The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Students

  • Students to protest fee hike in Ogun

    Students of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun in Ogun State are planning to protest tuition fee hike in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, next Monday.

    The students, belonging to various groups such as Tai Solarin Students’ Union, National Universities Education Students’ Association (NUESA), Alliance of Nigerian Students against Neoliberal Attacks (ANSA), are coming together under the  Save TASUED and Fund Education Coalition (STAFEC) umbrella for the protest against alleged continued neglect of education, particularly the tertiary education subsector in the state.

    In a statement on behalf of the group, Sanni Ramon, Ewetola AbdulRamon, Sanyaolu Juwon, and Tomi Aina decried the fee hike at TASUED and other higher institutions across the state.

    They lamented the introduction of N25,000 registration fee; increment of acceptance fee from N30,000 to N40,000, and N10,000, fee that they described as “arbitrary tax.”

    Part of the statement reads: “The mass action is aimed at showing our displeasure towards the premeditated neglect of public education especially TASUED. We take exception to the illegal and arbitrary tax of N10, 000 imposed on students and we reject in totality, the increment in acceptance fee from N30, 000 to N40, 000. The coalition maintains an outright rejection of the introduction of N25, 000 registration fee; we consider it as fraudulent, thoughtless and unacceptable, especially at the time the same students and their unpaid parents barely manage to pay the exorbitant N76, 500 school fees, astronomical acceptance fee and many other ridiculous charges.”

    According to the students, both TASUED and the Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago-Iwoye, have not received subventions from the Ogun State government for more than 20 months, adding that salaries of workers are not paid in full, leading to poor commitment to work.

    “The astronomical school fees of TASUED, the increase in the charges of vocational studies (subsequently and fraudulently disguised as registration fee) from N1000 to N25, 000, the imposition of N20, 000 as penalty for late submission of clearance file and the despotic increment of acceptance fee from N30, 000 to N40, 000; are few of the many anti-poor/student policies incited by government unacceptable neglect of the institution,” the statement added.

  • Mainframe opens doors for second batch of students

    Mainframe opens doors for second batch of students

    Mainframe Film and Media Institute (MFMI), Abeokuta, Ogun State, is set to admit its second set of students for the course which starts on February 24, 2017.

    Established by veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani in 2016, the school was set up to train students interested in various areas of the film industry. Kelani, a prolific filmmaker has made movies such as T’oluwanile, Magun (Thunderbolt), Saworoide, The Campus Queen, Maami, Dazzling Mirage, Arugba and Abeni amongst others.

    “We are already putting finishing touches to our next course FSB 2 commencing February 24, 2017 with excitement,” he posted on his Instagram account, disclosing the school’s readiness to admit a second intake. Kelani, who also founded an online TV channel, www.tundekelani.tv, also disclosed that he will both be teaching as well as joining the students when classes begin.

    “I am Tí?à and Student because I plan to sit in Murtala Sule script Writing Class, Ropo Ewenla’s Acting Class and Directing Class by Niji Akanni. Remember, Filmmaking is lifetime learning and no one is an expert. Hurry and join us. Few spaces left.”

    Since opening to its pioneering students in September, 2016, Mainframe Film and Media Institute has been gaining prominence with students and people interested in filmmaking.

    Only penultimate week, students and lecturers of Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, visited the school.

  • Mace missing as students, cadet corps clash in RUGIPO

    Mace missing as students, cadet corps clash in RUGIPO

    WHERE is the mace, the symbol of legislative authority of the Students Representative Council (SRC) of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO) in Ondo State?

    The mace was said  to have been seized by the school’s corps leader, Tunde Aje, during the first parliament any sitting of the SRC for the 2016/2017 session. It was presided over by speaker Ayomide Adeniyi.

    The corps is demanding an 100 per cent increase in their allowance.  They used to earn N10,000.  But the Council approved N15,000 for them.

    The major task before the parliament at the session was to move the budget  of the Students’ Union Government past its first reading before setting up Ad-hoc committee to scrutiny use it.

    The passage of the  N10, 750, 750, was delayed following questions raised by the representatives over the increment of the union’s annual due by 100 percent (from N500 to N1,000).

    Campuslife gathered that the cadet corps  request for allowance like earlier rented commotion in the Assembly Room.

    Amid the melee, commanding officer of the  corps leader reportedly stole into the chamber and took away the mace.

    The mace was reportedly taken  to the cadet corps barracks.

