South African Fee Hike Put On Hold Following Massive Student Protests

South African universities will not increase fees in 2016 as planned, President Jacob Zuma announced Friday after days of student protests over the issue.

Students celebrated, but many posting on social media said fees remained too high and worried about what will happen after 2016.

Zuma's move came after protests outside government offices in Pretoria escalated, with a small group throwing rocks and police responding with stun grenades and water cannons.

The announcement was followed by police firing tear gas and sustained volleys of rubber bullets in an effort to clear the grounds of the Union Buildings housing government offices.

The protests capped a week of demonstrations over the contentious issue, which saw protesters barricade universities and storm the South African Parliament to press their message that university education in the country is too expensive, among other issues.

"In the long term, there is a package of issues that was raised at the meeting that needs to be followed up," Zuma said after meeting Friday with student leaders. Those issues include proposals to make higher education free for all.


Zuma said a presidential task force created to address the question of fees will be expanded to look at other issues as well.

Initially, fees were to go up by 10%, but the government lowered the increase to 6% before freezing the hikes for next year.

Zuma's announcement followed chaotic scenes outside the Union Buildings.

A small group of protesters pushed through barricades, threw rocks at police and set fire to public toilets. Police fired stun grenades and sprayed the crowd with a water canon before eventually deploying a razor-wire fence.

More than a dozen universities have been shut down because of the protests. Students are using the hashtag #FeesMustFall to rally on social media.

Earlier, protesters barricaded entrances to campuses, including the University of Cape Town and University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

On Wednesday, students stormed the Parliament in Cape Town, trapping lawmakers.

They pushed past guards and pried open gates. Once inside parliamentary grounds, they sat in front of the building to block lawmakers from getting out.

Students clashed with the police, whom they accused of using tear gas to disperse crowds.

At the time, the South African Police Service said it had arrested six students for "illegal protests" in Cape Town.

Source: CNN

We Can Stop Suicide Bombers With ICT -FUTA Don

The Federal Government has been advised to take a proactive stance in combating the scourge of terrorism in the country by investing in the development and provision of bomb detector wearable devices that could be used to detect and disable bombs carried by suicide bombers. This advice was given by Professor Olumide Sunday Adewale, Head, Department of Computer Science while delivering the 72nd inaugural lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). Adewale emphasized that the economic development of the nation hinged on adequate security and that the current trend of suicide bombings was a great threat to foreign investors.

He stated that the wearable devices worn by security operatives will have radii of operation and effectiveness such that suicide bombers within the perimeter of any security operative wearing the device, will be detected and the operative alerted either by an alarm signal with coordinates of the suicide bomber. The operative through his device can then disable the bomb before it is detonated. Adewale who spoke on the topic “Convergence in Divergence in Information Technology: a Symbiosis” canvass for a strategy that will bring together government at all levels, industry and universities for the purpose of further developing research output into viable economic assets for the nation and ICT based security measures.

The Professor of Computer Science declared that the convergence has and will continue to have profound impact on technology, industry and the larger society and that technology convergence if appropriately managed, can play an important role in the economic and social development of any nation. Speaking further the don highlighted some of the opportunities brought by technological convergence to include: traffic modeling; internet based telemedicine system; data/internet telephony integration; digital libraries; personalized e-learning system; and web based system for University undergraduate admission, selection and placement.



Professor Adewale, however lamented that chances of abuse of the convergence by various miscreants, universal access to communication networks and issues like interoperability, interconnection, policy and regulatory framework are some challenges that may affect the opportunities offered by the communications and computing symbiosis. Adewale, who held the First Bank of Nigeria Professional Chair in Computer Science of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, from 2005-2009 proposed therefore that the Federal Government should as a matter of urgency; work in collaboration with Computer Professional Registration Council, Nigerian Communications Commission and Nigeria Computer Society to establish a perpetual act that will ensure local content in information technology projects and development in the nation, while discouraging the practice of giving IT jobs to ordinary vendors and foreigners at the expense of capable and competent manpower available in the country.

Concluding, the lecturer called on the Federal government to leverage on the communication network infrastructure in the country to stimulate market development and meet previous unmet societal communication demands in areas like healthcare delivery, monitoring of government installations, financial transactions and in the security of the lives and property of the Nigerian citizenry.

