The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UNILAG

  • Dons hail World Cup champion France

    Two Associate Professors at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Monday congratulated France for emerging winners of the World Cup in Russia.

    The Nation reports that France beat Croatia 4-2 on Sunday at the just concluded tournament held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

    Chuka Chukwube, Associate Professor of Russia Language said that he was happy with France’s victory from a competition he described as “very interesting from the onset.”

    Chukwube said that he supported France at the finals because of the many black players of African descent that made up the team.

    “The world cup has been very dramatic and entertaining since it started with countries who paraded big stars being knocked out at the early stages.

    “France deserved to win because they had a complete representation of the human race in their team.

    “They had a lot of talented black players who rose to the occasion and delivered in terms of ball control, strategy and netting goals.

    “Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe were exceptional and played a major role to the opportunities that led to the goals, ” the professor said.

    Also, Boniface Igbeneghu, Associate Professor of French Language commended Croatia for getting to the finals for the first time in the history of the World Cup.

    Read Also: Russia 2018: Will Smith performs in closing Ceremony

    Igbeneghu said that the Croatians played well but were no match for the superior prowess of the French team which had different races from different countries.

    “I was confident all along that France will emerge winners of the World Cup; the French team played beautifully well and defended their quarter from conceding unnecessary goals.

    “I congratulate them for a well deserved victory, ” he said.

    Meanwhile, Jemike Okoroji, a French lecturer with Alliance Française said that the victory would be memorable for France that last won the World Cup 20 years ago.

  • AIB, UNILAG partner on metallurgical lab usage

    The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on the use of its metallurgical laboratory at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

    The spokesperson for AIB, Mr Tunji Oketunbi, said in a statement issued on Sunday that the MoU was signed recently by the parties in Lagos.

    The AIB Commissioner, Mr Akin Olateru signed on behalf of the agency while the UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, signed on behalf of the institution.

    Olateru said that the laboratory was to the benefit of Nigeria, students of higher institutions of learning and industries in the country.

    He said the establishment of the laboratory equipment in the country would save Nigeria huge capital flights, which would have been expended on air tickets, hotels and others by researchers.

    He noted that the agency had written to 12 higher institutions of learning on possible collaboration on the usage of the facility.

    The commissioner said unfortunately, only three universities; UNILAG, University of Ilorin, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, responded to its letters seeking for collaboration.

    He emphasised that the United States’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) partners with public and private organisations in the US and wondered why same could not be replicated in Nigeria.

    Olateru said: “I believe we can make this country great with collaborations. We need collaborations like this to help us add values to the country.

    “We actually wrote to 12 universities, but only three responded to our letters, which is very unfortunate.

    “This is why I want to thank your leadership for the signing of this MoU because it shows the efforts you are putting in place to increase the knowledge base of this great institution of learning.”

    He, however stressed that the AIB would not compel any organisation or institution to collaborate with it on the use of the equipment.

    Responding, Ogundipe said university education was about research, adding that UNILAG was a research-oriented institution.

    The VC said UNILAG would continue to collaborate with other universities and institutions across the country and beyond.

    He said the students of the university had been taking the centre stage in the country while at the international level; they had equally been making great impacts.

    Ogundipe said: “The direction of research now is about collaborations and networking.

    ” I am glad that we are starting this on a good note. I want to assure you that we will make maximum use of this with our students.

    ” Our intention is to make our students known locally and visible at the global stage and I am happy we are achieving that so far.

    “On our own, we will give this collaboration 100 per cent support it deserves.”

  • BBC commissions wall mural at Unilag

    In continuation of its campaign for a better consumption of news, BBC World News has commissioned a huge art installation to support their Make More Of Your World campaign at the University of Lagos. The on-ground marketing event held last Tuesday was witnessed by some renowned faces –  rising celebrity photographer Amazing Klef and top comedian  Omo Baba – as well as the director of World Service, Jamie Angus.

    The campaign was developed in-house by BBC Creative, who worked in partnership with the renowned graffiti writer turned artist INSA. INSA is at his very best when on location, creating bright and beautiful artworks straight into the environment.

