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Tag: Landmark University

  • Jubilation as Landmark University approves 20% pay rise for workers

    Jubilation as Landmark University approves 20% pay rise for workers

    The Board of Regents of Landmark University, Omu-Aran has approved a 20 percent pay rise for its workers.

    The measure, it was gathered, is to mitigate the effects of current inflation in the country.

    The Board of Regents was said to have announced the approval in November this year.

    A source said that “the Management is set to implement a noteworthy 20 percent salary increase for all faculty and staff members.

    Read Also: Landmark University now ACCA accredited

    “The significant announcement was made by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kolawole O. Ajanaku, during the university’s Friday faculty fellowship.

    In underscoring the board’s decision, the vice-chancellor portrayed it as a crucial intervention to mitigate the adverse effects of the escalating inflation on the national economy.

    “During this announcement, the vice-chancellor took a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to the Board of Regents, with special acknowledgment given to the Chancellor, Dr. David O. Oyedepo, for leading the compassionate decision-making process as well as the Pro-Chancellor, Pastor (Mrs.) Faith Oyedepo.

  • Oyedepo: Food security a necessity, not ideology

    Landmark University Chancellor Dr. David Oyedepo has again raised the fear of food insecurity in Africa, saying it is the ‘greatest threat to the continent’s survival. The cleric fears that the menace, if not checked, could wipe off a whole generation.

    Dr Oyedepo challenged Africans to learn to engage in intensive agricultural endeavours if they must survive in the face of impending global food crisis. The cleric insists that Africa, especially Nigeria, has no excuse to suffer  food insufficiency with the available abundant arable land and resources.

    Dr Oyedepo spoke during the university’s sixth convocation at Omu-Aran, Kwara State. The theme was:Release of pathfinders, Royal Set of 2019.

    According to him, food security is a major global concern as over a billion people are suffering from starvation, hunger and malnutrition.

    “There is no substitute for food as far as human substance is concerned; there is no software for addressing food challenges,” he began.

    “No matter the state of the economy of any nation, the last thing to remove from the budget is food, food security is not an ideology but a necessity.

    “There is nothing that challenges human dignity like lack of food, with the massive arable land to us as a nation, hunger is obviously an insult in our intelligence.”

    The Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church, noted that the need for the institution to address these anomalies informed the Landmark’s introduction of agripreneurship,an entrepreneurial-driven programme, as well as toward total graduate (TTG) concept, meant to infuse values in graduates.

    He said Landmark is very much committed to a new approach to leading an agrarian revolution through the consciousness of farming since mankind acknowledges the indispensability of food.

    Oyedepo continued: “The number one purpose for setting up Landmark University is to help young people see the treasure hidden in the mother earth through agripreneurship and other incentives.

    “Our university life-coach programme, compulsory for all final year undergraduate students are designed to provide pathways to a life of meaning, fulfilment and out-of-this-world order of accomplishments.”

    He expressed the urgency to repackage the continent’s education system to align with best global standard that seeks solutions to their peculiar challenges, arguing that a good and formidable formal education system must be a departure from knowledge to empowerment.

    “It (education) must be a departure from figure to future-building, a departure from points to facts, a departure from mathematics to life-matics and a departure from legalism to realism.’’

    Keynote speaker and former Secretary-General of African Development Bank (AfDB) Ms Cecilia Akintomide, urged the graduands to be “very focused and research oriented’’.

    In her lecture titled: You only get one shot, she said: “You have to stay focused, research-oriented and informed. You have to be bold, audacious and you must be ready to take well-calculated risks.

    “Have covenant with God in getting a different relationship, He will guide and propel the rest of your life,” she counselled. Vice-Chancellor Prof Adeniyi Olayanju attributed the institution’s achievements to spiritual support and continuous investment in ultra-modern facilitiesa.

    “We are unrelenting in advancing the frontiers of research activities that would, among others, boost agricultural value chain.

    “This, we hope, will engender the much needed food sufficiency in our continent,” he said.

    The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba AbdulraheemAdeoti, praised the Chancellor and the management for putting the name of the community and Igbomina region in global limelight.

    Fifty-one First Class graduates led 381 others. The 2018, 2019 set comprised 182 female and 250 males. Interestingly, four of the 26 First Class female graduands, were overall best from the four colleges of the university.

