The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Union gets new leaders

    Union gets new leaders

    Members of the Osogbo National Students Union (ONSU) have elected officers to run its affairs.

    The election was held at the Ataoja Palace in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, last week.

    Ajibola Olaide emerged as President and Ajiroba Idowu, vice president.

    Others included Ibrahim Muslihudeen, General Secretary; Winjobi Ridwan, Assistant General Secretary; Olawale Abisola, Financial Secretary, Bello Lekan, Public Relations Officer; Zakariyah Yusuff, Welfare Director; Adeosun Nurudeen, Librarian; Bolarinwa Saheed, Sports Director and Muritala Saheed, Social Director.

    In his acceptance speech, Ajibola, a 300-Level Animal Production and Health student of Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), said he was happy to lead the association, promisingthat his administration was set to make students to realise the benefits of unionism.

    Idowu, ND1 student of Leisure and Tourism at the Federal Polythecnic, Ede, said:“Female students are not interested in union activities due to the wrong impression they have created over time.

    In our view, this is not good enough. We are committed to making students realise the benefits of participating in union activities, especially the female folks,” she stated.

    The inauguration has also been held.

  • Why malaria must be stopped, by VC, others

    Why malaria must be stopped, by VC, others

    A2013 Batch “A” member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Agu Reuben, has organised a healthcare seminar as part of his Community Development Services (CDS) at the University of Calabar (UNICAL).

    He said he was motivated to embark on the project because malaria still accounted for 60 per cent of outpatient visits to health facilities and killing young children and women during child birth.

    The ailment, he noted, prevented many children from being present in school, thereby leading to poor academic performance.

    He thanked members of the community for turning out en masse for the seminar.

    Highlights of the programme included free malaria screening and donation of free drugs and medical materials to some participants.

    The Vice-Chancellor of UNICAL, Prof James Epoke, who was represented by Prof James Utsalo, thanked the Corps member for organising the event, saying it would impact positively on people in the community.

    He said the institution would always support programmes by Corps members serving in the area.

    The NYSC Cross River State Coordinator, Nkereke Ibangha, said malaria was a major problem which must be stopped.

    The event was attended by President of UNICAL Women Association, Lady Gladys Epoke, who was represented by the Headmistress of the University Staff School, Mrs Florence Eleng and other principal officers of the institution.

     

  • Corps members train teachers

    Corps members train teachers

    Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, belonging to the mass literacy campaign have held training for teachers.

    The training held at St Eugene Primary School in Ochon, centred on importance of physical resources that can aid teaching and learning.

    During the event, parents were also sensitised on the dangers of child abuse. The Corps members identified parents as vital in the war against child abuse, saying parenting was a serious business that should not be handled with levity.

    They noted that if the task of parenting was handled carelessly by parents, children would be predisposed to becoming victims of abuse. They highlighted some of the negative effects of child abuse, including unwanted pregnancy, hostility, stress, lack of concentration, excessive aggression and in some cases eating disorders.

    The group also visited theObubra market in the community to educate market women on the importance of early child education, saying parents should ensure they give their children quality education so that they can be useful to the society.

    Mrs Veronica Osang, a teacher at Opa Model Nursery and Primary School, praised the Corps members for organising the enlightenment campaign, saying that parent-teacher relationship was crucial to successful upbringing of children.

  • 3,000 write pre-degree test

    3,000 write pre-degree test

    Thousands of applicants participated in the pre-degree examination held last Saturday by the Ekiti State University (EKSU). OLATUNJI AWE (300-Level Political Science) reports.

    No fewer than 3,000 candidates trooped to the Ekiti State University (EKSU) main campus in Ado Ekiti to write its pre-degree examination last Saturday.

    The weather was cold but the candidates, some of who were accompanied by their parents, were undeterred. The test, started behind the schedule 8 a.m hiccups. Candidates gathered at the 1,500 Lecture Theatre for credential verification, amid tight security. The applicants’ details were vetted to prevent impersonation.

    Chief Kola Obayanju, a parent, praised the management for creating a “peaceful atmosphere” during the examinations, urging other parents not to influence their children’s admission in anyway.

