The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Adekunle Ajasin University

  • FRSC urges AAUA to revive campus marshall

    The Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) has called on the management of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State, to revive the Campus Marshall– a special unit of the corps for students ­– in the institution.

    The Ikare-Akoko Unit Commander, Mt B.O/ Jimoh, made the call when he visited the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun.

    Jimoh, who praised the giant strides the institution has achieved, pledged to put a zebra crossing in front of the university to aid students and workers safely crossing the highway that passes by the Uuniversity gate.

    Jimoh also hailed the university for putting in place necessary road signs and road furniture all over the campus, noting that these would aid safe driving within the institution.

    The Vice Chancellor thanked the FRSC team for the visit and assured them of cordial and lasting partnership.

    “The university appreciates the coming of the FRSC team. This is more than a courtesy call; it is also a sensitisation meeting, as a number of issues have been cleared in the course of interacting,” he said.

    Also present were the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige; Registrar, M. S. Ayeerun; Bursar, Mrs. O. V. Ologun, who was represented by a Chief Accountant, Mr. Abiodun Olukoju; and the University Librarian, Dr. Rotimi Egunjobi, among other officers of the University.

  • Ajasin varsity radio station to go on air

    It was all excitement last Thursday when top management officials of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State, formally took possession of the school’s radio station.

    Named Radio AAUA, the Frequency Modulation (FM) station is on the campus and is licensed to broadcast on 90.3 Megahertz. The station will start full operation when it secures approval from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

    Speaking at a brief hand-over ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, said the station would offer a quantum leap in the quality of training facilities available to students, adding that it would serve as a medium of information, education and entertainment to members of the university community, and residents of the host communities.

    He recalled previous efforts to get an operating licence for the station before it was finally obtained. He praised employees who played key roles in the actualisation of the dream.

    He expressed delight at the quality of equipment installed in the station’s studio, while applauding the management team for ensuring the speedy completion of the project despite paucity of funds.

    Prof Ajibefun was conducted round the facility and adjourning offices in company of management members.

    Mr Olusola Akinrinlola, managing director of Sound Broadcast Communications Limited, the firm that provided the equipment, assured the school of the quality and durability of the gadgets supplied.

    He said: “I assure the management and students of the university that the quality of the equipment supplied is up to the standard. We have long years of experience executing this kind of project and we deliver. All gadgets will stand the test of time.”

    Akinrinlola said the firm would train operators and staff that would run the station on how to operate the machines. “You only have to call on us for the training and we would gladly do that,” he said.

  • Ondo Varsity, firm sign MoU on energy

    A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) and Dantata Solar Limited that would guarantee uninterrupted electricity to the institution in the next six months has been signed.

    The deal was facilitated by the Ondo State Government as one of the benefits of the Nigerian-German Energy Partnership.

    It is one of the moves of the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration to provide regular power supply to towns and rural communities across the state.

    Akeredolu lauded the cooperation between Nigeria and Germany through which the university would begin to enjoy a new lease of life, having lacked electricity supply from the national grid for years.

    Akeredolu said the MoU would spur other institutions to emulate the university in their drive to deliver welfare, impart knowledge and turn out quality graduates for the overall development of the nation.

    The governor, however, pleaded with the Consul-General of Germany, Ingo Herbert, who led the team, to further help the state government by extending the similar gesture of providing power supply to communities in the riverine areas.

    Earlier, the Consular-General had said the Sunshine State,  should leverage on its solar potentials to generate enough solar energy for its people.

    The Coordinator of the Nigerian-Germany Energy Partnership, Dr Jeremy Gaines, said the project would stop the use of environmentally-unfriendly diesel generators at the university.

    AAUA Vice-Chancellor, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, expressed gratitude to the government for the gesture.

    He said by the time the project was delivered, the university would be relieved of the huge sums of money being spent on fuelling and maintaining the numerous generators servicing the sprawling university campus.

    The university administrator added that the development would ensure that the laboratories, electronic and electrical facilities as well as other units and components of the university work optimally.

    Ajibefun signed the MoU on behalf of the university while the Project Manager of Dantata, Mr Oyeneye Babajide, signed for the solar energy company.

