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Tag: Federal University

  • Saraki running Otuoke varsity without due process, say workers

    Saraki running Otuoke varsity without due process, say workers

    Workers in the Federal University, Otuoke, (FUO), Bayelsa State, have accused the institution’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairperson of the Governing Council, Gbemisola Saraki of running the university like a personal business without due process.

    The workers under the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the university, comprising the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) faulted Saraki’s leadership style.

    They alleged that Saraki failed to receive a report of a properly-constituted Committee on Staff Verification established to look into the issues of staff welfare, promotions and salary disparity.

    The committee, which was also mandated to verify tax remittances, pension remission, statutory allowances, confirmation of appointment, was said to have submitted its report to the Governing Council.

    According to the workers instead of Saraki to work on the report of the committee, she abandoned it and unilaterally set up a separate Ad-Hoc Committee to consider staff welfare and complaints.

    Saraki’s ad-hoc committee was also asked to probe the protest that occurred in the institution on May 23, 2017.

    The workers in a communique issued last weekend after the end of their emergency meeting held at the ASUU Secretariat Complex of the university, rejected the new ad-hoc committee.

    They insisted on knowing the outcome of the first committee.

    The document was signed by Chairman, ASUU, Dr. Joseph Omoro; Chairman, SSANU, Kalizibe Joseph; Chairman, NAAT, Ama Uduma and Chairman, NASU, Bestman Egba.

    They further said that the pro-chancellor was conducting the meeting of the institution’s governing council in Abuja instead of FUO.

    They threatened to shut down the university if after 21 days ultimatum, with effect from Friday, June 23, 2017, the council failed to address all the issues raised in the communique.

    The communique said: ”Members of the unions demand the immediate release and implementation of the verification report. In this way, staff complaints, staff issues and staff welfare will be resolved and subsequent fallouts can then be addressed.

    ”We, therefore, wish to state that the constitution of another Governing Council Ad-Hoc Committee on staff complaints, staff issues and staff welfare is completely unacceptable and is, therefore, rejected.

    ”That the failure to release and implement the original reports on staff verification undermines the integrity of the council and breaches the trust between council and unions.

    ”We forbid any member of the four unions from participating in the activities of the Ad-hoc committee either as a member or as a respondent.

    ”The Pro-Chancellor should be reminded that the council is constituted on the basis of representation to include internal and external members of the university community, hence the decision of the council should be collective.”

    The workers argued that the establishment of the ad-hoc committee was deliberately conceived and designed to create industrial unrest in the university.

    They accused Saraki of making herself a ”demigod” and failing to move the university forward through collaborations and interactions and with stakeholders.

    The workers appealed to the council to carry out an assessment tour and audit of all projects in the university from 2011 to date.

    They lamented that the audit was necessary because of the number of abandoned projects in the institution, which had become a source of worry and concern to them.

    They also demanded the immediate constitution of the Central Appraisal and Promotions Committee (CAPC) to conclude all outstanding promotions, upgrades and proper placement of both teaching and non-teaching staff of the university.

  • FG names varsity after Adebayo

    FG names varsity after Adebayo

    The Federal University, Oye Ekiti, has been re-named Adeyinka Adebayo University, after the late military governor of the defunct  Western Region.

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo stated this  at the funeral service held for the late elder statesman at All Saints Anglican Church, Iyin-Ekiti on Saturday.

    According to Osinbajo, the decision to honour the late Adebayo was as a result of his exemplary leadership qualities and his astute belief  in the peaceful existence of the country.

    The acting President recalled how the deceased technical advice to the then military government helped to put the federal  troops  ahead of the  rebels  during the 1967 civil war.

    He said were it  not for the bravery and exceptional military professionalism exhibited by Adebayo, Nigeria would probably not be a united nation today.

    In his sermon preceding the burial, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Nicholas Okoh, said though the exit of Adebayo at 89 may be sad and unpleasant to many, death was  a necessity that no mortal could  avoid.

    Okoh, who was represented by the Dean, Church of  Nigeria and Archbishop of  Ondo Province, George Lasebikan,  said it was saddening that many Nigerians were desperate to acquire wealth at all cost.

    He urged Nigerians to  change their attitude to life and  embrace humility and contentment for the nation to move forward.

    NAN

  • Forum lauds FUD VC’s commitment toward sports development

    The Jigawa Students Union Government Presidential Forum (SUGPF) has lauded Prof. Fatima-Batul Muktar, the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Dutse (FUD), for her commitment toward the development of sports in the institution.

    The forum gave the commendation at a news conference in Dutse on Wednesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the SUG Presidential Forum is for all SUG Presidents in the state.

    The forum, according to its Chairman, Bashir Kassim, was formed to ensure that the welfare right of students is protected across the state.

    “On behalf of the entire students studying in Jigawa, it is our pleasure to extend our best wishes to the vice-chancellor of Federal University Dutse and other principal officers for hosting the 25th NUGA Zone Preliminaries.

    “We also commended the vice-chancellor for her commitment toward taking sports further along the path of positive change and establishing holistic and sustainable sport development,” he said.

    The forum also noted that the 2017 NUGA preliminaries being hosted by the university had created fun for the participants from 18 universities from the zone.

    It added that the Games were a fountain for the promotion of unity through sports.

    “We salute the hosting university in the field of medical, accommodation and transport.

    “We are also convinced that this year’s NUGA preliminaries will be a landmark in the history of 2017 NUGA Games.

    “We believe that the Games have been organised by a team of men and women that are vast in experience,” Kassim added.

    The forum also acknowledged the efforts of the Sports Director of the university, Alhaji Iliyasu Hussaini, Dean Students Affairs and other committee members for their tireless efforts to ensure the success of the NUGA preliminaries.

    According to the forum, Games in universities are designed to nurture students, and assist the nation to identify talents who could in future represent it in international competitions.

    NAN reports that 18 universities from the zone are currently participating in the event featuring football, athletics, basketball, volleyball, handball, chess, scrabbles, badminton, tennis, table tennis and taekwondo among others.

     

  • Federal University, Wukari honours Danjuma, 2 traditional rulers

    The Federal University, Wukari in Taraba, has conferred honourary degrees on Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), as well as the Aku Uka of Wukari, Dr. Shekarau Angyu.

    Also honoured by the institution is the Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa, who is also to be installed the first Chancellor of the institution which was established in 2011.

    Its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abubakar Kundiri, disclosed this on Friday, at a press conference in Wukari, to kick start activities lined up for the university’s maiden convocation ceremony slated for Saturday, March 4.

    The Vice Chancellor said that the three Nigerians were being recognised for their enormous contributions toward a greater Nigeria.

    He announced that 394 candidates would be awarded first degrees, with 16 of them graduating with First Class.

    According to him, 116 bagged Second Class Upper Division, with 192 getting Second Class Lower Division, while 20 had Third Class degrees.

    Reviewing his achievements in the one year he had served as Vice Chancellor, Kundiri said that he was able to complete the library, ICT Centre, as well as two lecture theatres with capacities for 1000 and 600 seats, respectively.

    He said that many other facilities had been put in place to qualify the institution to resubmit its 18 unaccredited courses for further assessment by the National Universities Commission.

    Kundiri expressed satisfaction with the peaceful atmosphere of Wukari, hitherto seen as a war zone, noting that the school, for the first time, had an uninterrupted academic session between 2016 and 2017.

    He solicited stakeholders’ support toward building a conducive environment for effective learning, research and community service.

     

  • VC raises alarm over overstretched facilities at Federal University, Oye Ekiti

    VC raises alarm over overstretched facilities at Federal University, Oye Ekiti

    Prof. Kayode Soremekun, the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, on Friday lamented the increasing number of students seeking admission to the university.

    Soremekun said the management was taking steps at solving the challenges to both human and infrastructure and cope with the surge.

    The vice chancellor spoke while presiding over his first and the 6th matriculation ceremony of the university.

    He said it was his delight that the number of those seeking placement in the institution had doubled since he took over mantle of leadership about a year ago.

    Soremekun, however, said his major concern was the limited facilities which the students had to contend with, but added that the university was taking pro-active measures to tackle the challenges.

    According to him, a total of 3,000 new students were admitted, making it the highest since the university was established by the Federal Government few years ago.

    He listed areas where efforts were being made to improve facilities on campus to include water, medical, lecture rooms, hostels as well as alternative power supply through solar arrangement.

    “We are curtailing the surge by building more laboratories and expanding our frontiers in the area of basic facilities

    “In realisation of the fact that government alone cannot shoulder all responsibilities in the education sector, we are also setting up a Revenue Generation Board to assist us in shoring up our internal revenue base.

    “The board, when in place, will help explore opportunities in areas such as bakery, water production, distance learning, consultancy as well as post graduate programmes, among many others,’’ he said.

    Soremekun enjoined the newly matriculated students to face their studies squarely by shunning all social vices.

     

  • Don charges Fed. University, Wukari on research, community service

    Prof Suleiman Bogoro has challenged scholars at the Federal University, Wukari in Taraba to embark on problems-solving researches toward tackling the issues facing the north-east region.

    Bogoro threw the challenge on Friday in Wukari, while delivering the maiden Convocation Lecture of the University.

    “Apart from being a centre of learning, the Federal University, Wukari should add value to the host and neighbouring communities through research and community service.

    “The school is well positioned to help the north-east because it is located in a state that is agrarian in nature, with the largest population of livestock and abundant water resources.

    “What remains is for the scholars to make use of these advantage to arrive at solutions to the myriad of problems that had kept the north-east permanently backward,” he said.

