Category: Campus Life

By Khadeejah Babalola

I shake my head vigorously for very young boys that request Erectile Dysfunction medication.

Ideally, these drugs were discovered for the treatment of Pulmonary Artery Hypertension (the type that basically affects the lungs and our right heart.).

However, due to some pharmacological advancement (serendipity development), they were later discovered to have a positive impact in the treatment of E.D.

Mechanism of action is not meant to cause initiation of erection, rather, just sexual stimulation. But, welcome to Nigeria, the country wherein “I just wish to have sex” is equivalent to “I need viagra.”

Due to their possession of antihypertensive effect however, these drugs have an added advantage in hypertensive patients co-morbid Erectile Dysfunction. Now I ask, who is imagining the kind of harm an hypotensive (patients with low blood pressure) personnel is trying to inflict upon himself by blindly using such a drug? The guideline states that anyone going for that class of medication shouldn’t have a systolic blood pressure that is less than 90mmHg. How many people conform to this? How many care to listen? How many health care practitioners ask this question? How many patients are willing to hear this quite crucial aspect? People die of drug abuse than ailment itself.

For starters, Erectile Dysfunction (E.D) otherwise known as impotence is termed as the persistent inability to attain and maintain an erection that is sufficient to permit satisfactory sexual performance. It may be caused by factors such as side effects of some anti hypertensives(e.g beta blockers), antidepressants, antipsychotics, cytotoxics, excessive alcohol intake, old age and organ function retrograde etc.

Earlier, I laid an emphasis on “persistent.” That indicates that such an abnormality should be a thing that has become quite incessant and not an occasional issue that can be traced down to our own deliberate personal doings (e.g excessive alcohol intake etc). And hopefully, the kind of intercourse that is done legally, with one’s spouse of course.

Sometimes, our body system acts like a whining child that needs an urgent  attention. Hence, if such a child is denied the required attention, the whole house may not be at ease.

Drug treatment for ED  involves the usage of some medication termed “PDE-5 inhibitors” and some drugs majorly made out of plants . In layman language, let’s term them “sex enhancers.”

Common examples include tadalafil (Honnihil) and sildenafil (viagra), Manix, and Tribull.

Concerning dosage, tadalafil offers a once daily dosage being a longer acting drug as compared with Sildenafil.The manufacturers  are kind enough not to make us have more than four tablets in a pack. If not, I’d possibly still be in coma from the day a patient told me he took up to  three tablets before action. Nigerians are wont to abuse drugs.  But we never can tell when the games will be up. Hence, for the second time, let the wise listen.

Tadalafil: 10/20mg once daily to be taken at least 30 minutes before (legal) action, and subsequent doses to be adjusted according to response. Maximum of one dose per day

Sildenafil: 50mg to be taken approximately 1 hour before action and also to be adjusted according to response

Tadalafil has a longer action than Sildenafil, hence, one tablet can be enough for a day.

Another point to note: the drug is metabolised by the liver, hence, extreme caution needs to be taken by patients having liver diseases.

Plus, the metabolism occurs by enzyme CYP3A4, thus, extreme caution may be needed too.

Also, patients with low blood pressure, active peptic ulcer, bleeding disorders plus some heart conditions should be cautious. Most patients don’t even know the demon they nurse when asked, all they  want is to collect drugs  quickly   and leave. The knowledge of our medical history is very key, hence, whenever we are asked some basic questions either as clueless patients or a knowledgeable customer, let’s do ourselves lesser harm and more good by kindly  giving  ideal answers. Drugs are poisonous, if  not handled correctly.

A Professor of Philosophy and Humanities at the University of Maryland, Global Campus, United States, Prof. Olanrewaju Shitta-Bey, has donated 24 mini-laptops to the Lagos State University(LASU).

  Shitta-Bey, is an alumnus of LASU. He  graduated in 2004.

While presenting the laptops to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. Taiwo Salisu, noted that the don donated 10 of the laptops to the department of Philosophy and 14 to the Faculty of Arts to be distributed to the best student in each department across the four levels.

