Category: Campus Life

Vice Chancellor Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State Prof. Olugbenga Ige has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with Bayo Tijani College of Education, Lagos, to run degree  programmes under the university’s supervision.

Ige, while signing the MoU in Akungba, noted that the partnership would be beneficial to both parties and the society.

The VC  urged the college  to adhere strictly to the terms and conditions guiding the partnership.

“Adekunle Ajasin University has become known for excellence and the quality of its graduates, and we would do our utmost to protect that reputation.

“Therefore, we would not hesitate to terminate the agreement between us and any affiliated college once it is ascertained that our hardearned integrity is being compromised,” he said

He noted that the university would continue paying unscheduled inspection visits to the college to make sure the agreement remained.

 

The issue of insecurity in Nigeria has become something of grave concern to all well-meaning citizens most of whom continue to wonder how the country got to that state.Sadly, the problem is escalating and now seemingly out of control.

The Southwest is plagued by a surge in cybercrime, armed robbery, kidnapping, domestic crime, extrajudicial killings, herder-farmer conflicts, ritual killings and banditry. The Southeast is a haven for ritual killings, commercial crime, secessionist agitation, kidnapping, herder-farmer clashes, attacks by unknown gunmen, and banditry. The Southsouth remains threatened by  kidnapping, environmental agitationand others.

The Northeast has been subject to  humanitarian crisis lasting over a decade and caused by the Boko Haram insurgency and the Islamic State in West Africa Province. Meanwhile, the Northwest is enmeshed in illegal mining, ethnoreligious killings and banditry. It is, therefore,  not out of place to say that insecurity  remains the kernel of our discourse because thousands of lives and properties have been lost.

Where did it all start?

Since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, our corrupt system birthed the situation we have ranging from the 1963 crisis to the military coups experience. The 1966 coup is unarguably the ugly cornerstone for the insecurity experienced today in Nigeria.

The immediate consequence of this coup was mutual distrust between Igbo ethnic groups and the Hausa/Fulani ethnic groups. That distrust provides strong subterranean currents driving insecurity today.

The counter-coup staged by northern military officers resulted in the killing of Major-General Aguiyi Ironsi, who seized power after the coup. This led to the 1967-1970 Nigerian Civil War.

The demand for Biafra, which also paved the way for the ethnic secessionist agitations and the militias of different tribes in Nigeria. The resulting Nigeria-Biafra war became the first of such military confrontation in the entire continent. Many agitations for Biafra are still in place and inspire other ethnic militias in militarising their agitations.

Also, the result of the unjust killing of Niger Delta activists like Ken Saro-Wiwa led to the rise of the Niger Delta militia.

The Niger Delta communities, through several of these militias, protested the unjust and uncompensated exploitation of their natural resources now wholly owned by the Federal Government.

The militants attacked government security agencies, government infrastructure and installations, oil exploration installations of foreign multinational companies and continuously took several foreign oil workers hostage. The Niger Delta militancy technically brought in and domesticated the kidnapping-for-ransom that is currently widely adopted by hoodlums and bandits in terrorising the country.

The impact of insecurity on the economy

ising violence in the country cost Nigeria 11 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product.Similarly, projects worth N12 trillion were abandoned across Nigeria due to insecurity and other challenges according to data from TownTalk solutions.

According to experts, insecurity affects economic growth by drying-out investments, increasing unemployment, and dwindling government revenue, among others.

The impact of insecurity is reflected on the performance of macroeconomic indicators, investment inflow as well as economic performance.

As of 2020, over $40.6 billion worth of foreign investments were diverted from the Nigerian economy as a result of insecurity according to the Global Terrorism Index.

This had implications for job creation and economic prosperity as purchasing power declined. Nigeria is now regarded as the world’s poverty capital and has an estimated 91 million people living in extreme poverty which is projected to reach 106.6 million by 2030.

Telecommunication companies were not left out as MTN projected a possible disruption in service provided due to rising insecurity challenges.

Human capital development also met with a hitch as schools in the north shut down to avoid recurring cases of kidnapping.

The insecurity challenge also affected other sectors in terms of government revenue allocation as the security budget continues to increase year after year.

Data from BudgitIT shows that in 2020 the Federal Government allotted N1.78 trillion for security.

