Students protest at French Village

BY DAYO ADESINA PETERS
ACADEMIC activities were paralysed in the Nigeria French
Language Village, Badagry, Lagos on March 15, when students
from different tertiary institutions undergoing their Year Abroad Programme, module and diploma studies staged a protest
against the authorities of the institution.
The students, who were demanding for a better living conditionbegan their protest in the late hours of Sunday, March 14. It first started as a mild protest, which grew into a big one the next day, as students were unable to bath due to power outage and scarcity of water.
The angry students closed the two gates leading into the school while they threatened to disrupt lectures until their demands are met.
A student, who spoke to Life Campus, said: “This has been going on for long, since we resumed in January. Power supply has been unstable, and no water for us to do anything. We students are treated like dogs. We are packed in the hostels. Everything is so bad and yet we have paid our school fees, which covers all these facilities.”

(Dayo is the E-in-C of the Union of Campus Journalists, UI. )





Panel on UNN riot submits report
BY MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR, ABUJA
THE Administrative Panel of Inquiry set up to investigate the immediate causes of the January 16, 2010 violent students protest at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) recently submitted its report to the Federal Government. The panel also assessed the extent of damage caused by the demonstration.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, while receiving the report on behalf of the government, expressed appreciation to the Governing Council and the management of the university for rising up to the occasion to pre-empt a situation, which would have meant a very long time closure of the university, and probably more devastating physical and psychological impact than it did.
Though details of the recommendations contained in the report were not made available, Afolabi gave the assurances that the report would be studied and all necessary assistance will be given to the authorities of the university with a view to promoting conducive learning and teaching environment that would enhance academic activities.
The report was in two volumes. Volume one contained the panel’s full report of investigations and recommendations, while the second volume contained the 34 Memoranda received by the panel.
While commending the panel for timely submission of the report, Prof. Afolabi urged the management to be firm in implementing the panel’s recommendations.
He also urged the Governing Council and management to pay priority to security in the university community to forestall such occurrences in the future.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Samuel. O. Igwe, while briefing the Permanent Secretary, had said that what had been a peaceful demonstration by the students against rumoured increase in fees turned violent because some disgruntled elements in the university used the occasion to settle their grievances against the authorities.
He confirmed that the institution had resumed full academic activities as well as started the implementation of the recommendations of the panel. Giving insight into the recommendations, the panel chairman, Chief Patrick Adaba said the recommendations when implemented would contribute immensely to the achievement of a better teaching and learning environment in the university.




Nigerian scholar visits UA Fort Smith
BY TOPE TEMPLER OLAIYA
FULBRIGHT scholar, Dr. Femi Faseun will be at the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith on March 29-31 to work with university and high school students and to perform at the International Festival on March 30. Dr. Henry Rinne, chair of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, said one of the purposes of Faseun’s visit to the local campus is to conduct a workshop for student percussionists.
“He will discuss how the drums function as a communications tool in the African culture,” said Rinne, “and he will also speak to an African history class. In addition, we have scheduled him for appearances at area civic clubs, where we expect him to address the Nigerian political climate as well.”
Faseun will appear at International Festival 2010, scheduled for 5:30 to 8 pm on March 30 in the Stubblefield Center. Takeo Suzuki, executive director of international relations, said Faseun will be a special guest at the event and will perform on the drums. The festival has a $2 admission, with optional food tickets available.
Faseun is currently a visiting Fulbright professor in the Department of Music at North Carolina Central University in Durham, where he teaches African music courses. He is a renowned music scholar who has published in both local and international journals and is the founding head of the Department of Theatre Arts and Music at Lagos State University, where he still lectures.
Faseun, who has taught music in the university system across

How not to teach Nigerian students

BY ISMA’IL ADAMU ISHAJOBI
THE day was Thursday, March 4. Time was 10pm. That was when Bimbo Aduke, 100 level student of the department of Human Nutrition, University of Ibadan, realised she was lying on a sick bed and was actually on drip at the University College Hospital, UCH.
She had fainted while receiving a Chemistry lecture, CHE 157, which was supposed to last for an hour from 5 to 6pm.
From an eyewitness account, Bimbo stood in front of the dais because she could not secure a sit.
Suddenly, she started feeling dizzy and as she tried to excuse herself from the pool of students, she fainted and was rushed to Jaja Clinic from where she was transferred to UCH.
Four days later, a similar incident also occurred at the Agric Large Lecture Theatre, when Ife, another 100 level student of Forestry, fainted while receiving a lecture, Mathematics for Agric and Forestry (AGE 112).
CBN is a lecture theater situated between Faculty of Science Lecture Theatre and department of Computer Science at the premier university.
A structure built from a Central Bank of Nigeria grant of N30 million and commissioned on October 31, 2003 by the then governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja.
Seven years later, it does not look it. The facilities and furniture are in their end time. The reason is not farfetched. From its inception, it has always housed more than its capacity.
Bimbo and Ife’s stories are just the tip of the iceberg of how hostile some lecture theatres could be when student converge for lectures.
The irony of the whole issue is that those responsible cannot claim they do not know how the lecture theaters are always overstretched beyond their capacity.
Prior to Bimbo’s incident, Prof. Adebowale, Dean of the Faculty of Science, had made several attempts to split the 100 level students receiving lectures in CBN into groups for conveniences, but this is yet to be realized.
After Bimbo’s incident, Dr. Babalola, a lecturer from Chemistry department came to make the same announcement. The question then is; why wait until a casualty is recorded before taking a pragmatic step. After all it is lecturers who come to lecture in this same lecture theater and they see students packed like canned fish when they are supposed to sit comfortably as undergraduates.
CBN is a true reflection of how the educational system in Nigeria has dwindled over time.
In a situation where a student leaves his/her hall of residence as early as 6am for a class starting at 9am not because he or she wants to read but to secure a comfortable sit in the acclaimed ‘First and Best’ university is a tragedy.
niyas1985@yahoo.co.uk



Lords of campus on the prowl
By Opeyemi Dibua
NIGHTLIFE on campus begins at sunset. In a way, the night fits into some people’s lifestyle such as attending shows and night parties, visiting female hostels, etc. It is the time when lectures are on hold and another life begins.
These days, students don’t wait for the Student Union Government (SUG) to organise shows before they catch their fun. They hits the clubs every night, while those who do not fancy going outside the campus at night organise small hostel parties, which is always fun too. For the churchgoers, there is always a programme to attend every evening.
At the dawn of late evening, different types of cars in different shapes and sizes invade the campus. As always, the owners have come to see their loved ones.
Cars are parked at every dark corner, especially those close to female hostels daily between 7 and 11pm such that any day cars are not sighted, it is always glaring.
Just recently, the student’s vigilante committee caught a man coming out of a lady’s room long after the deadline for male visitors. He claimed to have spent the night in his car and had only seen her host off to her room.
According to the leader of the vigilante committee, Mr. Femi Ishola, “what he was doing at that time of the day in a lady’s room is better imagined than said.”
Another incident occurred when a guy beat his girlfriend after she disappeared for two days. He asked where she was coming from and the lady said she was coming from her uncle’s place. “Oh, so that was your uncle who brought you back and kissed you for three minutes?” Before she could say anything else, a slap had landed on her face.
During examination period, you are sure to observe a different chain of activities at night. These include suya and toasted bread joint, just to mention a few. There is also an astronomical increase in students’ population, also is the upsurge in joint and couple tutorials. Many others take delight in burning the midnight candle in the quest for academic excellence. They read until the night turns to day (TDB). Bukateria and cafeteria operators also join in the TDB, as kola nut sellers hawk till daybreak.
Of special mention is the change in student’s appetite. Rice, which most males claim to be bird’s food because of its inability to quench hunger, becomes the number one staple for everybody, while heavy but sleep-inducing foods like bread, beans and yam records low demand. Those in the habit of eating eba twice a day re-adjust their diet, as all is at stake to scale the exam hurdle.
Nightlife on campus is something that everybody looks forward to at the end of the day.
magodoboy@yahoo.com




Winners emerge on Zain Africa Challenge
BY TOPE TEMPLER OLAIYA
ZAIN Nigeria has announced the first batch winners in the Home Viewers Game segment in the on-going pan African television quiz show, Zain Africa Challenge.
The segment is a feedback platform created to allow viewers test their intellectual aptitude during the quiz contest, also affording them an opportunity to win fantastic prizes such as high-end phones, Internet data card and airtime.
According to Head, Corporate Communications of the company, Emeka Oparah, nine winners emerged from the first episode after providing the correct answer to a singular question asked during the show, adding that the answers were sent as SMS (Short Message Service) to the short code: 35056.
While commending the winners for the feat, Oparah said the initiative is designed to excite Nigerians as well as give customers an opportunity to win big in the academic competition, stressing that his company will always look for opportunities to reward Nigerians in the contest.
The winners from the first episode were: Oluwadamilare Sadiq, Shodipo Lekan, Dayo Adebayo, Stanley Okeke and Yeni Ajayi. Others include Ubani Michael, Olubiyi Sunbi, Nnabuife Ikechukwu and Adebimpe Obadan.
The fourth season of the Challenge is televised every Monday on STV by 8pm; Wednesdays on NTA by 8:30 pm and Thursdays on AIT by 7:30 pm. The contest is also broadcast across the whole of Africa on the DSTV satellite platform on Magic World on Monday at 7:30 pm; on Africa Magic Plus on Tuesdays at 9:20 am and 6:20 pm, and Wednesdays at 12:30am.