 He said the donation was in line with   the vision of the Vice Chancellor to make LASU the best university in West Africa.

Salisu, alongside  the Head of  Department of Philosophy, Dr Mohammed Akomolafe, and four  other members of the department were at the VC’s office.

 Akomolafe recalled how Shitta-Bey had earlier donated books to the department during the last accreditation exercise. 

Olatunji-Bello thanked the donor and members of the faculty and department.

 “I thank the Dean and members of the Department of Philosophy for being good ambassadors of the university. Once you have someone giving back, it reflects on all of us collectively. Please let’s ensure the laptops are distributed as requested by Prof. Shitta-Bey. I also hope more people can follow in his steps; little drops make mighty ocean,” she said.

Taiwo Gbolahan, a 100-level student at the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), died has died on the way  to submit his classmates’assignment on the Ikole campus of the institution.

The deceased was the class governor of the Department of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, Ikole-Ekiti campus of the university.

According to a source, Gbolahan’s department was meant to submit their MTH 101 assignment by 8 am on that day or be punished. As the class governor, he had to collate his classmates’assignment papers for submission.

“He boarded a motorcycle to Oye Park in Ikole-Ekiti. He fell while the bike rider was trying to overtake a vehicle.

“After the accident, he was taken to the school clinic, but they did not have the facilities to treat him. Then, he was taken to the hospital in Ido-Ekiti, but couldn’t make it,” the source said.

Students react

Students at the Ikole campus have expressed displeasure with the arrangement which requires them to frequently visit Oye campus for stamping of forms, submission of assignments and freshers’ orientation, among other activities.

Oluwatimileyin Martins, a coursemate of the deceased, said:  “Ikole is just like a branch that the management doesn’t consider. We have cases where students are unable to access medical care as the Ikole Medical Centre  can only offer paracetamol. The majority of our lecturers are based in Oye. They don’t come regularly. I can’t compare Oye to Ikole. Ikole is not treated fairly at all.”

Adetomiwa Ajayi, a student of Mechatronics, said:  “It is sad that a student died in the course of representing his fellow students and his campus; he hasn’t spent  three  months on campus. Going by what I faced in 100-Level  as a student of this very campus, we should have no reason whatsoever to transport ourselves down to Oye for simple issues that can addressed. “

“Ikole students are marginalised.  The level of development in Oye is far above what Ikole is experiencing, except for bringing in two new faculties, even that is another problem because the campus doesn’t have what it takes to occupy  large number of students.”

Seyi Ololade, a 400- level student of Mechanical Engineering said:  “Death is inevitable. But Gbolahan’s scenario is from a man-made cause.There should be a structure for submission of assignments.

“There should be speed breakers on the route (Ikole-Oye road). There should be a working and sustainable system of transportation on campus. Ikole students are  marginalised.

“The conditions we are facing seem normal but there’s an explosion in the population, the addition of new students. Now, it is  abnormal for the management not to improve the Ikole campus. The classes and facilities we have are insufficient, now there are new students who will still share with us.

“Classes are being constructed in Oye, but none in Ikole.Why can’t they provide structures for lecturers in  Ikole? The lecturers complain that they teach in Oye and cannot come to Ikole. No supervision from the management. We are not considered in critical decisions.No means of transportation. No good road. No electricity on campus. The marginalisation is even visible for the blind to see! There should be even provision of  facilities on the two campuses.”

 Daniel Ilesanmi, a student of Mechanical Engineering said:  “We were told that the bike man ran away. So he couldn’t not get medical assistance for hours while he was bleeding profusely. “Since my 100-Level days, it has been God. But the facilities for us to thrive are not available for us here in Ikole.

“We trek through the campus, as there is no transportation available. The school should help and focus on the Ikole campus too. We need banks and  better  infrastructure.”

 Public Relations Officer  of the Student Union Government, Adedokun Abdul-Qayyum Abolore,urged school authorities to to fulfill all promises made during the course of the incident.

