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  • UNILORIN workers get 25% school fees rebate for their children

    UNILORIN workers get 25% school fees rebate for their children

    The Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof. Wahab Egbewole, has approved 25 per cent school fees rebate for the children of University of Ilorin staff members.

    The Registrar, Mr. Mansur Alfanla, told reporters in Ilorin yesterday that the VC’s decision “reflects a deep understanding of the economic challenges facing the country.”

    He described this as a positive step towards supporting the university community.

    Read Also: UNILORIN workers get 25% school fees rebate for their children

    The registrar advised staff members to check their emails regularly and respond to the provided links for participation between December 7 and 8.

    He said the rebate applied to officially-registered biological children covering ‘freshers’ and returning students.

    According to him, up to four children of members of staff are eligible for the rebate.

    Reacting to the development on behalf of other unions, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Chairman, Mr. Alex Akanmu, praised Egbewole and the management for the positive move.

  • UNILORIN workers get 25% school fees rebate for their children

    UNILORIN workers get 25% school fees rebate for their children

    The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, UNILORIN Prof. Wahab Egbewole, has approved a 25 per cent school fees rebate for the children of University of Ilorin staff members.

    Mr Mansur Alfanla, the university’s registrar, told newsmen in Ilorin on Thursday that the Vice-Chancellor’s decision `reflects a deep understanding of the economic challenges facing the country`.

    He described this as a positive step towards supporting the university community.

    The registrar advised staff members to check their emails regularly and respond to the provided links for participation between Dec. 7, and Dec. 8.

    Read Also: UNILORIN unveils 48 professors

    He explained that the rebate applies to officially registered biological children covering both freshers and returning students.

    According to him, up to four children of members of staff are eligible for the rebate.

    Reacting to the development on behalf of other unions, the ASUU Chairman, Mr Alex Akanmu, commended the Egbewole and the entire management for the positive move. (NAN)

  • UNILORIN unveils 48 professors

    UNILORIN unveils 48 professors

    Management of University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has announced the promotion of 48 of its academic officials to the rank of professors.

    A statement issued yesterday by the university said the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, disclosed this at a meeting he held with the new professors at the university.

    Egbewole said 59 others were also elevated to the rank of associate professors in the latest promotion carried out by the institution.

    The vice chancellor, who is also the secretary general of Association of West African Universities (AWAU), said the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, had approved the request of the university’s Appointments and Promotion Committee.

    This, he said, culminated in the promotion of the new professors from their previous positions of readers/associate professors.

    Egbewole further said the approval of the minister was necessitated by the absence of a properly-constituted Governing Council for the university, which ought to have discharged the responsibility.

    He congratulated the new professors for attaining the peak of their career, expressing confidence in their dignity and competence.

    The vice chancellor, noting that the promotions were meritorious and well-deserved, hailed their dedication to the achievement of the institution’s corporate objectives through quality teaching, meaningful research and impactful community services.

    Read Also: UNILORIN: Egbewole’s first year of transformative leadership

    He encouraged the newly-promoted dons not to rest on their oars, but should work harder on their responsibilities, to justify the confidence reposed in them by the university and the society.

    The Registrar, Mr. Mansur Alfanla, congratulated the professors on their promotion to the pinnacle of the teaching career.

    Responding on behalf of the newly-promoted professors, Prof. Jaiye Opadiji of the Department of Computer Engineering expressed profound gratitude to the vice chancellor and the management for their support, which culminated in attaining the peak of their career.

    He said they were not unaware of the expectations from them, assuring the management of their continued dedication to the services of the institution and humanity.

    He pledged their determination to intensify efforts toward advancing the university’s academic excellence and overall success. 

  • Unilorin to partner organisationon brain, pain research

    Unilorin to partner organisationon brain, pain research

    The Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole has expressed the commitment of the institution to advancing scientific knowledge and make significant contributions to the field of neuroscience and pain research.

    Egbewole made the commitment on Tuesday in Ilorin when receiving a delegation from the International Brain Research School Organisation (IBRO School), who visited the institution to solicit for its partnership.

    The vice chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Suleiman Ambali, praised IBRO for choosing the University of Ilorin to host the training workshop on brain and pain research.

     “The university is committed to supporting research in all areas and pain research is a particularly important area, given the high prevalence of pain,” he said.

     The vice chancellor commended IBRO School and underscored the university’s eagerness to collaborate on initiatives that promote scientific knowledge and research.

     Egbewole highlighted the institution’s dedication to fostering an environment of research and innovation and welcomed opportunities for joint projects and knowledge sharing.

     He also expressed his hope that the partnership between the University of Ilorin and IBRO would lead to new discoveries in pain research and improved pain management for Nigerians.

    Read Also: UNILORIN: Egbewole’s first year of transformative leadership

     Earlier, the leader of the delegation from IBRO, Prof. Bamidele Owoyele, told the vice chancellor that the team was in the university of Ilorin campus to conduct a training workshop on pain research for Nigerian scientists.

     He said the International Brain Research Organisation was a global pacesetter that was passionate and committed to the growth of neuroscience in the world.  Owoyele, who is also the President of Neuroscience Society of Nigeria, acknowledged the support given to host the IBRO-ARC school on the campus of the university by the vice chancellor.

     He reaffirmed the global significance of collaborative efforts in the realm of neuroscience and pain research.

     He acknowledged the university’s notable contributions to scientific advancement, particularly in the field of Neuroscience.

    Owoyele expressed admiration for the institution’s commitment to excellence in education and research.

  • UNILORIN: Egbewole’s first year of transformative leadership

    UNILORIN: Egbewole’s first year of transformative leadership

    • By Kunle Akogun

    ight from Day One, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, who assumed office as the 11th Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin on October 16, 2022, left no one in doubt about his mission. One event particularly underscored this assertion: his very first official assumption day, the first working day, Monday, October 17, 2022, was the very day that members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) returned to the classrooms after an eight-month long national strike. Could this have been a mere coincidence? Quite probably. Or a divine design? Whatever it is, this singular event certainly set the tone for an administration with a historic sense of purpose and an unparalleled sense of duty.
    Also, the deluge of congratulatory messages that greeted his appointment by the University’s Governing Council on August 8, 2022 was unprecedented. It invariably signified the massive popularity of his choice and general acceptability across all sectors of the university community. This is not surprising, as the erudite Professor of Jurisprudence and International Law is known to have adequately prepared himself for the job with clearly spelt out vision and methodically marshalled plans on how to bring the vision into reality.
    In his maiden address to the university community on the occasion of his formal assumption of office at the University Auditorium, on Monday, October 17, 2022, Egbewole clearly set out his agenda in unmistakable terms and he has been vigorously pursuing it with single-minded commitment, breaking new grounds in all areas of the university’s three-prong core mandate of teaching, research and community service.
    On that occasion, the vice chancellor told the jubilant crowd of staff that converged on the University Auditorium that having been part and parcel of the university for the past 25 years, he was aware of its nature and texture. He said, “I have taken time to study the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) that characterise or confront the university and I am prepared to address them for institutional excellence and our collective interest”.
    Egbewole added, “My vision for the University of Ilorin is all about attaining global reckoning as a 21st Century University and the best in Africa. This is not a tall dream as I believe strongly in the human capital of this university. Together, we can take the university to the topmost league in Africa if we are SMART”.
    Not being a leader blankly coming into an office with no idea of what lies ahead, the vice chancellor is well conversant with the situation on ground and well-focused on how to go about righting the identified wrongs. According to him, the compass to navigate the intricate administrative superstructure of the university is his SMART Agenda, which he said, “will be purposively geared towards achieving: Sustainable development, Monumental achievements, Adaptive capacity, Rapid response to change and Team building.
    With this mantra of “SMART CAMPUS, the vice chancellor’s vision 1 – 10 – 500 is being vigorously pursued. The main essence of this vision is to return UNILORIN to its Number One position among Nigerian universities; make it one of the 10 best universities in Africa and among the top-notch 500 in the world.

    Read Also: UNILORIN gets intervention fund of N954.7m from TETFund
    One of the early signs that this ambitious vision is attainable within a short time was the resurgence of national and international honours and awards won in quick succession by UNILORIN lecturers and students within the first few weeks of Egbewole’s assumption of office. Added to this is the sterling performance of some of the University’s faculties in global academic performance ranking. Also recently, the university moved a step ahead in World University Ranking in a survey conducted by the Time Higher Education (THE). In that ranking, the University of Ilorin moved from its previous seventh position to sixth among its peers in the country.
    The first year of Egbewole has indeed been eventful as several landmark achievements have been recorded in all spheres of the university’s core mandates of teaching, research, and community service. Other areas in which the impact of this astute administrator has been felt are his humanistic approach to staff welfare, reinvention of the university’s administrative superstructure, academic excellence and research breakthroughs, stellar students’ performances in national and international outings, massive infrastructural, development, collaboration and partnerships, rigorous internationalisation drive, establishment, reinvention and revitalisation of centres. And of course, the university remains a veritable a factory for minting vice chancellors and sundry administrators for other universities in the country.
    As it is often said that the outlook of a good Sunday could be gleaned from the preceding Saturday, the myriads of achievements recorded in just one year of the vice chancellor’s five-year tenure could be safely taken as tell-tale signals that the Egbewole years would be full of bags of goodies for the University community.
    However, as the vice chancellor said in his maiden address to members of the university community, “being Africa’s numero uno (number one) university definitely requires efforts and sacrifices on our part as stakeholders”. Thus, the journey ahead requires the cooperation of all in terms of renewed commitment to efficient service delivery, undiluted dedication to duty and the active embrace of the Team Unilorin spirit. These are sine qua none requirements to “propel the university to where it should be, right among the galaxy of stars”. And it is achievable!

    • Akogun is the Director, Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin.
  • Unilorin VC urges FG to declarestate of emergency on education

    Unilorin VC urges FG to declarestate of emergency on education

    The Vice Chancellor of the University Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, on Friday in Ilorin appealed to the Federal Government to declare state of emergency on education.

    Egbewole made the call at the 37th and 38th Convocation Ceremonies and Lecture organised by the university.

    According to him, education sector in the country, particularly, higher education, has suffered avoidable setbacks in the recent past leading to brain drain.

     “Our institutions need more hands to deliver on its mandates and funds for serious academic works, researches and collaborations for desired outputs.

    Read Also: Convocation: Unilorin graduates 450 students with 1st class

    “We wish to assure Mr. President that we will not rest on our oars for advancement and cutting-edge research aimed at development and community engagement.

    “We are on the cusp of a new era, one filled with opportunities and challenges that will shape the future of education and our society,” he said.

    He stated that the institution was well prepared to face these challenges, “and I have every confidence in the potential of our graduates to make a positive impact in their respective fields.”

    The vice chancellor added that the institution would continue the legacy of academic excellence and prepare our students to be the leaders, innovators, and problem solvers of tomorrow.

    He however urged the graduands to critically think outside the box, be open-minded and collaborate with others to find solutions to complex issues.

  • Convocation: Unilorin graduates 450 students with 1st class

    Convocation: Unilorin graduates 450 students with 1st class

    Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin (Unilorin) Prof. Wahab Egbewole has indicated that 450 students bagged first class out of 25,234 graduating in the combined 37th and 38th convocation ceremony of the institution.

    Egbewole disclosed this yesterday in Ilorin at  a news conference to mark the beginning of the 37th and 38th combined convocation ceremony of the university.

    He said the institution would be convoking a total number of 25,234 students during the combined ceremony. “We have 14,477 students for the 37th convocation ceremony in the 2020/2021 Academic session that will be convoking.

    “On the other hand, we shall be graduating 10,757 students for the 38th convocation ceremony, who are for the 2021/2022 academic session,” he said. The vice-chancellor explained that there were 211 First Class and 4,143 Second Class Upper Division in the 37th convocation ceremony.

    He added that in the 38th convocation, 239 bagged First Class while 3,406 were with Second Class Upper Division.

    Similarly, Egbewole stated that President Bola Tinubu would inaugurate not less than 15 completed projects at the combined convocation ceremony.

    Read Also: UNILORIN female student commits suicide over alleged debt

    He listed the Faculty of Clinical Science building, Advancement Centre building, Department of Anatomy building and Extension of Students Affairs Office as some of the projects slated for inauguration.

    Others were the Department of Chemical Engineering building, Faculty of Engineering 400 square capacity studio and Asphalt laid on the existing road from the university gate to Senate building, among others.

    Egebwole said the institution was renowned for its reputation for academic prowess and its integrity remained intact.

    He said the vision of the Unilorin was to be reckoned as a 21st century university and the best in Africa through well planned and coordinated strategies. “By this, the university will be the industry leader in Nigeria, the best or one of the topmost 10 in Africa and one of the best 500 in the world,” he stated.

    Egbewole pledged management resolve to continue to foster an atmosphere that nurtures creativity, critical thinking and a deep sense of social responsibility.

    The vice- chancellor assured stakeholders that the large landmass of the institution would be utilised as the university is talking with the Oriental Energy Farms for a large commercial agriculture.

    He, however, assured that the university would commence perimeter fencing of the institution for security purposes.

  • UNILORIN female student commits suicide over alleged debt

    UNILORIN female student commits suicide over alleged debt

    An undergraduate female student of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Hameedah Sanni, has allegedly committed suicide.

    The late Hameedah was a 300-level Microbiology student. 

    Twenty-year-old Hameedah allegedly committed suicide by drinking Sniper.

    A source said the deceased committed suicide over alleged continuous harassment from online loan apps that she was owing people, while another source said she was scammed by her online lover to the tune of over N500,000.

    Read Also: UNILORIN student commits suicide after lending ‘Snapchat lover’ N500,000 – MGT

    Sources in her hall of residence said Hameedah informed some of her friends that she had bought Sniper to commit suicide, a threat she had initially made to her parents.

    Sources said her friends tried to convince her not to commit suicide.

    Her roommates reportedly saw her writhing in pains on her bed early on Monday.

    It was learnt that the porter alongside others mobilised to get urgent medical attention for her, but she was pronounced ‘brought in dead’ on getting to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).

    Police spokesman Okasanmi Ajayi asked for some time to gather information on the incident from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Tanke area of Ilorin. 

  • UNILORIN student commits suicide after lending ‘Snapchat lover’ N500,000 – MGT

    UNILORIN student commits suicide after lending ‘Snapchat lover’ N500,000 – MGT

    Sanni Hameedat, a 20-year-old University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) student, allegedly committed suicide after giving N500,000 to a guy she met on social media app Snapchat.

    Hameedat was undergoing her SIWES programme before the incident happened.

    According to a statement by the management of the institution, the reason for her death was linked to the pressure from loan app agents who demanded quick payback, as well as her brother’s incapacity to aid her financially, which led to depression.

    It said: “The cause of suicide was traced to financial misappropriation. She was entrusted with a significant sum of money by her mother. She crossed paths with a guy on Snapchat and developed a friendship.

    “When the boy claimed that his mother was battling breast cancer and urgently needed N500,000, the compassionate and emotional lady decided to help him by lending him half of the N1 million she held for her mother. And the boy promised to repay the borrowed money.

    “However, when her mother needed the money back, the boy abruptly cut off all contact, blocking her. This left her deeply troubled and in order for her to make up the missing N500,000, she resorted to borrowing money from various apps.”

    Read Also: UNILORIN holds first combined convocation in decades

    Hameedat was said to have gathered N450,000 from the loan apps, adding her savings of N50,000 to make up the borrowed N500,000.

    The management further maintained that she was reported to have ingested a bottle of pesticide popularly known as sniper the previous night, and her roommate (name withheld), who had retired to bed early, woke up in the middle of the night to discover her in distress while she was foaming from her mouth and also vomiting.

    The statement stated: “Alarmed, the roommate sought help, and she was rushed to UITH before being declared dead.”

  • UNILORIN holds first combined convocation in decades

    UNILORIN holds first combined convocation in decades

    University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) will hold its combined 37th and 38th convocation the first in decades that graduated two sets simultaneously.

    Graduates of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 sessions will  receive first, second degrees and diplomas during the three-day event at the Main Auditorium on Friday till October 23.

    In a statement in Ilorin, Corporate Affairs Director, Kunle Akogun, said the ceremonial preliminaries, which began on Friday, October 13, with a special Jum’at at its Central Mosque, included  interdenominational service yesterday at Chapel of Light.

    The programmes lined up showed the main event will start on Wednesday, with a briefing by  Vice Chancellor Wahab Egbewole at the university’s auditorium.

    He is expected to spotlight the convocation events and highlight some achievements in the past one year.

    Read Also: BBC insists Tinubu’s CSU certificate not forged

    The troupe of the Performing Arts will present the convocation drama: Jeong Do-Jeon (The Clash of Power), a Korean drama by Jung Hyun-MIN, at the Arts Theatre 4 pm and 6 pm on Thursday.

    A major highlight of the convocation is the lecture to be delivered by Nigeria-born U.S.-based Professor of History, Tayo Falola, on Friday at the auditorium.

    The historian, who lectures at Department of History, University of Texas, Austin, United States, will speak on Modernity, Modernisation and Values.

    This will be followed by the graduation ceremonies at  same venue from 11 a.m to 1 p.m.

    The schedule also indicated that Saturday, October 21, will be the Convocation Day II for the conferment of degrees and honours on all the 2021/2022 graduands of for-year and five-year academic programmes between 9 a.m and 11 a.m at the university’s auditorium.

    Monday, October 23, will be the grand finale of the event with the graduation of the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 six-year programmes as well as postgraduate graduands between 9 a.m and 12.30 p.m.

    Immediately after this, the Visitor to the university, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will inaugurating some projects recently completed by the university’s administration. This will be followed by the convocation luncheon and presentation of merit awards to deserving members of staff of the university at the Multipurpose Hall by 4 p.m.

    According to the programme schedule, another special Jum’at service will be held at the UNILORIN Central Mosque on Friday, October 27, while the ceremonies will end with a thanksgiving service at the university’s St. Thomas Aquinas Chaplaincy on Sunday, October 29, at 9 a.m.

    Akogun assured everyone that the authorities of UNILORIN would ensure that the events are hitch-free.

    He urged staff members of the university, the graduands and their parents as well as well-wishers and members of the public to conduct themselves in the best of manner for the events to hold peacefully as scheduled.