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Tag: varsity

  • Al-Qalam varsity matriculates 2,000

    Al-Qalam University, Katsina State, at the weekend matriculated 2,000 students for the 2017/2018 academic session.

    The Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Shehu Ado, who congratulated, urged them to utilise the opportunity to graduate with good grades.

    The VC, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim, reminded the students that as the first Islamic University in the country, the management would continue to emphasise religious and moral uprightness.

    He said: “Ours is a university with a difference and therefore, you should always remember Allah and obey His orders. Acts, such as examination malpractice, drug abuse, sexual harassment, indecent dressing and gross misconduct, would lead to expulsion. I advise you to carefully study the rules and regulations governing your conduct which are contained in the students’ handbook.”

    The Registrar, Sani Abashe Adamu, noted that the university has an established channel of communication in pursuing grievances.

    He said: “You must pursue your legitimate demands in an atmosphere of caution and reason. All communications from you must go through your departments, colleges or the Dean of Student Affairs. You should not allow any group, individual or miscreants derail your studies.”

  • Achievers Varsity matriculates 485

    Achievers Varsity matriculates 485

    A private tertiary institution in Ondo State, Achievers University at Owo, has admitted 485 new intakes for various academic programmes.

    Also, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved that the institution should start running undergraduate programmes in Law and Post-Graduate programmes in Computer and Information Technology, Business Administration and Accounting.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof Tunji Ibiyemi, who spoke at the convocation ceremony, urged the Federal Government to urgently declare emergency in the Education sector.

    According to him, the only solution to depression in a knowledge-based economy is industry.

    The vice chancellor noted that the source of knowledge is through research and human capital development, in which he said universities are indispensable.

    Ibiyemi said the emergency declaration must give priority to private universities.

    The vice chancellor thanked God that despite the low admission level into the university’s 11 sets since inception, the highest number of admission was recorded this year.

    He hailed the parents of the matriculants for their investment and sacrifice.

    Ibiyemi urged them to regularly monitoring their wards.

    The 11th matriculation lecture, titled: Striving for Excellency and Achievements As the Road Map to Security and Empowerment, was delivered by the Acting Head of the Department of Sociology in the university, Dr Joseph Fayeye.

  • Dangote business school launched at varsity

    Dangote business school launched at varsity

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje at the weekend inaugurated the Dangote Business School at the Bayero University, Kano.

    The school building, donated by Dangote Foundation, was built at over N1 billion.

    Ganduje, represented by his deputy Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, begged Aliko Dangote to occasionally deliver lectures on entrepreneurship at the school so the students can benefit from his wealth of experience.

    According to him, this will play a major role in the economic development of the country in training African future business leaders.

    The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said entrepreneurial study and business administration are training which enhances the fight against poverty.

    He said building the business school is borne out of his belief and commitment to qualitative education. He promised that efforts will be geared towards the school collaborating with other international business schools, such as Havard Business School in the United States of America.

  • Vice Chancellor decries invasion of varsity’s land

    Vice Chancellor decries invasion of varsity’s land

    •Says FUTO under siege

    The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Prof. Francis Eze, has said the university is threatened by the activities of land speculators who have invaded its land.

    Prof. Eze lamented that the encroachment on the university land, by unauthorised land grabbers, poses serious danger to lives and property of the management and students, as well as the corporate existence of the institution.

    The VC, who addressed reporters at the Senate Chambers, said the forceful takeover of the institution’s land recently assumed a dangerous dimension with the pulling down of the exit gate and the security house by the invaders.

    He said: “The University duly acquired the land in compliance with laid down procedures, including the full payment of all settlements to the host communities. But the recent encroachment on its land is so overwhelming that you can call it an invasion.”

    Prof. Eze, who conducted reporters round the institution’s boundaries with their host communities of Eziobodo, Iheagwa, Obinze and Avu, warned that “all those patronising land speculators, buying FUTO’s land and building on them, will lose their money as the buildings will be demolished.

    “We have started the perimeter fencing of the university, at a huge cost, just to protect the land.

    “Last time, some people brought heavy equipment and pulled down our gate house. It is that bad but we will no longer allow that. All those buying and building on FUTO land are doing so at their own risk,” the VC added.

  • Ex-minister donates books, art works to varsity

    Ex-Minister of Culture and Tourism Mr. Edem Duke has donated 250 books and art works, worth N5 million, to Arthur Jarvis University, Calabar, Cross River State.

    The donation was made yesterday at the late Brig.-Gen. Dan Archibong Memorial Park, Calabar.

    The books cover subjects, such as Arts and Culture, Film and Photography, Hospitality and Tourism, Nigerian History, among others.

    Duke said the donation was part of his contributions to development of the university, adding that the state is blessed to have Arthur Jarvis University as its first private university.

