By Akinnusoye David
On the evening of Tuesday, June 20th 2017 the President of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Students' Union, Oyekan Ibukun, in an open interaction with Students disclosed the price of the recently purchased bus for the Union. The bus which was before now alleged to cost about 3 million naira (N3m) had caused an uproar in the Union and even beyond, with the news going round on various social blogs.
In his interaction, the president disclosed that the bus did not cost N3m but N2.5m. Even with this, several students still claim that there the 14-seater bus is not worth the price mentioned despite the Photograph of a receipt which is being circulated on Social media.
Addressing the students, the union president said,
"Telling you the amount of money paid for the bus is not a problem. Yes, the bus was bought at 2.5m not 3million naira. If you don't believe it. You can go out and do your findings"
The purchasing of buses has been reportedly claimed by the union President as a way of easing and dealing with the issues of transportation arising on OAU campus, especially at nighttime.
Wednesday, 21 June 2017
Tuesday, 20 June 2017
Anthony Elujoba: The People, The Man and His Legacy
By 'Joba Ojelabi
My first encounter with Professor Anthony Elujoba was in my sophomore year in the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife. It was my first year in the Faculty of Pharmacy and sadly, my first time handling a working microscope. Like most of my colleagues, I did not know what I was expected to see under the lens so at the sight of everything not the bright background light, I called the laboratory demonstrator. It was in the midst of this that he walked in. It was as though even the air of the laboratory recognized the oldest lecturer in the department of Pharmacognosy as it, alongside other staff present stood still. This was not his first time of stopping by the laboratory to assess the performance of the demonstrators and students. The events that followed showed that it would not be his last. At the time, he did not hold any official position, his visits were only that of the concerned elder whose presence in the market square ensured the neonate properly rested on his mother’s back. Looking back now, I think maybe the old Professor just wanted to ensure that we did things right.
The drama that ensued at the exit of Professor Bamitale Omole is one that the Obafemi Awolowo University community would not forget in a hurry. The alleged misdoings of the Professor of International Relations and the fact that his deputy emerged in what many described as a corrupt process threw staff unions, especially the non-academic staff, into a massive frenzy. It is therefore not strange to hear believers of the supernatural to describe the emergence of Professor Anthony Elujoba as the acting Vice-Chancellor of the university as divine. The Village Chemist walked into the new office with a tremendous amount of humility or at least, so the media made it seem: He was kneeling for prayers in open spaces; for the first time in a long while, principal officers of the university paid unannounced visits to the undergraduate Halls of Residence; he was prostrating to greet the Ooni of Ife etc. These, amongst other things, made it seems as though the new Vice-chancellor might actually be the man to save the day. However, still some doubt existed.
Halfway into his administration, several questions were asked again. Going by the laws of the University, an acting Vice-chancellor could only operate for a renewable six-month term. Was Anthony Elujoba going to be around for another six months? The insatiable students had already begun to grumble about how he was all talk and no action and the renovations that had come earlier in his administration might just be a hoax. But still, quite a number of members of the university still wanted the “doing things right” Professor to remain, for although the electricity condition on campus might not have improved greatly, somehow he had managed to keep the gates of the University open for six months despite several threats of strike actions had come from several quarters. And when it came to the Non-academic staff, it was as though the man had something that just gave them hope and joy. For whenever they saw him, they had a huge tendency to burst into ecstasy. Once I met some Non-academic staff who asked me where they could buy “Professor Elujoba’s Jedi Decoction” in the Faculty of Pharmacy and although I knew that my home faculty dealt in some herbal remedies, I did not know that Professor Elujoba had invented such a remedy but I directed them to the Faculty anyways. A reaffirmation of the love the people had for Anthony Elujoba would once again be proven when he was invited to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The mere thought of his invitation sparked a lot of outrage amongst members of the university and the day that he honored the invitation would be remembered in the OAU campus as the day almost, if not, all unions in the Obafemi Awolowo University stood on the same ground, all for one man!
As a true student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, I have visited the Oduduwa Hall of the university more times than I can remember but Wednesday, the 7th of June 2017 would remain one of my most memorable visits to the Hall. That day, I saw the kind of joy which, before then, I had only seen in fans of soccer. One not merely born of obligation or compulsion but of love. I saw old men sing the “Elu…” song at the top of their voices for the man whom had somehow managed to gain so much love for himself. And although some students and staff remained indifferent about the performance of the ecclesiastical professor after his ten months tenure, not a lot of people disliked him and whatever their number was, it remained almost insignificant compared to the amount that had come to revere him. I do not believe Professor Anthony Elujoba is the best speech giver. I feel he is more of a preacher but preacher or not, every word of his valedictory speech drew resounding applause and ultimately, I feel some of that love might have been transferred to his successor, Professor Eyitope Ogunmodede.
