OAU Student Speaks On Ibikunle's Noisy Bridge

By Ayodeji Iyanu

In the trying and turbulent times on OAU campus after a long suspension or proscription of the OAU Student Union precisely for three academic sessions, came a man of "integrity" whose radicalism I think drove to be the president of this prestigious citadel of learning.

From just few weeks into the tenure, till this moment, as short as it is, ALOT, I mean ALOT has happened; from the sudden increment in our school fees to, the most recent white elephant projects. Various decisions have been made, as well as friends and enemies in their numbers.

I do not wish to join number of innumerable critics this administration already has, because I understand that the best persons for any position are those that are not there, but stand afar off to point fingers. I want every stakeholder of the UNION to understand very clearly and explicitly that this administration is like the bedrock or foundation to rebuilding what we used to call a union, on which other administrations will build on in years to come, so it could not all be rosy and smooth with them now. But still we cannot but point out some flaws and analyze constructively what could have been because of the popular saying that "Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well". From the above basis, two of the many projects that were carried out by this administration picked my interest and I thought to myself "oh! No!"

First, was the supposed 'ACADEMIC PACKAGE' in which some cups of beans were packaged in nylons and distributed in all hostels to only those people who could get it. To me, that was a waste and it defeated the purpose of an academic package. An exercise note(even a 40/60 leaves) and pen with the student union logo would have been much more appreciated and also would have served the purpose. It's an 'academic package' not a welfare package. Enough said on that.

Second, and the most recent which I must say is a very good initiative are the two bridges that connect Awolowo Hall & Fajuyi Hall, and Fajuyi Hall & Sport Hall that have received so many criticisms from many quarters, and I also call the 'NOISY BRIDGE'. To reiterate the saying I quoted earlier that "whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well". I want to assume we've all seen the bridge, and anybody that saw the bridge when it was completed some weeks ago and now would have noticed that the cause of this noise that we hear whenever we use the bridge is as a result of the detachment of the iron sheet which was pinned to the concrete and if it continues that way, it'll get to a point where the iron sheet will remove totally which in my opinion is not needed in the first-time place if the bridge is well constructed. And I believe the bridge is not just made for this administration and when this administration is over and it spoils, we go back to how it was, Obviously, NO! And lest I forget, a little lighting on the bush path (Awolowo hall/Fajuyi hall) which overgrown for those of us that pass through the path at night, is also needed.

Thank you.


The writer of this Opinion, Ayodeji Iyanu is a student of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University. You can reach Iyanu through his e-mail: gominadafidi@gmail.com

Ibikunle Supports No Break For Elections

Even as the Students' Union leaders of Obafemi Awolowo University continue to dance to the gallery on their own opinion about the much talked about election break when they are asked, the Union President, Ibikunle Isaac Motunrayo confirmed to The Punch yesterday that students of OAU do not need to be given any election break.

Against the popular opinion of Great Ife students as our correspondents garnered on the matter, the Union President believes there is no threat to lifes on campus which he felt could be the only reason to warrant school closure. According to Ibikunle, the only schools that need to be under lock and keys during the Poll are those in the crisis-prone areas, such as Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states.

Below is an excerpt of his interview with The Punch:

The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, SUG President, Isaac Ibikunle, looks at the issue from another perspective. While he does not consent to the closing of the university, he holds the view that schools in crisis-prone areas, such as Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states, should have their gates closed within the period.

The final year Law student declares, “The whole thing depends on the location of the school. Why would you close OAU when there is no threat to life and property on campus? We are not envisaging any crisis here.

“Closing the school will result in many students not exercising their voting rights. Apart from that, we are in 2015 but still operating the 2013/2014 academic session that would have ended last September. You know the ASUU strike and the hike in tuition in the school brought about a setback in our calendar. Therefore, the authorities should not compound our problems with another closure.”


It will be recalled that some schools including YABATECH had earlier given their students a 22-day election break so that they can fully participate in the February Polls.

Professor Osinbajo Storms Obafemi Awolowo University

The vice presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress(APC), Professor Yemi Osinbajo will be storming the Nigerian foremost university, Obafemi Awolowo University for a lecture delivery later this week.

