UNIUYO: Payment of Fees Procedures for 2014/2015 Session

In view of the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the University will no longer accept payment of fees by cash from students.
The new procedures for payment of fees are outlined below;
1. Obtain a Payment Slip bearing a Transaction ID and a Quickteller Code.
To do this,
a. Visit the University site: www.uniuyo.nucdb.edu.ng
b. Log in with your username and password on the left hand side of your homepage
c. Click to make payment under the make payment link on the student page
c. Update your student data properly
d. If entries are valid, there is a redirection to the e-payment service homepage. Read the instructions shown
e. Your fees are displayed to you for confirmation
f. Click the confirmation button on your bill/payment slip. (The payment Slip shows the transaction ID and the QuickTeller Code)
g. Print or note the Transaction ID and Quickteller Code and proceed to make payment.

2. To make payment
a. Visit www.quickteller.com
b. Log on to your account or create a new account
c. Select University of Uyo under the PAYCHOICE category
d. Select the Quickteller Code printed on your Payment Slip
e. Enter the Transaction ID (Printed on your Payment Slip)
f. Proceed to enter details of your ATM or Debit card
g. Click process payment
h. Print your Payment Receipt from the screen (a copy is sent to your e>mail)
i. Obtain the University receipt/acknowledgement from your Faculty Finance officer.

3. General Information
Every student should open an account with any commercial bank of his/her choice and obtain from the bank an ATM card. You must ensure your account is funded enough to pay the fees for the semester or session.
For students without ATM Card
1. Walk into any branch of First Bank nationwide

2. Request to get preloaded debit card (Cash Card)

3. The teller receives your cash and funds your debit card

4. Proceed to www.quickteller.com to complete your fees payment using Cash/Debit card
Effective date for payment is 2nd Semester 2013/2014 session.
Signed
Bursar

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Apply Now: UNIUYO supplementary Admission for 2014/2015 Session

Candidates who scored 180 and above in both the 2014 UTME and the 2014 Post-UTME Screening Exercise, but could not gain admission into their first choice programme, are eligible to apply for supplementary admission into other programmes relevant to their UTME subject combination.

Limited vacancies are available in:-
1. Faculty of Agriculture:
Agric. Econs & Extension, Animal Science, Crop Science, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Food Science & Technology, Forestry & Wildlife, Human Ecology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Soil Science.

2. Faculty of Arts:
Efik/Ibibio, Foreign Language (French), Linguistics and Nigerian Languages,Religious & Cultural Studies, Philosophy, Music.

3. Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences:
Biochemistry

4. Faculty of Business Administration:
Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Management, Insurance,Marketing

5. Faculty of Education:
Accounting Education, Biology Education, Education, Chemistry Education, Efik-Ibibio Education, Economics Educ., Fine Arts Education,French Education, Health Education, Home Economics Education, History Education, Integrated Science Education, Library Science, Mathematics Education, Music Education, Physical Education, Physics Education,Political Science Education, Pre-Primary & Primary Education, SocialStudies Education, Technical Education, Geography Education, SpecialEducation, Guidance & Counseling.

6. Faculty of Engineering:
Agric. Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, ComputerEngineering, Elect/Electronic Engineering, Food Engineering, Mechanical
Engineering, Petroleum Engineering.

7. Faculty of Environmental Studies
Estate Management, Geoinformatics & Surveying, Urban & Regional Planning.

8. Faculty of Science
Botany & Ecological Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics,Physics, Statistics, Zoology.

9. Faculty of Social Sciences
Economics, Geography, Political Science & Public Administration,Psychology, Sociology & Anthropology.

REQUIREMENTS
a) Eligible candidates should pay the sum of N1,000.00 (one thousand naira)only and obtain a PIN Transaction Receipt which should contain a PIN code at the following Banks nationwide:
i) University of Uyo Microfinance Bank
ii) Skye Bank Plc
iii) WEMA Bank Plc
iv) Ecobank Plc
b) With the PIN Code, candidates should access and complete the University of Uyo, 2014 Supplementary Form online at http://www.uniuyo.edu.ng. From the Students E-Portals Solutions’ Menu applying the following steps:
- Click on Supplementary admission Portal Link
- Log in with your UTME registration Number and PIN Code
- Fill the Supplementary admission form and upload a recent passport size photograph (scanned) with red background.
- Submit the online supplementary admission form and print out.
Note: (i) The same passport used for the online registration will be used during the screening and registration after offer of admission.
(ii) No complaint of wrong Bio-Data or blank picture will be entertained after submission.
(iii) Candidates who up-load wrong Bio-Data will be automatically disqualified.

