The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Ojerinde spoke to NAN on the sideline of a three-day National Conference on Science, Technology and Mathematics (STM) Education.

The conference was organised by the Department of Science and Technology Education, University of Lagos, with the theme: “Application of New Technologies in Science, Technology and Mathematics Education”.

According to the registrar, there is no going back on the proposed Computer-Based Test (CBT) for all UTME candidates in 2015.

“Preparations are on top gear to ensure that the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is successful.

“I want to assure the public that we are working round the clock to ensure that we record huge success during our 2015 all computer-based test.

“We are creating more centres nationwide in addition to the existing ones.

“This is to ensure a successful migration into the CBT mode, and ensure that prospective candidates are carried along,’’ he told NAN.

The registrar said that JAMB was looking forward to having about 1.6 million prospective candidates for the examination nationwide in 2015.

“These include the visually impaired, who we have also taken into consideration as we prepare for the examination,” he said.

Ojerinde said that there would be a slight shift in the date for the examination in view of the 2015 general elections.

According to him, the examination may come up in March instead of April.

Ojerinde advised prospective candidates not to register at cyber cafes to avoid problems.

He said that the 156 centres approved for the UTME nationwide would henceforth serve as registration points for the examination.

The registrar said that this would minimise “the atrocities being perpetrated by operators of unapproved café’’.

Earlier, in his keynote address at the conference, Ojerinde said that the board had introduced innovative assessment practices in line with best practices.

He said that JAMB had become a pace-setter in the application of technology, but noted that the CBT administration as a paperless test mode was not without challenges.

“The board has faced the challenge of having skeptics in the system.

“Lots of stakeholders cannot fathom how the technology will work, giving the challenges of erratic power supply and lack of electricity in some rural areas.”

Earlier, Uju Esiobu, the Acting Head, Department of Science and Technology Education of the University of Lagos, said that the conference was organised to discuss ways ICT could be used in transforming STM education.

Esiobu said that it would also provide a forum for researchers and policy makers to share and transmit ideas, research results and practical experiences on the use of ICT.

Written By: Esther Faroye

When a woman gives birth and they tell her the baby is female, she rejoices that she has given birth to someone like herself, but that – unfortunately – is as far as it goes.

The girl-child, according to the holy scriptures, is the glory of her male counterpart. However, the society has turned the glory she deserves to the one she has to earn by seriously and constantly protecting herself. The society literaly inflicts a lot of pain on the girl-child in her journey, right from the womb to the tomb.

In some families, when a man has a female as first child, or the only set of children, he is seen by the larger society as weak. Discrimination right from childhood! Reversed is the case if he has a male as first child, only then is he seen as a “Man”.

Simply put, the girl-child is the evidence of her father’s weakness.

The girl-child is endowed with a closed sexuality that should only be opened when she gets married to the man she truly loves. Sadly, the society has however placed the girl-child in such a situation that she has to guard her loins well, and be physically strong, if that enclosed sexuality is not to be forcefully opened by a man she has not given her heart to, let alone her body. She is the victim of sexual abuse by her male-counterparts who have lost control of their manhood. Worst of all, these male-counterparts could be her own father, from whose body she came; her teacher, who taught her to always do the right; her uncle, who should have done all he could to protect her; a total stranger, who had no reason whatsoever to do such to her.

In some societies, the girl-child is the sacrificial lamb who has to step down for her male siblings to be educated. You hear them saying: “She should not know too much ABCD, else she would be disobedient to her husband,” or “She is going to end up in the kitchen after all”.

In reality though, these men hide their fears. There’s nothing scarier to them than a girl with a book. Not a soldier, or a bomb, or a gun, or a landmine. There’s nothing more dangerous than her enlightened mind, (Banky W).

Let’s peruse another societal injustice against the girl child called Child marriage. Child marriage is a marriage where one or both spouses are under 18. The girl-child is unduly the most affected. The practice of marrying young girls is rooted in the ideologies of controlling her behavior, and is also sustained by traditional practices such as dowry and bride price. Child marriage is strongly connected with the protection of her virginity. Marrying girls who are under 18 years old is a form of gender discrimination as it encourages premature and continuous child bearing and giving preference to boys’ education.

Child marriage is also a strategy for economic survival as families marry off their daughters at an early age to reduce their economic burden.

Consequent of child marriage, she is exposed to illiteracy, lack of employment prospects, increased risk of domestic violence, sexual abuse, early pregnancy and birth complications, social isolation amongst others. This is nothing but modern-day slavery!

You would think she is facing such restrictions because she is still young. What about when she matures into a woman? She is the one who is not fit for certain positions in the society, or the workplace. This is based on the errorneous belief that her male counterpart is intrinsically superior to her. As a job applicant, she faces discriminatory hiring practices and if hired, receives unequal financial compensation or welfare treatment compared to that of her opposite-sex peers. She has limited right in politics. She has to keep quiet in a gathering of both sexes. She cannot be in some military positions. She is the one who cannot choose a particular career-path because it is going to affect her role in the home. She cannot rule because she does not have the authority that comes with masculine features.

