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Tag: UNILORIN

  • UNILORIN: Why I beat up my lecturer to coma – 400 level student narrates

    UNILORIN: Why I beat up my lecturer to coma – 400 level student narrates

    Salaudeen Waliu, popularly known as Captain Walz, a final year student of the Department of Microbiology, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has explained why he beat up his female lecturer, Mrs Rahmat Zakariyyah to a coma.

    Waliu was alleged to have gone to the office of Mrs Zakariyyah to beg her to help wave the required SIWES course which he missed due to an unexpected event.

    He claimed to have met Mrs Zakariyyah numerous times, but all led to negative responses before last Thursday’s assault on the lecturer.

    While speaking to University Campus Journalists, UCJ-Ilorin, the 400 level student claimed that ”months before the last Thursday’s incident, he was arrested and locked up for two months, thereby warranting his inability to attend SIWES duties.”

    He said he had gone to Allen Avenue in Ikeja, Lagos State, to meet a friend for the first time. He was waiting for the friend when according to him, he “felt the impulse to urinate.”

    Waliu said he urinated near a car parked by drainage when he was challenged by someone who must have washed the car.

    He said he was accused of being a thief and was not allowed to explain himself before mobs descended on him, meted out jungle justice and handed him over to the police which led to his detention for two months.

    The final year student said after the incident in Lagos, he approached Mrs Zakariyyah to explain to her his ordeal but the lecturer said there was no help to offer, except he joined the next set which would result in an extra year.

    He said on the fateful Thursday when he entered the lecturer’s office, she ordered him out of her office.

    “I got angry, I didn’t know what came over me, I started arguing and she told me to leave her office, I told her if I don’t leave, what is she going to do?

    “She then threw a mug at me which injured me and I started beating her,” he added.

    Waliu said the female lecturer did not fight back, so he went on to beat her and later dragged her out of her office to continue the beating.

    “I dragged her out and she ran. I chased and kept beating her before people came. I tried to run but was later caught by the school security,” he stated in the security cell of the institution where he was locked up since he was returned from ‘F’ Divisional Police station, Tanke in Ilorin, the Kwara state.

    Assault: Unilorin assures lecturers, staff of safety

    The management of the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) has assured lecturers, staff and students of the institution of their safety while carrying out their lawful duties.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Fola Olowoleni, the Registrar of the university, and made available to the newsmen on Monday in Illorin.

    Reacting to the assault on Mrs Zakariyyah, the management stated that “they received with sadness the ugly incidence on Nov. 11, in which a 400 Level male student of the Department of Microbiology assaulted a female lecturer at the same department’.

    “The attacker whose name was given as Salaudeen, Waliu-Anuoluwapo with matriculation number 17/55/EJI98, has since been taken by the University Security personnel for questioning and subsequent arraignment before the Student’s Disciplinary Committee (SDC) in line with the University’s rules and regulations.

    “He will be handed over to the police for further investigations.

    “Management hereby wishes to assure all staff members, teachers, students and non-teaching staffs of their safety,” the statement read in part.

    Assault of Unilorin Lecturer: ASUU condemns attack, pledges action

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ilorin (Unilorin) Chapter, has condemned the attack on Mrs Zakariyyah, a female lecturer of Faculty of Life Sciences, by a student of the institution.

    Prof. Moyosore Ajao, the Chairman of the association, made the condemnation during on Monday in Ilorin.

    Recall that Waliu, aka Captain Walz, allegedly beat the lecturer to a coma. The student was alleged to have attacked the lecturer in her office because she refused to help him over his failure to do the mandatory Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).

    Reacting to the development, Ajao said the union would never allow “this dastardly act to go unaddressed”.

    “It is not just because the lecturer is a female but because she is a human being and violence is never tolerated in ASUU, more or less in a university where character and learning are the essence of it.

    “ASUU is patiently waiting on what the university management is going to do before we now apply our own action.

    “But I can tell you that the union is not sleeping on the matter and we are never going to allow such matters to be swept under the carpet,” he stated.

