OAU Decides: Campaign Ban To Be Lifted March 7

There are strong indications that the ban on campaigns across the campus by contestants for various positions in the leadership of the Students' Union of Obafemi Awolowo University will be lifted in about one week time.

Barring any unforeseen last minute changes to the present controversial school academic calendar, the Electoral Commission will be constituted by the Students' Representative Council via nominations after which the campaign ban will be lifted. This was confirmed to our correspondents by some stakeholders of the Union earlier today. A parliamentarian who spoke to us on the condition of anonymity explained that the Union leadership is making moves to ensure a quick transition in leadership if possible before the general election which kicks off March 28. "Since our school calendar remains doubtful, hence there are considerations to ensure the Students' Union elections are held before the exam which has been slated to commence March 31st"

The Parliamentarian also spoke about the intention of the Parliament to take proactive steps to avoid the abuse and non-adherence to the Constitution unlike what befell the Union during the last election.

"The Alabi Abeeb-led Electoral Commission last year grossly failed to adhere to the constitution as the timetable for the elections went against what was stipulated in the Constitution. There are stipulated structures on election timetable but last year, the commission did what they felt was right. Remember, some students were shabbily disenfranchised last year also. All these we hope to avoid this time since we have SRC on ground."

Article V, Section 60, Sub-section 4 of the sacrosanct constitution of the Students' Union, OAU provides that the constituted Electoral Commission shall organize and effectively supervise all Union elections and bye elections with utmost good faith.

Even as these prospective contestants await the official lifting of campaign ban, many of them have resorted to pasting papers on walls of campus buildings and meeting students one-on-one.

Win 20,000 & Lots More At RCF 2015 Spelling Bee Competition (Register Now)

Do you have what it takes to mount this podium? It’s a call to spell!

The Academic subgroup of the Redeemed Christian Fellowship, Obafemi Awolowo University would like to inform all and sundry of the 2nd edition of its Spelling Bee Competition. The spelling bee is a competition where contestants are asked to spell a broad section of words usually with varying degrees of difficulty. This year’s edition promises to be mind-blowing and exciting. The prizes to be won include:

1ST PRIZE: 20,000 + AWARD PLAQUE
2ND PRIZE: 15,000 + AWARD PLAQUE
3rd PRIZE: 10,000 + AWARD PLAQUE

Along with other consolation prizes, the competition will take place on the 7th of March, 2015.
Registration fee: N500

For more enquiries and also to register for the competition, please call any of the following numbers;
07063694407
08146397159
09090441343

Application For Change Of Course For 2014/2015 Session Has Commenced

This is to notify every interested person that application for change of course for 2014/2015 session has commenced. Application forms can be collected at Admissions Office, University Hall Extension (New Secretariat Building), Room (216A-217) after producing a receipt of the sum of One Thousand Naira (N1,000.00) from the University Cash Office. Deadline for submission of duly filled forms is Wednesday, 20th March, 2015.

In other news, this is remind students who still have one or two things to adjust in their course registration that the Late Registration for Rain semester 2013/2014 Session is still on.

Goodluck peeps!

Ife Law Gets Theme Song Featuring Chinko Ekun & Others

The Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University has finally gotten a theme song. The theme song titled 'RISE' features Nadine, Di’nero, Marcus, Kezmo, Mapex, Ola Stunner and the newly signed YBNL rising star Chinko Ekun, who are all students of the Faculty of Law.

You can Listen and Download it here.

President Jonathan's Best Picture So Far?

Do you agree?

LASU Students Get Excess Fees Refund

SEVERAL months of tireless agitations and protests by students of the Lagos State University (LASU) Thursday yielded result as the state government began a refund of tuition fees for 2013/14 session.

The refund was an aftermath of school fees’ review by the government after students protested the initial high tuition.

Following the release of N209 million to LASU, in the first tranche of refund, the school authority began issuance of cheques on Thursday. The refund ranges from N63,000 to N300,000 per student.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Fatai Olukoga and Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. John Obafunwa, among others, were at the LASU Main Auditorium to present the cheques to some recipients.

The recipients, 5,031 in total, were 100 Level students and 200 Level Direct Entry students.

While the names of only a few were called to receive cheques, many others who were expecting theirs walked out in disappointment because they did not hear their names.

The authorities, however, gave assurance that all students would eventually get theirs when the government pays the N89 million balance of the refund.

Olukogan, who represented Fashola, said the money released was N209 million and the remaining would be released later. He added that government was committed to ensuring the wellbeing of the students, even though LASU remains the institution that charges the lowest fee in the country.

According to him, when the government reversed the fees, many people dubbed it as a political move that would not come to be. “We have proved them wrong,” he said.

Fashola, in his speech read by Olukoga, noted that the government was not unaware of comments from critical stakeholders that had made a mockery of university education in the country through the low school fees.

“We are also not unaware of the moves by the same stakeholders to frustrate our efforts at ensuring the quality of LASU programmes.

“Notwithstanding the frustration, we are relentlessly committed to making LASU a world-class university of our time.

“Information at our disposal reveals that initial computation of excess money to be refunded to 100 level and 200 level Direct Entry students for 2013/14 academic session stood at N209.874 million.

“However, following the release of the fund, the university management later reported a shortfall in the computed excess money to be refunded, particularly to those in 200 level to 400 level,” he said, adding that the shortfall would be released after the reconciliation exercise is over.

Obafunwa said that 5,031 students were supposed to have their money refunded in two tranche and N209 million had been released for disbursement in the first phase of the exercise.

According to him, some people thought that it would not be possible to get refund of the money from the state government, but such people had been put to shame.

“What some people thought was impossible, we are witnessing it. Some individuals try to take advantage of the slow pace of the refund and kept on saying that government or management has no intention of making the refund,” he said.

Obafunwa stated that the management of the school went through rigorous process to ensure that the fund was released for disbursement to the students.


Source

Violence Reports About Accounting Students In OAU Is False -NUASA OAU President

The widely reported parliamentary sitting of Accounting Students' Representative Council(ASRC) of the Nigeria Universities Accounting Students' Association (NUASA), Obafemi Awolowo Universities which allegedly turned violent has been debunked by leaders of the association and thus not true.

Below is the Press Statement made available to OAU Peeps News Agency by the Association:

At this moment, it is a must for me to come out and let the whole world know that accounting students of Obafemi Awolowo University are people of integrity and well-mannered students. I as the president of NUASA will not do anything that will tarnish the good image many past leaders of the association have shed blood and made a lot of sacrifice to build. The release that there was a fight at the last parliamentary sitting was untrue and our press must always realize that damaging images of people for popularity or for the purpose of making money is not good enough. As the pressmen are doing their job, every ethics guiding the profession of journalism must be obeyed.

It was unfortunate that the little disagreement in the house between the Accounting Students' Representative Council(ASRC) and the gallerias could be escalated by some students who came to the sitting as students but were there as informants and went online to publish another story which later caught the attention of different news outlets and national dailies. A lot of story in the publications were wrong. The General Secretary the person of Oladiti Oladotun was not suspended, there is no office as the Director of Studies in NUASA, nobody was attacked and what transpired between some gallerias and Lasisi Afeez was amicably settled by me and I was shocked when news outlets reported that he was attacked.

The principle that has been guiding the present administration is integrity and we have been doing everything within our capacity to make sure that the association funds are well accounted for and our staff advisers, lecturers, patrons and students can testify to this. More so, let me make it known to the public that the disagreement in the ASRC which was later escalated by individuals has nothing to do with money or financial report of our just concluded summit. A constitutional matter was raised during the sitting by a galleria which the appropriate authority refused to recognized was all that lead to the issue that has been hijacked by the press.

