Nigerian students make history in groundbreaking Economic Impact Challenge
In an event that celebrates intellect, innovation, and a commitment to shaping Africa’s economic future, Africa’s Future Economic Leaders (AFEL) proudly announced the exceptional winners of its inaugural Economic Impact Challenge.
This challenge, held from October to December 2023, not only recognises the importance of youth-driven solutions but also highlights AFEL’s dedication to promoting economic awareness and innovation across the African continent.
AFEL’s Economic Impact Challenge, according to the organisers, is aimed to encourage research, creativity, and active participation among economics and law students, with a focus on enhancing their knowledge and capacities regarding continental policies such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
AFEL’s programmes and initiatives align with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 to create the desired future for Africa.
The challenge’s first cohort targeted universities in the South-Western region of Nigeria, bringing together talented individuals from eight different universities. Each participant represented their university with unique visions for Africa’s economic future.
The project’s objective emphasised promoting youth participation in the economy, in line with SDGs 8 and 9, and achieving gender parity. Out of the 53 Nigerian tertiary institution students who directly participated in the project, 30 were females and 23 were males.
The AFEL Economic Impact Challenge awarded prizes in two categories: the Prize for Economic Policy Advocacy and the Prize for Outstanding Research and Presentation. This categorization aimed to educate students about the importance of advocating for policy implementation and to challenge them to think critically on how continental policies can benefit local businesses.
After a rigorous evaluation by competent judges, AFEL is thrilled to announce the winners from different schools who made exceptional contributions to the economic discourse:
Category 1: Policy Advocacy and Implementation 1st Place: University of Ibadan 2nd Place: Obafemi Awolowo University 3rd Place: Babcock University
Category 2: Policy Research and Presentation 1st Place: University of Ibadan 2nd Place: Obafemi Awolowo University 3rd Place: Adekunle Ajasin University
The students representing these schools displayed a profound understanding of economic challenges and also presented innovative solutions that aligned with AFEL’s vision of supporting youths in driving economic development in Africa.
Through the Economic Impact Challenge, AFEL actively contributes to building a community of future leaders who will play pivotal roles in steering Africa towards prosperity. During the feedback session, the coordinating team expressed gratitude to the participants for their valuable contributions, and the participants commended the organising team for providing a platform that promotes a practical understanding of complex economic concepts beyond their regular educational setting.
AFEL aims to create an expansive network, fostering dynamic connections between aspiring minds, industry experts, and visionary thought leaders. In the first quarter of 2024, the Economic Impact Challenge will be extended to youths in the rest of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones through their universities, demonstrating the program’s commitment to creating a sustainable impact in Africa.
The initiative was facilitated by Awakessien Mekitmfon (Co-convener) and Oluwatosin Wilde (Programme Manager), respectively.
Egbewole made the appeal at a meeting he held with the students union leaders where he said the exercise was aimed at ensuring optimal performance by the university workers.
He stressed the significance of obtaining feedback from students to enhance aspects of the university’s operations.
“We are focused on gathering feedback from students about our campus operations. Understanding how our staff members are faring is crucial to our improvement efforts.
“It is not a witch-hunt, but a sincere endeavour to enhance our system through collaboration with students,’’ he said.
Prof. Egbewole also reiterated the university’s management’s unwavering commitment to prioritise students’ welfare.
He said in spite of paucity of funds, the university reduced school charges to alleviate the burden placed on students and their parents or guardians.
Responding, President of the students union, Mr Joseph Ologundudu, expressed gratitude for the platform provided for students to have regular interactions with the university management.
He noted that the union had been encouraged to collaborate with the school’s administration on various fronts.
Youth organisations and student leaders in Akoko North East Local Government of Ondo State have endorsed Ife Ehindero to fill the vacant House of Representatives seat in Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency.
Speaking at a rally of youth and student leaders in Ikare Akoko, Saliu Wasiu, a convener, said they endorsed Ehindero to replace Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo because he is credibile and experienced in youth empowerment.
National President of Akoko students, Comrade Excel, noted Ehindero contributed much to education of students in the constituency.
He said: “Students who have issues with school fees have enjoyed support from Ife Ehindero, and those seeking to study further were assisted.
”We want the best for the students we lead, Ife Ehindero is the best and we will give him support.
Ehindero stressed the need for a competent hand to continue from Tunji-Ojo.
”We can not afford to destroy a house our people built with their vote. I have the exposure and skills to continue from where Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo stopped.
“I worked with Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, I have the roadmap and I can implement it.
‘’I seek the support of our party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and the people of Akoko North East/Akoko North West to make this ambition a reality.”