Also, as major regions and states in the country became the hotspot for activities that threatened peace and security, people were forced to move to safer locations within and outside the country. Consequently, places like Abuja, Lagos, etc. are gradually becoming home to migrants resulting in overpopulation.

Insecurity also contributed to Nigeria’s inflation performance, although data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that it decelerated consecutively from April, however, this failed to reflect the reality in the market.

Solution

Addressing  unemployment remains  crucial to ensuring a safe society. People who are not idle would not think of going into crime.

 

• Agbelusi is a student at Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA)

 

The Coordinator of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone B,  Ekanem Utibe, has urged the Federal Government to  accede to the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and ensure students return to school.

He spoke during a protest in Akwa Ibom.

Utibe urged both parties to swiftly settle their differences and ensure students do not suffer for long.

He noted  that if the strike persists,  students would  be left with no option than to  occupy the critical sectors of government agencies.

” It is sad that students are being delayed. A  course of four years extends beyond the normal duration. This also results in paying house rent for a longer period of time, getting old and not being able to go for  National Youths Service Corps  (NYSC) programme; inability to get a job upon graduation, among others,” he said.

The NANS coordinator chided politicians for using huge  funds to purchase party nomination forms and  for spending dollars at the just concluded primaries.

Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU)  and other university  unions have been on strike for more than  three months. The unions’ demands,  include better funding for the nation’s public tertiary institutions and improved welfare for their members.

Recently the  government released N34 billion for the payment of minimum wage consequential adjustments from 2019, however ASUU maintained that it would not call off the strike until its major demands are met.

 

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)’s rejection of a crowdfunding platform established to end the ongoing industrial action has elicited mixed reactions from students across tertiary institutions. HAMZAT AMEENAT ( IBADAN POLY) and TOSIN ODUNEWU (UNILAG) report.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities((ASUU) has rejected a crowdfunding platform established to end the strike embarked upon by lecturers of public universities in the country.

The idea of  crowdfunding platform was brought forward by philanthropist and owner of Human Rights Radio Ahmed Isah to raise money for the striking lecturers from individuals and corporate bodies and put an end to the strike.

CAMPUS LIFE learnt that the public had started donating money.  Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel donated N50 million to the cause, but ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke kicked against it.

Thus, Isah stopped the intervention initiative.

The majority of students supported the union’s rejection of crowdfunding, urging the Federal Government to wake up to its responsibilities and accede to the union’s demands. Others slammed the union for being insensitive to the plight of students.

Shittu Toyeebah, a 100-Level University of Ilorin student, applauded  the rejection, stressing  that there was no way the donations would solve the problems of the union.

“I would have also rejected the donation platform as well, had it been I was in their shoes. The donations cannot solve the union’s problems. They are also clamouring for their own interest which I think is worth fighting for.

“Once you understand what they are fighting for, you would not be bothered about the rejection of the funds. How many people will share that money?

‘’Whereas N100 million was used to purchase nomination forms, there is no regard for education in this country. ASUU did the right thing,” she said.

For Olaniran Timothy, a student at The  Polytechnic, Ibadan, ASUU should not have rejected crowdfunding.

“ASUU is wrong for rejecting the platform for donations. Right now, they should not consider themselves alone, they should think about  students at home, too.

“Whether the money is coming from the government or not, as long as their salaries are being paid or their demands are being met, they should accept it and resume  work,” he said.

Olatunji Zainab, a  400-Level student at Federal University Oye-Ekiti(FUOYE), said: “I do not blame ASUU for rejecting   the money contributed .

“This time round, I feel it is good that the union is trying to maintain its stand concerning its method of payment. But, it should not be done at the expense of students, there are other ways to go about it.

“The agreement made in 2009 should be revisited and changes should be made because it is not the same way Nigeria was then that it is now. Things have changed. Most importantly, inflation is on the high side and the economy is going down. Hence, ASUU should try to bring down their demands and take it step by step.”

Adebiyi Esther, a 400-Level Law student at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, said: “ASUU’s demand is not just the payment of overdue salaries. Their demands include funding of the revitalisation of public universities, Earned Academic Allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution,UTAS and promotion arrears. Will the crowdfunding platform also respond to these demands?