The ASRC approved a budget of over 2.2million for the summit and less than 1.8million was spent for the three days summit. The summit financial report has been submitted to appropriate authority and has been verified and approved by them. The Present NUASA leaders have been nominated for many awards based on our performances so far and we will not do anything to tarnish the good image we have labored so much to build. We appeal to all news outlets to make their findings very well before they publish anything and that money and popularity should not always be the motive for doing anything which in turn may have negative effect on others. I want all nuasites to be calm and that we must handle this issue with all maturity.

Our lives are not determined by our challenges but by how we handle every challenge we face. We will always be committed to courses that will add positive values to every student in the association and our promise to always give you our best still stands. Finally as paraphrased one of my role models the person of Martin Luther King Jr. "I refuse to accept despair as the final response to the challenges of the present moment". And I want to thank all NUASA past executives, lecturers, patrons, corporate bodies, students and other stakeholders for standing by us at this crucial period in the life of our association.


Signed

Adeoba V. Oluwadamilola (NUASA OAU President)

Oladiti Oladotun Victor (NUASA OAU General Secretary)

DLCF OAU Gives Scholarship Awards To Indigent Students

The Deeper Life Christian Fellowship (DLCF), Obafemi Awolowo University chapter has awarded scholarships to indigent students and top performing academic students of the university.

Scholarships worth N650,000 were awarded to 12 students of OAU who are workers in the fellowship for varying reasons. Announcing the scholarship on Sunday, Pastor Bakare who is the Chairman of the Scholarship Committee said the fellowship was able to identify some of their members who are in need of financial assistance and the reason for this help. Donations for the scheme according to him came from ex-students who were indigent members of the fellowship during their days in school.

Olubunmi Deborah of the Department of Foreign Languages and Oluwafunke Kehinde Adeoye of Department of Management and Accounting both bagged the academic scholarships for the best performing identified students in the fellowship. Both of them with CGPA above 4.5 (first class). 10 indigent students were also given scholarships to assist them in their studies. This will be the second edition of the scholarship award as similar scheme held sometimes last year.

The Sunday service also saw the announcement of new set of leaders for the fellowship as the tenure of the previous executive members elapsed. Awojodun Bunmi Amos who previously served as an off-campus representative was announced as the new General Coordinator(GC) of the fellowship while Oyebade Simeon emerged as the new Assistant General Coordinator(GGC). One of the recipients of the academic scholarship award, Oluwafunke Kehinde Adeoye was also announced as the Sisters' Welfare Coordinator(SWC).

The Regional Overseer of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Ife Region, Pastor Ajala in his charge to the newly chosen leaders urged them to lead the fellowship in the fear of God and see this as a privilege to lead God's people. The Regional Coordinator of DLCF, Ife Region, had earlier appreciated the outgoing executives for their great service to God and thanked God that none of them backslided in the course of their services to God. "By the grace of God, we did not record any backsliding among them. There was love, unity among them"

Egypt Calls For A Nigeria-Egypt Led Force Against ISIS In Libya

The Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ashrat Salama, has called on Nigeria and the Africa Union (AU) to collaborate against the terrorist group, Islamic State and ensure the establishment of a multi-national force against it.

This, he said, is necessary to ensure that the terrorist group does not spread on the continent.

Speaking against the backdrop of air strikes recently carried out on IS targets in Libya by the Egyptian Air Force, Salama told journalists in Abuja monday that contrary to the propaganda by IS, no civilian was killed in the offensive.

Egypt carried out the offensive on IS training schools and ammunition storage in Libya in retaliation for the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians by the group.

Salama particularly noted that it was necessary for Nigeria to work with Egypt to combat the terrorist group because both nations are not far from each other.

Both nations, he added, could also lead the call for a multi-national force on the continent as powerful voices in the AU.

“Nigeria is already achieving results with the multi-regional force with Chad, Cameroun and Niger, so we need something like this as we are dealing with similar issues,” he urged.

Although Egypt is ready to work to secure the region, the matter of IS is a bigger issue, he added.

“We can do this by sharing information, mobilising forces, co-ordinating strategies, form a coalition from the AU to be supervised by a multi-task force. If you do not support the fight against the terror group because it is not in your country, before you realise it, it could be in your neighbourhood,” he said.

The envoy added that to be nonchalant about IS is like shutting one’s door against fire.

“It is too big for Egypt alone, you cannot go just because you are provoked, you have to plan well. We must not give a chance to these terrorists,” he added.


Source

NUASA OAU Internal Clash Goes Viral

The Accounting Students sitting clash especially the Friday saga which has been the main talk on campus has gone viral on the internet featuring on popular blogs and news websites including Linda Ikeji's blog, the front page of Nairaland and even the Punch newspaper.

We hope the Association resolves its issues as soon as possible.

Accounting Students' Parliamentary Sitting Turns Violent

Nigeria Universities Accounting Students' Association (NUASA), OAU, went violent at their parliamentary sitting held last Friday to assess the state of the association and discuss proceeds of their annual summit (NISELS).

From a press release from the Parliamentary Section of the Association pasted around ODLT area, it was gathered that crisis began to rock the Accounting Students Representative Council(ASRC), OAU chapter, since the organisation of an annual conference (NISELS). The programme was said to have generated an huge sums of money to the association however the crisis reached its peak when some of the parliamentarians claimed that the President of the Association, Vincent Adebola, had refused to present the financial report of the program and walked out of a sitting without permission when asked to present a report by the parliament.

When contacted, the president said, “The issue is that we were there to present the financial report of our summit but in the process of giving that report, there were lots of interception from the members of the ASRC. It was just a minor issue and we were able to resolve it and everything has been settled. There was nothing like fighting.”

However, there was another sitting on Friday 20th February 2015 and the sitting was said to have ended violently with the suspension of two executives and a campus journalist identified as Afeez Lasisi being attacked.

President Jonathan Visits Alaafin of Oyo And Other Monarchs

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan, on Saturday continued
his consultations with traditional rulers from the
South West with visits to three of them drawn from Lagos and Oyo States.
His first port of call was the palace of the Alara or
Ilara Epe, Oba Akeem Adesanya, who is also the
Chairman of the Epe Divisional Council of Obas.
The second leg of the visits took him to Oyo State
where he met the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi
Adeyemi III, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba
Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III.
Jonathan’s message at the three palaces were the
same: that the monarchs should support his re- election in the forthcoming general elections so that his government can consolidate on its achievements.
At the palace of the Soun of Ogbomosho, Jonathan
asked the monarch to compile the list of Federal
Government’s abandoned or ongoing projects in the
town and hand them over to the Minister of State,
Federal Capital Territory, Olajumoke Akinjide, for
onward transmission to him.
“We promise that we will do our best to move Nigeria
forward. Oloye Akinjide will collect the list of
abandoned and ongoing projects from you (the
monarch).

When you send us back, we will complete
them. We may not do much between now and
election time,” he said.
Jonathan said while his administration had done
much, it shall consolidate on its achievements if he
was reelected in March.
He listed the areas his administration had achieved a
lot to include agriculture, education, power and
health among others.
He said only the Peoples Democratic Party
government can implement the report of the national
conference, while other parties would lock it up
inside a cupboard.
The President reiterated his position that with his
administration’s power reforms and full privatisation
of the sector, Nigerians would take power supply for
granted within the next few years.

 

Source

Some OAU Campus Politicians, Activists Are Hooligans -Sodiq Oyeleke

...Vows to realise pics, videos of how Students’ Union election Manifesto/Press debate‎ was disrupted

The editor and founder of Newstrawl Update, Sodiq Oyeleke, has expressed dissatisfaction with the aggressive attitude of some campus politicians and activists.

