ASUP withdraws strike notice

This one is good news to all polytechnic students. Read how the Punch puts the report below:

After about five hours meeting with the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, and members of the House of Representatives Committee on Education, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics has suspended its decision to embark on an indefinite strike, scheduled to commence on Wednesday.

The decision, according to the union, was sequel to “fruitful” discussions it had with government and other stakeholders.

(PHOTO) Three University Graduates, Others Rob, Snatch Vehicles For Livelihood

Check this story reported by the Punch of three graduates and and others who have turned robbery into a means of livelihood.

But can we say unemployment is a justifiable reason for going into robbery.

Three university graduates, who are among suspected armed robbers arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, have said they robbed and snatched expensive vehicles in different parts of the country.

The graduate suspects are 31-year-old Titus Johana, Jacob Ali, 28, and Richard Augustine, 30. Other suspected robbers are Manven Bali, 40; Cheikube Emeka, 32, and Ejike Chukwuemeka, 37, who also confessed to have snatched a CRV belonging to an employee of Channels Television, Mrs. Adeola Adediran, stolen on January 17, in the Isheri area of Ogun State. The police also arrested one Nura Mohammed, 33, said to be an alleged receiver of stolen vehicles.

LASU Releases New Dress Code, Bans wear of Transparent Dresses, Baggy and others on Campus,

In a newly-released dress code conduct by the Lagos State University (LASU), the university management has banned all forms of unkempt appearances.

Below are the 18 kinds dressing/fashion style banned for Lagos State University Students:

1) Transparent dresses, Mini and Skimpy Skirts/Dresses, Body Hugs, Spaghetti Wears, Mono Straps, Wicked Straps, Boob Tubes, Lacey Camisoles, Backless Tops, Cleavage Exposing Outfits, Low Neckline Shirts and Blouses and other wears revealing sensitive parts of the body
.
 2) Tattered, Dirty Jeans with holes and obscene or subliminal massages

3) Baggy, Saggy, Yansh, Ass level and over length trousers.

4) Tight fittings e.g Leggings, Hipster, Patra, and Lacra that reveals body shape and contours of the body
.
 5) T-Shirts and Tops with obscene, obnoxious or seductive inscription
.
 6) Chest, Bust, Belly, Backside, Arm, Thigh and Leg revealing outfits (Male & Female).

7) Wearing of loose tie, folding, holding and pocketing of tie

FG implements ASUU agreement, Earmarks N1.3trn For Universities

The Federal Government has earmarked N1.3 trillion as intervention grant to public universities on the platform of National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) Assessment Programme.


The Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, said this in an interactive dinner in Abuja on Saturday, noting that the grant is for five years.

How I graduated as best Student -AAUA best graduating Student

 Fapohunda OluwaSeun, who graduated as the best graduating student with a CGPA of 4.8 at the AAUA 5th Convocation, in this interview with DammyInforms Blog discusses how he was able to achieve the feat.

How do you feel about graduating as the best student?

 It pays to serve Jesus! If felt elated graduating as the overall best student in my set from a prestigious citadel of higher learning,Adekunle Ajasin University.Moreover,i was ebullient for the fact that i graduated with the highest CGPA ever in the history of my prestigious department,Biochemistry!

LASU VC, John Obafunwa Has No PhD & Holds Two Jobs - ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Wednesday accused the Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University, Prof. John Obafunwa, of not possessing a PhD and holding two jobs.

Dr. Adesola Nasir, ASUU’s Zonal Coordinator for Lagos Zone, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that apart from being LASU’s VC, Obafunwa was also the Chief Medical Examiner of Lagos State.

 Nasir said it was an aberration to the laws setting up a university for it to be headed by a personality without a PhD certificate.

RSUST Expels 366 For Poor Academic Performance

NO fewer than 366 students of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, have been expelled by the management of the institution for poor academic performance.

The RSUST Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barineme Fakae, who made this announcement on Wednesday at the 33rd matriculation of the university, explained that the affected students could not meet the minimum academic standard required by the institution.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria are currently in a Worrisome state, NANS VP explodes

Comrade Gbenga in this exclusive interview with DammyInforms Blog decries the depreciating state of educational structure in the country. DammyInforms reports:

Can you please  introduce yourself , your academic background, political antecedent and so on?

