The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Students

  • Unilorin warns students against cultism, pornography

    The authorities of the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) has warned its new students against cultism and pornography.

    The students were advised to adhere strictly to the rules guiding the institution’s operations as anyone found contravening them will be rusticated.

    Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, and Acting Registrar Mrs. Rebecca Okojie, gave the warning in Ilorin.

    Prof. Ambali told the students they were the lucky few of the 110,675 candidates who applied for admission, noting that the figure was the highest number of applicants for a single university in the country.

    According to him, 103,482 candidates chose Unilorin as their first choice, with about 65,417 making 180 and above in their Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations.

    Seventy-five thousand, six hundred and five candidates registered for the post-UTME screening. The university admitted 13,570, of which only 10,886 registered.

    Ambali told the students the admission was a golden opportunity to launch them to lofty heights if properly treasured.

    “I expect the best from you our new students. I expect nothing but hard work from you. There is no room for vices here, once you are caught, you are gone.

    “This set means a lot to me because you are the last I will admit before my tenure ends,” he said.

    Mrs. Okojie warned the students to shun cultism and pornography on and outside the campuses, adding that the university had zero tolerance for indecent dressing.

  • FUT Minna sacks 46 students

    The Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna) has expelled 22 students and withdrawn 24 others.

    A newsletter published by the institution noted that the expulsion and withdrawal was approved at the 414th meeting of the University Senate.

    Twenty-two students were expelled for alleged involvement in examination malpractice during the second semester of the 2015/2016 session, while 24 others, comprising of three 300-Level students and 21 100-Level students were withdrawn for poor academic performance.

    Earlier, the management had warned that it would not tolerate examination malpractice and poor performance.

  • Ansar-Ur-Deen old students give back

    The Old Students Association of the Ansar-Ur-Deen High School, Saki, in Oyo State has constructed two offices for principals of the school as part of efforts to give back to their alma mater.

    The old students also renovated all buildings in the school, constructed a befitting main gate and modern sick bay, and dualised its road network.

    Other projects are: procurement of laboratory equipment, provision of modern sport equipment and public address system; construction of students’ toilets, pavilion and car parks, installation of solar power, as well as provision of classroom furniture and whiteboards.

    The projects were carried out by the 1971-2003 sets to commemorate the school’s 50th anniversary and support the Oyo State government’s efforts to revamp education in the state.

    The chairman, Central Working Committee of the association, and the former minority leader of Oyo State house of assembly, Hon. Rauf Adekunle, said it was the responsibility of old students to give back to their alma mater.

    He said: “We, the old students, relish our achievements from our alma mater that shaped us into whom we are today and in the spirit of giving back, we took the bull by the horns to bring the school back to how it was when we were students here.”

    He therefore enjoined all old students of the school to leverage on the opportunity to build a strong, virile, formidable and sustainable association.

  • 16 Ibadan students get club’s scholarship

    Ten students of Ibadan origin received bursary/scholarship award from the prestigious Oluyole Club of Lagos to assist with their studies.

    The number of students who were selected from the 11 Local Government Areas in Ibadanland swelled to 16 when Prof Jide Owoeye , Pro-Chancellor, Lead City University, offered bursary awards to six more students on behalf of the Club.

    The scholarship was presented during the launch of the book, “Oluyole Club and the Socio-Economic Development of Ibadanland”, at the Lekan Are Hall of Kakanfo Inn Conference Centre, Ring Road, Ibadan.

    The book was edited by Prof Olukunle Iyanda and Prof Adeniyi Osuntogun, president of the club.

    Osuntogun, a former Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, said the decision to award scholarhsip was informed by the desire to ease the burden on parents to finance the education of their wards.

    He said the club started the bursary award some 15 years ago.

    “We give it annually.  The students have to be performing because we reckoned that a performing student should be supported.  Initially we started with about N50,000 as bursary.  As you heard during the launch, we have been supported now by the Proprietor and Pro-Chancellor of Lead City University, saying that they give six candidates free tuition for their course which is a plus to support what we have started,” he said.

    Oyewole Olutayo Michael, a student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) who spoke on behalf of the recipients, expressed gratitude to the founders of the Club for creating the platform to help students from poor homes.

    “We are very happy that we benefited from the indigenous scholarship award from the Oluyole Club Lagos and it is good that there is a platform like this to help students that have some financial problems to aide their education and we also say a big thank you to the founders of the Oluyole Club Lagos”, he said.

    The colourful occasion was attended by eminent indigenes of Ibadanland including Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Akinloye Olakuleyin; Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Bode Amoo represented by Chief Lekan Are; Chief Adebayo Akande , represented by Director of News, Splash FM Mr Tunde Olawuwo, Prof Bola Osuntogun , Ambassador Olu Saanu; Prof and Mrs Bashir Akande; Chief Ajibola Ogunsola; and Prof Afolabi Oladapo.