Amobi and friends bring charity home

By Tope Templer Olaiya
A Katy resident and Houston Texans football player is returning to Nigeria for his third annual trip to promote education, American football and health awareness in Africa. Amobi Okoye, who left Nigeria for the United States at the age of 12, will be joined by teammate Frank Okam, Kasia Muoto and Africa Cancer Center doctors and nurses for the trip to Lagos, Delta and Abuja from March 12 to 20.
“I know that in order to get things accomplished in Nigeria, one will experience frustration,” Okoye said. “After the first year, there was a lot of frustration, and second year had its own problems, but every year has become better, and I am looking forward to this time every year.”
Part of this year’s mission includes delivering approximately 30,000 new and gently used books and school supplies to two local communities in two Nigerian states. The Books Abroad collection drive was a four-month community effort sponsored by the Katy Rotary Club and the Katy Independent School District.
“Books Abroad has been a rich and fulfilling service learning project for students in every part of Katy. Together they have discovered the joy of sharing, and the satisfaction of creating opportunities for others who have so much less than they.”
In addition, the foundation is hosting Kickoff 4 Kids for the second consecutive year to teach the children the game of American football and promote better athletes through physical activity.
“I hope to see a smile on a kid’s face through football camp, knowing he has another side of hope,” Okoye said. “My goal is to bring back a higher level of athletics in the school system, because that seems to be a little forgotten. I think athletics is a real good way for kids to learn discipline and be involved in a team sport.”

The Foundation is hoping to build a prep school through the Athletes in the Diaspora Community Intervention programme to introduce the concept of American football to the continent of Africa. “We have partnered with the federal government, local and state governments of at least five states and the interest levels of everybody is very high,” Okoye said.
Funding for the goal will be through the Foundation’s scholarship programme, Changing Africa Through Education (CATE). Last year, the foundation awarded 28 scholarships to the gold medal finalists of the Nigeria Universities Games Association. This year, the foundation is hoping to award five $15,000 scholarships.
And with the help of the Medical Bridges Organization, a team doctors and nurses from the Africa Cancer Center will be delivering a 40-foot container of medical equipment and supplieas to treat cancer and other illnesses. They will also host workshops for Nigerian medical professionals through the “train the trainer” programme.
“We want to provide healthy kids in the community of Africa, starting with Nigeria,” Okoye said. “In the community, we’re going to be having free medical clinics and to create more cancer awareness.”



Ononogbu, Mr. Lipids, signs off at UNN
By Tope Templer Olaiya
University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)’s Mr. Lipids, Prof. Ikpendu Christopher Ononogbu, took the first step to retirement from the University after 39 years service with a valedictory lecture organised by the Faculty of Biological Sciences.
Students and staff rose in accord to honour the distinguished retiring don at the revamped Princess Alexandria Auditorium. The air was festive as tradition mingled with academic formalities. The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chike Edozien was in attendance alongside the Vice Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Bartho Okolo.
Many prominent Nigerians notably Ononogbu’s peers in the academia attended the event, including the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Prof. Ikenna Oyudo, and his counterpart from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Prof. Cyril Onwuliri, who was represented by his wife, Prof. Viola Onwuliri.
The professor of lipid biochemistry spoke on “The Cycles of Lipids and Morality: Four Decades of Lipid Studies in Nigeria”. He recalled his experiences working on lipids and promoting specialisation by African scientists through various international and local seminars. Lipids are a group of fats and fat-like substances that constitute a major class of tissue components and a major foodstuff.
Ononogbu’s research efforts have included work on the differences in lipid and lipoprotein levels between black and white populations and their contributions towards Ischemic heart disease; initiating the Nigerian Lipid and Lipoprotein standardization programme aimed at harmonizing lipid studies and methodology in Nigeria and gathering together a body of African scientists to specialise in the study of lipids through the establishment of the African Conference on the Biochemistry of Lipids of which he was the first President.
He continuously propagated what he calls the gospel of lipidology, leading to the establishment of 18 centres of lipid research in Nigeria, supported by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

Scientist, poet and writer, Ononogbu has written several books, including an anthropological analysis of his native Nkpa community in Abia State, a book of poetry from his travels around the world and his sojourn in Malawi as visiting professor. There are several books on his area of specialisation including the acclaimed Lipids in Human Existence.

Prof Ononogbu’s long association with the University of Nigeria commenced with his enrolment as an undergraduate. He holds the B.Sc of the university and a PhD from the University of London.
Vice Chancellor, Prof Bartho Okolo, testified of his former colleague in the Faculty of Biological Sciences: “In addition to giving honour to a deserving researcher, teacher and administrator, an event of this nature serves to remind us of our main mission as academics – teaching and research. It is on record that Ononogbu went after his duties as an academic with both passion and dedication.
He promoted the knowledge about lipids, trained many young academics and attracted many grants to the university. He contributed in no little measure to the profile of our university. In return, he achieved self-fulfilment as a mentor and received both national and international acclaim as a biochemist. I am truly happy to be part of today’s event in his honour.”



Rewarded for passion to humanity
By Daniel Anazia
She stood straight in line, head and shoulders above the more than 5,000 fellow corps members that were passing out with her, after a year of civic duty to the fatherland. Beaming with smiles, 28-year-old Olusola Abodunrin, a medical doctor by training has touched many lives through her initiative during her service year in Lagos.
Sola, with the support of the Medical Mission Initiative (MMI), organised, a one-day health-screening programme at the Isokan Public Health Centre, Ojokoro Local Development Council as part of her community development project, while serving with the Lagos State Ministry of Health.
The programme had in attendance 500 respondents from the community, with the Chairman, House Committee on Health, Lagos State House of Assembly, Samuel Adejare, also gracing the occasion.
Highpoint of the programme include health education and counseling, de-worming of children, screening for diabetes and hypertension, voluntary counseling and testing for HIV/AIDS, oral health hygiene education and examination, basic eye examination, treatment of minor ailments and referral of major/chronic conditions.
The project was adjudged one of the best of all those carried out by corps members serving in the state. Hence, a certificate of honour was issued to Abodunrin.
Speaking at the occasion, Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, Tola Kasali, who represented the governor, thanked the corps members for their service and wished them well in their future endeavour. He encouraged them to take advantage of the entrepreneurial skills they acquired and help themselves with the loan facility the Central Bank was extending to outgoing corps members.
Members of Abodunrin’s family, whose presence added glamour to the event, said the Abeokuta, Ogun State indigene, had always have it in her heart to help people.
Elated with so much joy for the honour done to his name and family by his daughter, Balogun, told Life Campus “I am proud of her and we are very happy to be associated with her.”
“She cares for people,” Adeoye Abodunrin, her husband said. “She gives people 80 per cent of her NYSC salary. I always ask, ‘what is wrong with you?’ But this is how God rewards people who actually care for other people,” he added.
For the lady of the moment, she desires to do more and hope the report on the screening will help the council spend the money meant for healthcare for the right purposes.