    He identified climate change and the consequent ecological challenges such as drought, desertification and insufficient water for agriculture, human and economic activities as vital areas for research.

    “Others areas could be appropriate irrigation technology to support food security and self-sufficiency, as well as marketing and post-harvest management,” he said.

    Bogoro also challenged the university to venture into aggressive peace building processes and intra-community reintegration so as to restore broken relationships along ethno-religious and icommunity lines.

     

  • Buhari orders probe of nine Jonathan’s varsities

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday ordered the probe of all projects executed by the nine new universities set up by ex- President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    He said the probe will eliminate wastages, ensure transparency and accountability in the management of resources.

    The President stated this at the maiden convocation ceremony of one of the universities, the Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State.

    He warned that his administration will not condone corruption in the federal universities.

    Represented by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Rasheed Adamu Abaubakar,  Buhari remarked that universities must set example in good governance and financial management.

    He said, “No room for corruption in the academic sector. Very soon, we will tour all projects executed by our new federal universities to ensure that funds allocated to them are judiciously utilized.

    “Our universities must be example in good governance and financial management. So, no room for corruption in the academic sector.”

     

  • A new dawn at Federal University, Oye-Ekiti

    There are two kinds of leaders: those for whom the glass is always half full and those for whom it is half empty. This divide is the difference between success and failure, between hope and fear; between pessimism and optimism.

    When Professor Olukayode Soremekun was appointed the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), there was a mixture of hope and dread among staff of the young institution. The university, which was among six established by the federal government in January 2011, has had two previous Vice Chancellors; yet its development has not matched the expectations of its key stakeholders.

    Unlike most of its peers, FUOYE was a demoralising conclave of abandoned projects and temporary structures.  Aptly, Soremekun termed it ‘half campus, half forest’ when he assumed office. But he also described this scenario as an opportunity to create a world class institution that would fit the vision of the founding fathers and burnish the reputation of Ekiti as the ‘home of education.’

    If ever a man was meant to redeem the glory of an institution such as FUOYE, that man would be Prof Soremekun, who is a man of many parts. Apart from being a veteran journalist and public commentator (the immediate past chairman of the editorial board of BusinessDay), the professor of Political Science has held senior academic and administrative positions at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, the University of Lagos, the Covenant University and the National Open University of Nigeria.

    The challenges before the new Vice Chancellor are clear: rally the people of Ekiti behind the federal institution, provide infrastructure that matches the best in the country, create world class academic programmes and attract the best hands to help run it.

    As always, the financial needs of the institution far outstrip the grant it receives from the federal government. This realisation is, without doubt, the reason why he has focused on widening the revenue stream of the institution. A firm believer in matching the wealth of the gown to the needs of the town, he has nudged FUOYE towards a more robust and practical bent.

    Apart from strengthening the Centre for Entrepreneurship, which is now headed by Dr Abimbola, a sociologist, the VC has approved the creation of two vital directorates: the Revenue Generating Unit and the Centre for Distance Learning.

    It was in this light that Prof Soremekun led a team from FUOYE to the United States last May to sign a cooperation agreement with the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical (A and M) University. The Memorandum of Understanding include staff and students exchange, as well as research collaboration. Indeed, a young institution such as FUOYE stands to gain a lot from much older universities in several areas.

    He has also held meetings with several key stakeholders, including the state governor, Ayo Fayose; kings and chiefs of Oye and Ikole Ekiti, as well as the Ekiti Parapo leadership and corporate entities.

    Among others, Soremekun also spoke of plans to introduce Mass Communication, Political Science, and International Relations to the school curriculum. With these steps, the university is surely on the rise with his leadership.

     

    • From John Olatunde, Ekiti.
  • Federal University of Gashua matriculates 240 students

    Federal University of Gashua matriculates 240 students

    Activities for the maiden matriculation of Federal University of Gashua has kicked off at the institutions matriculation ground at Gashua 185 km from the state capital Damaturu.

    The maiden matriculation has 240 students lined up for matriculation.

    The Faculty of Arts, Management and Social Science has a total of 130 students while that of the Faculty of Science has a total of 110 students.

  • Defence Academy students seek partnership with varsity

    Defence Academy students seek partnership with varsity

    Students of the department of History and International Studies of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) have visited the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State during their annual field and educational tour.

    The Head of Department, Dr Akande Akran, said the visit was necessary  to acquaint the students of historic places such as Lokoja where colonial heritage is sited to learn about the country’s socio-political experience.

    He sought partnership with the university on areas that would help to promote knowledge.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi, praised the students for embarking on the exercise.

    Among the places visited is Mount Panti. They also saw colonial totem put in place by Lord Lugard and the first primary school in northern Nigeria, which is located in Lokoja.

    The delegation was received by the institution’s principal officers, including the Registrar, Mrs Habiba  Adeiza and the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Mohammed Suleimon Audu.