The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Bank donates fire station to varsity

    Bank donates fire station to varsity

    Wema Bank Plc has donated a fire service station to the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR).

    The gesture, according to its Zonal Manager, Mr Oluwasegun Olawepo, was motivated by the bank’s commitment to the wellbeing of its host-community.

    Presenting the building to the management of OAU, Olawepo said: “It is always good to be in a serene environment. Wema Bank is proud to be associated with OAU.”

    He said the project took them months to complete. OAU, Olawepo noted, is blessed with a serene, peaceful and accommodating environment, which made the bank’s operations easy and smooth.

    “This is one of the several CSR projects because we feel it is appropriate to reward the community where we operate,” he said.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bamitale Omole, thanked the bank and challenged it to carry out more responsibilities.

    “This is a defining moment in the context of our Public-Private Partnership (PPP). One of our most important concessions when we assumed office was to have a good security outfit. With this beautiful building, we believe that our university can move to its desire,” he said.

    Tasking the bank to provide a fire truck for the operation, he expressed the administration’s appreciation for the gesture.

    The Principal Fire Officer, Mr Ibrahim Adediran, described the development as a dream come true, explaining that the unit was created after the 1982 and 1983 fires in the institution.

    “We used to call on fire service men from Lagere and Osogbo but it always takes time before they get to the scene. That was when the school management decided to purchase a fire truck for us,” he explained.

    Present at the event included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof Ademola Ajayi, Librarian, Mrs Bukky Asubiojo, Bursar, Mrs Ronke Akeredolu, chairman, Security Committee, Prof Fabayo Ademola, Business Development Manager, Wema Bank, Mrs Eniola Oyedele, and the Chief Security Officer, Mr Paul Ogidi.

  • Education students hold congress

    Education students hold congress

    The National Universities Education Students Association (NUESA), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) chapter, has held its congress.

    The event, which took place at the faculty’s lecture theatre, started at 3pm with an opening prayer, which was said by the Financial Secretary of the Joy Ikhioya. This was followed by a minute silence in honour of a lecturer, the late Dr. Emmanuel Adeoye.

    In his address, the president, Abdulrazak Babatunde, congratulated the students on the success of the faculty’s Ankara Day.

    The event was followed by an award ceremony, attended by Nollywood actors Femi Branch, Adebayo Salami and Tunde Kelani.

    Abdulrazak praised the faculty representatives for their support during his tenure.

     

  • The final act

    The final act

    Freshers watched with mouths agape as the final year students of Performing Arts (PFA) Department of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) came to the campus in funny cultural dresses, last week. Many of the students thought they were going for a cultural festival somewhere in town.

    The students came for serious business: a stage performance to commemorate their final year project work. The exercise was a combination of drama and music, which is part of the requirements for the students to be graded in PFA 499, a final year project course.

    The department uses students’ performance in stage plays to determine their ability to apply the practical aspects of the discipline, such as casting, costuming, acting, directing, lighting and stage properties, which they were taught for four years.

    The students were divided into 12 groups and each group was expected to perform a stage play at the PFA theatre.

    One of the groups, G 12, performed a drama entitled Voke, which was written by Peter Odogbor. The play is about a young woman, Voke, who is the only child of her parents, Idi and Omuta.

    Voke fell in love with a young man, Johnny, but she was promiscuous and not satisfied with Johnny. During their wedding, the officiating priest asked the congregation if anyone had a reason the couple should not be joined together in holy matrimony. Three men stood up; they claimed Voke was their lover. On sighting the men, Voke fainted but she was revived to shame.

    Other groups presented their drama and opera, which portrayed different experiences.

    Present at the event were the acting head of the department, Adeoye Abdulrasheed, General Manager, Radio Kwara, Mr Abdullateef Adedeji, Deputy Head of Press, Kwara State Government, Mr Ayo Akanbi, Prof Nasiru Akanji, Dr Jelili Ojuade and Dr Solomon Ikibe.

    A final year student, Folake Omoyiola, said rehearsing the drama before presentation was challenging for students, but praised the department’s lecturers for rendering support to students during the project defence.

     

     

  • Still on My Oga at the top

    This question may be asked: “Who are the people that do not prepare for an examination or interview before they have one? Well, the answer may not be far-fetched but it should not surprise many if somebody says “Nigerian students”.

