OAU Remains Nigeria's Best University -Webometrics

Contrary to widespread reports, and in further confirmation of its academic excellence and intellectual supremacy over and above other Universities and Institutions of Higher Learning, the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has, again, been rated the first and the best University in Nigeria and 19th in Africa.

Reacting, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bamitale Omole, attributed the giant strides recorded by his administration to the unparalleled research output, administrative acumen, technical know-how of the academic, administrative and technical staff of the University, adding that only a focused leadership, which is the hallmark of his management team, can produce such a spectacular feat.

Professor Bamitale Omole, then applauded the dedication to duty of all stakeholders in making sure that the ideals of the founding fathers of OAU become a reality in its entirety. He urged the Federal Government not to relent in its efforts to improve the funding of education, particularly for the universities, so that the increased penchant for travelling abroad to undergo academic programmes that could be taught better by our lecturers here in Nigeria would be a thing of the past

For more click on the links below:

Rating of Nigerian Universities
Rating of African Universities

Prof. Bamitale Omole Expected To Be Named INEC Returning Officer For Osun Poll

With just few days to the Osun state governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) is yet to name who will be the Returning Officer for the Poll.

Indications however emerged today that the Obafemi Awolowo University Vice Chancellor, Professor Bamitale Omope may be selected to be the Returning Officer. The source who pleaded anonymity said Omole is a VC of the only Federal University in Osun state, so according to the trend of INEC selection, he is favourite for the job. He however sited the examples of Professor Adebiyi Daramola of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and Professor Isaac Azuzzi of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti as Returning Officers in both Ondo and Ekiti elections respectively.

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OAU SU Clears Air On Alleged Division, Indict VP As Betrayal

FROM THE LEADERSHIP OF THE UNION

(As At Today, 6th August 2014)

‘’ Most times, lie gets halfway the world before the truth manages to get its pants on ’’ - Winston Spencer Churchill

Since the autocratic closure of the school by the management on 18th June and Great Ife students left the barricades, the leadership of the Union has not failed in its duty of holding regular discussions to appraise matters. Today the leadership of the Union met to reappraise issues that concern the 2014 Parliamentary Session of the Union and the ongoing struggle against increment in school fee. Variety of matters were discussed ranging from the current state of the struggle and some germane administrative issues were holistically assessed especially the most recent of them. An encompassing resolution of the meeting was to give re-assurances to our students on our commitment to the struggle and to clear the air on all allegations levelled against the leadership of the union. Prominent issues discussed are:

ON RESUMPTION AND THE STRUGGLE AGAINST INCREMENT IN FEES:

Last week the University Senate was supposed to meet to decide on issues of the review of the fees, reopening of the school and resumption of students back to campus as well as other policies surrounding the fees among other issues but the meeting was inconclusive. Also the threatened commencement of late registration was not implemented by the management due to the efforts of the various mediating intermediaries and the constructive means the union used in prosecuting the matter. We commend the solidarity of students who maintained their stand with the Union. It is pertinent at this crucial point in history that we restate our commitment to the struggle and that we will continue to prosecute the struggle using constructive methodologies that will give the needed results as we had promised during our electioneering. Our methodologies led us to opening negotiation through mediators with the management where some concessions were gotten and the same got the management to agree to work study and instalmental payments for indigent students without leaving behind the review of the fees. We remain committed to the mandate which was given to us at election into various offices which the current saddening closure is not part of. We have been assured by our various mediators, bodies and individuals, that final resolution of all contentious issues is being achieved to achieve resumption this month. We have been and will continue to prosecute the struggle and run our administration within the ambit of this mandate of constructive and result-yielding methodologies of attending to issues.

ON THE RECENT RELEASE BY THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNION AND THE RECEIPT OF A BUS FROM SEN. IYIOLA OMISORE:

The leadership of the Union received with great amazement the release by the Vice President on the Union Facebook page on the evening of Monday, 4th August where she raised allegations against the remaining leadership of the Union on the receipt of a bus donated to the Union by Sen. Iyiola Omisore and the prosecution of the on-going struggle on the general. She claimed not to be aware of the issue of the bus at all.