    Meanwhile, an executive of the Students’ Union Government, who asked not to be named, described the act as barbaric and unconstitutional.

    He said the allowance of the cadet and other paramilitaries on campus had been increased by 50 percent in the budget.

    “The present administration has done a lot in ensuring this budget is at everybody’s favour. The past administrations were actually paying them N10, 000 but we have proposed N15, 000 for each paramilitary group on campus. Isn’t that enough?” he said.

    To restore normalcy, the Students’ Affairs unit of the institution ordered the parties to resolve the issue without any hostilities within and outside the campus.

  • UNILAG students arrested for attacking Vice Chancellor

    UNILAG students arrested for attacking Vice Chancellor

    The Police in Lagos state have arrested two students of the University of Lagos for allegedly attacking the Vice Chancellor with a view to disrupting the convocation week.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, who confirmed the arrest to newsmen on Tuesday, said the leader of the group, who planned the attack, was also arrested.

    He said that some officers had been drafted to the institution to ensure that the convocation week went without any hitch.

    He warned trouble makers to keep off the school.

    In a related development, three secondary school students were arrested in Ikoyi for alleged involvement in cult activities and for disrupting public peace.

    Owoseni said the students were arrested with dangerous weapons such as dagger, axe, cutlasses and iron rods which they allegedly used to disrupt public peace.

    He said the three students were among 10 students picked up from the school (name withheld) during a supremacy clash between two cult groups over girl friend related matter.

    “We have invited the parents of the three students for discussion.

    “ Although they are minors, the three students will be prosecuted because they were found with dangerous weapons.

    “They will face the same law adult accused of similar crime face while the remaining students and their parents will be counselled by the police,’’ Owoseni said. (NAN)

  • Students mourn Kure

    Students mourn Kure

    Former Niger State Governor Abdulkadir Kure, who died in Germany on January 8, has a special place in the hearts of the staff and students of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), which he founded in 2004. ABDULSALAM MAHMUD reports how he was mourned.

    University students do not hold procession for the fun of it. It is either to commemorate an association’s week or a significant anniversary. In some instances, it is to mourn a departed colleague or lecturer, and it usually takes place within the campus.

    But, the students of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai (IBBUL) in Niger State staged a four-hour procession on major roads last Wednesday, to honour former Governor, Abdulkadir Kure, who died on January 8 in Germany of liver-related illness.

    Kure was governor of the state  from (1999 to 2007) and the university’s founder.

    Major routes in Minna and environs witnessed gridlock during the procession.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the students trooped out in their thousands, for the 70 km trip from the Kobo and Lapai campuses to Minna.

    The students, who arrived early in the morning in a long convoy of school buses, commercial vehicles and private cars, carried huge banners with inscriptions and eulogised the late Kure in solidarity songs.

    They moved along Tunga, Bosso, Airport Quarters, Mobil, Government House, Bahago, Stadium Road and other major streets.

    Before the procession, the students converged on the Minna Eid Prayer Ground to observe the Jana’izah (funeral) prayer at about 1 pm with two former Heads of State, some serving and former state governors, past and serving National Assembly members, first class traditional rulers, revered religious clerics, renowned politicians and other worshippers.

    The prayer was observed with the inside the hearse because of the large crowd of students and other sympathisers.

    The prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Minna Central Mosque, Alhaji Isa Fari, after a top Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Lemu, had sensitised the congregation on its requirements.

    CAMPUSLIFE observed that some IBBUL students’ groups, such as, the IBBUL News, IBBUL Campus Gists, IBBUL Newsline, IBBULITES, IBBUL Students, IBBUL Academic Excellence had flooded social media with photos of Kure adminitration’s landmark achievements since the news of his demise.

    Inside the Kobo and Lapai campuses tributes, articles, pictures, and press releases by students and their associations struggled for space on the notice boards last January 9.

    CAMPUSLIFE also gathered that some IBBUL social media groups used the proclamation of the establishment of their university in 2004, by the late Kure as their timeline status, to honour him.

    The proclamation reads: “This government, Insha Allah, will establish a university named Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University for Niger State. Also, I have indicated that the planned university will, Insha Allah, take off in October, 2005. We are irrevocably committed to this university project. We intend to make haste with thoroughness, so that we could bequeath a legacy of a very sound university to the state.’’

    A source said Kure made the public pronouncement while inaugurating the Evaluation and Implementation Committee of the university at the Government House, on December 22, 2004.

