The Lagos State University (LASU) has begun issuing backlog of certificates to its graduates.
Over
100 graduates showed up Monday to collect their certificates at the
university’s main auditorium where the certificate unit of the Registry
has set up shop until January 1, 2019.
The
Principal Assistant Registrar/Head, Certificate Unit, Mr Olabode
Akinrimade, said in a statement by the university’s centre for
information, press and public relations (CIPPR) that 32,522 certificates
were ready for collection by those who could prove they had attended
the university.
Even if they cannot present the requisite document, Akinrimade said the university had measures to help identify the graduates.
He debunked claims that the university was withholding the certificates.
“Over
100 graduates turned up on the first day of the first day of the
certificates release/collection exercise. It is very untrue that LASU
is not releasing certificates,” he said.
The university’s Registrar, Olayinka Amuni, monitored the exercise on Monday.
The Students Union Senate Council of the University of Ilorin will
hold a “Students Parliamentary Summit” from November 1- November 3,
2018.
The Summit will feature orientation for 2018/2019 Senate Council of
the student Union on the day one, Inter University debate on day two and
legislative summit on the third day.
The orientation program is aimed at inducting new senators into 21st
century legislation, while the inter university debate is an avenue to
allow legislators across universities in Nigeria and invited west
African universities to debate on contemporary issues where winners
shall emerge.
The theme of the legislative summit is 21st Century Legislation; The Role Of Young Parliamentarians in Effective Governance.
A digitalized compendium will be launched on the day of the summit.
President of the Student Union Senate council, Senator Jesunifemi
Akano Joseph urged students of the institution to attend the occasion
and be assured that they will leave with additional knowledge.
Management of Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Offa local government of Kwara state said it has suspended two students of the institution suspected to be cult members.
The names of the students include Tajudeen Selim and Temitope Omotosho.
The state police command had early in the week paraded some students of the polytechnic for alleged involvement in cult activities.
Management added that before the students were paraded by the police, it reported the incidence of forceful initiation to security agencies based on the complaint lodged by the student who was forcefully initiated.
In a statement, polytechnic spokesperson Olayinka Aroye said the police’s quick response and intervention was responsible for the arrest.
Mr. Aroye said: “The two suspected students were suspended indefinitely pending the outcome of the police investigation and further findings on the matter.
Adewusi Vincent who was mentioned along with the two had ceased to be a student of the institution having been withdrawn from the Polytechnic since 2017 for poor performance.
“The management wishes to state unequivocally that cases of cultism have been a thing of past in the institution as the new management under Dr. Lateef Ademola Olatunji had purged the institution of all forms of cultism, gangsterism and other anti social vices since he came on board as Rector in 2017.
“Other offences such as examination malpractices, sexual harassment are also gross misconduct at the Polytechnic which attract outright expulsion from the institution. Students found culpable are equally handed over to the law enforcement agents for prosecution.
“The management, through its directorate of students’ affairs has put a lot of measures in place to checkmate cultism with the introduction of the use of security form for newly admitted students; regular sensitization of students where they are admonished to steer clear of cultism, hooliganism and other forms of social menace.
“And that they should be of good conduct everywhere they are in order to ensuring peaceful co-existence within and outside the polytechnic campuses and maintaining harmonious relationship with other colleagues and the host communities.
Since then, the students union executives and other students have been well behaved and have not been found wanting both in character and
learning.
It is on record that the Polytechnic enjoys a serene atmosphere, peace and tranquility than ever before.
“It was likely because of the institution’s zero tolerance for cultism and stern sanctions on offenders who contravene and breach the rule that led the suspects to have taken themselves outside Offa to perpetrate the acts.”
The Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC) has won the World Mathematics Team Challenge in the wake of overcoming famous schools over the globe.
Victor of the World Mathematics Team Championship, Oluwafemi Adedairo, said he was energized.
He stated: "It was a major amazement. I feel cheerful and amped up for it. I need to thank my educators and the god-like for this honor."
Talking at the NTIC grant giving service on Thursday, the Deputy Managing Director of NTIC, Mr. Feuzullah Filbin, said yesterday that likewise, the school additionally won 81 different awards in rivalries inside and outside the nation.
Talking yesterday amid the honor ceremnoy, Filbin said the school's achievement in the rivalries was because of diligent work by the understudies.
"The mystery behind our prosperity is the diligent work of the understudies and furthermore their committed instructors," he said.
Filbin included: "In this scholarly session, NTIC understudies took part in different rivalries where there made themselves, their families, the NTIC families, Nigeria and the Africa landmass everywhere pleased at worldwide scenes by coming back with 62 universal awards. 11 gold, 22 silver and 29 bronze decorations and created twelve first positions, four second-position and eight third positions at national rivalry.
"A portion of the rivalries took an interest in include: The Intellectual Challenge, University of Cambridge UK, GISUTECH-International Robotic and Technology rivalry UGANDA, GOLDEN Climate International Project Olympiad KENYA, International Math Challenge THAILAND, Malaysian International youthful designers, Mendel Biology International Olympiad KYRGYZTAN, Universal Competition for Educational Posters TADJIKISTAN, Universal Project Olympiad USA, World Mathematics Team Championship and Global Math Challenge, directed on the web.
"At National level, the understudies took an interest in rivalries, for example, Mathematics Without Borders, Nigerian Round, National Mathematics and Science Olympiad, Association of Chartered Certified Accountant, World Scholars Cup, Abuja Round and IQ League, Abuja."
