Ondo Students Beg Mimiko To Pay Bursary Allowance

The National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS), has called on the state government to pay their arrears of bursary allowances and scholarship fees.

The students made the call, on Sunday, in a statement made available to journalists in Akure, the state capital.

The statement, jointly issued by its President, Charles Iwakun and Assistant General-Secretary, Olufemi Sanni, said the urgent payment of their bursary allowances would help in a way to lessening financial burden on their parents.




It said that the students were not finding life easy due to the non-payment of their allowances.

“Our cry now is that the government should commence the continuation of the payment and open the portal for registration for the 2015 bursary and scholarship,” NAOSS said.


Source: Daily Times

ACJ & Students' Union Leadership Meet To Address Controversies

The executives of the Association of Campus Journalists (ACJ) and the Students' Union leadership of Obafemi Awolowo University have met and charted a way forward to ensuring a smooth and better working mechanisms between the two bodies.

The Students' Union team led by the President, Akande Omotayo received the executives of the campus journalists led by the ACJ President, Adebayo Benjamin at the Students' Union Building at about 7:30pm yesterday. The meeting which lasted about two hours addressed several controversies bordering on allegations and speculations from both quarters.

The Union president in his opening talk gave a prologue to the reason why the meeting was called which was for the members of ACJ to constantly, checkmate the Union and convey activities in a two-fold way: bringing the activities of the Union to the students and generating feedback. He emphasized the need for a good rapport with ACJ, not to compromise their stance whatsoever. He, however, maintained the need for a close rapport between the two agencies.

Issues addressed in the meeting range from the N1.8m phone call budget, scholarship scheme alleged discrepancy to perceived ACJ's anti-Union activities.

THE 1.8 MILLION NAIRA UNRATIFIED BUDGET
While the President, Omotayo Akande lamented the issue of media constraint, he complained how the media aspect of the union fumbled but every other thing pertaining to the union, functioning well in the right position.

He took time to justify his reasons for his own budget on phone calls, citing the fact that he had called past union leaders and verified from the records what past union leaders have used as their daily airtime recharge in their various tenures. He also admitted not having the right to decide for every union leader what must feature in their respective proposed budget while clearing the air that the budget was "proposed" and not yet ratified. He said the union run is fragile and promised to fix the issue.

SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME
The President stated that he presented this(Scholarship scheme) idea to every organization, personnel and cooperation they met but all their efforts resulted in disappointments. All this led to meeting Dr Fola Akinosun, a politician cum philanthropist who wanted some favors which were too extreme for the Union leaders to grant in exchange for the scholarship sponsorship. The CEC vehemently refused to do so, stating their position. Due to all the disappointments and Dr Fola Akinosun asking "too much favors" of wanting the details of students who failed P-UTME be redirected to Foreign Links for re-admission and Omotayo Akande's suspension; the CEC decided to pay for the 85 indigent students and helped over 20 students who couldn't afford the late registration N2,000 fee, register courses without paying the defaulting fine. He also said the Management supported the course and the recorded conversation at the Dr Fola Akinosun's residence didn't state any money was paid or collected.

RAPE




The Union President, Omotayo Akande validated that a rape case was actually underground involving Dr Fola Akinosun's son and a fresh female student of OAU and that if money had been collected from Dr Fola Akinosun then they won't be able to accuse his son and moderate the rape incident.

The President revealed how controversial the case appeared since both individuals(boy and girl) knew each other very well.

"Even after spending two days with the guy that raped her, she took the 5 alive drink that was used to entertain her," the President concurred.

The President said that Dr Fola Akinosun didn't want his son paraded due to the cordial relationship with himself and the president but they agreed the case needed to be moderated properly without any form of victimization from any quarter. The Union President, fondly called TY, made bold the assertion that Dr Fola Akinosun was approached but he did not render any help whatsoever, he just promised to help which forced the CEC to swing into action. Hence, their reply to the ACJ's recent release which they ascribed much kudos to.

REACTIONS
After speaking at length, explaining his actions, the Student Union President, Omotayo Akande gave  ACJOAU Executives a chance to react to the new insights to the revelations.

