Category: Campus Life

Final year students at Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) are distraught following the institution’s 500 per cent increment in certificate fee. They want the state government to intervene, SAFIU KEHINDE, ADEBAYO NURUDEEN, IBRAHIM HABEEB and BISIRIYU HASSAN (LASUSTECH) report

These are not the best of times for final year students of Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) Ikorodu, Lagos State, formerly Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH). They are unhappy with the sudden  500 per cent hike in certificate fee by the school authorities.

The institution’s  Governing Council had, in a memo  last week, announced the change in certificate fee from N5,000  to N30,000.

As contained in the memo, the Governing Council had, in April, held a  meeting over a proposed upward review of students’ ancillary fees which meant the  certificate fee would also change alongside others.

But, students condemned the hike. They described it as ‘harsh, outrageous and inconsiderate’.

The school’s Student Union Government (SUG) decried the the increment, adding  that it was not in support of the decision.

The union made its stance known in a statement and also urged students to remain calm.

“Subsequent to the memo released on May 23, 2023  about Upward review of students ancillary fee  by the Governing Council, the Student Union Government  believes  that obtaining certificate is not just a privilege but right  of every student.  Therefore, we must not be denied of that right  by a policy that is not only sudden, but too extreme.

“As we urge our fellow students to be  calm till we meet with the management to address the issue, we also use this medium to emphatically state our position; that we are not in  support of this and we will never accept such for any reason,” the statement reads in part.

It is outrageous and inconsiderate, say students

Akanni Rahmotallah, a final year Marketing student, said the school was  inconsiderate. She appealed to authorities to reverse the hike.

“I am the one sponsoring myself to school, I am currently looking for means to pay the tuition fee, the management should please reduce the money,” she said.

Another final year Business Administration student, who pleaded anonymity, condemned the increment. She urged the leadership of the institution to place premium on students welfare.

“It is so heartbreaking and rather inconsiderate towards the welfare of the students. Most of us sponsor ourselves to school and it has not been very easy.

“Why would management increase certificate fee without prior notice and want an implementation straight away?

“It shows that the welfare of the students whom they nurture is not at their heart. Things are very difficult economically already; why would the school decide to make life miserable for students? We are not happy with this development at all,” she said.

Surprisingly, the increment is not only applicable to final year students but also to the school’s  fresh graduates who are yet to begin their clearance.

Also, there are issues surrounding  the possibility of those who have completed their clearance and paid the initial N5,000 certificate fee adding a balance of N25,000 before their certificate would be issued to them.

Describing the increment as ‘outrageous’, former Speaker of the SUG,  Rt. Hon. Asekun Elijah, faulted the school management for not notifying the graduating students prior to the commencement of the clearance exercise.

“What saddens the heart most is the fact that there was no proper notification to the students and even the graduating students who have done their clearance. There was no proper announcement stating this. It is so harsh and unbearable moving such kind of fee from N,5000  to N30,000 in this harsh economy. To be candid, this is outrageous,” he said.

He, however, pleaded with Lagos State Government to intervene, adding that the increased fee is unaffordable for the students.

“We are pleading with the state government to come to our rescue. This is more or less like a scam. We appeal to the government for quick intervention before this situation gets out of hand. And to the management of LASUSTECH,  we  appeal to you. We cannot afford  N30,000  for certificate,” he added.

Former  Management and Business Administration Student Association’s (MABUSSA) President, Balogun Samson, alleged that the increment was aimed at  extorting students for sustenance.

“How can management wake up in a day and decide that the next move for them to add to their income is that they should increase certificate of N5,000  to N30,000? Who does that? It is a legal way and official way of extorting students.

“They should have told us before now when we were in school. They should have told us that we are going to increase this fee for some reasons,” he said.

Former Speaker of the National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS), Issa Quazim, said:

“Firstly, I don’t really know where the decision is coming from either the LASPOTECH management or LASUSTECH management.

“If it was LASUSTECH decision, definitely it has also removed subsidy from our certificate fee.

Meanwhile, for Augustina Eze, a graduating Microbiology student, who had completed her clearance and paid the initial fee for the certificate, the development is disappointing to students who thought they had settled all necessary bills having been cleared by the school.

