The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • That Physiology may be relevant

    That Physiology may be relevant

    The Students’ Physiological Association of Nigeria (SPAN) has held its annual conference at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. STANLEY UCHEGBU (500-Level of Accounting, University of Calabar) reports.

    Members of the Students’ Physiological Association of Nigeria (SPAN) converged on the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, for their annual conference.

    The event, the ninth in the series, hosted lecturers and academics of repute, including LAUTECH’s Dean of Faculty of Basic Medical Science Prof S.S Taiwo; Head of Physiology Department Dr A.S Oyedeyi; Dr Onyebuchi Nwoke, Prof Bolarinwa Abeyombo and Dr Rabiu Abdulsalam-Magaji.

    Dr Oyedeyi praised the association for its efforts to unite Physiology students across the country through the annual event.

    In his lecture titled: From Harvey to me: Where do we go from here? Dr Oyedeyi listed factors affecting the development of Physiology to include poor public perception, loss of credibility as an independent discipline and lack of national relevance, among others.

    He said: “To correct this anomaly, several measures must be taken. We must review the curriculum of Physiology in universities, which would enhance training of students on versatility in medical skills such as medical journalism and medical research.”

    Prof Abeyombo, who spoke on Physiology: The past, present and future, said the discipline was not popular among students at a time, noting that the importance of Physiology could not be overlooked in today’s world. If Physiology is professionalised, she said, preventable deaths would be reduced.

    Dr Nwoke, former Head of Physiology Department at the Ambrose Ali University (AAU) in Ekpoma, Edo State, took the students on the relevance of the discipline in today’s society and why Physiology practice must be encouraged in health sector.

    He said: “In Nigeria, no patient has ever asked where the physiologists are; but it is the responsibility of physiologists to show their usefulness by complementing the efforts of doctors to save lives.”

    Dr Abdussalam-Magaji, a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State, took the students on neuroscience, which he described as a discipline that combines physiology, anatomy and the nervous system.

    Before the event ended, the association elected new executive. Frank Ejeagbasi, a 300-Level student of University of Calabar (UNICAL) is national president; Rosemary Agbakuru-Ndubuisi, Vice President.

    Others are Peter Akah, General Secretary, Emi Agada, Financial Secretary, Elizabeth Alabi, Assistant General Secretary, Elvis-Mary Onyeugo, Director of Welfare, Pioudine Macduff, Director of Socials, and Abdulhafeez Abdulraheem, Public Relations Officer.

    In his acceptance speech, Frank pledged to serve the association to the best of his ability, urging members for their support to achieve set goals.

    Highlights of the conference included a rally to sensitise the public on the relevance and importance of physiology. During the rally, the students marched on major streets and roads in Ogbomoso. Participants also visited the Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls in Osun State.

    Participants were from over 19 universities, including ABU, UNICAL, Delta State University (DELSU), Bowen University, Igbinedeon University in Okada, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu University, Cross River State University of Technology, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma and Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekiti, attended the event.

    Others are University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT) and University of Benin (UNIBEN).

  • Law students take advocacy to streets

    Law students take advocacy to streets

    Law students of the University of Lagos, (UNILAG) in Akoka, under the aegis of Justice Oputa Chambers, held a rally in Bariga last week to educate residents on their fundamental human rights.

    The rally was part of the programmes marking their annual outreach event tagged: “Law to the lay man.”

    The head of chambers, Cornelius Gabriel, a 400-Level student, said: “The aim of the outreach is to educate the public on their rights and responsibilities under the law. We are sharing copies of the Constitution to those who could read. But for illiterates, we decided to give them verbal education. We are sensitising them on Child Rights Act as regards their roles in the society and ways they could be helped in getting justice.”

    A 300-Level student, Adesanoye Ayomikun, said the programme was necessary to create a responsible citizenry.  “The event is important, if only to inform the people about their rights as human beings.

    “Some people said they were victims of unjust arrests when they go to police stattions to lodge complaints. It is really terrible and this programme has been able to provide answers to most of the pertinent questions.”

    Residents and traders, who were sensitised by the students, expressed concerns over the poor state of justice in the country.

  • Thrilling campaigns at OAU

    Thrilling campaigns at OAU

    The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has conducted the Students’ Union Government (SUG) election. The exercise will be remembered for the comical manner candidates conducted their campaigns. KEMI BUSARI and SIKIRU AKINOLA (400-Level Political Science) write.

    The Students’ Government (SUG) elections at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, are always full of theatrics.

