An Exclusive Interview With Some Members of Team GoPoethick

Interviewees- (Mr Adewale Victor (Veekthur), the Founder of GoPoethick, Mr Adigun Abdullah, the Director of Operations, GoPoethick2016, Mr Ogunkoya Samuel Dabar, Director of Publicity of GoPoethick2016

Interviewer- Adeyeye Ifeoluwa Eyitayo (Head of Interviews, OAU Peeps News Agency)

OAU Peeps: From popular talk, we know that Gopoethick is a brainchild of OAU student, Mr Ajakaye Victor Oluwatobi aka "Veekthur". Please can you please help us develop on this?

Adewale Victor: You are not incorrect; I am Ajakaye Victor, planning a name change to Victor Adewale soon. Adewale is my father's name. I am still the same person.

OAU Peeps: Can you please tell us how the idea was conceived and who conceived the idea

Adewale Victor: I conceived the idea after a renowned poet Kukogho Iruesiri Samson, visited us in school and challenged us to start something creative. I also noticed the decline in the growth of Arts here too. How social activities like parties prevailed over Arts. I wanted a platform where Arts would rise to the level of other social activities. Especially poetry, I wanted the world to know that it is not a boring enterprise.

OAU Peeps: Mr Victor, What has been the challenges and successes so far?

Adewale Victor: The successes have been overwhelming. The only challenge has been getting sponsors for the event. We however have the support of a large number of poets in Nigeria and lots of OAU students.

OAU Peeps: Mr Dabar you mentioned in the course of your introduction that you are the director of publicity, we are aware that massive awareness have trailed GoPoethick 2016. From the photo shoots to various social media broadcasts, please tell us about this year's edition of GoPoethick

Ogunkoya Samuel Dabar: Please, can you be clearer about that question?

OAU Peeps: As the director of publicity for the forthcoming edition of GoPoethick, what are the things you have been able to put in place to achieve massive participation?

Ogunkoya Samuel Dabar: Well, we have been active "using" what we have, basically people. They have been seeing convincing reasons to make the dream a reality and hence join in broadcasting the event. The social media (WhatsApp, Facebook et al) has been a useful tool in beating the drums of the event loud. And of course, media outfits have been helpful.

OAU Peeps: Well thank you very much Mr Dabar. Rumour has it that there would be an epic theatrical performance by the dramatic arts of Obafemi Awolowo University, how true is this?

Adewale Victor: There ought to be a performance from.dramatic arts department but they have not been responsive and the school closure did not help matters. We however have a talented thespian who graduated from the department of dramatic arts. He would be thrilling us with an epic dance performance at the event

OAU Peeps: Another rumour also has it that a popular musician would be around for the event

Adigun Abdullah: Aye, rumors and news shaa. It was true, till some weeks after we began making frantic efforts to ensure his attendance. We however were not able to secure his presence due to extremely busy schedule.

OAU Peeps: What is the connection between Gopoethick and the kegites. Are they also performing at the event?

Adigun Abdullah: Not exactly Sir, you see the event is divided into two days, the first for the poetry class and the main event, and the second for mountaineering. Kegites will be around to come gyrate on Day2, the purpose of the event is to promote arts, music and poetry, this their drums, dancing and traditional performances and even palm wine showcase

OAU Peeps: Don’t you think the program should be dependent on school resumption so as to record a greater participation or won't OAU being on strike affect attendance at the programme as well as other plans?

Adewale Victor: The program is for all arts lovers, not limited to the OAU community alone. Our guests would be coming from different parts of the country. We don't want to ruin their schedule by postponing the event.

OAU Peeps: Do you think this year's edition would be better than the last edition? If yes, what makes you think so exactly?

Adewale Victor: This year's edition would be better than last year's because we have a better planning structure, compared to last year. We also have outstanding guest poets and artists. This year also has in package features that were not present last year like Live painting, Book exhibition, arts exhibition and sales, mountaineering and lots more amazing features.