    The ASUU chairman explained that the matter of the assault has already been reported to the law enforcement agencies.

    On speculation whether the student was under the influence of drugs, Ajao observed that in every 12, there is always a Judas, adding that though the students of the institution are largely well behaved, there are bound to be uncouth elements around.

    “The university must demonstrate the capacity to deal with such an act, apart from that they must ensure that such a thing never happens again.

    “You can’t have a student population of over 50,000 and you expect all of them to be disciplined.

    “Whether under the influence of drugs or whatever is immaterial to ASUU. If he is under the influence of drugs, he left his house, are you telling me he did not see anybody, why did he choose to attack the particular lecturer?,” Ajao asked rhetorically.

    The ASUU chairman said the union would also petition the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to also look at the possibility of drug usage in the incidence of the attack.

    “I expect the NDLEA to swing into action. The union will petition to say, ‘these are the people you are looking for, you have had one and we are yet to hear anything’,” he added.

    Ajao maintained that the union would continue to be proactive by protecting its members, adding that an injury to one is an injury to all.

  • Unilorin holds hybrid convocation Oct. 15

    Unilorin holds hybrid convocation Oct. 15

    The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) says it will hold its first hybrid convocation from Oct. 15, this year.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Kunle Akogun, the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, on Sunday in Ilorin.

    Akogun explained that it would be the institution’s 36th Convocation ceremony to be held at the main Auditorium.

    According to him, the convocation programme will commence on Oct. 15, with a special Juma’at service at the University Central Mosque by 1.30 p.m.

    He said that this would be followed on Oct. 17, with an Interdenominational Church Service at St. Thomas Aquinas Chaplaincy at the Main Campus by 9.00 a.m.

    Akogun stated that the main events of the ceremony would formally commence on Oct. 18, with the Vice-Chancellor’s Press Briefing at the University’s Auditorium by 10 a.m.

    “This will be followed on Oct. 21, by the Convocation Play, entitled ‘Aadoye’ (No secret anywhere – A South African Dance Interpretation) by Steve James, Choreographed by Felix Akinsipe, at the institution’s Performing Arts Theatre at 4 p.m and 6 p.m, respectively.

    “This year’s Convocation Lecture comes up on Oct. 22, to be delivered by a distinguished legal luminary, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN), entitled: ‘Tertiary Education and the Future of Nigeria’.

    “The grand finale comes up on Saturday, Oct. 23, with the Convocation for the Award of Prizes, First and Postgraduate Degrees and Diplomas from all the 15 Faculties and the Postgraduate,” he said.

    He stated that attendance at the main convocation event on Oct. 23, would be restricted to only graduands with 1st Class Degree Honours, Prize winners and Doctoral Awardees.

    Akokun stressed that “hence, entry into the Main Auditorium will be strictly by invitation cards”.

    He noted that the dignitaries expected to grace the event include the Visitor to the University, President Muhammadu Buhari; the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu; and the Chancellor of the University, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, among others.

  • UNILORIN don discovers use of eggshell to tackle pollution

    UNILORIN don discovers use of eggshell to tackle pollution

    Prof. Omodele Eletta of the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, has discovered the use of eggshell, coconut shell, sawdust and croaker fish scales for the prevention of environmental pollution.

    Eletta disclosed this in her Inaugural Lecture entitled:” Bad yet good: Rummaging and Combatting for Future Water and Land Security”.

    The don, who lectures at the Faculty of Engineering, also listed pawpaw leaf, coconut shell and cocoa pod among agricultural wastes that could be used to combat environmental pollution.

    According to her, the exploitation of agro-waste could afford both a strategy for waste minimisation and a more sustainable production of energy and chemicals.

    The expert warned that environmental pollution was an unfavourable alteration of the environment, adding that it was a global problem and Nigeria has its fair share due to the lack of strict monitoring of people’s activities.

    According to Eletta, every farm activity, however, low leaves some wastes in the environment and these wastes end up in various sectors of the earth.

    She explained that different agricultural wastes have been optimised for use for waste water treatment prior to discharge to the environment.

    She observed that eggshell, which ordinary is a waste material, has beneficiation and thermal treatment, as it could be used as absorbent for the removal of heavy metal from the solution.

    The expert also disclosed that eggshell could be used as a bio-resource in a number of formulations.

    Similarly, the expert also disclosed that plant wastes have also been investigated for suitability for absorption process in the quest to extract value “good’ from the wastes of agricultural practices.

    “Sunflowers are plants that grow wild and widely in Nigeria. It is regarded as a weed, with the stem/stalk having little economic importance,” she said.

    Eletta stated that the Sunflower was used as a precursor for developing an absorbent for waste water treatment.

    She noted that the studies she carried out indicated that Sunflower stalk could be used to prepare low-cost absorbents for water treatment.

    The don advised government at all tiers that the utilisation and environmental protection initiative could help push an awareness campaign for sustainable future.

    “Non-compliance to environmental regulations has led to serious degradation of the environment in Nigeria.

    “It is recommended that realistic policies and legal structures must be put in place to harmonise government policies among industrial sectors and develop more holistic interventions and, not just peripheral actions,” she said.

  • Eight suspects arraigned over murder, rape of 300level UNILORIN student

    Eight suspects arraigned over murder, rape of 300level UNILORIN student

    Eight suspects were on Wednesday arraigned over the rape and murder of Blessing Olajide, a 300 level student of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

    She was allegedly raped and murdered at her Tanke residence along the University road in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

    Some valuable items were also carted away from the residence.

    The suspects who allegedly carried out the dastardly act were later arrested by the operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) and currently standing trial before Justice Ibrahim Yusuf of an Ilorin High Court.

    They are being charged for criminal conspiracy, rape, armed robbery, culpable homicide, and receiving stolen properties.

    The case was however adjourned till July 6 as three out of the eight suspects do not have legal representation.

  • UNILORIN postpones reopening of hostels

    UNILORIN postpones reopening of hostels

    The Management of the University of Ilorin on Saturday postponed reopening of hostels earlier schedule for Feb. 15 due to ongoing strike action by the non-academic unions in the university.

    UNILORIN’s Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) on Feb. 8, joined the nationwide strike called by their national bodies.

    A statement issued by Mr Kunle Akogun, Director of Corporate Affairs of the University said the on-going strike had affected the sources of electricity and water supplies to the hostels.

    “This is to inform 100 level students of the university that the reopening of school hostels, earlier scheduled for Monday, Feb. 15 has been postponed.

    “A new date for the reopening of the hostels will be announced in due course.

    “We appeal to our students, on whose welfare we place a very high premium, to bear with management and await further announcements.

    “Please note, however, that virtual lectures will continue as scheduled for all categories of students,” he said.

  • Unilorin ASUU declares readiness to resume academic activities

    Unilorin ASUU declares readiness to resume academic activities

    Prof. Saliu Ajao, Chairman, University of Ilorin Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Tuesday, assured of the Union’s readiness to return to the classroom.

    Ajao, who spoke with newsmen in Ilorin, said the resumption followed the recent suspension of the nine-month-old national strike by the Union.

    The ASUU Chairman commended the students of the institution and their parents for their patience and understanding while the industrial action lasted.

    He explained that the Union had to embark on the strike to press home its demands on various issues, whose implementation would complement the progress of the nation’s educational system.

    Ajao said that Unilorin lecturers, like their colleagues in other institutions across the country, have returned to their desks and were fully ready to resume teaching, conducting research and engaging in community services.

    “The lecturers are prepared to cover as much ground as possible and within the shortest possible time,” he said.

    Ajao added that the Union had issued a directive to lecturers with outstanding scripts to mark, to do so without further delay, since the concerned lecturers were also bound to attend statutory meetings and also discharge other responsibilities.

