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  • UNIBEN V-C appeals for calm over soldiers, students clash

    UNIBEN V-C appeals for calm over soldiers, students clash

    Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Lilian Salami has called on students to always embrace dialogue in resolving issues rather than taking to protests at the slightest provocation.

    Prof. Salami made that call in a statement she issued on Friday in Benin after a clash between some students of the institution and soldiers on Thursday.

    Clashes and protests usually cause more injury and damage to the students and to other citizens, she noted.

    Pandemonium broke out on the university campus on Thursday when some soldiers went there to use ATM.

    There were, however, variations in eyewitness accounts of what transpired between the students and the soldiers.

    An account said the crisis erupted when the students resisted attempts by the soldiers to jump the queue for the use of the ATM leading to fisticuffs between them.

    Another account said a large group of students descended on the soldiers when the military men upbraided some students for wearing camouflage.

    Prof. Salami described the incident as unfortunate.

    “The unfortunate incident of the clash between some students and soldiers on Thursday, Feb. 2, resulting from alleged resistance of students to the soldiers’ attempt to jump ATM queues on campus has been brought under control.

    “Management of the university is in discussions with the hierarchy of the army in Benin (the Supply and Transport) for amicable resolution.

    “Management acknowledges that these are challenging times for everyone and enjoins all to remain calm while efforts are being made to avert a recurrence.

    “Management also calls on the students to constantly embrace dialogue in resolving issues that concern them rather than taking to protests, at any provocation.

    “Such protests cause more injury and damage for the students and for other citizens,’’ Prof. Salami stated.

  • LASU installs CCTV cameras to enhance security on campus

    LASU installs CCTV cameras to enhance security on campus

    The management of Lagos State University (LASU) has approved funds for the installation of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and other electronic gadgets to enhance security on campus.

    The Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, disclosed this on Monday during the orientation programme for students of LASU School of Basic and Advance Studies (LASUSBAS), Badagry Campus.

    “In addition to this, we have also constructed a new security post and procured a new motorcycle to improve the safety of lives and properties in the premises.

    “In line with safety and security procedures, we have an active collaboration with external security agencies to complement the efforts of the university to improve safety of lives and properties of students and staff members.

    “Also, our administration has procured an ambulance and two new 100kva and 40kva generators for the Badagry campus and the hostel, respectively.

    “These are apart from the measures that have been put in place to ensure that our students commute with ease to and fro the university hostel on daily basis,” she said.

    Olatunji-Bello promised that the institution would increase admission opportunities for candidates who graduated from the programme.
    She stressed that any student that met the cut-off mark would not be denied admission into the 200 Level of the courses he/she desired to study in the university.

    The vice-chancellor urged them to remain focused to to be able benefit from the huge opportunities presented by the LASUSBAS programme.

    “I urge you to embrace hard work, shun vices such as cultism, cybercrimes popularly known as yahoo yahoo, sexual and gender-based violence, drug and alcohol related offences as well as examination malpractices.

    “Let me warn you that if you are found culpable of any of these misconducts you shall not be spared, but shall be made to face the penalty, in accordance with the rules and regulations of LASU.

    “I urge you to justify the huge investments of your parents in your education by being disciplined on and off campus,” she added.

    In his opening remarks, Prof. Yunus Dauda, the Director, LASUSBAS, commended the vice-chancellor for providing CCTV cameras, security posts and adequate laboratory equipment for science students.

    He also noted that Olatinji-Bello had refurbished all the classroom facilities on campus and provided a befitting cafeterias for students and staff.

    The director congratulated the vice-chancellor for her achievements since she assumed office.

    According to him, the facilities had impacted positively on academic activities as well as welfare of students and staff of the university.

    He urged the newly admitted students to consider their admission for the programme as a great achievement.

    Dauda urged them to work very hard and utilise their time well throughout the duration of the programme.

    He advised the students to shun cultism, gangsterism, examination malpractice and other form of nefarious activities on campus.

    LASUSBAS was formally known as JUPEB Foundation Programme.

    The highlight of occasion was the inauguration of a cafeteria block on the campus.

    NAN

  • 556 outstanding LASU students get scholarship

    556 outstanding LASU students get scholarship

    The management of Lagos State University has awarded scholarship of 50 per cent refund of school fees in the academic session to 556 outstanding undergraduate students of the institution.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that this is in line with a promise made by Prof. ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, when she assumed duty on Sept. 20, 2021, as the ninth substantive Vice-Chancellor of LASU.

    She promised 50 per cent refund of school fees to students with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.50 every academic session.

    Olatunji-Bello had said that the decision to introduce the policy was to promote healthy competition among the students.

    The VC announced the scholarship awards to 556 beneficiaries at a public lecture on the first anniversary of her assumption of office on Tuesday, in Lagos.

    She said that the administration’s vision remained making LASU  the best university in West Africa.

    Olatunji-Bello said that within a year, the administration, with support of all stakeholders in LASU, had added three new faculties of science and a school.

    “The new faculties are Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Environmental Sciences; and School of Library, Archival and Information Science.

    “Other achievements include admission of new international students, expansion of programmes, and the Epe Campus,” she said.

    Olatunji-Bello said that to achieve its vision, the administration set out six strategic goals.

    These, she said, include: to ensure that academic and professional programmes are and remain accredited by the relevant bodies.

    Another is to “make the university a research, innovation, and development hub for Lagos State and national development”.

    It also aims to “ensure that infrastructural facilities are improved and readily available for seamless performance of administrative and academic duties.”

    Others are, “to improve internal generation of revenue with the aim of achieving financial sustainability of the university, promote the welfare of all staff and students in the university and promote participation in sports and recreational activities.”

    Olatunji-Bello reaffirmed that the university’s commitment to providing a platform that engenders intellectual debates and proffers workable solutions to the deplorable state of education in Nigeria.

    “We are bearing in mind the unique place of higher education in the development of our nation.

    “Indeed, given the dire state of higher education in the country today, no other discussion would have been more pressing.

    “In the last seven months, most public Universities have been shut following the stalemate in the negotiations between the federal government and the leadership of ASUU,” she said.

    Olatunji-Bello said that the modest achievements so far demonstrate the administration’s unwavering commitment to the vision that drives its policies and the development of the University.

    “Also, the cardinal point of this administration’s mission is to place the university on a solid foundation of excellence in research, learning, and community service,” she said.

    The VC appreciated  Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, who is the Visitor to the University, and his Special Adviser on Education, Mr  Tokunbo Philip Wahab, for their support.

    She also thanked the Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Gbolahan Elias, and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of our Governing Council, Mr David Sunmoni, as well.

  • Nigerian varsities’ poor ranking: What LASU is doing – VC

    Nigerian varsities’ poor ranking: What LASU is doing – VC

    The Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, said on Tuesday that available statistics pointed to an urgent need for repositioning of universities.

    She spoke at the opening ceremony of the Fourth Research and Development Fair, organised by LASU in Lagos.

    The theme of the fair was: “Repositioning The Nigerian University System For Global Relevance and Competitiveness In Learning, Research, Innovation, And Technological Transfer”.

    Olatunji-Bello said that the theme of the research fair was apt in face of the not-too-impressive showing of Nigerian Universities in recent global rankings.

    “According to National Universities Commission (NUC) , there are 200 Universities in Nigeria, out of which more than 79 are privately owned, 43 are Federal owned and 48 are state-owned.

    “In the 2022 webmetrics ranking, there is no single Nigerian University in top 1000 in the world, while the highest ranked is the University of Ibadan at 1207.

    “The centre for World University ranking in its 2022 report could not rank any Nigerian University in the first 1000, the highest ranked sits at 1172,” she said.

    The vice-chancellor said that in a bid to address this, LASU had, in last few years, intensified its effort in research and innovation.

    This, she said, culminated in the creation of the Directorate of Research Management and Innovation.

    “The Senate of this university is instituting a five million naira research grant for cutting- edge multidisciplinary researches in the University.

    “The directorate is also responsible for reviewing research proposals and ensuring that our academics comply with current ethical consideration.

