The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Goodnight Madiba

    No doubt, Mandela is in heaven, singing Hallelujah with the Angels. I can hear God saying to him: “Welcome, my beloved and faithful servant. You have laid an enduring foundation for lovers of freedom. You have set the captives free and gave hope to the doomed. You have held the proverbial plow without looking back. You carried the heavy cross and refused to cave in because you loved your people.” I see the heavens basking in papal glory at your arrival at the golden gates. I see you walking like a knight on those streets of gold. Nature, itself, will be calm and remorseful of your departure. Humanity will be sober and reflective of your exit.

    Nelson Mandela lived a purpose-driven life, a life worthy of emulation. He embodied the struggle for human freedom, integrity and character. He was an epitome of altruism and a tall tree that made a forest. Mandela will forever reign and remain in our hearts. Generations unborn will remember this icon and finest soul to have lived on the earth.

    I had wondered why such a gem would have to die. I nearly questioned God for allowing Mandela to die. But in my ruminations, I realised that all mortals are subject to a divine timing; that moment when we have to bid farewell to this vain world and reconnect with our Maker. That is a call which all of us will have to answer at the ripe of age. So, Mandela has left us to fulfill that inevitable obligation. He has joined the likes of Mahatma Ganhdi, Martin Luther King Jr. and other global icons whose efforts have redefined the course of human history.

    Death is an individual experience and every creature must die. That is why English writer, Daniel Defoe, in his classic, Robinson Crusoe, told us that all men must die no matter how big they are. But what matters is how the person lived. Mandela lived a purposeful life and stood for values that would shape human societies for generations to come. He lived as though tomorrow never existed. He was not the type that sites on the fence in times of great turmoil. Uthman Dan Fodio probably had Mandela in mind when he said, “Conscience is an open wound; only truth can heal it”. And that conscience inspired him to fight for South Africans and save them the pain of apartheid regime.

    Billy Graham reminded us that since all men have sinned, humanity is perpetually under the penalty of death. There is for each man a day, an hour, and a minute. The Holy Bible concurred this submission when it described life as a passing shadow – that life is a tale that is told like a weaver’s shuttle, a flower that fades, grass that withers, one generation passes and another comes. Mandela time has come and gone, but his legacy will be remembered by generation yet unborn.

    Death is a tough penalty for sin that was imposed on humanity since the fall of man at the Garden of Eden. It is both a curse and a blessing. Death becomes a blessing when man realises the purpose of his existence and live consciously in the light of that understanding. If anything, I am sure Mandela will be happy to meet His Maker because his mission on earth was accomplished.

    It is expedient for the living to understand that humanity cannot help itself in the face of death. After all, humanity is not responsible for its existence in the first place. Death will come when it will come, so said a writer.

    Marcus Aurelius once said that it is not death that a man or woman should fear but he or she should fear the failure of not living according to nature – to focus on the purpose of life, promote good deeds as much as we can. Mandela demonstrated noble deeds by living for the defence of truth. Mandela enjoyed the rare gift of being described as immortal. Although no one is endowed with immortality, Mandela has gained immortality on account of his world contribution and promotion of public good.

    Death and life are in the hands of God. He decides how and when a soul dies. God has taken the legend in good faith. Who then will fill the vacuum? Time shall tell. But what is clear is the fact that his shoes are just too heavy for anyone to put on.

    Let us realise that life and death are two sides of the same coin. With this knowledge, we must freely offer ourselves in selfless service to humanity just as Mandiba did. May his soul rest in eternal bliss.

     

    •Mark is a 300-Level Education Management, YABATECH

     

  • Varsity inaugurates Man O’ War

    Varsity inaugurates Man O’ War

    The first set of Man O’ War Statemen has been inducted at Nnamdi Azikwe University in Awka, Anambra State, with a charge to be good ambassadors in selfless service.

    The National Commander and Director-General, Man O’ War Nigeria, Ikenna Chidoka, led other officers of the command to perform the ceremony. He said the organisation was aimed at promoting the ideals of nation building.

    He charged the university community to strive for excellence, describing the organisation as a disciplined and committed to the values of selfless service.

    The Anambra State Commander, Nkem Amene, reminded the new members to be mindful of the aims of the organisation which included, among others, rendering voluntary services to the society.  She encouraged members to discover themselves and be law abiding.

