The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Students

  • Don makes case for students in distress

    Don makes case for students in distress

    •CU holds 9th Inaugural lecture

    professor of Counseling Psychology at the Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Amos Alao, has urged tertiary institutions nationwide to have a Career and Counseling Centre that can assist students during their difficult moments.

    He spoke at the ninth inaugural lecture of the school with the theme: Can two walk together except they agree? A psychological perspective of a journey of a helping relationship and behaviour change.

    Alao is optimistic that the unit would help students have access  to career information, counseling, exploration, experimental education, job search and skills among others.

    “The rationale (behind the proposed unit) being that as the primary educational function of the university takes place in the lecture rooms, learning also occurs beyond the lecture hours, in the halls of residence, in  relationship students established and other experiences students go through.

    “University students also need services that will enable them acquire and develop positive attitudes, gain insight and understanding about themselves, their environment, which are necessary for optimal growth.

    Alao explained that oftentimes, students are faced with daring challenges that need “a helping hand.”   He said most times they resort to harmful decisions like abuse of substance, suicide or simply wallow in grief.

    Alao said findings from some researches he embarked on years back in the University of Botswana, showed that alcohol and substances are a challenge in tertiary institutions. The resort to these substances by youths when depressed, he explained, has led to its abuse, and necessitating the need to address the phenomenon by authorities of various institutions.

    Alao also called to mind the prevailing anomaly of suicide in the country.  He said it is important to set up preventive and protective measures to guard against suicide conception, attempt and action.  He said such preventive measures may include: training in self-esteem; social connection, especially with family friends; sustaining social support; religious or spiritual commitment; and provision of recreation facilities.

    “It would be helpful for all staff who handle students welfare matters within the university to have some level of competence in recognising students in distress and refer appropriately. As part of orientation, students should be informed as to where they can receive help when they are in difficulty or distress. Such areas should not only include physical contacts, but also accessing help from hot-line and internet.

    “Suicide ideation and attempt deserve our serious concern as an institution of learning. Suicide ideation can also affect effective functioning of students, thus interfering with their learning. Consequently, there is need to engage students in activities and provide services that would discourage suicide ideation or suicide attempt,” he concluded.

  • Students back education tax

    Student groups in Bayelsa State are in support of the education levy and loan introduced by Governor Seriake Dickson.

    They urged corporate organisations, contractors, civil servants and other workers to secure their future by backing Dickson’s efforts to reposition the education sector.

    The students, who spoke in Yenagoa yesterday when they visited Dickson at the Government House under the aegis of the National Union of Bayelsa State Students (NUBSS), hailed the two laws, which brought the initiatives to the state.

    The President of NUBSS Worldwide, Mr. Ozu Important, said while the education loan law would encourage academic pursuit, the levy law would sustain the governor’s projects in the sector.

    He said students loved the governor because of his passion to develop the sector.

    Ozu said the laws would take the sector to the next level, adding that they were impressed Dickson and political appointees were the highest contributors to the levy.

    Said he: “We use this medium to tell our parents, businessmen, corporate bodies and everyone that as students, we support the bills that have been signed into law.”

    The governor praised the students for keying into his educational vision, saying his administration would begin collation of unemployed graduates to engage them in the civil service.

    He said a special committee to midwife this would soon be constituted.

    Dickson said the move became necessary following plans by the government to replace ghost and retired workers identified in the verification.

    He advised the students to lead the way for a new Bayelsa, which his administration was building to secure a prosperous future for them.

    The governor said: “All the things we have laboured to do are only foundation for you people as future generations to build on. You never can tell among you those who will become governors, deputy governors, senators and so on. The future of this state is in your hands.

    “Let me take this opportunity to enjoin Bayelsans to gear up for the new Bayelsa, the new Bayelsa of enlightenment, the new Bayelsa where we want to move away from crimes, cultism and other social vices, the new Bayelsa where we want to lead the way as far as educational opportunities and development are concerned.”

  • Nasarrawa: Students seek truce between labour unions, government to end strike

    Nasarrawa: Students seek truce between labour unions, government to end strike

     

    Students of tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State have called for truce between the state government and labour unions of the three higher institutions currently on strike.

    Some of the students told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Keffi on Wednesday that both sides must take step to end the strike in the interest of the students.

    NAN reports that the Joint Union of Tertiary Institutions had embarked on an indefinite strike on April 5, demanding for promotion, payment of their annual increment and other entitlements.

    The institutions involved in the strike include the College of Education, Akwanga, College of Agriculture, Lafia and Nasarawa State, Polytechnic, Lafia.

    The students called for understanding between the state government and the union in resolving the industrial action, so that it would not have adverse effect on the education sector.

