The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Students

  • Certificate without knowledge is useless, freshers told

    Students have been advised to be focused and study hard to acquire knowledge rather than obtaining only certificates. Founder and chairman of Governing Council of Heritage Polytechnic in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, Dr Emmanuel Ekott, gave the admonition during the ninth matriculation of the polytechnic.

    Ekott said the school will not condone misconduct and vices, urging cultists not apply for admission to polytechnic.

    He lamented that tertiary institutions in the country were turning to certificate centres, noting that some admission seekers apply only to get certificates rather that acquiring knowledge.

    He warned the freshers against indolence, stressing that management would not tolerate examination malpractice and cultism. He urged parents to advise their children to stay clear from acts that could terminate their academic journey.

    Hie said: “Students should study hard for knowledge and not for certificate. Students should not be looking for certificates, but knowledge which will take them to wherever they want. People go to school nowadays for certificates and they just need the paper because they have godfathers somewhere, who will give them jobs after graduation. All they need to do is to present their unmerited certificate.”

    Ekott said the polytechnic has not experienced any incidence of violence on its campus, charging the freshers not to be involved in vices. Any student found engaging in vices, he warned, will be expelled from the school.

    He said: “The problem we are having in the society is that people join cultism at primary and secondary schools. Coming to tertiary institutions, it would be hard to tell them that they should not join cultism because they have already joined. If you are a cultist, it is better you don’t come to Heritage Polytechnic because you will not be given admission.

    “Let me sound a warning to all matriculating and continuing students that management of the school will not tolerate any act of examination malpractice and cultism. This is a private institution and we shall do everything within the law to deal with cultists. The polytechnic is not a cult centre and cultists must not come near. I urged parents to advise their children to stay clear of these vices as all measures shall be deployed to check cultism in this institution.”

    Ekott added that indecency would not be tolerated in the polytechnic, pointing out that the management would deploy punitive measures to students engaging in seductive and provocative dressing. He also said lecturers of the institution subscribed to the code of professionalism, noting that measures were in place to discourage sex-for-marks activities.

    He said: “We have put in place a central marking mechanism, which means examination scripts can be given to anybody to mark and it can be assessed outside the institutions. There is no handout to be sold to students. We have only textbooks and we have all the copies of textbooks used in the school in our library. Anyone, who can’t afford to buy,  can go to the library and read.”

    Ekott’s wife, Mrs. Helen, stressed that the polytechnic would continue to support decent and proper dressing among female students. She urged students to be diligent, hardworking and dutiful in their studies.

     

  • SOS: (teachers) save our students

    Sir: Call it ‘save our soul’, ‘send out succor’ or ‘save our ship’, it is noteworthy that only a distress situation calls for SOS. SOS is historically believed to be morse code sent by sailors to call for help when in a precarious situation. It seems to me that the teaching and learning situation, particularly in this part of the world, is in a grave distress. It is pertinent we remind ourselves that education is the bedrock of a meaningful self and our collective development. So, it is expected that a serious nation will wisely pay attention to the nature and structure of her educational system and well-being of professionals in the teaching field.

    Teaching and learning processes nowadays are characterized by blame game; I used to think this obtains only in politics. The teachers shift blames on the students as being notoriously unserious and lazy; yes, some are and some are not. The students blame the teachers for lacking the ability to succinctly perform their teaching duty well enough. We should note something here! When these students think and act in this wise, they are not suggesting that the teachers entirely lack an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, but that the teachers’ teaching methodology is poor, obsolete and hardly understandable. Now, who should we blame more?

    Well, as perturbed as this situation seems, I do not have a resolution for this resentful contention. I am, however, interested in expressing a rallying cry to our teachers to “save our students” (SOS) because regardless of how the blames fly, the teachers still know better than the students. The only noticeable awareness and understanding that most teachers lack, in my view, is the 21ST CENTURY LEARNING YEARNINGS OF THE STUDENTS.

    This 21st century learning yearnings must, as a matter of urgency and compulsion, be met by corresponding 21ST CENTURY TEACHING METHODOLOGIES. Dr Liz Hardy (@SimpliTeach), an advocate for a technology-driven teaching process, once tweeted that, ‘E-learning gives students a new way back to education as it is exciting and it helps the learners realize potentials they didn’t even know they had!’ This, in a way, sums what 21st teaching is: e/virtual learning. It is a form of teaching that leverages the provisions of the technological tools and new media platforms to enhance classroom interaction.