“What happened to our dear brother, could have been averted if the administrative loopholes had been fixed before.

“As far as I am concerned, I can only speak for the union and not  school authorities. The union has never deprived students in Ikole  campus of any opportunity  given to Oye campus Students. There has been an equal representation but then, I believe we can do better.”

David  Olorunshola, a 200-level student at Lagos State College of Health Technology, School of Community Health, has been reported missing by the school, following the Student Union Government  (SUG) election held in the school.

 He was the electoral chairman for the  election which held on November 24, 2022.

 The election was concluded on  December  1, 2022.

 He went to a party on Saturday, December 3. He  came back the following day. That same day,  he took his charging cord and said he was coming. Since then he didn’t return.

A report was made to the police on December 9.

LASCOHET officials visited his work place, but they were told he had not been to work since he went missing.

He worked  in an ambulance service company in Gbagada Phase 1, Lagos.

The incident was reported to the Ilaje Bariga Police Station last Friday. The police said they would send a signal and track his last calls.

A student,  who pleaded anonymity, said: “He  went to a party on Saturday and came back on Sunday. He took his  charging cord without his adaptor and said he was coming. That was what he told his room mate and he left, since then he has  not  been seen.”

CAMPUS LIFE gathered that  after the election, when the vote counting began, there was altercation.

  A source said  he  had a candidate  , a lady who contested the SUG presidential position, but lost to the opposition party.

“They did not allow us to enter his workplace; instead, they greeted us at the gate and stated that he had not been at work during those times. We contacted the people who referred him to the workplace, but they stated that they had not seen him at all.

“Before his disappearance, we talked, and he said everything was fine.

“The Provost, LASCOHET, Dr Moyo Kazim, calls every two hours to check. The SUG winner has been announced but yet to be inaugurated.”

A similar incident occurred previously in the institution: a 400-Level student has been missing since the third week of July; her pictures have been posted several times to raise awareness, but her whereabouts remain unknown. She left her phone, purse, and ATM inside her room; they are at the Onipanu police station; it is already five months and nothing has been heard about her.

Today, the development of society is in parallel with informatisation. This is reflected in all spheres of life and professional activity of people. Computerisation of the community in modern conditions provides for the mandatory use of computers in higher education, which is designed to ensure computer literacy and the information culture of students.

Although the education system has always been strongly influenced by innovations, the explosion of new technologies caused  shifts in the way the teaching process is carried out in school but sceptics often argue that we should be careful with the immediate implementation of modern technologies in the classroom, primarily because of the potential consequences, such as widening of an existing social gap, an increased number of individuals who suffer from mental illness, and the regression of children’s cognitive and academic development that may prove irreversible. 

Taking into account the arguments of both sides, we will be looking at the pros and cons for students by using modern technology.

The internet provides students with the enormous advantage of a world of information at their fingertips. The simple act of tapping a search term into a keyboard can deliver a Google-selected list of hundreds of relevant articles in under a second – a far cry from the hours students would spend leafing through library books and journals in days gone by.

But with the internet’s ease of access comes disadvantages too – false and inaccurate information is easily disseminated and it can be difficult to accurately trace sources or corroborate information. Meanwhile, the sheer volume of research materials online can make it ‘too easy’ for students to find the information they need, allowing them to compile an entire roster of facts by copying and pasting without actually having to understand or analyse the information they are sifting through at all. While a student, t20 years ago would have had to read and digest a huge amount of information  to put together a report on tree frogs, for example, using different sources for different parts of the project, a modern student would be able to discover everything they needed to know from a single internet site, picking up little knowledge in the process.

You can find the answer to any question on a study in specialised forums. There are communities of mathematicians, programmers, and even gamers. Thus, through various sites, discussions, and communities, you can get into the environment of professionals and learn from them. Also, you can take part in solving non-standard tasks, competing with colleagues, and thereby increasing your professionalism. Moreover, you can ask professionals for additional help. For example, help me write my research paper is one of the popular trends for students online.

