Students in tertiary institutions across the country are feeling the heat of the fuel scarcity, the hike in prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and fare. FATIMAH IDERA and PETER EMMANUEL (AAUA) report.

Students are groaning under the weight of fuel scarcity and increase in price of petrol and transport fare. Not only that, the rising inflation as the Yuletide approaches is eroding consumers’ purchasing power.

Despite the scarcity and  hike in price of petrol, which was N165 per litre, and now between N250 and N280 per litre, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) insisted that the country had 34 days of fuel sufficiency in store.

There is  evidence of shortage across the country.

Earlier this month NMDPRA stated: “This advisory addresses speculations on the price and availability of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS. The authority wishes to inform the general public that the Federal Government has no intention of increasing the price of PMS during this period.

“The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has imported PMS with current stock levels sufficient for 34 days.

“Consequently, marketers and the general public are advised to avoid panic buying, diversion of products, and hoarding.’’

In keeping with the authority’s responsibilities, as outlined in the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, the agency assured the public that it would continue to monitor the supply and distribution of all petroleum products nationwide.

However, students have expressed frustration at the hike with its far-reaching consequences on their meagre resources.

Ifáloye Popoluwa, a student at Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, is unhappy. According to him, they are still reeling from the pains of ASUU strike and now there is hike in fuel price.

He said: “How are students expected to survive? I leave very far from school but before I could get to school I need to take bike of N150 which was N100 before. Going  to and fro costs nothing less than N300 in a day. I don’t have any more savings.”

Quadri Yahaya, an ND 2 Mass Communication student at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, said some students were selective in attending lectures since the cost of transportation is becoming unbearable and they have no option.

“It’s quite frustrating when one is yet to get something to eat but the transportation cost continues to increase due to the hike in the price of petrol. For instance, I have an important registration to do somewhere, but I have to hold back till I have more events to attend in the area to kill two birds with a stone.

“Earlier this a trip we were paying N50 for  now costs N150. I just hope everything returns to normal very soon,” he said.

For Abel Orimisan, a 200-Level Sociology student at Ekiti State University, the hike has really affected him. He spends N500 daily from his home to school within Akungba.

“As a student, I think that is too much. The economy is bad, but transport should be easy for  the masses and I think the government should do something about it before it gets out of hand,”  he said.

Shittu Abass, a 100-Level student at Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, said: “We used to board bus for N50 before, now it is N100 due to increase in petrol price.

‘’Financially, it is affecting me. It makes my expenses increase. Inflation is also not helping matters.”

Fawaz Adebisi, a Mass Communication student at MAPOLY, said: “In the past, we boarded buses on campus for N50 or N80, now we pay N150. It has also affected many things we need to do in school.

“As a student, it has affected me in many ways because the normal price we bought goods  before has now increased with some extra charges because of the hike in price of fuel.”

Sola Omoniyi, a student at University of Ilorin, said: “Increase in petrol price has caused students to skip class.  Students have no option than  to skip 7am classes.

“Some now prefer to trek to school, meaning they come late to class because of that.

“Fuel price hike has also  affected the price of goods and services. Rise in production cost translates into higher consumer prices.

“A student who depends on N1,000  daily for feeding, with the increase in petrol price, cannot  afford three meals a day because of hike in prices of goods and other commodities.”

John Akinseloyin Oluwaseun, a student at  University of Lagos, said the hike had made life uneasy for students who partially depended on fuel because of unstable power. Hence, they  found it difficult to do assignments.

“It leads to traffic congestion which may prevent student who are not close to the school area to miss morning classes.

“Also, things have become expensive, especially food; making it less affordable for students,” he said.

Akashoro Olayemi, a student at Lagos State University of Science and Technology LASUSTECH, said: “Being a part-time student, the upsurge in petrol price has impacted my studies adversely.

“There were times I could not go to school for  lectures.  This was because the fuel hike has led to fuel scarcity in some areas within Ikorodu and increase in transportation fare from my residence, Bayeku, to the  main campus in Ikorodu.” The  fare from Bayeku to Ikorodu garage was N300 before the hike. Now, it is N400. Sometimes, I pay N500 during rush hour in the evening or whenever it rains.

“Also, the prices of goods have skyrocketed. My purchasing power for household commodities and learning materials has reduced. What I used to buy for N100 is now sold for N200, twice the previous price. Truth must be told, many students are going through economic hardship already. This predicament occasioned by the hike in petrol price would only worsen the case.

“I am appealing to the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the incessant increase in petrol price as this tends to make commuting and studying difficult for students who are on and off campus.”