She is the one that has to continually keep fit if she is not going to lose her man to other things: work, drugs, alcohol etc. She is the one that has to ensure that her children turn out good. A Yoruba adage interprets thus: “The good child belongs to the father, while the bad one belongs to the mother”. Why? Is it because the mother is bad?

It has been forgotten that, even though, she does not possess nine ribs like her male counterpart, she is the one who carries his seeds. She is the life-carrier. She is the care-giver.

She was artfully and delicately moulded by the creator; she is His masterpiece. She is not just the missing rib, she is her man’s help-meet, his glory. She gives birth to him; she is her man’s mother, the fulfillment of the creator’s vision of pro-creation.

Endowed with the craft of home and hearth, she is a home-maker, capable of productivity and multiplicity. Though called the weaker vessel, she is tender and warm enough to be his mother, sister, friend and helper. She is beautiful, full of dignity and strength.

To the Girl-child

When you look at all the possibilities you bring into the world, you’ll see that they are more than the negativism the world inflicts on you. A quote says “It is better to give than to receive.” Continue to give the virtues you are endowed with, and you’ll see the world bowing down to protect you.

To the society.

In politics, she is not just your First-Lady; she could be your President. In the family, she is not just your wife or daughter, she is your mother. In royalty, she is not just your queen; she could be your Highness. In organizations, she is not just a co-worker; she could be your chairman. She has the strength, she has the innovation. Don’t limit her. The girl-child is to be treasured, nurtured, educated, and protected. She is not to be oppressed or discriminated against. A society that protects her young, especially her girls is the one that attains to exist for long. #BringBackOurGirls

By Abdullahi Ibrahim

Poor state of infrastructures in schools, lackadaisical attitude of teachers and students to teaching and learning as well as parents abdicating their roles in rendering support to complementing government’s support to fund education has been enumerated as some of the myriad of problems facing the education sector in Nigeria.

Capt Idris Wada, the Kogi State Governor, stated this at the 2014 Okun Education Summit themed “Community Participation in education monitoring and quality assurance in Okunland”.

The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, said despite the noticed education problems in the country, charity he noted must begin at home, and commended the steering committee for their initiative to encourage learning in Okunland.

Wada, who noted that the numerous problems facing education sector in the state is coming at a time the state is grappling with limited funds, said his administration has however resolved to bring back the lost glory that was associated with education in the old Kabba province under the old Northern Nigeria.

He disclosed that his administration has begun ‘The iconic school programme’ with the aim to rehabilitate all first generation schools in the state, as well as a comprehensive plan to audit teachers for better service delivery.

The governor disclosed his further resolve to pay the salaries of primary school teachers as soon as all the loopholes associated with the sector is resolved.

He described education as a legacy worth pursuing by all, assuring of his administration’s quest to make the state a pride of place in quality education.

Speaking at the occasion, Gen. David Jemibewon, Chairman of the Summit, in his message warned that not making efforts to reposition education in Okunland is a disaster that will not do the people any good.

Jemibewon disclosed that the fallen standard of education is now a major problem across the country, calling for concerted efforts that will restore passion in the youths for excellence and educational pursuit.

In his welcome address, Prof Albert. B. Olayemi, Chairman Steering Committee, Okun Education Summit, called for the revival of spirit of community participation in quality education for which Okun people are known for.

He said government alone is incapable of restoring the enviable position the Okun nation has lost in the education sector, and called for all Okun people to be in the forefront for advancing quality education that will help fight mass unemployment and unproductiveness currently noticed amongst Okun youths.

The summit featured several paper presentations on community participation and quality assurance by seasoned resource persons.

Professor Abdulrasheed Na’allah

By Dada Bamise

The Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University , Professor Abdulrasheed Na’allah, says the institution will continue to set the benchmark in the creation of viable innovations and intellectual capacity to efficiently explore the tourism potentials of the country.

Professor Na’allah gave the indication during a press conference in Ilorin to declare the take off of the institution’s School of Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management (STHEM).

According to him, the decision is borne out of the resolve to provide high level professional education in business administration in the country’s tourism sector as a platform to improve revenue generation avenues, as well as facilitate the socio-economic emancipation of the society.

Na’allah added that the already accredited programme will be based on the premise of Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management on a four- year academic calender, as a veritable platform of responding to the tourism capabilities of the state and the country towards propagating its potentials.

The Vice Chancellor noted that the institution being the pioneer of such tertiary education in Nigeria will further enhance students’ rapid career progress, provide them with a wide range of professional, advanced, theoretical and practical experience towards impacting positively in the society.

He charged stakeholders in the tourism sector to initiate concerted strategies to create a standard base for those in the profession so as to facilitate the growth of the relatively unexplored sector.

He also called on the state Ministry of Tourism as well as all local governments in the state to synergize with the institution towards making the state a tourist model of all eyes.

