Category: Campus Life

The country celebrated its 62nd Independence anniversary last week (October 1). Sadly, it was lamentations from students across diverse institutions. They said the education sector had not fared any better through the ages. They complained of inadequate funding, disruption of academic activities due to incessant strikes by staff unions, limited admission spaces in universities, dearth of facilities and laboratory equipment, poor infrastructure, low research output, policy summersault, ineffective curriculum, upsurge in insecurity in schools, among others. PRECIOUS AKINTULUBO (OOU) reports.

Besieged on all sides by insecurity, economic challenges, incessant strikes by staff unions in tertiary institutions, poor education sector, brain drain,among others; the country celebrated her 62nd Independence anniversary with despair and lamentations by students and others.

Seemingly placating students who have been at home for over seven months as a result of strike, President Muhammadu Buhari in his message on Independence Day said: “I must confess that I am very pained by the recurring disruption to our tertiary education system and I am using this Independence Day celebration to re-iterate my call for the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to return to the classroom while assuring them to deal with their contending issues within the limits of the scarce resources available. This administration has made appreciable progress in redressing these issues that have been lingering for over eleven years.

“The Federal Government will continue to mobilise resources both internationally and nationally towards funding education to ensure that our citizens are well educated and skilled in various vocations in view of the fact that education is a leading determinant of economic growth and employment generation.”

Regardless of the President’s message, students are unhappy with the way education is handled in the country. They gave a damning assessment of the sector.

They noted that at 62 years,it is not yet Uhuru for tertiary education. According to them, the country lags behind in terms of teaching (the learning environment), research and funding.

Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu a 400-Level student of Information and Media Studies at Bayero University, Kano, lamented inadequate funding, disruption of school activities due to incessant strikes by staff unions, human capital flight, limited admission spaces in universities, dearth of facilities and laboratory equipment, disappearance of libraries, high tuition fees, shortage of infrastructure, low research output, policy summersault, ineffective curriculum, among others.

He said: “The sector is faced with problems of neglect, lack of proper attention and the right political will on the part of successive governments to reposition it.”

Aliyu noted that Nigeria’s economy couldn’t stand on its own, therefore,there was nothing worthy of celebration.

For Bolawole Oluwole, a 400-Level student of Industrial Chemistry at Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State,the country is blessed with intellectuals of global standard but they are being raised in a toxic academic environment which is more of a dream killer.

“What is worth celebrating is how Nigeria’s education sector is still able to produce people of reputation in various fields. The sector has long been crippled by political will,” he said.

He decried the sector, adding that it was nothing to write home about compared to developed and developing countries because ‘the political class would rather have young Nigerians remain in mental slavery as they can exploit them, than let them have quality education which would set them free from mental slavery.’

Toheeb Shittu, a Mass Communication student at Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic (AAP), Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, said:” Despite the fact that the educational system is currently in a dire situation, it has been able to produce students with a good legacy, countdown back to independence.

“Putting Nigeria’s sector on the scale with other ranked countries, we are far behind. A case where politicians take their wards out of the country to study comes readily to mind.”

Adedokun Mazeedat, a 300-Level student at Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, said the Independence anniversary would have been worth celebrating had the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) not gone on strike.

She said: “Education is a life changing tool which should be prioritised, but it is not the same case with Nigeria as the sector is poorly funded and lacks effective implementation methods of set rules and dynamic standards.”

Mazeedat admitted that education in the country could not be compared to neighbouring countries who operate in the best learning system with practicable curriculum and well paid facilitators.

A 300-Level student of Mass Communication at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akoko (AAUA) , Friday Ewajane complained that the sector was getting worse as most of those in charge were not relevant in the field.

He said: “Before we can say Nigeria’s education is better, let’s look at the condition of teachers, lecturers, schools and tertiary institutions. Imagine, the Federal Government finds it difficult to end the ASUU strike. This is what we’ll always get when we use a doctor to head the Ministry of Education. What knowledge or innovation will a medical doctor bring on board?”

“No adequate facilities in lecture theatres, dilapidated classrooms, no teachers, no laboratory, library, among others. So what then are celebrating if all these are missing? Nothing! Snd that’s why their wards study abroad. Politicians’ children should be banned from schooling abroad, that’s when we can have a functional sector.”

A 300-Level student of Pure Chemistry at Olabisi Onabanjo University(OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Iretomiwa Somefun, described the education sector as dormant and stuck with the same events and activities from years back and in need of fresh ideas.

Somefun lamented the ongoing ASUU strike and government’s inability to resolve the issue while those in school are mostly frustrated by the system but they keep pulling through just to get certificates rather than knowledge.

Samuel Agbelusi, a 300-Level student of Political Science at AAUA, said during the early days of Nigeria independence from the Britain, the nation’s education was the most sought after in Africa but at 62, it was in a worrying situation to the extent that Federal Government is encouraging Nigerians to apply for scholarship in UK.

“Nigeria’s education sector can’t be compared to what obtains in developed countries. Lackadaisical attitude of government and lecturers coupled with an outdated system is worrisome,” he said.

Agbelusi believes nothing is worth celebrating. He said negative effects of strike on students, dilapidated facilities, poorly-trained teachers and absymal online learning systems in public institutions were saddening.

Meanwhile, for Adetunji Adewale, a Mass Communication student at AAP, said: “Celebrating Independence is not worth it again as it used to be. Our education sector is in problem, the standard is longer there.