    “We want research to maintain its paramount position in LASU, as it is expected in every world class institution of higher learning,” she said.

    At the event, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, pledged to build and equip a modern 750-seater lecture theatre  for the University.

    Orelope-Adefulire said this while delivering her keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the event.

    She said that the donation of the lecture theatre was to identify with the ongoing developmental strides in LASU.

    “I am always willing and ready to give assistance to the university, both at personal and official levels,” she said.

    The presidential aide said there was a need to prioritise inclusive and quality education for all, leaving no one behind.

    “My office remains deeply committed to sustaining key partnerships on education to advance the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

    “We are looking forward to seeing the innovative pathways for the education sector that will emerge from this innovation fair,” Orelope-Adefulire said.

    She said that qualitative and inclusive education was a crucial tool for achieving sustainable livelihood and economic prosperity for families and societies.

    “However, it requires strategic investments through the creation of relevant educational programmes; capacity building for academia; and provision of modern technology to improve access to learning that will improve research.

    ” Investment in research for universities is crucial, however, as Nigeria was grappling to recover from the 2016 economic recession, the recovery was impacted by the effect of COVID-19 pandemic.

    “It is imperative to reduce these barriers if we truly want to reposition the university in Nigeria,” she said.

    Orelope-Adefulire said that achieving this required collaborative efforts in a whole of society approach, to enhance innovation and development, among others, in all educational sectors in Nigeria.

  • BREAKING: FG meets VCs, Pro-Chancellors to end ASUU strike

    BREAKING: FG meets VCs, Pro-Chancellors to end ASUU strike

    The Federal Government on Tuesday in Abuja met with Vice Chancellors and Pro-Chancellors of federal universities to end the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, at the meeting, described the indefinite strike by ASUU as an anguish and internal turmoil to him.

    Adamu said he wanted the parties to reach an amicable resolution of all the issues contained in the 2009 Agreements because the past two weeks had been a very dark period in the education sector.

    “I used to think in a climate of frankness, and with mutual goodwill, an end or solution would have been found to incessant strikes in the education sector.

    “This has not been possible or, at least, not as easy and straightforward, as I used to think,” he said.

    The minister quoted the President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke to have said the union would no longer negotiate with the current administration on the ongoing strike.

    He said that that position must be resisted to salvage the country’s educational system.

    “Government and ASUU have no option than to continue talking, until our universities are reopened to students who, clearly, are the principal victims of the seemingly unending strike.

    “In this circumstances, therefore, all councils and senates of our universities are enjoined to rise up to their responsibilities.

    “We must, together, continue to work to restore our public universities to where they are in the 60s and 70s.

    “As the most important officers in our university system, Pro Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors, must demonstrate more commitment to ending the ongoing strike,” he said.

    He urged the Vice Chancellors and Pro-Chancellors to make it a duty to promote policies and actions that would discourage industrial disputes in our campuses.

    He added that the government would continue to support the physical and academic development of its universities as well as enhance the working conditions of all university staff.

  • BREAKING: Former LASU VC, Prof. Hussein is dead

    BREAKING: Former LASU VC, Prof. Hussein is dead

    A former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Lateef Akanni Hussein, is dead. He was 75.

    Hussein, a Professor of Physics, was the 6th Substantive VC of the Lagos State-owned institution between 2005 and 2011.

    Hussein died after a brief illness on Sunday evening.

    The school announced his demise on its official Twitter page @LASUOfficial on Monday.

    Prof. Hussain worked as a lecturer in the Department of Physics, University of Ibadan (UI) in Oyo State.

  • Sex-for-marks: UniAbuja dismisses 2 professors

    The Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na-Allah, says the institution has gone tough on lecturers sexually harassing students, as two professors had been dismissed for the offence.

    Na’Allah told NAN on Monday in New York that the university had introduced a policy on sex abuse on campus, which had been published.

    Na-Allah, who was on a two–day visit to the U.S., to meet with the University of Abuja Alumni Association, USA chapter, to solicit support for the institution, said, ”female students needed to be protected.”

    According to him, the institution is committed to high moral standards and will not tolerate any act of misconduct perpetrated by its staff against students.