    Obviously, teaching has gone beyond the four walls of the school and most of these students are relatively versed in the use of these tools and vast in the range of knowledge the garner. The teacher only needs to harness the use of these tools to benefit his/her teaching. For instance, there are several Google tools, many educative groups on Facebook, WhatsApp and countless educational blog sites among others for meaningful teaching-learning interactions (Kudos to those I know who employ one or many of these).

    However, the teacher cannot gainfully utilize these media if he/she lacks basic training on the use of these tools. By training, I do not suppose that you will spend a fortune learning the uses and processes. The good thing with the internet facilities is that when you are interested in using any and you decide to practice and use it continuously, you will get to understand the intricacies of it.

    In conclusion, we all know and say that these young friends of mine (students) who have access to some of these internet facilities waste their time on meaningless activities; yes, this could be true. But have you engaged them with meaningful academic activities on any of these platforms before? Maybe they are waiting to have this from you so that the supposed wastage will be minimized. Dear teachers, let us assiduously work to produce a balanced generation of young learners who are wholly worthy in character, interested in learning and committed to national development.

     

    • Adepoju Olalekan,

    University of Ibadan.

  • Four students killed, scores wounded as cultists clash in Imo 

    No fewer than four students of the Imo State University Owerri were on Sunday feared dead after two rival cult groups clashed in Owerri, the state capital.
    The bloody clash that threw the city into stampede was said to be between members of Aye and Bagger confraternities in the University.
    According to a reliable source,  the supremacy fight started at a students’ hostel in front of the University’s main gate .
    The fracas resulted in pandemonium as students, including worshippers scampered for safety .
    According to a source within the university that pleaded anonymity, it took a Police detachment from the Anti cultism unit of the state Police Command restore normalcy.
    The source disclosed that the gun battle between the rival  cultists lasted for almost two hours adding that  “the cult members are killing themselves.”
    “They are students of Imo state University, Owerri. Nobody could immediately ascertain the actual cause of the clash but the shooting started at Delight hostel in front of IMSU gate.”
    It was gathered that trouble started when the rival cult members started exchanging hot words at the hostel before it degenerated to a full fight which resulted in the use of guns and other dangerous weapons.
    The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, could not be reached for comments but a police source who preferred not to be mentioned confirmed the clash.
    The police source said that Policemen deployed from Orji Police Division and anti cultism Unit of the Command quelled the crisis.
    He however confirmed that the Police had arrested some of the cult members, adding that the fleeing ones were being trailed by the command.
    He said “we have rounded up some of the suspects .They are in police custody at Orji Police Division. We are still combing the university for the ones on the run .”

  • FUT Minna withdraws 20 students

    The Federal University of Technology, Minna has withdrawned 20 students due to poor academic performance.
    According to the University’s newsletter titled number 709, the Senate in its 422nd meeting approved the withdrawal of the students.
    The newsletter stated that the withdrawal of two of the students were voluntarily due to their absence from the University for two consecutive sessions without official permission while 18 others were withdrawn due to poor academic performance.
    Ten of the students were from the Department of Chemical Engineering, five were from the Department of Animal Production, four from the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Technology while the remaining one was from the Department of Crop Production.

  • Varsity workers, students decry exclusion from Appropriation Bill

    WORKERS and students of Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FU, barricaded East West to protest non-inclusion of the institution’s budget in the 2018 Appropriation Bill.

    The protesters demonstrated under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

    They lamented the government’s failure to implement the institution’s Establishment Act since it was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in October.

    The Chairman, Victor Owhofaraye, said the National Assembly promised that funding will be appropriated for FUPRE in the 2018 budget, but it had been pushed to 2019.

    He said: “We are here to protest the non-implementation of FUPRE Act since October 2017 when President Muhammadu signed it into law. We learnt that the National Assembly has refused to include our budget into the 2018 Appropriation Bill which is currently before it. We are angry that the implementation of the act establishing the institution is not captured in the 2018 budget.

    “We call on the Federal Government, especially President Buhari, the leadership of the National Assembly and other relevant stakeholders, to ensure that funding for FUPRE is adequately captured in the 2018 budget.

    “The development of the institution and workers’ welfare will be affected if the government does not capture its funding. We have tried our best to reach the leadership of the National Assembly on the development but to no avail.”

  • Students protest in Akure over fees hike

    Scores of aggrieved students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko ( AAUA ) yesterday marched on major streets of Akure, the state capital to protest the sudden hike in their tuition.

    The students numbering over 1,000 blocked major roads in the town, thereby preventing vehicular and human movements for several hours.