    Even our leaders – yes the same leaders who rant and rave about the high rate of failure in national examinations – are also guilty of this offence. How many of them prepare for the offices they occupy? Are we the followers supposed to fare any better?

    I have tried so hard to forgive our President Goodluck Jonathan for embarrassing and depleting his own image and that of the Nigerian people while answering questions by Christine Amanpour in an interview on Cable News Network (CNN). Sure, we all remember Mr. President’s timidity and lack of composure, coupled with bullets from grammatical errors during the interview. The way the President wobbled before the world showed he didn’t prepare for the discussion.

    A few months later, another government official and former Lagos State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Obafaiye Shem, chose to introduce a comic chapter into what is now being referred to official negligence.

    Does it look strange? To be explicit, if anybody has not heard about “My oga at the top” trend, then such a fellow must have just come from another planet. The NSCDC boss fluttered when he was asked to say the official website of the agency on Breakfast programme on Channels television. He said: “www.nscdc.that’s all”.

    Probing further, the interviewers asked “dot what” but he replied: “I won’t want to tell you anything now and ‘my oga at the top’ would tell you another.” Oh my God, does this show a sign of education in the age of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)?

    Now, this is coming at a time when the NSCDC is trying to convince the world that it is made up of professionals if the officers’ effort in checkmating pipeline vandalism in Arepo, Ogun State is anything to go by. Civil Defence Corps are beginning to prove to be good alternative and even more respected officers than the police. It is therefore appalling that someone, who himself is at the top, would now come to destroy the effort his officers had made to give the institution a good image.

    My Oga at the top is now considered a metaphor for pit of rot and indiscipline in which our public system has sunk. No functioning institution. We have come to see leadership not as service to the people but as means of oppression. Leadership has become more of power tussles than selfless service. That explains why an oga at the top can change the official name of a website with a word of mouth; not through proper procedures nothing.

    In Obafaiye’s defence, the NSCDC said he didn’t commit any crime but only lost composure, which is human. My reply to this is that, in saner countries, anyone who causes such embarrassment to his employer would not wait to be sanctioned but resign to protect his reputation and that of the organisation.

    Finally, we Nigerians should get rid of our ogas at the top, who have contributed to the country underdevelopment. We can achieve this not by killing them but by doing what is right and is expected of us in the coming general elections. Like my analytical chemistry oga would say: “are we ready?”

     

    Sarat, 200-Level Applied Chemistry, UDU Sokoto

     

  • Association welcomes freshers

    Association welcomes freshers

    The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) chapter of the National Association of Ondo Students (NAOS) has welcomed new members. The orientation was held at the Faculty of Arts lecture theatre.

    Its President, Israel Fagbemigun, urged the students to imbibe the virtues of hard work and commitment to academic excellence.

    In a lecture titled A Progressive students association: An imperative for youth and environmental development, Information Officer of Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) Mr Ayo Igbasanmi noted that one way to bring progress and development to the nation was through youth development.

    He advised the students to acquire skills and ability that would make them outstanding in their various fields.

    Manager of a food outlet on campus Mr Awosika Ibidapo spoke to the students on practical steps to be successful entrepreneurs. He said students must be focused on their priorities and cultivate an habit of time management. The association also presented awards to deserving persons.

  • Fresher wins marathon

    A 400-Level Law student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Abimbola Amusan, has organised a marathon for female students of the Faculty of Law.

    The race, which had 12 contestants, started at Anglomoz and ended at the Sports Centre.

    Our correspondent gathered that the initiative was targeted at making female students fit. Khadijat Ogunremi, 100-Level Law, won the race.

    During the freshers’ orientation, Khadijat was given a cash prize of N5,000, a plaque and a customised t-shirt with a magazine.

    Esther Ansa, who came second, was given a plaque, t-shirt and a magazine. The third placed contestant got a plaque and a motivational magazine.

    Other contestants were awarded certificates of merit.

    Abimbola thanked God for the success of the event, expressing joy that there was no causality. He also appreciated the Law Student Society (LSS) for its support.

     

  • Fellowship fights indecent dressing

    Fellowship fights indecent dressing

    Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS), Moddibo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola, has held a campaign against indecent dressing.

    Its members, who were clad in black and white outfits, marched round the hostels with placards with inscriptions such as “Stop indecent dressing” and “God does not support indecent dressing” and others.

