Category: Campus Life

• School gets new bus

The overall best graduating students of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Adisa Toheeb Paul of Civil Engineering Department and Adanlawon Aishat Olaoluwa of  Crop Production Department have received N500,000 and N300,000  from Lotus Bank.

The college also got a new 18-seater JAC Sunray bus from the bank which also donated Computer and IT accessories to the Banking and Finance Department.

The gifts were in fulfilment of the promise made by the bank’s Chief Executive Office, Mrs. Kafilat Araoye, during the 34th Convocation lecture of the college last November.

The IT accessories were two 55-inch flat screen television, four desktop computers, two printers, four UPS, one scanner and eight laptops.

Making the donation on behalf of the bank, the Executive Director, Dr. Isiaka Ajani Lawal, noted that the bank was delighted to have a good relationship with the college.

He promised that the bank would do more for the college in future.

Erstwhile Acting Rector Mr. Inyang Udoh thanked the bank for fulfilling its promise. He added that YABATECH was delighted to partner with it.

 He said  higher institutions were being run in advanced countries with endowment fund, and private partnership. He said such should be adopted in Nigeria for academic development.

 He enjoined the YABATECH community to patronise the bank because of its magnanimity.

Toheeb said he was honoured  to be the beneficiary of the largesse. He thanked the bank for the gift, noting that it would spur him to work harder. He promised to be a good ambassador of the college.

He lauded the school for creating a conducive environment to learn. Toheeb thanked the immediate past Rector, Obafemi Omokungbe.

“I will continue to work hard to meet up with the expectation that comes with this generosity that boosts professionalism and encourages excellence.

He prayed that the partnership between YABATECH and the  bank would continue to flourish.

• By Tunde Adeniyi

To succeed in the 21st century and reduce dependence on government funding, public universities have to look inward and embark on projects that can generate revenues to fund their activities; the Chairman, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company PLC, Dr Seinde Fadeni,  has said.

He spoke at the International Conference of the Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University which had as theme: “Education and the future”.

Fadeni said it was obvious that government alone could not shoulder the responsibility of funding the universities and that  institutions have to adopt other means of generating sustainable revenue.

Referring to the specific case of OAU, he stated the university will do well to make use of its wide expanse of land for agricultural production which could be sold to both local and foreign markets.

Fadeni, who received a Distinguished Award for Excellence in Educational Philanthropy, pointed out that OAU could be self-sustaining if it taps more aggressively into its abundant natural and intellectual resources.

Represented on the occasion by the Group Executive Director, Business & Corporate Services, Dr Olusola Obabori, an alumnus of the institution, Fadeni was of the view that the university should put into better advantage its land and human resources to the benefit of the institution.

“In addition to private sector donations, grants for research activities, private philanthropy and various alumni interventions, there are quite a few things you could do that would bring more revenue to this institution. These revenues would empower and help you to commercialize various research breakthroughs in the fields of technology, medical and pharmaceutical sciences for which this university is known, thereby creating larger streams of income,” he said.

He advised the university to consider establishing an industrial and technology park where all the ideas can be harnessed as a way of supporting industrialisation of Nigeria and creating employment opportunities to members of the university community including fresh graduates, students, interns and society.

While suggesting that the university could actually cater wholly for its energy needs,  Fadeni said the dam in the university could be converted to a power generating hydropower plant instead of allowing same to remain underutilised. This could be in addition to building large solar fields for the same purpose. These measures would make the university substantially self – reliant in electricity now and in the future and can help in driving the success of its other ventures.

The Lead Paper presenter at the event,  Pro-Chancellor and  Chair, Governing Council, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, Prof. Emeritus, Funmi Togonu-Bickersteth, also urged universities to internationalise their activities because  the world was moving at an incredible speed. She encouraged universities to make good use of technology.

The Vice Chancellor of  OAU, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Olubola Babalola, had acknowledged the assistance of  Fadeni to the successful hosting of the conference.

The Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof.  Bonke Adepeju Omoteso, said the conference was an annual event where well – researched presentations were made by scholars and academics.