OAU Peeps: Thank you guys for your time, However just before we close the curtains, we must ask for readers and fans who want to learn more about GoPoethick or make further enquiries, is there any way they can reach you guys or find the information they need? Perhaps some contact details or Social media handles

Adewale Victor: You can reach us on Twitter and instagram @GoPoethick, Our facebook page is facebook.com/gopoethick1 and our blog is Gopoethick.blogspot.com

OAU Peeps: Alright Sir, to round off, there have been some pictures of GoPoethick T-shirts and hand bands circulating on the social media, are these related to your event?

Adewale Victor: Yes they are very much related to our event; we made those t-shirts for people who love to support poetry, and would like to represent the art in their environment

OAU Peeps: And how do these people get them?

Adewale Victor: At the event venue, or through courier delivery

OAU Peeps: Alright Thank you for your time. We at OAU Peeps can't wait to GoPoethick already.

OAU Registrar Comments On Proposed Model For 2016 Admissions

The Registrar of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Mr Dotun Awoyemi, however stated in an exclusive chat with OAU Peeps News Agency correspondent that in as much as he had not received any official statement enacting the new procedure, the Obafemi Awolowo University is a law abiding institution and hence would follow any directive from the Federal Government.

Awoyemi further stated that the aspirants should continue to check the University's portal as the closure of the school would not affect the Screening. The portal is merely having issues and screening would commence once they are resolved.

If you are yet to read the OAU Peeps explained model of admissions that may be used by Obafemi Awolowo University this year, kindly click here to see how candidates may be screened for the 2016/2017 OAU admissions.

UNIBEN Refunds Post-UTME Money To Admission Seekers

In line with the directive of the Minster of Education, Mallam Adamu, the University of Benin has commenced the process of refunding the money paid by candidates during their registration for the now scrapped 2016 Post-UTME 2016.

The institution has directed that candidates who have register for the exercise proceed to the application portal to provide their bank details.

The message on the university's application portal reads: "All candidates that successfully paid for the screening exercise are requested to go back to their application records and enter their bank details... Thank you"

The Management of Obafemi Awolowo University is yet to demand any amount of money from candidates seeking the 2016/2017 admission into the citadel.

Was Buhari Right To Have Dissolved OAU Governing Council?

President Muhammadu Buhari

Barely a week after the newly appointed 11th Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Ayobami Salami gave his inaugural speech; it is surprising that he was suspended alongside with the varsity’s Governing Council that sat over his appointment process. While some feel President Buhari’s decision to act this way contravenes the autonomy granted to the universities, many feel the president is in order.

Last Thursday, the federal government announced the dissolution of the Governing Council of the citadel of learning as well as the suspension of the appointment of the new Vice Chancellor pending the determination of subsisting court case. Many have reacted to this development and described it as ‘a thunder strike’.

Following the FG’s pronouncement, members of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian University (SSANU) and that of Non-Academic Staff Union of Nigerian University (NASU) have openly thrown their weight behind the decision. Members of the Unions have been seen rejoicing ever since Professor Ayobami Salami reign as the VC was short lived. While the reactions of the NASU and SSANU members may not be too surprising, considering their earlier positions on Salami’s appointment, many students are of the opinion that the Unions are only doing this because they believe the new VC will not look into their grievances, a similar experience with the former Vice Chancellor – a position which some others consider to be untrue and watery, after all, one may not be able to pass a comment on a meal unless one tastes it.

In the mean time, there has been series of comments questioning and challenging the decision of the Federal Government from the aspect of legality.

A particular lecturer opined that, Nigeria as a democratic state recognises the supremacy of the law and as such the constitution is expected to be binding over both the rulers and the ruled. In his position, he stressed further by citing sections of the 1999 federal constitution of Nigeria; “this constitution is Supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on the authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. He also cited that “If any other law is inconsistent with the provision of the constitution, this constitution shall prevail amid that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistency be void”. “Adducing from the above cited provisions of the constitution, the federal government should try and walk in consonance with the constitution.” he said.

