The Nation Newspaper

Tag: University

  • Edo varsity gets N500m for facilities

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has approved N500 million for the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma to upgrade its facilities.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the eight-member Governing Council of the university chaired by Prof Greg Akenzua, Oshiomhole said the money would be paid in instalments, between this month and October. He said the Governing Council would decide how best to put the money to use, noting that he expects value for every kobo spent.

    Oshiomhole said: “There are a lot of challenges in Ambrose Alli University which is why I appreciate your acceptance of this appointment. There are issues of funding, management, transparency, and accurate record keeping. I am aware that the Vice-Chancellor has been dealing with these, but some of them are beyond his competence.

    “For institutions to drive change which has become a permanent feature in the lives of nations and institutions, you have to find the courage to take decisions that may be painful to some but beneficial to the institution.

    “There are current issues that AAU has to address. One of them is the lopsided appointment. There are so many non-academic staff, non-research staff; and yet you do not have enough academic staff. Even if we have all the money we need, we are obliged to use these resources judiciously,” he said.

    Oshiomhole stressed the importance of accountability to the new council.

    “Regardless of what we have to say, we all can do better in respect of the funding of universities; not only about funding but management. I pray that God will use us to make a difference and increase the funding, but not just increasing the funding alone, but being sure that every additional kobo we spend, we get a value for it.

    “As a demonstration of my renewed confidence on your leadership of AAU, we will begin from this month, over the next few months, believing you know best to utilise it,” he said.

    The governor expressed total confidence in the new council, describing it as a group comprising “seasoned academics, administrators, people who have demonstrated passion for quality education.”

    Responding, Prof Akenzua, on behalf of others, pledged the council’s determination to reposition the university and justify the confidence reposed in them by the governor.

    “You have identified finance as the bane of the university system, I want to assure that whatever funds made available will be spent judiciously,” Akenzua said.

    Other members of the Council are: Prof Thomas Audu, Prof Tom Imobighe, Dr Andrew Isegwe, Dr Andrew Okwilagbe, Dame Esohe Jacobs, Prince Tony Omoaghe and Dr Godswill Ogboghodo.

     

  • Ojerinde praises varsity

    The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof Dibu Ojerinde, has praised the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) for the assistance it extended to the board during the conduct of the first Dual-Based Test and Computer Based Test held of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinaiton (UTME) in April and May.

    “It is on record that our modest effort is the first of its kind in a large-scale public examination in Nigeria and we are happy that your partnership with us forms the bedrock on which the success achieved was built,” he wrote.

    Commenting on the letter, the Deputy VC (Academic) Prof Toyin Arowolo, said the establishment of the 500-seater ICT laboratory was a good initiative. The 500-seater Computer laboratory was described as a as a challenge to other universities to build their e-examination centres, for effective conduct of the Computer-Based Tests (CBT).

    He noted that with the success recorded with JAMB, the university will be a centre of attraction for other corporate bodies that may wish to embark on CBT in the process of recruiting their prospective staff, which for FUNAAB, will translate into a good source of income.

  • Alumni to upgrade varsity

    The University of Abuja Alumni Association has said it will soon embark on the renovation of infrastructure at the school’s permanent site in Gwagwalada.

    The body has also scheduled its maiden convention for  Abuja at the end of the month.

    Habeeb Abulkadir who is chairman of the convention planning committee said in Abuja that the association is poised to strengthening itself and contributing significantly to the progress of its alma mater.

    During the event, there will be a reunion dinner and election of officials into the alumni body.

    “The association also plans to build an office on the campus. We’ll build students hostels and give them out at affordable rates,” Abdulkadir stated.

    The association which started in 2008 has now got a strong membership including governors, legislators and other top government officials across the country.

    On the crisis over non-accreditation of some science courses in the university, the alumni expressed gratitude to the pro-chancellor of council, General Samuel Ogbemudia for working tirelessly and getting the courses accredited.

