Professor Aderemi Kuku National Young Scientist Award In Mathematical Sciences

The Nigerian Young Academy (NYA) was established in August 2010 by the pioneering effort of the Nigeria Academy of Science (NAS), supported by Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE) and the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAEng). The NYA was established to provide recognition for excellence and raise the profile of young researchers in Nigeria. Additionally, members would play a crucial role as inspirational figures for a new generation of researchers and impact on the society through their research. The NYA is the unified platform for the exchange of ideas across disciplines and regions, nurturing outstanding and aspiring youthful researchers and professionals towards improving the state of the nation.

In line with her objectives, the NYA through the kind donation of Prof. Aderemi O. Kuku has instituted the “Professor Aderemi Kuku National Young Scientist Award in Mathematical Sciences” with a view to promoting original research in Mathematics especially among young scientists in Nigeria. This initiative commenced in 2013. The recipient will be given the award at the General Assembly/National Conference of the NYA in 2016 at a date and place to be announced later.

The Prize:
The prize will be given annually and consists of an award certificate signed by the Presidents of NAS and NYA, and ₦100,000 (one hundred thousand naira only) prize money. The Nigerian Young Academy is responsible for administering this award in Nigeria, and the decision of the Jury shall be final.

Selection Details:
 The award is designed to recognize the scientific achievements of young researchers working in the different fields of Mathematics and living in Nigeria; and to encourage them to continue to strive for excellence in their research in the Mathematical sciences. The award is open to both male and female young researchers in all areas of research in:
 Mathematics – Pure and Applied
 Statistics and Probability
 Computer Science
 Mathematical Physics
 Mathematical Modelling (e.g. Mathematical Biology etc) and
 Mathematical Economics (Econometrics)

 Candidates should not be more than 45 years of age by December 31st of the year of application.
 Candidate should have evidence of involvement in scholarly research in the Mathematical Sciences and must be affiliated to a not-for-profit research institution in Nigeria (e.g. Universities or Research Institutes).
 Only Nigerian citizens who have lived and worked in Nigeria for at least the last 3 years will be considered.
 Candidates must hold at least a Master’s degree (M.Sc. in any area of Mathematics, Statistics and Probability, Computer Science, Mathematical/Theoretical Physics, Econometrics and Mathematical Modelling) and have a good record of research publications in reputable peer-reviewed Journals.
 Candidate may be nominated by his/her institution or may nominate self.
 Once a winner is selected by the NYA panel of judges, the profile and scientific achievements of the award winner will be placed on the NYA and NAS websites. The result of the selection will be announced on or before May 31st of the year of the award.
 The awardee will be expected to make a presentation of his/her research work to a general audience during the General Assembly/National Conference of the NYA.
 Members of NYA are excluded from competing for this prize. Persons who have applied for this prize are not eligible to apply for NYA membership in the year they have applied for the prize.
 Applicants can apply for only ONE NYA prize for the year. Multiple applications from same applicant for different NYA prizes will all be automatically disqualified.
 Each application should include names of three referees who should be asked by the candidates to write with their institution’s letterhead directly by email (confidentially) to the NYA.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
*Ensure that you read carefully this application form, FILL AND SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY. SCANNED APPLICATIONS WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE REJECTED.

* Please attach the statement of result or certificate for the most recent qualification and other supporting documents, such as research awards/scholarships/fellowships/grants, NYSC certificate, etc.

*Kindly attach your current Curriculum Vitae.

*PLEASE DO NOT EXCEED THE NUMBER OF WORDS WHERE STIPULATED.

*DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM IS FRIDAY 18TH DECEMBER, 2015.

* Kindly forward completed application form with relevant documents to aokukuaward@nigerianyoungacademy.org and cc: admin@nas.org.ng, nyacademy1@gmail.com

Students' Union Officers Clash With Lecturer, English Students Demand Apology Letter

By David Adetula

The Public Relations Officer of the Obafemi Awolowo University Students' Union, Ojedokun Emmanuel a.k.a Immanuel Kant during the early hours of yesterday caused a scene at ODLT 2 where an English course was going on. The Union officer had come to interrupt the class in a bid to make an announcement. Not pleased with Kant's request, the lecturer sent him out denying him the opportunity to address the students.

After some sort of heated arguement, Kant succumb to the lecturer's wish until the Secretary General of the Students' Union, Oketooto Oluwaseun a.k.a Honourable Seun came to the scene where he insisted the lecturer was not going to continue with his lecture unless the announcement was made. The new challenge was sufficient to bring the class to an abrupt end as the lecturer walked out of the class.

