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Tag: Union

  • Union unveils Great Ife Apps

    The much-anticipated “Great Ife Application” was unveiled last Friday by the outgoing leaders of Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. The software would enhance communication and interactions among students, alumni and lecturers.

    The computer application, according to the union leaders, is the first of its kind in the nation’s higher institutions. It was unveiled at the school’s ICT Building.

    The union’s outgoing General Secretary, Olatayo Shittu said the Isaac Ibikunle-led administration had fulfilled its promises to students with the launch of the computer application.

    He said: “Ibikunle has fulfilled both his traditional roles to students and modern role through this initiative and innovation. He has achieved beyond the expectations of many and I am happy that I am part of the successes recorded by the team. Many will criticise this great idea, but when we all leave the school, we will know the usefulness of the application and we will be remembered for good.”

    The guest speaker, Prof Ganiyu Aderounmu, who is the Director of Information and Communication Technology unit, said described the application as a good idea and innovation that will benefits members of OAU community. He said: “This is a good innovation that the upcoming administration must sustain to enable the university connects to its past students easily.

    Lukman Fasasi, a 200-Level Management and Accounting student, said: “I believe when the application is launched on the May 1, students will appreciate what the union leaders have done. Getting jobs will be easier and interaction between students and lecturers will improve.”

    Another student, Fatai Shuaib, said he could not wait to download the application on his android phone, saying: “I heard a lot about this application, but I will reserve my comment until I download it.”

    Earlier, Ibikunle said his administration had kept to its promises to leave the union better than it met it.

    “We made a lot of promises when we came on board. We promised to build an application that will connect all members of the university community. We have just unveiled the application and this initiative is to create an online professional platform through which alumni and students can interact. It will also aid lecturers-students interactions, linking alumni together and makes information dissemination easy with jobs advert from Jobberman,”he said.

    At the event were Deputy Director of ICT unit, Mr Olakanmi Adewara; Chairman Encomium Technologies, Habib Lawal, and members of the incoming SUG administration.

  • Union reviews activities

    Union reviews activities

    The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida (BIDA POLY) in Niger State has scored itself high in catering to students need.

    Its president, Emmanuel Obiora, said the union executive had achieved its goals, despite its challenges.

    Emmanuel said the union, under his leadership, succeeded on getting the school to reduce the N5,000 increment in tuition fee. He added that the union supported the management to initiate the building of more lecture halls through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

    On accommodation, Emmanuel said the union is seeking to partner with private firms to build more hostels under the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement to reduce students’ pains.

    The SUG, he added, ensured that any landlords who collected N20,000 rent would provide occupants basic amenities, such as water.

    He also spoke on the Nigeria Polytechnics Games (NIPOGA), which was attended by Governor Babangida Aliyu and royal fathers.

    The union’s  challenge, he said, is  to leave worthy legacy, noting that his predecessor left no guideline for him to work with.

     

  • Union gives one week ultimatum over TETFund, salary deductions

    Union gives one week ultimatum over TETFund, salary deductions

    The crisis between the management of the College of Education, Ekiadolor in Edo State and the Coalition of Union,  deepened at the weekend, following the alleged inability of the school management to remit to the union’s TETFund deductions and the non-payment of last December and this year’s January salaries.

    The union, at a meeting in Benin, the state capital, gave a seven-day ultimatum to the management to pay the unions or face another strike.

    The union’s chairman, Comrade Fred Omonuwa, who addressed reporters in Benin, described the development as a “grand theft and deceit” allegedly perpetrated by the management.

    Buttressing his claim over the alleged diversion and mismanagement of TETFnd, Omonuwa displayed copy of a letter, dated June 6, 2014, in which  TETFund’s Executive Secretary B. M. Umoh, queried the bursar, Esekhile Ehiremem, whose name was allegedly smuggled in as a beneficiary of TETFund’s conference.

    It was learnt that the arrangement was against the policy of the fund.

    The letter, addressed to the Provost, Prof Amen Uhunmwangho, reads: “You are kindly requested to recover  N1,500,005 from Mr Esekhile Emmanuel Ehiremem, lodged same in your TETFund dedicated account and forward evidence of such to the fund. The amount so recovered should be used to pay the underlisted workers, who were omitted and short paid in our earlier release. Edokpa W. Imonikhe, (N793,960) and Mrs Noruwa Doris Ohenhen, (N560,000) short paid.