• By Tunde Akanni, PhD

Not the Lagos politician that you probably know, but a scholar who has had to work his way up to professorship. He clocked 60 Monday May 15, 2023. And the world literally stood still for him. In the course of his appreciation for the honour accorded him on the occasion of his 60th birthday, Professor Jide Jimoh who is my friend of some 19 years or thereabout almost melted down in tears. As he found his fervour for speech again, he began to recount some of the special favours friends and relations had dispensed to him. In particular, he picked on Mrs. Aluko who, for no reason, had chosen to be in the front row at the special reception. It was therefore easy for him to point at him for special recognition. If you were at my convocation ceremony at the University of Ibadan and you ate pounded yam, this is the woman who gave us the special treat. In fact she started serving pounded yam to friends and well wishers before the foregrounding official ceremony ended. Everyone clapped thunderously for Mrs. Aluko
Like Mrs Aluko, like the three other Professors in the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies Lai Oso, Rotimi Olatunji and Sunday Alawode, the current Dean of the Facultsy. Barely a week to go, they conceptualized the reception and enlisted the support of colleagues to organize the reception for their jolly good fellow. Almost everyone in the Faculty gave the varying support they could muster. They specifically sought to set up a session that would help to commemorate the path of scholarship Prof Jimoh has emphasized in his career as a matured scholar. That realm is called Conflict-Sensitive Journalism.

Serendipity! The intimacy between Prof Jimoh and me had been unmistakable and even peaked in scholarship and reasonably in practice. No other scholar has had to co-author any work on conflict-sensitive journalism related project with him than me. We had our convocation at the University of Ibadan same day in 2015 following the successful completion of our doctoral programmes at the same Institute of African Studies where, from different perspectives, we have had to focus on Nigerian newspapers reportage of conflicts. Till tomorrow, we both remain the darling trainers of the staff of Voice of Nigeria, VON, having been commissioned to run a training session in Lagos and being found duly dutiful and competent with substantial generational advantage, we were quickly signed up further to move on to Abuja for another session. Feeling fulfilled with the adventure, we both resorted to a weekend of what we considered a deserved rest in Kabba, JJs hometown. I got the good guest treat that will endure for long especially with the additional flavour and enhancement of warmth flowing freely from an array of our common friends though of Okun stock who had been our professional colleagues and school mates. Over the years, I have had this advantage of extensive relationship with folks from Okun land having done my first degree programme at the University of Ilorin, which is another favourite for Okun youngsters, after the older Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, in Zaria. So the weekend, from Abuja to Kabba, availed me some reunion for instance with the duo of Zak Ejibunnu and Hon. Duro Meseko. Zak was my classmate as an undergraduate at the University of Ilorin while Duro was my contemporary in journalism practice though he worked for Tell Magazine while I was in the employ of National Concord. The professional adventure also availed me the opportunity of meeting for the first time, the chief publicist of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Kola Olgbondiyan and of course our lil brother and friend whos now a top Customs officer, Comptroller Kehinde Ejibunnu. Comptroller Ejibunnu happened to be the third Ejibunnu brother I was meeting having met Kayode Ejibunnu, also at Unilorin, as a fellow Student Union activist.

JJ’s 60th birthday celebration at the faculty could not have been better themed focusing on our shared scholarly path of conflict sensitive reporting No less invitingly enhancing was the composition of the team assembled for the panel session. It was reasonably reflective of the versatility and wide striving of the celebrant. On hand to deliver were the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian, Martin Onoja; Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Bishop Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo Professor Muyiwa Popoola; former Head of Political Science Department at LASU and member of the editorial board of The Guardian, Professor Sylvester Odion-Akhaine and yours sincerely. The session was chaired by the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Sunday Alawode while it was moderated by Professor Rotimi Olatunji, former Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies when it was still known as the School of Communication. It should interest us all that Prof Jimoh, like Odion-Akahaine, is a member of the Editorial Board of The Guardian. Prof Jimoh is also currently away from LASU on sabbatical leave to Ajayi Crother University. Though not on the panel, Mr. Francis Onaiyekan, another member of The Guardians editorial board was in attendance all through the session.

Though the chief host of the day as the dean, Alawode still took up the gauntlet to offer didactic opening remarks on conflict sensitive journalism helping the entire audience with substantial examples of how some Nigerians conducted themselves during the just concluded 2023 General Elections in Nigeria. Over with the deans invaluable remarks, Prof essor Olatunji took charge as the moderator and got Professor Odion-Akahaine to speak on the essence of conflict. Pointedly he asserted that conflict may not always be bad as they may yield some good dividends too especially where and when debates and disagreements are healthy. Professor Popoola went on to note how the factor of political-economy may affect the conduct or interface of the media with conflicts. He made rigorous effort to exemplify how conflicts manifest dangerously in the media and offered possible alternatives. From Martin Onoja who has seen it all as a reporter, editor and now managing director, came the practical experience of the inseparability of ownership of media and their conduct especially in relation to conflicts to which their owners are party.

