The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Yaba College of Technology

  • Rector urges registrars to cooperate

    Registrars in polytechnics and colleges of technology nationwide have been reminded of their mandate to provide direction for technical education in Nigeria.

    For this mandate to see the light of day, the registrars have to cooperate with the academic staff and other vital organs of their institutions.

    Rector, Yaba College of Technology (YABATCH) Dr Margaret Ladipo, gave this charge during the 72nd Conference of Registrars of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education (COREG) which held at YABATECH multipurpose hall on Wednesday last week.

    “I believe as administrators of polytechnics and colleges of technology, we should at all times keep focus the mandate of polytechnics education, and working hand in hand with the academic staff, we should be able to achieve the vision of polytechnic education,” said Ladipo who was represented by the Deputy Rector (Administration), Mr Raheem Omobayo

    Ladipo urged participants to continue to be innovative in entrenching best practices in their various institutions.

    “The onus is on us to brave the odds and reshape the technical education landscape. As the statutory secretary to council which is the governing body with the mandate for the general management of the polytechnic and academic board, a lot rests on the shoulders of the Registrar in the drive to move technical education forward.”

    Acting Registrar YABATERCH, Mr Doherty Olumuyiwa, noted that as a proactive institution, YABATECH acknowledges the importance of the registry unit, adding that it would continue to equip and empower same through improved infrastructures and manpower.

    “As a foremost tertiary institution in Nigeria, the college has maintained a very high standard and this has served as a platform for its growth and development. These standards were founded in the college vision, mission, objective, and core values which have become rooted in its abiding culture,” he said.

    Outgoing chairman of COREG, Ms Amapakabo Charity, also from YABATECH, said the association collaborates with National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and other relevant agencies.

    She said COREG meets thrice yearly to share ideas and discuss issues affecting polytechnics and colleges of technology.

    “The rotational meeting affords us the opportunity to experience diverse cultural, linguistic and social differences, as well as foster cohesion among members,” she said.

    Ms Amapakabo thanked fellow members for making her tenure peaceful and rewarding, adding that her tenure which ended in October, climaxed with a public lecture in her honour.

  • YABATECH unveils Petroleum Institute

    The need for competence-based education is not all about paper qualification, Rector, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr.  Margret Kudirat Ladipo, has said.

    She spoke at the institution  during the unveiling of the Institute of Petroleum Technology and inauguration of its board of trustees.

    She said the institute would equip students with technical skills needed to work in the oil and gas sector in the country and build more local programmes in the sector so that  students would not need to go outside to study.

    Chairman governing council Yabatech, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) represented by Mrs. Doris Okoro, said in 2013, Yabatech with Global Maritime West Africa Limited (GMWAL) and Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) signed a tripartite memorandum of agreement.

    He added that  the institute came to bridge the gap between the industry and academia, especially in the area of practical hands-on experiences, specifically required in the sector.

    Mr. Ross Agazuma, a member of GMWAL and board of trustees said the institute will promote knowledge through active research and publication of research outcomes, providing professional service to national and international communities, through extension activities and constructive advocacy.

    Chairman of the occasion and Broron oil and gas limited member, Chief Henry Ojogbo represented by Mr Ogu Austin from oil and gas trainers association of Nigeria (OGTAN) said that the institute encourages an environment of learning, promote scholarships and research in the field of deep waters, subsea oil and gas learning.

     

     

     

     

  • ‘How best to administer local govt’

    ‘How best to administer local govt’

    Mr. Omonlei Imadu is an indigene of Avbiosi, a rural community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.  Imadu, who was born on July 24, 1978, is an aspirant for Owan West in the forthcoming local government election in Edo State. He is a graduate of computer science, Yaba College of Technology and the President of Green Grace Farmer’s Market Limited. He speaks on local government autonomy and related issues. Excerpts:

    Local government administration

    Meaningful and visible economic development initiatives on the part of federal and state governments cannot be fully noticed without the third tier of government being carried along in a true democracy. This might be the right time for Nigerians’ aspirations to be fulfilled. As you can see, there’s total disconnect between the government and the governed. The primary purpose of government at the local level which is the cardinal objective or the reason for the creation of local government area councils has been defeated.

