The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SANNI ONOGU

  • Group to Corps members: No one is selling your data

    A group of concerned Nigerians determined to fight disinformation in the country during this political era have come out to clear the air on accusations of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) selling data which caused chaos on social media in Nigeria.

    After the news broke out, Corp members came out to voice their disappointment in the government and Saraki for politicizing their personal data.

    In response, NYSC responded as follows “Corps Members should please note that the NYSC will neither send text messages canvassing for political parties and candidates nor release Corps data to such groups.

    “The Scheme is apolitical and remains unbiased to all contestants during election process and will continue to leverage on the tremendous achievements it has recorded in the democratic process of the country.

    “The NYSC partners all stakeholders in order to ensure free, fair and credible elections across the country.

    “All Corps Members are hereby enjoined to disregard political messages, remain neutral and remember the Director-General’s message to beware of unscrupulous politicians as the Scheme partners the Federal Government to contribute its quota to the success of the 2018/2019 general elections.”

    Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President Sanni Onogu dismissed the news as fake.

    According to him, “Saraki is on every social media front and has no need buying data, Corp members now go into camp almost every three months so which batch will we buy and ignore?”

    Read Also: Imo Police rescue stolen corpse

    The group Disinformation News Research Team, explained that when people contract a PR firm they expect them to have contact lists and It is possible that these may be obtained in unethical ways.

    They said that PR people in Nigeria rely mostly on buying numbers and email addresses. All year round they also added that people are saying that the end of service booklet usually has names and numbers of corps members.

    Member of the group Pamela Braide said that although some Corps members insisted that they received some messages promoting Saraki, other members claimed they did not receive a thing.

    Speaking at an interactive session in Abuja, she said, “It is possible that these may be obtained in unethical ways but reading the responses from Corp members makes it unlikely NYSC sold data to anyone’s campaign. Personal data is a valuable commodity and people sign off on their personal data using apps and being active online without ever reading what they agree to.  It’s good to be more aware.”

    Group coordinator, Disinformation News Research Team Chibueze Ebii said that as we approach the election in 2019, the group anticipates that there will be a proliferation of fake news in the media, especially in the social media.

    He added, “Political pundits will try to use this means to discredit their opponents in order to win over sentiments towards themselves. We are already seeing the trend  and things will only get worse as we approach the elections.

    “This is the reason we have set up this group of fake news debunkers who are constantly searching the internet for trending fake news in order to flag and debunk them as well as provide the true narrative.”

  • Jonathan lauds Saraki’s leadership of National Assembly

    Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday hailed Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for the firm and progressive leadership he has provided for the National Assembly.

    Jonathan is said to have spoken when Saraki paid him a courtesy visit at his Maitama Office in Abuja.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Sanni Onogu, said that Jonathan underscored the tremendous support being enjoyed by Saraki from lawmakers in both the Senate and the House of Representatives as testimony to Saraki’s leadership ability.

    It said that Jonathan thanked Saraki and members of his entourage for the visit, noting that most of the leaders that came to his house with the President of the Senate had at one time or the other, played key roles in his political history and development.

    Jonathan said: “Senate President, let me use this opportunity to commend your leadership abilities. Looking at what is happening in the country, if not for your strong leadership, probably the National Assembly would have been in chaos and if the National Assembly is in tatters, then of course, democracy is gone.

    Read Also: Saraki, Jonathan meet in Abuja

    “I am quite pleased with the kind of relationship you have with the House of Representatives members and how you have been able to hold the National Assembly together because on the day that the parliament was invaded, though the target was the Senate, the House of Representatives members were as active as, if not more active, than the Senators and that cannot happen by chance.

    “What we know is that if there is an assault on the Senate.  Then it is also seen as an assault on the House of Representatives. If they (House of Representatives members) don’t believe in you, I don’t think some of them would have taken that kind of risk. That commitment shows that they believe in your leadership.”

    It said that Saraki explained that his visit was to pay his respect to the ex-president and also to inform him of his formal return to the fold of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    It said that Saraki added that the present realities in the country showed that all those that love the country must work together to return the country to the path of growth, fairness, equity and justice.

