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Tag: Usmanu Danfodiyo University

  • UDUS students kick against lack of free and fair election on campus

    UDUS students kick against lack of free and fair election on campus

    By Wonderful Adegoke

    Students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) have decried the lack of free and fair student elections on campus, saying that it undermines democracy.

    Being a powerful unifying factor, democracy is meant to be etched into a lifecycle that reveals service and growth. However, students told CAMPUS LIFE that the university’s leadership pattern raises concern about its perceived identity and support system.

    Abdulkabir Mufasir Akorede, a 200-level Shari’ah student, said student democracy goes beyond conducting elections to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.

    “Democracy on campus creates an environment where students have a say in decisions affecting them. It should be about fostering a culture of participation where diverse voices are heard and valued,” said Akorede.

    For a university long-regarded as Nigeria’s most peaceful institution of learning, the lack of student election stalls growth due to the absence of a platform where students can express their ideas, passion and visions for the student community.

    The truth, however, says Sumayyah Muhammad, a 500-level student at  the Faculty of Agricultural Science, is that students could be allowed to run their affairs with the management’s approval.

    “As an individual, I believe that students know and understand their needs better than everyone else and should be given fair opportunity to address it, this for me, should be democracy on campus. Giving student fair opportunity to address their needs,” she said.

    CAMPUS LIFE findings confirm that ever since the previously elected student representatives were suspended in 2023 for misappropriation of funds, the school has resorted to handpicking students to chair the Students’ Union Caretaker Committee (SU-CTC).

    Amid the ongoing call for student democracy, statements obtained from multiple sources revealed that the appointment comes with little disclosure of the selection process involved.

    Sources recalled that most recently the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Umar Aliyu assured that efforts were underway for the immediate restoration of democracy on campus.

    He made the statement known during the award night ceremony organised by the previous SU-CTC administration.

     “We are looking for all possible means to see how we can conduct a free and fair election for next year’s student leadership,” he said.

    However, to their surprise, their hopes were again shattered last month. For Najeeb Lukman, a 300-Level Pharmacy student, the situation tells a larger story.

    “Without a democratic process, those appointed by the school management may be more inclined to follow directives rather than genuinely represent student interests,” said Lukman of the newly appointed SU-CTC leaders for the 2025/2026 academic session,” he said.

    Lukman lamented about how it weakens independence and credibility.

    “In the absence of student elections, it is the university authorities who benefit the most. Since those selected through nomination often feel accountable primarily to the authorities who appointed them rather than to the student body,” he said.

    Lukman’s statement isn’t a direct attack, but a burden shared across the student community. Unlike Lukman who sees it as an indirect means of suppressing active participation in campus politics, Safwan Abubakar, a student of English and Literary Studies, says it paints the students otherwise.

    “The school sends an indirect message that they neither care about students nor do they see them as being mature enough to elect eligible leaders,” he said.

    Similarly, Yusuf Abdulqudus, a 400-level student at the Department of Islamic Studies, believes that damage control could be utilized to ensure students aren’t sidelined any further.

    Abdulqudus said if impactful projects are to be sustained, student elections is worth reconsidering because it would offer a solid feedback system that connects grassroot concerns to the required authorities.

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    According to Abdulqudus, elected student leaders tend to be more accountability-driven.

    In his words: “Elected student leaders’ accountability won’t only center on financial expenses but also on the students and the challenges they face in school.”

    Newly appointed student leader intervenes

    The newly appointed SU-CTC Chairman, Tasiu Aminu, dismissed claims surrounding his appointment. “Our appointment is not a barrier to student representation,” Tasiu insists.

    Reaffirming his commitment to students’ welfare, he said: “We are determined to stand with students. Representation is our utmost priority and we won’t hesitate to go to any length.”

    Surprisingly, when questioned on his intended approach, UDUS’ Tasiu confirmed that those elected might have a particular approach on issues relating to students’ welfare, but “we have to be as diplomatic as possible.”

    Efforts by CAMPUS LIFE to reach the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Umar Aliyu, were unsuccessful, as messages were not answered.

  • I wanted to prove a point, says UDUS best graduate

    I wanted to prove a point, says UDUS best graduate

    Born out of wedlock and tended by her mother alone, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) best graduating Nursing student, Sarah Ayashim, shares the highs and lows of her academic journey and what motivated her to strive for excellence. WONDERFUL ADEGOKE (UDUS) reports.