In his remarks the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Tunde Arayela said the choice of the lecture was apt considering the enormous security and economic related issues confronting the nation. He described the lecturer as an astute scholar and a prolific researcher who had contributed to the development of the University in various academic and administrative capacities.

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Nigerian Law School Calls 3,600 Students To Bar

A total of 3,600 students of the Nigerian Law School, who were successful in this year’s Bar Final examinations, were yesterday called to the Nigerian Bar.

The director general of the Nigerian Law School, Olanrewaju Onadeko, who disclosed this at the Call-to-Bar ceremony held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, said the number includes 14 candidates from the previous Bar final examinations.

Onadeko said the April 2015 examinations were written by resit students after two months of intensive preparation, adding that the students’ performance at the examinations vindicated the decision of the Council of Legal Education for a compulsory intensive revision exercise for students.

According to the Nigerian Law School boss, four candidates out of the total number of 3,600 that were called to the Bar came out with First Class, 109 obtained the Second Class Upper grade, 418 were classified in the Second Class Lower division and 1, 422 attained the pass grade.

Onadeko added that the total number of passes at the examinations was 1, 953, while 815 students failed the examinations outrightly, even though he said there was a rising level of focus and diligence among the students of the Nigerian Law School.


He said the school has never had its programmes (academic or others) interrupted in its 52 years of existence, adding that it is the disruptions in the academic programmes of universities that are posing a challenge to the school, a situation, he noted, resulted in the “backlog class” the school had this year.

The curriculum of the school, he said, is designed to prepare students for call-to-bar and purposeful career, adding, “I have no doubt that the candidates here present have availed themselves of skills, knowledge, values and attributes to build upon for successful careers at the bar”.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who also spoke at the event, congratulated the new wigs for passing the bar final examinations and for being found worthy in both character and learning as certified by the Council of Legal Education.

The CJN charged the new lawyers to exhibit the highest level of professional ethics and decorum as the legal profession is known for its sanctity, integrity, honesty, objectivity and respect for the rule of law.

Source: Leadership

Resumption For Rain Semester Remains November 1 -Senate

The Senate of Obafemi Awolowo University has approved November 1 as the set date for resumption of the Rain semester of the 2014/2015 academic session.

A member of the University senate who confirmed this development to our correspondent said he received a copy of the memorandum from the University authority two days ago which was dated Wednesday, 21st October, 2015 to authenticate the November 1 resumption date and lectures according to him will resume the next day.


The Vice President of the Students' Union, Oladunjoye Opeyemi a.k.a Oprah also corroborated this standpoint in a broadcast sent out on social media under the aegis of the Academic Committee of the Students' Union. She wrote that the committee approached the senate and they were able to confirm the November 1 set date.

OAU Peeps News Agency had previously published the Rain semester academic calendar approved by the Senate. Click here to see the full calendar.

U-17 WC: Nigeria Crush Chile To Advance To The Next Round

Golden Eaglets crushed the hosts to secure a place in the knock out round of the 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup as Miguel Ponce's lads face an early exit

A goal from captain Kelechi Nwakali plus a brace from Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze brought hosts Chile to their feet as they crashed 5-1 at the Estadio SausalitoVina Del Mar on Wednesday morning.

Although Marcelo Allende got one for the South Americans with nine minutes to the end of the game, that could not inspire a comeback as the rampaging Nigerians have now secured a place in the second round of the competition.

The Chileans came into the game with the outlook of securing their first win of the competition after their 1-1 draw against Croatia on Saturday, but the Eaglets had different idea as Chukwueze fired Emmanuel Amuneke’s side ahead after 30 seconds.



Not quite long – in the 16th minute to be precise, captain Nwakali converted from the spot to double his side’s lead after Chukwueze was fouled by Juan Jose Soriano by sprinting onto a long upfield clearance and tapping the ball past the sliding defender.

In the second half, Nigeria got their third in the 60th through Chukwueze who completed his double. He found his way into the South Americans’ penalty area, performed a couple of footworks and, after seeing an initial shot blocked, thumped a left-footed strike past goalkeeper Lopez.

