The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Students

  • UNILAG expels 125, rusticates 198 students

    UNILAG expels 125, rusticates 198 students

    Authorities of the University of Lagos have expelled 125 students and rusticated 198 others for various offences, including examination malpractices during last academic session.

    The lists of the affected students were published on the university’s website on Sunday.

    The institution’s Deputy Registrar (Information), Mr Toyin Adebule, confirmed the expulsion and estimation to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday,

    Adebule told NAN that the university “will soon publish and display the names and photographs of the students in the media’’.

    He said that the action was in line with the university’s zero tolerance on malpractices and other vices in campus.

    “Yes we have published some names on our website and these students will be punished in various degrees, depending on the severity.

    “Last session, a number of students were caught in various forms of malpractices during their examinations.

    “Some were found cheating during the examination with “micro sheets” while others were hired as surrogates to write papers for others.

    “Others were caught smoking weeds (Marijuana) right in their halls of residence by their colleagues and reported to the university authorities.

    “For those who were caught impersonating, writing examinations for others, they will face outright expulsion,’’ Adebule said.

    Adebule said the other categories of students, such as those caught with micro sheets and the smokers, would face suspension ranging from two to four semesters.

    “In other to get the desired effect of their various punishments, we are planning to publish all their names as well as display their photographs all over the campus in the next one week.

    “We shall carry out this measure in all the departments and faculties in the institution.

    “This is to help the university ensure that the affected students will have nowhere to hibernate on campus.”

  • Foundation brings hope to students

    The Students’ Affairs Division of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has held the 2016 Career Guidance Week, which afforded members of staff and students to engage in talks on leadership, entrepreneurship and career.

    The event, which was organised by the Counseling Unit of the Students’ Affairs office, featured a contest, where students had an opportunity to display their leadership abilities. The winners were rewarded with cash prizes and take-off grants to start small-scale businesses. The prizes were provided by Salimo Wits Foundation, which partnered the organiser.

    President of the foundation, Mr Dan Ekoko, represented by Mr Sunny Ikhioya, a member of Board of Trustees, said the foundation had the aim of empowering business-minded students and help develop next generation of leaders.

    Ekoko said: “I am delighted to announce to you that Salimo Wits Foundation will work with students as partner and friend to provide them with adequate training, tools, business networks, guardianship, mentorship and other supports required to actualise their business ideas, dreams and ambitions.”

    Over 150 students registered to be part of the foundation’s activities at the end of the event. Ekoko said opportunities remained open for others who wish to register.

    He said the foundation’s vision was to build leaders and make change with global impact. The mission, he said, was to redeem the future of the nation by investing in youth through value, principle and character-based training.

    Ekoko said the foundation had created a social network platform that would help like-minded youths, seeking change in the nation, to organise youth-based programmes. The platform, he added, would hold transformational programmes and projects that would improve the living standards and wellbeing of the people.

    Gift items, including books on leadership and drug abuse, were given freely to the students. Other members present included Mr Roland Eyetu, Mr Kingsley Ewere, Mr Emmanuel Owoyemi, Mr Vincent Prosper and programme officer, Mr Akin Adelakun.

  • 1000 students graduate from lawmaker’s computer training

    In fulfilment of his campaign promises, Nollywood star cum politician Desmond Elliot, who represents Surulere constituency  in the Lagos State House of Assembly, has trained about 1000 students in computer literacy and skill acquisition.

    The two-week programme, which was in partnership with an information technology firm, Tech Quest, involved students between six and 16 years.

    The participants also acquired vocational skills in soap making, shoe making and tailoring.

    Elliot said the gesture was part of his own way of giving back to the public and preparing the children for a challenging future.

    According to him, participants were  drawn from within Surulere constituency, irrespective of tribe or party alliance.

    He said of the lot, the best 32 would be trained as facilitators in the next edition of the programme.

    Elliot said: “We are going to give the best 32 among them an indepth training in computer so that by next edition, they would also be among facilitators that will tutor the next 1000 students.

    He continued: “The world is going global and if Surulere is not thinking globally then we will be lagging behind in the next 10 years.”

    One of the co-founder of Tech Quest, Charles Uchenna Emembolu, explained that students were taken through computer programming and animation.

    “I must say some of these students are some of the best we have ever taught,” Emembolu noted.

