Category: Campus Life

The Ekpoma chapter of Alumni body of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), has elected Dr Eunice Omonzejie as its chairperson. She promised to uphold the objectives of the association while she runs its affairs for the next two years.

Others elected included Andy Aihevba, Vice Chairman, Mr Joseph Nordiana, Secretary, Dr David Oamen, Assistant Secretary, Dr Don Omoike, Treasurer, Pastor Fyne Achugbue, Financial Secretary and Dr Agh Agharese Osifo, who doubles as the Public Relations Officers and Social Secretary.

In her acceptance speech, Mr Omonzejie urged past and present students to uphold the “rich tradition” of academic excellence of the university.

She urged the alumni of the institution to key into activities and programmes of the body in order to promote academic excellence.

Omonzejie, who graduated from OAU in 1984, said: “The Great Ife can grow from leaps to bounds and attain greater heights if every one of us joins hands to build the university.”

The Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) chapter of Junior Chamber International (JCI) has organised a training programme for her new officers.

The occasion featured training on parliamentary procedures facilitated by JCI leader, Tunji Alade, and Editor-in Chief of the club, Adeniyi Ogunsola. The event also witnessed a personal development session with the theme The power to re-invent yourself facilitated by the Area B Director of Training, Ekemini Akpan.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Akpan said the training was tailored to imbue the new executives with requisite competences in the discharge of their responsibilities. However, the Officers’ Training School was held at the Multimedia Room of the Petroleum Training Institute Library.

The participants told our correspondent that they were happy to have attended such training, adding that the workshop has prepared them to serve the organisation.

The Joint Christian Campus Fellowship (JCCF) of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun has welcomed new members.

The occasion was attended by president of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Stanley Okpako, immediate past president of the fellowship, Pastor Justice Okeoma, and members of the fellowship.

Students rendered song ministrations, powerful prayer sessions and drama presentations during the programme.

In his welcome message, President of the group, Pastor Emeka Omah, urged the students to be hard working and remember their primary goal on campus. Students who spoke to Campus Life said the event was spiritually invigorating.

The department of Urban and Regional Planning, Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA), has hosted the accreditation team of the Town Planning Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC).

The team was in the department to re-accredit its Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech), post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Urban and Regional Planning and post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Housing.

Other programmes re-accredited included Master’s in Technology (M. Tech), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Urban and Regional Planning.

The exercise featured inspection of the department’s design studios, facilities, e-library and data rooms. Also, the team assessed the curriculum, admission and administrative policies, staffing in the bid to uphold the academic standard and service delivery.

The accreditation team also held an interactive session with students of the department to ascertain if they understood the scope of the discipline.

Students were further encouraged to maximally use a high-level technology provided in the department to achieve academic excellence.

In his remarks, the Head of the department, Dr Musa Dalil, praised the team for its constructive criticisms in the past five years, which he said had led to the high academic performance of the department’s students.

He assured the team that the department would continue to be ‘‘a centre of excellence in research and development.”

Emmanuel Babs, said to be an easygoing student, was shot by gunmen while returning from evangelism. TAIWO ISOLA (200-Level Human Anatomy, University of Maiduguri) reports.

The late Emmanuel Oluwajuwon Babs left his hostel, G-Block, at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) penultimate Friday for a music ministration at Chapel of Blessing, a students’ church at the university’s Teaching Hospital.

As he stepped out of his hostel, the late Emmanuel, a 400-Level Agricultural Engineering student, told his roommates he would be back on Sunday. As he was returning from the gospel concert, he was shot dead along with an unidentified young man on a commercial tricycle popularly called Keke NAPEP. The incident happened a few days to Christmas.

The tricycle was attacked by masked gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members at Bolori Layout, Maiduguri. An eye-witness told CAMPUSLIFE that the late Emmanuel and another passenger, both of whom sat behind the driver, were heading towards Central Bank Junction in Bolori when a saloon car overtook the tricycle and blocked its way.

“Two men came out and instantly opened fire on the passengers in the Keke NAPEP, leaving only the driver. They took a bag belonging to one of the victims and left the scene immediately. Later, soldiers arrived on the scene and took the bodies to a specialist hospital’s morgue,” the witness said.

It was learnt that members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) did not make efforts to reach the families of the victims after they took the bodies to the morgue.

CAMPUSLIFE learnt that the late Emmanuel had initially told his parents, who are based in Maiduguri, that he would be home briefly before returning to school because of exam. But he was informed his mother had travelled with his siblings to their home state for Christmas, leaving his father, with whom he planned to travel to Port Harcourt to begin his mandatory Industrial Training (IT).

A close family friend told our correspondent that when the father did not see his son, he called his phone but it was switched off.

“When the father called the late Emmanuel’s colleagues to know his whereabouts, he was shocked when he was informed that the boy had not returned to the campus,” the source said.

The family immediately declared Emmanuel missing and a search began on Sunday night, CAMPUSLIFE gathered. After three days of searching, one of the late student’s friends found his body in the morgue of the specialist hospital.

