The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • A vote for dress codes on campuses

    Campuses are considered places of freedom by many students. After being admitted into a higher institution, a student believes that he has passed the stage of parental control in his life. Many students go to school with such mindsets, believing that they have become adults and should be independent.

    On campuses, such freedom has been abused in many ways. It is no news that campuses have turned to runways for indecent dresses. It is a common sight to see a male student with sagging pair of trousers that reveal the underwear and shirts laying bare the chest. Ladies put on tight shorts and skirts that reveal the shapes and contours of their body.

    Male students design their trousers in such a way to open their waist, thus exposing the upper parts of the buttocks and lower abdomen. Their shirts are short, hardly covering the abdomen and revealing the upper curves of the breasts and the skin between them. Others put on tight trousers, revealing the body’s details and skin colour.

    The prevalence of this mode of dressing is stimulating a debate on whether dress codes should be enforced on campuses. This essay examines arguments for both sides and concludes that dress codes enforcement is long overdue on our campuses.

    Those who support implementation of dress codes argue that indecent dresses cause distraction on campus. They claim that such dresses make it difficult for students and staff to concentrate on their tasks. Bad dresses are also blamed for the increasing sexual harassment and rape of female students on campuses. The argument is that provocative dresses seduce men and arouse a desire, which forces them to want to have carnal knowledge of girls at all cost.

    Promiscuity and moral corruption prevalent on our campuses are also attributed to indecent dressing. As a solution to this trend, proponents of dress codes call for an enforcement of strict regulation to stop people from going naked. The codes oblige students and staff to dress in conformance to certain standards. This is then enforced by security personnel on campus.

    Pro-dress code advocates met a stiff opposition in activists and women groups that argue dress codes are targeted at women to constitute a form of gender discrimination. They insisted that female students have the freedom to dress the way they want without being harassed by anybody. The discrimination story is not true.

    First, dress codes are not made only for females. The regulations prohibit certain bad habits of male students such as sagging, putting on earrings and plaiting of hair. Secondly, it is interesting that the feminist groups do not say dressing indecently is right. Instead, they argue people have freedom to dress the way they so wish. However, they must also know that the concept of freedom is not absolute.

    Let us imagine what would happen if I park a tanker across the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway because I have freedom to park my vehicle where I want to. Another road user comes and insists on his freedom to pass. Multiply this scenario across the various instances we have to make decisions daily and one will discover how chaotic the society will become. So, it is in everyone’s interest for freedom to be regulated.

    In geography examination, for instance, a student has the freedom to write that the earth has a rectangular shape. But we all have general belief that earth is spherical. If the student writes that eath is rectangular, he fails. This means he cannot express his freedom of alternative thought absolutely. And if students are not free to write whatever they want in their exams, why should they be free to put on anything (clothes) to the exam hall? Is this concept of freedom not rather contradictory?

    One fundamental question the opponents of dressing code have to ask is: when we resist a dressing code, will the resistance be felt at work places? We cannot stretch the issue of freedom that far. If students put on whatever they want because they have the freedom, what happens when they also insist on the freedom to come for lectures any time they want? If our institutions are training students, so that they can cope with challenges in the labour market, should they not also equip them with codes of conduct – including dressing – that are acceptable to the society in which this labour market exists? Or are we alluding to the claim that Nigeria is a codeless – or put succinctly – lawless society?

    In fact, the question of dress codes touches on the fundamental character of our society. What sort of people are we? Why do we exhibit undisguised affinity for lawlessness, corruption and allergic to discipline? We do not want to stand in the queue. We do not keep time. We do not even want to work full hours. We just want to be paid quick and fast.

    It shows that something is fundamentally wrong with our value system and perhaps, it is because we have debated the enforcement of codes of conduct for too long. We must, however, understand that dress codes should not involve imposition of rigid rules on students. Instead, it should give general guidelines within which individuals can improve their creativity and remain fashionable.

    There is need for regulation of our dress habits to minimise sexual harassment and promiscuity, reduce distraction and generally instill in us, a culture of discipline and moderation, which is the main attribute of education. Given the current level of indecency exhibited on our campuses, dress codes should not just be enforced; it must be enforced now.

     

    Msonter, 200-Level Medicine, BSU Makurdi

  • Agric students hold lecture

    Agric students hold lecture

    Greeners’ Association, a students’ group under the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), has held a lecture with the theme: Channelling youth energy to agriculture: A panacea to national unrest.

    Organised with the aim of encouraging students to see opportunities in farming, the lecture suggested measures for agriculture to be a catalyst for national development.

    Greeners’ Association President Abdulraheem Abdulraheem said the group was a professional one, which organises practical sessions for agricultural students to have the basic skill.

    He urged his colleagues to always engage in practical than theory to have a deep knowledge in feed formulation, artificial insemination and moringa.

    He urged the students not to depend on government policy on agriculture, which he said was not being implemented.

    Ahmed Aliyu, a member of the group, spoke on quail eggs, which he said were nutritional. He observed that the Japanese quail was first domesticated in China and matured within six weeks for the production of eggs. He said the quail was experimental birds that reacted faster to drugs and the result could be got within two weeks when administered compared to cattle, which may take more than eight months for the drug to react.