    The Chief Commandant of Man O’War, UNIZIK unit, Prof Oby Okonkwo, thanked those who supported event.

    She gave an insight into the formation of the club, urging members to work as a team to promote the group.

    “With the arrival of Faculty of Education from Anambra State University of Technology (ASUTECH), Enugu, in 1990, Prof Oby Okonkwo organised members of Kampus Fitness Center to start Man O’ War Club at ASUTECH. This club could not attract many members due to apathy from various persons.’’

    She continued: “The survival of the unit depended largely on the initiator, who hired commanders from other units to help train our members. Apart from sponsoring their consultancy services, we also sponsored Man O’ War activities single handedly until the floating of Man O’ War Statemen early this year.’’

    The Registrar, C. C. Okeke, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof Boniface Egbokar, expressed delight that the organisation has come to stay. He said that discipline was an integral part of the university administration and assured it will always be upheld in the institution.

    The Chairman, Nigeria Red Cross Society, Anambra State, Justice Paul Obidigwe, assured  the members that both organisations would work together to make positive changes.

    Other inducted members statemen included the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) Prof Joseph Ahaneku; Director of Information and Public Relations, Emmanuel Ojukwu; Director of Sports, Amaechi Makasi and former Head of Department, Mass Communication, Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha.  Others were Pastor Chima Okeke and Onyeka Ibegbu.

     

     

  • Education key to nation building, says don

    The Osogbo National Students Union (ONSU) has held its week at the Osogbo City Hall.

    In his presentation titled: The Nigerian education sector: challenges and solutions, Dr Hassan Maroof from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH), said education was crucial to the task of nation building.

    He explained that certain rights were bequeathed to a person by the virtue of their origin, adding that these rights can only be properly harnessed with the acquisition of sound education.

    Dr Maroof noted that the country’s educational system was on the verge of collapse, calling for the education of the girl-child.

    “Today, there are still some tribes in Nigeria, who still regard female education as unimportant. Research showed that 10 million children are still out of school. These are indications of the precarious state of our education system ,” he said.

    He continued: “Our education sector is also faulty because we still rely on foreign standards to run our system. A student that wants to study medicine should not be compelled to pass English Language neither should an aspiring lawyer be required to pass Mathematics.”

    Dr Maroof urged students and stakeholders in the education sector to revitalise the system.

    The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, said the education system in many African countries lacked historical foundation which had affected learning, urging participants to be proud of their culture anywhere they find themselves.

    He advised the students to be committed, hardworking and avoid being used as thugs by politicians.

    President, Mukaila Adebayo, said his administration was successful and thanked members for supporting him, urging his colleagues to work as a team.

    The event also witnessed inter-school debate, vocational training, recreational walk, excursion to Olumirin Waterfalls, a visit to orphanage homes and a football match, which saw Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, emerge as winner.

     

  • Centre advocates HIV-free generation

    Centre advocates HIV-free generation

    The Youth Friendly Centre of the University of Ibadan (UI) has organised an inter-school competition to mark the World AIDS Day.

    Its Coordinator, Mrs Olukemi Akinyemi, said four secondary schools were participated in the competition.

    Representatives of each school spoke on: Should an HIV positive person disclose his or her status?

    Mrs Akinyemi said the aim of the debate was to create awareness on HIV/AIDS transmission among the students.

    “We believe that this event will go a long way in helping the participants to understand the dangers of the disease,” she said.

    Mrs Akinyemi decried people’s perception of the deadly scourge, saying that some people were still skeptical that the disease was real.

    The Coordinator of students living with HIV at the centre, Mr Osagie, told the participants that the highest mode of HIV transmission was unprotected sex.

    He advised the students to practise abstinence, urging them to avoid sharing sharp objects with people.

    Olaitan Omolola, leader of representative from Walbrook College, supported the motion that HIV positive patients should disclose their status, saying it will improve emotional and psychological stability of affected persons.

    Corroborating her colleague, Adebayo Emmanuel, said when HIV positive students disclose their status, it will enable people to support them in drug procurement and reduce stigmatisation.

    The Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA), Prof Akinola Alada, commended the centre for organising the event, stressing that the management recognised the role played by the centre to educate the university community on the spread of HIV and AIDS. He urged participants to know their status.

    The General Secretary of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the institution, Ayokanmi Akinbuluma, said he was impressed with the centre for organising the event, adding that the union will partner with the centre to organise free HIV screening for students.