Lagos State University ( LASU ) says it has presented an International Student Identity Card ( ISIC ) to fill in as a legitimate confirmation of recognizable proof for its understudies around the world.
As per LASU's legitimate release got by the newsmen enlistment for the ISIC started on Monday and will end on April 30.
The announcement said that ISIC would give LASU understudies a chance to be a piece of the biggest all around perceived, worthy and evident understudies' character.
It says the UNESCO-embraced ISIC is a travel permit for sensible markdown on products and ventures for understudies in chose undertakings universally and empowers them to pay less on trainings and courses.
"It is a solitary card for character, installment and access to profound rebate worldwide and gives the understudies a chance to spare cash every day both home and abroad.
"It offers rebate on movement, shopping, historical center, nourishment, stimulation, transportation, training, among others," it said.
The announcement said that ISIC likewise offered grant worth 10,000 dollars yearly in association with Global Study Awards British Council IELTS and STUDY PORTAL and understudies enrolled under it could profit.
In another improvement, the college has guided its understudies to swear a court oath to be of good lead.
LASU said the mandate was issued against the scenery of poor demeanor, moral laxity and some negative demonstrations showed by a few understudies of the foundation.
"In perspective of this, all understudies are thus asked for to present the sworn oath at the latest May 15, as inability to consent to the order by any understudy will draw in sanctions," it said.
350 results of blind candidates to be released later
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board says it has released the
results of 1,502,978 candidates who sat for the 2018 Unified Tertiary
Matriculation Examination.
The board disclosed this in a statement signed by its Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the board released the results after
viewing all CCTV footage during the conduct of the examination and also
after considering reports from its supervisors who monitored the
exercise.
The board stated that a total of 1,652,825 candidates registered for
the 2018 examination, adding that the results of 112,331 candidates were
yet to be released.
It noted that “out of the number yet to be released, 350 are results
of blind candidates which would be released soon, while 111,981 results
were being withheld for further screening.”
The board stated that the figure excluded foreign candidates whose examination was scheduled for April.
The 2018 UTME commenced on March 9 and ended on March 19.
The board said that unlike the 2017 exercise, release of results would not be immediate,
adding that JAMB would scrutinise candidates’ results before releasing them to avoid multiple cancellations later.
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has won yet another
national acclaim as the University of the Year Award 2017. This time
around, it is from Daily Asset Newspapers which gave the Award at its maiden Annual Awards and Lecture of Daily Asset
with the theme “Democratic Leadership: Imperative for Peace, Justice
and Development in Nigeria” which took place at NICON Luxury Hotel,
Abuja.
In a letter conveying the cheering news dated December 27, 2017, Dr.
Cletus Akwaya, the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of the newspapers, said:
“On behalf of the Board, Management and staff of the Asset Newspapers
Limited (Publishers of Daily Asset Newspapers), we are pleased to inform you of the decision of the Editorial Board to nominate Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, for the Daily Asset University
of the Year Award 2017. The nomination of your university for this
award was without (any) influence whatsoever from any quarters as it was
purely based on merit”.
Justifying the rationale for the award, Akwaya added: “According to
the National Universities Commission (NUC), the country today has no
fewer than 162 universities. Of this figure, 40 are federal
universities, 46 are owned by states while private universities account
for 74. Standing proudly tall among them is a private university, Afe
Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, which is a non-for-profit
private university founded by renowned Lawyer, Senior Advocate and
philanthropist, Aare Afe Babalola, in 2009.
“The university offers academic programmes in six colleges: College
of Sciences, College of Law, College of Engineering, College of Social
& Management, College of Medicine & Health Sciences and College
of Post-graduate Studies. It graduated its first set of students on
October 21, 2013. Afe Babalola University holds the reputation for being
one of the few Nigerian universities to have commenced academic works
on its permanent site.
“What is more, at a time most universities are finding it difficult
to expand, ABUAD has built its own ultra-modern 400-bed Multi System
Hospital, reputed to be one of the best of its kind in Nigeria. The
university is reputed for its sterling academic programmes and
discipline which has made it possible by the fact that all its students
are resident on campus.
“Here is a university that does not have any history of cultism in
any shape or form as a result of strict enforcement of discipline. The
growing reputation and stature of the university is made possible by its
Founder, Aare Afe Babalola. For being a world-class university operated
on the principle of not-for profit and the continuous investment
towards its expansion to enhance the country’s educational development.
The Daily Asset Board of Editors has chosen Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti as the University of the Year 2017″.
The place of the Multi System Hospital has been corroborated by
top-rate medical educators like Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole, the
Minister for Health, who said: “This hospital will offer us what we
hitherto believe cannot happen in this country. It will also improve the
poor health indicators in Nigeria. With what I have seen here today,
this hospital matches the best in the world and it will certainly put an
end to medical tourism outside Nigeria.”
Prof. Temitope Alonge, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), University
Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, said: “I have worked in many hospitals
both here in Nigeria and in Europe. This hospital beats most hospitals
where I have worked in Europe. This surely will be the answer to outward
medical tourism. With what is here in this hospital, there is no reason
why any of our doctors should want to go abroad for their Sabbatical.
All they need is here.”
Presenting the Award to the Provost, College of Sciences, Prof.
Abiodun Ojo, who represented Babalola at the event, the Bauchi State
Governor Mohammed A. Abubakar, implored other wealthy Nigerians to
borrow a leaf from Aare Afe Babalola, who has ploughed his all into
establishing one of the best universities in Nigeria in his self-impose
assignment of entrenching quality and functional education in Nigeria.
Former Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, who chaired the
occasion, caused a mild stir at the ceremony, when he requested
Babalola, who was represented by Prof. Ojo to present the Governor of
the Year 2017 Award to Governor Abubakar of Bauchi State. Babangida
Aliyu, a true friend of ABUAD was operating on the premise that he was
not “qualified” to present such a high-pitch Award to Abubakar when
Babalola was present, albeit in a representative capacity.
An obviously elated Babalola thanked the management of Daily Asset Newspapers
for the honour done to his nine-year old university which has been
carting home numerous awards from all fronts, adding that the Award was a
call to duty or a call to more duty, a catalyst that will propel,
ginger, inspire and encourage the university to want to do more now and
in future. He expressed his happiness that people and organisations
around the world are noticing and appreciating what his university has
been doing since it commenced academic works on January 4, 2010. FacebookTwitterGoogle+PinterestLinkedIn
There are indications the ongoing strike by non-teaching staff of universities may not end soon.
It was gathered the federal government has concluded plans to invoke
the no work, no pay policy despite efforts by the Senate to mediate in
the industrial face-off.
Non-teaching staff of universities have been on strike since December
4, 2017 over failure by government to implement the agreement signed by
both parties in September 2017 as well as the Memorandum of
Understanding(MoU) signed by the unions and government in February 2017.
The three non-teaching staff union under the auspices of the Joint
Action Committee comprises the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian
Universities (SSANU), the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the
National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
Our correspondent gathered exclusively that the Minister of Labour,
Senator Chris Ngige, who is the Chief Conciliator in all industrial
disputes, has written to the Federal Ministry of Education to invoke
the no work, no pay policy on the striking workers, describing their
action as illegal.
The minister last year warned that government will invoke the policy
on striking workers as it will no longer fold its hands and watch
workers embark on strike at will to disrupt government programmes.
The letter from the Minister of Labour may jeopardise efforts of the
National Assembly to intervene and resolve the matter amicably.
Although our correspondent could not gain access to a copy of the
letter, a competent source close to the minister confirmed the
development.
The source said: “Yes, the minister has written to the Ministry of
Education as well as the Ministry of Health to invoke the no work, no
pay policy on striking workers.
“I don’t have the details of the letter. But I can confirm to you
that the letter has already been dispatched to the relevant ministries.”
When contacted, National Chairman of the Joint Action Committee of
the non-teaching staff and President of the Senior Staff Association of
Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Comrade Samson Ugokwe, said the unions
were yet to be informed about the existence of such a letter.
“We consider that as a rumour because we have not been informed. We
have official means of communication with the ministry and they have not
informed us.
“We have been talking with the ministry of education. But when they
inform us about the directives, we will then know how to handle it.
“For now, we will assume that such a letter does not exist because if it does exist, we will know what to do.”
General Secretary of the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Deputy
President of the NLC, Comrade Peters Adeyemi, described it as an act of
intimidation against workers to abandon their legitimate demands.
Adeyemi, who accused the minister of abuse of power and taking sides
with the academic staff against the non-teaching staff, said that it was
ridiculous for Ngige, who has the responsibility to ensure industrial
harmony, to suddenly declare the strike as illegal after almost 60 days.
“If the minister feels that this strike is illegal, let him go to
court. We are not going to be intimidated about that,” he declared.
The students protest
that forced management to close down the Benue State University ( BSU ),
Makurdi was masterminded by students with carry-overs, according to its
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Msugh Kembe. “The protest that took
place today (Friday) was masterminded by students with many
carry-overs, who are not sure they will graduate and want to frustrate
the whole system,” Kembe told our on Friday in Makurdi. The students had
locked all entries into the school and barred the management and
lecturers from entering the campus because they were stopped from
writing their examinations for failing to pay school fees. Some students, who
spoke with our reporter on condition of anonymity, claimed that they
could not pay school fees because their parents working with the state
government had not been paid salaries for several months.
But Kembe, who described the students’ attitude as “strange”, said that those involved in the protest did so out of fear. “They (students) had
no reason to embark on the protest. It is some of them that are behind
in their academic performance that staged the protest so as to prolong
their stay in the school, and not because of school fees. “Citing school fees is
not tenable because management explored all available avenues to enable
those yet to pay their fees, to write the examination. “We issued forms for
such students to sign undertakings to pay their fees after their
examinations, but majority of the students rejected the undertaking. “Some of them claimed
that their parents were civil servants, so we asked them to present
post-dated cheques, but the students rejected the idea,” he said. The Vice Chancellor
said that out of 25,000 students, only 17,000 registered, while 8,000
were yet to register or pay their fees.
According to him,
those that refused to register were afraid that they might not pass the
examinations and decided not to waste their money. He advised parents to pick up their children from the school as it had been closed down until further notice. “The closure is a proactive measure to avoid destruction to school property,” he said. Kembe said that the second semester examination that commenced on Monday had been put off. Efforts to speak with
Mr David Tyolumun, President of the BSU chapter of the Students Union
Government, were not successful, but an official of the union said that
the students were protesting against injustice. “We are not being
treated fairly and want the whole world to know our plight,” the
official, who pleaded anonymity, told our reporter. NAN
THE Supreme Court has set aside the 1999 sack of Mrs. Aize Imonokhome
Obayan (now a professor) as a lecturer and Reader in the Department of
Guardian and Counselling, University of Ilorin.