  • Why Russia should reckon with Nigeria – Saraki

    …Seeks stronger security, economic cooperation

     

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday urged the Russian Government to reckon with Nigeria as the central area of focus in Africa.

    Saraki said that the Russian Government should take a more serious view of its longstanding ties with Nigeria to expand its interests.

    He insisted that countries desirous of expanding their interests in Africa must necessarily see Nigeria, the powerhouse in the region, as the gateway to the continent.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Sanni Onogu, said that Saraki made the call when he addressed the Upper Chamber of the Russian Parliament known as the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, in Moscow.

    It described the address as “historic” Saraki being the first head of the Nigerian legislature to perform such a function in Russia.

    It said that Saraki also called for a stronger security, economic and cultural cooperation between Nigeria and Russia.

    It said that Saraki thanked the Chairperson of the Federation Council, Ms. Valentina Matviyenko for the invitation to visit the Russian Parliament.

    Saraki it said expressed confidence that the event would mark a new phase of inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two nations, as well as a springboard for renewed vigour in Nigeria-Russia relations in general.

    Read Also: Saraki, Ekweremadu call for sustained prayers

    It said that Saraki insisted that since aid alone cannot mitigate the enormous socio-economic challenges confronting the country, it is imperative for both countries to engage in partnerships that would “open the door to new investments and other opportunities.”

    Saraki said: “Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa is unassailable. An improved relationship between us would be a definitive pathway to a stronger relationship with the whole of Africa.

    “Let us, therefore, pledge to revitalise the ties between our two countries. It is important, at this point, to stress that the relationship we seek is one based on partnership.

    “We recognize that aid alone will no longer sufficiently tackle the challenges ahead. Partnership, on the other hand, will open the door to new investments and other opportunities.

    “It is for this reason that we in Nigeria are putting a lot of effort into ensuring that we build a strong foundation for the future and one of the ways we are doing that is by deepening links with other parliaments such as yourselves, because legislation is a necessary key to unlocking potentials in people, and delivering better prospects for citizens.

    “I therefore come to you today as an economic ambassador of Africa’s largest economy. Our economy is increasingly stable and offers immense potential for investment.

    “Our people are self-motivated, ambitious and seeking new opportunities and avenues to make their mark in the dynamic world of today. And I say to you: let us work together to explore new and exciting areas of cooperation and economic opportunities that will be mutually beneficial to our peoples.

    “For us, there are compelling arguments for looking to Russia. I say this for the obvious reason that our two countries share certain, striking similarities,” he said.

    Saraki noted that in the emerging global order, world powers are looking to Africa because “Africa is not merely rising; Africa is here. There is a world of opportunities on the continent.”

    According to him, the 54 nations of Africa represent a huge geographical bloc with enormous potential for investment and strategic partnerships that would benefit only those that venture.

    “Our position, therefore, is simple: those who are serious about expanding their interests in Africa must necessarily see Nigeria – the powerhouse in the region – as the gateway to the continent,” he said.

    He further called on the Russian Government to reckon with Nigeria as the central area of focus in Africa, by taking a more serious view of its longstanding ties with the country.

    “I make this point because we are not seeing enough of that at the present time. There is a vacuum currently, and the reality is that no other country can take your place.

    “As a fellow oil producing nation, we do believe that Russia has a keen insight on some of the challenges we face in Nigeria with regard to the economy, as well as our drive towards diversification.

    “As your economy, like ours, recovers from recession, we say that part of the consolidation process must be a stronger focus on Africa, and Nigeria in particular.

    “As leaders of our nations’ parliaments, therefore, we must think of not just today but well into the future, to pursue and implement initiatives that release the potentials of our peoples in their desire for economic development.

    “With Russia and Nigeria projected to be the biggest economies in Europe and Africa respectively in just three decades from now, it would be a travesty if we did not strive to strengthen cooperation and partnership to reap the gains in terms of GDP growth.

    “As the country with the biggest gas reserves on earth, Russia should be a leading player in the African oil and gas sector. Stronger collaboration for gas development would help Nigeria solve acute problems of power generation as well as provide for other local uses.

