OAU CDL Generated Over N3bn From Predegree Programme Between 2011 & 2015

The Centre for Distance Learning (CDL), Obafemi Awolowo University generated a sum of N3,097,220,700 in revenue from its pre-degree programme between 2011 and 2015, the findings of the Vice-Chancellor’s task force has revealed.

Sometime in September, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Anthony Elujoba had set up a taskforce with a view to look into realistic revenue-sharing formula for all the University IGR outfits, including the CDL.

In the report of the taskforce chaired by Prof. O. Adejuyigbe of the Department of Surgery, it revealed that most revenue generated by the distance learning centre came from its pre-degree programme. According to the report, application for the pre-degree programme within those years raked in N509,357,100 while tuition fee paid by admitted students totalled N1,514,896,000.

Some other charges which include “hostel Accommodation which is collected on behalf of the third party (Hostel Owners), Health Care Fees, Identity Card Fees, Caution Fees and E-service, E-portal Services and Administrative Fees,” were categorised as ‘Miscellaneous Fees’ in the account book of the centre. The miscellaneous fees accrued a total of N1,078,967,600 between 2011 and 2015.

From the report, OAU Peeps News Agency observed that a revenue sharing formula of 60% to the University and 40% to the Centre was used in 2011 and 2012, while a 50-50 sharing formula was eventually adopted in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Explaining the change in revenue sharing formula, the Director of the Centre for Distance Learning, Professor H. B. Olaniyi told the taskforce that “it was when it became imperative to construct the Administrative Block and other infrastructures that a submission was presented to the University that the Centre could not survive on the 40% share, and after the University in its wisdom considered the submission, it approved the 50/50 sharing formula”.

However, the taskforce noted in its findings that the Directorate of Audit had not been reviewing the Centre’s Books of Account. Furthermore, the taskforce stated that from its interactions with the representatives of the Bursar and the Director, Internal Audit, it appeared that the University has not been assertive as it should be as there were no evidences that showed that the University directed that the Centre’s Books of Account to be reviewed by the Internal Audit.

“There is no section of the Bursary Department that is saddled with the keeping of the financial transactions of the Centre and as such it appeared difficult to confirm the financial records presented by Mr.Faniran, the Centre’s Accountant,” the report added.

The OAU pre-degree is one of the most expensive in Nigeria and students pay over N200,000 for the 9-month programme. The 2016/2017 academic session resumed some days ago while some the graduates of the previous session are still awaiting admission into the degree programmes of the university.

Report Absolves OAU Parks & Gardens Unit Head Of Alleged Wrongdoings

Mr Ajiteru

Allegations contained in the petition written against the Head of the Obafemi Awolowo University Parks and Gardens Unit, Mr O. H. Ajiteru by some casual workers of the unit are not true and cannot be proved beyond doubt, the task force saddled with the responsibility of investigating the claims have submitted.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Professor Anthony Elujoba had requested, through the Chairperson, on 5th November 2016 that the Task Force on Parks and Gardens Unit investigate the veracity of the claims in a petition he received from some casual workers in the Unit and to submit the report along with the initial assignment given to the Task Force.

Part of the allegations against the Unit Head include the collection of one thousand Naira (N1, 000.00) each from about 300 casual workers, collection of three hundred Naira (N300.00) each from every casual staff every month to purchase one compact disc needed to process their wages, illegal sales and use of flowers meant for university work to private institutions and that Mr Ajiteru was also involved in illegal felling and sale of trees on the University estate.

Other allegations include that Mr Ajiteru collected one hundred thousand Naira (N100,000.00) from clearing contractors which he refused to share with the workers in the Unit and marking the casual workers absent even when they were present, which eventually affected the amount of their wages.

In the report of its findings, the taskforce said it invited for interaction, all the persons that signed the petition letter, the Head of the Unit, Mr. O. H. Ajiteru, all workers in the Unit mentioned in the letter, Chief Security Officer or his representative, Manager, Wema Bank OAU branch or his representative and other persons whose names were mentioned in the course of the interactions.