    Mr Thomas Bulus, a student of Computer Science at the state Polytechnic in Lafia, said the strike was a set back to education.

    “The ongoing higher institutions workers strike has affected our education negatively as academic activities had stopped in these institutions.

    “The strike is unfortunate. No student will be comfortable staying at home, That is why, I want to use this medium to appeal to the state government and the organised labour to dialogue in order to end the strike in our interest.”

    Another student, Sarah Ali of College of Education, Akwanga, also appealed to the government and union to dialogue so as to end the strike.

    She noted that the strike had not only crippled economic activities but also affected the education sector negatively.

    “No nation could achieve speedy development without sound education; the strike has affected the state socio-economic development and our education negatively,” she said.

    Ali reminded the government and the union that the future of the state and the country at large lied on the proper education given to the youths.

    Mr Haruna Mohammed of College of Agriculture, Lafia said “we are still at home because of the strike and this is not fair.

    ‘‘Government should do something about it and the union should also have understanding with the government in order to end the strike,” he said.

     

  • Success seminar for students

    Students who want to excel in their academic careers must study very hard and be good time managers, the Deputy Rector of the Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Mr Jide Johnson has said.

    Mr. Johnson spoke at the training exercise held for students intending to sit for this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), organised by the member representing Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Mudashiru Akinwunmi Olaitan at his Ifako-Ijaiye Area office penultimate Saturday.

    Denouncing the prevalence of special centres or ‘miracle’ centres that engage in all manner of malpractices, the lawmaker said many students fail because they are undisciplined and lazy, adding that to succeed, students must be determined and willing to pay the price by burning the midnight oil to excel in their academic careers.

    He said: “Whatever you become is a function of your decision. Learn how to manage your time well. Be expectant of the future you want to be, but let it be ingrained in you. That expectation demands discipline.”

    In his welcome remarks, Olaitan said the educational empowerment programme train students from all the 14 wards in his constituency, in how to avoid the errors that could lead to their failure.

    He said: “The seminar was aimed at ensuring that most, if not all those in attendance today pass this year’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) qualifying examination. My belief is that while most parents can afford the cost of JAMB forms, most cannot afford to teach what they would learn at the event.

    He said Planters Educational Consult, which is the consultant for the programme, has brought together seasoned examiners to take the students through common errors that result in students not getting admission into universities of their choice.

    “Passing a qualifying examination requires more than being brilliant. Being sound in subject combination on which questions are to be set may not necessarily translate to being admitted and some of those reasons would be x-rayed by the trainers,” he said.

    Olaitan, who refused to confirm if he will go ahead to distribute free JAMB forms anytime the forms are available for sale revealed that the programme was organised to coincide with his 100 days in office as a member of the House of Representatives, adding that the event has further underscored his desire and interest in education.

    The about 2,500 students were taken through different areas ranging from choosing a career, form collection and filling process, choosing preferred universities offering their courses, which could affect their chances of admission and preparing for the examinations.

    The member representing Mushin Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives Hon. Jide Jimoh praised his colleague for what he described as “a unique programme aimed at empowering the students.”

    He said by training the students, Hon. Olaitan has given them an opportunity that many would pay to acquire in order to scale through in the examinations.

    The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the council Chief Akin Fadayomi praised the lawmaker for remembering students who are leaders of tomorrow in the area of how to scale through the examination that is critical to their success in life.

    One of the trainers, Mr Mudashiru Balogun said in spite of scoring high marks in JAMB, many students still fail to secure admissions into universities of their choice because they chose the wrong universities.

    Balogun, who said there are over 60 federal universities, 55 states and 57 private universities urged the students to spread their choice instead of concentrating on few ones close to their areas.

    The students drawn from so many secondary schools in the area expressed happiness over the exercise.

    Modupe Ayieola of Adeola Memorial College said she attended the seminar to learn how to avoid errors that could lead to her failure in the forthcoming examination.

    Akeem Buraimoh said he came with the desire to learn because he is determined not to repeat the examination.

    One of the parents, Mr Destiny Nwachukwu thanked the lawmaker for the programme. He expressed the hope that it would translate to higher admission rate of students from the constituency.

    Among other party leaders present at the event were Hon. Jimoh, Chief Fadayomi, Mrs Bisi Allison; the Sole Administrator for Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Dr Waleed Ipaye, and his counterpart at the Ifako-ljaiye Local Government, Mr Babatunde BIQ Rajh-Label and other party chieftains across the 14 wards of Ifako-Ojokoro Federal Constituency among others.

     

  • Ondo students appeal for bursary payment

    Students from oil-producing communities in Ondo State have urged the government to pay their outstanding bursary and scholarship. The students, under the aegis of Federation of Ese-Odo Local Government Students (FELGOS) and National Association of Ilaje Students (NAIS), said the timely payment of the bursary would relieve them of pain they are going through.