    Other dignitaries at the ceremony were the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi; Secretary to the State Governor(SSG) Ifedayo Abegunde; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Pastor Femi Agagu, his counterpart in the Ministry of Information), Yemi Olowolabi; the Chief of Staff(CoS) to the Governor, Olugbenga Ale; Special Adviser on Development and Investment, Mr Boye Oyewunmi; as well as the Special Adviser on Education, Dr. Olawumi Ilawole.

  • Applause for TETFund’s impact on AAUA

    The Vice Chancellor (VC), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, has described as profound the impact of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund’s (TetFund) intervention efforts on the tertiary education sector.

    The VC said this during an interactive session with top officials of the agency held at the university.

    He listed the landmark projects sponsored by TetFund in AAUA, adding that such interventions have changed the face of infrastructural development in the institution.

    Ajibefun was elated at the maiden visit of the Executive Secretary of TetFund to the institution, describing it as historic

    He said:  “Your visit today is a historic one. This is the first time the number one person in TETFund would be paying an official visit. It is our strong belief that this historic visit by TETFund will bring unprecedented development to our university.”

    Earlier, the TetFund Executive Secretary, represented by Mallam Aliyu Na’iya, the Director, Research and Development, said the visit was part of projects proposal defence, verification of physical projects, and reconciliation of financial records of beneficiaries of the Fund to determine their compliance with laid-down procedures for retiring released funds.

    This, he said, would ensure transparency and openness in dealing with financial transactions bythe agency.

    The ES addressed several issues, including sponsorship of conferences and workshops, training for academic and non-staff, problems associated with inbreeding, and other related matters during interactive sessions with staff members.

    He regretted that money worth millions of Naira earmarked for research and development in tertiary institutions had been  unutilised.

  • ‘Student unionism not a tool for violence’

    ‘Student unionism not a tool for violence’

    Adekunle Ajasin University  Akungba-Akoko (AAUA),  Ondo State Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Igbekele Ajibefun has said students’ unionism should not cause hostility and destruction in the university, but be seen as a call to serve, in concert with the school management to promote students’ welfare and provide a conducive atmosphere for learning and research.

    Prof Ajibefun gave the advice penultimate Monday at a three-day Leadership Training and Seminar, organised for members of the institution’s Student Union Government (SUG) in Igbara-Oke, Ifedore Local Government Area of the state.

    The event with the theme: Promoting a peaceful university environment, was at the instance of the Students’ Affairs Unit of the school.

    The VC condemned the notion that unionism should be destructive, violent, quarrelsome and confrontational, pointing out that the SUG is a platform for students to acquire progressive leadership values.

    He said: “It is a regrettable error that some student unionists believe that the effectiveness of their stewardship would be measured by the number of battles and wars they fight with the school authorities. They tend to believe that their members would hail them as ‘action man’ if they are constantly at war with the management or how effective they are pushing for destructive Aluta.

    “You must understand that these are wrong notions about student unionism.  SUG members stand to gain more and achieve their target of improving the lots of their members through mutual cooperation, and constant dialogue with management on whatever demands they make.

    “Therefore, as student leaders, you must be firm and resolute. You must also be transparent and carry your members along in all decisions. There have been peace and tranquility on our campus for some years; you have responsibility to maintain this tempo during your tenure.”

    Prof Ajibefun promised the students’ leaders that the management would always listen to them and strive to meet their demands, despite the challenge of funding. He assured them that the university would prioritise students’ interests.

    The event featured lectures and interactive sessions with members of the union executive and Students Representative Council (SRC).

    In a lecture titled: The roles of communication ethics in peaceful and progressive unionism, former AAUA Deputy VC (Administration), Prof Francis Oyebade, advised the students’ leaders to create channel of effective communication with their members and the school authorities in presenting their goals logically. He said lack of communication would lead to suspicion, which would in turn fuel crisis that may bring the union into disrepute.

    The Deputy VC, Prof Olugbenga Ige, took the students on the theme: Redefining the roles of 21st Century students’ unionism: A pragmatic approach to leadership, while the Bursar, Mrs Olubunmi Ologun, spoke on how the students’ leaders could be accountable in her lecture with the theme: Roles of financial record keeping and transparency in students’ union leadership as panacea for peace in the university.

    Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Francis Gbore,  urged the students to imbibe the lessons learnt from the seminar, urging them to become pragmatic leaders.

    The training, he said, was necessary to engender a peaceful campus and train the students on the values of leadership.

    The union president, Olawale Ijanusi, thanked the management for the training. He added that the seminar changed their perception of unionism and leadership values.

  • AAUA FM awaits licence

    The management and other principal officers of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko,(AAUA) Ondo State have  taken possession of the facilities of its radio station.

    Christened Radio AAUA, the frequency modulation (FM) station is located within the university campus and is licensed to broadcast on 90.3 Megahertz.

    It is billed to come on air as soon as approval is secured from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

    Speaking at the brief handover, Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said the medium would offer a quantum leap in the quality of training facilities available to students.

    It would also serve as veritable medium of information, education and entertainment the university community, as well as the inhabitants of neighboring communities.

    Ajibefun recalled that the institution had embarked on several efforts to get an operating licence for a campus radio, until it was finally obtained less than a year ago.

    He commended the various officers who had played one role or the other in the actualisation of the dream.

    Ajibefun expressed delight at the quality of equipment installed, and applauded management for ensuring speedy completion of the project in the face of scarce resources.

    Ajibefun later went round the studios and other adjourning offices, accompanied by other management team led by some top principal of the university.

    The Managing Director of the contracting firm-Sound Broadcast Communications Limited, Olusola Akinrinola, had earlier assured the university of quality and durability of equipment supplied.

  • Philanthropist gives building, land to AAUA

    A philanthropist and Engineer, Chief Julius Ajibulu, has donated a three-floor building with  over 29 rooms and a large parcel of land measuring about two and a half acres located at Oyin Akoko to Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State.

    Chief Ajibulu, Managing Director of Nobell Engineering Company, and Roja Associates Engineering Consultancy, said that the donation was his own way of giving back to the society, boosting the economy of Oyin Akoko (his home town), as well as fulfilling his vision of having an educational institution in the town.

    He said the vision of having such an institution informed the design of the two-storey building with 29 rooms as well as other adjoining structures.

    His words: “It’s been my ambition to have some enduring structure like an educational institution, and that informed the design of this property. I’m now handing this over to the University so it could be used as an educational edifice in line with my original vision and expectation.

    “I believe by the time this place is put to use by the university that it will boost socio-economic, activities in this town. The artisans and market women, as well as commercial motorcyclists will make more money. I also believe that the presence of undergraduates here would make many lazy youths to sit-up and dream bigger.”

    Speaking after inspecting the properties, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, lauded the gesture and called on well-meaning individuals and communities to donate to help the university develop, saying government alone cannot fund tertiary education in Nigeria.

    Ajibefun said: “We’re highly impressed with what we have seen and the large heart that Chief has for donating this to the university. This is a good example of how the society can grow.

    “The university, therefore, expresses its appreciation to him. We will perfect the papers so we can take possession and put the properties to use without delay.”

    Also speaking, the Oloyin of Oyin- Akoko, Oba Olusola Bamisile, praised Ajibulu for the donation and urged the university to take possession and put the facilities to immediate use.

  • “Reduction in Ondo Varsity reparation fee, unacceptable”

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state has rejected the reduction in the reparation fee of N25,000 to N15,000 imposed on students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, as a condition for their readmission into the institution.

    The development was the aftermath of the rampage that greeted the death of one of them, Afolabi Ojo

    APC said the reduction has not changed the fundamental that the levy is still unacceptable and a travesty of justice.

    A statement by the Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro said: “This reduction in fee has given credence to our earlier statements that the school authority erred in imposing levy on the students in the first place.

    “We are re-emphasising that this levy was hurriedly done to divert the attention of the public from government negligence in doing the needful for the state University.

    “It seems the school authority is not getting it yet. The point we (APC) are making is that there is no reason students should be punished for a preventable death of one of their colleagues when they are not the cause of the unfortunate death.

    “The government is as culpable when it refuses to provide a backup healthcare facility for Afolabi Ojo, as when it actually participated in his death.

    The statement said making scapegoats out of the students was a precarious move the government applied to save its face in the public.

    It said: “This is not working and will never work as the public had since exonerated the helpless students.

    “While not condoning any act of violence, we must however get things right. It’s natural that emotions always run high in human seeing the death of a colleague that could be prevented the way Afolabi Ojo seems to have been killed unattended to through non provision of good healthcare services at his disposal.

    “If adequate Medicare had been provided for him- as he might have probably paid for health centre fee as charged as part of school fee, the situation would have been different and understandable.

    “The students would not have gone on peaceful demonstration that was allegedly hijacked by hoodlums and resulted in violence.

    “As we all know times are hard in the state, people are hungry and consequently angry with the government for non payment of their salaries for an unprecedented five months which had resulted in low economic activities in the state.

    “Anyone could have tapped on the people’s anger for the PDP-led government in the state to perpetrate violence.

    “Therefore, forcing the students to pay reparation for a crime they did not commit- as there was no investigation that suggest otherwise, and having lost one of their colleagues to the cold hand of death in such a painful, shocking and unforgiving manner is excruciating enough to provoke another rounds of anger at the slightest provocation after their resumption.

    “This reparation fee that only the school authority will be the sole benefits, and not minding the death of their student is most pathetic to comprehend.

    “It is a callous reflection of their desire not to give value for life and a blatant disregard to the feelings of the parents of the deceased who are still grieving the lost of their son at this time and hoping to put a closure to the actual cause of the death of their only son by instituting a panel of inquiry to that effect instead of capitalising on their son’s death to raise unwarranted funds.

    “Public perception is very sensitive and not handling this situation properly, especially when the loss of life is concerned could be perceived as callous.

    ” This situation must be handled with care, sensitivity and dispassionately to make everyone involved calm down the boiling tension.

    “Any negative action as taken by the imposition of reparation fee such as this on students can spontaneously earned further provocation that would result in further uprisings in the future.”

  • Ondo Varsity students protest colleague’s death

    Ondo Varsity students protest colleague’s death

    Students of the Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, took to the streets yesterday to protest the death of one of their colleagues, who was knocked down by a Toyota Corolla car on Sunday night.

    The protest followed a misinformation that the deceased was knocked down by a mini bus and the driver ran away.

    The Registrar, Bamidele Olotu, said the misinformation had been corrected by the police.

    In a statement, Olotu said the driver reported himself to the police and is being held at their station.

    He said the clarification calmed the students and ended the protest.

    The victim’s body had been buried by his parents.

    The university sent its condolences to the bereaved family, the students’ body and the university community.

  • Varsity, ASUU row deepens

    Varsity, ASUU row deepens

    The management of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have been squabbling since the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Femi Mimiko, mounted the saddle five years ago. Last week, the institution suspended the ASUU Chairman, Dr Busuyi Mekusi, and five others for allegedly instigating  students crisis about two weeks ago. Leke Akeredolu reports.

    •Union chair, others suspended for alleged incitement

    The feud between the management of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State and the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) came to a head last Friday, with the suspension of the union’s Chairman, Dr Busuyi Mekusi, and five others.

    Their suspension followed the query they were issued by the Registrar, Mr Bamidele Olotu, on the institution’s behalf.

    Others are the Vice-Chairman, Dr Sola Fayose, treasurer Dr. Dorcas Alese, Investment Secretary Dr. Agboola Adetula and two extended members of the executive, Dr. Benson Igboin and Oluwasegunota Bolarinwa. They were accused of instigating the students to riot two weeks ago. The university’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Victor Akinpelumi, said the suspended teachers would soon face a committee set up to investigate the students crisis.

    The teachers were asked to stay off the campus until the panel concludes its job.

    But, Mekusi told The Nation that the management’s action was “inappropriate and a breach of their fundamental human right.” He also denied the allegations against them, claiming that “they are merely being victimised.”

    In line with the management’s directive, security men prevented the lecturers from entering the campus on Monday. After a heated argument, they were said to have been allowed in, but the lecturers reportedly turned back.

    There have been no love lost between the management and ASUU since Prof. Femi Mimiko assumed office as Vice-Chancellor in 2009.

    Two weeks ago, ASUU, which hosted its members from other universities, had a face off with the university’s security team known as Sheriff Deputies, Mekusi and Bolarinwa, a former Speaker of the House of Assembly now a lecturer in the institution, were reportedly assaulted during the squabble.

    Their vehicle’s tyres were deflated by the security officials, who claimed the ASUU team spurned security checks.

    But, ASUU, through its National President, Dr. Nasir Fagge, has accused Prof Mimiko of directing the security officials to disrupt the union’s meeting.

    In a statement on management’s action, Akinpelumi said the ASUU officials were suspended because they failed to report the alleged assault of Mekusi and Bolarinwa to the authority.

