Former Students' Union President, Ibikunle Appreciates OAU Students Upon Graduation

Former Students' Union President, Ibikunle Appreciates OAU Students Upon Graduation

The previous Obafemi Awolowo University Students' Union President, Ibikunle Motunrayo has taken to the social media to appreciate all those that contributed to his management of the OAU Students' Union when he was the President including the generality of Ife students.

Below is the long appreciation note which he titled 'My touchy and touching appreciations'

MY TOUCHY AND TOUCHING APPRECIATIONS: Isaac Motunrayo Ibikunle, ND, BL(Ife)
Thank you God for the great Grace so far, am a product of grace;

Thank you my mum for the motherly and spiritual backing till date, you are everything to me;

Thank you my aunt, Mrs Ejimoh Alao and the Late Barrister Rasaq Alao for giving me that huge N3,000 in 1999 to pay for my secondary school admission fee therefore saving me from dropping out, thank you for standing in when my dad rejected me and my uncle turned me and grandma back in 1999;

Thank you my cousins, brothers and sisters, immediate and extended, blood and non-blood related, for your support and motivation; Thank U my cousins for providing me with your bags, textbooks , Edet-goes-to-school shoes and Yaba-bought shirts and baggy trousers to feel among in school and among peers back then.( Yes, I wore Yaba shirts! What of you? You wan form abi?) Thank U Mr Seni and Yinka Ashaye and Olugbenga Samuel Ibikunle for motivating me to go further to study law after my ND education. Thank you my numerous brothers and mates in TAC choir then and on the streets of Sagamu, Shomolu and Bariga.

Thank you Mrs Awolesi's, Mrs Adeboye's and Elder Olaoye's families and few others for being there when many forgot me and my mum in TAC Sagamu District;

For your fervent prayers, especially when I was the President of one of the most radical and challenging Student Union in the Universe, thank you Pastor Adegoke, Pastor Adenekan and Ex-TACSFON Pastor Ebenezer. And particularly current OAU TACSFON Pastor Akano, Mr Emmanuel, Miss Ife Makinde and others that we did have vigils together at sport complex ( I know many will find this incredible! Guys, it happened, I ran to God!)

For the immeasurable love and affection I was showered in OAU, I say thank you my ex-classmates and the whole students of the faculty of Law, present and past; thank you members and Alumni of Moot and Mock Team, Equity Chambers, Red Cross, ACJ NAOS, Man O' War OAU; thank you to the ex-Angola Hall mates and Juniors, guys am indebted; thank U to all my mamas in Moremi, Sports, Alumni and Mozambique Halls( though am not a fine boy, I was blessed with ladies and mamas in OAU who ruled my campaign and administration! Winks*) thank you to all current members and Alumni of all the 13 faculties, 8 halls of residence, Parakin Estate, Maintenance/Jolly/Fine Touch hostels and other off-campus residences for believing in me; thank you to my colleagues, the most supportive CEC members, the SRC members led by my indefatigable friend, RBT, the Judiciary led by Oriloye Fuad, my brother from another mother since Part 1, my ever gallant and intelligence driven security team, my Strategy/Media Teams- during campaign and administration, the HEC,among others; thank you to TACSFON and UJCM OAU, all fellowships, MSSN and Muslim brothers and sisters( funny enough, until recently, many can not say with certainty my religion on campus because of the strong cordiality I maintained with the two religion societies)

To staff unions in OAU especially ASUU, to the Great Ife Alumni Body, to my ex union leaders, particularly those who supported , a big thank you for adopting me as your mentee; to my ever supportive lecturers, Doctors and Professors, you have been very wonderful! To those OAU staff who were our insiders and informants, you are celebrated; in the same vein, I say a big thank you to my teachers in primary and secondary schools.

And also to those who were(as many have apologised and made peace) , or are still, my antagonists , a big thank you for as Edmund Burke once said 'He who wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper'. In fact, beside my quest to succeed in life so as to cater for my family through my profession and vigorously pursue the end to peoples' misery and poverty in Nigeria through my profession and participation in politics, you are the next reason.

I say thank you to those who I would have naturally mentioned their names but tactically decided not to mention either because they are people who may not want to attract unnecessary attention to their names as a result of their social, political and business standing, or they are those I do not want to engender the envy of their colleagues or friends to them. Deep down in you, you know I would have mentioned you but...!

And to all my friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, especially those who will always like, comment, retweet, share or favourite my posts, tweets and pictures, I say a big thank you!

To you all, may you walk and never tumble! May you and your family continue to increase in good health and financial abundance Insha Allah Insha Jesus!(As usual abi?, winks) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance!

