OAU Fixes New Dates for Post UTME Screening Exercise

By Mutiu Saheed Abiodun

Obafemi Awolowo University released new dates for the screening exercise of aspirants that registered for the  2020 Obafemi Awolowo University Post UTME. 

Prior to the news about the cancellation of 2020/2021 academic session, many aspirants have been doubting whether this year admission has been cancelled.  However, the management explained that aspirants have nothing to fear that the it was only the title of a session that was cancelled and not the admission exercise.  To clear the doubt, the management in response has released guidelines and new dates screening exercise for utme candidates.

The screening exercise will be held in Ile Ife (main campus and Moro campus) and Abuja between 27th of February and 3rd of March 2020 .

The circular goes thus:

  "All candidates that registered for the 2020 Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Post UTME Screening Exercise are hereby informed that the new dates for the exercise are as follows:

Ile-Ife Centre: 27th February, 2021 – 3rd March, 2021 (On OAU and Moro Campuses) – Abuja Centre: 6th March, 2021 (JAMB CBT Centre, Bwari, Abuja) Screening slips (containing actual dates and venue for each candidate) on the University official website for admission http://admissions.oauife.edu.ng from 14th February, 2021 (By logging on to your profile page).

All candidates are enjoined to adhere to their schedules and strictly comply with all COVID – 19 Protocols as recommended by the NCDC. Thank you OAU Post UTME Screening Committee."

OAU to Resume Virtual and Physical Classes on 8th February 2021

The Senate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, in a meeting held on ,19th of January 2021 has approved 8th February 2021 for the resumption of lectures; both online and physical classes. 

The meeting was a virtual meeting that started by 10am and ended in the evening. The meeting was held to discuss and review the proposed calendar for the academic session and this is the outcome.

                                                                

Consequent upon the directive of the Federal Government that schools should re-open, the Senate of Obafemi Awolowo University at its meeting held today, 19th January, 2021 announced the following resumption time-table for continuation of the 2019/2020 academic session that was suspended in March 2020 following the outbreak of COVID-19:

1.  7th February, 2021 - Final year students in the Faculty of Pharmacy, Clinical Students in the College of Health Sciences and year four (4) students in the Faculty of Agriculture are to come into residence. All other students are to attend their classes virtually.

 

2.   8th February, 2021 – Resumption of Lectures.

 

The approved resumption programme is subject to periodic review in line with the realities and trend of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, the Senate approved cancellation of 2020/2021 Academic Session.

Furthermore, in line with the directives of the Federal Government on prevention of community transmission of COVID-19, the Senate was emphatic on the need for both staff and students to strictly adhere to the following COVID-19 protocols:

ü  Regular handwashing with soap and running water

ü  Use of hand sanitizer

ü  Compulsory wearing of face mask; and

ü  Social distancing.

Staff, Students and other members of the University Community must also adhere strictly to the recommendations of the COVID-19 Committee of the University.

We wish all our students a very Happy New Year and a peaceful continuation of the 2019/2020 Academic Session.

OAU Students Frown Against Online Lectures

By Ganiyu Ayanniyi M.

Students of Obafemi Awolowo University have said they are not in support of the proposed plan by the institution to switch lectures online, an online poll conducted by OAU Peeps News Agency has revealed.

Last week Thursday, the Federal ministry of education stood firm in its decision on the safe reopening of schools.

Upon the confirmation, various schools, both public and private announced the resumption of academic activities in compliance to safety protocols. Though, few schools are yet to announce theirs.

The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife is yet to announce the official resumption date and the means in which lectures would be delivered. However, the school is taking serious steps to let these done on time.

There is a proposed academic calendar which will be reviewed by the School Senate on 19th January, 2020. The calendar proposed that only final year, all clinical, pharmacy (part V) and part IV agric students are allowed to resume the school residence on 7th February in order to continue with physical lectures while other students would continue with online classes.

Sequel to this, there have been reactions from students in different social platforms as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter etc. that there should be physical lectures for all because they believe that being at home won't help them to focus in studying online.

But, what is the fear of these students? Mass failure ? Frequent power outage ? Lack of phone or browsing gadget?  The cost for the online classes? These are some of the questions that disturb students.

As a result of various reactions, OAU Peeps News Agency, did an online poll to know students' choice about the online classes. 510 students voted; 20% want the decision as earlier stated in the proposed calendar, 67% do not support the idea of online courses; they prefer physical classes for all students while 13% are fine with both online or physical lectures.

