Academic activities are to resume at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) today, five days after they were suspended following a fire at the Bakassi female hostel.
YABATECH’s Director of Public Relations Unit Dr Charles Oni told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that semester examination would begin tomorrow.
Last Wednesday, the school suspended all academic activities and ongoing examinations because of the fire.
Some injured students were hospitalised.
Oni said: “Academic activities will resume on Tuesday, November 29, while examination continues on Wednesday.
“As at Friday, when the representative of the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, visited the college, only two students were still on admission at the Military Hospital, Yaba.
“The college did not completely close; normal work is going on, except the academic activities that were suspended.’’
Tag: Yabatech
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YABATECH reopens today
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Fire outbreak in YABATECH, academic activities suspended
Fire on Wednesday razed Bakassi Hall, one of the female hostels at the Yaba College of Technology in Lagos.
The fire which started at 5:10am razed the hostel top floor before extending to other parts of the building.
Fire fighters from the college fire service unit arrived 30 minutes after the inferno started but ran out of water midway. The students later mobilized and tried desperately to put out the fire.
Fire fighters from University of Lagos and the Lagos Fire Service arrived at 6:00am and joined the rescue efforts but the fire raged on.
A female student simply known as Onome sustained a neck injury and has been taken to a military hospital close to the college for treatment.
The fire was finally put at about 7:30am and normalcy has returned to the school.
Meanwhile, all academic activities in YABATECH have been suspended indefinitely following Wednesday’s fire outbreak in the college.
A statement issued by one Charles Oni on behalf of the institution’s management said all examinations and lectures, scheduled for Wednesday, have been put on hold.
The statement reads:
“Sequel to the unfortunate fire incident at the Bakassi Hostel early this morning, the management has suspended all academic activities till further notice.
“By this notice, all examinations and lectures, especially scheduled for today have been put on hold while the College attends to the exigency.
“The management regrets the misguided and outright falsehood on the social media and calls to certain radio stations that there was no water on campus to quell the fire. The truth is that firemen needed an excavator to attend to the fire, which the college provided promptly.
“Meanwhile, the Rector, Dr. Margaret Ladipo, has called on the college community to remain calm as the management finds ways to soothe the pains inflicted by the accident.”
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Flour miller commission N8m equipment in Yabatech
Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), has taken delivery of equipment worth N8m donated to the institution by Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN).
The Rector, Dr. Margaret Kudirat Ladipo, who thanked the donor for the gesture, used the opportunity to seek more support from corporate bodies and industrialists so as to continue to fulfil the mandate of the institution.
In attendance were: a representative of Dangote Flour Mill Mr. Kwaku Boateng; Yabatech Deputy Rector (Academics) Dr. Olufemi Oyelola and his counterparts (Administration), Mr. Taofeek Omobayo Raheem; Registrar Ms Charity Amakapabo, Librarian Mrs. Taye Adebowale, among others.
Ladipo said: “We need the support of well meaning people at a critical time like this so that our goal to produce graduates for the global market and entrepreneurs would be fully realised.
“As an institution, Yabatech has continued to forge ahead in improving skills development through the adoption of best practices and teaching methodologies in advanced economies,” she added.
Ladipo noted that the commissioning of the items, which coincided with the ninth graduation of participants at the ‘Master Bakers’ course run by Yabatech Department of Food Technology, is a sufficient signal that the items would improve the institution’s internally generated revenue.
Managing Director Honeywell Flour Mills Plc. and FMAN vice chairman Mr Lanre Jaiyeola, said the donation formed part of the association’s corporate social responsibility.
According to him, improving the capacity and efficiency of master bakers would directly improve FMAN’s business.
“We recognise the good work Yabatech is doing and as you continue to improve, we will do more. This is just the beginning. It is our prayer that Yabatech continues to soar higher, so that we are encouraged to render more assistance. We are a national association, and as such, we plan to repeat this feat in other geopolitical zones,” he said.
Group Managing Director (GMD), Flour Mills of Nigeria, Mr. Paul Gbededo, said bread, a staple food in Nigeria, has come to stay because of its popularity.
“It is therefore important to train users of flour on the best practices because if not properly prepared, flour could turn to poison.”
