16-Year-Old Folasewa Makes OAU Proud In Platinum Reasoning Contest

By Farombi Oluwaseun

On Saturday, 18th November 2017 at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, 16-year-old Abdulsalam Folashewa, a student of Obafemi Awolowo University, was announced as the second runner up  out of about 380 registered candidates in the just concluded National  Platinum Reasoning Contest organized for all students in tertiary institutions in Nigeria organized by Platinum Mathematics Team. At the same time, a student of American University of Nigeria was awarded the 1st runner up while the overall winner was awarded to a student of Redeemer's University..

The overall winner was given a cheque of N500,000, the 1st runner up was awarded a cheque of N300,000 and a cheque of N200,000 was given to the 2nd runner up.

The names of the winners, their corresponding positions and institutions  are provided below:

Overall winner: Bankole Oluwafemi, Redeemer's University.

1st runner up: Salisu Ahmad, American University of Nigeria.

2nd runner up: Abdulsalam Folasewa , Obafemi Awolowo University.

The 4th to 100th positions were also given their consolation prizes thereafter.

The contest is a national contest among students in higher institutions in Nigeria and was open to all including students in  universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. It is officially sponsored by Pastor E.A Adeboye and His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar(GCON).

Speaking with newsmen,the 16years old great Ife student, she said "It all started when I saw the advert. I told one of my room mates who was skeptical about it considering the prizes attached. I applied and I started preparations. I downloaded General Mathematics questions for practice. To my utmost surprise, I was selected and was excited when I saw the message inviting me for the grand finale ceremony in Abuja."

The event  had in attendance the winners, their parents, the invited guests, the Platinum Mathematics Team members and the general audience which comprised of a section where winners were told to share their experience before, during and after the contest.

The winners were invited to the grand finale ceremony at Transcorp Hilton  Hotels,Abuja  for their grand prizes.

Reps Honour OAU Academic Record Breaker, Former Street Beggar

The House of Representatives on Tuesday during plenary honoured Aarinola Blessing and Abdulsalam Idowu for their rare feats and academic attainment.

Ms. Blessing, 24, was admitted into the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State to study Medicine and Surgery in 2011. She scored an excellent Cummulative Grade Point (CGPA) of 4.74 in her first year.

Subsequently in her second through sixth year she scored: Distinctions in Anatomy, Medical Biochemistry and Physiology (200L); Distinctions in Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology (300L); Distinctions in Pathology and Pharmacology (400L); Distinctions in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mental Health and Dermatology (500L) and Distinctions in Surgery (600L) (An Achievement elusive for a period of 28 years in OAU/Nigerian Medicine and Community Health).

Meanwhile, the details of Mr. Kamaldeen, 38, shows that he lost his two legs to polio at the tender age of 3, lost his mother at the age of 4, started primary school at 8, and started street begging to raise money to buy school uniform, books and food.

He begged for alms from primary through secondary school and was known on the streets of Lagos as a beggar. He reportedly slept under Idumota Bridge for several years before saving money gathered from commuters and care givers alike to rent a room.

From street begging he bought GCE form in 2002; passed his GCE and JAMB examination and was subsequently admitted to study Political Science in University of Lagos. He later sat for another WAEC and JAMB examination while preparing for the completion of his first degree in Political Science.

In his determination to become a Lawyer, Mr. Abdulsalam gained admission to study Law at the University of Lagos in 2010, went to the Nigerian Law School in 2015 and was called to the Nigerian Bar on the 30th November, 2016.

In a motion by the House leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, the house commended Mr. Abdulsalam for his strong determination and perseverance despite his lifetime challenges and Miss Olaiya for her exceptional academic feat.

The house also also considered establishing a Parliamentary Honours/Award System for recognition of extraordinary achievement made by Nigerians.

The 8th Assembly has kept to its tradition of encouraging citizens with extraordinary records initiated through a motion from Femi Gbajabiamila on the March, 23, 2016. The same honour was given to Nigeria’s First 5.0 CGPA Record Breaker, Ayodele Dada.











