salaries and funding for universities. These strikes have been a recurrent issue in the  education  sector for many years. During  strike, ASUU members, who are  lecturers and researchers, suspend all academic activities, including lectures, examinations, and grading. The strikes typically last for weeks or even months, leading to  disruptions in the academic calendar and affecting students’ education.

The reasons behind ASUU strikes are varied, but they often revolve around demands for increased government funding of universities, better infrastructure, improved welfare packages for staff, and the implementation of previous agreements between ASUU and the government.

Read Also: ASUU: withheld salary will be released soon

However, historically, the fate of  students during ASUU strikes remain a matter of concern. Students often experience prolonged disruptions to their academic calendar, resulting in delayed graduation, extended programme durations and  frustration. These strikes can have far-reaching implications for the quality of education and the future prospects of  students.

In the light of this, during the  2022 strike  which kept students away from 

Some students of the Modibbo Adama University (MAU) Yola have protested the outcome of recent election of officers into the Students Representative Assembly (SRA) of the varsity’s Students Union Government (SUG).

The angry students, who addressed reporters in Yola, claimed the Independent Students Electoral Commission (ISEC) of the institution tampered with the election and returned candidates who did not win votes for the posts they entered for.

Spokesperson of the protesting students and Speakership candidate of the SRA, Jiposhe Kalma, said that the entire process was marred by irregularities where true winners were denied their mandate.

The ISEC, supervised by the Students Affairs Division of the university, came under attack by the protesters who accused it of corrupting the SRA election process.

Read Also: Monarch urges Tinubu to ensure take-off of new varsity

Comrade Jiposhe Kalma, a 300 level student of Industrial design department of the MAU, is insisting he contested for speakership position and won but his mandate was stolen.

The aggrieved students said they may head to court as they had explored all internal means to address their complaint but to no avail.

Against the allegations of the protesting students, however, our correspondent gathered at the weekend that although Jiposhe Kalma entered for the office of Speaker of the SRA, he was not returned elected because the two candidates who stepped down for him did not indicate their withdrawal in writing within the stipulated time.

The Dean of the Students Affairs Division of MAU, Prof Abubakar Danladi, refrained from comment, saying he was only a supervising office and played no direct role in the controversial election.

But sources close to his office as well as ISEC, said Jiposhe Kalma could not have been returned speaker of the SRA because he boycotted the repeat election organised after the initial election was cancelled.