“ASUU has been on strike for over 7 months now and government seems unconcerned. Also, the budget allocation for the education has been very poor for the past 12 years. Government fails to understand that education generates money only if it has proper investment.”

Bamidele Mustafa, a 300-Level Mass Communication student at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, said:

“Education in Nigeria is unstable. We grew up with the belief that a university certificate is a ticket to a white-collar job with good pay, which was a fair belief 20 years ago.

“Fast forward to 10-15 years ago, government’s interest in education started waning as a result of the inept individuals appointed to handle education.

Victor Adikpe, a student of Electrical Engineering at Yaba College of Technology(YABATECH), Lagos, said: “The sector is poorly functioning at the moment as more still needs to be done. Just imagine, doing more theory than practicals really tells on our state of development as a nation.”

Okani Iswell, a 400-Level student at Nnamdi Azikiwe University(UNIZIK), said:”No youth who has a defined agenda is happy with the situation of Nigeria.

Nigeria has matured in independence but not in development; how will a 62 -year-old country still be entertaining a shutdown to its academic sector? It only means that the title “giant of Africa” should be withdrawn from the country. Ours is a presumed self-reliant country that is unknowingly trying to destroy the vision of the youths.”

Adesawe Seyi, another YABATECH student the education sector was regressing because of incessant industrial action but university unions.

“Nigeria’s education sector is lagging behind others because it has been less active since the advent of the ASUU strike. This makes it less encouraging for students,thus, there is nothing to celebrate.

 

Addressing the challenges

 

Issues like delayed salaries of lecturers, low terms of support to institutions, poor facilities, strikes and more have done more harm than good. The country has experienced 16 years of strike without concrete solutions.This will affect the economy and there would be lack of development in most sectors.

Nonetheless, there are renewed calls for a total overhauling of the education sector. This would help reposition the sector and give the needed boost.

Boluwatife Ojo, a 500-Level Law student at Obafemi Awolowo University, said, government should work towards providing a good and conducive learning environment for students, fund the universities, upgrade infrastructure, provide good laboratories and Information Communication Technology (ICT) equipment, ensure financial autonomy and discipline among lecturers. Lecturers should be made to work diligently through incentives.

He said: “Government needs to make public-private collaboration with institutions work. This will boost university education.”

Sayedi Umar Mohammed, a 400-Level student of Applied Chemistry at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), while quoting a recent report, noted that the country was not a part of the top ten countries in Africa with the best education system. He, however, suggested that government should declare a state of emergency in the education sector and improve its budgetary allocation.

Stephen Ezekiel, a 300-Level student of Psychology at Olabisi Onabanjo University, said any country that does not give priority to education is a failed state.

He said: “Nigeria’s education sector currently is a mess. The sector should be given more priority. If truly we mean it, when we say education is the best legacy, then we must back our words with action. Education should be given great priority across all levels.”

 

. Additional reports by Favour Nwankwo (COOU)

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has passed a vote of confidence on the Director General and CEO of National Pension Commission (PenCom) Aisha Dahir-Umar.

Speaking at a briefing, NANS Senate President, Attah Felix Nnalue admitted that the union’s recent Freedom of Information (FOI) letter on the alleged annual expenditure of N14 billion on personnel costs was not only misleading but wasn’t backed by any fact.

The union had threatened to stage daily mass protests against PenCom should the pension regulators fail to furnish it with the details demanded in the FOI.

Nnalue, however, said that after carefully reviewing its allegations against PenCom, NANS found that there was a “marked difference between staff cost and staff salary” with the former consisting of training allowances, staff exit benefit scheme, and employers’ pension contribution “as opposed to salaries that are fixed and eared monthly”.

He blamed the misconception on the “lack of inattentiveness that played out at the National Assembly” when the lawmakers recently invited officials of PenCom to seek clarification on issues as part of their oversight functions.

Nnalue said the union regretted that since the events that transpired at the National Assembly few weeks ago, both the traditional and social media, either out of mischief or lack of understanding of the issue, have been misrepresenting facts with the intention to portray Dahir-Umar in bad light.

The NANS Senate President, who described the PenCom boss as a pacesetter, said it carried out an independent findings and came to the conclusion that the allegation of wasteful spending is in many parts misleading, untrue, unverified, therefore, should be ignored.”

He further called on relevant stakeholders to focus on steps taken by the “Dahir Umar-led PenCom to safeguard contributors’ funds rather than on inanity.”

“It is imperative to state that at the inception of the PenCom over 18 years ago, the commission has operated, especially under the present DG, an employee compensation policy that favourably compares to comparator government bodies in the financial services sector, such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

“Furthermore, the NANS is aware that the Presidential Committee on the Consolidation of Emoluments in the Public Sector headed by the late Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Head of the Interim National Government, made a number of recommendations which guided the PenCom Board in its compensation review exercises. One of the recommendations is that the pay structure of self-funded agencies should be benchmarked with their private sector comparators so as to ensure relativity in such agencies and attract and retain high-calibre professionals.”

Read Also: PENCOM alleges blackmail over N3m monthly salary claim

Speaking on Dahir-Umar’s strides as PenCom CEO, Nnalue said she supervised the growth of the pension assets from N6.42 trillion in 2017 to N14.3 trillion as at July 2022.

“She introduced the Multi-Fund Structure of investment of pension fund assets to address the investment appetite and preference of contributors as well as their age profile.

“Dahir-Umar also approved a structured reduction of fees on Net Asset Value of pension fund assets.