Abdulrasheed Akere,  a 200-Level student of Education Biology at  Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), said: “Most students schooling in far North like me, resumed  school late due to transport expenses. The previous fare to Sokoto was N6,000 but, this semester, it was nothing less than N9,000.

“Also, the hike made parents to give their children inadequate pocket money.”

Kazeem Munir Idowu, a student at  Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, decried the high fare on campus.

“Transportation  cost on campus is high. Students are affected. They cannot trek from one lecture theatre to another. Food stuff is expensive as a result of high price of petrol. Shop owners are also complaining.

“School authorities cannot power the school  as a result of scarcity of fuel,” he said.

Adepoju Samuel, a 200-Level  student at University of Ibadan, said the market was significantly boosted by crude oil, hence, any variation in price of one of the crude oil products would have an  impact on other things.

He said: “The use of hot plates or electric cookers is prohibited in my institution. This means I have to use an  alternative — kerosene. A  bottle of kerosene costs roughly N1,000. This has made me re-think any culinary activities I might have in mind. For instance, to just cook two cups of rice I’ll need to buy half-bottle of kerosene which costs N500. How do I daily cope with this expense considering I mainly bank on  feeding allowances sent from home?  Recently, some of my mates have had to feed only on loaves of bread and carbonated drinks since to cook is now expensive.

“Also,  the average transportation fare has increased by an alarming rate of 25-50 per cent. A commercial tricycle that previously charged N100 now charges N150. Thus, many students miss vital lectures since we cannot daily afford the fare. It is frustrating and disappointing.”

Adeyemo Samuel, a  student at Federal University, Uyo, said: “Going to class is now difficult for  students, as the price of the shuttle has increased, not even by a little amount, but double the price the students  paid before. We can’t also blame the drivers, because they also need to make profit. May God help and give us a lasting solution in this country.”

 

Lecturers react

Senior Lecturer and sub-Dean of the Faculty of Arts of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Dr. Sunday Abraham Ogunode, said: “People are hoarding  petrol to make things difficult. The situation is really telling on Nigerians. The way it affects some Nigerians is not the same way it affects those that are stealing our money because they could make a call and fuel of any quantity will drop at their doorstep, but you and I will have to go on a long queue. During this period, people bought fuel for between N280, and N300 per litre.

“The first question is that, is there really scarcity of fuel? To me, there’s no fuel scarcity. It seems some people want to take advantage of the approaching festive period to exploit the  over-exploited Nigerians.

“The solution is good  leadership with direction and people should be held accountable. Also, marketers cannot just wake up one day and say they want to increase fuel  price. Once we get leadership right, things will get better.”

Mr. Lamidi Ishola, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, AAUA, said fuel scarcity was a recurring problem causing untold hardship to people.

“It isn’t good for the image of an oil producing country like Nigeria and it is high time the government did something about it, but the government and the NNPCL then made it clear to the public that there were no issues.

“The solution is that the government should strategise and block any leakages and if there are saboteurs among the marketers such people should be made  to face the wrath of the law”.

 

Business owners lament

 

Aduragbemi Ojo, the owner of a hair salon in Akungba, said he could not increase the price of haircut despite the hike and difficulty in getting fuel.

He said: “Will I tell my customers to pay N700 instead of the usual N500? I need to keep them because they are students and majority still depend on their parents.  But I do appeal to some to add some amount to the initial price. Fuel in Akungba is sold for N280 and N300 depending on the petrol station.”

Adeleye Adetutu, a commercial motorcyclist, said: “I don’t know why they are hoarding fuel. Citizens are seriously suffering. We can’t make  genuine profit even though we increased fare by 50 per cent.

“We have a family; our children need to eat and we don’t need to deprive them of their fundamental human rights. Specifically, the right to education because they need to acquire knowledge.”

Adejo Johnson, another motorcyclist, said: “Majority of petrol stations in Akure sell between N270 and N280. We need to travel for Christmas and New Year,  but the hike in fuel price has affected transport fare. Transport from Akure to Kogi is now

The General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Dr. William Folorunso Kumuyi has invited entrepreneurship speaker and mentor, Dr Stanley Uzochukwu to deliver Convocation Lecture at Anchor University, Lagos.

The Chairman of Stanel Group lectured the graduating students on “Building a culture for entrepreneurship as the panacea for youth unemployment in Nigeria.”

In January, Uzochukwu was also invited as guest speaker by the Chancellor of the prestigious Igbinedion University, Okada, Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion CFR to speak to the matriculating students on “Ascending greater heights through entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity.”