ASUU’s rejection of the crowdfunding platform offer is a very wise decision. I know students who have been kept at home will say they should have accepted the offer, but what is the point accepting the offer and going on strike in future. So, let all students relax till a lasting solution is provided.”

Phirdausy Salahudeen, a student at  Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University,  Lapai, Niger State, wondered if an individual body could sustain financing the education sector. She urged government to be alive to its responsibilities.

“Is  it an individual body that will now be sustaining the education sector?

“It is  just nothing but a shame on the Federal Government for neglecting its responsibilities, forgetting that the output of each institution has a great impact on the country’s economy. Until we start seeing the need to invest in the education sector,we keep having the same output.

“The betterment of any country really relies on its education system,not just education system, but an advanced and sound educational system,” she said.

A 400-Level Mass Communication student at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, who craved anonymity, said: “ASUU was right not to have  accepted the crowdfunding offer, since the platform would not be the one to continue the payment of salaries once the present payment elapses and ASUU’s other requests would not be granted.”

Afolabi Obaloluwa, a 300-Level Human Kinetics student at University of Ibadan, said: “This makes it obvious that ASUU is not ready to work also, because why would they reject  the help of people? Is this an ego thing of wanting the money directly from the government?

“I think they should just accept the donation and work on the things they want to work on. It does not  have to be from the government because it seems government is concerned on the forthcoming elections.”

For Akanni Charity Olaoluwa, a 200-Level Chemical Engineering student at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State,  she wants government to be alive to its duties.

“The government is the one generating funds from students’ school fees, so they should be the one to pay the union and not some money-raising platform,” she said.

Laolu Adegoke, an Economics student at OOU, said: “I think the crowdfunding is uncalled for. Why should parents pay for their wards school fees and some of them still have to pay into the crowdfunding platform because the government is not alive to its  duties?

“I just wish every sector could support ASUU and also go on strike, so people would see how things are not working at all. But people are blaming the union for this strike when the government has refused to fulfill the agreement reached.”

Shittu Omolade, a Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos, said: “The ASUU  President did not just refuse the funding without a good reason. Why are they raising money for ASUU when it is the responsibility of the government?

“If the country is  ruled the way it is  supposed to be, this should not even have been suggested. We see other countries and their government prioritise education above everything else, but the reverse is the case here.

“In fact, most students do not even care about school anymore. Many  people are now  focused on getting PVCs and next year’s  election.”

Ogunyemi Akinbusayo Temitope  of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, said: ” As reasonable as the idea of accepting the donation made to restore normalcy to  public iniversities is, it would not offer a solution to the issue and might stand as a barrier in the future if not tackled by the body now. Nevertheless, ASUU must come to the understanding that students’ time is being wasted and necessary steps should be taken to end the strike.”

Akanni Samuel, a 400-Level student at Lagos State University, hailed ASUU for rejecting the offer, adding that government may not attend to their demands in future.

” If ASUU had accepted the offer, the government may  not attend to its other demands as well as still owe them in future. ASUU needs a lasting solution to this strike,” he said.

Ayinde Olawale, a Zoology student at UNILAG, said: “The total money in view for the crowdfunding is N18 billion.  While it is a good idea, that is not the only thing the union wants.

“ASUU should accept the money and collect what the government owes them too. The crowdfunding money would come in handy too.

“But they should not  call off the strike until they get money from  the government too.”

Josephine Amarachi, a 300- Level Political Science student at  Imo State University, said: ” I do not think ASUU should have  accepted the offer.

“Lecturers are owed heavily and that cannot be easily  raised by  citizens. The Federal Government must settle its debts and allocate funds for  federal universities to ensure the proper functioning of the educational system. There is  money in  Nigeria. The elite only want it for their own pockets. It is  just so sad  that it is the students who  are suffering.”

Oluwashina Tobi, a 400-Level student at Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED, said: “One thing we should take into consideration is how much the total amount of money the crowdfunding wanted to gather.

“If it was not the exact amount the government is owing ASUU or more than half, then I do not think it was necessary.

“Accepting the crowdfunding would have shown  people that the union was  desperate for money and not the facilities or other terms they have  been negotiating with government.”

