The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Provost

  • Provost warns new students

    The Provost, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA), Dr Samson Odedina, has read the riot act on cultism, examination malpractices, rape and thuggery to new students of the institution.

    He spoke at the 2014/2015 matriculation held at the college campus where he urged the freshers to shun all vices that have bedeviled tertiary institutions across the country. The matriculation was the first since Odedina assumed office as Provost in January.

    The provost said the matriculation conferred on the students full membership of the institution with rights and privileges.

    He, however, said the benefits demanded certain obligations such as respect and obedience to rules and regulations, reporting criminals to the college authority for appropriate action, and protection of the college property, among others.

    He expressed his determination to improve teaching and learning facilities in the college, especially the deployment of Information Communication Technology (ICT) for teaching.

    Besides, Odedina pledged that the library would be renovated and stocked with current publications including reputable local and international journals.

    He assured that most of the obsolete equipment for practicals would be replaced with modern farm tools in the next couple of years.

    Odedina urged the students to be peaceful and dialogue when there are issues to resolve.

  • Provost praises pension scheme

    The Provost of Adeyemi College of Education (ACE), Ondo, Prof Olukoya Ogen, has lauded the Cooperative Pension Scheme of the workers of the institution.

    Ogen, who was represented by the chairman, Committee of Deans, Dr Gbade Ikuejube at cooperative 28th annual general meeting of the group, described the scheme as an excellent relief package for retirees as they leave service.

    The Coop Pension Saving Scheme is a retirement saving scheme organised to ease the immediate problem encountered by workers after retirement.  The scheme was fashioned in such a way that a retiring officer, who had contributed to this scheme, will collect his contributions, plus the dividend.

    Congratulating the society at its AGM, Ogen urged them to explore other areas of investment in order to enlarge their horizon.

    The provost also admonished members to patronise the cooperative loans, which are more convenient than banks with interest rates that are moderate.

    In his report, president of the society, Mr. Enoch Orunko, said the society made a net surplus of N15,106,012.50 last year compared to N14, 595,001.24 made last year.

  • Staff, students locked out of meeting with provost

    Staff, students locked out of meeting with provost

    Some staff and students were locked out for coming late last Monday during the  maiden meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) Provost, Mr Gbemiga Ogunleye, with them.

    Some of the students were angry over the management’s decision to lock them out, describing the action as inappropriate.

    A student, who declined to mention his name, said: “It is not good for the management to be treating us like this. Since the meeting was for 12:30pm; so why did they start before time?”

    Another student, Yinka Shobamide, said: “The management does not want to hear our views and this is not good enough. There is no reason for shutting the door against us because we did not come late for the meeting. Some of us have questions for the Provost, but they locked us outside.”

    Responding, the Students’ Affairs Officer Patricia Kalesanwo said she informed all students of a change in time when she went to their classes.

     

  • Rotary Club honours provost

    The  Rotary Club of Enugu has honoured Provost of Federal College of Agriculture in Isiagu Prof Justina Uzoma.

    It organised a special event for Uzoma, who is a member of the club, at New Haven Hostel.

    Tony Egbunonu, the club chairman, eulogised the honoree, describing her as an uncommon achiever. Egbunonu described the Provost as a “woman of substance and a distinguished Nigerian” in the field of Agriculture.

    A member said: “Prof Uzoma is a focused and articulate university teacher, who has distinguished herself and showed the world her good attributes. The fact that she defeated men in the race for Provost attests to her excellence. I have no fear that she will transform the college.”

    Mr Dadson Jon-Nwakalo, a member of the club in Maryland, United States, described the honoree as a woman of impeccable dignity, substance and mentor.

    Responding, Prof Uzoma thanked the club for the honour. She narrated how her experience as chairperson of ESUT Matriculation and Convocation Board aided her appointment. She promised to run an open-door policy and rapid infrastructural development  the college.

    In attendance were Udi Local Government chairman, Prince Nwoyo and Prof Pius Eze, among others.

  • Provost emphasises research

    Teachers of tertiary institutions in Nigeria have been challenged to show more interest in researches in order to enhance learning and boost intellectual advancement.

    The Provost of Adeyemi College of Education (ACE) Ondo, Prof Olukoya Ogen, gave the advice at a workshop organised by the College of Humanities, Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State.

    Ogen suggested ways by which societal problems could be identified and necessary solutions proffered.

    Speaking on the conference theme: ”Managing time, the great secret of productivity’’,  Ogen told researchers in tertiary institutions to manage their time efficiently and effectively, saying that this would help them contribute more to productivity and national development.

    He urged them to set goals in their effort at producing thesis, which he said could make them get invitation to international conferences, aside enhancing their writing skills.

    He harped on the need for teachers to prioritise their goals and exhibit originality in their work so as to differentiate it from others.

    Earlier in his welcome address, JABU’s Dean, College of Humanities, Prof Richard Olaniyan, said the workshop was organised to promote academic excellence and achievement of the mission and vision statements of the institution.

     

     

     

     

  • Letter to NIJ provost

    First, I want to commend the brilliant decision of the Governing Council of Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) to appoint you as provost. The appointment has brought to the fore a new dawn; one which, if carefully harnessed, would spur the much-needed transformation in the institution. And going by the statement by the institution’s management on January 24, many people believe you are the right person to lead the institution to a brighter future.

    Sir, I am addressing this letter to you because many premise the survival of this institution over the years largely on the past achievements of your predecessor. That is cheering news to know.

    But we cannot deny the fact that  the institution has been deprived of professionalism. Media houses do not value products of the school, especially those of us in communication. Students struggle to get internship opportunities, which are part of the programmes recommended by the National Board for Technical Education. Still, we are made to understand that this is the best Nigerian institution to be reckoned with when communication is placed on the front burner.