Many tertiary students opined that if some market places could open in full air without the observance of Covid-19 protocols, schools could open while respecting the guidelines as a civilised area. All the same as some students are worried that if some schools could fully open for physical lectures, why not so for Obafemi Awolowo University with total compliance to safety measures ?

OAU Approves Reopening of Mosques in Halls of Residence.

By Ganiyu Ayanniyi M.

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife via its Council has approved the reopening of the halls of residence mosques ahead of students resumption.

This was made known in a responsive letter signed by the acting director of the Vice-Chancellor's Office, I.O Adejuwon on 24th of December 2020, informing the approval after the matter was presented to the School Council.

The mosques was closed since 2017 following the clash between members of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), OAU branch due to varying Islamic views and insubordination to authorities.

This achievement was obtained after the relentless efforts of Muslims leaders outside and within the school especially the Chief Imam, OAU Muslim Community in name of Professor Abubakr Sanusi in seeing peace reign amidst all odds. 

The Chief Imam of OAU Muslim Community, Professor Abubakr Sanusi through his letter dated 19th December, 2020 has urged the school management to reopen the mosques within the halls of residence while assuring that peace and sanity would reign.

However, the School management via its Council has given three terms and conditions which the mosques should follow:

1. The mosques should be designed such that the inner portion would be visible to those outside.

2. Activities in the mosques should be conducted in ways that will be visible to everyone and not in any way shrouded in secrecy; and

3. The activities of the students should be supervised by the office of the Chief Imam, and biannual reports to the office of the Vice-Chancellor would be appreciated.

OAU Students To Know Resumption Date After Senate Meeting

Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University can now hope to know the exact date academic activities would resume after the University Senate meeting on Tuesday, 19th January 2021. 

Since the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) suspended its 9-month old strike on the 23rd December 2020, students have continued to expect that they would be recalled back to school soon. But no news has come since then for students of OAU. 

In a telephone conversation between OAU Peeps News Agency correspondent and the university Public Relations Officer, Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju earlier today (Thursday), we were able to gather that it is unlikely that students would be asked to resume back to school before the speculated date of 18th January.  

According to the university PRO, the Senate of the University has a sitting already scheduled for the 19th of this month and the resumption of academic activities is expected to be one of the top issues that would be up for discussion. He further urged students of the institution to exercise patience and ignore any rumour flying around until the school management releases date for resumption. 

Meanwhile, OAU students have continued to urge the university management to announce resumption as soon as possible so that they can continue with their studies. 

OAU, we are waiting for resumption circular please 😌, e fun wa ni update ⚠.

— Opemidimeji Ọmọlúwàbí Ekiti 🗽 (@opemidimeji_xo) January 7, 2021

 

I don't think OAU is ready for resumption yet, as it stands now it's over 24 hours of power outage and I got to know it's because the management is owing. (Either true or not, I can't confirm) but I heard.

Shey there is still hope for resumption like this?

— Oluwakemi💡✊ (@Oluwakemistrie) January 6, 2021

 

If one of OAU or UI should announce resumption, everyone will follow suit. I'm certain

— Ọ̀gágun Akinlolú ❁ (@LoluAkinteye) January 6, 2021

As at the time of filing this report, some universities, including the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), University of Benin (UNIBEN), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), and Lagos State University (LASU) have already announced the resumption of academic activities in line with the directives of the National University Commission (NUC) asking schools to reopen by 18th January, 2021. For some of these schools, learning will be virtual and online for the meantime while the possible impacts of the second wave of the COVID19 infection on physical gathering for learning are being assessed.

Happy New Year

I'd rather not start this little note with how bad or tough 2020 was, but here goes...

Yes, we lost an academic year, we had to stay indoors for months; I agree, it was a tough year.  Some would say it was a year meant for lessons and hard work.  The truth is that it was a year that tested our sanity and mental health.  

However, since we have agreed not to dwell on that year, here’s to you for making it and finishing that year strong. And here's the future that promises to be better.

I hope that this year brings you the joy, laughter, and the best.  May you have all that your heart desires and may you keep basking in the grace of God.  As we prepare for the most anticipated resumption ever, I pray that the student in us finds a way to resurrect and resume with us. 

2021 will be an amazing year. This time, stay jiggy and excited.  Happy new year from OAU Peeps News Agency.