Professor Anthony Elujoba might not have been the best Vice-chancellor but he is surely a man to laud. His “doing things right” philosophy which he managed to sing at every opportunity seems to have worked out just fine for him and his humility was one that left mouths agape. Only a few can match his tremendous work in and love for academic research, little wonder that barely a month after his exit from office, the Professor of Pharmacognosy is already facilitating research and seminars.
I do not know how history would keep the memories of Anthony Elujoba but it is certain the Obafemi Awolowo University would not forget the Professor who did things right!
My first encounter with Professor Anthony Elujoba was in my sophomore year in the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife. It was my first year in the Faculty of Pharmacy and sadly, my first time handling a working microscope. Like most of my colleagues, I did not know what I was expected to see under the lens so at the sight of everything not the bright background light, I called the laboratory demonstrator. It was in the midst of this that he walked in. It was as though even the air of the laboratory recognized the oldest lecturer in the department of Pharmacognosy as it, alongside other staff present stood still. This was not his first time of stopping by the laboratory to assess the performance of the demonstrators and students. The events that followed showed that it would not be his last. At the time, he did not hold any official position, his visits were only that of the concerned elder whose presence in the market square ensured the neonate properly rested on his mother’s back. Looking back now, I think maybe the old Professor just wanted to ensure that we did things right.
The drama that ensued at the exit of Professor Bamitale Omole is one that the Obafemi Awolowo University community would not forget in a hurry. The alleged misdoings of the Professor of International Relations and the fact that his deputy emerged in what many described as a corrupt process threw staff unions, especially the non-academic staff, into a massive frenzy. It is therefore not strange to hear believers of the supernatural to describe the emergence of Professor Anthony Elujoba as the acting Vice-Chancellor of the university as divine. The Village Chemist walked into the new office with a tremendous amount of humility or at least, so the media made it seem: He was kneeling for prayers in open spaces; for the first time in a long while, principal officers of the university paid unannounced visits to the undergraduate Halls of Residence; he was prostrating to greet the Ooni of Ife etc. These, amongst other things, made it seems as though the new Vice-chancellor might actually be the man to save the day. However, still some doubt existed.
Halfway into his administration, several questions were asked again. Going by the laws of the University, an acting Vice-chancellor could only operate for a renewable six-month term. Was Anthony Elujoba going to be around for another six months? The insatiable students had already begun to grumble about how he was all talk and no action and the renovations that had come earlier in his administration might just be a hoax. But still, quite a number of members of the university still wanted the “doing things right” Professor to remain, for although the electricity condition on campus might not have improved greatly, somehow he had managed to keep the gates of the University open for six months despite several threats of strike actions had come from several quarters. And when it came to the Non-academic staff, it was as though the man had something that just gave them hope and joy. For whenever they saw him, they had a huge tendency to burst into ecstasy. Once I met some Non-academic staff who asked me where they could buy “Professor Elujoba’s Jedi Decoction” in the Faculty of Pharmacy and although I knew that my home faculty dealt in some herbal remedies, I did not know that Professor Elujoba had invented such a remedy but I directed them to the Faculty anyways. A reaffirmation of the love the people had for Anthony Elujoba would once again be proven when he was invited to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The mere thought of his invitation sparked a lot of outrage amongst members of the university and the day that he honored the invitation would be remembered in the OAU campus as the day almost, if not, all unions in the Obafemi Awolowo University stood on the same ground, all for one man!
As a true student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, I have visited the Oduduwa Hall of the university more times than I can remember but Wednesday, the 7th of June 2017 would remain one of my most memorable visits to the Hall. That day, I saw the kind of joy which, before then, I had only seen in fans of soccer. One not merely born of obligation or compulsion but of love. I saw old men sing the “Elu…” song at the top of their voices for the man whom had somehow managed to gain so much love for himself. And although some students and staff remained indifferent about the performance of the ecclesiastical professor after his ten months tenure, not a lot of people disliked him and whatever their number was, it remained almost insignificant compared to the amount that had come to revere him. I do not believe Professor Anthony Elujoba is the best speech giver. I feel he is more of a preacher but preacher or not, every word of his valedictory speech drew resounding applause and ultimately, I feel some of that love might have been transferred to his successor, Professor Eyitope Ogunmodede.
