OAU Student Wins Etisalat Merit Award

Ayomide Thompson Ajayi, a 200 level student of the Faculty of Technology, OAU, came second in the recently held Etisalat Merit Awards Scheme.

Ayomide gave a 5-minute presentation on The Creation Of A Platform (Website) For Waste Recycle Management

Five institutions were present at the event – namely: University of Lagos, University of Benin, Adekunle Ajasin University, Ladoke Akintola University and Obafemi Awolowo university.
The ceremony took place on Wednesday, 17th December, 2014 at Oriental Hotel, 3 Lekki Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Nigerian Youth Inclusion In Governance; Catalyst For Genuine National Development

By Prince David Adetula

The 2015 General Elections in Nigeria is almost here and one incontestable fact is that we will be having new set of leaders and extension of the administration of some of the present leaders at various levels of government. The obvious continued sidelining of Nigerian youths from being at the helms of affair may largely continue if we do not take actions as concerned youths. Much more beyond street protests and social network activism, I strongly believe a Nigerian youth has more to offer in government leadership if given the opportunity.

How about Youth? I define Youth as that transcendental period of life from being a child to an adult. For the sake of this topic, I crave your indulgence to consider agile and competent Nigerians within the age bracket of 18-35 years old as youths. Without sole consideration of the current political structures in many Local, State and Federal governments, the youths over the years have not risen to obvious height where their impact can be strongly felt in leadership.

Demographically, the population of Nigerian youths constitute the active majority which is the needed number in any standard setting to decide what goes on in the nation. Since some schools of thought will say Politics is a game of number which I quite agree with to a very large extent, how then is it that the political representation Nigerian youths at echelon positions is near nothing?

Some factors have been responsible for this ranging from poor credible youth representation, illiteracy and ignorance to unfavourable government policies. The blame for this cannot only be accredited to external forces as youths themselves do not help matter. It is quite disheartening to know that the youths many at times find it very excruciating to have a clear-cut definition of what they represent and who they are, let alone them gaining the deserved recognition in the socio-economic and political world.
Practically, you will see a 53 years old man regarded as Youth Leader in a political party, then, you begin to ask yourself questions, does this mean that we do not have capable and credible young minds that can lead their colleagues? Or how does this add up?

Many of the old cabals and leaders hide under the leaking umbrella that has an inscription: ''the nowadays youths in Nigeria will be worse than the old men and women who are in power today and they will even perform more badly if given the slightest chance.'' Yes, they may be right to an extent after all, there are several indications to their claim but I will want to agree with the words of Dr. (Ms) Evelyn Ndali Oputu OON during the 40th Convocation Lecture delivery at Obafemi Awolowo University that Nigerians youths are not entirely what they are popularly said to be. Our youths are only greedy and selfish because of the non-suitable and non-working environment they find themselves. Give them the right conditions and see the beauty of a Nigerian Youth! I have observed discussions and intellectual contributions of our youths on social platforms concerning crucial national issues and I cannot but say, we still have more than enough capable youths who can turn things around and help us fulfill the promise in our land.

Our heroes and heroines have repeatedly proved this in time past that tenacious and sagacious leadership translating to good governance and productive drive is not proportional to age. If the likes of Yakubu Gowon and Shehu Shagari could lead this same nation well as the Head of State and President respectively during their youthful days, I strongly want to conclude we can still do it and even in a very better way!


RECOMMENDATIONS
1) Aggressive sensitization of Nigerian youths to take their rightful place in today's governance. The era of “Leaders of Tomorrow” should be over, we are needed in today’s government to make things happen.
2) There is an urgent need for a clear representation of the youths at various spheres. Unity amongst youths at various levels is inevitable to achieve this. The group umbrella of Nigerian youths can eventually metamorphose into a full-fledged political party in no time.
3) Campaign for Youth inclusion in governance. The few youths privileged to be somewhere influential in the system need to help this project. We need to state in one voice a substantial percentage of Youth involvement in governance.
4) There is a need for the youths to demonstrate high level of competence and credibility even as things stand. We can create viable and workable model of governance experimented via leadership roles in our various capacities outside the targeted spot.
5) The youths need to work and support political figures that have youth friendly programmes and those that work/ready to work with Nigerian youths.


Remember, if you are not part of the solution, you are certainly part of the problem. Things need to change!


Photo Credit: Cruise Nigeria

Merry Christmas Great Ife

The season that reminds us of God's great love that led to a great gift. Show that love and give that gift!

  

A Merry Christmas to all our esteemed readers.