Ilube’s Foundation supports gifted African students
By Tope Templer Olaiya
Tom Ilube’s African Gifted Foundation (AGF) is working with Professor Deborah Eyre, Vice President of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, to select gifted African students for its first ever Academy session in January 2011.
The Academy will be based in a leading university in Uganda, and in its first year will bring together 40 to 50 exceptionally talented students aged from 14 to 19 years old from Nigeria, Botswana and Uganda, growing rapidly in future years to 1,000 students a year from across the continent.
The Academy will focus on mathematics and I.T and students will be immersed in a variety of stretching subjects ranging from space exploration, cyber-security and global commodities trading. Specialist experts from industry and leading universities from the UK and various African countries will engage these brilliant young minds in stimulating debate on how these areas can enhance the continent’s future.
Once the students have completed the Academy session and returned home, they will continue to receive support from AGF through an online virtual academy, where students will be able to access a number of online resources, take part in online discussions that spread across the continent, and engage in pan-African project work.
Across Africa’s 53 countries and a billion strong population, there are a staggering estimated 20 million gifted young people. AGF intends to create a network of these top 5 per cent talented students, guiding Africa and the world’s most eminent universities towards them. AGF also hope to inspire and motivate schools and governments to provide specially tailored and enhanced education to all their gifted students.
Tom Ilube, AGF Chairman said: “In cities, towns and villages across Africa, there are young people who have been blessed with the intelligence of an Einstein. Our mission is to find them, invest in them and unleash their talents to the benefit of the whole continent.” More information on African Gifted Foundation can be found at www.africangifted.org

UNN breathes new deal for staff and students

BY TOPE TEMPLER OLAIYA
The University of Nigeria Nsukka has outlined plans to encourage publication of academic books and research works by lecturers and staff of the institution.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barth Okolo disclosed this during an interactive session with #members of the university community that the move is part of efforts to increase output of the university’s staff in the core area of research.
According to Okolo, the university management “would support staff in finding research collaborators, research grants, sabbatical positions and participation in exchange programmes.”
Only recently, an American university, North Dakota State University in Fargo, had announced its partnership with the university whereby both institutions collaborate in teaching, staff training and research work. “We are now identifying areas where we will focus for collaboration,” explained Kerri Spiering, NDSU associate vice president for Equity, Diversity and Global Outreach. “One priority area of discussion is agriculture, with a lot of different areas of interest. Communication is another possible area for partnerships.”
Spiering also said joint research efforts would be the initial step as the universities work together. She suggested the faculty might join forces to prepare journal articles for publication of develop research grants.
UNN also recently signed on as the 33rd member of the prestigious New York Academy of Sciences. It will in the immediate period register 500 students and 300 academic staff to access the facilities of the Academy. The agreement with the New York Academy of Sciences was signed Thursday, February 4, 2010 at a ceremony at the 250 Greenwich Street New York offices of the Academy. ?Dr. Chima Nwanguma of the Department of Biochemistry led two others – Dr. Nnaemeka Chukwuone and Dr. Ben Okwo – to sign the agreement.
Nwanguma said: “The significance is that as many staff as possible would get the opportunity of unrestricted access to the online resources and archival materials of the Academy dating back 100 years. In this age, it is important to have international linkages and to be abreast of developments across the world of scholarship.”
The US-based Nigerian Higher Education Foundation facilitated the arrangement with the NYAS. Post-graduate students of the University of Nigeria would also benefit from the initiative. They would be enrolled as members of Science Alliance, a programme that provides career education, development and training.




15 months after, disciplinary case still lingers in UI
BY KAYODE BELLO
THE disciplinary case that started in November 2008 after protest by students of the University of Ibadan following hike in fees payable by them is yet to be concluded, as another round of sitting by the Students Disciplinary Committee commenced recently.
Investigations revealed that three out of the seven affected students who are expected to proceed on National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) would not be mobilised for this year’s service, due to the pending case.
The affected students, who expressed dissatisfaction over the lingering case, said that the case had taken too long, saying it is now affecting their future plans, as they added that they were not guilty of the offence they were accused of.
Sources in the Students’ Affairs Division disclosed that the affected students pleaded not guilty, and that the case had been referred to the Central Students’ Disciplinary Committee that would finally decide sometime this month.
One of the cases revisited by the disciplinary committee last week was that of Mellanby Hall students who protested epileptic power supply to the hall last year.
The students were accused of destroying vehicles parked at the Maintenance Unit where they took their grievances to, with the view to ensuring restoration of electricity to the hall.
The students had protested when they discovered that other halls of residence were having electricity.
Some students who spoke CampusLIFE, said the several disciplinary committee letters served the protesting students were aimed at clamping down on students’ activism in the institution, which has been without a Students’ Union since 2000.
Nonetheless, principal officers of the institution have at several occasions affirmed that the authorities would not punish any students in the aftermath of the October 13, 2008 protest over hike in fees.
finestkay2003@yahoo.com



Bamiro gives reason for admission implosion in UI
BY ABRAHAM OLADIPUPO
IN a recent interaction with members of Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ) University of Ibadan, vice chancellor of the institution, Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, explained why the university admitted more students, which led to the population implosion experienced in the school.
At present, some halls of accommodation now house six students in a room against its originally designed four.
Bamiro told the campus pen pushers that the saddest period in his life is during admission, “because you see these bright and young candidates, but you cannot admit beyond a limited number. For a particular course, we can only take 20, so whoever is number 21 will be sent away. In the last exercise, those who applied to UI were over 42,000, out of which we have taken 3,800. If we can manage our asset, we have no reason not to double that. The asset deployed here can handle more than 20,000 students, a university of this size in the United States will have more than 60,000 student population. You turn back somebody because there is no accommodation, and you deny him or her access to knowledge.”
Bamiro said the institution decided to increase its admission quota when the projected post-graduate enrolment dropped. “We wanted to become a post-graduate university, in the sense that in terms of admission, it will be 60 per cent post graduate and 40 per cent undergraduate. But the reality is that while we are reducing the number of undergraduates for the post-graduate students, the PG enrolment is not increasing at the rate we projected. So, why can’t we just help the undergraduate? When we saw that the PG project is still in the long term, we decided to help the nation by admitting more undergraduates to reduce the problem of university admission.”
abrahamprecious@yahoo.com



Rapid increase in overseas postgraduates in UK
BY DIANE SPENCER
BRITISH universities have seen a rapid increase in numbers of international postgraduate students, according to a study commissioned by the Higher Education Policy Institute and the British Library. In 2007-08, half of masters degree students and 44 per cent of doctoral students were from overseas, the majority from India and China. The UK has almost 12 per cent market share of all international postgraduates, second only to the United States.
Bahram Bekhradnia, director of the institute, said: “This report of the current state of postgraduate education, describes a diverse, growing and successful sector. The growth in overseas students recognizes the strength of UK’s research base but also demonstrates the need to encourage more UK based students to undertake postgraduate study in the UK.” HEPI is also concerned about the declining numbers of British students registering for courses in computer science and engineering where they are significantly outnumbered by international students.
India has the highest number of postgraduates studying in the UK and shows the most rapid rise. Figures from the student records of Higher Education Statistics Agency say that in 2002-03, there were 6,520 first-year enrolments; in 2008-09, the number had risen to 19,615. China’s numbers show a steadier increase from 12, 485 to 15,350 in the same period.
Student numbers from Nigeria rose from 1,615 to 6,335, while those from the US increased from 3,960 to 5,025 and Pakistan from 1,105 to 3,850. Ireland, Germany, France and Taiwan also showed a steady increase. Greece bucked the trend by declining from 7,665 to 3,815 from 2002-03 to 2008-09.
The HEPI study found that business and administrative studies was the most popular subject area taught at postgraduate level, followed by social sciences. The proportion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM subjects, to non-STEM has not changed significantly in the last five years.
At the research postgraduate level, science subjects dominate, especially engineering and technology, biosciences and physical sciences, while social sciences top the non-STEM subjects.
The study also notes the changing nature of teaching. In 2002, only a small number of universities, such as Nottingham, were offering education to students studying wholly abroad through pioneering overseas campuses, and the Open University was the main institution offering postgraduate programmes by distance education.
Last year, 111 out of 166 institutions were offering some form of offshore education to more than 190,000 students, of who around 61,000 were postgraduates. This is a rapid area of expansion for UK higher education institutes, it says.
diane.spencer@uw-news.com

Students resort to generator, after five days of darkness

By Kayode Bello
The students of the University of Ibadan residing in Mellanby and Tedder halls of residence have found a way around the epileptic supply of electricity and have resorted into using generator as an alternative electricity-generating device.
On Saturday morning, February 20, students took their mobile phones out, and proceeded to the point where generator could power their gadgets, in the hall. The initiative was courtesy executive members of Mellanby, under the chairmanship of Ige Babatunde, 400-level Law student, to alleviate the sufferings of the students.
Investigations revealed that the cause of the power failure, which is in its sixth day, has been the underground work going on at locations close to Tedder Hall.




UNN to enrol 500 students at New York Academy of Sciences
BY TOPE TEMPLER OLAIYA
THE University of Nigeria, Nsukka has reached an agreement with the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) to enrol 500 postgraduate students of the university on the prestigious Science Alliance programme for Graduate and Post-doctoral students of the Academy, simply referred to as Science Alliance. This is major fallout from a recent visit by a delegation from the UNN, which was facilitated by the New York-based Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF).
A delegation from UNN comprising Dr. Bennett Nwanguma, a senior special assistant to the Vice Chancellor and two development officers, Dr. Nnaemeka Chukwuone and Dr. Ben Ogwo, were in New York recently to sign the agreement on behalf of the university, while the Director of Membership, David Smith, represented the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS). Others present at the signing ceremony were the Vice President, Dr. Ferdinand Ofodile and the Executive Director of the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF), Ms Lorette Nixon.
The membership, which has a list price of $52 per member, offers free admission to discussion groups on diverse subject areas, career development resources, such as postdoctoral positions, over 300 e-briefings, reduced registration fees for the academy’s conferences, thousands of scientific articles in annals of the academy of science – the oldest scientific publication in America – and much more.
According to Dr Nwanguma, “an agreement of this nature, which guarantees access for our postgraduate students to current literature as well as an opportunity to interact with their colleagues in other parts of the world through membership of the discussion groups, is priceless.”
The development is in line with the vision of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barth Okolo, to internationalise learning standards at UNN.

ESTABLISHED nearly 200 years ago in 1817, the New York Academy of Sciences was founded in downtown Manhattan by a group of physicians favourable to the cultivation of Natural Science. The third-oldest scientific society in the United States, the Academy, has become not only a notable and enduring cultural institution in New York City, but also one of the most significant organizations in the international scientific community.
Throughout its history, the Academy’s membership has featured leaders in science, business, academia, and government, including U.S. Presidents Jefferson and Monroe, Thomas Edison, Louis Pasteur, Charles Darwin, Margaret Mead, and Albert Einstein. Today, the NYAS President’s Council includes 26 Nobel laureates as well as CEOs, philanthropists, and leaders of national science funding agencies. The Academy numbers 24,000 members in 140 countries and 400,000 unique visitors access the NYAS Web site each month.



UNIUYO Law students get new exco
BY JOSEPH NYONG
THERE may be hope for a successful electoral process and genuine democratic governance in Nigeria in no distance future. The recent election into Law Students Association (LAWSAN), Uniuyo chapter offices gave room for such feeling by observers, who witnessed the faculty’s election, described as ‘the freest and fairest’ on campus.
The build-up to the election was pulsating, as anxiety heightened on each passing day. Campaigns (especially by the three presidential aspirants) were usually carnival-like.
The façade of the faculty and environs were awashed with posters of all sizes and designs with the imposing lager than life pictures of the three presidential candidates (who were doing every legitimate thing they could to out-wit each other) being the cynosure of all eyes.
Momentum reached feverish point on manifesto day (election eve) with candidates displaying their oratory prowess, leaving the would-be electorate perplexed about who to give their mandate.
The turnout at the election was very impressive. Students from other faculties trooped in to witness firsthand the most anticipated event of the school year. It took more than eight hours for accreditation and voting to be concluded.
The LAWSAN electoral committee, led by Mrs. Alice Asukwo (a 400 level law student) had its hands full as they tried to ensure a hitch free exercise. Surely they got it right. Voting was concluded with the teeming crowd agitating for release of the results as dusk was fast approaching.
Result released saw Mr. Uwem Uko Umoh, emerging as LAWSAN president for the next academic session.
Observers were unanimous in acknowledging the credibility of the entire exercise.
“I wish Maurice Iwu were here to learn from you guys,” commented a medical student. “You have lived up to your reputation,” was the assessment by another observer. The newly elected executive was inaugurated on February 12.



RIVCOHSTECH: valentine dinner thrills staff, students
THE night of Sunday February 14, will remain a memorable one for staff and students of Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology (RIVCOHSTECH) as they were treated to a special dinner to mark the Lovers’ Day.
The dinner, held under the auspices of the Joint Christian Campus Fellowship (JCCF) and the Chapel of Reconciliation, the college’s non-denominational/interdenominational worship center, featured a drama sketch and symposium.
The drama sketch performed by the college’s theater arts group and the symposium, which had group discussions by the fellowship heads led by the President of the JCCF, Godstime Mordecai, focused on the origin of Valentine’s Day, its significance, how it is celebrated and its implications on the lives of young people today.
In his keynote, the college’s Chaplain, Pastor Pius Ugwem Jeremiah, urged the staff and students to appreciate and imbibe God’s kind of love, which according to him, “does not encourage immorality and youthful lusts,” but manifests “itself in rendering selfless service to others”.
Jeremiah, who is also Deputy Provost of the institution, noted “Nigeria will be a better place if people practised God’s kind of love.” He enjoined the students to “reflect on the virtues of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our reference point on ideal love”.
Highlight of the event was the offering of special prayers for the management, staff and students of the institution and especially for the college Registrar, Mrs. Owanate Patricia Lawson, whose birthday coincided with the dinner.
Some students who spoke to Campus Life expressed joy at the programme, saying its essence, which is to educate and enlighten people on the real meaning of Valentine’s Day and disabuse their minds on the wrong ways of celebrating it, was fully captured.


Queen hands out awards to universities
UNIVERSITIES of innovation, excellence and world-leading research have been rewarded with prizes presented by the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Among the winning projects were initiatives to train African teachers and develop workers for the oil and gas industry.
The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education recognise colleges and universities that have contributed to the intellectual, economic, cultural and social life of the United Kingdom. The ceremony took place in the palace’s lavish ballroom, which was attended by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal, who is chancellor of London University, one of the winners.
Aberystwyth University’s institute of biological, environmental and rural sciences was recognised for being a world leader in plant breeding and genetics. It has developed varieties of grasses and crops, which give farmers a greater yield while also reducing the amount of greenhouse gases produced by the process.
Institute director Wayne Powell said: “What we have been doing is providing the underpinning science and technology to provide new food varieties and doing this in a way that is going to mitigate climate change. My colleagues have been doing an amazing job producing new varieties.”
Another winning institution was the Open University, which has been working with African academics to train 200,000 teachers via the Internet. One teacher each from Kenya, Sudan, South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria involved in the project attended the ceremony. Jenestar Wanjiru, 38, a Kenyan primary school teacher, said the project “is very useful because it gives us the teaching methodology, which we can use, in the classroom to great effect.”

Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination: The task ahead of JAMB

BY LUKE ODIA DENNIS
AS the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) gets set to conduct the first Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), many are watching with keen interest how it will translate the policy of government into a worthy venture.
Last year, all the matriculation examinations organised by JAMB were scrapped for the unified examination, which attempts to give the secondary school leaver a range of options between universities and other tertiary institutions.
However, the examination, scheduled to hold on April 17, is already attracting comments.
The inability of JAMB to hold a problem-free examination came to the fore last year when a lot of students were asked to recheck their UME scores, as the science subjects were not accurately marked.
Many are afraid that the body will be unable to cope with the turnout of candidates, having been unable to successfully organise separate exams without problems in the past.
Mathew Ede, who owns an online registration center in Benin City, said that JAMB official website experienced extreme pressure due to the huge number of candidates who attempted to fill their online forms in order to beat the January 29 deadline for registration. He noted that filling the online form was a Herculean task.
Some candidates also complained that they had to buy new scratch cards because after submission, other candidates’ forms appeared during printing.
Some others said that since they scratched their cards, they had been unable to successfully fill their online forms. They are either told that the courses or the universities of their choice do not exist in the site’s database — which is contrary to what is on the site’s brochure — that their PIN number do not exist.
Some other candidates have been unable to reconcile the courses chosen in their choice universities with those in colleges of education as they are told that the subject combination is wrong.
These are, however, minor problems for JAMB compared to the daunting task of organising a hitch-free examination in April.