In an article published in one of the national dailies by a group of people who named themselves ‘Concerned Obafemi Awolowo community members’, they objected that the order for the dissolution of OAU governing council grossly contravened the position of the University (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISION) (AMENDMENT) ACT 2003, otherwise called Universities Autonomy ACT NO 1, 2007 which clearly spell out functions, responsibilities and powers of the varied constituent organs amid functionaries of the Federal universities in the country.

Section 2A of the University (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) ACT 2003, states;

“The council so constituted shall have a tenure of four years from the of its inauguration provided that where a council is found to be incompetent and corrupt it shall be dissolved by the visitor and a new Council shall be immediately constituted...”.

In the light of this, they positioned that the federal government should not have allowed itself to be illegally guided before taking such a speedy decision 'per incuriam' that is out of ignorance.

A particular student who would not want his name to be mentioned exclaimed out of curiosity, “was it not the same federal government that approved Prof. Salami's appointment? At least, he could not have assumed office without receiving a letter of appointment from the federal Government”.

The federal government should not have allowed itself to be misguided at the expense of its commitment to the rule of law and principles of fairness, justice and integrity, some other people have told OAU Peeps News Agency.

The (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) ACT 2003 provides for the only instance where the governing council can be dissolved; “...where a council is found to be incompetent and corrupt it shall be issolved by the visitor and a new council shall be immediately constituted...”. The question now is that, has Buhari found the Council to be incompetent and/or corrupt?

It should be noted that the dissolved council headed by Prof Rowland Ndoma was constituted in 2013 and its tenure has not expired.

Speaking to OAU Peeps News Agency, a 400 level student of the institution said “maybe the reason why the Federal Government disbanded the governing council is because of the row between the unions and the Council towards the emergence of Prof. Salami as the Vice Chancellor”

Looking at various suggestions, controversies and debates that have heralded the decision of the Federal Government, the Federal government is yet to state why it dissolved the Council and some loyalists to the new Vice Chancellor feel it will be wise for President Buhari to revisit and reconsider the decision it has taken.

Students of OAU have remained at home since the 2014/2015 academic session ended in March this year.

University Of Ibadan Begins Semester Exams, VC Restates Commitments To Students' Welfare

UI Vice Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka

The Vice Chancellor of the Premier University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka has commended students of the institution as the Rain semester grinds to a halt. In a Statement signed by the VC himself, he encouraged the students to churn examination malpractice as they begin the semester examinations. He further described exam malpractice as the sole reason for losing studentship in the citadel.

Below are excerpts from the UI Vice Chancellor's release.

“1. I cannot but compliment you all for the commendable use to which you have put the latter part of this semester which is slowly grinding to a halt.

“2. I, on behalf of the management, wish you every success you require in the first semester 2015/2016 examinations and remind you as students of the First and Best University, the University of Ibadan, that only honest hard work pays and is always rewarded in our highly esteemed university.

“3. Over the past five years, all the students who bagged first class honors have been rewarded with scholarship to pursue their masters degree level at the University of Ibadan.

“4. The seriousness with which you have taken your academic work, the perseverance, determination, dedication, discipline and diligence is in line with the vision of this administration. We are committed to ensuring a well-functioning student assessment system and promote examinations that are objective, equivalent and trustworthy thereby producing excellent graduates with outstanding results and who complete their courses within minimum time.

“5. In the same vein, the University management restates that student's engagement in examination misconduct is a sole reason for losing studentship here. I enjoin you to refrain from any act which might jeopardise your remaining an esteemed member of this academic community.

“6. I warmly restate the unique opportunity you have in studying in Nigeria’s Premier University and, therefore, encourage you to take advantage of the facilities at your disposal especially lightening to be provided in the Kenneth Dike Library as well as lecture theatres in the Faculties of Arts, Science, Agriculture & Forestry, the Social Sciences and Technology at night for reading.

“7. Once again, my good will and best wishes are in order as the examinations commence.”