Isaac Motunrayo Ibikunle,
20-12-2015.

5 Important Things A Nigerian Undergraduate Must Work On Before Graduation

5 Important Things A Nigerian Undergraduate Must Work On Before Graduation

This article was sent in by an anonymous person but we feel it is worth sharing as undergraduates can pick one or two clues from it.

1. Spoken English
It is so sad that majority of Nigerian students in tertiary institutions do not bother about polishing their spoken and written English before graduation. Some graduates speak English worse than a toddler, making one to wonder what they spent 16 years doing in school. You hear utter statements like "he come and slap me and I come and beat him". If you say such to an interviewer, even with First Class honours clearly written on your CV, he will probably think you bribed your way through school. The use of words like 'yeah', 'goddamn', 'omo', 'sh*t', 'f**k' e.t.c should be stopped because they do not portray you as a decent person.


2. Mode of dressing
Looking fly on campus was one of the things I enjoyed during my undergraduate days. It was fun because you had so much of the opposite sex around to admire you. The moment I graduated, my orientation changed. Not that a graduate should stop wearing denims and sneakers, but sagging and putting on studs with crazy hairstyles should come to a stop if such a person wants to fit into the corporate world. In the corporate world, you get to mingle with matured or married men with enough decency. Sagging in their midst will make you look kiddo. Just because your favourite musician Davido sags his trousers does not mean you should do the same. He gets paid to do that while you could get fired for doing the same.




3. Spendthrift attitude
The first time I heard someone say his salary is N70,000, I hissed and mocked him in my mind because that was the same amount we students spent on phones just to oppress each other. Now I have seen people earning less than N45,000 even with years of experience. What kind of person do you think you will turn out to be when all you want is the latest expensive gadgets? In the real world, no one cares about the kind of phone you use. Even on campuses in Nigeria these days, girls have stopped falling for a guy because of the phone he uses, they now trip for flashy cars. So, before you spend that huge amount on a phone, ask yourself this question: "is it going to improve my standard of living?". I did not know I could turn my smart phone to a mini laptop with WPS, Excel e.t.c until I got employed. My phone was all about BBM, WhatsApp and Facebook. I now saw the full potential of the phone. You need to cut down on your spending. Also, get the idea of clubbing off your mind or it might ruin your pocket. The money saved from disciplining yourself can be used to start something great. Use your head!


4. Laziness
You remember how you used to complain about the large notebooks you have to read for exams? If you lack a good reading culture, it is certain you will be bereft of ideas to contribute to a company's growth. You are always seen reading gossip blogs where you are updated with the lifestyle of celebrities but lack the idea of what the top 20 questions interviewers ask. Scaling through campus days as a lazy person does not mean such is likely to continue in the real world. Carrying on with laziness is what leads to prostitution, where a lady feels she can use her body to fetch her daily bread instead of her brain, or where a guy still expects his uncle to be the one to help him achieve his targets even after getting him a job through nepotism. You get to wonder why they spent 16 years developing their brain in school.


5. Pride
I remember when I was in my final year at school, I was always happy about what the future held for me. I knew I was going to get a job that pays N350,000 immediately I graduated. Reality slapped me in the face when my first offer was a job paying N30,000. I had no choice but to take up the offer because I was already tired of adding more months to the six months I had spent at home sleeping. Luckily for me, that job paved the way for a better one because it gave me the needed experience recruiters want to see on a CV. I have now realized that N350,000 is only feasible for those in the oil sector and those with huge years of experience, not a fresh graduate who does not know his left from his right. As you are about graduating, never see any job as demeaning. Take it up while you continue searching for a better one. This gives you experience. A bird in hand is better than a million in the bush. Remember, you are a nobody and no one gives a damn about you out there. So, drop your pride and use your head and hands or end up spending years still eating your mum's food with insults.

AAUA's First Class Graduates Offered Automatic Employment

AAUA's First Class Graduates Offered Automatic Employment

The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has today announced automatic employment offer to willing best graduates of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko.

During the conferment of Degrees and Award/Prizes at the 6th Convocation ceremony of the institution which held at OBJ Hall, the governor who is an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University admitted that it is the duty of the government to encourage graduands with brilliant academic performance and as such offered the First Class students automatic employment. He further stressed the need for the graduands to keep aiming high even as he wishes them well as they go into the labour market.

"Its is the responsibility of government to encourage achievements of brilliant minds. I am happy to announce automatic employment to willing best graduates to Ondo State Civil Service.

"I congratulate the graduands and i wish them well as they go into the labour market."

