The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • ‘Man ‘O’ War members are not cultists’

    What are the activities of Man O’ War corps on campus?

    Man ‘O’ War has the responsibility of providing security in the hostels and classrooms. We gather information on the security situation in the school and forward to the security unit for action. But before the arrival of the security personnel, we would have reacted to the situation with our skills. It is a selfless service because we are not being paid. But Man O’ War is a paramilitary organisation that trains members in martial art, alertness and vigilance. This is why former members take up careers in the military after school.

    Some members’action led to the closure of UNICAL for six months in 2011. Won’t there be a repeat of the episode?

    Before now, Man O’ War in UNICAL was something else. Members had lost the respect of students because they were demanding for money and being used to settle scores. They were biased with all forms of corruption in the group. That was where the problem started. They brutalised students and issued threats to anyone that opposed their excesses. But the group in place now has learned from the mistakes; we will not follow that dishonorable pathway.

    What is the difference between the old group and the new one?

    The differences are clear. The new Man O’ War will not engage in victimisation of any sort. We will not collect money to settle scores for any student or group. We have been training our members on how to handle civil cases.

     

  • A Vice-Chancellor’s one year of leadership

    A Vice-Chancellor’s one year of leadership

    Given Prof Ishaq Oloyede’s achievements as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), many thought there was nothing a new VC would do except administering the institution. But since Prof Abdulganiu Ambali became the VC, there seems to be no end to structural and academic activities in the school.

    Ambali assumed office on October 16 last year. Yesterday, made it a year he has been in the saddle. In the last one year, however, several projects have been springing up on the campus. In this first year of his five-year tenure, Prof Ambali has completed the UNILORIN Water Factory Complex. The company has started to produce bottled and sachet water. The factory, which cost the institution N55 million, will provide water for students’ consumption and served at ceremonies.

    Prof D. S. Ogunniyi, the Director of UNILORIN Consultancy Services Unit and supervisor of the water project, said: “Apart from the fact that the project will generate revenue for the school, it will also enhance the health of members of the university community because the packaged water is to be produced under strict hygienic conditions.”

    To involve students in the project, the management allowed them to design the packaging.

    “A competition was organised to pick the best design. The management raised a panel for this task and assessed students’ artwork. The best design was picked. We produced the mould and got a company to use the mould to produce the bottle. You can see ‘University of Ilorin’ clearly inscribed on it to discourage counterfeiting,” Ogunniyi explained.

    The project is on the verge of being assessed by the National Agency for Food Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    Another notable milestone of Prof Ambali is the introduction of new identity card called “Combo Card”, which is a smart card with features that allow it to be used for bank transactions and as access key to facilities on campus, such as the Senate Building, the library, the clinic, classrooms, hostels, offices, and guest houses. This is unlike the old card that only served as a means of staff and students’ identification.

    The Combo Card, which would also help to promote the cash-less policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is the first of its kind in Nigeria. It also contains the holder’s blood group specification. It will reduce the carrying of multiple identity cards.

    The VC has also introduced a programme,Talk to your VC, hosted every first week of the month where he speaks live on UNILORIN 89.3fm to list the management’s plan for that month. It is a question-and-answer session that gives students the opportunity to contribute to the administration of the institution.

    To ensure that its graduates are exposed to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills that will make them versatile and enhance e-communication between the students and lecturers, the Ambali-led administration has initiated a policy that will make new students possess computer tablet to drive the move which would start a new era with those coming in because students need to be empowered to face the challenges of the ICT world. Also, all the curricula and courseware will be on the tablet so that one has the whole classroom on your hand.

    Also the university has witnessed construction of buildings and expansion of faculties from 11 to 13 with the creation of Social Science and Management Science while the Department of Science Education has been split into Science Education and Educational Technology departments.

    Students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, praised the strides of Prof Ambali, describing his achievements in the first year as a good omen.

    Sodiq Aroyaya, 400-Level Zoology, said for being able to record pockets of achievements in the first year, despite challenges, showed “Prof Ambali has a good vision for our school.” He wished the VC success in the remaining years.