The ACJ President, in person of Adebayo Benjamin appreciated the gesture but he stood behind his fact, which all Executive members of the ACJ acceded to that the "Thank-You message" sent on the behalf of the Association to Dr Fola as appreciation with the response of "much thanks" is enough proof that the man sponsored the Scholarship scheme. Since no sane person receives glory for what isn't done. The ACJ President said he must have read the text before replying, since it was his direct contact. All these, the members of the ACJ Executive Council agreed to and expatiated further.

Room was also given for reactions from both sides and the ACJ Executives stood to their facts, words and objectivity which was well admired at the meeting. In concluding the section, Omole Isaac, ACJ's PRO made bold the assertion that "the onus of clarification lies on Dr. Fola Akinosun to clear the union of the allegations against them."

TRIP TO IKENNE, OGUN STATE
The SU President notified the ACJ of its condolence visit to the Awolowo family, to sympathize the death of the late Hannah Awolowo but later postponed the trip to the following week to aid adequate preparation and dissemination of the news to the right quarters. He told the ACJ to come with three representatives.

STUDENT UNION PAPER
The SU President also notified the ACJ of its ambition to own a newspaper publication that will feature news editions every two weeks for the forthcoming semester.

ICT TRAINING
The Union announced their collaboration with NIIT to provide ICT training at affordable rates to students with certificates available. The Union President, thereon explained that he was no fan of capital projects or structures, which he termed necessary but that he prefers developmental programmes with certification which are capable of  adding value to  Great Ife Students in order to  improve their lives. He cited that the NIIT training seminar  will take place in the coming semester, a program that is said to last for  3 weeks.

FEE HIKE CAMPAIGN
The Union president restated their commitment to the fee hike, making a recourse to their involvement in the last protest at the Osun State Capital. He also stated other ways that are being worked upon to revisit the hike and making the figures right.

WORKING RELATIONSHIP
The Union, under the aegis of the President, urged for a good working relationship between the SU and the ACJ. The President spoke on how both bodies could be synergised to achieve laudable dreams and initiative which met nodding approvals of all individuals present.

In attendance during the meeting are the presidents of the Students' Union and ACJ OAU, Akande Omotayo and Adebayo Benjamin respectively; the chief image maker of the Union, Ojedokun Emmanuel a.k.a Immanuel Kant; SU Sports Director, a.k.a Binzu, ACJ OAU Chairman Guild of Editors, Oyedeji Olanrewaju; ACJ OAU General Secretary, Olaoluwa Joseph, the Public Relations Officer of ACJ OAU, Omole Issac and a member of the SU Press Committee, Emmanuel.

The meeting ended at about 9:30pm.

Saraki vs CCT: Former SU President, Ibikunle Posits

The former president of the Obafemi Awolowo University Students' Union and a law graduate, Ibikunle Motunrayo Issac has stated and posited what he regarded as the true position of the law despite diverging opinions from astute legal luminaries on the war between the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and the Code of Conduct Bereau (CCB) over his assets declaration.

On Friday, the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) issued a bench warrant against Saraki mandatting the Police and other security apparatus to produce him in the Tribunal on Monday. Saraki had gone to the Federal High Court in Abuja to question his trial in the CCT. The Senate President has also reportedly filed an appeal against the bench warrant issued against him.

Ibikunle throws light on the matter and states his own position on the issue.




SARAKI'S ARREST ORDER, CCB, CCT, FHC and THE LAW

(As at 19/09/2015)

So far the public, the media and even lawyers have been divided on the battle between the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunals (CCB and CCB) along political and fraternal affiliations and sentiments. Beyond these judgments which are based on mere affiliations and sentiments, I found it more pressing the need to inform and guide the public, especially the masses on the real issues and probable reasonings involved to save us from being naively caught up in the current struggle of superiority between members of our political class.

From all the melodramatic displays and exchanges however, the following three (3) issues can be formulated. The first two can be issues of determination before the court of law and which I shall deal with hereafter; the third before the court of public opinion and as such I shall omit in my discussion because of the sentiments both sides have generated.

The issues include:

1. Whether the CCT is inferior to the FHC and/or subject to the judicial review power of the Federal High Court (FHC)?

2. Whether the charges against Saraki brought by the CCB through the Director of Prosecution in the Ministry of Justice without an existing Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) are competent in law?