“It’s really sad to think you have cleared all the school bills only to find out you still have some outstanding  fee they added after you had cleared your bills,” she said.

Odubonojo Mary, another graduating student, said:

“When I got to the Bursary Office during my clearance and I saw minus something, I knew something funny was about to happen.

“Please for God’s sake the school management should pity us and reduce the fee from 30k to 5k because this is not the best time to increase the fee.

“If some students inform their parents about the increment, they will think they are lying. For some of them to pay that N5,000, l  know they went through a lot.”

Read Also: LASUSTECH students to Sanwo-Olu: fulfill your promises

Comparing the new certificate fee with that of Lagos State University (LASU), Ashimi Tawakalitu, another graduating student, claimed that graduating students from the state-owned university pay similar amount for their entire clearance exercise and not just for certificate.

 “LASU students have a specific fee for clearance, which includes all other fees and certificate. But here, the N30,000 is just for the certificate that used to be N5,000. If we aren’t benefitting from the school’s upgrade to a university, then we don’t have to contribute so much. Because as far as I’m concerned we’ve made sacrifices while we were still on campus,” she said.

‘School can no longer  foot

certificate processing bill’

Reacting to the development,  LASUSTECH’s Dean of Students Affairs, Ademola Aderogba said the increment was as a result of the harsh economic situation in the country and foreign exchange rate.

According to him, the certificate which is said to have security features like the ones on Naira notes, are printed in the United Kingdom as there are inadequate facilities to handle the printing here in the country.

He noted  that the institution had  over the past seven years, been subsidising the certificate’s processing cost. But with the current decline in revenue generation by the institution, the Governing Council had to stop subsidising the cost on the certificate fee.

His words: “ The economic situation in Nigeria is very clear to everybody. The price of things yesterday are not  the same today, not to talk of price of something seven years ago being the same today. When the idea of improvising our certificate arose, we were having issues of fake certificate then. We felt that we are in a digital world now and have to upgrade. Being a polytechnic of excellence then, we must lead while others follow.

“So we had to digitalise the certificate with security features like the ones you have on Naira note which makes it difficult for anybody to fake it. The school introduced it and that’s how we started the idea.

“Meanwhile, it was not printed in Nigeria. It was printed in the UK. As we know that most of the securities printing in Nigeria are handled outside the country because we don’t have too much facilities to handle it.

“But how much is Dollars or Pounds Sterling seven years ago when we started? And how much is Pounds Sterling seven years after? N5,000 then was enough to print a copy in the UK. All along, the school had money. We were buoyant with all kinds of part-time programmes. But these programmes are  winding down gradually, it is affecting school revenue. The school can no longer foot the bill like before.

“It was  subsidised then. But now that the school is going through tough times, we have to remove all kinds of subsidy here and there, otherwise the system will collapse.”

PRO: school authorities not wicked

 LASUSTECH Public Relations Officer, Dr. Olarenwaju Kuye, said: “You don’t have to go to the street and cause problem, all you need to do is to follow this normal procedure because there is no issue that’s not solvable. It’s not a big issue. When you war war, you will always come back to jaw jaw. We are your fathers and we are not wicked.

 “Students who graduated since 1980s refused to collect their certificate, it was when we fixed it at N5,000 that they  started receiving it, it was free before. Those who have paid the initial fee of N5,000  do not have to pay anymore.”

Kuye debunked rumours that cleared students would pay a balance of N25,000, after paying N5,000.

He noted that the hike would only affect those yet to start their clearance. He urged current final year students to avoid fomenting trouble on campus.

“The president of SUG  was here  to explain the situation. As I speak with you, they have written to the management and the management will look into it,” he added.

Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu, Lagos State is poised to tackling plastic pollution on its campuses by putting measures in place to promote recycling, re-use, prompt and safe disposal.

Speaking during the LASUSTECH’s  celebration of the World Environment Day, which had as theme:”Solutions to plastic pollution”, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, noted that the institution had  zero tolerance  for plastic pollution and would embark on thorough sensitisation across its immediate communities.

He said it was historic that a young university like LASUSTECH was joining for the first time the global movement led by the United Nations Environment Programme in the celebration.

Quoting global statistics, Odusanya noted that in 2021, about 139 million tonnes of plastics were used only once,while less than 10 per cent was recycled.

He said 19-22 million tonnes end up in rivers and oceans causing danger for ocean life, food security and damage to the blue economy.

The VC said solutions to plastic pollution required concerted efforts including financial incentives, appropriate disposal,reduction in use, and  recycling.

Read Also: LASUSTECH students excited over Sanwo-Olu’s pledge fulfillment

The keynote speaker, who is the former Head of Centre for School and Community Science and Technology Studies(SACOST), Institute for Educational Research and Innovation Studies(IERIS), University of Education,Winneba, Ghana, Prof. Kolawole  Raheem, noted that heavy plastic use and inadequate disposable increases environmental pollution.

On solutions, he said: “There is need to create more awareness and encourage communities to work on finding formal and informal solutions. Also, there should be a ‘pay-as-you-throw’ system which requires citizens to pay a variable rate per kilogramme for a bag of mixed garbage.

“Apart from prohibiting use of plastic bags, higher institutions should not only come up remedies through research, they should also be supported to establish Green Campus projects, introduce waste recycling practices,among others.”

Founder of Ehen Green  Environmental Services, Mr. Tosa Ogbomo, urged recycling, adding that satchet water nylon could be recycled to make diesel. 

He also said plastic bottles could  be used to make shirts.

Ogbomo also announced a partnership with LASUSTECH in which undergraduates would have internship opportunity,while graduates would be employed.

By Abike Sanusi

Lagos State University (LASU) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, has urged students and staff members to adopt bicycles to promote health, carbon-free environment and  ensure mobility.

The VC,who was represented by Dean, School of Transport and Logistics, LASU, Prof. Charles Asenime, spoke at the celebration of World Bicycle Day tagged “Royal Edition” in Lagos.

The programme, organised by LASU and Asian – African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI) had as theme:  “Promoting mobility, good health and sustainable environment”.

It featured a cycling marathon from the palace of Oniba Ekun of Iba Kingdom, Oba Sulaimon Adeshina Raji, to the school premises, where other cycling competitions took place.

She noted that cycling was good for muscle-strengthening and proper blood circulation to essential body parts.

She said: “World Bicycle Day event is in line with the “T.H.E.M.E.S” Agenda of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and our institution has also keyed into the agenda.

“This celebration is for everybody and it is designed for each and everyone, not only to move easily, but to become healthier.

Read Also: LASU VC gets national productivity award

“Instead of spending hours on the same spot on a treadmill, get a bicycle for good health, mobility and to decarbonise the environment.”

Olatunji-Bello stated that riding bicycles would help in carbon reduction and give room for a cleaner air.

“Students, who live around the Iba community can also make use of bicycles to their various departments and faculties in the university,” she added.

Asenime, as Dean of School of Transport and Logistics, said this year’s edition was timely following the petrol subsidy removal.

“I encourage Nigerians to get their bicycles, mount, and embark on short distances; it is safe.

“I also appeal to motorists to accommodate bicycle riders, as they, too, are equally road users and have to be respected as well,” he said.

President, AACCI in Nigeria, Mr. Mr. Anrinle Adekunle, said the event was meant to encourage  bicycles as a viable means of transportation.

 He said  collaborating with LASU to start advocacy on the need for cycling infrastructure was imperative.

“LASU is one of the foremost universities in Nigeria and it comes first when we talk on innovations,” he added.

Outstanding participants were rewarded with cash gifts.

By Ahmed ALHASSAN,

The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) has launched a mentorship programme  for female students at the Federal College of Education, Technical (FCET), Gusau, Zamfara State.

 This initiative draws inspiration from the principles highlighted at  last year’s United Nations Women Convention on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, United States. It is centred on innovation, technological change and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, said: “Our commitment to education at ASR Africa goes beyond providing infrastructure and financial support, but also involves significant technical assistance. Our collaboration with the management and staff of FCET Gusau is one of such partnerships. I enjoin the young ladies of the college to fully embrace this opportunity and leverage it to become valuable contributors to their communities.

Read Also: Female fragrance brand, Majesticroobee opens Abuja store June 3

“With the launch of this programme, ASR Africa is proud to stand at the forefront of advancing the UN Women’s mission by striving to bridge the digital divide for Nigerian women and girls,” he added.

