Professor Owolarafe's Inaugural Lecture Holds Today

Professor O. K. Owolarafe of the Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University will on Tuesday, 22nd December, 2015  deliver the 282nd Inaugural Lecture at Oduduwa Hall of the institution by 5:00pm.

The theme of his lecture is ''Building a Paradise in Nigeria - The R & D Option for Small and Medium Scale Agro-Allied Industries"

Prof. Y. K. Yusuf Saga: OAU SU Leaders Call For Prayers

Prof. Y. K. Yusuf Saga: OAU SU Leaders Call For Prayers

On the Panel some Union officers are currently facing over the Prof. Y. K. Yusuf saga, 'There have been several rumours that seem to be affecting the Studentship of the Union leadership, we need the support and prayers of the generality of Great Ife students' the Obafemi Awolowo University Students' Union officers have pleaded.

In a Press Statement issued by the Leadership of the Union, the current state of the struggle against poor welfare conditions of students has been appraised including the Panel some Union Officers are currently facing.

Below is the full Press Statement.

FROM THE STUDENTS' UNION

THE STATE OF OUR UNION, STRUGGLE AND RESUMPTION

Great Ife,
It is apposite at this critical point of our union's history to salute the doggedness, tenacity and continuous consciousness of members of the Great Ife studentry. The Union will not at this period fail to keep the generality of Great Ife Students abreast as far as the Struggle for better welfare, "Suspension of Union Activities", The query and panel set up on the Professor Y.K Yusuf, Cancellation of Session, Resumption and many other salient developments.

ON THE STRUGGLE FOR BETTER WELFARE
Upon the bad welfare condition we experience on campus ranging from bad water supply to unstable electric supply, dilapidated structures and many others. Great Ife Students saw it no longer bearable most especially after several period of diplomacy without hope in sight. The last straw that broke the camel was the erratic water and light for 3 consecutive days without any memo from the management notifying the public on the development as darkness took over campus for days. A congress of students was demanded and subsequently called on Friday, November 27, 2015. The Congress being the highest decision making organ of the union decided to go on a one day lecture boycott so as to press home our popular demands.
November 30 was massive as thousands came out to register their grievances in a peaceful demonstration. December 1 was greeted with hope of expectation that the administrators would call the union representatives to meeting to address the sordid situation. Rumours got thick that the varsity had been shutdown as Students were to proceed on an indefinite Mid Semester break.

THE FEAR OF CORONATION, CONVOCATION AND REPEAT OF HISTORY
"Tell no lies, Claim no easy victory, tell it to the people the way it is"-Amilcar Cabral
It was well established that the fear of disruption of convocation and a repeat of history was one of the reason the break was imposed, a less than 24 hours demonstration have warranted no shutdown. However, it was surprising as such was not intended and would never be the intention of an administration that brought glory to image of the ivory tower through the union scholarship scheme which saved the studentship of 85 Students. The Union wrote to appropriate quarters to debunk and further assert our concern interest in a genuine and moral course. We wrote and met with the Ooni and promised him a peaceful ceremony. As against the widely spread rumour, the convocation went peaceful and was successful, thanks to the collaborative effort of the union.

SUSPENSION OF UNION ACTIVITIES, QUERY LETTER AND PANEL
December 2, a circular of evacuation was pasted instructing students to leave campus. On the 3rd of December, another special release with Ref no: RO.2/Vol. VI/180 from office of the registrar gave the notice on the Suspension of the Union Activities. A lot of Unions both within and outside have risen to condemn the Suspension of the Students' Union.
On the 4th of December, three union officers, the President , Gen Sec and the PRO were served official query on account of disruption of EGL 206 Class, Verbally Abuse, Rudeness to the Professor and Refusal to obey Instruction. The union executives responded to these query within the 48 hours ultimatum.
On the 16th December, 2015, we received a letter inviting us to a panel set up by the university to investigate the Allegation of Disruption of Lecture, Rudeness and Refusal To Obey Instruction of Professor Y.K Yusuf. The Panel was slated for the following day, December 17. At the panel, we explained our side of the story and debunked the allegation of assault on the lecture. Although, we were chastised at the panel for wanting to disrupt the academic calender but we re-affirm to them our unquenchable and unrepentant thirst for Stable Academic Calender which was a cardinal point of our electoral promises, we also demanded quick re-opening of the University. The result of the panel as i write is not out as we have heard that they will report to the University senate.

CANCELLATION OF SESSION AND RESUMPTION
Sometimes last week, some reports emanated from some quarters that the University administrators intend to scrap the session, however, the truth have surfaced against such. It is germane to inform you that we have confirmed from good Authorities that the administrators had proposed to members of ASUU a 56 working days leave which will definitely elongate resumption to sometimes in March or April. The ASUU fortunately at their congress kick against the leave and demand immediate opening of the University in January.

WHERE WE ARE
The Professor Y.K Yusuf issue is one the union have been making effort to resolve from the father to children perspective. We never at any time had the intention to disparage the personality of the respected professor. The personality of the professor is one that have always supported the students course. It is however unfortunate that the University is capitalizing on this issue. There have several rumours that seems to be affecting the Studentship of the Union leadership, we need the support and prayers of the generality of Great Ife students. Our course is a moral one. It is also imperative to know that the Union has several means suggestible to the management on how to go about the renovation.

SUPPORT FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF THE UNION
The Students' Union is at critical stage where it needs the support of the over 30,001 students. The struggle against bad welfare condition is not one for the Students' union leadership alone but the generality of Great Ife Students who have so far shown the substance they are made of as the media has been agog with OAU News in the past few weeks.

STATE OF OUR STRUGGLE
No doubt, this period is a time when our consciousness is put to test. The struggle for improved welfare condition have taken a different dimension which is unprecedented in the history of struggle- the heavy publicity of our agitations on the pages of new papers, channels I-reports, Sahara Reporters, and other social media platforms have all redefine students' Union struggle. This demands are being well pressed home as it already get the attention of the presidency, the Ooni of Ife and press commentators. At this junction, Great Ife students should not loss trust in our leadership as we continue to agitation for re-opening of the
university and improved welfare

ALUTA CONTINUA!!!
VICTORIA ASCERTA!!!

Oluwaseun Oketooto
Secretary General
Omotayo Akande (TY)
President

Mid-Semester Break: ASUU Demands Re-opening Of The University

Mid-Semester Break: ASUU Demands Re-opening Of Obafemi Awolowo University

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Obafemi Awolowo University has thrown her weight behind the interest of the Great Ife students by demanding the re-opening of the University early January, 2016.

As part of the resolution reached at the end of the ASUU Congress which held on Thursday, 17th December 2015 to consider University's administration's proposal of an annual leave for all academics among other things, the Congress resolved that the matter of an annual leave for academics is paramount but it should be at the end of the session. This is against the a 56-day leave proposed by the University authority which will begin after the Christmas break.

The academic staff said they only recognize the current university closure as a mid-semester break and nothing more, thereby demanding the reopening of the university for the continuation of 2014/2015 academic session by early January, 2016.

"It will be inappropriate for academics to proceed on a collective leave when students are suspended from academic work by the university, indefinite.

"ASUU only recognizes the Senate decision that the University is currently on a mid-semester break and no more.

"The University authorities should re-open the University for the continuation of 2014/2015 academic session by early January, 2016.

"In the interest of the students and the larger University community, the time lost during the current mid-semester break should be provided by the University administration on resumption of academic work."

It will the recalled that the OAU authority told the students to proceed on an indefinite mid-semester break on December 2, 2015. This is the second mid-semester break in the 2014/2015 academic session.

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.