Professor Anthony Elujoba might not have been the best Vice-chancellor but he is surely a man to laud. His “doing things right” philosophy which he managed to sing at every opportunity seems to have worked out just fine for him and his humility was one that left mouths agape. Only a few can match his tremendous work in and love for academic research, little wonder that barely a month after his exit from office, the Professor of Pharmacognosy is already facilitating research and seminars.
I do not know how history would keep the memories of Anthony Elujoba but it is certain the Obafemi Awolowo University would not forget the Professor who did things right!
Sunday, 18 June 2017
GoPoethick 2017 To Hold Between 27th-29th July, To Feature Dike Chukwumerije, Romeo Oriogun Others
GO POETHICK is a festival of poetry that began in 2015, at Obafemi Awolowo University. Our aim was to bring the art of poetry to young people in Nigerian universities, so that we can create a fertile ground for the growth of the art.
This year’s edition will feature series of exciting activities including: panel discussions, secondary schools visitation, Bon-fire poetry party and a poetry and theatre production by one of Nigeria’s finest performance poets, Dike Chukwumerije.
With a blend of fashion and culture, this year’s edition promises to deliver a three-days non-stop fun, befitting of a well-planned festival and is scheduled to hold between Thursday 27th July and Saturday 29th July 2017.
A major Highlight for this year's festival is the "Made In Nigeria Show", a poetry and theatre production by Dike Chukwumerije, hosted by the Simply Poetry production crew. The show is scheduled to at the Oduduwa Hall in the evening of Saturday, 29th July 2017.
Tickets for the Poetry and Theatre Production are already on sale. Visit www.Gopoethick.com.ng for more details.
For sponsorship and enquiries, contact Victor on 09091204454
Novel Nigeria To Host First Online Summit In October 2017
Novel Nigeria, a fast rising brand, is set to hold its first ever online summit; the YES festival. Find its official press release below.
The YES! Festival is an annual 30-day online summit for successful business leaders, brand owners and aspiring entrepreneurs from different fields of business all over the world. It's a business festival bringing together business leaders in various fields for riveting discussions and debates with focus on branding, advertising, marketing, monetization, distribution and lots more.
We have as target, 30 business leaders across 25 African countries and at least 500 participants for the events.
Our program line-up includes; Business Lectures, Book Reviews, Charity Tour, YES! Essay Contest and lots more. YES! Festival is scheduled to hold on 2nd - 31st October, 2017.
#30,000 Airtime Awoof, cash and other consolation prices will be won.
To register, pay summit fee (#500) to any branch of GTBank into 0208654248 (Ndimele Kingsley)
Send YES! using your WhatsApp number to +2348102969700 via SMS.
SMS confirming your approval will be sent to you immediately.
To participate in the YES! Essay Contest,visit www.novelnigeria.blogspot.com for more details.
62,140 Candidates To Rewrite UTME On First July
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) yesterday said that 62,140 candidates, who had issues with late registration, biometric non-verification and cancellation of results would have to rewrite the examination.
The board said the rescheduled examination would hold on 1st of July 2017 across the candidates’ centres.
JAMB Registrar Is-haq Oloyede spoke yesterday after a meeting of the board’s management with chief external examiners and other major stakeholders on the conduct of 2017 UTME, at its headquarters, Bwari, Abuja.
Oloyede said the meeting candidates approved the cancellation of the results of 1,386 candidates for examination
He added that these candidates would not be allowed to rewrite the examination.
The JAMB registrar said: “The meeting approved the cancellation of the results of 1,386 individual candidates found culpable of examination malpractice. The cancellation of results of 57,646 in centres-induced malpractice. The cancellation of the two results of the 666 candidates engaged in multiple examinations.
“The meeting also agreed on the rescheduling of examination for candidates of centres with mass malpractice, but who are deemed innocent, biometric non-verification machine related issues, late registration, four lost sessions in three centres due to malfunctioning of three servers at the centre and incomplete results.”
According to him, the meeting also approved the delisting of 48 computer based test centres from participating in JAMB examination because of various infractions.
The 62,140 cancelled results include 57,646 candidates in centres-induced malpractice, 3,811 late registration, and 683 candidates who had biometric challenges.
“The meeting approved the suspension of 24 computer based test centres for one year due to technical issues. These centres would not participate in the 2018 unified tertiary matriculation examination but they can be reconsidered for 2019 and above.
The delisting of 48 centres from participating in the board’s examination in future as a result of serious technical deficiencies, extortion, organised examination malpractices and other damaging infractions,” he added.
Wednesday, 14 June 2017
Inaugural Lectures Are Often Opportunities For Counting Someone's Blessings - OAU Don.
