The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Don advocates funding of research

    Stakeholders in the oil and gas sector have been urged to fund research in finding solutions to the perennial challenges of environmental pollution.

    The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources in Effurun (FUPRE), Prof Olatunde Damisa, made the call last Tuesday at a lecture titled: Environmental Biotechnology: A Novel and Effective Tool for Crude Oil Contamination Monitoring and Bioremediation, which was organised by the university in collaboration with Lancaster University in United Kingdom.

    The guest lecturer, Dr Dayi Zhang, spoke on effect of pollution on the environment and how researches could help to stop degradation in oil communities. He noted that researchers were focusing on biotechnology, saying some countries, including Nigeria, Malawi and South-Africa, had been selected for researches seeking to put an end to environmental pollution.

    Dr Zhang said the European Council would support the research effort in Nigeria, in which the university would be collaborating with the University of Lancaster to achieve the goal.

    Prof Damisa said the effect of pollution and contamination coming from oil exploration activities had created hazardous condition for the environment and communities, adding that any effort at resolving the problems should be supported by the explorers.

    The don enjoined the oil firms to join hands with professionals in solving the environmental challenges, especially through researches which Dr Zhang articulated.

    The DVC said the lecture would improve knowledge in finding a remedy to contaminations of environment.

  • Mystery over law student’s death

    Mystery over law student’s death

    How did Oladipupo Maranantha Ige die? This is the puzzle students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, could not unravel last week when news of the rumoured suicide of the 400-Level Law student broke. OLUWAFEMI OGUNJOBI (400-Level Language Arts) reports.

    “By the time you read this, I would have been dead.” That was the text the late Oladipupo Ige allegedly sent to his mother’s mobile phone on that fateful day.

    His mother, it was learnt, did not get the text in time because her phone was off. Several minutes later, Oladipupo was found dead in his room. He allegedly committed suicide.

    The incident happened last week in Asherifa Hostel, opposite the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. The late Oladipupo was a 400-Level Law student.

    But the police disagreed with the suicide theory. The Osun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Folashade Odoro, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said the student died of “stomach ache”.

    Students besieged the hostel, following the news of Oladipupo’s death. The late student reportedly left a written statement detailing how his properties should be shared. His books should be buried with him, he was said to have written.

    The late Oladipupo, who was in his early 20s, reportedly left for his hostel on Friday without telling his neighbours where he was going. He returned in the evening of the following day, after which he composed the text he sent to his parents.

    CAMPUSLIFE learnt that when his mother got the text around 10pm, she called Bola Okiji, the late Oladipupo’s close friend and classmate. Okiji was said not to have been around at the time. Mrs Ige then sent a woman living around the school to check on her son.

    On getting to the late Oladipupo’s hostel, the door was found locked from behind. When the woman peeped through the door, she reportedly saw the late Ige’s body dangling. She alerted other occupants and they broke into the deceased’s room.

    When our correspondent visited the house, the neighbours declined to speak. One of them, who did not want her name in print, said: “Lately, Oladipupo had been doing weird things; at times, he would wake up in the midnight and start washing the toilet. Sometimes, he would be banging his door at midnight.”

    Emmanuella Odum, the deceased’s friend, described his death as unimaginable. “We still played together on Friday after lectures, before he left the campus. Why he contemplated suicide is what I cannot explain,” she said.

    Okiji described the late Oladipupo as a brilliant student, who could have graduated with a Second Class (Upper Division). Okiji said his friend could not have committed suicide for academic reason.

    Last Sunday, the late Oladipupo’s parents conveyed his remains to their Iree, Osun State hometown.

    When our correspondent visited the Law Faculty, his classmates were seen discussing in hushed tones. “He was a recluse and kept to himself; he never talked to anyone. When I go to read at the faculty, he would be seen at dark spots, staring into space. At times, he would question the existence of God. I think he had a weird personality,” a classmate said.

    Ayotola Tehingbola, in an article published on the faculty’s notice board, described Oladipupo’s death as shocking. She wondered why the deceased would contemplate suicide, noting: “Oladipupo, I don’t know what went through your head in the last few hours of your life, but I am sorry that you saw life as not being worth it. I cannot begin to imagine the fear and hopelessness you felt in the last hour of your life.