Written by: Isaac Atoyebi 

This is a century where technology has gotten to a very high level, where development seems to be the order of the day, and where the economic growth of any country appears to rely solely on the technological development of its people.

And in order to develop a nation, the level of literacy is expected to be high. This is so since achieving the so called development can only be attained and maintained by those who know how to operate or put into use the achieved development to derive maximum satisfaction.

Illiteracy, simply put, is lack of ability to read and write or lack of education. Illiteracy here, though, does not refer to those that cannot read and write alone, because even among the so-called educated elite, astonishingly, you still find a very high number of illiterates.

Unlike in the previous centuries or time when the general trend on illiteracy is basically about education, the world has now arrived in a century where illiteracy has gone far beyond just the ability to read and write, but to a whole new level of re-learning and updating the previously acquired knowledge.

Alvin Toffler, a sociologist, writer, and futurist said in his book, ‘Rethinking the Future’, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ‘unlearn’ as: “To put out of one’s knowledge or memory, and also to undo the effect of or discard the habit of”. There is so much we unlearn without much effort. Knowledge not often revised, skills not regularly practised and beliefs shattered by contradictory experience are all day-to-day examples of unlearning.

One may say, what about a situation where person’s knowledge, skills and beliefs serve him well and is therefore reinforced? How can he unlearn them in the face of a superior learning, which will serve him better?

Yes relearning and unlearning is important for a 21^st century literate, but this is not to say that one must do away with previous knowledge acquired on a particular topic or field in order to give way for new ones. However, it is the ability to acquire new ways of doing things and combining it with the previously acquired knowledge to derive an optimum and improved outcome.

The National University Commission (NUC) has approved the take-off of 10 new departments in the University of Jos, Plateau State.

Announcing this in a press conference yesterday, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Hayward Babale Mafuyai, added that all programmes being run by the university that were accredited by the commission.

He said the NUC Resource Verification teams had paid several visits to the university to assess the human and material resources available for the establishment of the new programmes, and have granted approval for their take off in full-time mode.

“It is with a sense of great pride but also with the utmost humility that I stand here today to report to you that the University is in receipt of a communication from the NUC conveying to us the Commission’s approval for the establishment of the full-time mode for the programmes to be run in the campus of the University only, effective from the 2014/2015 academic session”, he enthused.

The programmes, according to the VC, are; Civil Engineering (B Eng), Electrical /Electronics Engineering (B Eng), Mechanical Engineering (B Eng), Mining Engineering (B Eng), Criminology and Security Studies (B Sc), Music (BA), Physical and Health Education (BEd), Integrated Science Education (B Ed), Veterinary Medicine (DVM), and Agriculture (B Agric).

Justifying the establishment of these programmes, Mafuyai said, “The University of Jos needed to introduce programmes in areas that will maximally impact on the nations natural resources and ensure food security and technological development, given that the weather on the Plateau is unique and synonymous to the growth of certain exotic crop varieties, hence the justification for the establishment of a faculty of Agriculture in the university.

“The establishment of engineering programmes was also long overdue given the long history of mining activities in the state such that the university could be a transformational agent that would bring about the adoption of best practices in the mining sector in Plateau and country at large.

“Over the years, when there were outbreaks of Rinderpest disease in cattle, the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, came to the rescue by producing vaccines used for treating the infected cows. In this vein, the University of Jos is well positioned to give support to the provision of critical manpower in Veterinary Medicine that would impact positively on the nation.”

He said, “When I got into office, the task before us was crystal clear; we had to immediately set in motion the machinery for the actualisation of these programmes and this was done with utmost sense of responsibility having at the back of our minds that the notion that everything that needed to be done had to be done right.”

He called on all benefactors, especially the catchment area state governments to endeavour to build a robust partnership with the university by investing in the development of permanent structures that will house these new faculties and provision of facilities that would ensure their sustenance in order to safeguard the future of the next generation of citizens of the country.

Thisday

By Olarotimi Oshin and Esther Faroye

The health of a nation determines its wealth and as such budgetary allocation to health sector should reflect a high priority on the health of the populace.

The outgoing Provost of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ilorin, Professor Babatunde Omotosho, made the assertion to Batch B of the medical graduands of the college while advising the newly inductees to prepare their minds towards the challenges ahead of them as medical practitioners.

He also urged them to always have the oath taken in their minds and consider it as their second Bible or Quran by making lives of patients  priority before any other issue.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Abdul-Ganiyu Ambali, who was represented by Professor Babatunde Omotosho, said the institution is focusing on infrastructural development as the new college site has been approved.

The Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr Abdulmumini Ibrahim, who was represented by Dr Isaac Oludipe, urged the inductees to get familiar with the code of medical ethics, and prioritise lives of their patients.

In his own remark, the Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kwara branch, Dr Abubakar Ayinla, urged the new inductees not to lose their conscience, but to shun personal gains.

Authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Sunday, annouced the official release of the results of candidates, who participated in its post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

In a statement signed by the institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju, it was indicated that the results of 14,648 candidates were released, with 90 of them scoring above 300 marks out of the total 400 marks of the examination.

