Some OAU Campus Politicians, Activists Are Hooligans -Sodiq Oyeleke

...Vows to realise pics, videos of how Students’ Union election Manifesto/Press debate‎ was disrupted

The editor and founder of Newstrawl Update, Sodiq Oyeleke, has expressed dissatisfaction with the aggressive attitude of some campus politicians and activists.

He said this in a statement to react to the attack unleashed on a campus journalist, Afeez Lasisi, by some members of the Accounting Students Representative Council (ASRC) OAU chapter.
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‎SDK, as he is popularly called, narrated that Afeez Lasisi, a reporter was almost beating for doing his job .

According to SDK, the campus journalist was on his duty when some honourable members among whom are Hon. Fetuga, and Hon. Abdullah attacked him and pushed him to the window.‎
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SDK recalled that a similar thing had happened during the last Students Union election press debate/manifesto day at the university,s popular Amphi theatre.

On that day, chairs, water and blows were thrown on journalists, including the then Association of Campus Journalists President, Remi Ojekunle.‎

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He said, “This is getting too much. Journalists are not scape goats and should be treated with dignity. Why is it that campus journalists have always been at the receiving end of every crisis on campus? Campus politics should be a training ground for national development and not to exhibit acts of hooliganism.

“Most of those who currently call themselves politicians and activists on campus seem to appear more as hooligans and that can obviously be seen in their behaviours. ‎If this continues on a campus like OAU, I wonder what the future holds for campus unionism and Nigeria at large.”

The journalist, however, threatened to release the videos and pictures of students who unleashed terror on journalists during the SU election if any journalist is attacked on the cause of doing his job again.

He added, “This should serve as warning to all those that engage in beating journalists. If any journalist is beaten, threatened, attacked or attempted to be attacked again, pictures and videos of such, including that of the past would be released.‎

“It should be noted that campus journalists have only taken much embarrassment because to ensure the growth of unionism on campus. However, if we must now be used as punching bags, then we will need to show the power of our pens and cameras.”

SDK, however, commended the NUASA President, who interfered and offered to bear the cost of the breakages.


Source: https://abiodunomonijo.wordpress.com/2015/02/21/some-oau-campus-politicians-activists-are-hooligans/

Win N20,000 At INTECU Logo Design Competition

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS UNIT (INTECU) of Obafemi Awolowo University whose mission is to develop a set of policies that guide the deployment of ICT for the purpose of assisting the university to achieve its educational research and public service functions is 20.

The unit is celebrating her 20th anniversary this year and thereby calling for anniversary logo designs. According to INTECU, the best logo will be picked and the designer will be given a winning price of N20,000. The deadline is about two weeks from now.(Terms and conditions apply).

To apply, CLICK HERE TO FILL THE FORM

Ondo State Government Begins Payment Of 2013/2014 Bursary & Scholarship Awards

The Ondo State Government through her scholarship board has finally started the payment of the 2013/2014 bursary and scholarship awards to indigenous students across tertiary institutions nationwide.

Our correspondent gathered that payment actually began yesterday, 20th February, 2015 with schools like Federal University of Technology Akure(FUTA), Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko(AAUA), and some others schools within the state in the first batch of payment. The students of remaining schools are expected to be paid in subsequent batches.

Consequently, students of schools that are currently been paid at the moment who registered for the scheme and do not get any alert from their respective banks within now and the next few days are advised to complain to NAOSS executives in their various schools or any of the national executives.

Ondo state students over the years especially during the administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko have enjoyed periodic payment of their bursary and scholarship awards from the state government.

Advice To Aspiring Student Leaders As Elections Begin

By Adigun Olayemi Paul

To start with, the gate is about to opened for all politically ambitious students in Obafemi Awolowo University. The race to building one self politically is just about to start but before you begin your manifestos, I would like to shed light on why I believe you should just be ambitious and not desperate. Political posters has obviously flooded the campus which announces to any student going along various pathways that another era of student political transition is about to begin in OAU.

As a politically minded person, one main thing you should have at the back of your mind is the selfless attitude towards leadership in leading others. The reason for you to aspire for that position should not be for your selfish interest but for the interest of the entire students. The Leadership qualities you are expected to portray should be the one everybody will perceive the odour of freedom and not bondage, care and not brutality. You must not abandon the positive reasons why you chose to contest for that office in the first place once you emerge. The main thing here is seeing yourself as an agent of organization rather than that of disorganization and destruction.