UNILAG upgrades Faculty of Business Administration curriculum
BY MARY AKPARANTA
AS a result of ongoing collaboration between public and private sector, the University of Lagos is putting in place, a process that will enhance its business management curriculum. The move is to bridge the gap between what the labour market wants and what tertiary institutions are teaching.
The new curriculum is a product of a two-year research by Faculty of Education management, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Kansas State University and British American Tobacco Nigeria.
Speaking during announcement of the initiative, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Federation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), commended the project partners for their foresight.
“A curriculum development programme such as this is very important because it provides human capability development that addresses skills gap, which is not only timely but appropriate in view of the present global socio-economic challenges,” he said.
He was, however, full of confidence that initiatives like this would help raise the profile of graduates from Nigerian institutions.
The Coordinator, Dr. A.A. Sulaimon said the course is currently being offered only by the Faculty of Business Administration, but is open to other students who wish to ‘borrow’ it.
He paid tributes to the project partners, the authorities of the university and the Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, Professor Ben Oghojafor, for their relentless efforts in ensuring the possibility of the initiative.
Giving an overview of the project, the USAID Team Leader (Education), Dr. Sandy Ojikutu, stated it is aimed at “increasing the productivity of the youths, as well as arming them with relevant skills to make them competitive and fit into needs of the private sector. Partnerships like this will help in the overall development of the educational sector.”



AAU students protest fee increase, as landlord ejects UNAAB from building
BY ANAZIA DANIEL
ACADEMIC and commercial activities at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, came to a halt during the week as students of the state-owned institution took to the streets, protesting alleged increment in tuition fees from N26,000 to N76,000 for full-time students, and from N30,000 to N100,000 for part-time.
Surrounding supermarkets and filling station were set ablaze, and banks raided. The Benin-Auchi-Abuja Road was also barricaded, forcing all vehicles to divert to Iruekpen-Sabonggida-Ora/Afuze-Auchi Road.
Edo State Commissioner for Education, Ngozi Osareren, has denied the increase, but added that the school authorities are to decide on the new tuition fees.
Meanwhile, the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), in a statement jointly signed by its national coordinator, Hassan Taiwo and secretary, Chinedu Bosah, called the state government and the school authority to revert to the former fees. “The fees have been provocatively and unwarrantedly increased, and we see no justification for it, given the socio-economic difficulties most Nigerians are passing through.”
According to the group, it will be inconsiderate to ask citizens earning N7,500 as minimum wage to pay N100,000 for their wards’ university education.
Commenting on the issue, Information and Orientation Commissioner, Abdul Oroh, condemned the action of the students, which he said was hijacked by hoodlums, adding that the police will be allowed to do its work and bring those responsible for the destruction of properties to book.

IN a related development, the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), has been ejected from its mini-campus at the Isale-Igbein, Ogun State.
The building was used during take-off 22 years ago before the construction of its permanent site at Alabata, outskirt of Abeokuta.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNAAB, Olufemi Olaiya Balogun, confirming this, said, “on the sudden directive from our landlord, the Anglican Communion, that we should vacate its properties, which serve as our mini campus at Isale-Igbein, we have begun the process of relocating.”
Sources close the church say; the Anglican Communion is planning to convert the property to a seminary.

Embrace entrepreneurship, Students urged

By Tope Templer Olaiya
Students in tertiary institutions across the country have been enjoined to explore every possible avenue that will make them self-reliant through development of a sound and virile entrepreneurship skill capable of sustaining them upon graduation.
This was the view of the Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Education, Dr. Elijah Olu Adewale, at the opening ceremony of the 5th Students Trade Fair at the University of Lagos Sports Complex last week.
Adewale, while extolling the virtues behind the initiatives of the organisers, Strands Communications Limited, said, if given the leadership opportunity, Nigerian youths could and would indeed successfully harness abundant resources of the nation to achieve socio-economic and political sovereignty.
“I am particularly delighted because of the inspiring efforts of the organisers of this event, who, I reliably gathered, are a group of students under the aegis of Strands Communications Limited.”
Adewale who was represented at the ceremony by the Director, Monitoring and Investigation, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Suleiman Ajayi, said in the wake of increased productivity in the country’s agricultural sector, opportunities in the industrial sector are to satisfy its food needs and thus valuable foreign exchange formerly used to import food could be used for investment to provide an industrial base for the diversification of the economy.
He said a young and growing population witnessing increased urbanisation and industrialisation as obtained in Lagos State are factors, which will bring about increased demand for products of the food and agro-allied sub-sector.
Earlier in his welcome address, Managing Director of the outfit, Alafia Gbadebo, said the flagship event of the company is held in Lagos every second week of February, to coincide with St. Valentine’s Day and has traditionally provided a reliable and cost-effective platform for domestic and national companies to launch new brands, trade, seek joint-ventures and test marketing. The fair ended yesterday, February 13.




Kefee, Jahdiel, Alfa Sule, others set for Shout Jam Tour 2010
BY TOPE TEMPLER OLAIYA
COME Tuesday, April 20, Shout Jam Tour, an itinerant gospel and inspirational music tour, will begin with the first concert scheduled to hold at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Shout Jam Tour was created to promote gospel music and musicians especially upcoming artistes, provide quality entertainment for the students of tertiary institutions across the nation, advocate against occultism, moral decadence and other social vices, and provide experiential engagement opportunities for youth brands.
The platform was launched in 2009 as Shout Tour Jam with RoofTop MCs and featured shows in the University of Ibadan, Redeemers’ University and Yaba College of Technology with RoofTop Mcs and Nikki Laoye, Laff’up, Shake Dem Up and Segun Dangote performing.
Consequent upon the success of the 2009 edition, Davidhosue Multimedia Limited, the promoter sof the tour, have unveiled plans for the 2010 edition.
According to the project’s spokesperson, Adenugba Oluwanishola, this edition will feature musical performances by a repertoire of artistes including Kefee of the Branama fame; Jahdiel; Tomiwa, third runner up 2009 MTN Project Fame West Africa; Praiz Adejo, who was second runner up; Simisola; Freeborn, Doyin Okiki, drama skits by Alfa Sule and dance repertoire by Shake Dem Up with a pre-concert trade show that features all the brands sponsoring the tour. The event would also incorporate performances by local artistes on each campus that the tour train would stop.
The tour will also feature shows in BOWEN University, Iwo, Osun State on Wednesday, April 31 after which the train moves to Redeemers’ University, Mowe, Ogun State on Thursday, April 29 for the third show in the series.
On May 6, it will be the turn of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State to host Kefee and the rest of the tour squad whilst the tour would wrap on June 3 with a heart pumping concert at the Main Auditorium of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.
The tour affords youth target brand a rare privilege to connect and share experiences with their targetted public on Nigerian campuses. Some brands that sponsored the 2009 edition included Tara Orekelewa, Cadbury Butter Mints, Facuade Luxury Clothiers, Cheerie Noodles, X2D, Swan Soft Drinks and Mr Biggs Restaurant.
There will be meet, greet, photographic and album signing sessions. Fans gets to have a first-hand experience of Kefee’s music as well as enjoy her new album, A piece of me, which include such hits as Kokoroko, Pure water, karoyovwe, Body guard, African Woman. Kefee came to limelight in 2005 when she debutted with Branama 1, which was produced by Alec Godwin. Jahdiel will also be on hand to thrill the audience with her magical voice.


Corps Members Donate Drums To NYSC
By ‘Fisayo Soyombo
CORPS members in Lagos State, under the aegis of National Youth Service Corps’ Community Development Service (CDS) have donated drums worth N126, 000 to the state Chapter of the scheme.
The donation was made last week, during a dance and drama ceremony at the NYSC Secretariat, in Surulere, Lagos.
Speaking during the ceremony, Adejimi Adekunle, CDS President of outgoing Batch A members, said he was happy that his Batch had successfully done something to improve service conditions of new corps members. “The outgoing Batch A and the present Batch B have combined resources to present this gift to the NYSC Secretariat and to fellow corps members. It is our small way of wishing them well in service life,” he said.
Speaking also, Henry Francis, President of the Drama Group (DG), said it was always his dream to see Lagos State win the yearly Director-General Dance and Musical Competition. “We always rent drums and other necessary instruments of preparation, whenever the competition is to hold. It is my belief that, since drums are now readily available, corps members can prepare adequately and they will sing the victory song soon.”
Mrs.Winifred Ebiera, CD Coordinator, while expressing delight at the presentation, said the corps members were truly living up to billing.
Receiving the gifts, alongside other NYSC officials, Mrs. Belinda Faniyi, Assistant Director, Common Services, Lagos State Secretariat, said she was happy that the CDS initiative of the scheme was yielding desired results.
“Community Development Service is a platform for corps members to make selfless contributions to the community they find themselves in. And by presenting these drums, the Dance and Cultural CD Group has contributed to the development of this community. So, we’re very happy that the whole CDS arrangement is not a waste of time,” said Faniyi.