According to the statement, “out of the total number of 14,648 who participated in the screening, 7,779 candidates scored 200 and above”.

It added that “seven out of the eight candidates who emerged first, second and third applied to read Law while the eighth candidate applied to read English Education. One candidate scored 360, two candidates scored 352 each, and each of the remaining six candidates scored 348 to all emerged.”

It reads in part, Oladayo  Felicia (45027699HD), who scored the highest and came first got 360 (Law); two others, whose scores follow closely and came second are Adeagbo, Folakemi Olanike (45737901HC), 352 (Law) and Koye-Ladele Mofehintoluwa O(47368712CI),352 (Law), while third position goes to Iloabuchi, Emerie Collins (47185750II), 348 (Law);  Ayodele, Timothy Oluwaseun (47189939DE), 348, (Law); Odelami, Akintomiwa Akinleye (47194139EE), 348 ( Law); Ajayi, John Jesuferanmi (47198557HJ), 348 ( Law) and Ojo, Isaiah Olaonipekun (47356218GI), 348 (Edu/Eng) respectively.

The statement, therefore, enjoined candidates, their parents and/or guardian to check their children’s and wards’ results on the university’s website.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Bamitale Omole, has applauded the academic and administrative soundness of the members of staff, whose dedication to duty was described as a masterpiece, particularly on the just-concluded post-UTME screening exercise.

He thanked them for making the academic progress and overall development of the university their priority.

Tribune

The latest 2014 Webometric ranking of world universities has placed the University of Ilorin as the best in Nigeria.

The University Web Ranking conducted by International Colleges and Universities (4ICU) released last week Tuesday, July 29, 2014, adjudged Unilorin as the 20th best university in Africa and 1842nd in the world.

The 4ICU is an international higher education search engine and directory that constantly reviews accredited universities and colleges across the world. In the latest exercise, it ranked about 11,307 colleges and universities by web popularity in over 200 countries.

Meanwhile, a press statement by the university’s Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, at the weekend, quoted the Vice Chancellor, Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, as expressing delight over the new ranking, describing it as the product of hard work and dedication to service of every member of the university community.

In the 2014 University Web Ranking, the University of Lagos came second in Nigeria and 21st in Africa while the third position went to the Obafemi Awolowo University(OAU), which also came 26th in Africa.

Also, on the ranking table are: the University of Ibadan, 4th in Nigeria and 38th in Africa; the Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, 5th in Nigeria and 59th in Africa; Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, 6th in Nigeria and 63rd in Africa; the Federal University, Minna, 7th in Nigeria and 71st in Africa; the University of Benin, 8th in Nigeria and 82nd in Africa; the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, 9th in Nigeria and 87th in Africa and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 10th in Nigeria and 89th in Africa.

Professor Ambali, who congratulated the University Governing Council, headed by Obi (Professor) Chukwuka Okonjo, all lecturers and other stakeholders “for taking us thus far,” pledged that the university would “strive to become the best in Africa by the next ranking.”

The Vice Chancellor, however, urged all academic and non-academic staff of the institution to continue to put in their best in the service of the university.

The latest university ranking is a significant leap for the University of Ilorin, which has moved it from its last year’s fifth position in Nigeria and 56th in Africa to first and 20th positions, respectively.

Tribune

The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has been ranked the best in Nigeria, according to the 2014 University Web Ranking for Africa.

Although no Nigerian University made it to the top 10 Universities ranking being conducted by International Colleges and Universities (4ICU) and released on July 29, Unilorin was however, rated the 20th best in Africa and 1842nd in the world.

The 4ICU is an international higher education search engine and directory that constantly reviews accredited universities and colleges across the world.

For the latest exercise, it ranked about 11,307 colleges and universities by web popularity in over 200 countries.

Following University of Ilorin in the First place is;

2.  University of Lagos (21st in Africa)

3.  Obafemi Awolowo University (26th in Africa)

4.    University of Ibadan (38th in Africa)

5.    Landmark University (59th in Africa)

6.    Covenant University (63rd in Africa)

7.    Federal University of Technology, Minna (71st in Africa)

8.    University of Benin (82nd in Africa)

9.    University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (87th in Africa)

10.    University of Nigeria (89th in Africa)

Meanwhile South Africa and Egypt have 6 and 4 universities respectively in the list of Africa’s 10 best.

The UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, reacting to the latest Webometric ranking of world universities which ranked the University as first in Nigeria attributed it to hard work and dedication to service by every member of the university community.

A press statement by the university’s Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun, on Sunday, August 3, quoted the vice-chancellor as expressing delight over the new ranking, describing it as “one of the best so far by any university in Nigeria”.

It would be recalled that UNILORIN was ranked Number 6 in the list of TOP 100 Universities in Nigeria 2013.

-@informationng.com

AUTHORITIES of the Lagos State University, Ojo, say they are already in the process of returning a total of N69,307,000 to all students who paid the old controversial fees for the 2013/2014 academic session before the reduction by the state government was announced.