    “I have dismissed two professors since I became the vice- chancellor. It tells you how we are serious about the issue of sexual harassment.

    “We are collaborating with some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), to make sure that it is not only us that are addressing this issue, but we have a strong partnership.

    “We cannot allow the lives of our students to be destroyed, because most of the abuses destroy the lives of their victims.’’

    The vice-chancellor said: ”it was sad to see some lecturers, who are supposed to be protecting the female students, becoming one of their problems.

    “This a problem of universities in Nigeria, not only University of Abuja alone.

    “But UniAbuja is pursuing it with vigour, because, we know this is one of the issues to address to make our university one of the best in Nigeria.

    “As I speak now, there are several investigations ongoing by a committee set up, addressing the problem,’’ Na-Allah said

    The VC said that the university was working round the clock to make sure the institution become number one in Nigeria, adding that ”the best way is to improve on academics of the student.

    “We are trying to provide all the facilities that the students need, for instance, the smart classrooms, internet facilities on campus and other areas.’’

    Na-Allah further said that the Centre for Distance Learning (CDL), in the university was among the best in Nigeria, adding that Nigerians in diaspora could take programmes anywhere in the world from the centre virtually.

    “People from everywhere in the world are students from first degree up to PhD level at the CDL. Things are easier now; you can even do your defense on zoom.

    “We have created a virtual classroom system and we are working with the National University Commission (NUC), to see that its policies are reversed in such a way to support virtual system.

    “We are collaborating with the University of Arizona, U.S, because it has a large virtual system and we are exploring relationship for online programmes with the university,’’ he said.

    The University of Abuja is a tertiary institution in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, established in January 1988, as a dual-mode University, with the mandate to run conventional and distance learning programmes.

  • Ife indigenes invades OAU campus with charms, fetish objects

    Ife indigenes invades OAU campus with charms, fetish objects

    Some indigenes of Ile-Ife in Osun, on Monday allegedly invaded the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) campus, armed with charms and other fetish objects, protesting against the appointment of non-indigene as the institution’s Vice-Chancellor.

    It was gathered that the protesting Ife indigenes closed the university’s two major gates as early as 6.00 a.m, thereby preventing vehicular movement from coming into the campus, while those inside the campus were disallowed from leaving.

    According to reports, staff members, students and other stakeholders were also prevented from either coming into or leaving the university.

    Recall that the University Governing Council led by its Chairman, Chief Owelle Udoji, had on Thursday, shortly after the council’s meeting announced a Professor of Agricultural Economics, Adebayo Bamire, as the 12th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the institution.

    Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, the Public Relations Officer of the university, however, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday evening.

    According to him, determined to forcefully install an Ile-Ife indigene as the next Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, some indigenes of Ile-Ife have invaded the campus of the university with charms and other fetish objects.

    “Today, Monday, March 21, 2022, things took more dangerous dimensions as the indigenes beat up some OAU students whom they met at the gate, blocked the two major gates as early as 6.00 a.m, coming into the campus with charms, and other fetish items.

    “They assembled at the Motion Ground of the University Secretariat, dressed in all-white spiritual traditional attire, chanting incantations while performing rituals.

    “The protesting indigenes closed the university’s two major gates, thereby preventing staff members, students and other stakeholders from either coming into or leaving the university.

    “The protests by the Ife indigenes started last Thursday, March 17, 2022 shortly after the University Governing Council, led by its Chairman, Owelle Oscar Udoji, announced a Professor of Agricultural Economics, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire, as the 12th substantive Vice-Chancellor.

    “The protesters, who initially blocked the main gate of the university on the first day and threatened staff and students to stay away from campus, became very violent the second day as they beat up workers, particularly the staff of the Security Unit, and vandalised their office at the Main Gate.

    “Some of the security staff had to be taken to the University’s Health Centre for treatment,” Olarewaju said in the statement.

    He said that the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board shortlisted 16 candidates for the interaction for the post of Vice-Chancellor.

    “The candidates whose names were arranged in alphabetical order were called in for interaction and each was scored by each member of the Selection Board.