This was a few months after the University management appointed the employer of labour the youngest board member.

In his lecture, Uzochukwu said: “It is important to note that entrepreneurship is one of the major bedrocks for the growth of any nation. When new businesses are created, it stimulates the economy and more people are employed.

“I have always told Nigerian youths that there is nothing like there is massive unemployment in Nigeria; the rarely asked but vital question is, are you employable? What skills do you have to offer if an organisation invites you now to proffer a solution to any challenge they are facing?

“The quest for quick fame and money has hindered our youths from getting it right but then I want you all to look inward and harness the entrepreneurial skills in you because God is about to make you employers of labour. Embrace diligence not lousiness,” he said.

Feeding questions from audience during the lecture, Uzochukwu said: “Nigeria is a great nation full of business opportunities for hardworking and risk-taking investors. Nigeria is one of the largest economy in the world where entrepreneurs can easily be successful. There is no where in the world that anyone can be successful without taking step and diligence in a line of skill or business.”

He said Nigeria has come to the end of a phase, saying that at the end of the challenges, God is going to give Nigeria a new dawn.

The inspirational speaker said that in every challenge lies opportunities for those who are willing to apply the principle of wealth creation. He said genuine investors capitalise on challenges to make a living.

By Adebola Fatoyinbo

“Japa” is a Yoruba slang that roughly means “to cut loose”. For four decades, Nigerians have been “cutting loose” to escape economic hardship and seek greener pastures in foreign lands.

Nigeria is a an oil-rich country with a thriving tech scene and entertainment industry that continues to contribute to the nation’s GDP.

However, many Nigerians, especially the middle class, are heading abroad or planning to do so in the hope and pursuit of a brighter future  due to various significant reasons.

Nigeria has the largest economy and population in Africa, and the country has benefited from a half-century-long oil and gas boom.

Despite these benefits, a lack of infrastructure, insecurity, unemployment, inequality, and poverty are major headaches.

According to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), over 63 per cent of the population are poor which is about 133 million.

Between 2010 and 2022, the country’s unemployment rate tripled to over 30 per cent. In July, inflation reached nearly 20 per cent.

Many Nigerians are concerned about the country’s deteriorating security, with criminal gangs kidnapping people for ransom in the north and centre of the country.

As a result, they came to the conclusion that the only safest solution is to migrate.

Though majority remain in sub-Saharan Africa, the number of people travelling to Europe and North America has increased significantly in recent years.

The Comptroller of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in Enugu State, Mr. Joachim Olumba at a sensitisation campaign on the scourge of Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) for stakeholders in Enugu State, disclosed that the rate of migration from Nigeria is becoming  worrisome.

He said the appetite to jet out of the country was usually driven largely by social, economic and security concerns.

Authorities track the number of citizens who enter and exit the country, but they do not track whether those who leave are going to work or live permanently abroad.

To many, what is paramount is to achieve the goal of migrating from the country and not the means of reaching their destinations.

Whether they are smuggled or trafficked, or even get to leave the country as stowaways does not really matter to them.

The ultimate interest is to relocate to foreign lands. But with this sole mindset, many migrants have met their untimely death through the menace.

Who, then, is to blame for their deaths?

We should blame our leaders who have refused to provide the necessary ambience in terms of security, good  business atmosphere and a sense of self worth; we should blame ourselves  the followers who still sing praises of politicians after being disappointed; we should blame everyone who has decided to remain silent in the face of tyranny; we should also blame ourselves for refusing to stay back and rebuild Nigeria together.

Rebuilding Nigeria is a collective task and can never be achieved if we keep migrating to foreign lands.

 

• Fatoyinbo is of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology.

Teens Going for Gold Network, a non-governmental organisation and development initiative, has reiterated its  commitment to providing underserved teenagers across Nigeria with 21st century learning experiences. This was just as it celebrated 10 years of its existence.

The organisation’s founder/ Executive Director, Pelumi Obisesan, said: ” Our experience working in education over the past 10 years, has revealed that real change is rooted in information and data. In the next  10 years, we are planning to focus on data-informed interventions and initiatives that really address the needs of teenagers in communities where they work. Particularly providing orphans and teenagers vulnerable to crime and poverty with learning experiences that will make them relevant in the 21st century.”

To commemorate its 10th anniversary, a seminar on “Achieving equitable quality education in Nigeria”, was held.