    Members of the centre ended the event with a walk that started from university gate to Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) in Orogun.

  • Elechi to NASS: Proscribe ASUU now

    Elechi to NASS: Proscribe ASUU now

    Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State on Tuesday called for the immediate proscription of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) by the National Assembly.

    The Governor made the call in Abakaliki the state capital during a chat with media practitioners in the state.

    He blasted the National Assembly for failing to proscribe the body in the past.

    Elechi also accused the union of deliberately sabotaging the government and country with incessant strikes.

    He described the current strike action by the union as unfortunate and warned that the strike could have dire consequences on the country’s security.

    He said,” I blame the National Assembly for not proscribing ASUU. That union is due for proscription. The way they are going about the strike is sabotage.

    “The ASUU strike is unfortunate, I hope that common sense will prevail. If you say a lot is lacking in the university you are correct, but it is like that in almost all other sectors of the country.

    “The major victims of the strike are not government but the students. When you go on strike you have to be reasonable so that you do not destroy everything.

    “The strike could have dire consequences on the security of the country. The National Assembly should be blamed for not proscribing ASUU. The union is due for proscription. The way they are going is sabotage.”

     

  • Strike: ASUU declares three-day fasting, prayer

    Strike: ASUU declares three-day fasting, prayer

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday declared a three day fasting and prayer to seek divine intervention in the protracted dispute between the Federal Government and the union.

    The decision to embark on spiritual intervention came during the union congress held at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan.

    The congress which was presided over by the Chairman of UI chapter of ASUU, Dr. Olusegun Ajiboye, stressed the need for God to help Nigerian leaders to do the needful and document the resolutions of their meeting with the President.

    The congress which expressed optimism that the strike will end soon listed three prayer points to include: “the need for God to touch the heart of the Federal government to be committed towards funding public education and develop the nation.

    They also asked God to protect the leadership of ASUU as they travel and that the purpose of the strike is actualized by placing universities in the league of world class institutions.”

    Speaking after the congress, Dr. Ajiboye said the union does not need newspaper confirmation from the president that N200billion has been deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    He said it was impossible for anybody who has not opened an account with a bank to request the bank for a balance.

    While urging the federal government to be serious about the future of the country, the don accused the government of “still keeping the students at home.”

    He said the union has the machinery to suspend the strike within 24 hours once the grey areas in the resolutions have been sorted out by the federal government.

     

     

  • Strike: Varsities’ lecturers defy FG’s directive on resumption

    Strike: Varsities’ lecturers defy FG’s directive on resumption

    Lecturers in Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola, have resolved to continue with the ongoing nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    The Federal Government had directed all federal universities to end the six-month-old strike and resume work on Monday.

    The university’s ASUU Chairman, Mr. Augustine Ndaghu, made the disclosure on Monday in Yola in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Ndaghu said majority of the more than 300 members of the union in the university who attended the latest meeting voted overwhelmingly for continuation of the strike.

    He said “with this development, our members will not respond to the government’s directive to resume work.

    “In fact, none of our members has signed the register to resume work.

    “Ours is a peaceful strike as far as nobody will attempt to force us back to class to go and teach.’’

    The ASUU Chairman of Adamawa State University (ADSU), Mubi, Mr. Molem Ishaku, said lecturers in the institution had also agreed to continue the strike.

    He said “in the first place, it was not the government that told us to go on strike and therefore it should not insist that we must go back to work.’’

    Commenting on the development, the Protocol and Information Officer of MAUTECH, Malam Mustafa Migawa, said the university had received Federal Government circular regarding the opening of the university and had commenced implementation.

    Migawa said forms had been sent to the various departments of the school to be filled by lecturers who wish to resume work.

     

     

  • A book for a time and purpose

    A book for a time and purpose

    Is it the right time to be young in Nigeria? There is no single way to give an answer to the question since it is an issue bound to raise arguments. Ask the older people! For some of them, the millennials are a bunch of loafers who seek entitlement without responsibility. We are the mediocrities with scant regards for rigorous learning while we court the get-rich-quick syndrome without shame.

    We are the generation that is clueless, killing time on the internet while murdering a premium opportunity to channel the platform offered for substantial engagement. Perhaps the older generations are no saints after all; they have earned the right to criticise without evidence of good character through their legacy of irrepressible corruption. Do they stand guilty as charged? That is a subject of discourse for the future.

