University Of Ibadan Expels 80 Students

Eighty students were expelled from the University of Ibadan at the end of the last academic session for poor academic performance.

Vice Chancellor of Nigeria’s premier University, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, disclosed this today at the matriculation of 4008 students for the 2015/ 2016 session. The event which was postponed last week held at the university’s International Conference Centre.

Twenty-eight of the expelled students came from the sciences, while 20 came from Agriculture and Forestry department. Arts produced 13 of them, Basic Medical Sciences 1, Public Health 1, Social Sciences 6, Education 4, Technology 5, and Veterinary Medicine 2.

Olayinka told the freshmen that other reasons students could lose their studentship include: examination misconduct, unruly behavior, indecent behavior, vandalism, miscellaneous hall offences, unauthorized use/displacement/damage to university property, pilfering, insubordination, direct sale of bed space/squatting in halls of residence, membership of secret cult(s) on campus, illegal participation in the National Youth Service Programme, illegal registration as full-time student, and infringement of other university regulations.

“Any of the under-listed is a criminal offence which must be referred to the Police: fraud, theft, burglary, assault occasioning bodily harm, murder, membership of a secret cult inside or outside campus, possession of fire-arms, arson, rape, possession and/or use of hard drug and drug trafficking and other criminal offences”.

Olayinka advised the new students tasting freedom for the first time that freedom is not absolute.

“Those of you who are leaving home for the first time would realize that you are now exposed to enjoy a measure of freedom, which you may not have enjoyed before, as you are no longer under the watchful eyes of your parents. This freedom, however, has its limitations. In other words, your freedom ends at the point where you trample on the fundamental human right of others, or when you infringe on the rules and regulations of the University”.

He urged the new students to be studious.

“Let me inform you that at the University of Ibadan, we do not tell students what to think. You have to learn to think for yourselves. Our teaching is designed to produce intellectual self-reliance-to teach you how to learn and how to take charge of your thinking. We encourage you to be independent in your judgment and critical in your analysis. We work to help you develop these skills here at UI, and we hope you will retain them for life. They will continue to serve you as you experience a world that is constantly and rapidly changing. I, therefore, want to charge you not to restrict yourselves to your field of study alone so as to profit maximally from the numerous activities that will be presented to you throughout the duration of your course in the university”.

He warned the students to comport themselves in a manner that is befitting of an undergraduate student and or new postgraduate student of this premier institution, as the university would not tolerate any act of hooliganism and wanton destruction of properties – all in the name of students’ demonstration, indecent dressing, prostitution and or any other social vices”.

Olayinka also warned students against cultism and sexual harassment.

“Cultism by all estimation is evil and those who associate themselves with it are also evil. For this reason, you should not go into any relationship without thorough investigation. The approach employed is that the cultists camouflage in different colors to recruit members. You should live a modest life and avoid flaunting your financial disposition in public, as this is a veritable attraction to the hoodlums who engage in cultism”.

The 4008 students admitted by the university this year rank the highest in recent times as admission was pegged at 3000.

The Vice Chancellor disclosed that out of 23,219 students that made 200 and above that were invited for Post-UTME, 19,292 sat for the exam out of which 3,225 were given admissions adding additional 783 admitted were from 2,512 applicants received from Direct entry.

“Those that make the institution first and second choice with score 180 and above were 32,587. Those that make it first and second choice with score 200 and above invited for Post-UTME were 23,219. Candidates who sat for the Post-UTME were 19,292 and candidates that were cleared for admission were 3,225. 2,512 applied through Direct entry and those offered admission were 783”.

“A breakdown of the undergraduate admission on a faculty-by-faculty basis are: Agriculture and Forestry 408, Arts 618, Medicine 550, Education 784, Law 147, Pharmacy 90, Science 571, Technology 369, The Social Sciences 351, and Veterinary Medicine 120, totalling, 4,008”.

NANS Set For Action In OAU, Sets March 21 For Massive Protest

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has vowed to occupy Obafemi Awolowo University come Monday, March 21, 2016 over the non-reinstatement of the three suspended Union leaders of the citadel.

In a Press Statement issued out today and signed by the Coordinator NANS Zone D, South West, Comrade Okikiola Ogunsola, the umbrella body of students has described all diplomatic approaches used as futile and not yielding any desirable fruit, thus the body is set to occupy the institution for a massive Protest.