 

Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Prof. Timothy Adebayo, has reiterated the institution’s commitment to entrepreneurship development.

The  VC spoke  during the university’s exhibition of entrepreneurship projects carried out by students of the institution.

Adebayo, who was represented by the institution’s deputy vice chancellor, Prof. Muyiwa Popoola, said  the entrepreneurship programme of the institution was in tandem with the requirements of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

He noted that the programme was bringing desired results with the students creating products and services.

“In terms of entrepreneurial development of students, ACU is a force to reckon with. The students must not leave the university without vocational and entrepreneurial skills. “This exhibition shows that our attention to entrepreneurial development is becoming more rewarding and impactful. In no distant time, our admission statistics will speak in that regard as parents will bring their wards here to study and learn vocational skills,” he said.

He also said  plans were underway for the  building of another centre for entrepreneurship training since the former  entrepreneurship centre had been converted to a centre for the part-time studies and engineering laboratory.

Director of the Entrepreneurship Centre, Prof. Oyeyemi Oshin, urged the university to support the centre to harness the skills of the students to enhance the institution’s  revenue.

“With an entrepreneurship centre, the training of students will be highly enhanced.

“The students have made books and souvenirs which can be used at university events. As I speak, they are repairing broken chairs in the lecture rooms. The university should patronise the Centre for Entrepreneurship in the areas where the students have displayed expertise.

“Though this is the last exhibition that I will be witnessing as the director of the centre, I will keep in touch with the entrepreneurship projects of the university. Also, I shall sponsor a cooking exhibition at the eight edition of the entrepreneurship exhibition. It was part of our projects from the beginning, but it was discontinued due to lack of sponsorship. However, I shall revive and sponsor it,” he said.

At the exhibition, the students who were in different groups, showcased products they had made following supervision from  university technical staff members.

The groups are carpentry, metal works, beads, shoes and bag making, agribusiness, hairstyling and make-up, auto-mechanical works, catering and confectionery, graphics and creative arts, electrical engineering works, alternative energy (solar), households and consumables, tie and dye, computer-aided designs, tailoring, computer hardware and mobile phone repairs, horticulture, e-publishing and masonry and block-making units.

Oyindamola Adegbite, a 200-Level student explained how they combined different chemicals including ammonia, calcium carbonate, titanium oxide and pigments to make  emulsion paints.

Prior to the inauguration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration, tertiary institutions in Kwara State were in a state of comatose, due to the lackadaisical attitude of previous administrations. From the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, to those in Lafiagi and Oro, to College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS), and the Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery in Ilorin and Oke-Ode, there were painful stories of strikes, non-payment of staff salaries, infrastructural decay and inability to secure accreditation for programmes, among others. Expectedly, morale of teachers and students alike was very low as the future of tertiary education in the state was painfully bleak.

Consequently, Kwara streets, especially Ilorin, were turned to protests ground for staff begging for their salaries, students marching to Government House to ensure school reopening after a long period of strike and management staff dying in silence over non-release of subventions. It was that pervasive melancholy state of that critical unit of the education sector that Mallam AbdulRahman AbduRazaq inherited on 29th May, 2019 as the Executive Governor of Kwara state.

Thirty-six months after, and still counting, Governor AbdulRazaq is changing the narrative by rising up to the challenges facing tertiary institutions in the state. The Governor provided funds for accreditation and cleared outstanding salaries of staff within the first six months of his inauguration.

At the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, the OTOGE administration cleared six months salaries, reintroduced monthly subvention and staff promotion. Apart from that, he also released accreditation fee to our Colleges of Education to run affiliate courses with the Ekiti State University and University of Ilorin to run 17 degree courses. Additionally, the current administration in the state is supporting the College of Education Ilorin to renovate 15 buildings in order to create a conducive learning environment for students.

Similarly, the Kwara State College of Education in Oro is also witnessing rapid transformation, courtesy of Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration. The Governor lifted the embargo on employment and approved replacement of some teaching and non-teaching staff in 2020. This occurred in areas of critical needs, taking cognizance of the National Commission for Colleges of Education ( NCCE) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation requirements. This administration has consistently released monthly subventions to the College and recently released millions of naira for NUC accreditation for 12 degree programmes in affiliation with the Ekiti State University as well as NCCE accreditation for two programmes in January 2022.

