Could This Be The Best Time To Scrap The NYSC Scheme?
Friday, 7 October 2016
Thursday, 6 October 2016
Breaking: Not All Students On The Approved Senate List Will Be Mobilized For NYSC Batch B
Strong indications have emerged that not all students, whose names appeared on the lists of recently approved results by the University Senate will be mobilized for the NYSC Batch ‘B’ proposed to begin next month.
Late yesterday, Wednesday, OAU Peeps News Agency gathered that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has sent memos to the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) of various institutions mandating them to shed the list of their graduating students presented for the coming batch.
For instance, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, the number of graduating students that are due to go with Batch ‘B’ was 2,314. However, NYSC has mandated the institution to reduce the number to 894, indicating over 60 percent reduction. Our correspondents were also able to gather that it is the same situation in schools that are presenting prospective corps members (PCMs).
The latest development was borne out of the complaint of lack of sufficient fund by the NYSC. Obviously, the cash crunch cum recession period tells the obvious and it has now weighed its unpleasant effects on prospective corps members.
As at the time of filing this report, we have not been able to confirm yet neither the level of reduction in the number of PCMs to be presented by Obafemi Awolowo University nor the method that will be adopted to prune down the already pasted list of prospective corps members.
However, non-official sources at the DSA told us that OAU is also affected by the development. About 4,000 PCMs are expected to be mobilized for the Batch ‘B’ by OAU, but going by the rate of reduction given to other institutions, OAU may end up mobilizing just 1,600 graduating students.
In the mean time, online registration for prospective corps members on NYSC website would begin on October 17.
Why The Health Centre Is Not A Bad Idea - Okpala Uzochukwu
Bimbo, have you gone to the health centre?” Ada asked Bimbo her roommate, who lay on the bed shivering.
“No” Bimbo replied, turning her face away.
“How do you expect to get well if you have not taken any treatment” Ada persisted.
“They will end up giving me Paracetamol and antimalarial tablets, that was the same thing that happened last week” Bimbo cried
“Is it not better than just staying here and just shivering?”
“Busola went to buy drugs for me” Bimbo finally answered, and used a pillow to cover her head.
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It can be disheartening to receive Paracetamol and antimalarial tablet after going through the stress of explaining to a doctor how you have been feeling pain all over your body, how you fainted twice in class, how you have been stooling and vomiting profusely for the past two weeks. And you finally end with how you took an antimalarial tablet three days ago.
Sometimes students are forced to ask some questions:
1)Are the health centre doctors well trained?
2)Do they derive certain pleasure in giving patients antimalarial drugs and Paracetamol?
3)Is it not better to go to a pharmacy shop and buy drugs or more still call my doctor at home?
Above are some of the questions bothering some students, some have even vowed not to step their foot In health centre no matter how sick they are.
Reason backs up every action of a trained professional.
Some of the facts below will help you things in a different perspective.
Malaria as a disease can present itself in various ways, and since it is the most endemic disease around us, it is safer for some doctors to start their treatment with antimalarial drugs in order to rule out malaria.
Remember those adverts on T.V that normally ends with; if symptoms persist, consult your doctor. a doctor usually knows what else to do when a patient comes back after taking meds he or she was giving without improvements. The problem is usually that students often seek alternative means once their medications do not work.
Drugs at health centre have already been paid for in the school fees, so why waste money elsewhere.
Health centre gives you the opportunity to come in contact with trained personnel (doctors, pharmacists, nurses etc.).
Drugs fail: this happens even in the best hospitals I the world. When drugs fail, a doctor can either change his treatment or ask the patient to do more tests.
Self-medication is not the best kind of treatment and in some situations, have caused more harm than good. it is advised to visit the health centre, talk to the doctor about your fears, previous treatment and anything you think he or she should know about. A patient also has the right to ask for a referral if he or she is not comfortable with the treatment.
Okpala Uzochukwu is a student of the College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University and a member of the OAU Peeps Team.
DSA Meets Elected Representatives, Excuses Social Sciences Representatives From Meeting
The Division of Students Affairs, Obafemi Awolowo University in her bid to help oversee the full reinstatement of the Obafemi Awolowo University Students Union held a meeting with the elected representatives of Faculties on Tuesday, 4th October, 2016. The meeting which was the first after the Division ordered a rerun of the elections however did not feature any representatives from the Faculty of Social Sciences as the Dean claimed that the Faculty refused to organise a rerun of her elections in defiance of the order issued out. Upon excusing the alleged representatives, the meeting continued and several pertinent issues were discussed.
