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Tag: varsity

  • Varsity hosts diabetes summit

    The government of Osun State has reiterated its commitment to quality health care delivery for residents. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Temitope Ilori, gave the re-assurance at the 2014 Strategies for Improving Diabetes Care in Nigeria (SIDCAIN) Summit with the theme: “Joint action against gestational diabetes mellitus”.

    The event was held at the auditorium of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) in Osogbo.

    Ilori said diabetes affected mostly women and children, leading to an increased mortality rate in sub-Saharan Africa.

    She said the government had taken measures to address the problem by partnering with stakeholders in the health sector and embarking on a number of programmes to alleviate the problem of diabetes in the state.

    Ilori said government was ready to collaborate with health care practitioners to improve the living conditions of the citizens.

    In his address titled: “Effective care for persons with gestational diabetes mellitus: why, what, how?” Dr Ade Kolawole  of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital said the purpose of the summit was to fashion out strategies for managing gestational diabetes.

    He explained that gestational diabetes was the carbohydrate interference of variable severity first recognised during pregnancy, adding hat diabetes was a disease prevalent in city life.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof A.B. Okesina, urged participants to cultivate healthy habits in relation to the food they eat and exercise regularly.

  • Ebenezer Obey gets varsity job

    Ebenezer Obey gets varsity job

    Juju maestro turned Evangelist, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi has been appointed as professor of music at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State.

    The announcement was made Monday, at an event in his honour, at the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Hall of the university.

    As a visiting artiste in the Department of English and Performing Arts, Obey is expected to take the students through the kernel of music from a practitioner’s perspective.

    The celebrated artiste kicked off the ceremony with a song that paid tribute to God. Titled Iba lo ye kase, Obey gave the audience the rare privilege of requesting for any of his favourite songs, which he promptly rendered to their delight.

    In recent times, the artiste who has been receiving several honours, was among the artistes who performed at the Glo Evergreen Series.

  • Varsity gets bursar

    Varsity gets bursar

    Management of the McPherson University, Seriki-Sotayo, Ogun State has announced the appointment of the Mr Adeyemi Onilado as the school Bursar.

    Prior to his appointment, Onilado worked for years in private and public sectors where he held top management positions.

    A statement signed by the Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, Mr Tony Ogunbiyi, stated that the position was advertised in the national dailies and was keenly contested.

    Ogunbiyi said due process was followed, noting that Onilado’s outstanding performance got the Council’s approval.

    Mr Onilado is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of working experience. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (Second Class Upper Division) from the University of Ado-Ekiti and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State. He is a Fellow at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a member of related professional bodies.

  • Philippines plans varsity in Kwara

    The Kwara State government has struck a deal with the government of the Philippines to establish a university in the state.

    The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Alhaji Saka Onimago told reporters that the proposed university, which will be called AMA University, would have its temporary site at the old Ilorin Teachers’ College, Lagos Road, Ilorin which, has seven hectares of land.

    Onimago said the university would be owned and funded by the Philippines government while the the state government would only provide the land for its temporary site.

    He also announced the government’s resolve of gradually ease out primary and post primary school teachers with no qualifications in education  from the system.  The Head of Service, Alhaji abarako Muhammed, Onimago said, has been asked to work out modalities for absorbing the teachers who would be affected by the exercise into the mainstream civil service. He said the government’s decision   to disengage unqualified teachers from the teaching job is informed by the need to improve on effectiveness of education received in the schools.

    He said teachers  among the 21, 000 NCE holders without specialisation in primary education would be encouraged to go for a sandwich course for the specialisation to enable them fit in at the level they teach.

     

  • Varsity research Foundation gives grants to groups

    Varsity research Foundation gives grants to groups

    The University of Ibadan Research Foundation (UI-RF), has awarded a collaborative research grant of N10 million to be disbursed over  three years to seven research groups within the university.

    The groups will focus on four thematic areas- agriculture, energy, health and water resources.

    The leaders of the groups are: Dr. Omolade Oladele; Prof. James Olopade; Prof. E.O Agbedana; Prof. A.A Aiyelari; Prof. Adeboye Olatunbosun; Dr. Abiodun Claudius-Cole and Prof. Moshood Tijani.

    In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Isaac Adewole, said the UI-RF marks an important chapter in the evolution of the university as a research intensive institution, adding that it highlights the dedicated effort at providing support for research as a platform to realise the university’s vision.

    The university, he said, has created UI-RF with an important overarching objective, which is to provide unique opportunities for the staff to participate in interdisciplinary, leading-edge research funded by the university as well as international funding agencies.

    Prof. Adewole said: “The expectation is that efforts of the UI-RF in meeting these objectives will enable individual staff member to be more responsive to states and national needs that could be met through the research programmes, training and services. More importantly, it will enhance the ability of UI to continue to succeed in effort to deliver the best education and training for students.”

    He urged benefactors to be frugal on how they spend the money, as they all would be accountable. He enjoined them to work as a team and justify the purpose of the grant.

    Also the Chairman of UI-RF board, Chevalier Itsueli, said the board will task itself to make UI achieve more firsts by producing the first post-doctoral research positions at the institution within the next 12 months.

    “We must commercialise at least, one research finding from this portfolio within the same 12 months. We must create a Think-Tank to define and direct our national ethos, in that same time frame. We must provide our home within the next 24 months,” he assured

  • Peter varsity gets boost from women

    The Awka Diocesan Life Members have donated N50,000 to the development of Peter University in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State.

    Peter University was founded last year by the Catholic Church to bridge the gap in admission.

    Awka diocesan President of the Life Members, Lady Virgy Okoli, made the pronouncement when they paid a courtesy visit to Bishop Ezeokafor to celebrate with the bishop and other priests at the cathedral.

    A press statment from Bishop’s Chief Press Secretary and made available to the Nation, commended the women association’s commitment in propagating and projecting the university.

    It added that their gesture would be an annual one even as the statment quotes the secretary of the group, Lady Rose Onyedibe and the treasurer Lady Stella Njaka asked for God’s blessings on the bishop.

    The highlight of the visit was the presentation of cash and gift items to the bishop and other priests and at the cathedral.

    It will be recalled that the group made a similar donation during last year’s Easter visit to the bishop.

  • Varsity provides job opportunities

    Well, not everyone is folding their arms about the alarming unemployment profile of the country.

    American University of Nigeria (AUN) Yola, has set up a job fair where their students and graduates/alumni met with more than 20 different national and international organisations and some participants got employment or internship positions.

    The seventh edition of the AUN career fair brought together cooperation’s like Dangote Cement, Sky Bank, KPMG, McKinsey&Company, P&G, PZ Cussons, PWC, Nestle, General Electric, ExonMobil, Deloitte, StallionGroup and lots more.

    Assistant Dean, Student Affairs, AUN, Reginald Braggs explained that the career fair was a way of bringing national and international companies together, under one roof for the benefit of the alumni and current students to introduce themselves and the objective of the companies is to find bright students to recruit.

    His words: “Our intention is to connect our students and alumni with viable companies. This is of benefit to Nigeria because now you have young people who are now having jobs and being of benefit to the country.

    “It also serves as an experience for our current students to know what it feels like to interview in front of companies and present themselves in front of companies.”

    He said that it is a kind of American concept of bringing students together and alumni can have the opportunity to learn, when we first started it, students did not really know what to expect but as time has gone on, we have been able to find that impact we like to have on our students.

    Braggs also said, “When we first started out there were about 15 to 20 companies but now we have about 30 to 35 companies coming every year. A lot of companies have a threshold and we have an opportunity where they can sit down and talk to the students and also provide an avenue where they can give them an aptitude test into the different departments in their companies.

    Director, Career Services, student affairs, AUN Mrs Grace Nwokoma said that the school begins to prepare their students as soon as they gain admission to prepare them for the future and work a environment. Mostly, they make them work for two hours every day in a in a professional capacity where they get paid.

    She said, “”It is a job fair modelled after the American concept, before our students get here, we have properly groomed and worked with them one on one because we want to give companies the products that they want.

    “So far we have over 300 and something students already placed from this platform in companies like KPMG, McKinseys&Company, Sky Bank, General electric, Shell, lots more for them to come here, it means that they already have some of our products and their capabilities and are yearning for more, most of them go through the internship programs and they hire them.”

    Manager Human Resources (HR) and Admin, Dangote Cement Cooperate office, Bala Zango said that he had seen the notice for the fair on the AUN website and applied to be part of it.

    He added, “We came here to fish out the talented ones; we are so much interested in having young, talented people in Dangote that we can inculcate into our system. We need intelligent and fresh people to come and assist us in moving the company forward.

    “The job fair gives the students the courage to know that they have graduated and are not going to be in the labour market looking for jobs. In Dangote we have been providing jobs and intend to recruit more, our fertilizer plant will soon be kicking off so we need more staff, like about 80,000 staff when we are ready. What we do is to go to the universities and pick from the graduating ones there.”

    Head HR recruitment and training manager Nestle, Marie Owoniyi said, “For us it is an opportunity to brand ourselves as employers and register ourselves in the minds of our to be employees, we are here to tell them that Nestle is here with lots of opportunities for graduates.”

  • Who killed this varsity student?

