The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Students

  • Sean Tizzle excites students at Etisalat Career Counselling Day

    Sean Tizzle excites students at Etisalat Career Counselling Day

    It was a wonderful time for the hundreds of students who attended the recently held 14th session Career Counselling Day, hosted by Etisalat Nigeria, as they were treated to live thrilling performances by Nigerian-born afro-pop act, Morihanfen Oluwaseun Oluwabamidele, aka Sean Tizzle.

    The Sho lee crooner, clad in white top and black jean pant, was an instant hit with the students who could not hide their excitement at coming face-to-face with him and sought to touch him. They demonstrated this by singing along as he performed several songs from his works including his debut single Sho Lee which has enjoyed massive play time on radio and TV since it was released in 2013.

    Sean Tizzle’s soaring popularity appears to have broken the age barrier and now resonates with the elderly as some of those in attendance at the event also joined the students in the excitement.

    It was not however, all about singing and dancing, as Sean Tizzle took out time to task the students on reaching the utmost height of their potentials. He enjoined them to strive to recognise their strengths and work hard at maximizing such.

    In a related development, Etisalat has reiterated its commitment to national development using sustainable CSR platforms such as health, environment and education which he described as very key.

    The company’s Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, gave this assurance while speaking at the event. In his words, “Education is the source, the spring of growth and development. When education is gotten right, every other aspect of life benefits, including health, the economy and our planet. We are committed to Corporate Social Responsibility agenda and we will apply ourselves to driving the sustainable development of our nation, Nigeria.”

    The Career Counselling Day was hosted by Etisalat in partnership with the Lagos Empowerment And Resource Network (LEARN)  and it is designed to guide students of secondary schools in the junior and senior levels towards making sound, positive and fulfilling career decisions which will provide long-term benefits to them, their families, organisations, and ultimately the nation.

  • Four students rape 16-year-old girl to coma

    Four students rape 16-year-old girl to coma

    A sixteen year old girl from Okpoitumo Community in Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi State, Gladys (surname withheld) is battling for survival after being gang raped to coma by four secondary school students who invaded her house.

    The four secondary school students whose name were given as Jeremiah Odah, Dick Alo, Ofobuike Alo and Obumnaeme had broken into the girl’s house and immediately demanded for sex but she refused.

    This led to her being beaten-up thoroughly by the students of Galaxy foundation Secondary School, Ndiofoke Amagu, Ikwo in Ikwo local government area.

    After raping her to coma, the students carried her out of her house and dropped her in a bush where she was found after two days of search party by members of the community.

    She was immediately rushed to the Rural Improvement Mission Hospital (RIMH), Ndegu Echara Community in the local government for medical attention.

    According to the medical report conducted on the victim, Gladys sustained serious internal injuries in her body including private parts during the incident.

    The matter was reported to the Ebonyi State family law center, a special court saddled with the responsibility of handling such case while the chairman of the court Mrs. Edeh Nwali has petitioned the State Commissioner of Police, CP Peace Ibekwe Abdallah  urging her to use her good offices and bring the perpetrators to book.

    The four secondary school students had disappeared from their hostel and the community after committing the crime.

    Father of the victim, Mr. Edward while at the family law centre, appealed to the court, human rights organizations and the government to intervene in the matter.

    He described her daughter as a bread winner of the family, adding that through her tailoring business his family has been surviving.

  • OAU closed down indefinitely over students protest

    OAU closed down indefinitely over students protest

    Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has been closed down indefinitely following continued protests by the students.

    The students are protesting alleged poor living condition in their halls of residence.

    However, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr. Abiodun Olanrewaju, refuted the claim that the institution had been shut down.‎

    He said that the authorities only gave the students a mid semester break.
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    For the two days that the protest had lasted, many students and workers in the university were stranded as there was  heavy traffic at the main gate of the institution.
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    According to some students, ‎epileptic power and  poor water supply had made the OAU campus not conducive for habitation

  • CoolFM, Heritage Bank sponsor students to film festival in Lebanon

    CoolFM, Heritage Bank sponsor students to film festival in Lebanon

    CoolFM and CoolTV in collaboration with Heritage Bank have concluded plans to sponsor students to the 8th edition of the Notre Dame University International Student Film Festival, holding at Notre Dame University, in Lebanon from November 15-22, 2015.

    At a press conference to unveil the lucky winners, the Group Managing Director of AIM Group, Amin Mousali, said the sponsorship is one among the company’s corporate social responsibility platform to expose students to innovations in filmmaking worldwide.