He lamented how it has become increasingly difficult over the years to remain in the business of newspaper publishing with incessant hiking, of the price of newsprint resultant from the sliding Naira-Dollar exchange rate. The intervention from yours sincerely was from the angle of solution invoking the principle of solution journalism which is a component of conflict sensitive journalism. I offered that remaining in business was fundamental but that the difficult times such as we are enduring called for creativity which may inevitably imply a combination of business and social campaign approaches. I added that media organizations may also consider reactivating the age-old wisdom of Bashorun Abiola (may Allah be pleased with him) of pooling resources together to run training programmes as well to do deliveries and maybe printing with satellite printing facilities now made possible by technology. The celebrant was all ears all through the session and commended the panelists for doing him a great honour.

As the current Head of Journalism Department to which Prof Jimoh belongs, I later had the honour of appreciating all panelists with a pack of gift for each member of the panel and of course the good woman that offered us all pounded yam, on our joint convocation day at Ibadan.
Tunde Akanni, PhD, is an associate professor and Acting Head of Journalism Department at LASU.

The Vice Chancellor of the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, has asked students against consumption of hard drug and illicit substances, warning that its consequence are life-threatening.

Olarinde gave the charge during an annual advocacy and campaign against drug abuse organised by the institution’s Drug Free Club, saying drug abuse could destroy their future.

The VC explained that drug abuse would alter the lives of the students negatively and destroy academic careeers, as such it was better for them to stay off harmful drugs.

She explained that students who engage in drug abuse and illicit substance were at risk of mental health problems, urging them to shun harmful drug and channel their efforts towards activities laced with highest values.

The Initiator of the Drug Free Club, Dr. Ife Bamidele lamented the increasing rate of drug abuse among the youths, saying the sensitisation would help the students to chart a better life for themselves.

Bamidele who stressed the importance of drug-free awareness and how crucial it is to educate the public on the dangers of drug abuse, said all hands must be on deck to curb the menace.

He said that the awareness programme which was its 9th edition was organised to expose students to negative effects of hard drugs on their life and making the society a better place.

Bamidele noted that the club through its aggressive advocacy and sensitisation drive had recorded tremendous success by helping students to overcome drug abuse and alcohol addiction.

The Assistant Commander of Narcotics section of the NDLEA, Ekiti State, Musa Balogun commended ABUAD for setting the pace in advocacy against drug abuse and illicit drug.

While urging other universities to take a cue from ABUAD, the NDLEA boss called for increased sensitisation of youths to the inherent danger of consumption of harmful drug to their life, family and the society at large.

He blamed the alarming rate of criminal activities on drug abuse, stating that the menace propel youths to indulge in all forms of criminalities and illegalities that constitutes a great threats to the society.

Balogun urged parents and guardians to collaborate with the government in the fight against drug abuse, saying they had crucial roles to play by maintaining close relationships with their children.

Caleb Ijioma

In a bid to promote entrepreneurship among students, Mass Communication National Diploma 1 students at the Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State,  held a two-day trade fair at Abusi Edumare, the institution’s annex. The trade fair was the practical for a course on fundamentals in marketing. Students were delighted as they   displayed their products.

The lecturer in charge, Mrs. Adedoyin Oshobughie, said the  fair was planned to help students understand marketing principles aside taking notes in the class.

“When we say something is marketing, it involves business and transactions. We planned this trade fair to help students understand marketing principles, aside  taking notes in the class, they should also see by themselves and have transactions with customers for them to experience marketing principles and to know more about entrepreneurship. It is not only about note-taking, but also about physical performance, so that they can get more ideas about the business, especially when they do transactions,” she said.

She expressed satisfaction over the turnout of students and said she was overwhelmed by the spirit of entrepreneurship they  portrayed.

Oshobughie noted that the  fair will give students the opportunity to learn about the different dynamics of entrepreneurship and will make them employed instead of waiting for white-collar jobs.

“This trade fair will always offer a lot of approaches to learning about customers and consumers, including the fact that they don’t need to wait for a white scholar job before they start earning money. They can as well be entrepreneurs and still do a white-scholar job. There are some platforms on social media that they can use to market their goods. So, this course and trade fair help the student not to be limited to the confinement of white collar jobs,” she noted.

Student entrepreneurs who spoke to CAMPUS LIFE noted that they recorded enough sales from their businesses during the trade fair when compared to previous sales.

