THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013
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CAMPUS LIFE
•Some of the participants before the contest
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HE Cross River State Carnival Commission (CRSCC) has held an essay competition as part of activities to start the yearly Calabar Carnival.The contest, which was held across the local government areas in the state, was for secondary school and tertiary institution students. A consultant to the commission, Mr Ibok Ekpenyoung, said the competition was aimed at reviving the literary culture among youths and to enlighten them on the theme of the carnival. He also said there were many misconceptions about the carnival, adding that such competition would showcase the educational aspect and uniqueness of the fiesta. He said: “This competition was initiated to bring back the writing and reading culture in our
Cross River students write essay From Johnpaul Nnamdi NYSC CALABAR
society. Every year’s theme addresses a particular socio-economic issue so that the younger generation will begin to key into the philosophy of the carnival which is to uphold our heritage, know our environment and address issues bordering the state.” The Carnival Calabar Essay competition started in 2007 and this year marks its sixth edition. According to the organisers, the winners would be awarded scholarships and cash prizes while a sum of N1million, books and computers will be donated to their schools. The award ceremony was scheduled for December 10 this year.
•The pupils writing the essay
Ex-students visit prison From Eddy Uwoghiren UNIBEN
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•A resident being tested by one of the students
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HEN Elijah Clement was born in Egba community in Ovia Northeast Local Government Area of Edo State two years ago, the joy of the family knew no bounds. Two months later, his testes got swollen as a result of fluid that accumulated in the membranes surrounding the organs. When he was taken to the village clinic, he was diagonised of hydrocele, a medical condition that requires surgery to be corrected. His parent took him to the churches in the village to solicit funds for the surgery. But they got little. The child was left to his condition because his parents could not afford the surgery. But the joy of the family knew no bound last week when members of the Christian Medical and Dental Association Students (CMDAS) visited the community on medical outreach. His mother could not contain her excitement when her son was wheeled out of the theatre after an hour surgery. Elijah was among the 10 people who benefited from a
•The medical team selecting drugs to be distributed to the participants
Dentistry students go on medical outreach From Eddy Uwoghiren UNIBEN
free surgery campaign by medical students and surgeons from the University of Benin (UNIBEN). When the medical team visited, the villagers trooped out to benefit from the free medical exercise and drug distribution. The Mission Secretary, Rex Uwaifo, said rural medical outreach was yearly programme of the association which aimed at reaching out to the rural dwellers with the gospel of love. During the programme, participants benefited from free medical examination, BMI analysis, free drugs distribution and consultation. Doctors were on ground to offer counseling to the villagers. In the evening, a crusade was held. Prayers were offered for the land. The following morning, the students were at Egba village. The primary
school was filled with women, children and the aged people who benefited from clothes, shoes and bags that were distributed. At Egba Clinic, graduating medical students were paired to assist the surgeons with the surgery. The team of surgeons from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) explained to the villagers the benefit of the surgery before the process began. A beneficiary, Abraham Ehime, who underwent herniorraphy, praised the surgeons for successfully handling the operations. “I started feeling pains in my lower abdomen in 1988, but in thought it was mere pain. When I sought medical advice, I was diagonised of hernia. But I left it untreated because I could not afford the cost of the treatment. Later, the condition degenerated,” he stated. Later in the evening, a crusade was held. In his sermon, Dr Osahon Iyawe urged the participants to be rec-
onciled to God. He encouraged them to desist from diabolical activities whenever they were ill, saying that they should always seek medical advice and call upon God whenever they are sick. Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE at the end of the outreach, Igbinosa Nelson, 100-Level Dentistry, said he was surprised to notice that the villagers were ignorant of common diseases. He called on government to send health workers to the village to teach them basic hygine. Odigie Itohan, 400-Level Medicine, commended the villagers for receiving them with open arms. Kate Osagiede, 12, said: “When I saw the students and doctors, all dressed in white coat, I told myself that I am going to study hard to be a doctor someday and help the less privileged in the enjoy sound medical assistance.” She called on the government to help renovate the clinic, saying that the programme was commendable.
HE medium prisions on Sapele Road in Benin City, Edo State, came alive last week when members of the Edo Zone of the Federation of Colleges ExStudents’ Christian Association (FECA) visited the inmates. The students arrived the prision yard at 9:30 a.m and were enlightened on the rules of the prision. An official later led the students to the chapel where they held a fellowship with the inmates. In a sermon, the Chief Executive Officer of Ambidextrous Concept, Ogbonnaya Ndubisi, said God was still interested in them, saying that they should endeavour to learn from their stay in prison. He charged them to make a difference even in the prison custody. “Being free is a thing of the mind and not necessarily being outside the walls of a prison yard. I enjoin you to make a difference with your experience,” he stated.
UNILAG hosts staff clubs
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HE University of Lagos Senior Staff Club is hosting members of the University of Ibadan (UI) and that of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife staff clubs for three days, beginning today. According to UNILAG Caretaker Committee Chairman of the club, Dr Akanbi Mudasiru Ilupeju, the yearly event will feature ‘’triangular games in some areas, including swimming, football, long tennis, table tennis, squash, and Ayo’’. He said the aim of the meet is to enable members fraternise and ‘’exchange happiness and things of mutual concern’’, adding that varsity life is not about work alone. Tomorrow at the special night, winners will be rewarded.