    “The time is ripe to redefine the relationship between our two countries, based on partnership, to improve the state of infrastructural and economic development, for the good of our people,” he said.

    He said that Nigeria and Russia need to collaborate more to develop common strategies for tackling the problem of terrorism and human trafficking as their contribution sustainable peace in the larger world.

    “Terrorism is a global threat. What affects one, affects all; and we look to Russia to join us in building stronger collaboration for the fight against this common enemy. Terrorism, most significantly in the shape of the Boko Haram sect, has continued to pose a serious challenge to the internal security of Nigeria.

    “When, at the height of the crisis, we were having difficulty obtaining international support, Russia memorably saved the day by supplying military equipment and assisting us with the training of personnel.

    “We are grateful that you did not abandon us in our hour of need. While Boko Haram is largely decimated now, the threat remains, and new terrorism challenges are arising; one of these being the Herdsmen-Farmers’ crisis that constitutes a clear and present threat to our national security.

    “We hope for your continued cooperation and partnership towards combating the threat; and with your support, I have no doubt that Nigeria will prevail,” he said.

  • Saraki to northern leaders: Why killings must be addressed

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday told northern leaders to join hands with the Federal Government in finding lasting solution to the incessant killings across the country.

    Saraki made the call while addressing a delegation of the Northern Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly (NLSA) who visited him at the National Assembly, led by its Chairman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai.

    Saraki, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, noted that peace and unity is essential to achieve overall development of the country, while commending the group for rising up to contribute their quota in realizing a peaceful and prosperous country.

    Saraki said: “By this time, as elders, you ought to be resting, but the patriotism in you brought you out. You said you are political but non-partisan, we are all political and we need to get Nigeria in the right direction.

    “Being leaders, this is the time to find lasting solutions. This is not the time for blame. This is the time for us to bring peace and regional dialogue. No society worth its salt will keep quiet in the face of these killings.

    “Something somewhere is wrong. We need to meet to bring about peaceful coexistence and unity in this country. Part of the solution is to know that something is wrong.

    “I am happy that you are here and we will speak truth about the problems and to conduct ourselves on how to encourage dialogue and ensure that the right thing is done,” he said.

    Earlier, the chairman of the group and leader of the delegation, Yakasai, said the purpose of the visit was to brief the President of the Senate on the formation of the organization, including its aims and objectives.

    He said that the group is not out to get a consensus presidential candidate for north as being rumoured in some quarters, but rather to cooperate with Nigerians who share in its vision and mission.

    According to him, the group is out to formulate and device methods of preventing and resolving conflicts with the goal of creating and sustaining peaceful coexistence, arrest the drift in the North, restore individual and group confidence, create functional regional unity, among others.

    Besides, he said the group will look at the problems of armed robbery, kidnapping and herdsmen/farmers clashes and to find a way to resolve them.

    He said the group will soon organize a Northern political summit to address the identified problems while seeking the support of the National Assembly in hosting the event.

    Members of the delegation included a former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, former Minister of Defence, Haliru Ballo Mohammed, former Governor of Niger state, Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada, former FCT ministers, Bala Mohammed and Abba Gana, former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Inna Ciroma, Dr. Umar Ardo, Hajia Zainab Maina, Dr. Mamman Shata and Senator Joseph Waku, among others.

  • Why Local Government Autonomy Is Imperative – Saraki

    President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has reiterated his support for local government autonomy in the country.

    Saraki, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, stated this during a visit by the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), led by its National President, Comrade Ibrahim Khalil.

    He said that the Senate and the National Assembly appreciate the importance of autonomous governance at the third tier of government and will continue to work towards its realization.

    “Here in the Senate and the National Assembly, we appreciate the importance of governance in the third tier of government — the local government,” Saraki said. “As such, it is very important that we strengthen local government administration.

    “Part of strengthening local government administration is ensuring that there is autonomy. I also believe that strengthening local government administration means that we all do our best to increase the capacity at the local government.

    “Sometimes, you find out that in developed countries, people who are competent, to contest at a level even as high as the Senate, would tell you that they don’t want to be at the Federal level like Abuja or Washington, they prefer to stay at the local level,” he said.