    Kunle Awoniyi, 300-Level Performing Arts, said: “Prof. Ambali has tried his best with the new programmes he introduced and projects he executed to make the environment suitable for learning. He has shown that he possesses the will to transform UNILORIN into a wold-class institution. I enjoy the Talk to your VC programme because it affords students the platform to express their views without hindrance.”

    Usman Yakubu, 300-Level Geography, said: “Prof Ambali deserves commendation for his achievements and I pray that God will give him power to do more.”

  • Empowering the physically-challenged

    Empowering the physically-challenged

    Due to their disabilities, many physically-challenged have suffered social injustice and deprivation. Only a handful of them has access to education as well as good jobs. Rather than engage them in productive ventures, the society wants them to live on alms and charity.

    Worried by this trend, some youth-oriented non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Vase Club, NYSC For Disadvantaged Group Development (NFDGD) and Initiative for Youths with Disabilities Empowerment and Advancement (IYDEA), held a symposium and an exhibition to showcase the ability of the disabled in several endeavours.

    The organisations also used the platform to canvass fair treatment of the disabled.

    The event was held at the mini Theatre Cultural Centre in Calabar, Cross River State recently.

    Speaking in a paper titled: Ideological reorientation of disability for national socio-economic and politics, Mr Monu El-Dad Ihuchioma, NFDGD president, noted that the disabled suffered deprivation because members of the society did not believe in the potential of anyone with disabilities.

    He said: “Disabled persons suffer being stereotyped due to negative attitude towards them, which is widely believed that ‘there is no ability in disabilities’.”

    Monu, an audibly-impaired Corps member, who spoke through an interpreter, called for enactment of a legislation that would end all discriminations against people living with disabilities. He urged the government at all level to create special ministry for the disabled, which he said would go a long way to give the physically-challenged a sense of belonging and restore their pride.

    He added: “Giving people with disabilities a quality education, enactment of a law that will stop discrimination against disable and creation of Ministry of Disabled Affairs are the bullet proof that would ensure personal security and welfare of the disabled in the country.”

    Speaking on Acquisition of entrepreneurial skills for economic growth and development for persons with special needs, the guest speaker and Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Calabar (UNICAL), who represented by Dr Josephine Nanjwan, said the disabled should be encouraged to use their senses to maximise their capacities through the use of specialised tools and entrepreneurial skills training, saying the physically-challenged were known to be more dedicated to work.

    She stressed the need for society to see the disabled as human beings with rights, including education, decent jobs and social amenities.

    She emphasised the need for the physically-challenged to be involved in special entrepreneurial training, which she noted would not only make them overcome their limitation, but also make them to build positive self esteem and earn decent living.

    A vision impaired former medalist and staff of the Ministry of Social Welfare in Cross River State, Esuk Okon, on his part underscored the need for skill acquisition for the physical challenged, advising: “Disability is not inability, develop yourself and doors will open for you.”

    Highlights of the event included panelists’ discussion on social entrepreneurship and inclusion where Akor Jackson, IYDEA project manager, Grace Ihejiamaizu, founder of RYPE Initiative and Lauretta Oyoh, founder, SAVE Foundation led the discussion.

    The event also featured craft works exhibition where the physically-challenged showcased variety of craftworks. There was also a film show.

    In an interview, the Calabar Zonal Inspector of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Edet Ezekiel, said attention should be focused on empowering the disabled to prevent them from going to the streets to beg.

    He said the societal discrimination against the physically-challenged must stop, urging the government to harness their potentials.

    A Corps member, Nneka Lazarus, who attended the programme, said the initiative should be encouraged to sensitise the public on the need to see the disabled as human beings and give them a sense of belonging.

  • Graduating students beg management over mass failure

    There is a lingering controversy in the Accounting Department of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) in Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State.

    Of the 78 graduating students that wrote the school’s 2012/2013 final year examination in the department, only 29 were cleared for graduation while the other 49 have been asked to repeat the session.

    A source in the department said the affected students’ failure to pass Strategic Management course made the management to take the decision. The students are asking the authorities to wave the course to allow them graduate.

    “Initially, 24 students were officially certified for graduation. Along the line, names of five students were slotted in to make it 29. To me, that is curious and I sense foul play,” one of the students told CAMPUSLIFE.

