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Tag: Lagos State University (LASU)

  • DISCOs: MURIC calls for revocation of contracts

    The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), on Monday, called on the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola to revoke contracts of non performing power supply stakeholders.

    MURIC made the call in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    The group accused the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) of sabotaging efforts of the Federal Government to boost electricity supply to Nigerians because it worked at cross roads with the interest of government.

    Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Director, MURIC making reference to a recent protest by electricity consumers in Lagos, said that protests were being staged in various geopolitical zones of the nation because customers were not satisfied.

    Akintola recounted the ordeal of electricity consumers on the Iba axis in Lagos where power supply was for about six hours daily.

    He accused the EKDEC, some DISCOs and greedy politicians of frustrating the impact of the good work which President Muhammadu Buhari administration had been doing.

    The director appealed to the Minister of Power, Mr Babatunde Fashola, to come to their aid.

    “We are really suffering. It is high time the Federal Government called the bluff of the DISCOs.

    “If it is true that the contract of the DISCOs will be expiring this month (November, 2018), we strongly advise that the contracts should be revoked. These DISCOs are not on the same page with the current administration.

    “They are cogs in the wheel of progress. Let them go back to their avariciously gluttonous politicians and superfluously voracious capitalist bourgeoisie.

    “For the sake of microscopic clarity, we affirm that the concern of MURIC is the welfare of the masses. We are greatly concerned that the DISCOs are supplying darkness instead of light.

    “We are concerned as socio-intellectual jihadists seeking 24-hour electricity supply to Nigerians, freedom for the oppressed, food for the hungry, healing for the sick, clothing apparels for the naked and shelter for the homeless.

    Read Also: Electricity supply: Edo condemns failure of BEDC

    “We remain oppressed until these welfare objectives are attained. The struggle for better life for the poor masses is a noble jihad and we will not abandon this great path,’’ he said.

    Akintola said the residents of Iba were suffering, adding that activities of the huge academia population on the axis were also distorted by lack of adequate power supply.

    “The case of Lagos State University (LASU) is pathetic. Although the university’s visionary, purposeful and dynamic leadership has taken the university to world class status with several initiatives; lack of regular power supply constitutes a potent threat to the sustenance of LASU’s current enviable status.

    “In an effort to ensure regular power supply in Ojo campus, the University management spends a humongous amount every month on diesel and maintenance of the big generators which are installed all over the campus. This eats deep into the coffers of the university.

    “Apart from students who are in the hostel and who must use electricity at night, LASU students also read on campus during the night and this poses another big challenge.

    “It is the height of sadism to give consumers light in the daytime only,’’ he said.

    He called on the EKDEC to turn a new leaf, describing the performance of the DISCOs as disappointing, adding that they worked at variance with the passion of Fashola.

    “MURIC will not hesitate to spearhead a massive but peaceful demonstration against them if they do not perform.

    “We urge the federal government to put an end to the DISCO’s contracts as quickly as possible because they have failed Nigerians,” he said.

    He said that MURIC delegation met with EKDEC management in Iba area about eight months ago to lodge complaints of having power supply for an average of six hours daily at night but the trend had continued.

    He explained that dissatisfied residents dragged EKDEC to court over a year ago.

    According to him, EKDEC treats consumers in high brow areas like Ikoyi with special respect but treats those in Iba area with contempt. That is class segregation.

  • Ambode grants LASU’s best graduating student scholarship, N5m

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has granted the best graduating student of the Lagos State University a scholarship for Masters Studies abroad and five million naira.

    The offer was in response to the plea of the student, Ogunsanya Fuhaf Adetoro, who during his valedictorian speech sought an opportunity for his Master’s degree program abroad.

    Adetoro, who is of the Faculty of Management Sciences, was announced as the best graduating student at the 22nd convocation ceremony held at the Auditorium Complex of the University in Ojo having scored CGPA 4.78

    He recalled his stay on the campus through sheer hard work and determination which he deemed important to honour his parents.

    Responding to Adetoro’s request for scholarship to go for masters’ study outside the country, Governor Ambode said he would personally finance the student’s education in any university of his choice anywhere in the world.