    Omonuwa said: “The unions observed with great disappointment the delay on the part of College management to remit the union’s trust fund deductions of COEASU and NASU for last October and November to the trust fund executives…”

  • A royal union

    A royal union

    The Musodiq-Bishi Eshinlokun Royal family of Lagos and the Olagunju royal family of Ede, Osun State have become one following the marriage of their children, prince Faruq Musodiq and Princess Bushrah Olagunju, at the Islamic Centre Hall, University of Lagos. (UNILAG) SAFIYYAH ABDUR-RAZAQ was there.

    All roads led to the Islamic Centre Hall, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, on January 17 when a Prince from the royal Eshinlokun of Lagos, Prince Musodiq and a Princess from the Olagunju royal family of Ede, Osun State, Princess Bushrah, were joined together as one.

    The hall was decorated in aqua blue and champagne gold with spring lights. Blue paper lanterns hung diagonally from one end of the hall to the other.

    Guests trooped in adorned in their splendid outfits. Princes and Princesses from both royal families stormed the hall in gorgeous attires.

    It was all for Prince Faruq Tunde Musodiq and Princess Bushrah Bolawole Olagunju.

    The bride, a graduate of English and International Studies from Osun State University was the best graduating student of her department in 2012. While in her first year, she won an award for first position in Osun State University Inter-collegiate essay competition.

    She is an author and Television presenter.

    The groom, a graduate of Computer Science from Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, is currently a final year student of Mechanical Engineering in UNILAG.

    He is a member of UNILAG debate team (Team UNILAG) and 2012 Orator of the year second runner-up organised by UNILAG Engineering Society. He works as an Administrative Officer of Structural Solutions, a United Kingdom-based firm.

    Like his wife, Prince Faruq is a Television presenter. The lovebirds have also held the position of Amir (President) and Amirah of their institutions

    While Princess Bushrah was the founding Amirah (female president) of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Osun State University, Prince Faruq was the Amir (President) of MSSN UNILAG branch for two terms.

    The Adqun Nikah, (marriage solemnisation), which was anchored by a student of UNILAG, Tajudeen Mikail, started with an opening prayer from Shakrullah Taiwo.

    Following the opening prayer was the recitation of the Qur’an in Arabic, English and Yoruba, which was done by Mustafa Kilani, Khalid Mustafa, Abdul Hamid Shonubi and Habibullah Adepoju.

    After this, the couple was invited to the hall. The groom strode in with his friends while looking resplendent in his peach-coloured buba and sokoto with a blue cap while the bride also came in with a retinue of friends looking grand in a peach-coloured Jalbab (Islamic gown) and Hijab.

    The lecture was delivered by Sheikh Lukman Idris Sekoni. He explained that Nikkah (marriage) in Islam is one of the steps to finding tranquillity. He urged the couple to continuously put Allah first in whatever they do.

    He also urged the youths to portray the true beauty of Islam.

    “Youths should show the true beauty of Islam to the world through their character. Our character makes people learn more about us and Islam,” he said.

    The nuptial knot was then tied by Ustadh Sa’eed Salman.

    He explained that before tying the nuptial knot, the conditions of marriage had to be fulfilled. “The first condition”, he said, was”that the bride and groom have to agree to the relationship. It must not be a forced marriage”. He then asked them if they both agreed to the union and they replied in the affirmative. The second condition was the consent of the parents. He asked the parents if they approve of the marriage and they also replied that they approved. The third condition was the Mahr (dowry from the groom to the bride). Bushrah received an eight-volume book on Aqeedah (Islamic ideology) as her Mahr and the final condition was two male witnesses. Two of the groom’s friends, Sulaiman Dhikrullah and Habeeb Adepoju, stood in as witnesses.

    After all conditions were met, the scholar tied the nuptial knot and pronounced them man and wife.

    The Grand Mufti of Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO), Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafii prayed for the couple.

    A lecturer in Obafemi Awolowo University, Dr Shuaib Osunleke enjoined the couple to always thank Allah and remember Him in all their affairs.

    Speaking with The Nation, Princess Bushrah who wrote her Post Graduate Diploma exam on the eve of the wedding thanked Allah for everything.

    She said: “I feel very excited and thank Allah that today is becoming a reality in my life. It is something everybody looks forward to and I am glad that Allah has spared my life to witness this,” she said.

    On how she was able to combine the stress of her exams with marriage preparations, she thanked her friends for making everything easy for her.

