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Tag: UNILAG

  • Parents, youths protest cut-off mark in Unilag

    Parents, youths protest cut-off mark in Unilag

    Aggrieved parents have taken to the streets on  peaceful protest in front of the main gate of the University of Lagos.

    The parents expressed their grievance and discontent with the school’s refusal to accept the 150 cut off mark issued by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) instead of raising theirs to 250.

    Parents are concerned that this recent development will disqualify their children from gaining admission into the university. The youths are also optimistic that the Federal Government will intervene in the issue.

    PARENTS OF CANDIDATES SEEKING ADMISSION INTO NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES PROTEST OVER WHAT THEY CONSIDERED 'HARSH' CONDITION FOR UNIVERSITY ADMISSION, IN LAGOS ON WEDNESDAY
    PARENTS OF CANDIDATES SEEKING ADMISSION INTO NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES PROTEST OVER WHAT THEY CONSIDERED ‘HARSH’ CONDITION FOR UNIVERSITY ADMISSION, IN LAGOS ON WEDNESDAY

  • Court dismisses don’s entitlement suit

    The National Industrial Court of Nigeria has dismissed a suit by a university don, Prof. Hussain Abdulkareem, seeking to order the National Universities Commission (NUC) and three other universities to pay him his retirement benefits and entitlements.

    Justice John Peters held that the plaintiff filed the case too late – 25 years after he retired, and that it was caught by the statute of limitation.

    The judge said since he joined a public officer, NUC’s Executive Secretary, in the suit, it should have been filed within three months after his retirement as required by law.

    “The claimant in the instant case for over two decades slept over his right to ventilate his grievances through the judicial process,” the judge said.

    The claimant prayed the court to order the University of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) and University of Abuja (UniAbuja) to pay his entitlements having taught in the three institutions.

    He asked that UNILAG and UNIMAID calculate his retirement benefits and entitlements or get an expert to calculate them, and for UniAbuja to pay his retirement savings of N6.4milliion with Stigma Pension Limited.

    Abdulkareem also wanted interest on the judgment sum at the rate of 25 per cent from November 5, 1989 till verdict and until liquidation of the sum.

    He prayed for N5million as damages for the psychological, emotional and mental trauma he suffered as a result of non-payment of his retirement benefits and entitlements, as well as N2million as legal fees.

    NUC, through its lawyer, Mr. Kehinde Oginni, objected to the suit on the ground that it was statute-barred and therefore null and void.

    The lawyer said NUC’s Executive Secretary is a public officer and as such the three-month time limit within which to institute an action against him had lapsed since the cause of action arose in 1989.

    Dismissing Abdulkareem’s suit, Justice Peters agreed with Oginni and held that the plaintiff filed the suit too late last March having retired more than 25 years ago.

     

     

  • Shyllon donates sculpture to UNILAG

    Shyllon donates sculpture to UNILAG

    The Law Faculty of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) was given a facelift last week when a 15-foot bronze sculpture, Justice and Culture, donated to the faculty by Yemisi Shyllon was unveiled byart patron Justice Amina Augie of the court of Appeal.

    The event was attended by eminent personalities, such as UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof Rahaman Bello; Registrar, Dr Taiwo Ipaye, Dean, Faculty of Law Prof Akin Ibidapo-Obe, Prof Yusuf Grillo, Dr Ronke Adesanya, Mr Kolade Oshinowo and Mrs Bolanle Austin-Peters.

    Justice Augie described the statue as a testimony that God blessed Africa with unique gifts of culture, which, she said, Shyllon is leaving a proof that ‘before the coming of the colonial administration, Africans have law and order rooted in culture.’

    Bello commended Shyllon for his gesture noting that he is not new to the University of Lagos in terms of philanthropy. He said Shyllon has been very active at the faculty of arts with the sponsorship of the annual creative workshop. “Today, he is reaching out to the faculty of law which is his second part. This is a very welcome gesture and we commend him,” he added.

    Prof Ibidapoi Obe said the new statue was initiated following the poor state of the old one at the faculty and that he chose to contact Shyllon for the assistance. “The erection of the statue at the faculty of law was not by accident. The reason for the statue is to encourage the students and that culture is not all about dancing but that law should be a representation of our sociological values,” he added.

    Shyllon said he would use art to ‘promote Nigerian identity and culture, put us in the map of civilisation. We are a people with a proud past and we can return to it if we believe in what we are as a people.’

    He said his family decided to chose art as area of contributing to the society, adding that ‘we are not a rich family but we are struggling.’

     

  • Parenting internet savvy kids

    Parenting internet savvy kids

    Parents in Nigeria have been advised on ways of parenting technology savvy children for good of the society.

