Category: Campus Life

By Emmanuel Udodinma

Wesley University (WU),  Ondo, Ondo State has launched its world-class, Communication Technology (ICT) certification centre.

At  the opening of the centre, built in partnership with ICT firm, New Horizon Centre, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Sunday Obeka, commended the school and partnership, adding that it was the best way to go in terms of the future of ICT development in the nation’s universities.

He promised that the university would continue to blaze the trail in the provision of ICT infrastructure for its staff and students.

The VC said  the partnership with  the ICT firm  was an indication that their university  had embraced the ‘policy of synergy’ with the industry to ensure the production of high quality graduates.

He added that the university  was on the right track in terms of ICT facilities and its curriculum.

 “Discipline is not the issue. Everybody needs sound ICT training to prosper in the new knowledge economy,” he said.

He appealed to the public to partner the school because it has what it takes to transform the society, through its entrepreneurship-based curriculum.

The Manager,  New Horizon Centre,  Dr Bayo Johnson,  praised the university for its giant strides  within the short period of its existence, adding that the school   hoped to make  the top 10 in global ranking universities in future. 

He thanked the VC for his passion and contributions in rewriting the story of university education in the country.

He urged other universities to emulate the institution by embracing ICT and change that would reposition the country.

Director of Academic Planning of the university, Dr Oye Oyekanmi, said: “When we received proposal from New Horizon and the management looked at it critically, we  discovered that the proposal is in line with best practices in the world, it is also  in line with what is required from the National Universities Commission (NUC).

“The NUC is working hard on what we call the Core Content Minimum Academic Standard  (CCMAS) and part of the requirement is that every university  must be 21st century  knowledege–based.

“And in the area of ICT, the  partnership is a way of adding value to our students, such that they wouldn’t just graduate with their regular certifcate, but additional certificate that will empower them to become better citizens.’’

By Adeola Ogunlade

The Acting Vice-Chancellor , University of Ibadan, Prof. Adebola Ekanola, has lauded the launch of the ‘Green Campus Project’ founded by SWEEP Foundation, Recycledge with support from The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) at the University of Ibadan (Ui).

The project is designed to facilitate the implementation of a  waste management programme at the UI and other selected universities.

The event featured seminars, interactive sessions, and donations of plastic waste collection assets and infrastructure, including cargo tricycles, receptacles, and equipment for the university environment.

Ekanola, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Ezekiel  Ayoola, thanked the organisations involved in the project and, more importantly, the Students Union Government (SUG) of the school, who facilitated the project, aimed at helping to make the campus cleaner.

“It is an example of the town and gown relationship. The government cannot provide all that we need in the university. Towns, unions, and organisations have roles to play and this is an example and we are very grateful,”  he said.

The President, SWEEP Foundation, Phillips Obuesi, stated the impact of the programme on the selected universities and surrounding communities

His words: “Campuses suffer from indiscriminate waste disposal habits of staff and students, mostly occasioned by low-level awareness and inadequate infrastructure to support proper waste management across these campuses.

“The Green Campus Project is scheduled to flag off in the following universities: University of Ibadan, University of Benin, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, University of Port Harcourt, and Obafemi Awolowo University.It  will focus on galvanising support for more sustainable means of dealing with packaging waste through cost-effective aggregation models. It also aspires to eliminate waste incineration, a common practice in many institutions.’’

 “We are providing a behavioural change education for the university community, particularly the students within and outside the campus. We are hoping to recover wastes and other recycled wastes (1000 tons) that litter the environment. We want to ensure that our environment is clean, green, and sustainable”.

Also, a 500-Level student of  the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, Odeyinka Akeem Odetayo, who was  among the 24 ambassadors on the Green Project, said:  “I love volunteering for activities and when I saw this opportunity, I went for it. All of us are reaching for a sustainable environment.

“One of the ways to achieve that is by retrieving pet bottles and waste from the environment. I believe that if this message gets to everyone in the community, all of us will become change makers. The task given is to represent the Faculty of Agriculture. I will use my strength to reach out to every student and faculty member and inform them of the benefits of a clean and sustainable environment.”

Also, A 200-Level student of  Law,  Matter Abodunrin, said she was elated to be part of the  project. 

“We will embark on advocacy regarding clean environment and we are planning to liaise with  restaurants and cafeterias around the faculty on the proper disposal of their wastes,” she said.

By Nurudeen Adebayo and Tolulope Onifade

Students of the Department of Mass Communication, Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) have been advised to embrace skills that will make them stand out in the workplace.

It was at the fourth Town-Gown Summit of the department tagged: “Your skill(s), your future!”.