    The last SUG election was not an exception. Even the three-year ban on unionism did not stop the drama that always attends electioneering.

    It was time for election, following the restoration of unionism.

    It began with the sale of nomination forms, which went for N100. Though the nomination forms were cheap, some of the aspirants ended up spending hundreds of thousands of naira, campaigning.

    From the Halls of Residence to the academic area, walls and boards were covered in aspirants’ posters, banners and fliers. Some took to graffiti.

    Many of these posters were pasted at strange locations. Some were seen on waste bins, toilet doors;  some students wore their posters to make themselves popular. The outspoken among the candidates took their campaigns to the hostels and classrooms.

    The campaigns took a dramatic turn when Adebayo Aladesanye, one of the candidates vying for Social Director, who is known on campus as DJ Daruga, brought a bag of beans, a large local iron pot, adogan (local stove) and firewood to Awolowo Hall. The food was cooked for the occupants, known for their legendary consumption of beans.

    While the food was being prepared, students in other halls got information about the meal. They came to join their colleagues in Awolowo Hall, chanting Aro (comic) songs.

    When the food was ready, students surrounded the pot with different types of bowl, including small pots and water buckets to be served.

    Adebayo said: “I decided to cook beans to revive the Ewa (bean) Day we used to celebrate in Awolowo Hall. I knew students living in the hall would never appreciate anything except beans.”

    Adebayo’s opponent, Adewale Adesina, a 300-Level Demography and Social Statistics student, held a dance and soccer contest for students as campaign strategy. Participants won cash prizes up to N5,000.

    Adewale’s supporter told CAMPUSLIFE that the candidate initially had the plan to feed Awolowo Hall occupants but “an opponent hijacked the strategy”.

    Another drama ensued when Oluwafunmilola Oladejo, a Vice Presidential candidate known as Olori, took her campaign to Awolowo Hall. As OAU tradition demands, female aspirants must kneel down to show respect to the occupants of the hall.

    Oluwafunmilola did, but it was not enough for the male students. They demanded to know her boyfriend. The following conversation took place: “What is your name?” “Olori,” she answered. “Who is your boyfriend?”, “the kings,” she responded. “Where are they?” “They live in Awolowo Hall,” she replied.

    Satisfied with the responses, Oluwafunmilola was allowed to campaign in the hostel.

    On Manifesto Day at the Amphi Theatre, all the candidates were asked to dobale (prostrate) on the podium before speaking on their programmes. Candidates, who forgot to prostrate before the audience, were booed off the stage.

    There was drama when students discovered that the candidates, who enjoyed the loudest ovation, had been disqualified.

    A student said: “The campaigns themselves are a good comedy show that is free for all students. It has been interesting all the way. At times, I find it hard to decide which campaign to witness because the candidates ran funny campaigns.”

    Isaac Ibikunle, a Law student, was elected the union president; Olufunmilola, vice president. Olatayo Shittu is the General Secretary.

    Others elected are Louis Awode, Assistant General Secretary, Bamidele Oludare, Public Relations Officer, Adewale Adesina, Director of Socials, Damilola Oludayo, Director of Sports, Omolayo Awoyemi, Financial Secretary and Martins Ajewole, Welfare Officer.

  • Microbiology marks Week

    Microbiology marks Week

    Members of the National Association Microbiology Students (NAMS) at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) have held their annual week.

    The opening day was the Back to school programme where students wore different attires to participate in the the march-past and dance parade led by the graduating students, “the Metallidurans”. They marched round the school chanting old secondary school songs.  This followed a dance competition where  free items such as recharge cards were won at the Motion Ground.

    This was preceded by the Ankara day where students showcased their cultural heritage amidst dance and presentations.  The students later visited the Agbara factory of Nestle Foods.

    A symposium was held the following day with the theme: “The role of Microbiology in  nation building.” Speaking at the event Dr O. Oladele from Animal Care Service Konsult, said microbiology was highly essential in today’s world.

    The following day was the intra-varsity competition at Moot Court while the last day was the beach party held at Elegushi Beach.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Kunle Asaolu, a 400-Level student, said the week was an exciting one.

    “It has not been easy spending over six years in the university since 2008 due to incessant strike actions. If we do not rejoice and celebrate now, when are we going to have the time to do so? We thank God today for helping us through the years and we pray we all graduate honourably from the university.”

