The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • ‘We’ll play our role in nation building’

    ‘We’ll play our role in nation building’

    Fifty undergraduates have promised to assist in achieving effective university administration to boost national development. They spoke at the 12th Correspondents’ Workshop organised by The Nation in conjunction with Coca-Cola System in Nigeria. AYODEJI ADESINA and OPEOLUWA SONUGA (400-Level Law Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) report.

    “Yes,” say the speakers at the 12th CAMPUSLIFE Workshop held at Citilodge Hotel in Lekki, Lagos last weekend.

    The three-day capacity-building seminar sponsored by Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited also featured the fifth award ceremony where student-contributors to Campus Life were rewarded.

    Student-writers from different campuses invited for the event converged on the Matori, Lagos headquarters of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation on Friday.

    The event kicked-off with a tour of The Nation’s facility. The students were conducted round by CAMPUSLIFE Coordinator Wale Ajetunmobi. The first port of call was the Newsroom where the students learnt about newspaper production.

    They also visited the Production room, Pre-press section and Press Hall, where they learnt about newspaper printing and circulation.

    Because of the late arrival of some of their colleagues, the students could not proceed to the NBC plant in Ikeja, the Lagos State capital, on excursion. The event was cancelled to meet up with award dinner.

    For the students, it was an opportunity to catch up again after a long time of communicating with one another due to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike. On their way to the hotel, the students were treated to a sumptuous meal of rice and chicken at Sweet Sensation eatry.

    On Saturday after breakfast, the workshop began with the rendition of the National Anthem. Ajetunmobi took the participants through writing rules to refresh their memory on campus journalism.

    Mr Agbo Agbo, husband of the late pioneer Editor of CAMPUSLIFE, told the students to always read their published reports for improvement.

    The duo of Caleb Adebayo, 400-Level Law, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, and Uche Anichebe, a student of the Nigerian Law School, Lagos campus, made presentations on a four-day Peace Conference they attended in their capacity as CAMPUSLIFE reporters two months ago in Port Harcourt.

    The seminar was facilitated by Chevron in conjunction with Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited. The students said the event enable them to learn how to promote peace in the society, adding that they had become change agents. They urged their colleagues to promote peace in any community they found themselves.

    Adesuwa Ifedi, the country coordinator of Enactus Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation promoting entrepreneurship among students, said because of Nigeria’s population, its youths were strategic to the world market. She told the participants, who she described as “Caleb generation”, to keep hope alive, saying those who did not believe in the coming good days in Nigeria may not witness the period when it comes. Stressing that Nigeria’s future is bright, Ifedi said foreign firms that left the country in the 1980s and early 90s were returning because “Nigeria is too big to ignore”.

    She said youths should acquire necessary skills and knowledge to be relevant in the emerging business world and end poverty on the continent.

    Ifedi played a video about the life of an average Nigerian, going through human evolution phases and ended up with these posers: “Did he live his life as a footprint on the sands of time? Or as a legacy in the minds of men or as if he never were born on earth?”

    Mr Fred Chiazor, Coca Cola’s Scientific Regulatory Affairs Manager, spoke on Sparkling facts to dispel certain beliefs about Coca-Cola products. He said continuous intake of the beverages could not cause diabetes.

    Tolu Ogunlesi’s entry into the Elizabeth Hall of the hotel drew applause from the students. The unassuming Ogunlesi began his presentation in an unusual manner.

    He asked: “How many of you would love to practise journalism after graduation?”

    Dazed by the poser, a few of the students answered in the affirmative. Ogunlesi asked again: “Isn’t it that everybody here is a writer?”

    Ogunlesi, a trained pharmacist turned journalist and CNN/Multichoice African Journalist Award winner, said he never set out to become a journalist during his undergraduate days. Noticing the bewilderment on the participants’ faces, he said he had a different plan after graduating from the University of Ibadan in 2004. He wanted to be a management consultant, he said.

    “I cut my professional tooth in Accenture, a consulting company, and I just wanted to practise as a management consultant. But the opportunities that opened for me changed all the plans,” he said.

    Ogunlesi, who spoke for 20 minutes, said his penchant for “stringing words together” changed his life and discipline. He told the students to prepare to face life’s challenges, saying what they set out to become may be different from what life would bring to them after graduation.