He said this in a statement to react to the attack unleashed on a campus journalist, Afeez Lasisi, by some members of the Accounting Students Representative Council (ASRC) OAU chapter.
‎
‎SDK, as he is popularly called, narrated that Afeez Lasisi, a reporter was almost beating for doing his job .

According to SDK, the campus journalist was on his duty when some honourable members among whom are Hon. Fetuga, and Hon. Abdullah attacked him and pushed him to the window.‎
‎
SDK recalled that a similar thing had happened during the last Students Union election press debate/manifesto day at the university,s popular Amphi theatre.

On that day, chairs, water and blows were thrown on journalists, including the then Association of Campus Journalists President, Remi Ojekunle.‎

‎
He said, “This is getting too much. Journalists are not scape goats and should be treated with dignity. Why is it that campus journalists have always been at the receiving end of every crisis on campus? Campus politics should be a training ground for national development and not to exhibit acts of hooliganism.

“Most of those who currently call themselves politicians and activists on campus seem to appear more as hooligans and that can obviously be seen in their behaviours. ‎If this continues on a campus like OAU, I wonder what the future holds for campus unionism and Nigeria at large.”

The journalist, however, threatened to release the videos and pictures of students who unleashed terror on journalists during the SU election if any journalist is attacked on the cause of doing his job again.

He added, “This should serve as warning to all those that engage in beating journalists. If any journalist is beaten, threatened, attacked or attempted to be attacked again, pictures and videos of such, including that of the past would be released.‎

“It should be noted that campus journalists have only taken much embarrassment because to ensure the growth of unionism on campus. However, if we must now be used as punching bags, then we will need to show the power of our pens and cameras.”

SDK, however, commended the NUASA President, who interfered and offered to bear the cost of the breakages.


Source: https://abiodunomonijo.wordpress.com/2015/02/21/some-oau-campus-politicians-activists-are-hooligans/

Win N20,000 At INTECU Logo Design Competition

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS UNIT (INTECU) of Obafemi Awolowo University whose mission is to develop a set of policies that guide the deployment of ICT for the purpose of assisting the university to achieve its educational research and public service functions is 20.

The unit is celebrating her 20th anniversary this year and thereby calling for anniversary logo designs. According to INTECU, the best logo will be picked and the designer will be given a winning price of N20,000. The deadline is about two weeks from now.(Terms and conditions apply).

To apply, CLICK HERE TO FILL THE FORM

Ondo State Government Begins Payment Of 2013/2014 Bursary & Scholarship Awards

The Ondo State Government through her scholarship board has finally started the payment of the 2013/2014 bursary and scholarship awards to indigenous students across tertiary institutions nationwide.

Our correspondent gathered that payment actually began yesterday, 20th February, 2015 with schools like Federal University of Technology Akure(FUTA), Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko(AAUA), and some others schools within the state in the first batch of payment. The students of remaining schools are expected to be paid in subsequent batches.

Consequently, students of schools that are currently been paid at the moment who registered for the scheme and do not get any alert from their respective banks within now and the next few days are advised to complain to NAOSS executives in their various schools or any of the national executives.

Ondo state students over the years especially during the administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko have enjoyed periodic payment of their bursary and scholarship awards from the state government.

Advice To Aspiring Student Leaders As Elections Begin

By Adigun Olayemi Paul

To start with, the gate is about to opened for all politically ambitious students in Obafemi Awolowo University. The race to building one self politically is just about to start but before you begin your manifestos, I would like to shed light on why I believe you should just be ambitious and not desperate. Political posters has obviously flooded the campus which announces to any student going along various pathways that another era of student political transition is about to begin in OAU.

As a politically minded person, one main thing you should have at the back of your mind is the selfless attitude towards leadership in leading others. The reason for you to aspire for that position should not be for your selfish interest but for the interest of the entire students. The Leadership qualities you are expected to portray should be the one everybody will perceive the odour of freedom and not bondage, care and not brutality. You must not abandon the positive reasons why you chose to contest for that office in the first place once you emerge. The main thing here is seeing yourself as an agent of organization rather than that of disorganization and destruction.

The political office you have should not supersede the interest of the entire student. Hence, you must know that the motif behind the rational for electing someone is by what you can be able to achieve in a short period of time and not by mentioning what you will do in some years to come. But note that saying what you ca not do in a short period of time could be another cause for you not to be among the student favorites.

As they usually say, Great Ife is known for her intellectual student unionism. Student unionism without intelligent leaders is bound to fail thereby not far from political hazard. Therefore, see your office as a rare platform for you to develop yourself politically by displaying your intelligence. Many issues has been raised about the Ibikunle-led administration, some talk about the officers' good deeds while some others criticize them but let me say that identifying their criticisms can be your own source of manifesto. Investigating on some of their failed plans or areas can help you to structure out your own manifesto. This does not however translate to you not getting criticized when you manifest or even while you implement these things when you come on board. Criticism is bound to occur, but your approach towards such criticisms will determine your success in whichever post you aspire.

Finally, whether you are an aspirant of any office at the level of the Hall Executive Council(HEC), Central Executive Council(CEC), Student Representative Council(SRC), Faculty of Departmental executives or any other, let it be known to you that whatever you achieve now will speak for you in future. Your achievement in any position you serve will speak volume for you in the coming years as people are definitely watching you. Therefore, this is another golden opportunity for you to direct your path towards achieving greatness. Let me leave you with these two quotes: "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way" –by John Maxwell and "A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination" –by Nelson Maxwell

Predegree: First Contact Test Results Released!

The results of the first contact test of the Obafemi Awolowo University predegree students have been released. You can check yours now as it has been pasted on the notice board within the campus. A student with subjects combination Biology/Chemistry/Physics(BCP) got the highest mark scoring 29.8 out of 30.

Wishing you goodluck friends!

Important Qualities A True Leader Should Posses

How often have you heard the comment, "He or she is a born leader"? There are certain characteristics found in some people that seem to naturally put them in a position where they are looked up to as a leader.

Whether in fact a person is born a leader or develops skills and abilities to become a leader is open for debate. There are some clear characteristics that are found in good leader. These qualities can be developed or may be naturally part of their personality. Let us explore some of them.

1. A good leader has an exemplary character. It is of utmost importance that a leader is trustworthy to lead others. A leader needs to be trusted and be known to live their life with honestly and integrity. A good leader "walks the talk" and in doing so earns the right to have responsibility for others. True authority is born from respect for the good character and trustworthiness of the person who leads.

2. A good leader is enthusiastic about his or her work or cause and also about his or her role as a leader. People will respond more openly to a person of passion and dedication. Leaders need to be able to be a source of inspiration, and be a motivator towards the required action or cause. Although the responsibilities and roles of a leader may be different, the leader needs to be seen to be part of the team working towards the goal. Such leader will not be afraid to roll up his or her sleeves and get dirty.

3. A good leader is confident. In order to lead and set directions, a leader needs to appear confident as a person and in the leadership role. Such a person inspires confidence in others and draws out the trust and best effort of the team to complete the task well. A leader who conveys confidence towards the proposed objective inspires the best effort from team members.

4. A leader also needs to function in an orderly and purposeful manner in situations of uncertainty. People look to the leader during times of uncertainty and unfamiliarity and find reassurance and security when the leader portrays confidence and a positive demeanor.

5. Good leaders are tolerant of ambiguity and remain calm, composed and steadfast to the main purpose. Storms, emotions, and crisis come and go and a good leader takes these as part of the journey and keeps a cool head.

6. A good leader as well keeps the main goal in focus and is able to think analytically. Not only does a good leader view a situation as a whole, but is able to break it down into sub parts for closer inspection. Breaking the goals down to manageable steps and making progress towards them is also non-negotiable for a good leader.

7. A good leader is committed to excellence. Second best does not lead to success. A good leader does not only maintain high standards, but also is proactive in raising the bar in order to achieve excellence in all ramifications.

8. A good leader should be creative. Some decisions will not always be so­ called. You may be forced at times to deviate from your set course and make certain bends to get something done asap in an unusual way. This is where your creativity will prove to be vital. As a leader you must learn to think outside the box and to choose which of two bad choices which is the best option. You do not immediately choose the easiest possibility; sometimes its best to give these options a deep thought and even turn to your team for guidance.

9. Ability to inspire: Greating a business often involves a bit of forecasting .Especially in the beginning stages of a start up, inspiring your team to see the vision of the success to come is vital. Make your team feel invested in the accomplishment of the organization. Being able to inspire your team is great for focusing on the future goal. It is your job to keep the spirits up and that begins with an appreciation for the hardwork.

10. A good leader should be committed and disciplined: If you expect your team to work hard and produce quality content, you will need to lead by example. By proving your commitment to the role and your activities, you will not only earn respect from your team members, but will also instill the same hardworking virtue into your members. If you pledge to do a particular thing for people, let your yes be yes and let your no be no. You want to create a reputation for not just working hard but also as a fair leader.

Nigerian Universities Divided Over The Cancellation Of ‘Pass’ Grade

The directive by the National Universities Commission (NUC) cancelling the award of ‘Pass’ grade in the na­tion’s universities is causing dis­quiet in the Ivory Towers. The order, which was reportedly issued last year, came to the front burner at the 2014/2015 matriculation ceremony of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, when the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, informed the fresh students about the develop­ment.

Zuru urged the students to em­brace the new E-grading system in the university and work hard to earn a good grade. He pointed out that with the new grading system, the pass mark for courses in the univer­sities will now be 45 percent, that is, the D-grade, instead of the previous 40 percent, which was E-grade. In the new order, the minimum class of degree that students can earn will now be Third Class. Universi­ties will, therefore, now only award First Class, Second Class (Upper Division), Second Class (Lower Di­vision) and Third Class degrees.

The matter is, however, generating heated debates and controversies among stakeholders in the nation’s higher education system. It has vir­tually divided the universities into two camps, with one tenaciously supporting the old grading system while the other sees great merit in the new order.

Those opposed to the new grading system say the decline in the qual­ity of education in the universities cannot be redressed with the re­classification of degrees. They want the NUC to, instead, work towards improving the quality of teaching and learning by providing qualified teachers and modern learning fa­cilities in the institutions. For them, shoring up the grading system with­out provision of the necessary staff­ing and equipment will neither im­prove academic standards nor the global ranking of our universities. They are also of the view that the move amounts to an erosion of the hard-earned autonomy of universi­ties.

Those in support of the new grad­ing system say the upgrading of the score required to obtain a degree is a step in the right direction, if prop­erly implemented. Besides, they be­lieve that it will make the students work harder and ultimately enhance their grade.

As the regulator of university edu­cation in Nigeria, the NUC unargu­ably has the statutory responsibility to do whatever it can to shore up the quality of degrees awarded by Nigerian universities. We believe that this increase of the pass mark required to earn a degree in Nigeri­an universities is well within the au­thority of the regulatory institution. It could, indeed, elicit more serious commitment to their studies from students when they realise that they could easily spend years in the uni­versities without passing out with a degree. The quality of the worst per­forming students in the universities may also be improved by this initia­tive.

Nevertheless, we expect the NUC to properly sell the gains of this initiative to the universities before implementing it. The adjustment should not, also, be done in isola­tion. It should be accompanied with other steps that can help to raise academic standards. No doubt, the place of qualified lecturers and well equipped educational facilities such as libraries and laboratories can­not be dismissed in the quest to improve academic standards in our higher institutions. We expect more action from NUC in this regard.

While it is not in contention that the NUC has the right to fix the pass mark in our universities, being the regulator of that level of education, we enjoin fuller consultation with the authorities of the various univer­sities for a harmonious and seam­less transition to the new grading system.

It is necessary to carry all the stakeholders along for the innova­tion to be properly implemented. The need for a uniform grading system for the nation’s universities cannot be overemphasized.

Beyond this, the ‘Pass’ degree is odious and is largely treated with contempt by employers of labour. Abolishing the grade will make stu­dents sit up and brace up to the challenges of their studies.

Let our universities embrace and implement the new grading system. It is also necessary for NUC and the universities to properly enlight­en both the students and lecturers about the initiative so that all the stakeholders can be well informed about it and get prepared for its im­plementation.



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Ben Carson Urges US To Take Proactive Measures Against ISIS

An American author, and retired neurosurgeon, Dr. Benjamin Carson who is the first surgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins joined at the head has called on the United States of America to come up with proactive measures to halt the global activities of the deadly Islamic sect, ISIS.

Find below his statements reeled out in two parts:


In August of 2014, I wrote an article entitled “The Spreading Scourge of Anti-Christian Persecution”. Within that piece, I refer to those around the world who have been persecuted by a group of religious zealots whose behavior is difficult to comprehend. Their intolerance against Christianity is beyond horrible. People are being beheaded for their faith. Women and young girls are being sexually violated and whole families are being wantonly slaughtered in cold blood. Perhaps just as abhorrent is the profound silence of the American government as represented by the current administration. Even though President Obama has declared that we are not a Judeo-Christian nation, we are still compassionate people who should not ignore humanitarian atrocities, much less ones where the victims are only guilty of maintaining a belief in the principles espoused by Jesus Christ.

The recent beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya this past week is truly devastating, and my heartfelt condolences are expressed to all those involved. The same holds true for the four Jewish victims of the January Paris kosher market attack. Such unprovoked and brutal acts should be condemned by all, and we must recognize that the murdered individuals were targeted due to their religious faith. Regarding the killing of 21 Egyptian Christians, Pope Francis said, “The blood of our Christian brothers is a witness that cries out. If they are Catholic, Orthodox, Copts, Lutherans, it is not important: They are Christians. The blood is the same: It is the blood which confesses Christ.”

Every resource available should be used to eradicate the threat of ISIS while it is still in its adolescent stage. That means using every military apparatus that we have: banking facilities, sanctions, you name it. And I would not hesitate to put boots on the ground. We need to be the leader and take serious action. The coalition will form if it has a leader. I would commit everything to eliminating ISIS right now. We have to make sure that our military, which is extremely talented and maintains very good leadership, is not put into a compromised position where we are trying to micro-manage them.

I am extraordinarily concerned about the fact that we are not responding to the barbaric acts that are taking place. There is a tremendous leadership void. It is vital that our nation makes it very clear that we are going to react in a very strenuous way to any kind of atrocities of this nature. Nothing should be off the table. This whole concept of “We can’t put boots on the ground because of what happened in Iraq” is silly. The threat that Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda posed at that time was on a completely different level than we are looking at now. It is extremely immature to equate the two in terms of reactions. ISIS wants to destroy us and our way of life. There are two choices: we could sit back and wait for them, or we can use the resources we have to destroy them.

The United States should be willing to listen to our military advisors, as they are very smart people with great strategic planning in terms of the number of troops we need and how we utilize them. There is no such thing as a politically correct war. Our troops have to understand that if they go in and they fight, that they are not going to be prosecuted when they come back here. That is not the way you fight a war. We have to give them esprit de corps—feelings of loyalty and devotion— and they have to know that we have their backs.