Experts who spoke were a seasoned journalist and media career development specialist, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin; Chief Executive Officer, Modion Communication, Mr. Odion Aleouba; Public Relations and media specialist, Mr. Tayo Akanle and Head of Marketing, Lagos Traffic Radio (96.1FM), Mr. Dare Durosimi, who represented the station’s General Manager.

Aleouba in his presentation entitled: “Disruption of Public Relations in the digital age”,  predicted the future of Public Relations (PR) and  explained the trends in the PR space.

“Edelman, the world’s top earning PR Agency posted $984.921,000 revenue in 2022 more than the $798,825,835 earned by Manchester City, the world’s richest football club same year.

“PR is no longer just securing editorial spaces, but spaces in the minds of the consumers.

“Evolving customer and communications trends make digital storytelling, social listening, social purpose and big data as the defining factors in the industry in the nearest future,” he said.

 Otufodunrin, who spoke on: “Your skills, your future”,  urged the students to get employable skills.

“I studied Mass Communication in University of Lagos between 1982 and 1985. My news writing skills, which I learnt at UNILAG and internship got me a job in The Punch, which has taken me round the world.

“It is expedient for everyone to have a skill as utilisation of such skills will take you to the top

“The industry is not asking for PhD skill from the student, but basic skills; start now to connect the dot between the classroom learning and the simple industrial skills to make a difference.

“Question the existing protocol so you can make an innovation and impact in your field. The goal is to have team work, sit down, brain storm with the people that have skills different from yours and make things work.”

Head of Department Mass Communication, Dr Prosper Zannu assured the audience that the summit had come to stay.

He assured  students of the department that they were central to all the planning being done and that was  why they were given the platform to organise  the event.

 A lecturer in  the department, Mr. Ibrahim Fatoyinbo, said: “I would like to advise students to  take home every bit of what the facilitators have said on building on their skill because the 21st century is beyond your certificate or certification. If you have a certificate, fantastic, but you must have a skill to backup your certification because these days, when they ask you what you can do, though they will check your certificate.”

General secretary of the department, Yetunde Adebiyi said: “I  enjoyed Aleouba and Otufodunrin’s lectures. They actually inspired us to get more skills and  discover our skills. The latter  made us know that in the labour market, you cannot achieve anything without having additional skills. So, if you don’t have one yet, get one and if you have one, try to discover and improve on it.”

By Saidat Abdulrasheed

Online class is rapidly becoming one of the most to impart knowledge. Online classes started gaining ground following the advent of the coronavirus pandemic.

 Nevertheless, institutions should take a great leap forward to find solutions and create new learning environments for their students to ensure that learning never stops. With the little time to prepare, curriculums should be modified, new lessons plans should be created, and activities should be planned, so that students will remain actively involved through online learnings.

For students, online classes have become an imminent trend in the education sector around the globe. Digital learning has provided easy access to the files and folders that can now be organised and saved without any physical damage. Online class is not only simpler but fun and engaging well. Online class has become very convenient for the students to attend classes and from anywhere in the world as both classes and learning content is easily accessible at home.

Although some public universities such as Kwara State University(KWASU), Lagos State University (LASU), and University of Ilorin(UNILORIN) have resorted to online classes, there are other public universities that are still struggling with virtual learning due to certain challenges, including poor knowledge on Information Technology, technical issues, network bug and lack of resources.

However, online classes are convenient for students and teachers as more students are able to express their views at the same time using certain online applications. Online learning has helped students to become independent learners before they make their way into the real world.Though online teaching cannot replace the traditional classroom teaching, it is a prerequisite for a developmental educational system.

To make this possible, digital facilities should be made affordable to pave the way for a sound digital education system in the long run.

By Ifunanya Osakwe, UNIBEN

Fire has razed block A of the female Postgraduate Hostel containing 20 rooms in Ekehuan Campus of the University of Benin(UNIBEN) Benin, Edo State.
No life was lost.

Eyewitnesses said the inferno started in one of the rooms from an electric spark and spread to the other rooms quickly because of plywood used as demarcation.

Students in the postgraduate hostel said the electricity spark has always been a cause for concern, adding that they have called the attention of the hostel porters to several electrical faults.

A student, Okoh Cynthia, said three fire servicemen came to put out the fire as it was already escalating to the ground floor of the building.

Another student and an occupant in Block A, Stella Osagie said she was depressed as she lost her Iphone XR worth over N200,000 and her laptop worth N250,000.

Martha Henry, also an occupant at the PG Block A, said her money, school credentials and project works were burnt to ashes.