    He urged the student-writers to adapt to the new media, saying journalism is changing from the conventional print and electronic media to digital platform. He advised the students to keep an open mind on all matters and take advantage of social media.

    Getting a job in media houses, he said, would soon require candidates sending links of their original works on their blog. “The quality of your work and who you know would greatly influence how far you can go in journalism,” he said.

    Ogunlesi noted that that there is no end to self-development, saying: “There is no excuse any more. There is no excuse to not know or find out new things. Find experts to learn from and do things that will make experts want to listen to you. People will always give serious people attention. Writing can be learnt. We learn a lot by imitation. When you read a particular writer for so long there are tendencies you begin to reason and write from perspective similar to the writer of such works.”

    After the workshop, the students went on community outreach campaign to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Idi-Araba. They visited children being treated for cancer through Child Survival and Development Organisation of Nigeria (CSDON), a non-governmental organisation established by wife of former Cross River State governor Mrs Onari Duke.

    After the outreach, the participants visited CSDON office in Ikoyi, Lagos, where they spoke with Mrs Duke on how to end infant death in Nigeria.

    According to Uche, it was a life-time experience for her to be part of the youths being mentored through CAMPUSLIFE. UNIMAID’s Taiwo Isola said his flair for selfless service was renewed after the workshop. He hailed The Nation and Coca Cola System for creating a “progressive” platform for youths to channel their thoughts on issues affecting them and the nation.

     

  • Reward for excellence

    Reward for excellence

    Student-contributors to CAMPUSLIFE were honoured at the Fifth CAMPUSLIFE Award held in Lagos last weekend. FEMI OGUNJOBI (400-Level Language Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) PHILIP OKORODUDU (500-Level Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering, Delta State University), EDDY UWOGHIREN (100-Level Medicine, University of Benin) and KINGSLEY AMATANWEZE (400-Level Material and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka) report.

    There was silence in the hall decorated in red and white to reflect the brand colours of the sponsors – Coca Cola Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Bottling Company Limited. The students, who are writers from different higher institutions, smartly dressed – some in suits and others flowing gowns – moved quietly into the hall.

    They were all anxious, because they could not tell who among them would win the coveted prize – Reporter of the Year. The welcome speech by the compere, Ayo Owodunmi, a presenter with Radio Continental, invigorated the atmosphere.

    Welcome to the Fifth CAMPUSLIFE award, a yearly event organised by The Nation in conjunction with Coca Cola System in Nigeria to reward student-contributors to CAMPUSLIFE.

    The event with the theme: Challenges and prospect of university administration in Nigeria was held at the Lamboghini Event Centre in Lekki, Lagos.

    Prof Pat Utomi, the guest lecturer’s entry excited the students. Charging them to provoke debates on how the nation could move forward despite its limitations, he said he was thrilled to know there were students who still possessed progressive thoughts about the declining education system.

    Utomi looked at the university administration system in the past, saying admission regulation in universities, such as University of Ibadan, was strict compared to schools in the United Kingdom.

    He said: “In our days as students, the educational system of Nigeria was so strong that it was easier to be admitted into Harvard University than to be admitted into the then University College, Ibadan. The future of this country depends on the knowledge of the youth and the values they uphold. Our colleagues who went to London to study were seen as average students who could not meet requirement to study at home.

    “But today, there is no such thing again. The drop in quality of education has watered down the process of administration in our universities. Gaining admission into a Nigerian university is as easy as you can ever imagine. All those strict admission regulations have disappeared; a student cannot just apply to any school in London, he must fulfil the admission requirement.”

    Recalling how as an undergraduate he challenged the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, the late Colonel Joe Garba, on Nigeria’s foreign policy, which, he said, prompted the minister to visit his school to address students, he wondered why the youths of today are reluctant to read.

    Utomi said: “As students, you have as much part in determining the future of the country as anybody in positions of authority.”

    He charged the students to use their articles to expose the ills in the society, saying everybody cannot be leader at the same time. Utomi, who left after the lecture, presented prizes to two winners. He congratulated the students on their achievements, urging them to use the award positively.

    At the end of the lecture, Utomi asked: “What is the mission of your generation?”