Mohammed Kazeem, president of Akoko North East youths, noted the development of the council ranks above any other interest.
”The interest of my local government is a priority. We saw what Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo did for our people and we trust him to give us a candidate to continue from where he stopped. Ife Ehindero has proved to be the best, we will support him.”
As part of efforts towards promoting equal access to education, the Caleb Danladi Foundation (CDF) has unveiled plans to sponsor the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for less-privileged students across the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State.
The Foundation’s proprietor, Caleb Danladi, in a statement, said the new initiative is aimed at empowering deserving individuals facing financial barriers in pursuing higher education in the state.
According to the statement, “Education is a powerful tool for transformation, and every deserving student, regardless of their background, should have the chance to realise their full potential.
“Our foundation is dedicated to breaking down barriers and creating pathways to success for the less privileged”, he stated.
He, however, said the sponsorship programme will cover the entire cost of JAMB UTME registration for eligible students, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder their pursuit of higher education.
He added that the initiative aligned with the foundation’s overarching mission of empowering, educating, and elevating lives within communities, to ensure that potential candidates are identified and reached.
He said the Foundation will collaborate with local educational institutions, community leaders, and non-governmental organisations to identify the less privileged candidates.
“The application process will be designed to be accessible to students facing economic challenges, with a focus on academic merit and commitment to education. So, the Foundation encourages community members, well-wishers, and potential partners to join hands in supporting this initiative, because it is our collective responsibility to foster positive change and create opportunities for the less privileged.
Recall that CDF had over the years, introduced various programmes in support of the vulnerable people in the society in the state in the areas of provisions of food items, skills acquisitions, empowerment and educational supports, amongst others.
The gesture, Yisa said, was in support of their academic pursuits.
According to him, the council has made it a priority to ease the financial burdens faced by students to reinforce the fundamental role that education plays in the overall development and well-being of society.
Yisa emphasised the importance of a strong educational foundation in shaping future leaders, highlighting the administration’s “unyielding commitment” to providing qualitative education for the citizens of the council.
He said: “Education forms the bedrock of development of any society and its importance to overall well-being of every individual. Any society whose educational foundation is faulty cannot produce good and worthy leaders. Thus, any government worth its salt must always strive to provide qualitative education for its citizenry.
“This administration places a high premium on education and today’s event is an affirmation of this administration’s dedication to support our students with bursary awards to ease some financial burdens that some of our students go through.
“This administration will continue to contribute immensely to improve the standard and growth of education within the council. At this juncture, permit me to highlight some of my achievements in the education sector. We have been able to present 250 GCE forms to indigent students, procured 200 JAMB forms to the needy students, presentation of skills acquisition forms to students. Lastly, we resuscitated the Adult Literacy Class for our aged men and women to improve their education standard.”
He congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to serve as beacons of hope for the community and to continue striving for excellence in their academic pursuits.
The council chair reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving the standard and growth of education in the community and emphasised the importance of nurturing the potential of every student.
The United Kingdom Home Office says overseas students including those from Nigeria will no longer be able to bring family members to the country.
The UK Home Office said in a New Year post on X (formerly Twitter) “We are fully committed to seeing a decisive cut in migration,”
“From today (Monday), new overseas students will no longer be able to bring family members to the UK.”
The Home Office, however, exempted postgraduate research or government-funded scholarship students from the ban.
“Postgraduate research or government-funded scholarships students will be exempt.”
The UK is one of the top destinations for Nigerian youths who are relocating in pursuit of better education, employment, and security purposes, among other reasons. With Nigeria’s unemployment rate at a new record high of over 33.3 percent, the mass exodus known as the ‘Japa’ phenomenon is in full swing.
The United Kingdom had first announced moves to stop overseas students from bringing migrants to the UK in mid-2023. The move was part of an immigration crackdown on students moving family members to the UK.
At least 135,788 family members reportedly tagged along as students moved into Britain for study in 2022 nine times more than in 2019.
“Last year, 59,053 Nigerian students brought over 60,923 relatives,” a report said.
The UK also announced that it would raise the minimum salary threshold for a skilled worker visa and prevent overseas health and social care staff from bringing family dependents to Britain.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office trumpeted the proposals as “the biggest clampdown on legal migration ever”.
But critics said it would damage the state-run National Health Service (NHS), which faces staff shortages.
Immigration is set to be a key issue in nationwide elections that must be held by January 2025 at the latest, and which the main opposition Labour Party is currently favoured to win.
Sunak has pledged to reduce new arrivals and has been under pressure ever since statistics released last month showed that net migration to Britain hit a high in 2022.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the number of people who arrived in Britain last year was 745,000 more than the number who left.