The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof John Oladapo Obafunwa, disclosed this while announcing the programme of activities for the university’s ongoing 19th convocation ceremonies.

He said the Bursary Department had compiled the list of all affected students, amounts to be refunded to each student and that a refund would be effected through cheques.

Tribune Education recalls that the university’s controversial new fee regime had triggered serious students’ unrest, which eventually led to the closing down of the school for several weeks.

Even the academic and non-academic unions on the campus were sympathetic to the students’ cause and had included the reduction of the fees in the list of their own demands to management.

After a series of consultations, the state government capitulated and reduced the fees to between 34 and 60 per cent of the original fees across the various faculties.

The least fee being paid in the institution now, according to the vice-chancellor, now stands at N766,750, while the highest a direct entry student in the Faculty of Engineering and College of Medicine) pays is N158,750, and a returning student in the same faculty/college pays N143,250.

Prof Obafunwa also disclosed that the university’s radio station, LASU 95.7 FM, donated by Chief Kessington Adebutu, had undergone test transmission and was ready for inauguration.

He also revealed that the International Business Machines (IBM) had just entered into collaboration with LASU (one of the two universities selected in Nigeria) for the uplifting of its computer science department; and that a team of engineers from the IBM was already on the campus installing equipment donated to the university for the project.

Culled from: http://tribune.com.ng

LAGOS — Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, yesterday reverted the school fees being paid by students of the Lagos State University, LASU, to the old rate of N25, 000.

This came as armed security operatives shot teargas canisters at the members of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU-LASU, who gathered few metres away from the entrance gate to protest their unpaid salaries.

The administration of Fashola had in 2011 hiked the fees to between N193,000 to N350,000, which led to massive protests by students, leading to the reduction in the fees from between 34 and 60 percent few months ago.

But during the 19th convocation ceremony of the school at its campus in Ojo area of Lagos, Fashola succumbed and announced total reversal of the school fees to the old rate of N25, 000.

The total 100 percent reversal of the fees elicited wild jubilation among students and parents, who commended the governor for doing the right thing.

According to the governor, “Our students have also shown that they can choose this path of conflict resolution. They have reached out to me for a revision of their fee, which I have acceded to, in consultation with the State Executive Council for reduction between 34 per cent and 60 per cent across board. In spite of this reduction, the students have again demanded for further reduction. And they have done so in the most civilised way. And because of this, we had to consult extensively and we have come to the conclusion that the current economic situation of the country compels a reduction to the old tuition fees for the institution.

“And this was a response to the yearning of parents, guardian, senior citizens of the country. I believe that with this, it will lead to the end of the activities of the busy bodies who have sorted to use a genuine issue of how to fund tertiary education in our country to gain public recognition. While other well meaning citizens of the state were busy making efforts on how the issue could be better resolved, they were busy instigating students and making mischief.

“Our students have shown that they value their education and will not fall prey to fear weather and self-seeking people who masquerade as their friends, but whose objective is to use the students’ genuine demands for their own selfish agenda. For me, we must now move on to the developmental work students’ arcade, which was ongoing in this great institution. This administration is determined to ensure that no child who seeks education is left behind.”

The governor commended the academic and non-teaching staff for their effort in ensuring that despite the nine months strike, they rallied round the Vice chancellor, Professor John Obafunwa to ensure that the students graduated yesterday, saying they ensured that academic activities went on in the hit of the strike.

But Vanguard gathered that the students, two months ago, sent another letter to the governor demanding total reversal to the old tuition fees paid before the increment in 2011.

In his address, Obafunwa said the convocation offered the institution the opportunity to confer first degree, diplomas, postgraduates and higher degrees to 11,791 graduands.

Obafunwa noted that since the current administration of the school assumed office, it had worked tirelessly to ensure that the backlogs of over 20,000 certificates were signed and graduands received their certificate on their convocation day.

SSANU protest

Earlier, Vanguard gathered that policemen arrested 10 executive members of SSANU-LASU at about 8:00 am and detained them for several minutes at the Ojo police command, Ojo Local Government before they were released.

Sources said the workers had on Wednesday embarked on a protest within the institution to remind the Governing council and the Vice Chancellor of the agreement signed by both parties.

Vanguard gathered that policemen shot over five teargas canisters into the air in front of the institution’s gate to disperse the crowd.

The action of the security operatives forced the protesters to scamper in different direction for safety while some of them sustained injuries.

Vanguard learnt that the act of the policemen halted activities within the institution for hours, as more workers joined the protest to demand for their entitlement.

The injured protesters were rushed to the institution’s medical centre.

Angered by the action of the policemen, the workers reconvened at the entrance of the institution hall, venue of the convocation and chanted several anti-Fashola and anti-Obafunwa songs for several minutes, to express their displeasure on how the school was being managed.

Speaking, chairman of SSANU-LASU, Mr. Oseni Saheed,  said they called off their strike based on the Memorandum of understanding, MoU signed between the union and management.