    Saraki told the local government employees that it is also important to see that local governments are properly and independently funded, “however, there must be a symbiotic relationship between the states and the local governments to ensure that the third tier of government is not placed at a disadvantage.”

    “It is unfortunate that you observed that in the last Constitution alteration exercise, we were not successful on this issue. Being a former Governor, the Senate Leader always reminds me that ‘I have seen the light.’ But on a serious note, we all have a role to play to strengthen our local government system.

    “It is important that we see how local governments can be independent, how local governments can have more autonomy, and Governors cannot interfere with what is due to local governments.

    “In all of this, there must still be a cordial and symbiotic relationship. If we just say that local governments should just be on their own, it might have some disadvantages.

    “We must also look at how we can ensure that local governments have funding of their own without any interference,” Saraki stated.

    Read Also: Court dismisses IGP’s suit against Saraki, Senate

    Saraki also noted that following the last Constitutional Review exercise embarked on by the National Assembly, only nine states were in support of local government autonomy, stating that he would do more to ensure that further cooperation and collaboration is achieved to rectify the issue.

    “If we look at the last Constitution review exercise, unfortunately, I must say that we have a lot to do. I don’t think that we got up to nine states that were in support of local government autonomy.

    “I will ensure that we do more to rectify this issue. I am proud to say that my home state, Kwara, was one of those 9 states that supported local government autonomy.

    “It will happen. I assure you, it will happen. We are all in a hurry to see that it happens. The question though, is how soon? I always say that these kinds of things like the Constitutional amendment process, you cannot bully anybody. But you must ensure that there is cooperation and collaboration,” the President of the Senate said.

    Earlier, the National President of NULGE, Ibrahim Khalil lamented that local government administrations in the country have been rendered impotent over the years as a result of undue interference.

    “Our visit is to rekindle efforts and bring all hands on deck to ensure that Local Governments become autonomous in this country,” Khalil said. “We recognize that the leadership of the National Assembly has a critical role to play in ensuring that Local Governments become autonomous in this country.”

  • Saraki seeks more powers for ECOWAS parliament

    Saraki seeks more powers for ECOWAS parliament

    Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has called for more powers for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, if the aim of the sub-region to achieve full integration is to be realized.

    Saraki made the call in his speech at the opening of the First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja on Monday through a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja.

    According to the statement, the Senate President said that though the ECOWAS parliament is evolving in the right direction, it was his fervent hope that members of the sub region will begin to invest in it, more responsibility and opportunity as a sure path to creating the right structure for closer integration of the sub-region.

    Saraki said: “The ECOWAS sub-region has come a long way in pursuit of integration and development. However, what is clear today is that we need to do more. Other regional bodies, including those who we inspired have moved faster towards integration than we have.

    “Sadly, this has been due to our inability to add to the institutional building blocks and muster the courage to reorder our structures for the vision of a virile and integrated ECOWAS.

    “The ECOWAS Parliament remains a critical place to start. We must as a necessity, give the parliament greater authorization and capacity to duly legislate in common areas and provide oversight on certain issues of common interest and interdependency.

    “For as long as we are unable to, or fail to remit to this parliament more power, the dreams for greater integration will remain a myth. This singular reason may be responsible for the lack of adequate cohesion in the fight against terrorism, cross border crimes and the implementation of agreed trade agreements and protocols.

    “With greater oversight and authorization, it is possible that we would see greater inroads made in the areas of the enforcement of ECOWAS regional trade agreements and instruments especially the Common External Tariff Order,” he said.

    He said that the ECOWAS Parliament has shown itself as a primer of integration and a key instrument for stability in the sub region having utilised ‘its instruments to provide opinions on various issues such as infrastructural development, migration, public health and investment referred to it by other Community Institutions, especially the ECOWAS Commission; with the aim to positively impact on the standards of living of West African citizens.’

    He noted that there has been a significant increase in the level of cross boarder businesses in the sub-region – with investment criss-crossing regional boundaries by nationals of the ECOWAS region – as a result of the implementation of the free movement of goods and persons across the region.