    Sarah Ayashim, an indigene of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area in Kaduna State, graduated with a First Class from the Department of Nursing Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) in the 2023-2024 session. With a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.61 on a scale of 5, she was adjudged  the best graduating Nursing student of the university.

    I was determined to achieve feat

    When I got to UDUS, I found out that none of our Christian colleagues had ever graduated with a FirstClass. Some started off well, but along the line, something would happen and they’d drop off.

    That narrative made me more determined to be an ‘A’ student. I said to myself, ‘If only one person will get an A, it has to be me.’

    I knew I was close, but didn’t know how close — yeah, I was on First Class, but there were also a few others too  in my class that were close.

    I believed it would be one of us.

    I wanted to study Human Medicine

    I didn’t initially want to study Nursing, I wanted to study Human Medicine. However, after I couldn’t gain admission with my first JAMB in 2017, I applied to study Nursing at the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Kafanchan, because I didn’t want to stay idle. I wrote the exam again in 2018 and applied to UDUS, having gained interest in the profession. Luckily, I got the admission.

    Being a single mom, my mother was initially upset with my decision. She really wanted me to become a doctor and was worried about me going far north, especially with the security concerns. But despite all that, she supported my dreams.

    Challenges encountered

    The journey was not a smooth ride. I faced quite a lot of challenges. During my clinicals, while other students went on break in 200-Level, I was just recovering from a surgery which broke me down. Yet, I still had to attend ward rounds and keep up with studying.

    I  honestly don’t know how I pulled through. I just feel that my motivation drove me to put in the best I could. I’m not sure how I managed to do it all. I just put in my absolute best in all I did.

    In 400-Level, I also faced financial setbacks when my mother lost her job.

    Nursing is a demanding course, and there’s usually not enough time to juggle side hustles, which made things tougher.

    My driving force

    Being that child who was supposed to be terminated, that child who was deemed useless. I just wanted to prove a point, because in today’s society, once you mention children born out of wedlock, the narrative is usually that we’re useless. 

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    So I wanted to prove that yes, I’m the child of a single mother, but I’m not useless. My existence is not useless. That was my highest driving force. 

    I wanted to show my dad that I’m not a useless child. I wanted him to, at least once in his life, be proud of me. I wanted to make my mom happy, to let her know that all the sacrifices and struggles weren’t a waste.

    When I got to UDUS, I discovered something very important: consistency is key. Those little consistent efforts add up to make a big difference.

    I started reading early in the semester, as soon as lectures began. I also understood myself: what reading times worked best for me, what limits I could push my brain to. I read for six hours. Two hours interval during the day. Used quality time for reading.

    What really distinguished me was that I always took concise notes in class.  If you pay close attention, some lecturers  focus heavily on a particular subtopic, and if you’re observant, you’ll know there’s no escaping questions from that area.

    Getting good grades

    I started having good grades from 100-Level. Once I hit it in 100-Level, I promised myself never to drop. 100-Level: 4.71; 200-Level: 4.73; 300-Level: 4.71; 400-Level: 4.64; 500-Level: 4.61.

    Advice for  students

    Start early, don’t follow the crowd; do what works best for you, and strive to push beyond limits.

    Future aspirations

    I see myself going into lecturing. I would like to share my experience with younger professionals so they understand that Nursing isn’t just about learning or working in a hospital — there’s more to that. It’s a calling; something you do every day to improve lives and be the reason someone smiles. 

    I want to represent Nigeria positively through my practice. I aspire to be the empathetic nurse people look forward to meeting. I also want to further my knowledge so I can identify the lapses in our healthcare system and contribute to its improvement.

  • How UDUS female student made First Class in Maths

    How UDUS female student made First Class in Maths

    By Muhammad Habibat Sani

    Hauwa’u Bello Tambuwal, a female student at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), has bagged a First Class in Mathematics. She is the second female student in UDUS to achieve the feat with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.53.

    Her passion for Mathematics began in 2005 during her early education at Islamic Education Trust Sokoto, where she received an award for achieving the highest score and was appointed as the Assistant Head Girl before graduating in 2011.

    In furtherance of her academic pursuits, she continued at Sultan Muhammadu Maccido Institute of Quran and General Studies in 2012.

    However, she was not deterred  her from giving her best in the field of Mathematics, a challenging but equally rewarding field where she became a prominent figure among female scholars..

