The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Poly promotes peace with drama

    Against the backdrop of security breaches in Nasarawa State recently, which led to the killing of security operatives by Ombatse cult group, students of Nacabs Polytechnic in Akwanga have collaborated with Nollywood in an effort to promote peace in the state.

    The collaboration has led to the production of a movie titled True Reflection. The movie was produced to douse tension and improve inter-community relationship in state.

    The polytechnic’s proprietor, Mr. David Abuluya, said the institution allowed the students to work together with the Nollywood actors because the state was known for peace, saying the school was ready to tackle anything that could cause crisis. Abuluya said the partnership was the institutiuon’s own way to contribute to the development of the state.

    The Head of Mass Communication department, Ms Oyebade Adeyemi, said the students’ participation in the project would expose them to the world of theatre and make them ambassador of peace and unity anywhere they found themselves.

    The movie preached unity between various ethnic groups in the state. It was directed by Smart Conrad of Graceland Multimedia Consult and featured notable actors such as Emmanuel France, Harrison Wilson, Vincent Kanayo and some Mass Communication students of the polytechnic.

    Speaking to the students, France, said movie practitioners were mirror of the society, urging the students to emulate them to promote peace and security of lives and property. He noted the film production would be a stepping stone for them to achieve great things in future.

    Wilson said the movie actors were willing to partner with the polytechnic to restore peace. He praised the Abuluya for financing the project, while urging him to continue to promote peace in the state. He also commended staff and students for their contribution to the success of the project.

  • OAU tops web rankings

    The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, is on top of the latest rankings of the best universities in Nigeria and eighth in Africa.

    According to the rankings computed by the Cybermetrics Lab of Spain, the research council that manages the Webometric world rankings of universities, OAU leads the ranking of 125 institutions rated in Nigeria.

    Nine other institutions in the top 10 of the rankings released last Monday are The Federal Polytechnic, Auchi (AUCHI POLY), University of Ibadan (UI), University of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUUNAB), Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

    A release by the Public Relations Officer of institution, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, noted that while the university has maintained its position as the first in Nigeria, it has moved up seven places in Africa in the latest rankings.

    Reacting, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bamitale Omole, attributed the feat of his administration to the unparalleled research output, administrative acumen, technical know-how of workers and focused leadership.

  • Fear of expulsion grips poly students

    There is palpable fear among students of the Federal Polytechnic in Oko (OKO POLY), Anambra State, as semester examination begins, following the suspension of the recent strike embarked on by Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP).

    The last semester examination was not a nice experience for some of the students as management pasted the names of students, who engaged in examination malpractice. They affected students were expelled by the management.

    Also, some students, who did not meet minimum pass mark required in various departments to be promoted to the next level of study, were advised to withdraw while others were transferred to less competitive departments.

    More than 40 students were asked to withdraw or repeat in the Mass Communication department after result of last semester was released. Without knowing the fate that may befall them, some below-average students have been gripped with fear.

    The administration of Prof Godwin Onu, the Rector, has reiterated its commitment to put the institution on the path of excellence as it frowns at conducts that may adversely affect the academic values of the polytechnic.

    Speaking to students, the Head of Mass Communication department, Mr G.O Ibe, stressed the need for students to take their studies seriously. He noted that rather than devote their time for books, students wasted time chatting on social media networks such as Facebook, 2go and Whatsapp.

    Reacting to the development, Nelson Nwamara, HND 1 Mass Communication, said final year students were not spared from expulsion or withdrawal. He urged the management to reconsider its stance on the withdrawal policy.

    He said: “The management should take its time to listen to the affected students and know the reason why they could not improve on their academic performance. Some of them may have good reasons. For It could be financial challenges or illness. Asking them to leave the institution would make their lives miserable.”

    Another student, who craved for anonymity, said: “Personally, it does not go down well with me. I would prefer that the school should suspend the affected students for one or two years or at best repeat the class than expelling them outright. Some of the students may not grab the subjects being taught in the class, which may have been the reason they failed. I take myself as an example. When I was in secondary school days, I was a bad student in Biology because the teacher teaching the subject was not doing it well. The subject’s teacher used to call me a fool. This was why I did not go for science-oriented discipline.

