URPSA Holds Maiden National Conference

Students of Urban and Regional Planning nationwide under the aegis of Urban and Regional Planning Student Association of Nigeria (URPSA) which is the national body for all universities association will hold her first conference tagged 'PLANNING DYNAMISM'. This is the first of it kinds and it will be hosted by the Federal University of Technology, FUTA, Akure.

The conference which will start on December 16th and end on December 19th, 2015 will also be an avenue for students to learn from seasoned town planners who will grace the event. The event will include debate competition and quiz among participating universities, and paper presentation on "The Role of Landscape on Urban Planning". Also, the conference will feature lectures that will be delivered by leading professionals in the field of Urban Planning.

Speaking to our correspondent, Mr Afolayan Ajibola, the National President of URPSA said this will be the first time Urban and regional Planning students will be coming together to discuss issues affecting the profession and it promises to be educative.‎

It will be recalled that the national body was constituted some months ago and has universities where urban and regional planning is being studied as her member associations. This giant step has received a lot of praises from town planners across the country and also students from different universities have also give kudos to the organizer‎s.

We Need The Fence - Pope Jay

“Sitting on the Fence” is an English Idiomatic expression that is used to signify neutrality and in some instances; Indecision. However, one use of this expression that I remain rather skeptical about is its usage in denoting Cowardice. Even though in some circumstances, indecision can arise from Cowardice and other factors, I believe strongly that the “Neutrality” that the expression primarily depicts is a very strong necessity in the today’s society.

In the world today, almost everything is polarized, it is either; Right or Wrong, Good or Bad, White or Black, Republican or Democrat, APC or PDP, Ronaldo or Messi etc. One of the sad resultant effects of this polarization is the heavy rise in the sentimentalism of the society; People now tend to bend the interpretation of facts in a very annoying way to suit their ideals, thereby creating several dividing lines in the society. While some would prefer to go right, some others would prefer to go left.

 The next question would then be “Why not let everyman go is own way?” but then the issue of Man being a Social being then comes up. Man does not just function as a unit, he also functions as part of a bigger unit; The Society. If the society would then function as a unit, there is a need to establish some basic fundamental mottos and guidelines that would ensure her survival. Alexander Hamilton once said that; “Those who stand for nothing, fall for anything”. This doesn’t just apply to individuals; it in fact applies to societies. A society that is not established on any basic ideal is most definitely going to fall. Thus, there is the need for the society to make some objective decisions as a unit and this is where the problem of diversity comes in. As a society is made up of different individuals with different opinions and sentiments, it is almost, if not totally, impossible to get a singular perspective on certain issues and whilst some might argue that in these instances, the “Majority Carries the Vote” principle of democracy comes to play, I would also want to point out that the “Majority” is not at as infallible as she is often portrayed as certain instances in history have actually shown that the Majority can in fact be influenced to make unpleasant decisions.

Considering these factors, would it not then be best to let the “Men on the fence” have the major say in these decisions? I believe the Non-Partisan Men are best fit to run some very important bodies in any society; The Police and Judiciary System, The Electoral Bodies, The Press etc. because in the end, the best judges are the non-partisan ones.

Is sitting on the Fence then a bad thing?

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

Pope Jay      

OAU Stops Automatic Employment For First Class Graduates

OAU Stops Automatic Employment For First Class Graduates

The Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awowolo University, Ile Ife, Prof. Bamitale Omole, yesterday said the university would no longer offer automatic employment to graduates who make First Class degree.

Omole was addressing journalists in Ile Ife at a news conference to mark the 41st convocation ceremony of the institution.

He said graduates who make First Class should forget about automatic employment as there is no more vacancy as a result of the current economic situation in the country.

He noted that the idea of giving automatic employment to First Class graduates by the university was designed in the 1980s to retain them because they were not always willing to remain in the academics.

"The truth is that our First Class graduates should forget about automatic employment considering the dwindling resources and given the large number of students who obtain first class grade now. It is no longer possible for us to offer them automatic employment," he said.


Source

My Goddess And Nigeria’s Macabre Dance - Remi Oyeyemi

For the last couple of months, I have not had the opportunity to really bare my mind, for whatever it is worth, on the unfolding Nigerian tragedies. Every effort made to seek and search for positive vibes about Nigeria is met with mind boggling miasma. For a polity permeated with existential pangs, petrifying spasms have become the lot of a pulverized populace. The more you look the less you see. The harder you try, the more you are disappointed. The more you hope, the more forlorn you become.