    “I met Oladipupo on my matriculation day. His dad and my dad worked in the same company at that time; so it was sensible for us to meet. I vividly remember the last time I spoke to him, just before the Nigeria University Games (NUGA) began. We stood, laughed, argued and scribbled in front of Auditorium II.”

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bamitale Omole, has condoled with the bereaved family, saying the institution shared in its grief.

    There are insinuations that the late Oladipupo may have died of bipolar disorder – acute depression. But the police said the deceased called a friend, identified as Olajuwon, moments before his death. He was said to have complained of stomach ache. According to the police, Oladipupo died before Olajuwon reached him.

     

  • Murder in the hostel

    Murder in the hostel

    A graduating student of the Delta State University (DELSU), Obiaka Megwai, has been stabbed to death by an admission seeker, Victor Chukwudi Osodi, following an argument over N50 to buy fuel. PHILIP OKORODUDU (Graduating student of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering) and ESE OKODUWA (300-Level Home Economics) report.

    IT looked like a movie scene; but it was real. A graduating student of Guidance and Counselling at the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Obraka Megwai, was stabbed to death with a knife by Victor Chukwudi Osodi, an admission seeker.

    Obiaka was killed for failing to contribute N50 to buy fuel. The incident happened in City Wise Hostel, an off-campus hall in Ekrejeta area of the university’s host community. There was pandemonium in the hostel last Tuesday when the news spread.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that an argument ensued when the late Obiaka was asked to contribute N50 by the hostel’s caretaker to buy fuel to power the pumping machine. It was gathered that the slain student refused.

    It was learnt that other occupants contributed the sum to the caretaker, who went to buy the fuel.

    Trouble, however, started when the pipe connecting the deceased’s apartment to the water tank was disconnected by the caretaker. The late Obiaka was said to have re-connected the tap without the caretaker’s consent.

    In anger, the caretaker challenged the deceased and a row ensued between them. Their argument attracted other occupants, who reportedly condemned the late Obiaka’s action.

    In the ensuing melee, Victor, who came to write the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) but was not offered admission, took it upon himself to “deal decisively” with the late Obiaka. Victor was said to be living with his younger brother.

    An occupant, who craved anonymity, said: “The first thing we heard was ‘you no fit try am’ and this was followed by a loud shout for help.”

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the deceased was stabbed on the head and neck. Seeing what happened, other occupants fled while the victim was taken to the hospital where he was confirmed dead. The body was deposited at the Ufuoma Mortuary in Abraka.

    The assailant reportedly escaped after the crime. He was said to be staying in the room of his younger brother, a 200-Level student, who had travelled before the incident.

    When CAMPUSLIFE visited the hostel, the building was shut. The police reportedly fired several gunshots before locking the lodge.

    An officer, who pleaded for anonymity because he was not authorised to speak, confirmed the incident when our correspondent visited Abraka Police Station. He said the police were on the trail of the assailant, who, CAMPUSLIFE gathered, may have fled to his village.

     

  • Festival of fun, fury

    Festival of fun, fury

    It was all fun at the Imo State University (IMSU) during the Students’ Union Week, sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria and Solo Phones, a telephone firm. AHANEKU EKENE (300-Level Optometry) reports.

    The Imo State University (IMSU) in Owerri was agog last week as students gathered for their union week. Etisalat Nigeria, a mobile telephone service provider, in collaboration with Solo Phones, hosted the soccer tournament to mark the Week.

    For many students, the soccer fiesta was the biggest sporting event ever held on the campus. Students trooped to the pitch for the game.

    Activities marking the week started with a health awareness programme, anchored by Hardy Mbadugha, a 400-Level Optometry student and the union’s Director of Health. This culminated in a raffle draw organised by the union and Etisalat. Students won prizes, such as books, shirts, Android phones, laptops and the grand prize of a Kia Picanto.

    Students were thrilled by the soccer event and music show, which brought popular hip-hop artistes, such as Phyno and Terry G to the campus. The local artistes, including Golden Okafor (X-busta), the union’s Director of Socials, also thrilled the students with their music during the football match.

