The Nation Newspaper

Tag: OAU

  • OAU medical students reject ‘exploitative’ training fee

    The resolution of the Association of Provosts of Colleges of Medicine (APCOM) to impose  professional fees on students undergoing medical training in public universities is causing unrest at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    OAU medical students have protested against APCOM’s recommendation, vowing to resist the school management’s move to impose the fees on them.

    This is coming barely two months after the management of the University of Ibadan (UI) implemented the resolution, which stirred controversy and mass protests by its medical students.

    The resolution, medical students said, transferred the government’s responsibility of providing facilities for quality medical training in public-owned institutions to them. They wondered why the association want students to bear the cost of their professional training, which is supposed to be provided free of charge.

    At the annual APCOM meeting last September, provosts of public-owned medical colleges unanimously agreed that there was the need to save government-owned medical colleges from collapse by initiating the payment of professional training fees to prevent the colleges from losing their accreditation.

    The association approved N75,000 for students in 200 to 300-Levels, and N85,000 for students in 400 to 600-Levels. The professional fees, the association said, must be paid with school fees in every academic session by medical students in all government-owned institutions.

    Last week, when the OAU management reminded medical and dental students of the payment, the announcement was greeted with a protest.

    At a meeting between OAU College of Health Sciences principal officers and the medical students representatives, the Provost, Prof T.K. Ijadunola, explained the reason for the implementation of the policy.

    The provost said: “The professional fees introduced are not exclusive to OAU. They are to be paid by all medical students in all Federal Government-owned schools. Fatigue is beginning to set in for government-owned schools because of inadequate funding. It is high time students and parents began to have a say in the medical training by putting their money where their mouth is.”

    Prof Ijadunola disclosed that the OAU medical college owed external examiners employed to grade the knowledge of the students, adding that workers of the school at various times contributed personal money to buy equipment and materials for practice in the laboratory.

    The provost implored the students’ representatives to prevail on their colleagues to pay the proposed levies in order to give them the best training.

    A teacher of Oral and Surgery, S.B. Aregbesola, told CAMPUSLIFE that the professional fees were inevitable, following the challenges of funding faced by medical colleges. He said students must face the reality that the professional training would not be provided free by the school, adding that every student would have to pay personally or be catered for through scholarship.

    He said: “During the last administration in the school, Department of Dentistry did not have money to provide facilities that would accelerate its accreditation. Some lecturers contributed up to N2 million of their personal money towards procuring the required facilities. Dentistry has the most expensive training in the college today, yet Dental students pay paltry N33,000.”

    Aregbesola said the college had the plan to set up a committee to isolate indigent students and subsets source funds to pay for them.

    The medical students rejected the management’s explanation, vowing that they would resist further move by the school to transfer the responsibility of the government to them.

    Medical, Nursing and Dental students held series of meetings after their meeting with the provost, where it was agreed that no student should pay the controversial professional fee. The students asked their representatives to  meet again with the college management for further negotiations.

    The students asked the management not to make them bear the consequences of poor funding by the Federal Government, urging the  medical college to devise other means of generating funds for the professional training rather than ask them to pay the levies.

    A student, who simply identified herself as Olaitan, said many students may be forced to drop out of the medical college, given that their parents are being owed salaries for months by their employers. Rather than meeting with students, Olaitan said the medical college administrators should have met with their parents, since the fees are to be paid by the parents. This way, she said, the school would be able to understand the students’ position better.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Ife Medical Students Association (IMSA) President, Tosin Agbaje, said all the medical students remained united against the fees.

    He confirmed that the management was planning a review of the fees, which, he said, could be reduced, given the present economic situation in the country. He,  however, vowed that IMSA would not allow students’ exploitation.

    Reacting to the development, the Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neo-liberal Attacks (ANSA), through its spokesman, Gbenga Oloniran, hailed the protest by the medical students against the proposed fees.

    In a statement, ANSA said: “We see the introduction of professional fees by the association of medical colleges’ provosts as another means to extort the students and poor parents for a problem they have not created. The OAU Health Sciences College, students and the university administration should direct the problem to the government that is solely responsible for the establishment and funding. ANSA will not hesitate to join the students in resisting the fees at any level, as it remains unjustifiable and usual.”

    OAU Public Relations Officer, Mr Abiodun Olarenwaju, declined to speak on the development, saying the management had not briefed him about the development. He said the school had been facing challenges in funding.

    It will be recalled that OAU recently lost NUC accreditation for some professional courses, including Dentistry, Law, Fine Arts, Botany, Food Nutrition and Consumer Science. Also, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) withdrew the license of OAU Nursing Department because of poor facilities, among others

    When the UI management announced the implementation of the resolution, students abandoned lectures in protest. The UI Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Idowu Olayinka, said the professional training fees were necessary because of financial challenges facing medical colleges.