Source

Strike : OAU Postpones Convocation Ceremonies

        Due to unforseen development occasioned by the ongoing national strike action of the non-teaching staff unions of   universities, it has become imperative for the authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, to postpone the 43rd Convocation Ceremonies of the University earlier scheduled for December 13 to 16, 2017.


A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the non definite date for the suspension of the strike action has made the suspension of the 43rd Convocation Ceremonies of the University an unavoidable alternative.


Olarewaju expresses the regret of the University Management for any inconveniences the postponement might have caused the general public, most especially our invited guests, the graduating students, their parents and guardians, friends and well wishers, the alumni, lovers of Great Ife and all other stakeholders.


It will be recalled that the non teaching staff unions of Universities, comprising the Non Teaching Staff Union (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian University (SSANU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) have embarked on an indefinite strike action against the Federal Government over an alleged disparity in the disbursement of Earned allowance to all the staff unions in Nigeria Universities.


The withdrawal of services of the members of these unions has compelled the management of OAU to ask its students to proceed on "End of the Year" break and the eventual postponement of this year's (43rd) Convocation Ceremonies.

OAU Suspends Academic Activities, To Resume Next Year

As a result of the unpalatable occurrences occasioned by the strike action of the Obafemi Awolowo University branch of the Non – Teaching Staff, which comprises Non Academic Staff Union (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), the Senate of the University, at its emergency meeting held today, Tuesday, 5th December, 2017, has approved that the Students of the University should proceed on an “End of the Year” break with immediate effect.

A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the Students have been asked to vacate their Halls of residence latest by 4:00pm on Wednesday, 6th December, 2017.

Accordingly, the general public, particularly the Parents / Guardians of our students have been asked to note this latest development and ensure that their children and wards are prevailed upon to comply with this directive.

Consequently, the students are expected to resume on Tuesday, 2nd January, while lectures commence on Wednesday, 3rd January, 2018. While we pray for journey mercies for our students to their respective destinations, we also wish them a Merry Christmas and Prosperous 2018.

Because There Is No Attendance In Heaven

By ‘Joba Ojelabi

It is no longer news that the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities embarked on what was supposed to be a nationwide strike. Unsurprisingly, the protest and strike action has been most intense at the University of Ibadan and the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife. The reason for the action was said to be the sharing formula of the Earned allowances areas as stipulated by the Federal Government. From sources online, the formula seemed grossly unfair to the union as about 89% was said to be for the Academic Staff whilst the remaining 11% was for the other three unions; NAAT, NASU and SSANU. As unfair as the sharing formula might sound, I doubt that I am in any position to comment on the correctness of the formula as I do not have all the details surrounding the sharing. However, one thing that concerns me is how the actions and the seeming brawl between the academic and non-academic staff of the Obafemi Awolowo University affect me, for obvious reasons of course.

The past few working days have been hectic for most students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, as although it is quite apparent that the Non-academic are taking their threats seriously, at least to some reasonable extent, the academic staff might not really be taking them too seriously as classes, tests and other activities still seem to be going on even when it is very uncomfortable for students. For the most of last week, students who reside off campus who regularly pay around ₦60 to transport themselves to campus started to pay as high as ₦200, coupled with the inconvenience of walking all the way from the banking area to wherever their destination was on campus. Certainly, the transport workers too must certainly bear some chastisement as they only saw the circumstance as a means to make money and nothing more. After all, when elephants fight, the grass suffers and the wise gardener makes more money.
Of course, any reasonable advocacy might have come easier when we had a Student’s Union, hopefully events like this are enough to remind the passionate dreamers who go around with all that “you are the union” mumbo jumbo of the harsh reality of not having a Union, or perhaps they keep pretending.

I had planned to start this article with a narrative of my experience from last week’s events and already this is no longer achievable but it just might be a good closer as well:
“So sometime last week, I’m on my way to class amidst the NASU brouhaha, I get to the campus gate only to meet it barricaded- most probably with both physical and spiritual fortifications. But as often is, I assume that the barricade is for automated vehicles so I make an effort to jump over the simple wooden hindrance, only for me to hear a voice yelling from a distance that I should only jump over the barricade if I was ready to die. Well I wasn’t. As a matter of fact, at the time only one thought flashed through my mind; “What did we bring to this world gan gan?”__ So like my father’s son, I dusted my shoes and walked in the opposite direction, keeping in mind that a seeming similar scene had occurred at the Faculty of Pharmacy about a day prior. Now every time my class representative comes on the class Whatsapp page to remind us of how the last lecturer gave an impromptu test or the next lecturer might take attendance in class, I just ask myself in the corner of my mind, that place where one is truly alone with himself; Life or Degree?