According to the taskforce, after hearing all parties involved, it realized that most of the allegations against Ajiteru were not true.

“Most of their allegations, for example, contribution of N1000.00 instead of N600.00 for end of year party and N300.00 monthly instead of yearly for disc and welfare, were actually not true and the issue of inappropriate deduction of their wages could not be proved beyond any reasonable doubt as the person marking the register confirmed that they were marked absent when they were really absent.

“Mr. Ajiteru was not directly involved in the initiation, collection and disbursement of the money contributed by the casual workers.

“There has been a lot of laxity in the control of the casual workers because Mr. Ajiteru was not given the free hand to discipline erring workers by the former DVC Administration, Prof. O. Ajayi, who personally addressed the workers, undermining Mr. Ajiteru’s leadership duty,” read the report.

The taskforce however recommended that “casual workers in the Parks and Gardens Unit are not prima facie members of staff of the University and they should be made to realize this. Petitions from them should end with the Director, Division of Works and Maintenance Services (DWMS), who is the overall boss of the Unit. They should not have any direct access to the Vice-Chancellor.” Other recommendations include that the petitioners should be warned to obey the Head of the Unit, failure of which their service should be dispensed with.

Members of the taskforce on Parks and Gardens Unit include Prof. O. O. Orafidiya (Chairperson), Dr. [Mrs] E.F. Aransiola (Member), Dr. A.M. Makinde (Member), Dr. A.O. Adesoji (Member) and Mr. O. Aina (Secretary).

OAU Senate Backs Acting VC, Describes EFCC Invitation As Misplaced

The Senate, Obafemi Awolowo University has described the invitation of the institution’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Anthony Elujoba by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as misplaced and embarrassing.

Following the meeting of the Senate last week Friday, the senate said it has reviewed and discussed Elujoba’s invitation by the EFCC, in respect of the payment of productivity bonus and alleged enrichment of himself with N7m furniture allowance. The senate however said, those allegations are not true and unfounded.

“…the N300,000 to the Senior and N150,000 to Junior Staff became necessary in pursuit of the general powers and mandate of the Acting Vice-Chancellor as the Chief Security Officer on campus to maintain peace, law and order and to prevent loss of lives and property. Moreso, this similar allowance had been paid to staff in other universities under different names and titles,” a statement signed by the Registrar and Secretary to the Senate, D. O. Awoyemi read.

Defending the N7million furniture allowance granted the Acting Vice-Chancellor, the senate said since the provision of Elujoba’s appointment qualifies him to receive the same benefit as that of a substantive Vice-Chancellor, then, the payment was in order. “The payment of the said furniture allowance was statutorily approved by the Governing Council, Obafemi Awolowo University, at its meeting of 9th and 10th May, 2013 without provision for any payment pro-rata,” the statement added.

The action of the country’s anti-graft agency has continued to generate several concerns among staff and students of the institution.

Fynestboi In Conjunction With Eduregard Organises Essay Contest

Fynestboi in conjuction with EDUREGARD presents;

"An Essay Writing Contest For OAU Students"

Subsequent to diligent initiative and instinctive stimulations, and also as a way to get through the thoughts of OAU students. Fynestboi- the President Of the National Association of Philosophy Students and Mr Nairaland 2016, has decided to organise an essay contest, where students will be able to bring forth ideas and views in a digital environment.

HOW TO APPLY
Send a mail, with the subject "EDUREGARD Essay Contest" containing your Name, Phone Number and Department to Fynestboi@Eduregard.com

OR Send a text containing your Name, Phone Number and Department to 08149565292 / 08094909939

Expect a message from EDUREGARD, within a day, containing the topic you are to write on.

DEADLINE
Submission ends January 9, 2017.

PRIZES
1st Position - N30,000
2nd Position - N20,000
3rd Position - N10,000
4th - 6th Position - EDUREGARD Customized Shirt

NOTE : All write-ups will  be posted on EDUREGARD and you will receive a notification when due.