    He said: “The medical students have to do some professional courses and they have to do fieldwork too. Medical colleges are finding it unbearable to support these academic activities because of financial challenges. If students did not pay the professional training fees, we might end up producing half-baked graduates. We may end up losing accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) or any relevant professional bodies.”

  • OAU: Students call for improved transport service

    Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife have called on the management of the institution to resolve the transportation crisis on the campus.

    They made the call in separate interviews over the lack of enough buses for transportation within the campus.

    A student, Tolu Adams said ” the transportation crisis has not yet been resolved despite the promises made by the school management. The management shouldn’t make vain promises when they know they can’t achieve anything as regards the issue.

    ” I miss some of my lectures sometimes when there are not enough buses that can convey me from campus. I had to miss a test last semester due to this same transport issue” he said.

    Timothy Adedeji who spoke with our correspondent expressed displeasure on the transportation crisis which has been a major issue in the campus.

    “The school management should be able to put everything in place when they know their plans. The school has no plans for over 80% of students who stay in town. I almost missed my exam last semester because of this same issue and the management hasn’t done anything yet to curb this”

    “Is it because there is no student union on campus that is why the management is doing all this? The management should be after the welfare of the students and not to make the students suffer” he added

    Kemi Adagunodo pleaded with the management to take a drastic step as regards this transport issue.

    ” If the school management can’t do anything to this issue then more hostels should be built on campus, so students can have access to stay on campus”

    “They should be able to look into this before the new intakes come in before everything gets out of hand ‘ she advised.

  • OAU, Academy seek policy for digital economy

    ONE of the foremost citadel of excellence, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ife and Academy Halogen  School of Security Management and Technology, have stressed the need to create a clear policy direction for Nigeria’s digital economy to facilitate effective cyber security practice.

    This is because in today’s digitised world, cyber security has become a vital component of enterprise risks solution, helping organisations to deliver their bottom-line.

    Academy Halogen, Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Wale Adeagbo stressed the importance of a strong cyber security policy direction at the opening of a policy development session hosted at the Ikeja GRA, Lagos campus of the institution.

    Tagged: “Digitising Nigeria: A meeting of Town and Gown”, the cyber security policy confab was a joint initiative of Academy Halogen and the ICT-Driven Knowledge Park, OAU.

    The Academy Halogen chief described the cyber security knowledge sharing session between industry experts and thought leaders from the academic community as a gathering meant to “trigger vital public discussion on how best to digitise Nigeria for the benefit of commerce and knowledge management”.

    The Vice-Chancellor, OAU, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede, while delivering his keynote address, expressed happiness on the collaboration between OAU and Academy Halogen on cyber security knowledge development on one hand and plans to work with Troyka Group on other levels.

    He said OAU has a sustainable policy of engaging with the community and organisations within the industry towards producing graduates, who are both academically sound and industry savvy.

    Prof Ogunbodede further said the cyber security learning session is a product of thoughtfulness between OAU and Academy Halogen for the good of Nigeria. “This is an initiative we are driving together for the benefit of the entire country. The purpose is not about making money, the purpose is to contribute effectively towards digitising Nigeria in the area of cyber security,” the VC said.

    Speaking earlier, Co-Centre Leader, OAU ICT Driven Knowledge Park, Prof Ganiyu Aderounmu,  said the institution was already bridging knowledge gap between the academic and the industry through collaboration with many corporate big players in the ICT and allied sectors for industrial knowledge transfer to graduates.

    “At OAU, the ICT-Driven Knowledge Centre is already blocking the leakage of students lacking practical and industry experience. We have a lot of partners. We are partnering Academy Halogen to further enhance our growing collaboration in the area of cyber security. We are committed to stimulating creativity and excellence in research and innovation in ICT,” Prof Aderounmu said.

    In his presentation on competencies and requirements in addressing cyber security, Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe, a Micro Electronics and Medical Robotic Engineering expert, added his scholarly perspective to the cyber security discussion and the need for a robust digital policy direction.

    “The world is made up of numbers. Everything we do as humans is about numbers. We can reduce frictions in business by deploying right technology. Companies are moving from the physical to the digital realm. Digitising Nigeria will bring about a new nexus of opportunities. Our nation will only be bounded by the limitation of the mind,” Ekekwe said.

    Vice-Chairman Troyka Group, Mr. Jimi Awosika in a presentation tagged: “Business and the need for safety in an open world’ observed that we now live in an open world full of risks, which requires security and intelligence to survive.

    “On the part of business and society is the requirement for appreciation of the present danger of the open world and the need to invest not only in these services, but more so in the propagation of the knowledge that the open world presents for as they say, the panacea for the spread of any communicable disease conditions is knowledge,” he said.

