E-portal Re-opened For Course Registration

SECRETARIAT UPDATE


ON ISSUES OF LATE REGISTRATION

This is to inform students who paid during normal registration period but had issues with their Gmail verification and other related problems that the E- portal will be opened for them between today 7th October and next Tuesday so that they can register their courses.


On a penultimate note, on the issue of power outage in Moremi and Akintola halls, this situation has been be reported and will be fixed as soon as possible.We enjoin our most cherished Moremites and Akintolites to bear with us as all hands are on desk to fix this dire situation.

Finally,we welcome back our most esteemed students back on campus after the eid-el kabir celebrations and best of God to those writing their test.

SIGNED:

Shittu I.Olatayo SEC.GEN.
Awode Louis ASS.SEC.GEN

Power Outage in OAU Derides Fee Increment

By Oladele Oluwasogo

For close to two weeks now, the Obafemi Awolowo University community has been thrown into utter darkness, complete blackout, coupled with intermittent water supply. This has led to paralysis of activities on campus, causing physical, emotional, social and psychological breakdown for the mass of students who consider this unprecedented situation ridiculous and insufferable. With this situation, students have been reduced to the pre modern era, the era of technological darkness. This condition is made more frustrating and abysmal when the brevity of the academic calendar is fore grounded, less than two months to the commencement of the 1st semester examination; students are forced to learn under such maddening conditions, a situation unspeakable of a 21st Century University.

The university management, despite hoodwinking and coercing students to pay an outrageous regime of fee recently, is nonchalant, and has not taken any serious effort to placate the situation. This ridiculous situation is coming a month and some weeks into a new semester which was earlier truncated after the school was shut down following the series of protests staged by students against the newly introduced 350% increment in the school fees. The chief justification of the management for the increment has been that education is poorly funded by the federal government, and that the cost of providing basic amenities like electricity and water has skyrocketed, further arguing that "if students want the best, they must pay for the best". With the current conditions in OAU, it is annoying that after fresh students were coerced to cough out a fee range of N90,000 and stale students over N35,000, they still have to be subjected to such absurdity of unbridled power outage in a University community. Before students started paying this current regime of outrageous fee, the conditions of students, though disgusting, was not worse as we have currently. Asides erratic power and water supply, congestion in residential halls has increased, with over fifteen students crowding rooms originally designed for four. This condition is obtainable in lecture halls, where instruction materials are absent and overcrowded - in fact the university sport centre is a new 21st century lecture theatre.


It has always been our argument that poorly paid parents earning stipends as low as N18,000 per month should not be made to bear the brunt of the ineptitude of the government, instead, university managements should further expose the federal government, whilst also forcing them to use the tax payer's money to better the life of the tax payer's children. Struggling Nigerians should not be further made to regret their being born in Nigeria, after the only natural disaster (bad leadership) that has rocked the country incessantly since independence has made life hellish for them. Apparently Nigeria is rich enough to fund free education at all levels, but because of the unrepentant looting of the common good by the ruling elites, and the desire to price quality education out of the reach of the masses, they have refused to fund free education instead education is being made the benefit of the rich only.

If care is not taken, the public university system is on its voyage of natural death as it happened to PHCN and other public sectors which the government has privatized. PHCN did not function not because the name bears a curse or because it was destined to fail, it failed because the government wanted it to fail so as to make money from the privatization of the sector, and for this reason it was set on a journey of natural death which made even an average Nigerian indifferent when privatization was suggested. Same happened to public primary and secondary schools, after a long and consistent decadence in these sectors, even a poor man will try as much as possible to send his children to private schools. They were rendered useless by the government. The public university system is being made to tread the same path. With so much failure in the system, it is logical therefore to say that the profiteer of a failed government is the government itself.


It is totally unacceptable that in a university like OAU, a leading university in the country, light and water will be unavailable for over a week, and the university authority will not consider it appropriate to put in a place an alternative power supply. The university has several generators that could have been powered to cushion the effect of the outage. Instead, the generators remain idle, probably to save the cost of diesel, while students pass through unimaginable hardship and frustration to research and write assignments. With the school in total darkness, one will be forced to ask; who is the profiteer of the increment? Whose pocket did the money go? Before students are again fabricated as restless and exuberant, Nigerians should be informed about the nonchalant attitude of the OAU management towards the condition of students, and equally condemn it. Also, students must overcome their fears and question the university management on the utilisation of their money, and demand for accountability, including democratic management of the university.