Closing Date: Sunday, 28th September, 2014

Note: Only forms of candidates who comply with the registration procedures
outlined will be processed.

Signed
Mrs Edak U. Umondak
REGISTRAR

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Kwara State University Best Graduating Student Receives Cheque of N1.6m

Ameen Mohammed Tukur who was named the best graduating student of Kwara State University for 2012/2013 session has been presented a cheque of N1.65m (one million, six hundred and fifty thousand naira) by the kwara state government.

According to Alhaji Abdukwahab Aliyu Opakunle who presented the cheque on behalf of the state government stated that this is a deliberate effort by the Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed administration to encourage excellent students in the state who distinguish themselves, in their chosen academic career.

In his response, Ameen Mohammed Tukur expressed his appreciation to the Kwara State Government, the management of KWASU and his presents who have contributed in no small measure to the success of his programme.

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ABUAD: Information and Requirements for Fresh and Returning Students 2014/2015 Session

Placement into Degree Programmes is based on performance at the UTME and the post-UTME screening, satisfaction of the O’Level requirements of individual courses, and the number of spaces available in the particular programme.

2. RESUMPTION AND REGISTRATION

The 2014/2015 Academic Session commences as follows;

Fresh Undergraduates
College of Law: Friday 19th September, 2014

College of Medicine and Health Sciences: Friday 19th September, 2014

College of Engineering: Saturday, 20th September, 2014

College of Sciences: Saturday, 20th September, 2014

College of Social and Management Sciences: Monday, 22nd September, 2014

Returning Undergraduates
Wednesday, 24th September, 2014 -College of Law and College of Medicine and Health Sciences

Thursday, 25th September, 2014 – College of Sciences and College of Engineering

Friday, 26th September, 2014 – College of Social and Management Sciences

3. EACH FRESH UNDERGRADUATE IS EXPECTED TO PRESENT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS AT THE POINT OF SCREENING:

i.Provisional Admission Letter

ii.Bank Draft of School Fees in favour of Afe Babalola University.

iii.Birth certificate

iv.Current UTME Result

v.O/L Result – Colleges of Law, and Medicine and Surgery would accept Five O’ Level Credits (WAEC/NECO/NABTEB) results at one (1) sitting only.

For other Programmes, Five O’ Level Credits (WAEC/NECO/NABTEB) results at one sitting or Six Credit Passes at not more than Two Sittings are acceptable.

vi.20 copies of passport photographs.

vii.A letter of undertaking by the Candidate’s parent/sponsor, and a letter of guarantee by a Christian Clergy or Muslim Cleric, with their telephone number guaranteeing good behaviour and compliance with the University’s rules and regulations.

viii.A sworn affidavit by the student giving information about his/her name, address and name of parents in a High Court of Justice is required at the point of Registration.

ix.The original copies of the candidate’s credentials will be sighted while photocopies will be submitted.

4. PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES
Fresh Undergraduates who are offered Provisional Admission are expected to purchase bank drafts for payment of school fees from any accredited bank in favour of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti.(Details of school fees for 2014/2015 Academic Session are available on the University Website).

5. OFFICIAL BANK FOR STUDENTS’ POCKET MONEY

Skye Bank Plc.

Wema Bank Plc

Fidelity Bank Plc.

NOTE: Students will NOT be allowed to operate Bank accounts with any other BANK.

6. MODE OF DRESSING

Afe Babalola University places heavy premium on the appearance of the Staff (male and female) as well as the Students (male and female) within and outside the University.

The following dress codes are prescribed;

College of Law: Black and White. Trousers are not allowed for Female Law Students.

College of Medicine and Health Sciences: All shades of Red and Pink on matching colours.