Nothing kills the spirit than the malnourishment of hope. To kill hope is to kill everything. To kill hope is to kill life, of and for a man or a country. Hope is the elixir of life. It is the sustenance of existence. Hope is the bouillon against the burrows of the brig. It is the greatest fuel that propels existential struggles for survival. Nothing draws downcast than expectations not met. Nothing murders enthusiasm and excitement than aspirations that remain a mirage.

It is this hope that Nigeria’s macabre dance in the last two months is trying to kill by every means. It is this hope that President Mohammadu Buhari’s nauseating incompetence is trying to kill. President Buhari’s continued fumbling, flubbing and fluffing have constituted the music for Nigeria’s macabre dance. President Buhari’s incompetence, ineptitude and ineffectualness are beating the drums at a higher crescendo for this macabre dance. The hope of the believers of and in Mohammadu Buhari is fading fast. Their ranks are reducing. Their numbers are decreasing by the day.

Given all the unrelenting manifestations of political, social and economic malfeasance that is contaminating the Nigerian atmosphere, it is very difficult, if you have the means to speak out and not speak out. Posterity will ask you your own contribution. Did you collaborate with those who enslaved your people and exploit them to no end? Or did you speak out against the evil of greed, corruption and political dealership? Did you conspire to deceive and mislead your people? Or you spoke out against dishonesty and doublespeak?

These thoughts are the things that have been going through my mind in the last couple of months that I have been busy while preparing to honour my Goddess, my Queen, a Double Princess, my Partner, my Wife and the mother of my beautiful children. It was her 50th birthday ceremony and our wedding anniversary. The last two months brought to the fore an admixture of unalloyed joy that has always been my Goddess and the unmitigated disaster that Nigeria has always been all my life.

While I was trying to focus on what I am trying to do for my Goddess, I am always jolted by one bad news and another and another. If the Boko Haram fundamentalists are not exploding bombs and killing innocent Nigerians, foreign investors are taking to their heels trying to escape the Nigerian confused and planless economy. If the Senate President is not trying to buy judicial officers to escape justice, the politicians were trying to rig elections in Bayelsa. If the Elections in Kogi is not being declared inconclusive, the winning candidate is vomiting blood to death.

The bad news about Nigeria continued unabated. If Boko Haram is not killing Nigerian soldiers, the government is covering up the news to deceive Nigerians that “everything is fine.” If Biafran independence agitators are not being detained, killed and murdered, Oodua Nation’s independence protagonists are being threatened, blackmailed, badmouthed, derided and maligned. If Deziani Madueke is not denying kleptomania, Adam Oshiomole is spreading falsehood and lies about Ngozi Okonjo – Iweala.

If “Senator” Deno Melaye is not covering his own corruption and threatening those exposing him, Senator Ballah Na’allah is hallucinating about his unflinching support for an alleged certified bank robber called Senate President Bukola Saraki. If Bukola Saraki is not hypocritically asking Nigerians to accept responsibility for their actions, his henchmen are trying to censor the social and conventional media, trying to avoid their own responsibilities. If David Mark is not being expelled from the Senate by the Courts, he is busy boasting and stomping around that he would win again and again and again.

If President Buhari is not junketing around the globe and leaving his job undone at home as the home front continues to burn, his fans are busy excusing him and coming up with mundane as well as ridiculous explanations as to why he is still failing. The corruption war has reached an anti climax. We now have a cabinet of looters who are fighting the war on corruption on the pages of the newspapers. As Okey Ndibe pointed out once, Nigeria is the only corrupt country where no one is corrupt.

We now have a government of the looters by the looters for the looters. The government is headed by a cunning looter called President Buhari but to whom is ascribed the highest form of “integrity and honesty” in denial of extant facts and subsisting history still fresh in our memories. He vowed to ensure that corruption “is killed” before it kills Nigeria, but his cabinet consists of those who have serious allegations of corruption hanging on their necks, woven around their waists and anchored on their ankles.

They trumpet on the pages of the newspapers that some looters have returned their loot. No one knows who the looters who returned their loots are, how much they have returned and when they returned it. Everything is shrouded in secrecy. The Buhari’s government consists a new generation of looters bent on taking Nigeria and Nigerians for a ride for a wild goose chase. The unwary Nigerians are buying it hook, line and sinker, though some are now seeing the light; that they have been sold a fake!

To the threat of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, President Buhari has not been able to dare him. Buhari dares not. He dares not because he knows the truth about the threat of IBB. Buhari knows that IBB’s threat is real. Some of us think so too – that Buhari is not clean; that he has explanation to make to Nigerians on his stewardship as Petroleum Minister; that he is not honest as he has been portrayed; that he has been dressed in borrowed robes to deceive Nigerians into voting for him.