NASU OAU Bark Harder, Threaten To Cut Power And Water Supply

The Non-Academic Staff Union of the Obafemi Awolowo University, ile-ife today 4th December held her congress in compliance with the directives of the National Joint Action Committee currently handling the earned allowances crises going on between the union, her sister Union ASUU and the Federal Government.

At the congress, the Union resolved to commence a full fledged industrial action tomorrow, Tuesday 5th December 2017 cutting off power and water supply and access to the University Health Centre.

Keeping in mind that the University management in her last release signed by the University Registrar resolved to commence payment using the sharing formula stipulated by the Federal Government and also promised to take necessary actions against the Union in case of any hindrance in the activities of the University.

Students of the institution however remain the real victims of the faceoff as the Academic Staff continue her activities despite the various threats and inconveniences caused by the protesting workers.

It is also worthy to not that the NASU chapters of the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos amongst others have also joined the industrial action.

NASELS President, VP, PRO, Fin Sec, Treasurer Impeached, Others Suspended

By Uthman Samad.

Yesterday,December 3rd,2017, the National Association of English and Literary  Students' Representative Council of Obafemi Awolowo University  in their parliamentary sitting impeached the President with other executives  suspended.

In a resolution obtained by OAU Peeps News Agency& signed by the   speaker of NSRC, Hon. Adelowo Adegboyega , he stated the crucial reasons behind the Impeachment of the president & some other executives.

The embattled President , Fatoba Olusola Peter was said to be  impeached on his autocratic actions, misplacement of priorities, autonomous spending without ratification from the NSRC and failure to be present in meetings summoned by the committees of the association; (including the Budget and Finance committee).

His other  actions which resulted in his impeachment  further include failure to be present to give stewardship report on two different occasions without prior notification of absence, presentation of award to one Miss Ayobami Adebayo without approval from the NSRC, failure to sign the approved fund  for NCB (NASELS Communication Bureau) and Outright disregard for the resolutions and authority of the NSRC.


On the same vein,  Akindoyin Mary, the  Vice President of the department was also served an Impeachment  due to   negligence of her official responsibilities as enshrined in Section 12 of the NASELS Constitution With Cases of  misplacement of Priorities; and disregard of the resolutions and authority of the house.

The Public Relations Officer ,Olaobaju Ayomitunde (Kidboss) out of his committed abberations against Section 26 (i) and (iv); Section 54 (i) and (ii) of NASELS constitution,  was also impeached.

Other executives impeached include; The Financial Secretary;Sam Adewole Adeshakin &the  Treasurer; Opaaje Alexander for  mismanagement of funds,misplacement of priorities, Failure to be present at the meetings summoned by the committees of the association (The budget and Finance committee) and  disregard of the resolutions and authority of the house with the Librarian, Umeh Chikwere  impeached  due to total negligence of duties amidst several allegations.

However, the General Secretary;Owolabi Damilare (Sir Damait), Social director; Ashiru Adekunle (Ade Ash) and the  sport director,  Hassan Adeyinka (General Chan) were all suspended for a period of two weeks.

The Assistant General Secretary and Assistant Librarian were also fined with #1000 each to the office of the clerk before the fifth day of December with failure to do so could attract two weeks suspension.

The Parliamentarians concluded the sitting by  conferring the power on the Speaker of the NASELS Students’ Representative Council (NSRC) to summon a congress with Audit Committee writing a letter to the Association’s bank (UBA) to halt every financial activities on the Association’s account till further notice and  a letter to request for  the Statement of Account.

As at the time of filing  this report when contacted by OAU Peeps News Agency correspondent, the impeached President of the association refused to comment on the matter while other embattled executives refused to pick their calls.