Provost of FCET Gusau, Prof. Umar Bello, thanked ASR Africa’s Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, for exceeding its initial request for infrastructural assistance to include technical assistance which has immense benefits for the school. He also acknowledged the partners who are collaborating with ASR Africa in this endeavour.

This ASR Africa mentorship programme seeks to address several hurdles that young women in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)  encounter, such as the scarcity of female role models, limited opportunities for mentoring and sponsorship, and deep-rooted cultural and societal biases.

Therefore, the programme is expected to bolster the number of female students opting for careers in STEM fields, enhancing their academic performance and preparing them for future career prospects.

 The launch attracted attention and participation from numerous women’s organisations from the UN and across Africa.

By Francis Ajana

Online reviews have revolutionised the way consumers make purchasing decisions. They have had a major impact on business practices.

 Online reviews have become a powerful tool for consumers to share their experiences with products and services  and for businesses to improve their offerings and reputation.

One of the main ways that online reviews are shaping business practices is by creating a culture of transparency and accountability. Consumers have a platform to share their honest opinions and experiences with a wider audience. This means that businesses must work harder to ensure that their products and services are of high quality, or else face negative reviews and a damaged reputation.

By monitoring reviews, businesses can identify common issues or complaints and work towards resolving them.This not only improves the quality of their products and services, but also builds customer loyalty by showing that the business values feedback and is committed to making improvements.

Interestingly,  online reviews can also help businesses to attract new customers. Positive reviews can act as social proof, reassuring potential customers that a product or service is worth buying.

However, online reviews are not without their challenges. Fake reviews and review manipulation have become a growing concern in recent years, as businesses try to boost their ratings by posting fake positive reviews or by paying for reviews. This can lead to a lack of trust in online reviews, and businesses must work harder to ensure that their reviews are genuine and trustworthy.

Furthermore,  reviews can also have a significant impact on a business’s search engine rankings. Positive reviews can help to boost a business’s visibility in search results, while negative reviews can have the opposite effect.This means that businesses must work to maintain positive reviews and reputation in order to remain competitive and visible online.

Read Also: Learn the strategies that are employed to increase winnings in online casinos

 Consumers are provided  with a platform to hold businesses accountable for their actions. Consumers  can use online reviews to warn others and encourage a  business to make changes. This means that businesses must be diligent in keeping their reputations intact  to avoid negative publicity and damage to their brand.

Reviews have become a tool for businesses to show their commitment to customer satisfaction. By responding to reviews and addressing complaints or issues, businesses can show that they are actively working to improve their offerings and provide the best possible customer experience. This level of transparency and responsiveness can help to build trust and create a positive reputation online.

Finally, the rise of online reviews has had a significant impact on the way businesses operate and how consumers make purchasing decisions. The transparency and accountability provided by online reviews have created a culture of continuous improvement and led to businesses making meaningful changes to their products and services.

While challenges around fake reviews and reputation management remain, online reviews have become an important tool for businesses to promote their offerings and build a loyal customer base. As online reviews continue to shape business practices, it is clear that they have become an essential part of the modern business landscape.

• Ajana is a student at Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) Ondo State

Cadbury Nigeria Plc, a subsidiary of Mondelēz International, in partnership with Movie in the Park and Filmhouse Cinemas, recently treated Ibadan residents to a day of fun, games and play at the ‘Like A Child Again’ event sponsored by Cadbury Candies, a brand platform that houses Cadbury Buttermint, Cadbury Coffee and Cadbury Caramel. 

The Ibadan edition was the first for this year just as the brand handlers promised that such events would be organised in different cities across the country in the coming months.

The experience at ‘Like a child again’ was a novel initiative to drive awareness for the brand whilst offering consumers a unique experience filled with playful excitement and nostalgic moments that enable them relive fun memories of their childhood through the movies shown at the event. 

The free event welcomed hundreds of lovers of fun seekers to an open candyland, with a captivating setup of balloons, lights and props. Other side attractions included painting sessions, a bouncing castle, graffiti art and jigsaw puzzles, to spice up the experience. 