    While saying that the policy on free movement of goods and persons is beginning to bear significant fruits across the length and breath of the region, he lamented that “very little is being done to provide the right legal and institutional inter-ECOWAS-states frameworks that would guarantee and insulate these enterprising citizens from discriminatory practices, anti competition, human rights abuse and the possibility of host bias in the treatment of conflicts arising from their cross-border enterprise.

    “This further underscores the need for us to act together to encourage this free flow of capital as a means to deepen our integration and avoid the possibility of recoiling our gains by enabling the parliament have more powers to make laws and fill in the legislative gaps where necessary to aid our regional development agenda,” he said.

    He however reiterated the support and assistance of the nation’s National Assembly to the work of the ECOWAS parliament as it strives to provide the necessary legislative leadership for greater development of the ECOWAS region.

    While the region is proud that the Parliament has done creditably well in fulfilling its mandate according to the Senate President, he noted that “in recent times, we have seen the scourge of terrorism cut through and expose the weaknesses of our regional integration efforts as our various governments scrambled to find a foothold for proper coordination of intelligence, resource mobilization and rapid response to terror threats.

    “This weakness we also witnessed in the coordination of responses to the spread of Ebola virus in 2015. These are glaring cases in which we were severely examined and our imperfect union exposed.

    “While these may have happened, we have also shown resilience and our leaders shown ingenuity in coming up with measures that have helped us contain these scourges.

    “However, they remain stark reminders of the challenges ahead and the need for us to revisit our protocols and treaties in order to create a more virile union that can help us deal with the challenges of the 21st century.

    “As we speak, the average citizen of the ECOWAS is yet to feel meaningfully the impact of the ECOWAS union beyond free movement of persons and goods. This is another reason I believe the enhancement of the ECOWAS Parliament remit merits deliberation,” he said.

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  • Saraki to ACF: All zones must contribute to GDP for national stability

    Saraki to ACF: All zones must contribute to GDP for national stability

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday appealed to all geopolitical zones in the country to contribute equitably to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in order to ensure national stability.

    Saraki according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu in Abuja, made the appeal when the Chairman of the National Executive Council of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), former Inspector General of Police, Dr. Ibrahim Coomassie, led other executive members of the Forum to visit the Senate President at the National Assembly.

    The Senate President said the only way for the North to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the nation’s GDP and the diversification of the economy is for its leaders to methodically focus on mining and agriculture.

    Saraki said: “My appeal is that in all countries that have gone through similar economic challenges like ours, recovery does not happen overnight. There will be initial pain, but eventually, the future will be bright. It is this journey that we should have embarked upon many years ago. We cannot run away from it.

    “We cannot continue to depend only on oil. We must look at agriculture. Specifically for those of us from the North, agriculture is key. I also want to say that for the stability of any country, it is important that every part of the country is seen to be contributing to the economy of the country. A country where it is only one part that contributes to the economy is a recipe for disaster.

    “For the stability of this country, it is important that we from the North must play our own role to contribute significantly to the GDP of this country. It is then we come to the table on equal terms and then we will be able to ensure the stability of this country. The only way for us to make our contribution is to go back to mining and agriculture. We must talk to our people that it is time for hard work to do that.”

    Saraki noted that the 8th National Assembly is already looking at laws to improve the business environment, address infrastructure deficit and, ensure private participation in construction and maintenance of roads, ports and even railway systems in the country.

    He told the northern elders that the National Assembly is committed to supporting President Muhammadu Buhari so that he can achieve success in his fight against corruption and bad governance.

    He said: “I think we don’t have much choice because a lot of Nigerians spoke at the last election and said goodbye to impunity and bad governance. They want leadership based on transparency and accountability and the 8th Senate is going to work tirelessly to ensure that we give them just that.

    “In doing that, we need your support, because we are going to step on toes. In doing that we are going to be seen to be doing things that have not been done before and of course those that do not want change will fight back. That is natural. But our distinguished Senators are committed and no amount of intimidation and blackmail will stop us from doing what we know is in the interest of the good people of Nigeria.”