The apex court, in a unanimous judgment by a five-man panel, led by
Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, dismissed the appeal by the university, its
Governing Council, Tunde Balogun (listed as the registrar) and Prof.
Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem (listed as vice chancellor) for lacking in merit.
The court upheld the argument by Prof. Obayan’s lawyer, John
Baiyeshea (SAN); accepted the March 10, 2005 judgment given in her
favour by the Court of Appeal and ordered that she be restored to her
office and paid salaries, allowances and other entitlements from
September 1999 (when she was sacked) to date.
Prof. Obayan, Vice Chancellor of the Landmark University and ex-Vice
Chancellor of Covenant University, was employed as a lecturer in 1986 in
the Department of Guardian and counselling of the University of Ilorin.
She applied in 1997 for sabbatical leave, which was approved by the
institution’s Appointment and Promotion Committee. She then proceeded to
the School of Psychology and Counselling, Rose Hampton Institute,
London for further studies.
She later got her employer’s permission for another one year’s leave of absence.
At the expiration of the one year’s leave of absence, she again
applied for four-month extension of her leave, which the institution
claimed to have rejected via a letter dated March 25, 1999, which she
denied receiving.
On her resumption on September 1, 1999, the institution wrote her a
letter dated September 22, 1999 informing her that she had voluntarily
terminated her appointment with University of Ilorin “for failing to
report for work after the expiration of the additional one-year leave of
absence,” a decision she challenged at the Federal High Court, Ilorin.
The Federal High Court, in its judgment, dismissed her case,
following which she appealed to the Court of Appeal, which, in a
judgment on March 10, 2005, reversed the decision of the High Court and
voided her sack, a decision the university, its Governing Council,
Balogun and Abdulraheem appealed to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court, in its judgment delivered on February 2, upheld
the judgment of the Court of Appeal, particularly its finding that the
University of Ilorin failed to prove that it delivered to her its letter
dated March 25, 1999, refusing her request for four month’s extension
of her leave of absence.
The lead judgment written by Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs noted that
the kernel of the appeal was substantially “the receipt or non-receipt
of a letter said to have been written on 25/3/99 by the appellants and
mailed to the respondent in her overseas address, which the respondent
denied receiving”.
The apex court noted that, not only did Prof. Obayan deny receiving
the letter dated March 25, 1999, one of the institution’s witnesses at
the trial court also supported her claim by testifying to the effect
that the letter was not delivered to her.
It said: “In her evidence under cross-examination, Mrs. Modupe
Olulade, who testified as DW1 (defence witness 1) admitted that she did
not send fax or courier to the respondent. When she was asked the
question: ‘Between March and September 1999 there was no communication
to plaintiff by the university?’ Her reply was yes.
“Having admitted that, between March and September 1999, there was no
communication to plaintiff by the university and the
respondent’s (Prof. Obayan’s) evidence that it was when she returned
from the UK in September 1999 that she received Exhibits 9 and 10
(approvals for one-year sabbatical and one-year leave of absence), the
burden of proving that the letter written on 25/3/99, refusing to grant
the four months’ extension was received by the respondent in her U.K.
address, rested with the appellants.”
The Supreme Court said it was satisfied by the conclusion of the
Court of Appeal to the effect that the failure of the appellants (who
were respondents at the lower court) “to establish their own claim that
they communicated Exhibit 26 (the letter refusing her request for
additional four months’ leave) to the appellant, on the other hand would
be more fatal to their defence and, considering the circumstances, form
a solid prop for the appellant’s case.
“They had the duty of communicating their refusal to her, otherwise
their silence, coupled with other conduct on their part, could be
construed as tacit approval of her application for extension, in which
case the question whether or not they wrote Exhibit 19 would pale into
insignificance.”
The Supreme Court also held that the Court of Appeal properly invoked estopel by conduct in favour of the respondent as stipulated by section 169 (formerly Section 151 of Evidence Act).
The court faulted the manner her employment was terminated and held
that the respondent was denied fair hearing by the appellants in their
decision to terminate her employment.
Justice Akaahs said, in the lead judgment: “I find that this appeal
is totally devoid of any merits and it is accordingly dismissed.
“I further affirm the judgment of the lower court delivered on 10
March 10, 2005, which ordered the respondents (now appellants) to
reinstate and restore the plaintiff to her post as a lecturer and Reader
in the Department of Guardian and Counselling of the university and to
restore to her all rights, entitlements and other perquisites of that
office and to pay her salaries, allowances and other entitlements from
September 1999 to date.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the plaintiff is still in the service of
the University of Ilorin. I assess the cost of this needless and
vexatious litigation forced on the respondent at N500,000 in favour of
the respondent and against the appellants.”
Other members of the panel – Justices Ariwoola, Amina Augie, Paul Galinje and Sidi Bage – agreed with the lead judgment.