 I am Comrade Ayenuro Timileyin Gbenga, a student of Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Applied Geophysics Department who hails from Igbobi Town, Ilaje Local Government, Ondo state. I earlier attended Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state. I am a former Students' Union Welfare Director, FUTA; Former NANS JCC Ondo Axis Public Relations Officer; Former Youth President, Igbobi Youth Development Association, Ilaje; Former National Financial Secretary, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS); President, FUTA Safety Club and presently, NANS Vice President, National Affairs.

Before you contested to be the VP of NANS, can you share some of your achievements while you held previous political positions?

 I have been active since my first day on campus. I stand for the Emancipation of Nigerian Students and to provide enormous support for Nigerian students, to fight for the students and making sure students' yearning got desirable result. I once organized a programme on the Campaign Against Insecurity, Cultism on our campus on May, 2014 when I was the National Financial Secretary; I also organized a sensitization rally for hundreds of Nigerian students on April 4, 2014, the program enlightened students on their role in Electioneering process, it was tagged as 'NEW YOU, NEW NIGERIA'. I also addressed National issues and matters dealing with students on National Dailies. I fought for the provision of Electricity supply to Akindeko Hall of Residence, Abiola Hostel, Jibowu Hostel in Federal University of Technology, Akure; agitated for the supply of water, toilet facilities, comfortable lecture theatre when I was the Welfare Director of the SUG and other welfare issues. The well-being of FUTA students was my utmost priority when I was serving and still do so. I organized the first and ever-massive Welfare Day in FUTA which was crowded with over twenty thousand students was organized which inform the students broadly. We stood against the protracted industrial strike action embarked upon by Academic Staff Union of Universities in June, 2013 and the protest produced a desirable result; the removal of fuel subsidy; illegal democratic practices in some states of the federation a lots more apart of what we fight against. We addressed some pertaining issues dealing with State of the nation.

There has continued to be cases of allegations that the student body always steer to the direction of the govt to the detriment of Nigerian students, how does this administration seem to combat that?

NANS is to create a new, united, prosperous, peaceful and virile Nigeria where the lofty dreams nurtured by its founding fathers and for which they worked so hard for its creation over five decades ago could come to reality. NANS is not an appendage of any party and we are not a political ass to any set of individuals. We are a pressure group with main motive to protect and defend the interest of Nigerian students. We can't shy away from the government of the day if they perform credibly and serve Nigeria with keen interest, we will commend their efforts. And if it is other case, we will fight against them and call them to order. We will unite and work assiduously with the government of the day if and only if, they provide essential welfare services to the citizens and citizen-oriented projects are provided. Ours is to join hands together with government to re-invent true governance, engender freedom and democratic ethos, create jobs, eradicate poverty, build infrastructure, sustain businesses, secure lives and properties, re-enact the essence and value of peaceful co-existence among Nigeria and restore the lost glories, hopes, faith and confidence of our people.

A major challenge of the Nigerian educational system is constant industrial action by lecturers especially. In view of this, what are the current steps being taken in forestalling future strikes by ASUU or ASUP?

We thank God for the government of the day towards their input in Educational system. We regretted the protracted industrial action embarked upon by ASUU and ASUP. While as the National Financial Secretary, I intervened to the demands of ASUU and ASUP. NANS has observed that most of the educational funds are not being properly monitored, a lot of Governing councils of tertiary institutions siphons the money being released by the Government to improve the education sector. We set up Monitoring Committee to monitor various funds disbursed into the sector. Also, we urge EFCC and ICPC to monitor properly both the Government fund and the Internally-Generated Revenue of all tertiary institution

What is your opinion about decreasing standard of learning environment in most higher institutions across the country?