    “Sometimes, students are blessed with intelligence and capacity to excel in any chosen career but if there is no good teacher, they are bound to be weak in the discipline. I believe if a teacher teaches a student very well, nothing will prevent the student from passing the exam.”

    Other students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, commended Prof Onu for putting a stop to the sales of handouts and textbook in the institution, a development that made some lecturers to be extorting students.

     

  • Group to take students on tour

    In promotion of tourism and to educate students on African culture, Eclectic Tourism, a students’ body, has organised a weekend tour to Lagos State tourist sites and entertainment centres.

    According to the organisers, the expedition is aimed at uniting youths in Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic through tourism.

    Eclectic Tourism is a division of Eclectic Entertainment established to promote understanding among the youths. The body had organised similar excursions to places such as Badagry, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Abuja and Calabar in the past.

    The three-day tour begins on August 30 and will end on September 1. Interested students are expected to register with N20,000, which includes feeding and accommodation.

    Elabor Eromosele, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eclectic Entertainment and graduate of International Relations from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, said the trip would also feature an educative seminar that would take place in the Banquet Hall of Eagles Park Hotel, Ikeja.

    The participants would be initially be hosted at Prince of Anthony Hotel, where they would attend a dinner and fashion show before embarking on the tour. They will also visit the palace of the Oba of Lagos, Ghana High Commission, Palms Shopping Mall, Silverbird Cinemas, La Champagne Tropicana, Lekki Conservation Centre, National Museum, and the National Arts Theatre among others.

    Eromosele added that the group had partnered some firms to make the expedition successful.

  • 77th inaugural lecture at UNN

    The President of Nigerian Mathematical Society (NMS), Prof Micah Osilike, has urged government at all lev1els to provide adequate facilities that will tackle poor academic performance in public schools across the country particularly, at the primary level. He said the move would make education in rural environment attractive.

    Osilike made this plea last Thursday at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) while delivering an inaugural lecture titled: Fixed-point Theory and applications: Contributions from behind closed doors. The ceremony, which was held in Princess Alexandra Hall, marked the 77th inaugural lecture in the university.

    Welcoming lecturers to the event, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof Polycarp Chigbu, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bartho Okolo, said the university’s inaugural lecture was always seen as “academic festival” which prompted education stakeholders to always send delegates to the university to deliberate on ways to improve education in the country.

    Osilike pointed out that the inability of parents to support the effort of teachers remained the reason behind the failure of students in mathematics in secondary level, saying many parents believed the buck stopped at the government’s table.

    He said it had become necessary for parents to carry out their duties on their wards, while urging the government to remove politics from education to achieve best result in education.

    Acknowledging the role of computer in understanding mathematics, the inaugural lecturer explained there was nothing secret about the development, charging students to utilise every means they had to propagate knowledge.

    He recommended group debate among the pupils from primary to secondary level if scope of mathematics must be fully grasped and appreciated. He said the method would help the country to meet its demand in education sector.

    He advised that undergraduates must be exposed to regular workshop and training as part of their general studies to promote practical experience that will strengthen their understanding of the subject in solving problems.

    Osilike thanked members of the university’s Governing Council for approval of the lecture as well their support. He urged the university lecturers to co-operate with one another to achieve the administration’s objectives.

    The lecture was well attended by lecturers and students within and outside the country.

  • Post-UTME holds

    Thousands of candidates from all nooks and crannies of Nigeria participated in the 2013/2014 post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti held recently.

    The screening, which was done online, was praised by Mr Abayomi Ayansola, a representative of the National Universities Commission (NUC), who monitored the exercise.

    “I am impressed,” he said.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Patrick Oladipo Aina said EKSU embarked on computer-based screening for the admission seekers to enable them adapt to the university’s ICT culture. Speaking shortly after inspecting some of the screening centres Prof Aina said he was impressed by the peaceful conduct of the exercise. He urged the candidates to behave well if eventually admitted.