    “We had lessons in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language); it is a programming language in computer that can be used to develop websites. We also had lessons in SCRATCH: it is a computer tool the children use in creating animation. It makes the children want to know about the computer and invariably in developing their mental creativity,” he added.

     

  • Ijaw students seek unity, end to vices

    Ijaw students seek unity, end to vices

    The umbrella body of Ijaw students, the National Union of Izon-Ibe Students (NUIS), Worldwide, is calling for the promotion of unity among the leaders and youths of the Ijaw nation. To achieve common goals, the youths insist that people should bury their differences and work together as an indivisible entity.

    The newly-elected National President of NUIS, Mr. Seifere Saviour, said the union frowned on vices and advised youths to shun violence, political differences and cultism.

    “Despite our differences, if we must thrive in a region as rich as ours, then unity is paramount. Let us shun violence, political differences, cultism and plunge ourselves into the revolution of a united and tranquil rich region”, he said.

    Speaking to Niger Delta Report shortly after the inauguration of NUIS leadership, Saviour called on Ijaw students to embrace unity for speedy liberation of minds and environment.

    He harped on education as a tool for development and said his leadership would carry out a sensitisation and reorientation campaign tagged, “Our Izon Ibe, Our Future”.

    He said the campaign was designed to secure the future of students, Ijaw land and posterity. According to him the campaign would cut across all tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools in the Niger Delta region.

    He said: “We want to sensitize our people that education and unity is key to the many problems of our region. Though demanding, the task is mandatory and as I speak thousands of stickers and many other materials had been printed for dissemination of this message of liberation”.

    He lamented the bitting poverty in the region and said hundreds of brainy students were forced to drop out at various academic stages because they were unable to pay their fees. He said even some ongoing scholarship programmes had been suspended for mediocrity.

    He, however, appealed to spirited individuals and philanthropists to assist indigent Ijaw students by laying their fees. He seized the opportunity to commend Mr. Gabriel Jonah, and Jonah’s assistant on student affairs for his magnanimity towards helpless students.

    He said: “I hereby wish to call on all well-placed Niger Delta leaders to emulate the character of Hon.Gabriel Jonah by supporting students in all ramifications, because students are the bedrock of the society.

    “On a final note, the Izon-Ibe students union is the only students union body in the entire Izon-Ibe that is saddled with the responsibility of guiding and protecting the interest of Izon students both in Nigeria and in the diaspora.

    “I, therefore, call on all Izon-Ibe students to embrace the union.  Let me reiterate my stand that unity is key and all students of Izon-ibe should support this course.

    “I also want to bring to the notice of the Federal Government, Governors of the Niger Delta states, the NDDC, multinationals and others that the Ijaw nation is in dire need of education,” he said.

  • UI, students dismiss bomb threat

    UI, students dismiss bomb threat

    The University of Ibadan (UI) has tightened security following a threat by a terrorist group to bomb the institution before the nation’s 56th Independence anniversary. Some students share their thoughts on the matter with MERCY ADEDIGBA (100-Level Communication and Language Arts Education).

    At a time when the University of Ibadan (UI) is basking in the euphoria of its new feat of ranking 601 among top 1,000 universities globally, and the only Nigerian university on the list, a message from a terrorist group, Al-wilayat al-Islamiyya Gharb Afriqiyya, threatening to bomb the university before October 1, is not creating panic on campus.

    But news of the latest ranking published by Times Higher Education (THE) on its website made the university community ecstatic.

    The message from the terrorist group was mailed to some members of staff. Part of it reads: “Most of you are going to die before Independence Day. You will not spend the Independence Day in peace, you and your students.

    “Even your little searches at the gate won’t do anything. By the time we are through with you, your government will be sorry.

    “You people are an embarrassment to Nigeria and are the people that brought in western education to Nigeria. You doomed this nation and in turn you are all going to be doomed.”

    Reacting to the message, the  Director of Public Communication, Mr Olatunji Oladejo, urged members of the community not to panic, describing it as a mere rumour.

    In a statement signed by Oladosu Olaleye Lystra of the Public Relations unit, the university said it had made efforts to secure the campus.

    “The bomb threat message was sent to cause unnecessary panic.  The Police and the Social Security have deployed intelligence officers to provide optimum security in the institution in order to forestall any tragedy or disaster, and the police and Social Security officials  are on top of the matter. “

    However, there has been mixed reaction to the threat.  Some students said they were not aware of the threat. Olukotun Tosin, a 300-Level student of Agronomy, believes the university is not doing enough to avert a bomb threat.

    “Whatever would be would be.  If the institution would be bombed it cannot be prevented.  Despite the threat, the institution did not bring any of the armed forces to help; just the institution’s security has been searching vehicles and people at the gate. Even Muslim women were searched. Let’s just hope it is not true,” he said.

    Many of those aware have however called the group’s bluff, describing the message as a rumour.

    Dike Glory, a 300-Level student of Agronomy, thinks it is a bluff.

    “It is impossible. How can they bomb UI? It cannot happen. Never!” she said vehemently.

    Adeniran Kehinde , a 200-Level student of  Biochemistry, said: “Let me tell you, whether I go home or I stay in school, if it is my time to die, I would die. The bomb could detonate at the gate. But I heard it is a rumour”.

    Ajewole Olajumoke, a 200-Level student of Educational Management, said: “It is a lie joo; nothing can happen to me even if the whole of UI is bombed, I am safe”.

    Wisdom Ighodalo , a 100-Level student of English, said it wasn’t the first time the rumour would surface.

    “The Lord is my shepherd; nothing can happen to me. But I don’t think it is true.  The same thing happened about three years ago,” he said.

    Omole Brandie, a 400-Level student of Sociology, said students might be behind the threat.

    “I don’t think it is true . It might be a prank played by a student,” he said.

    The leadership of the Students’ Union of the institution also urged students not to panic, describing the message as a prank.

     

  • Students to pay N5,000 as FUNAAB resumes October 3

    The management of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has endorsed the decision of its Senate to reopen the institution on October 3, 2016.

    The Senate also directed that all students of the university, including postgraduate students, those on Industrial Training (IT) and the Farm Practical Year (FPY), should pay a reparation fee of N5,000 to cover replacement of private and public property worth millions of naira destroyed when students protested perennial robbery attacks on August 18, 2016.

    The protest resulted in the burning of seven vehicles, a police post, vandalisation of the Divine Heights Bible Church, Abeokuta, and other properties.

    A statement signed by the university’s Head, Directorate of Public Relations (DPR), Mrs Emi Alawode, noted that the crisis was well investigated and involved 13 sittings by the committee set up to investigate the unrest, during which it interacted with about 80 stakeholders for about nine hours daily.

    The statement added that the decision to fine all students was as a result of difficulties determining the actual culprits.

    The statement reads: “Since it is practically impossible to determine the real students that either participated or did not take part in the action, that warranted the payment of damages, the reparation fee is to serve as a deterrent against any future occurrence, while the rest of the funds would be used to enhance security facilities for the entire University community, over a period of time. To ensure transparency and accountability, the University Management would not be involved in the disbursement of the funds, as a special committee had been constituted, that would ensure that the reparation fee is judiciously utilised, while the amount to be paid to each claimant would depend on the degree of loss suffered.”

    The Governing Council of the church has, however, said it would not accept money for repairs as it has forgiven the students for attacking the church, but it said owners of personal vehicles burnt within the church premises, should be compensated.

    The statement also claimed that the President of the Students’ Union, Comrade Olusegun Nwenoye, said “the FUNAAB Students’ Union had no objection to the reparation fee”.

     

  • Save our roads, UNIZIK students urge Obiano

    Save our roads, UNIZIK students urge Obiano

    Students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, popularly called UNIZIK, are bemoaning the state of access roads to the institution’s campuses in Awka and Nnewi, reports FRANKLIN ONWUBIKO from Awka.

    unizik-bad-road-3Words cannot quantify the hardship students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, face on the deplorable Ifite-Amansea Road which connects the university to the Awka, the Anambra State capital, where many students live.

    The road gets worse during the rainy season and most buses conveying students to school always break down, forcing the students to wade through muddy water.

    Sadly, the state of the road is not new, as successive state governments had turned deaf ears to the plight of members of staff and students of the institution.  In the past, the government placed equipment and heaped stones on the road, but it was never fixed.

    Anambra State Governor Dr Willie Obiano reportedly visited the university sometime in July, during the monthly environmental sanitation and saw, first-hand, the suffering of students on the road. His promise of intervention was applauded.