    She accepted this in the belief that Allah wasn’t in support of her pursuing a B. SC in Pharmacy in UDUS. This necessitated putting in her best.

    Her First Class journey

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    ‘’When I was level 1 and  2, I achieved First Class. However, upon reaching level 3, my grade dropped to a second-class upper. I felt very discouraged and almost gave up. Despite an initial setback with a GPA below 4.5 in my third year, I was undeterred by this unforeseen twist. My resilience and passion for learning propelled me forward.

     “With the support and encouragement I got from my parents and mentors, I accepted and worked harder. At that year, I almost lost hope because of my poor performance. I almost gave up, but did not. I worked harder and got  4.53  points for my last session.

    Other achievements

    When speaking about other achievements on campus, she said:  “My commitment to excellence shone brightly when I represented my university in the first inaugural SoKeZam (Sokoto-Kebbi-Zamfara) Universities Mathematics Championship SUMAC-1 competition, where I not only participated but clinched the coveted gold medal in June 2023. Notwithstanding, my journey took a distinctive turn when I represented my faculty (Faculty of Physical and Computing Sciences) in June 2023 Hizbs Qur’anic Competition, and Alhamdulillah, I placed third.

    “My  graduation was a momentous occasion marked by an exceptional accomplishment – earning a First Class  degree from the Mathematics Department, and Alhamdulillah, I’m the second female student to graduate with First Class in the history of the Mathematics Department. This stellar achievement was not only achieved by my intellectual prowess but by the profound grace of the supreme God. It served as a testament to my ability to conquer challenges and thrive in unexpected academic areas.

    Advice to other students

    “Even amid challenges embrace opportunities, growth, and believe in prayers.

    Adversity is not a barrier to success but a stepping stone to greatness. Whoever embarks on a journey must persevere in the face of challenges, to embrace opportunities for growth, and to believe in the power of his/her prayers.

  • Education is key to world peace, says UN

    The 74th President of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly Prof Tijjani Muhammad Bande, has urged Nigeria to work with other countries  to ensure world peace by prioritising access to qualitative education.

    He made the call at a public lecture held in his honour by students of Political Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) to celebrate his new designations as well as immense contributions to the department.

    Bande, a former vice-chancellor of the institution, likened education to a tool for fighting insecurity anywhere.

    He noted that the spate of killings in the country is as a result of inequitable access to education.He therefore charged the government to prioritise education to ensure world peace.

    “We all have a duty to build this country. What we are doing is to project Nigeria in the best light and also for the country to contribute to world peace,”Bande said.

    “Education is one of the elements of the presidency of the 74th session. It is the key to world peace and development. Nigeria should work with other nations to bring quality and accessible education to all in order to ensure world peace,” he added.

    Bande, Nigeria’s permanent representative to the UN, was on June 4, elected the President of the upcoming 74th session of the Assembly. Bande succeeds María Fernanda Espinosa, whose term would end later this month.

  • Insecurity hangs over ABU

    Although the three final year students of Law at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, who were abducted last week have been freed, the campus is still enveloped in fear. There are accusations and counter-accusations between the management and students over insecurity on the campus. Students are sad that bandits, who ply the Abuja-Kaduna Road, have extended their dragnet to them. ABIODUN JAMIU, 200-Level Political Science student, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) reports:

    For students of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, it was sweet relief when the news of the release of their abducted colleagues filtered in. Their joy knew no bounds.

    Despite the euphoria that greeted the release, there is papable fear of insecurity in the air.

    Though the management said it has put a new system in place to tackle insecurity, some students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, said there are still unreported cases of petty theft, robbery and sexual harassments, among others, on campus.

    Maryam Bello, Umar Sagir, and Fatima Jalingo – all final year students of Law – were kidnapped alongside others on their way to Zaria from Abuja, where they had gone to raise funds for a dinner to be hosted by their colleagues.

    Painfully, families of the abductees admitted that they paid hefty ransom, contrary to a police report that no amount was paid and that the release was due to their effort.

    Though the management claimed to have provided some logistics support in rescuing them, it blamed the trio for not obtaining approval from the authority before embarking on the ill-fated journey.

    The management’s position was supported by ABU Students’ Representative Council (SRC), which said students were supposed to get permits before stepping out of the campus.

    Students of ABU, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, said it was about time the management improved the university’s security. They called on the government to rise up to the challenge posed by insecurity which has made them easy targets for bandits on the Abuja-Kaduna Road, almost daily.