     

  • Wanted: A new order

    It is said that blood is thicker than water. And this is what defines and binds us as humans. For some, blood means a family of wealth and privileges. And for others, it is a life of servitude and penury. A man should take pride in his legacy. However, he should be reminded that legacy in his place of origin is the only real wealth he can lay claim to.

    These days, I find it hard to shake off the feeling that our democracy has lost its values. Thanks to the vicious daddies and mommies at the helm of affairs. They are the set of leaders who practise a brand of politics that goes hand-in-hand with greed for filthy lucre. The evil they commit is never lost; each act has a root just like a tree and every little evil they sow will, in time, bear fruits. I can’t help feeling that the politics of today has arrested development of the nation.

    It is not surprising that a huge gap exists between our professed ideals as a people and the reality we witness every day. That gap has been in existence since Nigeria’s birth. Civil war have been fought, laws passed, systems deregulated, unions organised and mass protests staged to bring promises and practice into alignment. However, all the good efforts have been interrupted by bad deeds of people refer to here as “oga at the top”.

    The real trouble lies in the gap between the magnitude of our challenges and the pettiness of our politics, and the ease with which we are distracted by frivolities and our chronic avoidance of tough decisions; our seeming inability to build a consensus to tackle common problem.

    Politics should also be views from a moral prism. Therefore, it must be subjected to moral imperatives and absolutes. This is why it is the business of everyone. We do not need to waste time and wait for dues ex machina to balance idealism and realism; to distinguish between what can be and what cannot be compromised.

    If we keep on playing up lackadaisical attitude to issues affecting us or we lose interest in our politics, we will lose everything. For it is the pursuit of inconsequential materials that keeps us from finding new ways to tackle challenges we face as a country.

    But then, there is a medicine that can cure Nigeria’s present predicament if administered properly. This medicine was developed from the books of history that records Nigeria’s existence as a country. History has it that Nigeria is a country blessed with many potential and great people.

    Our history is replete with great leaders, who assumed position at early age. History has it that Gen. Muritala Mohammed was in his early 30’s when he ruled Nigeria before he was assassinated. It was also recorded that Gen. Yakubu Gowon was in his late 20’s when he climbed the ladder of Nigeria’s leadership. j

    Whether these are true or not is not my concern. My view is that the country has had it fairly good under in terms of governance under youthful leaders. It shows the youths are endowed with practical ideas to govern the country.

    Nowadays, are there youths with gut to rule the country? Are there young people with enthusiasm for genuine leadership and not for the love of the national cake? Are there youths with business idea to elevate the economy other than ones with primordial zeal to loot treasury? What are the youths doing to help in the fight against corruption in the country?

    I learnt that an individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity. It can be well argued that the youths are doing their best through various initiatives. But being busy is not the same as accomplishing something. Today youths are only finding their way to politicians that would use them as tool of destructive venture. Afterwards, they give bogus awards to their paymasters for looting their country’s treasury and milking the entire citizens dry. This is not to say there are no good youths. Some are doing pretty fine by pursuing developmental goals and never compromise standards. They all exist around us, whether for good or for bad.

    It is time for the youths to wake up to the reality and forget the theories of the elite. It is time for us to act what we preach. It is time for us to stand up for the country. It is time for us to come together and support good initiative that will promote good cause of this noble country. It is time to create the real order, which is “change”.

    We are the true leaders and it is through us that a progressive leadership can emerge. The real time for sacrifice is now. The law of sacrifice is uniform through

  • ‘Action Learning provides superior education’

    Education can be put to more productive uses if the concept of Action Learning is introduced from the elementary level, says Country Manager of Business School Netherlands (BSN), Mr Lere Baale.

    Speaking at a briefing held at the BSN Nigeria office in Lagos when the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the institution, Mrs Juanita Bouwer, visited Nigeria as part of the institution’s 25th anniversary celebrations, Baale said the concept of Action Learning is superior because it stipulates practical utilisation of knowledge to solve problems unlike conventional education which only impacts technical skills on learners.