    The President of the group, Ezekiel Bwala, 500-Level Mechanical Technology Education, said the rally was necessitated by the level of indecent dressing among students on the campus.

    He said: “We are not here to judge or condemn anybody but to remind everyone that decency is the hallmark of Christianity and Islam. God frowns at immoral outlooks because they don’t portray his original intension and purpose for mankind and is a form of misrepresentation of who God is.”

    He urged Christian students to dress decently, saying indecency is sinful before God.

    “Since nobody can see what is in your heart, it is only your appearance that people will judge and it is how you dress that people will address you,” he said. Christian literatures on dress code were distributed during the campaign.

  • Southeast students get leaders

    The National Association of Southeast Nigerian Students (NASENS) has elected new leaders. The election took place at Ohaneze Ndigbo Secretariat in Enugu State.

    Peter Edeh, a student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, was elected president of the association. Georgette Ekechukwu, a student of Abia State University (ABSU) became the Vice President (Internal), while Gloria Okolikeotti, student of Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Enugu, was elected the Vice President (External).

    Others are Secretary General, Nnanna Ezichi-Iko, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Assistant General Secretary, Uchechukwu Awagu, Federal Polytechnic, Oko (OKO POLY), Public Relations Officer Franklin Agu, Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT), Director of Transport, James Uduma, UNEC, Director of Mobilisation, Kelechi Idemili, UNN, Director of Academics, Shedrack Akaa, UNEC, Director of Finance, Chukwuemeka Otta, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), and Michael Ede, Ebonyi State University (EBSU), who is the Treasurer.

    Peter thanked his supporters for their efforts towards his election. He promised to protect the image and integrity of the association. Former President of the association, Kingsley Chidozie, welcomed the new leadership.

    He charged them to fight and protect the interest of students. Kingsley thanked Ohanaeze Ndigbo Leadership for making the election peaceful. He commended Enugu State Command of the police, State Security Service and Nigerian Army for their assistance during the polls.

    The leaders have been sworn in. The event witnessed the presentation of awards to some Igbo leaders.

  • Education as nuisance to the society

    Apologies to Dr Segun Oni of the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos (UNILAG), for the headline of this piece. He was the one who used the line to describe the current state of the nation’s educational system at all levels.

    The Encarta dictionary defines nuisance as somebody or something irritating or something not allowed by law because it causes harm or offence, either to people or to an individual person. The same dictionary further states that an educated person is one that is well taught, cultured and knowledgeable.

    Education is a tool for national development but how has it become a nuisance to the society? In October 2009, a member of the House of Representatives, Dipo Oyedokun, gave an astonishing revelation that over 40 million Nigerian youths are jobless in a country of 160 million. The figure represents 26.9 per cent of the population.

    Education becomes a societal nuisance when the products of our prestigious ivory towers turn out to be of little benefit to the society as a result of lack of appropriate skill for self-independence and unwillingness to engage in selfless service to fellow citizens. This becomes a burden on the society as witnessed in the large number of underpaid and jobless graduates in the Nigeria.

    An educated person is expected to possess basic skills, which ought to distinguish him and make him a better person than an illiterate. Such skills include knowledge, values, intelligence and a good sense of judgment. But reverse has been the case as the so-called graduates have, over the years, demonstrated lack of necessary skill to succeed even in personal business.

    An average university graduate is expected to have undergone courses on entrepreneurship, which is a vital tool for creativity and self-independence. But most students take those courses for good grades and not to get the maximum benefit from it. Little wonder they end up as job seekers and not job providers.

    Our tertiary institutions are today theatre gang murder. Recently, a cult clash in the Lagos State University (LASU) claimed the life of at least three undergraduates of the institution, thereby causing fear among students.

    Many students are engaging in examination malpractice to get admission into tertiary institutions. In many cases, examination date have been postponed, questions changed as a result of leakage and corruptions by some lecturers. This disturbing depravity has over the years made the Nigerians to lose faith in our education system.

    Some wealthy Nigerians have been sending their wards for schooling oversea and the implication of that is our economy loses over $2billion to such act.

    The situation is further aggravated when we consider the performance of our students in external examinations such as West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO).

    In WAEC for instance, the average failure are 72 – 75 per cent in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 in a country that prides itself as the giant of Africa, which is ambitious to be among the best 20 economies in the year 2020.