Attendees got a chance to taste the different candy variants like Cadbury Caramel, Cadbury Coffee and Cadbury Buttermint – as they were treated to an exclusive screening of 1994 Disney movie classic, ‘The Lion King’, on a gigantic screen.

Read Also: ‘Consider Ibadan for ministerial post’

Category Lead (Gum and Candy), Cadbury West Africa, Morolake Emokpaire explained the reason Cadbury Candies curated such an event:

She said: ”Our range of Cadbury Candies offers you the perfect candy for every moment. We pride ourselves in knowing that our consumers can trust our candies to make everyday moments special. We also take opportunities to create these unique bonding moments for our consumers and their families. ‘Like A Child Again’ offers an atmosphere where our consumers, regardless of their age, can come play, relive fun childhood memories and quite literally, feel like children again.”

The attendees were engrossed in the games of the day and expressed delight at the different activities. 

Brand Manager (Gum & Candy), Cadbury West Africa, Joan Odafe, said:“We, at Cadbury Candies, take special interest in the lifestyle of our consumers. They are passionate about having fun with friends and family. We understand this desire and have created another unique experience to make it happen, to remind them that the fun from childhood can always be recreated and enjoyed just like it was in the past”.

Following the death of Samuel Adegoke, a  student at Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, who committed suicide after losing his school fee and his friend’s to online betting, students and stakeholders have raised concerns on the culture of gambling and how to address it, PRECIOUS AKINTULUBO (OOU) and EMMANUEL OLUWADOLA (AAUA) report.

Samuel Adegoke, a student at Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro,Ogun State, must have  anticipated how gambling could multiply his school fees and earn him extra profits to sort out his other bills, but the outcome went awry and led  him to committing suicide.

The school was about to begin the first-semester examination when he reportedly lost his school fees and that of his friend to online gambling after which he allegedly drank a chemical  and was pronounced dead after he was referred from the school’s clinic to a specialist hospital in Ilaro.

The Public Relations Officer of the Polytechnic, Sola Abiala, confirmed the incident in a statement.

It read: “It was detected at the specialist hospital that the late student drank sniper. His father told the school that his son had used his school fees to gamble last session but he had to rescue him by making another payment. We have a policy here that any student that does not pay school fees will not write exams, that was why he committed suicide.

“But when we asked the father to take possession of the corpse, he rejected it and said he could not take his son’s corpse back home. He asked us to bury him. The school paid part of the burial expenses and had to pay the fee for the other student whose fee was used to gamble to avoid another calamity. We didn’t want him to also commit suicide.

“We were surprised that he did not leave any suicide note behind. We did not see any note. We went to his house and checked for a note, but there was no note other than the bottle of the snipper he drank.”

However, students who reacted expressed their unhappiness about the incident while they  advised parents on what to do to eradicate the culture of gambling among students and youths.

Samson Isaac, a 200-Level student at the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano State, gave reasons why some students get involved in gambling, stressing that most gamblers have become addicted to the habit.

He said: “Well, first of all, losing your tuition fee is a very sad thing to happen, but losing it to gambling is just more than sad.

“I think there are numerous reasons as to why students gamble, some students engage in the act because they need financial assistance, and some do it for no reason than to get quick money and spend lavishly. The reasons are numerous though but as a result, majority of the people that gamble have become addicted to the very act, and this has done major harm.”

He further advised that gambling shops and sites should be shut down as this will help curb the act. He, however, advised students and youths to go into online and freelance businesses instead of online betting.

“Students and youths need to realise that this is becoming uncontrollable and leading to loss of lives and valuable assets. If only the money used for gambling can be used to start up something legitimate then there would be no reason for seeking money obtained for cheap gains. Betting centres and sites should be closed down, I believe this would help, because just like another habit, it is never easy to desist from the act, unless it is taken away from you. Students and youths should go into online and freelance businesses, these businesses take time to establish but it is better off than doing something that puts you on the negative side of life,” Samson said.

As far as Manuwa Oluwanishola, a 300-Level student at the Department of Mass Communication, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State is concerned, the cases of  suicide as a result of betting are disturbing.