According to the American lawyer, Bruce Fein of Fein & DelValle PLLC in Washington D.C., the IBB’s subtle threat is as follows:

“On General Buhari, it is not in IBB’s tradition to take up issues with his colleague former President. But for the purpose of record, we are conversant with General Buhari’s so-called holier-than-thou attitude. He is a one-time Minister of Petroleum and we have good records of his tenure as minister. Secondly, he presided over the Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF, which records we also have.

“We challenge him to come out with clean hands in those two portfolios he headed. Or we will help him to expose his records of performance during those periods. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. General Buhari should be properly guided.”

I am waiting for the supporters of President Buhari to pick up IBB’s challenge. Let them urge their man Buhari to pick up the gauntlet as dropped on the floor. Let President Buhari try to expose IBB and let us see if IBB would make good of his threat to expose President Buhari’s records of corruption and stealing. Let us see if President Buhari is really courageous as he has been sold to Nigerians. Let us see if he is not a fake as some of us believe.

The only way out for President Buhari on this IBB quagmire is the death of IBB. But the fact is that IBB is still alive. Probe him while he is still alive and let us see if Buhari is really against corruption or he is just a pretender? Let us see if he has been deceiving Nigerians or not? Do not give excuses about IBB’s regime being beyond 1999 whatsoever. Nigeria did not start in 1999. Corruption did not start in 1999 or during President Goodluck Jonathan’s era. No excuse is acceptable. It is either Buhari is a coward, spineless and untruthful about this corruption challenge or not.

Despite the challenges presented in the last two months by the tragedy that Nigeria represents, I have been able to celebrate my Goddess. I have been able to make my Queen happy. I have shown appreciation for her partnership. I have shown gratitude to Providence for making her my wife. I have thanked my creator for making her the mother of my children. I have refused to allow the miasma of Nigeria to mar the joy of her 50th birthday. She can only be 50 years old once in a life time. Nigeria has been there for some time. I am not sure if it would always be there. But I am back!

'Project Let Go Africa' Storms OAU January 2016

'Project Let Go Africa' Storms OAU January 2016

The room is almost bare, save for old Ankara wrappers and thin sheets of once thick mattresses laid on the dusty cement floor. Water stains in the asbestos show evidence of roof leakage in about four different spots. It harbors rats, spider and sometimes outside guests like scorpions and lizards visit because of the torn window nets, and spoilt door frames.

This is Binta’s room—a four year old coming on the age of five girl—and she’s an orphan.She shares this room with other kids. They trek long distances to find water, and when the sun sets, it is time to go bed because they rely solely on nature’s source of light. Eating a balanced meal for these kids is like Christmas: It does not happen every day.

When the cold comes, they do not have decent clothes to shield them from its clutch, or shoes to keep their feet from blistering or getting injured from the hot sand and sharp materials like broken bottles.

She is a bubbly happy girl only when she is drawing pretty girls in big houses with loving parents on the sand. She is a girl whose true happiness resides only in her imagination.

This is a true life story, Binta and other orphan kids are at a motherless babies’ home in Moro Osun sate Nigeria. The motherless babies’ home can only do so much. They need your help, your support and your pledge to help kids like Binta.

In 2016, ‘Project Let Go Africa’ will be partnering with The Convenant Orphanage and Welfare Centre Moro and some NGOs in OAU to help these kids, to support them and help them realize their dreams and purpose as human beings. We call for your financial and material support (mattresses, paints for walls,generator for power supply, books and reading lamps for a library…..) to make these dreams reality. With what you give, you will be putting a smile and warmth on these kids’ face and heart.

In light of this, the second edition of the ‘projectletgo Africa’ will take place at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife in January 2016.

The maiden edition (www.projectletgoafrica.com/home/news/1003) of the ‘Project Let Go Africa’ took place at the SUB car park of the same university on the 3oth of January 2015. People were asked to bring three or more presentable wears in exchange for items, courtesy of our supporting fashion houses and partners. It experienced big turnout and donations from people dedicated to the cause of humanity. The event was also made dynamic by jokes, music and a showcase of talents for the good cause and thank-you snacks were made available to people for coming, courtesy of our catering partners. Over 800 wears were received and donated to orphanages and relief camps. Read more here.

The maiden edition was proudly vetoed and supported by the Student Union government (OAU), Jo's Indulge, JCI, ANUNSA, Heart 2 Heart, JFK Foundation, GossipNation, Neonatar, Seto Designs, Janicuts Fahion House, Burning Flames Concept(BFC), Adelodun Photography, Love4Hope, OAU PEEPS, Versatile Couture. The donated items were given to ANUNSA, AIESEC, JCI, and HEART2HEART for their charity projects. The event was fun-filled with games and brilliant performances from Mr Lively, Showbaba, DJ Glitz and other talented artistes. the successful event would have not possible without the help of the wonderful team, Tade, Oyinkan, Hon. Louis, Annie Oti, Ore Ajewole, Mc Sleekie, Dolapo, Vj Lexie, Dj Haysparcz, Samuel, Nifemi and Tosin.