Meanwhile, over-dependence on technology has led to students losing creativity, and the ability to think and form opinions as a huge source of information is available at the click of a finger. They merely Google to complete their projects and assignments, which too are submitted at the click of a button. Online interactions are also stripping them of communication skills.

Thanks to the Internet, virtually any information has become available. Online training allows you to attend courses of the best universities in the world for free or for little money. The level of English among young people has grown significantly in recent years. The availability of information from around the world has a positive effect on the understanding of foreign languages. Besides, it is now quite easy to find a native speaker tutor from anywhere in the world.

Nevertheless, some experts outline several issues when it comes to the discussion of how technology help students. Many psychologists note memory impairment in modern people. The ability to “google” anything, kills the desire to remember something. However, without memorisation, the learning process is impossible. Younger students often do not understand why they need to learn the multiplication table if you can peek. They still do not realise that they will have to peep all their lives, so it’s easier and faster to learn.

It is clearly facetious to suggest the abandonment of technology in education, as the wealth of opportunities it provides to students is undeniable.  Perhaps, as we teach our children to use their electronic devices and internet access to learn and discover, we should also concentrate on encouraging them to develop as far as possible in other areas too. E-communication is a fantastic resource but it should not be a substitute for face-to-face interaction and time spent outside with friends. Online research is an invaluable tool, but should be complemented by studying in libraries and reading books as well. Interactive learning and online teaching can be brilliant experiences, but they must not replace the vital dialogue and bond between teacher and pupil. By ensuring that students remain educated in interpersonal and ‘real-world’ skills as well as electronic know-how, we can best prepare them to make the most of the opportunities technology has to offer without suffering any of the potentially detrimental consequences.

• Fatoyinbo wrote in from Lagos.

As the year ends in 48 hours, students in tertiary institutions across the country share their experiences and hopes amid a call for a much better education sector in 2023. FORTUNE AMAECHI(ABSU) and CALEB IJIOMA (AAP) report.

The outgoing year has been a difficult year for students in public tertiary institutions. They faced quite some issues, ranging from the eight-month industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),  poor electricity supply, increase in the cost of foodstuffs and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LGP), among  others.

ASUU had  embarked on a nationwide strike to press home its demands for improved funding for universities, a review of salaries for lecturers, among other issues. Students were forced to stay at home, thus,they engaged in different activities and  business, which consequently diminished their zeal to return to school.

These issues have negatively impacted students, and they hope that next year comes with a different and positive atmosphere.

Hope for  better 2023

Mohammed Taoheed, a student at  Usmanu Danfodiyyo University, Sokoto State, said for students to survive in 2023, food items, and cost of basic amenities should be reduced and made available.

“As the hike in the fuel price began, most drivers increased the fare. It doesn’t help someone like me, but I’m not the only one, who lives in the Southwest but have to travel to my school in Sokoto State. Imagine many poor students could not come to school on time, this affects their academic pursuits. Bad electricity supply also affected my academics. If these are not tackled, they  pose a threat to our survival as students next year,” he said.

 For Muhammed Bello Buhari, a student at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, change in the country’s leadership would make 2023 better.

He also called for  plans to ensure  students enjoy smooth learning next year.

“It is sad that there is  erratic power supply despite the  privatisation of the power sector,  with the only alternative being  individual generation of power.Sadly, petrol is not available. The double crisis has greatly affected  cost of production, consequently increasing  cost of almost everything at a time when our currency is at its  lowest ebb.

“As a student, it has affected many of us in many ways because we now spend  extra on commodities. And this is coming when we’re still reeling from the pains of the ASUU strike. Needless to say, electricity is also considered not only a major determinant of economic development but a catalyst for students’ welfare and academic performance,”  he said. 

Oyolola Olamide, a student at  Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba (AAUA) hopes the government would  prioritise electricity in 2023.

“The petrol price, bad electricity supply, ASUU, and increase in transport fare, all these are what affected me and many other students. I hope they can find a means to make sure that every school has  good electricity supply, that is one of the major needs of students, if our gadgets are not working, we can’t learn effectively,” he said.