Read Also: Citizens seek inclusion in budgeting processes for basic education

The story is the same at the State College of Education (Technical), Lafiagi, as the OTOGE administration cleared all outstanding staff salaries inherited from the immediate past administration in the State. The man at the helm of affairs has also restored the payment of monthly subventions to the College.

The various interventions of the State Government under the proactive, passionate, and purposeful Governor has revived the College which was almost going moribund, due to non-accreditation of programmes. The listening Governor released ₦59 Million for accreditation and reaccreditation of existing courses.

Likewise, the College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS) became a progressive bubbling school after Governor AbdulRazaq cleared months of backlog of salaries, with a view to energizing the staff to deliver quality educational services to students. While the reintroduction of monthly subvention is helping the school management to promptly pay salaries of workers in full as against the modulated payments pattern adopted during the previous administration.

Furthermore, the State Government released the sum of ₦24 Million for accreditation, including the facelift of the administrative block to put in place infrastructural facilities for the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and Accreditation of National Diploma (ND) courses.
CAILS now has a standard radio and television studio, fully equipped with modern gadgets to meet the contemporary professional best practices.

The AbdulRazaq administration has assisted the school in installing an e-library, and a language laboratory was equally provided for smooth teaching and learning in line with 21st century trends. The sum of ₦25 Million was equally released in 2021 for the reconstruction and renovation of two blocks of classrooms and the College hall in order to improve infrastructural facilities at the College.

Without mincing words, it suffices to say that Colleges of Education across the state had witnessed tremendous progress as well as academic stability under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The 3 year anniversary of his administration is the season of all-round progress for tertiary institutions in the State.

The AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Midas touch is equally manifest at the state
College of Health Technology in Offa, Offa Local Governnent Area of the state.

The school in the last three years of the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has deployed state of art facilities to train people who can apply scientific knowledge to solve environmental problems for the convenience of man, offers an opportunity for students to personally practice the theoretical models in the classroom and provide technical knowledge and skills necessary for industrial, commercial and economic development of the nation. The school is also working round the clock to groom technicians, technologists and other skilled personnel to support core medical staff in providing quality healthcare to the citizenry.

Apart from that, Kwara State College of Health Technology, in its bid to produce job providers and not job seekers is harnessing the opportunities in teeth fabrication and ophthalmology for purpose of students’ training, community service and boost their internally generated revenue.

A recent facility tour by select journalists shows that the state government owned institution has capacity and manpower in teeth fabrication and render dental care services to the public.

Similarly, the newly constructed ophthalmology centre at College will also help students to access world class training in eye care services, glasses production and the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.

The Ophthalmology centre has modern facilities not limited for training but render services to the community. It’s exciting to know people of Offa and its environs are already enjoying their services at affordable rate.

Furthermore, the College Management, with support of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, is constructing an Entrepreneurship Centre to provide vocational training for students in additional to their main course of study. Entrepreneurship education is fast becoming in-thing across tertiary institutions as part of efforts to reduce unemployment and instil entrepreneurial spirit in students.

Mansurat Amuda-Kannike is the
Press Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Tertiary Education.

The death of two students at The Polytechnic, Ibadan has left controversy in its wake. Some alleged that they died following drug-induced marathon sex. But a source at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, where one of the deceased students was taken to, said allegations of sex romp were unfounded. CALEB IJIOMA(AAP)reports.

Students at The Polytechnic,  Ibadan and the public were shocked when  a  National Diploma II student in the Department of Civil Engineering, Oromidayo Daniel and Aramide Adeleke, a National Diploma II student at the  Department of Business Administration died  after allegedly having marathon sex with each other. Both students were said to be under the influence of some sex-enhancing drugs.

However,  a source at the polytechnic noted that online reports indicting the deceased students were wrong.

She said: “The majority of online reports said the students died from sex romp or marathon sex. That is not true. A neighbour to the guy, Daniel, said generator was switched on that fateful day and it is most likely they inhaled the fumes and died. But sex? It is not. Then, who was there to count the number of rounds? People are fond of spreading rumour. It is terrible.”

