The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Freshers resume for screening

    Freshers resume for screening

    Screening for students admitted for the 2013/2014 academic session at the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) has started.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that information was sent to the students to participate in the five-day exercise or forfeit their admission.

    When our correspondent visited the school last week, students were seen, queuing at the school Micro Finance Bank to pay for their acceptance fee.

    A fresher, George Ekoh, in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, said the process was tedious.

    He said: ‘’The procedure is quite stressful. The queue is very long and we have been in the sun for many hours. Obviously, we have no option than to endure the pain.”

    Obem Martha, a student of Mass communication, pleaded with Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to consider the plight of students and end its strike.

    CAMPUSLIFE learnt that many students have also seized the opportunity to get accommodation around the school before students from the University of Calabar (UNICAL) resume for the same exercise. A source said the price of getting accommodation would increase when students of UNICAL resume.

    Efforts to confirm if normal academic activities would commence immediately, proved abortive as no principal officer could speak to our correspondent.

     

  • The world-beating students

    The world-beating students

    IT was a short reception but memorable. It was for students of Kaduna State Polytechnic (KADPOLY), who participate in the Enactus World Cup Challenge in Cancun, Mexico.

    They came third in the contest. The feat earned them the accolade of their colleagues and teachers. For their achievement, the students were offered scholarship and jobs after school.

    Before their Rector, Dr Mohammed Bello Ibrahim, last weekend, the 14 students received medals for their efforts to stem desert encroachment and poverty in the northern part of the country.

    Enactus, a non-governmental organisation, is a global network of tertiary institution students helping to proffer solutions to human challenges.

    In the two-hour reception ceremony held in Ikoyi, Lagos, the students recalled their experience in Mexico when they faced their peers from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and South Africa among others.

    They recalled how their evergreen project and empowerment of the physically-challenged saved many from natural disasters and poverty. The programmes were adjudged the third best in the world in promoting the ideals of Enactus, which include advancing the ideals of entrepreneurship and poverty reduction.

    Prior to the Mexico contest, the students faced their colleagues from 20 institutions in a national challenge to represent Nigeria at the world challenge. The contestants presented several projects aimed at reducing pollution in the country. The KADPOLY team, however, won the challenge with its two projects.

    In the poverty alleviation project, the students redeemed 38 physically-challenged in Kaduna State and taught them various vocations, including metal fabrication, shoe and paint making processes. They did not stop at teaching them craftworks, the students also lobbied the Kaduna State House of Assembly to enact a law that would make government contractors to give out 30 per cent of fabrication works to the physically-challenged.

    Having discovered that drought was a factor contributing to desert encroachment, the students moved to regain the 350,000 hectares of land in the North being encroached on by people in the rural areas, who cut trees and convert to firewood.

    The Enactus partnered with the United States Embassy in Nigeria and First City Monument Bank (FCMB), which freely donated 100,500 seedlings to plant and recover lost land.

    In their research to promote the evergreen project, the students invented Save 80 stove and Wonder Box, which are cost-effective and energy-saving cookers, as alternative to the use of firewood. The inventions were unveiled last March in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), after which hundreds of the stoves were distributed freely to residents.

    Their effort was crowned at the World Cup Challenge.

    Mrs Adesuwa Ifedi, Enactus country coordinator, praised the zeal of the students despite security challenges in the North, adding that the ceremony was not to celebrate the position which the students won but their passion to succeed against all odds.

    The Enactus board chairman, Mr Olumide Olayinka, said the students surprised the world with their performance in Mexico, urging them to put in more efforts in the next edition of competition.

    Ibrahim, who was visibly elated by the students’ feat, commended the Enactus board for creating the platform that would always put the brain of students in use. He said the performance of his students had boosted the image of the polytechnic.

    He said: “This is not the first time Kaduna Polytechnic students would be winning in the World Cup Challenge. But what we can derive from this, is that the success of the students is as a product of what they are being taught and we have to commend the National Board Technical Education for making a good curriculum available to our students.”

    He gave scholarship to the students and promised the graduating members of the team job after completion of the National Youth Service.

    One of the students, Zam Obed, said the aim of the students was to make northern Nigeria a safe place to live. He said: “I have sit down several times to wonder that, if I had not been part of Enactus, I would have been somewhere doing something useless. This platform gives us opportunity to judiciously use our time to think and use our brain for everything productive.”

