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30 January 2014

Apply Now: Agbami Medical and Engineering Scholarship 2014

agbami scholarship

Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited, a Chevron company and operator of the Agbami Field, in its continuous support for capacity building in the Health and Engineering sectors as a strategic feed into the national manpower pool, is offering a number of University Scholarships to qualified Nigerian students from ALL states of the Federation.

The scholarship program, funded by Star Deep and its Agbami partners, is a major component of the Agbami partners’ Social Investment in the strategic development of Health and Education in Nigeria and the Niger Delta in particular.

Applications are invited from FULL-TIME, 100 and 200 level undergraduates from any state of the Federation, studying any of the under listed courses in universities within Nigeria:

COURSES:
Medicine/Surgery
Dentistry
Pharmacy
Engineering

QUALIFICATION PROCESS: Interested applicants should click on the “How it works” tab to proceed. Application closes Midnight 28th February, 2014.

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.

Before you start this application, ensure you have clear scanned copies of the following documents.

1. Passport photograph with white background not more than 3 months old (450px by 450px not more than 200kb)
2. School ID card
3. Admission letter
4. Birth certificate
5. O’ Level result
6. JAMB Result slip

2. Ensure the documents are named according to what they represent to avoid mixing up documents during upload.
3. Ensure you attach the appropriate documents when asked to upload.

To apply, follow the steps below:
1. Click on “Apply Now” tab.
2. Click on “Register Now” to create an account.
3. Proceed to your email box to activate your account
4. Click on www.scholastica.ng/Schemes/Agbami to return to Scholarship site.
5. Enter your registered email and password to upload your information.
6. Enter your personal information, National Identification Number (if available), educational information, other information and upload required scanned documents.
7. Ensure the name used in applications matches the names on all documentation in same order. Upload a sworn affidavit or certificate if otherwise.
8. Ensure you view all documents after uploading, to eliminate errors during uploading.
9. When asked to upload photo, upload a pass-port photograph with a white background.
10. Recheck application information to avoid errors
11. Click “Apply Now” to submit information
12. You will receive an email and a sms that confirms your application was successful.
13. Return to www.scholastica.ng, enter your Email and Password to download your profile and proceed to have your Head of Department sign the document. 14. Upload a scanned copy of the signed profile, this would be used for verification.
15. If National Identification Number (NIN) number was not available in step 6, to obtain your National Identification Number (NIN)

Visit http://ninenrol.gov.ng to register and learn more about the National Identity Number.

Click “Create Account” and fill in the required fields.

Login with Email and Password to complete the form.

After completion, schedule a date for photo and finger print capture.

Visit any of the 37 capture centres. www.nimc.gov.ng/pages/general/enrolmentcentres.htm to complete the registration process and obtain your National Identity Number.

You can also do your total registration at the NIMC office.

16. Return to www.scholastica.ng/Schemes/Agbami and update application with National Identification Number (NIN) to ensure completion.

Note: Multiple applications attract a disqualification penalty from the Scholarship board.

29 January 2014

Apply Now: CHEVRON/NNPC JV National University Scholarship Awards


Chevron Nigeria Limited, in collaboration with its Joint Venture partner, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), is offering a number of University Scholarship Awards to suitably qualified Nigerian students, for 2014/2015.

Online applications are invited from full-time SECOND YEAR (200 LEVEL) degree students of the under-listed courses, in Nigerian Universities:

1. Accountancy
2. Agricultural Engineering/Agricultural Science
3. Architecture
4. Business Administration/Economics
5. Chemical Engineering
6. Civil Engineering
7. Computer Science
8. Electrical/Electronic Engineering
9. Environmental Studies/Surveying
10. Geology/Geophysics
11. Law
12. Mass Communication/Journalism
13. Mechanical/Metallurgical & Materials Engineering
14. Human Medicine/Dentistry/Pharmacy
15. Petroleum Engineering.