    The IBBUL Students’ Union Government (SUG) president, Comrade Ahmed Sadiq Paiko, described the former governor as a politician imbued with impeccable leadership qualities who was committed to developing human capital resources.

    “The fact that a visionary leader with an uncommon leadership pedigree has departed at a time his portent advice and wise counsels are most needed, is to say the least, tragic and shocking. As a leader who knew the value of quality education, he established the state university, so as to give indigent Nigerlites the opportunity to acquire sound and productive knowledge at an affordable fee.

    “While the state, and perhaps Nigeria, will definitely miss him, the entire students of IBBUL shall remain indebted to him for giving them the opportunity to acquire university education in a great citadel of learning,” Sadiq said.

    The SUG president, who led the students’ procession, urged the government to immortalise Kure, adding that generations of IBBUL students will live to remember and idolise the former governor who was not only a loving father, but a big-hearted philanthropist, an advocate of peace and a true icon of hope.

    300-Level English Department student Aisha Muhammad said the rich legacy the late Kure left behind is still enduring.

    She described him as a detribalised leader who meritoriously served his people with the fear of God, regardless of their political, religious, ideological and cultural inclinations.

    Aisha said: “He knew that education is the only weapon and veritable tool that can be used to empower humanity. As such, he not only established our university, but tremendously supported the growth and development of the university, in and out of office as governor. Again, while he was in office, the alarming rate of prostitution and prevalence of other social vices were drastically reduced, even as Niger State students in various tertiary institutions were promptly paid their scholarships.’’

    An official of the National Association of Nupe Students (NANUS), IBBUL Chapter, who simply identified himself as Muhammed, saluted the unbending courage, matured foresight and resolute political will of the late Kure.

    He said: “It is my prayer that Almighty Allah grants the family of the late former governor and the good people of Niger State the fortitude to bear this devastating loss. Today, as the entire students of IBBUL honour their university founder, it is our belief that his noble soul will find tranquility in the Lord’s bosom.”

    In a tribute, a lecturer in IBBUL’s Department of Mass Communication, Mr Israel Ayegba Ebije, said: “He was a man of many sides. I am confident that many Nigerlites will remember his character traits. But the most relevant was his generosity, affability and religiosity. It is believed in most circles that his generous attributes touched many lives. I believe he perfected stomach infrastructure long before the Ekiti Governor, Ayodele Fayose introduced his own.

    “Many people believe he spent more money on ‘welfarism’ than he would have spent on projects in the state, among other achievements. Some however, are quick to respond that he was responsible for most rural electrification projects in the state before 2007.”

    Ebije, who was Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the late Kure’s successor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, added that he might have established the university to cushion admission deficit suffered by indigenes of the state in other higher institutions across the country, but was more concerned on how it would positively impact on Nigerians, irrespective of religion or ethnicity.

    “His aim of encouraging the advancement of learning regardless of distinction of race, creed, sex, religion, ethnic group, political conviction, no doubt has been achieved since the establishment of the institution,” he said.

    Earlier, IBBUL management led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof Muhammad Nasir Maiturare, paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Lapai, Alhaji Umaru Bago Tafida (III), at his palace as part of activities to commemorate the event.

    Maiturare, who extolled the virtues of the late Kure, said beyond his sterling achievements in reshaping and transforming the education sector in the state, he also entrenched love and sincerity among his people.

    “The late Kure will forever be remembered and honoured for his laudable contributions to peace, stability and progress in his community and the country,” the VC added.

    The emir thanked the VC and his entourage for the visit, saying the Lapai Emirate will always promote the progressive ideals which the late former governor, who was a Lapai indigene, advocated and radiated in public service.

    Alhaji Bago said: “It is heartwarming that within just a period of 11 years since IBBUL was established by its late founder, the institution has become a prestigious citadel of academic and moral excellence.”

    A pioneer graduate of the university, Mrs. Fatima Usman Bida, said: “It is to the eternal credit of the departed governor that most IBBUL’s academic programmes were fully accredited by the NUC at its inception. He also facilitated the construction of state-of-the-art lecture halls and laboratories, recruited competent lecturers and supported the growth of the university in no small measure.”

    Our reporter, who visited the university’s two campuses last Friday, gathered that academic activities were still crippled, despite the  lapse of the three-day mourning declared by the government.