    The students met in Akure, the state capital, at the weekend to discuss their challenges in drawing attention of the government to their plight.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting, signed by Oluwasegun Olowoparija and Anthony Oguntibeju, FELGOS and NAIS presidents, the students urged Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to approve the payment of 2014/2015 Ondo State Oil-Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) bursary and scholarship which was long overdue.

    The communiqué reads: “The outstanding 2014/2015 OSOPADEC bursary and scholarship scheme was approved before the expiration of the last administration. Since the bursary scheme is part of the effort by OSOPADEC to assist undergraduate and postgraduate students from the oil-producing areas across higher institutions in the country, there must be a strong commitment towards its fulfilment.

    “Most of the beneficiaries are yet to pay the tuition fees in their respective institutions. We appealfor urgent payment of the bursary in order to ease the pains our members are passing through in the face of the economic hardship in the country.”

    In an interview with CAMPUSLIFE, Ibiyemi Kalejaye, a 100-Level student of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma in Edo State, said she could no longer cope with financial burden.

    She said: “Right from time, we have always relied on the OSOPADEC bursary to pay up some of our fees and take care of our needs. But now, it is not being paid on time. We are still being owed the 2014/2015 bursary in 2017.”

    Beatrice Ogunbayo, a final year student of Ondo State School of Nursing and Midwifery in Akure, said: “Our parents are owed months of salaries. As a result of this, they don’t have enough to cater for our needs. We appeal to the state governor to urgently direct OSOPADEC to start the payment of our bursary for us to fulfil our financial obligation in school.”

  • Poly Ibadan marketing students’ reunite

    The marketing students of the Polytechnic of Ibadan 1987—1992 set would reunite on Saturday at the Pentorise event centre, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo state capital.

    The administrator, Dele Oyadotun, in a statement said important issues regarding members and the institution will be discussed.

    The reunion, he said, is organised by Nigeria-based and marketers’ mates in the diaspora. He said it would bring about unity and progress in social, politics and economic life of the members and the school in general.

  • Students demand release of ‘Unilag 13’

    Protesters yesterday stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly to demand the release of Adeyeye Femi and 12 other University of Lagos (UNILAG) students from Kirikiri prison.

    The protesters, mostly university students earlier held a press conference at the International Press Centre (IPC), Ogba on the issue.

    Femi and others were arrested last Friday near the campus while on their way to express their displeasure over the suspension of a visually-impaired student and the rustication of a graduate of the institution.

    Save Unilag Coalition Secreatry Sanyaolu Juwon, described the students’ arrest as unlawful. He said the 13 student activists were taken to Kirikiri prison last Saturday on the order of the Special Offences Mobile Court, Oshodi, following their arraignment by the police on ”false charges”.

    Juwon said: “We are demanding their immediate release and that all charges against them be dropped. We call on members of the staff union in the education sector to prevail on Unilag management to reinstate all the activists under victimisation and recognise the fundamental rights of students to organise in a students’ union.

    He said the students were arraigned on false accusation of disorderly conduct at Television Continental (TVC), where they went to demand the reinstatement of rusticated student activists.

    Juwon said: “Unilag authorities must put a halt to its growing vindictive actions. The Nigeria police must stop the ingratiating service of deploying state’s forces against student activists, who are only making legitimate demands for improvement in their living and learning conditions and an end to vindictive suspension/ rustication of students.

    “We are also demanding unconditional recall of all victimised student activists, restoration of banned students’ union in UNILAG and respect for democratic rights of students and education workers.  We want an end to the atmosphere of repression and fear imposed on the campus. We want improved academic and welfare conditions and we want democratic management of the university through the involvement of elated representative of students and staffs in all decision making organs.”

    Another student, Marvellous Oluwapelumi wondered why the victims were taken to Kirikiri medium prison, saying the act showed students were not recognised in the country.

    He said:  “Students are major constituents of the nation, our rights and interests must be protected.”

    Lagos State Coordinator, Education Rights Campaign, Yusuf Alowonle said had Unilag granted the students’ demand for improved welfare condition last April, there wouldn’t have been further agitations.

    He said the students would continue to demand for improved welfare, adding: “Students who protested for legitimate demand are remanded in Kirikiri prison, while thieves in Aso Rock, are left to go free.”

    National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)/ Joint Campus Committee (JCC) Chairman, Lagos, Comrade Moses Adewale said students would not accept the unfair treatment.

  • UNILAG disowns remanded students

    UNILAG disowns remanded students

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has denied that 13 students reported to have been remanded in Kirikiri prison are not students of the institution.