“Emmanuel’s daddy broke down in tears as he saw the cold body of his son,” the family friend added.

Tears flowed freely as the remains of the late Emmanuel were committed to earth in Maiduguri last week Thursday. For his classmates, who trooped to the funeral, Emmanuel’s death was shocking.

“Just like that?” the deceased colleagues said in low tone as his remains were being lowered into the grave.

One of them, who spoke with our correspondent, recalled his last moments with the deceased.

“I saw Emmanuel in class last week and he asked me how I was preparing for the exams. I replied and we talked about a lot of things before we departed.”

In an emotional voice, a female student lamented: “When will the shedding of innocent people’s blood end in Maiduguri?”

Mr Blessing Olu-Babs, Emmanuel’s father, described his late son as a nice boy. He recounted his last moment with him. “My son told me he was having a test on Wednesday. So, I waited for him so that we can both travel to our home state, Ikare-Akoko in Ondo State, to join his mother and other siblings who had travelled earlier. I waited for him but I didn’t know fate had another plan for him,” he said.

He added: “Today, we are burying him. I have taken solace in the fact that he belonged to God and his Creator has called him back. But I will miss him because he was a very nice boy, who could not hurt a fly. He was cool-headed and very disciplined and religious.”

Suleiman Abubakar, a Nursing student and Emmanuel’s childhood friend, said he learnt of Emmanuel’s death on Facebook.

In an emotion-laden voice, he said: “We have been friends since we were toddlers till the day he was killed. We became brothers because we grew up in the same place, environment and went to the same secondary school and even university. I was shocked when one of our mutual friends on Facebook tagged me with his picture and wrote ‘RIP’. I became speechless because Emmanuel was very friendly and deeply religious. That was why it came as surprise to all of us when we learnt he was shot because we all knew him to be easygoing. If he had been the unruly type, we would have said maybe he was killed because of bad company but not so for Emmanuel. I am a northern Muslim and he was a Christian from the South, yet our families never quarreled for one day. Emmanuel lived a meaningful life. It is sad we lost him.”

Outgoing members of the Deeper Life Campus Fellowship (DLCF) of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) donated a new car to the fellowship to aid evangelism during a send forth in their honour. STANLEY UCHEGBU (400-Level Accounting) reports.

Outgoing members of the Deeper Life Campus Fellowship (DLCF) of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), have donated a new car to the fellowship to support its activities. DLCF got the gift during the send-off party for the Final Year Brethren Forum (FYBF), a group of graduating students, of the fellowship. The ceremony with the theme: “Si no ha sido el Sen’or” (If it has not been the Lord) was held at the Pavilion II Lecture Hall. It started with a graduation processional hymn with the chorus: No one like my saviour. Present at the event was Pastor Jacob Nkanu, Regional Overseer of Akamkpa region of Deeper Life Bible Church, who was also the guest speaker. Others included Pastor Sylvester Ele, associate coordinator of UNICAL chapter of DLCF; Brother Ajakpoloho Harrison, General Coordinator; Sister Lily Ozumba, State Campus coordinator; Sister Arira Dorcas, welfare coordinator and Pastor Eva Ukata. In his valedictory speech, the FYBF chairman, Jeremiah Nkanu, thanked the guests for attending the programme, despite examination. According to him, the event was remarkable because it climaxed their efforts in the last four to five years on the campus. Jeremiah added that words could not express the graduating students’ gratitude to God for making the day a reality. He expressed appreciation to Prof G. O Ozumba, whom he said oversaw their spiritual, academic and moral life before graduation. He equally thanked Prof Andrew Uduigwomen, who is a role model to the students. The event also featured a drama presentation by members of fellowship. It was titled Faith and depicted how faith works in human lives. The drama had three characters – a male and two women, who were studying in a tertiary institution. The male character is involved in immoral conducts on campus while the women are bookworm and prayer warrior. Despite his mischievous life, the boy made a First Class while the bookworm made Second Class Upper Division and the prayerful, Second Class Lower Division. The other characters thought the prayerful character could not secure a good job with her class of degree. But she secured a job in an oil company and was promoted to General Manager. A few years later, the fortunate character discovered that her classmates, who mocked her class of degree, still roamed about unemployed. She later employed them and advised them to put God first in every situation they found themselves. The fellowship choir also presented a farewell song for the outgoing members. It was titled “We gonna miss you brother, we gonna miss you sister”. In his exhortation, Jeremiah, reading from Gen. 39 vs 1-5, urged the graduands to always put God first in whatever challenge they face. He said life was full of “unending challenges” but added that with God they would conquer. Admonishing the grandaunts to be visionary, Jeremiah said: “There is nothing that we ever want in life that God cannot provide for us. Any challenge you may encounter, don’t be panic. It is going to be ephemeral, once we hold on to God.”

The Abuja sun was indeed at its best. The date was Tuesday, December 13, 2011. I came into the capital city barely 48 hours ago to represent the youth of Osun East Senatorial District at the Inaugural Sitting of the second session of the Nigerian Youth Parliament.