“Well, I must say that betting is a rampant issue among students but the cases of committing suicide as a result of betting is getting more alarming. Gambling is not a thing that students just wake up to find themselves in, for some, it started with developing an interest in it, some were influenced by friends, while some see it as an avenue to double their money. Funny enough, some see it as their source of income and in the process, they get drawn in the web of betting,” he said.

Meanwhile, he added that because gambling could lead many to depression which causes some to commit suicide, hence, there should be proper awareness of the dangers inherent.

“Most people who are addicted to gambling can go the extra mile just to get the money to bet and at that moment, they are only concerned about the cash price. Until the loss, that is when it dawned on them that they have made a mistake. This leads to much depression and causes some to commit suicide. There are a lot of factors that led to gambling. Some, their love for football made them go into sports betting. The ways to eradicate betting is that there should be more awareness and sensitisation on its dangers and individuals should be mindful of the kind of friends they keep,” he added.

James Adeniyi, a 400-Level student of Accounting at Lagos State University, advised parents to always caution their children right from a tender age against any form of betting.

His words: “It is not good enough because to finance a kid through primary school, it is extremely difficult now to talk of raising a child from primary school to secondary school and up to university level. And all that the child could do to reward the parents is to commit suicide. It is a bad incident. Peer pressure and societal influence are the two major factors why youth engage in gambling.

“At a tender age, if parents realise that their child likes playing a game, like using one rubber band to win two or more rubber bands, the parents have something to do in that case— to correct the child, because if gambling does not stop at that age, the child will see it as a normal thing. My nephew, who is around eight years old now, was playing a game with someone last night. The person put money in the game to win but when the boy told me that he won N100, I had to caution him and told him to return the money to that person. So, I think at that stage the parents have a lot to do in monitoring their children. When they see their child putting money to win something, the parents have to caution them and ask them to return it.”

The culture of “Online betting” (gambling)  is the  norm among youths especially students. According to NOIPOlls, there is 77 per cent prevalence of betting/gambling in Nigeria. Prominent reason for betting among students is greed.

A  student at  Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State,  Samuel Adegoke committed suicide after losing his school fee and his friend’s to online betting.

He drank Sniper  when his colleagues were preparing for their first-semester examination.

The school had warned that no student would be allowed to take an examination without completing  registration. Hence, he resorted to suicide.

For Peace Oladipo, a 400-Level student of Mass Communication at Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Adegoke should have sought a better way to handle the issue.

“Online betting is evil. I guess he didn’t consider the pains of his death before taking his decision. This is why experts usually clamour for laws or regulations of online gambling advertisements,” she said.

She urged the government through the National Lottery Commission to regulate online gambling.

Stephen Ezekiel, a 400-Level student of Psychology at Olabisi Onabanjo University, said Adegoke’s case was pathetic. He said it might have been caused by misguided beliefs, chronic addiction and frustration.

He said: “Betting is a death trap. I truly hope people come to this realisation soon enough.”

On how to eradicate the culture of gambling among students and youths, Ezekiel listed some ways which include, provision of education and awareness campaigns, introduction of financial literacy and skills development, provision of supportive counseling services, regulation of gambling/betting, promoting alternative recreational activities, peer support and mentoring programmes and proper engagements of  parents and guardians with their wards.

For Ariel Cyril, a 400-Level student of Zoology at University of Jos, betting is not new  among students in higher institutions but for the case of Adegoke, something must have gone wrong.

“For one to have the boldness to stake his school fees means he might have been involved in this act for long hence, the courage. Unfortunately, he couldn’t handle the latest situation well and committed  suicide,” he said.

Cyril,  therefore, advised that efforts should be put in place to instill right moral values in youths.

Odukoya Ayobami, a 300-Level student of Law at Olabisi Onabanjo University, said it was  a pathetic situation because Adegoke got involved in the gambling as a result of lack of contentment. He said the case might not have led to a suicide if he had someone he could trust to talk to.

He said: “There should be bet permit for only graduates or anyone above 21. Also, there should be proper enlightenment on the pros and cons associated with betting via radio jingles, online articles and TV adverts.”

Olafusi Ayodeji, a Higher Diploma 2 student of Agricultural Engineering at Lagos State  Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), said Adegoke should have tried to borrow and pay up the school fees because committing suicide doesn’t have any benefit.