    Last week, there seemed to be a ray of hope with the arrival of heavy duty construction vehicles on the site.

    But to the consternation of students, the vehicles only deposited heaps of stones and disappeared the next day.

    Most students have taken to the social media to cry out to the government to come to their aid as the road is on the verge of being cut off by erosion.

    A lecturer (name withheld) described the government’s promise as propaganda.

    “I don’t understand why government should renege on words after promising to fix the road in time, after witnessing the plight of the students. The governor’s aides took to the social media to celebrate the promise and even posted pictures of the caterpillars, stating that work had begun. That is cheap blackmail and propaganda and it’s about time government stopped playing politics with issues that concern life,” he said.

    A student, Ebuka Obueze, described the government as insensitive to the plight of students.

    “This road has become a death trap. One practically gets stained passing through this route. It won’t cost the government a lot of money to work on this road, at least to ameliorate the sufferings of the students. How does one get to settle in class after the hurdles of getting to school through this bad road?,” Obueze asked.

    A female student, Joy Okoye, whose hostel is directly in front of the worst part of the road, lamented that they are forced to stay indoors and miss classes because of the road.

    “We hardly go out these days because the road is terribly bad. If not for the fact that UNIZIK students are calm, we would have long protested. If the governor truly has the students at heart, fixing the road won’t be an issue at all,” she stated.

    The poor state of the road has increased transportation cost; while some drivers have stopped plying the route.

    One driver, Arinze Obi, said some of his colleagues have abandoned the route pending when it is fixed.

    “This is not favourable at all. This road has indirectly generated more income for the road side mechanics more than it has for us drivers. Imagine a scenario where one spends his income and even borrows to fix his vehicle on weekly basis, all because of this bad road. For those who still ply the route, they increased the fare at least to cater for the damages on their vehicles. The worst part of it is that, we still pay levies to ply the route. These levies should be utilized in fixing the road but that is not happening. Government should come to the aid of the students before the road goes so bad,” he said.

    The situation at the other campus of the university located in the commercial city of Nnewi which houses the medical studies is also pitiable. The medical students have on various occasions cried out to the government and good spirited individuals for assistance.

  • Kwarapoly expels five students

    The Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has expelled five students.

    A statement by the Assistant Registrar (Academic Affairs), Mr. AbdulRahman Ola Muhammad, said their expulsion followed the approval of the report of the Students’ Disciplinary Committee in accordance with Section 14.2 of the Students’ Regulations.

    Imam Murthado Olanrewaju (HND/14/AE/FT/019) was expelled for allegedly assaulting a member of staff and disruption of official activities; Elebiju Rotimi (HND/14/SLT/FT/095), for stealing clothes and attacking the owner; while Adam AbdulAzeez T(ND/14/QTS/FT/022), Muhammed Habeeb (ND/14/COM/FT/461) and Khalid Olamilekan (ND/14/PA/FT/56) were expelled for alleged destruction of polytechnic property.

    Also, Olutayo Oluwatobi Elizabeth (HND/15/BF/FT/233) has been rusticated for one semester (second semester, 2015/2016 session) for allegedly behaving rudely to a member of Dress Code Committee; and the result of Toluwaleke Gbenga Adeniyi (ND/14/PA/FT/532) has been withheld pending his appearance before the Students’ Disciplinary Committee for alleged destruction of school property.

    The statement directed the  students to vacate the polytechnic campuses and hand over all property in their custody to their Heads of Department.

  • UI, students dismiss bomb threat

    UI, students dismiss bomb threat

    The University of Ibadan (UI) has tightened security following a threat by a terrorist group to bomb the institution before the nation’s 56th Independence anniversary. Some students share their thoughts on the matter with MERCY ADEDIGB

    At a time when the University of Ibadan (UI) is basking in the euphoria of its new feat of ranking 601 among top 1,000 universities globally, and the only Nigerian university on the list, a message from a terrorist group, Al-wilayat al-Islamiyya Gharb Afriqiyya, threatening to bomb the university before October 1, is not creating panic on campus.

    But news of the latest ranking published by Times Higher Education (THE) on its website made the university community ecstatic.

    The message from the terrorist group was mailed to some members of staff. Part of it reads: “Most of you are going to die before Independence Day. You will not spend the Independence Day in peace, you and your students.