According to Oseni, “We have been on strike before the convocation and because of the 19th convocation; we decided to call off the strike which we embarked upon following the decision of the school management to withhold some of our staff’s benefits. Two weeks ago, the chairman of the governing council appealed to us to call off the strike and we yielded after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the management. Before we called off the strike, they have stopped the payment of the staff’s salary. It is unjustified to withhold the staffs’ salary. We gave them the ultimatum that the salary must be paid before August 5, 2014, rather than do that, they went on with their convocation.”

Also, the SSANU general secretary, Amoyemi Oluseyi, argued that the vice chancellor called for the protest, saying “Since the inception of his administration, the vice chancellor had lied to us and we cannot accept his lies anymore.”

Oluseyi, who was also arrested, said the senior staff members simply wanted their salaries pay, noting that the money “is with Obafunwa and he does not want to pay us. We want to have our salaries for the month of June and July. Our promotion must also be done.”

Vanguard

The National Open University of Nigerian, NOUN, has awarded full scholarship to the Paramount Ruler of the Isoko North Local Government Area community; HRM Francis Onovughakpor Ekhama.

The announcement was made as the people Emevor, a community in Delta State, celebrated the opening of a NOUN Study Centre in their domain.

Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Vincent Tenebe, who made the disclosure, said the monarch would study to any level of his choice at the institution.

“I mean every word of it. The Odion has to start burning his candle now to earn a degree free of charge”, he said.

“He is not the first to be so challenged. The Awujale of Ijebu Land, Ogun State, Oba Sikiru, who is 80 years old is a student of NOUN. He would soon graduate.

“This scholarship to His Majesty, added to the opening of a NOUN center at Emevor today, are all in our efforts at demystifying university education in Nigeria.

“One of the mission statements of the NOUN is bringing education to the doorstep of everybody in open and distance learning without undermining quality. By every standard, this Study Center represents the presence of a Federal University in Emevor.

“We are the only university that democratises university education, giving freedom and liberty to individuals to study at their own time, at their own pace without the barriers of limited admission space, distance, business engagements and even age that deny several persons university education in the conventional universities”.

“One of the mission statements of the NOUN is bringing education to the doorstep of everybody in open and distance learning without undermining quality. By every standard, this Study Center represents the presence of a Federal University in Emevor.

“We are the only university that democratises university education, giving freedom and liberty to individuals to study at their own time, at their own pace without the barriers of limited admission space, distance, business engagements and even age that deny several persons university education in the conventional universities”.

Tenebe said with the Study Center at Emevor, artisans, traders, full time housewives, and workers who had been restrained by their business or social barriers from gaining higher education in the conventional university now had the opportunity to gain tertiary education.

It is still unknown if the Emevor monarch would take advantage of the scholarship to enroll at the NOUN as he declined immediate response.

The apparently joyous monarch, who joined the Pro-Chancellor of the NOUN, Sen. Ameh Ebute, the VC and other dignitaries in declaring the center open, said he would make his decision known later.

http://dailypost.ng/2014/08/07/noun-opens-centre-emevor-awards-full-scholarship-102-year-old-monarch/?wt=4

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has promised to partner its computer-based test service providers to improve the registration process for candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions.

This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Bwari by Mr Fabian Benjamin, Head of Public Relations of JAMB.

The statement said that the board was particularly concerned about prospective Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates, who would sit for the examination in September.

The statement explained that the collaboration was intended at making the registration for the examination error and stress-free for candidates.

It, however, urged the service providers to upgrade their facilities to meet the stipulated guidelines on their centres and “keep regular checks at the existing system for maximum productivity”.

The board pointed out that the synergy with the service providers was in line with global best practices to enhance efficient and effective delivery of its services to candidates.

“The regulations guiding e-registration by prospective undergraduates have been reviewed at different times in order to eliminate problems and improve efficiency,” it said.

It announced that it had stopped engaging cyber cafes for registration of candidates, explaining that the measure was taken to tackle irregularities it observed in previous registrations.

It said that in the new registration process, a candidate would include pay non-refundable fee of N10, 000.00 to JAMB. (NAN)

Written By: Esther Faroye

The dream of every Nigerian undergraduate is to participate in the one year compulsory youth service and experience the glory behind the name “Corper” or “corps-member”. Even those who are not eligible for the scheme, sometimes, find their way in by either back-dating their age or falsifying some vital documents.

While many seem to have fun during the one year, others returned only to regret ever participating in the scheme in the first place.

The main purpose of the NYSC scheme is to enhance unity among Nigerians, and also to inculcate a sense of appreciation towards other people’s culture and ethnic groups in the corps-members.

Graduates are usually deployed to states outside their state of origin. Their states of deployment are usually very far from home (in distance and culture). They are expected to relate with people of other tribes, socio-cultural and religious backgrounds, and also to learn new ways of thinking and perception. Corps-members are usually re-deployed to their state of origin or a nearer state only in exceptional cases which can be attributed to health, family, or marital issues directly affecting concerned corps-members.

