Medical Students Now To Spend 7 Years In Nigerian Universities

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has developed new Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards for training of doctors in universities with medical programme now extended to seven years duration. Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, presented the reviewed curriculum to the stakeholders at a three-day capacity development programme for staff of medical schools in Nigerian universities.

He said the new benchmark minimum academic standard was competency-based and would substantially address most of the challenges faced the institutions in the training of doctors in the country. Okojie noted that those that people trust their lives must be adequately trained and competent to discharge their responsibilities efficiently.


He said the workshop was to enable the stakeholders brainstorm as well as fine- tune the draft document. The curriculum review was necessitated by the fact that the frontier of knowledge in all academic disciplines had been advancing with new information generated as a result of research. Other compelling reasons included the need to update the standard and relevance of university education in the country as well as to integrate entrepreneurial studies as essential new platforms that would guarantee all graduates from Nigerian universities the knowledge of appropriate skills, competences and dispositions that would make them globally competitive and capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

Okojie said: "We must built some good quality hospitals and make facilities available for the students who are coming out with competences and skills to work. No doctor would want to work without equipment. "We are trying to look at it from holistic view. Good learning and teaching environment; good medical centres and the management of resources itself," he said.

Source: Tribune

OAU Predegree Entrance Examination Begins Today

The Centre for Distance Learning (CDL), Obafemi Awolowo University starting from today will commence the conduct of the entrance examination for applicants seeking admission into the school's predegree programme.


November 3-5, 2015 has been scheduled for the entrance examinations that is expected to accommodate tens of thousands applicants. The examination will only hold in CDL's campus in Moro this year and the result of the examination will be available online to candidates one week after the examination.

Students Commend ACJ OAU On CES 2015

By Ojelabi Jesujoba

Following the recently concluded Campus Editors’ Summit (CES 2015) organized by the Association of Campus Journalists (ACJ), Obafemi Awolowo University, a number of students who participated in the summit have continued to pour encomium on the organizers for the innovation.

In a series of interviews organized by our correspondent immediately after the 2-day summit, we were able to gather some of these comments.

Akinokowo Suleiman, a student of Computer Science at the University Of Ilorin, described his experience at the Summit as awesome. In his description of ACJ OAU, he claimed; “…ACJ OAU has been fantastic, they should keep it up.” When giving his opinion on the rather controversial theme of the summit; ‘Journalism and Politics: Two parallel lines, he stated’, he was of the opinion that both work hand in hand.

Contrary to the views of some participants, the President of the Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ) of the University of Ibadan, Kareem Tawakalit, holds a contrasting opinion as she in her own words opined that Journalism and Politics are immiscible. “I don’t think it’s mixable, at least not sincerely. I don’t think you can mix both of them and do both of them sincerely”. She also appreciated the organizers for their warm reception as her views of great hospitality of OAU students was upheld.

Abdul-Ganiyu Shehu, the Vice President (Editorial) of the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ilorin, also described the program as interesting and educating. He stated that the program, beyond its enlightening effect, also provided the campus journalists from various schools an opportunity to meet with their colleagues from other schools. Commenting on the theme of the Summit, he said; “From what I have gotten so far, I think if you want to be a journalist, be a journalist and if you want to be a politician, be a politician. There is no way both of them can meet together. You cannot be a good journalist and be a good politician”.


Adedapo Treasure, a member of the Reflector Team also commented on the theme of the summit. In his words; “Personally, as at now, I think it is best for us as nation builders to ensure the immiscibility of politics and journalism because if a journalist is a practicing and active politician, then I think that the question of objectivity is under pressure”. He further commended the ACJ OAU on the organization of the summit and stated; “My word to ACJ is that we as an association must continue to foster unity in this profession and to this administration of ACJ, this is the beginning of great things!”

Still on the summit, the President of the Obafemi Awolowo University Students’ Union, Omotayo Akande, also had something to say. In his words, he described the summit as another form of symposium in the sense that the programme has not only helped to sensitize the campus journalists but it has also exposed the attendees to some basic ethics of journalism. He however expressed his disappointment to the fact most campus politicians were not present for the summit as he believed the summit helped to understand the connection between journalism and politics.

Ayomide Adegebo in his own submission commended ACJ OAU for coming up with the programme which is a good thing as it brought campus journalists together. On the topic of the summit, Ayomide feels the common ground that politics and journalism have is of a better world envisaged from both ends. He was however quick to point out that he does not buy into the idea where journalists who are supposed to be watchdog to the politicians also meddle into politics.