From The Entire OAU Peeps Crew

UI Student Blasts Union Officers Over Silence On Colleague's Death

In a protest article written by a student of University of Ibadan, the Students' Union leaders have been condemned for maintaining criminal silence over the death of one of their colleagues who died as she was rushing to meet up with a test fixed for some hours from Christmas.

Below is the protest article:

THE CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE OF U.I STUDENT UNION

The criminal silence of the student union over the death of one of our future and bright talent is tantamount to betrayal, felony and admission of incompetence. The Students' Union is supposed to fight and demand for the interest of the students but is unfortunate and pathetic that we have a puppet cum rubber stamp Union.

It would be recalled that a student of the faculty of Agriculture and Forestry in the person of Miss Adebayo Mercy, 400 level Agronomy died after attempting to come back to school for a test slated to hold on the 24th of December. Despite this colossal loss the Students' Union neither uttered a word nor send condelence message or solidarity visit to the deceased family. Isn't that a criminal negligence of duty on their part?

Unionism is not only scientific aluta but using diplomatic method to protect the people you are representing. The death of this lady is avoidable if there is vibrant and indefatigable Students' Union leadership. The Union should have negotiated with the school management to shift the exam date to around January which in my own opinion is possible and such a request will be swiftly acceded to.
Leadership is a matter of sacrifice and if the current Union leadership cannot sacrifice their time and energy to protect teeming Uite's then they should resign and allow capable and indomitable comrades to mount the throne and it is time the Odesola Oluwafemi Led Union realise that they are not elected to serve as tools in hand of desperate politicians but to protect the interest and welfare of the students.

‪#KickOutToothles
‬BullDogLeaders.

INEC Ad-Hoc Job: Are We To Submit Anything?

Someone sent this in:

Good day! Please are we required to submit some documents like our ID Card, Letter of Admission, Acknowledgement Slip etc to each state INEC secretariat? This is because some friends in OAU are submitting the Acknowledgement of Registration with a copy of their ID Card and JAMB Admission letter. Anyone with useful and valid information on this?

INEC To Use Card Readers During 2015 Election

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Public Relations Officer in Sokoto State, Alhaji Mohammed Musa, has said that the commission will use the card reader for accreditation of voters during the forthcoming general elections to allow for transprent polls.

Musa spoke at a one day workshop organised by Nigeria Police Sokoto State Command for stakeholders ahead of the 2015 general elections.
He also disclosed that despite the fact that many might doubt its ability to use card reader, INEC is very confident that it would be a huge success.

He said, “Though, some may say it is not possible but we are assuring Nigerians that it is doable hence we want to ensure that we get the very best for free, fair and credible election come 2015”.

According to Musa, it will be practically impossible to rig in the forthcoming elections, saying that INEC has removed polling units from traditional rulers’ residents, as well as religious places to ensure transparency.

He insisted that all efforts have been put in place to avoid the worrisome delay in voting which often time served as the cause of electoral violence.

He noted that INEC has also adequately addressed the issue of underage voting across the federation.
“Issue of underage voting has been giving INEC headache for quite a long time but now, we are on top of the situation hence all registration has been thoroughly edited. Though, not 100 but 90 percent sanitized. We have some of the under age cards with us now,” Musa added.


Source: Leadership News

Full Report On Fire Incident At Moremi Hall

ON THE FIRE INCIDENT AT MOREMI BLOCK A
ROOM 304.

   It is true that there was a sardonic fire incident at Moremi Block A, Room 304 yesterday 18 th December, 2014. From the accounts available to the Union, no member of the room was around when the incident occurred. Many of the occupants had returned home for the purpose of the break and festive period. There was however a part 2 nursing student who was in the room earlier in the day to cook with her gas cooker and rest for few hours after cooking before she left for lectures.
    Occupants around reported that they began to perceive smoky emissions from the room around 12noon when electricians were working on the floor lights. They also said they heard sparks in some rooms before the fire started. The burning
lasted almost an hour before University fire service workers came around the hall to attend the situation. As at the time the fire was put off practically everything in the room had been destroyed by the fire. Some of the items damaged are: the nursing students’ laptop computer, clothes of occupants, their textbooks, notes and materials, plates, pots, beds, provisions, etc. Reports from the only available
occupant read that there were no working sockets in the room.
   As at now there has not been any ascertained cause of the fire outbreak in the room. Power supply to the block (A) has been stopped as humming sockets were later discovered in some rooms on the block after the fire incident. The Union is using this opportunity to implore students that are still around in the various halls
of residence to be extra vigilant about electrical connections in their rooms and ensure that they report all spoilt sockets to their hall executive or hall management for quick repairs.


See Pictures from the incident below

Signed:
Bamidele Oludare J