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Tag: University of Ilorin

  • Apostolic Church donates book to UNILORIN

    The Apostolic Church Nigeria (TACN) has donated copies of its centenary history book to the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) to serve as reference materials for students and staff seeking information about Pentecostal movement in Nigeria, as well as for academics in the Department of Religions.

    The TACN Superintendent, Ilorin Area, Pastor D. S. Olayemi, who made the presentation to the institution through the University Librarian, Dr J. O. Omoniyi, on Wednesday, last week, at the University Library, said that the book contains records, activities and distinctiveness of the church from 1918 to 2017.

    Also, Prof J. A. Morakinyo of the Department of Plant Biology, a member of the church, described the book as a “compendium of knowledge” that will guide anyone seeking any information about the church.

    Omoniyi expressed the university’s appreciation for the donation, saying the books would be useful.

    “The books are not just reference materials, but also textbooks that dwell on Christian studies, particularly comparative church history and since we have a programme in the university called Comparative Religious Studies, it will be highly useful.

    “A book like this will be appreciated by all regardless of individual religion. The institution is very accommodating of people of various religions and that is why in the past 17 years we have not closed our door for strike or to protest,” he said.

  • Unilorin VC pledges to hand-over better University to successor

    Unilorin VC pledges to hand-over better University to successor

    Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, has pledged to hand over a better institution than he inherited five years ago, to his successor.

    Ambali, whose five-year tenure ends on October 15, 2017, disclosed this during an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Ilorin.

    The vice-chancellor noted that his administration had done its best towards sustaining the legacies of the founding fathers of the University.

    He added that, he had also succeeded in maintaining an uninterrupted academic calendar as well as ensuring peace on campus.

    “I have ensured that there is peace and that the majority of the people are satisfied as it is impossible to satisfy everyone.

    “I don’t have personal problem with anybody; everything I do, is done to the best of my ability, to achieve the golden rules and target of the university.

    “I have the responsibility of taking Unilorin to a higher level, to ensure that I hand over a better institution to my successor than what I inherited five years ago,” he said.

    Expressing gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve as vice-chancellor of the institution, Ambali said he has gained “tremendous experience”.

    Ambali, a professor of veterinary medicine said, “I used to tell people that one can’t be a good leader without being a good follower. I have seen vice-chancellors carrying out their responsibilities both within and outside Nigeria”.

    He added that he had served fewer than five vice-chancellors either as Head of Department, Dean or Director, and had learnt from the way each operated.

    The vice-chancellor said: “All of the cumulative experiences of my bosses are assembled and have had effect on my personality and in carrying out my responsibilities”.

    Ambali expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, TETFUND and other bodies that supported the university, adding that all funds received from them were “used to develop the institution.”

  • Nepalese bank mulls massive agric investment in UNILORIN

    Nepalese bank mulls massive agric investment in UNILORIN

    Nepal Khadhya Bank Ltd. says it is  prepared to invest massively in agriculture in the University of Ilorin as part of the country’s efforts to help fight hunger in Nigeria.

    Nepal is a landlocked country in southern Asia between the Tibet autonomous region of China and India.

    It contains eight of the world’s 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest – the world’s tallest, on the border with Tibet, and Lumbini, the birth place of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.

    The Chairman of the bank, Mr RamRaja Shrestha disclosed this on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali.

    Shrestha said that the bank’s major objective was to promote agro-tourism and other agricultural investments.

    He said that the decision to invest in Nigeria stemmed from the fact that the country is blessed with very fertile land and underutilised natural resources.

    “When there is no hunger, there will be no anger; the people will be happy and there will be peace and progress in the nation.

    “We were informed that the University of Ilorin is peaceful and blessed with vast arable land.

    “So we think it is a good idea to partner with the institution in farming and agriculture,“ he said.

    Shrestha said that the agricultural activities would not be limited to planting and harvesting, but would include grain banking and  food processing.

    The Nepalese bank chairman noted that although the bank had made bad investments in the past “but this time, I have no doubt I am in the right place.”

    The Chairman of the World Institute for Peace, Mr Lamina Kamilu pointed out that the objective of the institute was to curb the menace of violence in the world and ensure peace.

    “Unilorin is one of the universities in the country in which people have great interest when it comes to honesty,” he said.

    Lamina commended the University for sustaining peace and progress, a virtue, which he said fetched the vice-chancellor, prestigious “Icon of Peace” award by the institute.

    Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ambali, expressed delight at the Nepalese bank’s initiative aimed at curbing hunger in the country and for seeing the university as a worthy partner.

    He said that the institution has a land mass of about 15,000 hectares and “is always open to investors’’.

    Ambali, who noted that the university had been partnering with investors in various areas like solar power generation to ensure constant power supply.

    “Unilorin is the best bet you can partner with in Nigeria because your investment here is safe.

    “There is no strike or hooliganism that will put your investment at risk, and we have concentration of resources, both human and material.’’

    The vice-chancellor also appreciated the World Institute for Peace for finding him worthy of the award and for its effort in promoting peace all over the world.

  • Unilorin, Origin Group partner on honey production

    Unilorin, Origin Group partner on honey production

    The University of Ilorin, Ilorin, and a Lagos-based Company, Origin Group Nigeria Ltd., have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for commercial production of honey through the university’s Apiary Unit.

    The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, who spoke at the MoU signing ceremony on Wednesday in Ilorin, commended Origin Group for being the first company to invest in the Apiary Unit of the university.

    He also thanked the company for donating a tractor to the institution.

    Ambali assured the company of a regular supply of good-quality honey, adding that the arrangement would also contribute to teaching, research and entrepreneurial training in the university.

    He said that the relationship between the university and the company would be viable and beneficial, adding that it would also add value to the services rendered by the University because its multiplier effects would be great.

    In his remarks, the Director of Origin Group, Mr Sesan Ayeni, said that his company’s relationship with the university was not only for business.

    He said that it would also serve as a platform to create job opportunities and add value to the work of bee farmers.

  • AIB, UNILORIN sign MoU

    In its drive to ensure safety in the aviation industry, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) under the Federal Ministry of Transportation has sealed a partnership agreement with the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) on the training of its personnel in capacity building and development on materials failure analysis.

    The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed Tuesday last week between the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering of the University and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) at the AIB’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos head office.

    With the partnership agreement, the nation’s aviation industry personnel will be able to undergo training in capacity building and development using their world class Accident Investigation Laboratory at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Speaking at the signing, the Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AIB, Mr Akin Olateru, said the partnership is the first of its kind by any educational institution in the country, adding that it would be beneficial to the agency and the university.

    Lamenting that both private and public business organisations expend little or no resources to fund researches and projects in the country, Olateru, an engineer, said that Harvard University in the United States alone has a budget in excess of $30 billion for research purposes.

    “This is a very important occasion for us and I believe the University of Ilorin too should be proud of this occasion”, he said, adding that in his 30 years service in the aviation industry, “this is the first that I know of that an aviation agency is signing an MOU with any higher institution in this country for the benefit of Nigerians”.

    Olateru promised to involve more educational institutions in the use of the AIB facility as a way of increasing its Internally-Generated Revenues (IGR).

    In his remarks, the UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor, Prof AbdulGaniyu Ambali, represented by the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof Y.A. Jimoh, noted that it was the first time the institution would sign an MoU with any of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the country and expressed hope that it would be mutually beneficial to parties involved.

    Jimoh said that Nigeria as a whole would gain from the partnership, saying that rather than travel abroad for research, it could be done with ease in the country.

    He enjoined other academic institutions in the country to take a cue from the University of Ilorin by looking inward whenever they are conducting researches, stressing that this would also go a long way in curbing capital flight out of the country.

  • It’s not easy to shoot babies – Bisola Ijalana

    It’s not easy to shoot babies – Bisola Ijalana

    Bisola Ijalana, owner of M12Photography is the first baby and children photographer in Nigeria. She speaks on the challenges of the job, the uniqueness of her profession and the journey so far with SEGUN ODUNAYO, PRAISE OLOWE and SOLOMON ODENIYI.