Expressing disappointment at the occurrence, the SU PRO opined that it is a bad omen for the Union as they were embarrassed by the lecturer for making a request to announce to the students. Matter took another turn as the Union officers reportedly stormed the office of the same lecturer to demand apology for the incidence but the English students who were obviously furious about the development formed a resistance to this. A meeting eventually held which had the SU executives, the Dean of Faculty of Arts, ASUU-OAU Chairman, OAU Alumni Chairman, Head of OAU Security Team and the Head, Department of English in attendance to resolve the issue.

In the evening at about 5:00pm, the President of the National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies (NASELS), Sodiq Oyeleke called a student congress to address the issue and the following resolutions were reached;

- That Prof. Y.K Yusuf should not write any letter of apology to the Students’ Union
- That an open letter be written requesting the Students’ Union to apologize for ‘constituting nuisance’ at the Department of English
- That a petition be forwarded to the University’s Security Unit over the threat made on the security of Prof. Y.K Yusuf
- That an ultimatum of 48-hour be given to the SU to tender the apology letter for breaching the motto of OAU – ‘Learning and Culture’

Kumuyi Storms Ile-Ife For Open Air Crusade

The General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor W. F. Kumuyi will be visiting Ile-Ife for an open air crusade which is billed to start on Thursday, 18th November, 2015. The two-day crusade is expected to hold at Oduduwa College, Sabo, Ile-Ife by 5pm daily.

Campus Editors Unveil National Body

Student Editors in Nigerian tertiary institutions will officially unveil a national guild of campus editors’ association, which is tagged National Association of Nigerian Campus Editors (NANCE) on Monday, 16 November.

The association which is aimed at having a unitary voice among all campus editors will be unveiled by 11:00 am across the country and will mark a milestone in the history of Nigerian campus journalism.

Speaking to our correspondent, Oyedeji Olanrewaju, the Chairman of NANCE and student Editor at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, expressed gratitude to the founders of NANCE for making it a reality.

“I’m so happy that NANCE has become a reality, we have always thought of it but today we are officially unveiling the national body of this great association of Nigerian campus pen-pushers.

“Basically, NANCE is borne out of the necessity to empower student journalists especially editors who have been major players in the media sector over the years. It is also a major aim of NANCE that campus editors all over the country contribute their own quota to Nigeria’s development,” he stated.

Olanrewaju also noted that “Today is a historical day for all campus editors and campus journalists. At different regional offices and even the head office here on OAU campus, a small ceremony will be conducted to mark the official unveiling of NANCE”.
Also commenting on this memorable day for NANCE members is Chukwu Daniel, the Vice Chairman of NANCE and a campus editor at the University of Lagos, who commended NANCE as a great innovation and also made it known that NANCE will ensure unification among campus journalists.

“First and foremost, I will like to say that I am very proud to be part of this great innovation and I am equally proud to be given the privilege to serve in this capacity. The official unveiling that will be done today is mainly to give NANCE the widest possible publicity.

“A lot of things contributed to the formation of NANCE. Chief is the fact that Campus Journalism has thrived beyond what we use to have. Hence, the need for coordination of all tertiary institutions in the country becomes necessary. This will not only add impetus and quality to reportage of events across campuses, but will also give us that one voice we have always craved” he explained.

It has been gathered that NANCE presently has membership in 20 varsities which cut across the six geo-political zones of the federation.

NANCE head office is in OAU Ile-Ife, while South-west regional office is situated in University of Ibadan.
The North regional office will be situated in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and South-eastern regional office will be situated in University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the South-South regional office will be situated in University of Port Harcourt.

The First Time Fear: The France Crisis On Facebook- Pope Jay

First off, I would like to say that this is simply my perspective. If you do not agree with it, it’s alright and I would in fact appreciate a lucid comment detailing why.

 In the little time I have spent on earth as a member of the Homo sapiens species, I have come to learn a number of things about Humanity. Firstly is her diversity in similarity, a concept more scientifically referred to as "Variation”. Variation itself is a facet of science that in itself has earned enough attention to be studied on its own and names like Jean Lamarck and Charles Darwin are some that come to mind when this aspect of science is mentioned. The resultant effect of variation in Human beings is quite amazing: Two people can be born of the same parents and still be so antagonistic in character and physique. While variation can be a good thing, most especially in the advancement of our species, it also sometimes has some side effects which can be almost as nasty as its benefits. The fact that two people tend to see the same thing differently sometimes is the basis of some scientific advancements and at the same time, it has also been the basis of some disagreements that has eventually transcended into very disastrous wars and terrorist activities.

 Another very progressive characteristic of human beings is adaptation. Obviously, human beings are amongst the most successful animals today simply because she has learnt to manipulate both herself and the environment (although, some "side effects" tend to arise from these manipulations). However, I would like to look at adaptation from a very simple and local perspective. A simple illustration; if I rub my hands on fire today, it’s going to hurt most today. If I come back tomorrow and rub my hands against the same flame, it would not be as painful and if I continue to rub my hands every day for the next one year, I am definitely going to feel very less pain in a year's time rubbing my hands on the same flame: Adaptation.

 I believe these features of man reflect in his psychological responses. When he first hears a bomb blast, he is scared but when he hears the same blast repeatedly he is less scared. However, if the blast suddenly sounds louder, he feels the first time fear again and the progression begins all over again.

 Very recently, I have read various comments as regards the Paris Crisis, the Facebook response and the #PrayforParis campaign (On that note, I use this opportunity to send my most sincere condolences to the victims of the France attacks). I have read comments regarding Facebook's response towards the attacks as racist considering the fact that a lot of terrorist attacks have not received such response, most especially attacks in African countries. However, I do not entirely agree with this school of thought. Terrorism is a plague that has continued to devastate the entirety of humanity and as is his character, man has adapted to this ravaging concept.

 However, every once in a while, an incident tends to remind us that terrorism is not at all a normal thing; Sometimes this incident is 9/11, sometimes it’s the abduction of over 200 girls in Africa, sometimes it’s the dead body of a young boy that washes ashore. Today it’s the victims of the France attack and so I believe when that clueless person gives his display picture a touch of the Flag of France or when that man who doesn't even know where the Eiffel tower is uses the hashtag; #PrayforParis, it’s not because somebody is white and somebody is black, it’s because people died as a result of terrorism. Now, claiming that I shouldn’t use the hashtag because a hashtag was not created when terrorist killed in Africa, I think that even defines racism in a sense.

(Comments can be sent to me at jobaoje@gmail.com)

Pope Jay

Thieves Who Have Stolen Over 76 Gadgets In OAU Caught

By Farombi Oluwaseun

It was a bloody day for two thieves as they were caught during the early hours of yesterday at ETF hall of residence. The thieves identified as Tope and Ogbe are non-students who hail from Ondo state and Edo state respectively.

Tope met his waterloo when one of the occupants of ETF raised an alarm that his laptop was missing in the reading room coupled with a concurrent alarm from a cleaner that her phone was also missing. Following the arrest of Tope, his confession aided the Students' Union Security Committee to apprehend his criminal partner, Ogbe.

They both confessed to have been operating on Obafemi Awolowo University campus since Monday and strategically distributed each other with Tope operating in ETF and Ogbe operating in Fajuyi hall of the institution.

In an account related to OAU Peeps News Agency by the SU Security Committee, the two thieves since they started operations confessed to have stolen 14 laptops , 25 Nokia phones, 16 Infinix, 11 Blackberry, 10 Samsung phones and many more items. So far, their confession since their arrest has led to the recovery of a laptop and a phone as they confessed to have sold some to some dealers in Olukayode Shopping Complex in Akure, Ondo state.

Speaking with the Students’ Union Chief Security Officer popularly known as Olumighty in his office at the Students’ Union Building (SUB), he said the Security Committee under the TY-led administration is committed to work and is ready to secure the campus well. The CSO further stated that about 17 thieves were caught last semester and were well dealt with. When he was asked if SMS should be abolished, he said so far it has been the tradition on OAU campus and it should not be abolished.

The CSO however advise the entire great Ife students to increase their security consciousness on campus especially when they go at night to read and also relate better with his committee. “Students should challenge anyone seen with strange movement. It's Students’ Union not Students' Union Government; we are there for the entire great Ife students, the security of the entire great Ife students is our utmost concern” he said. Investigation is expected to continue with the two thieves for now as stated by the Security Committee.

Disclaimer: Azeez Mubaraq Dismissed From OAU Peeps News Agency

This is to inform the general public that Azeez Mubaraq who was a member of OAU Peeps News Agency has been dismissed from the organization. This is part of the re-organization announced during the agency’s last meeting.

The agency hereby urge members of the public especially Obafemi Awolowo University to note this change. Any inconvenience that may arise after now will not be a responsibility of OAU Peeps News Agency.

Signed
Farombi Oluwaseun
Ag. Public Relations Officer,
OAU Peeps News Agency