    INSA split the wall into different frames to beautifully illustrate the story of tech and business growth. The narrative is brought to life, using an image that changes ever-so-slightly each time, a labour-intensive and meticulous task. The end result is completely mesmerising, creating a looping ‘Gif’ that blurs the offline and online worlds. At either side of the wall, people can scan QR codes taking them to YouTube pages where the audience can view the 30-second TV ad.

    This brand campaign highlights new BBC World Service local languages that are now available to the audience in Nigeria. The main objective is to drive, reach and position the BBC as a news provider that offers something unique for the audience.

    Speaking on the idea behind the art installation, Kate Jacobson of BBC World Service said:  “We are doing it at the university because it is the place where all the youths get information and it’s a place where people start honing themselves with knowledge.

    “This brand campaign highlights new BBC World Service local languages that are now available to audiences in Nigeria. The main objective is to drive, reach and position the BBC as a news provider that offers something unique for audiences.”

    The artist, INSA, also revealed the message behind his painting stating that ‘it means you can inform yourself with the news to have a greater perspective taking it to a university like this with knowledge you have great opportunity’.

    Head of BBC Marketing, World Service, Lisa Santoro, said: “This was an extremely ambitious campaign from the outset. The extensive market research, developing a creative proposition that would work across an entire country and launching in four languages was an amazing achievement. We delivered an integrated marketing campaign that allowed us to be innovative and creative. “

     

  • 11 universities to share FG’s N84m research grant

    The Acting Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Abubakar Bwari, said on Saturday that at least 11 universities in the country would share the Federal Government’s N84 million research grant.

    The fund, spread amongst the tertiary institutions, is basically for geological mapping, mining engineering and materials and metallurgical engineering.

    Bwari, who disclosed this while presenting letters of participation in research development to representatives of the universities, said the federal government has made data generation, retrieval and storage a priority and has continued to invest hugely in the area.

    The institutions are – Obafemi Awolowo University (N9 million), Federal University of Technology Minna, (N9 million), University of Nigeria Nsukka, (N9 million), Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, (N9 million), University of Port Harcourt (N6.5 million) and University of Jos (N6.5 million).

    Others are – University of Lagos (N6.5 million), University of Ibadan (N6.5million), Nasarawa State University, Keffi, (N6.5 million), Ebonyi State University, Abakiliki, (N6.5 million) and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, (N9 million).

    Bwari said: ” I am delighted to be here today to present Letters of Participation in Research Development to representatives of some of Nigeria’s foremost universities as part of our ministry‘s collaboration with tertiary institutions.

    “I am told that this is the first time the ministry will be giving out such assistance to universities research purposes, but I can assure you that this will certainly not be the last.

    “In the last two and half years, this ministry has established a consistent pattern of engaging and listening to stakeholders in order to secure their input into policy formulation and implementation.

    “This administration has therefore made data generation, retrieval and storage a priority and has continued to invest hugely in this area. As our source of funding improves, we intend to continuously increase the amount of money we spend on this critical component of mining.

    “The N84 million that is being shared by 11 universities today for research development in various areas relating to mapping and evaluation of particular mineral deposits will no doubt increase the fountain of geoscience data available to investors.”

  • UNILAG students hold media summit Thursday

    Inspired by the desire to provide lasting solutions to the growing challenge of fitting indigenous ideas into the global sphere, students of University of Lagos (UNILAG) are set to hold the 9th edition of their annual media summit tagged “The Academic Summit (TAS) 9.0.”

    The summit which has been scheduled to hold on Thursday, 5th July at the J. F Ade-Ajayi Auditorium is themed “Create. Glocalize.”

    According to a statement issued by the head of the TAS 9.0 planning committee, Oluwamayowa Adeyemi, the theme was inspired by the recent trend of Nigerians using their originality in creating products and selling them to the world adding that the term “Glocalize” was coined from a combination of local and global.

    Adeyemi noted that the this year’s edition seeks to teach participants how to develop their creations – product, service, talent, skill – and make them global standard without losing touch of the Nigerian originality.

    She said, “This year, The Academic Summit sees eye to eye with the Nigerian government’s crave for local industries to offer products and services that will be affordable to the Nigerian society and at the same time compete successfully with foreign brands.

    “Seeing the need for the Nigerian story to be made global, Zegist an online news website sponsored the summit with a creative writing contest. The creative writing contest awards winners the sum of 180, 000 naira.