    The Senate intervention towards ensuring altruistic governance at the councils nationwide in the consideration of Nigerians could solve a lot of teething problems arresting development in the local government. When political office holders are properly elected there is the possibility that they will do the bidding of the electorate and attend to the pressing needs of the people at the local environment. But the reverse is the case when individuals who doesn’t have the welfare of the people at heart are suddenly selected to look after the people’s plight. This is the right time for the constitutional amendment because we can’t continued to be a laughing stock in the comity of democratic nations.

     

    INEC and conduct of local govt polls

    I believe the government of day knows better and it is doing everything possible to make sure the dividend of democracy gets to grass root. Also, there is no doubt that the present leadership of the National Assembly is on the same page with President Muhammadu Buhari leadership of the country in terms of repositioning the country. Don’t forget that the APC administration promised change to the Nigerian electorate from every corner of the country and no single local government council will be left out.

    If you observed closely, you will discover that there are about 34 clauses proposed to the amendment of the the 199 Constitution. This is a holistic legislation that will take care of a whole lot of issues that has been convulsing Nigeria. We may just get it right this time round because in celebrated democracies around the world they have had their Constitutions tinkered with a number times to meet the collective aspirations of their people at all times. Nigeria can’t be an exception if we must remove the downtrodden from the yolk of poverty.

    I believe strongly that laws are made to correct anomalies in any society or political system. There may have been a reason why the joint-accounts between the State and local government was created in the first instance. I’m sure our legislators know better while it is no more desirable to continue with the old Constitutional provision of the joint-accounts.

     

    Major challenges facing local administration

    First and foremost, local government administration in Nigeria is a  great challenge that dictates forensic evidence in the area of indiscipline, lack of accountability in local government council governance and the ill-fated structure or foundation that probably gave birth to the person in charge of the local government administration at a given point. However, creating enabling environment that will enhance and create local wealth will ignite economic opportunity in the rural area, thus reducing rural – urban migration.

    When there are democratically elected and focused individuals into the local councils, there would be no need for our youths to continued to search for white collar jobs that doesn’t exist anywhere in the city centres. It will also crimes and criminality and minimize the rate at which people cross the deserts to foreign land in search of greener pasture. Serious minded local government administrators can easily open up the farm land just like Governor Godwin Obaseki is doing in Edo State and support the youths who will be trained in modern day mechanised farming.

    The effect of this in the rural area will be enormous because there will be availability of food, job will be created and there will be peace and stability among the rural dwellers. As far as you know the buck of Nigerians anywhere they are have permanent contacts with the people in their various villages and towns and such relationships have a lot of ripple effects on the economic stability and education on the local people.

     

    The meddlesome nature of governors in local govt election

    It might be not useful looking consistently backward at this stage. Mistakes must have been made by some governors who cashed in on the weaknesses of our laws to maximise certain advantages at their disposal. Blaming them for that may amount to lamentation and this is not the time to lament. The question should be going forward, what should Nigerians expect from the proposed legislation for local government autonomy? Who will be the monitoring authorities to the activities of the councils, can they be made accountable to the electorate; will they deliver the goods promised at electioneering? These for me, are more important and fundamentally crucial issues to address than looking at the mistakes of the past.

     

    Local govt autonomy

    Autonomy is important but what should bother us most is that dividends of democracy should get to the grass root, and both the federal and the state government are doing their possible best to achieve this. This is the right time for local government areas to follow the footsteps of the federal and state governments. Strictly speaking, more revenue from the center should be given to local councils Nationwide because 30% of our people leave in those areas.

     

    The prospects of the 774 local govt areas

    The reason for the creation of local government authorities in Nigeria or anywhere in the world is to draw government closer to the people at the grassroots. The prospects can only be brighter because the proposed piece of legislation is to broaden the socioeconomic and sociopolitical future of the local communities.

    Once the political space is liberalized, new ideas and economic opportunities will be open to all, that way development will begin to take firm root in rural communities. Part of the reason why we cry of hunger is because we have abandoned our traditional ways of life. Even with our subsistence method as a growing child in Owan town, hunger has never been an issue; food was in abundant.

  • YABATECH matriculates 9,246

    Rector, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr Margaret Kudirat Ladipo, has counselled the 9,246 new students of the school admitted for the 2016/2017 academic session to justify their admission by being committed and disciplined.

    In her speech at their matriculation held at the sports complex, Dr Ladipo said the new students – comprising 6,246 National Diploma (ND) I and 2,990 Higher National Diploma (HND) I – were the lucky ones to be admitted out of 21,898 candidates who applied to the institution.

    The Rector therefore urged them to abide by the school’s rules and regulations and not live contrary to the matriculation oath.

    “The matriculation is of utmost importance.  The matriculation oath signifies that you accept to abide by all the rules and regulations governing the conduct of students in Yaba College of Technology, shunning all forms of anti-social activities such as cultism, examination malpractices, sexual misbehaviour and other unruly behaviours. You must at all times ensure that you abide by this oath,” she said.

    She underscored the importance of academic discipline and behavioural discipline, urging them to dress appropriately at all times, ensure they are in class at least 75 per cent of the time, and join only registered groups.

    Mrs Ladipo enlightened the students about the programmes run by the nine schools of the institution and its campuses.

    The new students were happy to sign the matriculation oath, though the programme held close to the start of their first semester examinations.  They expressed joy at being admitted as students of the 70-year-old institution

    However, they lamented that the delay in the allocation of hostel accommodation affected their studies.

    Onyinyechi Gabriel, an NDI student of Hospitality Management, said she spent a lot of time transiting to and from school, which affected her ability to study.

    “We have not been given hostels, so I spend so much going to and coming from school.  I come from Ojo/Alaba and the traffic is very bad.  It costs me N900 every day.  It is affecting my academics.  By the time I spend three hours on the way home, I am too tired to read,” she said.

    Another fresher, David Olotu, who is studying Accounting, said he sleeps in the chapel at weekdays, so he could save money he would have spent commuting from his abode in Iyana Ipaja.

    “They have been posting names for hostels but mine is not yet out.  I sleep in the school chapel.  They allowed students to stay temporarily until we get hostels,” she said.

  • International Mothers Day: Celebrating mothers

    International Mothers Day: Celebrating mothers

    “Who sat and watch my infant head, when sleeping on my cradle bed, and tears and sweet affection shed, my mother; When pains and sickness makes me cry, who gaze upon my heavy eyes, when pain is much that I should die, MY MOTHER.”

    This popular rhyme is one a lot of us can relate with, especially one that we sang with so much emotion for our mothers when we were yay high. It lays credence to the dedication, care, and even pains that a mother goes through all because of her child. A classic soul song by the legendary Asa goes like this, “nitori omo, o jiya nile oko…”; meaning “…because of her child, a mother suffers and stays in her husband’s house”.

    The dream of every girl is to transit conveniently from a single lady to being a mother with children. However, this enviable dream is one that comes with its own challenges and personal sacrifice. Without these responsibilities, the toga of “mother” becomes a mere nomenclature with no substance.

    Today we celebrate all the virtuous women in this teraqueous globe we call earth; women that would literally starve themselves just to feed their children, women that would garb themselves in cheap apparels just to ensure that their children are dressed in the best of clothing; women that would engage in businesses and petty trades to afford decent meals for their family. In fact, apart from being a mother, she assumes the role of chef, stylist, disciplinarian, doctor, fashion designer, teacher, etc., to her family.

    According to Bala an undergraduate of Kogi state university, “my mother is a perfect example of a virtuous woman. She is a great disciplinarian, who does not spoil the child by sparing the rod. She gives out a healthy blend of the carrot and stick. Since my father’s demise, she has been the breadwinner for I and my siblings.”

