The Nation Newspaper

Tag: University of Ilorin

  • Association seeks more support for refugees

    Association seeks more support for refugees

    The Commonwealth Scholars Fellows Alumni Association on Wednesday appealed to the government at all levels to give more support to refugees within their localities so as to enable them secure a future.

    Dr. Biola Adimula, the Secretary General of the association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that if refugees were accepted and welcomed, they will contribute socially and economically to their host communities.

    Adimula, who is also a Lecturer, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin also called on the private sectors to spur efforts in combating the refugee crisis globally.

    She said that governments should ensure that “every refugee child gets education and every refugee family has somewhere safe to live as well as work or learn new skills to support their families.”

    She explained that the displaced persons had emotions, ambitions, feelings and aspirations like every other human being so they rely on the rest of the world for support.

    “It is time that we acknowledge the strength, courage and perseverance of refugees and the contributions they make to communities around the world.

    “So the least we can do is to welcome refugees into our communities.

    “Because if refugees are accepted and welcomed and have a chance to learn and grow, then they will contribute socially and economically to their receiving countries, and to your community.

    “As international organisations continue their effort in stabilising displaced people and securing a future for them, we charge governmental organisations to intensify effort in fighting this battle,” she said.

    Adimula, however, noted that there was need to consolidate existing efforts, saying “our efforts should not only be reactive, but also proactive in order to prevent scenarios that lead to displacements.

    “While reaching out to displaced persons, governmental organisations and the international community should employ more proactive measures to minimise conflicts, thereby minimising displacement rates,” she said.

    According to the United Nations report more than 65 million people globally are currently displaced by conflicts emanating from political instability, terrorism, ethnic conflicts and bad governance.

    “It says each day thousands of people are made to feel unwelcome in their own countries.
    “They are forced to escape from persecution and war and from natural disasters and even climate change.

    “And more than half of the populations of these displaced people are children and women who undergo high level suffering after experiencing a forceful shift from their homes to foreign lands.”

  • Students construct diamond luxury hostel in OAU

    Students construct diamond luxury hostel in OAU

    Some students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) through the Campus Alive Initiative Limited  has designed and constructed a hostel facility in the institution. This is the first hostel  designed by students and for students.

     According to the Managing Director of Campus Alive Initiative, Oyinwola Don Bababtope students over the years encounter some accommodation challenges while on campus. This he added affects some students mentally and in turn has direct effect on their academics. “Some students encounter some form of challenges while on campus and this affects them academically and mentally. We deemed it fit to help them and this gave birth to Campus property which we formed in year 2010,” Babatope said while adding that over 80% of higher institutions in the country have accommodation challenges.

     Diamond Luxury hostel solely funded by Campus Alive Initiative according to Bababtope is a unique hostel which was designed and developed by some students of the institution in 2012 but lunched in year 2017. He however called on youths not to relent in their efforts as the economy of Nigeria seems not to favour starters but with perseverance work towards their goal.

    Oyinwola stated the vision of the company is to Create a solid foundation for good corporate business structure in the Nigerian Campuses and its environs and through Public Private Partnership as this can help develop rapidly the decayed hostels across the Nigerian campuses. Campus Property is currently proposing to develop hostels in University of Lagos, Lagos State University, University of Portharcourt, University of Ilorin and University of Abuja.

    Campus Alive Initiative is campus Consultancy Company, with the sole aim of providing business services in the university community and its environs by bridging the gap between the corporate world and the campuses.

  • UNILORIN develops device to check electricity theft

    UNILORIN develops device to check electricity theft

    The Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of Ilorin, has unveiled a prototype anti-theft device capable of remotely monitoring and detecting customers stealing electricity.

    The Acting Head of the Department, Dr Mudathir Akorede told newsmen on Tuesday in Ilorin that the device could also cut off electricity supply to the premises of customers stealing electricity.

    ”This will simultaneously send a message to the utility control room to alert the system operator with such customer’s details displayed on the control panel,” he said.

    Akorede said that processes of filing application for patenting the invention had commenced through the university’s Laboratory to Product Centre.

    The don explained that the device was developed by himself and some students of the Department.

    Akorede said, “I gave the project to my undergraduate students; they carried out the project to a level and I took it over and brought it to a level that was up to standard.”

    The Don further said, “The invention is now up to the standard that it can be patented.

    “I have brought this to the attention of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, although not officially, but if adopted, the device would enable distribution companies to cut their commercial losses substantially.”

    He said that the idea followed the discovery that most people use electricity without paying for it.

    ”A lot of people that have been able to get the prepaid meter, even though they can afford to pay their bills, still want to bypass this thing to steal electricity and this is not helping the companies.

    “It is not helping all of us as a whole. If the industry should collapse, everybody would bear the brunt of that problem and that is why the consumers too have to share out of the problem

    “But this is not to say that distribution companies also do not have their share of the blame by not wanting to take on responsibilities such as faulty transformers.”

     

  • “440,000 candidates write JAMB exams in two days”

    “440,000 candidates write JAMB exams in two days”

    No fewer than 440,000 candidates have sat for the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations within two days across the country.

    The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is’haq Oloyede made this known in Abuja on Monday during a tour of the examination centres in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Oloyede said that the exams would end in Bauchi, Abia, Niger states and some other states on May 15 while the UTME would continue in Kebbi state, Lagos state, Oyo and some other states.

    He also said that some centres in Delta state were underutilised, adding that the Board would fully involved the centres in future exams.

    He called on candidates to avoid being exploited by unscrupulous persons in the name of getting exam questions for them.

    He said that a case of a person who attacked JAMB officials in Abia state had been reported to the security personnel.

    “I believe everything is going on well. We are monitoring the situation except for a person that was said to have attacked our staff in Abia state this morning.

    “Candidates should be careful because some of these people go about telling the candidates they can give them questions.

    “We are therefore appealing to people to do everything according to the law and avoid cutting corners with JAMB,” he said.

    On the recent industrial action at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Oloyede said there was preparation to move the candidates to the University of Ilorin for their exams.

    “We understand that there is a sort of strike by either staff or students in Lautech and two of our centres are in that school.

    “However, arrangement is being made already to transfer the students because there are no private CBT centres in Ogbomosho and the closest place is Ilorin because of the proximity.

    “So we believe it is better than taking them to Ibadan or any other place in Oyo state.”

    Oloyede also condemned the incessant strike in Nigerian Universities, saying that the acts could destroy the future of the country and citizens.

    He added that unions were free to disagree with the government but not at the detriment of students.

    “Anybody who loves this country and education will be against incessant strike.

    “I don’t mean government should take academic staff or non-academic staff for granted but it means we should find a way of solving our crisis not at the expense of the innocent ones,” Oloyede said.

    Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, who was also on exams monitoring, applauded the board for smooth conduct of the exams.

    Anwukah, however, urged candidates to put more effort in order to succeed in the examination.

    “Based on what I have seen today, the exercise is excellent and if we can fathom this into what we are doing, I think it will be excellent from now on.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that centres visited within the territory are Digital Bridge Institute, Global Learning Institute, Sascon International School and the JAMB headquarters centre.

     

  • UNILORIN spent N30m on electricity – VC

    UNILORIN spent N30m on electricity – VC

    Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, on Tuesday said the university spent over N30 million on electricity in March.

    Ambali disclosed this in Ilorin when he received members of the newly inaugurated Executive Council of the Postgraduate Students Association (POGSASS), in his office.

    He informed the POGSASS executives that the university had invested heavily on power supply because it was critical to research works.

    Ambali said that the university was collaborating with a U.S. company to build a 500MW solar energy plant as part of efforts to tackle the challenge of power supply plaguing the country.

    He therefore urged the post-graduate students of the institution to focus on quality research, especially on electricity.

    He said that post-graduate research was critical to universities due to the impact on their communities and on human lives in general.

    Ambali congratulated the new POGSASS leaders on their election.

    The vice-chancellor challenged them to come up with innovative solutions that could address the numerous challenges confronting the nation.

    “We want you to be employers of labour notwithstanding the economic recession.

    “When you think outside the box, you can take advantage of the economic recession to develop innovative solutions,” Ambali said.

    Earlier in his speech, the new POGSASS President, Mr. Olusola Tosin noted that the University of Ilorin was an institution known for peace and excellence.

    Tosin promised that the new POGSASS executive council members would conform to the mission and vision of the university.

     

  • Don identifies factors responsible for mass failure in mathematics

    Prof. Medinat Salman of the Department of Science Education, University of Ilorin, has identified inadequate understanding of Mathematics language as one of the major factors responsible for mass failures of the subject in examinations

    Salman made the observation in Ilorin on Friday while presenting a paper entitled “Language and Problem Solving: The Mathematics Education Link”, at the 168th Inaugural Lecture of the university.
    According to her, other factors are lack of frequent practice, poor background on the subject, as well as influence of parents on child’s career choice.
    Salman, who is a mathematics lecturer in the university, urged mathematics teachers to always create a friendly atmosphere for learners to develop interest.
    She advised teachers to always simplify technical terms that might constitute barriers to students’ understanding of topics in mathematics.
    “It is imperative for teachers of mathematics to adopt the use of effective instructional strategies that will enhance and encourage the students to meaningfully acquire the knowledge of mathematics,” she said.
    The Don also urged mathematics textbooks authors to clearly suggest the patterns considered appropriate to teach each topic.
    Salman advised students to imbibe the culture of readiness and willingness to learn.

     

  • False prophesy against the tenets of Christianity – varsity don

    Prof Pius Abioje, of the Department of Religions, University of Ilorin says false prophesy is against the tenets of Christianity.

    Abioje said this on Friday in Ilorin while delivering the 167th Inaugural Lecture of the University entitled: “Christian Prophets and other Prophets in Nigeria’’.

    The expert on Religious Studies frowned at the trend, which was becoming something else in Nigeria.

    According to him, the false prophets have become a nuisance in the society, as they claim to perform wonders which they use in confusing unsuspecting Nigerians.

    Abioje, who lectures in the Faculty of Arts of Unilorin, urged Nigerians not to be gullible and susceptible to their divination and prophesies.

    The expert while recalling the history of Christian Prophetic Movement in Africa, said it was characterised by burning of magical objects and claims of casting out evil spirits, rather than engagement in issues of social justice.

    The don questioned why many titular Christian prophets avoid social and ethical issues and focus basically on divinatory and esoteric aspects of prophesy.

    Abioje explained that there were some non-conventional prophets who stood for the truth at all cost such as late Chief Gani-Fawehinmi.

    He described him as a modern prophet, who was outspoken, a social critic and conscience of the society.

    He also described Martin Luther King Jr, Walter Rauschenbusch, Gustavo Gutierrez and Rosemary Radford Reuther as modern prophets who proclaimed God’s demand for justice for four different groups of people.

    The professor called on Nigerians to strive to be critical prophets who speak against evils on behalf of God and try to live holy lives.

    Abioje also appealed to divinatory prophets to avoid fraudulent acts, but see divinatory knowledge as divine endowment to be used altruistically.

  • Kwara International Vocational Centre gets equipment

    The Kwara Government has taken delivery of equipment and training tools purchased for the various workshops at the International Vocational Training and Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC), Ajase-Ipo, in Irepodun Local Government Area.

    Alhaji Musa Yeketi, Kwara Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, while speaking during the inspection of the equipment on Wednesday Ajase-Ipo, said the machines and training tools are for the five departments of the College.

    He listed the Departments to include Automotive, Masonry and Carpentry, Electrical and Electronics, Welding, as well as Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning.

    Yeketi noted that 95 per cent of the equipment have been delivered to the institution and that the remaining ones will be delivered in few days.

    He added that with the arrival of equipment, the Centre is ready to take off.

    The Chairman of IVTEC Board, Prof. Abiodun Adimula, while fielding questions from journalists said he was satisfied with the quality of equipment purchased for the institution.

    He expressed confidence that academic activities will commence at IVTEC in September.

    Adimula stated that in the next few years, the College is expected to produce highly skilled middle-level manpower and commended the State government for its huge investment in the College.

    According to him, the vocational center will help reduce crime rate in the State as the government has provided opportunity for youths to develop themselves and acquire market relevant skills that will make them productive.

    He also disclosed that the College management was working toward creating synergy with tertiary institutions in Kwara such as the University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, Kwara Polytechnic and technical schools within the State

    Adimula said that IVTEC will also be a good training ground for students of tertiary institutions to undergo their SIWES programme and acquire relevant skills.

    He noted that most universities in the country cannot boast of the facilities available at IVTEC.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recall that Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed in March approved the release of N143 million for the procurement of modern vocational equipment for IVTEC in preparation for the commencement of the centre.

     

  • Three to die by hanging for robbery

    An Ilorin High Court on Thursday sentenced three persons to death by hanging for armed robbery and attempt to murder  Prof. Abdullahi Onimisi of  University of Ilorin.

    The judge, Hon.Justice H. Saleeman, found the three accused persons, Opeyemi Esan (former driver to the university lecturer), Benjamin Musa and Oluwasegun  Ajiboye, guilty of armed robbery and convicted them under Section 1 (2) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, CAP  11, Law of  the Federation, 2004.

    The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kamaldeen Ajibade, who led the prosecution, had told the court that the former driver to the lecturer was sacked due to his unruly behaviour.

    Ajibade further said that because the ex-driver was aggrieved over his sack, he organised the robbery to retaliate.

    He also told the court that the ex-driver had in his confessional statement to the police, admitted that he recruited the two others from Lagos to help him deal with his former boss.

    “On Sept 10, 2016 at the Senior Staff Quarters, University of Ilorin, the accused persons, while armed with offensive weapons, including guns and machete, robbed one Prof. Abdullahi Onimisi and his family of their properties, including car, handsets, jewelries and other valuables”, the prosecution said.

    NAN reports that the prosecution called 10 witnesses and tendered 59 exhibits in the course of the trial to support its submissions.

    Delivering his judgement, Justice Saleeman held that the case of robbery and attempt to commit culpable homicide against the three accused persons had been proved beyond reasonable doubt.

    “The society needs to do away with the likes of the accused persons in order to have a sane society,” he said.

    Consequently, Justice Saleeman convicted them as charged and condemned them to death by hanging.

     

  • Islamic cleric urges Muslims to embrace team work

    Islamic cleric urges Muslims to embrace team work

    Dr Abdullahi Eleyinla, lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, has called on Muslims to embrace the spirit of team work, rather than individualism, to gain Allah’s mercy.

    Eleyinla made the call on Wednesday in Ilorin, while delivering a lecture at the Special Dawah symposium organised by the Muslim Congress, Kwara state chapter.

    The don, who is also an Islamic scholar, presented a lecture, entitled, “Team work: Solution to modern challenges”.

    He said working together as a team was more rewarding than working alone.

    The lecturer identified such activities expected to be done collectively in Islam to include, observing the five daily prayers in congregation, commencement of fasting in the month of Ramadan, and performance of Hajj operation.

    He said that the reward for collective works were greater than those of individual works.

    Eleyinla also said that there were many verses in the Holy Quran that encouraged Muslims to hold fast onto the rope of Allah and see themselves as one to avoid disintegration.

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Badmus Yusuf, Dean, Postgraduate School, University of Ilorin, stressed the importance of cordial relationship among Muslims.

    The professor called on the Muslims to unite, irrespective of the group they belonged and be ready to be supportive of one another.

    Hundreds of Muslim faithful attended the lecture.