Some of the members of the Organizing Committee for the CES 2015 who spoke with our correspondents were glad that the event was a big success but however complained of financial difficulty as it was hard to get sponsorship for the programme. Olanrewaju Oyedeji, the Chairman, Guild of Editors, ACJ OAU; Lukmon Fasasi, a popular student blogger and Adebayo Benjamin, the President of ACJ OAU in common submissions appreciated God for the Success of the summit. They also expressed delight concerning the massive turnout of journalists from other tertiary institutions.

BVN: Drama Ensues In OAU Banks Over Account Suspension

By David Adetula

Customers caused a sort drama yesterday at some banks visited by our correspondents in Obafemi Awolowo University over their supposed account suspension on Bank Verification Number (BVN) issues.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had earlier directed the freezing of all accounts that has its BVN not done. Bank customers with this directive will not be able to transact using their account if suspended.

At First Bank Plc and Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) branches in OAU, they were exceptionally crowded with customers who have issues with their accounts. Many customers including staff and students of the institution expressed frustration with the development and blamed the CBN for not properly educating the public on the need for them to link their BVN to all their accounts.


“I was not told I will need to link the BVN to all my bank accounts. I already did it for my account not until I got to know I need to link one to all my accounts. This is very bad!” A customer quipped.

The bank officials who obviously had a busy day containing the unusual huge inflow of customers persuaded the customers not to be infuriated by the development as the BVN registration has been on for a while. Some customers who had to squeeze out time out of their busy schedule could not remain patient as they expressed their anger at intervals to the bank officials.

Just this morning, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has however announced an extension of the deadline for the BVN registration for those that are yet to do so.

OAU Dean Urges FG To Review Privatization Programme

The Dean of the Faculty of Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Taiwo Asaolu, has told the Federal Government to re-examine its privatization programme for the process to achieve set goals.

Asaolu, a professor of Management and Accounting gave the advice while delivering an inaugural lecture on Tuesday, last week themed; "Privatization in Nigeria: Regulation, Deregulation, Corruption and the Way Forward".

The don said that the implementation of privatization in Nigeria had encountered difficulties, due to a lack of due process and policy inconsistency.

He said that assets of some privatized enterprises were deliberately under-valued and that the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) did not play the role set by the council and the extent laws.

"For instance, the privatization of the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria built at the cost of 3.3 billion dollars but was transferred to Rusal, a Russian company at the cost of 250 million dollars.

"Only 130 million dollars of the said 250 million dollars has been paid leaving a balance of 120 million dollars.


"The BPE failed to exercise their oversight role on the privatization process while the anti-corruption agencies blatantly refused to prosecute violators of the law,’’ Asaolu said.

The professor cited Ajaokuta Steel Company, Volkswagen of Nigeria, Daily Times of Nigeria, Delta Steel Company of Nigeria as some of the companies sold at less than their value.

Asaolu said that for any national privatization exercise to be credible and honest it must be backed by appropriate technical valuation methodologies in order not to be regarded as dubious and questionable.

The don said that one of the advantages of privatization was that it created job opportunities for the citizenry of the country but if not well manage it could lead to high rate of unemployment.

"Government has a role to play in providing strong and competent regulation, check corruption and non-accountability of the BPE.

"There have been allegations that portrayed the BPE as being wasteful and deficient in transparency and accountability.

"In 2007, for instance, it allegedly spent a whopping N56.1bilion out of N117.22billion it realized from a sale of public enterprises that year.

"The BPE compromised on due process in the sale of public enterprises.

"This clearly shows that something has gone wrong with the privatization policy of the Federal Government which must be urgently reviewed,’’ Asaolu said.

Credit: Pulse.ng

SU Elections: “I Have Not Endorsed Any Candidate” – TY

By David Adetula

The Students’ Union President of Obafemi Awolowo University, Omotayo Akande a.k.a TY has thrown to the bin the speculations pervading some corners that he has anointed and endorsed some certain persons to vie for offices in the Students’ Union elections coming up later this semester.

In recent times, especially during the periods after the Harmattan semester examinations, some students who obviously wish to involve in the Students’ Union leadership have started their underground campaigns as they move from one room to another to seek support. Some of them in the course of convincing their electorates, they have stated that they have the backing of some of the current Students’ Union heavyweights.