CAMPUS LIFE gathered that Aramide didn’t die immediately, she was rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan where she received treatment. A source at UCH later confirmed her demise after some days.

UCH source speaks

An official of the UCH said: ” UCH never issued any report and it is the polytechnic’s authority that should have spoken. UCH cannot be a party to this case because just like any patient would come to UCH, we never carried out an autopsy on her, so we wouldn’t know if she died of any complications. But I think it is a criminal case so the police are in a better position to throw light. She was our patient and she died.

“We do not have the report that it was sex drugs that killed them. It was a speculation from the public, but UCH cannot confirm  this.

“Beyond that, they were claims that it was fume from a generator that killed them.”

However, CAMPUS LIFE learnt from a source close to the family that prior to Daniel’s death on May 17, he had gone for his brother’s burial in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. The source said he was preparing for his examinations when his brother died. He noted that he died after attending his brother’s funeral.

He said a check was conducted on his room and it was discovered that he and Aramide died in the bathroom and they saw books with them.

He said: “Daniel is an easy going and gentle young man. He attended his brother’s funeral and was deeply pained. How can a bereaved person engage in marathon sex? Sadly, he died the day after attending his brother’s burial. All the stories of sex romp are mere hearsay. People should learn to verify things and get the truth before speaking about them,” he said.

 

Management distances self from incident

The management of the polytechnic has said it does not regulate the  lives of its students and is only concerned about their academics.

The Public Relations Officer of the polytechnic, Mr. Adewole Soladoye, told Campus Life that the issue was a security-related one because the student did not  die on campus.

“That is a security matter because the student did not die at the hands of the institution, it is now a security matter. If it is linked to the school, it is because they are students. That does not mean we regulate their lives. We regulate their activities, not their lives. Whatever that has transpired happened outside the polytechnic and it is not a security threat to the polytechnic,”  he said.

 

Police to reveal investigation soon

The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, said investigations were ongoing and information concerning the case would be revealed soon.

He said: “Investigations are ongoing. Updates would be provided accordingly, please.”

The Olashore International School Association (OISA) Foundation has expanded the scope of its yearly scholarship at Olashore International School and Iloko Model College, Iloko- Ijesha, Osun State, to cover brilliant but indigent students from across the çountry.

Previously, the scholarship scheme was for students from Iloko-Ijesha community before extending to cover people from Oriade Local Government Area and then the entire people of Osun State.

A member of the Board of Trustees of the foundation, Prince Abimbola Olashore, stated this on Tuesday in Lagos, at a news conference to highlight activities marking the 10th memorial anniversary of Oba Oladele Olashore, the late Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesha and founder of Olashore International School.

Prince Olashore said the objective of expanding the scholarship award to cover the country is to equip many more brilliant students from  less privileged homes with the right knowledge and skills to achieve their dreams.

He said no fewer than 20 indigent students were expected to enjoy the scholarship at schools yearly.

He said the foundation, which is being run independently of Olashore International School, is also helping adolescent students across Nigeria in mental wellness to keep them mentally and emotionally fit to maximise their potential fully as they journey in their academic pursuits.

He said the foundation believes strongly that children with solid educational backgrounds and in good state of mental wellness have better chances of growing up to become responsible adults that will contribute meaningfully to nation-building.

“That is why OISA is investing hugely on children from the less privileged homes to access quality academic, moral and extra-curricula training in standard schools just like their peers from wealthy and financially average homes,” he said.

He noted that up to six previous beneficiaries of the scholarship had graduated from the school and were in higher institutions undergoing various courses.

On the 10th Memorial Anniversary of Oba Olashore, Prince Olashore said  a church thanksgiving service would  be held in honour of the late monarch this Saturday in Iloko-Ijesha.

This would be followed by a lecture with the theme “Leadership and service” on Monday, June 20 in Lagos, which would be delivered by the Chairman of Fate Foundation, Mr Fola Adeola, while Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Sarkin Sudan of Wurno, Ambassador Shehu Malami would be the keynote speaker and the chairman of the occasion.

Prince Olashore said the foundation was committed to the ideals of their late father to impact society positively.

Some students at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, who live off-campus recount how their hostels were burgled and robbed
in their absence. This is as a result of the industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Rahma Jimoh (OOU) reports.