    “Prof Mimiko believes that they (lecturers) should have reported the incident to him if truly they were assaulted because nobody was there when the incident happened. How can lecturers be promoting violence and ordering the students to cause mayhem? You see some of these students, after they heard what their lecturers said, that they won’t teach them again because they were attacked by security officials, went rioting because of what they just passed through during the six-month ASUU’s strike.

    “The management was very sad that some lecturers started telling the students that they (ASUU) have been attacked by security officials so they will not teach again for the next one week and that the students must take action since they have been attacked. They (lecturers) said since they can be assaulted, none of the students is safe from the Sheriff Deputies’ harassment.

    “The management expected that the union should have reported the attack to them on that fateful day because the management was also holding a meeting at the school campus. Prof Mimiko was even in that meeting. But rather, they preferred to take laws into their hands by inciting the students to protest. Who knows what would have happened but for God’s grace that helped in forestalling the violence? ASUU did not bother if students would be killed during such violence; they didn’t think of the negative effects of their action on the students, institution and the university’s host community

    “Six of them were given query because of their involvement in the crisis. There are a lot of ways to handle this issue and the management has used one of it. They will stay away from school pending the outcome of the committee to be set up by the university authority very soon.”

    Reacting Mekusi accused management of playing the ostrich, saying it should have suspended the union rather than handpicking only six.

    Explaining ASUU’s role in the crisis, he said: “The management lied that we incited the students. What really happened on that day was that we held our congress and the union resolved that we should drive in a motorcade to the school gate where I will address my colleagues. That was how those officials came and the crisis broke out.

    “I and Mr. Bolarinwa were attacked. We were rushed to the hospital for treatment. The only time I interacted with the students was when I was coming back from hospital and I was about entering the campus. The students were already at the school gate and they insisted that I must address them on the situation of things. I told them to remain calm and maintain peace. I also informed them that the issue is about ASUU and not students and that we would take the necessary step.

    “So, the management was only looking for means of covering up their atrocities. Have they forgotten that the leader of the Sheriff Deputies apologised to the union that his men were only acting according to instruction by the school authority? How can we incite the students? Did we invite them to our meeting? The management is only victimising six of us and we are only punished because we are the leaders of union.”

    Mekusi said ASUU is strategising on the issue, adding that it would rather keep mum for now.

    He described the management’s committee as “criminal,” saying it would be wrong for the administration to sit on such issue.

    None of the Sheriff Deputies agreed to speak. They said they had been directed not to speak with reporters.

    When The Nation visited the campus, many of the lecturers also declined comments.

    But, a lecturer, who pleaded that his name should not be mentioned, said Prof Mimiko was acting as an autocrat.

    “You see, my brother, this is one of the effects when you place your brother or relatives in such a position. He has been acting because he knows he is untouchable. He believes that if he even sets the school on fire, nobody dares query him. He has turned himself to a tin god and everybody is afraid of him. If he (Prof Mimiko) is coming and lecturers are discussing, they will immediately run away,” the source said.

    “We are not in the military era but workers in Akure are being ruled by a military man. He has forgotten that one day he will leave office and another set of person will become vice chancellor.

    “Should I say it is a payback time for us lecturers?” another source said, “because when he (Prof Mimiko) was denied this appointment by the late governor Olusegun Agagu, we fought for him, we mobilised and supported his brother to become a governor but in return, we are being owed four months salary and we are also being victimised.”

    Another lecturer said they were ready for the worst, adding that they are in support of all actions taken by the union.

    The Students Union President, Comrade Olugbenga Adeniyi, has blamed both parties for the crisis, urging them to sheathe their swords.

    He blamed the management for allegedly directing the security officials to stop ASUU from meeting on campus, and accused some lecturers of poisoning students’ mind.

    Adeniyi said: “I was not in the school on that day because I was sick and from what I learnt, the security officials were acting according to the instruction from above. I also gathered that when the crisis broke out, one of the lecturers went to the classes and informed students that the security officials slapped their lecturers. I think this is wrong. This was what prompted the students to go on rampage.

    “I am not in support of the Sheriff Deputies and I also kicked against the students for rioting. But I am begging the two parties to resolve their differences because no student is ready to go home again, after spending almost six months at home due to ASUU strike.”