    Mr. Clem Ugorji, the Director of Public Affairs and Communication, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, challenged the students to follow Utomi’s path. He stressed that the strength of any society depended on the values its youths uphold, adding that Coca-Cola would not relent in investing in programmes that would add value to the youths.

    He said: “You are planting a seed in your life that only you will harvest in no time. We believe we are investing in people who are going to fix the wrongs in the society.”

    Things changed when it got to the award stage. As the categories were being introduced by the compere, the students became nervous.

    The award was divided into seven categories of Culture Report, Campus Sport, Personality Profile, Opinion, Investigative Report, Entertainment Report and CAMPUSLIFE Reporter of the Year.

    In the Culture Report category, there were three entries with four nominees. The nominees were Gilbert Alasa and Tolulope Ogunleye with entry report For their culture, they rise, which they co-authored; Taiwo Isola, a student of University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), with the entry Cultural display at its best and Johnpaul Nnamdi, a Corps member, with the entry Projecting African culture in French language. Johnpaul picked the prize.

    In the Investigative Report category, Kamaludeen Abubakar, a 200-Level Geography student of Nasarawa State University in Keffi (NSUK), won with his entry, Who killed them?

    Kemi Busari, 400-Level Political Science student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, won the Entertainment category with his entry, A comedy taken too far.

    Gilbert Alasa, 400-Level Foreign Languages, University of Benin (UNIBEN), won the Opinion prize, with his article titled: “We need a new amnesty”; Tolulope Ogunleye, a graduating student of Mass Communication of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) won in the Sport category with “A race of life”, while Uche Anichebe, a student in Nigeria Law School, Lagos campus, won the Personality Profile prize.

    Gilbert won the coveted CAMPUSLIFE Reporter of the Year with his report titled: “Wild world of campus pimps”, which was rated best by the judges.

    The gathering rose as the compere announced the overall winner. With measured steps, an elated Gilbert, walked to the podium to receive the prize. As he made his way through, others stood up to honour him. Gilbert made history; he is the first student-writer to win the prize twice.

    Editor of The Nation, Mr Gbenga Omostoso, praised the students for keeping faith with the newspaper, which, he said, has provided a platform for youths to contribute their quota to educational and national development. He also thanked the sponsors for keeping faith with the project.

    In attendance were the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), Prof Boniface Egboka, represented by former Head of Mass Communication, Prof Kate Omenugha; Vice-chancellor of Bells University of Technology in Ota Ogun State, Prof Adebadoyo Adeyemi, represented by Dr Adebowale; Head of Mass Communication Department of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr Charles Oni; country coordinator of Enactus Nigeria Mrs Adesuwa Ifedi; Online Editor, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, Editorial Page Editor Mr Sanya Oni and Managing Editor, Mr Waheed Odusile, all of The Nation.

  • My score card, by Auchi Poly Rector

    My score card, by Auchi Poly Rector

    The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi (Auchi Poly) has been praised for its efforts to beautify the campus and make its road passable. The campus hosted a large number of visitors during its 21st Convocation last week.

    As they drove into the campus to attend the event, the visitors praised the Dr Philipa Idogho-led administration for improving on the infrastructure in the school.

    The authorities also broke the jinx of combined convocations, a feat many believed is a new dawn in the history of the institution.

    For a long time, the polytechnic was known to have a culture of combining convocations for two or three sets of graduands at the same time. This development often resulted in delayed issuance of certificates, a condition that made many of its graduates to look for jobs with letters of attestation from the school.

    Dr Idogho listed challenges the management faced to reposition the school, stating that they later became the tonic that propelled her into action to eliminate the problems. She said she was leaving the school better than she met it.

    She said: “Auchi Poly has, recently, been rated high among and this is evident in the geometric increase in the number of those seeking admission into the school. Also, the school consistently maintained its premium position on the Webometrix ranking index as the second best tertiary institution in Nigeria and on the polytechnics category, the school ranked best in Nigeria and in Africa.”

    Dr Idogho announced that the polytechnic won the Nuxart Art prize – arts exhibition on fabricated products competition among tertiary institutions in Nigeria, adding that it was the third time the school would be winning the prize.

    She revealed that polytechnic signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, on the award of degrees in 11 courses, including Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Civil Engineering and Accounting in a bid to enrich the school’s courses.

    “The Senate of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, after an assessment of the polytechnic’s facilities and infrastructure, approve the affiliation, which is pending before the National Universities Commission (NUC) to carry out an independent assessment of available facilities and manpower and certified the agreement as advised.

    “On the pursuit of academic excellence, the school will not relent in its attempt to institutionalise the culture of inaugural lectures. To this end, all chief lecturers with doctorate degrees engaged in teaching and research by the school must comply with directives and ensure they deliver their inaugural lectures in their respective fields. So far, only two accomplished scholars have performed this academic ritual, namely the late Dr Okhaishe Idokpesi and my humble self,”she added.

    She said the institution secured a working relationship with the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom on the training of academic staff and students, noting that four academic staff had benefited from the gesture.

    The Rector promised that her administration would continue to prioritise security of life and property on the campus. She noted that the school had constructed seven speed breakers on the busy Auchi-Benin highway, which is notorious for accidents.

    In a convocation lecture titled: Climate change and biodiversity: Implications for national development, Prof Medina Kadiri of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) alerted policy makers to the dangers inherent in climate change.

    Kadiri, a former Edo State Commissioner of Environment and Mineral Resources, drew audience’s attention to the menace of flooding, erosion and other ecological problems, saying: “We must stop paying lip service to these dangerous signals and begin to act proactively to forestall the weather disaster.”

    The occasion featured the conferment of fellowship awards on deserving recipients, including a former High Commissioner to Canada, Ambassador Aziz Garuba; Ogbashi of Auchi Kingdom, Alhaja Zulietu Abu Momoh and the traditional ruler of Igueben, Okaigun of Esanland, Ehizogie Eluojerior.

    Dignitaries who graced the event included representatives of the Minister of Education Nyesom Wike and Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, royal fathers, rectors, chairman and members of the school Governing Council, among others.

  • Varsity holds Christmas Carol

    Varsity holds Christmas Carol

    The Adeleke University, in Ede, Osun State has held its third Carol service on its Ceremonial Ground.

    Its Registrar, Olusegun Ojo, led the opening prayer. The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oluwole Amusan, thanked participants for sharing in their joy of the day.

    The Bible reading was taken by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Prof Olubukola Oyawoye.

    In his, message titled: The incarnation, the university Chaplain, Pastor Olugbenga Efuntade, said Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, was not carrying an ordinary child, but an offspring of the Holy Sprit, adding that Christ humbled himself and became obedient to death on the Cross .

    The choir entertained the audience with spiritual hymns while invited choir groups, which included In His Image, Apostolic Faith Church, Osun District choir, Orchestra, Ajike Chimaobi Ajike, John Edo and Phenom and Zoe, took their turns to perform at the ceremony.

    Chairman of the university’s Governing Council, Dr Adedeji Adeleke, prayed for the students success.

     

     

  • How does PDP crisis affect us?

    How does PDP crisis affect us?

    The self-acclaimed largest political party in Africa – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – is sick at the moment. The PDP is experiencing some internal crises, which daily deepen the crack in the supposedly strongest political organisation in the country.

    The crises came to the fore at the August 31 Special PDP Convention held at Eagle Square, Abuja, where some of the party’s stalwarts staged a somewhat embarrassing walkout on the party leaders and the President Goodluck Jonathan. The walkout was staged by stalwarts who leaders of the party had dubbed rebels. The aggrieved members led by Alhaji Kawu Baraje included seven governors being persecuted either by the presidency or the party leadership.

    The governors – Adamawa, Kano, Kwara, Rivers, Niger, Sokoto, and Jigawa – thereafter unofficially formed a group called “G7”. Their reasons for the walkout cut across problems of lack of internal democracy, favoritism, and some other personal issues. In particular, the leadership style of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the PDP chairman, does not go down well with the aggrieved governors. This led to the formation of “New PDP”, generally being referred to as n-PDP.

    This faction led by Baraje posited: “Not only has the constitution of the party been serially violated by its chairman and some other party executives, most of the other organs of the party have been left virtually non-functional by some of the members in high authority who believe they are above the law.”

    As the battle rages on who owns the soul of the PDP, other national pressing issues, top of which is non-implementation of 2009 agreement reached with Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which led to six-month strike action by university lecturers and rendered students idle, are not being attended to.