“The PenCom boss introduced the Micro Pension Plan for the participation of informal sector workers in the Contributory Pension Scheme. The Micro Pension Plan was formally launched by Mr. President on 28 March, 2019.

“She developed the Enhanced Contributor Registration System (ECRS) to clean and enhance the integrity of the pension industry database.

“She introduced the RSA Transfer Window to enable contributors change their PFAs at least once in a year.

“She instituted a periodic Pension Enhancement programme every three years, where the retirees’ monthly pensions are enhanced based on the performance of their RSAs.

“Dahir-Umar aslo automated the Annual Enrolment Exercise for FGN retirees to remove the inconvenience of the physical process of the exercise.

“Recently, she issued the Guidelines for Access to a Percentage of RSA balance towards payment of Equity Contribution for residential mortgage.

“She has strengthened the minimum capital base of PFAs from N1billion to N5billion for better service delivery to contributors.

“She facilitated the payment of outstanding accrued pension rights of FGN retirees, which drastically shortened the waiting period for accessing their retirement benefits,” the NANS leader noted.

The students therefore, insisted that they would not allow themselves “to be swayed by a malicious narrative against a tested and patriotic woman that has dedicated her life to the service of our dear nation.”

“We are against corruption and we are committed to advocating and promoting good governance at all levels, as such we will never support corrupt elements in government. But where there is a clear misinformation about happenings, we owe ourselves and the society a duty to get to the bottom of the matter in order to get the facts and set the records straight.

“It is due to some of the reasons enumerated above that NANS as a body of all Nigerian Students decided to pass a vote of confidence on the leadership of Mrs Aisha Dahir Umar, the Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) for her exemplary leadership and track record of performance.”

 

The same day that the National Industrial Court (NIC) ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off their ongoing strike, Ekiti State University (EKSU) school management pulled out of it, ordered resumption of school and fixed exam dates. However, despite the students’ happiness on the resumption, they urged the school management not to rush academic activities as it will affect their grades. EMMANUEL SALAKO (EKSU) and PRECIOUS AKINTULUBO (OOU) report.

Ekiti State University (EKSU)  has pulled out of the ongoing strike which began on February 14.

The school management gave the directive in a statement by the Head, Directorate of Information, Bode Olofinmuagun.

The statement entitled: “Resumption of academic activities in EKSU”, directed students to resume the following day (Thursday, September 22).

It noted that lectures for the second semester of 2020/2021 session were scheduled between September 22 and October 21, while the second semester examination for the same session would hold between October 24 and November 5.

The institution appealed to teaching and non-teaching staff to give their support so that the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic sessions would be completed without further delay.

Olofinmuagun said the position of the school management was that students should resume but he could not talk about academic activities.

A Sociology lecturer, Prof. Christopher  Oluwadare, said: “Now that the management has announced the resumption date, students should be prepared to make the most of it and not murmur about the time frame.”

For some students, this is what they have been waiting for. They can’t wait to resume and tap into  opportunities that await them after graduation. However, the one-month time frame to run the semester has them urging the school management to review the  timetable for lectures and examinations, otherwise their grades and mental health would suffer for it.

Olajiga Oluwapelumi, a final year student in the Department of  English Education,  said if the exams were  held in October, massive failure should be expected.

“We just concluded our first semester examinations when we started the strike seven months ago. That is, we don’t have any knowledge on  any of the courses we’ll be offering for the new semester,” she said.

Alawode Vindication, a final year Sociology student, wants the school to review  the timeframe of lectures.

He said: “The mental stress that we would experience is something of serious concern. Given that students are just returning from an academic exile of seven months, it would be insensitive for the management to run a four-month learning period in less than two months.”

A 200-Level student of Psychology, Ajibade Damilola, said she was  happy about the resumption but the timeframe given for lectures was  very short.

According to her, students are in school to gain knowledge but if they are given that short period of time to prepare, they won’t be able to gain anything since they just expect them to read on their own and pour out things during the examination.

She also said even if the handouts, materials and course outlines were made available, students couldn’t cover the syllabus within that short period.

“September and November would have been okay to prepare and then we can start the exam by December,” she suggested.

Areola Ifeoluwa, a 200-Level Science Laboratory Technology student, said there was no way students would cover up a semester in a month, especially with practicals for the science students.

She said: “It is going to be too cumbersome, the lecturers are not even being paid. Do we expect them to lecture accurately? If we are to resume after this long break, it should be on good terms not by coercion.”

On if the school should remain on strike till the strike is called off nationally rather than giving one month of lecture before the commencement of the examination, a 400-level Political Science student, Adeleke Rachael said there was  no need to wait for the calling off of the strike in as much as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter  of the institution agrees to resume.

She said the sudden resumption needed to be reviewed and suggested that the school management should start the semester afresh and follow the normal number of months meant for a semester.

“There is no need to rush students since the year is already wasted. Moreover, we haven’t even started classes fully or even done any assignments before the strike. How then do we resume and have lectures for a few weeks and go ahead to write exam?” she  said.

Kolawole Morenikeji, a 400-Level student of Linguistics is unhappy with  the resumption because she has  got a job,hence, resumption seems to be  a total change of plan for her.

She said: “It’s sudden and nobody expected it. Of course, we need enough time for class, not even the examination alone. Therefore, taking the examination in a month after resumption, doesn’t sound good.”

However, a 300-level Biochemistry student, Susan Temilayo, who has been on Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) since the beginning of the strike, said: “Rather than the rush in just a month, two months would do to an extent. Let’s not forget also, we’re students and we survive everything thrown at us.