3. Whether with certain past and unfolding events about the CCT, CCB and Saraki, the whole actions amount to witch-hunt or rather an attempt to evade corruption charges?

ISSUE ONE
Despite the seemingly lack or scarcity of Supreme Court decisions that expressly rule on the question of inferiority of CCT to FHC or coordinate jurisdictions of the duo, same question can be settled by resort to the unambiguous provisions of the highest law of the land, the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2011 as amended ( to be hereinafter referred to as the 1999 CFRN).
Sections 4 and 5 of the 1999 CFRN deal with legislative and executive powers while section 6 deals with judicial powers. The latter section is the basis of all other provisions of the Constitution or all other Acts in relation to the judiciary. By virtue of the combined provisions of section 6(3) & (5)(a)-(i), a FHC is EXPRESSLY mentioned to be part of "the only superior courts of records in Nigeria". It is trite law that expressio unius est exclusio alterius, an express mention of one thing is the exclusion of others, as such, CCT is not part of superior courts and accordingly it's an inferior court.

This conclusion is also supported on the following grounds:

(1) paragraphs (j) & (k) of the same section 6(5) go further to provide for "such other courts as may be authorized by law" and this by virtue of express exclusion above invariably include courts like the CCT, Magistrate courts, etc;

(2) by the fact that the officers of the CCT are not judicial officers by virtue of the exclusion of the officers of the CCT in the list of judicial officers under interpretation section 318 of same 1999 CFRN. As such the officers of the CCT just as those of the Magistrate courts and of tribunals or committees acting in quasi-juducial committees are inferior to the officers of courts of superior records in terms of judicial hierarchy and powers.

It follows from the above premises therefore, that the CCT is not merely a court of inferior records, its proceedings and powers are also subject to the judicial review powers of the FHC such as order of prohibition or injunctions, restraining a lower court like CCT, either in the interim or perpetuity, from proceeding with a trial such as in this instant case of Saraki.

Meanwhile, it, needs be added that judicial review is not the same thing as an appeal, accordingly, the High Court or the FHC only has power to consider the manner (question of compliance with due process such as issue of jurisdiction as in this case) in which the decision is or is to be reached by the lower court and not the correctness of the decision is or is to be reached by the lower court and not the correctness of the decision itself- Governor of Oyo State v. Folayan (1995) 9 SCNJ 50 at 83, per Ogundare JSC.

ISSUE TWO
On the authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Osahon (2006) 5NWLR (Part 973)361 at pg 411 para C-G, per Kutigi JSC, it is settled that by virtue of the provision of section 174(1) & (2), the absence of AGF does not prevent an officer in the office of the AGF or a private prosecutor from instituting a charge against an accused person.

However, it must be noted that the Counsel to Saraki are not basing their argument on the construction of section 174 of the 1999 CFRN, rather, smartly though, on the construction of section 24(2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act 2004 (Decree 1989 No. 1, to be hereinafter referred to as CCBT Act 2004) which makes use of the word ''shall'' and EXPRESSLY requires authorization by the AGF unlike section 174(2) of the 1999 CFRN which uses the word "may" and DO NOT EXPRESSLY require authorization.
For the FHC to determine this issue, the court would have to consider inter alia:

(1) whether the use of the word "shall" and the express requirement of authorization are mere rules of procedure which can be dispensed with in the interest of Justice ( see the Court of Appeal in Oladele Ogunsakin v. Rotimi S. Ajidara (2008) 6 NWLR Pt 1082 1 @ 12) and as such do not amount to a condition precedent which denies the CCT the jurisdiction to hear the case?

(2) whether the interpretation given to section 174 of the 1999 CFRN overrides the apparently-differently-couched express provision of section 24(2) of the CCBT Act 2004, on the ground that

(a) the former is a grundnorm? or

(b) to hold otherwise would mean the court is given to legal technicalities and not substantial justice? A position the Supreme Court has frowned at In plethora of cases such as Nishizawa Ltd v. Jethwani (1984) 12 SC 234 Per Oputa JSC.

CONCLUSION
Which ever way the decisions of the courts would go, the events in court as from Monday 21st till God-knows-when are going to be of great essence that will either strengthen or weaken our democracy.