College of Engineering: All shades of green on matching colours.

College of Sciences: All shades of cream on matching colours.

College of Social and Management Sciences: All shades of Blue on matching colours.

Laboratory Wears:

College of Medicine and Health Sciences: White Overall

College of Sciences: White Overall

College of Engineering: Blue Overall

b. All Students are mandated to

i. abide by the dress colour codes

ii. dress formally during school hours 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday.

iii. put on the ABUAD tie (Males) and scarves (Females) during school hours.

iv. jeans are not allowed during school hours.

7. STUDENTS ON MEDICATION
It is pertinent for Parents to disclose their ward’s health status. Chronic, genetic or other long term ailments must be carefully monitored by medical personnel to assist Students achieve best academic and overall results. Therefore, Parents are enjoined to cooperate with the University Management in this regard.

8. HALLS OF RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS

The following are the minimum required items that a Student may need during his/her stay in the Hall of Residence:

i. Pillow Case

ii. Blanket

iii. Bed sheets 4 x 7

iv. Set of cutlery

v. Plastic Buckets (can be purchased in the school)

vi. Padlock and key ring

vii. Torch Light and Batteries

viii. Hangers

ix. School bag

x. Sweater

xi. Raincoat/Umbrella

xii. Toiletries

xiii. Laptop (optional)

xiv. Feeding Allowance

xv. Writing materials

xvi. Sporting Wears; T-shirts with sleeves (4), Track Down or short (2 pairs), Canvas Shoes (Sneakers)(1 pair), Swimming Trunk/Suit (1 Set).

9. LIST OF PROHIBITED ITEMS IN THE HALL OF RESIDENCE

i. Alcoholic drinks

ii. Blenders

iii. Binoculars

iv. Candles, matches & gas lighter

v. Cigarettes

vi. Illicit Drugs (Cannabis, Cocaine, Opium, Codeine, etc.)

vii. Indecent wears

viii. Cooking utensils

ix. Dangerous weapons of any type

x. Electric blankets, mattresses or beds

xi. Electric boiling rings

xii Electric Kettles

xiii. Hair dryers

xiv. Kerosene Lamps

xv. Lethal weapons & injections

xvi. Microwaves/Rice Cooker/Hot Plates

xvii. Photocopying machines

xviii. Raw food items

ix. Refrigerators

xx. Toasters/Sandwich Maker/Grillers

xxi. Television sets/Video Machine/Computer Games.

xxii. Indomie Noodles

xxiii. Hubley Bubley

xxiv. Any other item that may be specified from time to time.

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OOU Lifts Ban On Student Union Government

The management of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye has lifted the ban earlier placed on the Student Union Government with immediate effect while the institution remains closed.

The development follows the intervention of the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, FCA as a result of entreaties made by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NAANS), South-West zone,well-meaning elders and other stakeholders on behalf of the Student Union Government.

The ban lift is to give room for further deliberations to resolve issues surrounding the closure of the school.

The SUG and the entire students are hereby enjoined to maintain peace while both parties explore dialogue to resolve the matter.

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Nasarawa State Law Students Decline Bursary Offer by the State Government

Law students who are indigene of Nasarawa State are protesting the Bursary and scholarship award proposed by the Nasarawa state government for this year.

According to the Chairman of the Nigerian Law Students, Nasarawa state their agitation stems from the fact that the bursary has been reduced to N100,000 against the 500,000 the state government offered last year.

He said this is unacceptable by the students; describing it as “cheating”.

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Now On Sale: Kwara State College of Health Admission forms for 2014/2015

The Kwara State College of Health Admission forms for 2014/2015 intake is on sale. Online application started April 25, 2014 for candidates willing to apply for the next academic session.

Interested candidates are to obtain scratch cards to Log on to the College’s site from the underlisted banks at the rate of Six Thousand end Five Hundred Naira (N6,500.00) only.