Executive Directors of other education-focused NGOs in the country, including Raquel Jacobs of Beyond the Classroom Foundation, Adedolapo Osuntuyi of Dolly Children and Elisha Dorcas of Marben Foundation, were present. The discussion, which served as a forum to share experiences measure progress, underline challenges, and recommend changes was moderated by  Obisesan.

Volunteers of the organisation also gathered in Lagos and Ibadan to celebrate.  The celebrations were rounded off with a seminar tagged: “Becoming a standout teenager.”  It was facilitated by Ife Shoola, an experienced leadership for development expert.

Since inception, the development initiative has held 29 e-seminars, 12 sessions of Project Teach a Teen – their summer programme for underserved teenagers – periodic school conferences called Project Inspire and 10 publications.Through its programmes, it has directly reached 12,384 teenagers, while  improving  the entrepreneurial, financial, leadership and vocational aptitude of participants.

By Abike Sanusi LASU

Prof. Akanji Rafiu Bankole of the  Faculty of Management Sciences, Lagos State University (LASU) has said peace education was imperative to address constant industrial disputes in the country.

He delivered the 87th Inaugural Lecture of LASU last week.

The lecture was entitled: “Train the operators the machine shall produce the desired outcome: The human resource management perspective.’’

He said: “Peace education should be incorporated into the orientation programmes (induction course) of both public and private organisations to enable the workers to acquire the skills required for the maintenance of peace in the workplace.”

Bankole urged  government at all levels to encourage  effective use of  identified skills in conflict management processes particularly among labour leaders by organising regular training programmes for them.

He noted that employers  should complement government efforts by organising similar training programmes for members of their management that represent them during the negotiation processes with the trade union leaders.

He advised the  Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to  organise either joint or separate training programmes on the identified generic skills for the leadership of their  trade unions.

“The government through the office of the Registrar of Trade Unions should formulate and enforce a policy that will make it mandatory for all labour leaders especially those at national and industrial levels to attend training programmes on the behaviour modification skills as soon as they are sworn into office,” he said.

He said employers of labour should encourage and assist their workers financially to update their knowledge  through part-time degree programmes, sandwich or distance learning programmes.

He said  this  became necessary because the low literacy level of some labour leaders is found to be responsible for their deficiencies in communication skills which is one of the skills required to enhance conflict-handling behaviours of labour leaders.

Bankole called for the establishment of a centre for conflict management and peace studies  in LASU  for people  to undertake certificate programmes on conflict management and peace studies.

“Most importantly, a centre for conflict management and peace studies should be established in Lagos State University as one of the leading universities in Nigeria, where people could come to undertake certificate programmes on conflict management and peace studies.”

He added that  conflict  is not inherently dysfunctional nor naturally destructive, rather its outcome depends largely on how it is handled or managed by the parties involved in the conflict.According to him,  conflict that is promptly, skillfully and effectively managed from the onset by the parties can bring about a myriad of functional consequences.

He spoke on conflict mode instrument which is based on five conflict management styles: competing, accommodating, avoiding, compromising and collaborating.

By Ifunanya Osakwe UNIBEN

The Head of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Benin,  Dr Daniel Ekearafo, has announced the return of the institution’s radio station named UNIBEN FM.

For about five years the radio was off air having been damaged by thunder.

However, it is back on air. One, the programmes aired included Tatafo Afrika, a talk show hosted by a final year student of the Department of Mass Communication, Murphy Ololade.

Ekhareafor called on the students to take advantage of the now functioning radio station.

“For years the studio was in a bad shape. We were using it to teach students broadcasting before it got struck by thunder.

“Afterwards, nothing was done about bringing it back to a functional state. It actually took a lot of work on my part and that of my staff to get it back on track.

“Now the students can easily learn skills such as voice over, broadcasting, TV commercial and other broadcasting skills. So, it will do the students a lot of good to embrace this opportunity.

“My office is available to you all and I promise that more projects will be done during my tenure,”  he said.

Some students hailed Ekhareafor for reviving UNIBEN FM.

“We are already making use of UNIBEN FM. This is an awesome experience and it is a commendable one”, said Divine Tope, a student.

Another student, Joshua Bassey said that the reviving   UNIBEN FM is a step forward towards building result-oriented students.

“Several times we have been taught of broadcasting but we found it difficult to comprehend because there is no physical evidence to further educate us.

“But with the radio and TV functioning now, it will help expose us to what practical broadcasting is all about”, he said.

“This is a great relief. Since I got admitted in 2017, the studio has been  out of shape and I am happy to be here to experience its revamping”, said Cynthia Moses, another student.