ISAAC M. IBIKUNLE

H.I.D Awolowo Dies At 99

It has just been confirmed that the wife of one of Nigeria's foremost leader, Obafemi Awolowo has passed on at age 99. Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo was to clock 100 years on the 15th November, 2015.

May mama's soul rest in peace.

ACJ OAU Set To Hold Maiden Campus Editors' Summit

The first ever Campus Editors' Summit (CES) is set to hold on October 31st 2015 under the aegis of the Guild of Editors, Association of Campus Journalists OAU.

The Guild of Editors consists of all editors of news agencies on OAU campus. The summit is aimed at training and developing objective editors who will assert the strength of the pen without fear, favour or bias.




For the month of October, two resource persons will he invited to mentor editors about the nitty gritty of writing. Editors from other institutions within Osun State will also participate in this first ever Editor's Summit. The summit promises to be educative and enlightening.

For partnership and support, contact The Guild via the following  numbers:
08162318975
08164847752
Or via email;
Ifeolutayo@gmail.com

Cc: All news agencies on OAU campus.

Calls In Millions: Hall Executives Confess, Blame CEC For Budget

Obafemi Awolowo University sudden rise to media prominence in an examination period is not unconnected to the mega budget meant for phone calls of the Students' Union leaders.

Interestingly, as the Central Executive Council (CEC) led by the President and the Student Representative Council (SRC) led by the much embattled Speaker continue to deny the report, the Hall Executive Councils of the eight (8) halls of residence under the aegis of Hall's Committee have come out to confess and also blame the CEC for the 'skyrocketed budget'.

Below is the press statement from the committee:




HALL’S COMMITTEE SPEAKS

RE: STUDENT UNION LEADERS BUDGET N1.8M FOR PHONE CALLS.

“Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth and acting accordingly” - Mahatma Gandhi

While perusing the news released by Punch newspaper dated 15 September, 2015, one is poised to see the ‘antithetical’ clamour for change in status quo of student’s unionism and outright chant for paradigm shift in the youths’ orientation on politics and good governance.

However, Great Ife Students’ Union is known for its ‘ever-tatan’ attitude against oppression, exploitation and other forms of anti-masses concepts. It is thus a seminal importance for the Hall’s committee to voice out at this point so that the noble name of the Student’s union most especially Hall Executives Council will not be brought into mud. Contrary to the news that HEC has joined the bandwagon of exploiters, the Hall’s committee make bold to assert that we share no spoil or glory with the bloated proposed budget as the amounts proposed for phone calls by the eight (8) Hall Executive Council total N292, 400 and the supposedly ratified total N45, 800 by Budget and Finance Committee.

Admittedly, it is glaringly saddening to see the skyrocketed amounts slated for phone calls in the proposed budget of the other arms of the Student’s Union. The analysis of HEC proposed and ratified budget for phone calls for the parliamentary year is stated below:

HALLS       PROPOSED   RATIFIED
ANGOLA.          65,000           3,800
AKINTOLA.       35,000            7,600
ALUMNI            30,000           2,800
AWOLOWO     11,400            4,800    
ETF                   18,000            6,800
FAJUYI              71,200           4,300
MOREMI            39,800           6,900      MOZAMBIQUE  22,000           8,800
        
TOTAL:     292,400        45,800 

It is pertinent to note that the pitiable and condemnable state of the eight Halls of residence prompted the HEC to map out project that are germane to the welfare of the students residing in the Halls when the management and Federal government have failed in their prerogatives. The question of where the fund to implement the proposed projects that amount to a total of 4million ranging from project to solve water scarcity, provision of more chairs and tables at Faj café, renovation of reading rooms and common rooms in the Halls, provision of more spreading lines, renovation of sporting facilities in the Halls etc. when the HEC major income comes from Hall dues and at least 15% of CEC budget. Hence, HEC traditionally source for funds to implement their projects and the means to get this done is through communication and transportation to reach out for sponsors.

According to John F. Kennedy, “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country’’, based on this veracity, the Hall Executive Council of the Students’ Union since its inception has always striven for better welfare for the students hostels as the Halls accommodate over 9000 students of the university rather than being a partaker of corruption and exploitation. It is important to end this release with a call on federal government and the University management to do the needful as poor funding of education and condemnable state of structures obtainable on OAU campus is quite becoming a routine.