  • OAU suspends six students for cultism

    The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, has suspended six students of the Institution for cultism.

    They are: Praise Onyekwusi (ASE/2014/218); Abiodun Ojo (MCB /2012/149); John Ude (ASE /2015/362); Tobi Oladoye (EGL/2014/383); Damilola Ayeyi (EGL/2016/075); and Jesulayomi Davis (EGL/2014/207).

    Their suspension follows investigation into a case of two students who were forcefully initiated into secret cults some months ago.

    When the university received report of the case on July 2, 2018, the security Unit was called to investigate after which 12 students were apprehended and handed over to the Nigeria Police, Osun State Command.

    A statement signed by the Registrar,  Mrs  Magaret Omosule, said the Police furnished the University with its findings on August 20, 2018, which noted that six of the students had admitted being members of proscribed groups, thus breaching their Matriculation Oath, Code of Conduct and other University regulations.

    The statement assured the students of security and urged them and other members of the university community to be vigilant and report suspicious activities the management.

  • OAU suspends six students for alleged cultism

    The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has announced the suspension of six students for alleged involvement in cultism.

    A statement yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, by the university’s Registrar, Mrs Margaret Omosule, said the suspended students confirmed their membership of secret cults after police investigation.

    According to Omosule, the school management, on July 2, got information that two of the students were forcefully initiated into cultism outside the university campus.

    She said after a thorough preliminary investigation, 12 students were apprehended and handed over to the police to assist them in further professional investigation.

    The statement reads: “After the investigation of the suspected students by the police, the university, on August 20, received a detailed report of police findings.

    “It was confirmed that six students of the university had admitted their membership of proscribed groups, thus breaching their Matriculation Oath, Code of Conduct and other pertinent university regulations.

    “Accordingly, and in accordance with the relevant statutes, the students have been suspended pending the outcome of investigations by the appropriate Students’ Disciplinary Committee.”

    The statement said the names of the suspended students with their matriculation numbers are: Onyekwusi Praise Chinemerem, ASE/2014/218; Ojo Abiodun Olamide, MCB/2012/149 and Ude John, ASE/2015/362.

    Others are: Oladoye Tobi Olakunmi, EGL/2014/383; Ayeyi Damilola Ayomide, EGL/2016/075 and Davis Jesulayomi Olakunle, EGL/2014/207.

    The university said its community and other stakeholders, especially the students, would continue to enjoy tight security of life and property.

    It pledged that its management would put in place a peaceful environment for all residents to live in harmony.

    The statement added: “It is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to protect the university from persons with criminal intentions.

    “Members of the university community are advised to be vigilant at all times and report any suspicious activities which could undermine the peaceful coexistence of members of the university community.”

  • OAU suspends six students over cultism

    Six students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife have been suspended by the authorities of the institution.

    The students were suspended after confessing to be members of a secret cult.

    A statement by the university Registrar,  Mrs.  Magaret Omosule,  said that the OAU management on Monday July 2 received  the information two students of the institution were being forced to join a cult group outside the school campus against their will.

    Read Also: Artist decries poor handling of Soyinka’s portraiture at OAU

    The statement read in part: “The security unit of the university promptly swung into action in receiving the information. After a thorough preliminary investigation, twelve students of the university were apprehended and handed over to the Osun State Command of the Nigeria Police to assist with further professional investigation.

    “Following the investigation of the suspected students by the Nigeria Police, the University on 20th August, 2018, received a detailed report of the police findings where it was confirmed that six students of the university had admitted their membership of proscribed groups, thus breaching their Matriculation Oath, Code of Conduct and other pertinent University regulations.

    “So, in accordance with the relevant statutes, the following students have been suspended pending the outcome of investigations by the appropriate Students’ Disciplinary Committee. They are :
    (1) ONYEKWUSI Praise Chinemerem,  Matriculation number ASE / 2014/218
    (2). OJO Abiodun Olamide,  Matriculation number MCB /2012 /149
    (3).UDE John, Matriculation number ASE /2015 /362
    (4). OLADOYE Tobi Olakunmi, Matriculation number EGL /2014/ 383
    (5) AYEYI Damilola Ayomide,  Matriculation number EGL /2016 /075
    (6) DAVIS Jesulayomi Olakunle,  Matriculation number EGL / 2014 /207.”

    The university management assured students and other stakeholders of adequate security.

  • OAU students in fear as flood sacks Ife community

    Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University ( OAU ) Ile Ife have expressed fear over the heavy flood which sacked residents from their community.

    The flood, The Nation gathered, was as a result of heavy downpour of rain which lasted over seven hours on Sunday.

    The heavy downpour led to destruction of properties, caused harm to the Ife community and led residents leaving their houses.