The University of Ilorin Debate Team has won the maiden edition
of the Genesis Debate tournament held at the University of Ghana,
Legon. The competition, which held between January 4
and 7, 2018, is an international open tournament with participants drawn
from universities in Nigeria, Ghana and Mauritius. Other
institutions that participated in the tournament were: the University
of Ghana, Legon; Covenant University, Otta; the University of Lagos; the
Zenith University College, Accra; the Federal University of Technology,
Akure; the Islamic University College, Accra; the University of
Calabar; Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration
(GIMPA), Accra; Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti; Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology, Kumasi; Africa Leadership
University, Mauritius; and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,
Umudike. The University of Ilorin Debate Team was also awarded three of the top 10 speakers' medals, and the Best Female Debater Award. Members
of the Team Unilorin at the tournament were Omotayo Jimoh, Hawau Abikan
and David Ejim. Also, a student of Unilorin, Adekunbi Ademola, served
as the Co-Chief Adjudicator of the competition.
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin ( UNILORIN ), Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem,
says in spite of the challenges posed by the ongoing nationwide non-academic
staff strike and fuel crisis, the university will not join the strike.
Abdulkareem made this assertion on Monday in Ilorin at a three-day unscheduled
visit to the various faculties of the university to monitor the ongoing registration of
fresh students.
Speaking at the Faculty of Physical Sciences, the vice-chancellor said his
administration was determined to work for a near seamless take-off of academic
activities.
He said the ongoing strike of the non-academic staff was a challenge to
everybody.
The vice-chancellor said he had made several visits to Abuja to sort-out delays in
the payment of earned allowances of both the academic and non- academic staff.
Read also: Imafidon and Unilorin
He noted that today his efforts were yielding fruits, adding that the goal of the
University was to ensure academic stability, so that students graduate at the right
time.
Abdukareem commended all the staff of the University for keeping the academic
calendar running in spite of fuel crisis pains and ongoing nationwide non-academic
strike.
He said the university administration recognised the authorities of the labour unions
both locally and nationally, and would desire obedient workers who recognise and
reference authorities no matter how inconvenient.
He however, noted that peace would soon be restored in the education sector.
“But while negotiations are ongoing, let’s go the extra mile to keep our calendar
running,” he pleaded.
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation),
Prof. Gabriel Olatunji, who was also, among the team that visited the faculties,
suggested that faculties should adapt to the current challenges.
Olatunji further suggested that the Faculty of Agriculture should split the
registration centres to five in order to reduce the long queues observed at the
faculty.
He also advised that it was possible to screen fresh students using youth corps
members and PhD students and thus stick to the academic registration deadlines
despite non-availability of some workers.
The Dean of Agriculture, Prof Kola Joseph, listed delays in uploading registration
courses by level advisers; delays in clearing students from Central Admission Office
and poor internet connectivity as the challenges facing the faculty.
Others are shortage of manpower and paucity of funds among others. He urged the
university management to send more officers to assist the faculty in the registering
of the students.
NAN
Members of staff and students of the Lagos State
University ( LASU ) said on Thursday that the
institution had experienced positive changes in
the first two years of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof.
Olanrewaju Fagbohun, in office.
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State
appointed Fagbohun as eighth substantive Vice-
Chancellor of LASU on January 6, 2016 and
inaugurated him on January 11, 2016.
Fagbohun, a professor of Environmental Law, was
appointed following Ambode’s approval of five-
year single-term tenure for all helmsmen of the
state-owned tertiary institutions.
Fagbohun’s appointment also followed the
expiration of the tenure of Prof. John Oladapo
Obafunwa, the seventh substantive Vice-
Chancellor of the institution on October 31, 2015,
after which Prof. Fidelis Njokanma, Deputy Vice-
Chancellor (Academics) held office as Acting
Vice-Chancellor.
Mr Saheed Oseni, Chairman, Senior Staff
Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU),
LASU Chapter, told NAN that several segments of
the institution had to a large extent, experienced
transformation within the last two years.
Oseni said although there were ups and downs
which were humanly inevitable, the incumbent
vice-chancellor’s administration was quite
commendable .
He, however, urged Fagbohun not to rest on his
oars, but to initiate policies that would bring
more smiles to the workers’ faces because the
end justifies the means .
“To a large extent, things have been transformed
in LASU within the last two years; but the vice-
chancellor must endeavour to do more because it
is not the beginning that matters, but the end.
“He must also ensure that all pending contentious
issues are resolved amicably, while the rule of law
must be upheld to the letter while making sure
that no party within the system is unjustly
treated, ” he said.
Mr Samuel Olalere, President of LASU Students
Union (LASUSU) said the university was not what
it used to be, because it had seen a lot of
progress.
Olalere said the students community was pleased
with the current administration and its system
because the atmosphere in the campus had been
relatively serene.
“This is my fourth year in LASU and I would not
have been involved in students unionism if it was
the LASU of then.
“But because things have really changed under
Prof. Fagbohun, and we are enjoying peace, that
is why I am now a student union leader,” he said.
Read also: LASU undergoing
internal cleansing – Spokesman
Olalere, however, urged Fagbohun to continue to
maintain the peace enjoyed within the university
community and to ensure that the LASU brand
was incomparable globally.
Mr Adekoya Martins, the University Spokesman,
said that LASU had witnessed tremendous
improvement in all facets within the last two
years, compared to its 35 years of existence.
Martins said that Fagbohun’s achievements so
far hinged on the Lagos State Government’s
support and funding, to ensure that all roads in
the institution are in good shape and to ensure
the community was well lit.
“Other infrastructure being put in place, aside
beautifying the entire university environment,
include installation of a new generator at the
Faculty of Arts, renovation of some classrooms
and the university’s Iba road entrance,” he said.
According to him, the restoration of peace in the
university has ensured uninterrupted academic
calendar within the period.