    “Arthur Jarvis University is a young, but first private university in the state.

    “The school has established a centre of excellence in Hospitality and Tourism.

    “Today, I am donating these books from my private library and these art works to Arthur Jarvis University to boost its academic performance.

    “Art plays an important role in the life of the people. The university is not only building good ambassadors of this country, but also grooming future leaders,’’ he said.

    The former minister promised to give the best graduating student in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism N100,000 and same amount to the best overall student in the first graduating year.

    He hailed the management for striving for excellence, saying the institution has enhanced development of the state.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Julian Osuji, said the university had a policy to reduce tuition fee for indigenes from N360,000 to N250,000, covering accommodation and other charges for one year.

    “In the last National University Commission ranking, which involved assessment of Open Educational Resource Repositories, we came 24th of 50 participating universities. This achievement is a stepping stone.

    “We appeal to the government and well-meaning indigenes to support us with funds, links to funding agents, endowments, donations and other forms of goodwill, to help achieve our vision and mission,’’ Osuji said.

    He thanked Duke for the donation, saying it would help the institution to establish a centre of excellence in Hospitality and Tourism.

    The Chancellor, Arthur Jarvis-Archibong, advised people to key into the establishment of universities, noting that the number of applicants seeking admission yearly is high.

    He enjoined politicians to support the school.

  • Accolades for varsity’s outgoing principal officers

    The management of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai (IBBUL), on Wednesday, inaugurated three acting principal officers. But the guests used the colorful event to shower encomiums on the outgoing staff. ABDULSALAM MAHMUD reports.

    The Governing Council of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Lapai, in Niger State, has since announced the appointment of three principal officers in acting capacity.

    But at their inauguration, held at the conference room of the Senate Chambers Wednesday last week, it was a harvest of praises, and commendations for their predecessors.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the trio of Mallam Samaila Muhammad, Mall. Muhammad Dalhatu Suleiman, and Alhaji Muhammad Bashir, recently bowed out as the Registrar, Bursar and Librarian, after completing their two-term tenure of four years each.

    At the handing-over, the university management led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Muhammad Nasir Maiturare, saluted their foresight, vision and courage.  He described their achievements in office as unrivalled.

    He said: “The entire university community, most especially the management board, will deeply miss your cerebral trio. It is incontestable that the working relationship we had enjoyed with you was greatly cordial. We are particularly excited that you offered exemplary services. Kudos for completing your various tenures without been found wanting in dishonourable conducts.”

    Maiturare assured that the cherished legacies of hard work, commitment to duty, selflessness, accountability, transparency, discipline and distaste for compromising best global practices, which they bequeathed, would be sustained.

    “The story of IBBUL will not be complete without a mention of the invaluable contributions of these consummate public servants, and inestimable assets”, he said.

    In their separate responses, the outgoing officers, charged their successors to be visionary, incorruptible, resilient and broad-minded to utilize the beneficial ideas of their subordinate workers.

    They thanked the State Government for the opportunity to contribute their quota towards the growth of the institution, while praising the VC for providing a conducive working environment for all workers.

    Those to replace them in the interim are: Alhaji Musa Ango Abdullahi (Ag Registrar), Mallam Abdul Garba (Ag Bursar), and Dr Abubakar Usman (Ag Librarian).

    Responding on behalf of the new appointees, Abdullahi praised the outstanding contributions of their predecessors towards the university’s growth.

    He said: “our iconic and high-flying predecessors, indeed were the poster boys of the university’s Senate during their time as Principal officers. Their intellectual contributions were so priceless, and insightful. Their meritorious services have put IBBUL on the pedestal of greatness”.

    “They were in a class of their own in terms of foresight, hard work and commitment to the noble ideals of an academic institution designed for learning, research and moulding of sound characters”.

    Another event was organised by the Bursary Department for the out-going Bursar.

    At the event, the Deputy Bursar, Alhaji Hussain Shuaibu lauded the “sterling leadership qualities, tenacity of purpose and formidable strength of character” possessed by their outgoing unit Head, Mallam Muhammad Suleiman.

    CAMPUSLIFE learnt that some members of staff, and a representative of United Bank of Africa (UBA), Lapai branch, equally paid glowing tributes to the former Bursar.

  • Varsity warns freshers against cultism, others

    New students of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) have been advised to shun vices as the university has zero tolerance for cultism, hooliganism, indecent dressing and other social vices. They have also been advised to remember the homes they come from if they are to excel in life.

    A senior staff of the Human Resources Unit of the Registry Department, UNILORIN, Mr Kabir Adewoyin, gave the advice while answering questions on a popular Yoruba current affairs programme: ‘Oro to nlo’,  on UNILORIN 89.3 FM.