Sponsored by: EDUREGARD | FATTKAY | #TEAMFYNESTBOI

Supported by: TrendsNaija, #DockthorMedia, Leystradamus, Pigeonpost, YOMINigeria, #1650Digital, OAUPeeps, CheroVibes, Novel Event, Radar News Network, Timagex Photography, OAU NewsTrack and many more...

EFCC Summons OAU VC, Bursar Over Alleged Misappropriation

The Vice-Chancellor (In the white jacket) With Some Other Principal Officers On An Inspection Visit

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has summoned the acting Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Anthony Elujoba, and Bursar, Mrs. Aderonke Akeredolu, over the payment of an ‘unapproved’ hazard allowances to the institution’s workers.

The allowances paid to the academic and non-academic staff, our correspondents gathered, were over N1bn.

It was learnt that the allowances were sourced from the university’s endowment funds account, which is usually dedicated for projects.

It should be noted that it was largely the non-payment of these allowances that caused most of the major issues on campus with the last administration.

But the spokesperson for the university, Mr. Biodun Olarewaju, argued that the specific fund used in paying the allowances was not attached to any project in the account.

It was also gathered that certain allowances earmarked for the office of the VC were also being investigated by the federal agency.

The letter, signed by Mr. Oseni Kazeem of the Southwest Zonal Office of the commission in Ibadan, Oyo State, advised the invited officers to come along with necessary documents.

The letter reads in part, “The office is currently investigating a case in which there is the need to obtain clarification from you. In view of the foregoing, you and your bursar are requested to report to our office for an interview.

“You are also to come along with the following documents: the salary payment schedule/any other payment made to senior staff and junior staff in August and September, 2016; payment vouchers relating to furniture allowances paid to the VC from the day he assumed office to date; certified true copies of the monthly salary pay slips of the VC from the day he assumed office to date.”

When contacted on the telephone on Monday, Olarewaju said the payment of the allowances should not be tagged as misappropriation.

He said, “The acting VC has been invited by the EFCC to come and make some clarification and as a law abiding citizen, he will attend. Afterwards, we will know what to do.

“The fund used to pay the allowances cannot amount to misappropriation. The said money was not attached to any project or anything. It was just in the account.  And, of course, when the life of a member of the staff of the university was threatened by those who are agitating for the payment, the acting VC had to save the situation by paying the allowances to douse the tension.

“You will agree with me that, since then, there have been peace on campus. It was not that the money was in that account for a particular project and was diverted. The issue of misappropriation does not arise here.”


It would be recalled that the hazard allowances were a major reason why members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities at the institution protested against the former administration headed by Prof. Bamitale Omole.

 Source 

Part One Student Of Dramatic Arts Allegedly Dies From Liver Complications

Oladimeji Abayomi

Reports reaching us now is that a part one student of the Department of Dramatic Arts has given up the ghost.

Oladimeji Abayomi who was to be a part one student of Dramatic Arts was said to have lost his life yesterday after battling with a liver problem for a while. Abayomi was also said to have participated in the Obafemi Awolowo University convocation play that was performed on 7th of December, 2016. When reached, some of his colleagues in the Dramatic Arts his untimely demise.

We pray that his soul rest in peace and God grants his family the fortitude to bear this sad loss.

Meet Babajide Oni, The Best Graduating Student At 42nd Convocation Of The Obafemi Awolowo University

Oni Babajide David

An interview of Mr Oni Babajide, best graduating student at the 42nd Annual Convocation ceremony of the Obafemi Awolowo University carried out by OAU Peeps News Agency.

OAU Peeps: Good day Mr Oni, please do introduce yourself.

Babajide Oni: My name is Oni Babajide David, a graduate of the Department of Agricultural Economics of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

OAU Peeps: Alright, thank you very much Mr Oni but I think you were quite modest with the introduction, considering the fact that you were the best graduating student at the recently concluded 42nd Convocation of the Obafemi Awolowo University. Perhaps you could shed more light on this and also on your educational background in general.