    James Baldwin, a US writer and civil rights activist, once wrote: “There is never a time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the moment, the time is always now.” It, therefore, fits that this book I am reviewing, Letter to the Nigerian Youth, written by a seasoned educationist, Chief Shola Ogunsola, is apt as a manual to address contending issues facing today’s youth.

    Addressed as a letter divided into 12 sections, the book commands a sense of commitment from the readers owing to the engaging themes and the manner of tact adopted by the writer to sink his message into the hearts of readers. Combining his experience as an educationist and counsellor with extensive years of experience, Ogunsola tackles the question of the place of youths in the stance of history with a firm grasp that would compel the attention of both parents and youths to engage the book in a journey of thought, remuneration and actions.

    Opening each titled letter with a captivating quote by eminent personalities, who made great marks in history, the writer engages uses facts and happenstance to encourage young people to brace up and face the reality of life, and invest efforts required from them to step in the shoes of greatness.

    Acknowledging the fact that the youths are much challenged today than before, Ogunsola writes that those who are afraid of challenges never make impact before their demise. “The anticipated role of the youth in nation building is rooted in the energy they have in abundance, the knowledge, doggedness and intelligence which they possess,” he wrote.

    As young people growing in a tough terrain that is the present living realities in Nigeria depict, it is only inner strength and will power that can help one’s resolve. We have often heard how young people fall into depression and take solace in hard drugs to ease the effect of reality. As expected of someone who has had interactions with young people, Ogunsola addresses the need for youths to trek the lonely path of discoveries and venture into the unknown as they have to stand up and be one of the voices to be heard in the land.

    What makes Letter to the Nigerian Youth a faith book coming at the right time and for good purpose is the fact that, the book calls for courage and determination and the need to take the nation on the path envisioned by our founding fathers. The book shares stories of courage and exploits by credible leaders who started to chart the course of courage in their youthful age.

    Chapter six of the book titled: Youth hold the future of the nation should interest readers and people that mean well for Nigeria. It clarifies in depth, the core of the values young people need to take a conscious effort to inculcate. It is about the need to be resolute and put to test the strength in will. Hinging on his firm belief in the ability of youths to create the future they wish, the author calls for a re-orientation and intellectual rebirth by young people to be able to revere the dangerous trend and prepare the way for a glorious future.

    Quoting Plato’s word: “A good education consists of giving the body and soul all the beauty and all the perfection of which they are capable”, the author espoused the point that education can be used as an means for change. Reinforcing this, he suggests that “any education system will be adjudged to be functional when the process produces a balanced individual that is physically, socially, emotionally, spiritually, morally and mentally and psychologically developed as these are the necessary ingredients required to make an individual flourish well.”

    In this period of wanton killings and evil occurrence threatening the existence of Nigeria as an indivisible nation, the need to believe in the unity of country cannot be over-emphasised. Suffice to mention that young people need to rise up and become future leaders to take up the challenge of leadership not only at the national segment but also at individual level. This involves leading themselves out of the inherited battered education system to self-development.

    Breaking the jinx of poverty through hard work and entrepreneurial ingenuities, and taking a stand by not just standing by and watch while old men dictate the future that they will not have a business participating in. There is no better way to get started than to digest and ingest the powerful nuggets of insights encapsulated in the 188 pages Letter to the Nigerian Youth. Talking about a book that engages readers and provoke thoughts, no need to search further.

     

    •Hannah recently graduated from English, OAU Ile-Ife

     

  • Students hail Rector on projects

    Authorities of NTA TV College, Jos, have started renovation work and procurement of new equipment to aid teaching and learning in the college.

    When CAMPUSLIFE visited the college recently, modern television broadcast facilities had been installed. A teleprompter for digital news presentation had also been acquired by the college.

    Hostel rooms are also being renovated. Some students who spoke to our correspondent said they were excited by the development because they were sleeping on the floor before management procured iron beds for them.

    The school library had also been expanded and new broadcast books equipped and an e-library section had also been created to aid research.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Television Production students Association (TEPSA), James Ibrahim, praised management for the development, adding that the initiative would expose students to the dynamcs of world-class broadcasting.

    A student of Television Journalism, Nanblin Tohomdet, said: “We are so proud of our Rector, Mrs Halimah Bewell, and what she has done within the time she has assumed office. We will support the move to develop the institution.”

