The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Students

  • Students boost agriculture

    Agriculture is neither old fashioned nor for the unrefined – and some students and academics at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) are working hard to get this message across through the Face of Agriculture project.

    The initiative, a brainchild of Titilayo Femi Kings, a Masters Student of Agricultural Extension and Communication Technology, FUTA, metamorphosed into a full-blown banner signing and seminar event held at the Hilltop Auditorium, Akure, recently.

    The red carpet session of the event featured signing of such positive statements like: “I believe in Agriculture, I study and will practice Agriculture as a career, “Agriculture is life,” and “Agriculture is what I do” on a huge banner outside the venue of the event.

    Femi Kings said the programme tagged, “Transforming Face of Agriculture in Africa,” was designed to stimulate the interest of the youth and young children in agriculture and change their wrong perception about it being a profession for unsophisticated people.

    The programme featured talks by the chairperson, Ondo State Wealth Creation Agency (WECA), Bolanle Olafunmiloye, who talked about opportunities in agricultural businesses and processes to follow to access opportunities provided by the state government; and Mr Muyiwa Oladosu, who spoke of the untapped value chains waiting to be harnessed in agri-business.

    Two plenary sessions facilitated by seasoned practitioners in different fields of Agriculture enlightened the participants on Law and Agriculture (lawgronomy), job opportunities, challenges in agriculture and how to start an agri-business.

    One of the highlights of the event was the showcasing of Pelumi Fagbeja, a 300-Level student of Crop Soil and Pest Management who runs a small scale garri processing plant.

    In a Communiqué read by Femi-Kings, the participanats agreed that Agriculture remains the bedrock of any economy and for a nation to thrive, Agriculture must be given priority .They also said structures and incentives should be put in place to ensure that there is always a succeeding generation to take over the practice and profession of agriculture in the country.

  • Students parade suspected rapist

    Activities were disrupted on Monday at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State when students brought a man half-naked to the campus. He was accused of raping a student in an off-campus residence. In a carnival-like manner, students took the suspected rapist round the hostels, beating him.

    The suspect, identified as Abayomi, who was said to be a non-student, allegedly raped a 100-Level student of Dramatic Arts on Sunday in his house. The suspect, it was gathered, met the victim three days before he allegedly committed the crime.

    The victim’s sister, a Mozambique Hall resident, reported the matter to officials of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) on Monday, after which students stormed Abayomi’s house. The students tore the suspect’s clothes as they hurled him into their vehicle. He was taken to the campus, where a crowd of students was waiting to give him a “special welcome”.

    A 400-Level English and Literary Studies student, who did not want her name in print, said the victim left for town to plait her hair when Abayomi invited her to his house.

    She said: “When she got to the guy’s house, he locked the door from behind and started beating the girl until she became weak. Afterwards, Abayomi forcefully had a carnal knowledge of her and threw her out, saying her body was stinking. When the victim returned to campus, she was initially shy but we told her sister, who reported the matter to Students’ Union officials.”

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the suspect did not willingly confess to the crime, but he admitted having carnal knowledge of the victim when he was beaten up.

    The suspect was taken round female hostels for identification. Each occupant in the halls gave him four strokes of cane, some pelted him with objects, such as frying pots and pestles. The suspect was made to drink muddy water.

    Ayotomiwa Olufunso, a 300-Level Law student, said: “A sin against one of us is a sin against all of us. I see the crime as a despicable act against students of OAU. When we are done with him, he will be handed over to police for the commensurate punishment for the crime. I will also blame the girl for allowing herself to be lured by a non-student.”

    Another student, Shade Ojo, said the suspect must be charged to court. “Although, the victim should be blamed for her stupidity, but we will ensure the guy is punished,” Shade said.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, the SUG Vice President, Funmilayo Oladejo, said the suspect had been handed over to the school security officers for further investigation.

     

  • Buses’ repair excites students

    Buses’ repair excites students

    There was jubilation at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFA) over the repair of buses which take students from the Offa Campus to the permanent site in Ojoku by the management. AFEEZ ADEYEMO (ND II Mass Communication) reports.

    Initially, students of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFA POLY) in Kwara State, saw the institution’s shuttle service as a luxury. The transport scheme was introduced almost four years ago by the management to ease students’ movement from the Offa Campus to the permanent site in Ojoku town.

    Two weeks ago, however, students knew the value of the service they had been enjoying when the two buses used for the scheme broke down. It was no more a smooth journey to the permanent site. The vehicles developed engine faults from lack of maintenances.

    Ojoku is about six kilometres from Offa. Students pay N20 per trip to the permanent site, compared to the higher fare charged by commercial vehicle drivers.

    The development resulted in hardship for the students, who receive lectures at the permanent site. Some, who attempted to stay with their colleagues in hostels at the permanent site, were not allowed by school security personnel, who reportedly told the squatters that management frowned at such act.

    The alternative for students to meet  morning lecture was to ride on commercial motorcycles known as Okada, whose riders, students said, carried three passengers, thereby endangering their lives.

    The development made the Students’ Union Government (SUG), led by Festus Adedeji, to plead with the management to repair the buses to reduce students’ stress.

    There was jubilation on the campus when the buses started operation last week. It was gathered that the management ordered that the buses be repaired. A source told our correspondent that the management chided the buses’ drivers for lack of maintenance and failure to attend to the mechanical fault observed in the vehicle.

    Students praised the management and the union for responding to their plight. They described the Rector, Dr Mufutau Olatinwo, as a caring father.

    An official at the Works and Transport Department, who refused to give his name, said the management had ordered periodic maintenance work on the buses.

    Festus cautioned students against misusing the buses, urging them to always be orderly whenever they want to use the vehicles.

    He said: “The management will not hesitate to deal with any student that violates the rules or attempts to vandalise the school property.”

    Opeyemi Amao, an ND II Marketing student, hailed the management and the union for responding quickly. He said no student valued the service until the buses broke down. “We realised the importance of the buses. If the management had not provided the buses, no one would have been able to predict what could happen to students receiving lecture at the permanent site. We cannot afford to be paying N200 per day as fare in commercial buses,” he said.

    Francis Akinjo, an ND II Business and Administration student, urged the management to release more buses to complement the existing ones. He said it was improper for students to queue for hours, waiting for the buses to return from the permanent site.

    In his opinion, Olawale Kareem, ND 1 Accountancy student, believe the management and not the SUG deserved praises for bringing back the buses. He said: “Students’ Union cannot be the one that discussed with the management to repair the buses. All they know is to speak high-sounding grammar. Management did what was right.”

    He urged the SUG leaders to always think about students’ welfare.

     

  • College cautions new students on rules

    The Acting Provost of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo in Ondo State, Dr Abayomi Olajuyigbe, has said that it is obligatory for new students to maintain law and order and shun vices that may jeopardise their future.

    Olajuyigbe, who said this at the opening of the 2014/2015 orientation programme for fresh students, said though the institution seeks to groom future leaders, the same environment that produces champions can also make criminals.  He said it was left for them to choose their path.

    He said: “You can learn through instruction and also through destruction.  But when it happens through the latter, others will learn from you. We put this orientation programme together so that the new students will learn through instruction. At this event, students are expected to be informed about the rules and regulations of the institution.

    “There is freedom to do what you like but not against the regulations of the institution. There is zero-tolerance for cultism, examination malpractices among others. The same college made people like JAMB Registrar, Dibu Ojerinde, Senator Remi Tinubu and I believe the same college can still make more people who will be well known than these great people”.

    The Dean, Student Affairs, Nathaniel Olarinoye, urged the new students to see the exercise as an opportunity to make their future better because many are still searching for admission.

  • Church holds seminar for students

    The youth wing of Insight Bible Church, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State has held a seminar with the theme: Youthful and useful.

    The event, which was held at the church premises, had in attendance students from different institutions, including University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic (AKPOLY), University of Calabar (UNICAl) and Abia State Polytechnic (ABPOLY).

    Mrs. Justina Iheji, Chief Executive Officer of Sweet Flavours Confectionary and a resource person, advised the students to be innovative and useful to the country. She said: “My company is a product of N5,000 I borrowed from a friend nine years ago. It is not enough to have an idea; you need to have passion, determination, creativity, dedication and flexibility, in order to move your brand to a greater height.”

    Iheji told the students that successful entrepreneurs never stopped thinking about innovation and how they could start new businesses. She urged the students to start small.

    Another speaker, Pastor Emem Mark-Davies, spoke on how the students could achieve education excellence. She said: “God’s standard for His children is excellence not average. If you need to be useful, you need to be educationally sound to become a pacesetter that will impact and change the world for God.”

    One of the participants, Victor Udofia, said: “This seminar has changed my mindset. I am going to change the world with what I have learnt here today.”

    The highpoint was the presentation of trophy to Eti-inyene Ndarake, who won in the Bible challenge.

     

  • Students, Staff hail VC on national award

    Students, Staff hail VC on national award

    Students and staff of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Kwara State have rejoiced with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdul-ganiyu Ambali, who was conferred with an award of Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Ambali was honoured for his professional achievement and contribution to academic excellence and national development.

    The students also hailed Prof Ishaq Oloyede, the immediate past VC, who also bagged the award. Oloyede, who is the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, was honoured with Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).

    Commenting on the achievement, chairman of the varsity’s chapter of the Academic of Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Abdulrasheed Adeoye, described Ambali’s and Oloyede’s awards as products of hardwork, resilience and dedication to service.

    According to him, the two honourees served humanity with passion, noting that their vision for the university was anchored on commitment and fear of God. “They deserve the honour,” he said.

    Mr Mansur Alfanla, chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), UNILORIN branch, described the honorees as “hardworking, capable, selfless and reliable people”, who deserved more honours.

    He said: “Both Oloyede and Ambali deserve the honour. And their award should remind people in positions of leadership to act with the fear of God. They must equally allow their conscience to guide them because history is always there to record whatever they do.

    “Anyone in position of authority must always have it at the back of his mind that it is not only human beings you will be accountable to; you will also be accountable to God Almighty. So, a leader should be transparent, sincere, principled, open, and accommodating”.

    Mr J.J. Bello, chairman of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) Chairman, said the awards were bundle of joy to the institution.

    Prof Ambali dedicated the award to all members of the university community for their contribution to his administration’s achievment.

    Students also praised the VC, who they described as a model of excellence.

    Opeyemi Saadu, a Comparative Religion Study student, described the award as a right step in the right direction.

    He said: “Prof Ambali is a man with sterling leadership qualities. His contributions to national development must not go unrecognised.”

    Adewale Adebayo, a 300-Level student, described the honourees as beacons of hope for the present generation, saying their impacts would remain good examples in the academic firmament.

  • Orientation for students

    The Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) chapter of the National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students has held an orientation for its members.

    The guest speaker and the former Dean of the School of Environmental Studies, Mr Inyang Udoh, charged the students to adapt to the process of learning, with valuable skills, competence and discipline. He stressed the need for them to be focused and more proactive in the learning process.

    The College’s Deputy Security Officer, Mr. Eku Richard, told the students to be security conscious, and avoid treading dark areas at night. He maintained that the college is doing everything in its capacity to curb security threat, and other vices. He also encouraged them to be of good conduct and worthy ambassadors of the state and institution.

    In a related development, the National Association of Delta State Students, (NADESSTU) of the College also held an orientation for its members. The event brought in some of the backbones of the association, which are; Mr. Austin Okon, former Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, YABATECH chapter, Mr. Edwin Nwamife, Mr. Joe Ejiofor among others.

    They all made the case for focus, hard-work, and study as pathways to academic excellence.

  • Fellowships prepare students for after school

    To prepare students to be self-reliant and well-sustained after school, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapters of the Christ Apostolic Church Youths Fellowship (CACYOF) and Education Students Campus Fellowship (ESCF) have organised an empowerment programme tagged: Life After Campus Empowerment (LACE) 2014.

    The event was held at Glass Hall of the Faculty of Education and had in attendance industry captains and human resource personnel, among which are Segun Zack, Joke Aderibigbe and Tonia Smart, among others.

    Zack, who is a manager at KPMG, spoke on the pros and cons of starting a business as a fresh graduate. He said entrepreneurship remained the solution to unemployment, urging the students to dream big. He said: “You must challenge the status quo and develop new ideas that will change the world.”

    Ms Aderibigbe, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Beamaz Consulting, told the participants to identify their passion before dabbling into any career. She stressed the need for students to acquire experience through internship programmes to have an edge over their peers in the job market.

    Ms Smart, a former Managing Director of Lagos State Pension Commission, charged the youngsters to be ICT-compliant and endowed with administrative skills.

    Olamide Babalola, a participant, described the event as inspiring, saying it would prepare and assist students to discover their purpose beyond the university walls.

  • Students donate materials to poly

    The Association of Applied Sciences Students (AASS), Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in Owo (RUGIPO), Ondo State chapter, has to the polytechnic’s Faculty of Science. The donated materials include millennium signpost, laboratory wears and computer accessories.

    While receiving the materials, the Rector, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, praised the students’ thoughtfulness, saying the donated materials would aid learning. He hailed the efforts of the Dean of the faculty, Mr G.A. Ogundahunsi, the association Adviser, Mr I.O. Ajigbo and Faculty Officer Mr Akintan Akinyemi, who supervised the affairs of the students’ group.

    The Rector promised the students that the equipment would be used judiciously.

    The president of the association, Joel Tafa, said the donation was the group’s capital project for the year, saying the materials were students’ contributions to management’s efforts to improve state of infrastructure on the campus. “This donation would not be possible without the support of members of the ýexecutive,” he said.

    At the presentation of the materials were heads of departments in the faculty

  • Students’ Sallah tales

    Students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) always look forward to going home during the Eid-ul Kabir, a Muslim festival. But many could not leave the campus to celebrate with their families because of the coming examination, reports UCHECHUKWU EKWUEME-DURU (300-Level Industrial Technology Education).

    Eid-ul Kabir is a yearly festival by Muslims to remember the act of faith of Prophet Ibrahim (known as Abraham in Christianity). The festival is to commemorate the pious sacrifice of the prophet’s only son to Allah to keep to covenant. Having assessed his faith, Allah, according to Holy Quran, ordered Ibrahim to slaughter a ram rather than killing his only son for the sacrifice.

    Since then, the ram sacrifice became an act of faith for Muslims, who can afford to buy one. Eid-ul Kabir is the 10th day of Dhull Hijah in Islamic calendar, the day after all pilgrims to the holy land of Mecca would have descended from the Mount Arafat in act of worship.

    This day, which the Hausa refer to as Sallah, is time to give pieces of the slaughtered ram to the poor and needy.

    Students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) always look forward to this period to travel home to celebrate with their families.

    This was not the case as many of of them could not leave the campus. Reason: the second semester examination will start in a few days. Some students, who live in Minna and nearby states, were undeterred by the approaching examination; they left the campus to celebrate.

    On the Eid day, students and residents of the host community trooped to Musalla Prayer Ground on the campus to observe Sallah prayer. After the Nafilah (supplementary prayers), the presiding Imam led the faithful to slaughter a ram to kick off the Sallah festivities.

    Some of them, who remained on campus, shared their experiences celebrating festival on campus.

    Ridwan Sulaimon, a 400-Level Mathematics Education student, who usually celebrated the festival with his family in Lagos, said his classmates made the day memorable. “I decided to celebrate the Sallah in Minna and not Lagos, where my family resides. I wanted to have a different feel of Eid festival here and it was all fun. I visited classmates, who live in town. The day was memorable I must say.”

    For Nafsat Abdulrahman, a 100-Level Electrical Electronics Engineering student, it was no time to celebrate. “I have a lot on my hands. The examination timetable has just been released; and, for me, there is no time to waste. My focus now is to make good grades, rather than to celebrate Sallah. Although it was all fun in school, my friends brought food and we ate together,” she said.

    Suleiman Onimisi, a 300-Level Pure and Applied Mathematics student, wished he was with his family during the period. “But, I have a busy academic engagement to attend to,” he said, adding: “Why should I travel a long distance to enjoy for a few days when examination is approaching? I decided to observe the festival in school but I must confess that I ‘m pleased with being in school during the Sallah holiday.”

    Celebrating Sallah in school was never Musa Zahra’s wish. The 200-Level Transport Management Technology students said examination could not allow him to travel home to celebrate with his family. “My parents wanted me to come home for the holiday but I know the task ahead of me. Despite not being at home, I had fun observing Sallah in school,” he said.

    Jamal Ajiboye, a 200-Level Biological Sciences student, said: “I cannot leave school because of Sallah, especially when examination is around the corner. Whether home or school, Sallah will come and go, but the enjoyment cannot help me to have good grades in my exam. But, I never missed anything because my friends made the day worthwhile.”

    Some students went to celebrate with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Musbau Akanji, at his residence. Some of them, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE after the visit, said there was food and drinks in abundance.

    Ahmed Jimoh, a 400-Level Physics student, said: “The VC opened his door to everyone that went to his resident to celebrate with him. Students were initially afraid, but when he spoke to us like a father, students started trooping in. The VC was with us throughout the day as we joked and discussed with him like father and children. He also made sure that we were fed to our hearts’ content. He made the Sallah memorable for all of us that went there.”