• EcoBank
• First Bank
• GTBank
• UBA
• Mainstreet Bank
• Sincere Microfinance Bank
• Skye Bank
• Stockcorp Microfinance Bank
• Union Bank
• Unity Bank
• Zenith Bank


All branches of these Banks at Offa and Ilorin.
Visit the College site at www.offahealthtech.com for more details.
Notes:

The under listed are the available programmes for the 2014/2015 session.
• Community Health Extension Worker(CHEW)

• Public Health Nursing(PHN)

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UNIZIK Student in court over an alleged N1.3m fraud

Accused for Internet fraud of N1, 340, 000, A Unizik student, Ekumah Emeka, on Tuesday, appeared before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.


Emeka, 24, a 200-level student of Architecture at the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Anambra State, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Cpl. Adekemi Adeniran, told the court that the accused committed the crime sometime in January in two banks in Lagos.

She explained that the accused hacked into the account of one Mr Marcus Adeoye and transferred N1, 340, 000 for his personal use.

“However, the accused was caught at one of the branch of the banks in Ogudu, Lagos, when he wanted to withdraw some money,” she said.

Adeniran said that the offenses contravened Sections 409 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused denied the charge.

Section 285 recommended three years imprisonment for convicted offenders.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Omolade Awope, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the matter till May 5, for hearing.

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UNIPORT SUG Election 2014: 200 Level Student Emerges SUG President

Comr. Nwizua, Felix Kingsley, a 200L student of the department of Computer Science yesterday, 5th March 2014 emerged the winner of the presidential seat of the University of Port-Harcourt Student Union Government, SUG. Felix, who was the general course rep. in his 100L and also the Computer Science course rep. contested alongside 5 other Presidential candidates out of which 2 were later nullified for a relatively low CGPA took an edge over 3 other presidential contenders to emerge the SUG president for the 2013/2014 academic session. The election which was described as free and fair by the ELECO took place in the University main campus, a total number of 40 candidates, out of which about 10 was later nullified took part in the election. About 70% of the candidates, including Felix, were students of the U2011 set - prospective 200 level students who were supposed to be in 300 level if not for the prolonged ASUU strike last year. About 50% of the entire school population took part in the voting process, except for the freshers who were automatically disenfrachised. Other positions in the SUG office were also elected except for the office of the vice president which had a little controversy, one miss Ufomba Joy, a VP aspirant with a CGPA of 4.50, a student of the department of Educational Foundations was nullified for reasons not known to us, thereby leading to that controversy. So for now, the Office of the VP is still vacant, and yet to be decided.

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RSUST Persuades 615 Students with a CGPA of less than 1.00 to Withdraw

In a bid to uphold the academic excellence for which the institution has been known, a list of a total of six hundred and fifteen (615) names of students of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology was published at the beginning of the new 2013/2014 academic session.These students have therefore been advised to withdraw as a result of their very low academic performance in the 2012/2013 academic session.
This coming on heels by the management of the university is to ensure adherence to its long time standing rule that students who are not able to meet a minimum 1.0 CGPA at the end of any academic session will be asked to withdraw. However, the complexity of manually managing examination records in time past has made it rather difficult to compute and track down students’ results and progress.
"Howbeit in recent times, with the use of ICTs for computation and storage of examination records, retrieval processes and academic report generation has made the search for students with a CGPA less than 1.0, less cumbersome, hence making it easy for the Management of the University to get the list of students who fall within this category promptly."
This has not only helped the students to know their academic position, but has also delivered the university from undue litigations which often follow the release of such list. Students involved in this category in times past often sued the school for not informing them as at when due and insist on being reinstated since they might have even paid all fees and carried out all registration activities before the release of the list.
With the advent of the e-campus portal, the situation has greatly improved and eliminated the embarrassment usually faced by the school authority. The following graph shows the distribution based on the level of the students advised to withdraw.
Source: MySchool News

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Nigeria’s Future Depends On Free Education - Okorocha

Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, says Nigeria’s future can be guaranteed if all tiers of government introduce free education at all levels.

Governor Okorocha also revealed that Imo State is building the first ever Marine University at Oguta and a College of Health Technology that is almost completed at Orlu, where degrees in nursing will be awarded.

He disclosed this while distributing free educational materials to benefitting schools, as well as flag off of Cluster Schools Model Teachers Professional Training Programme at the State Universal Basic Education Board [SUBEB] headquarters, Owerri.