In line with their e-scholarship administration system, selected students will be invited for computer-administered qualifying tests in selected examination centers nationwide. Short-listed candidates for the qualifying test will be invited by email and SMS text messages.

All applicants are therefore advised to ensure that GSM telephone numbers and personal email addresses are properly entered into the e-forms on the web site.

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.

Deadline: Closing date for receipt of e-applications is strictly February 21, 2014.

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.

Before you start this application, ensure you have clear scanned copies of the following documents.

1. Passport photograph with white background not more than 3 months old (450px by 450px not more than 200kb)
2. School ID card
3. Admission letter
4. Birth certificate
5. O’ Level result
6. JAMB Result slip

2. Ensure the documents are named according to what they represent to avoid mixing up documents during upload.
3. Ensure you attach the appropriate documents when asked to upload.

To apply, follow the steps below:
1. Click on “Apply Now” tab.
2. Click on “Register Now” to create an account.
3. Proceed to your email box to activate your account
4. Click on www.scholastica.ng/Schemes/Agbami to return to Scholarship site.
5. Enter your registered email and password to upload your information.
6. Enter your personal information, National Identification Number (if available), educational information, other information and upload required scanned documents.
7. Ensure the name used in applications matches the names on all documentation in same order. Upload a sworn affidavit or certificate if otherwise.
8. Ensure you view all documents after uploading, to eliminate errors during uploading.
9. When asked to upload photo, upload a pass-port photograph with a white background.
10. Recheck application information to avoid errors
11. Click “Apply Now” to submit information
12. You will receive an email and a sms that confirms your application was successful.
13. Return to www.scholastica.ng, enter your Email and Password to download your profile and proceed to have your Head of Department sign the document. 14. Upload a scanned copy of the signed profile, this would be used for verification.
15. If National Identification Number (NIN) number was not available in step 6, to obtain your National Identification Number (NIN)

Visit http://ninenrol.gov.ng to register and learn more about the National Identity Number.

Click “Create Account” and fill in the required fields.

Login with Email and Password to complete the form.

After completion, schedule a date for photo and finger print capture.

Visit any of the 37 capture centres. www.nimc.gov.ng/pages/general/enrolmentcentres.htm to complete the registration process and obtain your National Identity Number.

You can also do your total registration at the NIMC office.

16. Return to www.scholastica.ng/Schemes/Agbami and update application with National Identification Number (NIN) to ensure completion.

Note: Multiple applications attract a disqualification penalty from the Scholarship board.

DELSU Postpones Pre-degree Entrance Exam to February 28, 2014


We wish to inform all prospective DELSU predegree students that the examination for admission of new students into pre-degree programme of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka has been postponed to February 28, this means that the entrance examination will no longer hold on the pre supposed January 8.

The university embarked upon this decision to give room for more students who wished to register and ensure that prospective students are prepared for the test.

All prospective pre-degree students of DELSU are to get ready for the exam on the newly approved date, and venues.

27 January 2014

NOUN Academic Calender for 2013/2014 session


The National Open University Of Nigeria academic calendar as scheduled for 2013/2014 are as follows:
January - Orientation of Fresh Students 10th & 11th January, 2014
January - Registration of Students Commences 13th January, 2014
January - Convocation 17th & 18th January, 2014
January - Facilitation Commences 20th January, 2014
January - Registration of Students Ends 4 weeks 7th February, 2014
February - 1st TMA 2 weeks 3rd February, 2014
February - Matriculation Ceremony 15th February, 2014
February - Senate 18th February, 2014
February - 2nd TMA 8 weeks 18th February, 2014
February - 3rd TMA 4th March, 2014
March - 4TH TMA 18th March, 2014
March - Facilitation Ends 21st March, 2014
March - Examinations Begin 8 weeks 24th March, 2014
May - Examinations Ends 10th May, 2014
May - Marking of POP Ends 10th May, 2014
May - Marking & Collation of POP & e-exams results ends 24th May, 2014
June - Senate 10th June, 2014
June - Release of Examination Results 17th June, 2014
July - Registration of Students Commences 4 weeks 30th June, 2014
July - Orientation of Fresh Students 2nd to 3rd July, 2014
July - Matriculation Ceremony 1st – 5th 12th July, 2014
July - Facilitation Commences 15th July, 2014
July - Registration of Students Ends 25th July, 2014
August - 1st TMA 10 weeks 4th August, 2014
August - 2nd TMA 18th August, 2014
September - 3rd TMA 1st September, 2014
September - 4th TMA 15th September, 2014
September - Facilitation Ends 20th September, 2014
September - Examinations Begin 8 weeks 29th
September, 2014
November - Marking of POP ends 15th November, 2014
November - Examinations Ends 22nd November, 2014
November - Marking & Collation of POP & e-exams results ends 28th November, 2014
December - Release of Results 15th December, 2014