    The affected students were said to have made several efforts to persuade the management to allow them graduate with their colleagues, but their plea fell on deaf ears as the management refused to shift ground.

    When it became clear that the management would not wave the course, the students were said to have contacted a stakeholder in the university to plead on their behalf. But the university maintained its position that the students would retake the course.

    Some of the students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, urged the authorities to consider their situation, saying they could not afford high tuition to be paid next session.

    One of them, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “The problem is just a course that we failed. When the result came out, we were surprised there was mass failure. We called for our scripts to be remarked but the management said there was nothing they could do about it. I have never failed a course since I was admitted into this university. It is surprising that I am failing a course for the first time and management is saying I cannot graduate. What that means is that I am going to pay another tuition fee next session to retake the course. This is the height of insensitivity.”

    Another student said: “I see no reason our scores should not be upgraded. I still wonder how we all failed that simple course. The university should be considerate and have mercy on us. To pay such a huge amount as tuition to retake the course amounts to exploitation. This should be utterly condemned.”

    A parent, who spoke with our correspondent, expressed displeasure over the refusal of the university to wave the course.

    She said: “We have made several efforts to persuade the management to allow these students graduate but our pleas have been ignored. Even in federal universities, they still make amendment for graduating students in situations like this one. So, I will have to cough out another N500, 000 again for my child to graduate?”

  • Ikale students mark day

    Ikale students mark day

    The Federation of Ikale Students (FISU) at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU) has held its yearly day. The event, which also witnessed the inauguration of national executive council of the association, was hosted by the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

    In her address, a lecturer at the Department of Sociology, Dr Ayoade Adebowale, said promotion of cultural heritage remained one of the solutions to underdevelopment in any society.

    She said: “Sustainable development is usually driven by a people’s culture. A country would do itself great good by exploring this key aspect of its social make-up.” She bemoaned the prevalence of social vices and youth restiveness caused by unemployment and failed economic policies of government in the country.

    Adebowale decried the struggle for white-collar jobs by graduates, saying that young people should embrace entrepreneurship to achieve self-reliance.

    The new executive council led by Olusegun Enisan as President and Charity Itansehinwa, Vice-President, took the oath.

    Others members of the executive include Oyeniyi Iwakun, Senate President; Oluwadamilare Omopariola, General Secretary; Olusegun Jawosimi, Public Relations Officer and Abosede Aladekoye, Financial Secretary.

    Olusegun said the event was organised to foster unity among Ikale students. “We are using this occasion to promote the unity of all Ikale students. We understand that such co-operation is needed to bring about real transformation in our community,” he said.

    The event was attended by Bode Ojajuni, a Chief Superintendent of Police, Lagos State Command; Dr Francis Adebayo, chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State chapter, Donald Ajibola and Mr Henry Oloja, Editor, Ikale Voice.

  • UI, NAFDAC partner on drug production

    UI, NAFDAC partner on drug production

    The Centre for Drug Discovery Development and Production (CDDDP) at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Ibadan (UI) in collaboration with Reckitt Benckiser, United Kingdom, has organised a three-day international conference on medical regulation with the theme: “Medicine Regulation of claims: from concept to launch.’’

    The conference, which was held at Conference Centre of the university, provided a platform for academic, medical practitioners and regulators to chart a new course in medical regulation in the country.

    In her opening address, Dean of the faculty, Prof Chinedum Babalola, said the conference informed by the need to improve on the relationship between the academia and practitioners. She noted that the faculty has contributed to development of the pharmaceutical industry in the last 30 years.

    The Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Paul Orhii, said NAFDAC is not just a regulator, but a major player in the development of the nation’s pharmaceutical industry. He described the conference as historic.  He said that the regulatory body needed to partner with the academia became to improve the state of pharmaceutical practice in the country.

    He identified the prevalence of substandard drugs as the major challenge facing the agency, saying that the creation of pharmacovigilance and use of post market surveillance were needed to sustain the quality of drugs in Nigeria.

    The agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UI He said that Nigeria is producing less than 10 per cent of essential medicine for the growing population. He said the agency has invented Truscan to detect and wipe out fake drugs and other adulterated products in the country.