    Our roads have been described as death traps; unemployment still ravages the system, the number of jobless youths has increased in a direct variation with armed robbery. These and other numerous challenges facing the nation were not made priority of the government. The presidency, which is led by PDP, appears more interested in resolving the party’s internal crisis than attending to myriad of problem facing us.

    There have been several attempts to see that the PDP is put in one piece again. These attempts even included a meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the aggrieved governors. After meetings that lasted for several hours, the G7 governors laid down some certain conditions before the party can enjoy peace. Topping the list of these conditions was the removal of Tukur as national chairman but how does this improve the welfare of the masses?

    The problem is still ongoing with the division in the party deepening. Many of its faithful are wondering if the crises would prove to be cancer that will lead to the ‘death’ of PDP and its domination across the political landscape. Given that the recently-formed All Progressives Congress (APC) is keeping a keen eye on the situation and strategising to dislodge the ruling party from power, many PDP leaders are afraid because if this happens, that will be the end of the PDP in Nigeria.

    But with the political crises in the ruling party, how would 2015 general elections be conducted without fraudulent practices? Is it not the time to clamour for change in leadership and vote for people that will work for the masses’ welfare and wellbeing?

     

    •Khalid, 200-Level Sociology, BUK

  • Protecting the girl-child

    Protecting the girl-child

    The girl-child is believed to be vulnerable to gender violence which is described as a global problem. Statistics shows that six out of 10 girls and women across the globe experience gender violence. They experience physical and psychological assault at home, school and in their communities.

    Many victims do not get justice, but the Nigerian Girl Guides Association (NGGA), a group of students and youths, believes that violence against the girl-child and young women can be eliminated if there is adequate awareness.

    To stem the scourge, the Cross River State chapter of the association embarked on a campaign to Watt Market, one of the largest in Calabar, to sensitise traders.

    Members of the association drawn from different chapters across the state capital carried banners bearing “stop the violence” in a procession to the market.

    They divided themselves into small groups and spread across the perimeter of the market, speaking to traders, buyers and passersby on violence against the girl-child.

    The Cross River State leader of NGGA, Mrs. Grace Otu-Edem, reiterated the association’s commitment to create as enabling environment for the girl-child to live without violence. Otu-Edem said the campaign was being carried out by World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) to advocate for girl-child’s rights and end gender violence.

    She said the association decided to make the market its port of call this year because of large numbers of buyers that visit daily.

    Emphasising the need for people to speak against the violence, Otu-Edem stressed that girls remain the world’s greatest untapped resources.

    The Deputy Chief Commissioner of NGGA, Eastern Zone, Dr Maria Nya, condemned a situation where parents refuse to send their girls to school, but rather used them for child labour. This situation, she said, amounted to violation of girl-child’s fundamental right to education, saying the offence was punishable under the law.

    Nya, the Administrator of Saint Agnes Educational Centre in Calabar, said: “Long gone are the days when the girl-child is relegated, kept at home to do household chores or sent to the market to trade when their peers are in schools. The girl-child has the right to be educated just as her male counterpart.”

    She warned parents against domestic violence, harassment, rape, forced marriage and prostitution, and female genital mutilation, which, she noted, were punishable under Nigeria’s extant laws.

    Christiana Odigie, 300-Level History and International Studies student of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), advocated that there must be end to child marriage. She noted that child marriages posed threats to the lives of young girls, because it disrupts their education, but also cause health problem such as Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF).

    Responding, Mr Charles Obaino, a shoe dealer, promised to extend to others.

  • PTI admits 809 of 7,666 applicants

    Only 809 of the 7,666 who applied to the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), in Effurun, Delta State were admitted.

    The Acting Principal/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Nnnena Dennar said at the matriculation that the students deserved kudos for being among the lucky ones.

    She said: “The selection process, which made it possible for you to be admitted, was vigorous and transparent; this is to ensure that the best candidates were admitted.”

    She advised them to be focused and hardworking in order to achieve their dream.

    She said: “Today, you are keeping date with history as the matriculation oath taking makes you bonafide students of this great institute. The oath taking should be taken seriously, as the consequences of its breach could be monumental to any offender.”

