The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Wike, embarrassment to Jonathan – ASUU

    Wike, embarrassment to Jonathan – ASUU

    The Niger Delta University (NDU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has flayed the acting Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, describing him as an embarrassment to President Goodluck Jonathan.

    NDU is the Bayelsa State-owned university located in Wilberforce Island, Amasoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    The aggrieved lecturers said they were not rattled by Wike’s ultimatum, directing them to resume their academic functions or be sacked.

    Investigations revealed that none of the lecturers reported to duty in the university campus.

    But the university over the weekend had gone to radio stations to announce the resumption of academic activities.

    A copy of the announcement which was signed by the Registrar of the university, Mr. Tonbra Morris-Odubo, claimed that the institution had opened for academic activities since October 14.

    The registrar said: “Deans, directors and heads of departments should ensure that normal academic activities are restored in their respective faculties and departments.”

    It was, however, found that there was nothing on ground to show that lecturers had agreed to return to classrooms.

    The entire campus appeared deserted apart from handful of non-academic workers who were sighted in some departments especially the administrative block.

    Perhaps based on non-availability of lecturers, students were nowhere around the campus. Most departments and faculties were shut.

    Hostels were closed and all the restaurants, bars and pubs on campus were not open for business.

     

     

  • Polytechnic woos games sponsors

    The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the 18th Nigeria Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA) scheduled for next June, Mallam Usman Buhari, has said the Federal Polytechnic, Bida in Niger State, needs N1.3 billion to host the games.

    He said: “We are determined to surpass what Ede did in all ramifications. We are providing a well-equipped media centre to enable journalists to file their reports. Our facilities will have flood light so as to have games played in the evening, which has never been done in the history of NIPOGA. Right now, work is ongoing at the two basketball courts. We are building a main bowl which will include tartan track, indoor sport hall, tennis court and we are upgrading our existing facilities.”

    Buhari called on corporate bodies to support the school by constructing some of these facilities. “They should take up one of these projects; build it and brand it. We don’t need their money, but the facilities. We are appealing to corporate organisations im Nigeria to assist us in providing the facilities that we need to host this game.

    The LOC chairman said there was no going back on the date for the games, adding that the institution has the facilities to accommodate all the 3000 athletes expected to participate in the games. He reiterated the commitment of the polytechnic to host all the games in Bida and ruled out the possibility of using Minna, the Niger State capital, as venue.

    Buhari said the school is not hosting the game to have a competitive edge over the participating schools.

    “We have put in place necessary structures to ensure mercenaries are fished out. People should not see it as a do or die event. We are not desperate to win but rather, we are determined to leave a lasting impression on the stakeholders. Bida is a friendly town and people here are always warm to receive visitors. We are working in conjunction with all relevant security agencies to ensure maximum security. We are going it all the attention it requires,” he stated.

    The LOC boss also urged the public to design a logo and mascot for the games which should reflect the environment (BIDA). The launching of the logo and mascot comes up next April. The organisers said the games would feature 15 sports. They included basket ball, handball, volley bal, football, athletics, hockey, table tennis, tennis taekwondo, squash, chess, scrabble, judo and badminton.

  • OOU loses students

    OOU loses students

    Students and staff of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State were in mourning mood last week, following the death of a graduating student, Philips Kadiene Azubuike.

    Philips, a student of Computer Science, was said to have died in an auto crash that occurred on Oru-Ijebu road.

    Until his death, Philip was the Coordinator of the Nigerian Red Cross (NRC) in the university. He was also the technical coordinator of his fellowship.

    Another student, Emmanuel Okonkwo, in the Faculty of Law has reportedly died. Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Femi Oyeniyi, a graduating student of Political Science, said: “It is unfortunate that we lost him. Azubuike was an easygoing fellow. He was nice person and always filled with fun.”

     

     

  • Monarch seeks varsity status

    The Sasere of Ondo, Chief Olusola Adeduro is soliciting the upgrading of Adeyemi College of Education (ACE) to a university.

    Adeduro made the call when he received members of the college management team, led by the Provost, Prof Adeyemi Idowu, who came to felicitate with him at his residence in Ondo town.