It is pertinent to state here:

That the VP was in attendance at the meeting in May where the donor assured to intervene on the crisis and promised the donation of the bus and readiness to help the Union on other projects especially on the on-going struggle of hike in school fees. This was far back in May, no electioneering in view. She (Olori) expressed concern at another meeting of the Leadership on the delay of the bus as she hoped to use it in preparation for the orientation week which is incidental to her office since she was aware management would frustrate us with mobility because of our struggle. She also expressed joy at the arrival of the bus last week Thursday and even congratulated the President on the receipt of the Bus and DEMANDED for what to celebrate it with, only for her to come out the following Monday to express ignorance of the receipt of the bus. What a high level of hypocrisy and betrayal! The question that is still difficult for us to answer is: why is she doing this? Whose script is she acting out? She raised issues regarding externalised actions and why they were struck out, particularly the planned Ibadan action, the same reasons that struck out the Osogbo action is why the Ibadan action was struck out, these reasons ranging from the advice of our lawyers and advisers and Olori cannot claim not to be in the know of all these. In case the management fails to honour our invitation for dialogue and/or moves of our solidarising mediators, our attention was advised to be centred on the Abuja action because of the fact that Abuja is the seat of the Federal Government and and capable of yielding needed result for we have exhausted all that needed to be done both physically and strategically such as several press campaigns and mass sensitisations we had. All resources and logistics are to be concentrated on this AND OLORI was made the grand strategist to plan/mobilise for the action due to her NANS connection. This she never did and never intimated the leadership, instead she was busy with her money making partisan-politics ventures. Since she couldn’t deliver on the Abuja action, she was called to divert attention to the day of the coming of the president Goodluck Jonathan in Ife. Her response was that ‘’she can’t be part of any protest, that she has an INEC job to do to raise cash and that she won’t waste her time fighting for any students who are catching their fun at home and have also gathered enough fund to pay their school fee’’. So who is deceiving who?

Well, we are not surprised because her unholy association with the Osun State NANS/JCC has been the shade in her eyes or how do we explain her involvement in the leafleteering at Ilesha and the rally for APC at Osogbo? Time they say is the ultimate judge!

In the leadership meeting preceding orientation week, it is the same way she prevailed on all other executive members to suspend actions to allow total concentration on her orientation programme only for her to appear later in public to blame us for the suspension. What a duplicity! Great Ife, the minute of the meeting is there for verification.

That the report of the meeting with Sen. Iyiola Omisore and the leadership of the Union with respect to the expected donation/intervention was mentioned at a congress of Great Ife students before the Orientation programme and NOBODY objected to it or requested that we reject the donation then (Olori inclusive), so why now? Where were all the self-acclaimed lovers of the image and sacredness of the Union and its traditions when this issues where presented at the congress? All those raising the issue of ‘’persona non grata’’ where were they then? The truth and falsity of the persona non grata issue will be a subject of another day. Great Ife our vigilance must be brought to play here so we don’t allow ourselves to be used as puns on the chessboard of political-mischief makers and rotunda messiahs.

That we didn’t go to Sen. Iyiola Omisore to beg for a Bus, he intercepted us at the palace of the Ooni (20th May, 2014) and promised to see the VC on our behalf the day after, it was after his meeting with the VC that he invited us to a meeting that was attended by the leadership of the Union, Olori inclusive, where he briefed us of the outcome of their meeting and promised to provide a bus to aid our mobility and subsequent struggles as a Union. This also was reported at the Congress.

That the Bus given to us is an unbranded and un-numbered brand new Bus. We did the branding on the Bus and wrote the inscription on it, if the inscription on it is the issue, it should be so stated. Not the hypocrisy, calumny, lies and deceit that is been peddled around.

Great Ife! You have now been obliged with information from both sides, we leave you with your conscience to decide just as we are still watching with keen interest the political drama being played on the social media and we will not allow anybody or group of individuals to super impose their selfish interest over the collective interest of Great Ife Students. We only avail you with the truth as you have a right to it. Union leadership remains one, Olori our constitutional wife inclusive for this trying period will surely pass over and the lips of truth shall be established forever.

Greatest IFE we remain committed to PROMPT RESUMPTION of our students back to the University campus and restoration of normalcy in the university as well as HOLISTIC RESOLUTION of all lingering matters being fallouts of the increment struggle. We have not deviated from the mandate we were given at our election into our various offices- the alternative to the status quo. On the security of the hope of the Nigerian child no matter his/her status and the path to a better Nigeria – EDUCATION we stand.

NB:
We hope the partisan-admins of this page will not delete this post and remove genuine students and their comments as you have been seen to be doing. Just yesterday, you still perpetrated the evil. We appeal that you desist from these infringement on students’ rights of expression for this group page is gradually losing credibility. God bless you! ...La lucha sigue!

Signed:

BAMIDELE Oludare J.                       SHITTU I. Olatayo                          IBIKUNLE Isaac M.
P.R.O                                                       Secretary-General                              President.

"Save Me From Death" -OAU Student Cries

An extraordinary ambition of a 26-year-old designer and graduate of Sociology from Obafemi Awolowo University to export made-in-Nigeria designs abroad is threatened by kidney disease. Solomon Elusoji writes that with N9 million for a kidney transplant, that dream will become a reality

Yomade Balogun is just 26 years old, but already in a tug of war with Death. Although she’s been brave, even heroic – for being on the battleground with Death for eight years – her energy seems to be waning. As the clock’s arms move – tick tock, tick tock – Death seems to be winning. 

And once again, Nigeria is on the verge of losing one of its young minds that has shown astute leadership skills – a trait the country needs desperately for her great future.

Balogun, an indigene of Ondo State, is a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University (Sociology and Anthropology).

She is equally a chartered Personnel Manager after sitting for and passing the qualifying exams of the Chattered Institute of Personnel Management.

Balogun was deployed to serve the country in Gombe State during the 2010 Batch C NYSC scheme and she served with pride.

Shortly after her service year, she followed her dream to have a world-class clothing label and to become a top employer of labour in the country.

So her quest for creativity, innovation and quality delivery propelled the young Balogun to start the company called Adornare Clothing and Accessories, a company which has been providing clothing and organising training to empower young Nigerians.

Her desire to provide out-of-the-box products led her to start the “Made Erratic (ME)” label. The ME label was created to make bespoke wears for all occasions.

Starting with just raw talent, some formal training and a great amount of passion, Balogun was able to channel her energy to create an opportunity that other young people can benefit from.

 

But her dream to run a world-class clothing and accessories company may appear to be hitting the wall as Balogun is currently hospitalised, battling a kidney disease.

Many of the people that have met the ever smiling lady before she was hospitalised would not believe that she has been fighting a prolonged battle of her life since 2006.

On that day when fate struck her this fatal blow, she woke up in her hostel on the university campus and was rushed to the health centre. Her body swelled and she was held in the cold embrace of fear. She was later diagnosed of Alderman (a medical condition that is characterised by body swelling).

She was just in her second year in the university, but was told that she had very high cholesterol. The information came to her as a rude shock but for the next two years of her life, Balogun was on medications. Still, she graduated with distinctions.

 

In 2008, she became better and life appeared to be squeezing her lemons into lemonades. But after her national youth service program in 2011, she had a major health crisis that threatened to end her dreams. But she fought back to stay alive. She was rushed to the Gbagada General Hospital in Lagos, where she was diagnosed with kidney infection.

Distressed by the diagnosis, the strong-willed Balogun didn’t allow the kidney infection to stop her from chasing after her dream. She took her medications, fought the disease and made efforts to be a blessing to all those around her.

But in 2012, despite her valiant efforts to stay strong, the disease escalated to stage four. And in search of a better treatment, Balogun was taken to the Ekiti State Hospital where she continued the battle of her life.

After an entire month in bed, she started to show signs of recovery. But the cost of transport and the difficulty associated with travelling from Lagos to Ekiti for hospital visits necessitated a transfer to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

So the fight continued and the doctors in LUTH struggled to manage the disease. But soon, another tragedy struck. The doctors at LUTH went on strike. She was then taken to Gbagada General Hospital. While at the hospital, she went through a series of test and treatment after which she was advised to undergo a kidney transplant immediately, if she wanted to stay alive.

According to one of her schoolmates back at OAU, Peter Okolie, “Yomade has always dedicated herself to being a blessing to those around her.”

In the last eight years, she has been in and out of hospitals and has had to take more medications than most people would take all through their life.

Despite all these, Balogun continues to wear a smile and believes that the fight is not over until she wins over the disease.

Currently, she is presently undergoing dialysis twice a week at the Gbagada General Hospital and Clinix Health Care, under the supervision of Dr Busari with hospital no 210770. The cost of the bi-weekly dialysis is very heavy and the dialysis is not a permanent treatment for the disease.