24 January 2014

Approved Timetable for 2014 WASSCE


The time table is as follows;

24th March
FOOD & NUT PRACTICAL.

The following subjects would be written on the 1st of April, 2014.
Civic Education 2 (Essay)
Civic Education 1 (Obj)
Data Processing 2 (Essay)
Data Processing 1 (Obj)
Painting and Decorating 2 (Essay)
Painting and Decorating 1 (Obj)

Wednesday, 2nd April, 2014
Hausa 2 (Essay)
Hausa 1 (Obj)
Igbo 2 (Essay)
Igbo 1 (Obj)
Yoruba 2 (Essay)
Yoruba 1 (Obj)
Edo 2 (Essay)
Edo 1 (Obj)
Efik 2 (Essay)
Efik 1 (Obj)
Ibibio 2 (Essay)
Ibibio 1 (Obj)

Thursday, 3rd April, 2014:
Physics 3 (Practical) (Alt A)
Physics 3 (Practical) (Alt A)
Physical Education 3 (Theory of Practice)

Friday, 4th April, 2014:
English Language 2 (Essay)
English Language 1 (Obj)
English Language 3 (Oral)

Monday, 7th April, 2014:
Literature 1(Obj)
Literature 2(Essay)
Literature 3(Essay)

Tuesday, 8th April, 2014:
Geography 2(Essay)
Geography 1(Obj)

Wednesday, 9th April, 2014:
Physics 2(Essay)
Physics 1(Obj)
Geography 3(Practical & Physical Geo)

Thursday, 10th April, 2014:
Chemistry 3(Practical) (Alt A)
Chemistry 3(Practical) (Alt A)

Friday, 11th April, 2014:
Computer Studies 2 (Essay)
Computer Studies 1 (Obj)

Monday, 14th April, 2014:
Government 2 (Essay)
Government 1 (Obj)
Physics 3(Practical) ( Alt. B)
Physics 3(Practical) (Alt. B)
Computer Studies (Practical)
Computer Studies (Practical)
Foods & Nut 2(Essay)
Foods & Nut 1(Obj)

Tuesday, 15th April, 2014:
Chemistry 2(Essay)
Chemistry 1(Obj)

Wednesday, 16th April, 2014:
Financial Accounting 2(Essay)
Financial Accounting 1(Obj)
Biology 2(Essay)
Biology 1(Obj)

Thursday, 17th April, 2014:
Agric Science 3(Practical)
Agric Science 3(Practical)

Wednesday, 23rd April, 2014:
Economics 2 (Essay)
Economics 1 (Obj)

Thursday, 24th April, 2014:
Mathematics 2(Essay)
Mathematics 1(Obj)

Friday, 25th April, 2014:
History 2(Essay)
History 1(Obj)
Chemistry 3(Practical) (Alt. B)
Chemistry 3 (Practical) (Alt. B)

Tuesday, 29th April, 2014:
Office Practice 2(Essay)
Office Practice 1 (Obj)

Wednesday, 30th April, 2014:
Biology 3(Practical) (Alt. A)
Biology 3(Practical) (Alt. A)

Tuesday, 6th May, 2014:
Agric Science 2(Essay)
Agric Science 1(Obj)

Friday, 9th May, 2014:
Further Mathematics 2(Essay)
Further Mathematics 1(Obj)

Tuesday, 13th May, 2014:
Christian Religious Studies 2(Essay)
Christian Religious Studies 2(Obj)
Islamic Studies 2(Essay)
Islamic Studies 1 (Obj)
Commerce 2(Essay)
Commerce 1 (Obj)

Wednesday, 14th May, 2014:
Health Science 3(Alt. to Practical)

Thursday, 15th May, 2014:
Technical Drawing 2 (Essay)
Technical Drawing 1 (Obj)

22 January 2014

Three Researchers benefits from UNILORIN's N4.5m approved Grant For Research

The authorities of the University of Ilorin have approved N4.5m for three of the institution’s academics.

The school Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, announced this on Monday while receiving three of the scholars in his office.

The beneficiaries are professors Kunle Ayorinde; Victor Alabi, and Taiwo Ibiyemi.

He said the academics were supervisors of the students whose theses excelled in the Nigeria Universities Doctoral Thesis Awards Scheme organised by the National Universities Commission last year.

Ambali said, “The university recognised the fact that without their expertise and thoroughness, the students’ theses would not have won the awards.

The vice-chancellor added that the university had to give special recognition to the supervisors “because without them, these awards wouldn’t have been ours.

“With them producing this calibre of students with limited resources, there is no doubt that with more encouragement, they will do more,” he said.

The doctoral graduates who won the awards are Eunice Sola-Ojo of the Faculty of Agriculture, Ojeniyi Adetunji of the Faculty of Arts and Omowunmi Gbenga-Ilori of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology.

The Dean of the Postgraduate School, Prof. Clement Bewaji, who spoke on the occasion, commended the authorities for providing the grant.

NOUN Convocation: 54-year-old Man Emerges Best Graduating Student


A 54-year-old businessman and father of three, Mr. Nyia Sunday, has emerged the overall best graduating student of the the National Open University of Nigeria.

Sunday, who hails from Enugu State, obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies from the university, as revealed at the institution’s convocation held last Saturday in Lagos.

Sunday, a Maiduguri, Borno State-based businessman, said it was determination that saw him through the programme.

He said, “Like every other aspect of human life, when you develop a passion for something, no matter the challenges you may have, you will definitely overcome them.

“I worked hard for this and God also made it possible for me. Right from the day I enrolled at NOUN, I told myself I must come out in flying colours. I had first graduated from a college of education, before enrolling for the degree programme.

“I worked with the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited in the past, but ever since the privatisation of the company, I have been in business. Despite my grade, I do not plan to look for a job. I enjoy being self-employed because my business earns me a good living.”

The Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, who represented the visitor to the university, President Goodluck Jonathan, on the occasion, said the government would continue to promote the standard of tertiary education in the country.

He also promised to ensure cordial relationship with university lecturers to prevent any further disruption of studies in the country.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Vincent Tenebe, said the university was in the forefront of providing affordable and accessible open and distance education in the country.

He, however, urged the Federal Government to assist the institution to overcome its challenges through increased funding.

Other highlights of the convocation ceremony included the graduation of the first set of Law and Mass Communication graduates, and the conferment of honorary degrees on two prominent Nigerians – a former University of Benin Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Grace Alele Williams, and a philanthropist, Alhaji Muhammed Kwara.

21 January 2014

Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship 2014/2015 now open: How to apply


BRIEF INTRO

Anita Borg (1949–2003) believed that technology affects all aspects of our economic, political, social and personal lives. A technology rebel with a cause, in her life she fought tirelessly to ensure that technology’s impact would be a positive one. It was this vision that inspired Anita in 1997 to found the Institute for Women and Technology. Today this organization continues on her legacy and bears her name, The Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP

Google Anita Borg Scholarship recipients will each receive a € 7,000 (N 1.75m naira) award for the 2014-2015 academic year. A group of female undergraduate and graduate students will be chosen from the applicant pool, and scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of each candidate's academic background, passion for increasing the involvement of women in computer science, and demonstrated leadership. All scholarship recipients will be invited to attend an annual Google networking retreat in 2014.