“Staff, within the two years administration, got
their outstanding and due promotion; and no staff
duly qualified was denied promotion, while the
end of the year package was improved upon,” he
said.
Martins said the Open and Distance Learning and
Research Institute (ODLRI) established to replace
the LASU External system which was recently
phased out was recently approved by National
Universities Commission.
NAN
Members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Moshood
Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) Abeokuta Chapter, on Wednesday suspended
their strike, which is now over three months old.
The suspension was announced by the chapter’s Chairman, Mr Kola
Abiola, after a congress held at the institution’s campus to resolve the
crisis between the Ogun State Government and the union.
Abiola stated that the congress decided to call off the
strike following the pressure put on it by many concerned prominent
personalities in the state.
He, however, said the union was hopeful that its demands would be met
by the government to prompt it to conduct the suspended semester
examination.
“Today, we had an emergency congress and after several appeals by
eminent stakeholders within and outside the state, the congress
therefore decided to suspend the strike.
“The government is aware of all our key issues, all the issues which resulted in the strike are all known to the government.
“When the crisis started we actually went to prominent personalities
to intervene and now that they have intervened we think it is high time
we give government the room for discussion while academic activities go
on.
“We have suspended the strike, and it is now left for the management
to announce when academic activities will commence,” the chapter
chairman said.
Abiola explained that the union had never blackmailed anybody during
the crisis, saying that on no occasion did MAPOLY ASUP insulted the
state government.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the union and the state
government had been at loggerheads over the institution’s upgrading to
Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology.
The union also had issues with the government over the planned
transfer of some of the institution’s lecturers to the newly-established
Ogun State Polytechnic at Ipokia.(NAN)
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar Prof Ishaq
Oloyede has said no fewer than 200 million candidates are expected to
register for this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations
(UTME).
Prof Oloyede declared that the examination body returned N7.8 billion
to the Federal Government coffers from the proceeds of examination
forms sold in 2017.
He stated that the fund was sourced from the N12billion income made during the year.
He said the board had effected changes in the process and procedure
for registration and conduct of examination for candidates to curb
hitherto malpractices in the processes.
The JAMB boss told reporters at the weekend in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.
He said contrary to the insinuation that the board increased the
examination fee, which enabled the milestone, the JAMB boss said the
agency rather made some reductions in the fee payable for the
examination.
He said the examination board also significantly reduced the amount
paid for exam by foreign applicants, maintaining that it was aimed at
encouraging huge number of them.
Oloyede informed that the agency introduced Central Admission
Processing System (CAPS) in the bid to address the imbalance observed in
the admission process for the applicants.
He noted that with the introduction of the system, the process of
admission into higher institutions of learning in the country has become
more transparent, saying there was no need for any institution to come
to the Headquarters of the board for certain rectitude.
Oloyede, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, said
the system involved by the agency is making 90 percent of admission to
be based on merit.
He also stated that the board had expanded its facilities by spending
N1billion last year, adding that 15,000 centres would be created for
prospective UTME candidates this year.
On his stewardship, he said: “It has been very tough but it has also
been very rewarding. When we started in 2015 we did not realize we were
going into a serious war. Initially we thought it is a call to duty,
but when got there we realised it was not going to be easy because of
entrenched interest. With capacity and network of such interest if you
are not careful one will derail.
“We have conducted the first exams with the new technology in 2017
and now we have started selling the registration forms for 2018 UTME.
At that time many people were saying only one month for JAMB
registration. Some genuinely and some mischievously. The genuine ones
wondered to register about 200 million candidates is too short a period.
To me I believe that is the right way to go. For example prior to
2016 we used to sell JAMB for between five and six months in theory, but
practice we sell 90 percent of the form in 30 days.
Because many people did not have the fact of the new method, even the
National Assembly, they say we should extend it to two months.
“Within the last one year students across the country had paid over
N300 million to JAMB for change of names for wrong spelling at the CBT
centres.”
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos,
Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, says Nigerian
universities can be the best in Africa, if they can
enjoy a stable academic calendar.
Ogundipe made the observation in an interview
with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on
Thursday in Lagos.
The vice-chancellor was reacting to incessant
strikes by labour unions in the Nigerian university
system.
According to him, there is the need for education
stakeholders to effectively manage issues that
result in strikes.
“Universities especially the first generation ones in
the country can be ranked best in Africa, if we can
continue with a stable academic calendar.
“There is need for everyone to look inward to
ensure that we are always able to manage crisis
in the system so that the country’s universities
can be ranked among the best in the world,”
Ogundipe said.
He also said that there was the need for the
stakeholders to take university administration and
related issues more serious.
Ogundipe urged that Nigerian university
administration should be done in line with best
practices.
“We are talking about global ranking of
universities, and here we are, still grappling with
issues of strike,” he said.
“An instance is the ongoing strike by the three
non-academic staff unions of universities.
“This does not speak well of us as a country
because one cannot rule out their relevance in the
running of the system.
“As a manager of a university, I know that their
strike has an effect on the operations of the
institutions,” he said.
.The don noted that many facilities for a
conducive teaching and learning environment
were being handled by the non-academic staff.
“But I am sure that the academic staff would be
up to their assignments.
“This group of staff is not on strike.
“The classrooms are open; as we resumed on
December 27, lectures have commenced in most
faculties in our university.
“The strike is nationwide and not local; there is
little the university on its own can do,” he said.
According to him, the striking unions under the
aegis of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) have
been reasonable in their conduct.