He  advised students involved in gambling to discipline themselves and abstain.

Adewale Opeyemi Samuel, a 300-Level student of Education Foundation, said: “The reality of gambling is that it takes more than it ever gives. If you win, you will keep coming back in an attempt to win more; if you lose, you will keep coming back in an attempt to win back what you’ve lost. Ultimately, there is no winning when it comes to gambling.”

He noted that provision of job opportunities can help in eradicating the culture of gambling among students and youths in general.

Oke Pelumi Ayomide, a Higher National Diploma 2 student of Computer Science at Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro said students tend to engage in online gambling as a result of lack of proper care at home or lack of money.

“I can only say probably when all betting platforms are shut down or more provision of employment by government, then gambling norm among students and youths will be eradicated,” he said.

Chika Igba, a 400-Level student of Mass Communication at Nnamdi Azikwe University (UNIZIK), said Adegoke’s case was  extreme as there must have been other factors that could have contributed to him committing suicide which could be internal or external pressures from home, school or friends.

Psychologist weighs in

A lecturer and Clinical Psychologist in Department of Psychiatry at College of Health Sciences, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Dr Oluwafisayo Adebimpe, said gambling among young adolescents, is one of the most dangerous social problems underreported,while getting money to gamble is  now  a major problem.

She said:  “People who gamble / bet usually have impulsive behaviour and distorted thinking process; they are always in denial and overconfident. They are always competitive, energetic with tendencies of being concerned with approval of others and extravagant when winning.

“This uncontrolled behaviour can also expose the individual to have a quest or develop an urgent need to keep gambling and if they are unable achieve their goal in space of time, depressive symptoms sets in hence, attenpted suicide or suicide.”

She therefore advised that the culture of gam

By Abike Sanusi

Members of staff of  the Quality Assurance and SERVICOM unit of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), students and well wishers have  celebrated  immediate past director of the unit, Prof. Grace Otinwa who retired last month.

A ceremony was held at the school’s  Senate Chambers last week to fete the honoree.

 Otinwa, who was elated,  advised  the new  director to maintain and focus on improving service delivery and aligning with the Vice Chancellor’s future agenda. She also urged staff members to cooperate, support, and provide suggestions for enhancing quality assurance and service delivery. 

She said:  “I feel very good. I give thanks to God because I didn’t know such recognition would be given to me. That means that when we render service, there is also a reward. I feel good and satisfied that these same people that we work together with can come back and say we appreciate you. My message for the present director is to ensure that he maintains the current status of the Quality Assurance and SERVICOM Unit.’’

Otinwa   advised the new government to prioritise education, allocate more funds, and create a better teaching environment to retain teachers and ensure quality education at all levels.

“One major message to the government that will be coming in is the need to prioritise education, as the first thing that should be pursued vigorously,  ensure quality delivery in education on the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Funding remains a major problem in every tier of education in Nigeria. In budgetary allocation, more money should be provided. In the situation of Japa syndrome, many have left because they are unhappy, they are not satisfied with the teaching environment. If there is anything the new government will do, it is to provide incentives and a very good ambience that will encourage teachers within the country,” she said.

New director of the unit, Prof. Olufemi Muibi Saibu, praised  his predecessor. He  described her as “a meticulous and gracious leader who made a positive impact during her tenure”.

He said he was  privileged to succeed her and learn  from her attention to details and inclusivity. He lauded her leadership attributes and thanked her  for the positive changes she brought to the unit.

Other members of  staff, students and her mentees also praised the honoree.

By Ibrahim Kegbegbe

The process of transforming the  education sector in Nigeria  requires sustained effort, collaboration and a long-term vision. 

   The step to achieve such transformation could only be taken by a person with  foresight.

However, an inquisitive-minded Nigerian may ask: “Do we have a person with foresight among Nigerians, especially among the political class?”

A student of history   will under tand that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a leader with foresight and uncommon acumen.

Well, Nigerians might have been granted hope of betterment, especially in the education system, since the advent of democracy in 1999 but the Ministry of Education has not performed excellently  as expected.

The antecedents of Tinubu, especially in the education sector as the governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007; which have been the launch pad for his successors up to the moment, have given average Nigerians hope. 