     

  • Rebased Economy: The lies and reality

    Rebased Economy: The lies and reality

    Nigerians at home and Diaspora should have ordinarily been the happiest of persons with the release of the re-based nation’s economy. With a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that is said to be the 26th out of the over 180 countries in the world, Nigeria should be a haven for investors, business men, and almost all classes of people.

    If the GDP was indeed growing, President Goodluck Jonathan and top government functionaries would not have been wasting public funds trotting the globe in the name of wooing investors to the country. This is because countries with such a high GDP are far from hunger and have many strong points which, would have made them to be so rated.

    However, Nigeria’s case is different. Different in the sense that the citizens themselves have been asking questions as to where did the figures come from? Could the word ‘GDP’ mean different things to different countries? What are the benchmarks that gave rise to the rebased GDP?

    With the rebased economy which puts Nigeria’s GDP at $510 with 2010 as the based year from the previous 1990, Nigeria should to be celebrating and that should translate to achieving vision 20:2020 ahead of the stipulated date. But that is not to be as the country seems to be plummeting deeper into hunger, starvation and poverty in the midst of a ‘robust economy’.

    In announcing Nigeria’s new GDP, the National Bureau of Statistics stated that growth in GDP was not synonymous with increase in job creation and that, increase in the overall economic output of a country does not necessarily mean increase in incomes of individuals.

    This, of course, is in sharp contrast to the general belief that a robust economy goes hand-in-hand with improved living conditions and fairly stable environment, where business transactions are conducted without fear of oppression, where the majority of the goods consumed by the country is produced in the country, where composite unemployment is at its lowest ebb, where probity and accountability is the watchword of the government. These situations are far from being the case in Nigeria.

    With the rebased economy, it means that Nigeria’s economy is larger than the $510 billion, making it the largest economy in Africa and beating South Africa to a distant second. The challenge, however, is when will Nigerians begin to feel the impact of this giant economy?

    Nigeria is a country where the composite unemployment rate is close to 30 per cent of the total population, while youth unemployment is approaching an all-time high of 50 per cent. This is a far cry from other countries with even lesser GDPs.

    Much as Nigerians are happy that the economy of the country is robust, they are more interested in seeing a transformed society, where tolerance reigns, where peace and security remain the watchword of the populace, where people that are willing and capable to work can find paid employment without lobbying for it. Of what importance is high GDP if the country is still ranked among the world’s poorest country?

    Despite the privatization of the power sector, the nation remains in darkness. Countries with far smaller GDPs enjoy stable power supply, yet Nigeria with its newfound GDP can only boast of a paltry 4,000 Megawatts.

    The railway system they claim they are reviving remains in comatose. Water transportation is almost non-existence except in places where there are no viable roads. But series of mishaps on our water ways has exposed the government’s inability to develop anything in the country.

    Security has been a major challenge facing this administration; hardly a day passes without incidents of security breaches. Boko Haram, a deadly sect, has launched a bloody campaign against the countrys unity. The government seems helpless while the criminals kill citizens in broad daylight.

    Social vices have reached a crescendo. If nothing is done to checkmate bloodshed in the country, there can be chaos and anarchy that may consume whole country.

    Nigeria has a better GDP than Austria, an European country. Yet Austria is considered as one of the most comfortable countries in the world. With a very high GDP, life expectancy in Nigeria is barely half of that of Austria, which stands at 80.7 years. Austria experiences an average of 2.1 murders per 100,000 while its unemployment rate stands at a low 5 per cent. Austria’s 75 per cent population is happy with life in the country. This is in sharp contrast to Nigeria where even the rich are dissatisfied with life condition in the country.

    Marcus Aurelius once observed: “The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit; the second is to look at things in the face and know them for what they are.” This is to say that we must face our problems headlong and improve the living conditions of our people, without trying to satisfy the whims of the West.

    Until there is an in-house reordering and reshaping, Nigeria’s problems will persist and we will turn to butt of jokes in global community. Government of the day must first purge itself of its ‘sins’ in order to better the living condition of the people as this is the only true wealth that will crystallise into all forms of prosperity, including a truly robust economy.

     

    Philip, just finished from Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, DELSU

  • Defence Academy students seek partnership with varsity

    Defence Academy students seek partnership with varsity

    Students of the department of History and International Studies of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) have visited the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State during their annual field and educational tour.

    The Head of Department, Dr Akande Akran, said the visit was necessary  to acquaint the students of historic places such as Lokoja where colonial heritage is sited to learn about the country’s socio-political experience.

    He sought partnership with the university on areas that would help to promote knowledge.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi, praised the students for embarking on the exercise.

