The Nation Newspaper

Category: Campus Life

  • Leaders for Osun students

    The National Association of Osun State Students (NAOSS), Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree, has inaugurated a new executive. The ceremony, which was held at the New Lecture Hall 7, was attended by the chairman of the association’s electoral commission, Bashir Fatai and president of OSPOLY Students’ Union Government (SUG), Abiodun Osin.

    Fatai dissolved the outgoing executive before swearing in the new officials. In his admonition, Abiodun noted that the youth in every society remained the dynamic, energetic, courageous and productive. He charged the incoming members of the association to work for students who elected them into the offices.

    The new executive is led by Gafar Usman. Others are Abolore Ogundapo, Vice President; Olumuyiwa Ogunleye, General Secretary; Muibat Mohammed, Assistant General Secretary; Kazeem Alade, Financial Secretary; Ayomikun Adesogbon, Treasurer, and Jonathan Adeyanju, Auditor General.

    Others are, Idowu Olapade, Public Relations Officer 1; Habeeb Mustapha, Social Director; Taiwo Lawal, Welfare Director and Sikiru Okiki, Chief Whip.

    In his remark, Gafar noted that his administration would discharge its responsibilities without fear or favour to any group. He also promised to make life better for the members of the association.

  • Restructuring campus associations

    In all parts of Nigeria, higher institutions are replete with many students’ associations, which range from departmental to faculty clubs. These associations are established to cater for the academic, physical, mental and social well-being of their members.

    Most institutions recognise the roles played by these unions in intellectual, man-power and managerial development of students; they, therefore, encourage and promote such associations in their bid to make students responsible. Unfortunately, some of these bodies have deviated from the role they are expected to play in the lives of students; they have become shadow of what they used to be.

    Nowadays, leaders of these bodies erroneously believed their responsibilities, after collecting annual due from members, are to organise symposium, dinner and giving out souvenirs to members. They leave out academic and mental development, thus failing in their responsibilities to members. This has contributed to the problem of affecting graduates of higher institutions, who many employers describe as half-baked and unemployable.

    Associations such as Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS), Nigerian Association of Science Students (NASS) and a host of others are used to know as platforms through which students acquire skill in management and politics. But all that appears to be past glories as those bodies are now shadows of what they used to be.

    Most departmental and faculty associations have become a platform for embezzlement and immorality. The monumental fraud being perpetuated by leaders in some of these associations makes one to wonder if there is hope for the nation, because fraudsters are the people that will graduate to become tomorrow’s leader!

    As the Yoruba saying goes, omo ti o ba ma je asamu, ati kekere ni yio ti maa se enu shamu shamu (a child’s character in adult stage will be determined by his behaviour at childhood). It is no news any longer to hear of students’ leaders siphoning their colleagues’ funds. What a shame!

    The terrible state of the bodies is as a result of dereliction of duties and a reflection of the general trend of things in the country. Students’ associations have now become a means to obtain power to suck fellow students dry, but this must not be allowed to continue.

    Associations must review their roles in molding the character of students. Orientation should be organised to tutor students vying for leadership on campus. Professional counsellors should be employed to teach them what is expected of them as leaders of department or faculty. This must be done before they are allowed to orientate freshers admitted into the institution.

    Also, academic development of members should be important to any good association on campus. They should start looking beyond dinners and souvenirs to see to the all-round development of members. Doing this will make members acquire the skills and wisdom needed to survive after graduation from the school.

    Authorities of higher institutions should put mechanisms in place that will ensure that cases of embezzlement are totally eliminated in students’ associations. Also, institutions should monitor these bodies to ensure that misfits are not allowed to use associations as vehicle of personal enrichment. If there is a time when students’ associations should be made to function effectively, the time is now.

     

    Abiola, 500-Level Veterinary Medicine, FUNAAB

  • Pastor Adeboye prays for OAU, Nigeria

    Pastor Adeboye prays for OAU, Nigeria

    For two days, the community of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, rose in prayers for the institution and the nation. Over 5,000 Christians converged on the university’s sports’ complex for the yearly thanksgiving service programme held by the University Christian Mobilisation Committee. The theme of the service was The light of the world.

    The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, graced the yearly service in company of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bamitale Omole. The programme started at 4:39 pm with intercessory prayers for the university community and the country, after which the committees’ choristers rendered hymns of praise.

    Ministering, Adeboye, who took his lesson from John 9:5, stressed the need for Christians to be alive to their responsibilities. He urged the congregation to intensify prayers to chase the forces darkness working against the progress of the nation. The cleric, who is an alumnus of the university, also offered prayers for the progress of the institution.