Interior minister James Cleverly said his plan would result in 300,000 fewer people coming to the UK in the coming years.
“Enough is enough,” the home secretary told parliament as he laid out his proposals, which will take effect early next year.
Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Charles Igwe has said the students’loans scheme initiated by President Bola Tinubu will make public universities concentrate on their core mandate of learning and research.
Igwe, who spoke against the financial pressures, particularly on public tertiary institutions, to fund themselves through the generation of Internally Generated Revenue(IGR), insisted that universities were never established to raise money to run themselves and still engage in academics.
Fielding questions from reporters after being conducted around projects executed by his administration on the three campuses of the university, Igwe said the students’ loan scheme would enable the tertiary institutions perform their mandates without encumbrances on the students and the instructions.
The VC maintained that tertiary institutions were rather created for learning and research, adding that their finances were essentially conceived to emanate from endowments, grants, and other sources, but not to be financially self-sustaining.
“It was for the reason of the universities concentrating on their core philosophy that President Bola Tinubu opted for students’ loans.
“The university is a universal business. The university is not supposed to open a shop at Nsukka market and begin to raise funds just because it needs money.
“The business of the university is to teach, research, impact knowledge and do extension services. These are the basic mandates of every university worldwide. When we talk about IGR, sometimes they will say you are not farming, you are not producing pure water and bread.
“These things are distractions. I have attended universities in Europe, Asia and I’ve looked at how they manage issues.”
The VC added that one of the ways his administration had contributed to funding various projects was through international research grants.
“We make our staff work very hard in attracting international grants such as in my department, Soil Science, where we are able to get some equipment while working on my research. That is one of the ways academic staff get funds.
“But it’s not going to sell pure water and bread. This is not the kind of money that the university needs to conduct proper research and impact society. We are not talking about floating buses that will be running from Nsukka market and will be collecting N30 or N40.
“I’m happy that President Tinubu is talking about granting loans to university students. I just hope that they will also provide jobs for them so that when they finish, they will pay back these loans so that it can benefit others.
“One of the ways of attracting money to the university is by charging appropriate fees, but the last time I added N5,000 to the school fees, the students demonstrated. They said they didn’t know the VC was a Yahoo VC.
“What we get from the Federal Government every month is less than N15 million as overhead and the last time they brought it was in August and this is December and you pay electricity bill of more than N80 million and buy diesel as well. It’s from this so-called N90-something that students pay and N15,000 hostel fees that you take care of these things. Where does that lead you?”
The VC added that his administration inherited a total of 104 uncompleted projects but had completed 73 while the remaining were ongoing.
In recent times, students, who are living in off-campus communities in Yelwa and Gubi, Bauchi State, have found themselves at the centre of a growing storm – an escalating insecurity that on Monday sparked outrage and protests by the students, DAVID ADENUGA reports
The palpable fear that accompanied the surge in cases of attacks on students has not only disrupted academic activities at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, but has also taken a toll on the mental and emotional well-being of the students. In the students’ communities, incidents of theft, assaults and other criminal activities have become more frequent, leaving students on edge and parents worried about the safety of their loved ones.
Rising cases
The latest incident is that of a 500-level Geology student at the university, Joseph Agabaidu, who was fatally stabbed during an attempted phone theft last Saturday. Agabaidu, a final year Geology student based in Otukpo Local Council, but an indigene of Ankpa Local Government Area of Benue State, was fatally stabbed around 7p.m. on Saturday as assailants attempted to forcefully take his phone.
The deceased was the eldest of four children of his family, who all attend the ATBU. It was learnt that despite efforts to get him medical help, he succumbed to his injuries the following morning.
Irked by the death of their colleague, ATBU students on Monday staged a peaceful protest. However, there was tension at the Yelwa campus of the university, as protesting students were tear-gassed by the policemen stationed with armoured tanks opposite the school’s gate. The situation escalated, as students closed the gate and disrupted activities.
Following the development, the management of the university shut down the institution. A statement obtained by The Nation and signed by the Deputy Registrar (Academic), Fatima Inuwa Abdullahi, said the management approved the closure for an initial period of one week with effect from December 4 to 10.
The statement said the action was taken to prevent a breakdown of law and order, claiming that the protest was hijacked by hoodlums.
The tragic event echoed a similar incident last December when another Benue State student lost his life in a phone-related struggle.
In another incident that occurred in July 2023, Aminu Baba, a 500-level Quantity Survey student of the ATBU escaped death by a whisker after suspected armed robbers inflicted a deep machete cut on his hand when he tried to escape after they forced their way into his apartment. The incident occurred at about 2 a.m. in the off-campus lodge situated in the Sabon Kaura area of Bauchi metropolis.