  • FIIRO, firm to produce brake pad, other vehicle parts

    The Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) in conjunction with Mulifeong Motors Limited (MML) has sealed a deal to start commercial production of vehicle brake pad and other motor parts and accessories.

    This followed the memorandum of understanding signed by the two parties in Lagos recently.

    Justifying the need for the business deal, the Acting Director General/CEO, FIIRO, DR. Chima Igwe, disclosed that the Institute working with other research and development bodies has produced brake pad technologies, battery manufacturing technologies, spare parts and vehicular component manufacturing, adding that spark plug refurbishing, lead refinery and ceramic component for transmitting electrical cables were also achieved.

    According to FIIRO boss, “The Institute has adopted strategic collaboration with relevant institutions in both the public and private sectors to ensure effective delivery on its mandate. This is in line with the current international best practices to promote effective public-private partnership with a view to reducing production cost, synergising to achieve best results through shared facilities and human resources as well as promoting projects and programmes of mutual benefits.

    “In recent years the Institute has collaborated with a number of private companies and institutions locally and internationally which include May & Baker Nigeria Plc., NASCO Foods, Honeywell Group, Covenant University, Landmark University, Afe Babalola University, Lagos Polytechnic, Lancaster University UK, and most recently GIZ/Bosch, a German company to mention a few.”

    Responding, the Chairman/Managing Director, MML, Princess Mulikat Sanni, stated that her mission for Nigeria was to manufacture made in Nigeria car and not just assembling cars like Nissan, Toyota and some other.

    She said, “We need to put our own plans to action. We need to put the right policies in place and we must enforce it, otherwise it will be a mirage. What happened to our Steel rolling mills? We must put it into function to sustain the auto industry.

    “We used to have over seven vehicle assembling plants and all those things fizzled out overnight. Nigeria is so blessed that we can manufacture complete vehicles from the scratch to finishing without importing anything. With this MOU, we will have no business importing brake pad anymore. With what you have in FIIRO, we will move this nation forward,” she assured, even as she pointed out that the collaboration with FIIRO was to add value to what FIIRO has, stressing that it would impact positively on the nation at large.

  • Varsity launches campaign against bush burning in Kwara

    Varsity launches campaign against bush burning in Kwara

    Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara,  on Monday inaugurated a sensitisation campaign against bush burning to celebrate the 60th birthday of Pastor  Faith Oyedepo, the wife of the institution’s Chancellor, Bishop David Oyedepo.

    Reports say that Faith, born on February 5, 1958, is the Vice-President, Education, Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel.

    The campaign was jointly organised by Landmark University Community Development Impact Initiative ( LMUCDII ), College of Agricultural Sciences and Omu-Aran Fire Service Outstation.

    The campaign, which involved distribution of hand bills to educate residents  on the danger  associated with bush burning, took the team to schools and  markets in Omu-Aran and other designated areas in Eleyin and Ipetu-Igbomina communities in the state.

    Read also: Four feared dead in Kwara community

    Speaking at the inauguration, Prof. Adeniyi Olayanju, the Vice-Chancellor of the university,  said that the campaign was in line with the institution’s corporate social responsibility.

    Olayanju, who decried the negative impact of bush burning on humans, soil and environment, said the menace had become a stumbling block to the socio-economic development of communities.

    He noted that the regulatory responsibility against incessant bush burning, especially at the grassroots,  had gone beyond what the government alone could  shoulder and advocated a  collective effort to achieve the desired results.

    Olayanju also said there was the need to check  the activities of some hunters whom he accused of deliberately setting bushes on fire.

    He listed the negative consequences of bush burning to include depletion of soil nutrient, environmental pollution, reduction in farm yield and income, rendering farm harvest unsafe for consumption  as well as destruction of the ecosystem.

    “Consequences of bush burning also include serious eye and respiratory infections as well as breathing problems  among others.

    ” It is on this basis that we are spearheading the anti-bush burning campaign in Nigeria to tackle the menace head on,” he said.

    Prof. Charity Aremu, Dean of the  College of Agricultural Sciences,  said the campaign was informed by the need to save both humans  and the  environment from bush burning-induced  attack.

    Aremu extolled the virtues of  the celebrator, commending  her  commitment to  spiritual devotion  and restoration of  the dignity of the black race.