Reactions Trail OAU Governing Council Dissolution

Consequential to the unprecedented intervention of the Federal Government in the crisis rocking the Obafemi Awolowo University, on the evening of Thursday, 30th June, 2016, several persons have come out to comment on the rather controversial action of the Federal Government.

Mallam Adamu, through the Network Television Authority and publication in some popular Newspapers, announced the dissolution of the Governing Council of the Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Port-Harcourt, he also announced the suspension of the process of the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor for the former.

In response to this, many students and staff have made several comments on this actions as while some believe that the President, being the Visitor of the Institution, has the power to take such actions, some believe that Mr President might actually be breaking a few laws in dissolving the Ndoma Egba led Council.

Was President Buhari right to have dissolved the OAU Governing Council or he was ill-advised? Students react.

'Dozie, Faculty of Law
OAU as it is now is marred with confusion and there is a need, I think to stabilize the situation pending normalcy which it the exercise of the state of the state of emergency power granted by the president in Section 305 of the 1999 constitution. This talks about the power to act in Emergency stations even though is not expressly stated as the reason for the president's action. Going by the above, I opine that the advice was not wrong.

Kemi, Department of Family Nutrition and Consumer Sciences
I feel it's a slap on the face of the management for the F.G to even have to intervene at all, then I think it might raise some more issues.

Ayanfe, Faculty of Pharmacy
They should have been investigated by a panel before dissolution, for the process to be fair.

Samuel
The decision is quite right. At least this will help in the stability of OAU's academic calendar.

Babatunde
The dissolution, from my own point of view is for the main time in order to just rectify the misunderstanding.

Odusanya
Well, in supporting Olawale's view, there won't be continuity in the government which may in turn lead to a case whereby an outsider will emerge as the new vice chancellor. This kind of struggle occurred at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in 2006/2007. Prof. Adu was embarrassed by the Unions like OAU's. Obasanjo intervened then and Prof. Olaiya Balogun, the former Deputy Vice Chancellor at University of Ilorin was appointed as the VC in 2007, hence, in terms of regulation of calendar, innovations, infrastructural development and welfare of both students and workers, Prof. Balogun has been the best in the history of FUNAAB till today. This could be possible because an outsider will definitely want to impress both the students and workers that he is capable unlike insider who usually follow trend. May God help us!

Oluniyi
Ill advised? Don't think so. President Muhammadu Buhari actually did the right thing as it will help relief the tension that has already been built in past weeks. Whichever way, I belief with the dissolution, the concerned party who are the students would be allowed to resume back to their studies while the process of appointment continues without causing further hinderance to academic activities.

Yakubu
I think the dissolution would be followed by an investigation of the happenings over the years in OAU, years of corruption, mismanagement. It would at least change the status quo of administrative ineptitude of the past.

Chiamaka
He was ill advised. This decision, I think, will lead to strings of court cases, in addition to the court case NASU already has which will likely postponed till God-knows-when due to the Eid ul Fitr.

Have You Heard Of Tehillah Concert 2016?

A night thousands of people are waiting for, a Night of signs and wonders, a crusade hidden in a concert.

Happening live in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife

Theme: GRACE
Date: 19th of August 2016
Ministering:
1.Tee-music (an anointed, powerful music minister and the privileged president of Tehillah vision)

2.DAVID B (a mobo award nominee gospel artiste from the United Kingdom)

3.Odunayo Aboderin (an anointed minstrel who released the hit single 'elewi elese' which still blesses lives)

4. Philipage ( the composer of the hit single 'akodaiye asedaaye' and former choir leader at God's Love Tabernacle, Ile-Ife)

5.Ademola Olabinjo (an anointed music minister who also ministered at the 73 and 74 hrs marathon praise)

6.Tehillah vision minstrels and Psalmists.

7.Tehillah rising stars.


You don't want to miss this Euphonious crusade.

Come and be saved!

Come and experience the extraordinary!

Come To The Tehillah Concert 2016!

Announcer: TEHILLAH Board of Directors.



Proudly supported by:
OAU Peeps and TEHILLAH PARTNERS