     

     

  • As students’ fate hangs in the balance

    Many students thought the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike would end after the marathon meeting between the lecturers and President Goodluck Jonathan a few weeks ago. But little did we know that the strike has just begun.

    While the meeting was going on, there were strong indications that ASUU would accept the President’s offer right at the discussion table and the expectation that the strike would be over soon became high, following the lecturers’ call for the National Executive Council (NEC). Alas, the meeting could not hold because of the death of ASUU’s former national president, Prof Festus Iyayi, who was killed by a vehicle in Kogi State Governor Idris Wada’s convoy.

    This incident has extended the strike, which is approaching its sixth month; this development seems to aggravate the woes of students who have become tired of staying at home. Hopeful that the strike could be called off, some students were sighted at the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) alighting from cabs with their mattresses.

    One of them was quoted as saying: “We are all tired of staying at home; this is why you can see many students in the school now with the hope that the strike would be called off.”

    Even, some students have wondered why ASUU shelved its NEC meeting because of a member’s death. The students reasoned that the death of a single person should not be used to determine the fate of millions of students whose future hangs in the balance.

    If it is not for providence, Law students that graduated from the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) would have missed the chance of being in Law School with their colleagues from other campuses.This is due to government’s insincerity to accede to lecturers’ demand. The Law students would have wasted a whole year at home as admission into the Law School could have been concluded without students from UDUS.

    Thank God that the school was able to meet the deadline for forwarding the names of the graduates.

    However, it should be noted that the persistent strike has resulted to a major setback for Nigeria’s education. The government’s nonchalant attitude towards improving the standard of education has, over the years, become a cankerworm eating deep whatever left of the values we attach to tertiary education in this country. No Nigerian leader believes in the nation’s education system again.

    Just recently, Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime was spotted in Scotland attending his son’s graduation ceremony. Government officials, who contribute largely to the state of education, are now sending their wards to school abroad and make quality education in Nigeria a mirage. This attitude is one of the major reasons we have infrastructural decay and steady collapse of our varsities.

    All said and done, while still sympathising with ASUU and the families of the late Prof Iyayi, we hope that the union would call for its NEC meeting soonest to determine the fate of students that has been left in the balance.

     

    •Mubarak, 500-Level Animal Science, UDUS

     

     

  • Landmark joins forces with FIRRO, others for excellence

    Landmark University is collaborating with institutions of like minds to boost students’ performance, its Vice Chancellor, Prof Matthew O. Ajayi has said.

    The institutions, according to him, include:National Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and the Federal Institute of Raw Material Research Institute Oshodi (FIRRO).

    “Through this, many of our students were placed in strategic organisations for their six months Students Industrial Work Experience Schemes (SIWES),” he added.

    Prof Ajayi spoke at the university premises in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State where Landmark held its fourth matriculation that saw 581 take matriculation oath for the 2013/2014 academic session.

    Ajayi urged fresh students to shun all anti-social behavior and comply with school’s rules and regulation.

    He said: “Obedience to all the university rules and regulation at all times is the only way by which your stay here can be enriching and fulfilling. Therefore, endeavour to adhere strictly to the guidelines and the general code of conduct that have been designed in your handbook to ensure a blissful experience on campus.

    “As you have observed, the university’s zero-tolerance for every anti-social behavior remains unshaken and I enjoin you to uphold at all times the noble virtues of the institution.”

     

  • Provost bags peace ambassador award

    The Provost of the Federal College of Education (FCE) Obudu, Dr Eugene Ibili, has bagged the prestigious Commonwealth Youth Federation Award for Peace.

    The organisers attributed his nomination to his immense contributions in fostering peace in the country.

    Presenting the award at the Paul Adah Lecture Theatre in the college, the organisation’s President, Oyewuga Bilikis Yetunde from the Federal University of Technology, (FUT Minna) in Niger State, said the recipient was highly experienced. He described Dr Ibili as a thorough breed and an outstanding public servant with impressive track records, adding that his policies, peaceful leadership and youth empowerment schemes had endeared him to the judges.

    Dr. Ibli said the college gave him the platform to promote the ideals of global peace. He noted that the award would spur him on to make impact in the world.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, the Secretary of the body, Kamgiu Bertin from Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, Rwanda, said that he had opposed Dr Ibili’s nomination following reports in foreign media about the insecurity problem in Nigeria, adding that he later declined the reports on getting to Nigeria

    Other delegates who attended the ceremony included Adei Fringpong of the University of Lagon, Ghana and Nseh Udoh, University of Uyo (UNIUYO).