Gbadedo, an alumnus of Yabatech, charged the alumni association to reach out to old students of the institution for support.
Head of Department of Food Technology, Mr. Peter Okolie, thanked FMAN for the donation, promising to put the equipment to judicious use.
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Flour miller commission N8m equipment in Yabatech
Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), has taken delivery of equipment worth N8m donated to the institution by Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN).
The Rector, Dr. Margaret Kudirat Ladipo, who thanked the donor for the gesture, used the opportunity to seek more support from corporate bodies and industrialists so as to continue to fulfil the mandate of the institution.
In attendance were: a representative of Dangote Flour Mill Mr. Kwaku Boateng; Yabatech Deputy Rector (Academics) Dr. Olufemi Oyelola and his counterparts (Administration), Mr. Taofeek Omobayo Raheem; Registrar Ms Charity Amakapabo, Librarian Mrs. Taye Adebowale, among others.
Ladipo said: “We need the support of well meaning people at a critical time like this so that our goal to produce graduates for the global market and entrepreneurs would be fully realised.
“As an institution, Yabatech has continued to forge ahead in improving skills development through the adoption of best practices and teaching methodologies in advanced economies,” she added.
Ladipo noted that the commissioning of the items, which coincided with the ninth graduation of participants at the ‘Master Bakers’ course run by Yabatech Department of Food Technology, is a sufficient signal that the items would improve the institution’s internally generated revenue.
Managing Director Honeywell Flour Mills Plc. and FMAN vice chairman Mr Lanre Jaiyeola, said the donation formed part of the association’s corporate social responsibility.
According to him, improving the capacity and efficiency of master bakers would directly improve FMAN’s business.
“We recognise the good work Yabatech is doing and as you continue to improve, we will do more. This is just the beginning. It is our prayer that Yabatech continues to soar higher, so that we are encouraged to render more assistance. We are a national association, and as such, we plan to repeat this feat in other geopolitical zones,” he said.
Group Managing Director (GMD), Flour Mills of Nigeria, Mr. Paul Gbededo, said bread, a staple food in Nigeria, has come to stay because of its popularity.
“It is therefore important to train users of flour on the best practices because if not properly prepared, flour could turn to poison.”
Gbadedo, an alumnus of Yabatech, charged the alumni association to reach out to old students of the institution for support.
Head of Department of Food Technology, Mr. Peter Okolie, thanked FMAN for the donation, promising to put the equipment to judicious use.
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Row over admission withdrawal at YABATECH
The decision of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in Lagos to withdraw the admission of two applicants is raising dust as the victims are threatening to sue the college for alleged fraud and victimisation. KUNLE AKINRINADE reports.
Is it justifiable for a higher institution to withdraw admission after it duly screened and certified applicants to be academically qualified for placement? This is the poser authorities of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) need to answer.
Two applicants-Shukurah Omowunmi Aweda and Lateefah Opeyemi – were offered admission by the college. However, after the duo had paid the school fees, the college management terminated their admission, citing “error”.
The applicants received letters from the management, which offered them admission for Higher National Diploma (HND) in the Department of Marketing in the 2015/2016 session. Prior to getting their admission letters, both applicants appeared before a screening panel, which issued them clearance certificates and matriculation numbers F/HD/15/3650012 and F/HD/15/3650026.
Weeks after they resumed for studies, the school authorities barred them from going for lectures by withdrawing their admission. The applicants told CAMPUSLIFE that there was nothing suggesting that their admission was offered through the back door, noting that they underwent the school screening like every other student before being offered admission.
Omowunmi said: “I applied for HND in Marketing after completeing my ND at the Kwara State Polytechnic (KWARA POLY). I was issued a clearance note after proper screening by the academic board. A few weeks after I resumed, a management staff called Mr. Olowolagba came to my class and told me to stop going for lectures on the ground that my admission was offered in error.
“I approached the department office for clarification. The Head of Department’s response was unfavourable. All these came after I had paid N60,000 fee into the school account. I wondered why they made us pay the fee when they knew they would withdraw the admission. It looked like a fraud to me. The Ministry of Education must investigate this injustice.”