    The atmosphere became more peaceful when the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) Prof Esther Aderibigbe arrived at the examination hall. There was a pin-drop silence in the venue as she moved round to inspect the exercise. She commended the university officials and security personnel, urging them to resist exam malpractice.

    After the screening, candidates moved into a 3,000-capacity hall where the Computer Based Test (CBT) was conducted. Each candidate was required to answer 50 questions in 50 minutes.

    Damilola Adewusi, an applicant, after the examination, said: “The test was not difficult compared to previous ones I had written. The conduct was okay and we should commend the management for reducing hiccups.”

    Another candidate, Ifeoma Okorie, said: “The organisation was in conformity with standards. There was no complaint on any computer we used and there were experts who helped those having problems computing their details.”

    The Director of Pre-degree programme, Prof E. B. Kolawole, said the successful outcome of the exercise was as a result of the process put in place by the management. He added that the “low turnout” of candidates was because of the presence of the Federal University of Oye (FUOYE) in the state, which many applicants see as alternative.

    He stressed that the results of the exercise would be ready by 5pm on the day but said the candidates would not be able to check their score online until the Governing Council of the university approve the result.

    Kolawole said the result would be out tomorrow.

  • ASUU-LASU regrets not joining fee hike protest

    ASUU-LASU regrets not joining fee hike protest

    TWO years after, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos State University (LASU) chapter, has apologised to students of the university for not supporting them during their protest over fee hike in the institution.

    Speaking at a briefing, its Chairman, Dr Adekunle Idris, said events had shown that the increase was wrong, noting that the number of candidates seeking admission into the school had dropped.

    He said no university is run only on school fees.

    Idris, who noted that the apology was coming late, said: “It is better to be late to apologise than never.”

    He also said the union would call for strike if the university management does not meet their demands.

    The ASUU boss said the motion for the strike would be tabled at the union’s congress later this month, if their requests were not attended to.

    He said the national body of ASUU was aware of the issue.

    He accused the university management of not being sensitive to the situation on campus.

    He said: “At all press contacts during the national strike, ASUU-LASU always impressed on stakeholders to intervene so that students can enjoy uninterrupted school calendar after the struggle, which they fail to do.”

    On their demands, he said the governing council must implement the Universities (Miscellaneous provisions) amendment Act 2012, passed by the Federal Government, for the effective running of universities, which the Lagos State Government had agreed to implement.

    Other demands are: the immediate regularisation of appointments for academic staff members on temporary appointment and recall of those among them who were disengaged unjustly; abolition of the ‘no vacancy, no promotion’ policy; payment of balance of the 17-month salary arrears, restructuring of courses in LASU to follow the submissions of faculties and the downward review of LASU school fees.

    Idris said though ASUU-LASU leaders have met with the university management, no agreement had been reached.

    He accused the management of victimising the lecturers, adding that their December salary had not been paid despite the ‘Non-Victimisation clause’, in the FGN/ASUU agreement.

     

  • EKSU VC Aina praises Fayemi

    EKSU VC Aina praises Fayemi

    The Vice-Chancellor, Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Prof Patrick Oladipo Aina, has reassured stakeholders that the institution will continue to strive to rank among the best universities.

    He spoke while reviewing his administration’s activities in the last two years.

    Aina said the institution has recorded tremendous accomplishments, which were made possible through the support of the workers and the commitment of the Visitor to the university, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who he said provided adequate funds.

    The VC said Fayemi was the first governor to give a capital grant of N300 million to the varsity, beside increasing its monthly subvention.

    He added that the government supported the varsity’s autonomy, which he led to a congenial working environment and completion of the Medical Library, medical students’ hostel, and the Biochemistry and Pharmacology buildings.

    Aina further said for the first time, the university recorded full accreditation of all courses presented to the National Universities Commission (NUC) while it was rated 19th on the webometric ranking of Nigerian universities and 198th in Africa.

    The VC described as unprecedented, the recent achievement of the students of EKSU Faculty of Law, who were the best performing students at the last year’s Final Bar Part Two examination of the Nigerian Law School.

    The EKSU candidates recorded 95.1 per cent pass, which was the best among graduates of 35 universities who took the examination.