Babajide Oni: Yes, I love modesty in everything I do. Being the best graduating student for the 2014/2015 session in OAU is not by my power but a function of team work and of God who made it happen.
As regards my educational background, I was just a normal average student all throughout my secondary school days, but everything changed when I decided to beat the best and be the best.

OAU Peeps: Interesting, and when exactly did you make this life-changing decision sir?

Babajide Oni: I made that decision in the year 2011 after listening to a message by the General overseer of my church in person of Dr. D.K Olukoya on 'Beating the best and being the best.'

OAU Peeps: Interesting. You are a graduate of Agricultural Economics. We would like to ask Sir, was this your original choice when you came into the Obafemi Awolowo University and if not, when exactly did it change?

Babajide Oni: No, it wasn't. I chose medicine and surgery as first choice but I picked OAU as my second choice of institution. I actually asked for a stethoscope and I was given a hoe like my teacher said. Upon discovering that I would not be offered medicine due to the fact that I picked OAU as my second choice, I decided to study Agricultural Economics in 2010/11 academic session.

OAU Peeps: And looking back now Sir, would you say making that decision was good?

Babajide Oni: I am very sure I made the right decision. This became clear in my second year when I had the chance to apply for a change of course to study medicine. But then, my sole purpose to solve unemployment problem in Nigeria through agriculture was discovered hence I had to just answer the call to do agriculture.

OAU Peeps: Hmmm. Inspiring. We would also love to know, outside academics, were you involved in any other thing?

Babajide Oni: Yes, I was. I hoped to be a versatile graduate hence I participated in politics by serving as a parliamentarian for two sessions and served as the public relations officer of the Great Ife Students Union Elections Petitions Committee. Also, I served as an executive in my fellowship as the ICT/Business unit head. Lastly, I was involved in my personal businesses too.

OAU Peeps: Versatile indeed sir. And just how did you balance out these activities with school work?

Babajide Oni: Basically, it was about doing the right thing at the right time. Likewise sacrificing sleeping hours too. Also, seizing every free time and moment.

OAU Peeps: And apparently that paid off well. Also, having gone through the system zealously, what can you say about the quality of education in Nigeria?

Babajide Oni: Hmm... Truthfully, the education system in Nigeria is somewhat archaic and outlandish. You just take courses that you don't need in your discipline. But then there is a lot to be done in the educational sector of this country. And I believe that there is still hope for this country considering the outstanding performance of Nigerians in diaspora.

OAU Peeps: Okay sir. Considering your earlier comment on agriculture as a way out of unemployment, is this to say that you have plans to go into agriculture sometime in the future?

Babajide Oni: Yes, I do have plans to go into agriculture in the future. But then, I plan to redefine the image of agriculture in Nigeria and that was why I started a concept known as Agrocapitalism Initiatives.
One of the eminent professors in my faculty gave an inaugural lecture titled "Who will bring back the farm children?". It was a brilliant lecture, but I think the question ought be "Who will welcome the farm children?". Hence, there arises a need to create a platform that will be homely for the farm children. This and many more I look forward to doing in the nearest future.

OAU Peeps: Interesting sir. As we round off, we would like to know of the challenges you faced as an undergraduate?

Babajide Oni: The challenges faced as an undergraduate are numerous than I can remember but all I can say is that in spite of them all, God made me more than a conqueror.

OAU Peeps: Alright sir, finally what is your advice to other students looking forward to achieving a feat like yours?

Babajide Oni: Well, I can only advice them to believe in themselves and trust God with all their hearts and He will make every crooked way straight. Lastly, be focused and determined to beat the best and be the best in anything you find yourself doing.

OAU Peeps: Nice words of advice, Mr Oni. Thank you for your time.

Babajide Oni: You are welcome.

OAU Peeps: And congratulations on your feat.

Babajide Oni: Thanks a lot.

OAU Peeps: On behalf of the OAU Peeps News Agency, I wish you the best in your future endeavours.

Babajide Oni: Amen and thank you. See you at the top