    This advice was given on Monday during the celebration of the Global Day of Parents at the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Lagos.

    At the Panel Discussion programme organised to mark the day in Lagos, parents were urged to keep abreast of their children and be social media smart themselves.

    Speaking on ‘Contemporary Parenting and the Social Media’, Dr Ifeoma Amobi of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, warned that interaction of young people on social media platforms should no longer be dismissed as a ‘waste of time’, but must be acknowledged by parents as a part of contemporary communication.

    “The new way of life, brought on by the spread and development of communication technology, demands different ways of parenting due to the altered fabrics of parent-child relationships,” Dr. Amobi contended.

    According to her: “Parents should be their children’s best friends and should do so by becoming ‘social media smart’.”

    She further noted that in order to fulfil parents’ duty of protecting their children, online activity should be treated with the same diligence as offline activities.

    Welcoming the participants, Mr Ronald Kayanja, Director of UNIC Lagos, highlighted the importance of parents to the development of the child, the community and the nation.

    He observed that the success of the United Nations’ mission to promote international peace and security, ensuring a world free from war and conflict, was dependent on the direction parents provided for their children and the society.

    Quoting from the preamble of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Kayanja observed that “Since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace must be constructed”. He added that parents played an integral role in peace building through teaching values of tolerance, respect for one another, hard work and integrity among others.

    Similarly, Dr. Ebun Sonaiya, Chief Medical Director and Director of Total Health Trust, observed that peer pressure from an early age, the excessive use of technology and gadgets, being subjected to bullying, a sense of entitlement, drugs and substance abuse, sexual experimentation as well as sibling rivalry were the challenges children and parents face at this time in the global development.

    Dr. Ebun who spoke on topic: ‘Critical Issues and Challenges with Parenting in Nigeria’, maintained that “The parenting skills needed to tackle these sort challenges are not taught in schools or homes rather parents need to devise a more practical approach to navigate the challenges.

    In her remarks, the Executive Director of TWYEF, Mrs Stephany Nwanma, re-emphasised the importance of education and restoration of values through parenting and urged parents to rise up to the challenges of contemporary parenting.

    Her Royal Highness addressed the issue of gender equality and women’s empowerment stating that fathers and mothers should be equally responsible for parenting, as “women have always been working side by side to create a happy home for children”.

    In her ‘Testimony of a Parent’, Mrs Chinyere Anokwuru, the former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos state on women ethnic groups, recounted how her parents upheld integrity and values in the face of hardship and poverty to raise her. She added that the values handed down to her by her parents had brought her to where she was at the moment.

    The Panel Discussion programme chaired by the Erelu of Lagos, Her Royal Highness, Abiola Dosunmu, attracted men and women with varying education background, from all walks of life who gathered just to commemorate the Day3 in Nigeria.

  • UNILAG alumni hold Pre-Ramadan Lecture

    The 21st Pre-Ramadan Lecture of the University of Lagos, Muslim Alumni (UMA) will hold on Sunday at the University of Lagos Main Auditorium, Akoka.

    A statement by UMA President, Alhaji Akeeb Oladokun said the topic of the lecture is Public Trust: An Obligation for credible Leadership.

    According to Oladokun, the topic was carefully chosen to set the agenda for the country’s political class so as to lead with the fear of God.

    He said Prof Tabiu Mohammed of the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano (BUK) and Chief Imam, Daaru Naim Central Mosque Sheikh AbdulMajeed Imran Eleha, are the guest speakers.

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Rahaman Bello is the Chief host

     

  • Patoranking, others to storm UNILAG on ‘Shuga’ Tour

    Patoranking, others to storm UNILAG on ‘Shuga’ Tour

    As the tour of the award-winning MTV series, Shuga, reaches the University of Lagos, top notch entertainers such as Ice Prince, Patoranking, DJ Neptune and DJ Humility are set to storm the campus.

    The show will begin by 4pm on Saturday, May 16, at the Indoor Sports Complex.

    Hosted by VJ Ehiz and Sharon Ezeamaka, the event also affords attendees the opportunity to interact with stars from the series such as Emmanuel Ikubese (Femi), Timini Egbuson (Toby) and Sharon Ezeamaka (Princess).

    Apart from entertainment, the tour plans for young people to know their HIV status as confidential HIV testing and counseling will be available free of charge at the venue.

    Shuga is an MTV Base production targeted at educating young persons on the importance of practicing safe sex at all times.