    Saraki reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly to pass the 2016 budget on March 17, 2016, adding that after the passage, the National Assembly would focus on the amendment of the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

    “It is our intention that as soon as we pass the budget, the constitutional amendment committee that we have set up will begin to meet. I have told them that I will like to see that by June, they have finished and the proposed amendment should go to the State Houses of Assembly.”

    Coomassie told the Senate President that the visit was meant to sustain and consolidate the cordial relationship that exist between the ACF and the Senate since 1999.

    He congratulated Saraki on that inauguration of the 8th Senate and described the National Assembly as an epitome of democracy.

    Coomassie said: “May I also acknowledge the support and cooperation the executive arm of government enjoys from you as clearly demonstrated by the speedy screening of the Ministers by the Senate and the consideration of the 2016 Appropriation Bill which the National Assembly has pledged to pass before the end of this month.”

    He reminded the Senate that their role does not end in legislation alone, but also to ensure the “effectiveness of oversight functions and transparency for the benefit of Nigerians…. ACF shall continue to support you to legislate well…”

  • How I emerged union leader in US varsity —Nigerian-born student

    How I emerged union leader in US varsity —Nigerian-born student

    Senate Correspondent, SANNI ONOGU, in this piece, chronicles the revolutionary accomplishments of a 19-year-old Nigerian student in the United States who recently emerged the President of the equivalent of the Student Union Government (SUG) of the University of Wyoming (UW), United States.

    There is no doubt that Nigerians are reputed for their dogged determination to make  it in life irrespective of prevailing conditions at home. But for a 19-year-old  who works 20 hours per week to emerge the student leader of a university in United States is exceptional.

    Ahmed Balogun is a welcome relief from the agony and pall of terrorism cast upon Nigerians in the Diaspora by the Christmas Day underwear bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, and other countless inanities of Nigerians abroad. in Diaspora, He is unarguably a redeemer sent at the right time.

    Balogun hails from Ilorin, Kwara State. He is in his final year, Engineering major, at the University of Wyoming (UW), United States. He left the shores of Nigeria at 16 after spending a semester at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. Aside his sterling academic record, he recently broke record by winning an election to become the first-ever international student to be President of the Associated Students of the University of Wyoming (ASUW).

    He said: “I got here when I was 16 years old. Now I’m 19. The average age of freshman (100 level students) is 18.”

    Apart from being the the first international candidate to ever run for ASUW president, Balogun, during his time at UW, has “helped to promote global understanding in a multicultural and multiracial environment through his service in various multicultural groups on campus” in such positions as Chairman of the United Multicultural Council of ASUW, Vice President of the Wyoming African Students Association and Director of Diversity and Leadership with ASUW.

    Since he arrived the school,  he has brought to bare uncommon leadership skills that raised him shoulder high above his peers. Balogun said his experiences on campus inspired him to run for ASUW president. “We have been involved a lot on campus serving students,” he said. “We have a lot of experience engaging with students, with hearing the complaints of students about things they want addressed, so that was our motivation to run to hopefully address these things with our experience being part of many campus programmes.”

    Balogun speculated on why he pulled the win out in the end. He was quoted by Foresight, a magazine published by the UW College of Engineering and Applied Science, to have said: “We tried to appeal to everybody, not just a specific group. I think that was a huge help for us.”

    With the position, Balogun presided over the student union government that oversees a budget of more than $1million, including funding for a variety of student programmes. He also serves as an ex-officio member of the UW Board of Trustees, according to Foresight. The magazine added that Balogun “arrived at the University of Wyoming in the fall of 2011 and has made his mark on internationalization ever since. With a major in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Economics, Ahmed is a scholar with passion for enhancing cultural understanding at the University of Wyoming. He has become a voice for diversity and an ambassador of the cultural contributions of the Wyoming international student population.”

    It added that as an active member of the Wyoming African Student Association (WASA), Engineers without Borders, and the Muslim Student Organization, Balogun had volunteered for numerous campus activities focused on enhancing students’ understanding of international and cultural issues. “He has participated in the annual Ramadan dinner of UW, the Soccer Fiesta, International Education Week and is one of the members of the lauded WASA Drumming Group. He is an ex-officio representative of the United Multicultural Council to the ASUW, the student government of UW, and is the Secretary of the Entrepreneurs for Organizing and Networking group on campus.”