“Although many students are not interested in going back to school, at least for now, they are  busy with making money and it’s really going fine for many yet that doesn’t mean we should write off the completion of our education by wanting the strike to continue. It is  not advisable to remain on strike as the delay is  getting tiring.

Abigail Akinola, 200-Level student of Education and English Language said: “How is it possible to be done with one semester in just one month and examination in just a month?  Even EKSU knows it’s not possible because 100-Level students sit for their papers before others.  Therefore, without pleading for the date to be extended, it will be extended but it might not exceed this year.”

Akinola noted that her enthusiasm had waned, hence,  she just wants to quickly graduate so that she can face her life. She also said she would have preferred to venture into business,  if she had known that her stay in the school would be prolonged.

Agbabiaka Precious, a 200-Level Political Science, doesn’t  want a situation whereby after resumption, students would have to return home.

“EKSU won’t cease to give us surprises but I feel there should be enough time to prepare adequately because our grades will suffer it. They are just going to rush us which can’t be in our favour,” she said.

For 200-Level student of Medicine and Surgery, Feranmi Osayomi, the institution should have withdrawn from the strike earlier  because many students have lost  interest in academics.

“Well, there should be enough time for preparation. You can’t tell me you expect students to have been reading earnestly in anticipation of an unannounced exam. The strike was just an opportunity to get some things right.

“On the whole strike issue, government needs to understand that the whole educational system will definitely be affected, hence ,it should act decisively.

Samuel Robinson, a 200-Level Psychology student, said: “Resumption by the management is an act of cowardice, confusion, lack of integrity and jeopardy to the national struggle, meaning they shouldn’t have joined in the first place.”

Bakare Taofeek Oluwatobiloba, the Students Union Government (SUG) Public Relations Officer (PRO), a 300-Level student of Statistics, said most students are  troubled due to short duration slated for the semester.

“Personally, even before the resumption was declared, I believed the calendar would be very short upon resumption based on the time wasted, which is not students’  fault,” he said.

He said students were  the recipient of every negative effect of the strike action, ranging from delay in life plan, having to pay two years rent for an academic session, having to stress themselves in preparing for lectures and examinations.

Meanwhile, Student Union Government (SUG) President, Alade Emmanuel, a 500-Level student of Electrical and Electronic Engineering,  is happy as regards the resumption and wants students to resume school before debating on whether the timeframe should be extended or not.

Speaking on the sudden resumption, he said: “After spending 7 months at home, students should not  find it sudden since it is what  we have been expecting. The only snag is the late notification, but above all, it is  well overdue.”

He added that the union would not support ineffective lectures and  students need to note that if there is no maximum record of lectures taken as it has always been, lecturers will not be allowed to conduct any examinations.

 

ASUU-EKSU speaks…

Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Ekiti State University (EKSU) chapter, Dr. Kayode Arogundade, said: “As long as the court ruling subsists, we will not make any statement until our application for a stay of execution is heard at the appeal court.

However, I don’t know how a set of people who haven’t been paid for months would resume academic activities.”

 

 

The days when businesses would rely on cheeky ads and marketing are long gone. In the tech-driven world, the most effective businesses rely various genius marketing, innovation and digital advertising techniques to streamline their work and help them engage more effectively with prospects and leads.

Many small and medium businesses are hitting sales on a high level using  creative  business hack.

Business hack is any strategy you can use to grow or improve your business while simultaneously saving time, effort, and resources.

Businesses no longer need to have a Google or HubSpot partnership before they can thrive which is why many businesses without hefty marketing budgets are bootstrapped into low-sales and few prospects.

Nowadays, it’s easier  than ever to get your business up and running – including recurring revenues – both offline and online.

The fact is, 90 per cent of businesses fail. And the ones that do not fail are just break even, no profit, no loss. And what about the wasted time and resources? Marketing is quite crucial to address this.

Read Also: ‘Education needs to be engaging, innovation-driven’

To get things started as startups and emerging businesses with a look to overcoming  the marketing and advertising hurdles to come, various strategies should be deployed.

Today, more people are familiar with the term “advertising and marketing.” With many businesses having Customer Relationship Management (CRM) subscriptions and ads membership, businesses are able to run ads and marketing effectively. That is  great for those who have hefty budgets and investors lining on their doors.

As a startup and medium business, you do not have access to advanced CRM, you may not even have the budget for a complete digital marketing plan. In those instances, like when you’re running late on ads, it can be hard to rake in prospects or  customers.

Business hack is perfect for small businesses, medium business, entrepreneurs and scale-up – especially businesses that want to reach an audience and propel their message in a dynamic and customer-centric way.

A business expert noted that  it (Business Hack) ensures an advanced ad and marketing system that works effortlessly, saves you a ton of time and gives  valuable customers.

According to him, it helps to focus on scaling through competitors and amplifying  business.

 

• Oderinde wrote in from Lagos

 

The Senate clerk of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS),  Saad Olatunji Baki, has praised the Kwara State Government over the infrastructural development ongoing in Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

Baki, an Estate Management student at KwaraPoly, was recently elected as the Senate clerk of NANS at the  convention in Abuja.

No student of the institution has won any contested post at NANS for 15 years.

Baki, during a visit to the Commissioner of Tertiary Education in the state, Dr Afeez Abolore Alabi, thanked the Kwara State Government for prioritising the welfare of  students by ensuring that the school hostels were completely remodeled.