.“They are on strike, no doubt about that. Nobody
has forced them to come to work since the
declaration of the strike to the best of my
knowledge.
“My message is that there is need for an urgent
and continuous dialogue between the striking
workers and the Federal Government.“Dialogue is
key,” he told NAN.
NAN reports that the striking unions, under the
aegis of JAC, had on Sept. 11, embarked on a
nationwide indefinite strike over theon-
implementation of an agreement they entered into
in 2009 with the Federal Government
The Lagos Zone of the Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU), on Wednesday demanded the
setting up of an independent panel of inquiry to
investigate the crisis at the Lagos State
University, Ojo and the attendant sacking of seven
lecturers among others.
The Lagos Zone of ASUU comprising of Federal
and State universities in Lagos and Ogun, also
called on the Kogi State Government to reverse its
decision regarding the sacking of over 150
academic staff of the Kogi State University,
Ayungba and re – instate the affected lecturers.
Addressing journalists at the ASUU office in
Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB)
Abeokuta, the Lagos Zonal Coordinator, Prof.
Olusiji Sowande, described the treatment mete
out to their colleagues in Lagos and Kogi State
Universities as acts of “impunity and crude
political onslaught” on the union.
Olusiji added that they were calculated to
“intimidate, harass and decimate” lecturers in
both institutions.
According to him, the zone was mandated by the
national body of the union to look into the crises
at LASU and KSU and give recommendations.
The Zonal Coordinator briefed journalists in
company of other ASUU executives – Deji
Agboola of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago
Iwoye, Dr John Fayemi of Tai Solarin University of
Education, Ijagun, and Dr. Dele Ashiru of
University of Lagos.
Others are; Dr Akinloye Oyewumi of Lagos State
University and Dr Adebayo Oni of FUNAAB.
He alleged that members of the union in LASU
were being hounded by the Vice-chancellor, Prof.
Lanre Fagbohun, for demanding constitution of a
functional budget monitoring committee.
He also said members had asked for evidence of
proper utilisation of the N1.3bn NEEDs
Assessment Revitalisation fund released to the
institution in 2013.
Sowande explained that their colleagues
incurred the wrath of the management of LASU
for demanding the implementation of Earned
Academic Allowances components of the ASUU-
FGN 2009 Agreement.
He said the union had written a letter to the
visitor to the institution, Governor Akinwunmi
Ambode, over the issue.
The Union also expressed its displeasure over the
recent increment of acceptance fee from N10,000
to N20,000 by the Institution .
He said: “ASUU, Lagos zone joins the Education
Right Campaign in calling for an independent
panel of inquiry on the unfolding crisis in LASU
with a view to resolving it before the crisis
becomes a monster that will be difficult to curtail.
“We call on governor of Lagos State, Mr.
Akinwunmi Ambode to call some of his
functionaries to order as there are evidences that
they are working in tandem with Vice Chancellor
of LASU and some members of the governing
council to fuel the crisis in LASU
“Our union should not be held responsible for any
eventual crisis in LASU.
“The real motive of the LASU’s management for
hounding our members is to silence them and we
are going to resist it.
“We want an independent panel of inquiry to be
set up by the visitor, Governor Akinwunmi
Ambode. If this is not done, the problem will
keep reoccurring.
“A case in point is that of the treasurer of LASU
branch, Dr. Oluwakemi Aboderin-Sonibare was
queried for demanding that her promotion should
be correctly dated”.
On Kogi Varsity crisis, Sowande condemned the
sacking of 150 members of academic staff of the
University, describing it as impunity and high-
handedness by the state governor, Yahaya Bello.
He urged the state government to reverse the
decision on the sacking of the 150 academic staff
of the Kogi State University.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board
( JAMB ) has accredited 72 centres in Lagos
State for the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation
Examination (UTME).
The State Coordinator of JAMB, Mr Sunday
Aladegbaye, told the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) on Monday in Lagos that 63 centres were
accredited for the examination in 2017.
He said the increase indicated that more
candidates were likely to participate in 2018
Computer Based UTME.
“”Preparations are in top gear for the examination
in the state.
“”We have accredited 72 centres that have met
our requirements for the conduct of the mock and
the main examination in 2018.
“”But this figure can increase,’’ Aladegbaye said.
He warned mischief makers to desist from setting
up strange centres for registration to defraud
innocent Nigerians.
“”Experience has shown that some group of
persons would create a strange website in the
name of JAMB and be registering candidates to
defraud them.
““This is misleading just as it is criminal.
Read Also: JAMB remits N3b more
to Federation Account
“”We also wish to reach out to candidates to go
to only approved centres for their registrations.
“”We (JAMB) will not be accountable for anything
that happens to them.’’
The JAMB official said that the board would
prosecute any person or group of persons caught
operating any illegal or unaccredited registration
centre for its examinations.
He said the board was prosecuting a fraudster in
court for allegedly registering candidates for the
2017 UTME.
“”He operated the centre at a place very close to
our Lagos office on Ojora way in Lagos.
““When he was caught, he did not show any
remorse for his action.
““We will continue with the case until justice is
achieved to serve as a deterrent to others.
““We are a credible organisation and feel strongly
that things should be done the right way and with
due process.
“”It is only logical that any person or persons
willing to do business with JAMB, go through the
right channel in order not to cause Nigerians
pains,’’ he said.
The Nigerian Law School on Tuesday said 29 out
of the 4,294 candidates called to the Nigerian Bar
bagged First Class after the August 2017 bar
examinations.