     

  • FUTO to investigate alleged extortion of students

    •Two lecturers fired for sexual harassment, fraud

    The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) is investigating the alleged extortion of students through imposition of illegal levies by lecturers and heads of departments.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof Francis Eze, who briefed reporters at the weekend after a protest by  students, said the management would  investigate the charges on registration of courses through the sale of scratchcards.

    He said the university does not charge any money for registration of courses.

    “We have gotten information about the sale of scratch cards for the registration of courses by some departments and we have ordered full investigation and anyone found culpable will be punished.”

    Eze added that the university sacked two lecturers for violating its rules.

    He said: “We dismissed one lecturer for sexually assaulting students. When we got the complaint, we set up a committee to investigate the allegations and it was established that the lecturer was guilty, he was summarily dismissed.

    “The other one was accused of collecting money from people seeking admission.

    “When we got the allegation, we carried out our investigation and when it was discovered that he actually committed the offence, he was dismissed as well.”

    The Vice-Chancellor, who did not name the sacked lecturers, maintained that the university would not tolerate any misconduct or breach of its rules.

    Condemning the students’ protest , which led to  vandalisation of school property and the looting of the ICT Centre,  Eze described it as the worst in the school’s history.

    He said: “I have been in this university for a very long time and we have had pockets of protests by students but nothing can be compared to the last incident.

    “We had hoodlums and enemies of the university invade the campus armed with weapons.”

  • 4,000 UniOsun students owing fees

    4,000 UniOsun students owing fees

    More than 4,000 students of Osun State University may lose their studentship for failing to pay their school fees.

    Tomorrow is the deadline set by the university management for all students to pay their outstanding school fees.

    In a statement by the university’s Corporate Affairs Unit yesterday, 4,410 students are yet to pay their tuition three days to the expiration of the deadline.

    “It has been observed that many of the students owing the university between two and 11 semesters have collected the money from their parents but either “invested” in the failed Ponzi scheme (MMM) or diverted same for other purposes.

    “No fewer than 400 parents/guardians of the defaulting students have called the University helplines to report that they had long given money to their children/wards,” the statement reads.

    However, the university stated that students who cannot meet up with the deadline and do not want their studentship terminated may apply for leave of absence for the current semester with a sworn affidavit.

    The school  said: “The University Senate wants the public to know that at no time were school fees increased. So, the university has thus decided that no unregistered student should be permitted to write the first semester examination, which begins on March 6.

    “Defaulting students who do not seek for leave of absence will also have their studentship terminated.”

  • How we lost money to MMM, by students

    Some students of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida (Bida Poly) in Niger State are in dilemma following the expiration of the deadline for payment of their fees.

    It was gathered that some students were unable to pay their fees after they invested their money in  MMM, which has been described as a Ponzi scheme.

    Unless management extends the deadline, the students may have to defer their programmes till next session. The students are worred following the indefinite suspension of payment. The students appealed to the school to give them time to pay their fees.

    Some of them, who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, said they invested their fees in MMM, because they needed the interest.

    A victim, Abdulrahman Adeboye, an Electrical Engineering student, said he expected the interest to be paid 30 days after he invested his fee, but he did not receive it before the MMM account was frozen indefinitely.

    He said: “The MMM system merged me with people that will pay me N15,000, but they refused to pay because many people no longer believed in the scheme. I can’t get the money I invested and the interest on it.”

    A Mechanical Engineering student, simply identified as Janet, fought back tears when she heard about the fee payment deadline. She said her parents had given her money to pay the fee and rent for her off-campus hostel. But, she invested the money in MMM.

    “I don’t know what to tell my parents now. My landlord is on my neck, because I have not paid the rent. I can’t go back home to tell my parents I have not paid my school fee.”

    Also, Vivian Emeteole, a Mass Communication student, said she was broke because she put her money in MMM. She said she borrowed money to pay her rent, but could not pay the school fee.

    At the time of this report, some students had put up some of their electronics, phones and furniture for sale to raise money for their school fees.

    Meanwhile, the Rector, Dr Abubakar Dzukogi, has warned fresh students not to put their money in MMM and other online money schemes. Addressing freshers during the matriculation held at Bagudu Waziri Auditorium, the rector said it would be unwise for them to put their money in unpredictable ventures.

    Dzukogi said: “It is a wrong priority for students to invest in MMM and similar risky ventures. Such business is not wise for any sensible student to engage in. Some students would buy expensive phones and clothes. All these are wrong priorities.”

    The rector urged students to develop capacities to cope with challenges while pursuing their goals,  enjoining them to imbibe the virtue of hard work and perseverance.

    Dzukogi said the institution would start new programmes in agriculture related discipline to train youths in entrepreneurship and jobs creation.

    He urged the freshers to shun cultism, examination malpractices, drug use and vices that could lead to their expulsion.

    The polytechnic matriculated 3,500 students, with 1,500 admitted into National Diploma (ND) programmes and 2,000 for Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes.

