I Do Not Regret My Actions Regarding The Education Sector – Obasanjo

Former Nigerian president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at the 7th round-the-table discussion which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo University’s Staff Club has said that he has no regrets regarding the actions he took concerning the education sector when he was in power.

In his words, ‘I have no regrets in whatever I have done in the education sector. If I have the chance, I will do it again. When I came in as a military head, I established UBE (Universal Basic Education), when I came in as a civilian president, I established UBE.’ This was in response to a question raised by a professor who stated that during Obasanjo’s tenure in 1984, catering for students was abolished.

Obasanjo in a bid to answer the question said it would not have been possible to provide quality education to students and at the same time feed them without paying a penny. He said there was no way the feeding could have continued.

“I have no regrets regarding the decisions I took in terms of education including removing free food in our institutions. We had 53 institutions when I came in 1999 but as at the time I left we had 150 institutions.

“I prefer to have all persons in schools than to have some few persons simply enjoying free food.”

A student of political science who also had the privilege of asking the former president a question, sought to know the available opportunities that await the younger generation in politics and the issue of ‘god-fatherism’ that has plagued the Nigerian political world . The former president reminded him that he had approximately 60 people who were below the age of 40 that worked with him during his tenure.

He furthered in response by stating that, he does not have a godfather. According to Obasanjo, ‘if what you are waiting for is for someone to prepare the ground for you, you may wait till eternity. You have to get your hands dirty, get your feet wet.’

The elder statesman did not however end without commenting on the political party where he led the nation as the President; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He pointed out the fact that the money needed for sponsoring elections these days is outrageous, which does not favour an ordinary man. He mentioned that the monetary support given to the PDP in 1998/9 was $7 million, in 2003, $9 million while he said he heard from a reliable source that a sum of $4 billion was spent during the last election. He concluded that things could not go on that way.

The Reflection Of An Elder Statesman; Obasanjo Expresses Skepticism About Chibok Girls Rescue Mission

The 7th Roundtable Discussion tagged The Reflection of an Elder statesman; an evening with Obasanjo held at the OAU Staff Club ran a bit late. The programme which was slated for 4pm did not begin until the elder statesman showed up at about 6pm, although he apologized for his lateness.

The programme started at 6:03pm with the national anthem, followed by the Great Ife anthem. In attendance was the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Bamitale Omole; the chairperson of the occasion, Professor Folu Lasisi, some dignitaries who came with the former president. Also in attendance was the former Vice Chancellor of OAU, Professor Michael Faborode.

In an event compeered by the president of the OAU Staff Club, Dr Mosobolaje, the OAU VC gave a speech where he regarded Chief Obasanjo as not only a nationalist but also an internationalist. He mentioned some of his achievements as the president of the country. He mentioned that the GDP of the country grew from 3.5 to 7.8 during his tenure, the telecommunication industry was legalized and even the United Nations recognized and appreciated his experience by making him an ambassador.

Following the welcoming and introduction of the elder statesman by the chairperson of the occasion, the former president in his characteristic manner, dramatically removed his agbada before he started talking. The elder statesman jokingly dragged the security detail meant to restrain people and guard from his duty before he continued.

In the course of his reflections, he was asked to make a comment on the rescue plan of the government for the Chibok girls. He said there is no hope since the children were not rescued 72 hours after their abduction. He said if anyone says he is bringing back the girls, it is a lie. He stated that the only ones who are saved were the ones who escaped. Obasanjo furthered by saying we can only expect that the girls might return as women some years later to tell their stories. He mentioned that he is personally responsible for the training of five of the escapes in school abroad.

He commented that the Buhari-led government is showing its willingness in fighting corruption. He said corruption is a hydra-headed monster that needs to be tackled from the top, to be fought from the top; from the President to his Vice to the Senate President and so on. He also responded to a free comment that former leaders specifically himself should be one of the people to be tackled. He then replied I formed all these instruments of fighting corruption. I formed ICPC.

2016 JAMB UTME Registration Closes By Midnight Today

There are strong indications that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is not looking to extend the closing date for the 2016 JAMB UTME registration form any further, as the board has confirmed that the portal closes by Midnight Today, 5th Feb, 2016.

All those yet to purchase the form, this is your final chance. We will advise that you dash now to any JAMB office closest to you or any accredited JAMB CBT Centre in your area to register. The 2016 JAMB UTME registration was initially slated to end January 15, 2016 but was extended twice till today.

ANSA Condemns OAU SU Leaders' Call To Cease NANS Intervention

The Alliance of Nigerian Students against Neo-Liberal Attacks (ANSA) has condemned the decision of the suspended Union leadership of Obafemi Awolowo University to call for a halt of the proposed NANS intervention on ravaging issues affecting students of OAU, thus described it as an 'historic sabotage'.

In a Press Conference organized by members of ANSA which held on Wednesday, 3rd February 2016 at Awolowo Hall cafe, the Pro-tem Convener of ANSA, Wole Olubanji a.k.a Engels alongside other members of the Group addressed several deepening crises facing students and other members of the University community.