     Excerpts:

     

     Why children photography?

    I started children photography because I felt there was a need in Nigeria for baby photography. After I got married, my husband noticed I had a passion for photography and he encouraged me to go for photography training. After the training, I had my baby and it dawned on me that I needed to take my baby’s photographs.  From there I realized that, we had more of wedding photographers in Nigeria. This made me thirsty to learn more and then specialize in that genre of baby photography.

    After specialising, what did you discover about children photography?

    Children are wonderful gifts from God and they all have different characters. It is not easy to shoot babies; it requires a lot of patience, care and you have to be safety conscious in order to gain the trust of their parents.  It is also capital intensive compared to the other genres of photography. I keep buying props because I don’t want to repeat same setups /concept for every child.

    How have you been able to muddle through?

    Well, there is no job without its own challenges but I have been able to combine it effectively because I have a supportive family. My husband supports me one hundred percent and this has kept me going.

    What keeps your drive in this profession?

    The comments and feedback I get from my clients and people keeps me going, I am happy I help my clients create beautiful photographs of their children to cherish forever. I recently won an award which gave me more hope that there is need to keep doing what I do.

    What award did you win?

    I won the female photographer of the year at the Exquisite Ladies of the year award (ELOY) last year.

    Do you combine photography with other jobs?

    No, I don’t combine. I am a full time Photographer.

    What inspired the name M12?

    (Smiles) I met my husband on his birthday which happens to be March 12. And when I was making a decision on what name I wanted to use, it dropped in my heart, I thank God for that.

    What big names have you worked with?

    All my clients are special; I value the business they give me. The genre of photography I do is baby unlike events photographers that tends to work for organizations. I tend to work more for individuals and they are all special to me.

    Who are your role models in the industry?

    Photography in general is Ty Bello, for Baby photography Ana Brandt, Kelly brown and Luisandan.

    Don’t you have any Nigerian baby photographer you look up to?

    I started it first in Nigeria.

    How long have you been in the business?

    As for photography in general, it has been over six years but for baby photography, five years.

    What is your educational background?

    The secondary school I went to is Lagos state model college, Meiran.  For my tertiary education, I went to University of Ilorin where I bagged a BSc in Biochemistry. I have done other certification courses in Business /Entrepreneurial Management.

    What has been the pains and gains of the job so far?

    No pains, all gain. I enjoy what I do and I have no regrets.

    And what has been the gain?

    I have been able to create awareness and carve a niche in photography that has never been existing in Nigeria, I have also become an employer of labour.

    As a pioneer, what measures are you putting in place to take baby photography to the next level in Nigeria?

    I do training for photographers who are interested in becoming baby photographers.

    Do you do this for free?

    I have done both free and both paid training and I still do. I take interns as well.

    How will you rate the Nigerian photography industry?

    It is growing positively, the number of photographers increases and people are beginning to value and respect photographers professionally.

  • ‘Hold varsity mgt. responsible for allocated funds’

    Professor of African Studies, University of Texas, Austin United States, Toyin Falola, has urged Nigerian government to hold university administrators accountable for funds allocated to them.

    Falola also recommended cost sharing between states and beneficiaries of  the school system in the country.

    Falola spoke at the first distinguished lecture of the Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN). The lecture was titled: ‘Contemporary issues in the management of higher education in Nigeria.’

    He said the culture of something for nothing is no longer realistic  amid increased stress at the local and global economy levels.

    He added that state funds should be geared towards providing better learning facilities, environment, teachers and condition of service to ensure quality graduates.

    Falola added: “By providing funding, creating new types of universities, making it cheaper to attend school, using the appropriate languages, teaching the right skills, helping currently unemployed citizens to find jobs, we can rise above our present predicament and take our place on the global scale.”

    He said creation of more universities without focus will further complicate the falling standard of education in Nigeria.

    His words: “As long as more and more universities are established with less emphasis on service and merit, so long will standards continue to fall. Why not focus on better funding of existing ones? The ruling elites in collaboration with the post-colonial state are busy establishing new universities for parochial reasons.

    “The Federal and state governments create new universities with limited prior planning. And private universities have emerged with goals that are not always connected with imparting knowledge and building capacity for national development.

    “Add to the problem is undue government intervention in the university system through the instrumentality of the National Universities Commission (NUC). The NUC has over the years, abandoned its traditional regulatory role as stipulated in the edict that established it several decades ago.

    “The NUC has become so powerful that it has usurped the duties of university Senates and councils to the detriment of the requisite autonomy the system needs in order to operate as centre of research and learning. Today, the NUC dictates to vice chancellors and determines university programmes, admissions, and policies without due consideration for their individual peculiarities and comparative advantages.

  • Unilorin warns students against walking alone in dark alleys

    Unilorin warns students against walking alone in dark alleys

    The Management of the University of Ilorin, on Thursday warned students of the institution, particularly female students, against walking alone in dark alleys at night.

    Mr Dada Obafemi, the Registrar of the University, said the management had observed that many students were not careful enough about their personal security and safety rules while on the campus.

    “Reports reaching management indicate that students, particularly female students, walk alone at night and in the early hours of the day between 12.00 midnight and 4.00 a.m.

    “Many students have been seen walking alone in dark alleys, through the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Works Department to the road linking the Bank area at night, not minding the risks involved.

    “All students are strongly advised to avoid walking alone at night but to walk in groups and in well-lit areas,” the registrar advised in a statement.

    Obafemi urged the students to identify the best routes between their hostels and classes, adding that they should take the safest route not necessarily the fastest one.

    He also appealed to the students to always notify their friends about their movements and report any suspicious person to the security unit of the university.

    “It is hoped that all students will heed the above warning and support the university administration as it strive to maintain the highest standard of security and safety on the campus,” he said.

  • Create policies to minimise IDPs’ trauma -Don

    Create policies to minimise IDPs’ trauma -Don

    A lecturer with the University of Ilorin,Dr Biola Adimula, has called on government at all levels to evolve policies that would minimise the trauma and hardship facing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    Adimula, who lecture at the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, made the call on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin.

    The don said that the displaced persons, majority women and children have emotions, ambitions, feelings and aspirations like every other humans and they rely on the rest of the world to come to their rescue.

    Adimula, also a lawyer with specialisation in Gender, Refugees and IDPs studies, called on government organisations and the international communities, to employ more proactive measures to minimise conflicts, thereby minimising displacement rates.

    ”From the records of the UN, the UN High Commission for Refuges (UNHCR), European Union, and development agencies across the globe, more people than ever before are currently displaced by conflicts emanating from political instability, terrorism, ethnic conflicts and bad governance.

    ”And more than 65 million have been driven from their homes, sadly, this is more than the populations of Sierra Leone, Benin, Togo, Netherlands, Liberia and Switzerland combined,” she said.

    Adimula also called on the private sectors to galvanize efforts in combating the refugee crisis globally.

  • Unilorin student drown in hotel swimming pool

    A 200 level student of the Department of Arts Education, University of Ilorin has been found drowned in an hotel swimming pool in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.
    The name of the student is Olaitan Bolaji Samsudeen
    The incident was said to have happened on Sallah day at the Bekadims Hotel, Tanke in the state capital.
    It was also gathered that the deceased had gone with his friends to engage in recreational activities when he reportedly drowned.
    One of the residents of the metropolis said the incidence of drowning in the hotel had become a  recurring issue, urging management and authorities concerned to take necessary action to forestall future occurrence.
    It was reported that a student of the University of Ilorin, who lived at Adewole Estate in the metropolis, got drowned in the hotel’s swimming pool about four  years ago during a New Year celebration.
    Spokesperson of the state police command Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed the report, saying that investigation had commenced on the tragedy.
    Mr. Okasanmi also said that management of the hotel would be invited for interrogation on the safety measures put in place in the facility.