Lateefah resigned from her job to study for the HND. She did not want anything to disturb her studies. “I was devastated after Mr. Olowolagba told me that my admission had been withdrawn,” she said.
She continued: “The school has been totally indifferent to our plight despite our pleas. We suspect a foul play, because the school waited until we paid our tuition fees before turning around to withdraw our admission.
“So far, the attitude of the school management has been like there was nothing anyone could do to reverse the admission withdrawal and that the decision was irrevocable. This unfortunate situation has kept our fate hanging in the balance, because there was no favourable word from the school after we made an appeal for reversal of the decision. What is annoying is, nobody is talking about refunding the money we paid into the school account.”
The victims’ counsel, Mr Mobolaji Adejumo, wrote to the school management, urging YABATECH to rescind the decision withdrawing the applicants’ admission.
A letter, dated July 24, reads: “Our clients were offered admission to study Marketing (full time) at your prestigious institution, following the successful completion of Ordinary National Diploma (ND) in Public Administration at the Kwara State Polytechnic in Ilorin. Their admission raises a presumption that they are fit to study at your polytechnic.
“They were screened and cleared by the central screening committee of the polytechnic and thereafter they were issued matric numbers. After the clearance exercise, our clients were issued a document to the effect that they satisfied basic requirements for their course of study and subsequently advised to proceed online and print payment advice, after which school fees totaling N36, 500 for each student were paid and they were also made to pay another N6,000 ‘regularisation fee’, which is said to be a fee paid to the polytechnic for those whom the polytechnic admitted on its own for onward transmission of their data to JAMB; acceptance fee of N11,500 was also paid to the school.”
Adejumo said his clients would not hesitate to seek redress in court if the school management did not reverse the decision.
Responding, YABATECH management, in a letter signed by the Head of General Administration and Legal Matters, Funmi Dada, said the applicants were cleared in error.
The school letter reads: “As regards the above-mentioned students, it was discovered upon further assessment that both students were cleared in error during the screening exercise. I have been directed to convey regret that your clients have been cleared in error. Accept the best wishes of the Rector.”
When contacted, YABATECH’s spokesperson, Charles Oni, in a text message to our correspondent, said: “You will need to investigate what happened, or what do you think? The authority (sic) must have reasons for their actions.”
Further text messages sent to his mobile phone number for clarification were not replied as at press time.
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YABATECH gets Deputy Rectors
The Federal Government has approved the appointment of Dr Olukemi Taiwo Oyelola and Mr Taofeek Raheem as deputy rectors of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH).
They replaced Mr. Innocent Akhuemonkhan and Dr. Moroof Adebakin, whose tenures, expired recently.
The approval letter, dated September 8, and signed by Mr. E.O Fayemi for the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, stated that the two-year appointment was with effect from September 1, 2016.
Dr. Oyelola, Deputy Rector, Academics, was the former Director, Centre for Entrepreneurial Development of the College; while Raheem, Deputy Rector, Administration, was the Dean, Student Affairs and a Chief Lecturer in the School of Liberal Studies.
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YABATECH gets Deputy Rectors
The Federal Government has approved the appointment of Dr Olukemi Taiwo Oyelola and Mr Taofeek Raheem as deputy rectors of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH).
They replaced Mr. Innocent Akhuemonkhan and Dr. Moroof Adebakin, whose tenures, expired recently.
The approval letter, dated September 8, and signed by Mr. E.O Fayemi for the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, stated that the two-year appointment was with effect from September 1, 2016.
Dr. Oyelola, Deputy Rector, Academics, was the former Director, Centre for Entrepreneurial Development of the College; while Raheem, Deputy Rector, Administration, was the Dean, Student Affairs and a Chief Lecturer in the School of Liberal Studies.
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YABATECH workers begin strike
Academic activities have been brought to a halt at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in Lagos, as lecturers commenced an indefinite strike over cuts in their salaries yesterday.
Over 100 members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) attended a joint action congress at the institution’s sports centre yesterday, where they took the decision.
Addressing the congress, ASUP Chairman, Mr Adeyemi Aromolaran said allowances were deducted from their July salary paid on Wednesday, August 3.
He recalled that management had called a meeting with the chairmen of the three bodies a month ago, to inform them of a directive from the office of the Minister of Education, to stop paying allowances from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), but had been unable to provide written proof of it.