    “The score sheets of each Assessor for individual candidates were dropped into an envelope and sealed, with the signature of the Chairman of Council on each one.

    “At the end of the interaction, the sealed envelopes were opened one after the other and announced to all the members.

    “The score sheets were thereafter passed around for sighting.

    “Then, the scores of the candidates were collated with Microsoft Excel and ranked from the highest to the lowest.

    “The candidate with the highest score was eventually announced as the Vice-Chancellor by the Governing Council.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, no member of the Board had foreknowledge of each candidate’s score before the final collation at the end of the interaction,” Olarewaju explained.

    He said that the university was aware of the false presentation of the alphabetical arrangement of the applicants as the authentic list of applicants’ performance where unfounded allegations have been made of changing the “leading” candidate.

    “The university hereby affirms that due processes were followed and merit was the basis for the appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor.

    “The University Management implores the leadership of Ile- Ife to please call these protesters to order to ensure that the cordial relationship, which has been in existence, between the university and Ile-Ife communities is not jeopardised.”

  • Protest by SSANU, NASU mars new UI VC’s assumption of office

    Protest by SSANU, NASU mars new UI VC’s assumption of office

    The assumption of office of the new Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, on Monday was marred by a peaceful protest by the institution’s non-academic staff members.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protest was staged by Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).

    NAN also reports that the inauguration and thanksgiving service of the 13th vice-chancellor was held at Chapel of Resurrection within the university on Monday.

    However, the institution’s staff members held the protest immediately after the service over the 75:25 per cent sharing formula of the just-approved N22.1 billion for payment of earned allowances for university staffers by the Federal Government.

    The protesters marched through the base of the vice-chancellor’s office to the frontage of Trenchard Hall, Mellamby Hall, Tedder Hall and Students’ Union Building before dispersing.

    Speakers during the protest included SSANU Chairman, Abiodun Omisore; his NASU counterpart, Malachy Etim; a former SSANU chairman, Wale Akinremi and a former National Vice-Chairman of SSANU, Alfred Jimoh.

    Etim said: “We want to educate our members on the strike that is coming up, because we are going to take our destiny into our hands.

    “At the same time, we want the public to warn the Minister of Education. We know he is an academic.The Executive Secretary of NUC is also an academic.

    “If they think they can use the non-teaching staff money to pay the academics, which they will benefit from, we will not accept that.

    “We are sending a signal to them that very soon, we will close down all the universities, except they retrace their steps. Government is pushing us to go on strike.”

    In his remarks, Akinremi, appealed to the public to prevail on the government to ensure justice.

    Adebowale, while speaking during the service, promised to administer the country’s premier university with the fear of God.

    “By the special grace of God, we will run an administration that is God-fearing; and administration that seeks and pursues the welfare of everyone, not minding their ethnicity, faith or creed.

    “Only an administration that is fair, even and just in leading people can bring glory to God’s name,” the new helmsman said.

  • VC orders immediate shutdown of UNIBEN over students’ protest

    VC orders immediate shutdown of UNIBEN over students’ protest

    Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Lilian Salami has announced the immediate closure of the University, following the protest that rocked the institution on Tuesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that students of the institution obstructed the ever-busy Benin-Lagos Expressway and the Ekheuan Road over a N20,000 late registration fee imposed by the school authority.

    NAN reports that students described this decision as unpleasant particularly amidst the “unfavourable economic situation’’ in the country.

    In a statement issued by the Registrar of the institution, Mr Ademola Bobola, Salami ordered all students to vacate their hostels and the University premises not later than noon on Wednesday.

    “The Vice-Chancellor has reviewed the agitation by a section of the students’ body on Tuesday.

    “After due consultation and in the overall interest of the general students’ body, the Vice Chancellor has, on behalf of Senate, approved the closure of the University with immediate effect.

    “This is based on security reports to avoid the students’ action being hijacked by hoodlums; and thereby prevent any form of breakdown of law and order within and outside the campuses of the University,’’ She said.

    NAN reports that the University resumed for the 2020 to 2021 academic session on Wednesday.