Editorial: Operation No Election Break

By Gbadamosi Elias

Finally, all rumours have been dispelled as regards election break for Nigerian academic institutions. Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, Nigeria’s Education Minister has made it clear that the forthcoming elections will not ground academic activities in schools across Nigeria. He made the pronouncement after a consultative meeting in his Abuja office with the 36 state Commissioners for education and other education stakeholders.

On ObafemiAwolowo University campus, the news has generated divergent views and opinions among lecturers and students alike. Ibikunle Isaac, the Students’ Union President opines that closing OAU down for elections will further disrupt the school’s academic calendar which has already been badly affected by the ASUU and school fee hike strikes of last year. While students like Adewale Yusuf, a 400 level student of the department of Physics also shares Ibikunle’s sentiment, some others, especially those that have been recruited by INEC as ad hoc staff envisage and engender the fear that the “no election break policy” will have detrimental effects on their schedules as it won’t be easy combining rigorous academic work with their INEC jobs.

Another student of the University who prefers anonymity, while voicing her opinion says the decision is not a very good one as no one knows what will happen after elections owing to Nigeria’s volatility as regards post-election violence. She further states that for someone like her and other OAU students who did not register in Ife, the decision will rob them the opportunity of voting in the forthcoming elections.

As a student of this University, I posit that going home at this period when our mates in other Universities have concluded or are in the process of concluding another session will in the end not be in our best interest. Also,protests and agitations against the decision of the federal government will definitely not mean much for the decision does not affect OAU alone and the probability that the school management will go against the decision to please us is almost impossible. Any attempt to become rebellious on the issue will only result in another protracted closure of the school which is in no way good for us.I therefore beseech us to take this decision in good faith.

The divergent views held by students on this germane issue cannot be overlooked and none of the arguments put forward can be dispelled as they all hold water.Regardless of our view on the issue, we must endeavor to play our part during and after elections. We enjoin those of us that registered in Ile-Ife to turn out massively to print our thumbs where our hearts belong. However, for the bulk of us that unfortunately did not register in Ife, we can also not afford to be silent at this crucial period in the history of our country. We can always fashion out ways of contributing our own quota in ensuring a fruitful and hassle free election.

To wrap it up, as students and leaders of a fast approaching tomorrow, let us vote wisely and peacefully. Let’s try as much as we can to be of good conduct and eschew all immoral and despicable acts before, during and after elections. Subscribing to the “political booty ltd.”, stomach infrastructure and primordial sentiments that do not mean much will only worsen our situation as a country. A new Nigeria is possible and it begins with YOU.

OAU Students Kick Against ‘No Election Break’ Declaration

The decision of the Federal Government to ensure academic activities continue in public schools across the nation has been greeted with so many criticisms from students of Obafemi Awolowo University.

The honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau after his meeting with commissioners for education nationwide on Monday decided to dump the idea of giving students election break so as not to further disrupt academic calendar. The minister cited the impromptu Ebola break whose effect is still been felt in the sector. Students of Obafemi Awolowo University have however chided the minister and those who sat with him to take such decision as not weighing arguments properly before making their pronouncements. 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 whenever they are asked, the Union President, Ibikunle Isaac Motunrayo confirmed to the media yesterday that students of OAU do not need to be given any election break.

Ibikunle’s comment of ‘no election break’ for OAU students has further heightened and heated arguments among students as to why the Students’ Union president has to say such thing without consulting the students as such matter relates directly to their welfare. “This is a criminal way of supporting the disenfranchisement of Great Ife students in the coming elections” a student said. Other argument raised by students is that they are involved in the electioneering process. For those that are not part of the electorates, they will be serving as electoral officers in their various states. “I registered for the INEC adhoc job because of the money involved so that I will be able to pay the increased school fees come next semester but with the no election break announcement, I am seriously confused” another OAU student lamented.

Some other students who expressed fear over what may ensue after the February 14 poll believe it is not sane for any authority to keep her students in school when the Federal Government will not be providing additional security to protect lives and properties. “I pray we have a peaceful election but anything can happen and so, we should see beyond now. 2011 is still fresh in memory! What will the school authorities do if any violence breaks out after the election? Disperse students into the violence? You see the decision to keep students in school is not making any sense” a student said.

The Obafemi Awolowo University management as at the time of filing this report is yet to say anything on the election break as the Senate plans to meet before Friday. However, there are fears that the management might adopt the Federal Government’s decision not even when the Students’ Union leaders are supporting the same idea at the expense of popular demands of the students. Some departments have however scheduled their tests to hold on February 28.

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!