Find the official communique of the Pressmen present below
"Communique of Meeting Held Between Division of Students' Affairs OAU And Student Representatives
On the 4th of October,2016, the Dean of Students' Affairs,OAU held a meeting with the student representatives from various faculties at the DSA General Office.
Below are excerpts from the meeting:
The meeting commenced with the Dean beckoning on the representatives of Faculty of Social Sciences and Law. She said Faculty of Law although did not conduct their election on the 15th of September,2016, they took permission to conduct the election at a later date.
The Acting Dean however ordered the representatives of Faculty of Social Sciences out of the meeting room over the claim that the faculty failed to hold an election on 15th of September, 2016. Olatunde Sanyaolu and Deji Akin both from Faculty of Social sciences requested that they be allowed to explain what transpired and why the faculty did not conduct an election but the Dean said "I do not want to listen to any explanation", the hesitation of the Two representatives from Social Sciences to move out of the General meeting led to the Dean calling on security operatives, Faculty of social sciences representatives moved out of the room and the meeting continued.
However, a representative from Faculty of Art named Ebenezer requested that Security men should be vacated, in his words "The necessity of security men was because some elements were unwanted at this meeting but since they have left, I see no reason for their presence, I would prefer they stay outside to avoid intimidation", the Dean consented to this and the security men left the room.
Dr (Mrs) Akinola soon after began the meeting officially by stating that the Representatives would meet with the Acting Vice Chancellor this week or next and the ban on the Students' Union activities "should" be lifted at the meeting with the vice Chancellor and that is where the Representatives "should" be converted to Electoral Commissioners and Petitioners as they have been elected at their various faculties.
The representatives after listening to the words of the Acting Dean requested that she fasten the meeting with the Acting Vice Chancellor as students need fast actions on when exactly the structure of the Union would be back, it was stated that some Faculties resolved to withdraw their reps if the union is not returned in good time, the representatives also said the spate of theft on Campus is high, Paul Positive from Faculty of Law stated the issues of welfare and other issues as important and the absence of the Union has made it lag behind.
Dr Mrs Akinola, said "The Acting Vice Chancellor is very eager to see the return of the union, as he believes that any University that does not have a Union is not complete,it was immediately I came in that he instructed me to ensure that I meet with Students, he is even more eager to see to the return of the Union even that Students themselves,immediately after he meets with you, you would be sure of all this, there are lots more you would hear from him".
The Issue of use of the word "De-proscribing" the union was touched with a Representative from the Faculty of Science stating that the union was not proscribed but the activities of the Union was suspended and so the University Management should not find it difficult to lift the suspension.
Jegede Abayomi Samuel from Faculty of Administration also requested that the Dean, DSA should be consistent with statements emanating from her office on issues of the Union election, as there has been disparities lately, the Acting Dean however denied that she has been inconsistent with statements,she said "I have not been inconsistent with statements and do not have a reason to lie, it is what we say that we bring out".
The representatives of the Association of Campus Journalists OAU also corroborated the statement of the Dean, stating fully that there has been disparities from statements emanating from the Division of Students Affairs and the issue should be looked into to ensure that there is no confusion.
Some Representatives clamoured for a leadership face for the Faculty reps, Positive from law said "We need to have a leader amongst us to lead us, if we do not have a leader it would not be good" , other Representatives stood against this they claimed that the necessity of a leader is not justified as the DSA has phone numbers of everyone and can communicate to the leaders through this process,especially as the meeting with the Acting VC is fast approaching.
The request for a leader was stepped down finally,as all faculty reps will be communicated to.
On the issue of theft and security of hostels the Dean raised a suggestion that students should put on identity cards in their hostels, this was supported by a Representative from Faculty of Science, however Ebenezer from Faculty of Arts went against this,he said "You cannot expect me to put on identity card while on my underwear in the hostel,it is not possible", this drew laughter around the room and the suggestion was dropped.
On the issue of trust between Students and Management, the Acting Dean said" We know that the students may not believe,but we have been holding meetings from time to time, it shows we are committed, it is the past administrations that are not sincere, the past administrations are liars, I am sorry but we are not in this administration".
The Acting Dean also requested that all those having issues with payments should visit her office, this was after a representative from Faculty of Science spoke about the way students have not been able to pay their school fee due to economic situation or the country.
It was agreed at the end of the meeting that the next meeting date,which would be with the vice Chancellor would be communicated through text messages and pasting of the notice.