     

  • A case for LAUTECH students

    The trending video showing the altercation between the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) left me wide-eyed. I watched with my mouth agape as the Governor lambasted the students for their rudeness, and they in turn jeered at him.

    I am not one to condone rudeness from younger ones.  But I think the students needed a little more understanding.  These are students who for no fault of theirs have been at home for the past eight months.  They have effectively lost a session, which means elongation of their programmes and increased cost.  In this period of recession, that is bad news.  Since the school has not been on holidays, the rent of their off-campus accommodations would keep running until they resume.  Their landlords could claim they should renew their rents at resumption for what they did not enjoy.  They are bitter and unhappy, especially knowing that their peers in other schools are making progress while they are not; and also that many of those in charge of public affairs do not have children in such predicament.

    Another thing we should consider is that when young people are in a crowd, they get emboldened to do things they would not do as individuals.  The crowd allows them to hide and offers a form of protection from the authorities.  That was why they could talk back when the Governor called their bluff.  He was almost powerless to reprimand them on the spot because of the crowd power. If he had tried to use force, things would have gone ugly.

    I think the outcome would have been different if there was greater empathy for the ordeal the students have been through because the two owner governments failed to pay workers of the university.   After showing such empathy, the Governor would likely have gotten the students to repent of their unruliness.  The empathy he showed at first would have softened their hearts such that if he followed it with a reprimand and disapproval of their behaviour, they would have been sober.

    We understand that the economy has made it difficult for governments at all levels to fulfil their obligations.  However, it is now time to collaborate with all stakeholders – in this case the students and workers – to find creative ways to make judicious use of scarce resources and create new resources that can move the institution forward.  Rather than just protest continued closure of their institution, the students, who will one day take over leadership from the present generation, should also challenge us by coming up with creative solutions to the problems they are faced with.

     

    ECOWAS remember thy scholars

    The Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) should not turn deaf ears to the cries of African students admitted under the (ECOWAS) Nnamdi Azikiwe Academic Mobility Scheme, ENAMS, for payment of their allowances.  There are about 65 beneficiaries of the scheme studying at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the University of Ibadan (UI) in Nigeria.  The students were given scholarship to study for their Masters which covers cost of their tuition, books, research and upkeep.

    However, they have not been paid their allowances for over six months.  It is a harrowing experience especially for those of them who are not Nigerians because they have no families to fall back on here.  They spent the yuletide broke and miserable.  The situation is made worse by a clause in the scholarship that stipulates they cannot take on paid employment as beneficiaries.

    Their coordinator, Prof Jonathan Mba, said a new administration at the regional body was investigating the scheme, which is being coordinated by the Association of African Universities (AAU).  If indeed this is true, it is not enough reason to stop allowances to the current beneficiaries.  ECOWAS can still pay their allowances while carrying out its investigation, and if unsatisfied with the scheme, end it after the current set of beneficiaries complete their programmes.

  • LASU students rise up for the needy

    Some 200-Level students of the Lagos State University (LASU) took out time to show love and care to the aged, widows, and less privileged to commemorate the New Year.

    Winnifred Akanaga, Yusuf Nurudeen and Ibrahim Sodiq visited some communities in Ojo Local Government Area, including Kemberi Eleduwe at Okomaiko, Onireke, and Okoko Bus stop to lift the needy.

    Winnifred said it was borne out of their passion to help others.

    She explained that it was done under the auspices of her foundation, Winny’s Extending Love Foundation (WELF).

    A beneficiary simply called Iya Ologi, an old woman of about 80, thanked the students for their gesture.

    She received food items including rice, tomato pastes, seasoning and groundnut oil.

    Iya Ologi, who prayed on the students, said the items will last for some days.

  • How our students, staff were abducted – Turkish school Principal

    The Principal of the Nigerian Turkish International Colleges(NTIC), Isheri, Ogun State, on Saturday gave an account of how eight students and staff of the school were abducted at gunpoint by people suspected to be kidnappers.

    The Principal, Yunus Emre Dogan, said the gunmen arrived the school premises on Friday night armed and began to shoot sporadically, adding that there was panic everywhere.

    Yunus said that the abductors swiftly dashed into the female hostel where three students were kidnapped alongside the house mistress and a Turkish teacher that teaches mathematics in the school.

    According to him, the abductors dug a big hole through a side of the College’s perimeter fence from where they escaped through the bushy and swampy part of the area.