    Ahmed said when three to four eggs were taken, it could help to stimulate appetite, cure tuberculosis and is good for brain development.

    The guest lecturer, Dr A.Z. Aderolu, from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), said channeling the energy of youths to agriculture should be the aim of policy makers. He noted that majority of students did not want to engage in farming.

    Narrating an experience as a student, Aderolu said he had collaborated with a friend to buy 500 hens for rearing, all of which died after they were infected with Gumboro disease. The incident , he said, caused a huge loss to him and his friend. But he said he was determined to continue with the business.

    “As I talk to you, I have thousands of broilers and layers that produce more than 350 crates of eggs daily; I have a breeder that produces thousands of breeds in one week and lots of business I am managing,” he said.

    He told the students to have mentors and develop their enterprising abilities, admonishing that the road may be rough at first but determination would make them to overcome challenges.

     

  • SUG speaker impeached

    SUG speaker impeached

    Members of the legislative arm of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun in Delta State have impeached their Speaker.

    George Nwabuzor, a HND student of Petroleum Marketing and Business Studies, was removed last Friday for alleged financial impropriety.

    The Speaker was impeached just as the tenure of the union was coming to an end. A vote of no confidence was passed on George by 16 of the 28 members of the parliament.

    A member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said George had been involved in bribery and embezzlement of sitting allowances of members.

    The Speaker was accused of intolerance against members, especially some of them in OND programmes.

    The source said George had escaped being impeached several times, saved by his loyalists in the house.

    At the sitting where the Speaker was impeached, CAMPUSLIFE gathered that it was George’s supporters that moved the motion for his impeachment.

    After the impeachment, George was reported to have refused to pull off the ceremonial wig, and struggled with members to grab the mace before he was eventually forced to step down from the Speaker’s seat.

    A new Speaker has since been elected. He is Olayinka Owomoyela, an HND student of Petroleum and Natural Gas Processing.

     

  • Let’s stop violence against women

    I was at a debate recently and the subject of discussion was superiority of male over female children. I am not referring to the secondary school debate we participated in where two parties tried to outdo each other. Here, it was a serious debate, which left everyone dazed.

    When I was younger, I heard stories of men who became polygamists to have a male child, thereby causing undue rivalry between their wives and breaking their homes. In fact, in some cases, first wives were sent out of their husbands’ houses because they could not give birth to male children. I sympathised with such women.

    In my naivety and ignorance, I had also concluded that women should always try to bear male child or children to secure their marriage since most husbands cherished male children. This barbaric idea that a woman must give birth to a male child before her marriage could be peaceful still exists in this modern world.

    My view about women bearing male children, however, changed when I attended BIO 201 classes, which is on genetics. The veil of ignorance was removed from my eyes when we were taught that “men, not women, are determinant of the sex of a child”.

    With mixed feelings, I was made to understand the facts that, genetically speaking, in human beings, there are 46 chromosomes in each body cell, which are in a pair, that is, 23 in a pair. Out of 23 chromosomes in each pair, 22 are called autosomes and have no direct effect on the sex of an individual. The last one is the chromosome that determines the sex of a baby after fertilisation. A man possesses X and Y chromosomes, while all eggs produced by a woman contain two ‘X’ chromosomes. During mating, if semen with an ‘X’ chromosome from the man fuses with an egg in a woman having the X chromosome, the zygote (fertilised egg) becomes XX, which is a girl. But if semen with ‘Y’ chromosome fuses with an egg bearing X chromosome in a woman, it becomes a male zygote.

    A woman is naturally ‘XX’, but a man is the one with the one with the X and Y. If the X chromosome of a man keeps fertilising the X egg in a woman, baby girls will continue to be produced. Also, if the Y chromosome keeps fertilising the X egg in a woman, babies that will be produced from such mating will be boys. This is why some families have several girls and boys, while others only have a mixture of both genders.

    Through this discipline of genetics, I was set free of my ignorance. But what about women, who did not have the privilege to get this kind of information and are mothers of several daughters, who have been victimised by their husbands because they could not bear male children? Such women will be obsessed with fear of losing their marriage.

    Some women have become regular customers of herbalists and fetish doctors because they are seeking male child. They pay huge sum for fetish concoctions, which may not eventually work out. There are other women, who have deliberately gone on hunger strike, in the name of fasting and have been reduced to a broomstick.

    Women, take this free advice: you have been programmed with X chromosomes, it is men that determine your baby’s sex with his X or Y chromosome. Why must you make your daughters feel inferior when you want to kill yourself over a male child?

    You must know that girl-child is also useful and productive. After all, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala the co-ordinating minister of Nigeria’s economy is a woman. What about billionaire Folorusho Alakija, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, Dame Patience Jonathan, Stella Oduah, Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, T.Y. Bello and other women who have shown that what a man can do, women can do better?

    You better live your life and be happy. If you are in dire need of a male child and you want to go spiritual, pray to God. He will definitely grant your request.

    To husbands, please stop putting undue pressure on your wives. You, and not your wife, are the major determinant of your baby’s sex. Stop domestic violence. Instead, love and cherish your wives. Daughters are children too. If another man did not give birth to a girl, how will a male child marry? If you are not patient enough to let nature take its course, then maybe you should go for genetic counselling. No woman should be victimised again. I am proud to be one.