    Among the places visited is Mount Panti. They also saw colonial totem put in place by Lord Lugard and the first primary school in northern Nigeria, which is located in Lokoja.

    The delegation was received by the institution’s principal officers, including the Registrar, Mrs Habiba  Adeiza and the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Mohammed Suleimon Audu.

  • Bursary of pain

    Bursary of pain

    Benue State Government is paying its students bursary. But the beneficiaries are complaining about the disbursement method. MSONTER ANZAA (300-Level Medicine, Benue State University) writes on the challenges faced by the beneficiaries.

    MID  complaints, students of Benue State origin have been receiving their bursary for 2010 and 2011.

    Many beneficiaries are displeased over the modality of payment.

    In the past,  staff of the Benue State Scholarship Board visited schools to pay beneficiaries. But the ongoing exercise is being conducted through a bank.

    Some of the students are, however, not happy with the choice of Sterling Bank. The bank only has one branch in Makurdi, making payment slow and cumbersome.

    When the students received the account number, they rushed to the bank, but the slow procedure caused a bottleneck. When our correspondent visited the bank on Otukpo Road last Tuesday and Thursday, its premises was crowded with students, queuing in the sun and struggling to get inside.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that  only one cashier was assigned to attend to the students. There was a stampede on Thursday when the students overpowered two security officials  at the bank’s entrance and forced their way inside.

    Besides, getting an account opening form from the bank is a problem.

    But outside, a nearby computer centre is making brisk business, selling the form to students.  CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the bank could not provide the form to the crowd of students, compelling it to stop issuing the form.

    The business centre got copies of the form and is selling  them to students for N15. A certain electricity payment bill was also sold to students. Electricity bill is one of the requirements for opening the account.

    A student, who bought the electricity bill, said: “I have provided every document required to open the account, including my voter’s card, but the bank official said I must provide a PHCN bill which I don’t have. I had to buy from the shop.”

    Another student said he was advised by the screening officer to go and photocopy the bill.

    “If everyone is bringing the same copy of PHCN bill, which they do not even own, how does it help with identification?” he queried.

    Some students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, lamented the stress they were subjected to, saying the bank process has compounded their difficulty in getting the bursary. They also complained about the compulsory N1,000 being deducted by the bank as the minimum balance to maintain the accounts.

    Students said the accounts were opened without their consent, wondering why they were been charged for maintaining the account.

    A student, who pleaded for anonymity, said when he received a message from the bank that his account had been successfully opened, he deleted the message, thinking it was a scam message. “I was surprised when I received another message later that the account had been credited, I decided to go to the bank to verify what was happening,” he said.

    Other students,who did not receive account alert, were at the bank to retrieve their account numbers and activate the accounts ahead of payment.

    Some students, who complained that they did not receive any notification from the bank said they were told upon enquiry that their names had not yet been sent by the scholarship board.

    The students receive N10,000 bursary for accumulated years. The beneficiaries include graduates and Corps members, who were students at the time the bursary application was processed.

  • ‘You only live once’

    ‘You only live once’

    Earlier this week, I came across a wallpaper on Blackberry Messenger Channel, saying: “You only live once”. I saved the wallpaper and consequently, I used it on my phone.

    The term “You Only Live Once” (Y.O.L.O) was made popular by a certain American rapper, Ervin McKinness, and it is usually the excuse for young people when they engage in reckless behaviors. The excuse is that, life is meant to be lived to the fullest because death can come to anyone, anytime. Youths, therefore, engage in reckless actions that can shock any right-thinking individual.

    They engage in excessive drinking of alcohols, drug abuse, wild parties, and orgy of carnal activities. According to Wikipedia, McKinness posted the expression on Twitter, prior to his death in an auto crash; he was drunk and was driving at a very high speed. Several unreported incidents may have also occurred as a result of obsession with the Y.O.L.O lifestyle. Some youths have died because of intake of overdose of drugs, some got unwanted pregnancy as a result of their Y.O.L.O lifestyle; some people’s visions have been lost and their lives are generally rendered useless. Ask an average youth the reason behind his seemingly thoughtless behavior, he would be quick to reply that it is Y.O.L.O.

    I too used to be a proponent of Y.O.L.O (even if I wasn’t man enough to practice it, at least to some extent) until a few days ago when staring at the wallpaper. A thought struck me; yes we only live once and after we are dead we might not have a chance to make right our wrongs. So if we only live once, we must live each day a though it was the last.