    Will this ever end? ABU students ask

    Contrary to the management’s claim, a 200-Level student of Social Studies, Alade Jamiu (not real name), argued that security on campus was not tight during the late hours compared to daytime. More worrisome, according to Jamiu, is that students caught committing atrocities are  given a slap on the wrist.

    He said: “There are petty thefts in the hostels. There is no regard for place of worship. Management treats with kid gloves students  who have committed one infraction or another.  The next moment, you see such students back on campus and having a swell time.’’

    Jamiu chided some security officials for going out of their way to harass female students, in the guise of conducting security checks.

    “At night, they (security) don’t do their work as they should. Imagine a security official putting on mufti and chasing girls all over the place,” he said

    A student of Chemistry Education, who simply identified himself as Bola, supported Jamiu.

    “Security on campus is still porous to some extent,” Bola argued.

    “Most students may think that the security (on campus) is fit, but there are cases of petty theft here and there. There is no strict measure against theft in hostels. Moreover, there is no strict law on whosoever enters the school by foot; there are elements that can easily bypass the security and unleash mayhem on students.”

    Muhammad Yahaya, a third year Political Science student, also agreed with the duo, albeit with a little digression.

    “Security in ABU is fairly good. They (management) just need to recruit more security officials”.

    He continued: “Although I have never lived off campus, I hear cases of phone snatching, robbery and sexual harassment.”

    Yahaya noted that students who live in houses around the school, especially in Samaru, where the institution is located, appear most vulnerable.

    Olayemi Sulaiman, 300-Level student of Economics, lamented that kidnapping in ABU have become a recurring decimal, with the Abuja-Kaduna Highway as a major hideout for criminals.

    According to him, many of his colleagues have escaped kidnapping, robberies and other forms of atrocities on that route by a hair’s breath.

    “Here in Ahmadu Bello University, threats of kidnapping and armed robbery have become a major fear among students who travel to or from school. It is quite shameful to hear that students are at the receiving end of the failure of the authorities to tame insecurity.

    A final year Mass Communication undergraduate Tijani Hassan, noted that the security situation on Kaduna-Abuja Highway has became more complicated in recent times, putting the lives and properties of students and workers at stake.

    He said: “The security situation along Kaduna-Abuja highway has become alarming in the past one year. However, sadly, we (students) have also become the latest victims. Our parents will have to desperately look for money as ransom for criminals that have now turned their attention on us.”

    He continued: “If not that the parents of the abducted students were able to get money, who knows what might have happened to them? These are students preparing to leave for Law School. It would have been a total disaster not only for ABU, but the whole country.”

    For Uthman Isa, a final-year student of Law, the rising wave of killing and kidnappings must have political undertones; the more reason it has become difficult to tame.

    “The scourge of insecurity ravaging the country is, to a very large extent, coloured with politics that one would wonder why it has become very difficult for the government to find solutions.”

    Isa pleaded for government’s openness in the fight against insecurity. He urged a reform of the country’s security apparatus, asking the masses to continue to challenge the authorities that hold the nation’s security in trust for them.

    Umar Aisha, another 200-Level student of Political Science, called on the authorities to tackle the hostility along Kaduna-Abuja highway head on.

    She said: “The security situation in the country is very scary. I call on the authorities concerned to take a serious measure on this Kaduna-Abuja highway because things are getting out of hand. The volume of crimes being committed on that route is quite unfortunate.”

    Olayemi said the scourge is aided by the unstable economy, coupled with high rate of unemployed youths.

    Vigilance, the watchword, says management

    The university’s Director, Public Affair Dr Ismai’la Shehu, has reiterated management’s unending battle against insecurity on and off the school’s campuses.

    Shehu recalled how the management rose to the occasion, despite that the three kidnapped ABU students ‘ trip was illegal.

    “Ours is to reassure ourselves as parents that the security of our students is key,” Shehu noted.

    “When they (students) are going on any official trip, we always ensure they are given adequate protection. For instance, if they are going on excursion or to any other place that has to do with their academics, we provide them with security.

    “Those who were kidnapped went on their own volition. I’m sure you  know the (insecurity) situation in the country; and the university is also a part of the larger society. Despite that they went on their own, the university played a major role in securing their freedom. We could not have disowned them simply because of their action. Management had to join hands with the stakeholders and the efforts yielded their freedom.”