Osimhen got his first via the penalty spot after dangerboy Chukwueze was brought down again by Brian Leiva. Despite Funsho Bamgboye’s red card, he powered in his brace.

Chile's consolation came courtesy of Allende, who slammed past Udoh from Luciano Diaz's cross.

Nigeria with this victory boast of six points and have qualified for the second round of the competition, but will face Croatia in their third game at the Estadio Sausalito on Friday.

Source: Goal.com

"I've Never Slept With A Man For Money" -Linda Ikeji

Famous Nigerian blogger, Linda Ikeji who recently acquired a property worth over N500 million got attacked by fans for being single.

The mighty mansion is located at Banana Island, Ikoyi.

Linda Ikeji wrote a long article aimed at young women.

Read the post below: –

“My name is Linda Ikeji. I’m a blogger. I’m 35 years old and I have never…never ever in my life slept with a man for money. Not only have I never done it, I have never even consider it…and here I am with a house that cost me over half a billion naira.

Listen, you are beautiful and you are stronger than you know. There’s absolutely nothing you can’t achieve if you set your mind to it, put her heart and soul into it. Up until five years ago, I was a struggling entrepreneur. I can’t tell you how many offices in this Lagos I sat in for hours waiting to see people who could support my business…but most times, I never passed the reception area. But I never gave up and I never stopped believing and here I am today.

You too can be this..you can be better than this. No dream is too big, no dream is too small, no mountain is too high…it’s all in your mind. It’s all up to you. If you believe in you, in your God who is guiding you, then the sky is your starting point.

Please stop waiting around for a man to give to you…to put food on your table and put clothes on your back. I promise you, you can do it for yourself. Start thinking big, believe in yourself, be creative and start working. Realize that your dreams are valid…and nobody will make your dreams come true except you. Find what you are good at. Find something that you are passionate about. Work hard at it. Be consistent. Be patient. Start young. Even if you’re not young, it’s never too late!

“I have been hustling since I left secondary school..started modeling before I entered university in 1998. Was running a modeling agency even while I was a student and made it a full time business after I left university. I never doubted that I would succeed one day, because I was determined. And please do not think this happened over night. I’ve been blogging since 2006…November this year will make it exactly 9 years. God, consistency and hard work brought me here today.



“Unfortunately, a lot of our young girls aren’t patient and some are lazy, they want it quick and fast but it doesn’t work like that. Success takes time – takes hard work – takes passion – takes consistency – but more than anything else, it takes the Grace of God.

I was a 30 year old broke woman and on my birthday, a very sad and depressed me turned to God and begged him. I told Him you promised me, when will You fulfill Your promise? Am I not Your child? Have I not lived according to Your teachings? When will You bless me? Please God help me…and with tears in my eyes, I begged Him. I cried and I begged and I begged and I begged. A few months later my life changed. Never underestimate God’s love for you and the power of prayer.

“And never stop working. Listen, I make enough money to hire so many people to work on this blog while I go do other things and enjoy myself…but I don’t do that. I’m up while some of you are sleeping, and already blogging before some of you wake up. I don’t take this for granted. I know to stay on top, I have to constantly work and nobody will be as dedicated as I am because this is not their own thing. It’s mine and I have to keep feeding it. So I’m constantly here!

Young ladies, I promise you…you too can do this. You don’t need to spread your legs for any bladdy man – because of how much? N200k? That’s how much my shoes cost – so why you should give up your body for that? Your sacred body? God’s temple? 200k that you can make in a week or even in a day if you pursue your dreams and still have your dignity intact? You think people don’t see that you’re messing around with all dem old married men and talking about it? Think ladies, think! When next a man propositions you…tell him to get lost, that you will get yours yourself! Abi, aren’t you a woman? You know what they say about women? “A woman is like a tea bag, you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.”. You are so strong, you don’t even know!

Also, if you want God to bless you, you have to have a clean heart. All these backbiting, hating on others, trying to bring people down with hateful words, action etc – God doesn’t like ugly. He has over 6 billion people to look after and you think he will pay extra attention to you if your heart is ugly? Wish people well, help people when you can. Be good to others. But more than anything else be good to yourself. Believe in yourself. It’s very easy to give in to feelings of self-doubt and back down when things get tough, but you have to know that God will not give you anything you can’t handle.