    Dr Abubakar Umar Kari who headed the alumni association’s committee on repositioning the alma mater identified long culture of impunity as cause of the university’s woes.

  • Journalist applauds varsity

    A veteran journalist, Mallam Mohammad Haruna has commended the management and students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai for their giant strides towards transforming the institution into a renowned centre of learning.

    Speaking at the second Press Week organised by the university’s Mass Communication department, the former Managing Director of New Nigeria newspapers said the impressive performance of the students convinced him that the Niger State government was justified in establishing the university.

    Haruna who writes columns published in the Daily Trust, The Nation and Gamji spoke on the topic: ‘The Press, National Security and the Nigeria Project’ at the event.

    He charged both practicing and aspiring journalists to always uphold journalism ethics even under difficult circumstances.

    He also advised them to be patriotic and committed to promoting Nigeria’s Unity by been responsible in their reporting, objective and fair to all parties.

    In his remarks at the occasion, Niger State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Prof Mohammed Kuta Yahaya pledged to cooperate with the department and the university to drive the cause of excellence.

    Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Ibrahim Adamu Kolo, reiterated the Management’s resolve to ensure high academic standards. He added that the institution got full accreditation status for 17 out of 19 academic programmes presented to the National Universities Commission (NUC) last November.

  • ASUU begins indefinite strike over allowance

    ASUU begins indefinite strike over allowance

    …describes action as inevitable

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Monday renewed its hostility with the Federal Government as it declared an indefinite strike action. The resolution followed the body’s National Executive Committee meeting held at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye in Ogun State on Sunday and dragged till the early hours of Monday.

    According to reports, 51 of the 53 branches of ASUU unanimously agreed to embark on the strike.

    The strike with the government, The Nation learned, followed the federal government‘s failure to honour the Academic Earned Allowance (AEA) which formed a component of the 2009 Agreement government signed with the union.

    Declaring the strike, ASUU chairman University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter, Dr. Karo Ogbinaka, who addressed reporters at the university premises described the strike as a “painful yet inevitable decision.” He added that ASUU is tired of government’s dilly dallying, and cannot allowed itself to be insulted any further.

    Throwing more light on the AEA, Ogbinaka said it includes allowances paid as part of excess work load responsibility allowance, and allowance for supervision of Post Graduate Programmes for lecturers, head of department (HoDs), Deans and exam officers, among others.

    He added that the highest AEA is not more than N12, 500 per month, wondering why it has remained difficult for government to live up to its promises.

  • University don seeks review of rape law

    Worried by the high prevalence of rape incidence in the country, a University don, Prof. AdemolaAjuwon has called for the review of the stringent laws attached to proving rape incidence.

    Ajuwon, a professor of Health Promotion and Education, University of Ibadan (UI), made this call yesterday while delivering his inaugural lecture entitled: “Adolescence: The excitement, complexities andchallenges” at the Threnchard, Hall, UI, Ibadan.

    According to him: “What has become more worrisome is the fact that more offenders seem to go unpunished, as the law mandates that victims must prove beyond reasonable doubts that there was no consent and also show corroboration, which is a witness to the crime.

    “This becomes a hard call for victims, as rape offences were not usually committed in the open, coupled with the reluctance of the victims to come forward.”

    He said the law regarding rape should also be revised to recognise the fact that both males and females are vulnerable to rape and other forms of sexual violence.

     

     

     

     

  • Nigerian students top in Russian University

    Nigerian students top in Russian University

     From the  News and Information Desk, African Students Association, Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia comes a cheering report of the exploits of Nigerian students in a Russian University.

    These days, at the mention of Nigeria, what we are subconsciously waiting to hear is the news about the next scammer, the next suicide bomber who kills a British soldier.  We expect to hear news of death, stolen wealth or disease.

    For a number of us, our minds are already made up, even before we get the news, we have declared ourselves guilty.

    There are news of Nigeria that are not about gun-shots, corruption, suicide bombings and scams; and it is just as important we talk about them. For over five  years, Nigerian Medical scholarship Students at the Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow have consistently bagged first-class honours in Medicine and Surgery and represented the school at major Quiz competitions.

    These students, while meeting the demands of the language, Russia’s relatively alien conditions and other academic engagements, have taken it upon themselves to tell a story of Nigeria by being worthy ambassadors of the nation, off and on classes.

    A Nigerian student Olalusi O. Victor led a team of other International students from Russia, Italy, Greece, Morocco and bagged the “Best Captain of the Year” award at the University’s annual Quiz competition. His team – International United – won Silver at the University’s annual Quiz competition.

    Olalusi, who for the past three years has represented Nigeria in the University’s Hall of Fame, will deliver a valedictory speech on June 27th as the best graduating Student in the Faculty of Clinical Sciences with a grade point of 5.0.  The year 2012 saw another Nigerian student, Ganiyu  Sanusi bagging the “Best Student of the year” award at the University’s quiz competition. He graduated as the best student in the faculty with first-class honours and a CGPA of 5.0. Ganiyu  Sanusi now works as an Intern in one of Nigeria’s teaching hospitals.

    Nigeria-born Alonge Olanike Omotola, who in 2010 represented the country on the University’s Hall of Fame, bagged first-class honours degree in Medicine and Surgery and was the best Graduating student and valedictorian for that year. She proceeded for her Masters Degree at Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA.

    Over the past five years, Nigerian students at the Russian National Research Medical University have consistently topped the graduation chat, bagging honours and contributing their wealth of knowledge to the University’s academic status.

    These are stories of Nigeria that aren’t about bombings, gun-shots or students protesting for unpaid stipends; and it is as important we talk about them.

    The Russian National Research Medical University will celebrate the 2013 set of Nigerian Doctors at a grand ceremony on June 27th, House of the Scientists (дом ученых), Moscow, Russia.

    God bless Nigeria.

  • ‘I built my first filling station as a student in the university’

    Beautiful and industrious Princess Uzamat Folasayo Akinbile, has an exemplary story that will inspire a lot of young women. Her young looks will, no doubt, make not a few to think that she is probably a 20-year-old who inherited a fortune from her parents. But she is 39 today and her riveting story says it all about how she rode her way to success through determination at a time when many of her mates depended on handouts from ‘generous’ men while staying in the citadels.

    Garbed in a simple cream lace fabric, she carried no airs while exchanging banters with her aides as she made her way to usher the reporter into her office.

    She recalled how, at barely 25, she had plunged into the business world in her undergraduate days at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) where she studied Pharmacy and how she has faired in business.

    “I have been in business since my secondary school days when I used to accompany my mother on business trips to various communities where she purchased foodstuffs to sell. I also helped her to sell at the shop. We were then living in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    “I actually started my own business after I left secondary school. I went into buying and selling till I got admission into the University of Ibadan (UI) where I studied Biochemistry for some time. I opened a shop called Princess Ventures at Sango area of Ibadan, Oyo State, because I was already an accredited agent of Procter and Gamble. I was selling some of the company’s products like biscuits and diapers. I later left UI because I did not like Biochemistry. So, I secured another admission into the University of Lagos to study Pharmacy”.

    Despite the change of environment because of her studies, she still exhibited her business acumen, albeit, as a foodstuff merchant, not too far from school environment.

    “At UNILAG, I was still juggling business with studies and because I lived around Yaba, I got another shop and I continued to trade in foodstuffs like rice, beans, flour and commodities such as flour and sugar in large quantities. Along the line, I established a computer school and a cybercafe that attracted a lot of patronage from residents”.

    The final turning point, however, came in year 2000 when she was encouraged to go into oil business by one of her mentors, an opportunity she grabbed with her two hands.