The political office you have should not supersede the interest of the entire student. Hence, you must know that the motif behind the rational for electing someone is by what you can be able to achieve in a short period of time and not by mentioning what you will do in some years to come. But note that saying what you ca not do in a short period of time could be another cause for you not to be among the student favorites.

As they usually say, Great Ife is known for her intellectual student unionism. Student unionism without intelligent leaders is bound to fail thereby not far from political hazard. Therefore, see your office as a rare platform for you to develop yourself politically by displaying your intelligence. Many issues has been raised about the Ibikunle-led administration, some talk about the officers' good deeds while some others criticize them but let me say that identifying their criticisms can be your own source of manifesto. Investigating on some of their failed plans or areas can help you to structure out your own manifesto. This does not however translate to you not getting criticized when you manifest or even while you implement these things when you come on board. Criticism is bound to occur, but your approach towards such criticisms will determine your success in whichever post you aspire.

Finally, whether you are an aspirant of any office at the level of the Hall Executive Council(HEC), Central Executive Council(CEC), Student Representative Council(SRC), Faculty of Departmental executives or any other, let it be known to you that whatever you achieve now will speak for you in future. Your achievement in any position you serve will speak volume for you in the coming years as people are definitely watching you. Therefore, this is another golden opportunity for you to direct your path towards achieving greatness. Let me leave you with these two quotes: "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way" –by John Maxwell and "A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination" –by Nelson Maxwell

Predegree: First Contact Test Results Released!

The results of the first contact test of the Obafemi Awolowo University predegree students have been released. You can check yours now as it has been pasted on the notice board within the campus. A student with subjects combination Biology/Chemistry/Physics(BCP) got the highest mark scoring 29.8 out of 30.

Wishing you goodluck friends!

Important Qualities A True Leader Should Posses

How often have you heard the comment, "He or she is a born leader"? There are certain characteristics found in some people that seem to naturally put them in a position where they are looked up to as a leader.

Whether in fact a person is born a leader or develops skills and abilities to become a leader is open for debate. There are some clear characteristics that are found in good leader. These qualities can be developed or may be naturally part of their personality. Let us explore some of them.

1. A good leader has an exemplary character. It is of utmost importance that a leader is trustworthy to lead others. A leader needs to be trusted and be known to live their life with honestly and integrity. A good leader "walks the talk" and in doing so earns the right to have responsibility for others. True authority is born from respect for the good character and trustworthiness of the person who leads.

2. A good leader is enthusiastic about his or her work or cause and also about his or her role as a leader. People will respond more openly to a person of passion and dedication. Leaders need to be able to be a source of inspiration, and be a motivator towards the required action or cause. Although the responsibilities and roles of a leader may be different, the leader needs to be seen to be part of the team working towards the goal. Such leader will not be afraid to roll up his or her sleeves and get dirty.

3. A good leader is confident. In order to lead and set directions, a leader needs to appear confident as a person and in the leadership role. Such a person inspires confidence in others and draws out the trust and best effort of the team to complete the task well. A leader who conveys confidence towards the proposed objective inspires the best effort from team members.

4. A leader also needs to function in an orderly and purposeful manner in situations of uncertainty. People look to the leader during times of uncertainty and unfamiliarity and find reassurance and security when the leader portrays confidence and a positive demeanor.

5. Good leaders are tolerant of ambiguity and remain calm, composed and steadfast to the main purpose. Storms, emotions, and crisis come and go and a good leader takes these as part of the journey and keeps a cool head.

6. A good leader as well keeps the main goal in focus and is able to think analytically. Not only does a good leader view a situation as a whole, but is able to break it down into sub parts for closer inspection. Breaking the goals down to manageable steps and making progress towards them is also non-negotiable for a good leader.

7. A good leader is committed to excellence. Second best does not lead to success. A good leader does not only maintain high standards, but also is proactive in raising the bar in order to achieve excellence in all ramifications.

