Drama as union suspends, reinstates Speaker

by Yomi Ayeleso And Solomon Odeniyi , Campus Life

A drama played out at the 10th plenary of the legislative arm of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) Students’ Union Government (SUG). Its Speaker, Olakunle Balogun, was suspended for alleged misconduct. Ten days after, the Speaker was reinstated, report YOMI AYELESO (400-Level Business Administration) and SOLOMON ODENIYI (400-Level Mass Communication). 

The 10th plenary session of the legislative arm of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) Students’ Union Government (SUG) started as a serious business, but ended with drama. Penultimate Monday, members of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) converged for a meeting. But the conduct of the Speaker, Olakunle Balogun, rattled his colleagues, who moved a motion for his indefinite suspension.

The SRC members said Olakunle walked out on them to attend another meeting when important issues were to be discussed. It was learnt that the Speaker called for an adjournment, but the motion was not properly moved. As the Speaker walked out, members moved a motion to suspend him.

In a statement, the Clerk, Christopher Arowolo, said, the Speaker failed to discharge his official duties. This, he said, was contrary to Section 42 (11) and Article VI of the union constitution, which states: “Speaker shall perform all duties incidental to his office.”

Olakunle was said to have walked out during the sitting when issues concerning the welfare of students were being discussed. Members also accused the Speaker of using the name of the union to solicit financial help without the knowledge of the SRC.

Christopher said: “The Speaker has also failed to convene the number of statutory sittings per semester. All these amount to gross misconduct. The Speaker has, therefore, been directed to hand over all union documents and property at his disposal to his deputy.”

CAMPUSLIFE learnt that 13 members supported the suspension of the Speaker, while eight moved against it. Three senators were undecided.

The Deputy Speaker, Emmanuel Akinrele, confirmed that the embattled Speaker “stormed out” of the plenary. He said: “The Speaker, from the outset, has been diligent. Members are not happy with the way he walked out of the sitting, while pressing issues were being discussed. They have punished him by suspending him and the suspension is indefinite. It may last till tomorrow, next week or next month.”

According to the member representing the Male Hall of Residence, Toyeeb Ayobami, the Speaker was frustrated by the pressure mounted on him by members, but said Olakunle should have been patient.

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Pan-Atlantic varsity to commence remedial courses

The Pan-Atlantic University at Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos is to commence remedial courses next academic session to assist students with faulty education foundation.

The Dean of the School of Media and Communication of the institution, Dr Ikechukwu Obiaya, made the announcement when he visited the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos at the weekend.

He said the commencement of remedial courses was part of efforts to make students to improve themselves, especially in their writing skills.

Students display products at poly’s exhibition

The Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (MAPCED) has held its 3rd Entrepreneurship Development Exhibition tagged: MAPCED Open Market Day. The event, held at Matriculation Ground, started at noon last Wednesday.

Students besieged the venue to showcase their wares and products. Among the items exhibited included lapel pins, lanyards, shopping bags, electric sockets, air fresheners, liquid soaps, key holders, hair creams and petroleum jelly among others. All the products were manufactured by students.

The event was graced by MAPCED Director, Mr David Aninkan, who emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship and vocational training in technical education. He said the polytechnic had ensured students did not only acquire skills alone, but also ensured spirit of entrepreneurship was incorporated in students to enable them become job creators.

He said: “The problem of unemployment is taking its toll on our youths and graduates, who are seeking employments by the day. It is a known fact that through appropriate skills and sufficient entrepreneurial practice, this problem can be solved. There should be linkage between knowledge and development in our education. This is the best way the public and private sectors will be prospered.”

The Rector, Prof Oludele Itiola, hailed students for their entrepreneurial strides, urging them to develop good business spirit to be successful in the vocation they chose for themselves.

The rector added that the current trend of joblessness in the country should make the youths not to relent on academic certificates, but to acquire skills to create jobs.

Itiola said: “It is important that you don’t see this as something you have to do to pass your courses, but as an avenue to gather experiences that might be useful after graduation.”

At the end of the event, students engaged in trade by barter, exchanging their products for another. Participants at the programme were entertained by a live band as they buy and sell wares.

Don’t Sweep Probe Report Under Carpet, AOCOED Unions Tells Council

The Governing Council of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Otto/Ijanikin has been urged not to succumb to both the internal and external pressure being mounted on it from different quarters in deciding the case of the mismanagement of 1.5 billion naira leveled against some former principal officers of the institution.

Speaking during a press conference by the Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN), the Chairman, Comrade Wunmi Ombugadu who commended the efforts of the governing council in repositioning the institution urged the AOCOED council to avoid double standards as it sits on Thursday to make pronouncement on the Professor Osanyin-led disciplinary committee report.