    Waxing philosophical, he said a country cannot advance unless it develops its human resources, hence the company’s commitment towards grooming new talents in the film industry for the next generation.

    Mousali who recalled that the company began sponsoring students to the film festival since 2012, said the lucky winners to this year’s event have the opportunity of visiting historical sites, like Canaanland in Lebanon, where Jesus Christ preached the gospel.

    Besides, he said the participants stand a chance to learn about the culture and mores of the host country amongst others.

    On the set criteria for selection of winners, Mousali said the competition is open to every student across all disciplines as long as they can write scripts.

    The competition, he said, is a talent hunt of some sorts aimed at tasking the creative ingenuity of the students.

    While justifying the sponsorship of the programme by Heritage Bank, Tobe Nnadozie, Divisional Head, Innovation and Products, said the company has a strong affinity with the arts, hence it is always willing to support activities around the sector.

    “Heritage Bank is a story itself which we’re writing. It’s a very fantastic story,” he began.

    Expatiating, Nnadozie said:”Our lead-in as a bank is about helping people to create, to preserve and to transfer wealth across generations. And one thing that has transcended across various generations is art. Most other things time out or burn out. But art has remained there and when I talk about art, it’s the whole embodiment of arts such as culture, language, songs, drama and many other things.”

    Speaking earlier, past winners, including Damilola Kolajolu, Seun Adebanjo and Nneka Chile recalled with nostalgia their experiences at the previous editions of the festival, which they described as a life transforming experience and one they would hold dear for life.

    This year’s winners who were selected out of over 600 entries, namely Chima Martins Agara of Imo State University, Senator Ewah George of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Ayodeji Donaldlove Ogunleye of National Films Institute, Jos, were upbeat about their trip to Lebanon.

    Agara’s entry titled: ‘Honey Money Pot’  ‘Dead Alive’ by Ogunleye and ‘My name is Amina’ by George have been produced into a film by Emem Isong and Aim Groups’ Production Company, World Entertainment Television Limited (WETV).

    Speaking separately, Ogunleye and Agara expressed thanks to the CoolFM management as well as the Heritage Bank for giving them the opportunity to explore the world of filmmaking, stressing that they would make both companies and the nation proud.

  • CoolFM, Heritage Bank sponsor students to film festival in Lebanon

    CoolFM and CoolTV in collaboration with Heritage Bank have concluded plans to sponsor students to the 8th edition of the Notre Dame University International Student Film Festival, holding at Notre Dame University, in Lebanon from November 15-22, 2015.

    At a press conference to unveil the lucky winners, the Group Managing Director of AIM Group, Amin Mousali, said the sponsorship is one among the company’s corporate social responsibility platform to expose students to innovations in filmmaking worldwide.

    Waxing philosophical, he said a country cannot advance unless it develops its human resources, hence the company’s commitment towards grooming new talents in the film industry for the next generation.

    Mousali who recalled that the company began sponsoring students to the film festival since 2012, said the lucky winners to this year’s event have the opportunity of visiting historical sites, like Canaanland in Lebanon, where Jesus Christ preached the gospel.

    Besides, he said the participants stand a chance to learn about the culture and mores of the host country amongst others.

    On the set criteria for selection of winners, Mousali said the competition is open to every student across all disciplines as long as they can write scripts.

    The competition, he said, is a talent hunt of some sorts aimed at tasking the creative ingenuity of the students.

    While justifying the sponsorship of the programme by Heritage Bank, Tobe Nnadozie, Divisional Head, Innovation and Products, said the company has a strong affinity with the arts, hence it is always willing to support activities around the sector.

    “Heritage Bank is a story itself which we’re writing. It’s a very fantastic story,” he began.

    Expatiating, Nnadozie said:”Our lead-in as a bank is about helping people to create, to preserve and to transfer wealth across generations. And one thing that has transcended across various generations is art. Most other things time out or burn out. But art has remained there and when I talk about art, it’s the whole embodiment of arts such as culture, language, songs, drama and many other things.”

    Speaking earlier, past winners, including Damilola Kolajolu, Seun Adebanjo and Nneka Chile recalled with nostalgia their experiences at the previous editions of the festival, which they described as a life transforming experience and one they would hold dear for life.

    This year’s winners who were selected out of over 600 entries, namely Chima Martins Agara of Imo State University, Senator Ewah George of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Ayodeji Donaldlove Ogunleye of National Films Institute, Jos, were upbeat about their trip to Lebanon.