However, this purpose has become the bane of the programme as corps-members who are not able to adjust to the supposed ‘foreign culture’ (like food) end up falling sick.

Aside that, corps-members are faced with rejection by the foreign ethnic group as the group sometimes acts discriminately towards them. This is coupled with the many crises plaguing the nation. Corps-members, often, do not enjoy adequate protection in situations of crises. Their states of deployment are rarely able to protect their own indigenes, let alone foreigners. Several corps-members have been killed in the regions they were sent to due to religious, ethnic, or political violence.

The introductory three-week orientation camp is one of the experiences that many a graduate wants to go through. It is intended to give Corps Members a better understanding of the objectives of the NYSC Scheme and enable them internalize its ideals. It is also aimed at acclimatizing the members to their new political, cultural, social and economic environment as well as to instill discipline in the youths by giving them adequate physical and mental training.

Now, that sounds interesting, but the way this purpose is being achieved is sometimes inhumane! Corps-members are drilled during the orientation activities as if they were enrolling for core military profession. Sometimes, the military personnel in charge of drilling the corps-members handle them as if they were second-class citizens. A personal experience was when corps-members were left in the scorching-sun of a particular North-central state for up to 2hours because they rushed out of the over-crowded lecture hall before the exit of the then NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General Thomas Okorie-Afia. “Youths obey the clarion call…..under the sun or in the rain” is – after all – the NYSC anthem!

Asides, the appalling state of some orientation camps is nothing to write home about.

With the outbreak of the Ebola virus, corps-members are at a larger-risk and more vulnerable to contracting the disease especially at the orientation camp. At least 2,500 youths from different states of the country, and sometimes from foreign countries, are usually on the camp ground. Orientation camps are usually situated on the outskirts of a town or city so as to accommodate the large number of youths that will be attending and because of the nature of the training they are to undergo. Now, the suspected reservoirs for Ebola are fruit-eating bats which are most popular in these remote areas.

It is important to note that one of the means of contracting the Ebola disease is through body contacts. Experience shows that corps-members have close physical contact during various exercises at the orientation camps. Corpsmembers sweat excessively naturally during drillings and after that, they go either to queue for water or food. Due to the deplorable state of some orientation camps, the youths sometimes have to lap themselves to listen to lectures in their over-crowded lecture halls. How do we prevent Ebola outbreak in such situations?

In addtion, most people believe that corps-members earn a lot during youth service and so they should save the money for life-after-service. It is unfortunate to learn that corps-members posted to primary or secondary schools are poorly or rarely paid. In fact, some schools are in such a deplorable state that the corpsmembers had to executecapital projects for their places of primary assignment.

One of the aims of the NYSC scheme is to encourage members of the service corps to seek, at the end of their national service, career employment all over the country, by the virtue of the training they have received during the service. The training as expected should be in-line with a graduate’s course of study. However, for the past four years now, a major percentage of corps-members are being deployed to the educational sector, especially primary and secondary schools. And that, for a whole year! How else would the graduate get practical knowledge of his/her discipline? This is coupled with the fact that the school curriculum is basically theory-filled, with little or no opportunity for practical lessons.

Unfortunately, employers seek candidates with cognate experience of three years or more. Graduates are left to roam the streets. No wonder, those who studied non-academic courses are found teaching in secondary schools since that was the training they received during their one-year compulsory service.

In my own opinion and that of some former corpsmembers, I think it is better to allow graduates to rather spend that one year earning cognate experience that often impatient employers in the labour are looking for.

Leave A Commentposted in Discuss by Funmilola ajala

The West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) on Monday released its May/June Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results.

Announcing the release on Monday, the Head of National Office, WAEC, Mr Charles M. Eguridu, disclosed that a total of 1,705,976 candidates registered for the examination, while, 1,692,435 (929,075 male, and 973, 360 female) eventually sat the examination.

Of the total number of candidates that sat for the examination, 791, 227 candidates (46.75%) obtained six credits or above; 982, 472 candidates (58.05%) obtained five credits or above.

Furthermore, 1,148,262 candidates (67.84%), obtained credits in four subjects, while 1,293,389 candidates (76.42%) obtained credits in three subjects.

Mr Eguridu also revealed that a total of 529,425 candidates, representing 31.28%, obtained credits in five subjects or above, including English Language and Mathematics.

However, a total of 145, 795 results have been withheld as a result of instances of examination malpractice.

Mr Eguridu also announced the extension of registration for November/December 2014 WASSCE. “The Council has decided to extend the normal registration period for the November/December 2014 WASSCE to Sunday, August 17, so as to enable candidates who sat the last May/June examination, and who may have any deficiencies, to register for the November/December diet, if they so wish,” he added.