  • A family of First Class graduates

    A family of First Class graduates

    Atinuke Adigun was one of the First Class graduates at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) convocation. This achievement may have stunned many who do not know her family history. She was only following in the footsteps of the father and brother. JOSEPH ESHANOKPE writes.

    •Son, daughter follow dad’s footsteps

    For members of Adiguns family in Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State, academic excellence runs in their genes. About 31 years ago, the family head, Mr Supo Adigun, was the best graduating student in the Economics Department of former University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. He made a First Class.

    Last year, Adigun’s son, Olanrewaju, finished from the Computer Engineering Department of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) with a First Class. This year, Olanrewaju’s sister, Atinuke, 21, followed in their footsteps. She graduated with a First Class in Economics at UNILAG convocation about two weeks ago.

    Atinuke was among the 10 First Class graduates in the  Economics Department. Her Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) was 4.68.

    At the convocation held at the Multipurpose Hall, Atinuke, along with other First Class graduates, received the school honour for excellence. She was also given a presidential handshake by the representative of President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof Jerry Gana, who chairs of the UNILAG Governing Council.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Rahamon Bello, described the First Class graduates as the institution’s shining stars. Atinuke said she felt on top of the world by the discription.

    She recalled her encounter with the VC: “It was nice; it was the first time I would meet the VC. This makes me happy that my achievements could take me far. Hearing those words of encouragement from the head of the school, I was touched and felt on top of the world.”

    The feat, Atinuke said, is humbling. Her inspiration, she said, is her father, adding that her journey to  academic excellence started in 2010 when she was admitted into the university. She was 16 and the only thing she could hope for was excellence.

    “I prayed to God to give me the grace to finish on top of my class. I worked towards it by studying hard for it,” she said.

    But did she burn the proverbial midnight candle? “No,” she said, adding: “I made a First Class by prioritising my time for reading and other engagements. But I dedicated more time during the day for reading. I also attended professional seminars. They made me to be more focused and helped me in achieving my goals.”

    For Atinuke, the feat was not easy to come by. She faced challenges like her colleagues, especially in final year when she was under pressure to complete her project and participate in class work. Besides, a newly-introduced course, Econometrics, was a tough subject she had to pass.

    What is Atinuke’s plan after Bachelor’s degree? She said marriage is not on her cards for now, hoping to build a career in either academics or investment banking to take after her father, who recently retired from First Bank.

    Mr Adigun, who is now in private practice, gave glory to God for his children’s feats. He said the achievement made him to remember his days at OAU, saying the blood of academic brilliance runs in the family.

    His wife, Toyin, was all smiles during Atinuke’s graduation. She gave thanks to God, saying: “It is a thing of joy for me to turn out two graduates in succession and all of them made a First Class. I am so blessed. All glory be to God. Today is the best day of my life.”

    Adigun’s former classmate in the secondary school and Manager of UNILAG branch of Ecobank, Tunji Jayeola, said: “We are proud of Adigun’s family. I am happy that Atinuke has repeated the father’s feat. She knew what she wanted and went for it. This also shows anyone can achieve his dream in life if he is focused and have the right attitude. This is what Atinuke’s achievement indicates.”

  • UNILAG starts N39m climate change research

    UNILAG starts N39m climate change research

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has embarked on a palynological research project worth N39 million to determine the status and effects of climate change on coastal regions of Lagos State.

    A pre-project workshop for the research, which is sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Grant Scheme in collaboration with UNILAG, held at the Julius Berger Hall of the university on Tuesday during which the requirements and progress of the project were spelt out.

    Principal investigator of the project, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said it would provide an alternative way for the Lagos State government to predict climate change in the state for the next 20 years, which would help in planning and development of the state.

    He said: “This is our own contribution in determining the effects of climate change in Nigeria and Lagos State in particular. This is not somebody coming from abroad to now start modelling something for us. We are doing this one ourselves and this is the first time we are having a research like this in Nigeria and I want to say that the climate change summit of Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola, last year inspired this project.”

    Ogundipe said the project would bring together scholars and students – undergraduates and postgraduates – from various departments of the university as well as related agencies across the country like the Nigerian Institute of Meteorological Science for a joint effort to get accurate statistics on climate evolution.

    He said results of the project would help in regional planning, conservation and sustainability of the environment, biodiversity, issues of Greenwich areas in Lagos, as well as influence other state governments in the country to show more concern for the environment.

    One of the principal researchers of the project, Dr Temitope Onumiya, a lecturer in the department of Botany, said the project is about using pollen grains and climatic data to assess changes that have occurred around the Lagos coastal environment over the years, through a comparison of vegetation that existed from the past 10,000 years to now.

    She encouraged Nigerian higher institutions to expand their interests and involvement in research works that would promote the status of the nation and reduce the country’s dependency on developed countries.

    She said: “For UNILAG, we are a solution-proving institution where we make research in order to help solve national problems. This is what every higher institution is expected to do. We are not just there to train people; we are also there to provide solutions.”

    Speaking at the workshop, Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Rahamon Bello said the project was one of two projects being funded by the TETFund in the institution and urged individuals and groups in the country to tap into the TETFund scheme to broaden their horizon.

    He said: “There is no longer limit to research funding because even if the university’s research funds cannot carry your researches, the TETFund research grants and TETFund National Grant Scheme would lift you.”

    He urged them to attend to more proposals and come up with their own research proposals to promote their career and the nation.

  • MBA students protest omission from UNILAG graduands’ list

    As the University of Lagos (UNILAG) bubbles with activities marking its 2014 convocation, some post graduate students are not happy that their names were omitted from the list of graduands this year.

    They threatened to disrupt the event with a court order over what they called the “deliberate omission” of their names from the convocation list.

    The aggrieved students accused the coordinator of the Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) of failing to send their results to the Senate for ratification, describing the action as callous and unfair.

    The students threatened to approach the court should the school fail to listen to their complaints.

    One of them, Akinyemi Alebiosu, said: “We started the MBA programme in 2011, hoping to be awarded the degree within two years. There were industrial actions within the period, which pushed the graduation time longer than expected. We wrote our final examination in March 2014 in line with the school’s calendar and defended our projects at different times within the year as scheduled by the MBA School coordinator.

    “We also held a meeting with the Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration and the coordinator of MBA programme, where we were promised our names would be sent to the Senate for ratification, having fulfilled all obligations.

    “To our greatest surprise, we found out 70 per cent of the MBA students due for graduation, having met all requirements, was omitted from the convocation list. We tried to reach the authorities at the MBA school, but they would not attend to us.”

    Alebiosu said that the affected students were told their results had been forwarded to the Post-graduate school. But on visiting to the Post-graduate school on April 17, the Sub-dean told the students that their results were “stepped down” by the Senate because the MBA School did not present the results on the e-platform.

    The Nation learnt that the MBA School is yet to correct the error but the affected students said they are victims of inefficiencies of UNILAG workers. They are demanding immediate approval of their results.

    UNILAG’s Deputy Registrar for Information, Olagoke Oke, could not be reached for comment at the time of this report.

  • UNILAG to employ first class graduates

    UNILAG to employ first class graduates

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, plans to employ some of the 125 first class students, who will graduate tomorrow and Wednesday.

    Its Vice Chancellor, Prof Rahamon Bello, said two of the best in each programme would be employed as graduate assistants.

    Bello, who said this at a pre-convocation briefing to announce the 2013/2014 convocation held in the university’s Senate Chambers, said their employment was ratified by the Governing Council.

    “The top two first class graduates in each programme will be absorbed for employment as graduate assistants. This was approved by Council last Thursday.

    Those serving as youth corps members will be the first to benefit.

    “We cannot employ all of them but they and the 103 PhD graduates we have produced can serve younger universities,” he said.

    Giving an update on the best PhD graduate of last session and the youngest ever to be produced by the university, the Vice Chancellor said 25-year old Dr Hallowed Oluwadara Olaoluwa, who is now a Lecturer II, will leave for Harvard University for a post doctoral fellowship in September.

    This year, 10,600 graduates will be awarded undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, diplomas as well as certificates.

    With a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.96, Korede Akinpelu of the Chemical Engineering Department will lead the 5,836 undergraduates to receive their first degrees.

    Emmanuel Akpan, whose thesis on “Processing and Characterisation of Selected Biodegradable fibre – PLA Composites”, was adjudged the best doctoral thesis, would lead the 4,764 postgraduate students to be awarded Doctor of Philosophy Degrees (PhDs), Masters degrees, and postgraduate diplomas (PGD).

    Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Deacon Gamaliel Onosode, and Lt-General Theophilus Danjuma will be awarded honorary doctorate degrees on the same day.

    Onosode will be conferred with a Doctor of Letters degree, Pastor Adeboye and Danjuma will be awarded Doctor of Science degrees.

    Three retired professors-Profs Olayide Abass,  Francis Fajemirokun, and  Soga Sofola- will also be honoured with the emeritus professor awards.

    A convocation lecture titled: “Taking Advantage of a Depressing Nigerian Economy to Accelerate Socio-Economic Development” will be delivered by Prof Peter Okebukola, former executive secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC).

    The lecture, to be chaired by Mr Hakeem Belo-Osagie, will hold at the main auditorium of the university.