He thanked the Commissioner for his  contributions toward the development of state institutions, especially in Kwara Poly, where lecture rooms are being constructed and renovated.

Alabi promised that  students in the state would be  well treated.

According to the Commissioner, the state government was working to ensure that the school hostel is affordable for students.

He noted  that  price for room allocation has been subsidised and reduced for the comfort of students.

Alabi assured that the award of scholarships and payment of bursary to indigenous students would be announced soon and disbursed.

 

 

Stakeholders in the education-technology field have been advised  to come up with policies that would guarantee the safety of  learners and children online.

This was the consensus at   the September edition of EdTech Mondays, an initiative of the Mastercard Foundation  in partnership with Co-Creation Hub, following a report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF),  that ‘some 80 per cent  of children in 25 countries report feeling in danger of sexual abuse or exploitation online.’

The virtual meeting with theme: “Using EdTech to enhance internet safety for learning”, was moderated by a social engineering practitioner, Joyce Daniel. It featured panelists such as founder, Internet Safe Kids Africa, Confidence Oseyen, a child internet safety advocate, Elijah Afolabi and a parent, Olukayode Babalola.

Oseyen stated that  responsibility for the protection or safety of children online was collective. He said   users,parents and  teachers should not be left alone to bear the burden.

She urged policymakers to embrace  policies from other developed nations to protect children from  abuse.

She equally tasked internet service providers not to leave the responsibility of child safety online to users but rather create products that would empower young learners to protect themselves.

Afolabi  urged policymakers  in the education sector to ensure that the curriculum is updated to include online safety. He said it was  imperative to bring  pupils to understand  online safety.

Babalola noted that every parent regardless of status should be concerned about the safety of his or her children online.

He urged parents to pay adequate attention to kids at the pre-formative stages to prevent them from being influenced negatively through the internet.

He said it was important  to teach children  culture and values that would assist them to navigate  the internet safely.

The President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria(NPMCN), Ijanikin, Lagos State, Dr. Akin Osibogun, has said braindrain is threatening  the institution’s production of medical and dental specialists.

He spoke at the institution’s 40th convocation of 416 fellows.

He said: “Brain drain is greatly threatening the realisation of the college mandates of producing enough specialist medical and dental manpower for the country.”

Osibogun said the challenge needed to be addressed by the government, calling for an enabling environment to practise the two professions and encourage many to enter into the fields, and retain them to practise, rather than to seek opportunities abroad.

Osibogun said the college had produced no fewer than 7,500 medical and dental specialists since its inception 43 years ago.

Minister of State for Health Joseph Ekumankama, represented by the Director-General, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Prof. Babatunde Salako, said the Federal Government acknowledged the role being played by NPMCN in the production of high quality medical and dental care professionals.

He said the government would continue to support the insitution with funds to discharge its mandates better.

Founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, was conferred with an honorary Fellowship Award by the college.

Others were three fellows of the college – the former college President, Prof. Musa Borodo; former Registrar, Dr. Owoidoho Udofia and an ex-Governing Board member, Dr. Augustine Ohwovoriole.

Babalola thanked the college and its leadership for considering him worthy to be accorded the honour.

Speaking through his representative, Prof Slyvester Oluwadare Ojo, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of ABUAD, Babalola said he would have loved to become a medical doctor as he cherished the profession in his early years and even now but for fate that took him to the legal profession.

He said he would continue to contribute significantly to the university education and the training of medical personnel.

Babalola urged the college and other relevant medical institutions to partner ABUAD’s College of Medicine and teaching hospital in areas of mutual benefit.

He said ABUAD had become a great force to reckon with among other top-rate universities globally and would continue to strive for greater heights.

Osibogun hailed Babalola for his passion for healthcare development.

“He is being honoured for his uncommon passion and commitment and investments in the multi-system hospital and the medical school at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti.

“This is the highest recognition the college can confer on non-medically qualified dignitaries.

“Though, while our regular fellowships are registrable with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the honorary fellowship is not,” he said.

 

 

A graduate of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Osunleke Oludare Alaba, recently stormed his alma mater, returning his certificate and asking for a refund of fees paid to the school before he graduated. However, students and lecturers have blamed him for not upskilling and relying on his certificate alone. They urged the government to empower youths and address unemployment. PRECIOUS AKINTULUBO (OOU) reports.

When Osunleke Oludare Alaba,  a 2015 graduate of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, left school, he had envisioned a great future. But fate had other plans for him.

The 36-year-old man, who said the certificate had no impact on his existence created unpleasant scenes at his alma mater whe he returned his certificate and requested for a refund of fees he paid to the institution.

He asked for a refund of the fees so he could use it to build his talent and pursue his career.

He said: “I am talented in singing, dancing, acting and comedy. In fact, I have been making social media skits for some time now. I remember that during my National Youth Service year,  I won MTN talent hunt for up-and-coming musicians. But things have been very rough for me,’’ he said.

Alaba added that he wanted to be a responsible child, have money and take care of his aged parents who he had  not visited  for five years because he had nothing to give them.

Fortunately for Alaba, after the video went viral, he was empowered with a cheque of N500,000 by LAUTECH alumni.

His  case of unemployment is really a big challenge to the educational sector and the economy at large. Gone are those days when jobs were ready for students as soon as they graduated.

Though there are still some job vacancies, some graduates are not capable to fill them as a result of their lack of knowledge.

Some of these graduates have no choice than to learn vocation and  involve in menial jobs.  Some even work under illiterates while some decide to get involved in social vices like cyber crime, popularly referred to as Yahoo, prostitution, money ritual and armed robbery.