     

    Ayobami, 300-Level Zoology, EKSU

  • How NYSC changed my view of the North

    How NYSC changed my view of the North

    “If Nigeria is to make rapid progress on all fronts internally, and if she’s to make her mark on the continent of Africa, and, indeed, in the comity of nations, her youths must be fully mobilised and be prepared to offer willingly and without asking for rewards in return, their best in the service of their nation at all times,” Gen. Yakubu Gowon, former Head of State, said during the inauguration of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on June 4, 1973.

    Prior to being mobilised for the National Youth Service, I used to think of horrific experiences I would go through during my service year. Fresh from the furnace, which higher institution campuses can be called, a graduate is made to live with yet another people from different cultural backgrounds with a meagre stipend and no accommodation.

    I got the impression that the scheme was a post-civil war panacea for reuniting the country. Well, our leaders caused the civil war but why are they disturbing my life by asking me to heal the wound they had caused? So I thought. When I was younger, I really hoped that events and government in Nigeria would abolish this mandatory service before it got to my turn.

    Today, however, I write this piece as a Corps member and a willing participant in a scheme I once wished should be abolished. And it is amazing that I discovered the beauty of the scheme just in my first few months of active service to my fatherland.

    When I was posted to Zamfara State, it took me time to get over the trauma. After I got my call-up letter, I sat on a fence for hours, ruing what had befallen me. With growing insecurity in the North, I had thought I was going for a journey of no return. But was it funny? My colleagues, who got posted to relatively peaceful parts of the country, mocked me, as though it was all planned.

    Some of them pitied me and said sweet words to douse my fear. The thought of redeployment came to mind. Friends asked me to feign incurable ailment just to get out of Zamfara State after the three-week orientation.

    Hitherto, I had been told the story of Zamfara and its strict Sharia Legal system during the administration of Governor Ahmad Yerima. We heard stories of amputation as punishment for even mild offences. Since I could not change the posting immediately, I left for the state with open mind. It was when I got to the state that I knew all the stories we heard in the South were actually exaggerated.

    In the orientation camp, dance and drama competitions held for Corps members brought together people of various tribes of the country to foster unity. I heard languages I never thought existed; names I could never pronounce. We discussed issues ranging from insecurity and corruption and it was surprising to see my fellow Corps members condemning evil. Our daily activities in the camp always started with a Muslim and Christian prayer and this shows that we are one people indivisible by religion or ethnicity.

    We were privileged to have top government officials, including the Emir of Anka, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad, and the NYSC State Co-ordinator, Mrs Ruth Bakka, to educate us on the state and its people. The Emir stated clearly that Sharia was to guide Muslims on their religious path and thus was not binding on non-Muslims. He said Christians are free to go about their normal business without fear of molestation whatsoever but should dress decently and respect the law of the land.

    In Southern part, we have different opinion of the North. We were told that places such as Zamfara State belong to Siberia given its low level of education and its culture, which is believed to be brutish and ordinary.

    We were told that Hausa girls don’t go to school. But I was stunned to see over 3,000 girls in a secondary school in Samaru struggling to get education. In camp, I met Muslim girls, who graduated with better grades than many of us from the South. They all wore Hijabs (veil), which were neatly tucked in.

    I also found that the average Hausa man is trustworthy and down-to-earth. When he tells you it is N10 gaskiya (truth), so it is. Tell a motorcyclist that you are stranded and he will be glad to help you to where you are going.

    At the place of my primary assignment (PPA), senior officials would make tea in a cold morning and share among the staff; even the gatemen would use cups from the Oga’s office. But Ogas in the south are to be feared from afar. One’s effort to learn Hausa language is instantly rewarded with slashed prices of commodities.

    When I was posted to my PPA in Kaura Namoda and I lost my way, I was directed to the lodge of Muslim Corps members, where I was fed and attended to regardless of my religious affiliation. This selfless service to has constantly been rendered by the Nigerian Christian Corpers Fellowship (NCCF), Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria (MCAN), Catholic Corpers Association and the likes. These organisations are made up of Nigerians helping Nigerians regardless of tribe or tongue. This is one of the dividends of the NYSC scheme.

    I am now confident that the scheme is steadily achieving its objective, which is “to inculcate in Nigerian youths the spirit of selfless service to the community and to emphasise the spirit of oneness and brotherhood of all Nigerians, irrespective of cultural or social background.”

    Serving in Zamfara State has afforded me a lot of opportunities I would not have had if I remained in my Eastern zone. At least, I have experienced Zamfara for myself and can now separate fact from fiction. The state is peaceful and friendly. You are appreciated as a Corps member.

    The state even has good amusement park when my Imo State cannot boast of one. I have seen their religious practices and I can now compare with mine. I have seen their flaws and I now know how I can help. I have understood that you don’t judge people or any entity from afar; you must come closer, live amongst them and you will be amazed at how much you did not know.

    More importantly, I have seen that we are all the same people and can exist as one; you as a Christian and I as a Muslim, life will still go on. Our cultural and religious differences are simply variety, which we all know are spices of life. There is really no need for the hate anyone because of his tongue, background or faith.

     

    Nnaemeka is a Corps member, NYSC GUSAU

  • LASU students donate blood

    LASU students donate blood

    The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Lagos State University (LASU) has expressed concern over what it calls poor health awareness among students.