Global citizens are dealing with an evil in today’s society that is threatening Christians, Jews and any people who do not believe like ISIS does. And if we allow it to continue to grow, it will be a big tree with lots of branches and roots, rather than a bush as it is now. The lack of an adequate response will endanger not only us in the long run, but the entire world.

Meet The 100 People Who Could Live On MARS And Never Return

One hundred brave souls from around the globe are now vying for a one-way ticket to Mars, knowing they will never return from the Red Planet. The Dutch-based Mars One project - which aims to send people to live on the faraway planet - has whittled down its shortlist of candidates from more than two hundred thousands to just fifty men and fifty women, more than thirty of them Americans.

Among the array of science fanatics, Trekies, physics majors, engineers and doctors, there were also a few more surprising choices, including a singer who was doing a two-man show in New York at the time of his application for the program; an artist with a fascinating family connection to NASA; a mechanic from a remote part of Utah, and an aspiring novelist.

Andrew Tunks (left), 28, works in health care technology and in his free time is writing a novel. His goal in life is to reduce suffering in the world; Carmen Paul (right), 32, serves in the National Guard and is an avid techie.

From this shortlist, a final crew of four will eventually be sent to Mars, scheduled to arrive in 2025 following a grueling seven-month journey from Earth. Among the 100 prospective Mars colonists, which hail from 40 countries, there are 33 US residents ranging in age from 19 to 60.

The American hopefuls come from all walks of life, including PhD students, engineers, artists, medical doctors, and even a singer and a workout trainer.
Out of the 33 men and women vying for the honors of traveling to Mars, half a dozen are over the age of 50, including a married father of five.

Ryan Macdonald (left) a physics student at Oxford University said: 'The most important thing to do in life is to leave a legacy. A lot of people do that by having a child...for me this would be my legacy.' Claire Weedon (right) is the only Briton who doesn’t work in science and is a self-confessed adrenaline junkie


See the other people at the Source

Engels Comforts The “Weeping” Ojogbon

The dust raised by the recently constructed link bridges on OAU campus by the SUG is obviously not settling anytime soon. Press statements, imbibed with assertions, accusations and counter-accusations, fly around madly like the bats of OAU. Barely has the tree heaved in relief, another burden weighs it down.

Barely a day after Welfare Officer Ojogbon released a press statement criticising the ERC and stating his case, Comrade Engels Oluwole of the ERC has given his reply.

In his statement, he promptly dismissed the allegation of him intending to destroy the bridges. He described it as “outrageous…unsubstantiated,jejune and petty”. He described the concept of a students’ union embarking on public projects, as a misplacement of priority, and the argument in favour of it illogical and purely sentimental. He said:

“A students’ union is not a department of the university administration, it is a platform for students to hold articulate voice and demand for what is theirs…As big and wealthy as ASUU is as a union, it will never wake up one day and start building classroom or erecting sound system so as to attenuate the suffering of their members who teach large classes”.

He said that a pro-student CEC would have demanded explanation for the deteriorating infrastructure, since the fee increment was premised on the “need to develop the campus and help students”, instead of covering up for the management. He criticized the union for astoing as the voice of the management, informing students when there would be no electricity, instead of asking what happened to the university generators.

He described the process by which the budget was passed as “militarized”. He said that “bouncers” had been hired to keep gallerians, away so that less 20 parliamentarians could pass the budget.

He described the receipt tendered by Ojogbon stating the cost of the project to be #325,800 as “political kabuki”. His reason for this was that the issuer of the receipt stated his specialty to be metal works, leaving the true cost of workmanship, cement as grey areas. He described a vibrant union as one that would champion the cause of students against intellectual sadism, which had resulted in mass failure.

In conclusion, he said:

“If Ojogbon will weep again, let him weep for the values which himself and his colleagues are demolishoing; he should not weep because students question the reasonability of CEC programmes and principles”.


Source: http://oauchristians.com/engels-comforts-the-weeping-ojogbon/

Pictures From Remi Sonaiya's Visit To OAU

The only female presidential aspirant for March 28 poll visited her former place of work, Obafemi Awolowo University last week friday as she interacted with students of the citadel. Here are some of the pictures of the visit

Pastor Kumuyi Storms OAU

The General Superintendent of Deeper Life Christian Ministry, Pastor W. F. Kumuyi will be storming Obafemi Awolowo University for a 2-day special miracle service.

Pastor Kumuyi's visit to OAU will be the first in more than thirty years. Hence, expectations are high about his coming. The Obafemi Awolowo University Christian Mobilization Committee who will be bringing Kumuyi to the campus has announced Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th of March for the programme which will take place at OAU new crusade ground beside All Souls' Chapel.

Eight OAU Students Escape Death In Ekiti As 'Aluta Jet 1' Crashes

No fewer than eight students of the Obafemi Awolowo University escaped death yesterday in Ekiti state when the Aluta Jet 1 donated by Sen. Iyiola Omisore crashed as it tumbled three times.

The incident happened at Igede, Ado-Ekiti road, at about 4:30pm when a group led by one of the student leaders(name withheld) on their way to a naming ceremony in Ado-Ekiti.

An eyewitness, who prefers anonymity said, "it was just one lady among the group that sustained minor injury."

He stated further that they were taken to the General Hospital in Ado-Ekiti after the incident but the doctors on duty refused to attend to them.

"The students presented their Identity Cards, yet, the doctors insisted that they must pay certain fee before they would be attended to. Though, they were later attended to at a private hospital nearby but it was kind of late,"  he said.

Meanwhile, on getting to the Students' Union building of the institution, our correspondent gathered that the students are now back on campus, and in good shape even though they were reluctant to speak on the incident at first.

This will be the second accident involving the aluta jets of the Students' Union, the first occurred while in the care of UJCM.

INEC Achieves 76% PVC Distribution

Justifying one of the major reasons given by INEC boss, Professor Attairu Jega for the postponement of the February 14 and 28 polls, the rate of distribution of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) has reached 75.88%. This implying that out of about 69 million registered voters, more than 52 million Nigerians have gotten their PVC.

See the breakdown below:

Youth: The Voting Power House

By Adigun Olayemi Paul 

As we journeyed through the part of making yet another history in our nation, it is time for you to determine the destination of it, it is you that will determine what you want not some cabals, you need to realize that voting for the right person is the sole aim of politics whereby politics is played with transparency and not brutality which has come to stay for some years now, you need to disbelieve that election is for some people and you not participating in it. Let me reiterate it that the decision you make now has a long way to go in determining the success of our democracy, whereas the term democracy draws down to the fact that it is for the people and by the people, folding your bare arms worsen the matter.

As a youth, you stand the chance to redirect the motto of our democracy in which all its functions are imbedded in you, needing the determination to arrest the mind of your fellow ones to vote for the right person, our democracy should be determined by the youth because the youths stand a chance to live more than the old ones whereby making it a total capturing when they have all gone, youths can determine the democracy of this country.

As virtually all the primaries has been concluded whereby the party faithfuls have determined their own candidates and elected their own flag bearers, it is equally the time for you all to envisage the qualities of these flag bearers and cast your vote to the person you think can help this country out of her condition. Browse out the profile of the candidates, check their manifestos, do more research rather than praising or criticizing. Unfortunately, many fall for propaganda here and there. Know that your vote is the strongest tool to determine the rate at which we want our country and democracy grow, I know that we are all elites but their should be a medium to gear you up towards the betterment of our country. You are all complaining about this and that about our politics, why not sit down and define some strategies to pull people together and educate them on the power of voting.

Nigeria operates an open ballot system of voting, this gives you chance to know the ethics of politics, your right is to vote and not criticize any individual as you are able to judge them through your fateful hands. Candidates will be cascading about to lure people into their great room, but may I tell you that a man of honour is honoured and vice-visa, do not let what you will eat in just few minutes be a destruction to you and many others for as long as four years to come, do not let them intimidate you with the school of thought of lies but rather get your fact ready and accurate so as to be able to vote for the candidate of your choice; who you think can make this country great!

