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Tag: Varsity

  • Insecurity: Obi decries deteriorating situation, says abduction of school children unacceptable

    Insecurity: Obi decries deteriorating situation, says abduction of school children unacceptable

    The main opposition voice and the presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has decried the worsening security situation in the country.

    Obi said it’s unacceptable that Nigerian children will not be allowed to learn in a secure environment because of criminals.

    The LP standard bearer charged relevant authorities to put no stone unturned and ensure that children go to school and learn in a conducive atmosphere and citizens worship their creator and go about their businesses without hindrance.

    Writing on the X handle platform, the former Anambra State Governor said “Just yesterday, I was lamenting the horrible spate of killings, terror attacks, and abductions in the country, while calling for more concerted efforts to combat the menace.

    “We are again confronted with the ugly news of the abduction of over 200 pupils and students plus a teacher of local primary and junior secondary schools in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government area of Kaduna State.
    And an attack on a Mosque in the same Kaduna, on Friday. He said it’s curious the situation in Kaduna State with the highest number of military and other security institutions in the country.
    “While every effort should be directed towards the safe release of the children, better security measures need to be implemented to avoid future occurrences.

    Obi noted that “insecurity has continued to bear down on every sector of our national existence, its negative impact on education will be more devastating for the nation.

    “We are already contending with an army of over 18 million out-of-school children, arising from the closure of schools due to insecurity. Further attacks on schools will only aggravate these numbers, drive more children into the streets, and add to the insecurity situation of the country.

    “I once again appeal to the government, both state and federal, to explore all possible means to ensure the safe release of the abducted school children. I urge every Nigerian to continue to work and pray for the nation so that we can collectively conquer our challenges.

    “We must ensure that every Nigerian child can pursue their dreams and aspirations in a safe and secure nation. This is our duty in the New Nigeria which is possible.

  • DSUST matriculates 2,450 students for 2023/2024 Academic Session

    DSUST matriculates 2,450 students for 2023/2024 Academic Session

    The Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, has matriculated 2,450 newly admitted students who sought admission into the institution for the current academic session.

    Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Jacob Oboreh, announced this during the matriculation ceremony held at the University’s events and convocation arena in Ozoro on Friday.

    Professor Oboreh, while congratulating the new intakes, charged them to be worthy ambassadors of their parents, adding that university degree is conferred on students who are found worthy in learning and in character

    He expressed optimism that the students will imbibe the virtues of discipline and diligence that will distinguish them as worthy undergraduates of DSUST.

    He warned that the institution would not condone any form of nefarious activities and urged the students to obey the University’s rules and regulations in and out of campus.

    The Vice Chancellor reminded the new students that they were in school to study and must take their education seriously, adding, “I urge you to continue to apply your mind diligently to your studies and make self-discipline your watch word.

    “You should focus on the reasons why you have come to the University and therefore shun all acts of misconduct which have been clearly stated in the Students’ Information Handbook, such as examination malpractice, cultism, sexual harassment, ‘blocking’ or ‘sorting’ and leakage of examination materials.”

    The Vice Chancellor extolled Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his outstanding contributions to the establishment of the university during his tenure as Speaker of the State House of Assembly and now Governor and visitor to the nascent University.

    “The incumbent Governor of the state, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori was Mr. Speaker, who presided over the Delta State House of Assembly that passed the bill establishing the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, and two other universities in 2021. The University therefore is the creation of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and the Governor is ever prepared to fund the university maximally to meet the requirements of our time” The Vice Chancellor added.

    “In his one hundred days in office, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Thursday, 14th September, 2023, commissioned what could be described as legacy projects in the history of the new Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro.

    “The projects were: New Administrative Building; 2 Kilometre internal Road; Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge; University Guest House; Staff School Building and Principal Officers’ Residential Quarters.

    “The Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, has identified with Governor Oborevwori’s MORE agenda as a holistic roadmap for the advancement of Delta State.”