    He said a five-year strategic plan was under way to build a vibrant academic culture, which includes collaborating with renowned institutions around the world.

    “The university has also repackaged its linkage programmes with top universities, including Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil; University of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa; Texas Southern University Houston, Texas, United States, University Wollongong, Australia and University of Nottingham, United Kingdom,” he said.

    The VC said his administration has also invested in international training for members of staff.

    He described the co-operation of his principal officers as unique and commended the workers for their loyalty.

    He also said that new programmes have been introduced to enhance EKSU’s global competitiveness. These include Theatre and Media Arts, Architecture, Peace and Conflict Studies, Gender and Development and Forensic Science in collaboration with Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, India.

    On physical infrastructure, the university will soon take delivery of structures for the School of Postgraduate Studies, Entrepreneurship Centre, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Faculty of Education.

    “A public private arrangement has been concluded with private investors for the construction of Campus Students hostels and Staff residential buildings,” the Vice-Chancellor added.

     

  • A year to remember

    A year to remember

    IF there is one thing 2013 will be remember for, it is for the country’s superlative performance in football competitions.

    This is because, football, which seems to be a major unifying factor in a heterogeneous society like Nigeria, witnessed unprecedented success in areas where expectations were low.

    From the Super Eagles to the Golden Eaglets, from the home based Eagles to the female football team, the story is the same – a huge success story by all standards.

    Not many expected that the Super Eagles would win the African Cup of Nations hosted in South Africa last February. In fact, book makers favoured the elephants of Cote D’voire with its array of stars to lift the coveted trophy. Analysts were of the opinion that the Stephen Keshi-tutored boys would put up a bad show in the tournament, as many described the team as not solid and lacking quality players.

    However, by sheer determination, hard work and willingness to surmount challenges, the Eagles soared high above their contemporaries and brought smiles to the faces of Nigerians by winning the contest for the third time.

    Prior to the commencement of the competition, not many a Nigerian gave the Eagles a chance. Many thought the semi final stage was the final for the Eagle but the players had their own plans of wanting to lift the trophy, which they did. They, according to President Goodluck Jonathan, exhibited the “never say die Nigerian spirit”.

    For the very first time, the home-based Eagles qualified for the African Championship that is meant for players plying their trade in their various domestic leagues within the continent. Nigeria had previously missed out on the first two editions as it failed to qualify on both occasion.

    Perhaps, the reason behind the Nigerian success may not be unconnected with the fact that Keshi was given a free hand to select his team. In the past, there were cases in which Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) became overbearing and dictated who should make the team and even determined who to start a match, failure of which may lead to the coach losing his job. This has probably not been the case for Keshi as his records spoke for him.

    The same can be said of the Golden Eaglets that won the Under-17 international tournament in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate (UAE). Nigeria is a country that is known to have talented players performing excellently in age-grade competitions. However, prior to the commencement of the competition in UAE, pundits were skeptical about the chances of Coach Manu Garba and his team, citing disqualification of some of its key players who failed the Magnetic Resonance Test (MRI). They buttressed their argument on the premise that previous teams paraded by the country faded away so quickly and never made it to lame lights and big European clubs as is the case with many renowned world stars today, who rose through the ranks to be the best today. But the invitation of the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Adeniyi and Sunday Alampasu to the home-based Super Eagles camp is a pointer to the fact these boys may be just different from the others.

    Former Heartland of Owerri coach, Kelechi Emetole, while commenting on the age of the Golden Eaglets, said: ‘The coaches have done well. Did you see the opponents we played even during the African qualifiers and championship in Morocco? In UAE, did you see the boys from Sweden? Mere looking at our opponents, you would see that our boys are young, we should continue in this tradition.”

    Thus, 2013 was a year in which age-grade football witnessed the minimum “cutting of corners” and in which grassroots academics and schools were given preference in team selection to ensure that they fell into the required age group.

    The nation’s female teams also have reasons to celebrate as the Under-17 female team known – the Flamingoes – comfortably qualified for the World Cup challenge to be held between March and April in Costa Rica, while their senior colleagues – the Under-20 team – are on the verge of qualifying for their own World Cup challenge coming up Canada next August.