Sofoluwe appointed 10th VC of UNILAG

BY TOPE TEMPLER OLAIYA
Prof. Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe has been appointed the 10th Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), with effect from January 30, 2010. His appointment has finally put to rest controversy, which arose from the expiration of the former VC, Prof. Tolu Odugbemi.
Prior to this appointment, Sofoluwe was the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Management Services. Born April 15, 1950, the professor of Computer Science graduated with a Second Class Upper Divisions in June 1973 from the University of Lagos. During his undergraduate years, he received German scholarship award for Academic Brilliance. He also won the Dean’s Prize in the 1971/72 session.
At the end of his youth service, he won a Commonwealth scholarship to study at the Edinburgh University, Scotland. He earned his Master’s Degree in 1975 and Doctorate in 1981 from the same university. The don started his teaching career as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Lagos in 1976 and rose steadily through the ranks to become a full professor in October 1996.
In his vision statement titled “Sustaining UNILAG as a university of first choice,” he said he wants to ensure that UNILAG is ranked among the first 100 universities in the world by the mid term of his tenure.
“The question is what has been impeding the realization of this vision till date? The university community consists of very good materials, which are under utilized. There is need to harness them by employing electronic driven strategies, which I will put in place as the VC.”
“My mission is to make the UNILAG an e-University. As a professor of Computer Science, I will deploy my knowledge of the discipline to run and manage UNILAG. Having been very close to the past three administrations of Professors Jelili Omotola, Oye Ibidapo-Obe and Tolu Odugbemi as the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Director of Academic Planning and Deputy VC respectively, I have a very good understanding of the university.”
Some of his proposed reforms include division of the university into sub-systems, systematic evaluation of sub-systems on periodic basis, regular updating of university website, university master plan, regular quarterly and annual reports, quality control mechanism, provision of grater international visibility for the university, international linkages, computerized academic calendar and bi-annual comprehensive medical check-up for staff.






Church offers scholarship to first class graduate
By Tope Templer Olaiya
AN inventor, Mr. Kehinde Durojaye, and a University of Lagos (UNILAG) Electrical/ Electronic Engineering First Class graduate, Miss Olayinka Oduwole, have been offered lifelines by Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN). They got the succour recently during church service at Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos, headquarters of the church.
Oduwole, who started attending SCOAN at the age of five, said: “I finished secondary school at the age of 15 and immediately gained admission into the University of Lagos to study Electrical/Electronic Engineering. I still recall how the Prophet counsels us, tells us his history and encourages us to be the best we can, which really motivated me.”
“During my final year, Prophet called me and specifically told me that he wanted me to finish with a first class. I was surprised and told him, I was struggling between first class and second class upper. He prayed and gave me anointed water, and I read as if everything depended on it. When the grades came out, even in courses where others were failing, I had an ‘A’ and when my results were compiled, I came out with a first class result.”
The cleric, being pleased declared that the ministry would sponsor her in any of the best universities in the world for her Master’s.





Excitement as Jambites resume in UI
By Abraham Oladipupo
Gaining admission into any higher institution is not a piece of cake, and each year, the hurdles get steeper. For the lucky few, who scale through WASSCE, NECO, JAMB and Post-JAMB out of the multitude of admission seekers, it is a dream come true. Some of the newly admitted students, who could not hide their joy at securing admission into the university of Ibadan spoke to Life Campus.
Michael Oluwasogo, who holds a National Diploma in Banking and Finance, walks the length and breath of the university still brimming with smiles. Since completing his secondary education in 2002, it has been a series of failed attempts to secure admission into a university until his last attempt, which brought him to Nigeria’s premier university. “I feel like I am on top of the world,” he said. He, however, advised those who are dreaming to be in the four walls of the university not to lose hope.
Raji Olaoluwa Tobi, a 100 level student of Law, said, “I just finished my secondary school last year. I am so lucky to be here because many of my mates are still at home doing nothing. I just give all the glory to God because it is not by my power.”
And Ikusika Olawale of the department of Philosophy said, “it’s a dream come true, after seeking to gain admission into a tertiary institution for the past eight years.” He continued, “I have attempted JAMB for so many years to the extent that I could be referred to as JAMB veteran. However, after the long wait, I finally made it here. When I saw my name online, I could not belief my eyes.” And for those who are still battling with JAMB, he charged them to put in more effort and fight on. “When a horse pulls you down, you climb it again.”
Other elated students see the offer of admission as a privilege and vow to battle Tsunami with their intellectual might, as they can’t afford to lose the golden opportunity.




Firm restates commitment to research, bankrolls PhD thesis
By Mary Akparanta
Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, a leading manufacturer of foam mattresses, has called on Nigerians to seriously embark on research work as a way to make the country one of the top 20 economies of the world by 2020.
Owing to this, the chairman of the company, Chief S.O. Bolarinde at the 43rd Convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), pledged to sponsor and support research projects that are tailored towards the realization of the country’s economic goals.
Bolarinde, who was represented at the event by the company’s Technical Director, Joel Ajiga Olatoye, said Vitafoam has over the years been supporting research projects in most Nigerian universities, mainly from the Master’s degree level. He added that the company has been supporting students from different universities, providing financial and material resources towards research works.
Olatoye said, one of the recipients, Dr. Latiwon Kayode, has successfully completed his research thesis with UNILAG while another is presently getting some supports for his project at the University of Ilorin.
The idea, he said, is not only to support the students in the realisation of their dreams, but to also encourage developmental endeavours that will be of benefit to the country and the society at large. He said the company took to education as a major part of its corporate social responsibility, having realized that knowledge is a prerequisite to development.
Kayode, a chemical engineering lecturer at the Ladoke Akintola University, said, he had sent a proposal to the company informing them about his research work meant to determine the effect of filler materials on the mechanical properties of flexible polyurethane foam by improving the quality of foam without destroying its properties.
He noted that Vitafoam was instrumental to the success of his research work through material and financial supports as well as providing detailed information about foam making and giving free access to facilities at its factories.




AAUA VC rolls out plans for better varsity
By Victor Gbonegun and Damilola Adeniyi
When newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Prof. Femi Mimiko, has declared plans to improve the status of the university. Mimiko, who made this known during interactive session with the Students’ Union Government representatives of the school said, building the integrity of academic programme would top his agenda. Other plans are credible admission process, access to e-learning library, initiating academic prizes and awards, affiliation of the school’s programmes with international institutions, and staff housing scheme.
It would be recalled that the position of the VC was declared vacant by the state government following the removal of the former one, Prof. Philips Abiodun, owing to report of the investigative panel submitted to governor.
Out of the 14 candidates that participated in the screening exercise, Mimiko topped the list.

Unilorin matriculates 5,393 students

BY TOPE TEMPLER OLAIYA
AT a brief, but inspiring ceremony that lasted some 40 minutes last week, the University of Ilorin matriculated 5,393 students into various programmes for the 2009/2010 academic session.
Addressing students at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Is-haq O. Oloyede, the first alumnus of the university to occupy the office, drew from his personal experience as an undergraduate and charged the students to be the best they can.
The VC described the admission offered to the students as a trust, which needed to be justified and as an opportunity with an associated responsibility. He said, “though it is good to rejoice at the occasion, but it’s better for them to be sober and reflect on how they would graduate successfully from the university.”
Oloyede noted that the average of four years spent in the university is a short period in the context of a person’s life span; yet, it is a period that either makes or mars a person’s life. He recalled that while a student, people complained about dearth of job opportunities, but he assured himself that if he worked hard, his story would be different. He then urged the students to learn from his experience, be their best in their studies; so, they would find the various opportunities that lie ahead of diligence. “What is worth having at all is worth working for; if you desire a good result, you need to work for it, beginning from now,” he stated.
On the strategy of achieving the best result in the university, Oloyede, who is also the president of Association of African Universities (AAU), identified effective time management as one of the points. He said: “Use your time judiciously and know that procrastination is the greatest assassin of opportunity. Do not assassinate the opportunities lying ahead of you by wasting your time on trivia and trifles.”