    On the second day, the service began at 7am, with Pastor Adeboye taking his lesson on the nature of light from four perspectives. He urged unity among Christians, while taking Bible reading from book of Matthew.

    Olasumbo Esan, a Microbiology student, praised the efforts of the organisers for bringing such “high-profile” pastor to pray for the institution. She said: “This generation has been drifted away from faith, but with programmes like this one, I hope the future holds the best for us.”

    Ibukunoluwa Ogunyemi, a pre-degree student, who came from the university’s Ipetumodu campus, Ife North Local Government Area, said such service would be a reminder for Christians to continue to pray for the country.

     

  • Medical students challenged on research

    Medical students in the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have been charged to see academic research as a veritable way of acquire knowledge as against the traditional practice, which places emphasises on reading. The charge was given during a workshop by Research Africa on modern technique in research.

    Addressing participants, STEP-B Project Manager, who is also the Director of Research of the institution, Prof Emmanuel Ezedinachi, urged students not to wait till their final year before getting involved in research.

    The don said the directorate was established to emphasise and make research continuous culture, especially in the academia. According to him, Research Africa was an online platform that helped potential researchers to access funding agencies based on the quality of written proposal.

    In his remark, a member of STEP-B project, Prof Bassey Okon, said the aim of the workshop was to open the minds of the medical students and let them know that there was more to the discipline than the routine of clinical diagnosis and therapy.

    Prof Okon advised students to see academic research as an avenue to stand out saying, “if you ask the right questions, you can achieve anything.” He added that all that was required of the participants was the will and commitment, assuring that with STEP-B project, getting funding for viable research was no longer a problem.

    The students were tutored on various methodologies of research in the field. Researchers such as the Dean of Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Prof Anne Asuquo, encouraged the students to diversify into other areas and take research seriously.

     

  • Fire stills radio’s voice

    Fire stills radio’s voice

    A radio station, Search FM, established by the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) has been gutted by fire. Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. TOLULOPE AJOBIEWE, DAVID OSU (400-Level Urban and Regional Planning) and TARFA BENSON (500-Level Quantity Surveying) report.

     

    A midnight fire has caused some destruction at the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA). The institution’s radio station, Search FM, which was established three years ago, was completely razed.

    The station, which has won several awards in its three-year operation, was popular among students. It was through the station that the management passed information to students and other members of the university.

    The news of the fire started like a rumour among students when there was a sudden loss in transmission. But as smoke billowed from the building, the students’ doubts were erased.

    Though the station was situated on the ground floor of the General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Library Complex at the Gidan Kwano Campus, students on Bosso Campus rushed to the scene to see things for themselves. They lamented the school’s inability to contain the inferno.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the fire, which started at 12:45am, was said to have been caused by a faulty air conditioner.

    Our correspondents learnt that a worker tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher hung around the building but discovered that the cylinder was empty. When a functional fire extinguisher was fetched, the fire had gone out of control.

    The official was said to have rushed to the fire station on the campus, where a tanker was parked, but the firefighters were not on duty. With the help of other sympathisers, the fire tanker was moved to the scene but nobody could operate it.

    Students. They rushed from their hostels to the scene. The students, joined by security officials, fetched water with bowls to fight the fire.

    Despite their efforts the fire raged till 2am before it was put out. All the gadgets and electronic appliances in the studio were burnt.

    In the morning, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Musbau Akanji, visited the razed building, lamenting the incident. He said the station did not only serve the university community, but the entire state.

    He said the management would set up an investigative panel to find out the cause of the fire and recommend ways to prevent a recurrence. Prof Akanji ruled out sabotage, assuring the students that the station would come back in full force.

    Students expressed sadness, saying if not for the harmattan, the inferno would have been contained. Charles Okenson, 200-Level Geography, said: “The incident shook the campus to its foundation. Being a prominent media firm in Niger State, I am already missing its programmes.”

    There was some carelessness among the staff of the radio station because the fire would not have happened without any faulty appliance, said Wilson Zakka, 400-Level Survey and Geo-informatics.

    Daniel Agweye, 200-Level Information and Media Technology, expressed shock. He said: “It is very tragic. I am not happy but we must thank God that no life was lost.”

  • AFCON: The glory of African football

    Since time immemorial, soccer has been a game of interest to man. In the old British Empire, the game was used to entertain monarchs. But the first notable football match was held in 1862. After the match, the news spread quickly across the continent; this resulted to the first-ever championship in Africa in the year 1919.