The second edition of this charity event is in the works, getting ready to be bigger and better. We are also putting the general public at heart by organizing a seminar which includes an interactive session and motivational speakers on vital topics and of course a show case of talents. The exchange will take place after the Seminar. We will not only be accepting clothes but also books, toys ,food items, toiletries , stationery and other educational materials.

These donations will be going to orphanages,needy, IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps and some NGOs on campus.

As with this project, we are calling on the good people of this society for support, sponsorship and their generous donations to please stand with us and put a smile on someone’s face; to rekindle the fire of hope for that child’s future. To help humanity; to help fulfill purpose.

For enquiries and sponsorship:
Seyi: 07057305493
Uche: 08130152675
Ope: 0816446162

www.projectletgoafrica.com

Everything Under Buhari Is ‘Inconclusive’ - Fayose

Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, has raised the alarm that Nigeria under President Mohammadu Buhari is fast becoming a “shame” while elections under his watch are ending up “inconclusive”.

According to Fayose, the failed attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the Bayelsa state governorship election is a “clear invitation to anarchy”.

The governor also warned of the “plot” of Buhari’s government to “destroy democracy in the country”, saying it was shameful that the two elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “under Buhari’s kinsman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu”, were inconclusive.

“If in three days, INEC could not conduct credible election in Bayelsa State of just eight local governments, one wonders what will happen during the general elections in 2019? Fayose said through Lere Olayinka, his special assistant on public communications and new media.

“Everything under Buhari was becoming inconclusive. The simple reality is that INEC under this Buhari’s kinsman, Prof Yakubu, who is fast becoming the classical example of incompetence, cannot guarantee free and fair elections in this country.”

He saluted the courage of the people of Bayelsa state, describing them as “worthy heroes of democracy that stood their ground against agents of darkness that were prepared to short-change them by imposing a governor they do not want on them”.

He also congratulated the Seriake Dickson, governor Bayelsa state, “for having the people of Bayelsa behind him”.

“The people of Bayelsa have shown that their power is more than that of the Abuja political oppressors,” he said.

“Now that they have failed in their bid to use one local government to rig themselves to power, they will surely go back to their evil drawing board to plan fresh assaults.

“Therefore, Bayelsa people must henceforth sleep with their two eyes open because the APC thieves come not only to steal, but to kill and that can be seen in the way and manner they murdered over 20 people just because they wanted power at all cost.”

While warning on the consequences of destroying the legacy of free, fair and credible electoral process bequeathed on Nigeria by Goodluck Jonathan, Fayose said: “Nigerians, especially we in Ekiti State, are already taking a cue from the Kogi and Bayelsa States’ experience and are getting prepared for future elections.”


Source

OAU Students' Union Felicitates With New Ooni Of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi

The Students' Union of Obafemi Awolowo University has joined several other Nigerians and bodies to felicitate with the new Ooni of Ife who had his official coronation today where he received the Staff of Office.

In a congratulatory message co-signed by the OAU Students' Union President and Public Relations Officer, Omotayo Akande and Ojedokun Emmanuel respectively, the Union even in the face of oppression and struggle for liberation deem it fit to rejoice with the new Ooni.

"The students Union, Obafemi Awolowo University, even in the face of the recent oppression and struggle for liberation and better living conditions deem it fit to congratulate and join the yoruba race, the entire Republic of Nigeria in felicitating with the Giesi Ruling family and the Ogunwusi royal compound on the coronation and official installation of Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, as the New Ooni of Ife, the cradle of civilization.

"At this period, it is incumbent upon us to state that it is a rare blessing that our generation witness your Coronation. It is with profound joy that we express our optimism that your time as the leader of the Yoruba race will indeed translate into period of infrastructural ,Social, Political and Economic Eldorado.

"Our encounter with your Imperial Majesty in the last few days have not just rebuilt the trust of the Great Ife society in royal fathers but also further assert the realization of synergetic relationship between the community and the ivory tower.

The Students' Union however solicited the intervention of the King on the current state of things in the University especially the students' welfare.

"The Students' Union currently under the campaign for better welfare condition and other salient demands from the University administration which are necessary ingredient for better learning condition uses this medium to solicit your supreme and unconditional intervention. We likewise use this medium to appreciate your financial donation.The pictures of structures that disgust and shows raw decay are not figment of imagination or product of photoshop per excellence but a staunch reality of unshovable fact."