Babalakin To Deliver 2015 UNIFEMGA Lecture

Against the backdrop of dwindling economic fortunes, stakeholders in the business sector will converge in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State on Saturday to brainstorm on doing business in Nigeria.

The event, billed to hold at Obafemi Awolowo University, is part of the three-day annual national reunion of OAU Muslim Graduates’ Association of the university.

A statement by Prof. Wahab Egbewole, the National President of the association, said Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), a business tycoon, would speak on the theme of the conference: “Doing Business in Nigeria: Challenges of a Muslim Practitioner.”

Babalakin, the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Construction Company, would be assisted by an Economist, Ahmed Popoola, the Managing Director CRC Credit Bureau Limited, as Lead Discussant.

Egbewole said other renowned economists would be among the discussants, while Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, would chair the occasion.

He said the Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Tale Omole, would be the Special Guest of Honour, while Malam Yusuf Ali (SAN) and Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti would be the Guests of Honour.

According to Egbewole, the public lecture is part of UNIFEMGA’s contribution toward creating an enabling environment for business activities in the country for the benefit of the incoming new government.

Highlights of the three-day event, which would commence on May 8, include special Jumat service, courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor, Annual General Meeting and empowerment programme for the students.

Others are: handing over of the 30-year old multi-million Naira OAU central mosque project to the Muslim Community, retreat for couples in a family picnic and visitation to UNIFEMGA student hostel projects.

Other events are award of scholarship for the students, keep fit exercise, novelty match, visitation to UNIFEMGA student hostel projects and press conference marking the end of the conference.

Over 250 delegates are expected to attend the reunion from all the branches of the association both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.


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Hand Break Failure Causes Accident On OAU Campus (Photos)

The failure of the parking break also known as the hand break of a car has resulted in an accident on the road linking White House building to the Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

According to an eye witness account, the car which was just parked on the road linking Department of Dramatic Arts and Faculty of Law buildings by a woman started to speed backward heading towards the Students' Union building. The owner of the car started to shout to alert passerby to be wary of the car which was no longer in control.

"When the women stepped out of the vehicle, the car was just speeding with its back on this road(road linking White House building to the Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library) from that Dramatic Arts area. This woman(owner of the car) was screaming that everyone should leave the way. When it got to this point(accident spot), the car climbed up and stopped. She(car owner and driver) said the car's hand break was the cause." an eye witness told our reporter.

The accident which occurred at about 11:20am on Sunday morning attracted passerby who were returning from the Sunday service appreciating God that no casualty was recorded. The OAU Security also known as Crackers came some few minutes after the incidence to see what happened and interrogate the owner of the car. Every effort by our correspondent to speak to the woman who owns the car proved abortive as she refuses to speak.

Newly Amended OAU Academic Calendar For 2014/2015 Session

HIGHLIGHTS OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE APPROVED ACADEMIC CALENDAR FOR 2014/2015 SESSION

HARMATTAN SEMESTER
April 9, 2015 – On-line screening for fresh students commences
May 17, 2015 – Fresh students come into residence for 2014/2015 Harmattan semester
May 18, 2015 – On-line registration for courses for 2014/2015 Harmattan semester commences
May 18-22, 2015 – Clearance at Faculty and Admission Offices
May 25-May 29, 2015 – Orientation/ICT Training for Fresh Students
May 27, 2015 – Senate
May 31, 2015 – Returning Undergraduates resume
June 1, 2015 – Harmattan Semester lectures begin
June 23, 2015 – MATRICULATION
July 7, 2015 – End of normal registration for courses
July 8, 2015 – Faculty/Student Colloquium
June 6-10, 2015 – Continuous Assessment
July 29, 2015 – Senate
July 17, 2015 – End of Late Registration with penalty
August 21, 2015 – Harmattan semester Lectures end
August 24-August 28, 2015 – Revision/Lecture-free week
August 29, 2015 – Harmattan semester Examinations begin
September 18, 2015 – Harmattan semester Examinations end