He restated his administration’s determination to provide free and qualitative education at all levels in the state, pointing out that there is no better way of guaranteeing a secure and prosperous future than ensuring that every child is given the opportunity of acquring qualitative education.

Apart from providing free education at all levels, building 305 modern classroom blocks across the state, regular payment of teachers salaries and allowances, Okorocha also explained that his dream for Imo is “to be number one in education in Nigeria, where other states will come to copy as a model”.

The Governor, who outlawed the existence of Parents Teachers Association, PTA in all schools in the state, however reversed himself as he announced the establishment of what he called “Parents Teachers Child Assessment Programme [PTCAP] to offer the needed relationship between teachers and parents to discuss the welfare of their wards”.

He warned that government will not tolerate indolence among teachers, stressing that government will continue to monitor students and teachers attendance to school.

In her address of welcome, the Chairman, Imo State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Gertrude Oduka, said the event was to flag off the distribution of 798,352 volumes of text books in various subjects as instructional materials to Imo children in addition to 8,588 tables and 34,352 chairs for early child care development programme [ECCD].

The SUBEB chairman disclosed that the board has in place for the first phase learning, 42 cluster of 420 schools made up of 2100 participants comprising of 42 head teachers as centre managers, 42 local government education authority supervisors in addition to 42 Board staff.

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UNILORIN expels 8 students; Suspends few others for misconducts

The management of the University of Ilorin has expelled eight students for various acts of misconduct.

The students, who were recently tried by the University Students' Disciplinary Committee (SDC), are
Temidayo Olakunle of the Department of Educational Technology;
Dennis Adams Adeniji of the Department of Sociology;
Ademola Justice Oguntade of the Department of History and International Studies;
Muhammed Musa Suzo of the Department of Accounting;
Olakunle Toheeb Oyinloye of the Department of Sociology;
Ahmad Kolade Surajudeen of the Department of Statistics;
Azeez Babatunde of the Department of Sociology
Abdulwaheed Oluwafemi Sanni of the Department of Common and Islamic Law.

Also, two students have been rusticated for one academic session.They are Habeeb Pootu of the Department of Chemistry and Abdullahi Mohammed of the Department of Private and Property Law.

The University has also suspended Mayowa Salawu of the Department of Zoology pending the outcome of investigations into allegations that he associated with or belonged to an unregistered club on campus.

On the other hand, one student, Sulaiman Araba of the Department of Social Science Education, was exonerated from the charge of misconduct levelled against him.
However, in its sustained bid to uphold fairness and justice, the University management has given the penalised students the opportunity to appeal against the punishment meted to them.

A statement by the Secretary to the Students Disciplinary Committee (SDC), who is also the Deputy Registrar, Student Affairs, Mrs. K. W. Sallee, advised those who are not satisfied with the penalty they got to route their appeal to the University Council through their Heads of Departments, Deans of Faculties and the Vice-Chancellor within 48 days of the receipt of the letters conveying the SDC's decision to them.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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AAU, Akungba Academic calender for 2nd semester 2013/2014 session

After the publication of the resumption of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) 2012/2013 academic session second semester, the institution's management has decided to amend the academic session calendar.
Here is a breakdown of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko Academic Calendar for the 2012/2013 2nd Semester
Week1: (Nov 24-30,2013) – Resumption and Registration for all Students || Faculty Based Course Exposition.
Week2: (Dec 1-7,2013) Lectures begin for all Students
Week3: (Dec 8-14,2013): Lectures Continue
Week4: (Dec 15-21,2013) : Lectures Continue.
Week5: (Dec 22-28,2013) – 1st Continuous Assessment Tests || Lecture Continue
Week6: (Dec 29 – Jan 4,2014) – Lectures Continue
Week7: (Jan 5-11,2014) – Lectures Continue
Week8: (Jan 12-18,2014) – End of Registration and Closure of Edu Portal || Lectures Continue
Week9: (Jan 19 -25,2014) – 2nd Continuous Assessment Tests || Lectures Continue.
Week10: Jan 26-Feb 1,2014) – Lectures Continue || Senate Examinations
Week11: (Feb 2- 8,2014) – Lectures Continue
Week 12: ( