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Tag: University of Ilorin

  • Balance profession, faith, don tells women journalists

    Balance profession, faith, don tells women journalists

    A Professor of Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin, Prof. Saudat Abdulbaqi, has urged women journalists to balance their professional roles in line with Islamic teachings.

    She made this call on Saturday in Ilorin at the maiden Ramadan Symposium organised by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Kwara State Chapter.

    Speaking on the topic The Future of Women in Journalism: How Ramadan Can Be a Time for Reflection and Growth, she stressed the need to challenge stereotypes about Muslim women.

    Abdulbaqi urged female journalists to uphold the Islamic injunction on seeking and disseminating knowledge truthfully while maintaining professionalism in their work.

    “There are already stereotypes about women in journalism, and as Muslim women, we face double challenges.

    “Many believe women are unfit for competitive roles or important responsibilities due to perceived limitations,” she said.

    She noted that such biases hinder career growth and reduce trust in women’s ability to execute their duties effectively.

    “We must dispel these misconceptions by maintaining professionalism while adhering to Islamic teachings,” she said.

    She emphasised the role of Muslim women journalists in promoting peace by embodying the values prescribed in the Hadith and the Quran.

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    “Journalism demands strategic planning, and as women with multiple responsibilities, we must organise ourselves to excel in both personal and professional roles,” she advised.

    She urged women to carry themselves with humility, allowing their actions to reflect Islamic values rather than verbalising their worth.

    Abdulbaqi also encouraged them to engage in global discussions on issues affecting women in journalism, as collective efforts yield quicker results.

    She further advised women journalists never to compromise their faith for worldly gains, urging them to uphold integrity and justice.

    The second guest speaker, Hajia Khadijah Imam, speaking on Roles of Muslim Women during Ramadan, warned against gossip and backbiting, which diminish spiritual rewards.

    She encouraged women to engage in supplication and praises of Allah rather than indulging in conversations that incur divine displeasure.

    The Chief Press Secretary to Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, urged journalists to educate young couples on mental health management.

    Represented by the SSA to the Governor on Communications, Mr Abdul-lateef Ibrahim, Ajakaye commended their contributions at home, in journalism, and towards governance.

    The Chairman of the National League of Veteran Journalists (NALVEJ), Alhaji Tunde Akanbi, called for a campaign against the rising divorce rate.

    He emphasised the need for women to be more tolerant, describing them as the pillars of the home.

    The wife of Kwara Governor, Mrs Olufolake AbdulRazaq, urged Muslim journalists to reshape negative perceptions of Islam through their reporting.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Mrs Nafisat Buge, she highlighted the challenges of fake news and the need for truth in journalism.

    “We must balance professional ethics with Islamic principles, as Islam is a way of life that should not be compromised,” she said.

  • BoT wades into UNILORIN alumni association crisis

    BoT wades into UNILORIN alumni association crisis

    Board of Trustees (BoT) of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Alumni Association has joined hands with the university’s Governing Council to end the association’s leadership crisis.

    The association has for long been rocked by leadership tussle leading to its factionalisation.

    The BoT therefore urged a ceasefire by the warring factions of the alumni association.

    In a statement, the association’s chairperson, Mrs. Cecilia Cook said: “For permanent resolution to the conflict between the opposing parties, the board, hereby, issues a cease-fire to them, particularly, in online platforms, pages of newspapers and on any other platforms that may warrant,” Cook said.

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    She added that “by this, the board expresses willingness to join hands with the governing council to resolve the crisis before the end of the first quarter of the year 2025, God’s willing.”

    It has however directed all opposing parties to obey the directive “as soon as published on a national daily and await further directives by the Board before the end of February 2025.

    “The Board will, certainly, serve a hard copy of the release on the offices of the Vice-Chancellor and that of the Council Chairman to bear the message to the University community and the council, in particular.