APPLICATION ELEGIBILITY

To be eligible to apply, applicants must:
  • Be a female student currently enrolled at a university for the 2013-2014 academic year


  • Intend to be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time student in a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD program at a university in Europe, the Middle East or Africa for the 2014-2015 academic year


  • Be studying Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Informatics or a closely related technical field


  • Maintain a strong academic record




  • APPLICATION PROCESSES


    Please complete the online application which includes:
  • General background information (includes contact information and information about your current and intended institution for the 2014-2015 school year)


  • Current resume/CV (up to 2 pages)


  • Academic transcripts from your current institution (and prior institution if currently in graduate school)


  • A reference letter from a professor, instructor, adviser or supervisor


  • Responses to essay questions




  • 20 January 2014

    Ambrose Ali University Amended School Calendar For 2013/2014 Session

    This is to inform all prospective students of the above named institution that the management of the institution has released a revised school calendar for the 2013/2014 session


    AAU Revised Calendar for 2013/2014 First Semester

    Monday, January 6, 2014 - Admitted student, payment of School of Fees/Registration.

    Sunday , January 12, 2014 - Students return to Campus

    Monday, January 13, 2014 - Resumption/Registration

    Tuesday, January 14, 2014 - Lecture begins while Registration Continues.

    Wednesday, April 9, 2014 - Lectures Ended

    Monday, April 14, 2014 – Wednesday April 16, 2014 - First Semester Examination

    Thursday, April 17, 2014 - UTME Break

    AAU Revised Calendar for 2013/2014 Second Semester

    Sunday, May 4, 2014 - Students return to Campus

    Monday, May 5, 2014 - Lecture begins

    Wednesday, July 23, 2014 - 2nd Semester lectures ends

    Thursday, July 24, 2014 – Friday, July 25, 2014 - Revision
    .
    Monday, July 28, 2014 - 2nd Semester Examination begins

    Friday, August 22, 2014 - Result Released

    16 January 2014

    Two weeks to exam: UNILAG students moan their fate


    It is said that when two elephant fights the ground suffers. It is only two weeks left for the students University of Lagos (UNILAG) students to prepare for their second semester examination after six months of ASUU strike. SYLVESTER OKORUWA was on campus to get the comments of the students on their experiences during the strike period and future plans.

    Mike Okoh, post -graduate MSC Economic: During the strike, I got myself busy with my family members doing profitable business. I was positively engaged, but the six month period was a waste for me academically. I could not go on with the progamme, I was doing at that time due to the prolonged ASUU strike. To me, the strike only helped extend my programme, which I did not find funny because before the strike, I had only two months to the end of my post graduate course, but now, I have to do extra brain work to be able to meet up with the present crash programme the system now offers us. The strike left us with no choice because ASUU was fighting for the improvement of university education in Nigeria.

    Deola Jayesimi, 200 Level, Faculty of Law: The six months ASUU strike only helped to extend my five years Law programme to six years. The strike was very inconveniencing for me as it only distorted the school’s calendar and delayed the students from moving to the next class. Before the strike, we were unable to write our 200 level second semester examination because by now, I should have been in 300 level. As for me, I only used the ASUU strike to play football and briefly worked in my father’s company.

    Bukola Toki, 200 Level, Department of Petro Chemical Engineering: The strike affected every student in different ways, while some of the female students got pregnant, others were engaged in positive entrepreneurship activities. I believe that the government was very insensitive to the plight of Nigerian students, that was why the strike was prolonged. As for me, I tried to engaged myself in some positive activities.