    “In response to the best graduating student’s request, Lagos State Government does not generally give scholarship anymore but only bursary. So, I adopt him.

    “His story is too compelling and it reflects on my own story. So, any university he wants to go, I will do it personally; I will be responsible.

    “In addition to that, because he is the best graduating student, I dash him N5million,” Governor Ambode who is the visitor to the institution said.

    The cash award and scholarship is in addition to the one hundred thousand naira Adetoro already got for being the best graduating student.

    The Governor said occasions such as university convocation deserved necessary attention as the future of any nation could only be guaranteed when its youths, who form a majority of the population, are educated enough to contribute to the economy and the continued sustenance of the country.

    Recalling the pledge to construct 6000 capacity hostel for the institution, Governor Ambode said it was gratifying to report that preliminary works had already been concluded on the project, while work would start in few months, adding that other ongoing projects in the university were on course and would also be delivered on schedule.

    “Our State has always been a trailblazer in various spheres of life and in order to consolidate on the economic gains made so far, the education of our youth is paramount.

    “We seek the cooperation of all Lagosians to ensure we eradicate illiteracy in the State, groom the next generation of leaders and captains of industry as well as position our State as the standard bearer for the nation in the provision of qualitative tertiary education,” the Governor said.

    Besides, Governor Ambode said he was encouraged by the successes so far recorded through Ready.Set.Work (RSW), an initiative of the State Government targeted at equipping penultimate and final year students of public tertiary institutions in the State with employability and entrepreneurship skills.

    While lauding LASU management, staff and students for the feats recorded by the institution, Governor Ambode assured of continuous support in ensuring accreditation of courses and completion of all ongoing projects in the University.

    In his opening remarks, Chancellor of LASU, Justice Adesola Oguntade (Rtd) lauded Governor Ambode for the RSW initiative introduced by the present administration in the State, saying it was gratifying that the scheme keeps getting bigger and better.

    He said the initiative had turned out to be a game changer in the lives of students, adding: “It is rapidly changing the thinking of students from being job seekers after school to job producers even while in school.”

    Besides, Oguntade charged the graduands to make integrity their watchword, broaden knowledge by reading very well, be bold to take risk and never be afraid of failure, just as he urged them to strive to create a better world for incoming generations.

    Also, LASU Vice Chancellor, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun said the graduands have been found worthy in learning and character, saying they have been adequately schooled to contribute to the development of the country.

    He said due to reforms put in place, the institution ranked first among state universities in the 2018 maiden edition of National Universities Commission (NUC) ranking, while LASU was also selected by NUC as lead institution for the development of blueprints on how to ensure health security by 2050 and blueprint for transportation in Nigeria.

    He lauded Governor Ambode for the various initiatives designed to promote education in the State and projects executed in LASU especially the RSW through which over 1500 students of the institution had been trained in employability and entrepreneurship skills and Code Lagos programme, among others.

    A total of 29,710 students graduated with 201 awarded diploma; 21,481 first degrees; 7982 Post Graduate Diploma (PGD); and 46 Doctorate Degrees. In all, 26 students graduated with first class.

     

  • LASU VC reaffirms fairness, transparency, accountability to stakeholders

    Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, Vice- Chancellor, Lagos State University ( LASU ), on Monday reaffirmed that his administration would continue to be fair, transparent and accountable to members of the university community.

    Fagbohun said this at the Coconut breaking festival for the 22nd Convocation ceremony scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

    “You may not get all that you want from the management but do not resort to destroying the system.

    “It is natural to face challenges or step on toes but amidst our differences, do not allow yourself to be recruited as an agent of destruction,” he said.

    The Vice- Chancellor lauded the LASU Alumni Association for its presence and support towards rebranding the institution.

    Fagbohun said for a university to succeed, the Alumni must be very strong and determined to move it forward.

    He hailed the university security personnel for their effort and determination to ensure that peace endures in LASU.

    According to him, members of the university deserve accolades because they have all taken a decision to make LASU the best institution in the world.

    In his remarks, Retired Maj. Gen. Cecil Esekaigbe, President, LASU Alumni Association, said the time of crisis has given way for a time of productivity at the institution.