    “For ease and specialization, this year’s summit goes beyond the roundtable, seminar room lecture. Create. Glocalize would be dissected for participants to fit into workshops handled with finesse by intellectual media persons,” she said.

    Adeyemi further said, “Digital Marketing would be taken by Communications and Public Affairs Manager of Google West Africa, Taiwo Kola Ogunlade. Japheth Omojuwa would be handling Online Journalism. Creative Direction will be taught by Akintunde Bada, country manager of Viacom International Media Network.

    “Osagie Alonge, editor in chief of Ringier Africa Digital Publishing would be taking Content Development. Other Media Professionals to be expected include Mowunmi Owodunni, MD STB McCANN, Femi Odugbemi; award winning Film Maker, Rufai Oseni Renowned Broadcaster,” she added.

    The Summit is holding under the auspices of Communicators for Christ Fellowship (CFC), department of Mass Communication of the institution.

    This event has been running for eight years with themes that have examined trends in the media world and taught participants practical ways to use these trends.

  • Sexual harassment UNILAG panel calls for memoranda

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) fact-finding panel on the allegation of sexual harassment involving a lecturer of the university has put out a call for memoranda to both students and staff to submit information they have  on the allegation of sexual harassment against Prof Segun Awonusi of the English Department between June 11 and 15.

    Though Awonusi, a former Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Ogun State and Vice-Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State, was not named in the notice published by the panel, his nude photograph was shared on the social media by an unnamed student who complained about the lecturer in a post published by popular blogger, Linda Ikeji.

    The notice directed workers and students responding to the call to enclose the memoranda in sealed envelopes and submit to the Registrar’s Office for onward delivery to the panel within the stipulated time frame.

    It added that the university had zero tolerance for “such allegations”.

    The notice, signed by the Principal Assistant Registrar, Communication Unit, Mrs Taiwo Oloyede, assured the informants of confidentiality.

  • Sexual harassment: UNILAG panel calls for memoranda

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) fact finding panel on the allegation of sexual harassment involving a lecturer of the University has put out a call for memoranda to both students and staff to submit information they have on the allegation of sexual harassment against Prof Segun Awonusi of the English Department between June 11 and 15.

    Though Awonusi, a former Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Ogun State and Vice-Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State, was not named in the notice published by the panel, his nude photograph was shared on the social media by an unnamed student who complained about the lecturer in a post published by popular blogger, Linda Ikeji.

    The notice directed workers and students responding to the call to enclose the memoranda in sealed envelopes and submit to the Registrar’s office for onward delivery to the panel within the stipulated time frame.

    It added that the university had zero tolerance for “such allegations”.

    The notice shared by the Principal Assistant Registrar, Communication Unit, Mrs Taiwo Oloyede, reads:

    “The University of Lagos Management has set up a Fact Finding Panel to investigate the allegation of sexual harassment involving a lecturer in the University published in various social media platforms. This is in line with its zero tolerance for such allegations.

    “The panel has commenced investigation into the allegation and is requesting the members of the University of Lagos community (Particularly Staff and Students) who have useful information on this specific allegation and any other one that could aid its assignment to submit memoranda to the panel.

    The memoranda should be addressed to the: Secretary, FactFinding Panel on the Allegation of Sexual Harassment involving a Lecturer in the University, c/o Registrar’s Office, 5th Floor, Senate Building, University of Lagos.”

    The panel assured the informants of confidentiality.

  • UNILAG to investigate sexual allegation against lecturer

    The Management of University of Lagos (UNILAG) says it will investigate allegation of sexual harassment leveled against an unnamed lecturer.

    The school authority in a statement from the office of the Vice-Chancellor Corporate Affairs Directorate Communication Unit sent to The Nation said the issue would be thoroughly investigated with transparency.

    Photos had surfaced online showing a man said to be a lecturer with the Department of English, Faculty of Arts, was captured nude on camera while attempting to have sex with a female student.

    The unnamed female students who shared the photos said the lecturer was fond of harassing students.

    “I have been suffering this for months now. Whenever students go to his office, he is always fond of trying to touch you. I took pictures of him on one of the days I entered his office” she said.

    “I am not his first victim. He does this all the time to students. I have completely given up when it comes to academics, as he had failed me on some occasions. When I talked to him concerning it, he said i should know what to do since i am adult. I feel so dirty for even allowing such an old man touch me. But he doesn’t even care as long as you satisfy his wants”.

    “I’m tired of everything. He should be stopped before he ruins the lives of other innocent girls in that English department. When he touches me I am always in tears but it doesn’t stop him”.

    The school statement read “The attention of the University Management has been drawn to a news report trending on social media in respect of an alleged sexual harassment involving an alleged lecturer in the University of Lagos”.

    “The Management has a zero tolerance for allegations pertaining to sexual impropriety, and has a well-established policy against such practices.

     “We wish to reassure all our stakeholders, students, parents, members of staff and the general public that Management will not treat this matter with levity. Management will tackle the allegation with every sense of responsibility and seriousness that the matter deserves.  The issue would be thoroughly investigated with transparency”.

     “Management respectfully solicits information from members of the University community and pledges confidentiality and protection”.

     

     

  • God is in charge of UNILAG, says VC

    Vice-chancellor (VC) of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has said God, not him, is in charge of the institution.

    The VC spoke on Sunday while delivering a sermon at the university’s chapter of the Redeemed Christian Fellowship held at Tolulope Odugbemi Hall.

    The theme of Ogundipe’s sermon was: You shall not be wasted.

    The VC said God had been the one administering the institution since he took over from his predecessor last year.

    The professor of Botany said he was only an instrument of God, noting that activities in the institution under him were never his own initiative but directives from God.

    Ogundipe, however, advised students to acknowledge God in their daily activities, saying failure to do so could lead to wasted efforts.

    He said: “Wasted life could either be physical or psychological or in relation to a wasted time. But in proper perspective, when you don’t know God, you are living a wasted life. There are some people that their education is wasted. Whether you are a professor or a VC, if you don’t know God, your education is wasted.”

    The VC, who prophesied that no life shall be wasted under him, urged the students not to join the company of friends living wasted lives.

    Ogundipe succeeded Prof Rahmon Bello and became the 12th VC last November. Before his appointment, he was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics and Research.

  • Babalakin seeks solution for N30b shortfall at UNILAG

    Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr Wale Babalakin, has called for ideas to help the university raise the over N30 billion deficit needed to adequately train the institution’s 40,000 students.

    Speaking Tuesday during the Convocation Lecture and the Investiture of Prof Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe as the 12th vice-chancellor of the university at the Ade Ajayi Main Auditorium, Babalakin said the institution gets just about N10 billion of the over N40 billion required from the Federal Government.

    “Today, according to the NUC, it requires N1.2 million on the average to thoroughly teach a properly accredited course. With approximately 40,000 students, we require about N48 billion each year.  We get about N10 billion from the government and we have a shortfall of over N30 billion.  Between ASUU and us, we are looking for a sustainable solution.  If anyone has ideas, you can write us on how to raise the shortfall,” he said.

    Babalakin said Ogundipe was taking over as vice-chancellor at a time that tertiary institutions were not among the top 800 in the world, unlike in the past.  He however expressed optimism that the narrative would change with determination.

    “At one point in time the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, was rated the fourth hospital in the Commonwealth, which has countries like Britain, Newzealand, Malaysia, Gambia.  We have a challenge of restoring that heritage. We have a determination to bring ourselves back and we cannot afford to tell Nigerians that we failed,” he said.

    In his speech, Ogundipe said he would work hard to reposition the university as institution renown in research.

    “My vision is to build a University of Lagos that is ‘first among equals, producing graduates that are locally relevant, globally competitive and are able to advance our visibility as a research and innovation-driven institution,” said Ogundipe.

    He added that he would work towards establishing a modular refinery as well as obtain mining licenses for the university to further enhance training of students in the faculties of engineering and sciences.

    In his speech, the chairman of the convocation lecture, Prof Anya O. Anya, said universities should not be expected to perform without adequate funding, called for more funding.

    “No university in Nigeria has been equipped to function the way it should.  I graduated from University of Ibadan in 1961.  I spent 37 years in the university system and in all that time, I did not see any university as equipped as UI was when I was there.

    “We cannot be asking that universities be competitive without providing what it takes to be competitive,” he said.

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode delivered the convocation lecture.