The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Students

  • Chibok Girls: Secondary school students mark 100 days of abduction in Ibadan

    It was a moving scene yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as hundreds of secondary school students gathered to mark 100 days of the abduction of 276 students of Government Girls’ Secondary, Chibok by the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

    The programme,  “Missing: A Tale of Chibok Girls,“ was put together by Mrs Oyindamola Ige, a former lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan.

    The students, selected from over 15 secondary schools in the state, appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to intensify his efforts to ensure  a safe release of the abducted girls.

    The programme, comprising a play, cultural display and drama on the unity of the country, was held at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan.

    It was attended by many dignitaries from the University of Ibadan, civil society organisations and government agencies.

    Mrs Ige said the play, ‘Missing’,  was performed by the students of the University of Ibadan Theatre Arts.

    She explained that the main objective of the play was to use the medium of creative art as a form of expression and advocacy for the release of the abducted Chibok girls .

    She said: “On  April 14,  the nation witnessed one of the worst attacks on the country by a terrorist group when 276 girls were abducted from their school in Chibok, Bornu State.  Since then, the mood in the nation has been one of shock, confusion and fear. While some of the girls escaped and are now with their families, an estimated 180 girls are still missing.

    “Local and International media are agog with the news of the abduction and global awareness campaigns for the safe return of the missing girls have been done as a show of solidarity for their respective families. This unfortunate incident has resulted in a lot of negative consequences amongst which is the seed of religious and tribal prejudices it has planted in the innocent minds of children whose only source of information is what adults tell them or the information they gather from the television.

    “If this error is not corrected and such biases are left to germinate in the hearts of children, it will be a catalyst that will trigger off religious and tribal wars for future generations”.

    She continued: “We decided to use the medium of theatre to send the message to children in Nigeria and children all over the world”.

    Part of the essence of the play is to send the message to the world that not all Muslims are terrorists, “although I am a Christian,  I have many Muslim friends and we relate a lot. So I am trying to send a message to change an individualistic mind set that Islam is not about violence, but people are only using it to perpetuate evil.

    “ I am trying to tell the children that they have to love their brothers as themselves  because Nigeria is one, regardless whether you are a Christian or Muslim. This message will also educate our girl children and parents that they should not prevent their female children from having education. I am a lawyer by training, and I am also a product of girl education,“ Mrs Ige said.

  • Don’t take part in malpractice, VC urges students

    Students of Adeleke University Ede, Osun State, have been urged to avoid all forms of examination malpractice at the 2013/2014 second semester examination.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oluwole Amusan, said exams were to test the knowledge of students, adding that cheating must be avoided.

    The Registrar, Mr Olusegun Ojo, urged student to do their best and remain focused as they write their papers.

    Coordinator for General Studies, Dr Tobalase, said the examination in the school had always been free of malpractice.

    When CAMPUSLIFE visited the campus, students were seen reading in classrooms and library.

    Henry Ndidiaha, a 300-Level Economics student, urged his colleagues to show good conduct during the exercise.

  • Career before marriage,students advised

    A gender advocate, Mrs Kunbi Wuralola, has urged girls to desist from thinking that marriage is the freedom from their financial difficulties.

    She made the call at this year’s Enactus Women Empowerment Conference which held in Lagos. The event drew participants from 25 tertiary institutions nationwide. Its   theme was: “See possibilities, take actions and enable progress”.

    She encouraged young women to pursue good career opportunities and advancement, as success from such undertaking, she believes, will attract good suitors. Besides, an outstanding career would also help women become better entrepreneurs and industrialists, transforming them from being liabilities to becoming assets to their generations, family, community and the society at large.

    She however advised the students to learn different things as everything they picked up while growing will be useful one way or the other in the future.

    “Marriage should not be the first priority a female child will think of accomplishing immediately after school  rather carving a niche for herself in her career will attract the right suitor to her” Wuraola said.

    Mrs Wuraola praised her contemporaries whom, despite natural challenges they face especially domestic chores, still try to make a difference.

    “Women have an unfair race, we have to deal with different challenges amongst which are family, career, how we combine them without making one of them lack attention, and yet we still want to come out successful and be am blessing to our generation” Wuraola said.

    An accountant and faculty advisor of Kwara State Polytechnic Mrs Omolara Ojulari, also advised the pupils neither to settle for less nor sets limits for their achievements.

    “At the present age that you all are in, you cannot change but you can manage who you are. You must not limit your achievements. Be the trailblazer, be the opportunity, work towards it and success will be guaranteed,” Ojulari said.

    She added that the challenge of leadership is the perception of weakness among the female folk, which to her is not true because the feminine race is so strong and capable of delivering which is the reason why they should not limit their achievements as a result of gender reasons.

    “Females are built so strong yet we think we are weak; we have to find that inbuilt energy. Stop pushing women backward, we can do more” Ojulari added.

    Mrs Benadine Okeke, an empowerment advisor, said there are opportunities in every adversary, which is the reason feminine race have to stand up and create opportunities for others despite that this is a trying times for Nigeria.

    Sharing her experience, a participant Akuma Ezinne, an Accounting undergraduate of Babcock University Ilishan Remo, Ogun State, said she has learnt that her success is not based on the to push further to achieve greatness irrespective of her  background.

    Emmanuela Peter, an Accounting undergraduate of Kaduna State Polytechnic, said the conference has taught her that women should not limit themselves to what they can do because they are great leaders who are capable of doing great things, all they have to do is to find that inbuilt energy in them.

    Mary Faromika , a Biology student of Federal University of Technology, Akure said she had been enlightened to pursue her career and strive to be a better person instead of thinking that her degree ends on the kitchen and cannot be practised.

    Some of the participating schools include: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Lagos, Lagos, Kogi State University, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo, and Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State.

  • Life after school seminar for students

    The General Secretary of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Students’ Union Government (SUG), Chukwuemeka Iyom, has held a seminar to enlighten students on life after school.

    The event with the theme: Leadership and academic enhancement, was held at the university’s International Conference Centre.

    Speaking on Life after school, the university Bursar, Mr Peter Agi, told participants that life after school could be challenging contrary to students expectation of securing decent jobs with ease. He urged students not to depend on government to provide them with  employment, adding that job opportunities for fresh graduates were limited.

    Agi told the students to set their priorities from school and learn to preserve their future by acquiring relevant skills and winning attitudes for success.

    “While white-collar jobs are limited in the labour market, it is advisable for young graduates to explore other avenues such as self-employment and skills acquisition,” he stated.

    Other speakers at the seminar included Prof Cyril Ndifon and Prof Austin Angba.

    Highlights of the event were the presentation of awards to guests, including Mr Anthony Ezeukwu, General Manager, Pan-Ocean Oil Corporation Nigeria Limited; Chief Edwina Egwuanumku, Dr Nkem Tilije, Hon Prince Chinedu, Ogbuefi Lucky Okuji and Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru.

    Others were Hon. Ubong Etuk, Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor on Projects; Admiral Medani Charles and Hon David Etuk who awarded scholarship to some students in various institutions of higher learning.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Chukwuemeka said: “The challenges of life after school are quite enormous, hence we decided to prepare the students as well as open their eyes to various realities as they advance in their career lives.”

    A participant, John Essien, 500-Level Nursing Science, said: “The seminar was indeed a major eye opener. Before now, I thought life after graduation was going to be a bed of roses but I was mistaken. I have to start planning for my future now. For me, the seminar is timely.”

  • Promasidor thrills students

    STUDENTS of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) were thrilled at the Promasidor show tagged: Swag, held on the campus.

    The students filed into the Ekpo Convocation Hall of the institution to witness the event, which started at 4pm and anchored by Lorenzo Menakaya, a radio presenter.

    It featured a raffle draw, where students won laptops and i-Pads.

    The show also featured talent hunt and choreographed dance by several groups and motivational talks.

    A student, Emeka Igboeli, told CAMPUSLIFE: “I am excited because the show relieved us of academic stress.’’

     

  • Free ICT training for female students, teachers

    The Computer Geek Girls Collaborative Camp is set to organise a week-long Information Communication Technology (ICT) training camp for secondary schools girls and women teachers in Oyo State.

    The Coordinator of the group, Dr Yetunde Folajimi told journalists that the training aimed to improve the participation of females in the ICT profession will hold between August 11 and 16, at the Department of Computer Science, University of Ibadan (UI).

    Folajimi, who is also a computer science expert at UI, explained that the highlights of the training will include, educational and recreational activities, developing educational video games, making digital movies and music, creating websites and blogs, among others.

    The mentors expected at the training include, the first female professor of computer science, Prof Adenike Osofisan, President,  Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, Alhaja Sekinat Yusuf; Director of ICT, University of Benin, Prof Stella Chiemeke, and Dr Virgina Ejiofor.

  • Students hail minister on ASUP strike

    Students in polytechnics across the country have commended the efforts of the new Minister of Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Shakarau, for ending the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) strike. They urged the Minister to work with the federal government to avert further industrial action and safeguard the education sector from collapse.

    When our correspondent visited the Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos, last week, students were set to resume lectures on Monday July 28.

    Speaker of the legislative arm of the institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG), Joshua Akinjayeju, said academic activities would not commence fully until management put all structures in place.

    “We urge management to avoid interference with the traditional calendar of the school so that students will not have room to demand for extension of examination which had often resulted in protests.  We also advice that lecturers should be monitored so that we will not employ brigandage approach in lectures and administration of continuous assessments,” he stated.

    The Director of Public Relations, Mr Charles Oni, said management had approved new academic calendar, adding that registration which started July 17 would end 25th. He stated that the Quality Control Unit of the college had been mandated to monitor academic activities, adding that lecturers would not be allowed to administer tests during the free lecture period.

  • Graduating students’ day of festivity

    The graduating students of the department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, have held their final year day. It was held after the students finished their final exam last week.

    The event, which witnessed a large turnout of students, featured a lecture titled: “Life after graduation, the challenges ahead” by Dr Mu’awiya Jibirn, a lecturer in the department.

    The class representative, Mubarak Ibrahim, thanked God for making their stay on campus successful.

    The students were filled with joy. One of them, Suleiman Abubakar, said “I have waited for four years to witness today. There is no doubt that today marks a turning point in my life”.

    The students later proceeded on an excursion to the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Zaria. They were led by Prof S.A. Maigandi and Mallam Aliyu Muhammed. The objective of the trip was to expose the students to the practical aspect of artificial insemination. Their counterparts from the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, KSUST, Aleiro, also took part in the programme.

    During the excursion, the students were exposed to the activities of different sections of the institute, including dairy, small and large ruminants and yoghurt processing.

    Some of the students who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE said the programme was educative.

  • Iloro Grammar School old students meet

    Old students of Iloro Grammar School, Agege, Lagos State will today converge on the school premises for their monthly meeting.

    The spokesman of the association, Mr Tijani Rasheed, in a statement said: “The meeting is in  continuation of our resolve to assist in the development of our alma mater.

    The meeting will start by 12pm.”

     

  • Cross River students sack leaders for alleged misconduct

    Members of the legislative arm of the National Association of Cross River State students (NACRISS) have held a session to discuss issues affecting the association.

    By the time they rose from the sitting, which was held at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Old Senate Chambers, member removed the parliament’s leaders for misconduct.

    They scrutinised finances of the association by setting up as committeee led by Bassey Abba. Members unanimously passed a resolution to impeach  the Senate President, Francis Obono, who had been initially suspended for alleged financial misconduct.

    The motion for the impeachment was moved by Emmanuel Omang and seconded by Dominic Effiong. The students also claimed that the Senate President violated Section 32 of the association’s constitution. A new leader was chosen. He is Okanga Ogbu.

    Reacting to his removal, Francis said: “I don’t know the reason you are asking this question. When you have something better, you can find out time to talk to me. For now, I’m still the Senate President. If any person has been impeached, I am not the one. Whatever you heard is mere rumours.”

    Members also impeach the Vice President, Juliet Manyo, for allegedly participating in an illegal demonstration calling for the removal of the Personal Adviser on Students’ Affairs to the Governor Liyel Imoke, Mr Hilary Bisong, and usurping the powers of the president.

    The impeachment letter made available to our correspondent reads: “Without prejudice to the constitution; following the discrepancy, gross misconduct as reported by the house committee on fact-finding on the Vice President for violating section 53(2), Article A, B, C, D, E, F and H, that the irrelevant demonstration was not approved by the association’s president and Legal Adviser, such groups shall be suspended indefinitely…”

    The General Secretary, Sunday Obi, was also indicted for breaching the constitution and got suspended indefinitely for taking part in the protest.

    Reacting, Juliet said: “Those senators are impersonating the recognised principal officers of the senate. Whatever they are doing is simply not right. They don’t have the rightto impeach me. I am not even bothered about that. They are just a faction of the senate. Those  who claimed to impeach me are those that are given stipends by Philomena Agweye, the suspended president. Even as I speak, I have not received any notification of the so-called impeachment.”

    All efforts to reach the suspended General Secretary were futile.

    A former member, who pleaded for anonymity, frowned at the crisis rocking the association and called for dialogue among warring factions.

    “Must we fight over everything? What kind of politics is this? When we were in the union, we did not misbehave as these crops of students are doing. I will advise all of them to return to a round table discussion to settle all their grievances and stop washing their dirty linen in the public, ” he said.