    Then I realised how wrong I was. I had convinced myself Y.O.L.O could only mean one should have fun, live wild and do all the crazy stuffs he could while he lives because he has to “seize the day”. What I failed to realise was that it could also mean that since life had no duplicate, it is important that we should live a worthy life that can be emulated by generation coming after us.

    It is not that I never had this good opinion of Y.O.L.O. I did, but I was too busy thinking of the supposed “fun” one could have without giving an exemplary life a thought. That was when I started thinking: what really is Y.O.L.O? I would say, it is living a life you would never regret in the afterlife. It is not taking decisions that would hurt us because we are young and naïve. It is living a life that affects us and our society positively; it is to be lived to the fullest but with positive impacts.

    Our youthful age makes us impulsive and eager about life. It is at this stage we start to discover who we are, making us want to explore and live life as it is. This, of course, is normal. We all want to be trusted to make right decisions and we would go extra miles to prove they are the best anyone can ever make in the same situation.

    We want to carve a niche for ourselves and make an identity by which we can be recognized. We want to be accepted for who we are and this is where most youths get it wrong. In the bid to create an image by which we would be seen and addressed by the society, we misplace our priority and build bad images.

    This could be as a result of many factors, the most prominent of which is peer pressure. We want to fit in so badly we lose our own identity and take on the identity of another people. There are also standards that we want meet and while trying to meet these standards, we lose our own self. It is, therefore, important that, as an individual, we must consider several factors in building the kind of person we want to be. Does your action hurt you or those around you? Is it an acceptable standard of behavior in the society? If you were a parent, would you approve of your wards taking such action? Finally, does your action impact others around you and the society positively? We must ask ourselves these questions to live a worthy life. Would you rather live to exist or to actually stand out and be the best? Give these thoughts a consideration and make decision, bearing in mind you can only live once.

     

    Adebisi, 400-Level Communication and Language Arts, UI

  • No election for for UDUS students

    No election for for UDUS students

    Students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) aspiring for various positions in campus politics of the 2014/2015 academic session, had their hopes dashed when the outgoing Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Ibrahim Magawatta, hinted that there would be no election in the school.

    Dr Magawata disclosed this during an emergency meeting with students’ leaders at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Students’ Centre.

    He said: “It has become necessary for the university to place a ban on elections in unions and association on campus for the 2014/2015 academic session, considering the present situation. We are running a concurrent session of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 and we cannot afford to embark on any activity that will hinder the smooth running of our programmes. Space for lectures has been a problem, and it will be more difficult if we allow political activities to go on this year. On this premise, I want to inform you that the university management has placed a ban on all political activities till further notice.”

    He added: “In the meantime, caretaker committees will run the affairs of campus associations. I will announce the dissolution of the students’ union in due course and a caretaker committee will be constituted to run the affairs of the union. This will also apply to other registered association on the campus.”

    Danladi Waziri, a 200-Level student said: “This is rude shock to all of us.We least expected a ban on political activities because it is very important we appoint those that will direct our affairs. I hope the management will rescind this decision.” Another student, Sanni Muhammad said: “Banning political activities will do more harm than good because it will give room for corruption. The management should think twice.”

  • ‘Increase in rice production ‘ll boost food security’

    ‘Increase in rice production ‘ll boost food security’

    A lecturer in the department of Agronomy at the Delta State University, Prof Peter Eruotor,  has advocated the need for a sustainable increase in rice production as panacea to improving food security, alleviating poverty and preserving the environment.

    Prof Eruotor made the remark during the 34th inaugural lecture of the university.

    The lecture, which was held at the Pre-degree Auditorium, was attended by members of the academic community.

    Delivering a lecture titled: “Rice, the staff of life,”  Prof Eruotor noted that poor government policies, lack of education of farmers and inadequate research institutes on modern trends in rice production have resulted in low quantity production of rice locally.

    He said rice was the staple food of more than half the world’s population, adding that it was imperative that rice production should increase in line with the current population explosion.

    He said the removal of rice import restrictions in 1997 caused the flooding of the Nigerian market with foreign  rice, a situation which, according to him, discouraged local producers.

    Prof Eruotor listed the problem of pest and disease control, soil fertility management, unavailability of simple and cheap farm implements, research, access to institutional and infrastructural support credit facilities and inadequate input delivery as challenged facing rice production.

    He stressed the need for farmers, consumers, environmentalists, government ministries, international agencies and stakeholders from the civil society to work together to increase local production of rice.