Seyi Lasisi, a student at Olabisi Onabanjo University, said  not so much is likely to change for students in the coming year. He expressed fears over the possibility of strikes by  unions, increment in house rents, and tuition fees.

“Students are Nigerians and what this means is that whatever economic or social issues that face Nigerians will definitely affect students. But students bear the brunt more. Because quite a number of us depend on our parents for survival. There were certainly days of hunger  and truancy because there was no money for transport. Next year is just a few days away and the election is fast approaching. To be honest, I don’t share in the sentiment and hope that next year will usher in something different for Nigerian students. The possibility of strike abounds, increment in school fees and increment in house rents by landlords are some of the possible expectations for next year,” he said.

John Hampton, a student at  Covenant University,Ota, Ogun State said: “The government in connivance with ASUU has really succeeded in making  students lose interest in  education. It is no longer fun for students to return to school because of how they are being rushed  to meet up with the academic session as if it is their fault. All we are asking the government to do is try to improve the education system in the country so that the younger generations can have quality education.”

Patra Onyeji, a student at Abia State University, said: “The  education sector is  in a sorry state. How are we going to produce leaders of tomorrow with the way the things are? When will the rift between the Federal Government and ASUU actually come to an end, because this has lingered for  long?

 “We  plead that the government should resolve whatever issue is on ground and find a way to improve the sector for the sake of  students.”

Daniel Okon, a student at the University of Uyo, said:”This year, the education sector didn’t really  do well. We all hoped for positive changes but the reverse was the case. Even my parents could not hold back their complaints because whatever happens in this sector tells on them financially.  For instance, the sudden increase in most school payments had some of our parents borrowing to pay up because the school gave a deadline as well as consequences for either late payment or not even paying at all. Now, in this situation what do you expect parents who cannot come up with this money in such short notice to do? This is one thing that academic bodies should consider. Please we want a better education system, one that is reliable and efficient.”

Blessing James, a student at Abia State University, said: ” It is not the strike that is the problem, it is the after-effect that one is worried about.

When there is a halt in  academics, it  becomes an avenue for most, if not all universities to hike  their bills with their main reason being that they have not been paid for months. Students are no longer afraid of  strike but what comes after it.  The truth is, I am the one training myself in school and I can say that it has not been easy.

“I had to make sure that I used this strike to fend for myself because I know that  coming back would not be an easy thing for me. All we have been asking and are   asking the government in agreement with ASUU to do is set a quality standard of education for us,  not this one day in school and two months out, it is really telling on our growth.”

Chinonso Charles, a 300-Level student at the University of Abuja, bemoaned the current state of the education in the country.

“Honestly, the education sector this year went from bad to worse and it seems nobody cares.  Nigeria is blessed with  the brightest of  students, yet  we take it education with levity. Why can’t we  improve on it? Why do we keep joking with the education of students when the younger generations are fast growing? I know we can do better, we just need to set our priorities aright. The various stakeholders  and the Federal Government need to act decisively,” he said.

Sandra Collins, a student at Michael Okpara University, Umudike, said: “The  education sector was nothing to write home about this year. It seems nobody is doing anything about it, not the government or even school authorities.  Various schools are only  trying to complete their academic sessions with outrageous increment all around. For someone like me that has two other siblings in the university, it is not easy at all for my parents. So I beg the government to  overhaul the sector.”

Samson Davis, another student of Abia State University, said: “How can our academic governing bodies be more concerned about their own wellbeing at the expense of  students?  As for the government, how can they call us the leaders of tomorrow when indeed they are raising half-baked leaders? After every strike, we resume just to conclude an academic session within five months maximum, how then will students learn effectively, when most of the lecturers are hurriedly returning to the business they had setup in the course of the strike? How then can this sector get better?

“Nevertheless, I still believe that change can happen and so I look forward to that  change.”