It was gathered that the robbers, who were about 20 in number, carted away several items, including two laptops and six phones while three other rooms were attacked.
Students at the mercy of suspected kidnappers
An undergraduate of the Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa University, ATBU, simply identified as Samaila, regained freedom after spending an unspecified days in a kidnappers’ den around last month. It was gathered that the 200-Level Civil Engineering student was kidnapped two weeks ago around Turum in the outskirts of the Bauchi metropolis, near the Gubi campus of the university, coincidentally the same day he returned to school.
It was also gathered that the kidnappers initially demanded N10 million ransom for his release, but after negotiations, the amount was reduced to N3 million. Samaila’s release was announced on the ATBU student group, ‘Voice of Balewites’, on the Facebook.
However, ATBU’s Director of Information, Zailani Bappa, in a text message sent when contacted, said he did not know about the incident.
Also when contacted, the State Police Command, through the spokesperson, SP Ahmed Wakili, said the matter was not reported.
Similarly, a 200-level student of Political Science, Hassana Ahmad Ardo, of the Bauchi State University, regained her freedom from suspected kidnappers after she was reported missing while travelling between the Bauchi Yuli Campus and Federal Low Cost Housing area.
Her disappearance prompted deep concern among her fellow students, friends and family members. In response, a widespread campaign was initiated, which led to her rescue on November 27, two days after she was abducted.
Details remained sketchy on how she was rescued.
However, a 200-Level student of the Department of Chemistry at the university, Moses Isah, remains missing 15 months after his disappearance. His elder brother, Isah Samson, who spoke with The Nation, said all efforts to locate his brother’s whereabouts proved abortive.
According to him, he filed a report at the Police Station over his missing brother but due to financial constraints, he could not “follow up after the police started requesting for money”.
Until his disappearance, Isah was last seen at his lodge in Yelwa Tudu.
We can’t interfere with security issues outside the school campus, says ATBU
The management of the ATBU has stated that insecurity issues outside the school campus are not within its jurisdiction. The management said only the police could handle such cases.
Bappah stated this while addressing reporters at the University Guest House, Bauchi on Monday.
He explained that “for the sake of clarity, the said student who was murdered, though a student of the university, was staying outside the campus, and the university has limited knowledge of students outside the campuses.”
He added: “The university tries as much as possible to maintain law and order within the varsity campus. We have no right in the security situation of any society outside the jurisdiction of the university. Everyone has his or her limit.”
He added that the institution’s management gave the directive to shut down the two campuses in Yelwa and Gubi to prevent a breakdown of law and order, claiming that the protest was hijacked by hoodlums.
Bappah declared: “The school has been closed down immediately from today, Monday, December 4, 2023. The closure is for one week initially to see how the students will behave well.”
He assured them that the management would continue to take adequate care of the welfare of the students, urging them to cooperate with the management in that regard.
Calls for action
Irked by the deteriorating security situation, students are demanding urgent and effective measures to address the root causes of the problem. They made an urgent call for action by the school and security agents to prioritise their safety and take decisive measures to curb the rising tide of criminal activities.
The students also staged a protest at the Bauchi Government House last month, calling for increased police presence, improved illumination in poorly lit areas and a comprehensive security strategy to ensure the safety of students both on and off campus.
An ATBU student at the protest, who spoke under anonymity, said: “Students have been complaining bitterly about this incessant robbery attacks, especially in Gubi and the Sabon Kaura axis of both campuses.
“This is getting out of hand, even though the school has implemented measures to curb these barbaric attacks. I still feel students should be very vigilant, protect themselves at all cost and must be careful how they move at night. At this point, students are the most vulnerable, but a little security consciousness here and there can help salvage the situation.
“I suggest each lodge gets a whistle. This is a crime stoppage mechanism that has been used over time to scare away thieves. Once you sense that they are around your vicinity, you raise an alarm by blowing these whistles. It will help the vigilante group or other students to be alert.
“Lastly, if they get into your room or block you on the road, do not try to fight back. Your life is very precious; give them whatever it is they ask for.”
Reacting to the latest incident, another ATBU student identified as Sulaiman Yahuza Giade, in a letter addressed to the State Governor, Bala Mohammed, called for urgent intervention in ensuring the establishment of a dedicated Police Division in Sabon Kaura.
He stated that the step is critical in safeguarding the lives of the students and residents and preventing further tragic incidents.
Similarly, another letter written by an alumnus of the ATBU, Suleiman Musa Umar Fada, on his Facebook page, stated that the current state of insecurity is affecting every aspect of their lives and hindering students’ ability to learn. Musa lamented that schools are being forced to shut down, while tourism is declining and families are living in constant fear.