Tragically, Balogun lost her father to an auto-accident on the 20th of March 1992 (22 years ago) and the responsibility for her medical bills and care has been handled only by her mother.

As it stands, the recommend treatment is a kidney transplant. The cost projection for the kidney transplant according to St Nicholas Hospital is about N9 million, which her mother, a civil servant with Somolu-Bariga Local Government in Lagos State cannot afford.

All those that have met Balogun would attest to the fact that she is a promising young lady that is a beacon of hope to this generation.

She has always put the interest of others before her own. She has always looked at the best in other people and she has a tender compassionate heart. Even through her health challenges she has always found opportunities to be a blessing to those around her. “Posterity would hold us accountable if we allow her light to go out simply because we chose to fold our hands when we could lend a helping hand,” said Okolie.

“Balogun needs N9 million for a kidney transplant, Please kindly make a donation to any of the accounts stated below – Balogun Yomade Yewande: Diamond bank: 0041932927, Diamond bank: 0051136447 (dollar account) , Guaranty Trust Bank: 0130520176, Zenith Bank: 2084974783.

“Nothing is too small, every assistance is appreciated. I want to live to fulfil my dream. Now, I need well-meaning Nigerians to save me from dying,’ Balogun said, expressing faith in her countrymen.

“Balogun Yomade needs N9 million for the kidney transplant, if she must stay alive to be a blessing to this generation. She’s is an extremely nice person. Despite the fact that she’s on a sick bed, she keeps encouraging us and telling us she would not die. If she dies without help, it will send a wrong signal to the rest of the world about us as a country,” said Balogun Adebimpe, her sister.

For further information Balogun can be reached through her sister, Adebimpe on 08052562404 or 08034228346.

Source: This Day 

Contoversy Surrounds Former NAOSS President's Impeachment At State Level

Members of the National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS) are now at loggerhead with some aides of Governor Olusegun Mimiko over an alleged undue interference to the affairs of the union.

They are particularly pointing accusing fingers on the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Rotimi Adeola and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Affairs, Muyiwa Asagunla for imposing an already impeached Students’ Senate President, Israel Fagbamigun on them.

Speaking at a Press Conference in Akure, the State Capital, today, the NAOSS National President, Simon Awodola explained that Fagbamigun was impeached on the ground that he had been suspended in NAOSS Chapter of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) before coming to contest the Senate Presidency.

He added that a notice of his impeachment was immediately communicated to all the necessary quarters including the office of the SSG and the SSA Youth.

Awodola said despite the quick communication about Fagbamigun’s impeachment, the SSA to the governor and SSG allegedly summoned a Senate sitting which was held at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo under the leadership of the impeached Senate President.

The NAOSS President alleged that those who sat as members of the Senate were non-students, while the mace used was fake because it was designed by the SSA.

His words, “We wish to put it on record that the Senate that sat in a school that has been closed for all academics activities for over three weeks and the mace used at the sitting was said to be brought there by the SSA-youth, who is not a member of the Association is illegal.

“In view of this, we urged all Naossites worldwide and the general public to disregard any resolution issued by these usurpers as legality cannot be built on illegality. A fake Senate cannot make law or enact laws for authentic Students.

“The acclaimed Senate President has been impeached and the man they are using as the Chief Whip is a security man at the National Industrial Court, Akure. This is aberration therefore should be allowed to stand”.

Meanwhile, Asangula has denied the allegation, saying he had never for once interfered in the affairs of the students or imposed a candidate on them despite that his office is in charge of students’ activities.

As at the time of filing the report, the SSG mobile lines were unreachable.


Source

Ibikunle's Denial And Olori's Accusal: Food For Thought!

IBIKUNLE'S DENIAL,OLORI'S ACCUSAL: FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Just as expected about 24 hours after the release of OAU SU VP Olori on matters arising in the union, the President of the Union Ibikunle countered her release and denied ever betraying the union even laying a 'conditional curse' on himself at the end of the release. 

 Such is the desperation of the union leaders to refute accusations of selfishness in dealings that concerns the SU.While we await IBK's next release which he claims is been compiled,it is important to warn both Ibikunle and Olori that their actions may jeopardize the Alutaristic spirit of our SU and replace it with crisis. I am sure that whenever Ibikunle replies Olori fully, some issues will be raised which i know Olori will also counter,leading to accusations and counter accusations.Is this way forward? Pointing accusing fingers at each other? 