Signed:
Hall’s Committee


It will be recalled that some days ago, news media reported that the OAU Students' Union budget for phone calls with the Speaker of the SRC leading the chat with a proposed phone call budget of N232,500 and N144,000 eventually ratified.

Apply For The African Union Youth Volunteer Corps (AU-YVC) 2016

The African Union Youth Volunteer Corps (AU-YVC) is a continental development program that recruits and works with youth volunteers, to work in all 54 countries across the African Union.

Deciding to become an AU-YV is a life changing decision opening opportunities to serve in a community other than your own and assisting in the local development efforts. Africa needs countless skilled labor each year in all fields and professional sectors. Youth Volunteerism has contributed significantly to the development of most advanced economies and contributes a substantively to annual GDP. In Africa, Youth Volunteerism would not only contribute directly to the development of the continent, but is also a means of direct and meaningful youth participation and empowerment.

As a volunteer, apart from applying your skills and knowledge to solve everyday challenges, you would gain crucial international work experience and acquire a great deal of leadership and soft skills, develop your self reliance and acquire new professional skills.

Most of all however, you would gain a life changing experience of learning a new culture, experience a new lifestyle, and get to know a new African country and its people outside your own. This experience would guaranteed shape your life and remain in your memory for the rest of your life.

Title: African Union Youth Volunteer Corps (AU-YVC) 2016

Are You Ready For The Challenge




Main Commitment

Your duties and responsibilities would mainly be to serve the community, organization or institution where you will be deployed. This will be in relation with your field of study or past experience. At present the main areas of focus for AU-YVC are: Education; Health and HIV/ AIDS; Peace and Security; Information and Communications Technology; Business and Youth Entrepreneurship; Agriculture and Environment.

During your deployment your overall objective shall remain to bring a lasting and sustainable impact and benefits to your host community/ organization and promote the spirit of volunteerism and values of service.

This would require you to demonstrate leadership, discipline and dedication throughout your service and especially during challenging and difficult times.

Young African Professionals are recruited to serve for a period of 12 months as AU Volunteers in an AU Member States other than their own.

Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants have to meet the following criteria:

1) Citizen of African Union Member State (All African countries except Morocco) or African Diaspora;
2) Aged between 18 and 33 years;
3) Have at least a post-secondary education certified training and qualifications, from the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree
4) Available to dedicate 12 (twelve) months for volunteer work;
5) Willing to live and work in another AU Member State;
6) Be proficient in at least one official AU language (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese);
7) Have at least one year verifiable experience as a volunteer and or one year of regular work experience

Eligible Fields of Qualification For the next intake of AU Youth Volunteers, the following fields of qualification and experience are required:

    Accounting > Agricultural > Communication Studies > Computer Science > Conflict studies > Diverse Natural Science Fields > Economics > Education > Environmental Management > Gender Studies > Human Resources Management > Human rights – International Law > International relations > Journalism > Law > Political Science > Space Science > Statistics

Benefits:
    For the successful candidates, the African Union Commission will cover the full costs of their pre-deployment training, at a venue to be communicated.
    On deployment, the African Union Youth Volunteers receive the following:
    1) Economy return air ticket from home town to place of deployment
    2) A modest monthly stipend
    3) Health insurance cover
    4) Separation allowance on successful completion of twelve months


Method of application:
Applicants are requested to submit the following

1. Filled out application form
2. Scanned copy of University degree certificate
3. Letter of recommendation from place of volunteer/work experience
4. Scanned copy of identity page on your passport
5. Curriculum Vitae

The listed documents should be sent before 25th September 2015 to : youth@africa-union.org .
*Late applications and applications that do not contain all requested documents will not be considered.
*THOSE WHO HAD APPLIED BEFORE ARE REQUESTED TO RE-APPLY

Recruitment Timeline
1) 30th September: Shortlisting ;
2) 15th October: Successful applicants will be notified ;
3) 7th – 21st November: Successful candidates will undergo pre-deployment training;
4) 2016: Successful applicants will be deployed to relevant organizations.


For more info:
http://www.jobsdraft.blogspot.com/2015/09/african-union-youth-volunteer-corps-2016-recruitment.html