"The lingering issue/crises between the management of OAU, the student’s union and the three (3) unjustly suspended students’ union executives, consisting of the students’ union president, general secretary and the public relation officer respectively is no longer news to Nigeria students, Security agencies, the monarch (Ooni of Ife) and the entire public.

"It will be recalled that the leadership of NANS Zone D, mediated in the crisis when it first erupted, even before the three (3) students’ union executives were unjustly suspended. In a civilized, humble and respected manner, we called the attention of the school (OAU) management (Vice Chancellor, Dean of Students’ Affairs, ASUU executives and the Chief Security Officer), the Ooni of Ife and that of the State Director of DSS to the poor condition of living of our students in the school hostels which we (NANS ZONE D executives) witnessed, we were promised that issues raised will be immediately looked at and solved and the students’ union government will be reinstated on the condition that we cancel our proposed massive protest which was to be held on the coronation day of the Ooni of Ife. With the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Director of DSS, the protest was canceled. To our greatest surprise, non of the issues raised were in any way solved instead three of the students’ union government executives were unjustly suspended for four semesters and six semesters respectively.

"We didn’t let our consultations noise dive, we had series of meetings all over again with the management of OAU (Vice Chancellor, Dean of Students’ Affairs, ASUU executives and the Chief Security Officer), the Ooni of Ife and the Director of DSS, who had a meeting with the Vice Chancellor on our behalf. Letters of apology were written to the management on behalf of the unjustly suspended union executives. We were promised by the management and mediators that the three unjustly suspended students’ union government executives will be called back on campus before the commencement of their final exams.

"The leadership of NANS Zone D, South West wishes to express our utmost disappointment in the management of OAU, Ife, especially the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Bamitale Omole for not been considerate and forgiven. Well, having exhausted all means of consultations to the OAU management, security agencies, the monarch and major stakeholders, the leadership of NANS Zone D, South West has resolved to embark on a mother of all protests in South West on Monday 21st, March, 2016. Its OPERATION OCCUPY OAU, though the protest will be peaceful but it will be massive as students from all campuses in South West Zone and other zones will start arriving from Sunday 20th, March, 2016 to OCCUPY OAU. We shall lock down the OAU campus till our unjustly suspended students’ union executives are called back, the students’ union government reinstated and a lasting solution is found to the poor condition of living of our students in the school hostels." NANS wrote.

OAU Hostels Collapse, Students Given Two Weeks Break

As at yesterday around 5:30pm, the roofs and ceilings of a hostel collapsed inside the Obafemi Awolowo University pre-degree campus situated in Moro.

The name of the hostel is BVER Suites commissioned less than two (2) years ago which accommodates the female students living inside the school campus.

The affected sections of the hostel include Suite 1 Block A, D and E and Suite 2 Block D, G & H. One of the lecture theatres (LT D) was also affected by the rain storm.

The collapse of the building left most students who were on their beds injured which led to them being  rushed to a nearby hospital.

OAU Management Sends Students Home
Following the collapse of these structures, the management of Obafemi Awolowo University Centre for Distance Learning has given the students a compulsory two weeks break.

Though in the Release communicating the development, it was not stated that it has anything to do with the collapsed structures but several indications asserted that the break was given so that the collapsed structures can be reconstructed.

Medical Students To Spend 11 Years In Medical School

The National Universities Commission has disclosed that medical students will henceforth spend a minimum of 10 to 11 years in school.

This was made known by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie in a lecture delivered at the maiden matriculation and inauguration of the University of Medical Science, Ondo, Ondo State.

Prof. Julius Okojie who was represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, in a lectuyre titled ‘Development of Medical Education: Prospects and Challenges‘, stated that this development was imperative in order to enable the students mature psychologically for the profession.

According to him, the 2015 document for the training of medical students made provision for students to spend the first four years in studying basic sciences in university after which they would proceed to the medical school to spend another seven years.

ACJ OAU @ 45: Do More Of Campus Stories - NIJ Deputy Provost

The Deputy Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, NIJ, Mr Joseph Johnson has encouraged campus journalists in Obafemi Awolowo University to focus more on their own community and report news happenings on the campus

On Saturday, 12th of March 2016, the mother body of all Journalists in Obafemi Awolowo University, the Association Of Campus Journalist (ACJ OAU) celebrated its 45th anniversary.

The program which had in attendance the Deputy Provost Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Mr Jide Johnson; the Campus Life Editor of the Nation Newspaper; the South-West Editor Daily Sun, Mr Yinka Fabowale amongst other distinguished dignitaries. The Program featured activities like an inter-news agencies debate, guest lectures, alumni re-union and many others.