The chairman who noted that it has come to the knowledge of the Union that the indicted persons were trying to use highly placed people in the state and within the institution to bury the report of the disciplinary committee warned that the whole world is washing and waiting for their decision on the matter.

Stating that the Union would resist every attempt by the nine indicted personnel from being shielded from facing the wrath of the law, warned that it would bring in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Crime Practices Commission (ICPC) into the matter.

Stating the untold hardship the non-remittance of the various deductions from staff salaries such as tax, pension, housing among others have continued to cause the institution, academic and non-academic staff as well, Ombugadu hinted that not less than seven members of the SSUCOEN have lost their lives in the process.

Thanking the state government for increasing the institution’s subvention, the chairman also appealed to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to consider giving AOCOED a bailout for the school to meet some of its financial obligations which have become increased as a result of the mismanagement of funds by the former principal officers of the school.

Speaking also, the Chairman, Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, (COEASU), Mr. Avosetinyen Micheal, who restated the Union’s confidence on the institution’s governing council to do justice to the case of the financial misappropriation against the college’s former principal officers, said that the conditions of service is there to serve as a guide for the counsel. Stressing that the conditions of service has been used in the past to sanction erring staff, Michael said, “We are watching and we believe that the governing council will do the needful by using the conditions of service. We have precedents, the conditions of service has been used in the past to punish erring staff.”

Micheal who stated the union’s support on the efforts to sanitise the operations of the college, hinted that COEASU had earlier raised the issue of misappropriation before the college decided to act on it. According to him the non-remittance of deductions like cooperative, pension funds among others affected the union members’ welfare. The chairman disclosed that about seven members of the Union died without receiving their pension benefit.

Speaking on the issue of staff audit, the COEASU chairman faulted the college stance on the non-acceptability of sworn affidavit for age declaration as part of the documents staff are required to present during the audit. According to him, Affidavit remain a legal document in Nigeria and as such it should accepted by the college in its staff audit processes.

AJAYI CROWTHER UNIVERSITY CAUTION STUDENTS ON DRESS CODE

Ajayi Crowther University, ACU, has unveiled its dress code for students of the institution, adding that Only students who comply with the Dress Code will be allowed entry into the university.

The Statement reads:

Our beloved students, you are enjoined to adhere strictly, at all times, to the Dress Code put in place by the University Authorities.

You will be addressed the way you are dressed. Everybody in ACU deserves to be treated with respect, therefore dress well in conformity with the Dress Code.

Remember that only students who comply with the Dress Code will be allowed entry into:

Library, Lecture rooms, Bursary,
Registry, Student Affairs, University Health Centre, Examination Halls, Community Services, Sunday Services and any Chaplaincy Programmes.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE, THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE:

1. Tight, short, skirts and gowns above the knees (except for sporting purposes);

2. Transparent and see-through dresses;

3. Semi-naked Appearance: Wearing of ordinary underwear like singlet, sleeveless/ spaghetti dresses that expose major parts of the body, etc.;

4. Skirt which due to slitting, reveals sensitive parts of the wearer’s body, and stretch, banded and bandaged elastic material for skirt/gowns (lycra materials)

5. Short and skimpy dresses, e.g. body hugs, show-me-your chest, spaghetti wears and dresses exposing sensitive parts of the body, backless, camisole only;

6. Wearing of T-Shirts with obscene
inscriptions and face caps;

7. Shirts that reveal the wearer’s chest
unduly;

8. Sagging/Earth level/ yansy (use belt);

9. Dread, Galax, Fadeout and Rough Coil Hair Cut, Bushy hair, unkempt appearance;

10. Wearing of earrings by male students;

11. wearing of multiple and bogus earrings by female students;

12. Leggies/Geggies/Pencil trousers;

13. Jeans/Tattered Jeans and any materials that look like jeans, Tight trousers, and all other forms of tight fitting clothing;

14. Hair plaiting or weaving by male students;

15. Wearing of bathroom slippers around the university premises;

16. No bangles, beads, rings, etc. for
male students; and

17. Beards is not allowed, must be clean shaved;

18. Students I.D. Card must be worn around the neck always;

19. Tattoo with provocative writing or picture;

20. Non-natural coloured hair is not allowed;

Please note that culprits will be sanctioned; therefore dress well in
conformity with the ACU Dress Code.

AKSU admits 2,340 students, cautions against vices

The Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), on Friday, admitted 2,340 students for 2015/2016 academic session and advised them to be security-conscious due to crime increase in the country.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eno Ibanga, gave the advice during the sixth Matriculation Ceremony at Akpaden, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

He said that a total of 2,340 students were admitted in the 2015/2016 academic session and so far 1,823 were cleared for matriculation.

He stressed the need for the students to take their personal, group security and wellbeing seriously.

He further advised the students to manage the opportunity to the best of their abilities and shun acts capable of jeopardising their successful studentship.