    Prof. Oboreh said the vision of the University is to challenge the status quo in technology and produce bright minds, prepared for the generation of technological innovations, while the Mission is to nurture, groom and set the pace in the lives of our students in forging their desired career paths.

    “Our focus, therefore, is to provide excellent hands-on skills training of students and improve our capacity to create ground breaking research directed towards solving the socio-economic developmental problems of our society, Nigeria, and the world at large.”

    He said the University currently has six (6) faculties, namely: Administration and Management; Agriculture; Computing; Engineering; Environmental Science and Science.

    “I am also pleased to inform you that the University has forty-five (45) departments with forty-five (45) programmes duly approved by the National Universities Commission of Nigeria (NUC)

    “Let me assure our dear students that the university shall continue to place premium on the conducive environment needed to undertake teaching and research activities.

    “Qualified lecturers have been recruited in all the 45 programmes approved by NUC for the University. It might interest you to know that the Delta State Government has also procured several equipment for workshops and laboratories of the university.

    “The University, therefore, is set to compete favourably with other universities in terms of teaching, research and development especially with the rapid infrastructural development that is on-going in the University, including the on-going construction of 3 gigantic faculty complexes of the University.”

  • Six African Heads of State to grace Igbinedion varsity 25th anniversary celebrations

    Six African Heads of State to grace Igbinedion varsity 25th anniversary celebrations

     

    … Ex-President Jonathan to chair colloquim

    Nigeria’s first private university, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, is set to celebrate its 25 years of existence in a grand style.

    No fewer than six serving and former heads of state from African countries are billed to attend the colloquium which is the high point of activities marking the anniversary.

    Briefing news men at the campus on Thursday, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, disclosed that the colloquium will be chaired and moderated by Nigeria’s former president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

    In his address the VC said “in 1999, history was made in Nigeria with the licensing of the first private university in the country. That university is Igbinedion University, Okada, with licence no: 01. By May this year, it will be exactly 25 years since that epochal event. Today, we are delighted to announce the upcoming celebration of the 25 years anniversary of Igbinedion University, Okada, the premier and leading private university in Nigeria.  The University was established precisely on 10th May 1999 and will therefore be 25 years old on 10th May 2024”.

    According to him, “since inception, the university has achieved remarkable successes in teaching, research, capacity building, innovative studies and perhaps most significantly, the production of exceptional graduates in diverse fields of human endeavour who are contributing their quota to national and global development”. These achievements warrant the elaborate celebration planned for the anniversary.

    Professor Ezemonye said the colloquium, titled ‘Re-Imagining Tertiary Education for Africa’s Present and Future Realities’, will focus on tertiary education in Africa within the context of today’s dynamic globalized knowledge economy and tech-driven world.  According to him, “the landscape of higher education is changing rapidly and disruptively, just as the entire education sector in Africa, thus impelling the need to adapt to the global demands.  It is obvious that future ready universities must be equipped with continually increasing potency for technological disruption and collective digital paradigm shift. “

    He pointed out that other programmes to mark the anniversary would include the presentation of an anniversary compendium which is a coffee table pictorial tracing of the journey so far. There would also be the Chancellor’s Photo Gallery Exhibition, commissioning of major projects, special exhibitions, Anniversary Luncheon, Evening of Grand Performance by a collection of artistes, community outreach progammes by the university staff and students, anniversary dinner, and a host of others.

    In addition to the heads of states, a host of other dignitaries are billed to attend, some of whom would will serve as Presidential Panel Discussants at the Colloquium.

    Present at the press briefing were other principal officers and senior staff of the university, including the Chief Medical Director of the Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital (IUTH), Professor Bazuaye, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Raphael Adeghe, the Registrar, Mr Friday Benji Bakare, the Bursar, Mr Emmanuel Imafidon, Dean of Post-Graduate School, Professor Deborah Odejimi and numerous others.