The meeting ended with the Acting Dean advising all representatives to focus on their Academic and replicate good ethics."
"Only University Lecturers Can Rig" - Richard Awololola
During a trip organised by the Faculty of Administration for students offering her special elective, Mr Richard Awolola of the procurement department of the Osun state Independent Electoral Commission allegedly made claims that only lecturers of Universities rig elections. The electoral officer in his speech talked about election rigging whilst addressing the students on the trip, he posited that since university lecturers collate election results, they are the ones that can alter figures. He further based his claims on the fact that these lecturers are the ones that serve as returning officers during elections, he cited the instance of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor 'Tale Omole who announced the results of the last Osun State gubernatorial election.
Also In his address, he also endeavoured to enlighten students of the the Faculty of Arts, Clinical sciences and some others on the usefulness of the card reader, especially in helping curb electoral malpractices in Nigeria. He attributed the usual election inconclusiveness to the uninformed electorates, most of whom are often ignorant of the dos and don'ts of elections, he elaborated that students can stand and serve as instruments that can be used in correcting the ignorance of the masses about election processes.
OAU Reverses Stance, Admits Using A 50-50 Screening Model
This is to inform all OAU Aspirant that the model for their screening Exercise has been changed from a UTME/O'Level ratio of 70:30 to a 50:50 ratio.
How to Calculate Screening Result
1. Both the UTME score and your O'level results' grades are
computed to assess you.
2. For the screening, UTME result weighs 50% of your total
score and the remaining 50% from your O'level results.
3. Your best 8 subjects are computed; With A1 = 8, B2 =
7, B3 = 6, C4 = 5, C5 = 4, C6 = 3, and so on.
4. Maximum points from your best 8 O'level subjects is 64
( A1 = 8 X 8 subjects).
5. Your O'level points is then converted to 50% (Assuming
y is your O'level points, then, it will now be calculated
thus: y/64 X 50).
6. For your UTME points, it will be calculated thus: Your
UTME score/400 X 50.
7. Your final merged score, which will be used for
admission now = UTME points (maximum of 50) + O' level
points (maximum of 50) = 100.
With this change, cut off marks earlier released by some faculties may be changed.
All Aspirants are however advised to reprint their screening result slip from University website (eportal.oauife.edu.ng] as fast as possible.
Tuesday, 4 October 2016
Apply For NNPC/Total National Merit Scholarship
Total Upstream Nigeria Limited (TUPNI), in pursuance of its Corporate Social Responsibility, is pleased to announce the commencement of 2016/2017 NNPC/TOTAL National Merit Scholarship application. The scholarship Selection Test conducted on Saturday December 3, 2016, at eleven (11) Centers across the Country.
Annually, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) , and Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria (TUCN): Total Exploration & Production Nigeria Limited (Total E&P Nig Ltd) and Total Upstream Nigeria Limited (TUPNI), together with their venture partners, award scholarships to deserving Nigerian students in the tertiary institutions in the country.
The programme is aimed at promoting academic excellence and quality manpower development in the Country. This is one of the many ways TOTAL demonstrates its commitment to the educational development of Nigerian students. It is a part of TOTAL’s rich Corporate Social Responsibility.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 4th November, 2016. Students are encouraged to submit their applications well in advance of the deadline.
Value of Scholarship
Eligibility Criteria
NOTE: All undergraduates in 100 and 200 levels are qualified irrespective of the course they are studying.
To qualify for consideration, the applicant MUST:
1. Be a Registered FULL TIME undergraduate in a recognized Nigerian University
2. Be a certified 100 or 200 level student at the time of application
3. Show proof of SSCE or Equivalent Certificate.
4. Show proof of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) score.
5. Show proof of Admission letter from the University and Matriculation Number
6. Show proof of A-level or Equivalent Certificate (for direct entry students)
PLEASE NOTE:
Students with less than 200 score in UTME need not apply
Students with less than 2.50 CGPA of 5-point scale, or equivalent
300 level students and above need not apply
Current beneficiaries of similar awards from any other Company or Government Agency need not apply.
What documents do I need to submit with my application?
1. Recent passport photo
2. Certificate or proof of origin
3. Senior Secondary Certificate of Education SSCE
4. UTME result
5. JAMB/University Admission Letter
6. First Year result showing CGPA.
NOTE: Each document size should not be more than 200KB and the image format for your pass-port must be in JPEG, other files must be in PDF.
Follow this link to register for 2016/2017 NNPC/TOTAL Scholarship.
