The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UNIBEN

  • Teleconferencing excites UNIBEN students

    Teleconferencing excites UNIBEN students

    Eighty students from the departments of Agriculture and Botany, University of Benin (UNIBEN) were thrilled after receiving one week of lectures in real time from lecturers of the Lincoln University, United States of America.

    The initiative, known as Electronic Class Exchange, was facilitated by Idonuagbe Akogun, a son of former Leader of the House of Representative, Col. Tunde Akogun with support from the Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC).

    The students who were taught by Dr Jaime Pinero and Mr Jacob Wilson, were exposed to the importance of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the context of global issues of trade and pest invasion, the biology and management options of insect pests, weeds, and pathogens affecting plants and livestock, among others.

    Akogun, an alumnus of Lincoln University, said the programme was set up to create and sustain international linkages between developed countries and developing ones through their institutions of learning.

    He said the idea was to expose Nigerian students to foreign studies without leaving the country and also be at par with their counterparts in foreign countries.

    He said: “I went back to my alma mater and thought of how children in Nigeria could relate with those in the United States – not those who have been abroad but those back home in Sokoto or anywhere in Nigeria. At least they can communicate and interact so that they can learn and be on the same playing field with Nigerians schooling abroad.

    “Our vision is to carve out a synergy where schools across the world can interact in real time via cyber and virtual avenues creating a way for students to have first hand learning experience with their peers and foreign faculties from different countries.

    “One way I believe we can stay a step ahead is by working and learning at a better rate and being able to connect live to the best schools and have information shared to us as this can only enhance the quality and value of the degrees that country gives out to aspiring graduates.”

    Akogun said despite fears, the project has worked out so far and would be expanded to other universities and tertiary institutions.

    “The idea has been well received but they were afraid of power issue, voice clarity and others but those are things we have thought about very well. The Federal Ministry of Education, NUC, NCCE, NBTE have keyed into the project. This project was free. The communication was flawless. It can work anywhere in Nigeria. University of Benin supported the project so the students did not pay. I went to the schools abroad and told them what I want is their faculty. It is an avenue to collaborate. We can go into agriculture, engineering, medicine and peace and conflict resolution that can enhance the students personal and career goals,” he said.

  • NDDC’s kind gesture

    NDDC’s kind gesture

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has donated a 174-room hostel to the University of Benin (UNIBEN) to ease accommodation problem. EDDY UWOGHIREN (200-Level Medicine) and EZEKIEL EFEOBHOKHAN (300-Level Pharmacy) report.

    The stretch from the main gate of the Ugbowo Campus of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) to the hostel area was plastered with posters and banners. On them were inscriptions, such as “Thank you NDDC” and “UNIBEN welcomes Delta State governor”.

    Welcome to the inauguration of the 696-bed space hostel donated by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    Security was tight. The institution’s security personnel had a hectic time controlling traffic on the campus.

    The students turned the occasion into a carnival with glamorous dance troupes, colourful masqueraders and drummers. They said they now have the opportunity of living in a world-class hostel with modern facilities befitting an Ivory Tower.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Osayuki Oshodin, in smiles, said: “We are grateful to the NDDC for this project.” The VC, who noted that the commission recently donated electricity transformers and street lights to the school, described the NDDC as a development partner.

    Prof Oshodin appealed to other government agencies and private organisations to help the school to rebuild some dilapidated structures, NDDC, he said, had shown “good example” on how higher institutions could be lifted to promote learning.

    The Pro-Chancellor, Senator Effiong Wilson-Bob, appealed to the commission to assist the university renovate its old hostels, noting that such move could improve students’ welfare. With the delivery of the 696-bed space hall, Senator Wilson-Bob said the NDDC had fulfilled part of its mandate to promote the development of education in the Niger Delta.

    He said: “Development of education must be a collective effort of all stakeholders and as such, providing accommodation should also be a joint effort of all. This is what the NDDC has demonstrated with the construction of a modern hostel to the University of Benin.”

    While inaugurating the building, Chairman of the NDDC Advisory Council and Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan said he was impressed with the activities of the commission, promising to support it to get more funds to bring development to the oil-rich region.

    He said: “As the chairman of the advisory council of the NDDC, I am impressed with the efforts of the new board and management. I assure the commission of support of the governors in Niger Delta states.”

    Advising students to shun vices that may tarnish the image of the university, Uduaghan said: “I have not seen anybody who belongs to a cult group that made First Class in the university. I urge you to focus on your studies and make good grades.”

    NDDC Governing Board, chairman, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw said the commission brought its top management staff to inaugurate the hostel because of its commitment to the future of students of the university. “We are pleased to be in the University of Benin today to hand over this project to the students. This project is the second of these prototype hostel projects we are commissioning within our 100 days in office,” he said.

    The construction of the modern hostel was in line with the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government to develop human capital by improving access to quality education across the Niger Delta.

    The President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Osasere Osifo, said: “The NDDC has given us a wonderful edifice; it is not only the newest, it is also the best hostel on campus today.”

    The Vice President, Margret Odia, who ntoed that accommodation had been a challenge in the university. “We appreciate the NDDC for building us a modern hostel and I believe female students would have spaces in the new hostel.”

    Francis Uko, president of the National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students, said more students would relocate to the school, with more bed spaces being provided by the NDCC. “The inadequate accommodation forced many students to live off-campus and sometimes fall prey to the menace of cultism, which is taking its toll in off-campus halls. With the NDDC hostel, more of our students will now be accommodated within the university premises where they will feel secure,” he said.

    An excited 300-Level student, Vitus Ohakosin, said: “My joy today knows no bounds; NDDC has come to our rescue.”

    The 174- room hostel is fitted with amenities such as a water tank connected to, a solar-water treatment plant, which would provide water constantly to all rooms. It also has spaces for buttery and administrative offices, cybercafé, games rooms and specially-fitted rooms for physically challenged students.

     

     

     

  • Stampede as UNIBEN screens fresh student, one feared dead

    Barely two weeks after about 19 persons died in stampedes in stadia across the country during recruitment exercise for employment into Nigerian Immigrations Service, there was heavy stampede Wednesday  at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), during screening of fresh students.

    It was gathered that scores of students sustained varying and “very serious” degrees of injuries in the stampede, just as one was rumored dead.

    Eye witnesses said the stampede occurred when the students were attempting to force their way into the premises of the hall where the screening exercise was taking place, and UNIBEN security personnel forcefully closed the gate against them, forcing the surging students to fall, and hundreds of them marching on those on the ground.

    When our reporter visited the university Wednesday morning, it was observed that thousands of the applicants who besieged the Akin Deko auditorium-venue of the screening were still at the two gates leading to the premises to the hall.

    It was observed that the iron barricade of the western gate is turned and broken and almost to the ground, even as students still held on to it as they try to get their way into the hall.

    One of the applicants who gave her name simply as Osas for fear of been victimized, described what happened as “horrible and hellish.”

    “It was a terrible thing and so serious. It began when the students were attempting to enter into the hall and the security men said no. It was then that some of the students attempted to force their way into the place and the security men forcefully closed the gates on them. That is how hundreds of them fell, some this side and others that side.

    “Those who got up marched on those still on the ground to get out of the confusion. Several people who were injured were rushed to the hospital, but am not sure anyone died, though many of them were seriously injured,” Osas said.

    Meanwhile the University’s Public Relations Officer, Barr. Harrison Osarenren, denied that  nobody died at the screening

  • Teachers shun Edo assessment test

    Teachers shun Edo assessment test

    LESS than 200 teachers in Edo public schools turned out yesterday to write the much-anticipated assessment test for primary and secondary school teachers.

    The test was conducted at the University of Benin, Federal Polytechnic, Auchi and the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

    It was learnt that about 80 teachers wrote at UNIBEN, 14 wrote at AAU while 15 were present at Auchi Polytechnic.

    Accreditation for the examination commenced at 8am and the exams began at about 11:45am.

    Some teachers who did not participate in the examination were present.

    Those who spoke on condition of anonymity said they would have written the test if the National Industrial Court (NIC) had not issued a restraining order on the exercise.

    Some who came for the test said they wrote the test to save their jobs and because of their families.

    A teacher said: “I came here to vindicate myself and prove the governor wrong.

    “We have so many qualified teachers. I expect to score 85%. The questions are what I have been giving students every day.

    “This is an assessment for learners. The questions were too low for teachers to handle. It was as if I was counting naira and kobo.”

    Counsel to Academic Staff Union of Secondary School (ASSUS), Barr. Olayiwola Afolabi, said it was sad that the government conducted the test even when a subsisting court yinjunction ruled otherwise.

    Afolabi said the court’s ruling was pasted on the walls of their government offices when officials were evading them.

    According to him: “The moment you fail to obey court order, it is contempt of court.

    “Edo state government is not above the law. It is on record that a former Attorney-General of this State went to prison because of contempt of Court order.

    “If they go ahead with the test, we will file contempt charges against the government of Edo state and we will jail them,” Afolabi said.

    Chairman of the Assessment Test Committee, Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor, declined interview with newsmen.

    Commissioner for Higher Education, Washington Osifo, insisted that the state government was not served any court injunction stopping it from conducting the test.

    The commissioner said the test was not punitive but to secure the future of the children.

    He explained that cameras were not allowed into the test venue so as not to harass the teachers.

    “Government is set to conduct the assessment test. Nobody will force anybody to do what is right.

    “The test is in the interest of the teachers and Edo children. We are not aware of any restraining order stopping the test.

    “An attempt to get an order does not in itself translate to an order stopping the conduct of the test,” Osifo said.

    Ruling on a motion Ex-parte brought by Counsel to the secondary schools teachers, Olayiwola Afolabi, the National Industrial Court, presided over by Justice B. A. Adejumo, granted an interim order of injunction restraining the defendants, whether by themselves, agents, servants or privies from conducting any competency test for the claimants/applicants pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    The Court also ordered that neither of the claimants/applicants nor any of the defendants shall involve itself in any act of commission or omission that may lead to break down of law and order as a result of the subject matter contained in the Motion Ex-parte or Motion on Notice.

     

  • UNIBEN vice chancellor must hear this!

    UNIBEN vice chancellor must hear this!

    SIR: It is utterly inconceivable that a university teacher can create unrealistic terms about a compulsory examination that ultimately demonstrate oppression and inevitably cause psychological pain as well as risk of property loss on the side of students diligently working to fulfill the conditions required for them to obtain a Bachelors degree.

    On Friday  January 24, a lecturer in the department of mechanical engineering, University of Benin (UNIBEN), rolled, to his class of eager students, a set of draconian standards that have to be met for anybody taking the course to be admitted into the examination hall.

    The examination is expected to hold on Wednesday February 5, and the conditions listed by the lecturer are not included in the examination rules and ethics of exams as written in the university’s

    code of conduct.

    The course, MEE 372 is software based (Autodesk’s AutoCAD 2007 ); students are expected to use a computer system for it. Since not all students have the financial ability to procure a laptop, many of them made arrangements to borrow laptops to participate in the exam.

    The lecturer however told the students that any student who wishes to write the examination must submit his/her laptop on or before 2:00pm a day prior to the examination date. Additionally, that all passwords must be removed from the system to enable him access and “scan” all laptops before the exam. Most disturbing is that he insisted that he would not be liable for any loss or damage to any laptop while under his custody.

    He claims that he needs to have access to every student’s laptop a day to the exam so that he can input the examination questions into them before the exam. He further explained that he may need to still retain the laptop for some time after the examinations to enable him mark the answers.

    How can a lecturer ask students to submit their laptops a day to the exam, knowing fully well that the students need it at such time for revision? How does he expect the students who have to

    borrow laptops to hand them over to him? How can he disregard the student’s right to privacy by asking them to remove their password thereby putting their personal information at risk of exposure?

    How can a lecturer say he will not be held liable in the event a laptop gets missing under his custody?  What if a laptop screen gets damaged in his care, or an entire unit gets stolen, how will the owner of such a system write the examination?

    One would expect that in a community of intellectuals, innovative solutions would be provided to situations that slightly deviate from traditional practices. It cannot be argued that the examination poses a challenge to the organizing lecturer. We expect that such challenges should be dealt with properly and in a way that ensures students’ convenience, adherence to examination standards and ethics of fairness.

    If the university could comfortably organize computer based tests for thousands of  students in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME JAMB), why can’t it organize it for about 100 students in just one department? Why ask students to bring their laptops for an examination when UNIBEN has a robust ICT centre equipped with many computer systems. In fact, the faculty of engineering recently built an ICT centre which could also be used to conduct such examination.

    Relevant authorities to look into this matter that could cause a lot of pain for 300 Level mechanical engineering students and those carrying over the course.

    • Edison Osaige

    University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus

  • Lecturers, ASUU officials clash at UNIBEN

    Lecturers, ASUU officials clash at UNIBEN

    •Southwest zone adamant

    Lecturers at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) are divided over whether to resume work following the expiration of the Federal Government’s ultimatum.

    Registers were opened at different faculties of public universities.

    Most of the registers were empty but at the Faculty of Law, some lecturers had signed up.

    Over 30 lecturers had indicated interest to begin lectures.

    A near free-for-all was avoided when members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) attempted to stop one Dr. Godspower Ekhobase of the Computer Science Department from taking his students.

    Sources said Dr. Godspower refused to listen to the union leadership when they asked him to stop and it led to a fracas.

    The source said when the students moved to join Dr. Godspower, ASUU members led by its Chairman, Dr. Tony Emina-Monye, beat a retreat.

    Contacted on the telephone, Dr. Monye said the lecturer was violent when they got to the lecture hall.

    Dr. Monye said a former chairman of ASUU was gripped on the shirt by Dr. Godspower before the students made their move.

    Dr. Monye said: “We are disregarding the ultimatum and threat of sack by the Government. We are still on strike and none of our members has signed any register to resume work. We will continue with the strike until otherwise directed by the union’s national secretariat of the union.

    The Ibadan Zone of ASUU comprising the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago – Iwoye, University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Lagos State University, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, again defied the Government’s directive to resume yesterday.

    Also, students, who had been away for over five months, failed to return, indicating that they were convinced their lecturers would not budge until the government met their demands.

    At the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, classrooms, hostels and the libraries were deserted.

    At FUNAAB, the ASUU Chairman, Dr Abiodun Badmus, told reporters that the government’s order amounted to an “empty threat and of no effect.

    Also, Dr Adesola Nassir, restated the resolve of the Ibadan Zone of ASUU to remain on strike.

    Nassir said: “We just want Nigerians to know that ASUU is not going to be cowed, we are very strict as to the reason why we embarked on strike, we want our universities to be repositioned so that they can churn out the type of graduates that would fit into roles that will power the development of this country,

    “It didn’t take government up to a year to infuse over N2 trillion into the banks that are privately owned, that same government should not find it difficult to inject this amount of money into universities that are publicly owned.”

  • ‘Counselling a panacea to unemployment’

    Against the backdrop of growing unemployment rate, government and various bodies have made efforts to solve the riddle without results. The Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON), Edo State chapter, believes support programmes and result-oriented counseling of youths could help in reducing unemployment in the country.

    This was the discourse at an event held by the organisation in St. Albert Catholic Church in University of Benin (UNIBEN) with the theme: Counselling: A panacea for youth unemployment in Nigeria.

    In his remark, Vice Chancellor, Prof Osayuki Oshodin, who was represented by the Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA), Prof V. E. Omozuwa, described the conference as timely. He congratulated the counselors for waking up to their responsibility of fighting unemployment through mentorship campaigns.

    “Our youth are in dire need of counsellors to enable them live a balanced life,” he stated.

    The Chairman of the occasion, Dr S. A. Taw-Aye, from Benue State University (BSU) in Makurdi said unemployment could be effectively tackled if youths were properly advised before choosing careers.

    He said: “This conference will serve as a litmus test for the 2014 International Counselling Conference to be hosted by UNIBEN.”

    In his lecture titled: “Youth and unemployment in Nigeria” Prof Ngozi Osarenre, a former Commissioner for Education in Edo State, said counselling was important for every youth. She suggested compulsory counseling in schools, organisation of career seminars, provision of adequate career information and proper subject combination as ways of getting youth to choose the right career to avoid unemployment in the future.

    Prof Richard Okorodudu of the Delta State University, Abraka who spoke on Counseling: A panacea for youth unemployment in Nigeria, said that proper career counseling would make youth to develop the right career and be self confident. He added that counseling and vocational education could be used to help youth to build great careers.

    Other issues deliberated on included family counselling for a healthy society, unemployment and stress management, reducing unemployment through effective counseling in schools and youth empowerment and development.

    Highlights of the event included the presentation of awards to people helping the cause of the association, including Prof Oshodin, Prof Osarenren and Prof Okorodudu among others.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Prof Kola Adeyemi from the Faculty of Education, UNIBEN, decried the poor attitude of counsellors to their profession.

    “It is sad that today, most counsellors prefer teaching or administrative jobs to their calling and in the process, denying the youth the benefits of proper counseling,” he stated.

    Raymond Osayande, NDI Science Laboratory Technology student of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi (AUCHI POLY) commended the organisers of the programme. He urged the National Assembly to pass a bill for making counseling an attractive career in the country.

    The ceremony was attended by Provost of UNIBEN Medical School, Prof Vincent Iyawe; President of Edo State chapter of CASSON, Prof E .O. Ebochukwu and Prof Austin Ejugbo from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (AAU).

     

  • UNIBEN opens attendance register

    AAU still shut

    Authorities of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have said the institution will open for academic activities today following the directive by the Federal Government.

    It said an attendance register would be open for lecturers to sign.

    The university’s spokesman Harris Osarenren told our reporter on phone that the decision was reached after a management meeting.

    Osarenren said any lecturer who failed to report for duty would be queried, in line with Federal Government’s directives.

    But the chapter’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chairman Dr. Tony Monye said the union was preparing for the burial of former ASUU President, Prof. Festus Iyayi.

    He said ASUU members would not resume duties.

    The Ambrose Alli University (AAU) did not resume classes yesterday.

     

    The university’s spokesman Chris Adamaigbo said the directive to reopen for academic activities was for federal universities.

    On whether or not the state government imposed a no-work, no-pay rule on the university, Adamaigbo said: “I cannot answer that.”

    The Chairman of AAU-ASUU, Prof. Fred Esumeh said the union’s members had been collecting their salaries throughout the beginning of the strike.

  • Funeral for Omo Omoruyi Friday

    Funeral for Omo Omoruyi Friday

    Former Director-General of the defunct Centre for Democratic Studies Prof. Omo Omoruyi will be buried on Friday at his Ogboka Quarters home in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    There will be a Service of Songs at his GRA home on Thursday.

    A commendation service will hold at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) on Friday and will be followed by a funeral service at the Central Baptist Church.

    Omoruyi died on October 13 after battling prostate cancer for over five years.

  • UNIBEN students call for ban on sirens, convoys

    UNIBEN students call for ban on sirens, convoys

    Students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have urged Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar to enforce the ban on the use of sirens and abuse of convoys by Nigeria’s public officers.

    The students also urged the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to begin an enlightenment programme for public officers on traffic rules and regulations.

    Students’ Union Government (SUG) President Favour Osarenren addressed reporters yesterday in Benin, the Edo State capital, on the death of Prof. Festus Iyayi.

    He said the students would hold Kogi State Governor Idris Wada responsible for the death of Prof. Iyayi.

    Osarenren said: “It is difficult to accept the wasting of one of Africa’s most committed scholars by a reckless driver, who probably assumed that because he was privileged to be in the governor’s convoy, he was above traffic regulations and other road users.

    “Our governors have continued to abuse the ethics of their office by having no regard for human lives or other road users. This culture of impunity must stop. It is a shame that Governor Wada lacks the capacity to prevent his drivers from negligent driving.”

    The SUG president said the death of Prof. Iyayi on his way to ASUU meeting in Kano was a testimony to his long commitment to the struggle for a better university education system for the children of the masses.

    Osarenren urged the national leadership of ASUU to ensure that the visions and beliefs, which Prof. Iyayi died for, were fulfilled.