 

Statistics of unemployment

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the unemployment rate is calculated as a percentage of the number of the unemployed hence in 2020, the estimated rate of unemployment is 33.3 per cent, underemployment rate is 22.8 per cent, youth unemployment is 42.5 per cent and youth underemployment 21 per cent. This data shows that a change of perspective and orientation is needed.

 

Students react

Students from diverse institutions gave their view on the Alaba’s  action and what it portends for the educational sector.

A 400-Level student of Food Science and Engineering in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Zainab Surajudeen, said Alaba was frustrated about how everything was going  after  graduation. His  efforts towards security employment were  in vain.

She said: “His father’s response when he requested sponsorship for Master’s also fuelled his frustration to return the certificate as his father asked him  when he would stop providing food for him.

“His tuition fees cannot be refunded just like what he has gained in school cannot be removed. The institution could consider his story and offer him help with a good job.”

Surajudeen said education was  no longer encouraging.

Gbadegesin Adeyanju, another LAUTECH student, said  hardship after graduation forced his actions, but he doesn’t expect the school to refund his school fees.

He said: “His actions portray Nigeria’s educational sector as bad. Students’ attitude towards education can’t be the same again.”

Abdulrasheed Hammad, a 400-Level student at Usman Dan fodio University Sokoto (UDUS) said the main reason Alaba returned his certificate was to make people  help him.

Hammad said most graduates and undergraduates nowadays erroneously believe their certificates  would fetch them good jobs, rather than knowledge acquired.

“If he can return the knowledge imparted in  him, then the institution can refund the money,” he said.

A 400-Level  Mass Communication student at Lagos State University (LASU), Ayomide Sotubo, said his actions were logical, every student is expected to pay attention to  personal development by acquiring skills, instead of relying solely on certificates.

“Truthfully, Nigeria has failed him.  I understand his plight, yet returning his certificate is not the best. Being a graduate is not an automatic key to success,” he said.

Sotubo noted that the educational sector can’t be compared with that of developed countries where systems are in place to guarantee a good life for students.

Fatimah Idera,  a 200-Level Sociology student at  Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA),  said the graduate’s  action portrays Nigeria educational sector to be worse than ever due to nonchalant attitude of leaders.

She said: “I felt his reasons for his actions was because he was frustrated.”

A 300-Level student of Mass Communication at  the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Faith Ojo, described Alaba as a ‘cloud chaser who got mistaken by his view of the outside world’. She said the institution could not refund his fee because he  also gained a lot while on campus.

“For him to react in such a way, he must have gone through a lot. I hope he finds solace and greatness,” she said.

Faith Opeyemi Alofe, a 400-Level student of English and Literary Studies at  Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) said high-level of suffering and poverty made him react in such a manner.

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She noted  that the institution does not have to do anything because they have done their best in giving  him needed knowledge for him  to launch himself into the world and look for opportunities.

“We understand that the state of Nigeria doesn’t give an enabling environment to thrive,  but we can’t dispute the fact that some people are actually making it here in the country. It  is just individual ability to take opportunities,” she said.

Peace Oladipo, a 300-Level student of Mass Communication,  Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) said he was angry because the certificate seems useless.

“I can never act the way he did because I have grown to the realisation of the fact that certificates are not requisites for a good life,” she said.

 

‘Education needs  change’

Daniel Joseph, a Mass Communication student, Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic (AAPOLY), said the graduate had to react in such a manner due to depression.

He said: “To avoid the repetition of this same issue, institutions should include vocational training and certification for an undergraduate before being issued degree so that such individual can use the knowledge as a source of income as well as undergraduates close to their final year should also be exposed to three-month  internship in private and public establishments.”

A 300-Level Mass Communication student at University of Nigeria Nsukka, Chika Igba, said Alaba was frustrated as  he sought a means of survival.

Addressing what Oludare’s action portends for Nigeria’s educational sector, Igba said: “There has always been the narrative that our education sector is not up to standard, but I don’t think that this case portrays it to be so. A lot of people graduated with that guy. How many of them came back for a refund? At least some will be well off which means they utilises their education, opportunities, connection and God-factor.”

Maruf Mubarak Adetunji, a 200 level student, Lagos State University (LASU), said the graduate was under pressure over his inability to make ends meet using his certificate.

“This action will have a negative impact on our deteriorated education system and our people within and outside the country will think Nigeria’s education sector has nothing to offer, which is  not true,” he said.

Eniola Bakare, a 400-Level Mass Communication student,  Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, said LAUTECH cannot do anything about Alaba’s case since it wasn’t their fault. He urged  the government to address unemployment.

“I have never heard anyone do this, but it’s also sad because it gives  a negative image to  education  in Nigeria. I am empathetic towards him,” she said

A student of Electrical Engineering in University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benedict Ebhodaghe, said regardless of Alaba’s  reason to be frustrated, his action showed that he was irresponsible.

“Although Nigeria’s education sector is not encouraging, his action has no effect on the sector because it’s just one out of thousands of graduates who is complaining.”

 

Lecturers’ speak

A lecturer in the Department of Psychology, LAUTECH, Dr Fisayo Adebimpe, said: “Well, by the current situation, which is  harsh and unfavourable, people can go to any extent in creating  public self- awareness to seek attention for help or sympathy. Not withstanding, the action is not justifiable. It could set bad precedence to emulate. His frustrations and reservation should also be directed towards the government and other relevant authorities.The institution attended has certified that he is qualified to be employed and empowered.