Meanwhile, sudents of the Department have donated a photocopy machine to the department.

The machine was bought by the 2018 set of the department.

According to the Assistant Class representative, Osayande Joshua, the class donated the photocopy machine to make work easier for Mass Communication Department management.

“We took it upon ourselves to contribute and purchase the photocopy machine because we believe that it will go a long way in aiding the management of Mass Communication Department.

“We noticed that there was no functioning photocopy machine in the department. And this being a department with over a thousand students it is  wrong not  to have  one.

“Thus, we   proceeded to get a serviceable photocopy machine for our department,” he said.

Ekhareafor applauded the students  for donating the machine.

He  said  his administration was ready to provide the best education to the students.

“The donation of the photocopy machine came as a surprise to us and I applaud the 2018 set of Mass Communication department for going out of their way to ease the workload of the department.

“Now we will no longer go to cyber cafes to photocopy works and documents. Instead we can easily do that on our own.

“On this note I will like Mass Communication students to know that the management is here for them. I have so many plans that will further enhance the students academics and my administration will continue to do so,” he said.

By Wisdom Okezie UNIPORT

The University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State has honoured  businessman and real estate mogul and Chief Executive Officer, Lekki Gardens Estate Limited, Richard Nyong with a  Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Business Administration.

It was at the 57th convocation of the institution in Port Harcourt last weekend.

This is in recognition of  his  outstanding accomplishments in business and philanthropic activities.

Vice Chancellor, Prof. Georgewill Owunari praised Nyong for being worthy ambassador of the institution.

He lauded the honoree for his  contributions to the development of the university through donations and the building of a lecture theatre, which is currently under construction to be named after him upon completion.

He urged other well-meaning alumni of the institution to emulate him.

“We are very proud of Mr. Richard Nyong, we are proud of his strides in business, especially in the real estate sector, he is our ambassador and benefactor. On behalf of the Senate and management of the institution, we congratulate him on the National Award of Officer of the Niger (OON) bestowed on him recently by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Nyong thanked the Senate, the Governing Council, and the management for finding him worthy of the honour.

“From my heart of heart, I would like to express my profound appreciation to the Senate, the Governing Council, and the staff of the university for this honour. I am a proud product of this great citadel of learning and will always try my best in my capacity to continually support the development of the institution,” he said.

The Federal Government has made it clear to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that it won’t pay for the eight months of the strike. But various branches of the union have held protests over the controversy. However, the union says it will continue to protest its withheld salaries. Some students are in support of ASUU, while others want the union to sacrifice for their sake. PRECIOUS ADESHINA (UNILORIN) FADEELAH ADEYEMO (UNIMAID) and CLARION OLUSEGUN (AAUA) report.

The battle between the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is far from over even after the union suspended its eight-month strike on October 14, 2022 following the ruling of the Appeal Court and intervention of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.

The war intensified when the Federal Government only paid lecturers under the aegis of ASUU for 18 working days in  October.

Lecturers and members of the union noted that they were paid  only  half salaries.Thus, ASUU held protests in its branches across the nation, while accusing government of attempting to turn intellectuals to casual workers.

However, the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, and his Labour and Employment counterpart. Senator Chris Ngige, said the government did not do anything wrong by what it paid the lecturers in October.

They also noted that the government would stick to the ‘no work, no pay’ policy.

But in a twist, the union said it may embark on ‘no pay no work’ since government insisted on ‘no work no pay’.

President of the union, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said if the Federal Government continued to withhold their  eight months salaries, they may embark on the policy.

Osodeke said the government did not  wait for the final judgment of the court on the matter before deciding not to pay  ASUU members their withheld salaries.

“Yes, the matter still continues before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, NICN, in Abuja. The court has not given a final judgement on it.

“Remember that we were not the ones who dragged the government to court. It was the government that took us to court. The order that the court gave was that we should go back to our duty posts while the matter is being heard.

“As law abiding people, we obeyed the order of the court. Unfortunately, the Federal Government that initiated the matter did not wait for the final decision of the court before starting the ‘no work, no pay’ issue. Even to a layman, when the court said go back and maintain the status quo, did it say that the government should be the judge on the matter?”

However, members of  ASUU on Monday said they would  continue their nationwide protest over their eight-months’ salaries  withheld by the Federal Government.

The decision was arrived at after a lengthy National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Calabar, Cross River State at the weekend.

Nevertheless, students have expressed divergent views on the matter.