    “These activities are geared toward honouring a woman of immense spiritual values who detests  human oppression in all its ramifications,’’ she said.

    NAN

  • KWASU lecturer commits suicide

    KWASU lecturer commits suicide

    Dr. Solomon Osunlola, a lecturer at the Department of Crop Production, College of Agriculture, Kwara State University ( KWASU ), Malete, has committed suicide.

    Dr. Isiaka Aliagan, Director of the institute’s Public Relations Department, who confirmed the on Friday in Ilorin, said that the deceased was a Lecturer 1 with the College of Agriculture.

    He said that Osunlola joined the services of the institution on a full-time appointment in 2010.

    “However, during staff verification, it was discovered that Osunlola retired from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, before taking up a full-time appointment with KWASU.

    “But, in spite of this discovery, the university, in August, 2017, converted Osunlola’s appointment to a contract engagement on compassionate grounds,” he said.

    Sources indicated that the school had conveyed its conversion of Osunlola’s appointment to him via a letter signed by the Registrar.

    The sources, however, said that the loss of his full time status led to a steady decline in Osunlola’s mental stability as he became depressed and “started misbehaving”.

    “One of his friends even offered to assist him to secure a job at Landmark University, but the deceased did not submit his credentials, when he was asked.

    “Another friend also took him to a cleric for prayers and counseling after noticing that he was depressed,” the sources added.

    A family told our source that relations broke the deceased’s door when he did not come out in the morning on Friday where they discovered that he that he had committed suicide.

    NAN

  • Landmark Varsity now ACCA-accredited

    Landmark Varsity now ACCA-accredited

    Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), has accredited Landmark University’s B.Sc Accounting programme and certified it to have met ACCA standard. This was contained in the Certificate of Exemption presented to the university and by ACCA’s Executive Director (Strategy and Development) Mr. Allan Hatfield.

    A letter by ACCA’s New Accreditations Officer, Mr. Jason Forbes, which accompanied the certificate, stated that from 2017 to 2021, LMU graduates would be exempted from six of the 14-modules requirement for the ACCA professional certification, which are Paper 1 – 5 and Paper 7. This, according to ACCA, followed its assessment with the cohort courses in the university’s Accounting programme. Other accompanying documents were the Association official logo and recommended usage format by the university.

    While receiving the certificate in his office, LMU Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Adeniyi Olayanju, said the institution’s Department of Accounting and Finance operates within a global benchmark with respect to teaching and research.

    Olayanju recalled that Mr Ezekiel Oladiran from the Department of Accounting and Finance, who graduated this year, sat for the December 2016 ACCA examinations and emerged third best overall in Nigeria. Oladiran described the memorandum of understanding (MoU) the University signed with ACCA as a step in the right direction as it would further add value to the quality education the institution delivers.

    The VC also recalled in glowing terms, other  LMU’s milestones, including its acceptance into the Oracle Academy; signing of MoU with International Institute of Tropica Agriculture, (IITA); (National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), among others, stressing the university’s desire to continue helping her graduates launch their careers and endow them with a employability status.

    Head of Accounting & Finance Department, Dr. Tony Nwanji, appreciated the university management for the support towards the milestone. He assured that rather than rest on its oars,  the department will continue making frantic efforts to further gain exemption from Paper F6 (Auditing), F8 (Taxation) and F9 (Financial Management).

     

  • Landmark University now ACCA accredited

    The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has certified Landmark University’s B.sc Accounting programme an ACCA accredited Programme.

    This was contained in the Certificate of Exemption signed by the Executive Director – Strategy and Development, Mr. Allan Hatfield and awarded to the University on Friday.

    The New Accreditations Officer, Mr. Jason Forbes, in his letter accompanying the certificate, said Landmark University graduates from 2017 to 2021 would be exempted from six of the 14-modules requirement for the ACCA professional certification, which are Paper 1 – 5 and Paper 7 following their assessment with the cohort courses in the Landmark University’s Accounting programme.

    Other accompanying documents were the association’s official logo and recommended usage format by the university.

    Receiving the certificate in his office, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adeniyi Olayanju, noted the amazing performance of Mr. Ezekiel Oladiran, who at 400 level in the Department of Accounting and Finance, sat for the December 2016 ACCA examinations and emerged overall 3rd best in Nigeria as an indication that the department operates within a global benchmark in terms of teaching and research.

