The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Students

  • Students’ group holds anniversary

    Students’ group holds anniversary

    The National Association Iko Students (NAIS) has held its 44th anniversary at the International Civic Centre in Iko, Akwa Ibom State.

    The ceremony attracted many personalities and past executives of the association.

    In his address, president, Fred Iremesuk, thanked members for their support to the growth of the union.

    “I wish to use this opportunity to appreciate the commendable efforts of various categories of persons to the growth of our association. Without you behind us, we may not have reached this enviable height,” he said.

    A founding father, Chief Solomon Philip, awarded cash prizes to members, promising to support the projects of the union.

    A student of Heritage Polytechnic, Eket Fidelis, told CAMPUSLIFE that he was happy to be part of the association.

    Highlights of the occasion included the unveiling of the union’s amended constitution, drama and cultural display.

  • Students counselled on career development

    An educationist, Mr Oshoboyede Yemi, has advised his students to maintain a high level of confidence in their careers.

    Yemi, who is the Director of Studies, Eminent Resources Centre, Mafoluku in Oshodi, gave the advice during the graduation of the centre. Thirty-five graduands received certificates in computer science, information technology, accounting, among others.

    Yemi urged the graduands to work hard and be confident in order to succeed.

    “The graduands should see themselves as future leaders and work harder because this institution boasts of seasoned workers who have helped in equipping them with sound training,” he said.

    Since inception in 2005, Yemi said the centre has been training the youth to become computer literate boost their opportunities in the labour market.

    Also, the Principal Partner, Micro Hard Computers, Mr Idowu Olagoroye, urged the graduating students to be industrious to achieve success.

    Olagoroye in his paper titled: What is 3rd generation and 4th generation, said cell phones and other Information Communication and Technology (ICT) facilities are produced to meet the needs of various generations.

    He said some were developed in the late 1990s and 2000s with the aim of improving data capability.

    He said ICT drives the global economy, stressing that i-phone, androids and i-Pads and other mobile accessories have helped to make the society digital.

    A graduand, Slshak Salahdeen, said his study was worthwhile.

    “I want to thank my colleagues, teachers and parents for ensuring that I got the best training,” he said.

     

  • Management’s decision stuns students

    Management’s decision stuns students

    Rising from an emergency meeting last Monday, the Senate of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) took a decision that shocked students. The university, according to its Senate, will run its current academic calendar with the 2013/2014 session.

    This decision has been generating ripples among students, who believe it could prolong their graduation.

    Running a new session with the current calendar, CAMPUSLIFE gathered, may increase credit load of many students, especially those that have many courses to offer in the current semester.

    The university, which could have ended its first semester last July, had just resumed after five months it was shut because of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.

    Following the suspension of the ASUU strike, the students may have heaved a sigh of relief and hoped to resume to complete the session. However, they are shocked by the decision of the management, which they said would subject them to stress.

    To compound the students’ woes, the new calendar stipulated that freshers would resume with their returning colleagues, who are yet to conclude the 2012/2013 session.

    Muhammad Tukur Lamido, a 300-Level student, said he was shocked by the management’s decision, saying he would prefer that the semester is concluded before freshers resume. “The decision is totally unexpected. But it will be better that the management allows us finish the current session before asking the new students to resume,” he said.

    The current calendar accommodates two weeks break, but to Al-Mukthar Shata, a 200-Level student, wanted the management to cancel the break to abridge the calendar.

    Abubakar Atiku, another student, noted that the resumption of freshers while the returning students are yet to conclude the session would create transport and accommodation challenges on campus. “I am only concerned about accommodation and transportation to and from campus if freshers are allowed to join us. I know how expensive squatting is; where are they going to keep the new students?” he quizzed.

    Mubarak Ibrahim, 500-Level Agricultural Science, urged the management to show concern for returning students, saying: ”If the management’s aim is to consider the admitted students, they should let them wait until after we finish the current session before they resume; the idea of a concurrent session would be unbearable for us.”

    Despite the concern by students, the authorities believed that the new calendar was fixed in the best interest of the students. The Dean Students’ Affairs (DSA), Dr Ibrahim Magawata, said running two sessions would not cause academic chaos, noting that decision would only affect the freshers.

    “The decision of the management would not cause confusion and I can assure you that it will only affect the 100-Level students because of lectures. Moreover, the management has awarded contracts to build more lecture halls to cushion the challenge of lectures,” he said.

    On whether the institution would encounter accommodation and transportation challenges, Magawata said the university would do its best to reduce the problem, adding that provision of accommodation by the authorities was a privilege for students.

    He said the agreement signed by the Federal Government and ASUU made provision for new hostels to be built in all universities, adding that UDUS would benefitted from the policy when government starts implementation.

    Magawata said: “A standard semester has 16 weeks of intensive lectures, which is what we are doing here. Go outside the country, that is how it is done and we are not going to compromise this.”

    Meanwhile, Students’ Union Government (SUG) has promised to do everything within its capacity to ensure the calendar is reviewed. The union president, Usman Maizare, said that he would do everything to prevail on the management to amend the calendar.

    He said: “One of the steps I have taken is to mobilise all the student leaders in the school to write letters concerning this development to me, which we will then forward to the authorities. On the semesters that are to be run simultaneously, I have not been officially informed about this. We can only deal with fact and note hearsay.”

    Hauwa Ibrahim, a 300-Level student, urged the management to review the new calendar to prevent transportation problem that may arise. She said: “Now that the road to campus is under reconstruction, students will have to go to school through Illela route. But how would those coming from town not miss lecture? The management should review the calendar for us to finish by April.”

     

     

  • Ilaje students mark Eja Day

    Ilaje students mark Eja Day

    The National Association of Ilaje Students (NAIS) has marked its annual Eja Day in a ceremony held at the multi-purpose hall of Ilaje High School in Igbokoda, Ondo State. Ilaje students from across the country attended the event.

    Eja Day is a yearly event organised to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Ilaje people of Ondo State and to also educate youths who have lost touch with their culture.

    The event started with Ilaje anthem and an address by the national president, Segun Ekudehinwa, who praised his colleagues’ effort to make the day memorable. The president, who spoke on the history of the Ilaje people, said: “The primary occupation of Ilaje people is fishing. It is inherent in our blood. We are here today to show the world what we do.”

    The audience was entertained with cultural display by the association’s troupes from different campuses. A boat regatta was also performed amid folksong by Oluremi Ayeyemi, an undergraduate of Osun State College of Education, Ila Orangun, Osun State.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Komolafe Egbowon, a graduate of Edo State Polytechnic in Benin City, said the Eja Day was to give an insight into values Ilaje people espouse. He described the day as symbolic to the existence of Ilaje people.

    Olarotimi Omomuwasan, 300-Level Law student of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), said the day was a home coming for Ilaje students to promote their culture. He said: “It gives us the opportunity to sit with our political leaders to chart a new course. It is also an opportunity where some of us can meet our future spouse.”

    Making closing remarks, the Senate President, Taiwo Odidiomo, advised students not to forget their origin because of their exposure to other cultures. He urged the students to team up with the association to develop Ilaje land.

  • Medical students hold conference

    No fewer than 1,200 medical students from more than 25 teaching hospitals in the country converged on the Old Auditorium of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway last week for the 20th national Conference of the Christian Medical and Dental Association Students (CMDAS).

    The theme of the five-day event, which was hosted by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in collaboration with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), was: The ancient paths.

    In his opening address, President of the association, Korede Awani, said the theme of the conference was timely, adding that many medical students do not know the will of God for their careers.

    “We are to rebuild the ancient ruins and original paths of God for our lives, academics, professions and society. It should be a life-long task for everyone,” he said.

    Speaking on Rebuilding the ancient ruins in the medical profession, Dr Ola Seirde from LASUTH taught participants the history and challenges facing medical practice in Nigeria.

    “What we do in Nigerian hospitals is merely a rescue mission. To overcome the hurdles, we would need an effective community healthcare system. If we can reach out to rural dwellers and educate them on basic practices such as personal hygiene, the bulk of patients visiting our hospitals will reduce because there would be a drop in infection,” he said.

    Dr Simon Ajisegiri from the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, who spoke on Reflecting the glory of God in your academics, urged the students to be hardworking and assist their weaklings, adding: “The medical career requires diligent people. Never allow yourself to be lazy and never compete with others. You only have to compete with yourself and set realistic standards for your self-improvement.”

    Other issues discussed at the conference included: “Balancing life as a medical student,” “Strike in the health sector: the christian doctor’s response,” amongst others.

    Highlights of the event included quiz contest, debate, launching of Touch magazine and research presentations on the effects of social media on students.

    The event also witnessed the election of new leaders to pilot the affairs of the association. Owolanke Oluwagbenga from the Ahmadu Bello University, (ABUTH) emerged president.

    President of the doctors’ arm of the association, Prof Oluwatosin Odunayo, charged the students to exhange ideas and embrace networking for professional success.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Amaza Ishaku, 200-Level Medicine, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) described the conference as timely, adding: “I will begin to rebuild ancient ruins in my life and academics to become a proficient medical doctor when I graduate.” He commended the organisers of the programme.

     

  • Poly students seek national dialogue, delegate slot

    Poly students seek national dialogue, delegate slot

    The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has held its 38th Senate meeting at the Katsina State Polytechnic. It was attended by the Students’ Union presidents and others from different polytechnics nationwide.

    The session was led by the association’s Senate President, Lukman Salahudeen. He launded the Federal Government’s effort to restore peace in the North, saying security posts should be created on campuses, especially the three states where a state of emergency had been declared. He said this would forestall security breaches and curtail the activities of Boko Haram in the region.

    Salahudeen said members of the National Conference should include polytechnic students, saying their representation would help in the deliberations of the group.

    Members of the association appealed t the managements of polytechnics and monotechnics to increase their accommodation capacity by building more hostels. It decried the increment in tuition fees by some institutions.

    The association condemned the ongoing strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), saying it has frustrated the government’s effort to end the protracted strike. It urged both parties to resume negotiations and end the industrial action.

    The group commended the proposed Students Welfare Insurance Scheme (SWIS) by Students Enterprise Nigeria, Agric Combo and Security Verified Identity Card, noting that it would improve students’ welfare and security. It urged the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to give its consent to the implementation of the scheme.

    During the meeting, members of the Constitution Review committee were appointed. They included Mustapha 2013Tijani, Nwagu Liberty, Sakis Mohammed, Usman Abdulmalik, Taiwo Babalola and Hamzarhman Ukaza.

    The members visited the palace of the Emir of Daura at the end of the conference.

  • Bayelsa sends 20 students to Lincoln varsity

    Bayelsa sends 20 students to Lincoln varsity

    It started like a joke but became serious when the Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Seriake Dickson, was appointed into the International Advisory Board of the famous Lincoln University in United States of America. In fact, many people dismissed it as a political stunt and accused the governor of junketing.

    Though Dickson signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the management of the ancient university, some “Thomases” still nursed doubts over the real motives behind the agreement. But it later became crystal clear that the governor’s mission to Lincoln was for the overall interest of the state

    All disbeliefs were cleared on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall, Yenagoa, the state capital. It was a gathering designed for the usual transparency briefing where the governor was expected to give rendition of the state’s receipts and expenditures.

    But when the governor mounted the podium, he unveiled a programme that added class to the human capital development of the state and threw the audience into excitement. He announced that 20 persons had been selected through a due process to go and study in Lincoln University under a special scholarship scheme. The beneficiaries were unveiled at the hall and were given their admission letters.

    For the purpose of consummating the programme, the President of the university, Prof. Robert Jennings and two other professors from the institution were present at the event.

    Dickson underscored his seriousness for the programme by presenting a cheque of $1million (N150million) to Jenkins and said the funds should be managed in conjunction with the Bayelsa State Scholarship Board.

    He said the funds should be utilized prudently and should be used to offset all expenses of the students. He reiterated that the money would be managed in an established fund to be operated by the university and the scholarship board. He added that the government would deposit money into the scholarship fund every year.

    He said: “Understanding that the economy of the future is going to be a knowledge economy, government is investing heavily building human capacity and investing in education.

    “In less than two years, we have given several PhD scholars over 140 scholarships to study at the length and breadth of this world. You are now part of others undergoing masters degree courses across the world”.

    He said the government had redefined its undergraduate scholarship programme to have a direct dealing with the universities and to solve the problems of scarcity of funds. The governor was particularly happy that the female beneficiaries (11) outnumbered their male counterparts (nine)

    Dickson said that political appointees and their family members were debarred from participating in the scholarship programme. He said the directive was to ensure that the scheme was not hijacked. He, however, said the programme would be redesigned in future to accommodate them.

    “We are going to redefine our undergraduate scholarship programmes beginning with Lincoln. We are not going to send students to several universities in the same year. We want to select universities and then have partnership with them directly.

    “That is why we have started with this and next year we are going to send another set of students to Lincoln. I have directed the scholarship board to also look for another university in the United Kingdom build this kind of relationship. We want to deal directly with the universities and deposit funds for our students”.

    He recalled that the Lincoln University had trained outstanding African leaders such as the late Nnamdi Azikiwe and the Kwameh Nkrumah of Ghanah. He urged the management of the universities to turn the students into the Nkrumahs and Azikiwes of the modern time.

    Addressing the students, he said: “We don’t want to hear that you have run short of money or that remittances do not come your way. I congratulate you all, and your parents.

    “Know that you are going as ambassadors of your family, as ambassadors of our country and as ambassadors of our great state. We expect you to utilise opportunities available in that school and in that country to improve yourselves.

    “We don’t want to hear that you are involved in things that are not wholesome. We are honorable and hard working people and we want you all to reflect these virtues in what you do.

    “Go and become champions of the courses you are pursuing. When you finish your courses don’t forget your home. What we are doing is to build a foundation. The future belongs to you all.”

    In fact, Jennings who could not hide his excitement, described Bayelsa State as his home and fondly called Dickson his friend and brother. He said the partnership was one of its kind and poured encomiums on the governor.

    He said: “Your governor is rare. This man (Dickson) is a precious gems among gems. We have partnership in Equatorial Guinea and other countries in Africa but we have never seen a governor in any of those states who showed this uncommon zeal in education.

    “It is rare for a governor to set aside this kind of money for education. We are expecting the students at their other home. We will open our hands to receive you. We are making plans to receive then because we are excited.”

    Explaining the process that led to the selection of the beneficiaries, the Chairman of the state’s Scholarship Board, Mr. Foster Ogola, said 10,000 applications were sent out by the board. He said 5,763 students applied for only 16 slots initially earmarked for the scholarships.

    He said to fill the slots, the board conducted examinations for all the applicants at the Samson Siasia Stadium Yenagoa. He explained that the governor later increased the slots to 20.

    “It was a transparent process”, he said adding that the beneficiaries would leave for America in January 2, 2014.

    One of the beneficiaries, Constance Ebeifa, who spoke on behalf of the students promised to be of good behaviour. “We promise to come back in flying colours. We won’t disappoint the state because it is a privilege to study in one of the highest institutions in the world”, she said.

    The highpoint of the programme was the conferment of honorary citizenship on Jennings by the governor. Dickson said henceforth Jennings should be identified as an Ijaw man and renamed him Funtumowei meaning “he who teaches and promotes education”.

  • ASUU Vs the students

    SIR: University is like the garden that nurtures the crops of tomorrow.  What kind of a future does a nation expects that shrivels the seeds that will bear a bountiful harvest?  Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is on strike for alleging that the government reneged on their 2009 agreement.  When two elephants fight, the grass will suffer.  The country is struggling to come out of the malaise that has bedridden the society for awful long.  The strike by ASSU is threatening to put the education system back into a state of comatose.

    The malfeasance in the Nigerian system smells to high heaven.  The government is like a derailed train squeaking to get back on track.  Education has totally collapsed owing to a government that lost its conscience.  Officials devalued education to naira and kobo.  Politicians channel the fund for education to their private accounts.  University authorities will deny a student admission if he or she does not have money to pay for bribe.  The list of abuses on the education system indicates a nation that is on collision course with destiny.

    The products of this damaged system are like a wasted generation.  Workers who believe one can bribe one’s way to excellence.  Under-performance becomes an acceptable norm.  A bank clerk frowns at a customer for demanding a professional service.  She lacks the knowledge that it is the customer that keeps the bank in business.

    Majority of university graduates are unemployable because they did not pick up any valuable skill as students.  No wonder there is a high level of criminality in the society.  Full-fledged youths roaming the streets without an occupation, they will kidnap, rob, prostitute and engage in other vices for mere adventure, talk less of the necessity to survive.  The opportune ones will be a leach on their families and suffer depression for feeling worthless.

    There is a proverb in Igbo that one does not speak with an empty stomach.  It is pitiable, as terrible as it is, one rarely hears of a lecturer being kidnapped.  On the other hand, politicians guard their life like it is a bank safe.  Compare the lifestyle of a lecturer and that of a legislator for example.  They are both pivotal to the functioning of a civilized society.  The legislator makes laws that are barely visible in the sight of the suffering masses and lives in utmost luxury.  The lecturer teaches students under dilapidated roofs and lives on a salary that challenges a miser to scale through poverty.

    Lecturing can be compared to priesthood.  You become a lecturer because you have the elevation of the human condition at heart.  The future of the students is not enviable, and consequentially, the Nigerian condition worsens.  Democracy allows the populace the chance to vote out a government that is not trustworthy.  ASUU should be considerate.

    • Pius Okaneme

    Umuoji, Anambra State.

  • Students pray for VC at 56

    Students pray for VC at 56

    Members of the University of Ilorin Muslim Community (UIMC) have held prayers for their Vice-Chancellor Prof AbdulGaniyu Ambali, to mark his birthday.

    The Chief Imam of the university’s central mosque, Prof AbdulGaniy Oladosu, led the prayers which were held after Jumat last Friday.

    They prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the celebrator many years on earth in good health and wealth. They also prayed to God to strengthen Ambali to continue to discharge his duties.

    Prof Ambali said he preferred going to mosque to offer prayers than throwing a party to celebrate his birthday. He appreciated well wishers for their goodwill messages.

    Prof Ambali added: ‘’Our activities in life are similar to the assessment tests we do in school till the session ends when lecturers collate everything together. We will always have those moments of personal assessment at different stages of our lives. But I pray that God allows us to pass those tests.’’

    The Students’ Union executives led by the President, Ahmed Lawal, visited the Vice-Chancellor’s office to congratulate him. They were accompanied by the Dean of Students’ Affair, Prof A. O. Omotesho.

    In his piece to felicitate with the VC, titled: Ambali: 56 hearty cheers, Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, described Amballi as a silent achiever, who has transformed the university since assuming office last year.

    Ambali served as the Dean of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) and later became the Dean of the same faculty at UNILORIN before he was appointed as Vice Chancellor last year.

  • Students impact children via ‘a child’s day out’

    Fifteen students of the POISE Graduate Finishing School, Ilupeju, Lagos, have touched the lives of about 50 junior and senior secondary school pupils in Lagos State.

    The group, under the aegis of EDIFIERS, engaged pupils from secondary schools in the state including special children from orphanages and churches in a fun-packed gathering.

    Tagged: ‘A child’s day out,’ the organisers hosted their guests at the Silverbird Galleria before ferrying them to Heritage Park, Oshodi for another round of entertainment.

    One of the project coordinators, Pearl Asuquo, said the group chose the name EDIFIERS and will operate it like a charity as part of the requirements for graduation from POISE.

    She said: “As part of our curricular activities before final graduation, we are expected to organise a group like an NGO where we touch lives of people in the society. Other groups decided on other things, but we decided to touch children from poor homes and special children because they hardly have such a luxury.”

    Pearl continued: “We are happy that they are happy. We first took them to the cinemas on the Island and now we are here at the Heritage Park, Oshodi, to continue with competitions, dance, games and prize presentations.”

    The children were presented with books and other school materials.

    The president of the group, Abisola Oloriade, said the EDIFIERS on children because they are the future of the nation.

    She said: “We seek to sow a seed of greatness in them. We thank all who were able to make the event a success, giving the children an unforgettable experience. They have been to the movies and are here in the park to have more fun.”

    The group’s assistant project coordinator, Ikhide Innih, said members experienced some challenges before the children were released to them. According to him, they had to visit different homes, orphanages and schools to convince their parents and guardians.

    POISE Graduate Finishing School was established 2010 as a human capacity development institute to equip graduates with skills that will enable them have an edge and make a difference in real life working environment. The institute also develops young executives and potential managers.

    On the source of funding, the EDIFIERS said members levied themselves and also sought support from some corporate bodies.