USA and other developed countries in the world started from a point. Infact, today's beautiful Rome was not built in a day, but the fact still remains that in as much as you have the tool in your hands, then the decision is totally yours. Here comes another room for improvement and history telling scene. Building this nation belongs to all of us, it is our collective responsibility.

Latest Webometrics Ranking: Convenant University Tops As OAU Slips

Bishop Oyedepo's Convenant University has been named Nigerian best University and the 15th best in Africa for this quarter according to the Webometrics university ranking.

The ranking which is the first from the popular university ranking group this year indicates that Obafemi Awolowo University which retained the number one spot for the past four consecutive rankings has slipped to the second spot. There are little changes in the top ten as Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) both climbed one spot each pitching them at the 6th and 8th positions respectively.

Just like the previous ranking, no Nigerian university could make the top ten as the best in Nigeria could only manage the 15th position. Below is the ranking of the Nigerian top ten;

1) Covenant University Ota
2) Obafemi Awolowo University
3) University of Ibadan
4) University of Lagos
5) University of Ilorin
6) University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
7) Ahmadu Bello University
8) Federal University of Technology Akure
9) Landmark University
10) University of Nigeria

The "Webometrics Ranking of World Universities" is an initiative of the Cybermetrics Lab, a research group belonging to the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), the largest public research body in Spain. The Ranking Web or Webometrics is the largest academic ranking of Higher Education Institutions. Since 2004 and every six months an independent, objective, free, open scientific exercise is performed by the Cybermetrics Lab (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC) for the providing reliable, multidimensional, updated and useful information about the performance of universities from all over the world based on their web presence and impact.

Editorial: Mission Is Possible

By Gbadamosi Elias

I wonder what I’ll call this generation of mine if Wole Soyinka could call his a wicked and wasted generation. With what nomenclature will I tag my generation if Pat Utomi could call his generation the one that ran away? What shall I call my generation that parades video vixens, drug peddlers, yahoo bandits and nudists as heroes and role models?

Young people of this generation, I cry you mercy to lend me your ears for the future we’ll lead is fast approaching.We all desire a new Nigeria and say it social media every day. We all crave an end to the numerous intractable problems bedeviling our country and we seek a beginning that will herald profuse prosperity for our country.

A new Nigeria will not be built in a day nor will it be built on the streets of Facebook and twitter. We will only be able to build a new Nigeria when we come out on the streets of NIGERIA to work assiduously for what we believe in. “Life is an oyster but it cannot be broken on a mattress”. For us to leave a lasting legacy, we must with both hands embrace knowledge for knowledge is the bedrock of any positive revolution. We must as a matter of fact downplay our interest in lousy entertainment and immoral fashion for both will only lead us to a primrose path. Let us not through ethnic chauvinism and religious triumphalism fall into the misprision of our heroes past. Ethic and religious sentimentalism are two deadly viruses that we must try to expunge from our genes for we can only change our individual and collective destinies when we unite.

Young people are the most resourceful in any society. The power to effect positive change lies within us. Let us channel all our strength to the onerous task of social re-engineering and nation building. Let’s strife to rediscover our lost values; let us develop ourselves spiritually, morally, socially and intellectually for the gargantuan task that lay ahead. Capable ones amongst us should not take the back seat when the overambitious and power-hungry ones hijack the center stage.

“To some generations much is given; from some generations much is expected”. Ours is not the generation that enjoyed proceeds of the oil boom. We are neither the ones that won the federal government scholarships nor are we enjoying qualitative education like our fathers and mothers did. Truly, Nigeria has not done much for us but we must still strive vigorously to expedite the holistic development of our dear country. Our children are coming and it will not be good to pass onto them this present mess called Nigeria. The mission to build a new nation is possible and the time is NOW.

OAU Releases Pre-mobilization List For NYSC 2015 BATCH A

This is to notify every concerned persons that the Obafemi Awolowo University's pre-mobilization list for NYSC 2015 BATCH A has been pasted at the Division of Student Affairs's notice board. Goodluck to our prospective corp members!

Feature As 'OAU Peeps Face Of The Week'

Names are the current trend on Obafemi Awolowo University campus; we see different names from the walls of Halls of Residence to the spaces between steps on the staircases in Academics. Mostly perhaps for political reasons, business reasons, religious reasons or other personal reasons. However the editorial crew of OAU Peeps News Agency (www.oaupeeps.com) has therefore decided to help the general populace not just to place faces to these names but also to meet the men and women behind the faces through interviews and perhaps short biographies.

We hereby call on the bearers of these names to come and answer the question on everybody’s mind: Who are you?

Have you got what it takes to feature as the 'OAU Peeps Face of the Week'? kindly contact us through any of these means for more details.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/oaupeeps
Twitter: www.twitter.com/oaupeeps
E-mail: campusface@oaupeeps.com
Phone: 08138276857, 08063429623

NB: If the current calendar of the school is anything to go by, i.e examinations starting 31st of March, we will only have few persons to feature, so kindly indicate interest NOW. It will be on a first come, first served basis.


Ojelabi Jesujoba
Public Relations Officer
OAU Peeps News Agency

Apply For The 'Transparency International School On Integrity 2015'

About School

What is Transparency International School on Integrity?

Transparency International School on Integrity (TISI) is an annual state-of-the-art anti-corruption and accountability training for future leaders. This year TISI 2015 will take place during 6 – 12 July, 2015. TISI exposes its participants to the latest developments in the field of anti-corruption and accountability and offers real opportunities to try and implement their ideas in practice.

Following a rigorous selection process, selected students spend 7 highly intensive days learning from leading anti-corruption and accountability professionals. TISI seeks to create a peer-to-peer learning and integrity-building environment that links theory with practice and helps young leaders to acquire better skills in bringing the anti-corruption message across.

School lectures, seminars, training and field trips provide TISI participants with a unique blend of international and local know-how, while also challenging the students to approach the subject from outside the box and offer novel, previously untested solutions. Since 2010, TISI has welcomed almost 500 youth leaders from more than 85 countries worldwide.

Is this School for you?

This one is easy. TISI is for senior students, graduates and young professionals eager to learn how to make a stand against corruption and to achieve greater transparency in their country. The seven-day format offers a powerful mix of an intensive academic schedule, unconference-like atmosphere and continuous peer-to-peer interactions which all makes it into an unforgettable one-week-long adventure.

TISI usually hosts an equal share of participants from private and public sectors, NGOs and academia from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Such diversity in background and experience further strengthen our applied approach to anti-corruption and transparency. So, the students not only learn about the causes of corruption but also spend a larger part of their time learning practical ways in which societies can become more transparent and accountable.

In July 2015, once again we will welcome around 140 future leaders from more than 60 countries for a seven day event in the beautiful Lithuanian capital Vilnius. The number of places and scholarships is limited, so we encourage you to apply fully prepared and well in advance.
What will you learn?

TISI is organized in cooperation with Mykolas Romeris University in Vilnius. Upon completion of the TISI course, the students receive 6 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits, which only stresses the fact that you come to school to learn and are required to do additional preparatory reading before the School starts. The course reading material is published in advance and students are encouraged to get in touch with TISI organizers for additional reading suggestions.

The School curriculum is presented through a variety of learning modules such as lectures, seminars, training, discussions, field trips, film screenings and social events. The program follows a conscious schedule which, as the week goes by, gradually moves away from introductory topics to seminars and training aimed to address particular subjects and let participants to acquire new skill sets. In short, the aim of the program is to leave you inspired and empowered by creating opportunities to learn in small groups as well as through mentoring hours.