  • Students urged to participate in extra-curricular events

    To fully realise their potential, students should create time for participation in extra-circular activities. This was the central message of orientation organised for freshers by Social Sciences Students’ Association (SOSSA) of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), last Friday.

    At the event tagged: Star trek, the Acting Head of Department of Sociology, Dr Funmi Bameke, however, advised the students to prioritise their studies, noting that education is their primary aim on the campus.

    The don said the university has provided platforms where students could acquire useful knowledge and experience that would give them higher advantage over their peers, while advising the freshers to engage in legitimate activities beyond academics.

    She said: “Don’t limit yourselves to academics alone. There are several clubs and associations that you can join to build your career.  Explore the campus and enjoy the university, but within the confines of the laws of the school.

    “Let the university pass through you.  Your youth is a period that is transient; this is why you need to lay solid foundation. The type of foundation you put in place today will determine the kind of structure you put on it in the future.”

    Bameke praised the association for putting up the event, urging students to participate in the its programmes.

    The association’s Staff Adviser, Dr Dele Ashiru urged the students to resist temptation to be recruited into unlawful groups within and outside the campus. He charged them to visit the school Counselling Unit to seek for help when they face problems.

    Ashiru noted that past students of the faculty have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields, imploring the freshers to strive to attain excellent scholarship.

    He said: “Avoid companies of people who can destroy your life. Explore the legitimate platforms that the university has provided for you to have fun and learn. Always observe the established rules of the school.”

    SOSSA President, Joel Babatunde, said the orientation was aimed at helping the fresh students to achieve their goals and make them attain strong academic standing.

    In his lecture on the theme, Mr Sola Fatimoju, the keynote speaker, urged the students to have academic and non-academic plans.

    He said: “Planning is key in human endeavour because success is a resolve of a deliberate plan of actions. University experience is supposed to transcend academic life. It should make for the ability to communicate your ideas to the people.”

    Another speaker, Mr Femi Akinseye, said students needed to be consistent in execution of their academic and non-academic plans in their quest to excel and become stars. He urged the freshers to take full advantage of what he called “the largest network of people, leadership and professional training” in the university.

    The event featured talks on HIV/AIDS, investment and political participation, among others.

    The highpoint was the Freshers’ Gig, which had several student-artistes performing hip-hop songs to spice up the event.

  • EKSU alumni give scholarship to students

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Ekiti State University (EKSU), Prof Samuel Oye Bandele has praised the institution’s alumni association for supporting indigent students with scholarship.

    Bandele made the commendation through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof Bolanle Ajayi, during an event to present scholarship to 100 students at the Oodua auditorium of the university.

    He thanked members of the association for supporting his vision and counseled the students to be focused on their studies in order to achieve greatness in their future endeavours.

    National President of the association, Prof Matthew Ayeni, said the presentation of the N10,000 each to the 100 students was in line with the association’s objectives of contributing to the development of the university.

    Ayeni, further encouraged the students to develop their talents into productive skills and shun mediocrity. “Develop insatiable desire for excellent work,” he said.

    The Ekiti State Commissioner for Education, Jide Egunjobi, who was the special guest of honour at the occasion, praised the association for supporting the state’s pursuit of excellence in the education sector.

    Egunjobi urged the students to value the group’s kind gesture by avoiding unwholesome attitudes.

    Afterwards, the commissioner inaugurated the security building constructed by the association.

  • Rector warns students against participating in MMM, other Ponzi schemes

    Matriculating students of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida have been warned against participating on Ponzi schemes, especially the MMM.
    The Rector, Dr. Abubakar Dzukogi gave the warning during the 2016/2017 matriculation ceremony held at Bagudu Waziri auditorium in Bida.

    ” It is high time Nigerian students redefined their values. The much talked about participation in MMM and similar outfits, buying expensive handsets, dressing indecently and living unbridled lives should be put to a halt.

    ” We need to have a value system based on raising hope for our future and the nation,” Dzukogi said.

    The Rector disclosed that 200 students were withdrawn for poor academic performance during the last academic session, while 15 others were rusticated due to examination malpractices, fighting and engaging in other social physical vices.

    “We still remain strict as we try to maintain our standard. We have tried to maintain our standard over the years and we will not stop maintaining it. Any student found wanting will be sent home.”

    The Rector added that the future of Nigeria depends largely on the ability of young people to cope with challenges in the pursuit of their goals and aspirations.

    He urged the new students to take their studies serious and strive towards balancing their spiritual lives with academics for meaningful living advising them to shun any form of vices or anti-social activities such as cultism, examination malpractices and drug abuse.

    “It should be noted that there will be zero tolerance for all forms of misconducts as offenders will be appropriately sanctioned.”
    Three thousand and five hundred students matriculated for the 2016/2017 academic session out of which 1,500 were for National Diploma and 2,000 were for Higher National Diploma.