    Four teams – SUG Executive, Union Parliament, Judicial Council and School – participated in the football tournament. The matches, which had male and female teams, were officiated by the school’s sport officials.

    Before the opening match between the SUG Executive Team and the Union Parliament Team, gifts were given to students who participated in the ball-raising exercise.

    The opening match was entertaining. The Executive Team, with SUG President Christian Ogbu as skipper, beat the Parliament Team 2-1. This qualified the winning team for the next round of the tournament. The union Speaker, Odinaka Ezeji, led the Parliament Team.

    The second match was played by the School Team and the Judicial Team. As the match was going on, branded items, such as exercise books and shirts, were given to students. The Judicial Team won 1-0.

    The final match was played between the two winning teams; the losers slugged it out in the third place contest.

    The Nigerian Red Cross Society officials were on hand to treat the injured.

    The Executive Team scored the opening goal a few minutes into the game. The Judicial Team equalised 70 seconds into the injury time. In the penalty shootout, the Executive Team won 4-3.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Hardy, who played in the Executive Team, said: “This is my first time of playing on a standard field. It was really a nice experience for me. The cheers from the crowd made the game memorable.”

    For the union’s Sport Director, Chijioke Obilaso, a 300-Level Philosophy student, the soccer event was fulfilling. He said: “I am grateful because this tournament marks a great achievement for me as the Sport Director. I thank the union president and others who helped me achieve this landmark in IMSU’s sport history.”

    After the trophy was presented to the winners, X-busta and other school artistes thrilled the crowd of students on the field.

    Chiamaka Onyedeke, 300-Level Law, said: “It was a wonderful day. I am happy because I enjoyed myself throughout the event. I commend the union president and his team for this feat. We appreciate Etisalat and Solo Phones, which have proven, by the sponsorship of the game, that they are friends of all Imo State University students.”

     

  • ‘We want to rid campus of crime’

    ‘We want to rid campus of crime’

    Joseph Adetan, a 400-Level Philosophy student of the Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State is the commanding officer of the Cadet Corps. He told SEGUN ODUNAYO (100-Level Political Science) on the operation of the organisation under his watch.

    There is a feeling among students that members of your organisation are cultists, how true is this?

    I can tell you that I am shocked by this statement. How can a duly registered organisation give room for cultists? Even though we encourage brawny people to join us in curbing crime, we never extended invitation to cultists. The fact that we have tough members does not mean they are cultists. In this organisation, we don’t take nonsense at all. We don’t have cultists among us and if we discover that any of our members is a cultist, we will not hesitate to expose him.

    There is also a belief that your members use charm. Is that true?

    I am a Christian and I attend church regularly. The only thing I have is the anointing oil my pastor gave me and that is all. We have religious people in the organisation and we don’t engage in fetish things. Just as we have Christians, we also have Muslim members and they are good people. We all live in the same place and we can easily identify those who use charm.

    But there are instances when your members go about, harassing students?

    Maybe this happened in the past, but under my watch, nothing of such has happened. We follow the right procedure and protocols and we report erring students to the management for punishment. We believe in equality before the law and we don’t go about preaching what we don’t practise. We want to get rid of crime from our campus, so we cannot afford to be criminals. We are friends of students and there is no need for harassing them. When a student commits crime, we ensure that such person is dealt with.

    What has been the challenge facing the organisation?

    Our challenge has been the community in which we operate. Many of the indigenes have been recruited by cult members to carry out their nefarious acts. Many of these cult guys, who are students, now operate from the background. They use the indigenes, which is making it very hard for us to identify them. Another problem is finance. Although, the management gives us some funds, but the organisation needs to be funded adequately to combat crime on the campus and its environs.

    What has the organisation achieved so far?

    We have exposed some cult members, who harassed students unnecessarily. In fact, we caught three students from the University of Benin, who came down here to commit crime. We also arrested a student of Ekiti State University for robbery. On the matriculation day, we were able to maintain peace on the campus. We provide security for events organised in school, and we ensured that nobody was hurt while attending such events. Students being disturbed by cultist run to us for help and we try our best to keep them safe. We sensitise students on how to be security-conscious and we can assure the university community that we are up to the task in securing the campus.

     

  • Fire at OAU union building

    Fire at OAU union building

    The Students’ Union Building of the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State almost went up in flames last Thursday as electric surge from the Computer Room in the building sparked fire.