    Before the tournament, the game was already popular in Morocco. From the time of the first championship until when African Cup of Nations (AFCON) began, football had brought a unified glory to the continent and to the participating individual countries.

    African countries started football game with the exception of South Africa, which was still chafing under apartheid regime. Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan contested but the Pharaohs of Egypt trashed Ethiopia 4 nil at the finals. This made them the first winners of the trophy. In 1959, the tournament came alive again but South Africa was again barred from participation by the apartheid potentate.

    In 1963, the Black stars of Ghana joined the league. This made the Black Stars to be the first host of the competition in the western flank of the Africa. Nigeria, Tunisia and Ghana with the three pioneer countries battled for the cup. The Black Stars trashed the Nile Crocodiles of Sudan by three goals to nothing. Two years later, Ghana, as the defending champion, took its squad to Tunisia and defeated the host country at the final stage of the tournament.

    In promoting the unity of diverse ethnic nations in Africa, AFCON has offered a good platform to unite the Anglophons and Francophone countries on the continent. This, it must be stated, has improved the relationship of countries in Africa over the years.

    In its evolution, poor officiating has marred African soccer contest. Many countries have lamented the manner with which African referees officiate matches. A final match between Black Stars and Congo Kinshasa in 1968 championship was marred with irregularities. Ditto 1970 final match between Sudan and Ghana. The poor officiating of crucial matches in terms of keeping to the rules raised a lot of controversies in the continent’s football fiesta.

    Due to biased officiating and intimidation by citizens of host country, Ghana’s players refused silver medals in the 1970 contest. In reaction, they were deported by the then Sudan’s military dictator. This act aggravated the crisis of confidence in the organisation of AFCON by the apex football body.

    But when the Nigeria hosted the rest of Africa in 1980, there was an improvement in officiating. Green Eagles defeated Algerian team in the final match. The Black Stars came back with a winning team that lifted the trophy in 1982, putting Libyans on the losing side. In 1984, the final battle was between Nigeria and Cameroon, and Nigeria was defeated by three goals to one.

    In 1990, Algeria hosted and trounced Nigeria with one goal at the final stage of the championship. Nigeria defeated Zambia at the final stage in Tunisia 94.

    In 1996, South Africa, free from the apartheid regime, hosted the rest of Africa and defeated Tunisia two goals to nil at the finals.

    In 2002, Mali hosted the championship and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun lifted the trophy, leaving the Senegalese team with nothing. In 2004, Tunisia hosted the championship and defeated Morocco at the finals. Egypt then set in with their chains of victory from 2006 to 2010 over Cote d’ivoire, Cameroon and Ghana. These chains of victory made the Pharaohs of Egypt unique in Africa not only being the first winners but the highest winner of the tournament.

    Last year Zambia trashed Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout, making the country to win 2012 contest. The 2013 AFCON has begun. Should we also watch out for the underdog to lift the trophy? In trailing the blaze of the glory brought to Africa by the game, blue sharks of Cape Verde Island is making their debut appearance in the AFCON. We should watch out and see how the Cape Verde players will perform as they will be battling South Africa, Morocco and Angola at the group stages. But who wins the tournament this time around?

     

    Ekene, 200-Level Optometry, IMSU

     

  • NANS seeks revolution in education sector

    NANS seeks revolution in education sector

    The newly elected National President, National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS), Mr. Yinka Gbadebo, on Wednesday decried the rot in the education sector of the country.

    Gbadebo, who observed this in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria) in Lagos, added that the sector needed a `serious revolution` to correct all abnormalities.

    “There is an urgent need for a declaration of an emergency in the education sector, — so as to revamp it and have qualitative education, “ he said.

    He lamented that both federal and state governments have not been giving the sector enough attention over the years.

    The NANS president said the governments had been depriving higher institutions of funds, thereby causing dearth of lecturers.

    “Qualified manpower to administer our educational institutions have left the country due to poor remuneration and inadequate research funds, “ he said.

    Gbadebo, however, called on all stakeholders, including Vice-Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts, to rally round government to revamp the sector.

     

  • Scholarships for Delta private university students

    Scholarships for Delta private university students

    Scholarships for Delta private university students

    Students from privately owned institutions in Delta State now have an opportunity to benefit from the state’s government scholarship and bursary schemes.

    The decision was made known by the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan last week when he received a delegation from Novena University, Ogume in Asaba.