    Agara’s entry titled: ‘Honey Money Pot’  ‘Dead Alive’ by Ogunleye and ‘My name is Amina’ by George have been produced into a film by Emem Isong and Aim Groups’ Production Company, World Entertainment Television Limited (WETV).

    Speaking separately, Ogunleye and Agara expressed thanks to the CoolFM management as well as the Heritage Bank for giving them the opportunity to explore the world of filmmaking, stressing that they would make both companies and the nation proud.

  • Don’t affect your students’ future negatively, Osun tells teachers

    Osun State government has warned teachers against acts that can adversely affect the future of their pupils.The government urged them to ensure their students perform well morally and academically.

    The deputy governor, Chief Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, spoke at the flag off of the distribution of instructional materials to over 300 Middle Schools across the state. The occasion was held at the premises of the Osun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) along Gbongan Road, Osogbo, the state capital

    According to her, government would no longer tolerate absenteeism and laziness among teachers in public schools

    The deputy governor, who also doubles as the Commissioner for Education, said government had resolved to restore sanity to public schools across the state

    Laoye-Tomori noted that the performance of pupils in examinations must henceforth reflect the huge resources the government is committing into the education sector

    She said: “If you collect money for a service, people must be made to render such service to the public. A situation whereby teachers are absent from schools will no longer be tolerated by this administration. We have 35 payment vouchers for drawing salaries from the coffers of the government but only 12 teachers are actually coming to school. This indecency in the education sector must stop because this is the only way sanity could be brought to the sector. Teachers and principals will also be rewarded when their students and schools perform very well in their exams.”

    Laoye-Tomori announced that the Aregbesola’s administration is planning to introduce teachers housing scheme programme where teachers estate would be constructed by the government, especially for those posted to rural areas

    She also said government would soon introduce Unified Joint Examination Scheme for pupils in public schools in order to access them for external examinations

    She appealed for the cooperation of the civil servants to the government so as to deliver good governance to the people.

    Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prince Felix Awofisayo, said that the provision of instructional materials was meant to improve teachers and students’ performance.

    Also, the Permanent Secretary, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Fatai Kolawole, said: “The materials are educational inputs that are of vital importance to teaching and learning. It has been observed that their availability in schools will go a long way in assisting principals and teachers in delivery of knowledge and curriculum controls; hence efforts of this government to make the materials available in spite of paucity of funds in the state.”

  • Students organise seminar

    De-green clique in conjunction with the Association of Distance Learning Students, University of Lagos will hold its maiden seminar with the theme: “Nigeria beyond Oil: What Prospect for the Next Generation?” on November 14, 2015.

    The seminar, which will take place at the Environmental Science Hall of the university, will have notable speakers such as  Martin Onovo, Bolaji Ogunseye and Boniface  Anienbonam.

     

  • Student’s death: Controversy trails UPTH panel’s report

    Student’s death: Controversy trails UPTH panel’s report

    The panel set up by the management of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Choba Port Harcourt in Rivers State to investigate the cause of death of one of the students of the University of Port Harcourt, Kelechi Ndulagwu Precious has released its report. The late Miss Precious was an undergraduate student of Theatre and Film Studies of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

    The management of the UPTH was forced to set up the panel following the wide protest and condemnation that trailed the death of Kelechi, who died on August 30, after she was reportedly denied treatment by members of staff of the hospital, which cited lack of available bed space.

    The unlucky student was said to have later collapsed in her hostel bathroom and died shortly afterwards on the same day.

    Her death did not go down well with her colleagues and leadership of the Students’ Union Government (SUG). This led to wild protests that grounded activities of the university. The angry students destroyed some medical equipment at the UPTH.

    The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UPTH, Prof. Aaron Ojule quickly invited the press to exonerate the hospital from the allegation of the death of the undergraduate.

    He said: “It was not an issue of rejection; we cannot reject anybody outside the campus let alone a student of the university. When the hospital is filled it is filled. We cannot ask somebody to go down to accept another. We sympathised with the victim’s family and the university over what happened. The students have alleged that we killed her, but we have no hand in her death.”

    Prof. Ojule added: “We have set up a panel to investigate the issue. They came here and we told them there was no space at the time they came and when the lady died, they said it was UPTH that killed her. We have always told the people that UPTH is over-subscribed.