    James Ibrahim, one of the affected students said the heavy flood as caused serious harm as all their properties were carted away by the rain.

    “I lost my clothes and other belongings to the flood. I am even scared to stay in the house because I don’t know the havoc that might happen when the next it rains.”

    Another student, Funmi Ilori who narrated the incident said “I was sleeping in my room when I started feeling that my bed was becoming wet, I thought I had poured water before I slept off but I noticed that it was getting too much I had to stand up but before I could know what was happening, my room was getting flooded but it was God that saved me that I had to find my way out of the room.”

    “I have never experienced this kind of disaster in my life; I never knew it could happen to me. The flood has rendered us homeless”

    In her view, Sikirat Bashiru, an indigene of Ife urged the government to assist the residents in clearing the drainages, adding; “All our belongings have been destroyed by the flood.”

  • Yoruba lecture holds at OAU

    An American, Oloye Nathan Iwindara and a United States-based Nigerian, Ojise Isedale will present papers in Yoruba at a symposium at the Institute of Cultural Studies (ICS), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    A release signed by the Director of ICS, Dr. Felix Omidire, said the guest lecturers would speak on Yoruba culture and tradition under the theme, Adiye funfun ko mo ara re l’agba, at the event scheduled for August 14.

    The topic was originally conceived and presented by the duo during the public reception in honour of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, by the Egbe Omo Oduduwa of Hollywood and Greater Los Angeles, California, in November last year.

    Iwindara practices as a Yoruba priest in Miami, Florida. He is an American-born and who studied Yoruba language and religion in his country and has attained native proficiency in the language. He would deliver the lecture in Yoruba language.

    His co-speaker, Isedale, left Nigeria as a teenager at a time when he was more fluent in English than his native tongue. This is because he grew up speaking “adulterated” Yoruba in Lagos, like many youngsters.

    It was upon his arrival in the United States that he discovered the value of being proficient in his mother tongue. So, he took it upon himself to be proficient in the language, by borrowing books at his alma mater, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), to study Yoruba tradition and religion.

    Today, the Biomedical Scientist who has lived in the United States for over 30 years has become a Yoruba culture enthusiast. He has done part-time projects in Yoruba interpretation and translation in both private and government sectors in the United States for over 20 years.

  • Bayelsa governor at OAU, backs calls for restructuring

    Gov. Seriake  Dickson of Bayelsa on Thursday backed calls for restructuring  in the country.

    He spoke at the Distinguished Guest Lecture of  the Faculty Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, which had as  theme: “ Restructuring and the Search for a productive Nigeria.’’

    ” If we were to conduct a referendum, majority of Nigerians will vote for the unity of Nigeria  because the unity of Nigeria is desirable in the best interest of all,’’ he said.

    The Bayelsa governor, however,  admonished Nigerian  leaders to return to true federalism which was agreed on by the founding fathers of the country.

    “For this nation to be positively restructured, the issue of constitutional amendment should be addressed.

    ” Political leaders are more militant than the military and more intolerant of adverse opinions or criticisms.

    “ Nigeria’s unity cannot be sustained merely by constitutional provisions that we know are ineffective,’’ he said.

    Earlier, Dickson had  visited the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, where he lauded him for upholding the tradition and culture of  the Yoruba.

    In his remarks, Ogunwusi sued for  unity across the country, saying  he was optimistic of a   day party leaders would  shun politics of  bitterness.

    He also warned youths across the country against acts of violence. (NAN)

  • Ooni, OAU to unveil book on Moremi

    The Ooni of Ile-Ife in Osun State, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, in conjunction with Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in the town, will soon unveil the book written on Moremi Ajasoro, an Ife queen who submitted herself to slavery for the liberty of her people and mankind.

    A statement yesterday by Ooni’s Director of Media, Moses Olafare, said the book launch will be chaired by Oba Francis Olusola Alao, the Olugbon of Ile-Igbon and Vice Chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs at 11 a.m on July 14 at OAU’s Oduduwa Hall.

    Oba Ogunwusi said the book, published by Princess Ronke Ademiluyi and House of Oduduwa Foundation in collaboration with OAU’s Institute of Cultural Studies, shows the strength and power of a woman in the ancient Yoruba history.

    The monarch warned the people to prevent the rich Yoruba culture and history to go into extinction.

    “People without history and culture are doomed to extinction. This book, Queen Moremi Ajasoro, reminds us about the pride of womanhood to encourage the values of decency, courage, hard work, justice and sacrifice for public good, contentment and integrity,” the statement said.

    It also quoted the House of Oduduwa Foundation’s CEO, Prince Jide Fadairo, as saying that many historical facts about Yoruba heroes and heroines had been lost due to lack of recognition and proper archival preservation.