    In a speech to kick off the union’s Free Health Week, during which students also donated blood, the Welfare Director, Alade Adegbite, said the exercise was to create awareness about some health issues and provide ways through which students could maintain a healthy life.

    He said students would be given free health talks, medical tests and screening for ailments, such as cancer and HIV/AIDS, among others.

    A member of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC), Mr Solomon Eka, said voluntary blood donation was necessary because it helped the body to produce new blood cells, reduces workload on the heart and the donors have access to blood without demand for replacement.

    He added that his team would test the donors of HIV 1 and 2, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, genotype and blood group.

    Eka described voluntary blood donation as a humanitarian service, which should be done once in every three months.

    Some of the students, who participated in the exercise, said they donated blood to save lives.

    Cecelia Ojo, 100-Level Microbiology, who donated blood for the first time, said: “I was a bit scared before the donation, but afterwards, I felt good and I would like to donate every time I have the opportunity. Through this, I am helping my society to increase the availability of blood and reduce death rate.”

    The Principal of the centre, Mr Deyenuma Akhigbe, described the exercise as a good idea, saying it is a responsibility everybody must engage in to save humanity. “There is no regret for doing it, rather one is doing well to his body,” he said.

     

  • CDS sensitises pupils on first aid

    Members of the Red Cross Community Development Service (CDS) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have trained over 60 pupils of Agho Comprehensive Secondary School, Egboroyin in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State on how to use first aid boxes.

    Fisayo Ekundayo, head of the CDS group, said the workshop was necessary to sensitise the pupils on how to make use of first aid boxes in school and home.

    The State Co-ordinator of the NYSC, Mr Nkereke Ibangha, described first aid as a necessary tool which every home must have. According to him, the constant replenishment of the first aid box with necessary tools would promote safety.

    Ibangha said he would continue to promote activities of Red Cross in the state.

     

  • CAMPUSLIFE man is Mr. Anambra Universe

    CAMPUSLIFE man is Mr. Anambra Universe

    A CAMPUSLIFE correspondent at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Francis Egwuatu, has won the Mr Anambra Universe pageant held last week for youths.

    The 21-year-old final year student of Mechanical Engineering, represented Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State in the contest. The pageant was held at the Marble Arch Hotel and Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State capital.

    The event, which was the first of its kind, was attended by youths and students, who came from various parts of the country.

    About 58 students entered for the contest online, while 37 were called for auditioning. After a series of training and test, the contestants were reduced to 16.

    The contestants were tested on physical strength in various attires. Their entrepreneurial skills were also tested when they were given tickets to sell to participants. The judges also engaged the contestants intellectually. The pictures of the contestants were later uploaded on the Internet for online voting by the public.

    At the end, Francis beat 15 others to win the contest.

    He attributed his success to divine mercy. According to him, hours to the event, he was already feeling bad that he was not going to win because he could not get highest number of votes cast by the public.

    Francis, however, won the contest because of his brilliance and entrepreneurial ability. He was presented with a Volkswagen Golf car and one year modelling contract.

    Elated, Francis told our correspondent: “I feel greatly honoured for this feat.”

    The show featured performances by several artistes. But the hall was more lively when Lynxx, a hip-hop artiste, took the stage.

    CAMPUSLIFE correspondent at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Francis Egwuatu, has won the Mr Anambra Universe pageant held last week for youths.

    The 21-year-old final year student of Mechanical Engineering, represented Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State in the contest. The pageant was held at the Marble Arch Hotel and Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State capital.

    The event, which was the first of its kind, was attended by youths and students, who came from various parts of the country.

    About 58 students entered for the contest online, while 37 were called for auditioning. After a series of training and test, the contestants were reduced to 16.

    The contestants were tested on physical strength in various attires. Their entrepreneurial skills were also tested when they were given tickets to sell to participants. The judges also engaged the contestants intellectually. The pictures of the contestants were later uploaded on the Internet for online voting by the public.

    At the end, Francis beat 15 others to win the contest.

    He attributed his success to divine mercy. According to him, hours to the event, he was already feeling bad that he was not going to win because he could not get highest number of votes cast by the public.

    Francis, however, won the contest because of his brilliance and entrepreneurial ability. He was presented with a Volkswagen Golf car and one year modelling contract.

    Elated, Francis told our correspondent: “I feel greatly honoured for this feat.”

    The show featured performances by several artistes. But the hall was more lively when Lynxx, a hip-hop artiste, took the stage.

    CAMPUSLIFE correspondent at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Francis Egwuatu, has won the Mr Anambra Universe pageant held last week for youths.

    The 21-year-old final year student of Mechanical Engineering, represented Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State in the contest. The pageant was held at the Marble Arch Hotel and Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State capital.

    The event, which was the first of its kind, was attended by youths and students, who came from various parts of the country.

    About 58 students entered for the contest online, while 37 were called for auditioning. After a series of training and test, the contestants were reduced to 16.

    The contestants were tested on physical strength in various attires. Their entrepreneurial skills were also tested when they were given tickets to sell to participants. The judges also engaged the contestants intellectually. The pictures of the contestants were later uploaded on the Internet for online voting by the public.

    At the end, Francis beat 15 others to win the contest.