    The quick intervention of the institution’s fire men saved the day.

    Passers-by, who noticed emission of smoke from the building, called emergency number of the fire service.

    The head of OAU Fire Service, Mr Ibrahim Muideen, led the fire-fighting operation, climbing and axing the affected section to prevent re-ignition.

    The building was renovated about three years ago after a violent, following the introduction of a new acceptance fee. Students’ unionism was proscribed after the protest and since then, access to the building has been restricted.

    Speaking after the fire was put out, Muideen said he mobilised firemen immediately his office got a distress call from students.

    He said: “We got a call on our emergency number at 12:17pm, informing us that the Students’ Union Building was on fire. We immediately rushed to the scene. On getting there, we saw smoke coming out of the computer room but since all entrances had been sealed, we could not move into the building. We had to use ladder to access the affected room and removed all burning materials.”

    Muideen said his men discovered that all cables in the building were not affected by the fire but added that the inferno may have been caused by “spontaneous combustion” which may occur as result of heat.

    He said the fire unit was planning to establish a fire-fighters’ club in the university to teach students how to fight fire.

     

  • NANS honours MAUTECH VC

    The National Association of Nigerian Students Union (NANS) has honoured Prof Bashir Haruna Usman, Vice-Chancellor of Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH) in Yola, Adamawa State with leadership award of excellence.

    The award was presented by National NANS President Yinka Gbadegbo.

    Dr Bashir Aliyu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), who received the award on behalf of VC, thanked the association for the recognition, dedicating the award to staff and students.

    He attributed the success of his administration to the visionary leadership of the institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG) for its sensitisation campaign against examination malpractices and other vices on campus. He commended the union on the recent donation of dustbins to the university, urging them to make good use of the university facilities.

    Gbadebo said the award was an annual event in which the public and students were allowed to nominate the best performing Vice-Chancellor, Rector and Provost through the social media. Prof Usman emerged first in leadership excellence and judicious utilisation of funds and execution of projects that have direct benefit to students.

    In a related development, the parliament of MAUTECH Students’ Union has also honoured the Registrar, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Ribadu and six others. It also unveiled the constituency projects of its senate members.

    In his opening remarks, the Speaker, Ibrahim Bello, said the projects included procurement of 10,000 mosquito nets and 50,000 note books for students.

    He said the selection of the beneficiaries was based on the recognition of their outstanding contribution in their respective areas of specialisation.

    Responding on behalf of the recipient, Dr Umar Boboi, a representative of Girei Local Government in Adamawa State House of Assembly, thanked the senate members of MAUTECH SUG for acknowledging their performance in various areas of responsibilities, assuring the students of their support and cooperation at all times.

    Others honoured included Dr Jafaru Ali, Deans Students Affairs; Dr Halilu Hamman, Chairman Adamawa State Universal Education Board; Alhaji Salii Buba Secretary Adamawa Pension Board; Mr Wilson Yerima, Principal Account, Adamawa State University, Mubil; Hajiya Maryam Nyako, Executive Director Adamawa Education Endowment Fund and Helen Daniel.

     

  • A feast of soccer

    A feast of soccer

    The Faculty of Allied Medical Science of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has organised its maiden Dean’s Cup competition. STANLEY UCHEGBU (500-Level Accounting) reports. 

    For a week, academic activities were suspended at the Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences of the University (UNICAL). Students left the classroom to play football.

    Abraham Ordia Stadium of the university was agog with the faculty’s maiden soccer fiesta. The tournament was facilitated by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Anne Asuquo.

    Students of Radiography, Nursing, Public Health and Medical Laboratory Science – the four departments that make up the faculty – showed their talents during the fiesta. After a series of matches, two of the four departments made it to the final.

    At the final match, players were welcomed by an ecstatic crowd of spectators, chanting various songs. Although the pitch was a bit rough the players remained undaunted as they slugged it out. The Red Cross Society team stood at a strategic spot to treat any injured player and technical crew.

    The Radiography and Medical Laboratory Science teams battled to lift the trophy. The players entertained spectators with their soccer skills. There was a drama when Medical Laboratory Science scored a goal 30 seconds into the match.

    However, Nsisong Brenda of the Radiography team equalised in the second half.

    After 90 minutes of play, the match ended in a draw. The match officials decided to end the encounter with penalty shootouts. The penalty kicks gave Radiography team the day with five goals to four.

    A spectator, Sandra Abang, 200-Level Nursing student, described the match as thrilling.

    Prof Saturday Etuk, Provost of College of Medical Sciences, presented the trophy and cash prize to the winners.

    He said: “I am particularly thrilled by the unity this event has brought to the faculty. Apart from uniting students, the event also helped them to relax. We saw the need to engage students in physical fitness and make them have good mental alertness.”

    The captain of Radiography team thanked God for the victory and praised his mates for their effort.

    Essienobong Umoh, a 400-Level Radiography student, said the event was a nice idea. “Every student who loves sports participated in it. It gave us the opportunity to work and showed that there is unity among students of the faculty,” he stated.

    The event was witnessed by students, members of staff of the faculty, including the Sub Dean, Dr Olaide Edet, Head Department of Radiography, Dr. Nneonyi Egbe, former Speaker of Students’ Union Government, Emmanuel Olayi and ex-president of the Faculty, Emmanuel Okuta, among others.

  • Medical students hold week

    Medical students hold week

    Members of the Lagos State Medical Students Association (LAMSA) in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) have held their annual Health Week with the theme: Lagos: the myth of a lost heritage.

    Director-General, Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau, Bolaji Uthman, took participants through the historical and cultural backgrounds of Lagos State.

    The programme featured a novelty basketball game. Members of team East Coast, representing students of southeastern Nigeria, played against West Coast, students of southwestern Nigeria. The match was won by the West coast team.

    There was also a film show at the New Great Hall, where over a hundred students watched movie titled: Twelve years a slave. Students described the movie as entertaining and educative.

    During the symposium organised to mark the Week, Mr Ola Oresanya, Managing Director of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) spoke on Medical waste management: The future.

    The Week activity was rounded off with a medical outreach to Adaranijo Market in Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), where over 300 persons, including children were treated of various ailments.

    There were free medical services such as Body Mass Index (BMI), Urinalysis, Rapid Blood Glucose Test, Blood Pressure test, Drug Dispensary and free medical consultation.

    The students later went on excursion to Lekki Conservation Centre.

    They visited SOS orphange in Isolo, where gift and consumables were donated to the orphans.

     

  • How to build integrity, by don

    A lecturer at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Prof Nurudeen Adedipe, has identified effective quality assurance and human capital development as the key for building integrity in postgraduate studies in Nigeria.

    Prof Adedipe stated this at the 12th public lecture of the institution held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall.

    In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Femi Mimko, said the lecture was organised to st agenda for policymakers and government.

    Prof Mimiko said the numerous challenges posed by technology, funding, declining quality of work and ethics and low-quality graduates produced by Nigerian universities, necessitated the need to reposition postgraduate studies in the country.

    “‘Undertaking reforms of postgraduate programmes at this level of our higher education history will serve as a coordinated and regulated attempt at further deepening the quality of programmes, strengthening the institutions, regulating contents, opening up alternative funding formula, boosting the volume and quality of research, achieving uniform and global standard, guaranteeing quality assurance and building capacity in the universities in the education sector, and indeed, economy-wide”, he said.

    Participants at the event described the lecture as timely in view of the numerous challenges facing the education system.

    In a lecture titled: Postgraduate studies reform for capacity building, institutional strengthening and quality assurance in the Nigerian universities system, Prof Adedipe said the numerous policies and guidelines laid down by the National University Commission (NUC) to promote quality research, especially at the postgraduate level, have not been implemented.

    He said universities and research institutes had not lived up to expectations in conducting sustainable research as a result of low level of funding.

    Prof Adedipe called for best practices in financial management to ensure that research does not suffer, saying there was the need for effective supervision of postgraduate schools with a view to fast-tracking the effective implementation of the guidelines.

    Making a case for the extension of tenure office for Deans of Postgraduate Schools from the two terms of two years to four years, Prof Adedipe said postgraduate students must be made to carry out research work with strong hands-on bench, studio or archival skill with ICT competency.