    “I went into oil business in 2000 while I was still in school through the encouragement of one of my business mentors, Alhaji Olaoluwa Adeogun, an oil magnate, and I started building a filling station even before I graduated from the university. You see, I have never worked for anyone in my life and I was so sure I could succeed in business against all odds. The start up capital came from personal savings from the foodstuff business.

    “Upon graduation, a company offered me a job with a salary of N250, 000 among other perks of office but I declined the offer because I did not want to work for any one”.

    She must have had it tough juggling studies with her new-found fame as a business woman? The reporter asked her. She replied: “Ah, combining studies with business wasn’t easy at all. It affected my studies in a way. At a point, I had epyremisis for about five months when I was pregnant. So I had to abandon my studies, hence, I had an extra year and graduated in 2006”.

    Akinbile, who now helms a group of businesses spanning oil and gas with a `chain of filling stations, pharmaceutical and information technology, recalled the ebb she experienced in business a few years ago.

    “I will never forget 2007 because it was a year my business was dealt a terrible blow as a result of simultaneous fire and robbery incidents. In October 2007, one of my stations was infaded by armed robbers and millions of naira carted away barely a few weeks after the filling station located in Ajasa near Meiran, Lagos State, started operation . As if that was not enough, on November 12 of the same year, a fire incident arising from generator explosion during the discharge of fuel rocked one of my filling stations. Although I lost money and vehicles to the incident but I thank God that five of my employees who were victims of the incident did not die.

    “I am relatively successful because I have adhered to certain principles of running medium scale businesses into greater heights. The rules of running a business and making a success out of it are not cast in iron but require a deep understanding and relative financial discipline to apply those rules. My pharmaceutical company(Musaroq Pharmaceuticals) is a sole representative of big overseas-based drug manufacturing companies, while another subsidiary, Musaroq Information Technology Ltd., is growing from leaps and bounds and a new filling station was just opened in Ikorodu”, she added.

    The Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State- born business amazon and mother of four who threw her hat into the ring to contest for a seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011, however, did not fail to tell the reporter her reasons for plunging into partisan politics.

    “I have been successful in business before I ventured into politics. I had expressed my grievances about the way Nigeria was being administered to my senior brothers in South Africa. But they asked me: ‘If everyone leaves the country on the account of leadership inadequacies and economy, who will salvage it?’ They suggested I should contest for a seat in the legislative house to lend my voice to the quest for change through efficient laws and policy formulation that could guarantee good governance and better life for the people. And I had no choice than to hearken to their call”.

    Although, she did not secure the ticket to represent the people of Alimosho Constituency 02 but she was later to be appointed a Supervisor for Agriculture, Rural and Social Development in Agbado/Okeodo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, and she described her acceptance of the appointment as a personal sacrifice.

    “I accepted my appointment as Supervisory Councillor because of the love I have for the people of my constituency. The acceptance was a personal sacrifice so that I can continue not only to protect their interest but to further serve them better; otherwise I was comfortable with being a business woman and my salary as councillor is far less than my monthly earnings in business.

    “In order to serve my people better and to complement the effort of the Hon. Augustine Arogundade- led administration in Agbado/Oke-Odo LCDA, I am going to inaugurate some projects on June 22, under my pet project called ‘The Goodwill Project’. The projects include a 12-feet culvert in Omoroga/Akintan, Meiran, while about 10 community development associations will be given a N50, 000 grant each. 100 artisans will also be assisted with tools under my ‘Tools for job initiative’.

    “This is not my first time of reaching out to my people; many residents have benefited from my charity in the past, especially in the areas of health education and free treatment for infirmed mothers and their children. I have given free medical treatment to people and I have also distributed drugs, mosquito nets and other items to empower indigent residents who don’t have means of livelihood or resources to sponsor their children’s education. I am not tired yet of doing more because it’s a calling to help humanity not to actualise self-seeking goals.”