    Tijesunimi, a student of Computer Science, Yaba College of Technology, “My role model is my mom; I know that she is flawed with her personal foibles, however, I love her perfect imperfections. Being a single mother with so many burdens on her shoulders with little funds to get by each day, she somehow finds a way to ensure that education for me remains a priority. As a family, we have had our share of ups and downs, however, somehow with God and her dogged spirit, we scaled through,”

    Taking a cue from the inspiring story of Olajumoke “the bread seller” whose meteoric rise to fame and stardom became the buzzword on the street, we see the latent story of a mother hustling to make ends meet in order to cater for her child. In the process, she serendipitously met with good luck. At the time, she was not well-educated, howbeit, she made conscious efforts to see that her children get an education.

    As we come to the crux of this article, it is important that we stress the fact that the girl child should be treated with respect, kindness, and equity because the little girl of yesterday will someday become a wife and mother. Therefore, she should be protected and valued; even in times when she seeming go rusty, we should polish her until she gleams like new; she becomes special because we made her so.

    Finally, it is pertinent we realize that “behind every successful and peaceful home, community, and nation is a virtuous mother”.  With confidence I can proudly say that the loveliest master piece of God’s creation is the heart of a mother.

    God bless Nigeria!

  • Senator Adeola seeks varsities at Yaba, Ilaro

    Senator Adeola seeks varsities at Yaba, Ilaro

    Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Lagos West) yesterday commenced move for the establishment of federal universities at Yaba, Lagos State and Ilaro in Ogun State as part of his legislative agenda for educational development of the country.

    The Senator presented two bills in the Senate for the upgrade of two prominent tertiary educational institutions into technological universities namely Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos State and Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State.

    The bills “Federal University of Technology, Yaba (Est.,etc) Bill, 2017” and “Federal University of Technology, Ilaro, 2017” passed first reading for further legislative actions.

    Speaking on the need for the upgrade of the two institutions into universities, Senator Adeola  said that there is need to continue to expand and create institutions of learning in view of the massive growth of the country’s population.

    He added that the need to keep up with human resource development needs of the country made mandatory to upgrade of the two institution to further add impetus to the country’s technological advancement .

    He said, “We have serious shortages of spaces for our youths to get requisite and quality education. These two institutions have excelled in time past in providing middle and top grade level of human resources for the nation. Their upgrade will advance their capacities to further develop our youth for the challenges of a technological society.”

    Senator Adeola further stated that the passage of the bills and establishment of the two universities will further redress educational imbalance in the areas they are located in terms of huge population and the non existence of such institutions in the area of location particularly in Ogun West axis of Ogun state.

     

  • Jumia market is recruiting student ambassadors!!!

    Jumia market is recruiting student ambassadors!!!

    Are you keen on upgrading your advertising abilities? The Jumia Student Ambassador program is for you! As a student ambassador, you get to create awareness and buzz about Jumia Market as well as connect students with Jumia Market.

    mbassadors must be energetic, motivated and enrolled in either University of Lagos or Yaba College of Technology.

    To sign up for the program, click on the link below:

    Jumia Market Student Ambassador, or visit market.jumia.com.ng/blog/

    Shortlisted candidates would be contacted.

    Entries close 3rd of April 2017.

     

    Links:

    https://kaymu-com-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1Agvwf4U2dIvYIfNUbLLrMFPnoc33WjvZcXYu6lojF_4-517804598&key=YAMMID-75699358&link=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FJMSANG

    https://kaymu-com-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1Agvwf4U2dIvYIfNUbLLrMFPnoc33WjvZcXYu6lojF_4-517804598&key=YAMMID-75699358&link=http%3A%2F%2Fmarket.jumia.com.ng%2Fblog%2F

     

  • Upgrade polytechnics to universities of technology, ASUP urges FG

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has appealed to the Federal Government to upgrade all polytechnics to universities of technology to end discrimination against technological education in the country.

    Mr. Adeyemi Aromolaran, Yaba College of Technology branch Chairman of ASUP, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

    The ASUP chairman said that government’s discriminatory policies against polytechnics were retarding the development of technical education in the country.

    “We need to look at the British example of running educational programmes, because that is where Nigeria copied the polytechnic education system from.

    “Britain had abolished polytechnics long time ago; all polytechnics have been turned to universities of technology in that country,’’ Aromolaran said.

    He noted that admission figures into the nation’s polytechnics and colleges of education were dropping every year due to unfavourable government policies.