    Who killed this varsity student?

    The murder of Taiwo Shittu, a 500 Level Fisheries student of the University of Ibadan, in her apartment in Ibadan (UI), three weeks ago has increased concern about security of lives and property across the country, writes BISI OLADELE

    When charming Taiwo Shittu came home early to catch a nap on Wednesday, February 19, after the day’s work, little did she know that it would be her last, as she was hacked to death with a machete in her room by an unknown assailant after being sexually assaulted.

    The 27-year-old, 500 Level Fisheries & Aquaculture student of the University of Ibadan (UI) lived off the campus with her elder sister around the Bola Ige International Market on New Ife Road, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Taiwo had gone to school in the morning and returned at about 2:00pm on the fateful day to take a rest after a tedious practical session with her colleagues somewhere in the city. But a yet-to-be-apprehended killer went into her room in a two-room apartment with a cutlass and hit her on the head severally until she died in a pool of her blood one hour later.

    The police are still working hard to fish out her killers who are thought to have assaulted her sexually before macheting her to death. She was found naked in the room with only her underwear hanging on her thigh with blood all over her body. The cutlass was laid beside her.

     

    Who killed Taiwo?

    Taiwo’s sister, who rented the two-room apartment in the building that contains two other mini flats, gave details of the events that preceded Taiwo’s death.

    The woman, who did not want her name in print, recalled: “Around 7:00am on Tuesday, February 18, I heard a knock on the gate and I attended to the man. He introduced himself as a gardener engaged by the landlord to weed the compound. So I let him in. He went to the backyard and started preparing to start work. I left home to work at 7:15am and my sister went to school. She returned around 2:00pm. I met her at home when I returned in the evening.

    “The following day, the gardener returned at the same time. I opened the door again and returned to my room. I went to work again at 7:15am, leaving my sister behind. At about 9:20am, I returned home. By then, Taiwo had gone to school.

    “Shortly after I entered, the landlord entered the compound and checked all the apartments in the compound. I came out of my apartment and greeted him. He asked if I was the only tenant left in the compound and I answered in the affirmative. I also informed him that information at my disposal suggested that another tenant had paid and would soon move in.

    “Then he assured me that he would soon install a pumping machine in the well. After saying that, he went out of the gate and later came in with an Aluminum technician, who had worked on the building before. He faced that man and expressed surprise that he earlier told him that another tenant had moved in. But the man said he did not know. Then all of us went out of the gate.

    “I asked him to give me his phone number before he left so that I can be discussing with him directly. He said he was not leaving yet but still gave me the number. He said he would hold a meeting with the agent at about 3:00pm or 4:00pm later in the day. He discussed that over a telephone call with somebody.

    “Then, I withdrew into my apartment. I planned to leave for work around 2:00pm but I left before 2:00pm. I didn’t see any of them while leaving the compound. When I met my colleague at work, she asked why I left my phone at home because my sister picked it when she (my friend) called me at 2:15pm.

    “On getting home at about 5:30pm, I tried to open the gate but it was difficult. I eventually opened and later also opened my apartment. I thought my sister was sleeping in the room. When I went into the room, I met her naked with her underwear half removed with machete cuts on her head.

    “Out of fear, I ran outside the gate to the nearest building which is a Cherubim & Seraphim church, adjacent the building and raised the alarm. But they refused to follow me. They told me to invite the police.

    “Frustrated, I moved to another nearby building. The occupants screamed and all of them followed me into my apartment. Then I went back to work and my bosses followed me to the police station at Adelubi, behind Nigerian Breweries plant. The case was later transferred to the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CID), based on request by the University of Ibadan (UI).”

    She described her sister as “very gentle, cool and easy-going.” The bereaved said that the landlord sometimes visits the building.

    The Oyo State Police Command has since arrested the landlord and the gardener. It was learnt that the cutlass that the gardener was using was the same found beside Taiwo’s corpse.

    Narrating his ordeal, the landlord, Mr Oyawola Lawrence denied any involvement in the sad incident.

    The 65-year old retiree said: ”On February 18, I gave the gardener a clearing job in my yard. I have always engaged him for the job. So he is used to the premises.

    “There is a carpenter I have mobilised to fix the doors with an advance payment of N35,000.

    That same morning, he went from home to the site. I told the carpenter I was coming to pay him. The house is managed by an agent.

    “That 19th, (following day) Taiwo’s sister came out when we were there and we discussed. I promised to buy another pumping machine. She collected my phone number, saying the agent was not treating them well.  Then I left with the carpenter after noon.

    “Later in the evening somebody called me that something happened in my house, adding that the landlords (in the area) had gone to lodge a report at the police station. When policemen came, they could not gain access into the room because the door to the room was locked. They went back and got instruction to force it open. Then we saw the body.