    “Even your little searches at the gate won’t do anything. By the time we are through with you, your government will be sorry.

    “You people are an embarrassment to Nigeria and are the people that brought in western education to Nigeria. You doomed this nation and in turn you are all going to be doomed.”

    Reacting to the message, the  Director of Public Communication, Mr Olatunji Oladejo, urged members of the community not to panic, describing it as a mere rumour.

    In a statement signed by Oladosu Olaleye Lystra of the Public Relations unit, the university said it had made efforts to secure the campus.

    “The bomb threat message was sent to cause unnecessary panic.  The Police and the Social Security have deployed intelligence officers to provide optimum security in the institution in order to forestall any tragedy or disaster, and the police and Social Security officials  are on top of the matter. “

    However, there has been mixed reaction to the threat.  Some students said they were not aware of the threat. Olukotun Tosin, a 300-Level student of Agronomy, believes the university is not doing enough to avert a bomb threat.

    “Whatever would be would be.  If the institution would be bombed it cannot be prevented.  Despite the threat, the institution did not bring any of the armed forces to help; just the institution’s security has been searching vehicles and people at the gate. Even Muslim women were searched. Let’s just hope it is not true,” he said.

    Many of those aware have however called the group’s bluff, describing the message as a rumour.

    Dike Glory, a 300-Level student of Agronomy, thinks it is a bluff.

    “It is impossible. How can they bomb UI? It cannot happen. Never!” she said vehemently.

    Adeniran Kehinde , a 200-Level student of  Biochemistry, said: “Let me tell you, whether I go home or I stay in school, if it is my time to die, I would die. The bomb could detonate at the gate. But I heard it is a rumour”.

    Ajewole Olajumoke, a 200-Level student of Educational Management, said: “It is a lie joo; nothing can happen to me even if the whole of UI is bombed, I am safe”.

    Wisdom Ighodalo , a 100-Level student of English, said it wasn’t the first time the rumour would surface.

    “The Lord is my shepherd; nothing can happen to me. But I don’t think it is true.  The same thing happened about three years ago,” he said.

    Omole Brandie, a 400-Level student of Sociology, said students might be behind the threat.

    “I don’t think it is true . It might be a prank played by a student,” he said.

    The leadership of the Students’ Union of the institution also urged students not to panic, describing the message as a prank.

    A (100-Level Communication and Language Arts Education).

  • Dons, students hail Fafunwa Foundation for developing education

    Dons, students hail Fafunwa Foundation for developing education

    NIGERIANS have hailed the Fafunwa Education Foundation (FEF) for contributing to the development of the education sector.

    Speaking yesterday at the Annual Awards Ceremony of the foundation held at the Faculty of Education Auditorium, University of Lagos (UNILAG), they said FEF over the years, had made a lot of impact in the education industry.

    The people, comprising students, academics, entrepreneurs and others, said the topic of the 2016 lecture titled: “tackling the problem of unemployment in Nigeria” was relevant to the recession the country was experiencing.

    They said if the recommendations to be made by the foundation are implemented, they will proffer solutions to unemployment.

    The Post Doctoral Award in Education was won by Dr. Olabisi Adedigba of the Faculty of Education, (Department of Teacher Education), University of Ibadan, Ibadan with the topic: “Efficacy of Literature-Based Instructional Strategies on Pupils Awareness of and Attitude to Child Right in Kwara State, Nigeria; who went home with N250,000.

    Dr. Bivese-Djebah Philomena Anwulika of the Faculty of Education (Dept of Educational Foundations), University of Lagos, Akoka emerged second with the topic: Effects or Cognitive Restructuring and social support on Marital Instability Among Selected Working Married Women in Lagos State, Nigeria; and carted away N150,000.

    Dr. Toju Toritseju Eyengho of the Faculty of Education (Dept of Art and Social Sciences), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife came third with the topic: “Assessment and Implementation of Primary and Secondary Schools Curricular and Co-Curricular Activities in Southwestern Nigeria; and got N100,000.

    In the Best Performance in WASSCE (May/June 2015) category, Abia State came top, followed by Anambra State and Edo State.

    The awards were presented by the chairman of the FEF’s Academic Committee, Prof. Kayode Alao, of the Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

    The FEF, a non-government organization, was established in January 1995 to provide fresh insight and practical ideas on improving education in the country.