    Prof Moody, an investigator at Centre for Drug Discovery Development and Production (CDDDP), urged NAFDAC to collaborate with United States Pharmacopeia Centre in Ghana to win the war against fake drugs.

    The Managing Director, Reckitt Benckiser (West Africa), Rahul Murghai, lauded the commitment of practitioners to producing quality drugs and improve the health of the nation.

    The event was attended by Mr Aomesh Bhatt, Managing Director, Directorate of Regulatory and Medical Affairs, Reckitt Benckiser (Europe); Dr Soufia Hanna, Regional Director at Regulatory Afairs and Medical Services.

    Babalola thanked participants for making the event a success.

  • Fire razes hostel

    Fire razes hostel

    No fewer than seven rooms in B Block in Jubril Aminu Hall of Residence of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) were gutted in an afternoon fire on campus.

    The fire, which source could not be ascertained, raged on for hours as efforts by students to put it off were futile. The Sokoto State Fire Service could not be reached while the incident lasted. A handful of the school security personnel doubled the efforts of student to put out the inferno. Occupants of Rooms 13 to 19 were the worst hit as fired burnt their properties.

    An eye witness, Habeeb Olororo, said the incident was caused by a faulty electrical appliance.

    “At about noon, I was sitting close to a tree when I noticed a burning flame coming from the hostel area. I quickly rushed to the scene but I met a few students and some security personnel struggling to put out the fire. So I joined them. Later, the fire escalated and spread to other rooms,” he stated.

    When contacted, the Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA), Dr Ibrahim Magawata, said investigation had begun to ascertain the cause of the fire incident, saying nobody was hurt by the fire.

    Students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, said fire incident was becoming rampant, urging management to put an end to it.

    “Fire razed a part of this hostel last May. And now, students’ properties have been consumed again by yet another fire breakout. What is the management doing about this? We cannot fold our arms and let another fire outbreak destroy our properties,” said a student who did not want his name in print.

     

  • Ex-Corps member bags title

    An ex-Corps member, Mamman, Danjuma, has been conferred with the traditional title of Mene Doole 1 of Lueke by the people of Lueku in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, the community where he had his primary assignment.

    Mamman who hails from Mbissa Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba State, said he was happy with the title.

    He was posted to Community Secondary School in Lueku, where he was adjudged as the most dedicated. Some of the administrative staff of the school described Mamman as resourceful and diligent.

    He combined his teaching responsibility with many community development projects. Some of his programmes included construction of a block of four toilets in the school to improve cleanliness and drilling of boreholes in the community to alleviate the sufferings of residents, who had to walk long distances to fetch potable water.

    Other projects Mamman donated included the construction of a school signpost at Community Secondary School in Lueku, construction of a security post in the school to ensure safety of staff and students, donation of plastic chairs for the staff room of the school, seminars to improve awareness on health and safety for women in the community and the presentation of gifts to the outstanding students to promote academic excellence.

    An elder in the community commended the efforts of Mamman, urging Corps members to emulate Mamman and bring transformation to their host communities.

    ‘Mamman touched lives in this community. His efforts are commendable. He has brought smiles to our faces. Everyone is happy about it,” a resident said.

    In his letter of commendation, the traditional ruler of the community said: “Mamman is a wonderful, sincere and hardworking Corps member. We commend him for bringing the much-needed change to our community. We need young people who will follow the footsteps of Mamman.”

    He also received the Corps Member of the Year Award from the Rivers State Government.

  • For their culture they rise

    For their culture they rise

    Last week, the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) was agog with a cultural carnival. Students of Delta State origin in the college under the aegis of the National Association of Delta State Students (NADESSTU) rolled out drums to mark their annual cultural day on the campus. They were clad in various cultural attires that showcased the rich heritage of ethnic groups in the state.

    The event brought notable personalities in the state to the campus. They included Brigadier-General Oviemo Ovadje (rtd), who chaired the occasion. He was represented by Mr Benson Uwheru, secretary-general of Atamu Social Club.