  • ‘No varsity strike in Jamaica for 20 years’

    ‘No varsity strike in Jamaica for 20 years’

    Can you explain how the Jamaican government funds university education?

    The funding is through grants and annual budget the government provides. There is tuition which is about 20 per cent of what it takes to run the institution. The truth, however, is that there is accountability. You cannot have a situation where you have a budget and somebody just captures it. One, salaries are paid regularly. The buildings are properly maintained. When there is the need to paint, the buildings are re-painted. If it is not done, you know that somebody must be responsible, and that person will be questioned for negligence of duty.

    Aside, there are contributions and donations that past students give their alma mater, which create a critical mass of resources which are used to endow chairs for research and projects. There is another component of it which we may be overlooking-and that is the tax break. Here (Nigeria) most people don’t pay tax or rather the rate of compliance is low. In the US for example, when you donate $5000 to your alma mater or engage in any philanthropic work, you get a tax freedom on that. Tax freedom means that you are not paying tax twice. We need to get to that level here. Instead of using money on owambe (frivolities), if we donate it to the university, it will be dedicated to research works on cancer, diabetics and all that.

    Strikes either by workers or students are a major factor in Nigerian education. Is it the same thing in Jamaica?

    We don’t have strikes. I’ve been in Jamaica for more than 20 years and I’ve never witnessed a single day that there are no classes or the universities locked down. If there is any break, it’s because of the act of nature like hurricane, earthquake, or the school may be out for a day or two and later pick up. Teachers don’t go on strike even though they have collective bargaining and all that. It is done in a structured manner because everybody recognises that each function of the system appreciates the fact that there is need for continuity. You don’t have a situation where students pour to the street demonstrating. If they have their grouses there are channels for ventilating them, ditto for the lecturers.

    What of cultism?

    We don’t know what that means because everything is transparent. As a student in Jamaica, you can question your lecturers if you feel the degree that you got is not worth it. You have every right to see your exam papers, to have it checked and have a second marker. In my department, we have a system where we double mark. When the first examiner has graded the script both essays and exams, another member of staff will again read and grade it to see if there is agreement. If the student in question is still dissatisfied with those processes, he or she can then proceed to the faculty or the university management and demand that his papers be remarked. When that is done, we then have a situation where the person properly fails or passed. There is no room for victimisation.

    As regards funding in Nigeria it appears there is a missing link somewhere?

    (In Nigeria), we have this belief that it is only the government that should invest in education; and that is because we believe the government has so much resources. And if those resources are put into research, there will be no problem. But what we have found out is that for so many years the government has failed. Go to many primary schools, the structures are so dilapidated and you’ll be very shocked to know that human beings actually school in this kind of environment. But the public needs to realise that education is the business of everyone, and the only way we can do that is moving away from that mentality of flamboyance.

  • As Kwankwaso’s Northwest University takes off

    By the time you are reading this piece, the Vice Chancellor of the Northwest University, Kano, Professor Dato Mohd Razali bin Angus, is perhaps leading 97 other qualified academic staff of the university to matriculate the pioneer students today.

    Today, the administration of Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has recorded yet another streak of success in the area of education. The achievements of the present administration in education within the period of two years cannot easily be enumerated, let alone be fully explained, perhaps because of their enormity and space constraint. I need not ‘bother’ you with the issue of the establishment 21 training institutes, nor distract your attention from observing the matriculation oath with the issue of the establishment of 44 technical schools sited in each of the 44 local government areas of the state.

    From the basic level to the advanced level, Kano records a milestone in education. The massive infrastructure and manpower improvement is unprecedented in the history of Kano. So far 388 blocks of classrooms, making a total number of 1,552, classrooms have been built and fully furnished by the present administration. While new schools are built, 170 existing schools (hitherto porous and encroached) have been fenced so far. With a view to strengthening the foundation, 14,976 teachers have been trained.