Tension mounts in Ibadan Poly, as students resume
BY DANIEL ANAZIA
FOLLOWING alleged increase in tuition fees by the authorities of Ibadan Polytechnic, Ibadan, scores of armed anti-riot policemen and an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was drafted to the gate of the institution to forestall students’ protest on Wednesday.
The students were said to have vowed to resist any attempt by the school authorities to introduce high fees on resumption.
A statement from the office of the Registrar, Tosho Ayanwale, however, said the fees have not been increased as alleged by the students.
The Registrar urged parents and guardians to advise their wards against participating in any form of protest.
“In spite of rising cost of all materials attached to teaching and grooming students for their future career, the tuition fee has not been increased by a kobo above what was charged last year,” the statement affirmed. “The returning Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma students are to pay N38, 729 and N45, 000 respectively.”
The students claimed that the school’s authorities had stated in the admission letter issued during the 2008/2009 session that the fees paid in the HND 1, would also be paid in HND 2. However, they were surprised when the contrary was the case, when they resumed – HND 2 students were asked to pay a higher fee. The students said the many fees they were asked to pay are outrageous, and accused the school’s authorities of peddling lies in their defense.
Ayanwale, however, disclosed that the students have been given the privilege to pay their fees by installments to give some relief in the payment. “They are allowed to pay 60 per cent of the fees for first semester and 40 per cent for the second semester,” he said.
The Registrar said some unscrupulous elements wanted to use the students to achieve their selfish political agenda and advised parents against allowing their children to quote inflated figures as fees payable in the institution.





UNILORIN loses four students on matriculation
BY ALABI MOHAMMED ABDULKAREEM AND OLAJIDE AKINTOLA
LAST Tuesday, what was supposed to be a joyous moment for newly admitted students of the University of Ilorin ended up tragic.
As at press time, about four students were feared dead while others are in critical conditions at the emergency ward of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), as a result of the ghastly motor accident that occurred along the University Road.
The students, numbering six, were believed to be heading for a bash organized by some other students to commemorate their matriculation ceremony. A source close to one of the victims, who escaped the tragedy by the whiskers, having earlier declined invitation to the party, revealed that the driver of the Toyota Camry car the students were in, lost control of the vehicle after its rear tyre busted, making the vehicle to stumble and hit a tree near the university bridge.
The University Dean, Prof. Suleiman Age, swiftly arrived the scene with the schools security patrol van to convey the victims to the school’s clinic, where they were first treated before being transferred them to the intensive care unit of UITH. For now, the fate of the remaining three is unknown.
Earlier that day, in a separate incident, a final year student of Statistics Department, Adebowale Adewoye, had met his untimely death in a fire inferno that engulfed a private residence at Gaa-Akanbi area of Ilorin.
The deceased was said to be reading in his room, when the fire engulfed the building. He could not be rescued from the inferno, which also claimed the life of another student of the Kwara State Polytechnic.
Meanwhile, Prof. Agash Oladosu has called on the students to be sober and give thanks to God rather than embarking on mundane activities in the name of religion.
The Chief Imam on Friday, prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and for God to grant their parents the fortitude to bear the loss.




UNIJOS students count losses
BY MATTHEW ADEIZA
STUDENTS of the University of Jos were thrown into confusion two weeks ago as the sectarian crisis in Plateau State capital escalated.
The crisis, which began early on Sunday, January 17, took a dramatic turn for the worse on Tuesday, when some students that went to town, believing it was all over, were caught in the carnage.
In a related development, male students prevented some hoodlums, who had infiltrated the Village hostel from carrying out their attack. In Naraguta and Abuja Hostels, male students kept watch before some security operatives were later brought in, in the week.
As at Wednesday, some state governments had already sent buses to evacuate their indigenes from the hostels. First to arrive was Bayelsa State bus followed by Delta. By Friday evening, the hostels were almost empty except for few students who decided to stay behind to read for examinations that are expected to continue in few weeks.
Reacting to the situation, the Student Union Government president, Hitler Joshua Pwajok, decried the lack of sufficient security in the school and called on the Federal government to urgently commence the fencing of all student hostels.
He observed with dismay that fences in the student hostels were either non-existent or badly damaged, making them vulnerable to attacks from different routes.
Pwajok said about four students have been killed with many losing their valuables.
Students who spoke to Campus Life, wondered why they had to suffer for what they have no hand in, saying that the killing of their colleagues is barbaric and inhuman, and called on the Federal government to ensure their security on and off the campus.
It will be recalled that the university was in the midst of examination when the crisis began. Apart from disrupting their exams, many students lived in fear and hunger for the most part of the week, as a result of the crisis.

ohimatt4u@gmail.com

5 Nigerian universities qualify for Zain Africa Season IV

BY TOPE TEMPLER OLAIYA
FIVE Nigerian universities have qualified to represent the country at the Zain Africa Challenge— the continent’s television quiz show involving 32 universities.
The institutions that qualified for Season IV of the quiz competition include the defending champions, University of Ibadan (UI); University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN); University of Abuja; University of Maiduguri and University of Jos (UNIJOS). The five schools will compete against 27 others from across Africa. The event is scheduled to hold in Kampala, Uganda, later in the year.
The schools emerged tops after a highly competitive National Qualifying Tournament (NQT) held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, on January 6, involving 16 universities across Nigeria.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) selected the 16 universities, which participated in the NQT. They included Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Bowen University; Federal University of Technology, Owerri and Katsina State University (now Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina).
Others were Niger Delta University; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife; University of Abuja; Ambrose Ali University; University of Calabar; University of Jos; University of Maiduguri; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Federal University of Technology, Akure; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Lagos, Akoka and University of Ibadan.
Speaking at the NQT, Emeka Oparah, Zain’s Head of Public Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility said the competition is a tangible expression of company’s philosophy of “a wonderful world”, which underlines its relationship with its customers.
Oparah added that it was a special experience that Nigeria, in its first participation in the tournament last year, brought home the winners’ trophy, adding that the country’s representatives this year has all it takes to win the trophy back-to-back.





UI graduates resume Law School in April
By Kayode Bello
Following the intervention of the Faculty of Law and the authorities of the University of Ibadan, the Law graduates, who previously had their hopes dashed over resumption at the Law School in November last year, will now resume in April.
The Sub-dean of the faculty, Mr. Sunday Fagbemi, told Life Campus that a letter had been sent to the Registrar of the institution, Mrs. Ikotun Omotayo, stating that the Council of Legal Education has accepted to admit the Law graduates in the institution on April 10, 2010.
Prior to the letter by the Council of Legal Education, the Dean of the faculty, Prof. Yemisi Bamgbose, had expressed optimism that the students would be mobilized for Law School to prevent a huge backlog of graduates.
In a related development, graduates of the institution still awaiting mobilization call-up from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) directorate were seen checking their call-up




Corps members commit gifts to community service
By FISAYO SOYOMBO
Citizens cannot completely saddle government with the challenge of solving the various problems confronting education.
This belief was the motivation behind the decision of some members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), under the aegis of Integrated Rural Development (IRD), to donate gift items to students and staff of Gaskiya Secondary School, Ijora at a brief ceremony in the premises of the school last week. The school received ten white marker boards while 50 students – selected based on outstanding academic performance – received packages containing notebooks, pencils and pens.
Speaking at the event, President of IRD, Adeniyi Adejobi, said “We decided to come to Gaskiya, in the heart of Ajegunle, which is a remote area. We know that schools in cities have almost all the basic things. You would not believe that in this age, Gaskiya still uses blackboards. We know that by presenting these items, the students would be motivated to study harder and members of staff too would be encouraged to work better; because despite all the problems of education, they would be getting the impression that help is not far away,” he explained.
Principal of the school, Mrs. Nworgu, commended the IRD members; saying with the gesture, these secondary students would begin to appreciate the essence of NYSC and would also aspire to be corps members someday. She also noted that the students would begin to realize that dedication to excellence doesn’t go unnoticed and unrewarded. She therefore opposed calls from some quarters, calling for the scrapping of the NYSC due to crises, which have in the past, claimed lives of innocent youths. “No. I don’t agree. Death will always occur, NYSC or no NYSC. I do not think it is a reason to scrap NYSC,” she pleaded.