    Adewoyin, who congratulated the students for scaling the admission hurdles into the university, advised all parents to caution their children against joining bad groups and unregistered associations.

    He said any student found wanting would be expelled because students are awarded certificates if they were found worthy in character and learning.  He said after the official orientation course any student who failed to comply with the rules and regulations of the institution would be shown the way out.

    Appreciating the management of the University of Ilorin for sponsoring training and retraining of staff of the institution,  Adewoyin described the tenure of the school Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Dada Obafemi, who is the National Chairman of the Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU), as a blessing to the university.

    Adewoyin said the weekly Registry seminar and other forms of staff development programmes he initiated have put workers of the university, especially the Registry department, ahead of their contemporaries in other universities.

  • Unpaid salary: Varsity loses three staff

    •ASUU urges Fayose  to take action on arrears

    Three workers of Ekiti State University (EKSU) died in one week due to hardship occasioned by unpaid salaries, the local branch of the Academic Staff Union Universities (ASUU) has said.

    The union claimed that four workers died in the last two months in similar circumstances.

    ASUU Chairman Prof. Olufayo Olu-Olu, who addressed reporters at the weekend, urged the government to pay the seven-month arrears owed EKSU workers.

    The union leader said ASUU was crying out to refute the claim on the state radio and television by Governor Ayo Fayose that his administration was not owing.

    Olu-Olu said: “The situation at EKSU is very pathetic because three of our workers died in the last one week while four of our workers died in the last two months.

    “When people start dying like that, we have to take action because things are going out of hand. Our College of Medicine students have been here in the past eight years without graduation because there was no accreditation.”

    He regretted that although ASUU wrote to Fayose in August, urging him to take action on the arrears his administration owed EKSU workers, the governor had done nothing to alleviate the suffering of workers.

    The ASUU chief said the union had taken the sorry case of EKSU workers to traditional rulers, including the Chancellor and Alara of Aramoko, Oba Adegoke Adeyemi and Founder of Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN).

    He added that ASUU also reached out to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Mr. Dele Adesina (SAN).

    Olu-Olu said the situation was compounded by massive recruitment of workers without corresponding increase in subvention.

    According to him, EKSU’s monthly wage bill oscillates between N450 million and N455 million, but the monthly subvention has been reduced by the Fayose administration to N130 million, from N260 million.

    He added: “It is undoubtedly expected that a state as ours, which exists to manage poverty, should watch its spending, especially in this period of economic recession, but the situation at EKSU is different.

    “Different game players within and outside the ivory tower have been overloading the ‘EKSU ship’ to a point that all have started expressing fear of a ‘shipwreck’ comparable to none ever witnessed before.

    “Within the last one year or so, the number of additional workers has almost caught up with total number of employees since inception without any increment in budget allocation to the institution.”

  • Shell endows professorial chair in varsity

    Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has endowed a professorial chair in Lightweight Automobile Engine Development in the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Delta State.

    Explaining the endowment, Vice Chancellor Prof. Akii Ibhadode said SPDC wants to create local capacity in automobile engine development, and situate FUPRE as a lever to project Nigeria as an equal competitor with advanced economies.

    Ibhadode, who spoke at a news briefing after inauguration, listed a couple of other feats the university had achieved in the last few months, after its maiden convocation earlier in the year.

    On the professorial chair, the VC said: “It was instituted in October 2016 to develop local capacity for automobile engine design and manufacturing, through structured research and development activities.

    “We will use this professorial chair to influence the development of automobiles in Nigeria. We want to displace these two and three wheelers by replacing them with four-wheel lightweight vehicles made in Nigeria to crash the cost of tricycles and so on. It will aid entrepreneurs and development.

    “There’s no manufacturer of engine parts, not engines in whole, in Nigeria. We want to ensure that as soon as possible, we will manufacture engines. FUPRE is in the forefront of driving the automobile industry. We want to be the African hub for training and research for foreign students.

    “Today marks a turning point because the same university that has been in obscurity will soon take the world by storm to showcase rare innovations that will add value to mankind.”

    Speaking earlier at the inauguration of the chair, the General Manager, External Relations, Mr. Igo Weli, said the multinational had chosen to establish the endowment to encourage the harnessing of the vast untapped opportunities existing within the growing automotive industry, as well as to engage talented youths.

    Weli, represented by the Manager, Stakeholders’ Relations, Dr. Alice Ajeh, said the chair would afford the university the opportunity to go beyond the realms of theories and start building real and tangible technologies for Nigerians, adding:

    “It is an opportunity to attract global talent to lecture and undertake research at the department.”

    Among dignitaries at the event are former Federal Commissioner for Works, Maj-Gen Orho Obada (retd), one-time Military Administrator of Kano State Brig-Gen Dominic Oneya (retd), Ovie of Uvwie Emmanuel Sideso, represented by three chiefs, members of the management and students.

  • Why we’re resuming strike, by varsity non-teaching unions

    •Congress accuses govt of ‘deceit, divide and rule’

    Non-teaching staff of universities on the platform of the Joint Action Congress (JAC) have explained why they are  resuming their suspended strike  today.

    Their unions accused the Federal Government of deceiving them into suspending the strike action in the first place.

    The three unions are the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Non Academic Staff Union and the National Association of Academic Technologists.

    Addressing a news conference, the body’s National Chairman, Comrade Samson Ugokwe, said rather than implement the terms of settlement reached with the union, the government has decided to introduce divide and rule into universities to create disaffection among staff and unions.

    Ugbokwe said the Federal Government’s plan was designed to refuse payment of the shortfall in salaries of members.

    According to him, the Memorandum of Terms of Settlement entered into with the government by the three unions states, among others, that the N23 billion approved by the Federal Government is for the payment of arrears of Earned Allowances and it cuts across both teaching and non-teaching staff of the various Federal universities.

    It also required that trade unions under JAC are to update the templates already with the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) and submit same to the Federal Ministry of Education by Thursday September 21, 2017.

    In addition, he said the memorandum states that “as from 2018, efforts should be intensified to include the allowances in the annual budgets of the universities to enable payments to be made as and when due.

    “The government had commenced the payment of salary shortfalls, but the universities are to provide the specific details of beneficiaries required by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to facilitate the payment.

    “The Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA) is to expedite action on the universities that have not been verified. Mandate payments to some universities were presented and sighted.”

    He added that the unions were informed that government through the NUC, had issued a circular directing the universities to implement the National Industrial Court (NIC) judgement in respect of University Staff Schools, while the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission had initiated the process of ensuring compliance with the NIC judgment and it was hoped that the process would be concluded within four weeks of the meeting.

    Thereafter, the government would issue a Service Wide Circular in compliance with the NIC judgement.

    Ugokwe said these were part of the 10 points of settlement agreed with the government and signed in September with implementations expected to commence within one month.

    He expressed sadness that two months after the MoU was signed, the situation that warranted the strike in September remains.

    He added that none of the issues that prompted the strike in the first place has been addressed while “it appears that government through its officials have decided to orchestrate an evil plot to factionalise the university, cause disharmony and disaffection within the system, thereby destroying the emerging industrial peace we have been witnessing in recent time”.

    He said: “On the whole, it appears to us that the allocation as presently done is laced with a motive of destabilising the university system and causing disaffection among members of the university community, and we make bold to say that the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Architect Sonny Echono is complicit in this regard.

    “We see the recent development as a deliberate attempt to destabilise the Muhammadu Buhari administration and we call on the Federal Government to investigate this anomalous action by the Federal Ministry of Education, under Echono’s watch.

    “If not, why did the Federal Ministry of Education decide to calculate the payments for each university and union in the university? Why didn’t they go through the Governing Councils of the Universities in allocating the monies instead of a vague and blanket directive to Vice-Chancellors, sharing the money into two parts – ASUU and non-teaching? We see corruption written in bold and capital letters and we demand for an investigation.

    “The Joint Action Committee of NAAT, NASU and SSANU hereby state for the avoidance of any doubt, our rejection of the so-called allocation as it is obvious that we were conned by the Permanent Secretary, Architect Sonny Echono and the Minister of Labour and Employment, into believing that the N23 billion released for Earned Allowances cut across both teaching and non-teaching staff as we have now discovered it not to be so.

    “We, therefore, demand for a separate amount being the second tranche of arrears for payment of Earned Allowances to non-teaching staff across the Federal universities in Nigeria.

    “An understanding was reached with the Federal Government that the N23 billion earmarked for Earned Allowances was for the payment of the second tranche of arrears of Earned Allowances for both teaching and non-teaching staff in the university system.

    “As people of honour and considering that a document was signed to that effect, we had no reason to doubt the authenticity of their written commitment. Unfortunately, however, events have proven that we over-assumed the sense of honour of these government officials, particularly, Architect Sonny Echono, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, as the outcome of their actions proved contrary to the understanding that was reached with the government through them.

    “To our consternation and utter dismay, the N23 billion has clearly been shown to be a payment for the Academic Staff Union of Universities for their so called “Earned Academic Allowances”, while the three Non-teaching staff Unions were allocated a paltry N4.6 billion (11 per cent).

    “The allocation as presently done has many fundamental flaws. Firstly, it is unheard of that allocations from the Federal Government to institutions would be split from the ministry, according to unions and universities. The standard procedure has been to allocate funds to universities and not universities and unions within the universities. Extremely strange!”