A student of Abia State Polytechnic, Buchi Joy expressed her displeasure about the education sector. She complained that as a result of the strike, her school had increased most of the payments and it is not easy for her at all seeing that she is being trained by her single mother. To this regard, she pleads with the school management to take it easy on students. Also, she begged the Federal Government to fulfill the agreement reached with the academic bodies to avoid them returning to strike.

“Those days education was a priority, we had a better quality of education and we hardly went on strikes but now strikes have become the other of the day for the governing academic bodies forgetting that these long breaks have a way of affecting the children’s brain. Then the excuse was COVID-19, but now what is the excuse, the Federal Government are not even helping the matter at all.

“Where it hurts the most is that when this schools resume from their break, the extortion we experience from the schools are overwhelming but what can we do?

“Our children must go to school. So, on behalf of other parents, I beg the government to fulfill the agreements they have reached with ASUU and try and improve the education sector in our country, Nigeria., ” Mr. Samuel Victor, a father of two students at Imo State University pleads.

Christian Onyisi, a student at Yaba College of Technology, said:  “We need  restructuring in this sector, enough is enough to all the things going on. The Federal Government should find a lasting solution to all issues. If truly we are the future leaders, then we need solid education to make that happen.

“Are you going to talk about the lack of interest students now have towards education or the lack of faith in the education sector or the fact that our schools have become money-making ventures with students in tears every day? It is high time the government and ASUU found a solution to all the problems because the sector is gradually but steadily collapsing.”

Ogechi John, a student at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, said: “I cannot begin to express my displeasure in the system and the government.

“Our education sector is collapsing and no one is doing anything about it or is it until things get out of hands? We haven’t bothered asking ourselves why our youths prefer to go abroad to study when we have schools in the country. If you take a survey now on students willing to do  their Master’s  and where, you will discover that more than 80 per cent of them either want  to go  abroad or is already applying and the government does not see anything bad in that.We hope  government acts as we enter a new year.”

Ajisafe Ibukun, a student at  Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, wants the government to focus more on financial and entrepreneurial support for students, which will help them learn effectively.

“We have so many students with  financial troubles. Government should focus more on providing more financial schemes for students that would aid learning and help them study with ease. Student entrepreneurs need to be supported too, students’ welfare is important and should be made a priority.” Ajisafe said.

The National Board For Technical Education (NBTE) has  accredited six new National Diploma courses for Timeon Kairos  Polytechnic, Lagos State.

The courses are Mass Communication, Science Laboratory Technology, Business Administration and Management, Public Administration, Banking and Finance, and Marketing.

This was contained in a statement signed by the founder of the institution, Rev.Titus Oyeyemi.

He said the approval, contained in a letter signed by the Director of Polytechnic Programmes, NBTE, Ogoh Ngbede, and addressed to the Rector, Idowu John Ekundayo, was after a verification  by a visitation panel.

The letter read  in part: “With reference to the resources inspection visitation carried out by the board to your institution from 24th to 27th October 2022. I am directed to inform you that the Board has granted approval to your institutions to offer the following programmes with effect from the 2022/2023 session.

“The admission of students into the programmes should commence in 2022/2023.”

Oyeyemi said the courses offered by the institution are now 17 and will go a long way in exposing students to new frontiers of knowledge as the school will continue on its mission to deliver world-class educational and vocational training services, using competent staff and modern facilities.

He also hailed the NBTE for granting the approval to the institution and for ensuring commitment towards quality assurance and staff development.

As part of its corporate social responsibility and strategy for strengthening community relations, Lagos Free Zone, a subsidiary of Tolaram company, has awarded scholarships to six brilliant indigent students within its host communities in Ibeju-Lekki.

 Each of the beneficiaries went home with a cheque of N100,000 at an event held at the company’s  corporate headquarters in Lagos.