    Victor Dare, 400 Level, Department of Philosophy: The strike was worth it if ASUU got everything they fought for. As a student, I cannot compare myself with fellow students in South Africa in terms infrastructure. If ASUU gets the money and puts in place the necessary facilities in our universities, studying will be made easy. To me, the crash programme presently put in place for the final year students is not going to be funny because in two weeks time, I will be writing the final examination and defending my project, all after six months of idleness, how do we cope?

    Evelyn Chinasa Ike, 400 Level, Department of Philosophy: Initially, when the ASUU strike started, the final year students were happy because it gave us time to do more research work on our projects, but when it went on from one month to five months, we were affected psychologically. Now that we have resumed, everybody is busy reading to be able to cover lost grounds as the examinations start in two weeks time. How do we cope? Only God will help us because many students did not study during the strike. This may result in massive failure.

    Patrick, Department of Creative Arts: The strike was challenging as the strike affected more students psychologically. Six months of idleness and two weeks to prepare for a second semester examination. This may not be easy. ASUU and the Federal Government should also take the students into consideration in the course of their dispute because if two elephants fights, it is the grass that suffers most. Now that the strike is over, the students will have to bear the pains.
    Source: Nigerian Tribune

    11 January 2014

    Uniport predegree to degree admission list into the faculties of Music and Education for 2013/2014 Session

    This is to inform you that the long awaited predegree to degree admission list into the faculties of Music and Education for 2013/2014 Session has been released.
    Expectant candidates are advised to check their names by visiting the link below:
    CERTIFICATE ADMISSION LIST

    7 January 2014

    Unijos Moves to Avert Fresh ASUU Strike

    Management of the University of Jos has said it is addressing errors made in the payment of earned allowances to members of staff over which the institution's branch of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a fresh industrial action.

    The branch at a meeting last Friday resolved not to participate in any academic activities until members are paid their earned allowances as presented to the Federal Government and approved, dashing hopes of the resumption of lectures today (Monday) after over six months.

    Registrar of the university, Mr. Danjuma Jilly-Dandam said in a statement that earned allowances were paid to all staff in October and December last year but that a few errors were noted in the payment which are "being addressed with dispatch."

    The statement said payment of five months salary arrears arising from the strike to all academic staff had been completed and described the action of the ASUU branch as "detrimental to the continuous academic pursuit of the university."

    "Management wishes to reaffirm that the Academic Calendar approved by Senate of the University of Jos which directed that lectures should commence on Monday January 6, 2014 subsists", the statement added.

    However, the institution's chapter of ASUU in statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Dr. David Jangkam and Secretary, N. Wannang said members resolved not to participate in academic activities over some internal issues it alleged the management refused to address.

    It alleged that the N1.16 billion Naira released by the Federal Government to the university as earned allowances was disbursed arbitrarily without recourse to the initial computation for 2010 to 2012 or the verified computation in 2013.

    "Instead the University of Jos administration shared the money as it deemed fit without regard to whether staff earned same entitlement or not, thus resulting in some members getting far less than what they are entitled to and most members getting nothing at all", the statement said.

    Meanwhile, a Senate meeting fixed for tomorrow with the agendum "Urgent Academic Issues" is expected to discuss the issue with a view to averting another long strike by lecturers.
    Source: AllAfrica

    3 January 2014

    Scholars, Unionists are battling for the soul of higher education — An interview with VC, AAUA



    THE AAUA turned up prominently during the ASUU strike as one which resumed classes while others held on. Why was this so?
    First, ours is a state, not a federal university, so there is a limit to which we ordinarily should be affected by ASUU’s struggle with the Federal Government. In a federal republic that Nigeria is supposed to be, this is not something we can take for granted.