    He attributed his success to divine mercy. According to him, hours to the event, he was already feeling bad that he was not going to win because he could not get highest number of votes cast by the public.

    Francis, however, won the contest because of his brilliance and entrepreneurial ability. He was presented with a Volkswagen Golf car and one year modelling contract.

    Elated, Francis told our correspondent: “I feel greatly honoured for this feat.”

    The show featured performances by several artistes. But the hall was more lively when Lynxx, a hip-hop artiste, took the stage.

    CAMPUSLIFE correspondent at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Francis Egwuatu, has won the Mr Anambra Universe pageant held last week for youths.

    The 21-year-old final year student of Mechanical Engineering, represented Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State in the contest. The pageant was held at the Marble Arch Hotel and Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State capital.

    The event, which was the first of its kind, was attended by youths and students, who came from various parts of the country.

    About 58 students entered for the contest online, while 37 were called for auditioning. After a series of training and test, the contestants were reduced to 16.

    The contestants were tested on physical strength in various attires. Their entrepreneurial skills were also tested when they were given tickets to sell to participants. The judges also engaged the contestants intellectually. The pictures of the contestants were later uploaded on the Internet for online voting by the public.

    At the end, Francis beat 15 others to win the contest.

    He attributed his success to divine mercy. According to him, hours to the event, he was already feeling bad that he was not going to win because he could not get highest number of votes cast by the public.

    Francis, however, won the contest because of his brilliance and entrepreneurial ability. He was presented with a Volkswagen Golf car and one year modelling contract.

    Elated, Francis told our correspondent: “I feel greatly honoured for this feat.”

    The show featured performances by several artistes. But the hall was more lively when Lynxx, a hip-hop artiste, took the stage.

    CAMPUSLIFE correspondent at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Francis Egwuatu, has won the Mr Anambra Universe pageant held last week for youths.

    The 21-year-old final year student of Mechanical Engineering, represented Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State in the contest. The pageant was held at the Marble Arch Hotel and Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State capital.

    The event, which was the first of its kind, was attended by youths and students, who came from various parts of the country.

    About 58 students entered for the contest online, while 37 were called for auditioning. After a series of training and test, the contestants were reduced to 16.

    The contestants were tested on physical strength in various attires. Their entrepreneurial skills were also tested when they were given tickets to sell to participants. The judges also engaged the contestants intellectually. The pictures of the contestants were later uploaded on the Internet for online voting by the public.

    At the end, Francis beat 15 others to win the contest.

    He attributed his success to divine mercy. According to him, hours to the event, he was already feeling bad that he was not going to win because he could not get highest number of votes cast by the public.

    Francis, however, won the contest because of his brilliance and entrepreneurial ability. He was presented with a Volkswagen Golf car and one year modelling contract.

    Elated, Francis told our correspondent: “I feel greatly honoured for this feat.”

    The show featured performances by several artistes. But the hall was more lively when Lynxx, a hip-hop artiste, took the stage.

    CAMPUSLIFE correspondent at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Francis Egwuatu, has won the Mr Anambra Universe pageant held last week for youths.

    The 21-year-old final year student of Mechanical Engineering, represented Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State in the contest. The pageant was held at the Marble Arch Hotel and Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State capital.

    The event, which was the first of its kind, was attended by youths and students, who came from various parts of the country.

    About 58 students entered for the contest online, while 37 were called for auditioning. After a series of training and test, the contestants were reduced to 16.

    The contestants were tested on physical strength in various attires. Their entrepreneurial skills were also tested when they were given tickets to sell to participants. The judges also engaged the contestants intellectually. The pictures of the contestants were later uploaded on the Internet for online voting by the public.

    At the end, Francis beat 15 others to win the contest.

    He attributed his success to divine mercy. According to him, hours to the event, he was already feeling bad that he was not going to win because he could not get highest number of votes cast by the public.

    Francis, however, won the contest because of his brilliance and entrepreneurial ability. He was presented with a Volkswagen Golf car and one year modelling contract.

    Elated, Francis told our correspondent: “I feel greatly honoured for this feat.”

    The show featured performances by several artistes. But the hall was more lively when Lynxx, a hip-hop artiste, took the stage.

    CAMPUSLIFE correspondent at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Francis Egwuatu, has won the Mr Anambra Universe pageant held last week for youths.

    The 21-year-old final year student of Mechanical Engineering, represented Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State in the contest. The pageant was held at the Marble Arch Hotel and Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State capital.

    The event, which was the first of its kind, was attended by youths and students, who came from various parts of the country.

    About 58 students entered for the contest online, while 37 were called for auditioning. After a series of training and test, the contestants were reduced to 16.

    The contestants were tested on physical strength in various attires. Their entrepreneurial skills were also tested when they were given tickets to sell to participants. The judges also engaged the contestants intellectually. The pictures of the contestants were later uploaded on the Internet for online voting by the public.

    At the end, Francis beat 15 others to win the contest.

    He attributed his success to divine mercy. According to him, hours to the event, he was already feeling bad that he was not going to win because he could not get highest number of votes cast by the public.

    Francis, however, won the contest because of his brilliance and entrepreneurial ability. He was presented with a Volkswagen Golf car and one year modelling contract.

    Elated, Francis told our correspondent: “I feel greatly honoured for this feat.”