    “We need to put a system in place for primary schools that teaches people how to use the action methodology, that is why don’t just read for the purpose of knowledge alone; let people apply their knowledge right from primary school; let them report their experiences, let them physically evaluate what they need to improve even when they are the best,” he said.

    Explaining the efficacy of Action Learning education using the MBA programme run by BSN, Baale said students begin using the knowledge and skills they gain while on the programme as they are required to solve various problems – at least eight – in the organisations they work. As a result, Baale said their organisations grow, while they (the students) earn promotions.

    In addition to technical skills, Bale said that Action Learning imbues students with the creative, conceptual and human skills to solve problems and grow businesses, which are lacking in the traditional MBA.

    “The Action Learning MBA programme is not like when you finish you start to see the impact. By the time you spend a quarter you start to solve problems. There are about eight issues that would have been addressed during the two-year progarmme and that is what is called Action Learning. Repetition is one of the core processes of learning,” he said.

    Attesting to the impact of Action Learning, Mr Rafiu Adedotun who just earned his MBA from BSN, said he was able to solve multiple problems for his employer, NNPC, in the areas of Marketing, ICT, and Human Resources.

    He said: “The experience has been very wonderful. What Action Learning teaches you is to look at yourself and solve problems using existing infrastructure. When you have to do this, it makes you think harder and use your insight to solve problems. It is a continuous thing. As you are trying this, you are looking at the result and thinking of other solutions to it.”

     

     

    Apart from practicality of learning, Mrs Bouwer said the Action Learning MBA saves a lot of time for students because they solve real life problems and not case studies.

    “A big difference between the traditional and the Action Learning MBA is that we save 40 per cent of your time because you don’t have to read case studies,” she said.

    In her speech, Mrs Bouwer said over 200 Nigerians have graduated from the BSN Executive MBA programme. She added that the institution regards Nigeria as one of its important learning centres and seeks to train more managers to help the country overcome economic challenges.

    She said: “We are looking at greater collaboration with Nigeria in solving Africa’s economic and leadership challenges using our unique Action Learning approach in preparing future generations for a better life. We expect that the managers and specialists who train using our Action Learning methodology would apply their practical learning to solving problems in their various workplaces and accelerating productivity. Higher productivity of all resources is critical for enhancing development in Nigeria. As several authorities have noted, when we get development right in Nigeria, we have gotten it right in Africa. ”

     

  • On disparity between BSc. and HND

    For a long time, the status of Higher National Diploma (HND) holders has always been considered inferior in every facet of our national life. Everywhere and in every thing, they were relegated. In the labour market, HND holders are made to regret having pursued such a programme.

    If we deny knowledge of this ugly trend in the wheel of national development, then we are entangled in the web of self-deception.

    A lot of damage has been done to Nigeria which may not be conveniently recorded on paper. Aside stringent and competitive admission guidelines, which have alienated many applicants and frustrated their ambition to be admitted into the university, several other academic injuries have been visited on polytechnic students through this ugly trend.

    It is no surprise that we now have a steady decline in technical education as a result of loss of confidence in HND programmes. The situation has increased the rate of unemployment of HND degree holders in the country.

    While there had been several attempts to eliminate this discrimination, the boldest step taken so far is the one credited to the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In 2005, he set up committees to review the ugly trend, with a view to ending it.

    Also, at the meeting of the National Universities Commission (NUC) on June 16, 2009, a decision to eliminate the disparity was reached. This was to take effect from that same year but the then Head of Service of the Federation, Mr Stephen Oronsaye, shocked the nation by flagrantly refusing to pass a circular to that effect.

    “BSc. is not equivalent to HND,” he said.

    This statement shocked many Nigerians, especially the chairman, National Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE), Sir Leo Okereke.

    Okereke through the NATE General Secretary, Mr Akeem Adeniji, wrote an open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, on Oronsaye’s utterances. Up till now, nothing has been done to correct the anomaly.

    It is high time we made reason and not sentiment to drive our education policies. We must discountenance the fact that a BSc. degree holder is better than a polytechnic graduate. Come to think of it, how befitting is the superlative adjective “best” to describe BSc. certificate? Is it really the best for a developing nation such as Nigeria? Have we forgotten the fact that a square and a rhombus of equal side have equal area despite the difference in their shapes and angular configuration?