    Esekaigbe said that gone were the days when LASU was synonymous with notorious activities and its certificates were pushed aside or unrecognised by many organisations.

    He appreciated the Vice Chancellor for rebranding the institution and giving it a new name.

    “The testimony can be attested to with the rating of LASU as the Best State University by the National Universities Commission ( NUC ) among other achievements,” he said.

    Esekaigbe explained that the coconut breaking festival was usually celebrated during the university convocation, to mark the end of a session and usher in a new one.

    He said the festival symbolises peace, unity and development that would open a new chapter of tranquility in LASU.

    “The significance of the occasion is embedded in the mystery of how water gets into the coconut,” he said.

    The General, however, urged staff and students of the university to embrace constructive engagement for continued peace and development at LASU.

    NAN

  • LASU introduces international students’ identity card

    Lagos State University ( LASU ) says it has introduced an International Student Identity Card ( ISIC ) to serve as a valid proof of identification for its students worldwide.

    According to LASU’s official bulletin obtained by the newsmen registration for the ISIC commenced on Monday and will end on April 30.

    The bulletin said that ISIC would give LASU students an opportunity to be part of the largest globally recognised, acceptable and verifiable students’ identity.

    It says the UNESCO-endorsed ISIC is a passport for reasonable discount on goods and services for students in selected enterprises globally and enables them to pay less on trainings and courses.

    “It is a single card for identity, payment and access to deep discount worldwide and gives the students an opportunity to save money daily both home and abroad.

    “It offers discount on travel, shopping, museum, food, entertainment, transportation, education, among others,” it said.

    Read Also: LASU VC, Olanipeku’s son, 62 others listed for SAN

    The bulletin said that ISIC also offered scholarship worth 10,000 dollars yearly in partnership with Global Study Awards British Council IELTS and STUDY PORTAL and students registered under it could benefit.

    In another development, the university has directed its students to swear a court affidavit to be of good conduct.

    LASU said the directive was issued against the backdrop of poor attitude, moral laxity and some negative acts displayed by some students of the institution.

    “In view of this, all students are hereby requested to submit the sworn affidavit on or before May 15, as failure to comply with the directive by any student will attract sanctions,” it said.

    NAN

  • We only increased acceptance fee, not tuition – LASU

    We only increased acceptance fee, not tuition – LASU

    The Lagos State University ( LASU ) says though it has increased acceptance fee for its new intakes, it has no plan to increase tuition.

    The University made the clarification in its official bulletin on Friday, signed by Mr Adekoya Martins, Coordinator, LASU, Centre for Information Press and Public Relations Unit.

    Adekoya said that the university increased its acceptance fee from N10,000 to N20,000.

    He said the N20,000 is payable once by candidates recently offered provisional admission by the institution.

    The institution offered admission to 3,500 candidates for the 2017/2018 academic session.

    “Attention of LASU Management has again been drawn to the erroneous insinuations making the rounds, especially on the social media, regarding a plan to increase or purported increase in the school fee being paid by its students presently.

    “What the university has done is to increase the acceptance fee from N10,000 to N20,000 and this remains the cheapest in Nigeria compared to what other universities charge as their acceptance fee.

    Read also: LASU must adhere to rule of law, due process – VC

    “The university management, however, wishes to reiterate that there is no increment in tuition, neither are there plans to effect any increment,” Adekoya said.

    He urged members of the university community and the general public to disregard any contrary information and be wary of mischief makers trying to incite and create unnecessary tension in the university.

    NAN

  • Journalists urged to embrace immersive storytelling with multimedia devices

    Journalists urged to embrace immersive storytelling with multimedia devices

    In the wake of immersive journalism, otherwise called 360 journalism, there have been calls on Journalists on the need to begin to employ multimedia tools and data in their storytelling to tell important stories in new ways.

    Facilitators comprising multimedia journalists, IT and tech experts made this plea at a training session tagged “Hacks/Hacker Lagos,” organised by Code for Nigeria, a member of the continental Code for Africa federation.