    The governor, who expressed surprise when he heard that students from privately owned institutions were unjustly excluded from the scheme, said the scholarship and bursaries were meant for all Deltans regardless of their institutions.

    He directed the State Ministry of Education and Scholarship Board to ensure that that all higher institutions in the state whether public or private be included in the scheme.

    “I am surprised to hear that students of private institutions were not benefitting from the bursary and scholarship programmes. The programmes are for all students of Delta State origin in higher institutions whether owned by government or private individuals,” the governor stated.

    Delighted by the governor’s decision some students from privately owned institutions who spoke with our correspondents said the bursary and scholarship scheme will ease the financial burdens of their parents and enable them enjoy some benefits available to their counterparts in government owned institutions”.

    Blessing Lawrence, a student of Western Delta University, Oghara said if implemented, the governor’s gesture will give students in private universities a sense of belonging. “I’m very happy because if the governor’s orders are implemented it will give those of us in private institutions a sense of belonging. We will be able to enjoy the benefits our counterparts in government owned schools enjoy.”

    For Daniel Okodua, a third year student of Novena University Ogume, participating in the bursary and scholarship schemes will ease the financial burdens of parents who have children in private institutions. He said: “If we can get scholarships and bursaries like those in public universities, it will go a long way in easing the financial burdens of our parents. They will be able to save money in order to meet other needs”.

  • ‘Why UNILAG convocation was postponed’

    ‘Why UNILAG convocation was postponed’

    University of Lagos (UNILAG) Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rahamon Bello, has denied claims that the institution’s convocation, traditionally held in January, was postponed because of the change of name controversy.

    Clarifying issues at a briefing on Monday to announce the new dates of the convocation now holding February 5-8, Bello said the university did not meet all the conditions stipulated by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), Abuja, for approval to hold the convocation resulting in its postponement.

    “Normally UNILAG convocation holds mid-January. There are conditions laid before you can go and announce your convocation. You must give adequate notice, a minimum of eight weeks; the speech for Visitor must be ready; your certificates must be ready. Unfortunately this year by the time we put our information to the Visitor for approval, we were short of time. We had not got the approval before we fixed a date,” he said.

    A national daily (not The Nation) had reported that the convocation was postponed because President Goodluck Jonathan was insisting that the university adopt the new name (Moshood Abiola University of Lagos, MAULAG) he announced during his last Democracy Day address.

    The President’s decision was challenged by the alumni association of the university in the court of law which ruled that the status quo should remain until the Act establishing the university is amended.

    The procedure for amendment has already been sent to the National Assembly and has passed the second reading.

    Prof Bello said he was confident the name will not be changed and assured graduating students that their certificates would bear the old name.

     

  • Ejected for fumigation

    Ejected for fumigation

    Female students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) kicked last Tuesday as they were asked to vacate their hostels for fumigation, SAM IBOK reports.

     

    THEY returned to their hostels after a lecture time at school to relax, but it was not to be. Hardly had they entered their rooms when the officials came knocking on their doors. Welcome tot he female hostels of University of Calabar (UNICAL) where there was disorder last week. The officials, asked the students to vacate their rooms for fumigation.

    There was confusion in Halls of Residence 8 and 9 as the officials pasted on the wall order that students should vacate their rooms. According to a porter in Hall 8, who pleaded for anonymity, the directive came from the office of the Dean of Students’ Affairs “to enable the management carry out proper and effective fumigation in all the rooms in the hostel.”

    Reacting the students, complained that they were not notified before the directive was issued.

    Deborah Chanumuya, 400-Level Educational Administration and Planning, told CAMPUSLIFE that the management was doing the right thing at the wrong time. “There was no official information prior to the ejection of students from their hostels. In such a situation, we are supposed to be given time to arrange our personal effects properly. Now, some of us are stranded and don’t know where to go,” she complained.

    Maria Edim, Bonita Harry and a student simply identified as Tonia, who were all ejected from Hall 9, said they would not leave their rooms to anywhere because they didn’t know where to go.

    The Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA), Prof Eyong Eyong, said fumigation was not the only reason the management asked students to vacate the halls. He said the directive was also to enable the management carry out proper allocation of bed spaces to new students.

    He added that most of the students living in the hostel were illegal occupants, adding that the only way the squatters could be ejected was to direct all occupants to vacate the halls.

    Sophia John, occupant of Room 234 in Hall 8, lamented that she could not pick her belongings when the officials came to eject students.

    Meanwhile, the hostels have been re-opened. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the halls were opened after the exercise was completed last Monday.