The congress therefore agreed that it was a null directive, as the agreement with Federal Government, as documented in 2013, was that allowances could be paid from the polytechnic’s IGR.
He said: “The essence of our allowances is for the performance of our other responsibilities and to enhance our salaries. Now that they have removed them, it means we are no longer accrued to those responsibilities. Even the HOD’s allowances have been removed, which means we no longer have HODs. We know that our President is not wicked and would not direct that our salaries be reduced in these times of economic hardships. We generate funds in our IGR and when we were paid from there, we were doing fine. The fact that some other polytechnics may not be generating enough to pay allowances from their IGR does not mean we should suffer for it. Offa and Ado-Ekiti polytechnics have paid salaries last week and they did not deduct anything so how can Lagos be different? We don’t even have welfare support anymore and even the deducted salary was paid late,” he said.
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YABATECH donates patrol van to Panti Police Station
Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has donated a brand new four-seater patrol van to the Nigeria Police.
Handing over the vehicle at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, the YABATECH Rector, Dr. Margaret Ladipo, said the gesture was to further boost security on campus and support the police in securing the college.“YABATECH is located in a very hot spot but for your support and camaraderie, it would have been pretty difficult securing this campus in view of its situational circumstances. We thank the Nigerian police for the support in time past. Our appreciation goes to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and the Inspector General of Police for the assistance in time past.
“This is a federal institution and people come in and go out of the College en-masse on daily basis, yet the College is surrounded by hordes of gangsters from every angle. We thank God for the peace we daily have, and we thank the Nigeria Police too for the support they extend to us, trusting that with prayer and your continued support, the campus will be free at all times from anti-social vices,” she said.
Receiving the fully air-conditioned vehicle fitted with siren and police head lamp, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, Panti, Mr. Abiodun Ogidan thanked the college on behalf of the IGP, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni for the gesture.
“We are happy and challenged. This is a peculiar gift because this is the first Corporate Social Responsibility gift the new IGP is receiving. We will let him know that YABATECH has done this for us.
“We assure the YABATECH Management that this good gesture will be reciprocated by ensuring that crime is reduced to the barest minimum and to continue to make YABATECH an institution where everybody can sleep with the two eyes closed in spite of its peculiar circumstance.”
The vehicle was the second in six months from the college to the police. The first Toyota Hilux four-seater jeep went to Sabo Police Station. -
Thanksgiving as ex-YABATECH bursar is reinstated
Eight years after he was unlawfully disengaged by the management of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) as the school Bursar, Mr Joseph Akeju, has been reinstated by the school, ending a protracted legal tussle that followed the development.
Akeju, who is the Principal Founder of Pass Your Examination (PYE), a professional training outfit, could not hold back his joy at a testimony and thanksgiving service held by Professional Accountants’ Christian Ministry in Yaba, Lagos, on Sunday.
He said his travail was a product of “high-level conspiracy” and “academic politics” by staff of the school, describing his disengagement as unjust. His YABATECH, even as he expects his rights, privileges from the time.
Akeju whose speech was titled: Reconciliation, reconstruction devoid of vengeance, said his reinstatement came with restoration of his rights and privileges. He said he had forgiven people conspired against him and concocted falsehood that led to the termination of his appointment.
During the battle for his reinstatement, Akeju said he lost his second wife and his doctoral programme was stalled. He said his only consolation was his vindication by the school management. The PYE boss praised the Rector, Dr Margaret Ladipo, for upholding justice. Akeju said the peaceful resolution of the matter was a testimony to Ladipo’s pragmatic leadership and large-heartedness.
Akeju said: “I believe God is alive. No matter the level of difficulties believers may be facing, God will never abandon His own people. I am happy that my travail has ended in praise.”
Pastor Joseph Aborowa, who presided over the service, advised congregation members to have faith in God when faced with difficulties. Taking his exhortation from Psalm 124 Vs 1-8, Aborowa said keeping faith in God would be rewarded with victory, saying Akeju’s reinstatement was through divine intervention.
The service was attended by Akeju’s family members and friends, including Dr Tayo Popoola of Mass Communication Department of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).