    Code for Nigeria on using storytelling
    Code for Nigeria on using storytelling

    The training which attracted print and broadcast journalists as well as Mass Communication undergraduates from the University of Lagos ( UNILAG ) and Lagos State University ( LASU ) held on Saturday at Civic Hub, Yaba, Lagos.

    Yemisi Adegoke, a multimedia journalist and documentary film urged journalists to intensify efforts at building their capacity in research and investigation in order to tell unique stories.

    Noting that investigative journalism helped to unravel the problems confronting our society, she said it was imperative for journalists to use modern technologies to their advantage in proffering sustainable solutions.

    Flourish Chukwurah, a freelance multimedia journalist noted that immersive storytelling is the future of journalism saying it was high time journalists keyed into the idea.

    “We must begin to demonstrate this new form of journalism as well as significant technical, storytelling, ethical and cultural challenges that immersive storytelling – from 360 degree video to VR - present to journalists and media organizations.”

    “Journalists must be equipped with engaging narrative techniques, video editing skill, and ethics among others.”

    She urged media organizations to in teaching learning and teaching of multimedia journalism.

    “At this point, the media should facilitate online and in-person workshops, events and trainings to encourage more journalists, journalism educators and newsrooms to use tools available from various technology platforms to explore emerging forms of visual storytelling and to engage users,” she said.

    Speaking on How to Use Data in Story, Blaise Aboh, a Code for Nigeria Innovation fellow, said journalists need to double efforts at probing government functionaries and corporate institutions on the data they provide to the public.

    Noting that journalists are provided with abundant repository of data online, Aboh urged journalists to always verify and validate data before publishing their stories to ensure open data and open government system.

    He said, “There is need to change the power dynamics that govern our society, giving ordinary citizens more and deeper information in real time, along with digital tools for engaging citizens and with those in positions of power.”

    He added that journalists should go beyond the data generated by the government and explore more repositories of data in the course of discharging their constitutional duty.

    The country lead for Code for Nigeria, Nkechi Okwuone, noted that the goal of the training was to build capacity and expand the community of media and technology professionals.

    She said the organization would continue to help journalists explore opportunities and combat the challenges 21st century through the evolving form of journalism.

    She added that Code for Africa seeks to empower active citizenry and strengthen civic watchdogs to help government shape and improve its services to citizens.

    “Our goal is to bring experience supporting communities of journalists committed to learning and exploring how technology can strengthen reporting and storytelling,” she said.

  • Youth empowerment, solution to economic recovery, says Don 

    Youth empowerment, solution to economic recovery, says Don 

    Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies at Lagos State University (LASU), Prof.Martins Anetekhai has advocated youth empowerment as the fastest route to economic recovery.

    Anetekhai advised Nigerians to become empowered in various skills and never wait till the nation crumbles before they find solutions to the falling economy.

    He spoke while delivering a keynote speech at an induction of new students at Personal Empowerment Training (PET).

    PET was organised by Hope Builders Skills Development and Acquisition Foundation (HBF).

    HBF is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) which specialises in empowering  youths especially women by enrolling them at a training centre at no cost.

    The foundation has graduated over 2000 student since its inception in 2008.

    Anetekhai said the nation is crumbling because, according to him, Nigerians think less of entrepreneurship let alone of empowerment

    “We have to learn how to apply our natural resources to make sure the country develops like other nations.

    The don advised that would-be entrepreneurs should be groomed at young age to stimulate their interest and knowledge in entrepreneurship skills.

    “We must catch them young, stimulate their interest, give them knowledge, incubate them and allow them to fly; we must also interact with them and let them know the future is theirs.

    “In LASU now,o matter the course a student is studying, he or she must also take up an entrepreneurial course, as this is planning the student for the big future.

    “It is a good idea that the convener of this NGO is stimulating young people’s interest to acquire a skill.

    He urged the students to face what they are learning because their future lies in their hands,” he said.

    Also, Mrs Iyaniwura Fagbure, who was representing the Lagos State, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Lola Akande lauded the initiative.

    She said the empowerment programme is encouraging and it is the way forward in the country.