    Like the idea of establishing the first ever state university in Kano, the Kano University of Science & Technology (KUT), Wudil, the idea of Northwest University was mooted, conceived and after brief gestation hatched today.

    When Gov. Kwankwaso mulled idea of establishing the first state university during his first tenure in office between 1999 and 2003, doubting Thomases, even within the government, were pessimistic about the concept. But the governor remained steadfast and see to the realisation of the dream. The rest is now history as 2,163 students have so far graduated from KUT. What would have been the fate of these 2,163 graduates had he forgone the idea?

    After about eight years of neglect by the preceding administration, the founder of the KUT rediscovered and resuscitated the institution. Library, lecture theaters, students’ hostels are being built in KUT. Massive infrastructure and manpower development are concurrently taking place in KUT and Northwest University. Both universities are getting equal degree of attention.

    In order to record success in the Northwest University project, Governor Kwankwaso appointed an astute academic in person of Professor Hafiz Abubakar as the chairman of the implementation committee. Burning candle on both ends, the implementation committee ensured that everything went according to the vision of the governor. After meeting the requirements of the regulatory authority, on 27th March, 2012, the National Universities Commission (NUC) granted licence to Northwest University.

    Announcing the endorsement, the Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, said the the university has satisfied all criteria for recognition, expressing satisfaction with the speed with which the new university is being developed.

    After rigorous scrutiny, informed by the governor’s desire to set standard, Professor Dato Mohd Razali bin Agus was appointed as substantive Vice Chancellor of the university. Professor Bin Agus, who was until his appointment, the Vice Chancellor/Chief Executive of Twintech International College of Technology, Kuala Lumpur, has been a vice chancellor in three different countries.

    Today, we are witnessing another history. Another brainchild of our visionary leader is taking off with unprecedented bang. The Northwest University is unique in many respects, just as it is a pacesetter in many areas of learning. A large number of the lecturers, carefully selected on merit, have First Class degrees, while the matriculating students meet the requisite criteria for admission. By this, the students are on the pedestal of taking after their lecturers. A witty Hausa proverb observes that if an antelope will run, its calf will certainly never crawl. This is moreso when there is conducive atmosphere for learning, or in the case of the proverbial antelope calf, a space for running.

    Northwest University is unique in many respects. It is the only university in Nigeria that starts its maiden session with 1,000 students, four faculties, 17 departments, 24 programs and 97 lecturers offering courses in natural sciences, environmental sciences, social and management sciences, arts and languages. Even the NUC attests that these qualities are above average for a take off.

    In just the temporary site, the lecture halls and offices are fully air-conditioned. It is the first fully ICT-driven university that boasts of the latest interactive whiteboard technology, an established e-library and computer laboratory with state-of-the-art ‘nComputing’ technology. There is also fast, reliable and uninterrupted Internet connectivity, the offices are equipped with branded computers, abundant computers for staff and students. As obtained in top flight ivory towers across Europe and America, students of Northwest University can obtain lecture notes online on the university’s portal.

    Now, watching the resplendent assembly of students dazzling, like peacocks, in full academic regalia, one can see raw hopes and aspirations exuding from the matriculating students, who by this time next year, will become proud sophomores and a few years later become the pioneer graduates of this prestigious citadel of learning. Not only the visitor of this university would be happy for this but all other partners in progress, cutting across all spheres of life.

    The concept of the university was explicitly stated by its name. Certainly, this university will bridge the education divide that defines states in the North West region of the country with a colloquially offensive monicker Educationally Less-Developed States (ELDS).

    If some cynics didn’t get the Northwest University concept today, one day the entire Northern region will see the merit of Kwankwaso’s vision.

    Without a leader with foresight who remains steadfast towards actualising his dreams, Northwest University project would have still been in the formative stage. Without such a leader, who brooks no delay and takes the art of governance serious, effort would not be made to bridge this education divide.

    Jaafar is the Special Assistant to the Kano State Governor on Media & Public Relations