    The show featured performances by several artistes. But the hall was more lively when Lynxx, a hip-hop artiste, took the stage.

    CAMPUSLIFE correspondent at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Francis Egwuatu, has won the Mr Anambra Universe pageant held last week for youths.

    The 21-year-old final year student of Mechanical Engineering, represented Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State in the contest. The pageant was held at the Marble Arch Hotel and Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State capital.

    The event, which was the first of its kind, was attended by youths and students, who came from various parts of the country.

    About 58 students entered for the contest online, while 37 were called for auditioning. After a series of training and test, the contestants were reduced to 16.

    The contestants were tested on physical strength in various attires. Their entrepreneurial skills were also tested when they were given tickets to sell to participants. The judges also engaged the contestants intellectually. The pictures of the contestants were later uploaded on the Internet for online voting by the public.

    At the end, Francis beat 15 others to win the contest.

    He attributed his success to divine mercy. According to him, hours to the event, he was already feeling bad that he was not going to win because he could not get highest number of votes cast by the public.

    Francis, however, won the contest because of his brilliance and entrepreneurial ability. He was presented with a Volkswagen Golf car and one year modelling contract.

    Elated, Francis told our correspondent: “I feel greatly honoured for this feat.”

    The show featured performances by several artistes. But the hall was more lively when Lynxx, a hip-hop artiste, took the stage.

    CAMPUSLIFE correspondent at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Francis Egwuatu, has won the Mr Anambra Universe pageant held last week for youths.

    The 21-year-old final year student of Mechanical Engineering, represented Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State in the contest. The pageant was held at the Marble Arch Hotel and Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State capital.

    The event, which was the first of its kind, was attended by youths and students, who came from various parts of the country.

    About 58 students entered for the contest online, while 37 were called for auditioning. After a series of training and test, the contestants were reduced to 16.

    The contestants were tested on physical strength in various attires. Their entrepreneurial skills were also tested when they were given tickets to sell to participants. The judges also engaged the contestants intellectually. The pictures of the contestants were later uploaded on the Internet for online voting by the public.

    At the end, Francis beat 15 others to win the contest.

    He attributed his success to divine mercy. According to him, hours to the event, he was already feeling bad that he was not going to win because he could not get highest number of votes cast by the public.

    Francis, however, won the contest because of his brilliance and entrepreneurial ability. He was presented with a Volkswagen Golf car and one year modelling contract.

    Elated, Francis told our correspondent: “I feel greatly honoured for this feat.”

    The show featured performances by several artistes. But the hall was more lively when Lynxx, a hip-hop artiste, took the stage.

    CAMPUSLIFE correspondent at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Francis Egwuatu, has won the Mr Anambra Universe pageant held last week for youths.

    The 21-year-old final year student of Mechanical Engineering, represented Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State in the contest. The pageant was held at the Marble Arch Hotel and Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State capital.

    The event, which was the first of its kind, was attended by youths and students, who came from various parts of the country.

    About 58 students entered for the contest online, while 37 were called for auditioning. After a series of training and test, the contestants were reduced to 16.

    The contestants were tested on physical strength in various attires. Their entrepreneurial skills were also tested when they were given tickets to sell to participants. The judges also engaged the contestants intellectually. The pictures of the contestants were later uploaded on the Internet for online voting by the public.

    At the end, Francis beat 15 others to win the contest.

    He attributed his success to divine mercy. According to him, hours to the event, he was already feeling bad that he was not going to win because he could not get highest number of votes cast by the public.

    Francis, however, won the contest because of his brilliance and entrepreneurial ability. He was presented with a Volkswagen Golf car and one year modelling contract.

    Elated, Francis told our correspondent: “I feel greatly honoured for this feat.”

    The show featured performances by several artistes. But the hall was more lively when Lynxx, a hip-hop artiste, took the stage.

    CAMPUSLIFE correspondent at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Francis Egwuatu, has won the Mr Anambra Universe pageant held last week for youths.

    The 21-year-old final year student of Mechanical Engineering, represented Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State in the contest. The pageant was held at the Marble Arch Hotel and Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State capital.

    The event, which was the first of its kind, was attended by youths and students, who came from various parts of the country.

    About 58 students entered for the contest online, while 37 were called for auditioning. After a series of training and test, the contestants were reduced to 16.

    The contestants were tested on physical strength in various attires. Their entrepreneurial skills were also tested when they were given tickets to sell to participants. The judges also engaged the contestants intellectually. The pictures of the contestants were later uploaded on the Internet for online voting by the public.

    At the end, Francis beat 15 others to win the contest.

    He attributed his success to divine mercy. According to him, hours to the event, he was already feeling bad that he was not going to win because he could not get highest number of votes cast by the public.

    Francis, however, won the contest because of his brilliance and entrepreneurial ability. He was presented with a Volkswagen Golf car and one year modelling contract.

    Elated, Francis told our correspondent: “I feel greatly honoured for this feat.”

    The show featured performances by several artistes. But the hall was more lively when Lynxx, a hip-hop artiste, took the stage.

    CAMPUSLIFE correspondent at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Francis Egwuatu, has won the Mr Anambra Universe pageant held last week for youths.

    The 21-year-old final year student of Mechanical Engineering, represented Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State in the contest. The pageant was held at the Marble Arch Hotel and Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State capital.