    “Ironically, the panel, which was headed by a Professor of Obstetrics and a Professor of Gynaecology Prof. John Ikimalo, recommended the sack of two female nurses who were on duty when the late Kelechi was brought in.”

    The recommendation of Prof. Ikimalo’s report, rather than settle the debate of the incident, has raised more questions, particularly as it contradicted the earlier stance of the CMD.

    Prof. Ojule, who announced the result of the report of the panel in a press briefing at the boardroom of the hospital, explained that because of the critical nature of the matter, the management of the hospital decided to set up a panel to investigate the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident.

    He said the panel recommended the sack of two nurses on duty at the time of the incident. The CMD, who did not mention the names of the nurses, said the panel condemned their acts of laxity and indiscipline.

    “The two members of staff flouted established rules and protocol that are applicable in the hospital. They have been issued queries and based on their unsatisfactory responses; the panel has recommended their sack. At present, we have placed them on suspension for three months without pay while waiting for the approval of the Ministry of Health.”

    The panel’s recommendation has received the support of the Rivers State government.

    The Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo said: “The punitive action taken by the panel set up by UPTH on the two nurses that orchestrated the death of Miss Kelechi Precious should serve as deterrent to erring public servants. The action of the management of the hospital would go a long way in checking future acts of negligence on the part of public workers.”

    But some members of the public are unimpressed. They are of the opinion that the panel should have blamed the government for not living up to its responsibilities of providing adequate facilities in public health sector rather than blame the death of the student on the nurses on duty.

    Those who have contrary views said the nurses were merely following instructions, which were alluded to by the CMD in his earlier press briefing, on what to do when there is no bed space in the hospital.

    Reacting to the panel’s recommendation, President Nigerian Democratic Awareness (NIDAF), Comrade Obiajunwo Paul threatened to mobilise members of the public to protest the decision if the Ministry of Health decides to approve the recommendation of the panel.

    “We are watching what will happen. What the panel did is to recommend. We want to know if the recommendation would be approved. It is unjust to blame the problem that the management should have accepted responsibility on the nurses on duty,” he said.

  • Student’s death sparks protest at FUNAAB

    Student’s death sparks protest at FUNAAB

    Did Maria Atere have a premonition of her death? The 400-Level Plant Physiology and Crop Production student of the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State died in a road crash,  few hours after she said she wanted to see Jesus Christ. But, to her colleagues, the institution’s failure to come to her aid immediately after the accident led to her death. WALE AJETUNMOBI reports.