Read Also: Buhari appoints Baba Haruna as Rector, Bida Poly

 Adenola Hamdallah, a brand owner who sells Muslim clothes and jewelry, noted that she hadn’t made much sales, during the Muslim festival, but upon bringing her goods to the trade fair, she was able to sell everything. 

“My business name is Hamdallah’s Couture and Ladies’ Wear. I sell jalamias, hijabs, hijab pins, studs, and earrings.

The trade fair helped me because I needed some particular amount of money to add up with what I had with me. I decided to use the money to buy some jalamias, and fortunately for me, they sold out during the period of the trade fair, so I got twice the money I needed,” she said.

Similarly, Adekunle Anuoluwapo said  venturing into business while being a student is something she has to do to afford ‘pocket money,’ and the profit from the business has been supplying her daily needs. 

“My brand is Ewatomilola perfume boutique, and I’m into the sales of roll-on, perfume, spray, and anything fragrance. The sales I made at the trade fair helped me pay off some debt. If I had stayed at home, I wouldn’t have been able to make as much sales, and my debt wouldn’t have been paid,” she said.

Another student, Ropo Imoleayo, who engages  in  baking and pastries, was excited at making huge sales. She said on the first day of the trade fair, she started with 4 containers of flour for only puff puff, and within an hour, she sold everything; same for the second day.

“The trade fair came in my favour because I was able to pay my SUG and departmental dues and other bills in school. I paid almost N12,500 yesterday with this sale,” she said.

By Peace Marcel Daura

Before the discovery of crude oil, agriculture was the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. When oil was discovered in the early 50s, agriculture was abandoned and poverty began to creep into the nation, entirely every home. This poverty can be eradicated in Nigeria, if only the government will use innovative approach in the area of agriculture. Agricultural sector even though neglected, has the highest number of employees compared to other sectors of the economy. Nigerian youths have the potentials needed to participate effectively in agricultural development. Major problems encountered by youths in agriculture include lack of interest in agriculture as a result of drudgery in farm operations, lack of competitive market for agricultural products, lack of start-up capital, inadequate labour saving technologies for ease of operations, inadequate finance/credit facilities, among others.

As a result, they are faced with undue poverty and vulnerability. This has made youths to seek employment in other sectors of the economy  to empower themselves economically, resulting in rural-urban migration and leaving the bulk of agricultural production in the hands of old people who often times produce at a subsistence level.

However, efforts made in reviving agriculture through rural youth programmes have not given the desired results. Government must at all levels promote youth in agriculture through creating awareness on youth employment in agriculture programme to enable young people know about the programmes. This will make the youth to participate actively in agriculture, to increase food security as well as empower them economically.Youths should key into agriculture through innovation. Innovation unlocks the potential of agriculture to achieve  Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Innovation is not restricted to use of technologies but also use of social organisational, institutional or marketing processes or arrangements. One important innovation is growing food in impossible places. With the use of hydroponic solution, it is possible to grow food where it is almost impossible to grow food. Low-tech hydroponics enables plant growth in desert or arid environments with a soilless cultivation technique.It is a cost efficient solution that uses up to 90 per cent less water and 75 per cent less space. With that, refugees in Algerian Saharan desert have tested and adapted a high-tech hydroponic unit, which provided fodder supply for their livestock year round in 2018. It   is now being implemented in nine countries: Peru, Algeria, Jordan, Chad, Sudan, Kenya, Namibia, Mali and Niger reaching 5000 people.

Read Also: North should forget politics, focus on agriculture, business -Audu Ogbe

If government can use this innovation, it will improve agricultural productivity and encourage youth participation. Another innovation that can help tackle the problem of food security and encourage youth involvement in agriculture is the cultivation of drought-tolerant  crops. The international Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), piloted the drought tolerant maize for Africa (DTMA) project to breed drought-tolerant maize varieties for the region and particularly Zimbabwe. The impact is that for the same amount of seeds, farmers who grew drought-tolerant maize varieties were able to harvest over 600kg more maize per hectare, compared to those using drought-susceptible varieties. This was done at no additional cost. This innovation could be adapted by  government, and youths will be encouraged since there will be no fear of shortage of rainfall to cause low yield. The shift towards an innovation system orientation is to realise that despite stronger national research systems, agricultural research systems, agricultural productivity remained low as a result not only of the lack of appropriate technologies and lack of access to those technologies, input, credit and access to  markets and rural infrastructure but also because of gaps in information and skills that prevented rural producers from effectively utilising and adopting technologies.