    The protest affected social and commercial activities in many parts of the town, as many shop owners hurriedly closed their shops, even as commercial drivers boycotted the roads.

    The students converged at the Oja Oba junction in the heart of Akure and condemned the sudden hike in their tuition from N25,000 to N180,000/N200,000.

    They accused the State Government of being callous alleging that the action of the government was against the economic realities in the state.

    The AAAU students were also at the popular Adegbola Newspapers Distribution Centre, Fiwasaye, Cathedral and Adegbemile area amongst others chanting various anti-government songs with placards.

    They were however dispersed with teargas by the anti-riot policemen deployed to curtail the protest.

    Read Also: Tutition fee hike: AAUA students plead with authority

    They were led on the protest by the Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ondo axis, Adewumi Adebowale who insisted that the students will not pay the new tuition.

    Adebowale said the new tuition introduced into the university by the state government was outrageous. He also promised to do everything to resist the hike.

    He urged the students not to resume academic activities until the State Government or the University’s management, reverse the tuition.

    Reacting to the new development, President of the Students Union Government (SUG) of the University, Ijanusi Olawale said no student of the university would pay the new tuition.

    He declared that the university will not be opened for academic session unless the state government reverts back to the old tuition, saying the new tuition cannot be afforded by their parents.

    He urged the students to remain calm and refuse to pay any money or resume until they hear from the leadership of the SUG,stressing that they had remained at home for three months.

  • UI to meet parents, guardians, students on fee increase, says VC

    •Varsity subsidises accommodation with N100m’

    The management of University of Ibadan (UI) said yesterday that it was concluding arrangement to facilitate Senate/Parents Management Consultative Forum with workers, students, parents and guardians.

    It said this was to discuss the rationale behind the slight adjustment in accommodation fees.

    The meeting, slated for tomorrow, is to among others, douse tension over the decision.

    The Senate had recommended increment in hostel fee from N14, 000 to N30,000 for main campus and N40,000 for College of Medicine with effect from 2017/2018 academic session.

    Noting the stifled funding from the Federal Government to cater for utilities, the management said it spent about N100 million yearly to augment what was collected in running the hostels, adding that this was no longer sustainable.

    The Nation learnt that while students at present paid N14,000 per bed space, the partial economic rate per bed space, according to a 2012 survey conducted by the institution, was put at N59,650 per session.

    Vice Chancellor Prof. Idowu Olayinka had said the institution was at a crossroads because managing the hostel based on the old rate was not sustainable, adding that only 30 per cent of the students were accommodated on campus, as the opportunity for hostel accommodation was optional.

    The Senate also approved increment in fees for laboratory and studio arts (N5,000); maintenance fees; fees for professional health training (non-clinical (N75,000) and clinical N100,000); pharmacy practice experience levy (N5,000); science laboratory levy (N7,500); Faculty of Agriculture (N5,000 to N7,500); renewable natural resources upward review of the practical year levy (N15,000 to N17,500) for those in practical year; while other students are to pay the old levy.

    Other items which attract upward review include access fee for undergraduates (from N2,000 to N2,500) for improved Internet access on campus.

    However, fees payable by students in the Faculties of Social Sciences, Law, Sciences and Technology have not been adjusted.

    Prof. Olayinka said: “The university is at a point where it is difficult to continue to subside the running of halls of residence and carry out academic functions without a slight adjustment in accommodation charges and in some fees payable by students in some faculties.

    “We urge the public to note that it is only the increase in accommodation fees that cuts across students who desire to stay in the halls of residence. Residency in the hall is optional and only about 30 per cent of our students can find accommodation in the halls of residence.

    “It is also important to note that the Federal Government, years ago, had stopped providing funds for the running of the halls. As a result, the university spends about N100 million over what is collected as accommodation fees for the running of the halls.

    “The university is no longer in a capacity to continue to provide this subvention. It has been very objective in adjusting other fees. For instance, fees were only adjusted for students in the Faculties of Arts, Agriculture, Renewable Natural Resources and Pharmacy. Even in these faculties, the fees are limited to categories of students requiring academic service for which an increase has been approved.

    “Let us give two examples. For instance, only 400 level students in the Faculties of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources are to pay additional N2,500. These are students in their practical year. Other students in the faculties are not to pay these fees. In the Faculty of Arts also, only 200 and 300 level students in six departments are to pay the studio maintenance fees. Students in departments without studios are exempted from these fees.”

     

  • Ondo poly students to pay for N168m damages–Akeredolu

    The N168 million damages caused by protesting students of  Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo (RUGIPO) at  the institution would be paid for by them, Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State said on Thursday.