    Other awardees included Dr Brown Landon, Great Britain; Manooham Singh, India; Dr Willy Mutanga, Kenya and Registrar of the Governing Council of the college, Mrs Magdalene Adie.

    The Commonwealth Youth Federation for Peace was established in 1985 with the objective of sensitising its members on the importance of peace and corporation development and economic stability.

     

  • Poly inaugurates union leaders

    Poly inaugurates union leaders

    Officers elected into the the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Imo State Polytechnic in Umuagwo (IMO POLY) have been inaugurated. The swearing-in took place in the school’s council chamber.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that prior to the election, candidates were screened on morals, leadership traits and academic standing.

    The Rector, Revd Wence Madu, who said the election was properly organised, warned the union leaders not to forget their aim in the school. He urged them to respect the school rules and authorities.

    The outgoing president, Stella Nwannah, said: “Courage is what it takes to stand and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. I urge you all to become part of history. I’m leaving behind enviable legacies. Remember your primary aim of coming to the union which is to transform it and help bring development in the polytechnic.”

    The new executive is led by Nnamdi Achi.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, he said: “I am happy to be inaugurated as the seventh president of the school SUG. We are going to make change happen in our institution. That is our promise to every student.”

    Others included Okeke Priscillia, Vice President; Izuchukwu Imo, Secretary General; Umunnakwe Michael, Director of Information and Foreign Affairs; Ibezim Ejike, Director of Transport; Seletein Sariki, Director of Agriculture; Zion Ekeleme, Director of Finance; Joy Mbabie, Director of Internals and Health; Chionye Chibuzor, Director of Socials and Vivian Ibeh, Exchequer.

    The legislative arm is headed by the Speaker, C.I. Emeh, representing Crop and Soil Science constituency.

    The event was attended by the Deputy Rector (Academics), Mr E.C. Amaechi; Dr John Ezenwankwor and other principal officers.

  • Council chair, monarchs pledge support for poly

    Chairman of Orumba North Local Government in Anambra State, Hon Emeka Aforka, and the traditional ruler of Oko community, Prof Laz Ekwueme, have reiterated their support to the Federal Polytechnic in Oko (OKO POLY), Anambra State, to achieve the vision of the institution.

    They made the pledge when members of the Governing Council of the polytechnic visited them recently.

    Aforka said the visit was a welcome development, adding that members were out to solicit support for the school.

    He told the delegation that the polytechnic had enjoyed cordial relationship with his council, promising that the bond will continue to grow.

    He praised the Rector, Prof Godwin Onu, for transforming the polytechnic, adding that his administration has improved the public perception of the institution.

    Ekwueme urged both the members of the Governing Council and the institution’s management to maintain high academic standards and global best practices.

    He commended the zeal exhibited by the new council polytechnic, urging them to explore their experiences to bring change to the institution.

    He charged lecturers in tertiary institutions across the country to improve themselves, adding that lack of standard promotes mediocrity, extortion, sexual harassment and lobbying for promotion.

    The monarch urged members of the council to devote their time to promoting standard and integrity.

    The traditional ruler of Mbaukwu in Awka South area of the State, Igwe Peter Anukwu, also pledged support for the polytechnic, calling for cooperation among members.

    He lauded the Rector for transforming the institution, saying: “As a Rector, you have done better than those before you. I commended you for not disappointing us. You were sent to the polytechnic on a rescue mission and you have lived up to those expectations.”

    Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Christian Odukwu, said his members comprised of people of experience and integrity, adding that they will utilise their knowledge to move the polytechnic forward.

    “Every member of the council has quality precedents and I have no doubt in my mind that they will bring their experiences to bear in piloting the affairs of the institution. They are all enlightened people, mainly academicians, who know which button to press at any given time to turn around the citadel of learning,’’ he said.

     

     

  • Face your studies, Muslim students told

    M USLIM students have been urged to set rewarding academic goals and pursue them with enthusiasm. Former Dean of University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Faculty of Arts, Prof Zakariyyah Oseni, gave the advice students at the orientation organised by the institution’s chapter of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN).

    In his lecture titled: “Campus life: The battle for survival”, Prof Zakariyyah urged new students to focus on their studies, imploring them not to be be carried away by frivolities on campus.