In a bid to educate Nigerian youths on what lies ahead of them especially considering this crucial moment of electioneering in the nation, the Campus Connect Initiative(CCI) has decided to land one of the leading Nigerian politicians, Prof. Osinbajo to sensitize the students of Obafemi Awolowo University via a public lecture titled "2015; What does the future hold for the Nigerian youth?"

The public lecture is expected to come up 10:00am on Thursday, 5th February, 2015 at Oduduwa Hall of the varsity.

BREAKING NEWS: No Holiday For Schools During Elections –FG

The Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, has said public schools throughout the country will remain in session during the February 14 and 28 elections.

Shekarau said this in Abuja on Monday after a meeting with the state commissioners for education.

Details later…


Source

FASFIT Organizes Free Fitness Program For OAU Students

FASFIT presents 'A Day Fitness Boot Camp' for the students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). The event which is  a day fitness boot camp is the first of its kind on OAU campus. The fitness program is scheduled to hold on February 7th, 2015, at the Obafemi Awolowo University sport complex, OAU.

The exercise program is partitioned into two sessions.

Morning session: The morning session shall begin by 7:30-9:00am with; Aerobics exercise, abs crunches, sit ups, and other weight loss exercises.

Evening session: The evening session will begin by 6:00-7:30pm with ballistic stretches, weight add up exercises, and other pumps.

Fee: Its Absolutely Free For All Program.

There will also be FREE Fitness Assessment to know you BMI, Weight range... , Free water to participants.

NB:
*You can attend both the morning and evening session.
*Remember to put on a exercise kit.

Come one, Come All, And Tell Someone to Tell Someone about this fitness boot camp. Your time to get fit is now!

INEC Extends PVC Collection To February 8

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to Sunday, 8th February 2015.

This was revealed in a press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Kayode Robert Idowu which was made available to the press this morning. This extension supersedes the earlier deadline of Saturday, 31st January 2015, and is intended to give registered voters yet to collect their PVCs the opportunity to do so in readiness for the February 2015 general elections.
INEC hereby calls on duly registered persons not to delay in going to collect their cards before the expiration of the new deadline.

The Commission however reaffirms its determination to make the 2015 elections free, fair, credible and peaceful; and urges all stakeholders, including voters, to spare no effort in working towards the same objective.

For those that do not know how to locate their collection centre can follow the link below to know;

Click this link to view your PVC pick up spot: http://govote.ng/pickup/

OAU Students Let Go Clothes To The Less Privileged

Students of Obafemi Awolowo University trooped out in their numbers to donate clothes and other items to children and disadvantaged people during the "Project Let Go" event that was held at Students' Union Building (SUB) car park of the varsity on Friday.

Project Let Go which has been the major gist around the university campus for some days now was borne out of frown at the habit of wastage and as such the convener had encouraged youths to be benevolent by imbibing the habit of giving, empowering the society by uplifting the faces of the needy via material things like clothes, books, and even with knowledge and experiences among many other things.

Not deterred by the hectic academic schedules, hundreds of Great Ife students were at the venue of the event lined up as they donated more than 700 items, majorly clothes. In less than an hour, the convener Janicuts; a trailblazing fashion brand gave out more than a hundred items including t-shirts, hats, books, and shoes to the donors. Apart from the refreshment packages given to various participants and donors at the event by Jo's Indulge, Vertile Couture also complemented Janicuts to give out female gowns to participants.

The event which was anchored by Mc Sleekie and Ore Ajewole had interesting moments up as participants were given freebies including Data Bundles as they participate in event lightening contests. Present at the event were the Students' Union officers; SU Public Relations Officer, Bamidele Oludare who declared the event opened and SU Assistant Secretary General, Louis Awode among many other student leaders and celebrities.

Speaking with our correspondent at the end of the event, the CEO of Janicuts and Project Let Go convener, Ajani Oluseyi feels good about the event and was glad it lived up to its expectation. "I feel good. The turn up by students is quite massive. In less than one hour, we have given out more than a hundred shirts and foods to the participants. Considering our frown at wastage and encouragement of people to give, I will say the event has surely lived up to its expectation"

See more photos from the event  below.