Anastasia Opara, a  fresh graduate of Nnamdi Azikwe University, Akwa,wants ASUU to sacrifice for the students because ‘government doesn’t care’

“I think ASUU should sacrifice for the students, because, the government doesn’t care. Embarking on another strike would  drain students.

On the flip side, ASUU didn’t work during the eight months, so if the government decided not to pay, then it shouldn’t be a problem. If at all ASUU has to ask for money, it should be arrears payments they worked for and haven’t been paid, not the eight months they didn’t work and want to enforce payment,” she said.

Chika Emmanuel Ajah, a 300-Level Mass Communication student at

Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State, said: “An agreement made was meant to be fulfilled even if a new government enters. Sadly, it has not been  fulfilled. Telling ASUU to sacrifice for the sake of the students would only leave us in one spot of continuous strike, including lack of payments by the government, dilapidated buildings in the university, lack of equipment in the future.

“ASUU going on strike is for  the benefit of the lecturers, students and university at large, but  students are still affected because age is not on their side.   Organisations giving a stipulated age for job employment are not helping matters.

But to be frank,  ASUU should fight this battle and win it once and for all else if any other strike comes up, it will be an avenue for students to leave education and find other means of survival. The strike should be dealt with once and for all.”

Omotayo Okunola, a student at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), said: “As regards this, the essence of the strike was to get paid, and if the staff are still not paid, the strike and the time wasted is in vain.

The Federal Government is not ready to pay as it is now. Embarking on another  strike won’t make the government pay either. It will only multiply the unpaid salaries.

2022 ASUU strike was not the first strike in Nigeria’s history. I think we need God’s intervention at this time in Nigeria. He should touch the heart of our leaders.”

Precious Toluwani,a student at College of Health Technology, Akure, Ondo State, said: “ASUU should please sacrifice for the sake of the students and continue with the lectures. They should overlook the payment for the months during which the strike occurred.

“ASUU should please take the welfare of the students into consideration. They shouldn’t see them as someone else’s children but as their own children. I believe they all have children.

“The union should leave the months they did strike to God.

Also, ASUU should please not embark on a strike for the sake of the students. Freshers who ought to have resumed school are still at home. Those in school only waste their precious time at home doing nothing during the strike  while those who ought to have graduated by now are still in school.”

Victor Oluwatimileyin Adeboye, a 200-Level  student at Federal University of Technology, Minna, also wants ASUU to sacrifice.

” I have always had the idea that things should be resolved before  resumption. I’d say if they can agree to resume without a total resolution, sacrificing for the sake of students’ future will be the best.”

Emmanuella Olagunju, a 300-Level student at University of Ibadan, said : “While this will definitely affect students, it’s only fair for them to fight for what they deserve. They started this fight months ago and had an agreement with the government to resume. I’d count those eight long months as a total waste of our time if ASUU doesn’t fight to the end.”

Emmanuel Michael, a 200-Level student at University of Port Harcourt,does not want ASUU to go on another strike.

“It will not be nice if ASUU  goes on another strike because of the refusal of the government to pay the eight months arrears. Now, I would prefer ASUU to sacrifice for the sake of the students because they have been the ones assuring us that the strike would be called off in no time.

“They are the ones having the meeting with the government,  I believe the Federal Government has its reasons for not paying the eight months salary, one of the reasons is ASUU’s refusal to work. Although you cannot keep working when you are  held on to hopes without a sign.

“Imagine ASUU going for another strike, it would not add any value to students. By going on another strike after the eight months strike, ASUU will not be doing the students any favour. Their education will be delayed, waiting on the government.  The government has remained adamant on not paying, so why should they go for another strike when they already know the reason for the government saying they are not paying? ASUU should reconsider and ask for a little compensation.”

Theophilus Adewuyi, a 400-Level student at Obafemi Awolowo University(OAU), said: “Anything ASUU decides is the best for them. But since it is in the Constitution that “no work no pay” is another case. If ASUU is going on  strike, I think the strike is what will benefit not just ASUU but the students too. So if you won’t pay me well and I decide to go on break, I think it’s fine provided that it won’t lead to another problem.

‘’You can not be solving a problem and the solution is creating another problem. The two parties, I think, should have a meeting but if they are  able to reach a good agreement that means each party can decide what is best.”

Simbiat Amzat, a 300-Level Mass Communication student at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, urged the union to let go of the 8, months.

She said: “ASUU should forgo the eight months and start on a fresh page. They should set a new rule and reach a compromise with the government. If ASUU is truly fighting on behalf of the students, they should be able to make such sacrifices for their sake especially as the government is  adamant.”

Webster Audu, a 300-Level student at University of Illorin (UNILORIN) said: “If all those politicians can donate looted funds to this cause seriously all this would be a thing of the past. It’s hard to agree but I feel they shouldn’t step down now, it’ll be a waste of eight months, why go that far if they know they’ll give up, and hopefully we the youths use our head  to vote this time.”

Goddy Nwosu, a 400- Level student at UNILORIN does not want ASUU to activate its  ‘no pay no work’ rule.

His words: “I don’t think that ASUU should take such steps, and I’m not saying this because I am a student who is afraid of losing another academic year. Of course, I don’t want another strike, I just don’t think that it’s going to solve the problem.

‘’This was basically the same action taken by them earlier on, and it yielded no visible results. Rather they were forced back to duty without pay, and it would most likely not yield a different result this time. There’s the saying that ‘you can’t do the same thing over and over while expecting a different result’.

“I truly feel for ASUU but I just don’t think this is the path they should go.They too deserve to be well paid, it’s not a crime for them to demand such, but I think they have to rethink their method of demands.”

Mubarak Dikrullah, a student at University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Borno State, said: “ASUU should think of other means  of calling the government  to order.

The Federal Government and the union should find a way to come together and put their sentiments off and act in the interest of the country and that of  students.

“Embarking on “no pay no work” will just be devastating  for both the lecturers and the students. We’ve heard the reports from ASUU president that the union has lost many of its staff and same applies to the time students  wasted in school. So the government and ASUU should find proper  measures to curb this incessant strike.”

Another student at UNIMAID, Aisha Leman, said: ” ASUU going on strike is not the way out because as long as they haven’t  been paid  and there’s no hope they will be paid,   it’s better they just give it up and work.

The issue of ‘no work no pay’ has caused so much for the lecturers and  their family, why can’t they  give up the issue and work ?”

It just didn’t start. It is a long-time love story defined by deep affection. Just that it is not a love affair between two humans. On one side is a human with a big heart for development. The object of love is an institution that has come to mean more than a source of livelihood to him. It is more than a family to him. It is the Lagos State University (LASU) where he is the Acting Head of Department of the department of Mass Communication.

Associate Professor Tunde Akanni, like a faithful lover, has been looking after LASU’s interests and affairs for over two decades. There is no greater evidence than in his articles where he has been discussing different issues affecting the citadel of learning. A peep into some of the articles will reveal nothing but passion for accelerated progress and development of the Lagos-owned institution.

The articles written over the years on different media platforms bear testimony to his desire to see the institution prosper and become a leading light in the globe. Like most lovers, Akanni, sometimes agonises over the challenges facing his beloved institution. At other times, he gloats over its giant strides like a proud lover eager to show off a bride to the envy of others.

Days after the call-off of a long strike by the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) in 2007, Akanni wrote a piece titled: ‘’ Ambode’s destiny of distinctions and LASU’’. In it, he pointed out the appointment of Professor Olanrewaju Fagboun as vice chancellor by former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had turned out to be a masterstroke two years after. Akanni pointed out Fagboun democratised governance within the university community with a human face. He recalled how he established 30 committees to address the challenges facing the institution. He was particularly intrigued the vice chancellor restored the foreign training and collaborations which he was denied in the previous administration for uncanny reasons. He further praised the former Governor for appointing Professor Bayo Ninalowo as the chair of the university council. The appointment, for him, was the right direction that would move the university forward.

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As the first chair to hold the revered position, Akanni believed ‘’he should just go for gold.’’ According to him: ‘’ The reality today is that Lagos State can afford to own two universities but for now makes do with one. Conspicuously less resourced Ondo and neighbouring Ogun States have two universities each. It will beat my imagination if this era of the leadership of Professor Ninalowo does not stand out in the history of LASU for a long time with all the benefits of experience and supposed patriotic desire for his dear state.

‘’Currently, the best state university in the country, LASU can’t afford to be rated lower than the best federal government universities. If it could do better with enhanced facilities, it already parades some of the best scholars in town, deserving only the best possible from the promising profiles of the governor, the university council chair and the vice-chancellor.’’

Such optimism was confirmed not to be misplaced in 2020 when Akanni wrote another article titled: ‘’ How LASUSOC cultivated national leadership for LASU’’. The exultant writer gloats on the many firsts of the Lagos State School of Communication (LASUSOC) on its 20th anniversary. The faculty, he shared, had been attracting eminent sabbatical scholars, including Professor Lai Oso, Prof Ralf Akinfeleye, Professor Femi Sonaike, Professor Anthony Olorunnisola and others. For Akanni, each of them was a big catch that aided the scholastic endeavour of the faculty, which started the unbundling of Mass Communication programmes long before others started embracing it.