    The sorry state of the educational system has been blamed on the fact that our education system operates on faulty and outdated curricula. Our students’ desire for education is geared towards the acquisition of certificates only and not knowledge.

    Several Nigerian graduates do not fit into R.S. Peters criteria of who an educated person should be as highlighted by Isiche (Ph.D) in his book, Philosophy of Education.

    In the book, a graduate is expected to have a body of knowledge and understanding of basic principles. This implies that a supposedly educated person must not only be knowledgeable but he must also understand the reasons behind the knowledge. It is not useful if a person can answer a question but finds it difficult to explain how he arrived at the answer.

    The second criterion in R.S. Peters’ book is “cognitive criterion” that requires an individual to possess great knowledge in his field of study and related discipline. Such person must be able to deliver when called upon to solve problems. That the country is lacking in this quality of graduates is not an understatement. We have many graduates, who cannot not speak, write or express themselves in the clearly even in their mothers’ tongue.

    The third is “commitment criterion” that requires an educated person to be conversant with the standards emanating from his field. Graduates must be aware of new trends and practices and also work assiduously towards making meaningful contribution to the development and progress of his discipline.

    The fourth is “transformation criterion”. This, in my opinion, is the most important of the four R.S. Peters’ criteria. It serves as combination of the first three. It means that an educated person must be totally transformed in deed and in action as a result of the education he has acquired; he must see things differently, analyse issues saliently and be a responsible member of the society.

    It is obvious that quite a number of today’s youths do not fit into the four criteria as highlighted by R.S. Peters. Let all hands be on deck towards the realisation of these progressive criteria in other to revive our ailing education system.

     

    Modiu, 300-Level Mathematics and Education, UNILAG

  • A homecoming event

    About 60 students of Osun origin in the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) take toured many ancient institutions in their home state. WALE BAKARE (300-Level Zoology) writes.

     

     

    For three days, about 60 students of Osun origin studying at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) visited various ancient institutions and sites in their home state on excursion.

    According to Abdulmojeed Fasasi, president of National Association of Osun State Students (NAOSS), the visit was to familiarise members with the culture of the State of Living Spring.

    When the students reached their destination, their first port of call was the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) in Ile Aweyi area, where they were received by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Tunde Adeyemo.

    Conducting them round the corporation, Adeyemo said the corporation was inaugurated in 2001 by former Governor Bisi Akande, with the motive to educate, entertain and inform the public.

    On their arrival at the palace of Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, the students were received by the Jagun of Osogbo, Chief Gabriel Oparanti, who welcomed them to the ancient town.

    The monarch advised the students against keeping bad company, saying they must be good ambassadors of the state in line with its Ipinle Omoluabi epithet.

    On the second day, the Osun Groove and Olumerin Waterfall in Erin Ijesha hosted the students. To make their expedition memorable, the tourists played various games, having fun at the water fall.

    The tour guide told the students how Osogbo came into existence.

    Alaro and Olutemenhin, in the course of hunting, got to a river, in which one of them urinated and heard a voice saying “Oso Igbo” from where Osogbo derived its name. The river is worshipped every year.

    At the National Museum, Ife, Mrs Bolanle Aleshinloye, a worker in the museum, told the students: “The history of Ile Ife is woven around Moremi. Oral tradition claims that Moremi, a fearless, courageous and exceptionally beautiful woman was from Offa. She married Ooni Oranmiyan and helped Ife to overcome the seemingly super human Igbo warriors who hid behind palm trees to attack, enslave and impoverish Ife people. Her patriotic strides brought about the establishment of Edi festival and the evolution of Moremi groove and shrine, which are still meeting the cultural and religious needs of the people.” The students also visited palace of the Ooni of Ife, and Ile-Ife.

    Abdulmojeed, 400-Level Biochemistry, said: “What I saw during the excursion made me to know that Nigeria is not only a nation blessed with natural resources but also blessed with rich cultural heritage. We should have a great sense of pride in our culture because if we don’t do that, non-Africans will believe we don’t have a background.”

    Arikewuyo Zaniab, History 200-Level, said: “Osun State has a fantastic heritage. I believe something good will happen if our government can harness the potential of these tourist sites.”

    Also, Jibril Aliyu, 400-Level Biochemistry, said: “I praise the leaders of the association for this wonderful opportunity. The problem with our country is the failure to tap and generate wealth from our rich heritage.”