The School features three teaching modules that cover the public sector, the private sector and civic empowerment tools. Each module deals both with theory and practice and includes:

Public sector - grand and small corruption, measuring corruption, state capture, political party financing, public procurement, etc.

Private sector – international anti-corruption mechanisms, corporate reporting standards and corruption in different industry sectors, such as the media or sports, etc.

The civic empowerment module addresses the role of citizens in monitoring the activities of the state and explores ways in which people can become involved in the public decision-making process, in reporting corruption and in anti-corruption activities.

While the 2015 School program is currently being finalized, please see the 2014 curriculum for a glimpse of what the week at TISI looks like.

Location

MRU_buildingThe School on Integrity is organized in cooperation with Mykolas Romeris University in Vilnius. It is the second largest university in Lithuania with 21,000 students and 200 doctoral candidates. Its mission is to educate young people to become creative, innovative and productive members of society in all areas, from science to culture and technology.

How to apply

The application process

Applying is really simple - just fill out and submit our online application form. Please note that you will be asked to upload a short motivational letter along with your Europass CV. We strongly advise that you prepare these in advance and have them ready before you start filling out your application form.

Who can apply?

The School is open to senior students, graduates and young professionals under the age of 35.
We welcome individuals from public, private, non-governmental and academic sectors, from all academic backgrounds.

TI School does not discriminate its applicants on the grounds of race, color, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, political beliefs, marital, familial or parental status, sexual orientation or any other basis.

Fees & Accommodation

The course fee is EUR 550. It covers tuition fee, course material, accommodation, meals and extra-curricular activities.

The students will be staying at the Mykolas Romeris University student campus, which provides an effective working environment and allows to keep TISI fees to the minimum.

Do not hesitate to let us know if you have particular needs or certain preferences. TI School team will do their best to meet your needs and make sure nothing spoils your stay in Vilnius.

Once we have confirmed your admittance, we kindly ask you to transfer the participation fee of 550 EUR to the following account by 15 June 2015 the latest:

Transparency International Lithuanian Chapter
Bank Name: AB SEB bankas
Bank Address: Gedimino pr. 12, LT-01103 Vilnius
Bank Code: 70440
IBAN: LT62 7044 0600 0144 8550
BIC: CBVILT2X

Please indicate the purpose of the transfer: Your name/surname – TISI 2015 participation fee

Application deadline

Students applying for TISI 2015 without a scholarship are encouraged to apply as early as possible and will be accepted on a rolling basis. Deadline for scholarship applications is 1 May 2015, for non-scholarship applications - 15 May 2015.

Non-EU students are encouraged to take into account the possible length of visa-related procedures and apply well ahead of the deadlines. Non-scholarship students will be notified of their results within two weeks of their application and no later than 1 June 2014.

Please note that citizens from a number of countries may be eligible for TI School scholarships. For more details, deadlines and procedures of scholarship applications please see the Scholarships section.

Visa

Participants from non-EU member states that require a visa to enter Lithuania will be issued an invitation letter upon request. Please address this request to admissions@transparencyschool.org. Please note that an invitation letter will only be issued to those participants who have already paid the registration fee.

Cancellation policy

Please note that a refund of 500 EUR will be offered to all cancellations made in writing (by email) ONLY until the 15 June 2015.

An administrative refund fee 50 EUR will be withheld.
No refunds will be issued for registrations cancelled after 15 June 2015.

If you have any additional questions or encounter difficulties while filling out the online application form, please contact us at admissions@transparencyschool.org.

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships will be available for students from certain countries. Full scholarships cover transportation, tuition and accommodation expenses. Students seeking to receive full or partial scholarships are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. In certain cases, students may be also offered partial tuition fee waivers to cover a part of their course expenses.

Students from the following countries may apply for full or partial scholarships: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Iceland, Latvia, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Turkey and Ukraine.

Scholarship application deadline - 1 May 2015

Students applying for a scholarship will be notified about the results of the selection procedure by 22 May 2015 at the latest. Those not granted a scholarship but possessing outstanding academic or professional merit and motivation will be invited to attend TISI 2015 at their own expense.

If you wish to apply for a scholarship, make sure to fill out the appropriate section in the online application form, stating your reasons for applying.

For additional questions regarding the application procedure, fees, scholarships or other general inquiries, please contact us at admissions@transparencyschool.org.


To apply, follow this link

GEJ Hosts Val Dinner For Widows & Kids Of Soldiers Killed In Boko Haram Attacks (Photos)

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan celebrated Valentine in a special way with the widows and children of soldiers killed in Boko Haram attacks. See photos below:

Photo Credit: State House

2015 Elections: Obasanjo Attacks Jonathan Again

Two days after he spoke against President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election in London, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, now at home, attacked the President, yesterday, accusing him of a hidden agenda over the 2015 polls.

Specifically, Obasanjo alleged that Jonathan was engaged in do-or-die politics.

But in a swift reaction, the Presidency and Jonathan’s Campaign Office charged that Obasanjo’s allegations were not only baseless but also absurd, repugnant and self-serving.

On Thursday, while publicly presenting his latest book, ‘My Watch’, in London, the former President told his audience that the certificate issue against Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), APC presidential candidate in the forthcoming general elections, was a ploy by Jonathan’s men to stop Buhari in the election.


The former President, who spoke to journalists at his Hilltop Mansion residence, Abeokuta, likened the politics played by Jonathan to “the do-or-die” politics played by the former President of Cote d’Ivoire, Laurent Gbagbo.

Obasanjo, while reacting to the postponement of the general elections, said it was a grand plan by Jonathan to perpetuate himself in office till the situation becomes clear that the presidential election would favour him.

He likened the situation to the one in Cote d’Ivoire in which Gbagbo delayed the presidential election of the country and, when he eventually conducted the election and lost, refused to leave office.

“I was away because I had a number of assignments abroad which took me to Morocco, Munich, Nairobi, London and New Delhi. Exactly a week today, we were in Munich for what they called `Munich security conference’ and all people who are in security community, normally, you found them there”, the former President said.

“For this year, the Vice President of America was there, the Secretary of State, John Kerry, was there, the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany was there, President of Ukraine was there and many others.

“I was there with Koffi Annan. Our side was to talk about peace and security in Africa. I was to handle the African perspective while Koffi Annan was to look at it from the global perspective.

“And suddenly people started asking me questions about what was happening in my country:; Americans, British, Germans and every other person. Koffi Annan was particularly agitated. “While I was out, I refused to make any categorical statement on this issue because I wanted to come back home and learn, first hand, what actually transpired and what was going on. And it turned out to be a forced decision on the INEC because it was alleged that the Security Chiefs were unable to provide security and, as a result, the Chairman of INEC had to postpone, in accordance with the dictates of the so called Security Chiefs.

“I thought that was bad precedent for democracy in Nigeria, it meant it doesn’t matter what preparation or lack of preparation any electoral body could make in Nigeria, the final decision whether election will take place on the day scheduled for it lies in the domains of the security, it is a sad day for democracy in Nigeria.

“And I will say this. We must all feel concerned before democracy is killed. The observable and what would appear to be happening is that the President has a grand plan, a grand plan to ensure that, by hook or crook, he wins the election or if it all fails, they scuttles it and create chaos, confusion and unpleasantness in the whole country”.

According to him, it is the duty of the security officers to provide security. “The President is the Chief Security Officer of the country and he is the Commander-in-Chief and if security is required anywhere any time, it is his duty to provide it, failure to provide it is dereliction of duty, pure and simple”.