    He advised students to do some brushing up and get prepared to return to the classrooms, laboratories and libraries, as soon as the Federal Government issued the enabling directive on the re-opening of Universities for academic activities.

    According to him, it was quite unfortunate that all the conditions, which the government initially did not like, were eventually accepted several months after they were first highlighted by ASUU.

    Ajao said that the success of the Union in always securing its demands each time it went on strike was built around the deep intellect of members, who always considered all options before pursuing the best of all.

    “The honesty, discipline, civility and sincerity of the ASUU leadership are some of the ingredients of the Union’s successes,” he said.

    He added that the Union was always open to dialogue and engagement with the authorities, pointing out that ASUU would always offer its best opinions on every situation without fear or favour.

  • Unilorin wins global Artificial Intelligence contest

    Unilorin wins global Artificial Intelligence contest

    University of Ilorin (Unilorin) has won the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) competition anchored by Scale Early, Rapidly and Securely (SERS) of Carleton University, Canada, the institution’s management announced in Ilorin.

    Reacting to the development on Tuesday, the Director of Academic Planning, Unilorin, Prof. Isaac Adimula, said a total of 36 universities from across the world, including six from Nigeria, selected from the nation’s six geopolitical zones, participated in the competition.

    “The contest followed seven weeks intensive training, which started on Oct. 2020,” he said.

    He listed the Unilorin team, to include Dr. Aye Ajiboye of Computer Engineering Department (Team Leader), Engr. Muniru Idris Oladele of Biomedical Engineering Department, and Engr. AbdulRaheem Yusuf of Computer Engineering Department, who presented a project on the use of AI in the reactivation of dead batteries.

    He stated that this led to the creation of a cleaner, healthier and prosperous environment.

    “The project was adjudged the best from all the entries in the Artificial Intelligence Stream category, received from across the world, and evaluated by an eight-member panel of reviewers,” he said.

    Adimula commended the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, for the financial support and encouragement given to the team, which led to victory.

    Prof. Tony Bailette, the Community Lead of SERS, Canada, who conveyed the news of the victory to the Unilorin team, appreciated their ingenuity, sophistication, and the hard work they invested in turning in their work.

    He described the accomplishment as ”a recognition of your talent and potential of the Artificial Intelligence opportunity that you are championing”.

    The SERS Community Lead encouraged Unilorin, and other contestants “to pursue this Artificial Intelligence opportunity and attain objectives that are good for the members and the community”.

  • Declare your assets, Unilorin VC urges staff

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Unilorin, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, on Monday advised members of staff of the institution to fully comply with the asset declaration procedure, as required by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

    Abdulkareem gave the advice at a sensitisation workshop organised by the CCB for members of staff of the university in Ilorin.

    The vice-chancellor, who was represented at the opening of the programme by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Sylvia Malomo, said that such a step would enhance a high standard of morality and accountability in the country.

    He advised members of staff to comply with the rules and regulations of the Bureau, to remain on the side of the law.

    Addressing the participants, the Director of CCB in Kwara, Mrs Afolabi Abayomi, described assets declaration among public officers as an official mechanism for ensuring accountability and probity in public service.

    According to her, the CCB is to ensure transparency, honesty, and to make sure that actions of government officials fully comply with high moral standards, as obtainable in other civilised nations.

    Abayomi warned against under-declaration and anticipatory declaration of assets, which, she said, could result in litigation.

    She warned that flagrant abuse of the CCB Act could lead to vacation of office or seat in any legislative house, disqualification from membership of legislative house for 10 years, and forfeiture of property in question to the government.

    NAN

  • UNILORIN student’s suicide was drug-induced – Management

    The Management of the University of Ilorin, UNILORIN, on Friday said that investigations by the institution, revealed that its student, late Mr. Adigun Emmanuel, committed suicide as an eventual culmination of drug addiction.

    The Director of Corporate Affairs of the university, Mr Kunle Akogun, made the revelation in a statement which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin.

    Akogun stated that late Emmanuel of the Faculty of Agriculture “resorted to the unsavory action to ventilate his frustration over his failure in his final year project.”