RAIN SEMESTER
September 21, 2015 – On-line Registration for Courses for 2014/2015 Rain semester commences
September 30, 2015 – Senate
October 11, 2015 – All students come into Residence for Rain semester
October 12, 2015 – Rain semester Lectures commence
October 29, 2015 – Faculty Colloquium
October 30, 2015 – End of normal Registration for courses
November 13, 2015 – End of late Registration with Penalty
November 25, 2015 – Senate
November 23-November 28, 2015 – Continuous Assessment
December 9-December 12, 2015 – Convocation
December 31, 2015 – Rain semester Lectures end
January 4-January 8, 2016 – Revision/Lecture free week
January 11, 2016 – Rain semester Examinations begin
January 30, 2016 – Rain Semester Examinations end
February 13, 2016 – End of 2014/2015 academic session
February 24, 2016 – Senate (Examination)
March 27, 2016 – 2015/2016 Harmattan Semester begins

OAU Final Year Students Kick Over School Fees Payment Prerequisite For Bedspace Allocation

The final year students of Obafemi Awolowo University are currently annoyed and not happy at the institution's management over the school fees payment prerequisite tied to their application for accommodation this year.

In an investigation cum survey conducted by our reporter in Ile-Ife, Olanrewaju Samuel revealed that the final year students have being asked to pay their school fees before bedspaces can be allocated to them. This is against the normal tradition of the finalists getting bedspaces even before paying school fees and accommodation fee.

A final year student Toye said the action of the school management is uncalled for and not necessary, he wondered if the management thinks students will abscond after getting bedspaces. "It is a funny development" Toye opined. Another final year student who pleaded anonymity said getting the school fee has not being easy especially after the increase last year. "Where should I get N24,700 now?", "...at least I would not run away with my admission because of N3,090" he quipped.




The PRO-elect of the Students' Union, Ojedokun Emmanuel a.k.a Immanuel Kant who is also a finalist was of a similar opinion as he said finalists should be allowed to get bedspaces even before paying tuition fee. He feels nobody will abscond with the management's money. Kant said the elected Union officers are currently engaging the management in a view to reviewing the position of the university management soon.

Meanwhile, checks since the beginning of the exercise have revealed that students are finding it hard to access the e-portal for those that have even paid their school fees. For some, their payments are yet to be confirmed.

Floyd Mayweather Wins Manny Pacquiao In The Richest Fight In Boxing History

Floyd Mayweather Jr. was money once again in the richest fight ever.

Mayweather used his reach and his jab Saturday night to frustrate Manny Pacquiao, piling up enough points to win a unanimous decision in their welterweight title bout. Mayweather remained unbeaten in 48 fights with a win that cemented his legacy as the best of his generation.

Pacquiao did what he wanted to do, chasing Mayweather around the ring most of the fight. But he was never able to land a sustained volume of punches, often looking frustrated as Mayweather worked his defensive wizardry once again.

Two ringside judges scored the fight 116-112, while the third had it 118-110. The Associated Press had Mayweather ahead 115-113.

"I take my hat off to Manny Pacquiao. I see now why he is at the pinnacle of boxing," Mayweather said. "I knew he was going to push me, win some rounds. I wasn't being hit with a lot of shots until I sit in a pocket and he landed a lot of shots."

Both fought cautiously
The richest fight in boxing history — a bout that made Mayweather at least $180 million — wasn't the best. Far from it, with long periods where both fighters fought cautiously, looking for an edge.

There were no knockdowns, and neither fighter seemed terribly hurt at any time. Pacquiao landed probably the biggest punch in the fight in the fourth round — a left hand that sent Mayweather into the ropes — but he wasn't able to consistently land against the elusive champion.

The fight was a chess match, with Mayweather using his jab to keep Pacquiao away most of the fight. Pacquiao tried to force the action, but Mayweather was often out of his reach by the time he found his way inside.

"I thought I won the fight, he didn't do anything," Pacquiao said. "I got him many times with a lot of punches."

Punches never landed
A sellout crowd at the MGM Grand arena roared every time Pacquiao threw a punch, but a good percentage of what he threw never landed. Mayweather often came back with straight right hands, then moved away before Pacquiao could respond.