    He described the provost as an astute and benevolent leader, whose contributions to the development of the institution, would remain a reference point for future generations.

    He expressed satisfaction with the level of physical development in the college, noting that the institution with its facilities is ripe for upgrade.

    He said: “I am in pains whenever I see that the Adeyemi College of Education still remains a college despite the facilities in the place If one looks at it objectively, ACE is five times the size of some universities, even in the United State of America.”

    However, it is my hope that one day the Almighty God will answer the prayers of the people of Ondo community for the institution to be upgraded into a university,” he stated.

  • VC praises campus journalists

    VC praises campus journalists

    Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Prof AbdulGaniyu Ambali has commended campus journalists of the institution for promoting the good image of the school.

    The VC praised the student-writers when members of the CAMPUSLIFE Correspondents’ Club visited him in his office last week.

    Ambali attributed the success of his administration to God and the cooperation he received from staff and students. He thanked the campus journalists for recognising his administration efforts in the past one year to develop the university.

    He said: ‘’I appreciate your interest in what our administration is doing in contributing to the development of our school. I urge you to see the university as your home and keep promoting us positively through your reporting. That is not to say you should be silent on areas that need improvement. We want the university to continue to grow and we need positive criticism to achieve that. If you see any lapses, you can alert us in a professional way, but you don’t have to be negative about whatever is going on because this is your home.’’

    Ambali promised to initiate more projects, stressing that his administration was committed to providing improved teaching and conducive learning environment for students, while reiterating his commitment to staff training and improved welfare package.

    He observed that that the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) needed to establish a monitoring committee that would ensure that agreements reached by the two parties are implemented.

    ‘’Whenever agreements are reached, everybody signs; individuals go home with the signed documents, but nobody sits down to mediate between the two parties to ensure that what has been signed is implemented. And that has always being our problem. But if there is a monitoring committee in place, ASUU could go to them and sound a note of warning that an aspect of the agreements is being neglected,’’ he stated.

    Ambali advised Nigerian leaders to shun corruption and said that the best way to tackle Nigeria’s problem was to make food available to everybody and guarantee their future.

    Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Hameed Muritala, a Computer Science student, praised the VC for his achievement, saying that he had surpassed the expectations of students with his style of leadership and achievements in the last one year.

    The university’s Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, led the delegation. Other members of the team included Wale Bakare, Alabede Surajudeen and Akorede Shakir.

  • Gains of ASUU strike

    Gains of ASUU strike

    Academic activities at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) may have been paralysed because of the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, but some students are utilising it for their own good.

    Instead of going home to do nothing, the students turned their hostel to a skill acquisition centre.

    Welcome to Moremi Hostel, the prestigious female hall of residence, where students now learn various vocation including handbag and bead making.

    The students are using the ASUU strike to their advantage, learning skills that could make them potential entrepreneurs without their certificates.

    CAMPUSLIFE learnt that the skill acquisition programme started like a joke when a few students gathered to receive training from an unnamed woman, who taught them in various craft. The trainees, who paid N5,000, later organised free training for their colleagues. The population of the apprentices increased when students called their colleagues to return to campus to benefit from the programme.

    A student, who was trained, said: “It was like a child’s play when I was called by my friends to come to the campus for vocational training. I am happy now because I have learned how to make handbags using local materials such as cardboard, foam, gum and Ankara materials.”

    Odunayo Oshinibosi, 300-Level Computer Science, said: “A lady came from outside the campus to conduct training for a few students on handbag making. So, I joined them. We paid N5,000. Those who were trained then taught their friends and it continues like that in a chain reaction.”

    Another residence of the hostel, who did not say her name, told CAMPUSLIFE: “Most of the students who stayed back in the hostel during the ongoing strike can now make bags of different styles.”

    Some of the students said they could now make three bags per day and sell each for N2,000 or N3,000.

    Many of the students, who hope to make more money from the bag business, said they were not concerned whether ASUU and the government would sheathe their sword and end the six-month strike.

     

  • VC hails Ajimobi for bus gift

    The Vice Chancellor of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Ogbomoso (LAUTECH), Prof Adeniyi Gbadegesin, has praised the Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi for attending to the well-being of staff and students of the institution.

    Receiving the 2013 model NISSAN bus donated to the institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG) by the governor, Prof Gbadegesin commended the governor for the gift, noting that such gesture would help to promote a cordial relationship between the students and the government.

    He said the management of the varsity would welcome assistance of the state government to realise the objectives of the institution, adding that the university was ready to ensure a conducive atmosphere for learning.

     

  • Poly union gets caretakers

    The Provost of the Federal College of Education in Pankshin, Plateau State, Prof David Wonang, has inaugurated a seven-man caretaker committee for the institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG).

    At the ceremony, Prof Wonang encouraged the committee members to work together as a team to promote the welfare of students, urging them to work with the fear of God.

    The chairman of the committee, Christopher Eze, promised to promote peace on the campus, adding that the committee would employ dialogue to resolve problems.

    The Dean of Students Affairs (DSA), Mr E. Ekele, said that the constitution of the committee was aimed at giving students opportunity to serve the interest of their colleagues, advising members to ensure peace and cooperation between management and students. He also told them to be humble and see themselves as servant leaders.

    Other members of the committee included Kefas Walshak, Iliya Bature, Dazam, Jona Tokos Geoffery Wana, Maria Gungshin and Filishak Mulengshak.

    The event was attended by members of staff of the institution. The committee was charged to organise election into various offices of the union next year.

  • Screening for new candidates

    Newly admitted students into ACE will start screening in January, next year in preparation for their resumption.

    A circular by the institution mandated all candidates offered provisional admission to pay acceptance fee before they are screened. Candidates who have also been offered admission through the direct entry would also pay a certain amount of money in lieu of post-UTME screening. Receipts of payment should be presented during the exercise.

    In addition, candidates that have been offered provisional admission through the change of institution platform will have to produce evidence of payment for change of institution during the screening exercise.

  • ‘Fashion can drive growth’

    ‘Fashion can drive growth’

    You have a lot going for you as an undergraduate, what is the secret?

    Basically, it is God.

    Your fashion show “Rip The Runway” held recently was well-attended by guests from within Nigeria and overseas. How were you able to achieve this considering the event was the maiden edition?

    We carefully selected our guests and got assurance of their attendance weeks before the event. We also looked at the logistics properly and this helped us build a dynamic team that ensured proper planning and publicity for the show.

    What does Tudors Group stand for?

    Tudors Group stands for quality in fashion, music and artiste management.

    Some say fashion is instinctive; others say it is learned from culture. What does fashion mean to you?

    To me, fashion is simply the expression of one’s inner self in colours, cuts and combinations.

    There has been a growing interest in fashion, especially among youths, with many designers, clothiers and fashion outfits emerging from the industry. What do you think is responsible for this?

    I believe our generation is getting more fashion-conscious every day. Also, the re-emergence of the middle class and its wide patronage of fashion vendors is getting more youths to use their talents in fashion to develop the industry. Simply put, where there is opportunity, there will be seekers. It is a case of bees to a honeycomb.

    Despite a boom in the fashion industry, it appears Nigeria still has a long way to go compared to France, Italy and others. Does the growth of these countries in fashion have any negative effect on the local fashion business?

    First, we have to know that by nature, human beings have different perceptions and preferences in fashion. What is fashionable to me may not be attractive to you. And I may prefer Western style while your own preference may beArabian fashion. But at every stage of human existence, maturity comes in and I believe, in due time, Nigeria will match these countries in fashion and might even go beyond their limits.

    Where do you see the fashion industry in the next 10 years and where do you see Tudors Group?

    We are getting good signals with respect to our fashion industry as an avenue to stop crime, youth restiveness and unemployment. I see the Tudors Group in this line of growth.

    Is it worth it to leave a lucrative job for fashion without fear of going bankrupt?

    Yes, I do and a lot of people are witnesses to this fact.

    How do you combine your academics with fashion business?

    It is about proper time management and, most importantly, God’s grace.