It took time before members of the parliament came into the National Assembly as the President of the Federal Republic was presenting the 2012 Draft Budget to a joint session of the National Assembly.

Later, we settled for a mock parliamentary session in preparation for our inauguration the following day. I was in the House of Representatives Wing, still tired from the stress of our road trip.

Afterwards, names were called. Some 36 names were called out of 109 of us. At the mention of my name, I joined the rest as we hurriedly left the Three Arms Zone enroute the Federal without any knowledge of what was in the offing. Upon reaching the Secretariat Blocks, we were ushered in by staff of the Ministry of Youth Development. Mallam Bolaji Abdullai came in afterwards to address us.

I met a couple of known faces and felt at home. Then some ‘brothers’ came in to protest that they too wanted to ‘go’. It was amid this confusion that I overheard someone mention that we were going to the Villa. I asked myself rhetorically, which Villa? The Presidential Villa, of course, I thought to myself.

I silently had to put a phone call to my elder brother to tell him what was about to happen. I told him I was about to meet the sitting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

After a brief address by the Minister, I confirmed that the Commonwealth bodies, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and the Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP) were going on the trip. As members of the Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP), we chose Halima Mohammed representing Bauchi South Senatorial District and Chukwuemerie Nwaeze of Ebonyi South Senatorial District to speak on our behalf. All these took a while, and the time was 8pm.

We got into coaster buses and moved through the Presidential Villa, of course, we went through many gates and security checks before arriving at the Banquet Hall into the waiting hands of Emeka Wogu, Minister of Labour; Labaran Maku, Minister of Information; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance; Director-General of the Debt Management Office and a host of government functionaries.

I had a chat with President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Mohammed Dauda and other comrades. I relished my moments at the “revered Aso Rock.” As we got seated I wasted no time consuming the apples that were served. Then, President Goodluck Jonathan came in, at exactly five minutes past nine, flanked by Vice-President Namadi Sambo and the Chief of Staff to the President. It was an elated crowd of young people as we stood still, singing the National Anthem. I spared a thought for the majority of Nigerian youths who yearn for this opportunity of meeting key stakeholders like the ones I was about dining with.

After the introductions, my president suggested we have our dinner before any discussion and we agreed. I had wanted to take Iyan with Egusi soup. But I couldn’t find it on the menu that night. So, I took rice instead. Later, we settled down to discuss our business at the Villa which was the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

A presentation was made by Professor Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and I couldn’t help but notice her grey hairs, and signature headgear. Afterwards, a session of questions followed. The interactive session ended later and closing remarks. After the President’s exit, we waited for buses to convey us to our Capitol Lake Hotel at Jabi.

While I am not a fan of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, I knew I had the responsibility as a patriotic Nigerian to respect the office of the President of Nigeria.

Ademola, 500-Level Crop Production and Protection, OAU

Human capital theory emphasises the role of education in enhancing the productive capacities of individuals. A contrasting view of education is the signaling model. According to this theory, education may act as a signal of the productive capacity of individuals. Central to this theory is the importance of imperfect information.

In their hiring decisions, employers are imperfectly informed about the capabilities of potential employees. They, therefore, use education as a signal of a new hire’s productivity. If these beliefs are subsequently confirmed by actual experience, employers will continue to use education as a signal. Thus, employers will offer higher wages to more educated workers. Facing a positive relationship between education and wages, individuals will have an incentive to invest in education.

One important factor in the creation of inequality is variation in individuals’ access to education. Education, especially in an area where there is a high demand for workers, creates high wages for those with requisite skills. As a result, those who are unable to afford an education, or choose not to pursue optional education, generally receive lower wages.

During the mass high school education movement from 1910-1940, there was an increase in skilled workers which led to a decrease in the price of skilled labour. High school education during the period was designed to equip students with necessary skills to be able to perform at work. In fact, it differs from the present high school education, which is regarded as a stepping stone to acquire college and advanced degrees.

This decrease in wages caused a period of compression and decreased inequality between skilled and unskilled workers.

The contribution of primary education to economic development is greater than how it has conventionally been perceived. This review of recent research shows that primary education increases labour productivity in both urban and rural sectors, and that the economic returns to such investment are high.

In addition, it improves health and nutrition, and promotes other behavioural and attitudinal changes which are helpful to economic development. Investment strategies which give primary schooling an important place would be more conducive of growth-with-equity than many alternatives.

This study surveys the empirical literature on the growth effects of education and social capital. The main focus is on the cross-country evidence for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, but the paper also reviews evidence from labour economics, to clarify where empirical work on education using macro data may be relatively useful. It is argued that on balance, the recent cross-country evidence points to productivity benefits of education that are at least as large as those identified by labour economists. The paper also discusses the implications of this finding.

Finally, the paper reviews the emerging literature on the benefits of social capital. Since this literature is still in its early days, policy conclusions are harder to find.

Besides obtaining education in schools and at the universities, one can always get some additional education by attending various courses or learn something new regardless of what their main vocation is.

Abiodun, 100-Level Mass Comm., CALEB UNIVERSITY