The situation at OAU to say the least is the reality of all Nigerian universities, and a true reflection of the Nigerian system and the failed capitalist principle of "money before people". A tour around OAU will assert the fact that we have paid more to get less. After the hike in fees, nothing whatsoever and howsoever has changed about the university. In fact, things have only gone from bad to worse; the water supply since resumption aside from being erratic is not also suitable for drinking as it is brown in colour, the condition of light has deteriorated, all in all we have paid only to multiply our woes.


Oluwasogo, a member of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) and student of Obafemi Awolowo University


Source: allAfrica

Ebola Virus Disease In Nigeria: The OAU Experience

By Amusan Oluwamuyiwa

The Ebola virus haemorrhagic disease surfaced in Nigeria in 2014 and the first case of disease was confirmed in Lagos, Nigeria on the 23rd of July, 2014. This later spread to involve 19 laboratory-confirmed EVD cases, thus created tension and unrest among the Nigerian populace. Obafemi Awolowo Univeristy was not insulated from the sad development.

Obafemi Awolowo University, a university known for the habitation and pronounced presence of bats, was more concerned about this outbreak, partly due to the fact that fruit bats is known to be one of the reservoirs of Ebola virus. With students freshly resuming for a new semester, more actions, procedures and campaigns were put in place by the then management of the university under the leadership of Professor Bamitale Omole. Fliers, posters and banners displaying the symptoms and signs of EVD were littered round the campus.

Unsurprisingly, cultural gestures and greetings involving body contacts such as handshakes were reduced to the bearest minimum. Use of hand sanitizers were also encouraged and massively campaigned for. Banks, supermarkets and other minimarts were also not left out in this fight against Ebola on OAU campus. All had their portable hand sanitizers and mini thermometers for checking temperatures of customers; a high temperature of over 40 degrees is usually an early indication of EVB.

However, despite these seemingly perfect measures already in place, confusion still ensued on the 10th of September, 2014, when a female student of the institution was reported to have contracted the deadly Ebola virus. This tension was heightened when it was gathered that, the student in question had had an initial contact with an EVD victim in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria, before returning to the campus early in the week.

Within few hours, rumours had spread around the campus, students were more careful. They avoided overcrowded places and were almost considering everyone as an Ebola ‘suspect’. Medical practitioners, lecturers from the department of Microbiology were summoned for appropriate interventions. An emergency meeting took place, the whole campus was in disarray! After preliminary tests had been done on the patient, it was unanimously agreed by the management that, the victim be moved to Lagos so that proper and holistic diagnosis can be continued and concluded. A bit of calmness returned to the campus; albeit with crumbs of anxiety and consciousness.

Ebola might have come and gone, but the blueprint it left on Obafemi Awolowo University cannot be overemphasised. The university community became more conscious of her health, students were properly tested, and fumigation and sanitisation of halls of residence took place, among other preventive actions. These, for all intents and purposes, would be pleasing to all inhabitants of Obafemi Awolowo University. At the very least, the health of the student is taken into consideration.

'Coke Studio Africa' Campus Concert Storms OAU

Campus artistes are encouraged to register online by completing the Coke Studio Africa Music Competition OAU Entry Form @ http://docs.google.com/forms/d/1e-Zb2_zhRmOEjtEkro-0-HXprdQu18O32HXXCYn_oZw/viewform?c=0&w=1

ALUU 4: Two Years Gone, Justice Yet To Be Served!

Yesterday was exactly 2 years after the death of the popular Nigerian student hero, UNIPORT 4.

The Death of these young men, exposed the cruelty & hostility Nigerian University Students experience within most of the University Host Communities.

As we honour these Heros on the 2nd year remembrance. It surprising to note that the Culprits responsible for this gruesome murder have not been brought to book.

We are optimistic that much sooner than later,the cool blooded murderers would be brought to book as Justice can only be delayed but never denied!

ALUU 4 Remembrance has come to be a landmark in the Struggle of the emancipation of not only the Nigerian Students but also the Nigerian Youths in general.

The event of the early hours of Friday October 5th 2012 still remains fresh in our memories but very optimistic that Justice MUST come someday as you Continue to Rest In Peace.

Chidiaka Biringa,
Lloyd Michael,
Tekena Elkanah and
Ugonna Obuzor.

You Guys may be Gone,But you are not and would never be forgetten!

ADIEU MY UNIQUE STUDENTS!!!!!!!