  • Igbinedion varsity blazes the trail, to start manufacturing of electric vehicles in Nig

    Igbinedion varsity blazes the trail, to start manufacturing of electric vehicles in Nig

    …bags various international and local awards

    …establishes centre for long distance learning

    …graduates 842 students with 36 bagging First Class

    Nigeria’s premier private varsity, Igbinedion University, Okada, IUO in Edo State has blazed the trail by venturing into manufacturing of electric vehicles to help Nigerians save cost as prices of fuel continues to soar.

    This disclosure was made by the varsity’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Lawrence Ezemonye during its 21st convocation at the weekend.

    Prof Ezemonye revealed that the design and fabrication that would lead to the production of the vehicles were ongoing.

    He said: “Research, development, and innovation are critical to scholarship and knowledge production. The university’s efforts in this regard received a boost with the ongoing design and fabrication of Light Weight Electric Minibus, which will ultimately lead to the manufacture of lightweight vehicles.

    On the Long Distance Learning Centre, the VC said: “I am pleased to announce that the University now has a Centre for Distance Learning.  The establishment of the Centre followed a recent successful resource verification visit by the National Universities Commission

    “The Centre for Distance Learning has taken off with B.Sc. Accounting.  Other programmes which will soon be introduced under the second phase include B.Sc. Nursing Sciences, B.Sc. Computer Science, Master in Business Administration (MBA), Master in Public Health (MPA), etc.

    “To the graduands, Prof Ezemonye said: “wish to specially congratulate the graduating students.  Convocation offers a chance to celebrate hardwork and academic triumphs of all graduates. Today therefore marks a particularly important accomplishment in your lives, a culmination of your relentless hard work, sacrifice and dedication.  It symbolizes the dividing line between the past and the future.  The past you end today is your campus life; the future you will begin tomorrow as global leaders.

    “The University has since inception graduated over sixteen thousand undergraduate and postgraduate students.  At this Convocation Ceremony, another batch of 842 students comprising 691 undergraduate and 151 postgraduate students will be added to the list of distinguished graduates spread across the seven Colleges. The breakdown of the undergraduate students show that 36 are in First Class; 299 students in Second Class Upper Division; and 205 Second Class Lower Division.

    ” There is none in Third Class, while 150 earned unclassified degrees (Medicine & Surgery and Pharmacy).  Significantly, out of the graduating students in this category, 4 had distinctions in Community Medicine, while 3 made distinctions in Pharmacy.  In the postgraduate category, 51 are for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, 93 for Masters’ degree and 7 for Postgraduate Diploma.

    “As you join the select list of IUO distinguished alumni, I admonish you to be grateful to God, to your families, your sponsors and the university.  Be thankful to your lecturers and mentors as well, for equipping you with knowledge, skills and competences that will enable you to navigate the world of business and industry and make your own contribution to mankind.

  • Varsity integrates Yoruba Language into curriculum

    Varsity integrates Yoruba Language into curriculum

    In its bid to preserve and encourage its use among the students the management of the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) has introduced the Yoruba Language into its General Nigeria Studies (GNS) curriculum.

    This latest development was made known by The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye while granting an interview to journalists.

    This comes on the heels of the enactment of a law by the Lagos State Government on August 8, 2018, to safeguard and promote Yoruba Language within its tertiary institutions.

    The law mandates the inclusion of Yoruba Language in the GNS program of all tertiary institutions owned by the Lagos State Government.

    “Immediately we transmuted into a university, the senate of the institution approved the teaching of Yoruba Language at the GNS level in 2022, and we started teaching in February during the 2022/2023 session.

    “For now, our university is the only institution that is teaching Yoruba for one whole session in the state,” she said. Lafiaji-Okuneye added that the 100-level students at the university had been taught, examined and graded on the course.

    “Lecturers teaching Yoruba Language created innovative ways to teach their students to capture their interest. “In the last admission process, we had to move some candidates interested in studying English Language to Yoruba Language because of the population.

    “The idea of making Yoruba Language compulsory is because we want our students to know more about the culture. “I urge parents and schools to adopt our language, which can help us to become game changers in preserving the language among children and students,” she said.

  • Varsity suspends 6 students over alleged murder of colleague

    Varsity suspends 6 students over alleged murder of colleague

    The Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), in Katsina State has suspended six students over the alleged murder of a 200-level student of the institution.

    This was disclosed in a statement issued by Malam Habib Aminu-Umar, the spokesperson of the university and made available to newsmen in Katsina on Sunday.

    Recall that the State Police Command had earlier announced the arrest of six students of the university in connection to the death of Abubakar Nasir-Barda, a 200 level-student.

    “The management of the University on behalf of its Senate, staff and student is deeply saddened, concerned and highly regrets the unfortunate incident involving some of its students.

    “It led to the sudden death of a 200-level Computer Science and Information Technology, from an unfortunate altercation over a female student.

    “The University Management has been up and doing since the occurrence of the unfortunate incident to ensure justice is served to all.

    “The management upon getting wind of the incident swiftly constituted an Interim ad-hoc committee to look into the case and feed management on development as they unfold,” he said.

    According to him, a preliminary report submitted to the management on Sept. 30, by the committee revealed that the unfortunate incident occurred outside the university’s campus.

    “But upon receipt of information, the university’s security were quickly mobilised to the scene for prompt intervention that halted further altercation between the students and apprehension of some students involved.

    “The matter has already been taken over by Police, which led to the arrest of six students that are in connection with the incident as confirmed by the Police official press statement,” Aminu-Umar said.

    According to him, the ad-hoc committee’s interim report had equally recommended the University Management to invoke session 5.5(a) Of the University Academic Policy by suspending all the six students involved in the matter pending the outcome of the police investigation.

    “Which the management has approved by suspending indefinitely all the six students involved,” the university’s spokesperson revealed.

    He said that while the police investigation was ongoing, the university management was assuring the public, particularly the university community that no stone shall be left unturned in ensuring justice was served.

    Aminu-Umar further disclosed that the university management prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased.

    NAN

  • Assailant stabs Ondo varsity student to death over N1000

    Assailant stabs Ondo varsity student to death over N1000

    An assailant stabbed a student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State to death on Thursday after an argument over N1,000.

    The assailant fled after the incident and is still at large.

    Irate fellow students went on rampage immediately after the stabbing and razed a building belonging to a relative of the assailant in which he lived.

    “The student was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. His death angered other students who set the suspect’s house ablaze,’’ the eyewitness said.

    Police spokesman in Ondo State, ASP Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the incident but said she had yet to get full details.

    She confirmed also that the student died in the hospital.

    The traditional ruler of the community, Alale of Akungba, Oba Isaac Adeyeye, called for restraint and public peace and advised students of the university to eschew breakdown of law and order.

  • ASUU Strike: Universities expected to fully re-open next week

    ASUU Strike: Universities expected to fully re-open next week

    After meeting with the Federal Government on Monday over the lingering University strike embarked upon by lecturers since February 14 2022, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has hinted the strike will likely be called off this week and the institutions fully re-opened next week for academic activities in the country.

    ASUU  yesterday expressed optimism that the intervention by the House of Representatives on its ongoing face-off with the Federal Government would yield desired results.

    The President of ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, who spoke when the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, briefed the union in Abuja after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari said, “For the first time, we have seen light at the end of the tunnel.”

    Meanwhile, Minister of Education had previously given a hint that ASUU will likely call off its ongoing strike while confirming negotiations are still ongoing between the Federal Government and the union.

    Adamu confirmed that the government has agreed to release the balance of N23billion Earned Allowances to the striking lecturers.

    The Minister said that the Ministry of Finance has promised to undertake a forensic audit of the N30billion allowance earlier released to the lecturers, bringing the total to N53billion, speaking at a separate meeting with the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFund),.

    “They (lecturers) asked for N23billion to be paid. But we said the condition for that N23billion to be released was for them to account for the N30billion they had taken, which is a total of N53billion. And they were not able to account for it.