The beneficiaries   drawn from the six host communities of Idotun, Magbon Segun, Okunraye, Ilekuru, Oke Segun, and Itoki included Oladunjoye Zainab Abimbola (HND Chemical Engineering), Lawal Halimat Titilope (BA French Language), Akanni Lateefat Damilola (BA, History & International Studies), Adebayo Ridwan Abiola (HND Agriculture), Alogba Wasiu Ibironke (B.Sc. Mathematics), and Ogundipe Rukayat Omobolanle (B.Sc. Computer Science Education)

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Free Zone, Mr. Dinesh Rathi, the scholarship was  part of the company’s commitment to contribute its quota towards the educational and economic development of  communities through human capital development.

Rathi explained that the company chose to support the academic aspirations of these young students in line with its desire to entrench a lasting legacy of impact on the communities.

“As a company, we believe education remains a strong legacy we can impart on the people. We know that many students within the host communities have had to drop out of school due to financial challenges. We believe this should not be the case, given its dire implication for development. Hence, we will continue to sponsor these types of programmes so that society, including our host communities, can grow and future leaders emerge,” he said.

He urged beneficiaries to continue to work hard  and strive to achieve excellence, adding  that their future was guaranteed if they continued on that path.

 General Manager, Sustainability of the company, Vishal Shah, said the company had, over the years, supported their host communities through numerous initiatives, including Tolaram Science Challenge, in which exemplary students from schools within the Ibeju-Lekki axis compete to win the ultimate prize every year.

Shah stated that  successes in qualifying examinations from participating schools are an excellent testament to the  impact of the initiative.

On behalf of other  community leaders, the Baale of Ilekuru, Chief Salami Waliu, praised the company for the kind gesture and overall contribution to the development of edu

An entrepreneur, Love Emeter, has urged  students and  youths to deepen their knowledge of foreign languages and cultures. This, she said, would enable them benefit from opportunities that abound in other countries.

Emeter, Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) and Founder, HARU AFRICA, an online store, gave the advice at the launch of her first physical store in Lagos.

The store was founded in 2019 and has since attracted over 5000 customers from all over the African continent, with Nigeria and South Africa having the largest customer bases.

According to her, the store deals mainly in South Korean products such as Korean cultural music, snacks, beauty products and books.

She noted many youths and students do not take  learning  the culture and language of other countries seriously, hence, it results in   a loss of socio-economic opportunities.

“When we take time off to understudy other country’s language, for instance, we stand to benefit a lot, considering the fact that the world is already a global village.

“On the contrary, we stand to lose the benefits and other opportunities that may come up, all because of language barriers,”

“So, part of the reason for establishing a physical store is to further close the cultural and language gaps that may be existing between South Korea specifically and Nigeria, through the sales of our products, especially the language books and music.

“We encourage those interested in learning the Korean language, music and arts, to come over to our physical store, as we have a lot of educational books and other instructional materials that will facilitate their learning,” she said.

Emeter noted that she  established the physical store following the  success recorded by the online store.

She added that the store, the first of its type in the country and Africa, further aimed to bridge the retail gap between South Korea and Africa, while also promoting South Korean pop culture.

“We intend to achieve this by providing goods to our customers, largely the Korean people and fans of Korea in Nigeria and Africa at large, such as but not limited to KPOP merchandise, Korean snacks, and Kbeauty products.

“We have a large market online mainly in Nigeria, Egypt and Ghana and so, we want to expand it by establishing this physical one and put Africa on that map.

She added that she began with an online store, where customers from any African country could browse and purchase items, which were then delivered swiftly. 

She said the store had a section for books on Korean language, while encouraging students to be multilingual.

Taiwo Raji, UNIBEN

Former Dean of Students Affairs, and  current acting Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin,  Prof. Patrick  Igbinaduwa, has urged the Federal Government to prioritise education at all levels.

He spoke to journalists in his office on campus.

The one-time Public Relations Officer, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Edo State branch, said poor funding remains a major challenge to education.

He urged the government to seek experts’  help to tackle challenges facing education sector.

  Igbinaduwa,  lauded lecturers for their efforts in producing outstanding graduates despite the  lapses in the sector. He noted that  Nigerian graduates home and abroad  excel in their fields, making  references to Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Politics and Entertainment.