OAUSU President Challenges Critics, Promises To Resign If Anyone Can Validate Inflation Claims

In a press conference held today on the several controversies arising from the recent purchase of a Toyota Hiace Bus by the President of the Obafemi Awolowo University Students' Union, the President has come out to openly challenge critics and alleged antagonists to provide concrete proof that the bus costs more than the said price and not just work with individual estimations.

When detailing the events that led to the purchase of the Bus, Oyekan Ibukun stated that part of his Campaign promises was providing a transport scheme for the Union and upon the commencement of his administration, he made requests for funds from the University Management, not knowing of any backlog. Upon getting to learn of the backlog, the University Management only agreed to release the funds if it was tied to a meaningful project and so he decided to use the funds, which is being paid in installments for the bus project.

In response to questions about why he seemed to have slighted the legislative arm of the Union in making the purchase which was also very much reemphasized by the Chairman of the Budgetary and Finance Committee, the President accepted his faults and promised to correct this in further dealings. He however stated that the University Management gave an ultimatum of three days for the execution of the first project and as such did not allow him enough time to go through all necessary processes. He further stated that in making the next purchases, as accordingly to him; a maximum of three more buses would be added to the one currently on ground, a committee would be set up to make the process more transparent.

Also, reacting to alleged claims that the receipt being circulated on Social media is faux and his seeming reluctance to divulge the price of the bus from the beginning, the 400L student of Medicine claimed that the address on the receipt was the residential address of the dealer that made the sale and other necessary details such as the day the car was brought into the country, the Customs registration number (Cnumber), the amount paid on the bus etc. were clearly stated on the other documents of the car. This, according to the President, had also been the basis by which some other dealers had confirmed the authenticity of the claims that the bus was not a refurbished one but a Tokunbo Bus.
The President, however, once again reemphasized that owing to the height that people had tried to stain his integity, he was willing to give out the keys to any one to take to bus down to any Car dealer and if the bus is said to be worth less than the said price and he was found guilty of any embezzlement, he was ready to resign. This he claimed prompted his letter to thet Independent Corrupt Practice and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the two agencies have responded, commencing their investigations.


The Financial Secretary, Omisakin also denied claims that he stated that the Bus cost N2.9m as against the stated N2.5m by the President and receipt of the bus.


However, several reactions still trail the issue of the bus as many still remain unsure as regards the price of the Toyota Hiace Bus, while some other students do not even see the need for the project in itself.

Ojo Augustine "Austinerot" To Become Pioneer President Of TESA OAU

In what was termed as a monumental moment for the Faculty of Technology of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Students of the Faculty came out en masse on Tuesday, 20th June 2017 to vote the first official executives of the new formed Faculty Association of students across the Faculty. At the end of the process, Ojo Augustine of the Department of  Mechanical Engineering emerged as the pioneer President of the Association. In an interaction with OAU Peeps News Agency, he stated, "The election was free, fair, credible and popular. One must have something really tangible to sell to the people of faculty of Technology OAU to get their supports. As that's the way to make winning a possibility aside someone who's proved himself in one capacity or the other that's quite evident to them. Aside that it was quite competitive and challenging, there was transparency in the process". Find the full details of the elections below.


TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (TESA OAU)

ELECTORAL COMMISSION

RESULT OF TESA ELECTION HELD ON 20/06/17

All glory and adoration to the almighty God over the successful conduct of Faculty of technology election. We gave humongous kudos to all the electorates and the aspirants for their cooperation during the conduct of the election which make the election the most fair, free and credible election. And below is the result of the election.

Number of total vote: 1,344
Please note:
President/No. of votes/remark
1. Ojo Augustine (Austinerot).       691valid votes (winner)
2. Rasaq Abdullahi (Omor).            584 valid votes

Vice President 1
1. Owolabi Miracle (Miracle).         841 valid votes

Vice President 2
1. Aruma Ezinne Jennifer (Jennifer)  603 valid votes (winner)
2. Bankole Segun (Specter).                      602 valid votes

General Secretary
1. Eluyera Kayode M. (Efor).                       537 valid votes
2. Ugonna Utulor (Ugo).                                710 valid votes (winner)

A.S.G
1. Akinyosoye Elisha (Solution).                 892 valid votes (Winner)

Financial Secretary
1. Odusina Motunrayo (Sparkles).              832 valid votes (winner)

Treasurer
1. Abubakar Wasiu (No. Time).                    778 valid votes (winner)

P.R.O
1. Anagba Emmanuel (Emmy Keys).          394 valid votes
2. Bello Ibrahim O. (Great Bello).                     754 valid votes ( Winner)

Director of Socials
1. Ojo Kayode O. (DJ Lordish).                         901 valid votes (Winner)

Director of Sports
1. Junaid Azeez O. (Braves).                                  680 valid votes (Winner)
2. Ojo john O.(Redemption).                          472 valid votes

Welfare Director
1. Oduronbi Esther Tosin (Tosin).                          1040 valid votes (winner)

Librarian
1. Balogun Jamal (Jamal)                                     957 valid votes (winner)

Assistant Librarian
1. Eyinade Iyanuoluwa J. (Zeus).                   946 valid votes (winner).