‘Grand plan’
Obasanjo said the President, following his own grand plan or his aides and associates, was working a script.

“What again it looks to me is that the President is trying to play Gbagbo. Gbagbo was the President of Cote d’Ivoire and Gbagbo made sure he postponed the election in his country until he was sure he would win and then allowed the election to take place. He got an inconclusive election in the first ballot and I believe this is the sort of thing Nigeria may fall into if I am right in what I observed as the grand plan and then, in the run-off, Gbgbo lost with 8% behind Ouattara and then refused to hand over. All reasonable persuasion and pleading was rebuffed by him and he unleashed horror in that country until nemesis caught up with him”, he stated.

“I believe that we may be seeing the repeat of Gbagbo or what I call the Gbagbo saga here in Nigeria. I hope I am wrong.

“I believe the President’s concern of fear is not to live out of office per se, because he and I have occasions to talk about this both seriously and jovially. I believe the President would want an opportunity to disengage peacefully and have a nice, decent and a glorious exit, I believe the President’s fear is, particularly, motivated by the person he sees as his likely successor, that is General Buhari.

“I believe people would have been telling him that Buhari is a hard man, he would fight corruption and you may end up in jail if not in grave. I believe people must have told him all sorts of things and he is not the only one, there are other people who may be afraid of Buhari, but, why? I would say that Buhari has learnt lessons; if he hasn’t learnt lessons, then he would be probably be the most unlearning human being.

“If he has learnt lessons, he would know that you do not fight corruption by putting people in jail for 200 years and this has been done by my own predecessor in office, General Abdulsalam Abubakar; he recovered over $750 million from Abacha’s estate without putting anybody in jail, without hurting or harming anybody. When I took over, we recovered over $1.25 billion from the same Abacha estate without hurting anybody, without harming anybody and, in fact, what would be rather unfortunate is the fact that our lawyer, who is still alive, able, who was chasing this money all over the world, said to us that there’s still about $1 billion to be recovered from Abacha estate but the unfortunate thing is that my successor did not do anything about it even though it was in my handing over note”.

While speaking on the role of the Security Chiefs on the postponement of the elections, Obasanjo said: “That is what I said; it was strange to me; it wasn’t the duty and responsibility of Security Chiefs and Service Chiefs to tell INEC, ‘we are not in the position to provide security for you’ because it is their job. When they have failed, they can as well go home, their job is to maitain law and order and provide security at any time, at any place, they said they could not do it, they have failed”.

On the Boko Haram insurgency as excuse for the elections postponement, the former President said, “You can give any excuse or you can rationalise anything. Boko Haram has been with us since 2009 and now if we said what we have not been able to achieve since 2009 would be achieved in six weeks, all I would say is that God is a God of miracle. God can do anything”.

On the alleged plot to remove the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, Obasanjo said: “I think the President, in his media chat, has dispelled that rumour but, of course, I know the President very well, but I want to believe him and believe what I see not what I hear”.

“I believe that after Jega has been boxed to a corner, he had no choice but to accept the fait accompli and postponed the election. And I believe that like I have said before, it is unfortunate because in the past, this same Jega had changed the date of election when he found it that it was not suitable. So it is the duty, responsibility, function and jurisdiction of INEC to determine whether the situation allows or does not allow them to go on with the election. Nobody should either twist their arms, blackmail them or force them”.

Buhari phobia

Obasanjo added: “I appeal to President Jonathan again not to listen to those creating phobia, phobia of Buhari, phobia of enquiry and all that. President Jonathan has done well to the best of his ability and he has made history as the first elected Nigerian from a minority tribe and nobody can take that away from him. He can even make a second history; if it turns out that way, if he contests a fair, free and transparent election and if he loses, she should have a dignified decent and a dignified exit. He will be on the mountain top and he would be acclaimed as a true patriot and a true democrat. What stops him from doing this?”

President fires back: ‘Allegations baseless, absurd!’
Meanwhile, Jonathan, through the Presidential Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, last night, described Obasanjo’s claims as repugnant.

Jonathan’s statement read: “We find the false claims and allegations reportedly made against President Goodluck Jonathan by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday in Abeokuta very odious and repugnant.

“As we have had cause to say before, it is most regrettable indeed that a man like Chief Obasanjo, who should know better, chooses to repeatedly, wantonly, and maliciously impugn the integrity of a sitting President of his country for the primary purpose of self-promotion.
“It is obvious from Chief Obasanjo’s serial vituperations against President Jonathan who is doing his best to positively transform Nigeria for the benefit of all of its people that he has willfully chosen to close his eyes to the present administration’s good works and intentions. For reasons best known to him, Chief Obasanjo has set his mind on regime change by fair or foul means.

“Otherwise, it would be completely senseless, irrational and out of place for Chief Obasanjo, who still claims to belong to the same party as the President, to accuse President Jonathan of plotting to win the rescheduled presidential elections by “hook or crook” and planning to plunge the nation into crisis if he loses the election. For the record, President Jonathan has no such intention and will continue to give the greatest possible support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant federal agencies to ensure that the rescheduled elections are successfully conducted.

“Indeed, it is not President Jonathan who remains faithful to his oath of office who is trying to plunge Nigeria into crisis, but Chief Obasanjo who is scheming to plunge the country into chaos in pursuit of a selfish and highly egocentric agenda.

“Chief Obasanjo’s plot with others within and outside the country to thwart the general elections and foist an unconstitutional Interim National Government, which he hopes to head on the nation is well known to us, but by the Grace of God Almighty, his odious plan to return to power through the back door will fail woefully.

“We know very well that it is in pursuit of this nefarious plot that the former President continues to sow the seeds of discord and crises in the polity by purporting to remain in the ruling party while openly consorting with the opposition, endorsing its candidates and predicting victory for opposition candidates in a manner most unbecoming of a supposed elder statesman.

Thankfully, the vast majority of Nigerians who are patriotic and right-thinking cannot be fooled by Chief Obasanjo’s antics.

“We urge them to be assured that President Jonathan’s commitment to democracy in all its ramifications remains constant and that he will never be party to the use of any unlawful means to remain in office or gain political advantage over his opponents.

“The President stands by his commitment, which he reaffirmed on national television last Wednesday that on his watch, all elections in Nigeria, will be free, fair and credible, and that all certified election results will be respected.

“As President Jonathan has also assured the nation, the rescheduling of the general elections was in the best interest of the nation and was never driven by any ulterior motive on the part of government as Chief Obasanjo and others have alleged.

“President Jonathan will continue to put his best efforts into giving Nigeria quality leadership and will not be distracted from his purpose by unwarranted and needless criticism by persons who ought to know better.

“The President also continues to trust in the good judgment of Nigerians and to believe that in appreciation of his sincere efforts to move the country forward over the past four years, they will re-elect him for a second term on March 28, 2015 with a mandate to pursue his agenda for national transformation to a successful conclusion”.

The PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation (PCO), also responded, saying the decision to postpone the elections was INEC’s and not the President’s.

“It is most uncharitable and unfair for him to suggest that President Jonathan wishes to remain in power by hook or by crook because that is not the nature of”, the PCO statement by the Director of Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, said. “It is even worse for him to compare him to President Laurent Gbagbo. To Jonathan, politics is not a matter of do or die and President Obasanjo knows this more than anyone else. We will respond to President Obasanjo in full at the appropriate time but the truth is that we will not allow him or anyone else to distract us from the task that lies ahead. We have an election to fight and to win and that remains our primary focus. We reject President Obasanjo’s very serious and grave allegations and we are not in the least bit disturbed by them because we know that they have no basis in truth, rationality or reason.
The days of anyone attempting to rule by proxy or through surrogates are long over because we have all come of age”.


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