    Akeredolu spoke  in Akure while receiving the report of the Committee of Inquiry on  the violent protest by students of the institution.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four-man committee was set up on Feb. 5  to look into the violent protest by the  students  on Jan. 22.

    NAN reports that the students destroyed the school’s ICT centre, vehicles and other valuables of the institution while protesting the ‘No school fees, no exam’ policy  introduced by the management.

    The governor, who  expressed surprise at the extent  of damage, said government’s  action would serve as a deterrent to others.

    Akeredolu said that the students were expected to appreciate the  tools of learning put in place  for their sake  instead of destroying them.

    “The ICT centre was already JAMB-compliant. Some of the students were found with computers and the students who are facing trial, if found guilty, will be made to pay for the crimes committed.

    “Whatever it will take, the students will have to pay to the last kobo for it. Either they pay or they don’t come to school again.

    “We will look into the report and agree on what each student will have to pay,” he said.

    Earlier, Oyekan Arije, the Chairman of the committee, had described as unfortunate the  destruction of the institution’s properties  by the students.

    Arije said that the panel met with all the stakeholders involved  to ascertain the cause of the crisis in the school and also received various memoranda to assist it  in its  findings.

    He thanked the governor for the opportunity given them to serve in the  capacity, expressing the hope  that  government would make good use of their  recommendations  to avoid a recurrence. (NAN)

  • Lagos woos final year students with skills programme

    The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Education, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh has been busy since last week going round tertiary institutions in Lagos to woo final year students to register for the ReadySetWork (RSW) initiative.

    This year’s edition of the employability and entrepreneurship training programme, the third in the series, would begin in July and end in September.

    This year, too, would have a larger pool of participants, 5,000, drawn from the Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State Polytechnic, University of Lagos, Lagos State College of Health Technology (LACOHET), Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Epe, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, and new entrants, Caleb University, and the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH).

    Speaking at a sensitisation programme in LASU last week, Bank-Olemoh urged the final year students to register online for the six-week pre-requisite course that would qualify them for the 13-week face-to-face programme.

    He told the students that participating in the programme was an opportunity to start their careers on a strong footing that could stand them apart.

    “I want to let you know that you can change your own life.  You are the most privileged final year students in Nigeria because no other state does this.  Last year, we did just 2,000 students and placed 1,000 on internship.

    “If you want to be part of this RSW and you did not do the RSW academy programme online in your penultimate year, you need to be part of the RSW Academy for six weeks to complete the six modules and pass,” he said.

    Bank-Olemoh warned the students against late coming to the RSW centres at LASU, UNILAG, and LASPOTECH, stressing that tey must achieve 80 per cent attendance to graduate from the programme.

    “We will run the RSW for 13 weeks – Saturdays only.  You must be seated by 8.45am.  If you get there late, you will be marked absent.  Out of the 13 weeks, you must come 11 weeks; no excuses.  This year, we paid for an attendance tracker.  You swipe in and swipe out.  We are preparing you for the world of work out there.  Students think the world revolves around them, but when you get to the  real world, al that matters is to get the work done,” he said.

  • Policemen, students arraigned for ‘cultism’, ‘gunrunning’

    Two policemen and two students of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) were among 17 suspects arraigned by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for alleged cultism and gunrunning.

    The suspects were arraigned at an Uyo High Court presided over by Justice Archibong Archibong.

    They are facing charges of alleged involvement in cultism, illegal possession of firearms and others.

    This is happening barely two weeks after Governor Udom Emmanuel signed an order proscribing 33 cults.

    Police spokesman Odiko Macdon Ogbeche told The Nation in Uyo that 17 of the suspects, including two policemen, two students and a 29-year-old phone repairer at Ibom Plaza roundabout were among those prosecuted by the command.

    It was gathered that while one of the policemen was attached to Ibom International Airport, the other was a security aide to a lawmaker.

    The two students, it was learnt, are both in their second and third year as undergraduates.

    The suspects admitted being members of the proscribed Ku Klux Klaans (KKK) Confraternity.

    Justice Archibong said the offences contravened Section 6 of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Security Enforcement Law 2009 and Section 6 (1) of the Firearms Special Prohibition Act, 2004.

    He adjourned the case till May 3 for further hearing and cross-examination.

    The Military Joint Task Force (JTF) has arrested two suspects with firearms in Ukanafun Local Government.

    They led the JTF to their hideout in a forest at Ikpe community in Etim Ekpo where others were nabbed.

    The operatives killed 18 hoodlums, who attempted to escape.