Obama Recognises, Commends 19-year-old Nigerian Harvard Finalist

Nigerian genius, Saheela Ibraheem, 19, made history On Thursday, February, 26, when she was honoured with an official reception in the White House by the US President, Barack Obama and the First Lady, Michelle.

Saheela Ibraheem got into the Ivy League Harvard at the age of 15, where she is currently studying neurobiology — a branch of science that studies the brain — and has been listed among the “World’s 50 Smartest Teenagers.” She was also accepted for admission by 13 other top colleges in the United States, including the MIT, Princeton, Columbia, and six Ivy League institutions, choosing Harvard, she became one of the youngest students to ever attend the university. She will be graduating in May this year.

Speaking after an introductory speech by Ibraheem at the White House, President Obama stated that “there are a lot of teenagers in the world. Saheela is like one of the 50 smartest ones. That’s pretty smart. And she’s a wonderful young lady. She’s like the State Department and the National Institute of Health all rolled into one. And we are so proud of your accomplishments and all that lies ahead of you. And you reflect our history. Young people like you inspire our future.”

Ibraheem, who skipped two grades in school, said the key to success is figuring out what you love to learn as early as possible, which she did at the young age of five.

“If you are passionate about what you do, and I am passionate about most of these things, especially with math and science, it will work out well,” she told CBS 2s Cindy Hsu. In addition, Ibraheem speaks four languages that include Arabic, Spanish and Latin.

Her mother, Shakirat Ibraheem, said her daughter has been way ahead of the academic game since kindergarten — never cutting corners and trying to do everything on her own. “She’s like always independent,” she said. “I never get to help with her homework because she’d say ‘it’s my work mommy, not yours.’”

Ibraheem’s recognition and reception was part of the “Black History Month” celebration in the US, which comes up in February. The “Black History Month”, takes root from the activities of the “Association for the Study of African American Life and History.” Every year, Americans set aside the month of February to celebrate the central role that African-Americans have played in every aspect of American life especially the march for freedom and equality, jobs and justice, the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, and some profound contributions African-Americans make in the American culture.

Present at the evening event were members of the US Congress, including Leader Nancy Pelosi, and members of the Congressional Black Caucus.



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One Billion Young At Risk Of Hearing Loss From Loud Music – WHO

More than one billion young people risk damaging their hearing through listening to loud music, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

The WHO estimates that around half of those between the ages of 12 and 35 in middle- and high-income countries are at risk due to unsafe levels of sound on personal audio devices or smartphones.

Another 40 percent are at risk from damaging audio levels at concert venues and night clubs.

“More and more young people are exposed to unsafe levels of sounds. Young people should be aware that once you lose your hearing, it won’t come back,” said Shelley Chadha, a WHO specialist on hearing impairment.

The UN health agency considers a volume above 85 decibels for eight hours or 100 decibels for 15 minutes as unsafe.

Exposure to traffic noise at peak hours can reach 85 decibels.

The vuvuzela, a popular wind instrument used in stadiums during the football World Cup in South Africa in 2010, has a sound intensity of 120 decibels and over nine seconds of exposure could result in irreversible hearing damage.

“It is something we can live without,” Chadha said referring to the vuvuzela.

To counter the risks, the WHO recommends that personal audio devices should not be used for more than an hour a day, at reduced sound levels.

The use of ear plugs in loud conditions and regular check ups were part of the recommendations as well.

The WHO also wants governments to play a role by imposing strict regulations on noise in public places.

The UN agency estimates that 360 million people suffer from hearing loss worldwide. In addition to noise related causes and ageing, it is also brought on by infectious diseases, genetic conditions, complications at birth, and use of certain drugs.



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OAU Decides: Campaign Ban To Be Lifted March 7

There are strong indications that the ban on campaigns across the campus by contestants for various positions in the leadership of the Students' Union of Obafemi Awolowo University will be lifted in about one week time.

Barring any unforeseen last minute changes to the present controversial school academic calendar, the Electoral Commission will be constituted by the Students' Representative Council via nominations after which the campaign ban will be lifted. This was confirmed to our correspondents by some stakeholders of the Union earlier today. A parliamentarian who spoke to us on the condition of anonymity explained that the Union leadership is making moves to ensure a quick transition in leadership if possible before the general election which kicks off March 28. "Since our school calendar remains doubtful, hence there are considerations to ensure the Students' Union elections are held before the exam which has been slated to commence March 31st"

The Parliamentarian also spoke about the intention of the Parliament to take proactive steps to avoid the abuse and non-adherence to the Constitution unlike what befell the Union during the last election.

"The Alabi Abeeb-led Electoral Commission last year grossly failed to adhere to the constitution as the timetable for the elections went against what was stipulated in the Constitution. There are stipulated structures on election timetable but last year, the commission did what they felt was right. Remember, some students were shabbily disenfranchised last year also. All these we hope to avoid this time since we have SRC on ground."

Article V, Section 60, Sub-section 4 of the sacrosanct constitution of the Students' Union, OAU provides that the constituted Electoral Commission shall organize and effectively supervise all Union elections and bye elections with utmost good faith.

Even as these prospective contestants await the official lifting of campaign ban, many of them have resorted to pasting papers on walls of campus buildings and meeting students one-on-one.

Win 20,000 & Lots More At RCF 2015 Spelling Bee Competition (Register Now)

Do you have what it takes to mount this podium? It’s a call to spell!

The Academic subgroup of the Redeemed Christian Fellowship, Obafemi Awolowo University would like to inform all and sundry of the 2nd edition of its Spelling Bee Competition. The spelling bee is a competition where contestants are asked to spell a broad section of words usually with varying degrees of difficulty. This year’s edition promises to be mind-blowing and exciting. The prizes to be won include:

1ST PRIZE: 20,000 + AWARD PLAQUE
2ND PRIZE: 15,000 + AWARD PLAQUE
3rd PRIZE: 10,000 + AWARD PLAQUE

Along with other consolation prizes, the competition will take place on the 7th of March, 2015.
Registration fee: N500

For more enquiries and also to register for the competition, please call any of the following numbers;
07063694407
08146397159
09090441343

Application For Change Of Course For 2014/2015 Session Has Commenced

This is to notify every interested person that application for change of course for 2014/2015 session has commenced. Application forms can be collected at Admissions Office, University Hall Extension (New Secretariat Building), Room (216A-217) after producing a receipt of the sum of One Thousand Naira (N1,000.00) from the University Cash Office. Deadline for submission of duly filled forms is Wednesday, 20th March, 2015.

In other news, this is remind students who still have one or two things to adjust in their course registration that the Late Registration for Rain semester 2013/2014 Session is still on.

Goodluck peeps!

Ife Law Gets Theme Song Featuring Chinko Ekun & Others

The Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University has finally gotten a theme song. The theme song titled 'RISE' features Nadine, Di’nero, Marcus, Kezmo, Mapex, Ola Stunner and the newly signed YBNL rising star Chinko Ekun, who are all students of the Faculty of Law.

You can Listen and Download it here.

President Jonathan's Best Picture So Far?

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