During his tenure as Lagos State Governor, he was able to initiate free education in all public primary and secondary schools including payment of WAEC/NECO fees as well as all internal examination fees to ensure that indigent children do not drop out of school.

Moreover, his  one-day Governor initiative through the Spelling Bee Competition,  is worthy of mention.

His manifesto  promises socio-economic, political and educational opportunities. There will also be an improvement in infrastructure.

Nevertheless, students will be happy if there is an increase in funding for education. This can be achieved through the allocation of a higher percentage of the national budget to education. Adequate funding is crucial for improving infrastructure, hiring qualified lecturers, providing necessary resources, and implementing educational reforms.

It is important for the new administration to  develop vocational training programmes to equip students with practical skills that align with the needs of the job market. This can help reduce unemployment and empower individuals with the skills to contribute to the economy.

Strengthening  partnerships by collaborating with international organisations and private sector entities to leverage their expertise, resources, and funding is also vital. Engagement with parents, communities, and leaders in education initiatives to promote a sense of ownership and involvement.

The new government should increase access to education, implement policies and programmes to ensure equal access to education for all, regardless of gender, socio-economic status, or geographical location.It should also  provide scholarships, grants, and subsidies to support underprivileged students.

It should establish mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of educational policies and programmes; regularly monitor and evaluate student performance, lecturers quality, infrastructure development, and educational outcomes to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions.

The new government should promote research and innovation  to drive innovation and identify evidence-based strategies for improving educational practices. It should also  support initiatives that integrate technology into the learning process.

It needs to allocate resources to expand mental health services, reduce stigma, and promote overall well-being through policies that support work-life balance and stress management.

The new administration should also engage with youths and student organisations by listening to their concerns, and seeking their input on policy decisions.  It should encourage the creation of platforms for dialogue and collaboration to ensure that the voices of young people are heard and valued.

• Kegbegbe is a student at Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos.

By Emmanuel Ochayi

Provost of Federal College of Education (Technical) Akoka, Lagos State, Dr  Wahab Ademola Azeez has stressed the need for  practical, technology-driven education and empowerment of graduates to become job creators. 

He spoke at a briefing to mark the beginning of his second term in office.

Azeez was re-appointed on May 26 by erstwhile President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Provost said in his first term, the college  established two directorates, the Centre for Vocational, Technical and Entrepreneurship Development (CeVTED) and the Centre for Endowment, Development, Advancement and Alumni Relationship (CEDAAR) with a  focus on vocational, technical,  entrepreneurship development,  endowment and alumni relations.

“We have enjoyed a period of peace and stability. The college administration has prioritised campus safety and enhanced social amenities, such as the installation of solar-powered lights. Furthermore, all our courses have received full accreditation, and we have successfully expanded our academic programmes to include Marketing Education and Entrepreneurship Education,” he said.

Giving account of his stewardship in his first term, he acknowledged government’s support for academic staff towards pursuing post-graduate studies and the completion of several  projects, such as the construction of  a 500-seater capacity lecture theatre, the first of its kind in the college in terms of capacity, design and facilities.

“We constructed  and furnished  School of Science laboratory complex, Students Activities Centre, two suspended floors for offices, toilets, the first ever Provost’s lodge,  Technical Workshop for School of Technical Education. Additionally, the college  acquired new vehicles and refurbished existing ones,” he said.

He also said  the institution prioritised the welfare of students and staff members.

 ”We prioritised the well-being of our staff and students, ensuring they receive the best support. Over the past four years, we have consistently provided a strong welfare package. We offer material and financial assistance for career development, further studies, health matters, and social events. We also support student and staff union leaders. As government funding and our college’s revenue improve, we aim to sustain and enhance these initiatives,” he added.

On challenges encountered in his first term, he said: “The college grappled with insufficient funds and limited land space for infrastructure development.We require a recruitment waiver to address the shortage of manpower. Moreover, there is a pressing need for office spaces, teaching equipment, and furniture. These issues demand attention and a positive response.”

Azeez outlined his  plans for the next four years, particularly in the field of vocational training and skill  acquisition. He said the college would prioritise  equipment fabrication, seek collaborations,and emphasise digital training. He also noted that staff development, renewable energy, and various projects were also on the agenda.