Conspiracy against Students’ Union in UI?
BY ABRAHAM OLADIPUPO
THE legal feud between Mr. Akeem Lawal (aka Aluta) and the University of Ibadan, leading to the suspension of elections and other activities of the Students’ Union in the school for a decade, came up for hearing at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, on Monday, January 18, with the two parties absent in court.
The Students’ Union Transition Committee had traveled from Ibadan to Abeokuta, with the hope that the day’s hearing would mark the end of the legal tussle, thereby, leading to reinstating the union, but to their surprise, the lawyers representing both parties in the case were not in court.
Suspecting foul play, the students called Mr. Lawal, who said the judge presiding over the case had been transferred to Lagos. When prodded further, he claimed he was in the court premises the week earlier to receive a notice that he had been invited to court, when he discovered that the judge had been transferred. He, however, referred the students to the university’s legal representative for further information.
However, the said judge was on seat at the Abeokuta court and all staff were surprised of the rumour of the judge having been transferred.
Suspecting a conspiracy between the management and Aluta, the students called the institution’s lawyer, but his number was not available, even as at press time.
The dejected students returned to Ibadan wondering why parties to the case failed to show up in court.
The questions then are: Is this an attempt to put SUG in UI on hold? Why did the lawyers fail to show up in court? Why were the students advised to face their studies and forget about the court case? Why did the school authorities stop releasing information about the progress of the court case? Why is Akeem Lawal still pushing the case after 10 years? These questions are begging for answers.

ucjpublicrelationsofficer@gmail.com

Tories plan to tighten foreign student visa

BY JAMES BOXELL
FOREIGN students seeking to enter the United Kingdom from countries such as Pakistan, India, China and Nigeria would be singled out for extra scrutiny by border officials under the new immigration regulations outlined by the Tories.
Responding to evidence of widespread abuse of the student visa system, Chris Grayling, shadow home secretary, said incoming Conservative government would also ask many overseas students to pay cash deposits worth thousands of pounds, to be returned only when they are leaving the country.
But Mr Grayling, who described the present student regime as a “huge loophole in our border controls”, has decided not to pursue stricter measures such as shutting the door to courses below degree level or demanding higher standards of English language among applicants.
Universities, further education colleges and English language schools have been lobbying politicians not to go too far in blocking overseas students because it would threaten a vital part of their fee-raising capacity, just as they face deep budget cuts. Some estimates suggest international students bring £8.5bn to the UK economy each year.
“International students do not come automatically to the UK,” said Catherine Marston of Universities UK, a representative body. “Our universities work hard to attract them, so, it’s vital we send out the message that we welcome them.”

THE problems with student visas have risen to the top of the Westminster agenda after a Nigerian man allegedly attempted to blow up a passenger jet headed for Detroit on Christmas Day. The 23-year-old suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, studied mechanical engineering at University College London between 2005 and 2008.
Border officials stressed that Abdulmutallab was a bonafide applicant from a prominent Nigerian family. A subsequent attempt to return to the UK was rejected after he applied for a course at a bogus college. Nevertheless, opposition politicians argue that large-scale abuse of the student visa system is a risk to national security.
About 240,000 such visas were granted last year, up from 70,000, 10 years ago. Much of this can be attributed to a drive by Mr Brown and Tony Blair, his predecessor, to establish Britain as a global leader in higher education. However, Phil Woolas, the borders minister, admitted that student visa has become the immigration system’s “Achilles’ heel”, regularly abused as people from south Asia, West Africa and China look to, as such, the introduction of stricter work permit controls. Tens of thousands of people have also arrived to study at bogus colleges set up to circumvent immigration rules.
Other colleges would face greater oversight by border agency officials. The Tories would also introduce stricter rules to make sure people have enough money in their bank accounts to pay for a full course of study, another area widely abused.
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Anxiety in UNN over increment in school fees
BY SCHOLASTICA ODUM

STUDENTS of the University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka, returned to school on January 4, to meet new developments, such as the re-roofing of the female halls of residence and the demolition of illegal structures within the campus.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bartholomew Okolo, determined to give the institution a facelift, has decided to continue from where his predecessor, Prof. Chinedu Ositadinma Nebo, stopped, by carrying out the project.
Okolo, since assuming office in July 3, 2009, has lived up to his promise to give the university a fresh look.
However, amidst the on-going renovation exercise, there is a growing agitation by students against the rumoured increase in tuition fees next session, which will commence in two months time.
The rumour has further gained grounds with the recent increase of acceptance fee paid by newly admitted students from N6, 000 to N25, 000, effective from 2009/2010 academic year.
The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Ugwueze Malaki, during an interview with Roar Newspaper said, the increment was necessary.
For now, the fear of a possible increment remains a big bug.


UNAD declares war on cultism By Opeyemi Dibua
THE full might of the University of Ado-Ekiti community has descended on cultism and other anti-social vices.
At a recent rally, students trooped out in large numbers to denounce the practice, which they said had brought dishonour to the country’s educational system.
Organised under the auspices of the Students’ Union, participants vowed to battle the evil of cultism, regretting that a few bad eggs in their midst have given a negative label to numerous students who are leading a decent life in the university.
The students found ally in the management of the school, which promised total support for the rally.
The first of its kind in the history of the university, the rally was followed by a meeting held in front of the Omolayo administrative building, where three former cultists (names withheld), renounced their membership of Eye Confraternity and handed over their weapons to the police.
The leader of the repentant cultists told Life Campus that a friend called ‘Stainless’ initiated him into cultism. “I don’t know his real name, but I met him at a party in Lagos. I was formerly the leader of southwest zone; we operated in all the campuses in the southwest except Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). My parents did not know I was a cultist and even if somebody had told them, they wouldn’t believe. I can’t go back to cultism. I want to also use this opportunity to appeal to the students to forgive us.”
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Dipo Kolawole, represented by Prof. Olaofe, admitted, “at a time, cultism was a major problem for the institution, but now with the help of God, it has been fought to a standstill.” He described the act as barbaric, and promised that the university would always give cult members -- who desire to renounce their membership -- opportunity to do so.
Kolawole also urged other students involved, either as patron or members, to desist from such act, threatening that the institution will not hesitate to punish anybody found culpable.
Prof Oloyede, the Dean of Management Science, who prayed for confessed cultists, charged them to forget the past. He quoted from Proverb 13:24 to buttress his point.
The Registrar, Dr. Omojola Awosusi, advised them not to allow anything to lure them back into cultism. He also said that they have easy access into any of the principal officers’ office for any assistance and help.

IN another development, nemesis has caught up with Abegunde Michael, a 200 level student of Economics of the school, after engaging in series of admission scams. Michael allegedly collected N88,000 from Toyin Otitolaye to facilitate her admission into the university. Toyin had earned 185 in her JAMB, a score lower than the 200 cut-off mark for admission.
Speaking with Life Campus, Toyin said, “I gave him the amount because I could not find my name on the internet among the admitted students, after spending a year in the university as a pre-degree student.” After waiting for about 11 months without getting her matriculation number, she went to the admission office to lodge a complaint, and was told she was not given admission.
According to Toyin, “he (Michael), gave me a print-out, which I have been carrying around all this while; I came to know I wasn’t given admission when I couldn’t find my name among the names of the matriculated students.”
magodoboy@yahoo.com




Corps member donates materials to schools, brings relief to orphanage
BY ABOSEDE MUSARI, ABUJA
IN order to reduce HIV prevalence and teenage pregnancy among children of school age, a corps member in Abuja, Aboki Theophilus, has decided to provide school children in Abuja with information on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS.
The project, which has already been carried out in three secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory, is part of his Personal Community Development Service (PCDS).
The project provides “accurate information on reproductive health and HIV and AIDS to young people in schools, by donating resource materials on the concerns to the schools,” he said.
According to him, the sexual and reproductive health issues faced by Nigerian adolescents have assumed critical dimensions, with about 220,000 children already living with the virus.
He added that teenage pregnancy has been the single most important reason why girls don’t complete their schooling, aside from the rising cases of teenage abortions.
This, he said, has informed his choice of reproductive health education as a way of reaching out to the younger ones within Abuja Municipal Area Council. The schools already reached are The Regent Secondary School Mabuchi, Lightway Academy Secondary School Wuse II, and Command Day Secondary School, Lungi Barracks.
Also in the spirit of service, the corps member donated a set of beddings to the City of Refuge Orphanage in Maitama.
Aboki said his decision to donate the items was informed after his visit to the orphanage, when he saw four children sharing a single bed. The items donated include double-decker beds, mattresses, bed sheets, pillows and pillowcases.