    Shehu said aside the school having a competent security unit, students should be vigilant.

    “There is a security unit that works 24/7 to ensure security of lives and properties in the university campuses. That on a routine.

    “We have a reasonable number of security personnel, well trained to combat insecurity. But the general thing is to be watchful and security conscious. The dean, students’ affairs and university management always enlighten the students on the need to be security conscious.”

     Official permission a must, says SRC

    Corroborating the management, SRC President, Usman Waziri, noted that the permission from the school is a must, if students must embark on an official journey.

    Waziri said: “There are students who travel from school for excursions, competitions and all that. There are also students who travel from their parents’homes to visit siblings, friends or for mere partying.

    “For those in the second category, the Students’ Union and the university will not be held responsible. However, for those travelling from school, they need to apply for approval letters from the management. Once this is done, the university will direct one or two security officials to accompany them all through the journey.‘’

    Waziri added that both management and SRC offer security tips to students at the beginning of every session.

    He continued: ‘’At the beginning of every session, we usually have what we call a Central University Orientation. It is a forum where management educate students in every area of their lives, including how to safeguard their personal effects in and off campus.

    “Generally, the security situation on campus is quite impressive. We have a security unit that is up to the task. We also have local hunters  who monitor the periphery of the university. Management has also mounted a police post in ABU Phase 2, all to complement security.

    “For an individual to come into the campus, you must show evidence of your studentship.’’

  • UDUS graduands seek yearly convocation

    The graduands of Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS), Sokoto have urged the management to hold convocation yearly.

    They gave the advice following the low turnout at the combined 35th, 36th, and 37th convocation held at the varsity’s convocation theatre.

    According to them, organising the event yearly would enable the graduands to attend the event massively.

    CAMPUSLIFE observed that some of the graduands couldn’t attend the convocation because they had been mobilised for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), while notifications of result of others were not yet ready. Further findings by CAMPUSLIFE showed that some of the students do not live in Sokoto, while others are working.

    One of the embarrassing moments at the event was the absence of the overall best graduating student, Ojo Suleiman Adebowale.

    “I wish that I made it to the event being among the valedictorians of the day, but I tried to talk with the camp co-ordinator, but he didn’t grant me the permission,” Adebowale told CAMPUSLIFE on phone.

    A 2016/17 graduate of Applied Chemistry, Sarat Alabidun, who also could not make the event, explained that she had already departed to the United States for her Masters.  She said: “I couldn’t attend the convocation because I am not in Nigeria. I’m in the United States for my Masters programme. I graduated about three years ago; so it’s been a while. Even if I were in Nigeria, I might not have come because Sokoto is far and I stay in Lagos.”

    Nonetheless, Biliamin Aishat, a 2016/17 graduate of Biological Science, who attended the event, recounted the horrendous 14-hour journey she endured from Ilorin to her destination.

    “It’s the management that is at fault not us,” Aishat protested.

    “I just finished my service. You can imagine me just returning after my pass out parade (POP), only to again embark on a journey for this convocation. Some people cannot bear the risk of coming to this place after they have departed to their various destinations. At least, they should be organising it (convocation) every year immediately after students graduate to make it easier for students to attend,” she said.

    Fatimah Abdulwaheed Akinola, a 2016/17 graduate of Mathematics, blamed the poor turnout on the foot-dragging posture of the management, adding that students who graduated a long time ago, would not show interest in the convocation.

    “I think the low turnout was due to the fact that it’s a joint convocation. People are already engaged in different things. Some of them have married and it will be impossible for them to come here,” she noted.

    “My advice is that they (management) should find a way to abolish joint convocations. We can be doing this every year. People cannot afford to miss their own convocation ceremony. I also travelled all the way from Osun State to meet up with this event but not everybody has such a privilege”

    Alanamu Oluwadamilola Rashidat also bemoaned the combined convocations.

    “The turnout is averagely okay but lower to what I was expecting because most of the people are faraway and they don’t have the chance to come down to this place.

    “The combination of the 35th, 36th and 37th convocation ceremonies are too hectic. It will be more preferable and encouraging if they can make it annually,” she advised.

    Habibu Bawa a 2017/18 graduate of Microbiology bemoaned the delay in the release of their results’ notification. For Bawa, his set was not part of the event because they are yet to collect their notification of result.