    The Principal offered the explanation of the incident when the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Princess Yetunde Onanuga, visited the school on Saturday in company of other members of the state Executive Council for on-the-spot assessment of the situation.
    The Nation gathered that among those abducted are three regular students and two others who were preparing for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board exams, and three members of staff while a cook was also taken away from the kitchen.

    Addressing the agonizing parents at the school, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, assured that the government was committed to the safe return of the students, saying state government had put security measure in place in that direction.

    The Deputy Governor appealed to parents and guardians of the pupils to remain calm and not engage in panic withdrawal of their children from the school.

    “We are here to express our concern and symphaty. It is unfortunate that, this is happening barely few days on school resumption. Wheen we heard about it, we quickly sprang into action, hence the urgent visit.

    “Our government has put necessary security measure in place for the rescue of the abductees. Ogun State is already in action. Let me reassure you that we are going to rescue the victims soon.

    “No doubt, it does happen once a while but it’s unfortunate, the state is aware and we are doing the work, we will do all that is possible for the safe return of the children. The FG is aware and they habe also assured us that very very soon, they would be rescued.

    “It’s not the time to start taking children out of the schools, the security operatives are all on ground to ensure safety of life and property of the school. We will do all that is possible to make sure the school is safe and the school authority is also doing what is possible to ensure that the state is safe,” she said

    Mr Ahmad Ajani, whose daughter – Hanatullah Aderinto Ajani(22), was one of the abducted pupils, said he got the information on Friday night that his girl has been kidnapped.

    Ajani who described the incident as sad and unfortunate said his child was in the school to prepare for the forthcoming JAMB exams.

    “Somebody called in the midnight that something happened here and my daughter was involved, I had to come down this morning and the Police Commissioner addressed us assuring that they would work on it and that everything would be alright very soon.

    “I am very sad but prayerful that the they are rescued on time, as I am standing, I am traumatised, you can imagine a girl of 22 preparing for University and somebody took her away, it is a big issue.”

    But Funmi Tijani has blamed the management of the school for the security lapses that led to the abduction.

    Mrs Tijani said the College did not put in place enough security measures including security, to forestall the incident.

    She said, “We parents jointly resolved and agreed that we have to take away our children at least for the first one week, until we are convinced about perfect security arrangement in place.

    “The road is not tarred, no security light, bushes all around, last year, the school was closed down for two weeks because of flood. What we are saying is that ‘let there be adequate security.

    “We are taking our Children away, we’ve agreed amongst ourselves to take our children away for a week, my daughter saw them, witnessed the whole scenerio and she’s traumatised, psychologically, they are not balanced, you don’t expect me to leave her behind.”

  • Students, Turkish teacher, others kidnapped in Ogun

    Three female supervisors, a female cook, a female teacher and three students have been kidnapped by gunmen at the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (NTIC) in Ogun State.

    They were kidnapped on Friday evening by a group of people armed with dangerous weapons who gained entrance to the girls’ section of the school through different means.

    The Spokesman of the school, Cemal Yigit, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said security agencies are currently on the kidnappers’ trail as the whole area has been cordoned off.

    ” We wish to assure parents and guardians that the students and teacher will return to safety soon as everything possible has been deployed to ensure that our teachers and students return unhurt by God’s grace,” Yigit stated.

  • Kwara South students hail senator

    Students, under the aegis of Federation of Kwara South Students Union (FEKSSU), have hailed the Senator representing Kwara South senatorial district at the National Assembly, Rafiu Ibrahim, for active representation.

    National President, FEKSSU, Ibrahim Oriola, also praised Ibr\ahim for assisting youths in his constituency.

    He said: “We are pleased to express our satisfaction with the current level of representation we are getting at the upper chamber in the last two years.

    “Based on this, we use this opportunity to urge the Senate President Bukola Saraki, who is also the political leader of the state,  to give us Senator Ibrahim for one more term because he has achieved over 50 percent of his campaign promises with less than two years in office.”

    Oriola revealed that the union had “set machinery in motion to help the indigent students by giving out free JAMB scratch cards to over 100 students across the senatorial district.

    ‘’We are also planning to establish 10 chapters across four northern states. We shall remain focused on the primary aims and objectives of the union.’’

    He said that FEKSSU recently concluded its Unity week with special church services, Christmas carol programme, a talk show and inter campus games. Others were visitation to traditional rulers, awareness rally, leadership and entreprenurship summit.