Students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) are feeling the heat of the long-running battle between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

When the union declared the strike, they  had to vacate the school and head home. Sadly, after some months, some of them visited the the school and discovered that their hostels had been vandalised and  valuables stolen.

Ewatomi Awonusi said her room was burgled and her valuables carted away.

Awonusi’s room is at Complex, a hostel located at the Ijesha Road area of Ago Iwoye. She discovered the robbery when she visited Ago Iwoye last month.

According to Awonusi, she was in her home in Ibadan when the incident happened. She said she had the feeling to go to her hostel. She went at  intervals since the strike began to pick something from her room.

“I left Ibadan in the afternoon. When I got to my hostel, I opened my door and my room was in a mess. My box, my gas, my new pots everything was gone, including my clothes and bed. I have two beds, only one was left and already drawn to the back of the door. The clothes left were the ones I do not wear anymore. I recently bought my box at  N28,000 and arranged new clothes in it pending resumption. They are all gone now.

“They did not break the door. What I noticed was that they removed the glass and my net on my window, I cried. Where do I want to start from? Is it by buying a bed or box? Where do I want to get money? But I thank God for life. Perhaps they would have killed me if they had met me. I cannot say if it was a student or an indigene, I do not  know,” she said.

She said people claimed it was someone  who knew her that broke into the  room. According to her,  hostels get robbed and burgled during ASUU strikes and long holidays.  She said 99 per cent of OOU students live in hostels rented out by indigenes off-campus because school hostels are not affordable. Apart from the fact that students’ house rents continue during the strike, their belongings are not safe.

Concerning the  action her landlord took on the robbery, she said: “We do not know our landlord. We do talk to the agent. The agent’s wife was aware, I told her. She sells food in the complex. She followed me to my room and saw the whole place in disarray. Her husband has not called me till now.”

Awonusi, however, bemoaned the ongoing ASUU strike.

Her words: ” It is as a result of the strike and it is painful. Complex is always busy and full of people. You will always see people around. This would not  have happened if school was in session. No one would have dared to steal from Complex. The ASUU strike is the cause of everything.”

Wisdom Emeka, another student whose hostel at the Itamerin area of Ago Iwoye, said though they broke into his room, nothing was stolen.

Emeka noted that other students’ room were broken and their belongings were stolen.

He said: “I was not in school. I was in Lagos when a friend of mine called to inform me.

“There are 20 suites in my hostel, they stole from some people’s rooms but did not steal  from mine. They tore my net and opened my mirror to check if I had valuables.”

Emeka doesn’t know the particular day it happened.

“No one knew the exact day the robbers operated,” he said.

However, his landlord took action by getting the hostel new security personnel.

The OOU Student Union Government has also been taking steps to address the issue. A source, who pleaded anonymity, said: “The strike has caused a lot of loss and damage to students. We are putting actions in place and trying our best to ensure our hostels are safe even in our absence.”

Authorities of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, has unveiled its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit to tackle academic fraud and other related offences on the institution.

The Acting Rector, Dr. Olarongbe Afolabi, during a sensitisation campaign organised by the Mass Communication Department, noted that the unit would fight education fraud within the system.

He said: “The ultimate goal is to stop corruption completely, but we have to start from somewhere and we are starting on a very good note in this polytechnic.

“Stopping corruption completely will depend on everyone’s mindset. The thing is, in Nigeria, we are so hypocritical in fighting corruption. Are we sincere? Or we are just doing mere propaganda?

“We are committed to fighting corruption. We are interested in fighting corruption. It is one of the principal mantras of this administration. We have the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit in this school. Servicom unit is also involved.’’

Speaking about the campaign, Head of Department of Mass Comm,  Mr. Wole Alawode, said it was imperative to address unethical practices.

“Using shortcut will lead Nigeria to more problems. We need to call the attention of the Federal Government to the education sector. Educational malpractices, cheating and all do not bode well for us. Everyone should be concerned with youth development and how the education sector is  functioning,” he said.

Another lecturer, Mr.  Chucks Okoji. said: “If we say we want a better Nigeria, we’ll start from the education sector; that’s why we have decided to say no to corruption in education.”