    “It was a challenge but with the help of Allah and my wonderful friends; I was able to survive it. My friends took care of the preparations while I concentrated on my studies,” she said.

    The groom who was obviously elated and short of words said: “I feel joyous. What I feel today is indescribable”.

    He described his wife as a caring and compassionate person.

    The bride’s mother, Alhaja Kudirat Funmilayo Olagunju urged the couple to be prayerful. She prayed Allah continue to bless and provide for them.

    “As close as the tongue and teeth are, they always fight, if any of them offends the other, they should both be patient. They shouldn’t let in a third party,” she said.

    Other guests present at the occasion were: Prince Taofeeq Olagunju; Chairman, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Prince Sulayman Olagunju; Alhaji Dhikrullah Adetona; Alhaji Taofeeq Alimi; Alhaji AbdulGaniyy Jumah; Chairman Governing Council, Vanguards Academy, Odosengolu, Alhaji Dawud Arogundade; Principal, Vanguards Academy, Mr Lukman Alatishe; Princess Mutiat Olagunju and Princess Mujeedah Olagunju among others.

  • UNILAG union is back

    • An opportunity to revive the conscience and culture of old

    The idea of banning student unionism in universities, ordinarily, is anti-intellectual. After all, that platform should provide an opportunity for competition and cross-fertilisation of ideas. Again, a ban, other things being equal, is also anti-social; because, universities are centres for learning and moulding of character. That is why before a degree is awarded, a recipient must be found worthy in learning and character. Considering that a student union should be an avenue for the development of character, it is strange that the University of Lagos banned student unionism in the institution, for the past 10 years.

    One plausible reason for such an anomaly may be that most of the student unions across the country have been hijacked by reactionary elements, within or outside the citadels of learning. The result is that now, many of the unions have turned to outposts for political interests, such that the unions are now more concerned with lucre, than the pursuit of the welfare of their members and the larger society, as we witnessed in the past. Indeed, in many institutions, the unions have become like a cult, foisted on the students by external forces, most times from government houses.

    Against better judgment, instead of student unions being breeding grounds for moulding socio-political behaviours, many have become a den for delinquent and anti-social behaviours, with many of the leaders unabashedly turning to promoters of oppressive regimes. The result is that many of the students have no interest in the existence of the unions. Indeed, for many students, student unions are no better than clogs in the wheel of academic development, considering that most times, they are either in the forefront of organising or promoting one meaningless strike or another.

    The cause of these delinquent behaviours within the student union is largely the quest for corrupt enrichment, just like in the larger society. Many of the union leaders see their positions as an opportunity to acquire material wealth, at all cost. So, once they are ‘elected’, they are driven by no other interest than the desire to hobnob with political leaders, even at the detriment of their primary constituency, the students. With such untoward desire, many student elections are no better than the ones in the larger society.

    But despite these anomalies, student unionism remains a veritable training ground for leadership. It should be an opportunity to tame political temperaments; an opportunity to exhibit and hone political skills; an opportunity to test sportsmanship and character, particularly when under pressure. It should also provide the basic requirement of allowing an aggregation of the interests of students, vis-à-vis that of the university authorities. Where appropriately organised, the ideas distilled from a student union will help the school authorities and government, organise a better society.

    We recall with nostalgia, the good old days, when the voice of students represented the voice of the masses. One of such critical interventions of the student union was the ‘Ali Must Go’ march, which shook the military government of General Olusegun Obasanjo. Another was during the anti-Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) riots, and the June 12 debacle, which witnessed a mobilised citizenry march in defence of the economy and political impulses of their country, against the duplicitous regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.

    There were other great marches, against the obnoxious policies of government, which showed the meteor of genuine student unionism, in Nigeria. Considering the enormous advantages from a purposeful student unionism, we are excited that the University of Lagos has restored life to that veritable training ground. What is expected is that the students and the union officials should be on guard against dubious infiltrations and interests.

  • Teachers are ‘worst treated’ workers in Kogi, says union

    The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kogi State Wing, has bemoaned the fate of Basic Education teachers, saying they are worst-treated civil servants in the state.

    Speaking in Lokoja last week, the state NUT Chairman, Suleiman Ndalayi Abdullahi, said primary and junior secondary school teachers are not at par with other civil servants in the state in terms of salary and welfare.

    He said minimum wage has not been implemented for them, several years after other workers have been enjoying same and their promotions have not been cash backed for four years.

    He also said the yearly salary increments have not been implemented, while their leave allowances have not been paid for years.

    Abdullahi said these are happening despite meetings and agreements reached with government officials, screenings and verification exercises carried out, and long periods of strikes.

    “Is this the way to motivate teachers? The question we are asking now is who is sabotaging all efforts to make teachers get their dues? It is sad that some of us are assessing October salaries in January, while November is just commencing. So, when will December salary be paid?

    “Today, our teachers cannot take care of their health needs, pay their bills, feed their families and provide the basic needs for their families and relations. What do you expect from a teacher that faces all these challenges? ” he asked.

    Abdullahi alleged that there is an attempt to kill public schools in the state so that the private ones can excel.  He appealed to the government, royal fathers, opinion leaders, well-meaning citizens and other stakeholders to help salvage basic education in the state.

     

  • Union leaders take oath

    Members of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State, have been sworn in. The ceremony was held at the Multipurpose Hall of the university.

    The hall was filled to the brim, as students trooped to the venue to witness the event. Members of staff were also in attendance.

    The Registrar, Mr Bamidele Olotu, administered the oath on the students’ leaders, urging them to employ diligence in discharging their duties.

    The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Olujide Ajidahun, advised the union leaders to be committed and make the welfare of their colleagues a priority. The Dean urged them to shun violence and promote transparency in their administration.

    The outgoing union president, Olusegun Ikuegbebe, said it was time for him to move on after what he described as a successful tenure. He urged his successor to build on his achievements and set new goals.

    Olusegun described the DSA as a father, noting that he was supportive of his administration.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, who assumed office last week, said students’ unionism is a platform for breeding future leaders. If harnessed properly, Prof Ajibefun said unionism could be used to deepen democracy.

    The VC appealed to the students’ leaders to deal with their fellow students in fairness, equity and justice, urging them to run the affairs of the union with transparency.

    Prof. Ajibefun assured the students of his intention to run student-friendly administration, noting that he expected students to reciprocate the gesture with peaceful conduct and discipline.

    The president of the union, Olukayode Ogunade, hailed students for reposing confidence in him, assuring them of a new era and vibrant unionism.

  • Union urges release of N50b facility

    Union urges release of N50b facility

    The Agro-Allied Commodities Cooperative Entrepreneurship Multi-Purpose Union, has urged the Federal Government to release N50 billion out of the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Entreprises (MSME) loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to its members.

    The group said it has utilised and refunded previous credit facilities extended to it by the government, adding that  the government should hasten the release of the fund.

    Its President, Prof. Victoria Adesuyi said it was important to reduce poverty and ensure food sufficiency in the nation.

    Adesuyi who spoke in Abuja, said: “The agro-allied ventures are embraced by the middle and low class Nigerians, therefore we use this medium to solicit for the immediate release of money the for these categories of people who have taken cooperative system seriously as the only channel through which they could team up to create self-help for themselves.

    “Concerning our request for N50billion, it is for our farmers, artisans, marketers, traders, processors, industrialists, agro-allied commodities and service producers all across the nation. It is primarily for the cooperatives.”

    According to her, the union was certified by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development through the Federal Director of Cooperative and Farmers Organisation, Dr. Dickson Okolo in August, last year as well as the CBN in 2002.

    Adesuyi said the union had been under the cover of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NDIC) since 2002 with partnership with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

    She added that if the 15 million cooperative members from the six geo-political zones could access the facility, it would contribute positively to the nation’s food security programme and national development.

    Representative of First Bank Nigeria Plc (FBN), Mr. Osaze Owaifo said the bank is known for clear participation on retail business and grassroots lending especially  agriculture.

    He said the bank will give the group the needed requirements to access the loan at nine per cent interest rate.

    Owaifo expressed optimism that the gesture would contribute to better livelihood for the farmers.

    Kogi State Coordinator of the Union, Mr. Mohammed Dansulieman said members were already losing hope on the loan. He said it was important for the government to release the credit in order to sustain the trust of the farmers.

    Southeast representative of the union, Ms Ijioma Chikeze said the members should be registered by the government before they can access the credit.

    Chikeze who is also the Anambra State Coordinator emphasised need for awareness such that women and youths could benefit more from the facility.

    She expressed optimism that the larger per cent of the N50 billion would be accessed by women.

  • Union president impeached

    The crisis rocking the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Nnamdi Azikiwi University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State deepened last Friday, following the impeachment of the union president, Chukwunonso Ibe.

    The union has been embroiled in crisis since the Speaker of the parliament set up a committee to investigate allegation of embezzlement leveled again Chukwunonso. The embattled union president appeared before the committee but walked out later, threatening to resign.

    Event took a dramatic turn when members of Student Representatives’ Council (SRC) reconvened on Friday and impeached Chukwunonso, a week before the end of his tenure.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the embattled president appeared before the parliament members on Thursday to answer the allegations against him, but he excused himself to attend a quiz contest. The parliament members held a close-door sitting the following day to impeach the president.

    It was gathered that members of the parliament deliberated on the president’s impeachment amid tense atmosphere. According to a document signed by SRC members, Chukwunonso was found guilty of gross misconduct, neglect of duties, personalisation of union properties and misappropriation of funds.

    The SRC members ordered the impeached president to return all the properties of the union in his care within 24 hours. The Vice President, Queen Agulefo, was asked to be sworn in as president.

    Although, Chukwunonso did not offer extensive explanation about his innocence, but he has continued to deny all allegations levelled against him with details.

  • A union’s landmark project

    A union’s landmark project

    Many students of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFA POLY) never believed in the leadership of the Students’ Union Government (SUG). They have been made to change their minds by the union’s achievements within a short time, reports AFEEZ ADEYEMO (Mass Communication).

    When the Festus Adedeji-led Students’ Union Government (SUG) at the Federal Polytechnic in Offa (OFFA POLY), Kwara State was inaugurated, only a few students gave it chance to succeed. For long, students have come to see members of the union as stooges of the management because of the circumstances of their election. The elelction was held when majority of students had returned home because of the then Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) strike.

    But with time, the union proved itself by taking some decisions bordering on students’ welfare. The Festus Adedeji-led administration would be remembered for its achievement within a short time.

    Among others, the union completed the construction of an ultra-modern relaxation centre in the school’s mini campus. The over N300,000 project was commissioned last week amid panache and razzmatazz.

    The building, which is beside Aluta Ground, is conducive for refreshment and relaxation. Before it was constructed, the campus was without a relaxation centre.

    Students and members of staff have hailed the union leaders for their action. Some of them shared their views with CAMPUSLIFE.

    To Ayomide Aladegboye, a ND II Computer Science student, the union leaders’ feat dwarfs the achievements of the former SUG leaders. He said Festus is best performing and active union leader in the polytechnic’s history.

    Ayomide said despite the controversies that trailed Festus’ inauguration, the union has done well. “I salute Festus and other members of the executive for their courage to bequeath a relaxation centre as good legacy. We expect more from him as a capable leader that is ready to serve students,” he said.

    Mariam Eniola, a NDII Mass Communication student, said she was proud of the union leaders, saying the project would reduce students’ stress. She said: “Many students never gave the present leadership of the Students’ Union a chance when it came on board. In short, students turned the union leaders to butts of jokes in my hostel, because of the manner in which they came into the office. But surprisingly they have made everybody proud despite the controversies. Indeed, they are worthy to be called leaders.”

    A ND II student of Accountancy, who identified himself as Zedikus, said: “Sentiment apart, this is a great and wonderful achievement. Festus has shown the students that he is a true leader. While many had thought he would dance to the tune of the management, he surprised us and make students’ welfare his priority.”

    Another HND 1 student of Accountancy, Yussuf Kadre, said the centre should have been sited on the main campus, where the management is planning to move all students. He said projects sited in the mini campus would be useless when the management decided to move all academic activities to the permanent site. “So why not initiate developmental projects on the main campus?” Yussuf wondered.

    Festus, in a chat with CAMPUSLIFE, narrated how his administration came about the project.

    Despites the challenges and castigation by students, he said, the union members have resolved to carry out more projects. The union leader said he derived inspiration from the students’ criticism.

    He said: “Although it was rough and tough at the beginning. We were faced with scathing criticisms by students but for every visionary mindset, challenges and obstacles must be prepared for. It was unbearable for us but we had no excuse than to make students believe in us.

    “The ability to prepare for challenges and the capability to address them in a very pragmatic manner is simply what makes this project achievable.”

    He, however, praised the management for the approval of the project. He assured students of better living condition in the remaining period of his tenure.