    Kauna Solomon said that the Rector is facilitating their dreams of becoming professionals in the broadcasting world, adding that the Rector had the interest of the students at heart.

    In a broadcast, Dutse TV, a students’ campus television station said: “Our Rector has proven the popular adage that what a man cannot do, a woman can do better. Previous Rectors have not achieved what she has done in just few months of assuming the position. She is a mother who knows what her children really want and how to give it to them. We shall ensure that we put the equipment to good use.’’

    A student who pleaded not to be named said that there are projects that were yet to be realised, calling on management to release the school bus to students for excursions. Others said the college needed to reduce hostel accommodation.

     

  • Law School at 50

    Law School at 50

    Established in Lagos in 1963, with eight students, the Nigerian Law School (NLS) was established by the Federal Government to provide a Nigerian legal education to foreign-trained lawyers, and to provide practical training for aspiring legal practitioners in the country.

    Since its inception, the school has provided legal knowledge to over 90,000 students, some of whom have become world-class legal practitioners.

    Last week, the Council of Legal Education rolled out thec drums to mark the school’s golden jubilee. The event hosted several alumni, including Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who chaired the occasion.

    In his remark, Olanikpekun who noted that he was delighted to be an alumnus of the school, caused a stir when he said: “We must come to terms with the fact that no government likes lawyers.”

    The comment was greeted with spontaneous applause from the audience.

    Olanipekun added: “With the exception of governments headed by lawyers, no government wants to see a lawyer. So, we look up to the day when Nigeria will be headed by a lawyer, who would change the destiny of the nation for good.”

    He stressed the need to ensure the growth of legal education in Nigeria, saying: “I am a lawyer because I passed through the Nigerian Law School. Same applies to everyone here. As such, we have to put our hands together to ensure the growth and sustenance of our collective alma mater.”

    The Deputy Director-General of the campus, Mrs Toun Adebiyi, praised Olanipekun for honouring the invitation to attend the event, despite his busy schedule. Calling for supports from lawyers, Mrs Adebiyi urged the alumni to contribute to an endowment fund created for development and to improve the quality of teaching in the school.

    This was followed by an anniversary lecture by Dr Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), who is also an author. Ms. Ronke Osho, the Acting Head of Administration, read the profile of the lecturer.

    Speaking on the topic: Legal education and the legal profession: A reality check, Ajogwu said it was regrettable that education standard was on a free fall, noting that the lackadaisical attitude of the government towards improving the quality of teaching was responsible for the presence of quacks in the profession.

    He said: “Sound legal education is a prerequisite for the production of sound legal practitioners. Give a man a fish, and you would have guaranteed him of a meal. But teach him how to fish, and you would have empowered him for a life time. No nation can be built on falsehood. It is brains, not resources that develop a nation. The Nigerian legal system has produced the good, the bad and the excellent. What we must come to terms with is the fact that, the face of law has changed, and if legal education in Nigeria must survive, it must move with the trend.”

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Dr. Tahir Mamman, said 50 years in the life of an institution was an important achievement. “We have decided to roll out our drums and celebrate in the various campuses. “We celebrate the achievements and contributions of this citadel to the development of law in Nigeria, and we look forward to a time when the society can come in and support it.”

    The highpoint of the event was the donation to the endowment fund, which was opened by the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), an alumnus of the school.

    In his brief address, Fashola noted that he was fortunate to have studied in the Lagos campus because “I met people who, in many ways, helped to shape my knowledge of law.”

    He went on: “Shortly after I became governor, I was invited by the Old Boys Association of my secondary school, but when I got there, I discovered, to my disappointment, that its structures had disappeared. I could remember my seat when I was a student there. But here, I am impressed that the structures of the Nigerian Law School are still intact.”

    A law student, Favour Ede, said she was inspired by the status of the guests at the event, saying: “This is an indication that the legal education has come of age and is still growing.”

    Guests at the event included former Governor of Lagos State Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the National Legal Adviser of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Muiz Banire; Senator Daisy Danjuma and Mr O.C.J. Okocha (SAN), chairman of the Council of Legal Education.

    Others were Deans of Law in Babcock University and Lagos State University (LASU); former Chief Judge of Lagos State Ade Alabi; Justice Rita Ajumogobia; Chief Judges of Ekiti and Ondo states and members of the Body of Benchers.