    “As long as we continue with the system we are running, discrimination will persist and consequently admission into polytechnics will continue to dwindle.

    “This is part of what the union has been agitating against,’’ he said.

    The ASUP official said that with the dichotomy between the polytechnic diploma and the university degree, no enlightened person would want his or her child to go to the polytechnic.

    According to him, most of the youths are drifting toward acquiring the university education.

    “ASUP has not been keeping quiet but government response has not been favourable.

    “Recently, another level of discrimination came again from JAMB, since we now have one JAMB examination for polytechnics and universities.

    “JAMB now request that a candidate who made polytechnic second choice pay additional fee of N2500 or N3000 before being offered admission into the polytechnic.

    “This is the latest form of discrimination against polytechnic education.

    “Ordinarily, that is sufficient to discourage any young person from going into polytechnic, not to even talk of college of education.

    “When we are agitating that government should remove the dichotomy and other discriminatory policies against polytechnics, now JAMB created another discriminatory policy against the polytechnic,’’ Aromolaran said.

    The ASUP chairman said that until all the unfriendly policies were abolished, the country would not have an effective polytechnic system that would be acceptable by all.

    Aromolaran said the union would continue to protest and resist all attempts to diminish the progress and development of the polytechnic education in the country.

     

  • ASUP: YABATECH short pays salaries by 25 per cent

    ASUP: YABATECH short pays salaries by 25 per cent

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Yaba College of Technology chapter, has accused the management of the institution of short paying staff salary by 25 per cent.

    ASUP Chairman in the college, Mr Adeyemi Aromolaran, made this known on Thursday that for not receiving their full salary, the workers would not call off the strike.

    The union had on Feb. 10, begun an indefinite strike over non-payment of the balance of January salary by the college management.

    Aromolaran said this was not the right time for the management of the institution to deny workers their full salary when the economy was biting hard.

    According to him, for about 10 years now, workers’ salaries are being paid by both Federal Government and the institution on 75 per cent and 25 per cent ratio, respectively.

    “The Federal Government had in January paid 75 per cent of the salary while the school management is expected to pay the balance of 25 per cent.

    “The balance, which represents various allowances, is yet to be paid by the management,’’ Aromolaran said.

    He said the allowances were supposed to be paid from the Internally Generated Revenue of the college.

    Aromolaran said that the payment of the salary on the ratio of 75:25 by government and school management had been on for more than eight years.

    According to him, the fractional payment policy has been on since the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He also alleged that for more than 10 years, staff salaries and allowances have not been reviewed.

    “This is not the right time to deny workers full payment of their salary. The economy is biting harder on the workers, particularly in Lagos State.

    “We will not call off the strike until the management pay us our money, all academic activities will remain suspended, he said.

    He recalled that the union had similar experience in August 2016, but that after a protest, the Minister of Education intervened by directing that the allowance be paid.

    “This time around, we will remain on strike until our full salary is paid. The management is trying to play pranks with the union.’’

    He said that if it warrant waiting for President Muhammadu Buhari to return from vacation, the union would not suspend the strike.

     

  • Fake results: YABATECH expels six final year students

    Fake results: YABATECH expels six final year students

    The Academic Board of the Yaba College of Technology has expelled six final year students for presenting fake or altered National Diploma (ND) and National Certificate of Education (NCE) results for admission.

    The expulsion notice is contained in a circular signed by Mrs Taiwo Obadimu, the Deputy Registrar of the college, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday

    According to the circular, the authorities of the institution considered the report on verification of the affected students’ results and found them culpable.

    “Their expulsion was approved, having found the students guilty for presenting fake/altered ND/NCE results, as their conduct violated the college’s rules and regulations.

    “The students are advised to hand over all college property, including student identity cards in their possession, to the heads of their department, the Polytechnic Librarian and the Dean of Students’ Affairs, with immediate effect,’’ the circular stated.

    NAN reports that the affected students were in the departments of Food Technology, Mathematics and Integrated Science, Physics Education, Estate Management and Valuation, Industrial Technical Education and Industrial Maintenance Engineering.