We will arrest killers of ATBU final year students, says Commissioner of Police
Bauchi State Commissioner of Police Auwal Mohammed yesterday vowed to apprehend the perpetrators responsible for Agbaidu’s tragic death.
The police commissioner gave the assurance when the leadership of the National Association of Bauchi State students (NUBAS) and the Student Union Government of ATBU visited him in his office yesterday.
He assured the student leaders that efforts were underway to bring the culprits to justice.
Giving details of how the student was murdered, he said Agbaidu was stabbed to death while trying to retrieve his girlfriend’s snatched handbag from suspected armed robber
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, Ahmed Wakil.
The statement reads : “Commissioner of Police Bauchi State Command, CP Auwal Mohammed, received in the audience the leadership of two student bodies (NUBAS and SUG ) in his office at the State Command Headquarters.
“Their visits were prompted by the recent incident, which occurred on December 2, 2023, where some unknown persons, numbers not ascertained, snatched a handbag containing a mobile phone belonging to a lady, one Philomena Ahobee (28), a student of Abubakar Tatari Polytechnic, Bauchi.
“As a result of which her boyfriend, Agbaidu Joseph (28) of Anguwan Ngas, who is a student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, tried to help her to retrieve the handbag containing the phone. The assailant(s) stabbed him on the left side of his chest with a sharp knife.
“The victim was rushed to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi for treatment but he was certified dead while on admission by a medical doctor.”
Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State Prof. Adebayo Bamire has explained why the institution’s management can not offer automatic employment to students who bagged First Class.
Bamire during news conference to mark the commencement of 47th convocation ceremony of the institution also highlighted that 158 students bagged First class, 1,970 others made Second class Upper, 2,906 got Second Class Lower, 942 finished with Third Class and 65 (Pass category).
The VC, while responding to questions from reporters, noted that the school is willing and ready to retain students who bagged first class but due to Federal Government employment policy, it is impossible.
He explained: “We will actually be ready to retain first class students, but then, with the policies of government in respect to recruitment in the university, we can’t do this on our own. Before you can actually recruit any one into any department in this university now, your paper has to go through seven agencies of government. It is not like you just pick anybody on the street and just say this is who you want bring in.
“For us, we don’t want to throw away our first class students, but because of the limitations that we have, it appears very difficult for us to retain them. But if we have any opportunity at all, they will be the first set of people for us to take in.”
He disclosed that the 47th convocation ceremony has been fixed for today and Saturda
Team ACME from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has emerged winners of the 2023 Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) Business Leader Challenge out of the 30 teams from seven Nigerian universities that participated in the contest.
The CGMA Business Leader Challenge 2023 is a regional competition for business and accounting students, organised by AICPA and CIMA, together as Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. This year’s contest was sponsored by Stanbic IBTC.
At the final of the two-months long contest, which held recently in Lagos among the top three teams, OAU got the highest votes from the judges for its presentation. Team ACME scored 88.3 per cent to beat Team Success Link of the University of Lagos, which scored 87 per cent, and Team KFK from Nile University 75.4 per cent.
Throughout the contest, the 30 teams were asked to address real-life business challenges and present them to a panel of CGMA designation holders and professionals in finance and business management.
On the rationale for the contest, Associate Director in Nigeria at AICPA & CIMA, Ijeoma Anadozie, said: “This initiative underscores AICPA’s & CIMA’s ongoing commitment to develop and inspire the young business leaders of tomorrow. It is a great opportunity for Nigerian students to showcase their skills to the test and learn the importance of teamwork, communication and good leadership.”
Anadozie said CIMA was quite excited to host the CGMA Business Leader Challenge 2023 in Nigeria, even as she promised that the 2024 version will be even better. Addressing the finalists, the CIMA Associate Director said: “We are here to equip you with the skills and competencies you need to stay at the top of your game in an ever-changing disruptive world, driving prosperity and opportunity for those who count on us.”
For their efforts, members of the ACME team: Omodara Faith, Ajongolo Oluwafemi, and Oluwasanmi Giwa, each won a year subscription to the CGMA Finance Leadership Programme and N1 million in cash. Team Success Link got a cash reward of N600,000 while Team KFK got N400,000. Baze, Covenant, and Top Faith Universities also got consolation prizes.
Biodun Olorunishola, who represented Stanbic IBTC at the finals, lauded CIMA for the initiative and the students for their passion and enthusiasm for the challenge, which helped to bring out the best in them. Anadozie praised the students and the attendees and pointed out that performance and value creation were crucial in today’s corporate environment.