Ringside punch stats showed Mayweather landing 148 punches of 435, while Pacquiao landed 81 of 429. The volume of punches for Pacquiao was a lot lower than the 600-700 he usually throws in a fight as he tried to measure his aggression against an opponent who was hard to trap.

Mayweather fought confidently in the late rounds, winning the last two rounds on all three scorecards. In the final seconds of the fight he raised his right hand in victory and after the bell rang stood on the ropes, pounding his heart with his gloves.

"You're tough," he said to Pacquiao, hugging him in the ring.

Five years in the making, the richest fight ever unfolded before a glittering crowd of celebrities, high rollers and people who had enough money to pay for ringside seats going for $40,000 and up. Before it did, though, it was delayed about a half hour because cable and satellite systems were having trouble keeping up with the pay-per-view demand.

They paid big money to watch two superstars fight for their legacies — and in Pacquiao's case his country — in addition to the staggering paydays for both.

Pacquiao had vowed to take the fight to Mayweather and force him into a war. His camp thought Mayweather's 38-year-old legs weren't what they once were, and that he couldn't be on the move the entire fight.

"He is moving around, not easy to throw punches when people moving around," Pacquiao said. " When he stayed, I threw a lot of punches. That's a fight."

But Mayweather proved them wrong, moving well and taking pot shots at Pacquiao. His only real moment of trouble came in the fourth round when Pacquiao landed his left hand and then flurried to Mayweather's head on the ropes, but he escaped and shook his head at Pacquiao as if to say you didn't hurt me.

In the corner between rounds, Mayweather's father, Floyd Sr. kept yelling at his son to do more. But Mayweather was content to stick with what was working and not take a risk that could cost him the fight.

"I'm a calculated fighter, he is a tough competitor," Mayweather said. "My dad wanted me to do more but Pacquiao is an awkward fighter."

Mayweather said that his fight in September against a yet-to-be-determined opponent would be his last before retirement.

The fight was expected to make Mayweather some $180 million and Pacquiao $120 million, depending on pay-per-view sales. The live gate alone was more than $70 million, and the bout was expected to easily smash the pay-per-view record of 2.48 million buys set in 2007 when Mayweather fought Oscar De La Hoya.


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Jonathan Approves New Chancellor For OAU

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved a new chancellor for Obafemi Awolowo University and other federal public institutions.

The list of the new chancellors was contained in a statement signed by Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.

With this new development, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar is the new chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The former chancellor of the university, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Usman has been made the new chancellor of University of Ilorin.

Below are the new chancellors and the university they are given.

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar - University of Ibadan
Emir of Kano Alh. Muhammadu Sanusi II - University of Benin
Obot Akara, Umo Adiaka - Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola
Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe - Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Sulaiman Adamu - Federal University of Technology, Akure
Lamido of Adamawa, Dr. Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha - Federal University of Technology, Owerri
Tor Tiv, Akawe Torkula - University of Calabar
Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar - Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar - Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State
Asagba of Asaba, Chike Edozien - Federal University, Gashua.
Isuoha 1 of Ohaisu, Afikpo, Ezeogu Engr. Ewa Elechi - Federal University, Gusau
Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Michael Adejugbe - Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi
Igwe Chikezie Agubuzu - National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos
Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V - University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
Obi of Obinugwu, Orju, Eze Cletus Ikechukwu Ilomuanya - Federal University, Birnin Kebbi.
Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar Maje - University of Uyo
Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris - Federal University of Technology, Minna
Oni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade - University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Usman - University of Ilorin
Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammad Iliyasu Bashar - University of Port-Harcourt
Attah of Igala, Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni II - Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.
Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu Gambari - University of Agriculture, Makurdi
Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu - University of Sokoto
Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Isa Mustapha Agwai - Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State
Shehu of Borno, Mustapha Umar El-Kanemi - University of Lagos
Amanayabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Papa Prieye Diette Spiff - Bayero University, Kano
The Ibedaowei of Bomo Clan, King Joshua Igbugburu - Federal University, Lafia.
Olowo of Owo, Oba Victor Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi III - University of Jos
Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III - University of Maiduguri
Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba - Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
Amanayabo of Opobo, King Dandeson Douglas, JEKI V - Federal University, Dutsin-Ma
Aku Uka of Wukari, Dr. Shekarau Masa-Ibi II - Federal University, Dutse
Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa - Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State
Emir of Anka, Mohammed Attahiru Ahmed - Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun.