    “Why should I come when we are yet to collect notification in our department? Some have collected notification since first week of February but we are yet to collect ours. Are we part of the convoking graduands?” He asked furiously.

    Imam Fulani Abdullateef a graduate of Common and Islamic Law, noted that having contacted all his friends and discovered that most of them would not attend the event, he decided that he would simply sit at home.

    “The distance from Kwara to Sokoto is not easy,” lamented Abdullateef.

    Majority of my course mates didn’t attend; so, I will be lonely and that will make the programme boring to me,” he concluded.

  • ‘5000 require heart surgeries in Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara’

    No fewer than 5,000 per one million population require heart-related surgeries in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, Acting Chief Medical Director of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Dr Nasir Muhammed, has disclosed.

    He said this was discovered at the commencement of heart surgery by the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto in collaboration with VI University Teaching Hospiyal, Morocco.

    The collaboration is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would further benefit other specialisations within the health system.

    Muhammed said the disease was a common problem all over the world and anything that affect the heart could lead to untimely death.

    Though he said heart surgery was capital-intensive, the CMD declared the hospital will charge at least N2million depending on the severity of the problem.

    He explained: “These peoples are mostly poor who could not afford such treatment as before now, the only closest hospital where such operation is available is Nizamiyya hospital in Abuja and the least they can charge as much as N5million or one has to travel over sea where he can pay double,” he said

    Mohammed however, appealed to governments, corporate organisations and wealthy individuals to support the programme for sustainability.

    He stressed that the hospital alone cannot sustain it without getting their support.

    “Open heart surgery is very expensive because of the kind of material used which majority of our people cannot afford.

    “So we need the support of the government, Corporate organizations and wealthy individuals to sustain the programme,” he pointed out.

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    On the MoU, he said: “We made a lot of investment on the programme. We trained our staff doctors and nurses and equipped the centre with state- of- the art equipment in addition of signing a MoU with King Muhammad VI University Teaching Hospital, Morocco,” he explained.

    Dr Abubakar Umar, a cardiothoracic surgeon with UDUS, said he had operated on five patients since the commencement of the programme on Sunday free of charge.

    He disclosed three of the patients had their heart valve replaced, some born with abnormality in their hearts were also operated upon.

    Dr. Umar said they were targeting a maximum of 10 patients for the current exercise disclosing that plans were underway to lunch a foundation to get support for people who need heart surgery as funding was their serious challenge.

    Leader of the Morocco’s team and a Cardiovascular Surgeon, Professor Boumzevra Drissi, said heart disease was one of the major causes of death in the world,  urging people to avoid smoking and excess eating which were part of causes of heart diseases.

    Professor Drissi stressed the importance of funding for the sustenance of the programme

  • Nigerian student breaks Indian varsity academic record

    A Nigerian born and 2012/2013 first class graduate of Chemistry from the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Stella Emelife Chinelo, has broken a 100-year academic record at the 99th convocation ceremony of the Mysore University, India to emerge overall best graduating student.

    The record breaking performance by the Danfodite has hitherto placed her high to be decorated with 20 Gold Medals in addition to five cash prizes awards.

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    Disclosing the development yesterday at the 35th, 36th and 37th combined convocation awards of degrees, diplomas and certificates, Vice Chancellor of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru noted that academic excellence and standard remain the focus of the institution.

    He said any of the current students and graduands could do so, adding that “just always remember that learning is a lifelong endeavour and its key ingredients are observation, thinking, consultation and decision making.”

    Zuru said: “We have equipped you with all these attributes. So, go out there and demonstrate to the world that you are Danfodites”.

  • Press club launches mobile app

    Pen Press UDUS of Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS), Sokoto, has unveiled a mobile application, which is available on playstore.

    It encapsulates its blog and facebook page, and enables users to access information on the outfit’s platform.

    Its Editor Yahaya Nurudeen Akewushola said the app was aimed at ensuring access to news on campus, adding that it is data-friendly, as it only requires  readers to turn on their data to access it.

    Akewushola said: “The app has been designed in such a way that it incorporated our facebook page and blog. Thus, it enables fast access to happenings on campus. Pen Press, for the past 25 years and hitherto, has always been the first in every developmental innovation. We are the first press board to start print publication in UDUS among other numerous innovations that we have initiated.”

    Akewushola urged students to download the app for effective communication to keep them abreast of the admission processes and directives from the university management.