    “The Minister of Finance undertook to do the audit from the ministry. And we agreed that the result will be known in six months. During that six months, government undertook to be paying them N1.5billion each month during the time they are waiting for this”, Adamu told the committee.

    He said the Ministry of Finance has already approved the release of the funds but not yet cash backed. “Probably, by Monday, they will be able to receive the cheque. And we will do forensic audit on the entire N53billion”, he assured.

    But Adamu insisted that a major request by ASUU, that federal universities be exempted from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) will not be granted.

    On Monday, ASUU, an umbrella body of all university lecturers in Nigeria, declared a total, indefinite, nationwide strike over Federal Government’s failure to fulfill the 2009/2013 Agreement made with the Union.

     

  • Benin Republic varsity confers honorary doctorate on Mr P

    Benin Republic varsity confers honorary doctorate on Mr P

    Popular singer, Peter Okoye better known as Mr P, has been awarded with an honorary Doctorate degree from ESCAE University in Benin Republic.

    Mr P, a member of the now-defunct P-Square, took to his Instagram page to display the certificate.

    The ‘Follow my lead’ crooner shared pictures and video of himself decked in a graduation gown holding his glass-framed certificate.

    On the certificate, the words ‘Doctor of Arts’ was boldly noticeable.

    He captioned, “Dear Team P! It’s a great honor to be decorated by a distinguished educational institution, who have recognised my contribution to dance and music as well as my support for the youth in the entertainment industry.

    “Thank you @escaeakpakpacampus and @escaeunibenin for this honour.

    The caption was signed, “Dr (Hon) Peter Obumneme Okoye aka Dr Mr P.”

    On their Instagram page, ESCAE BENIN University also shared a picture of the new awardee with the caption, “Congratulations Dr @peterpsquare we celebrate you.”

    As expected fans and colleagues took to Mr P’s comment sectioon to congratulate him on his latest achievement.

    Actor Zubby Michael wrote, “Congratulations P classic Odogwu”.

    Actress Mercy Aigbe wrote, “Congratulations”.

     

  • Varsity workers begin nationwide strike February 5

    Varsity workers begin nationwide strike February 5

    Non-teaching staff in universities will commence a nationwide strike from February 15, 2021 over the Federal Government’s handling of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System(IPPIS), sharing formula of the N40 billion earned academic allowances and non-payment of arrears of the new minimum wage.

    The workers, under the Joint Action Committee, which is made up of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) had last week embarked on a three- day protest over government’s failure to honour the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed with the unions on 20th October, 2020.

    The committee said other contentious issues that informed the decision to embark on a nationwide industrial action include inconsistencies in IPPIS payment and the delay in the renegotiation of the FGN/ ASUU/SSANU 2009 Agreement.

    Others are the non-payment of retirement benefits to former members, non-constitution of visitation panels to universities, poor funding of universities, teaching staff usurping the headship of non-teaching units, among others.

    Addressing newsmen on Friday in Abuja, the JAC of SSANU and NASU led by the National President of SSANU, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim and General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi, said out of the seven issues under contention, only one was partially resolved.

    JAC said: “Out of the seven issues, only one has been partially resolved while the other six issues have not been attended to by government, three months after the Memorandum of Understanding was signed.”

    JAC noted that after the congresses held by its branches on Tuesday this week, 90 per cent of NASU members were in support of a strike and 10 percent stood against it. While 83 per cent of SSANU members were in support of embarking on strike, 11 per cent were against the strike and 6 percent were indifferent.

    “It is in line with the resolution of our members nationwide that the leadership of the joint action committee of NASU and SSANU hereby resolve as follows;

    “That members of NASU and SSANU shall embark on an indefinite, comprehensive and total strike with effect from midnight of Friday, 5th February 2021.

    “That two weeks’ notice effective from today, Friday 22nd January 2021, is hereby given to government and relevant stakeholders of this development,” the JAC president said.