The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UI

  • UI turns dam to tourist centre

    The University of Ibadan (UI) has established a tourist centre in Awba Dam area in the main campus. The project is being the managed by the Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management.

    Coordinator of the project, Dr Funmi Ajani, said it was aimed at promoting recreation for people from various part of the country.

    “We have facilities on ground in terms of cage culture and the university is ready to procure more facilities that will enable tourists at the site to engage in fishing, boat ride and other leisure activities. We are also planning to build an aquarium for the benefit of our tourists,” she stated. Dr Ajani explained that the project had high potential of generating income for the university. The head of the department, Prof Ibukunoluwa Ayodele, said creating a tourist centre was one the best ways to train students on how to utilie the knowledge of their course for entrepreneurship.

    He said: “The project will expose the students of the department to practical aspect of their course of study. This will give them an edge and opportunity to be self-employed.”

    He decried the poor attitude to recreation by Nigerians. “One of the problems we have in this country is that people don’t recreate enough which is of the factors responsible for short life span in the country,” he said.

    He commended the management for taking bold steps to invest in the tourism centre.

    CAMPUSLIFE learnt that the university has procured two state-of-the-art fish pond from the United States.

    Prof Ayodele said many African nations were generating huge revenue from investment in tourism, noting that nothing stops Nigeria from reaping the gains of tourism.

  • Ex-VC calls for national summit on education

    Ex-VC calls for national summit on education

    Former Vice Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Prof. Tunji Oyeneye, has called for a national summit to address the falling standard of education in the country.

    He attributed the rot in the education sector in the country to all stakeholders, whom the don described as hypocrite.

    Oyeneye, who is also the former Pro-Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), made the call yesterday at the 4th international conference of the Centre for Development and Policy Issues in Africa (CEDPIA) held at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    “Nigeria is not a pariah state; we live in the comity of nations and as their educational practices influence us, ours must also influence them. We must have a national conference on education where all educational stakeholders will be present and discuss these following issues: What can be regarded as the best practices on education? What are the yardsticks for measuring best practices in education?

     

    “What future do we want to build with the type of education we are giving to our children?

    “These are questions that we should ask and it is not about the issue of allocating trillions of naira to the sector. We should focus on a type of education that will benefit our country,” Oyeneye posited.

    On the way out of the crisis, the university don said the government has to decide if it has the resources to fund education, adding, “If the government cannot fund education alone, they should tell the whole world and let all the stakeholders contribute.”

  • Broadcasters meet on digital transmission

    Nigerian broadcasters yesterday reviewed their preparedness for the transition to digital transmission.

    The occasion was the third Broadcast Media Stakeholders Forum at the University of Ibadan (UI).

    The forum was organised by the Yemi Sonde Entertainment and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

    NBC Director General Emeka Mba, who set the tone for discussions on switching from analogue to digital transmission and striking a balance between the need for profit and professionalism, said the transition would open up many opportunities for broadcasters but practitioners were not prepared in terms of skills and the right attitude.

    Mba said digitisation helps practitioners reach more audience through different channels at the same time.

    Acknowledging that a “subtle conflict” exists between the need for profit and professionalism, he said the NBC would continue to regulate the practice to ensure a balance.

    Mba said: “In 2015, all analogue transmitting stations will be turned off. But it is doing the same things in different ways. The market, business and processes will change.

    “It will open up plenty of opportunities. Scarcity of media stations or channels will go away with the analogue. For instance, there are many stations on digital TV, but there will be more players, more competition for audience and adverts.

    “So broadcasters should begin to think of how to fit in and at what point of the chain to play.”

     

     

    You can’t operate in the digital world without knowing how things work. It is more transparent. Number of audience will be known. Data will be collected and analyzed etc. so practitioners must do research and improve your knowledge to be able to be a good player. Consider google, yahoo, amazon.” Mba said.

     

    Convener, Yemi Sonde. Explained that the forum was part of the efforts aimed at raising awareness on the need for broadcasters to move fast in acquiring knowledge that can enable them function effectively in digital media which will take place mid-2015 in Nigeria.

    He also said that the need to balance professionalism with funding content would continue to be a concern and should be addressed by stakeholders to instill sanity in the Nigerian broadcasting sector as done in other parts of the world.

     

    The Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole, who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. TBabatunde Ayeleru, broadcast media remains the major source if information for the populace in Nigeria due to the low literacy level. He also acknowledged that free market is a challenge to professionalism, stressing that the issue has engaged the interest of academics in the university.

    He said that there are always good recommendations from researchers but that government and other stakeholders should consider them for growth in the industry.

     

    Several papers were presented on the various challenges of digital media.

    ENDS

  • MO Abudu, Momoh, Akiotu for lecture

    MO Abudu, Momoh, Akiotu for lecture

    Renowned broadcasters will today gather at the Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan (UI) in Oyo State to discuss the content and future of broadcasting in Nigeria.

    The theme of the biennial lecture, organised by the Yemi Sonde Entertainment in partnership with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), is “Balancing Professionalism and Commercialisation in a Digital Era”.

    Discussants at the lecture include CEO, EbonyLife TV, MO Abudu; Managing Director and CEO, Channels Television, John Momoh; Group Managing Director, Daar Communications Plc, Tony Akiotu; broadcast equipment marketer Ayodeji Osibogun; General Manager, Faaji FM, Dr. Ambrose Somide; Mr. Yanju Adegbite and ace broadcaster and actor Mr. Yemi Sodimu.

  • N2.1b earned allowance: UI-SSANU, NASU fault report

    N2.1b earned allowance: UI-SSANU, NASU fault report

    The University of Ibadan (UI) chapters of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Nigerian University (NASU) faulted yesterday a report, which alleged that the unions planned to disrupt the university operation because of the N2.1 billion earned allowance released by the Federal Government.

    Of the initial N100 billion earned allowance, only N40 billion was reportedly released by the Federal Government to the universities.

    UI was said to have got N2.1 billion.

    The chairmen of the unions at UI, Comrade Wale Akinremi and Olusola Fatoki, described the report as damning and deceitful.

    Akinremi said: “We held a congress on October 24, when we were alerted that the earned allowance was ready. We held the congress to intimate our members on how the money would be shared and to ensure that none of them was cheated.

    “Why would the media suggest that we were planning to hold the vice chancellor hostage and embark on strike?

    “We have not reached the stage of holding anybody hostage in this civilised environment. We do not use a criminal method to achieve our aims. We are not paralysing or shutting down any office, because the money has not even been shared and the school authority does not have the power not to disburse it.

    “We only want the rights of our members to be respected. Consistently, there has been a rapport between our union and the school’s management.”

    Akinremi said the report was one-sided, because only the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Chairman’s reaction was taken.

  • UI, NAFDAC partner on drug production

    UI, NAFDAC partner on drug production

    The Centre for Drug Discovery Development and Production (CDDDP) at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Ibadan (UI) in collaboration with Reckitt Benckiser, United Kingdom, has organised a three-day international conference on medical regulation with the theme: “Medicine Regulation of claims: from concept to launch.’’

    The conference, which was held at Conference Centre of the university, provided a platform for academic, medical practitioners and regulators to chart a new course in medical regulation in the country.

    In her opening address, Dean of the faculty, Prof Chinedum Babalola, said the conference informed by the need to improve on the relationship between the academia and practitioners. She noted that the faculty has contributed to development of the pharmaceutical industry in the last 30 years.

    The Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Paul Orhii, said NAFDAC is not just a regulator, but a major player in the development of the nation’s pharmaceutical industry. He described the conference as historic.  He said that the regulatory body needed to partner with the academia became to improve the state of pharmaceutical practice in the country.

    He identified the prevalence of substandard drugs as the major challenge facing the agency, saying that the creation of pharmacovigilance and use of post market surveillance were needed to sustain the quality of drugs in Nigeria.

    The agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UI He said that Nigeria is producing less than 10 per cent of essential medicine for the growing population. He said the agency has invented Truscan to detect and wipe out fake drugs and other adulterated products in the country.

    Prof Moody, an investigator at Centre for Drug Discovery Development and Production (CDDDP), urged NAFDAC to collaborate with United States Pharmacopeia Centre in Ghana to win the war against fake drugs.

    The Managing Director, Reckitt Benckiser (West Africa), Rahul Murghai, lauded the commitment of practitioners to producing quality drugs and improve the health of the nation.

    The event was attended by Mr Aomesh Bhatt, Managing Director, Directorate of Regulatory and Medical Affairs, Reckitt Benckiser (Europe); Dr Soufia Hanna, Regional Director at Regulatory Afairs and Medical Services.

    Babalola thanked participants for making the event a success.

  • UI, WAEC, NYSC clear Akume of certificate forgery

    UI, WAEC, NYSC clear Akume of certificate forgery

    The University of Ibadan (UI), the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have denied claim that former Benue State Governor, George Akume forged his education certificates.

    An Abuja-based businessman, Philip Agbese had sued Akume before the Federal High Court, Abuja, accusing him of forging his educational certificates.

    The denial by UI, WAEC and NYSC is contained in their responses to the suit.

    UI, WAEC and NYSC, in separate applications, confirmed that Akume sat and passed requisite examinations and was awarded certificates and issued with a discharge certificate.

    UI, in an application, confirmed that Akume attended the institution and was awarded a B.Sc Degree Certificate in Sociology in 1978. WAEC also confirmed that Akume sat and passed its examination in 1971 having attended Government Secondary School, Otukpo Benue State between 1967 and 1971.

    The NYSC admitted that Akume participated in the mandatory one year national service and was issued with a discharge certificate after his service at the Advanced Teachers College, Akwanga in the then Plateau State (now in Nasarawa State).

    Also sued with Akume are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inspector General of Police.

    The presiding judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, on Wednesday warned against undue delay in the hearing of the case.

    Justice Mohammed issued the warning after plaintiff’s lawyer, Amobi Nzelu, stalled proceedings by applying for adjournment to enable him respond to the preliminary objections raised by WAEC and NYSC.

    Justice Mohammed observed that “the application for adjournment is very unfortunate.

    “I would want a situation where this matter is prosecuted diligently.

    “Nobody wants to be taken to court. And if you take somebody to court over an allegation, you are expected to speedily prosecute the case so that he or she will know his fate.

    “The 2nd to 3rd respondents (WAEC and NYSC) served you (Nzelu) before vacation, but you did not reply on time. You are expected to be diligent as plaintiff’s counsel,” Justice Mohammed said.

    Akume’s lawyer, Sebastine Hon (SAN) also complained about the altitude of the plaintiff’s lawyer, which he said showed an attempt to delay hearing in the case.

    “The history of this case has left so much to be deserved. You rushed somebody to court, who is a former governor and a Senator of the Federal Republic, over allegations of certificate forgery and you are now not in a hurry to proceed with the case.

    “My lord, I want a quick resolution of this matter on its merit. That is why we did not file any preliminary objection,” Hon said.

     

  • UI VC gets new roles

    London-based Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) has appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Isaac Folorunso Adewole, into its highest governing council to serve for the next two years.

    Adewole, the only Nigerian appointed into the council is expected to join 22 other members drawn from 13 commonwealth countries.

    A letter to that effect signed by ACU Secretary-General, Prof John Wood and addressed to Adewole stated that he will join others to oversee the body’s activities and determine its future direction.

    “We are therefore delighted to have such an experienced and diverse set of university executive heads including the UI VC serving over the next two years”, Prof. Wood said.

    ACU is the world’s first and oldest international university network, established in 1913 with over 500 member institutions in countries across the commonwealth. The council takes all final decisions on matters of fundamental concern to the organisation. Similarly, Adewole, has been appointed into the Ethics Committee of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

    Adewole who is also the President of African Organisation Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) war appointed recently to serve in the Lyon, France-based IARC. AORTIC is a specialised cancer agency of the World Health Organisation with the objective of promoting international collaboration in cancer research. It was established in May 1965 through a resolution by the World Health Assembly as an extension of the WHO. Membership has grown to 24 countries.

     

  • UI students win prizes

    Students of University of Ibadan (UI), shone recently at the Nigerian Championship of Public Speaking (NCPS) held at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Abuja. The students carted away laurels at the final of the competition.

    Team Bellatores (UI) consisting of Tijani Olumayowa, Onele Peter-cole, Oredola Ibrahim and Awojulugbe Oluwaseyi won the first prize. In the same vein, Team Wits (UI) made up of Onele Seun, Adedoyin Paul, Adeleke Oluwakemi and Peter Dare won the second prize.

    Onele Peter-Cole, 200-level, Law, told CAMPUSLIFE that the competition is keenly contested. Participants could not hold their joy when Olumayowa Ayobami was crowned best speaker at the competition while Adeleke Kemi emerged second best speaker.

    Olumayowa dedicated his victory to his team mates and University of Ibadan.

    A 500 level students of Law, Onele Seun, was elected as vice-president of the Alumni Association of Nigerian Championship of Public Speaking. A student who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE said the awards demonstrated the excellence of students of the university.

  • Rewarding excellence

    The setting did not look like the usual lecture theatre, library or computer laboratory. It was not a gathering for group discussion or seminar presentation. But the atmosphere was full of glamour and glitz. It was the dinner and award night of research students of the Africa Regional Centre for Information Science, University of Ibadan (UI).

    The centre, which was conceived by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1973 and revived by the Canadian International Development Research Centre in 1980, provides expertise in the establishment, update and application of standards for the construction, maintenance and effective utilisation of computerised databanks in Africa.

    It began operations in Nigeria in 1990 and undertakes research, trains high-level manpower and provides consultancy services in information science.

    The yearly event was held at the Sultan Bello Dome on campus. From the red carpet that covered the entrance of the venue, through the sparkle of the lightings to the exquisitely decorated walls and seats, students filed into the hall with joy.

    As guests made their entry, they were welcomed by loud music blaring from powerful speakers stationed at four sides of the hall. The students, who were still writing their second semester exam, looked resplendent in their attires.

    It was also a forum where students and staff related and spoke their minds on academic issues. Students and lecturers, who distinguished themselves in some activities, were honoured.

    In his address, the immediate past president of the Africa Regional Centre for Information Science Students’ Association (ARCISSTA), Abimbola Ademola, said it was a stock taking event of the past year and also to reward outstanding personalities. Recalling the beginning of his tenure, Abimbola thanked God for the successes recorded during his time.

    During the award session, the Director of the Centre, Prof Muta Tiamiyu, was awarded a fellow of the students’ body. He was described as a father and frontline academic whose contributions in the training of information professionals and growth of the discipline could not be quantified.

    Prof Tiamiyu appreciated the students for the award and pledged to do more for the centre. He also hailed the students for upholding the institute’s ideals .

    The sub-Dean of the Centre, Dr Wole Olatokun, was recognised as the Most Outstanding Lecturer. According to the organisers, Olatokun’s mastery of the course, delivery styles and relationships with students stood him out among other lecturers.

    As he stepped out to receive the plaque, all the students rose to welcome Olatokun to the podium. Responding, the recipient appreciated the students for the award and pledged to do more. He urged the students to be committed to their research activities to ensure the nation’s growth.

    Other awardees are Abimbola, who received both the Most Outstanding Executive and the Most Friendly Student (male category), Ibikunle Opeyemi, Most Friendly Student (female category), Ademola Olayiwola, Best Dressed (male) and Temitope Babatunde, Best Dressed (female).

    The new executive members of the association were inaugurated on the occasion. Olatokun administered the oath on the officers, who included Towo Adeyemi, President, Similoluwa Olugbebi, Vice President, Biodun Olasebikan, General Secretary and Rashida Aligiwa, Assistant General Secretary.

    Others are Stanley Ibeku, Public Relations Officer, Dotun Aremu, Speaker, Adeola Olatunji, Financial Secretary and Treasurer, Chioma Sebastian, Director of Socials and Dapo Babalola, Director of Sports.

    Towo promised to uplift the association. He pledged that his executive would build on the legacy of the outgoing executive.