    “As we have always been doing, I believe that this innovation has enviably redefined campus journalism and pave the way for apt dissemination of breaking news and other interesting stories about campus chronicles,” he added.

    Adebayo Abdullateef Musa, a 200-Level Radiography undegraduatwe of UDUS, applauded the outfit for making access to information a lot easier and accessible in a world where information and news is power.

    “Pen Press UDUS has taken strides in the right direction by creating a mobile app. This is a welcome development. I give kudos to the entire Pen Press team for being able to think beyond our imagination in this 21st century technological development.”

    Lawal Mutolib Tunde, 300-Level Accounting student, also praised the brains behind the initiative and expressed optimism of future engagement and ground-breaking records from the outfit.

    “I’ll like to commend those who’re behind the initiative of Pen Press mobile app and the entire press team. It’s very pertinent for them to know that this app is beyond physical appearance. As such, this initiative by the team doesn’t only serve as development to UDUS alone but to the entire masses perhaps nation at large.

    ‘’I believe if the people behind this initiative get more support from students, management and other stakeholders, they will definitely do many things that are better than what we’re witnessing.”

    Abdulrazak Ahmad, a graduate of Common and Islamic Law of UDUS, urged the media outfit to maintain the feat, adding that they are up for the stars.

    “Let me start by saying the launch of Pen Press UDUS Mobile app is a feat that I’m so proud of. Conveniently, I can say the officials and members of Pen Press have done us a great good and they have performed beyond our expectations, I hope the chain will continue.

    He continued: “When I was in school, I visited other news apps everyday and the Pen Press board, but I never knew it would be easily accessible everywhere in the world. The app is easy to use, mobile-friendly and doesn’t consume data, I would say it’s of “student standard” and I would recommend it for everyone. Other journalism outfits on campus should emulate same”

  • TIME TO REPLACE NYSC WITH N-POWER

    My first condolence note goes to the families of; late Ms Ifedolapo, a first class graduate of Transport Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, who died due to negligence of NYSC medical team in Kano; nine members who drowned in river in Taraba State; and the seven kidnapped on their way to NYSC camp in the South-south few months ago.

    The National Youth Service Corps scheme founded by the Federal Government after the civil war to promote national unity has since then lost its mission and only subject fresh graduates today to an unnecessary year of hardship.

    Youths with bright future in their twenties are posted to different areas prone to violence, attacks and ethno-religious maltreatments while those from wealthy families like Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, follow ‘back door’ to get their discharge or exemption certificates.

    While death may be defined as an inevitable natural calamity, despite the insufficient monthly stipend, a lot of corps members are posted to places where they will have to sponsor their accommodation from what cannot cover their feeding.

    From a survey I carried out, a corps member who chooses to take three good meals daily from his monthly stipend for seven days in Abuja and seventeen days in Kebbi will be left with nothing for transport to his Place of Personal Assignment not to talk of rent bill before other basic amenities.

    The N-power, an initiative of the Federal Government in 2016, gave unemployed graduates of higher institutions chance to work in their states and Local Governments of residence while earning a higher amount to make ends meet.

    The NYSC scheme, which is a compulsory service for a year is done by posting mobilized graduates to places for particular assignments, this however only promotes unemployment. A under-employment, though temporarily solved, results in shortage of skilled man-power.

    The graduates, after the year of service may spend the next ten years in search of job as every year, others will be posted to replace those who completed their service and most organizations, including some government-owned, prefer them because of their low level of maintenance and appreciation of low stipend.

    You cannot put a crown on a clown and expect a king. Apart from low stipend, accommodation problem, changes in weather, climate and environment, the corps members will have to cope when posted to places irrespective of their qualifications, skills and professions to wrong places for assignment.

    A graduate of Mass Communication with no classroom management training posted to Primary or Secondary School, a graduate of Biochemistry with no medical orientation posted to clinic laboratory, a graduate of Yoruba posted to the Northwest are common examples.

    I once witnessed a scenario during my industrial year as a graduate of Science Laboratory Technology from a Polytechnic, who had her industrial training from a chemical industry was posted to a state with no chemical industry. She served at a medical laboratory where her school and teachers were subjects of mockery every day.

    Unless the Federal Government will retain youths after their year of service, the N-power, is a better alternative to the hazardous NYSC. The refusal of some top government officials to let their children and the Honourable Minister of Communication to serve are clear evidences that NYSC has no significance.

    Habibu Bawa, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.