  • Oba Elerinmo offers endowment grant for University of Ilorin’s best social science graduate

    Oba Elerinmo offers endowment grant for University of Ilorin’s best social science graduate

    His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Odunayo Ajayi JP, Arowotawaya II, the Elerinmo of Erinmo in Osun State, has made a remarkable endowment grant to support the “Best Graduating Students” in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Sociology Department at the University of Ilorin. 

    This donation is part of his ongoing commitment to promoting academic excellence across Nigerian schools.

    Elerinmo, an alumnus of the University of Ilorin who graduated 39 years ago, announced the grant as he attended the institution’s 39th Convocation Ceremony on October 22, 2024, as the special guest of honor and royal father of the day.

    Reflecting on his time in the Sociology Department within the Faculty of Social Sciences, the esteemed monarch expressed confidence in the university’s sustained high educational standards. 

    He commended the institution for maintaining its reputation for academic quality, noting that the University of Ilorin has drawn significant government attention since its establishment in 1975, solidifying its status as a premier center for learning.

    He announced that the endowment grant will be awarded in two categories: the “Oba Arowotawaya II Prize for Best Graduating Student in Sociology” and an additional prize for the top graduate in the Social Science Department. 

    Each award will recognize outstanding students in these areas, beginning with the next academic session.

    He added that the prizes aim to inspire students within these disciplines to strive for excellence, lifting the university’s academic standards and reinforcing its reputation as a ‘World Class University.’

    Similarly, University of Ilorin Chancellor Chief Aluko highlighted the institution’s Vision 1:10:100, which seeks to position the university as the top in Nigeria, among the top 10 universities in Africa, and within the top 500 globally. 

    Aluko stressed the importance of innovation and resource mobilization to maintain the university’s leadership in academics, research, and societal impact.

    Oba Arowotawaya II also urged Nigerian youths to focus diligently on their studies and avoid social vices that can hinder their career goals, noting that issues like cultism and exam malpractice have compromised academic standards in the country. 

    He encouraged parents to support their children’s academic pursuits by providing necessary resources to help them focus on their studies.

    He said: “The world economy today, is on the low curve length, no doubt. Many parents are also grappling with meeting up with family responsibilities. But no matter what, education of a child should remain every parent’s pivotal goal.

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    “So, I encourage parents to always prioritize their wards’ education above other things, for the country to have a sane society devoid of crime and other social vices,”  Elerinmo added.

    Established in 1975 as a federal institution in Kwara State, Nigeria, the University of Ilorin has become highly regarded among discerning parents and students for its commitment to academic excellence and discipline.

    Recently, the university received a N500 million grant from the federal government for being the most popular choice among applicants nationwide. 

    Over the years, the University of Ilorin has consistently produced graduates across various fields who have become influential and resourceful contributors within Nigeria.

  • Unilorin don develops blindness detection kits

    Dr Dupe Ademola-Popoola an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, has been granted patent on a device, Teacher Led Vision Screener (TELVIS).

    According to the University of Ilorin Bulletin issued on Monday, TELVIS helps detect sight challenges in children and young people

    It further explained that the device could be used by non-professionals, particularly teachers, to detect sight inadequacies among pupils.

    The report disclosed that the ophthalmologist also invented another device known as “Vision Save.’

    It said that Vision Save was particularly useful in the course of immunisation of children between ages zero and two.

    The device, it added, would be good for schools for special needs to address further complications that were usually suffered by blind pupils

    The bulletin quoted Ademola-Popoola as commending the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for granting her financial support in the production and deployment of the two devices.

    It added that the agency also offered support in the training of non-professionals on simple rules in using the devices effectively.

    According to the bulletin, Ademola-Popoola, praised the authorities of the university and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for assisting her research team with a grant.

    It added that the university and TETFUND also trained key informants in various communities with a view to finding-out those who had eye problems and providing treatment for the identified ones at minimum cost.

    “The University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) Eye Clinic is among the leading centres offering quality services in Nigeria.

    “The latest effort is expected to cover over 200,000 children of the university’s primary catchment areas.