The Association for Communication Scholars and Practitioners of Nigeria (ACSPN) pioneered by Oso, who he spoke glowingly off, was another effort of the faculty to bridge the gap between media academics, professionals and practitioners as well as contribute to the body of knowledge.

He decided to beam the searchlight on some products of the faculty doing exploits in their different corners. They litter the academic, public and private sectors, making the faculty more than proud of its transforming impact of knowledge.

Akanni makes a 360-degree turnaround in ‘’Community relations agenda for the incoming LASU VC’’ where he bemoans the pathetic state of roads leading to the institution. The situation, he believed, was not befitting of a world-class institution of LASU status. Like a bemused lover, Akanni’s heartbreak is easy to decode.

He wrote: ‘’Between Egbeda and Igando, there is no known formally established market to warrant impenetrable road. Let’s traverse that route together here: Coming from Iyana-Ipaja to Egbeda, there’s a layby for commercial buses to make for free flow of traffic. They don’t use it and it seemed to have become an agreed normal between law enforcers and commercial motorists. More threateningly, you are on your way to LASU from the nation’s premier and largest international airport via Dopemu to the same Egbeda on your way to LASU, right at Egbeda, commercial motorists routinely throw caution to the wind. They make u-turn from the two sides of the dual carriage road by GTBank making mess of that junction. Yet, less than 50 metres away by Ilaka Junction, they turn the road into some garage leaving other road users, pedestrians and cyclists, at their hard to come by mercy. As you survive Egbeda and head on to Idimu, the bus drivers constantly disrupt your free drive as they disregard the provided layby points to pick passengers arbitrarily. You can’t avoid sudden intermittent stops, which cause accidents often. The most annoying point perhaps is the Idimu Junction right in front of an LCDA secretariat. Bus drivers converge right at the gate of the secretariat to pick passengers even as a properly constructed layby is only one-minute drive beyond it. You wonder, what the CDA officials benefit from this anomie. The apogee of the traffic congestion these days is at Igando, where, ironically, there is a distinctly visible bus terminus. Bus drivers shy away from the terminus and instead constrict the road to the barest minimum leaving long stretch of traffic on the road, all day. So, you can’t have any such ambition of hurrying to LASU or returning either.’’

On his 20th anniversary as a lecturer, Akanni decides to take a look at his life as a mentor to many students. He names students who stood out all these years, recalling how his biggest joy has been seeing them accomplishing mighty feats across the globe in different fields. He is happy to show off his many contributions in academia, cutting many fields of endeavour.

But he spares a thought for his mentors as well. A good mentor is a product of good mentors. Akanni recalled how he benefitted from mentors like Najeem Jimoh and Liad Tella who nurtured him as a journalist in his practising years. But for their help and support, Akanni is certain he may not have come off so well.

In all, the articles more than reveal his deep passion and affection for the institution, a lifelong affair with the potential for many more good things.

The University of Ibadan (UI) alumni under the auspices of “World of Uites” is set to hold the third edition of its dinner and awards night.

It is scheduled to hold on December 10 at Citi Height Hotel, Ikeja Lagos.

According to the convener, Tobiloba Ogunbanjo, an ex-student and former House Secretary of the Students’ Union, the group, established in February 2017, is a virtual gathering of UI alumni from all walks of life with the aim of keeping them together and building a lasting relationship.

Ogunbanjo also disclosed that over the years, the association has provided welfare support for members, sponsored and also supported some undergraduate activities.

He said: “This year, we will be celebrating the excellence of alumni raising the banner of the alma mater, and this will be an avenue to ritually reconnect old friends together”.

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Last year, Reps Member, Hon (Prince) Rotimi Agunsoye, Vice Chairman Bariga Local Council – Adeola Zainot Kuponiyi, Amb Taiwo Ailogwehme, Tola Adedibu S.A to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Abuja Liaison Office, First UCJ-UI President Bayo Ajala were honoured.

For this year’s event, Distinguished Alumna Yeye Agbaakin Tolanikawo Akande; Asiwaju Hon Seun Fakorede, Commissioner For Youths and Sports Oyo State; Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant Media to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Hon Samuel Olufemi Apata APC Candidate Somolu Constituency II; Dr Saheed Ayoola Founder Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (R.A.I.N) and Dotun Oloniyo of BBN and others would be honoured.