    I want to see Jesus Christ.” This was said to be the late Maria Atere’s last words while discussing with her pastor and colleagues after service penultimate Sunday. She died in a road crash hours later.
    Maria, a 400-Level Plant Physiology and Crop Production student of the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Ogun State, died from injuries sustained in the accident on Camp-Alabata Road, a busy motorway that stretches to the institution’s main gate.
    She was returning to her off-campus hostel at 7pm when the commercial motorcycle conveying her had a head-on collision with a cab. The motorcyclist died on the spot.
    She was identified as a student on the scene of the accident by sympathisers, who called the Students’ Union Government (SUG) president, Dennis Nwenonye, to notify the school management. Told the severity of Maria’s injury, it was gathered that Dennis called other SUG leaders living off-campus to get her, while he rushed to the school Health Centre for an ambulance and doctor’s referral to take her to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abeokuta.
    The doctor on duty, it was learnt, refused to issue the referral, asking that Maria be brought to the clinic before he can refer her to the FMC. Dennis then spoke with the Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA), who ordered the release of the ambulance to take Maria to the FMC.
    Before the ambulance arrived, some students had taken Maria in the SUG bus to a private hospital where she was referred her to the FMC. But, a few minutes after her admission, she died.
    Her death led to a protest by students, who accused the school management of negligence. The protesters, led by SUG leaders, demanded the sack of the Director of the Health Centre, saying the late Maria could have been saved had the medical staff responded to the situation in time.
    The protesters demanded N50 million compensation for the bereaved family. They called for the dualisation of the Camp-Alabata Road, which they described as a death trap. They barricaded the school gate and marched on the Administrative Block to draw the management’s attention to their grievance.
    Although the school is on holiday, lecturers and non-teaching staff, who had other activities on the campus, were prevented from entering.
    Reacting, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Olusola Oyewole, set up an investigative panel chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics, Prof Muftau Waheed, to probe the alleged negligence by the Health Centre staff.
    The panel was given a week for the job. Its Secretary, Mr Bright Obiriwonsi, led the school delegation on a condolence visit to the late Maria’s parents.
    It was gloomy at the 16 Alfa-Nda Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos home of bereaved parents. When CAMPUSLIFE visited the house last Friday, sympathisers were streaming to console them.
    Her father, Mr Emmanuel Atere, a pastor, betrayed emotion as he recalled how he learnt about his daughter’s death. As he spoke with our reporter, his wife, Felicia, also a pastor, wept uncontrolly. She gazed at the ceiling, deep in thought.
    “I call this tragic incident a trial of faith,” Pastor Atere said, wondering why his daughter suffered “that cruel fate”, despite being a born-again Christian.
    He described the late Maria as a child of God, who did not bear grudge against anyone. “She loved God and her siblings. She was always cheerful and free with anyone,” he said.
    Reliving how he received the news, Atere said “untimely death” was the least he expected in his household as he prepared to sleep that fateful day. He said he had just finished his night prayer when he got a telephone call from Victoria, his first daughter, at 9:45pm.
    “Victoria said I should start praying for Maria. I asked what happened to her; she told me her sister was in a coma. I became restless immediately. I could not call my wife, because I did not know if she had been told Maria was in a coma. I later got to know she was told that Maria was sick. We started praying immediately. We held a vigil all through the night; I did not sleep.
    “At 4am on Monday, a senior Redeemed Christian Church of God pastor called me and told me to start coming to Lagos. I asked if Maria had woken up from coma, he said she was still being attended to.
    He said I should take the next available flight to Lagos… After a few minutes, the pastor sent money for a flight ticket into my account.
    “My friend took me to the airport at 5am. I was crying as we approached the airport, because I knew something tragic must have happened. But, I continued praying to God to avert calamity in my family. After I landed in Lagos, my son joined me and we departed for Abeokuta immediately.
    “I met other family members with the Catholic Bishop of Abeokuta Diocese and pastor of the church Maria attended. They took me to a mortuary and I was surprised. When I asked what was happening, they said my daughter was in the mortuary. At this point, I broke into tears and lost my memory. I could recall the Bishop led another prayer session at the mortuary to call back Maria’s spirit, but she did not wake up.”
    Atere said the Bishop told him his daughter’s last words were: “I am in severe pain, let me go and rest in the bosom of Christ.” Atere said he is consoled that Maria died knowing Christ.
    On the allegation that Maria died because of the school’s tardiness, Atere said he left everything to God to judge. “It is only God that can wipe away our tears. Whatever the school authorities have to say would be in their own favour. We don’t ask for any compensation; it would have been our joy if she was honoured while she was alive,” he said.

  • World Savings Day: CBN educates students on savings culture

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has emphasised the need for every Nigerians to imbibe the culture of saving so as to have better economy and citizenry.

    Speaking at a World Saving Day programme organised for students of St. Peters Unity Secondary School in Akure, the Ondo State capital, the state branch controller of CBN, Mrs. Adeyemi Yusuf, said there is need for parents and guardians to start training their children on how to save.

    Yusuf noted that CBN has decided to take its enlightenment programme to schools so as to lay a foundation in the minds of the children at their early age.

    According to her, students from14 secondary schools in the six geo-political zones benefited from the mentoring programme.

    Adeyemi said it is only savings that translate to investment; saying without it there cannot be investment, which also means there cannot be development.

    Her words: “Savings habit is not very encouraging in Nigeria, and I think it is not peculiar to Nigeria; it is worldwide. So, I think it is necessary for this kind of commemoration to come up and create awareness from time to time

    “The commemoration of the World Savings Day is one of the platforms the bank is using to raise awareness of children and youths on the importance of savings, which is expected to lead to an increase in the levels of financial literary, financial inclusion (number of people that have banking relationship with financial institutions) culminating in a stable and sound financial system and ultimately a positive economic environment”.

    Adeyemi stressed that those, who are in the habit of savings are contributing to the economy of the country, and making themselves bette, citizenry for Nigeria.

    “If we are saving, we are saving for ourselves, when you save for yourself it also affect the country at large,” she added.

    She called on the state government to leverage on the CBN initiative to further create awareness and sensitise the people on the importance of saving.

    A staff of Consumer Protection Department of CBN in Abuja, Mr. Damola Atanda, who gave a talk at the event, said there is need to train the system irrespective of amount of money they are given.

    He noted that students, who have developed a saving habit, have been included into the country financial system, adding that it would translate to more money in the economy.