While I am not against IBK defending himself, the bad blood that has been created by the recent turn in events may be the earthquake that won't allow this present administration achieve any result. #OAUSAYSNO?? I doubt it,because now that our leaders are interested in outwitting each other,where is the coordination and cooperation that we need to win this struggle? Where the supposed leaders? This is a call to our SU Leaders including madam Olori and Mr Ibikunle,that whatsoever it is that has created the bad blood between them should be sorted out amicably as soon as possible before the fire engulfs them both that they cant handle the situation again.

If our leaders have reduced themselves to this,will OAU students still find it right to trust them?please IBK and Olori,don't drag our union into Mud with your battle,because you both will want to outplay each other and just in football a winner will emerge,but instead of putting us at the mercy of our dictatorial school mgt,why don't you reconcile your differences and let the struggle continue? Very soon factions will emerge in the SU, while some will pitch their tent with Olori others will support IBK,the factiontionaliz ation of the SU may tear it apart without repair. A leader should expect criticism, so IBK shouldnt be different,while Olori's release came at the wrong time,i still salute her doggedness and braveness. 

Let our SU arise and win the challenge before us,united we stand, divided we fall. Great Ife konibaje o.


The writer of this Opinion, Oyedeji Olanrewaju is a Part 2 student of  the Department of Accounting, Obafemi Awolowo University. You can reach Oyedeji through his e-mail: Olanrewajusamuel8@gmail.com

We Will Respond To All Allegations At The Appropriate Time -Ibikunle

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
 (As at 5th August, 2014)

GREAT IFE

A leader is like a refuse dump, dirt are thrown into a dump. Only a good leader knows what to take/ use and what to discard from all the dirt thrown into the dump. It is in the spirit of the foregoing that I decided to respond to the several allegations raised here. I am not surprised at the lies, hypocrisy and deceit that have flooded the social media in the last few days but as a detailed reply is being compiled, I want Great Ife students to know the following:

ON OSUN ELECTIONS:

It is no longer news that the entire state is heated up politically and several attempts have been made to get the leadership of the Union involved in the process, not by the political gladiators themselves but by their respective agents amongst us (some present students, past unionists and even some alumni of this institution). Great IFE, this includes the PDP, APC and even the Labour Party. My response to them all has been simple; ‘’ whoever wants us to be identified with them should first help us in telling their principals to help us resolve our on-going crises. The increase in the school fee that has kept us at home for a while now, after then I would not even have to mobilise Great Ife students to come to their support but the students themselves will see such an individual as the messiah and chant his praises across the entire state. Also we have also been telling them to do projects for OAU students such as buses for mobility, scholarships for the indigent, etc ’’. Great IFE! After that none has come back to me. Only for them to start raising baseless and unfounded allegations about us. Let me use this medium to warn all those behind this to stop dragging the image and sacredness of the Union into their greedy, selfish and pecuniary interests. As much as we don’t have any issue with your party affiliation, please desist from dragging the Union into your political diatribes. We did not identify with any political party as a Union and will not do so.The fact that certain senior cadres have issues with me because of my non-alignment does not mean you should dig the grave of the union you claimed to have in mind!

ON THE RECIEPT OF A BUS FROM OMISORE

Yes, Sen. Iyiola Omisore donated a bus to the Union. So many opinions have been aired about the bus as to why it has to come now; or why it should be him donating a bus to the Union and so on. To the brilliant students of politics and strategies, the whole eyebrows about the collection are political. Great IFE, the whole story relating to the bus will be highlighted in the subsequent response.

ON THE VICE PRESIDENT’S RELEASE ON GREAT IFE FACEBOOK PAGE:

Great IFE students, you elected us to lead you and that we MUST do without betraying your trust. In the immortal words of Uthman Dan Fodio, ‘’Conscience is an open wound that only the truth can heal’’. We won’t trade words with her here because we understand all that has been happening. Great IFE, we will provide details of all that have been happening thus far, stating the roles assigned to everyone and providing the results thus far, so you can decide for yourselves who is ACTING the saint for pecuniary interests and who is ACTUALLY serving your interest.

Until you hear from the Leadership, Great IFE students, I must commend your standing by us and the confidence you repose in us thus far. I must also not forget to add that: May I not live to see that day that I will betray your trust and mandate! So help me God! (Hope everyone, including Olori, can also say this without any fear of the unknown?)

La lucha sigue!

Signed