    Globacom, the major sponsors of our football teams, in summarising the achievement of our teams in 2013, said it was triple congratulations to the nation in 2013, noting that “by winning the African Cup of Nations in February, the Under-17 World Cup and qualifying for the World Cup, Nigerian football is clearly on the ascendency.”

    These achievements were as a result of hard work and minimum interference with the job of coach by the NFF. The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has, over the years, sanctioned countries where it is found out that local authorities interfere with football. Nigeria, not long ago, fell under its heavy hammer and it appears the country has now learnt its lessons, the result of which is the good outing that our national teams in recent international tournaments.

    Efforts must be made to sustain the progress made by the national teams last year so as not to rubbish all the good work done so far. Coaches of the national teams should enjoy more freedom in selecting players to field for matches and maximum support should be given to them.

    Nigeria cannot afford to fail in Brazil as all eyes will be on the African champions to do Africa proud in the fiesta. The likes of Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iraq cannot stop Nigeria from progressing beyond the group stages of the competition and do Africa proud if the coaches are completely independent and if the issue of bonuses and allowances are adequately ironed out before the commencement of the contest.

    Only then will the Eagles soar high above their peers and make 2014 a more successful year for Nigerian football.

     

    •Philip, 500-Level Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering, DELSU

  • VC counsels workers, students

    The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has advised members of staff and students of the varsity to remain focused, committed, and law abiding.

    Ambali, who gave the admonition in his New Year message to the university community, also urged them to place the interest of the institution above their personal interests. He praised their commitment last year while wishing them a fruitful 2014.

    While reviewing the 2013, Ambali said the university made progress on its mission and vision. He told the workers and students to look forward to a better working environment, which would enhance the teaching and research capacity of the institution this year.

  • Lawyer enlightens students on democracy

    A lawyer based in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Dele Kuboye,has urged students to uphold the tenets of democracy in the country.

    Kuboye, the guest lecturer at an event organised by the Federation of Igbotako Student’s Union (FISU)in Okitipupa, Ondo State, said students should be enlightened on the values of democracy to drive national development.

    He charged participants to know their rights as citizens and support initiatives that promote the growth of democracy in the country.

    Kuboye condemned some leaders in the community for not delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, saying many political leaders were no longer concerned about the plight of the people.

    “Many politicians have been known to pursue selfish interest instead of promoting programmes that benefit the people they represent. That is sad,” he said.

    He urged politicians to emulate the late South African president, Nelson Mandela, who fought for the liberation of his people at the expense of his personal interest.

    The event was attended by the traditional ruler of Osooro Kingdom, Oba GbadeboBajowa; Senior Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor on Forestry, Mr Andrew Ogunsakin and Mr BoluAfolayan of Newswatch.

    Free copies of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms and bursary were awarded to some students.

     

  • New DVCs resume

    The newly-appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, FUNAAB, Prof Mufutau Adekojo Waheed, has assumed duties.

    Prof Felix Kolawole Salako, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, who was re-appointed, has also resumed.

    In a statement, the Registrar, Mr Matthew Ayoola, noted that the university’s Governing Council approved their appointments for a period of two years on the recommendations of the Senate.

    Until his appointment, Waheed, a Professor of Thermofluids, was the Director of Academic Planning.

    The don, who is from Ogbomoso, attended Ajaawa Baptist Grammar School, between 1978 and 1983, and the University of Ilorin, where he obtained B.Eng (Hons) and M.Eng in Mechanical Engineering in 1990 and 1995. He gained his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the Aachen University of Technology, Germany, in 2001.

    Waheed worked at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso from 1992 to 2008 before joining FUNAAB the same year.

    At FUNAAB, Waheed has served at various levels, including Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering; Member, Postgraduate Board; Deputy Dean, College of Engineering; member, Committee on National Institutional Ranking as well as Committee on the Preparation of Proposal for Community Radio and Internet Radio Station.

    On his part, Salako, who hails from Ibadan in Oyo State, is aProfessor of Soil Physics. He attended the Igbobi College, Lagos; University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he obtained his B. Agric (Hons) and M.Sc degrees in Soil Science (1983 and 1986), and he University of Ibadan, where he bagged his PhD Degree in Soil Science in 1997.