THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2012
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CAMPUS LIFE Management urged to restore union
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HERE is mounting disquiet among students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) over the inability of the management of the institution to restore the Students’ Union Government (SUG) on campus. The students, CAMPUSLIFE gathered, had expected the restoration but the Vice-Chancellor claimed the students’ leaders have been playing hide-and-seek with the management. Last week, a hide-out of cultists located in the campus was discovered by students and a cache of arms allegedly recovered. This, the aggrieved students complained, would not have been possible for the cultists if the union had not been proscribed by the management.
From Sikiru Akinola and Kemi Busari OAU
However, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Lateefah Durosinmi, in a release made available to all halls of residence, urged the students to go about their normal academic activities, noting that the university management would come up with a timetable that will ultimately lead to restoration of the union. Students, who confided in CAMPUSLIFE under the condition of anonymity, advised the authority to restore the union to curtail the activities of cultists and thieves on the campus as the university hosts visitors later this year for Nigerian University Games (NUGA).
•Cross-section of the students at the event
Nescafe balloon berths in OAU
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ESPITE the period of tests and the oncoming exams that befall the campus of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the students of the institution still created time to for social events. Last week Nestle Nigeria Plc brought Nescafe Red Mug and the Hot Air Balloon to the campus to thrill the students. Highlight of the show included a talent hunt contest, comedy and the flying of the balloon. The event manager, Mr. Paul Osondu, told CAMPUSLIFE: “Nescafe is the only brand that has ever made the hot air balloon theory a reality on campuses.” He said the programme was targeted at student audience in Nigerian universities.
From Wilberforce Arevore and Oluwafemi Ogunjobi OAU
Mr Tayo Olatunji, the Category Business Manager, told our correspondent: “The magic mug and the hot air balloon are innovative concepts from the NESCAFE brand.” Olatunji stressed the need to reach out to the youths, while reiterating that coffee is good as it contains anti-oxidant, but cautioned against the abuse of the product by the students. Talented students trooped out in their numbers to dazzle their colleagues with the talents they possess. Some were booed, while some were cheered on amidst ecstasy. Osondu said: “We never thought
the response could be as massive as this. Usually, we thought the turn out on the first day would be low, but it wasn’t. It was so huge that we had to literarily beg the students to go home when it was 9pm because we were told some of them stay off campus.” Gifts and prizes were given to students who participated in the talent hunts, while the free Nescafe drink was given out at strategic points for free. Oluwafunmike Adewunmi, a 300-Level student, told CAMPUSLIFE that the programme was the best she ever witnessed in the school. Rasheedah Owolabi, a 200-Level student, also said the programme was entertaining.
Don urges more funding for college
Hostel wins soccer, eating contests
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ALL C in the Lagos Boys hostel of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) came alive last Saturday as the final stages of the inter-compounds soccer competition and eating competition were organised. The final match of the football event was between Halls C and A with Hall C returning as the champions after a 2-1 victory over their counterpart. Though, Hall A opened the scoring line few minutes into the firsthalf of the encounter, but Hall C equalised. Bello Abdullah scored
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HE Provost of Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology, Dr Victor Onyekwere, has said the institution needs the attention of the government if it must compete with its peers. The Rector made the statement last weekend during the 14th convocation ceremony. He said the college was left alone to suffer for many years without grant and governing council. Onyekwere said it took the grace of God and the assistance of the members of the academic board and the directors to add academic values to the lives of the graduates. “Let me say this before our visitors that this school has never received any grant from government or anybody but in spite of that, we are still marching on and doing our best. Our students have been recognised before the crowd through the skill and training they acquired in the college. “We cannot do more than this without the assistance of the government, though we have also acknowledged the roles played by some individuals in government both present and the past to ensure the continuity and progress of the college,” Onyekwere said. The provost, who was speaking before the Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker, and Governor Chibuike Amaechi, who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Nwogu, said the college
•The contestants during the eating competition From Hameed Muritala and Surajudeen Alabede UNILORIN
the winning goal for Hall C boys in the second-half of the game. Few minutes after the football match, the final of the eating competition was conducted. The three students that made it to the final were Temitope Ayanwale, Abiola Onasanya and Femi Sesay. They were provided with two big wraps of Amala, a plate of Ewedu containing two pieces of meat and four sachets of water. In the end, Temitope, 200-Level Agricultural and Bio-system Engineering, emerged winner. Abiola, who stomached his food before the other contestants, vomited after finishing the food. He said: “It is not a matter of stature, but a matter of what you can take.”
Ekiti students celebrate Cultural Day
From Taiwo Isola UNIMAID
•Dr Onyekwere (right) congratulating the overall best graduating student during the ceremony From Precious Dikewoha PORT HARCOURT
needed urgent attention to enable it compete with other health colleges in the world. Onyekwere said: “When you go to the hospitals today in Rivers State, the first people that attend to you are the products of this school; those at the laboratory are also our products including the person who administered drugs to you. “That is how important we are in the society, apart from the assistance and encouragement we have received before now from the government. We need urgent assistance to make the college one of the best in the world.” Responding, Nwogu said the government congratulated
graduands and promised to assist the college. “This administration has provided health centres across rural areas in the state, because we attach more importance to the health of our people. Though, I will convey your massage to the governor but I want to assure you that this government is willing to assist the college,” he said. Commissioner for Health Dr. Sampson Parker while making a short remark, said, he will personally assist the school to receive grant and to get governing council. “It is important that a school of this nature must have a grant and governing council. I will work with the House of Assembly committee on health to ensure the progress of the school,” he promised.
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HE Federation of Ekiti State Students (FESSU), University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) chapter has celebrated its annual Cultural Day. The event, which took place at the convocation square of the university, had in attendance the university Librarian, Mr. J. A. Agaja, the Deputy Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof Mary Fajonyomi, senior lecturers, Students’ Union Government representatives and Ekiti students.
Prof Fajonyomi praised the Yoruba students for being disciplined and encouraged them to be careful of their movement and avoid late outings because of the security challenges in the state. The excitement was heightened with the commencement of drama presentations, songs, cultural dance and Iyan competition. The event also witnessed the launching of the maiden edition of the union’s magazine by the university Librarian.