    NIJ used to be known as a tertiary institution with lecturers that have practised or still practising the journalism. Some lecturers of the school have no practical experience. They rely largely on paper knowledge, which only fuels the skills gap we see around. During my programme I could recall one of my lecturers that would never answer any question on Journalism. Whenever she was asked, she just won’t hesitate to retort: “I am not a journalist.” Whatever that means.

    Ordinarily, NIJ is an institution that should be reckoned with not only in professional terms but also in global best practices, which are rare values there; they just seem not to exist. Students want to feel the professional touch of the institution but it has since remained like a tall dream.

    As students, we were unable to explore and utilise our creative verve since the environment just did not encourage that. That is not the spirit of 21st century ducation.

    Again, I would not forget to remind you that we have had enough under the lone wolf on the prowl, where students’ voices have been muzzled by a system which seeks its own rather than the general good.

    The students’ body functions occasionally.They are only known for organising the yearly students’weeks. Students Representative Council (SRC) should not just be effective during the students’ week. They should be allowed to make helpful input and contribute to the debate in promoting the founding values of the institution.

    Everything has changed since the exit of the immediate past provost, Dr Elizabeth Nkem. I won’t also forget to tell you that the gate-keepers usually drive the students away like a gang of insane persons after lectures, claiming to act on your instructions. That is highly demeaning of the students and we cannot accept that.

    Students of the institution in the 90s say to our faces that the school has lost its essence; its spark, its social life. They tell us how rosy life used to be in their own time. I would have doubted the veracity of those claims if I heard it from just an individual. But many alumni have confirmed this beyond my doubts.

    Despite that our school is regarded as the professional hub of journalism training, many tertiary institutions, especially universities, do not admit students of NIJ into their programmes. Every well-wisher of the instutition should reject such baseless discrimination. What is disturbing is that the institution has not related fairly with organisations who would have been willing to sponsor innovations and add value to the school. Healthy partnerships have always remained central to any progressive-minded institution. NIJ has not explored this window of opportunity as expected.

    With a great sense of responsibility, if these issues raised here are not properly handled by your administration, the change mantra you have been chanting just won’t fly; it just would be futile. Your appointment has heightened our anticipations and we sincerely hope you will live up to these expectations.

    Thank you sir.

     

  • Provost decries poor reading culture

    Provost decries poor reading culture

    The Provost ACE Prof Ogen, has criticised the poor reading culture among youths.

    He spoke during the presentation of the History Departmental Library donated by an alumnus, Dr Olatunde Oladokun.

    The donor used the opportunity of the inistitution’s  Golden Jubilee to donate the project. He graduated from the college 23 years ago.

    He described the donor as a “man of vision determined to make impact on his generation.”

    Ogen described Oladokun’s initiative as laudable, noting that the move would help in the advancement of knowledge and re-awakening of reading culture.

    Earlier, Oladokun said he decided to embark on the project as part of his contributions to the growth of the college.

     

  • Provost seeks cooperation

    The Provost, Adeyei college of Education (ACE) Prof Olukoya Ogen, has assured members of staff of better times during his regime.

    He gave the assurance on Monday during the quadrennial delegate conference of the Non- Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), held at the Olusegun Obasanjo auditorium of the college.

    During the conference, members of the College chapter also elected new executives. Mr. Akinseye Dominic emerged as chairman, Mr Babatunde Reuben as secretary, while Mrs. Jumoke Obadofin became the treasurer.

    Addressing the conference before the election, Ogen said: “My administration would do everything as much as possible to better the lots of NASU members because we hold you in high esteem.”

    He reiterated his belief in democratic practice and urged members of the union to support the kind of leadership that inspires, encourages and has mutual respect for one another.

    “Management remains neutral as far as election of Executive Officers into Unions is concerned,” he stressed.

     

  • Provost seeks prayer for college

    The Provost ACE Prof. Ogen, has urged staff and students of the institution to pray for divine favour for the college developmental process.

    He gave the charge in a message by Dr. Gbade Ikuejube, Dean School of Arts and Social Sciences, during the March edition of the monthly prayer meeting.

    Ogen drescribed the month of March as special.

    He admonished them for their cooperation and support, and urged them to rededicate themselves in the discharge of their duties.

    He said his administration would continue to put in place measures that would help in enhancing workers’ welfare.

    A member of the college pastoral team, Akinola Ojo, who delivered a sermon urged people to seek God’s presence in order to escape from perilous situation.

    The cleric also stressed the need for people to pray regularly, stating that through such act their supplications could be made known to God, who has the power to answer.

  • Ogunleye resumes as NIJ Provost

    Ogunleye resumes as NIJ Provost

    The new Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Ogba, Lagos, Mr Gbemiga Ogunleye, resumed on Monday. The former helmsman, Dr Elizabeth Nkem, handed over to her successor at a simple ceremony held last Friday in the school premises.

    The ceremony, CAMPUSLIFE gathered, did not last for more than 50 minutes and was attended by the staff. It was learnt that the former provost organised a “thank you” party for staff after she handed over.

    The new provost was in the school on Monday to inspect facilities of the institution. A staff member, who pleaded for anonymity, said the new administration was coming to improve on the achievements of his predecessor, but added that there were many things left undone by the former provost.

    Students welcomed the development, hoping that the new helmsman would bring desired change needed in the institute.

    Adebukola Folarin, a student, said that the task before the new provost included digitalisation of the school’s activities to promote excellence. In this age, she said, the school has no reason not to have a functioning website and digital library.

    Another student, who did not say his name, said: “Since the new provost is an experienced media practitioner and has worked in both print and electronic media outfits, we should expect meaningful changes in the school. The administrative bottleneck that characterised the past administration should not repeat itself under the new provost.”