    He added that the memorandum of understanding the university signed with ACCA was in the right direction, adding value to the high-quality education of the university.

  • Olayanju is Landmark Varsity’s VC

    Olayanju is Landmark Varsity’s VC

    The Board of Regents (BoR) of Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State, has appointed a professor of Agricultural Mechanisation, Adeniyi Olayanju, as the third Vice-Chancellor of the university.

    His appointment took effect from Tuesday, August 1.

    Until his appointment, Olayanju was the immediate past Dean, Student Affairs, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNNAB), where he rose to the zenith of his academic career with enviable professional accolades.

    The development followed the expiration of the tenure of the immediate past VC Prof Aize Obayan by the proprietor of LMU- Living Faith Church Worldwide.

    Also, the BoR appointed Dr Azubuike Ezenwoke as Registrar, who  succeeds Dr John Izebere, whose appointment has expired.

    According to a statement made available by the university, the information was disclosed by the Secretary to the board, Temidayo Eseyin, during the institution’s fourth convocation.

    Eseyin, a lawyer, noted that Olayanju emerged via a credible process that certified his competence with proofs in line with the agrarian mandate of the university.

    In her short address, Obayan who won many awards as VC, and was instrumental to a series of MoU with notable institutions and bodies, appreciated God and the Chancellor Dr David Oyedepo for the privilege offered her to serve. She also appreciated the support of the management team andeveryone who worked hard to make her tenure a success.

    Obayan sought support for Olayanju, whom she described him as a prolific and an individual who would validate the strategic plan and research agenda of the university.

    Olayanju lauded the agrarian revolution of the university, noting its Africa’s dignity reclamation agenda. According to him, the university is occupying a significant position on the global education road map because food security is a global concern.

    Olayanju had forays into institutions and bodies, such as: the Nigerian Institute of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE); Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE); Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST); and Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), among many others.

  • How commitment saw me to the top, by Landmark’s best

    How commitment saw me to the top, by Landmark’s best

    At 21, Olajuwon Ezekiel is a certified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). The graduate of Accounting and Finance from Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State, also emerged the university’s valedictorian at its 2017 convocation with Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.88. In this interview with ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA, Olajuwon, who hails from Osun State, shares his grass to grace story and  how his commitment earned him both local and international reckoning.

    How did the journey begin?

    When I was in secondary school, I was about to choose between Commercial subjects and Sciences.  My dad actually preferred sciences because he wanted me to become a medical doctor. But I told him I had interest in a business career. My dad never forced but encouraged me, and today I’m grateful I did not regret that decision.

    To what extent does Accounting appeal to you?

    Accounting is something I love to do. Another reason is that Accounting is seen as a language in business. I’m thinking of acquiring knowledge in other areas relevant to business such as Business Law.

    How did you cope combining school and professional exams?

    It’s all about getting one’s priority right! For instance, since my 100-Level I’d engaged in these professional exams. I started from Accounting Technicians Scheme West Africa then to ICAN (Institute of  Chartered Accountants of Nigeria) and then ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).Really,it was demanding; but if you love what you do there is nothing to fear . It’s all about ‘this is what I want to do and I must give my best to it’. Besides in Accounting, one area helps the other. Professional knowledge is like advanced  studies, it makes the academic a bit easier. So, I tried to marry both because there is a kind of positive correlation between the two.

    How is your social life like?

    First, I don’t have any girlfriend!

    Sometimes my friends in school would tease me that I don’t have social life; but I tell them this is not the time for it yet. If I must attend a party, I would rather  do something corporate that will add more value in me. In fact, there was not time to attend social life because I spent most of my time studying for either my school or professional exams, or even taking up academic projects for my colleagues or giving professional guide to those willing to venture into one kind of business or the other.

    Who is your inspiration?

    My dad. I also have a mentor Dr Tony Nwanji who has been there for me since my 100-Level. He was our former dean. He inspired me to always aspire for more because he (Nwanji) has more than 13 professional qualifications.  Sometimes our stance on issue also conflict.

    Could you give an instance?

    I remember in my 200-Level, Dr Nwanji advised me to suspend my ICAN exam and focus on how to get the best out of my first degree which to him, is like the foundation. But I felt otherwise since I’d done my ATS 1 to 3 and believed I could move on. Thank God I did not agree with the decision at the time.