    The departmental publication said Balogun had also taken an active interest in “developing his leadership skills in order to increase the impacts of his efforts to promote global understanding in the school.” Notwithstanding his rigorous academic programme, he volunteered for the intensive two-semester Multicultural Student Leadership Initiative (MSLI) programme, which was designed yo assist first-year UW students to excel in the classroom and to become campus leaders. “In this programme, he has participated in numerous leadership development activities, including designing a seminar for incoming students to assist in their transition to college and spearheading a Halloween-themed food and supply drive last fall. He also participates in the Student Leadership and Civic Engagement Programme’s Stand Out Leadership Development Series.”

    Balogun, in the words of one nominator  quoted by the magazine, has a deep commitment to “increasing interaction and mutual respect between the domestic and international student communities” at UW. It added that his efforts have made him stand out as an exceptional contributor to UW and the internationalization efforts at Wyoming.

    For his efforts at fostering mutual understanding in a multicultural setting, Balogun was awarded the 2012 UW IBOA Award for Excellence in Student Achievement in Internationalization International Undergraduate Student, by the UW authorities.

    In response to a questionnaire  e-mailed to him by this Correspondent, Balogun said: “It has been a little hectic balancing upcoming examinations and project due dates with my new role as student body president.” He said he was motivated to run for the post by his desire to “bring change” and “offer unique perspective to improve student life.”

    “A lot of students supported us because they believed in us and our ability to deliver a different perspective within ASUW (Associated Students of the University of Wyoming),” he said. “I see getting elected as the first international student in this position as a door opener for future students to be able to strive for whatever they desire regardless of their background.”

    One of the main responsibilities of the post, Balogun said, is to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of UW, to ensure that whatever decisions taken  favour the students. “The trustees are representatives chosen by the state governor to manage the university. They deliberate and decide on major issues about the university such as hiring the university president and other key officials, approving construction, student fees and tuition and the university budget and many more things of that nature,” he said.

    “They are sort of the steward of the university, 12 of them, and they get to manage the university for the State of Wyoming. They meet every two months and I had my first meeting last week. It was a 2.5 day mostly all day meeting where we decided and reviewed current issues facing the university. The majority of these meetings are public except for the executive session. As part of my role, I get to participate in the executive sessions where only the board members are present and we discuss critical sensitive issues which I am sworn to secrecy on. It is my role to represent the students of UW and weigh in so that whatever decisions are made is what the students are in favour of.” The tenure which started about two weeks ago, he said, would run till April, 2015.

    He noted that international students face a lot of challenges carrying out their studies, chief among which is finance. “Most international students work while also going to school and taking classes.  It’s a real struggle to balance both and still maintain good grades while being social and having time to interact with friends. I can say it’s been one of my toughest challenge to work 20 hours per week and still take 15 credit hours of class per week, while also maintaining involvement with the several student clubs I am a part of. However, I see this an opportunity for me to build life skills such as time management that I will need in my future professional life post-graduation.”

    Comparing education in the United States with that of Nigeria, Balogun said: “The education system here is flexible. For instance, in my sophomore year (200 level equivalent), I was majoring in mechanical engineering and the university’s honours programme, and minoring in Finance.

    “There are a lot of opportunities to tailor your education to suit your needs. Again, there are co-curricular opportunities to get involved on campus and prepare you for the real world and professional skills like teamwork and time management one would need after graduation. The opportunities are limitless unlike the university system back home. I did attend a semester at ABU Zaria, so I do have insight.”

    Guess what he misses most about Nigeria? His mum’s “amazing” dishes. “No doubt, what I miss most is my mum’s cooking.”

    For real though, her cooking is amazing! I didn’t realize how fortunate I was to just wake up and not have to deal with cooking and all,” he said. “Oh yeah, food/cooking is another major challenge I face here as an international student. I praise her and admire her time and dedication to serving us, her children.

    She cooks most of the meals in the house though she works full time 5 days a week from 9am to as late as 7-8pm sometimes.”