    In a disclaimer published by the UNILAG Information Unit, the institution said the remanded students “comprise of rusticated students and some students from an institution in Ogun State.”

    “Let us emphasise here that the rusticated students are requested to apply for re-admission after serving their punishment. Until re-absorption, they are not considered bona fide students of the University,” UNILAG stated.

  • NANS gives 24 hours ultimatum for release of 13 UNILAG students

    NANS gives 24 hours ultimatum for release of 13 UNILAG students

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for the immediate release of 13 students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) being held in Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Lagos.

    NANS’ President, Mr Chinonso Obasi,  said the union would protest at Kirikiri Prison if the 13 students were not freed within 24 hours.

    A Special Offences Mobile Court had on April 1 remanded the 13 UNILAG students in Kirikiri Prisons, pending their bail application.

    They were accused of engaging in unlawful invasion of Television Continental in Lagos.

    The students were arraigned on a two-count charge of unlawful invasion and disruption of activities and have all pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.

    The accused students are Femi Adeyeye, Toni Aina, Kodri Yaya, Asimi Oladime, Ismahim Olalekan, Segun Okesola, Abdulazeez Soneye, Idris Abogunloko, and Muyiwa Olaniyi.

    Others are Toheed Oladimeji, Joseph Akanni, Lukumon Olusegun, and Abiodun Agbeniyi.

    The case was adjourned until April 6 for a determination of their bail.

    However, Obasi, in the statement, said that Nigerian students would not accept further detention of the students.

    “After a painstaking review of the circumstances surrounding the ruling, we have resolved to demand and hereby demand the unconditional release of these students within 24 hours.

    “Consequently, we make bold to state that if at the expiration of our 24 hours ultimatum, these innocent students are not released without strings, we shall relocate the headquarters of NANS to Kirikiri in solidarity with our members.

    “We also hope that the authorities would use the opportunity of the 24 hours ultimatum to either expand the facilities of Kirikiri prison or release our colleagues, as they can see we are serious and determined by offering them a fair choice.”

    Obasi said that the court should have warned the students instead of sending them to prison for a mere protest.

    “In other climes what the court should have done was to certify that the suspects are bona-fide students and release them to their school authorities or student leaders.

    “ But rather than factor in the extenuating circumstances of their protest, the court hurriedly blunted the proper socialisation of 13 Nigerian leaders of tomorrow,” he said.

    Premium Times reported on Sunday that the management of  Television Continental (TVC) disputed police claim that the jailed 13 students of the University of Lagos carried out an  unlawful invasion of the television facility at the Ikosi neighbourhood of Lagos.

    “The Management of Continental Broadcasting Service Limited (owners of TVC) refutes these stories and categorically states that TVC has no hand in the arrest of the students.

    “TVC did not at any point report or lodge any complaint at the police station,” remarked Abisola Agbaje, the legal manager of TVC in a press release in Lagos.

    Ms. Agbaje said, “Truly, the Students came into our premises on Friday the 31st of March, 2017 on or about3 p.m. to protest the “alleged rustication by UNILAG”.

    “The protest was peaceful which we have on record and the students left our premises peacefully.”

  • KASU students protest

    Students of Kaduna State University (KASU) on Monday shut out the university’s staff in protest against incessant attacks by hoodlums around the university campus.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protest, which lasted more than three hours in front of the university’s main gate, caused traffic gridlock along Tafawa Balewa Way.

    The spokesperson of the students, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that the protest became necessary following what he described as the nonchalant attitude of the school management over the security of students, particularly those living off campus.

    He said that students were being attacked daily by hoodlums on their way home from school, and their belongings such as money, laptops, phones and other valuables snatched.

    “Just yesterday, a 400 level Political Science female student was attacked, injured and is currently laying half paralyzed at the university’s teaching hospital.

    “The student was preparing for a test today, and was attacked on her way home after reading in school. The hoodlums attacked her, took away her valuables and left her almost lifeless.

    “Such attacks have been ongoing for a very long time; in fact, one of our students was killed recently by hoodlums. This has to stop,’’ he said.

    He also complained that students were being harassed by the university security and urged the management to train the security personnel on human relations in line with global practices.

    The students demanded that a security outpost be establish in all strategic locations, where students reside to curb the ugly trend.

    “We don’t want the school security; we want the police to be permanently stationed around the school to provide the needed security,’’ he added.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protest was suspended following the intervention of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Tanko Mohammed, who pleaded with the students to embrace dialogue.

    He noted the prevalence of security challenges in and around the school, but decried the fact that no formal complaint was made to him.

    Mohammed said that the university’s management had engaged a security consultant to help address the problem.

    He added that the university would discuss with the Commissioner of Police to beef up security around the school.