    The event, which was the first of its kind, was attended by youths and students, who came from various parts of the country.

    About 58 students entered for the contest online, while 37 were called for auditioning. After a series of training and test, the contestants were reduced to 16.

    The contestants were tested on physical strength in various attires. Their entrepreneurial skills were also tested when they were given tickets to sell to participants. The judges also engaged the contestants intellectually. The pictures of the contestants were later uploaded on the Internet for online voting by the public.

    At the end, Francis beat 15 others to win the contest.

    He attributed his success to divine mercy. According to him, hours to the event, he was already feeling bad that he was not going to win because he could not get highest number of votes cast by the public.

    Francis, however, won the contest because of his brilliance and entrepreneurial ability. He was presented with a Volkswagen Golf car and one year modelling contract.

    Elated, Francis told our correspondent: “I feel greatly honoured for this feat.”

    The show featured performances by several artistes. But the hall was more lively when Lynxx, a hip-hop artiste, took the stage.

    CAMPUSLIFE correspondent at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Francis Egwuatu, has won the Mr Anambra Universe pageant held last week for youths.

    The 21-year-old final year student of Mechanical Engineering, represented Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State in the contest. The pageant was held at the Marble Arch Hotel and Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State capital.

    The event, which was the first of its kind, was attended by youths and students, who came from various parts of the country.

    About 58 students entered for the contest online, while 37 were called for auditioning. After a series of training and test, the contestants were reduced to 16.

    The contestants were tested on physical strength in various attires. Their entrepreneurial skills were also tested when they were given tickets to sell to participants. The judges also engaged the contestants intellectually. The pictures of the contestants were later uploaded on the Internet for online voting by the public.

    At the end, Francis beat 15 others to win the contest.

    He attributed his success to divine mercy. According to him, hours to the event, he was already feeling bad that he was not going to win because he could not get highest number of votes cast by the public.

    Francis, however, won the contest because of his brilliance and entrepreneurial ability. He was presented with a Volkswagen Golf car and one year modelling contract.

    Elated, Francis told our correspondent: “I feel greatly honoured for this feat.”

    The show featured performances by several artistes. But the hall was more lively when Lynxx, a hip-hop artiste, took the stage.

    CAMPUSLIFE correspondent at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Francis Egwuatu, has won the Mr Anambra Universe pageant held last week for youths.

    The 21-year-old final year student of Mechanical Engineering, represented Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State in the contest. The pageant was held at the Marble Arch Hotel and Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State capital.

    The event, which was the first of its kind, was attended by youths and students, who came from various parts of the country.

    About 58 students entered for the contest online, while 37 were called for auditioning. After a series of training and test, the contestants were reduced to 16.

    The contestants were tested on physical strength in various attires. Their entrepreneurial skills were also tested when they were given tickets to sell to participants. The judges also engaged the contestants intellectually. The pictures of the contestants were later uploaded on the Internet for online voting by the public.

    At the end, Francis beat 15 others to win the contest.

    He attributed his success to divine mercy. According to him, hours to the event, he was already feeling bad that he was not going to win because he could not get highest number of votes cast by the public.

    Francis, however, won the contest because of his brilliance and entrepreneurial ability. He was presented with a Volkswagen Golf car and one year modelling contract.

    Elated, Francis told our correspondent: “I feel greatly honoured for this feat.”

    The show featured performances by several artistes. But the hall was more lively when Lynxx, a hip-hop artiste, took the stage.

    CAMPUSLIFE correspondent at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Francis Egwuatu, has won the Mr Anambra Universe pageant held last week for youths.

    The 21-year-old final year student of Mechanical Engineering, represented Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State in the contest. The pageant was held at the Marble Arch Hotel and Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State capital.

    The event, which was the first of its kind, was attended by youths and students, who came from various parts of the country.

    About 58 students entered for the contest online, while 37 were called for auditioning. After a series of training and test, the contestants were reduced to 16.

    The contestants were tested on physical strength in various attires. Their entrepreneurial skills were also tested when they were given tickets to sell to participants. The judges also engaged the contestants intellectually. The pictures of the contestants were later uploaded on the Internet for online voting by the public.

    At the end, Francis beat 15 others to win the contest.

    He attributed his success to divine mercy. According to him, hours to the event, he was already feeling bad that he was not going to win because he could not get highest number of votes cast by the public.

    Francis, however, won the contest because of his brilliance and entrepreneurial ability. He was presented with a Volkswagen Golf car and one year modelling contract.

    Elated, Francis told our correspondent: “I feel greatly honoured for this feat.”

    The show featured performances by several artistes. But the hall was more lively when Lynxx, a hip-hop artiste, took the stage.

     

  • Aregbesola plants tree of life

    Aregbesola plants tree of life

    It was 7am and the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile- Ife was filled with guests and members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) from within and outside Osun State. Academic activities were literally brought to a halt as students, in green and white attires, welcomed the honoree, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, to the university.

    The award was organised by the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies, OAU in partnership with the Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria and the National Parks Service, Abuja.

    As people trooped into the campus, security operatives had a hectic time controlling them. At 8:34 am, the convoy of members of the State Executive Council led by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, arrived.