    “Mr. Adigun Emmanuel Adewale of the Faculty of Agriculture, committed suicide last Thursday November 29, 2018,” he explained.

    He said that the university after a painstaking investigations revealed that late Adigun took his own life as an eventual culmination of his pathetic drug addiction.

    The director further stated that the student must have unwisely adopted drugs to address the prolonged depression he suffered as a result of personal challenges he could not bear.

    “Some close friends of the late Mr. Adigun revealed that the obviously depressed student had unsuccessfully attempted suicide thrice, having publicly expressed profound regrets on many occasions,” he said.

    Akogun said that the student had complained that it was his nagging younger sister that was sponsoring his education.

    He said late Adigun had lamented that it would be too difficult for him to approach the same younger female sibling for the needed finances to complete his extended stay on campus.

    The university spokesman added that the deceased, has a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.72 and failed results in seven different courses.

    The director of corporate affairs of the institution further said that the performance accounted for late Adigun’s non-graduation in the last academic session.

    Akogun said that the deceased was neither considered academically outstanding nor on the verge of completing any research project.

    He added that it was clear that the late Adigun, who hailed from Oyo State, never completed the series of enabling experiments that would have given him the data needed for his research.

    “He took his life while he was expected to complete registration formalities, a prerequisite for his retake of all the courses he had earlier failed.

    According to him, a senior academic staff of the deceased’s Department of Agronomy got wind of Adigun’s psychological problem through their interactions.

    He further said the staff tried to offer series of assistance to him to avert the regrettable consequence.

    Akogun said: “his alleged drug addiction, courtesy of peer group influence, frustrated all the rehabilitative assistances that were rendered to him to the awareness, admiration and appreciation of his family members.”

    He explained that some of the measures taken by the university management to soothe the nerves of the deceased included a four-week intensive rehabilitation at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, (UITH).

    “Other assistance includes the facilitation of hostel accommodation for him on campus through the recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Gbadebo Olaoye, and a soft loan granted him.

    Akogun added that despite all these rehabilitative efforts the deceased still resorted to the despicable act of suicide to the consternation of all those who assisted him one way or the other.

    According to him, media reports that the suicide had something to do with the deceased’s academic challenges at the University of Ilorin were false.

    The spokesman warned that this is a “manifested testimony” of the increasing danger of drug addiction and peer pressure.

    “While the university commiserate with the late Mr. Adigun’s family over the unfortunate incident, it appeals to parents, relations and guardians to be up and doing in their responsibilities to their children and wards,” he said.

    He added that such care was necessary so that their children would grow up to live a decent life.

  • Court reinstates sacked UNILORIN lecturers, ASUU hails judgement

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commended the National Industrial Court, Akure, for reinstating the sacked lecturers of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

    The affected lecturers were executives of the ASUU in the institution. Both ASUU Chairman, Dr Kayode Afolayan and Secretary, Solomon Oyelekan, were illegally sacked by the authorities of the institution on September 19, 2017.

    After a year legal battle, the court presided over by Justice Abiola Adewemimo described the sacking as illegal because it contravened due process and the rules of the institution.

    The judge also chastised the institution for violating the rights of the respondent to a fair hearing, declaring the action of the university as oppressive, dictatorial, tyrannical and a miscarriage of justice.

    She ordered the immediate reinstatement of the sacked lecturers and the payment of their entitlements to date and other benefits which they are entitled to.

    Reacting to the Judgement, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Dr Ade Adejumo and Chairman of the University of Ibadan, Dr Deji Omole, described the ruling as a victory against tyranny and terrorism by the University of Ilorin administration.

    According to the duo, ASUU as a law-abiding union opted for the law-courts instead of taking laws into their hands.

    The ASUU Comrades noted that by sacking the lecturers unjustly the university has inflicted emotional and psychological trauma on their members but thanked the court for upholding the truth and nipping the tyrannical decisions at UNILORIN in the bud.