Tribune

A CROSS SECTION OF THE STUDENTS OF GOVERNMENT GIRLS
ARABIC COLLEGE ALKALERI LOCAL GOVERNMENT, DURING THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO THE SCHOOL ON SUNDAY

Proprietor of the Future Prowess Islamic Foundation, a school for orphans and vulnerable children in Maiduguri, Borno State,Barrister Zanna Mustapha, said at the weekend that facilities in his school are overstretched due to increasing number of orphans.

Daily Trust gathered that orphans have been flooding Maiduguri, due to the Boko Haram crisis.

Barrister Mustapha, who spoke at the graduation and prize giving day of the school, appealed to corporate and well meaning individuals to come to the aid of the school so that it can accommodate more orphans.

“We have over 2000 orphans on our waiting list but we cannot admit them now, because our facilities cannot cope. I am appealing to the Gordon Brown foundation and other organizations to assist us,” he said.

He said since the school was established eight years ago, 189 students have graduated and are now in unity schools across the northern states.

-@DailyTrust

Authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Thursday, announced further reduction in the tuition fees payable by students of institution, just as it urged undergraduates to exhibit discipline and commitment to their academic programmes.

In a press release signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the institution, Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju, the slash in tuition fees was attributed to the magnanimity of the management, under the leadership of the vice chancellor, Professor Bamitale Omole.

According to the release, “in a rare show of administrative magnanimity in university management, Professor Bamitale Omole has, again, proved that he runs an open and compassionate administration by graciously reducing the charges payable by the students of the OAU, Ile-Ife.”

The release added that “the reduction is sequel to the appeals from various stakeholders and the meetings held with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone D South-West, the Students’ Union leadership of Obafemi Awolowo University and other students’ stakeholders within and outside the university.”

With the newly reduced charges, returning undergraduates in Law, Arts, Social Sciences, Administration and Education (Arts) will now be paying N19, 700.

“Those in Science, Administration, Education (Science), Technology and Agriculture will now pay N27,700, while students in Medicine, Dentistry, Medical Rehabilitation, Nursing and Pharmacy will now pay N30,700,” the release added.

Tribune

The University of Ilorin Postgraduate Students Association (POGSASS) said on Monday it would organise a N100 million fundraiser for the construction of hostel accommodation for postgraduate students.

Mr Adebola Moses, the president of the association, stated this at the presentation of awards to distinguished individuals in Ilorin.

He said postgraduate students of the university needed accommodation they could call their own, and urged members of the society to support the association.

“It is only in serving others that we find the fulfilment that everyone is seeking in life.”

According to him, the award presentation is an avenue to promote dedication to service and humanity, as well as to inspire students to choose role models .

The Dean of Postgraduate School, Prof. Clement Bewaji and Mr Abraham Adavi, a Permanent Secretary in Kogi were among those honoured at the event.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Unilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, acknowledged the accommodation challenge on campus.

He said that no fewer than 105,000 candidates applied to study at the university this year whereas the institution had a quota of just 9,000.

“The population of students on campus is close to 30,000, but the number of hostels available on campus can hardly accommodate one-third of the students’ population.

“It is, therefore, important that universities welcome individuals who are ready to invest in accommodation on their campuses.

“So, it is not out of place if the postgraduate students of this university deem it wise to raise fund for the building of hostel,’’ he said.

The Dean of Postgraduate School, Prof. Clement Bewaji, who said he was by the award, expressed appreciation of the association’s efforts. .

He urged them to be diligent in their work knowing that such efforts would be rewarded. (NAN)

FATY/AFA/NOL
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Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has approved the outstanding promotion of teachers in all the public primary and secondary schools in the state.

The state Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr. Kolawole Kayode, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen shortly after a meeting with the governor at the Governor’s Office, Ibadan on Tuesday.

According to the NUT Chairman, the teachers’ promotion for 2010 and 2011 will take effect from September 1, 2014, stressing that promotion letters for the affected teaches will be issued to them immediately.

He said that the governor had given a directive to the State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to ensure speedy implementation of the promotion exercise.

Kayode also disclosed that the state government had also approved carrier elongation for primary school teachers with additional degree qualification alongside the National Certificate in Education (NCE) from Grade Level 14 to Grade Level 15.

He said that Gov Ajimobi expressed displeasure over the stagnation of the affected teachers, all of whom were university graduates, on GL 14 for years, directing that they should be moved to GL 15 with immediate effect.

In his contributions, the state Secretary of the union, Mr. Waheed Olojede, said the governor had approved payment of outstanding planning grants to secondary school principals and primary school head teachers, adding that grants for primary schools had been increased from N20 to N40 per pupil.

He also said that the state government had approved that the appointment of teachers be gazetted.

While presenting a copy of the gazette already approved for teachers in Saki zone, the NUT scribe said that government had made provision for the document which contains teachers’ records of service.

This, he said, would alleviate the stress of retiring teachers travelling to their last places of assignment to collate their records of service at the point of retirement.

Olojede pledged teachers’ loyalty and support for the Ajimobi administration, assuring the governor that teachers would reciprocate government’s gesture through dedication, hard work and commitment to their duties.