Another lecturer, Lamidi Ishola of the Department of Mass Communication, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA),  blamed the government for Alaba’s  reaction.

According to him, he won’t blame him because his action was borne out of frustration. He said it was a reflection of the government in power, adding that it cannot provide for youths.

“I’m sure that such a thing cannot happen in a sane developed environment where we have responsible leaders who are capable enough to create a better environment for their youths to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the development of their country,” he said.

Ishola said the action should serve as a wake up call on the part of the government to empower youths.

Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ehizua Hub to foster digital innovation and techpreneurship by providing equal access to affordable and quality education as well as bridge the financial and digital divides.

The Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Prof Lawrence Ezemonye, disclosed this after a meeting with the management of Ehizua Hub at the university’s main campus in Okada.

According to Ezemonye, the strategic partnership is a bold step towards positively changing the trajectory of private tertiary education in Nigeria.

The VC disclosed that the transnational educational programme would include research collaborations, joint application for grants, exchange programmes, provision of relevant Information Technology softwares to enhance teaching and learning as well as international partnerships.

Ehizua Hub is a social enterprise providing equal access to affordable and quality education, while IUO, Nigeria’s premier private university, is a member of the Global University Network.

The partnership, which led to the establishment of Igbinedion Hub, is expected to foster innovation and entrepreneurship through the establishment of education and creative tech hub, education financing and enhance graduate outcome.

In view of the strategic partnership, Ehizua will facilitate partnership with Torrens University, Australia, and other international universities for exchange programmes, credit articulation transfer programmes, joint academic and research programmes.

Igbinedion Hub will drive the university’s vision of remaining relevance to national and global needs. It will also facilitate university admissions and scholarship, online programme support and empower participants through a skills-based training, job assist programme, innovation support programme and Corporate Venture Capital.

Other activities of the hub will include provision of access to industry-relevant software, creative technology, relevant industry-tailored internship and creative space for ideation, pre-incubation to incubation.

The Chief Executive Officer of Ehizua Hub, Matthias Ehizua, said, “The partnership will leverage Ehizua Hub’s existing partnership with Torrens University, Australia,to offer students the opportunity to study online from Igbinedion Hub at Airport Road, Benin City and Okada, Edo State, and have the option of financing their studies with Sterling Bank EdPay loan and continue their studies in any Torrens University campus in Australia.”

Home to over 19,000 students from over 117 countries, Torrens has quickly become Australia’s fastest-growing university and boasts a credible industry immersive difference, with 91 per cent of its students kick-starting their vocation within 12 months of graduation.

Last week, the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) appointed a new Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, to handle the affairs of the institution. But the students want, among other expectations, the new helmsman to pull the institution out of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) so that they can enjoy smooth learning as it was before. PRECIOUS AKINTULUBO (OOU), OLAYINKA ABDULRAZAQ(UNILORIN), PEACE OLADIPO (FUOYE) and MOHAMMED TAOHEED (UDUS) report.

Amid the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Kwara State, appointed Prof. Wahab Egbewole as the Vice Chancellor last Thursday. The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Mallam Abidu Yasid.

Wahab, a professor of International Law and Jurisprudence and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was selected among 13 shortlisted candidates who applied for the job.

Egbewole is the 11th vice chancellor of the institution and would assume office on October 16, after the exit of the incumbent, Prof. Sulyman Age Abdulkareem, who has been in the chair since 2017.

For two decades, the institution was not involved in any Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike and it was known for its stable calendar.

Its ASUU members on March 10, 2020 joined the strike under the administration of AbdulKareem.

The UNILORIN ASUU branch chairman, Moyosore Ajao, said  academic staff were labelled traitors when they were not part of the union.

“We cannot be part of a body and say we don’t want to function with the body. The question everybody should ask is how did ASUU get bad like this? It is because we have an irresponsible government. And we have a minister of finance who would not want to pay people, after working to earn a pay,” he said.

Since 2020 the institution has been partaking in every strike, including the ongoing one.

However, students have highlighted their expectations from the new vice chancellor. Most importantly, they want him to dissociate the school from the  national ASUU, introduce more practical courses, build more lecture halls, and address transportation problem, among others.

A 200-Level  Accounting Student, Itunuoluwa Blessing Adejumo, wants the new VC to prioritise students and staff welfare within and outside the institution. She said   hostels, classrooms and school park were not conducive for a normal lifestyle. She said she  had to opt out of the school hostel because of the lack of cleanliness  and order. Adejumo said she skipped  lectures as a result of poor  lecture halls  of  700-800 capacity with  close to 200 fairly manageable chairs meant to accommodate 1,500 students.

“It’s always said that if you can survive in UNILORIN, you can survive anywhere in the world. But must we go through that pain as students? I really think the welfare of students should be put in first place. After all, without students, there’s no UNILORIN,” she said.

Speaking on if the new VC should intervene in the ongoing ASUU strike, she said: “The incoming VC should decide what’s best for the school. We don’t want our education to be put on hold. So, let him pull us out of the strike or of what benefit is the union to us?”

A 200-Level student of Public law, Oluwasegun Godswill, urged the new VC to tackle the case of transportation for students living off the campus as there have been difficulties. According to him, it is very difficult task to get buses to and fro,  therefore, it is  advisable to establish a system whereby many buses are being put in place to ease the burden of transportation  for  students.

Godswill said if the new VC  wants to back out of ASUU, he needs the backing of the school governing council.