Signed
Ojewola Asimi A. (Hon. Hakin)
P.R.O

Idowu, Jamiu A. (Esho)
General Secretary

Olatunji, Saheed O. (Right Angle)
Chairman.

FG Declares Monday, Tuesday Public Holiday For Eid Al-fitr

Monday, June 26 and Tuesday, June 27, 2017 have been declared as work-free days by the Federal Government to celebrate the end of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr.

A statement issued on Thursday, June 22, 2017, by the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary (DOOPS), Dr Rufa’i Kawu Attahiru, urged all Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to use the occasion of the celebration for sober reflection and pray for peace, unity and progress of the nation in its march to nationhood.

The statement said the Minister of Interior, Mr Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, who declared the two days as holiday, appealed to “all Nigerians to shun hate speeches and divisive tendencies and join hands with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to build a peaceful, strong and united Nigeria, which guarantees fundamental freedoms, including the right of residence in any part of the country, as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The Minister reaffirms the determination of the administration to protect all lives and property of Nigerians, and added that the will of the present administration should not be tested as to its capability to deploy security agencies to deal with any individual or group that may threaten the corporate existence of the nation, as well as the peaceful co-existence of the people.

Mr Dambazau, who wished Nigerians a peaceful and rewarding celebration, further assured them of the government’s resolve to be just and fair to all.

 Source 

OAU Peeps News Agency To Hold 2nd Screening Exercise

In a bid to further accord journalism enthusiasts the opportunity to have a foray into the field, OAU Peeps News Agency once again opens its doors to all those interested in joining the Agency.
A second screening exercise will be conducted on Saturday 24th June, 2017. The venue is AUD 2 and the time is 10am. This opportunity is open to all OAU Students who are interested in joining the Agency.
For more details, please contact:

Ayantayo-Ojo Damilola
Head Recruitment Committee
08089605135

Music Review: Doing "Uncle Suru" Proud

By 'Joba Ojelabi


Do you remember that song they said we shouldn’t forget? Well we didn’t. Being the only feature on his quite anticipated album, and keeping in mind that many already anticipated a collabo between Adekunle Gold and his alleged lover, Simi, at least before Folarin Falana came along with his village boy rap, “No forget” was certainly one collaboration that brought pleasure to many lovers of good music in Nigeria, and even though it had its faults, many have since then looked out for another collaboration between the golden boy lover and Simi, whose voice, somehow always manages to pull strings in the heart.

They say two’s a company, three is a crowd but somehow, Jon Ogah has found a way to place himself in between the “No Forget” couple without necessarily crowding the track. Perhaps because, unlike their first collaboration, “Uncle Suru” is not a love affair. The track carries a theme of patience, or at least it is supposed to. “Suru” is the Yoruba word for patience, however as much as the broad theme of the song is patience, it primarily narrows this patience to the music industry, with all three artistes telling us in their own way that the industry is not a bed of roses.

Considering Jon Ogah’s past with music, one might be tempted to expect more from a thirty million naira voice but then again, there are claims that he kissed T-boss with that mouth. However still, his vocal performance on the track is sure above average. We have certainly heard less melodious voices in the industry, some even costing as much as thirty billion. Adekunle Gold, once again, does not hesitate to remind us that he is Yoruba as he conveniently switches languages when he takes his verse, he however might have taken it to risky heights when he starts making claims that he might just be a better singer than the R&B legend, R.Kelly, if he gets the instruments. Well, some serious autotuning stuff better be in those instruments. And then one is compelled to ask, what ever happened to Ladies first? Simi’s verse comes last and as always, she does some vocal magic which might be a hint that she mixed and mastered the track.

In all, Uncle Suru is the kind of track that makes one regret not knowing the Salsa dance. It is almost sure to get any first time listener nodding in no time. Personally, I think even “Uncle Suru” himself would be proud

"Bus Costs N2.5m Not N3m"- Union President Reacts To Rumoured Price Of Bus

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.

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!