The Director-General of the school, Mr Olanrewaju
Onadeku (SAN) disclosed this at the Call-to-Bar
ceremony in Abuja.
Onadeku said the students were those successful
at the August 2017 Bar final examinations and
others from previous examinations as conducted
by the school under the supervision of the
Council of Legal Education.
He said the 29 students were produced by the
University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka,
University of Uyo, Obafemi Awolowo University,
Babcock University, University of Ibadan and Osun
State University.
According to him, others are from University of
Ilorin, Lagos State University, Ambrose Alli
University, Afe Babalola University, Adekunle
Ajasin University and Igbinedion University.
“I particularly commend the 29 students; theirs is
the highest number ever attained.
“They have worked hard to merit their grades
after a very thorough assessment and have done
the Nigerian Law school and their families proud.”
Onadeku disclosed that 72 per cent success was
achieved after the August examination as 211
obtained the second class upper grade, 1,046
made second class lower division and 3, 000 got
the pass grade.
He said that there had been a sustained level of
focus and diligence among the students whom he
noted had demonstrated a commendable sense of
maturity and drive, adding that some were
involved in various forms of examination
malpractices.
The Director-General, while congratulating the
newly called to lawyers, also urged them to make
the best of the legal profession.
“Since it is your freewill to belong to the noble
profession of law, you must ensure strict
adherence to its norms and ethics.
“As you are aware, globalisation has impacted on
the legal profession with the challenge of bench
marking on minimum international best practices.
“You must ensure you exceed the minimum in all
that you do. ”
Onadeku also noted that the successful students
had completed the vocational training at the
school as prescribed by the Legal Education Act.
According to him, they have also met all other
conditions set by the Council, while also
exhibiting good manners and decorum during their
training.
“They have also been groomed in the best ethics
and ethos of our noble profession.
Read also: Law school gets luxury
hostel
“The screening committee of your distinguished
body has carefully perused the records of each of
the aspirants and have found them worthy to be
presented for Call to the Nigerian Bar.
“I attest that they are fit and proper persons for
Call and admissions to the Nigerian Bar,” he said.
In his address, the Chairman of the Body of
Benchers and also Chief Justice of Nigeria,
Justice Walter Onnoghen, charged the candidates
to practice the profession with diligence and
sense of responsibility.
He charged them to promote the course of justice
and rule of law, adding that their level of
proficiency was of immense significance to the
efficiency of the justice system of the country.
“I urge you to acquaint yourselves with the
provisions of the Administration of Criminal
Justice Act and all other relevant laws as far as
administering justice is concerned.
“You must not handle a matter without adequate
preparation, neither should you handle a matter,
which you know or ought to know that you not
competent enough to handle.
“It is advisable to consult your seniors or
colleagues in areas you know you are not well
groomed, ” he said.
Onnoghen said that the Body of Benchers, whose
role also includes disciplinary committee, would
not hesitate to bring to order any erring
practitioner whose conduct might negate the
standards of the profession.
The Nigerian Law School has to date graduated
117, 385 lawyers including all the judges of the
superior courts of the country and almost all the
legal practitioners.
The event was attended by past and present Body
of Benchers, Attorney-General of the Federation,
past Directors-General of the school.
Others are members of the National Assembly,
some ministers, traditional rulers and other
stakeholders in the Judiciary sector.
NAN
The management of the University of
Lagos has postponed the screening
exercise for prospective students .
This is as workers at the Obafemi
Awolowo University , Ile- Ife , have shut
down the institution.
They also paralysed activities in the
institution, ensuring that neither
academic nor administrative duties
were carried out.
According to a release by the UNILAG
management, the screening of
prospective students was suspended as
a result of the protest by non - academic
staff of the university.
It will be recalled that non - academic
staff across government - owned
universities in Nigeria are currently
on an indefinite strike over what they
termed “ disparity” in the sharing of
N23 bn earned allowance recently
released by the Federal Government to
university workers .
The UNILAG management , which
earlier asked all newly admitted
Unified Tertiary Matriculation
Examination undergraduate
candidates to converge on its
Multipurpose Hall A, said the
screening has been postponed
indefinitely.
The release said , “ The Management of
the University of Lagos wishes to
inform the general public that the
screening exercise of UTME candidates
admitted on merit , which commenced
on Monday , has been suspended
following the disruption of normal
academic and administrative activities
by the on - going industrial action .
“ The screening exercise earlier
scheduled for Monday to Friday has
been postponed till further notice .
New dates would be communicated
soon. All candidates are enjoined to
check the university website regularly
for continued updates . ”
On OAU campus , the workers blocked
all roads leading to the university, shut
the health centre and refused to
supply water and electricity .
Chairman of the Non - Academic Staff
Union of the OAU , Wole Odewunmi,
described the action of the FG as
“ ridiculous. ”
Also, Chairman of the Senior Staff
Association of Nigerian Universities,
Ademola Oketunde , said it was wrong
for the FG to undermine their
importance in the education sector.
He said , “ The strike is total,
comprehensive and indefinite . We are
fully involved . As I speak to you, the
university’s health centre , staff school ,
power house and other places have
been shut down .
“ Even the staff school examination will
be suspended till further notice. We
are also important people in the
system . ”
It was learnt that students and
lecturers of the OAU trekked long
distances to exit the university campus
when the effect of the shut down
worsened .