I swear to you, you are underestimating yourself. If you know the power that you have inside. If you know the things that you are capable of. If you know how far you can go…how high you can reach but you are holding yourself back because you’re afraid of failing, because you don’t think you have it in you. If only you know that you’re stronger than you think. You are so powerful, you don’t even know it. I’m not more special than you are. I don’t have two heads. We serve the same God. Why can’t you succeed? Think ladies, think.

Like Barack Obama’s sister said, poverty is not an excuse! I used to sell/market beer at Sheraton hotel, Lagos when I was in university for N1,000 a day. I once lived on ‘puff puff’ and garri for weeks in UNILAG and I was supposedly a top model but nobody knew what I was going through. Trust me, I know poverty. Did you know I lived in Idi-oro, Mushin for 15 years? Up until when I was 25? Did you live in Mushin? Eh, so what’s your excuse? I can’t even say some things here for my family’s privacy but here I am today because I never doubted myself and I never allowed all the doubters to distract me. I was focused. I was determined. I worked hard and I knew the God I served won’t let me down. The road was long, sometimes very frustrating and painful but look at me now. God did it because he saw that I was willing!

“Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, “She doesn’t have what it takes.” They will say, “Women don’t have what it takes.”

Please believe in yourself and watch God use you to set as an example for others.

May all your dreams come true!

Kisses.”

Source : Information Nigeria

OAU SMS: The Process Suspects Are Being Tried Is Barbaric -SU Lord Chancellor

By David Adetula

In an exclusive interview with OAU Peeps News Agency, the Lord Chancellor of the Judicial Council of the Obafemi Awolowo University Students' Union, Justice Joshua Olorunda has described the process suspects are being tried in OAU as crude, barbaric,unreasonable and animalistic and calls for vituperation.

Joshua Olorunda, a Part 5 student of the Faculty of Law in his opening response insisted that his opinion on the matter is personal and does not necessarily connote the exact position of either the Judicial arm of the Union which he leads or that of the Students' Union. Responding to a question on the way he sees the process trials are undertaken in OAU by the Security Committee of the Students' Union, he stylishly blamed the inadequacy of the SU Constitution on stipulated punitive measures for criminal offenses for the lapses.

The Lord Chancellor said “When I became the Lord Chancellor of the Students’ Union, the former Lord Chancellor told me that everything he fought during his tenure was to scrape the process evidence is been gotten from students who have been accused and non-students alike but he failed.

“When I came into office, I had started this, It is unfortunate that I wrote a correspondence to the Parliament on my views on how suspects are been tried my but it was not read. I don’t know why. The process suspects are been tried is barbaric, it is unreasonable, it is animalistic; It calls for vituperation. The most annoying thing is that people look up to me as if I have direct jurisdiction on it.


"The issue of the Judicial Council not having power to try theft cases is even still debateable. No part of the Constitution has directly given the responsibility to any organ of the Union"

Justice Joshua however related the functions of the Security Committee to that of the Police in the mainstream world who are still responsible to the judiciary. He noted that the non-provision of the ways suspects are been tried and punitive measures for 'convicts' necessitated the function been handled by a Security Committee that is not also provided for in the constitution of the OAU Students' Union. The Lord Chancellor though noted that not all cases are taken to the court in the mainstream world especially when they are trivial but said the Police have the right to take cases to court.

The Lord Chancellor also lamented the tradition of extracting information under duress from suspects in OAU. He acknowledged some instances where some suspects are beaten and given animalistic treatment in a bid to force them to confess but eventually turn out that those persons are innocent. Also on the 'Scientific Maximum Shishi' (SMS), Joshua wants students of OAU to accept the global best practices on trials of suspects. He wants SMS to be reduced to the bearest minimum and other punitive measure like community services added to it.

Students of Obafemi Awolowo University in recent days have continued to campaign to strongly agitate for the review of the way suspects are been tried and the punitive measures for various criminal offenses. In lieu of this, some students have recommended a referendum at faculty levels to aggregate the possible way forward as it will be opinionated by the students.