    Can the neutrality of an atom be possible if either of the protons or elections is missing? For God sake, BSc and HND are just like two vectors of equal magnitude and direction differing only in nomenclature and unit. The BSc. certificate can only be the best in a country where white papers, lengthy theories, esoteric formula and equations are able to erect structures, run turbines and distribute power without the pragmatic involvement of technologists.

    But, of what relevance are the gigantic theories and formulae to Nigeria without application? What is the significance of the Euler’s theories of buckling load to Nigeria when buildings and other structures keep collapsing? How can we appreciate the concepts of metallurgical studies when the Ajaokuta Steel Company has been in indefinite coma; or the Delta Steel Company, which has been in partial paralysis? It is the technologists that can make all these sectors work.

    I will encourage all polytechnic and monotechnic students and graduates not to give up on their dreams to give Nigeria a turn-around in technology. The disparity between their certificate and the BSc. should not be a setback to be committed to excellence and hard work. Hopefully, the story will change.

    Lastly, I wish to appeal that technically-minded citizens should be actively involved in key decision affecting education and civil service. The top policy makers in Nigeria are the oxygen that keeps the combustion of this ugly trend on. It is high time we chose the correct drill bits for the correct holes, because until the rotten tooth is pulled, the mouth will continue to chew with caution.

     

     

  • 12 get Nutrition scholarship

    12 get Nutrition scholarship

    Twelve Nutrition and Dietetics masters’ students are the latest recipients of the 2012/2013 Indomie M.sc Nutrition Scholarship Awards.

    The initiative, which is a partnership between Dufil Prima Foods Plc and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), saw 12 post graduate students from various universities across Nigeria emerge as beneficiaries of the scholarship.

    They include Babatunde Folashade (FUNAAB); Folarin Oluyemisi (FUNAAB); Abiade Funmilayo (FUNAAB); Ogunjobi Oluwatoyin (FUNAAB) ; Popoola Kabirat (FUNAAB) ;Fadare Olumuyiwa (FUNAAB) ; Obanla Funke (FUNAAB) ; Oshungunna Bolanle (FUNAAB) ; Maxwell Yemmy (University of Ibadan) ; Abraham Achadu (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria) ; Junaidu Sani (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria) and Ogunbunmi Omotayo (University of Ibadan).

    Speaking during the award presentation which took place at the company’s corporate head office in Surulere, Lagos, the Public Relations Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, said the rationale behind the scheme is based on the company’s desire to breed a team of seasoned professionals that can impact the society on nutrition consciousness.

    “Aside from the company’s desire to impact positively on the health sector, owing to the fact that a lot of sicknesses and diseases are caused by malnutrition and intake of the wrong diet, Dufil Prima Foods Plc in the nearest future hopes to become one of the largest health-friendly food company in Nigeria, and if this dream is to become a reality, the organisation would need the services of well trained nutritionists and dietitians, which we hope this initiative will go a long way in achieving.”

    Coordinator of the scholarship scheme, Prof Tunde Oguntona, of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, FUNAAB, said 160 students from the six geo political zones applied for the scholarship. However, he said the 12 recipients were the best of the lot that met the stipulated criteria.

    Oguntona said to qualify, applicants who must be Nigerians, must have gained admission to study for an M.Sc Nutrition and Dietetics in select Nigerian universities.

    He praised the sponsors for filling a critical need in the nutrition sector.

    “I indeed commend Dufil Prima Foods Plc, for its unrelenting effort in making this initiative a reality. There is a dearth in the area of nutrition in the society, and I am glad for Indomie’s contribution in making a change in such an area that has being neglected for so long. I will like to use this medium to implore the awardees to make the best use of this opportunity and also call on other corporate organizations to take a lead from DUFIL,” he said.

    A beneficiary of the scheme, Miss Obanla Oluwafunke thanked Dufil Prima Foods Plc on behalf of others and promised to make the best use of the opportunity given to her.