    “It is intended to enable the ordinary people benefit more from experts in order to bridge the gap between the town and the community,” it said.

    The publication enumerated some of the challenges facing the war against blindness in children to include ignorance and paucity of funds.

    It said that it was important for professionals of related disciplines to develop inter-disciplinary approaches in the development of skills, devices and technologies that could be used to address human challenges.

    “Research has shown that most of the cases of childhood blindness are caused by communal and parental neglect.

    ” The neglect is usually before a woman conceives or during the pregnancy, this is as a result of omission of certain precautionary procedure, most especially on the part of mothers.

    “80 per cent of learning comes from vision; once any young one loses his or her sight the existence of such person will be negatively impacted.

    “When vision is good, your future will be good; anyone with perfectly working eyes is more likely to live a more accomplished life than someone who does not,’’ it said.

  • Adesanmi’s death, a great loss to our family – Sister

    Mrs. Iyabo Toluhi (nee Adesanmi), the elder sister of the late Prof. Pius Adesanmi, on Saturday described the death of his brother as a great loss to the family and community.

    Toluhi, spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the sideline of Memorial Mass held in honour of the deceased at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in his home town in Itedo-Ijowa, Isanlu, Yagba East, LGA, Kogi State.

    Adesanmi with 156 others on board, died in the ill-fated Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 on Sunday March 10, 2019.

    The elder sister to the late professor, with tears rolling down her eyes, told NAN that it was really difficult for her to talk about her younger brother.

    She said that her brother’s death was a great loss to the family as he was the only son among three children of their mother.

    ”We appreciate the whole world the way they have celebrated our brother, Bola (Pius), the last born and only son among the three siblings of our parent,” she said.

    ”Pius was a very hard working and a highly intelligent man, right from the nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary schools.He was an excellent child in school.

    ”We thank God for the life he lived and that is what we are seeing now, how people all over the world are celebrating him.

    ”It shows the kind of life he had lived. He loved and cared for his people including his immediate, nuclear, and extended family including his community,” she said.

    Rev. Fr. (Dr) Kunle James, of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Isanlu, appealed to Kogi Government to pay the gratuity and pension of Adesanmi’s mother’s (Mrs Lois Olufunke Adesanmi), saying it was the greatest tribute and major honour they could give to him.

    ”The government has said so many great things about the late professor, but we are appealing to the government to pay his mother’s pension and gratuity,” James told NAN in an interview.

    However, Dr (Mrs) Folashade Ayoade, the Secretary to Kogi Government, told NAN that the state government would expedite action on the payment of the late Adesanmi’s mother’s gratuity.

    ”We learnt that she retired from Kogi civil service, and her gratuity had not been paid.

    ”We will make sure as a government we expedite action on the payment of her gratuity, and we shall be in constant touch with his daughter and the wife,” Ayoade pledged.

    The delegation from the Kogi State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, led by its Perm. Secretary, Mr Eric Aina, had earlier on Saturday paid a condolence visit to the aged mother of the late scholar.

    The late Prof. Pius Adebola Adesanmi was born on Feb. 27, 1972.

    Before his death he was the director of the Institute of African Studies at Carleton University, in Ottawa, Canada.

    He joined the university in 2006, after spending three years at Pennsylvania State University in United States, where he was assistant professor of comparative literature.

    He was educated at Titcombe College, Egbe, Kogi state, University of Ilorin, University of Ibadan and University of British Columbia.(NAN)

  • Unilorin to build four lecture theatres, toilets

    The University of Ilorin on Monday said it had concluded arrangements to build four 1,500-capacity ultra-modern lecture theatres to cater for its increasing number of students.

    Dr Bashir Adams, Director, Physical Planning Unit of the University, disclosed this to newsmen in Ilorin.

    Adams said the idea for the construction of the theatres was to take care of the rising population of students at the institution.

    The director said the university would also construct additional toilets to provide adequate convenience for the students.

    He said plans had reached advanced stage to construct a Radio/Television House, to be called Communication House, in the campus.

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    “The ongoing extension of the university library is part of its effort to be responsive to the growing number of its students,” he said.

    Adams said the institution was prudent in the management of fund, adding the university had no record of abandoned projects.

    According to him, the university regularly mobilizes contractors and ensures that standard is not compromised.

    The director commended the management of the institution for its open-door policy and transparent administration, especially in the areas of project execution and other sundry matters.

    NAN

     

  • INEC cautions students against violence during elections

    Malam Garba Attahiru-Madami, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kwara State, has advised students of the University of Ilorin to shun violence during and after the forthcoming general elections in the state.

    Attaihiru-Madami gave the advice on Tuesday in Ilorin while addressing students of the university on the coming general elections in the state.

    “You should refuse to be used as political thugs to foment trouble before, during and after the elections.

    “Tell the politicians who approach you to be their thugs to make use of their children,” he said.

    According to him, students are very vulnerable and can easily be lured with money to cause trouble during the elections.

    The REC also appealed to the students not to campaign for any political party within the premises of the polling units.

    Attahiru-Madami warned that any student caught campaigning on the day of the election would be arrested and prosecuted.

    He said students should go to the polling units on Election Day with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to cast their votes for candidates of their choice and be peaceful.

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    REC called on students, who were yet collect their PVCs to do so, on or before Feb 8, the last day for the exercise.

    “Your PVC is your weapon to elect leaders of your choice, leaders that will bring dividends of democracy to you.”

    He assured the university community of INEC readiness to conduct free, fair, credible and acceptable elections which would be adjudged the best in the country.

    The REC also admonished them against selling their PVCs for any amount, saying that if they should trade their PVCs for paltry sum of money, they would be mortgaging their future.

    He disclosed that 1, 130, 266 PVCs had so far been collected out of the 1, 406, 457 registered PVCs in the state.

    Attahiru-Madami expressed optimism that sizeable number out of the remaining 277, 184 uncollected PVCs would be collected before the Feb 8 deadline for the exercise.

    He also said that on Election Day, no camera or phone would be allowed into the voting cubicle.

    According to REC,voters will leave their phones with the Presiding Officers and collect same back after dropping their ballot papers.

    “Food is not allowed in the premises of the polling areas, voters are advised to eat before coming to vote.

    “This is to discourage vote buying by politicians, because bringing food to voters at the polling units amounts to influencing voters to vote for their candidates.”

    The REC also said that no vehicle would be allowed at the polling units, adding that politicians might capitalise on that to bring money in the vehicle to buy voters.

    NAN

  • Former CU VC, Prof Obayan, for burial Monday

    Burial plans for former Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota Ogun State, Prof Aizeanta Obayan, have been announced.

    According to information made available to The Nation on Tuesday, a service of songs would hold at the Canaanland Idi-Iroko road in Ota on Monday between 2 and 4pm while interment would follow immediately.

    Celebration of life service holds the following day at the same venue by 10am.

    The late Professor of Guidance and Counselling was also a former Vice chancellor of Landmark University Omu-Aran Kwara State.

    Both institutions are owned by Winners Chapel pastored by Bishop David Oyedepo.

    She died of an unknown illness on Tuesday last week.  She was 59.

    News of her shocking death filtered through the two universities where she once held sway, throwing everyone into grief.

    Until she breathed her last, the late Obayan was the Director of CU’s Africa Leadership Development Centre (ALDC).

    Described as a very active, humble and amiable personality by friends and colleagues, Obadan had not been active as she used to be since last October shortly after ALDC held its annual Covenant-International Conference on African Development Issues (C-ICADI), the fourth in the series.

    Since then, there have been speculations bordering on her whereabouts, especially her non- appearance in major events by CU until her shocking demise last week.

    Barely a year ago, Obayan won a case at the Supreme Court against the University of Ilorin, her former employer.

    The case had dragged for 19 years.

    Obayan was employed as a lecturer in UNILORIN Department of Guidance and Counselling.

    In 1999, management of the university terminated her appointment for failing to report for work after the expiration of the additional one-year leave of absence.

    Obayan challenged her sack in court and eventually won at the Supreme Court February last year.

    Barely two years ago, the deceased also lost her husband Mr. Adetokunbo Obayan in August 2017.

    Before he died, Adetokunbo was the CEO of Adetokunbo Obayan and Associates, a management consultant firm.

  • UNILORIN records breakthroughs in biotech, genomics

    The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has recorded a significant breakthrough in biotechnological innovation, with the development of a “Two-way Trans-illuminator Viewing Documentation System” by its Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology (IMSB).

    The institute has also added 19 novel biofloculating bacterial strains to the world genomic bank, otherwise known as the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, (NCBI), USA.

    The Director of the institute, Prof. Matthew Olatunji Kolawole, who disclosed this in his 2018 annual report, said that the instrument had been tested and confirmed to be very functional and effective in providing wider surface area for larger genetic material (D NA/RNA) samples with significant qualities that will address multifarious human needs in the field of medical bio-technology.

    The report disclosed that the discovery would facilitate the much-needed “portability, affordability, low voltage consumption, on-site view of standard DNA marker and two sources of illumination for better result presentations and recording with a third battery operated LED light” that will help in improving health-care delivery.

    The don explained that the device had since been filed for patents at the National Office of NOTAPS through the university’s Centre for Laboratory to Product (LABTOP).

    Kolawole added that 19 additional novel biofloculating bacterial strains, which were isolated, had been submitted to the world genomic bank, otherwise known as the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, (NCBI), USA.  He said the development led to the issuance of the NCBI’s unique ascension numbers, which was reported for the first time across the world.

    Kolawole said the breakthrough had the implication of providing safe water for Nigerians.

    The Professor of Microbiology said: “The importance of this discovery might not be fully appreciated until we juxtapose it with the water needs of Nigeria.

    “According to UNICEF, over 70 million people are without potable water in Nigeria, with Nigeria requiring $8 billion per annum to provide potable water for its citizens. The discovery of these strains and local production of water treatment composite materials which IMSB has been pioneering in the last one year moves us closer to solving the massive shortage of potable water. These outstanding feats have further reiterated the Institute’s goals of contribution to the genomic bank”.

    Kolawole said other scientific breakthroughs attained by the University in 2018 included: the “Isolation, Molecular Identification and Evaluation of Bioflocculant-producing Bacteria from Oyun, Asa and Agba Rivers in Ilorn, which proffers a wide range of indigenous bacteria with flocculants producing potentials and explore ways to improve their bio-flocculating activities”, and Corona virus OC43 and OC229 E/NL63, discovered for the first time in Nigeria, as a Cause of Respiratory Tract Illness in Children.

  • UNILORIN to enforce dress code on students, staff

    The University of Ilorin says it has constituted a committee to look into the modalities for the enforcement of a dress code for members of staff and students of the institution.

    Dr Rasheed Jimoh, the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences (CIS) made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Ilorin.

    Jimoh noted that the faculty would rely on the contributions and commitment of members of the committee toward ensuring total compliance with the university’s dress code, to guard against indecent dressing on campus.

    The don said that the committee had earlier held its inaugural meeting, where members expressed commitment to achieving the objectives of the code.

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    According to him, various strategies have been mapped out to ensure the success of the committee’s assignment.

    “The committee, however, charged all staff and students to always abide by the rules and regulations governing dressing on campus as sanctions will be applied on erring staff and students,” the don said.

    According to the statement, the committee is to be chaired by Dr Abiodun Olawoyin of the Department of Telecommunications Sciences.

    Other members include; Mr Mustafa Abubakar of the Directorate of Corporate Affairs as Secretary and Dr Rasaq Adisa of the Department of Mass Communication among others.

    NAN