8. A good leader should be creative. Some decisions will not always be so­ called. You may be forced at times to deviate from your set course and make certain bends to get something done asap in an unusual way. This is where your creativity will prove to be vital. As a leader you must learn to think outside the box and to choose which of two bad choices which is the best option. You do not immediately choose the easiest possibility; sometimes its best to give these options a deep thought and even turn to your team for guidance.

9. Ability to inspire: Greating a business often involves a bit of forecasting .Especially in the beginning stages of a start up, inspiring your team to see the vision of the success to come is vital. Make your team feel invested in the accomplishment of the organization. Being able to inspire your team is great for focusing on the future goal. It is your job to keep the spirits up and that begins with an appreciation for the hardwork.

10. A good leader should be committed and disciplined: If you expect your team to work hard and produce quality content, you will need to lead by example. By proving your commitment to the role and your activities, you will not only earn respect from your team members, but will also instill the same hardworking virtue into your members. If you pledge to do a particular thing for people, let your yes be yes and let your no be no. You want to create a reputation for not just working hard but also as a fair leader.

Nigerian Universities Divided Over The Cancellation Of ‘Pass’ Grade

The directive by the National Universities Commission (NUC) cancelling the award of ‘Pass’ grade in the na­tion’s universities is causing dis­quiet in the Ivory Towers. The order, which was reportedly issued last year, came to the front burner at the 2014/2015 matriculation ceremony of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, when the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, informed the fresh students about the develop­ment.

Zuru urged the students to em­brace the new E-grading system in the university and work hard to earn a good grade. He pointed out that with the new grading system, the pass mark for courses in the univer­sities will now be 45 percent, that is, the D-grade, instead of the previous 40 percent, which was E-grade. In the new order, the minimum class of degree that students can earn will now be Third Class. Universi­ties will, therefore, now only award First Class, Second Class (Upper Division), Second Class (Lower Di­vision) and Third Class degrees.

The matter is, however, generating heated debates and controversies among stakeholders in the nation’s higher education system. It has vir­tually divided the universities into two camps, with one tenaciously supporting the old grading system while the other sees great merit in the new order.

Those opposed to the new grading system say the decline in the qual­ity of education in the universities cannot be redressed with the re­classification of degrees. They want the NUC to, instead, work towards improving the quality of teaching and learning by providing qualified teachers and modern learning fa­cilities in the institutions. For them, shoring up the grading system with­out provision of the necessary staff­ing and equipment will neither im­prove academic standards nor the global ranking of our universities. They are also of the view that the move amounts to an erosion of the hard-earned autonomy of universi­ties.

Those in support of the new grad­ing system say the upgrading of the score required to obtain a degree is a step in the right direction, if prop­erly implemented. Besides, they be­lieve that it will make the students work harder and ultimately enhance their grade.

As the regulator of university edu­cation in Nigeria, the NUC unargu­ably has the statutory responsibility to do whatever it can to shore up the quality of degrees awarded by Nigerian universities. We believe that this increase of the pass mark required to earn a degree in Nigeri­an universities is well within the au­thority of the regulatory institution. It could, indeed, elicit more serious commitment to their studies from students when they realise that they could easily spend years in the uni­versities without passing out with a degree. The quality of the worst per­forming students in the universities may also be improved by this initia­tive.

Nevertheless, we expect the NUC to properly sell the gains of this initiative to the universities before implementing it. The adjustment should not, also, be done in isola­tion. It should be accompanied with other steps that can help to raise academic standards. No doubt, the place of qualified lecturers and well equipped educational facilities such as libraries and laboratories can­not be dismissed in the quest to improve academic standards in our higher institutions. We expect more action from NUC in this regard.

While it is not in contention that the NUC has the right to fix the pass mark in our universities, being the regulator of that level of education, we enjoin fuller consultation with the authorities of the various univer­sities for a harmonious and seam­less transition to the new grading system.

It is necessary to carry all the stakeholders along for the innova­tion to be properly implemented. The need for a uniform grading system for the nation’s universities cannot be overemphasized.

Beyond this, the ‘Pass’ degree is odious and is largely treated with contempt by employers of labour. Abolishing the grade will make stu­dents sit up and brace up to the challenges of their studies.

Let our universities embrace and implement the new grading system. It is also necessary for NUC and the universities to properly enlight­en both the students and lecturers about the initiative so that all the stakeholders can be well informed about it and get prepared for its im­plementation.



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