    Secondly, the truth is that some elements of the FGN-ASUU Agreement were already being implemented here at AAUA before the strike action; a fact that ordinarily should have advised a different approach to the national strike here. Thirdly, the way and manner the local leadership of ASUU here prosecuted the whole strike enterprise, it was as if it was an action against the university administration here, and a good number of people, members of ASUU-AAUA, were not quite comfortable with that. But you know, there is this spirit of camaraderie that everybody wants to showcase, so that when the local leadership was clearly going beyond its bounds and doing things that were clearly difficult to defend, even those who were uncomfortable with such still managed to put up with all of that – as some of them told us, in the interest of the union. Attempts were actually made to ensure that nothing got done here, as against the situation prevalent in several federal universities where activities other than teaching students went on unimpeded. Indeed, things were so bad here that somebody jokingly wondered whether ASUU had a trophy for the branch chairperson most disruptive of operations in their university! It was that bad.

    It was against this backdrop that we announced resumption for November 25. To the glory of God, we resumed – I mean as at the last count, about 90 per cent of our lecturers resumed and more than 70 per cent of my students had had two weeks of lectures before the Federal Government and ASUU eventually initialled the fresh agreement. So, I guess these must be the basis of the prominence you said AAUA had during the strike action.

    Don’t you see ASUU sanctioning your lecturers for backing out?
    I don’t think ASUU gave any of the lecturers job. They qualify for membership in the first instance by reason of their being employees of the university. And at any event, ASUU is supposed to be a democratic organisation where you are not compelled on anything. If members of ASUU in a branch, adults and well-educated people all, were convinced they had enough of a strike at some point, I doubt if it would not run against the grain of the advertised commitment to democratic practice to talk of sanctioning them.

    So what is going to happen to those who refused to heed your call to resume?

    Nothing is going to happen to them. I mean, if you asked people to come back to work and you had a 90 per cent success rate, you can afford to disregard the proclivities of the 10 per cent that for whatever reason chose not to respond.

    You seem not to be too convinced on the use of strike action as a weapon in the industrial crisis. Why are you so persuaded and what options do you suggest to enable labour-based pressure groups achieve their aims?

    The answer is clear. ASUU has called strike actions of different duration and for different reasons, some of them sympathy strike, virtually every year since 1982. If in spite of that we still had need for a six-month strike in 2013, as a student of society and development, what this implies, without any argument, is that the strike action has not been effective. Secondly, you need to know the nature of the challenges those of us saddled with the problem of running the universities face on daily basis trying to cope with the reality of instability to begin to understand why many Vice Chancellors, not just this one, are against strike action. The truth is that for as long as we do not have stability in our operations, for as long as our operations remain incurably unpredictable, for so long shall global respectability elude Nigerian universities. You cannot predict when academic sessions are going to start and be concluded.

    It is simply unacceptable. You cannot therefore really strike partnership deals with sister universities abroad. You cannot begin to talk seriously of recruiting foreign students and scholars. You cannot even ask investors to put their monies into what you have doing since nobody is sure when the next forced lockdown would happen, and for how long.

    And this is why for me, what we have today is an epic battle between scholars and unionists for the soul of higher education in Nigeria. The resolution of the six-month old strike that was announced a couple of days ago has really not solved the problem, for as I have often said, while money is a critical element in the whole equation, a good chunk of the problem bedevilling the university system today is attitudinal, the attitude and mind-set of lecturers in particular who have now seen their union as the alternative governance structure of the universities.And to add insult to injury, you now have a whole generation of junior scholars whose perception of scholarship and academics is as defined by unions under whom they are wont to seek protection and to whom they make recourse rather than do scholarship and research. Needless to say how dangerous for our higher education this is.

    The cause of the matter is decayed infrastructure as ASUU makes us to believe. Do you have stoves for Bunsen burners in AAUA?

    Well, infrastructure in many universities are in a bad shape. But this is not something that happened yesterday. It is rather an accumulation of several years of neglect. At AAUA, by the time we complete and take delivery of our Senate building and the 30-Classroom Quadrangle, hopefully later this year, we would not have any major challenge with office, laboratory and classroom space for at least the next five years, provided we keep our eyes on our capacity in relation to student admission. But because we are committed to a carefully laid-out programme of expansion, we would continue to deploy funds to build new lecture theatres, classrooms and laboratories. We also are committed to deploying more funds to equipping our laboratories to enhance research.