Gbenle Ayomide John, a 300-Level student of Mathematics, wants the  new VC  to introduce more practical courses, have  a good relationship with students, create a  more conducive learning environment as the lecture theatres are  always choked up.

For Blessing Opeyemi, a 400-Level  student said she expects the new VC to perform better than the former VC by making the classroom more conducive for the students and address transportation issues.

She also said she expects him to find a solution to the ASUU strike since the institution hasn’t been on strike for decades.

“A lot needs to be done as regards the case of conducive environment. For instance, my department classrooms need renovation,” she said.

A 300 level student of History and International studies, Afolagboye Fedora Boluwatife, said: “I think he (the new VC) should pull UNILORIN out of ASUU  because the institution has not been a part of the union for over two decades, so he should also work towards that aspect.”

Busola Akinbade, a 200-Level Microbiology student, expects  the new VC to support  activities that can be helpful to students like sports and other extra curricular activities. She also expects him to help solve the ASUU strike issue.

Usman Adebayo, a Mass Communication student,  urged the new VC to review the academic calendar, restore  campus activities monitoring through CCTV.

He also wants him to bring back the modesty UNILORIN is known for through dress code and many other innovations to project the university to the international community.

In the same vein, a law student, Ematuwo Shukrah, urged the new VC to help the students find solution to the incessant strike and also the issue of transportation. She said: “I’m expecting him to help us find solution to the incessant strike. Also,  he should look into the issue of transport fare; the price is hard on us.”

Lateef Wahab Alabi, an  Arabic  Education student said: “I wish he could be the best VC ever for the university. But the nost important part is to dissociate the university from the national ASUU for better academic calendar.”

Abdulsalam Kabirat Omowumi, an Islamic student said  the new VC should find a better solution to the issue insufficient of bus on campus.

Taofik Waliu Opeyemi, the Student Union Government President,  said: “As a student leader, my expectation is that he continues to lift the university to lofty heights. We have our challenges from the student community and we hope that with the new dispensation, most of our problems will be solved. We want a VC that can attend to us. Meet our yearnings and expectations.”

Read Also: Shun ethnicity, religion to pick new VC-UNILORIN Alumni

Sofiah Hisbah, a History and International Studies student, said: “He should solve transportation problem and create a more secure environment for learning and research. He should also look into reducing the cost of  convocation fees, the economy isn’t friendly to the majority of the masses.”

Another student,  Joachim Segun, said: “He should put the transportation and CBT coordination into consideration. After the strike,  scarcity of buses and CBT troubles should ease. Either he widens the park space or puts out more buses.

Iyiola Emmanuel, a student of Human Kinetics Education, said: “Standard of living in hostels, the quality and relevance of our curriculum in the modern world,  lecturers’ and students’ welfare in general,  are areas he should work on. Off-campus students are always stranded when coming to campus due to transportation issues and they are always robbed or harassed by the police.”

A 300-level student, Ibrahim Abdulfatai Alayaba, urged the VC to tackle indecent dressing on  campus.

“Given his tenure as a dean of the faculty of law, he’s not new to the university government system. Therefore I believe he would  be able to improve on the good works of his predecessor, and continue to keep the school running smoothly. I also expect him not to neglect the issue of dress code as the previous administration was kind of lax on that issue, and the issues of transportation I believe he should improve on,” he said.

Benson Julius Aziakpono, a 300 level student of Human kinetics, said: “I wish he can bring about more innovation to the conduct of examinations in school premises as the process needs to improve ranging from attendance taking during examinations to the mode of  conduct. Most times it is poorly organised. Most cases are CBT exams as the timing is mostly never accurate.

“The Transportation Department, too, needs to be restructured as the drivers sometimes harass the students; so, I wish he can address that since the school activities are under his jurisdiction.”

Adedimeji Quayyim Abdulazeez, the President of Unilorin Law Students, said: “We are really tired  of the ASUU strike. We believe that a new change in the administration will bring the university back to its pre-ASUU days.

“My main hope is that UNILORIN successfully exits ASUU and we continue to have a stable calendar that we had before the tenure of this outgoing vice chancellor. I hope that the new change in the school will mean a change in ASUU struggle. I want the school to be back on track, I want to resume.”

A final year student, Ayobami Asare said: “We hope for a better water system in school-owned hostels whereby students sometimes during exams had to go to exam classes unclean due to water issues.”

Oriyomi Covenant, a student of Medicine said: “It is no news that the school  was known to have one of the fastest academic calendars compared to other universities due to their non involvement in the incessant ASUU strikes. We want the VC to withdraw the school from the ASUU struggle which has almost destroyed the lives and future of the students they claim to be fighting for.

He said: “In my school there are many outlets to generate revenue such as the school’s bakery, sachet and bottled water production, private hostels, transport and renting spaces to many business owners, among others. Most public universities have primary and secondary schools. The revenue from these outlets can be used to meet some of the demands of ASUU independently by each school, instead of punishing the students and lecturers every year. So many business owners who have paid for spaces are also affected by the strike. As the Chairman of the Vice chancellors’ association, I hope that he proposes these sources of revenue to the  union which will save us all from the ditch this struggle is heading for.”

Ayodeji Elero, a student of Art Education, implored the VC to involve every stakeholder in policy formulation.

“My expectation is that he should run an inclusive government. Where every major stakeholder will be carried along. If possible pull out of the ASUU so that the university can return to its days of academic stability,’’ he said.