 Tertiary institutions in Nigeria are  in a worrisome condition presently to be candid and frank with ourselves. There is lack of infrastructural facilities in most tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Students experience cases of inadequate laboratories, lecture theatres et al. Imagine a student of Engineering without proper knowledge in practicals, only theoretical knowledge. Nowadays lecturers are also no more modern, updated again. There is decline in our tertiary institution, our educational system is no longer the cynosure of eyes, pride of Nigeria and the envy of the globe. As Oliver Twist, we still urge our government to reinforce the sector and support it massively; and still to monitor any fund disbursed into various tertiary institution. There should still be a better scrutinization process for the employment of lecturers and availability of facilities. With God on our side in this nation, we can do well.

Lastly, as a leader of Nigerian students, what are your plans in bettering the lots of students?

 Giving and building a sustainable legacy for Nigerian students at present and in future, most especially, their welfare. I can state categorically and unequivocally that no Nigerian students and Students' Union Government paid dues to the NANS coffer, we only seek for Public-Private Partnership to sponsor our programs that needs to better the Nigerian students. I will protect and defend the interest of Nigerian students; provide solutions to employment quagmire and problem of students' fees; to advocate and ensure quality and better education at all level in the federation. I hereby urge Nigerian students to have solemn faith in NANS and support most students' calls, struggles and agitations in achieving a better Nigeria, preaching unity in the country. We seek more of participation of Nigerian students and youths in good governance. We are also using this medium to urge all politicians not to deceive Nigerian students, not to use and dump Nigerian students again, not to give unrealistic manifestos. Also, Nigerian students should be wise enough in taking their decision in voting as 2015 General Election approaches. It will be of good thing if, Nigerian students' have one voice in ensuring true democracy. 'Nigerian Students count.!

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Jonathan’s visit: OAU students clash, six injured

So OAU students can be this radical and violent.....hmmmmmmm....read what the Punch. reports about them
No fewer than six students were injured during a clash among some students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Sunday evening.
While some of the eyewitnesses described the fight as a power tussle between students who were loyal to the President of the Student Union, Ibikunle Isaac, and those of the Vice-President,
Oladejo Olufunmi, others described it as a cult attack.

They all, however, agreed that the clash was an aftermath of President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the institution.
It was learnt that the Education Rights Campaign members had just concluded a meeting at the Students’ Union Building when the fight broke out. Among those involved in the fight were some union executive members, suspended students of the university, members of the Security Committee of the SU and ERC members.

Some of the students, who suffered varying degrees of injuries, were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. One of them, Tedy, was allegedly stabbed with a
pointed object suspected to be a screw driver, while another student, David, was dealt a matchete cut on his head.

It was gathered that the door to the SU President Office, where some students hid, was broken while  the occupants were thoroughly beaten. There are, however, two sides to the cause of the
fight. While some of the students said it was as a result of ideological differences, others inferred that it was related to the protest held during Jonathan’s
visit.

Jonathan, traditional rulers and some politicians were at the OAU for a conference, where Jonathan was endorsed ahead of the 2015 polls.
The campus fracas took a dangerous dimension when students of the school engaged one another at the school gate with weapons.

Chief Security Officer of the university, Mr. Paul Ogidi, said there was no cult attack in the institution.
“It is true that our students fought. There was no cult attack on our campus. We did not witness any attack, but a fight among our students,” he said.
But the Vice-President of the Students Union, Funmi Oladejo, insisted that what happened on the campus could be likened to 1999 cult attack that
claimed the lives of students.
She denied the fight as being factional, but hinted that the controversy that surrounded the presence of Jonathan on the university campus last Friday
contributed to the cause of the fight.

PHOTO: Nigerian student stabbed to death in Ghana

A Nigerian student, Nazifi Osman Muhammed was stabbed to death over the weekend in Ghana. Nazifi and his brothers Jamiru Osman, and Mustapha Musa were attacked in their home at
about 3:30am on Saturday by masked robbers, armed with knives which they used in attacking the brothers.

The victims, all students of Information
Communication Technology (ICT) at the Sikkim Manipal  University at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, in Accra were taken to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, by their neighbours.

On arrival, the doctor pronounced Nazifi dead due to deep cuts inflicted on his chest. The incident has been confirmed by the Kotobabi District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent
of Police (DSP) Elizabeth Tiekuwa Dankwa, who disclosed that one person has been arrested in connection with the robbery attack.