Addressing journalists yesterday at the end of the 2015 Campus Editors’ Summit that held at Pit Theatre of the institution, the SU president said he will not be surprised if anyone goes to the public and uses his name to garner political support especially before the protagonists of this administration but however insisted that he has not endorsed any candidate at this moment.

“For now, TY has no candidate and I won’t be surprised if people start going around and start saying I am the TY-endorsed candidates. You know it is politics, when some people know you are a friend to TY and they want to campaign to you, they will say TY is endorsing me and when they know you are the ‘enemy’ of TY, they will tell you TY is not endorsing me and condemn TY. It is normal.” TY said.


The Union President further stated that it is however too early to start playing politics as the current administration still has a lot to achieve even though it has achieved majority of what is stated in its manifestoes. He said there are lots of administrative assignments before the administration that is not making it prioritize the Students’ Union elections for now.

It will be recalled that the previous Students’ Union administration was at the centre of a serious controversy as it was alleged to have endorsed a particularly presidential candidate which some political commentators have even described as a major role player in the eventual loss suffered by the candidate. If the current academic calendar for the Rain semester is anything to go by, the SU elections that will usher in a new set of leaders of the Union is expected to come up between January and February, 2016.

Campus Journalists Across Nigeria Hold Summit In OAU

By David Adetula

Campus Journalists from various tertiary institutions across the Nigeria were gathered at Obafemi Awolowo University for a 2-day Campus Editors’ Summit (CES) which discussed the possibility of a common ground for politics and journalism in Nigeria.

The event which had several campus journalists including editors and reporters of different campus media outlets from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Ibadan (UI), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), University of Science and Statistics (USS) and other institutions in attendance started out with a Pre-Summit Conference and hang out at Best Friend Hotel in Ile-Ife where the aspiring professional journalists had the opportunity of meeting one another and exchanging contacts in preparation for the later which held on Saturday, October 31st at the Pit Theatre of the institution.

Guest Speakers at the event included Mr Richard Mammah, the Editor-in-Chief of the Pan-African Newspaper and Mr Tunde Dairo, the media aide to Senator Babajide Omoworare and also a former Public Relations Officer of the OAU Students’ Union. The speakers in their different speeches acknowledged the important role being played by journalism to the social development and sharpening of the society which is directly governed by politicians.

Richard Mammah in his lecture delivery rode on the horse of history down to the periods of colonial era when the media was a strong tool used by the prominent Nigerians and activists then to agitate for a politically-free state of Nigeria which yielded. He however did not give a yes or no answer if journalism and politics should tangle.

“Friends, colleagues, can the media be separate from the politics of the era? Again I say yes and no. As a variable part of that society and culture, it is an integral part of, it is automatically embedded, but as a profession and vocation that is beholden to objectively chronicling, dissecting and critiquing the same social, political and cultural currents of the day, it is expected to rise above the fray, and in the manner of Caeser’s wife, come to equity with clean hands.

“Thus, while the media cannot be just distant and aloof, it also cannot be abrasively partisan. It is a vocation of good sense, integrity and forthrightness; and the moderator for it when it then decides to jump into the arena is then to ensure that it is absolutely beholden to serving the larger interests of the greater good of the greater numbers of the people of the South West and Nigeria.” Mammah said.


Senator Omoworare’s aide who was represented by Mr Kingley Ogunne aka Osemele substantiated that though the morals of Journalism and Politics are not the same in this part of the world, nonetheless, they can never be two parallel lines.

“The morals of journalism are not the morals of politics in this part of the world. Some politician are not absolutely truthful in their action, when a journalist make any report in error, admittance and correction with a corrigendum may not be a difficult measure to adopt but a politician may find it absolutely difficult to do same.

“When you criticise management or student leadership for any ill or wrong, it is not just for the fun of it but to force them to effect change or the entire system is changed. Is this not a political result?

“Ideal politics and practice of ideal journalism are of no serious deference, while one is service to the people, the other is a social barometer to gauge and monitor societal developments. Will it not the be save to conclude that it is best to bring the virtues, morals and standard of journalistic practice on board our political engagements if we intend to rectify the ill?

“Politics and journalism can never be two parallel lines, they can never do without meeting, and they are not separable in the real sense of it.” Tunde Dairo submitted.

The 2015 edition is the maiden edition of the Campus Editors’ Summit and first of its kind in the Nigerian tertiary education sphere. The summit was hosted by Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University.