    To your specific question, we do not improvise with stoves here. I am sure you are referring to the reports of the Needs Assessment Committee in relation to some universities. What was identified as the key challenge for my university is the less than appropriate condition in which students live off-campus; and we are addressing that now by trying to get more bed space on campus. As we speak now, two new halls of residence are nearing completion – one by NDDC and the other by OSOPADEC. More importantly, about three weeks ago, we laid the foundation of another hostel facility that is expected to provide 12,000 bed spaces before the end of next year – under a PPP arrangement.

    How would the VCs make the students gain back the time lost to the five-month strike since the lecturers are getting their arrears paid?

    Unfortunately, we do not have much of a choice here. The required number of lecture-weeks must be adhered to. On our new academic calendar which commenced November 25, the second semester of 2012/2013 ends on March 29, 2014. So the students are not really losing anything in terms of number of months of lectures, etc. But then, poor kids, they have all lost about six months of their life to the national strike. And talking seriously, I should think that some students should go to court to ask for damages from their lecturers or whomever, especially if their lecturers get paid for the time they were on strike and did not work. In that context it would seem to me that students whose time was wantonly wasted should test our jurisprudence by going to court to ask these teachers for damages. Let’s see how it plays out. Whatever we need to do to put a stop to this strike business is much welcome.

    How can we avert this type of scenario in future?
    I had suggested to ASUU things like engagement of professional lobbyists to take up our issues. There is also the issue of political engagement with government that would make us as a Union able to influence the choice of at least the Education Minister from time to time. Unfortunately, most students today do not respect their lecturers, well, most lecturers have not earned the respect of their students, otherwise the students would have been a powerful resource base for ASUU in the context of democratic governance and the need for politicians to have votes. So if ASUU can find a way to burnish the image of their members with their students, a powerful alliance it would be between staff and students to influence the direction of elections in specific constituencies, and indeed, if well calibrated, across the nation too.

    I also feel that we as a nation need to look very well at the way Margaret Thatcher stood up to the unions when the UK was at a similar crossroad in the past. Thatcher has a great fan in me, anyway, and I would recommend her principled stance against frivolous union agitation any day. Her firmness saved the British economy from outright collapse after several years of union blackmail, the type that is abroad in Nigeria today - a situation in which at the slightest excuse, you have unions mouthing some ill-digested ideological propositions and proclaiming and/or threatening strike action on things that ordinarily should be handled via negotiation.

    Source: Nigerian Tribune

    1 January 2014

    NANS Congratulates ASUU on continuous commitment to improve varsity education

    The National Association of Nigerian Students has described the six-month old strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities as a bold move towards rescuing the nation’s University education from the brink of collapse.
    NANS in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti, the state capital on Sunday by its Coordinator in the South-West, Sunday Asefon, said the strike was a testimony of the doggedness of the union at ensuring improved condition of varsity education in the country.
    He noted, “The step taken will help turn around the fortunes of the Nigerian universities and launch them back to reckoning in the global ranking”. It warned the Federal Government not to renege on its agreements with ASUU saying the consequence of doing so would be grave.
    It said, “The victory recorded in the nationwide strike by ASUU was for all. This will bring to an end the problem of poor infrastructures on campuses, prevalence of cult activities and social vices”.
    He also urged President Goodluck Jonathan to address the political crises within the polity saying such could pose a threat to the unity of the country if unchecked. Lamenting the high crime rate across the country, Asefon said, “The recent killings in Offa and Ikere Ekiti arising from armed robbery attacks on banks by men of the underworld is sad. How to address the menace should be of high priority.
    We call on the security agencies to look into the matter and apprehend the culprits”. He added that governments at all levels should be committed to provision of social infrastructures in a bid to making life bearable to the citizenry.
     

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