The Group highlighted the turns of events since the increment in school fees in May, 2014 and the aftermath effects.

"You will easily recall that in May 2014, the university authority made public its intention to increase the fee regime of both fresh and returning students of this citadel of learning. The argument of the authority for this cataclysmic hike was her desire to “improve” learning and living facilities on campus. In adjudging whether the authority was sincere with the aim of the increment, please take a look at the toilets and bathrooms of OAU halls – which have attracted public debates on account of their poor state. Fee increment has failed! And this is only a confirmation of the position of some of us in the leadership of ANSA back then, in our various capacities as leaders of left organisations, that the cowardly philosophy of administration to always resort to fee hike is impractical as far as the problems with the education sectors are concerned." Wole said.

Another high point of concern for ANSA is the current suspension of the OAU Student Union activities and the suspension of the Union officers trio of Omotayo Akande a.k.a TY, Oketooto Oluwaseun a.k.a Hon. Seun and Ojedokun Emmanuel a.k.a Immanuel Kant. ANSA condemned the suspensions and stated that they are opposed to it, as such, members of ANSA are going to take up campaign for the reinstatement of the union leadership.

ANSA however condemned what it described as an historic sabotage on the part of the Union leadership for recalling the intervention of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone-D even though ANSA expresses worries over the structure of NANS itself.

"In supporting the intervention of NANS, we were not blind to the history and track-records of NANS, which in recent times are nauseating facts. However, we are also aware that the same body has had history of vibrancy and victories against the tyranny of military dictatorship. We are therefore not mechanical with our approach to history.

"In our first encounter with the leadership of NANS, we made it abundantly clear that any form of intervention on OAU campus must be preceded by a Congressional deliberation and decision of OAU students. The leadership agreed with us on convening a Congress, and this discussion was held at the instance of the leadership of the Students’ Union, including the President. More so the opinion of the meeting was that the problem on campus goes beyond the question of reinstatement of union leaders – the independence of the union must however be asserted. And convening a Congress at this point would bring to naught the so-called suspension of union activities. Everyone, including the leadership of the Union, appeared to have shared this line of reasoning, until a late minute vacillation by the union leadership.

"We have already condemned the decision of the Union leadership that called for a halt of the proposed NANS intervention. But we wish to restate it here again that the decision of the leadership to halt the movement of NANS was a historic sabotage, and condemnable. The leadership claimed that its vacillation was based on its choice of diplomacy, and the spontaneity of NANS intervention. This excuse is flimsy. A movement that had agreed to calling a Congress before action cannot be described as spontaneous. And we wish the leadership had had less absurd excuse to disguise this show of cowardice."

Phone Thief Nabbed At The Faculty Of Law

It was like a drama today at the topmost floor of the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University. Just immediately after the part two students of the faculty and their counterparts from the Department of Public Administration finished with their constitutional law class,an incident which can be likened to that which happens in a typical Lagos market occurred.

Just as students were eager to vacate the lecture room; 'Law 209', little do they know that their was a pocket picker in their midst. A female law student known as Chinyere suddenly felt a strange feeling in her side bag but the feeling was not able to reveal to her what has been taken from her. It took the effort of an observing lady who saw as the hand dig deep into her side bag amidst the crowd and shouted.

The culprit immediately began to run downstairs as hundreds of students joined the race in nabbing the culprit. The culprit was eventually caught and taken to the University's security unit at Floor 0. Upon enquiry, it was revealed that the culprit is a non-student. As at Press time, the security officers were still investigating the case.

Angola Hall Resident Condemns Use Of Toilet Facilities

Two nights ago at about 10pm, an Angola hall occupant, a student and a class representative of the Department of International Relations came out with a public address system to express his discomfort about his fellow Angolans' immoral use of his block allocated toilet.

Speaking to his fellow Angolans he said "many come here to defecate with a drop of water to flush, leaving the toilet in an undesirable state, which has created disgusting smell and atmosphere for the neighbouring rooms which is undesirable and uncalled for. These toilets were only allocated for this block and many from different blocks come here to use it and leave it in a bad state."

When asked if there was any padlock used to lock each toilet, He said "what is the essence of having a padlock when people forcefully undid it every time?".

It has been a frequent bad practice among students in many of the halls of residence use the toilet and leave it without flushing. This bad habit is even observed when there is water supply to flush.

'Project Let Go' Africa Comes Live In OAU On February 20

All is now set for the second edition of 'Project Let Go' Africa which will now take place at Pit Theartre of Obafemi Awolowo University by 10:00am on Saturday, 20th February, 2016.

The event according to the organizers will allow the general public donate items including goods, old primary and secondary school books, story books for kids, toys, clothes and other useful items. These donations will be going to orphanages, needy, IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps and some NGOs on campus.

"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." The organizers revealed.

If you missed the last edition of 'Project Let Go', you can read the report here - OAU Students Let Go Clothes To The Less Privileged.