    She also said the institute was established by Act No. 37 of September 19, 1972, and was amended by Act No. 52 of January 1, 1975 provides training and research in oil technology and produces technologists and technicians and other skilled personnel required for the oil industry, among others.

    “Since inception, 41 years ago, the institute has been a hub of petroleum expertise with a reputation for providing high quality technical education and research in petroleum related disciplines. It has to develop competent technical manpower that is driving oil and gas sector in the country. I am glad to say that PTI is a household name in the oil industry, as there is no oil company that does not have PTI graduates in its employment. You are, therefore, expected to maintain the high academic standard set by your predecessors.”

    She said the institute is well-equipped with professionals and state-of- the-art equipment that are second to none in the sub Saharan Africa to develop its students.

    “You must, therefore, pride yourself very high above students from other higher institutions. For the institute to be at the cutting edge of technology, the academic standards are raised. From 2014/2015 academic session, the minimum entry qualifications for admission into the institute will be five O’level credits, including English language and Mathematics.

    “With this development, prospective students will be required to meet the minimum requirements for admission into this great institute.”

    , “Success does not come by wishing and hoping but hard work, smart work and enthusiasm.”

    She added: “You must work very hard to attain it and avoid any social vices that could dash your dream. Management is poised to provide a conducive learning environment for you to excel in your chosen career. It now behooves on you to make wise use of the available opportunities.”

  • Predictions, forecasts and our youths

    Predictions, forecasts and our youths

    In January 2005, it was widely reported that the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) predicted that Nigeria would no longer be in existence by 2015. The CIA received criticisms and bashing from most Nigerians who rubbished the ‘prediction’. When the Boko Haram (BH) insurgency started, we all suddenly became political and security analysts as we tried to analyse the prediction using BH as a point of reference.

    Since the release of the purported American prognosis, there is hardly any other day you do not have commentaries in leading newspapers and the broadcast media about it. Prominent political leaders even keyed into it, using it when it suits them to showcase their contrived patriotism.

    With the conflation of the crises rocking the PDP (which led to five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aggressive permutations for the politics of 2015, more people are talking about this supposed American prediction. The prediction also came alive vividly during our 12th Campuslife capacity building workshop held last weekend.

    One of our workshop speakers, Mrs. Adesuwa Ifedi, country director of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Nigeria, in her presentation, dubbed the present generation the “Caleb generation”. Borrowing from the story of Caleb and Joshua in The Bible, Mrs. Ifedi pointed out that Caleb, alongside his colleague Joshua, differed from their 10 colleagues who formed the party of spies sent out by Moses to explore the promised land. Because of his boldness, foresight and determination, he was able to convince Moses and the Israelites that they are able to occupy the promised land despite the fact that the inhabitants were more powerful than they were.

    While asking a question, one of our students pointed to the 2015 purported CIA report. Mrs. Ifedi wanted to know if he had also seen the June 2010 report by McKinsey and Co on the potential of African economies – including Nigeria – and how they will grow by 2020. As the exchange between speaker and student went on, it became apparent that the student was more comfortable in believing the CIA ‘report’ than McKinsey’s because he believed that events in the country point dangerously to that prediction coming true.

    I need to point out here that not even the denial by the former United State’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Terrence McCulley in February, this year was able to douse the flame of the report. McCulley had said in an interaction with journalists in Ibadan: “No US government official predicted that Nigeria will break up by 2015. That statement must have emanated from a private agency, but clearly not from the government. I must state at this point that the US is interested in Nigeria as a very important country in Africa. We have been impressed by the role played by Nigeria in the peace process in the sub-region. Let me say a bit about the forecast here. Titled: “Lions on the move: The progress and potential of African economies”, it examined the sources behind Africa’s economic growth acceleration since 2000, analysed the prospects for future growth, and identified some of the most compelling business opportunities ahead. It also developed a framework for understanding of how growth challenges and opportunities will differ for Africa’s 53 individual countries.

    Because of the ruckus it created, I reviewed the document last year. The 17-page report turned out to be a summary of the outcome of a one-day conference of ‘US experts on Africa’ convened in January 2005 and sponsored by the country’s National Intelligence Council to discuss likely trends in Sub-Saharan Africa over the next 15 years. This document titled, ‘Mapping sub-Saharan Africa’s future’ is freely available on the Internet.