    “This type of programme is what the government is encouraging, I highly appreciate the convener of this programme, because it is a non governmental organisation that is empowering youth at no cost.

    The convener of HBF, Mrs Folayemisi Adu said the vision of the foundation came up when she saw many youths wasting away during and after school.

    “In order to reduce prostitution, cultism, drug abuse among the jobless youths, I decided to train some of this youths who are idle to become empowered so that they don’t misbehave.

    “We give vocational training to mostly women because many parents still do not want to educate their female children.

    “HBF fixed the youth at a training centres so that they can learn how to relate with customers when they graduate,although we pay the trainers for their services from my personal purse, but the students don’t pay.”

    She called on stakeholders and individuals to contribute to the growing of such organisations who is into empowering youth to become entrepreneurs.

    Adu also advised the government to introduce entrepreneurship skills in primary schools so as to stimulate their interest while growing.

     

  • LASU to admit 3,500 candidates in 2017/18 session

    LASU to admit 3,500 candidates in 2017/18 session

    The Lagos State University ( LASU ) will admit 3,500 students for the 2017/2018 academic session.

    The university’s Head of Centre for Information, Press and Public Relations, Mr Adekoya Martins, made this known in a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday.

    Martins said that 36,500 candidates applied for admission in LASU for the academic session.

    He described as false, purported information on some social media platforms that LASU was set to admit 5,500 out of 36,500 candidates.

    “The university management wishes to state unequivocally that such information is false, baseless and unfounded.

    “Consequently, members of the university community and the general public are advised to disregard such information,” he said.

    In a bid to ensure transparency and merit-driven admission process, Lagos state university recently launched an application to automate subsequent admissions in line with a directive from the National Universities Commission ( NUC ).

    The application will cut out undue interference from individuals in the admission process.

    NAN

  • Stay off universities premises, LASU warns dismissed workers

    Stay off universities premises, LASU warns dismissed workers

    Management of the Lagos State University (LASU), has warned the 15 academic and two non-academic staff that were dismissed on Friday last week not to set foot on campus again.

    A statement signed by the university Acting PRO Ademola Adekoya Thursday, said management was made aware that some of the dismissed workers have been sneaking into the university premises with the intention of ‘initiating violence and breakdown of law and order on the peace of the campus’.

    Management further said the affected workers had since been informed to stay away through the letters of dismissal delivered to of Friday them via their deans and heads of department, and which were also forwarded to their e-mails.

    The statement warned that the university’s Governing Council is the highest decision making body, and therefore its decision on the dismissed works must be respected by all.

    The university therefore warned their colleagues, who still show them sympathy, that they do so at their own risk.

    “The university authority hereby reiterates that all individuals who have been dismissed should stay away from the premises of Lagos State University henceforth,” the statement stated.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, concerned individuals and the general public are reminded that the Governing Council is the highest policy/decision making body of the university.

    “In the circumstance, all members of the university community who have chosen to sentimentally support the dismissed Individuals, to undermine the decision of the Council are also acting contrary to the rules and regulations of the university and are advised to refrain from doing so.

    “It is imperative to state categorically that the misconducts for which they were dismissed were not union-related, and the disciplinary mechanism of the university, as backed by the conditions of service, was dully followed in the process that led to their dismissal.”

    Adekoya said the dismissed individuals who wish to visit the university must first get in touch with the university’s Chief Security Officer through his phone number or email address.

  • LASU says no plans to increase tuition

    LASU says no plans to increase tuition

    Authorities of the Lagos State University (LASU) on Tuesday reassured that there was no plans to increase tuition fees in the institution.

    According to the latest edition of “LASU News’’, tuition has not been increased and there is no immediate plan to do so.

    It said that the Lagos State Government had earlier approved N25, 000 across all faculties and levels in the university.

    “Attention of management has again been drawn to information making the rounds, especially on social media, regarding a purported increase in the school fees being paid by students of the university presently.

    “The university management wishes to state clearly that there is no increment in tuition fees, neither are there plans to effect any increment.’’

    It urged members of the university community and the public to disregard any information on the issue, contrary to that of the institution as such are products of mischief.