It will be recalled the Obafemi Awolowo University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole in what seems like a contrasting decision announced the stop of automatic employment for graduands who make First Class honours from the university.

African Regional Youth Forum For World Heritage 2016 In South Africa (Fully Funded)

African Regional Youth Forum For World Heritage 2016 In South Africa (Fully Funded)

The African World Heritage Fund and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in partnership with the Robben Island Museum are pleased to announce a call for participants for a regional youth forum from the 28th April to the 4th May 2016 at the Robben Island World Heritage Site in Cape Town, South Africa.

This forum will address young people and seek to provide a sustainable platform for youth in Africa that could increase the involvement of youth in the promotion and protection of World Heritage in Africa, and also deliver essential feedback to UNESCO, the World Heritage Committee and the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) on youth challenges, accomplishments and actions related to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in the region. This is the first regional youth forum on World Heritage in Africa addressing Anglophone youth. A second forum is planned for 2017 targeting francophone youth in Africa.

Eligibility
Young citizens from the African continent;
Aged from 20 to 28 years old with fluent English (no interpretation will be provided);
Available to attend for the full length of the event and invest time to prepare and follow up the forum;
Motivated, active and driven individuals interested in engaging in a World Heritage network of young African youth and eager to implement the outcomes of the forum in their home countries;
Individuals passionate about heritage in their country.

Selection Criteria
The following items will be strongly considered during selection:

Profile confirms with requirements;
Completed application package (form, CV, motivation letter, recommendation letter & video);
Diversity and complementarities of experiences among participants;
Potential to act as multiplier;
Gender and geographic balance;

Cost
The costs for the forum will be covered by the organizers; the African World Heritage Fund and Robben Island Museum (i.e. airfare, accommodation, meals and local transport within South Africa during the forum).

Application Process
The complete application package should be submitted at the latest on the 31st January 2016 (9am GMT) via the following email address: awhfyouthforum@gmail.com.

Announcement_Africa Youth Forum 2016
Application Form_Youth Forum 2016

Contact
For any queries or problems during application process, please contact AWHF (Pamela Mac Quilkan: PamelaM4@awhf.net) with copy to UNESCO (Carméla Quin: c.quin@unesco.org). Please note that applications sent to these emails will not be accepted, please send to the stipulated email address: awhfyouthforum@gmail.com.

Successful applicants will be informed by 26th February 2016 at the latest.

Deadline: January 31, 2016

For more information, visit the official website.

Prof. Y. K. Yusuf Saga: Students' Union Officers Face Panel

Prof. Y. K. Yusuf Saga: Students' Union Officers Face Panel

Two Central Executive Council (CEC) members of the Obafemi Awolowo University Students' Union on Thursday faced an inquiry panel set up the University Management to investigate the alleged assault on the former Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Y. K. Yusuf last month.

The Union Officers invited to face the Panel include; the Public Relations Officer of the Students' Union, Ojedokun Emmanuel a.k.a Immanuel Kant and the President of the Union, Akande Omotayo a.k.a TY.

TY and Kant has however since denied the allegation of assault saying they are cultured individuals and will not assault such a member of Staff.

Read details of the incidence here if you missed the story then.

SSANU Declares Indefinite Strike

SSANU Declares Indefinite Strike

SENIOR university staff under the aegis of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) will begin an indefinite strike action from December 24 to protest the sack of over 2,000 staff teachers.

The National President of SSANU, Samson Ugwoke, explained in Abuja yesterday that the universities’ councils employed the affected staff from 31 universities for more than 10 years.

He said further that the directive to disengage the staff schools’ teachers emanated from a circular purportedly written on behalf of the Minister of Education and signed by the Deputy Director in the ministry, Fayemi E. O. dated April 21, 2015, with an attached memorandum and report from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, dated March 5, 2014 and February 2014 respectively.

The directive asked agencies that had been funding the personnel costs of staff primary schools in the federal budget to stop the practice with immediate effect.

SSANU said that as a corollary to the above directive, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission through a circular dated August 27, 2014, directed that personnel/teachers of schools affiliated to institutions and agencies like staff schools should on no account be included in the nominal roll of such institutions.

Ugwoke said December was given as a deadline for the removal of personnel/teachers of university staff schools from the payroll of government, adding that the implication was that the category of workers numbering over 2,000 from over 30 universities would be thrown into the unemployment market.

While announcing the commencement of indefinite strike from Thursday, December 24, SSANU said that university staff schools “are integral part of the university system, established as welfare and municipal services for scholars and staff.”



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Photos From OAU 2015 Christmas Concert

Here are some colourful pictures from the Obafemi Awolowo University 2015 Christmas Concert