The vice chancellor said “security situation has changed and students should be more security-conscious because cultism is on the increase, religious bigotry is on the increase, politically-inspired violence on the rise.

“Militancy is on the rise and all kinds of crimes, so new entrants should be aware of these, so that they don’t get involved and become victims.”

Ibanga said that the institution had put mechanism in place to facilitate good teaching and learning atmosphere for the students.

He then warned against indecent dressing on campuses of the institution, adding that the university had zero tolerance for any form of misconduct.

He thanked the state government for providing facilities and resources to enable the institution to achieve its goals.

The institution, he added, used its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to ensure that facilities were readily available to students on campus.

He decried over dependence of students of tertiary institution on social media as it was the tendency today; advising parents to caution their wards in that direction.

He restated the university’s commitment to be one of the best in the world such that graduates with certificates could be counted as some of the best graduates.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlights of the event include the presentation of the maiden copy of the newspaper “AKSU MIRROR’’ by Dr Church Akpan, the Head of Department, Mass Communications to the vice chancellor.

PHOTO: Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology students Staged Protest

Protesting students today, closed the entrance gate of Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology, the single point of entry and exit into the school premises.

Their complaint was that the Provost, Mr. Nnamdi Amadi  increased their hostel fee from 5,000 to 20,000.

This hostel, according to reports from the students is dilapidated. According to the students, the hostels are in bad shape and the toilets and bathrooms are leaking.

However, they do not have enough hostels to accommodate the population of the students. Most of the students sleep in empty classrooms and open places.

Last Sunday, June 5, 2016, a student who is a victim of no hostel space was rushed to the hospital with illness suspected to be acute cold because she slept in the classroom.

To add to their woes, they have not been provided electricity in the past six months, the students said that the last time they saw light was when the Commissioner of Health visited their school.

You may think that they don't have enough reasons to protest but then, the unavailability of water is another reason the students think they have had enough of the penury. They don't have water supplied to their hostels.

Students cross to the neighboring compounds and boreholes to fetch water, imagine the pains they would feel when they carry such heavy gallons and buckets, cross over to the other side of the community to get water.

They are pleading and calling on those in charge and the government to see to their welfare.

Police men from the nearby stations are on standby to keep watch of the protest and make sure it doesn’t go out of hand.

UNIPORT Post UTME Form, Cut-off and Registration Date – 2016/17 Is Out

Information reaching us has it that The University of Port Harcourt, Uniport Post UTME Registration 2015/2016 is out.

The school management is therefore inviting all interested and eligible candidates who made the University of Port Harcourt as their first choice in the 2015 Unified Tertiary matriculation Examination (UTME) and who had a minimum score of 180 and above in the JAMB Examination to the 2015/2016 Post-UTME Screening Exercise.

Note: Applicants who chose Dentistry as their programme of study are hereby informed that they could be admitted into other/related areas of study, subject to acceptable performance.

Alternatively, affected candidates should contact other Universities for the admission into Dentistry and contact the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for further directives.

UNILORIN sends HOD Parking for allegedly wooing student

A lecturer at the Department of English, University of Ilorin, Dr Mohammed Idiagbon, has been removed as the head of the department for allegedly wooing one of the students of the institution.

Sources at the university told our correspondent on Monday that Idiagbon was removed as the HoD after it became public knowledge that he allegedly intimidated and wooed the unnamed student.

They stated that the lecturer had invited the student to his office and allegedly proposed romantic friendship with her.

One of the sources said the unnamed student recorded the conversation between her and the lecturer.

He said, “However, the lecturer did not rape the student, but only tried to intimidate her to become his lover.”

Another source said when the matter was reported to the authorities of the institution, a panel was set up to investigate the matter and the lecturer was queried.

She added that the lecturer was removed as the HoD to avoid interference while investigations continued.

According to her, the lecturer knowing the implication of his alleged action, resigned his appointment from the university.

She said, “The lecturer invited a student to his office. He wanted to date the student. It was not a case of rape.

“The student recorded the discussion and when the matter reached the authorities, the lecturer was removed as the HoD of English Department. He has even resigned from the university.”

The Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun, told our correspondent on the telephone that the university had zero tolerance for amorous relationship and misconduct between lecturers and students.

He explained that after the case was reported at the Students Affairs Department, it was referred to the appropriate authorities in the institution.

He said, “The lecturer was queried and removed as the Head of English Department, and invited before a disciplinary panel.

“The lecturer, however, resigned his appointment with the university and did not appear before the panel.”
He stated that in spite of Idiagbon’s resignation, the report of the panel was still being awaited.

Efforts by our correspondent to get Idiagbon’s response to the allegations proved abortive as his telephone rang out.

Our correspondent sent a text message to the line but had yet to be replied to as of press time.

Source: Punch Newspaper