Signed

Engr Charles Njoku VDI
Public Relation Officer (PRO)
Univeristy of Port Harcourt Alumni Association International
Director of Socials Emeritus(DOS), Students Union Government (SUG) of University of Port Harcourt.

http://www.nijaeyegermany.com/2014/10/aluu-4-remembrance2-yrs/

The Tears Of Africa's Most Beautiful Campus By Damilola Towobola

By Damilola Towobola

I could not hold my tears seeing africa's most beautiful campus writhe in Blackout... crying bitterly, I was touched, I ran to her with anxiety and I asked her, "Wondered why we are suffering yet smiling?"

I have never seen a prettier campus, so beautiful despite her age. She looked like a damsel, so beautiful, an epitome of beauty, a pride to other african campuses, the desire of every student, colourful and wonderfully made!
Million questions came to my mind. Why is this beauty campus in Oppression? Why is this black Model crawling now? I asked her majesty gently, "Why?"

I could not hold my tears when she replied me with soft and angelic voice:
"My son, as you can see, I am a campus of 52years old. I am the best, famous campus in Nigeria. I am so blessed, and I have a lot of structures. I have become the envy of every campuses. Even the most societal, strong and powerful African campuses pray to be like me.

"I have given birth to over 5 million princes and princesses who are shakers and movers all of the economy. But what a pity! Many of these princes and princesses scattered all over the world never look back at their "alma Mata" as if I am nobody. Those at home who are supposed to walk majestically round my palace and enjoy all my riches are in fright of the Unknown!


"Where are my pride, honour, dignity, strength, glory and royalty, when most of my children are suffering despite all I have? Other campuses who used to fear me, appreciate my beauty, tremble because of my wisdom, who saw me then as example now mock me! Even those that use to run to me then for help and assistance, they all see me now as nothing, and none of them accord me my respect again! So why won't I cry?" I have been silenced by those I give Chicken wen my greatness was enormous.

Tears were rushing down from my face I feel for this caring campus as she continued her story: "Most painful is that my children don't see each other as siblings again! The foreign and imported ideologies have tore them apart, Unionism made them separate themselves, and politics put a sword between them.

"What a pity! Many of my beautiful damsels have turned to night hawkers and the Guys are not slumbering on Moz 101!

I was so sad, in my sober mood I asked her, "Ma, with all your Glories, why are your children still suffering like this?"

She replied, "Due to selfishness of few, due to some wicked persons amongst them who are in charge of these resources! They wine and dine all day while students are home-less due to hostel palava and languish in darkness! They are getting richer and wealthier daily forgetting that their good deeds will surpass their age on Earth!"

I tried to comfort this beautiful Campus, but the more efforts I offered, the more she cried. What a Campus! The pride of Campushood!


She concluded, "I won't stop crying until my children are happy, until I see the end of their suffering, until I see smiles on their beautiful faces! Until OAU 9 is reinstated! I have liberators, giants, saviours, freedom fighters and the Moses(Ibikunle) who will lead my children back to my golden throne!I believe"

This is a clarion call to all of us! Together we can redeem the fading glory. Together we can build this nation. Lefties and Righties, let's build this campus together! Both good and bad people could be found in every setting. Let's join hands together and build a campus where justice and peace reign!

Long live Great Ife Union!!!
Long Live OAU vigilant!!
Long Live OAU!!!

Signed
SPICE(MFROAU)


The writer of this Opinion, Damilola Toblan Dspice is a student of the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University. You can reach Dspice through his e-mail: dotowobola@yahoo.com
 

THE INSIDER Talk Show (Second Edition) Holds October 25

CEO Trill House and Host Tomi discussing in the previous edition

The Insider, owners of Insider Newspaper holds the second edition of her Talk Show on October 25, 2014. The event will see renowned media personalities exclusively discuss matters arising. Among numerous figures expected to grace the event include Dr Soneye, TY MIX (Sound Sultan & Iyanya Producer), Mercy Aigbe (Nollywood Actress), Oyinkansade( Finalist MTN Project Fame Season 5), Sodiq Oyeleke (Best Graduating Student, NIJ) amongst others.

Artistes billed to perform include Allen, Adeola, Dayoslides and others.

VENUE: BOOC

TIME: 7pm

GATE FEE:


REGULAR - 100NAIRA
COUPLE - 150NAIRA
VIP - 500NAIRA

Tickets will be available at the venue of the Talk Show on that day.