    My concern is this: like my student, some Nigerians still use the “report” as the “road map” for the future of our country. Just like the altercation that went on between the speaker and the student, some Nigerians are not taking the McKinsey’s report serious because they are like Caleb’s 10 other colleagues that the Bible did not even mention their names.

    Because of time Mrs. Ifedi did not go into details, but rightly pointed out her fears – which are mine as well – that the forecast may come true, but it would be foreigners that would reap the benefits and not Nigerians.

    Why did the researchers believe things will improve in Africa? They said Africa’s collective Gross Demestic Product (GDP) in 2008 stood at $1.6 trillion, roughly equal to Brazil’s or Russia’s. Africa’s combined consumer spending in 2008 was put at $860 billion and the number of new mobile phone was put at 316 million subscribers. Africa also have 60 per cent share of the world’s total amount of uncultivated, arable land. The number of African companies with revenues of at least $3 billion was put at 20.

    So, what would things look like by 2020? The reports forecast states that Africa’s collective GDP will rise to $2.6 trillion in 2020, consumer spending will rise to $1.4 trillion, there will be 1.1 billion Africans of working age in 2040, 128 million households would have discretionary income by 2020 and 50 per cent of Africans would be living in cities by 2030. Can you begin to see the potential if it materialises?

    Despite this report, most Nigerians are concerned with the purported CIA report about the breakup of the country. But just like our speaker pointed out at the workshop, there are questions we should ask ourselves: why are Nigerians in Diaspora returning home? I make bold to answer that they are seeing the potential we are not seeing because of our cynicism that nothing can work in the country. I’m afraid that her prediction may come true –as is becoming quite evident – with the takeover of the commanding height of our economy by foreign concerns while we look on helplessly.

    Perhaps I need to point out that Africa’s economic pulse has quickened, infusing the continent with a new commercial vibrancy. Agreed, many of the 53 individual African economies face serious challenges, including poverty, leadership, disease, and high infant mortality. Yet, Africa’s collective GDP has been rising since 2008. As I pointed out to the students, it’s high time they started preparing themselves for the future.

    Thank you Coca-Cola Nigeria and NBC Campuslife started as a four-page pull out in August 2007 through the determination and doggedness of an Amazon and initiator/pioneer editor, the late Mrs. Ngozi Agbo. Overtime, it grew to a 10-page weekly pull out that it is today. Through her determination and courage, Ngozi was able to singlehandedly convince Coca-Cola Nigeria and Nigeria Bottling Company to start sponsoring the segment.

    The Coca-Cola System has thus been sponsoring the pages for six years and they deserve commendation for this. Since the pullout made its debut, it has remained the leading national publication amongst Nigerian undergraduates as well as other students, both at the postgraduate and pre-tertiary levels. Campuslife is also a trailblazer. Since it hit the news stand, almost all newspapers in Nigeria now have segments dedicated to campus issue, thanks to the vision and foresight of Ngozi.

    I want to seize this opportunity to acknowledge some individuals who have been at the forefront of this project. I would like to identify Mr. Clem Ugorji, Public Affairs and Communications Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria; Mrs. Yanju Olomola, External Affairs Director, (NBC); Ms. Yomi Onakoya, Corporate Communications Manager (NBC); Mr. Emeka Mba, Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria and Ms. Bisi Aweda, Communications Officer (NBC).

    Thank you all for providing the platform to positively impacting on a generation of Nigerian undergraduates who would be eternally grateful for your support through the capacity building workshop/Awards held twice every year.

  • Retirees lament govt’s failure to review pension

    THE Nigerian Union of Pensioners, University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter, has expressed concern over the Federal Government’s failure to increase the monthly pension of its members by 50 per cent, as promised.

    They spoke during the celebration of World Pension Day at the UNILAG Staff School Hall.

    The union’s Vice Chairman, Mr Babatunde Sanni, lamented that the the government made the promise since July 2009.

    “When they did not pay it and we threatened to protest, the President called a meeting and said it would be reduced to 33 per cent, but up till now, we have not gotten anything,” he said.

    The Treasurer, Mr Thomas Adeoye, also faulted the Federal Government for increasing the salary of military pensioners by 33 per cent when the civilians fought for it.