    “The agent, two landlords and I went to the police station. The police said they learnt that somebody was cutting grass in the house. We made statements. They took the gardener to the house to show them where he kept the cutlass. He showed them but I don’t know the location. When we were leaving that day, policemen asked me to leave my number and I did. Then, on Saturday, they phoned and asked me to report at their station on Monday, 24th.

    “I have never met the girl in question. I only met the sister that day. I only said I would meet the agent in the evening to talk about how to buy pumping machine and I didn’t go back there that day.”

    The gardener, who simply identified himself as Azeez, is an imbecile. The 33-year old accused the landlord of killing Taiwo but his claims were full of contradictions and incoherent.

    While the Police are working on other leads that could help track down Taiwo’s killers, her classmates recalled a dutiful and easy-going friend.

    One of her closest friends, Dorcas Awosemo, described Taiwo as “cool, calm and easy-going.”

    She said: “We were very close and we’ve been relating since 100 Level. I don’t even know how to describe her. She was so cool, calm and easy going. I miss everything about her – meekness, gentleness – I miss everything about her. I miss her indeed.”

    She recalled that they went for a practical work at a stream in Ikolaba, area of the city, adding that they planned to meet the following day.

    “I was in the library. I couldn’t even believe it when Jumoke told me. She received a message. Immediately I saw her shaking, her hand was shaking and I asked her what happened. So she now showed me the message. I think it was a message on Whatsapp. I saw that Taiwo was murdered. I couldn’t believe it. I said it can’t be. I think the day the incident happened we went for a group assignment. So we both departed from Sango and I sent my regards to her sister and we planned to meet on Friday because that was on Wednesday so that we can finalise the practical assignment. Hearing the news on Thursday, that she had been murdered, it was unbelievable.

    “Taiwo was always available and whatever she found doing, she did. She was very good. She participated in the assignment. She was even the group leader. After the whole assignment when we were going, we were joking, smiling and not knowing that would be the end.”

    To Dorcas, the most striking qualities Taiwo possessed was dedication and discipline.

    Another close friend of the deceased, Olajumoke Akanmu recalled that she saw her a day before she was hacked to death.

    She said: “We had a class and we were given assignment. It was a practical assignment and she was the leader of her group and I was the leader of my group. So we discussed on how we were going to do the assignment. She told her group mates that they would be meeting the following day and that assignment was to look for a river. So I was even telling her they can use the river in Orogun for their own assignment. On that day, she even called me. She called to know if I had the equipment to be used for the assignment. That was my last encounter with her, it was on Wednesday, she called me in the morning.

    “Taiwo was a very quiet person, disciplined and principled. She was not a trouble maker. She would come to the class and greet everybody. She was very brilliant. When the lecturer was dictating, it was her note people used to borrow to fill in the gaps.

    “My friend was very caring, very nice. Because we were in the same group for the pro ITP, we went to Niger State together. We used to do things together. We cooked together. We would go to market, lectures and everything like that together. She was ready to assist and help any time.”

     

  • Petroleum varsity begins session

    The Federal University of Petroleum Resources in Effurun (FUPRE) has started the 2013/2014 session on. The campus re-opened last Monday for academic activities.

    The management, in a release, said screening of fresher would commence immediately and it is expected to end tomorrow.

    The authorities urged freshers to report to the campus for details of screening and registration as orientation and lectures would commence as soon as the screening exercise is over.

  • Varsity digitalises operations

    The Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA), Niger State, has taken a giant step by creating a virtual academic platform that allows students and staff to perform various tasks by means of communication enhancement software, Phinnx.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the institution adopted the Phinnx web system which was targeted at computerizing the research, collaborative and academic needs of all Nigerian academic institutions.

    A member of the technology firm said: “Features of the application included video conferencing on mobile phones, tablets and personal computers and illustrator which enable people wherever they may be to teach one another using their phone ,tablet and PC screen as notebooks. Illustrator allows people to easily create more complex and appealing symbols than is achievable in conventional whiteboards.”

    He added: “Other features include course and assignment managers, messaging system, screen and code studio, which supports computer programming on mobile phones and tablets.”

    The software was developed by two students of the university. They are Olofu Mark, 400-Level Information Communication Technology and OguntadeTemitope who graduated from the Department of Mathematics and Computer.

    In a telephone conversation with CAMPUSLIFE, the duo explained that they had spent most of their time solving problems that centred on performance, scalability, reliability and ease of use. They explained that they understood the difficulties Nigerians face with internet speed, saying that the application was fast.

    They hoped to sell application to other institutions of learning.