The 11th of the 15 recognised Professors of Estate Management in Nigeria, Professor Olusegun Adebayo has spoken on "New wine in New wineskins: travails in the enhancement of the appraisal of Real Estate" at the University's 303rd Inaugural Lecture chaired by the University's Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede; this being the first Inaugural Lecture to be chaired by him.
The Professor who delivered his Inaugural Lecture at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on 13th June, 2017 stressed the blessings attached to being a Professor and the glory embedded in delivering one's once in a lifetime Inaugural Lecture.
At the commencement of his lecture the Professor, commenting hugely on the state of the Nation's Estate Management stated that"The profession of the Estate Surveyor and Valuer in Nigeria is a profession that provides all kinds of expert advice (economic and legal) to potential and existing real estate investors".
Further into the lecture, he charged artisans and workers to always and unceasingly refine themselves and adapt to the changing demands of their clients if they wish to continue to be relevant. He went ahead to pose questions to firms "How many firms have research departments?", "How many firms or practitioners make use of research outputs of postgraduate research?"
The Don, also accused private and public sector of continuing practice 'in the way it has always been done', neglecting the advances that have been occurring in a changing investment environment.
Amongst the awards and accolades won by Professor Adebayo are the Sam Udo-Akagha (Former President, Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers); Trophy for the best student in an academic competition in 1986; His PhD thesis was adjudged best for the 2002 session, submitted by the University for the NUPTAS prize; The Best Paper Award of the African Real Estate Society Conference 2012; Two Best Paper Awards at the 2014 International Real estate Research Symposium in Malaysia; and a gold medal in Table Tennis for the University in 2014 amongst other honorary awards.
Thursday, 8 June 2017
OAU Vice Chancellor Performs His First Official Function; Matriculates Over 7500 Students.
The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife today matriculated another set of fresh students into the institution. The matriculation featured the presence of the Registrar, the Acting University Librarian, the Bursar, Provost College of Health Sciences and Postgraduate College, Heads of Departments and the likes.
Being his first matriculation ceremony and his first official assignment, the just inaugurated 11th substantive Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede enjoined students to shun cultism and draw a zero allegiance to violent behavior and examination malpractice.
"It's pertinent to caution you to beware of colleagues who may want to lure you into bad behavior. Let me state unequivocally that this university has zero tolerance for examination malpractice, cultism, violent behavior, religious bigotry, sexual harassment and all forms of disregard to constituted authority".
The Vice Chancellor also assured the fresh students of "every possible step and visions to encourage excellence, outstanding scholarship, notable contributions to community development and originality of thought". "I wish to promise that we will do our best to ensure that we make your stay in the university memorable, convenient and comfortable within the resources available to us. I assure you of our readiness to always ensure that issues affecting students are addressed as promptly as possible and we shall endeavor to always ensure that priority is given to provisions of essential needs to make you succeed in your studies".
He also promised to balance, restructure and ensure stable academic calendar, and advised the fresh students not to abide with any form of activism that could cost them the termination of their studentship or leave a negative impact on them and try not to disrupt the established peace of the university community at large.
The Vice Chancellor further congratulated the lucky parents and guardians who have been able to see their children to another level in life, and referred to matriculation as one of the greatest ever achievements in man's life.
After the formalities were done with, the fresh students then had the opportunity to felicitate with their family and friends who came to celebrate with them.
Being his first matriculation ceremony and his first official assignment, the just inaugurated 11th substantive Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede enjoined students to shun cultism and draw a zero allegiance to violent behavior and examination malpractice.
"It's pertinent to caution you to beware of colleagues who may want to lure you into bad behavior. Let me state unequivocally that this university has zero tolerance for examination malpractice, cultism, violent behavior, religious bigotry, sexual harassment and all forms of disregard to constituted authority".
The Vice Chancellor also assured the fresh students of "every possible step and visions to encourage excellence, outstanding scholarship, notable contributions to community development and originality of thought". "I wish to promise that we will do our best to ensure that we make your stay in the university memorable, convenient and comfortable within the resources available to us. I assure you of our readiness to always ensure that issues affecting students are addressed as promptly as possible and we shall endeavor to always ensure that priority is given to provisions of essential needs to make you succeed in your studies".
He also promised to balance, restructure and ensure stable academic calendar, and advised the fresh students not to abide with any form of activism that could cost them the termination of their studentship or leave a negative impact on them and try not to disrupt the established peace of the university community at large.
The Vice Chancellor further congratulated the lucky parents and guardians who have been able to see their children to another level in life, and referred to matriculation as one of the greatest ever achievements in man's life.
After the formalities were done with, the fresh students then had the opportunity to felicitate with their family and friends who came to celebrate with them.