    “We fought for an increase in our pension and instead of attending to it, government went ahead to increase that of the military. Are they scared of them? We fought for it, we should get it too,” he said.

    The Chairman, Mr Andrew Adeosun said the pensions are no longer adequate to meet their needs and urged the Federal Government to introduce minimum pension, like minimum wage.

    “Our monthly pension in most cases cannot take care of our fundamental needs. There is, therefore, urgent need to introduce minimum pension for pensioners if our lives is to be better than what it is now.

    “Senior citizens, who spent their hay days serving their fatherland for more than 30 years meritoriously, should not be made to regret their honest services. Properties confiscated from pension thieves should be auctioned and the proceeds realised should be appropriated and spent on settling pensioners,” he said.

    Adeosun, represented by Mrs Sola Olanrewaju, the Assistant Secretary, added that the high unemployment rate has further worsened their lot as their wards cannot take care of them because they do not have jobs.

    He told members to eat balanced diet, drink responsibly if they have to, avoid stressful situations, sleep very well and do moderate exercises.

    Mrs Rukayat Akpamkpa, Director Medical Services, UNILAG Medical Centre, talked to the pensioners on how to take care of their health.

    She said: “Check your health regularly. Don’t wait until you fall ill before you go to the hospital.”

    She focused on high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and heart failure She said: “If you see any sign, go and treat it before it results to severe complication. Eat balanced diet, do not eat too much carbohydrate, protein, or fat, instead eat fruits.”

     

  • Lagos SUBEB chief, others get award

    It was awards galore at the seventh Award of excellence of The Nigerian Education Times, held at the Centre for Management Development (CMD), Lagos.

    Some of the recipients were: WAEC Registrar Dr. Iyi Uwadiae, who won the Pillar of Education, award; Joel Babalola, a professor of Education Management, and Dr Benedicta Agusiobo, another educationist/consultant.

    The Provost, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED0, Ijanikin, Mr Wasiu Olalekan Bashorun clinched the Outstanding Provost of College of Education in Nigeria award; while the Outstanding Educator in Nigeria went to Dr. Olu Oni, another educationist.

    Chief Emeka Asoegwu won the Outstanding Education-friendly Personality award, while the Outstanding School awards were shared between Greensprings School, Lekki, and Covenant Child Academy, Ijeshatedo both in Lagos. The Lagos State SUBEB chairman Mrs Gbolahan Daodu claimed the Oustanding SUBEB award while the Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area Obafemi Durosinmi emerged the Education Friendly-Personality of the year.

    Mr Tunde Ogunsola, Editor-in-Chief, The Nigerian Education Times, said the award is designed to identify and reward some distinguished Nigerians and corporate bodies for their immense contributions to the growth and development of education in Nigeria.

    Mrs Daodu thanked the organisers for the award. She said: “I give God the glory. He is the one who enables us achieve whatever we were able to achieve and one is humbled by the recognition that at least little effort is recognised. We just hope and pray that God will give us the strength, power, wisdom and understanding to continue to forge ahead to ensure that education in Lagos State is improved and becomes better by the day.”

    Project Director, Covenant Child Academy, Mrs Delight Oliseh, described the award as a sign of fulfillment.

    “With this award, we believe that the management of the school will work harder, the staff will work harder because the Bible says ‘to whom much is given, much is expected,’” she said.

    The father of the day, former Lagos State governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande said the essence of education cannot be over emphasised:

    “We celebrate education because it is the most important sector. What can we do without education? We must sustain education and it is also a collective responsibility everybody must contribute to, he said”

    The event also featured the launch of a new book Letter to the Nigerian youth,written by Ogunsola.

    Ogunsola said: “As a trained guardian and counsellor and a journalist, I have been able to observe the ability of our youths for the past years. I noticed there are a lot of inherent potential in them, but certain issues are weighing them down.

    “They are unable to really develop themselves to a level that we believe will make them impact the society well. It is on that note that I decided to identify those issues that are weighing them down, encourage them and their parents and to resolve this issue so that they can move forward.”

    Mrs Daodu lauded Ogunsola for coming up with the book which she said has good messages for youths.

    “We need every minute of our time to find a way of talking to our children, to the youth on the way they should go, particularly in respect of values. The book is something I recommend to everybody whether young or old. Parents and guardian should buy it for their children,” she added.