    Clad in a green attire with white trousers to match, Mrs. Laoye-Tomori led commissioners to the Vice-Chancellor’s office, where they were received by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof Ayobami Salami, and top members of the university’s management.

    Appreciating the management for recognising and supporting all developmental initiatives of the government, Mrs. Laoye-Tomori said the Aregbesola administration was proud of the university for being environmental-friendly.

    A few minutes after, Prof Salami, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bamitale Omole, led guests to the Jimoh Ibrahim Post Graduate Building to welcome Aregbesola for the tree-planting initiative of the government, tagged Igi Iye (tree of life).

    Welcoming guests, Director of the Institute, Dr Olusegun Awotoye, said Aregbesola was honoured in recognition of his administration’s initiatives on the environment through various programmes such as O-CLEAN and others.

    Awotoye congratulated the governor for being the third recipient of the prestigious award. Past awardees are Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and former Governor Donald Duke of Cross River State.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Sanitation, Mr Bola Ilori, said the survival of humanity depended on trees to restore friendly weather, adding that Igi Iye would be planted in towns and villages and not in the forest.

    He said God remained the best environmentalist with the creation of the Garden of Eden before man. He praised the institute for the support, commending OAU Parks and Garden for supporting the beautification project.

    Prof Bukola Oyawoye, Commissioner for Agriculture, said Aregbesola had worked hard to save the environment. Reading from Genesis 2:8, she noted that God believed that man could not survive without the environment, which was why it came first before man.

    Earlier, Prof Omole, noted that the university had a plan for ecology and the environment since 1972 after it held a conference on ecology and the environment.

    He promised to partner the state in its afforestration and environmental programmes.

    The highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of the Gold Environment Award Aregbesola.

    Responding, Aregbesola thanked the university for maintaining the standard and making the dreams of its founding fathers a reality. He restated the government’s readiness to partner with the university to improve the environment.

    Singing to the admiration of the guests, the governor said his joy knew no bounds, adding: “It is not easy to receive an award put together by three distinct and reputable organisations. It is uncommon for a university like OAU to lend its hallowed ground for a programme like this. I salute the management team.”

    Describing environment as humanity’s common heritage, Aregbesola said: “I want the children who are in their formative years to take this initiative with all their hearts. We have imbibed a positive spirit that we must improve our environment. For us in Osun, the environment is not something to trample upon but something that must be cherished and taken care of.

    “To the children, we are borrowing your time and you must not allow us to misuse it. We do not believe that the environment belong to us. It was bequeathed to us by our predecessors and so also we shall bequeath it to you.”

    Saying that the award will further spur more progressive action, the governor urged the youths to see opportunities in his administration’s environmental policies.

    Presenting the symbolic trees to the OAU managment, Aregbesola, who was joined by Oyawoye, Dr Awotoye and a female student representing the youths, said that the state had bought 2.5m seedlings for the initiative.

    The presentation of Igi Iye by Aregbesola was witnessed by Prof Salami, Registrar, Mr Dotun Awoyemi, traditional rulers, members of the state executives and students. The governor later planted the symbolic tree on the campus.

    Ace Nollywood actor, Saheed Balogun and hip-hop sensation, Olamide, thrilled the guests and students after the ceremony.

  • How to promote culture

    How to promote culture

    The Department of Sociology and Anthropology of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has held a cultural symposium for students of the department. KEMI BUSARI (400-Level Political Science) writes.

    The World Cultural Day may have come and gone, but the memory of the cultural celebration held at the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, will linger in the memory of students.

    The programme with the theme: Cultural dialogue and integration: A pathway to unity and development in Nigeria was attended by lecturers, Sociology students from the Federal University of Oye (FUOYE), Oye-Ekiti.

    Mr Joshua Ayodele, a lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, OAU, in his address, noted that though many rolled out drums to celebrate their cultures, the world had been reduced to an artificial object.

    He said it was important for nations to engage in cultural dialogue to achieve development. He said: “Since culture is a way of life of people, there is the need for proper representation of such people in the cultural dialogue. This will go a long way in promoting unity and understanding among various cultural elements.”

    Stressing that cultural dialogue should be an ongoing process, the sociologist said every informed individual needed to be actively involved in promoting peaceful coexistence of various cultures.

    He added: “It is observed that cultures have been more developed today than in the past. This development is due to the enlargement in trade, technology, education and migration.”

    Emphasising that cultural dialogue remains the solution to Nigeria’s challenge, Ayodele said discouraging dialogue would lead to ignorance, intolerance and loss of opportunity to learn about one another’s way of life.

    Prof Moses Awogbaje, a lecturer, said the focus on study of culture was to identify diversity, which he described as a major problem in every plural society.

    “For us to develop as a nation, we need to identify and proffer solutions to the problem of diversity,” he charged.

    Dr Lateef Adisa, who represented the head of the department, said harmonisation of cultures must be taken into consideration in dialogues about peace and unity among cultural elements.

    His words: “We need to focus on the non-material aspect of our culture; there is no nation that can develop if citizens are chosen on standards alien to their culture.”

    Olawale Olatujoye, chairman of organising committee, said he was delighted by the success of the programme, urging students to advance the cause of peace.

    The programme also featured Ifa presentation by students. Also, Urhobo students presented while members of Kegites Club thrill the participants with their gyration songs.