    Could you recall two unforgettable experiences while in school?

    When I was writing my final ICAN exam, I had not received enough lectures. This was coupled with our system of studying here which keeps every student very busy. Then I was disturbed thinking of how to cope because I did not want my performance in both to drop and that landed me at the Health Centre. At the centre, my blood pressure was checked morning, afternoon and evening and I was told it had gone up. But I told them you people are just keeping me here because my mind was actually somewhere else. I wasn’t getting enough books to consult and I needed to pass. At the end I passed all the five papers I registered for at the professional level.

    The second experience was when we just started school, most of my course mates didn’t reckon with me because of my small stature. But after the first semester exam, everybody was all over me. The lesson I learned from that experience was that when you are committed and be the best in your game, people will look for you and not the other way round.

    What is your future plan?

    I’m hoping to get into the ‘Big Four’ accounting firms, (Deloitte LLP, Pricewaterhousecooper, KPMG, and Ernst&Young) or top consulting firms which for me, are a great place to work. I have heard that it is not easy getting into those firms; but if I can do something like this at this age, I am determined to work harder and consolidate on my achievements. I’m planning going into consulting or audit firms and through which I can develop my capacity.

    My ultimate dream is having my personal business. All that I’ve acquired so far is theoretical. I need to have that practical experience and that is why I’m targeting those global auditing firms, work with them for a few years before starting mine.

  • Landmark University’s best accounting graduating- student attributes feat to father

    Landmark University’s best accounting graduating- student attributes feat to father

    Oladiran Ezekiel, one of Landmark University’s best graduating-students in the  2016/2017 academic session has attributed his feat to the inspiration he garnered from his father, a chartered accountant.

    Ezekiel said this on Sunday during the post-convocation thanksgiving service held within the university in Omu-Aran, Kwara, where it  is located

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ezekiel was among the 468 students that graduated during the Institution’s 4th Convocation held last Friday.

    Sixty-six students, that included Ezekiel, graduated with First Class Honours in various courses of studies.

    Ezekiel, apart from bagging a First Class Honours in Accounting, is also a certified Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Account of Nigeria (ICAN) as well as being a member of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA) upon his graduation.

    Ezekiel, 25, attended Our Lady’s Nursery and Primary School, Ilorin and Cherubim and Seraphim College, Ilorin for his primary and secondary education respectively.

    He said the inspiration he garnered since his childhood days from his father was the magic wand that assisted him in setting his priorities right academically.

    He also attributed his life-time desire to be a major competitor in the nation’s business industry as another factor that led him to choosing accountancy as his course of study in the university.

    “I was greatly inspired by my father who is also a chartered accountant.

    “Therefore, looking at the area in which my interest lies; as a business analyst and expert, I am inspired to get to the zenith in my field.

    “Then, the question came that what are the things I need to acquire to achieve this goal.

    “I realised I will need the knowledge of accounting to become a business expert, so that led me to studying  accounting in the first place,” he said.

    Ezekiel said his ability to maximise and manage his time productively coupled with the school’s conducive learning environment helped him to combine the school work with studying and passing the ICAN professional examinations.

    He said that the campus environment was conducive for reading.

    “We have a well-equipped and e-library which is useful to learning and research, especially, for my field.

    “This is, in addition, to the committed and good lecturers we approach when we have challenges in our fields of learning.

    “So, I was able to utilise all this infrastructure to my own good advantage,” he said.

    He, however, said that he encountered such challenges as clashes in the school’s academic calendar with the ICAN timetable.

    Also he said that there was difference in course works between both institutions, saying the university’s study was based on academic while ICAN course of study was purely professional.

    “I slept in the lecture room for three months and received lectures from Mondays to Sundays, from morning till night.

    “This became my routine because there were some basic things I needed to learn which I could not have achieved through my private studies,” he said.

    Ezekiel said that being an ICAN-certified person was just the beginning of his professional career.

    He said, “As a potential-business expert and analyst; ICAN will only enlarge my scope as I hope to undertake more profession courses.”

    He advised other undergraduates to be make hard work their watchwords.

    “Most of us know the right things; but we do not do them, so a man without vision will be clueless.

    “Know where you are going; work toward it, and with God, you will achieve your goals no matter the challenges and setbacks,” he said.