Speaking at the event, the South-West Editor, Daily Sun, Nigeria, Mr Yinka Fabowale, spoke on the trials and travails of journalists and encouraged the aspiring Journalists on the need to spiritualize journalism; to see their work as a spiritual one that is being done for God and not the profit therein.

In his own note, Mr Joseph Johnson, Deputy Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos spoke on journalists in the 21st century. He admonished journalists present at the occasion to take Obafemi Awolowo University as their own community and report news happenings on the campus. He however emphasized the need to be balanced in their reports and to be careful how they report in other not to offend authorities taking note that they are still students. Mr Wale Ajetunmobi also encouraged campus journalists to work without fear or favour, just as he reiterated his commitment to helping young and aspiring journalists develop.

Lukmon Fasasi Blog emerged winner of the inter-news agencies debate. The occasion also doubled as the swearing-in and handing over ceremony as the association transited into a new era of leadership.

Speaking to our correspondent after the event, the now former President of the association, Benjamin Adebayo expressed thanks to God for making the event a success. He appreciated invited guests for coming from far and near.  The newly sworn-in executives led by Mr Olanrewaju Oyedeji has also promised to uplift the association to the best of their capabilities.

Blackout In Academics Area Turns Night Class To Market Square

The situation of the few powered lecture theatres on Obafemi Awolowo University campus especially the biological science lecture theatres can be perfectly likened to that of a market square, courtesy of the blackout ravaging other reading venues.

Despite in the heat of examinations, for some days now, night classes have not been the best for OAU students because only few venues have power supply to light them up.

A study of situation by OAU Peeps News Agency correspondent on Monday night showed that right from the Halls of Residence towards the academics area, most places were dead dark. The popular White House including its long standing neighbour, Yellow House had no light. The three faculties standing together also at the heart of academics; Faculty of Admin, Law and Social Sciences buildings too were in blackout. The Faculty of Education and Arts buildings were also not lighted.

Coming down to biological sciences building that houses the Department of Botany, Microbiology, Zoology and Biochemistry seems to be the only location with power supply, yet "reading at the BOOB & BOOC can be worrisome, infuriating and disturbing" an obviously frustrated night reader fumed.

Some students had turned these venues to a market square where noise takes over. Some of them obviously disturbing their colleagues were seen laughing heavily as if they have been exposed to N2O, the powerful laughing gas.

A student who however spoke to our correspondent expressed disappointment at the University authority over what she described as insensitivity to students' plight on their part especially during this examination period. "I know they (Management) will later come and tell us now that the power got spoilt from Osogbo, can't the Management always get an alternative source of power especially during examination periods?" She queried.

For some days now, there has been shuffling and rotation of power supply at the academics area and Halls of residence. Moremi Hall seems to be the greatest victim of epileptic power supply in the Halls so far as they battle with blackout almost every time.

Angola Hall Warden And Excos Clash Over DSTV Subscription

The TV Sets in the common room of the Angola Hall have gone on vacation for the past few days as the monthly subscription for the DSTV remains unpaid.

According to a Release by the Hall Warden, Mr Femi Kuku, on the 7th March, 2016, he claimed that the University had paid N14,000 for the first year's subscription and according to an agreement with the 2013/2014 Ibiyemi-led administration, the Executives were now responsible for the bill. He admonished the Executives to pay the bills from the N200 collected from the inhabitants of the Hall upon resumption and even further alleged the Hall Executive Council was owing the Hall a sum of N12,000 for the replacement of the Decoder.

Responding to this via same mode, the Chairman of the Hall, Adebayo Oluwatobi a.k.a Ekiti claimed that the damaged decoder had been faulty since before the onset of his administration and even though efforts had been made to repair it. He said he had spoken with the hall warden to cut it off to avoid the payment for service they did not enjoy. He further stated that on the debt of the replaced decoder that reverse was the case as even though the hall had asked for a loan for the replacement, the management eventually disbursed the funds for the decoder in time and hence, there was and still exists no need for the Hall Executive Council to release any fund again.

Ekiti further alleged that the Hall Warden had not even paid the HEC the 40% of the Hall's IGR, which he put at N114,000 was supposed to be used for the Hall Week.

As at the time of filing this report, efforts are still in place to reach both parties to get more details on the issue. However till the issue is resolved, the stale freshmen of Angola will continue to stare at empty screens in their common room.