    “There is so much freedom in the university. Do not get distracted by it. Do not be influenced by other people’s behaviour. Know exactly what you want in life and stand by it,’’ he stated.

    He warned the students against indecent dressing on campus, noting that university was established for learning and not fashion.

    He said: ‘’Always dress neatly and decently on campus. Be well behaved and exhibit good characters. This way, you are promoting the image of your family and the university. Let people see the beauty of Islam in you.’’

    He cautioned parents against enrolling their underage children in higher institutions, saying higher institutions are meant for adults and not underage.

    ‘’Parents should stop pushing their children to the university, especially when they are below the age of consent. The university is meant for adults and not children. Maturity matters a lot in this regard,’’ he said.

    In his remark, the Amir, Kabeer Fasasi, said that the orientation was aimed at giving the students information they needed to survive on campus. He urged members to work hard and pray for success in their academics.

     

  • Court hears sacked RUGIPO workers

    The National Industrial Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital has accepted majority of the documents tendered by the sacked 32 workers of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo, (RUGIPO) in Ondo State as exhibits.

    The evidences were the staff manual of the institution, the circular, appointment and confirmation of appointment letters.

    But, the court rejected a document on the ground that it was not signed by a proper authority.

    Also, the court ruled in favour of the embattled workers on whether one witness among them could stand in place of the remaining 31 others during the trial.

    The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Mr. Olabamiji Kumuyi, who was the witness, said they were retrenched by the institution’s management without any offence.

    Kumuyi, who was crossed-examined by the defendant’s counsel, Dr. Olumide Ayeni said majority of them were not given sacked letters because they were not allowed to enter the school since January 2, 2013, following an instruction given to the security men by the school athorities.

    He said: “Many of us got the information through a circular pasted in the school that the management met on December 31, 2012 and that the institution was re-organising. Majority of us did not collect the sack letters because the management ordered the security men at the school gate not to allow us in.

    “We have not been queried and in the said circular, the offence we have committed was not stated. A child must have committed an offence before any punishment. I still insist, our offences are not stated, and how will they punish us without committing sins.

    The presiding Judge, Justice Ndidi Ubaka, adjourned the trial to January 22, 2014.

     

  • Igbo language will not die, says Rector

    Contrary to speculations that Igbo language would go into extinction by 2050, the Abia State Polytechnic Rector, Sir Allwell Onukaogu, has debunked such report, insisting that the language, like every other in Nigeria, will never go extinct.

    Onukaogu, stated this in a paper titled: The promotion of Igbo language and culture: We must contribute the finest to the global culture, which he presented at the maiden public lecture for the promotion of Igbo language. It was organised by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Channel 6, Aba.

    He noted that since Igbo language like every other spoken in Nigeria has gained profitable publications and high number of readership, it would stand the test of time.

    The Rector said as part of his institution’s contribution to the promotion of Nigerian languages and cultures, the school initiated a yearly cultural day celebration where students of the institution are given opportunity to showcase the rich culture and traditions of their people. He added that the increasing level of participation by students and workers would further promote cultural awareness among students.

    He, however, identified inter-ethnic marriage, apathy to the study of Igbo language at degree level, among others as some of the factors that pose threat to the speaking of the Igbo dialect by most Ibo families.

    He said: “My Igbo father married my Igbo mother and they reared me up in Igbo language while allowing me to learn the English and Pidgin English. My father’s Igbo son married an Ibibio wife and we communicate to them in English. My children-all of them – have English as their first language. We lived in Calabar where the Efik/Ibibio language was spoken and my children also picked this language (Efik/Ibibio).

    “I do not know how they feel about their handicap in their language that should be their mother tongue. I do see that whenever we have had to come home, they do not mix freely among their Igbo brethren. I have always carried this feeling of guilt that my kids cannot communicate in their father tongue I cannot say mother tongue; that my children suffer from some cultural disconnect in terms of where they come from.

    “I do not know how many universities domiciled in Igboland have students who volunteer to study Igbo. I do not know how many professors of Igbo we have and how many of them are Igbo by birth. So, this is the problem the Igbo language must have to grapple with.”

    Earlier in his speech, the General Manager, NTA Aba, Mathieu’s Otaleke, said the station as part of its social responsibilities decided to organise the event to raise underscore to viewers the importance speaking their mother tongue.

    Otaleke urged parents, schools and other well meaning individuals to join hands with the station in promoting not only Igbo, but other indigenous Nigerian languages.