Provost, Federal College of Education (FCE)  (Technical) Akoka, Lagos, Dr Wahab Azeez,  has  assured freshmen of the institution that their welfare is the school’s highest priority.

The Provost said the college management took security very seriously, with regular surveillance by its security personnel  and Close Circuit Television (CCTV)  cameras for proper monitoring of activities on campus.

Azeez spoke during the matriculation of 412 students for the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) 2022/2023 academic session, at the college.

The matriculants consisted  382 NCE and 30 PDE students.

The provost promised to provide them with  nice facilities and attend to their welfare matters because they were  children which the government had put under the school’s care.

He said: “Their care is fundamental and we, as a school, must live up to expectations; renovations are going on in the hostels and soon the construction of a new female hostel will commence.

“These and many more are part of our efforts, including adequate security, to make them comfortable because these are the youth and the future leaders that will take over from us.”

Azeez described matriculation as a ceremony at which fresh students are fully integrated into the academic community.

He charged them to make the best use of the college resources.

“My matriculants, this, indeed, is a pathway to your academic career and development, being among the few to be offered admission into acquiring NCE and PDE from the FCE (Technical), Akoka, Lagos.

“I have the firm belief as your provost that you will derive maximum benefits from various courses being offered in the college if you pursue your studies with seriousness, vigour, perseverance and discipline,” he said.

He noted that the college was  focused and committed to the philosophy and ideals upon which it was established in 1976 — to produce qualitative science, technical, business and vocational education graduates.

On  the declining enrollment for NCE and PDE programmes, he said  welfare packages such as scholarships from the Federal Government would  motivate  and attract students.

He stated that poor  enrollment of students was being addressed by  the Committee of Provosts.

Founder and Group Managing Director of SystemSpecs Holdings Limited, Lagos, Mr. John Obaro has  urged Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos, to strengthen research and partner with industry stakeholders.

He also  tasked the university to ensure  students are well trained  for them to  become digital leaders.

Speaking at the fifth matriculation of Trinity University entitled:”Raising a new generation of leaders in a digital age, the role of Nigeria Ivory Tower”, Obaro stressed the need for students and varsities to change from traditional leadership to  new age leadership.

According to him, traditional leadership has reached its limit, and this is the time we must consider technological leadership  to improve  the education system.

“A new generation and new generation of leaders is required, a lot has changed and we need to move and align with the change.

“We must prepare for a world where we live side by side with robots, we must improve communication, conversation, persuasion and collaboration.”

   He advised the students to focus and equip themselves to become effective leaders tomorrow.

The Vice Chancellor,  Prof. Charles Korede Ayo, said  411 fresh students were admitted for the 2022/2023 academic session.

The recent dragging of the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on social media for his remarks on the supporters of the Labour Party (LP); the vice presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed’s comments on television, has shown how, perhaps, intolerant youths can be when it comes to politics, rather than being influenced by works of literary colossus or elite academics like Kongi.

Academic elite, by definition, are individuals who have attained a high level of education, expertise, and intellectual authority in their respective fields.

The influence of academic elite on  youth of a nation can be significant in shaping their attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviours. They are often leaders in their fields, respected by their peers, and have a significant impact on shaping public opinion and policy.

In many cases, they  serve as role models for young people, particularly those who are interested in pursuing higher education and higher learning.  They often provide mentorship, guidance, and support to youths who are seeking to develop their intellectual and professional skills.

At the same time, their  influence can also be controversial and divisive, particularly if their views and opinions are perceived as being out of touch with mainstream society or if they are seen as promoting a particular political or ideological agenda. In some cases, they  may also be accused of being elitist or disconnected from  ordinary people.

  Soyinka’s views on issues raised on  the outcome of the results of the 2023 general elections, especially on the comments made by the Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party,  Baba-Ahmed, on national television concerning the Judiciary, was not motivated by politics or ethnicity as some thought.

It is pertinent to note that Soyinka is a  playwright, poet, essayist, and political activist whose literary works often explore themes such as identity, politics, culture, and African history.

In addition to his literary contributions, Soyinka has been an outspoken political activist, advocating for democracy, human rights, and social justice in Nigeria and beyond. He was imprisoned for two years during Nigeria’s civil war in the late 1960s and has been critical of many governments.

He is  a global figure, hence youths  should refrain from negative comments about him even if  they disagree with the Nobel Laureate’s views or actions  on social media.

When he appeared to contradict the views or actions of these young people, some of them perceive it as hypocrisy.

Some saw him  as a prominent individual that did not address the socio-political issues in accordance with their own views.

•Kegbegbe is a student at Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos.