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Tag: Tai Solarin University of Education

  • Woman dies, another injured after jeep plunges into river in Ogun

    A woman conveying her daughter to school in Ogun State has drowned on Sunday when the private vehicle she was driving skidded off the dual carriage bridge between Ososa and Odogbolu stretch of the Sagamu – Ore expressway and plunged into the river beneath.

    Her daughter, a student of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun state, was however rescued from the water.

    The Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, told The Nation that the vehicle was coming from Lekki in Lagos and going to Ijebu-Ode when the accident happened.

    Akinbiyi added that mother and daughter were the only occupants of the vehicle and that the woman was conveying her daughter, who is a student of TASUED, to school at the time but lost control of the wheel and plunged into the river.

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    “The woman was taken her daughter back to school. As a result of over speeding, the woman lost control of the vehicle and plunged the vehicle into the river.

    He said: “The driver, who is the woman and mother of the lady, lost her life, while the daughter is receiving treatment at the Ijebu-Ode General Hospital.”

    According to him, the accident vehicle has been evacuated from the river and moved to the Motor Traffic Division (MTD) of the Nigeria Police, Odogbolu Divisional Police Headquarters, Odogbolu.

     

     

  • Cheers, jeers for UTME, NECO SSCE fee cut

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s reduction of the registration fees for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) is seen as a relief in many quarters. But some students, parents and teachers believe it is a political gimmick.

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s reduction of the registration fees for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) organised by the National Examinations Council (NECO) last week, has come as a relief for many students, parents and teachers.

    This is so considering that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been remitting huge revenue to the Federal Government coffers since Prof Ishaq Oloyede became Registrar in 2016.  Just before Buhari reduced the fees, Oloyede said, while delivering the convocation lecture at the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), that the board remitted N9 billion to the Federal Government – a far cry from the N300 million target set by the former Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; and the N500 million set by the Education Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu.

    As a result of the reduction, candidates for the 2019 UTME and the NECO SSCE will pay N1,500 less than was charged for this year’s examinations. The UTME will now cost N5,000, while NECO SSCE will cost N9,850.

    Many have praised Buhari for the reduction.

    Appreciating the move, some students, especially those funding their own education, or who come from low-income backgrounds, said it would lift a huge burden from them.

    When The Nation broke the news of the fee reduction to Adeniyi Adeola, a student, and Junaid Qudus, an artisan.  They expressed delight at the reduction.

    Adeola said: “I never heard of this until you said it. This reduction would be very helpful to youths and to me because am planning on taking the 2019 UTME and this reduction is a very huge help to me because of the financial state of my,” he said.

    Qudus, on his part, hoped it would continue beyond the 2019 election year.

    “Reduction? Wow! This is a very big opportunity for striving youths not to lose interest in education because of the high costs of examination forms. I would be very glad if President Buhari or any other person that wins the 2019 election to continue this tradition because it is a very productive development for  youths,” he said.

    Muneer Yaqub, a student of the Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, said the relief to students would be enormous.

    “The reduction is a very welcome development that is needed because as a student myself, I know the problems so many students go through to obtain the UTME form and I know that there are a lot of students out there who want to participate in the exams but because of the high fees of those exams can’t. But with this reduction at least some people would be relieved,” he said.

    Adebiyi Mutiat, a student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, said the reduction was in keeping with Buhari’s track record of excellence.

    “The reduction coming from President Buhari is nothing new because since his inauguration as President, he has proved himself to be someone who wants development for Nigeria and its citizens. PDP for over 16 years has not been able to contribute their own productive quota to Nigeria’s development but within the four years of Buhari’s administration, he has been able to do mcuh,” he said.

    The Ogun State Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr Abiodun Oyediran, said the reduction was evidence that the examining bodies had been exploiting parents in the past with high fees.

    “Recent revelations about JAMB indicate that parents have been unduly exploited for so long.  So, if the Federal Government considers it good to reduce the fees, it is okay. That is why public opinion about it is favourable,” he said.

    Some others have, however, claimed that the reduction was simply political, especially as the President is seeking re-election next year.

    Mr David Ekong, a public servant in Calabar, said if political, it may not be sustainable.

    “It is just a political move and nothing more. I don’t see any considerable difference in the former and present prices. If they were sincere and wanted to really help the people, they should have made it free. After all, they say JAMB has generated so much. I don’t see it as anything commendable and I even wonder how long it would be sustained.

    However, whether political or not, many parents gave kudos to the President for easing the burden on the masses.

    With four of his wards preparing to write the 2019 UTME, Mr Etuk Eyibio, a Cross River-based parent, said the saving was significant.

    “Although I think that it is a political move as we are in the political season, I still give kudos to the Federal Government for choosing something that will make life easier for the masses. They could as well have floated something vague in the name politics but this one of reducing these costs is good for us. I only wish they can make it cheaper still. I would be buying forms for four people in my household and the reduction, though not much would ease the financial strain a little,” he said.

    Mrs Rita Inyang, a parent, said it was a step in the right direction, especially as JAMB was making money.

    “It is a welcome development and a good pointer to the achievements of the Federal Government. We are all witnesses to the fact that for the first time, JAMB was generating and remitting so much money to the Federal Government. This, I believe, has been partly responsible for why they reduced the price. I am grateful for the development, but the Federal Government needs to do more,” she said.

    Mallam Murtala Abubakar, a Kano resident, said even if the reduction by the president is political, “in my opinion it has tremendously benefited us; as such, let it continue to be political as long as we are benefiting from him.”

    Abubakar further said despite the deduction, many parents might not be able to afford the payment of the fees due to the biting economic situation in the country.

    He mirrored the concern of some others who said the problems in the education sector and the economy could not be solved by N1,500 reduction.

    Regardless of the reduction, Blessing Agbaje does not see how it is possible to get a university education.

    The teenager, who hawks goods in Ikeja, Lagos said, though welcomed, it would have little or no impact on her.

    “I would love to further my education in the university but who will support me.  I hawk goods for my aunty, which at the end of the day, it cannot even cover for three square meals.  Even if I am able to purchase the JAMB form at the new price,  I cannot go further than that. So, of what use is the JAMB form to me?” she asked.

    The reduction does not also give Chuks Nnamdi much hope.

    He said: “Well for me, it does not change anything. After writing the UTME, you are denied admission just on the basis of money. The recent UTME I could not participate because there was no possibility that the money for my admission would be ready for admission process begins. My dad rides okada( commercial motor cycle). Even to raise the N5,000 to purchase the form, I remember how difficult it was for him two years ago.”

    A student, Austin Ike, said the government should overhaul the education sector instead.

    He said: “How will the reduction in price solve the problems in education?  The sector needs overhauling. How much attention has been given to the sector? So, if the form is purchased, what next?  Is this a fair deal with students in the country? Or is this an insult to our intelligence?  Should he use us for his political gains? I am so disappointed.   Did he just realise that N5,000 is a big amount of money to some? I see this move as a big insult and demeaning to all students and aspiring students who want to be educated.”

  • Old students to hold first meeting in 30 years

    Old students of the Ogun State College of Education (OSCE) Ijebu -Ode, now Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED, Ijagun, will hold their maiden re-union meeting on Saturday at the Texas Chicken Restaurant, Ijagun, Ijebu Ode for the first time in 30 years.

    A statement by the Interim President of the group, Chief Sunny Oduntan, noted that the meeting would give the old students the opportunity to interact,  fraternise and dine, adding that it will be an avenue to share all the good old days memories.

    He said the group would also deliberate on a project to assist its alma mater.

    “We are all meeting in Ijagun after about 30 years of separation so that we can come together as a team.  Thank God for sparing our lives and for giving us the opportunity to actualise our dreams in those years of youthful exuberance and uncertainty,” he said.

    Oduntan thanked those who had contributed to the success of the gathering, noting that nothing was too small or big to give back to the school that gave them the needed foundation.

  • UNILAG restates commitment to academic excellence, students’ safety

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Sunday said it would continually put in place measures that would sustain academic excellence and safety of students.

    The institution’s Deputy Registrar, Information, Mr Toyin Adebule, made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    He spoke against the backdrop of the 13 students alleged to be students of the institution arrested and detained by the Police for anti-students activities.

    According to him, the institution’s management is committed to ensuring that the environment in and around the university community remains peaceful for teaching, learning and research as well as provide first class students’ welfare.

    “The university’s management has continued to work round the clock to ensure that the institution maintains its place of pride among other universities in the country,’’ he said.

    He added that the management had vowed not to allow those who have no business on campus to come around and constitute any form of breach of peace.

    According to him, for sometimes now, some group of students have been trying hard to come into the campus in order to disrupt academic activities and the peace the institution has been enjoying.

    “We have vowed not to allow that to happen as our security personnel are fully on ground and always ready to stop anyone or group of persons with evil intention.

    “Just on March 31, it was brought to the notice of the university’s management that some students were trying to disrupt academic activities on campus.

    “But on getting to the spot, it was discovered that the supposed students were from the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode in Ogun.

    “Only one of the 13 arrested students for their involvement was a former student of the University of Lagos and their intention was to distabilise the fast approaching first semester examination scheduled for Monday, April 3.

    “So, let me categorically state here that the students who were arrested and remanded in Kirikiri prisons as ordered by a court in Lagos are not students of the University of Lagos,’’ Adebule said.

    He noted that this was contrary to what was reported by some section of the media.

    “The only one that used to be a student of our university is one of those recently rusticated alongside others for various offences contrary to the rules and regulations of the institution,’’ Adebule said.

    He said that on Oct. 11, 2016, just before the commencement of the second semester examination, the same rusticated student also mobilised about 14 students from the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education to disrupt the examination on campus.

    According to him, they were stopped by security agents around the Atan Cemetery, close to the university, where they were planning to carry out their plans.

    The deputy registrar also said that the same rusticated student had during the institution’s 2016 Convocation in January, forcefully gained entrance into the venue and tried to disrupt proceeding before he was picked up by security operatives.

    Adebule said that the student remained rusticated from the institution pending when he re-applied.

  • TASUED set to host Campus Editors’ Summit ’17

    TASUED set to host Campus Editors’ Summit ’17

    The National Association of Nigerian Campus Editors (NANCE), a body saddled with regulating the activities of campus journalists in Nigeria, is set to host her second Campus Editors Summit at Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state.

    The Campus Editors Summit is a yearly convention which creates an avenue for all campus journalists and their numerous editors across Nigeria to unite under one umbrella body chaired by NANCE, whilst also sharing experiences and learning from one another.

    This year’s theme tagged “Future of Journalists” is to be hosted by the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), in Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State for a two day period lasting from the 27th to the 28th of January, 2017.

    In a statement signed and released by the NANCE President, Lukmon Fasasi, the body has promised to ensure that the event lives up to expectation as various key media personalities have been confirmed for the event.

    The statement reads in part: “It is with great joy that the executive council of the National Association of Nigerian Campus Editors wishes to inform all Campus Editors cum Journalists, of this year’s Campus Editors Summit, scheduled to take place at Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.”

    This year’s Campus Editors Summit is themed: “Future of Journalists” and it would run for two days. The first day would involve the arrival of guests and a pre-summit while the next day will consist of the summit proper.

    A keynote address will be delivered by Mrs Funke Egbemode, The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors as well as other highly distinguished media professionals, while the summit will consist of two-panel sessions.

    Key media personalities have also been confirmed to grace the programme.  Those media personalities include; Fisayo Soyombo, Winner of the International World Free Press Prize and Editor of The Cable; Wale Ajetumobi, Editor of the Campus Life section of the Nation’s newspaper; Wuraola Popoola, Content Editor at Naij.com; Hannah Ojo, award winning journalist for the Nation’s newspaper and Dayo Aiyetan, Director for International centre for investigative reporting and a host lot of others.

    The president emphasised the bonding process amongst the participants as the most important aspect of the summit where all campus journalists from across Nigeria will be given a chance to relate amicably with one other at the pre-summit and has therefore enjoined all campus journalists and editors to be present at the mouth-watering event.

  • Solarising the systemic

    Solarising the systemic

    Being an excerpt of a paper: Education at the Historic Crossroads: New path for a new beginning delivered by renowned US-based historian, Prof Toyin Falola at Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode.

    Because of five red emotional buttons anything that has to do with education often triggers in the deepest point of my heart, the invitation to deliver this convocation address could not be turned down under any circumstances because it was in accordance with my long-held principle of adding value to our institutions for the purpose of advancing the course of humanity—the fact of which, I must confess, has become something of an obsession. First, Dr. Tai Solarin (who was born and named Augustus Taiwo Solarin) is (I can’t even come to terms to think of Tai Solarin in the past tense!) a living example of an educated or enlightened soul. Through his wonderful deeds as an educator par excellence and as the famous columnist of the Daily Times newspaper’s “Thinking with You” column, he still lives among us. It is similar to great deeds such as those of the youngsters of Ghana’s Young Pioneer Movement in the days of the late President Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah, who used to scream at the top of their voices as part of their pledge: “Nkrumah never dies!” To the critics of the Ghanaian leader, that was impossible. Yet Dr. Nkrumah has been dead since April 1972, yet his soul marches on, as his books are being used in schools and the ideas and socialist policies of Nkrumahism keep on popping up every now and then. In fact, some Ghanaians and other Pan-Africanists long for his reincarnation. And it is the same with Dr. Tai Solarin, whose name honors your great institution! “Tai Solarin never dies!!”  Second, from the time Dr. Solarin left Molusi College, my own alma mater, in the early 1950s to establish The Mayflower College at Ikenne, he had lived true to the character of a teacher who did not merely tell but instead showed and demonstrated. Tai Solarin, as a pilgrim, taught by example. He was also like an eagle and, as you and I know, eagles not only soar high, but they also fly alone. They are the only birds known to fly head on into the eyes of the storm! Furthermore, pilgrimage is for the bold and courageous, not for the chicken hearted. Eagles do not keep the company of chickens, whose idea of flying is hopping on the curbs!

    Tai Solarin’s sojourns, odysseys, and audacity as a pilgrim to move away from all the luxuries and comforts his guaranteed and secure position in Ijebu Igbo to the unknown Ikenne wilderness with all the risks of going solo to establish Mayflower College was no less a pilgrimage; he was accompanied, at the time, by only his dear wife, British-born Sheila Mary Solarin (née Tuer), whom he married in 1951 while in the United Kingdom after serving in the Royal Air Force during World War II. But a pilgrim is someone on a long journey or search, especially of something of exalted purpose or moral significance. It may interest you to note that Mayflower was the name of the ship on which the Pilgrims sailed to America in 1620. The life and works of Tai Solarin not only demonstrated that we too can make our lives sublime, but also showed us what a huge difference one person who was willing to walk his talk could make to change the world and create opportunities for others. Many alumni of Mayflower College have made a considerable difference and have chosen to live above board and carry on Tai Solarin’s torch of integrity and probity, even in our decadent and unpredictable Nigerian society.

    Third, your university has just not been rightly named after our national heroic legend and pioneer of proper education Tai Solarin, but it is the first university of education in Nigeria. And no nation can rise above the quality of its teachers. Hence, without competing with Oyo State, whose motto is “pacesetter state,” your university—as the first educators or teachers’ university—is, to say the least, the yardstick to measure where Nigeria is at the moment, and how far in the future Nigeria can go! Why? Because teachers make the nation, and Nigeria, as a nation, cannot go beyond the quality of your product: the teachers. You, as teacher trainers and trainees, are the pacesetters for every sector of our economy. From early years to the university level, you mold the character and quality of our nation. You build the nation. The influence your graduates have in the lives of all the children that will pass through their classrooms will determine the quality of health service, architecture and infrastructure, goods and services. Your burdens and responsibilities are, in some ways, not enviable because our nation’s destiny is in your hands. As teachers, the past, present, and future of Nigeria are in your hands. You have quality education to dispense, and we are happy that your great institution is named after Dr. Solarin, who himself valued education. He used post-war benefits to earn his own high-quality education from the Universities of Manchester and London in the United Kingdom.

    Fourth, the entire world, not just educators, is at the historic crossroads. And the challenge of managing the associated confusions of being at the crossroads while at the same time directing, guiding, and compassing the entire world in choosing the appropriate route to take depends on teachers! For ages, the world has historically used property ownership as its yardstick to measure success, and as the compass to guide our movements on the chessboard of the political economy. Now and then, crossroads arise when there is a regime change of property ownership. To appreciate what creates or constitutes the crossroads, and what they mean in our times and in the new Internet virtual and real global village, let’s cast our minds back in history. In the fifteenth century, Christopher Columbus journey to the West, accomplished without dropping into the oblivion, debunked the religious myths not only that our planet earth was not flat but also that it was not the center of the universe.

    Consequently, the British naval power and shipping industry automatically enthroned Britain as the world’s mercantile imperial power, trading in goods and humans. Medieval mercantile aristocrats lived side by side and in harmony with the feudal lords because vassals, with scattered farm or village settlements, and small workforces served the mutual interests of the feudal lords and mercantile aristocrats. Might was Right. Everyone knew his or her place, either in the king’s courtyard or within the larger society. And, on one hand, no one dare crossed the lines separating the slaves and the drivers supervising the slaves from the vassals, and on the other hand, no one crossed the boundary between vassals, the feudal lords, and mercantile aristocrats.