Another important innovation is the growth enhancement support scheme (GESS).  This innovation teaches farmers some techniques that can help usage. The impact of the GESS intervention on fertiliser was estimated by evaluating the differences in the number of bags that farmers used per hectare of farmland. Inorganic fertilisers, in combination with hybrid seeds and food rainfall, play a crucial role in ensuring maize and yam production and eliminating food insecurity among the small holder farmers in Nigeria.

Innovative agricultural interventions, therefore, have the potential to positively influence the output, income and welfare of rural households in Nigeria and as such should be encouraged   to improve youth involvement  to better their lives.

•Daura is a student at University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)

By Abike Sanusi

Lagos State University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello,has assured students of constructive engagements in their interest.

She gave the assurance at the inauguration ceremony of the 33rd Lagos State University Students’ Union (LASUSU) Executives and Parliamentarians on the main campus in Ojo, Lagos.

The VC congratulated the new  President,  Agoro Abdulrahmon Oreoluwa, the entire members of the Executive Council.

She urged them to partner with the university to ensure that the rights of students are protected at all times.

 “I advise that you waste no time in adding value to the lives of your students and running with your campaign promises. Resist the urge to engage in activities that are capable of putting the union into disrepute, and don’t make yourselves a tool in the hands of mischievous individuals in the society. Understand that your primary concern is your educational pursuit and commitment to your oath of office,” she said.

The Dean, Students’ Affairs, Prof. Tajudeen Olumoko, thanked the leadership of the institution for support and assistance given to the students.

“To  have been elected is an indication that the students believe in you and have responded to your request, obey them,” he said.

Olumoko also advised them to represent the university well and employ the right channels of communication while carrying out their duties.

The Chairman, Independent Electoral Committee, Aina Oluwafemi, advised the newly-elected leaders to lead by example, be open to feedbacks, criticism and listen to the concerns and ideas of their colleagues.

Oreoluwa thanked the students for their support, trust and confidence through their votes. He also promised to work closely with the university to ensure a conducive learning environment for all students.

“We will ensure an open door policy and we shall ensure the demands of Lasuites are met for more secure and safe LASU students’ community. We shall establish a partnership between the police, the Campus Marshals and the students,” he said.

The highlight of  the ceremony was the presentation of Certificates of Office to executives and Certificates of Service to members of the Electoral Committee by Olatunji-Bello.

A Professor of Genetics in the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos(UNILAG),  Khalid Olajide Adekoya, has urged government and other stakeholders to provide a dedicated research grant for genetics.

He decried the near neglect of genetics research in the country, saying that has caused  slow pace of achievements in the field.

Prof. Adekoya delivered the 51st inaugural lecture of UNILAG  Faculty of Science, entitled: “Is it all in the genes? A reflection of a geneticist”.

He said:”The Genetics Society of Nigeria (GSN), Genetic Toxicology Association of Nigeria (GTAN) and research centres that specialise in genetics to be considered for dedicated research grants by the Federal Government, specific parastatals, industries, TETfund and Non-governmental organisations for optimal achievements in this area of research. Funding is a major issue in teaching and research in Nigeria.”

The don urged the leadership of UNILAG  to work towards the establishment of an Institute of Forensic Science, adding that the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics should be used as a foundation to bring forth a more elaborate, comprehensive and specialised programme in an institute of forensics bringing together all aspects of forensics.

Adekoya stressed the need to establish a national DNA database to enhance security, peace and defence as well as for quick and effective resolutions of crimes in the country.

“Many nations have established forensic DNA databases and a number of other nations are in the early stages of database development. These databases are effective because about 60 per cent of crimes are committed by repeat offenders. The DNA databases therefore serve to make associations between groups of unsolved cases, apprehend repeat offenders, prevent crimes, maintain civil liberties, and reduce the costs associated with criminal justice,” he said.

He appealed to UNILAG authorities to continue to assist with adequate funding of materials needed for teaching, and  facilities needed for top-class research in genetics, molecular biology, functional genomics, among others.

 The don said it was imperative to make   genetic courses compulsory at all levels in all Biological Science programmes as well as applied Biological Science fields in higher institutions  and be taught by competent hands to harness its full potential.

Meanwhile,  Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG)  celebrated its staff who were elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and those appointed as Professors.

The event was well attended by legal practitioners, Senior Advocates, among others. This was just as awards were given to those who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession.

 Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Ige Bolodeoku hailed the honorees for contributing to academics and the legal profession. He also lauded them for their   hard work and commitment to excellence.

 Guest speaker at the event, Justice Olasumbo Goodluck, who was  represented by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, described the legal profession as a  reputable one. She urged legal professionals  to ensure that they place premium on its processes, procedures and institutions.

She said : “Members of the profession must maintain proper conduct and high standards to demonstrate the seriousness of legal practice.”

The awardees included former Senior Lecturer in the Faculty, and now a High Court Judge, Hon. Justice  Razak Oriyomi Olukolu; the first occupier of the Lagos State endowed Chair on Tax & Fiscal Matters in the university, Prof. Abiola Sanni; Oludayo Gabriel Amokaye of Private and Property Law and Mr. Wahab Shittu, a Senior Lecturer at the Jurisprudence and International Law Department who were recently elevated to the inner bar and sworn in as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Others included newly-appointed Professors;  Prof. Wale Olawoyin, SAN; Prof. Gbenga Akingbehin; Prof. Iyabo Ogunniran and Prof. Oluwakemi Adekile.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has hailed a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Hannatu Musawa over her contributions to the victory of Bola Tinubu at the hotly-contested presidential election of February 25, 2023.

Musawa, an England-trained lawyer, is the Deputy spokesperson of the APC.

NANS, in a statement by its Vice President of External Affairs, Babatunde Akinteye, thanked the ruling party chieftain for proving herself to be dependable during the presidential election.

According to him, Musawa was all over the media before the poll, defending the proclaiming the gospel according to Tinubu and spreading the good news of the APC to as many as care to listen.

He also called on Tinubu to appoint her as a member of his cabinet, describing her as “friend of the students”.

Akinteye said Musawa is a dedicated and hardworking party leader who worked tirelessly and round the clock to ensure the party’s victory” at the presidential poll.

The statement reads: “There is a maxim that says “what a man can do, a woman can do better”. This is the case of Alhaja Musawa. She has proven via her uncommon energy that she’s a woman of substance.

“Virtuous and hardworking women are rare to come by, especially in an era where many women are always cutting corners via obnoxious means to get to the top or to even make ends meet. Hannatu has chosen to be different and she has stood. She has shown that a woman can be successful as a great mum, an accomplished business woman and a politician to reckon with.

“As a national student leader of NANS – who has gone around the 36 states of the federation charting the course of the Nigerian Students, I have seen many young people (especially in Katsina State and Abuja), who have chosen Hannatu Musawa as their role model and mentor. This is unconnected to her achievements and how she’s been able to manage her life without leaving any area uncatered for.

“Hannatu, an England-trained lawyer and a lawyer of the Supreme court in Nigeria, is Principal Partner of two law firms – Laurus Lex Legal Practice and Hanny Musawa & Associates in Abuja. She made her mark in the legal department when she was on the opposition’s legal team of President Muhammadu Buhari against Chief Olusegun Obasanjo both in 2003 and 2007 after the general elections. She has been there and her record speaks volume

“Hanny is a political activist with a difference. This could be seen in her dispositions over time, most especially in this gone pre-election era where she raised her voice and was able to douse the tension wrapped around the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressive Congress (APC). She proclaimed that ASIWAJU IS COMING and ASIWAJU CAME. She was all over the media, defending the proclaiming the gospel according to Bola Ahmed Tinubu and spreading the goodnews of the APC to as many as care to listen.

“She also expressed her political sagacity as she made the APC PCC list, not just as a member but as the Deputy Director of Pubic Affairs and the Deputy Spokesperson. In the last general elections, her personal participation and contribution can be conspicuously felt and her personal and collective input to the victory recorded in the presidential election by the APC can never be overemphasized. Hannatu is a political juggernaut.

“As a model to the young people both in her state and in the country at large, her positive influence on the progress of the Nigerian Students has been unquantifiable. She has been supportive of the Nigerian Students in terms of providing welfare packages for students via her annual bursary awards to students in their hundreds and several intervention funding and material supports that we receive from her from time to time are additional feathers to her cap of philanthropy. Also, her words of encouragement and motivation at all times have taken us this far in the union and we cannot but hold her in high esteem always.

“Many other students leaders and I in the Nigerian political space will be looking forward to seeing Alhaja Hannatu Musawa represent us on higher grounds(political and otherwise) because we know what she’s made of, what she represents and what she can deliver. With people like her, Nigeria still has hope of a brighter future.”