    Other guests were Dr Peter Egbenni, head of Biological Science Department; Mr Austin Ejiofor, personal assistant to the YABATECH Rector; Mr Ikechukwu Oyemiko, ex-social director of the association; Mr Peter Dafe-Aphia of Caleb International College, Lagos; Mr Fidelis Umukoro and Ms Imene Kayoma, a reporterwith Urhobo Voice.

    Addressing participants in the Art Complex, where the event held, Ovadje charged the students not to relent in sustaining the culture of Delta people on campuses.

    He reminded the students of the values and virtues of excellence, advising that they must remember their primary goals in the college.

    Noting that the association was founded in the Delta State University (DELSU) in 2001, he urged members to unite irrespective of their diverse backgrounds, saying: “We must continue to remember that we are from the same state.”

    Ejiofor noted that, over the years, the association has waxed stronger, urging students to promote peace and harmony among themselves.

    Some of the dignitaries were honoured for their support to the association. They included Ovadje, Ikpen Mudiaga Willington, a lawyer; Mr. Fidelis Odia, Dr. E. Bikomo and Mr. Clement Mudiaga Enajemo.

    The president of the association, Francis Isiekwe, said the event showed that Delta State students took pride in their culture.

    “In fact, we derive joy and happiness whenever we gather like this to celebrate our culture, irrespective of our ethnic groups,” he said, thanking the guests for honouring the students’ invite.

    Highlight of the event included a drama presentation, news casting in various local languages and traditional dance.

    Just as the Delta State students were rounding off their event, drum beats heralded the cultural day of the Rivers State students.

    Amid excitement and display of traditional dance steps, members if the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS) swarmed the campus to mark their cultural day.

    The event was witnessed by personalities, including the College Registrar, Ms B.C. Amapakabo, who is the grand matron of the union; Mr. Omobayo Raheem, Dean of Students’ Affairs; Mr. Nigeria Linus, chairman of the event; Mr ThankGod Meekor, managing director of Menewi Ventures Nigeria Ltd; Mr Festus Nwiue, managing director of ShipBait Nigeria Ltd and Chief Emeka Echi, managing director of Nhejirukam Service Ltd, among others.

    Linus told the students to see their culture as the best way of life, urging them to preserve it.

    Amapakabo advised the students to be good ambassadors of the state by championing good causes and morals in their academic and cultural lives.

    Highlight of the day included presentation of awards to indigenes of the state, who supported the cause of the union.

    Some of the awardees were Amapakabo, Linus, Hon. Demus Ledee Demua, Hon. Allen Nma, chairman of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State; Reverend A.B. Lemon and Moses Gaawa, an engineer.

    The NURSS president, Emeka Echi, said the culture of Rivers people was unique, adding that members appreciated the guests for attending.

     

  • Strike: Campus journalists urge re-negotiation

    The Association of Campus Journalists at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, (OAU) has called on members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resume negotiation with the Federal Government to resolve the protracted strike. The association made the plea in a publication made available to our correspondent.

    The statement reads in part: ‘’It’s been over 90 days that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on an indefinite strike .The genesis of the current dispute between ASUU and government is rooted in persistent government insincerity and official deception in respect to the belated implementation of the 2009 pact.  “Many of the demands were resolved in an agreement signed between the Federal government and ASUU in 2009. However, while ASUU demands a full implementation of the agreement, the government said it cannot implement all and is seeking a re-negotiation of some part of the agreement for economic reasons.’’

    In a chat with CAMPUSLIFE, President of the union, Alex Ojekunle, a 400-Level Public Administration student, said: ‘’Almost four years after the Federal Government willingly signed the agreement with ASUU, the same government has reneged on its promises. That is a regrettable failure of the Jonathan administration. It saddens our hearts to know that the Federal Government has refused to honour the pact. Rather, they tell whoever cares to listen that the nation is too broke to implement the terms of the agreement.’’

    He called on the lecturers to call off the strike, noting that industrial actions always have negative impact on students.

    ‘’There is nothing wrong for lecturers to embark on industrial action to seek better conditions of service. But over the years, almost all the strike actions embarked on by university lecturers have amounted to nothing. Our plea is that both parties should work out a mutual pact that would give room for continuous negotiation in order to save Nigerian Universities system from utter collapse.’’