"South Africa Forgets History Quickly And Hastily Tears The Page Of Brotherhood"

Foreigners must go because they get jobs than the land owners said the Zulu king was a wrong, too fragile thing to say of a leader. He made a generational mistake. The South African citizens have committed a foul really too great to be accepted, their government illogical and non-future minded. Because of this, we have never stopped crying, the regret has never stopped. In a country partly born out of the 27 years imprisonment of Nelson Mandela, a man respected, helped and desired by the whole world, this foul is too great to be accepted.

This has reflected that South Africa has neglected the fact of how she was born and where she comes from but should have respected the love and the strive that shifted Nigerians to their shore. South Africa has no great concern about what we could all achieve, about what the future holds if we could live together. South Africa has quickly forgotten their history and hastily tears the page of brotherhood. To this their brutal nature, it means Mandela’s ideal even born out of great pain made no meaning to South Africa. How too soon do South Africa forget the moment of apartheid, how too soon do a country neglect her history resulting to an unacceptable brutality towards fellow African brothers. Indeed an absolute misbehavior of South Africa towards Nigeria in recent times even to xenophobic level.

Once upon a time

Lived a continent a united fabric

Innocent like the soaring eagle

Just a jump across the wall

Our indefinable crude quality

Garnished with chronic wickedness

Country firing their friends

Even when our feet are tired

A continent got fueled by blood

An unanswered cry

Africa shutting down

A hope yet found in South Africa

Xenophobia in South Africa

Sometimes, we want to defend Africa, we want to argue for Africa against the whole world that a hope yet found in the past Africa’s generation has been born. We want to say Africa has a new ideal and proper tenets but sometimes too this is difficult to do when an unexpected country misbehave not just against herself but against the fellow black brother, when a man chopped off the other guy’s head, cut off his ear, maimed him or get him blind all because he was a foreigner working hard. We all fought for apartheid but what exactly can we call this imbecilic idea? But yet when the South Africa’s idea is truly ill, I can still say Africa has grown quickly and well beyond the ideas of brutality the South still struggles with, something like xenophobia.

This behavior of South Africa has tutored us so many things, enough to bring out our machetes and riffles against the country but the brilliancy of a continent that I AM MY BROTHER’S KEEPER that they had turned down must be upheld here in Nigeria. What they had forgotten is that brotherhood is greater than our joint singular passion; it is a joint force of love and peace but how too soon they forget good behavior.

Many Nigerians could have desired a true retaliation born out of right passion. I understand that pain, I respect it because it is real, because it is true and because it is right but must not be executed for the principle of love to get it true meaning. South African jobs were not stolen; they were given out of free will to deserved and fitting Nigerians, a highly respected idea that South Africa is great till the power in the ill words of the Zulu king broke through our audacity that South Africa is exceptional.

Xenophobia for this occurrence is not perfect if it is a concentrated feeling of dislike, it would be accepted as a simple bad idea but also being the fear of people from other country, it is not. When South Africa has conquered has real fear, the white domino, is the fear of Nigerians on their shore quite a real one as well? There is nothing to fear in a black Nigerian foreigner that has lived with you without war or chaos in South Africa if not the fear of elders like the Zulu king that are still bent on breaking down a hopeful future Africa is struggling to build, announcing that love can’t take us anywhere great. This is not xenophobia, it is more than xenophobia, it is real brutality without a perfect explanation, a reopened sore of a continent, a generational mistake but we must be calm.

Nigerians must keep that ideal that riffle is not the best answer or hatred is an answer but true friendship and the world must know that our potentials are best achievable only through this. Hoping South Africa is still great enough to accept her mistakes and apologize.


Opabunmi Babatunde Adesokan.
I am the future spectacle
opabunmibabatunde@yahoo.com
07036528702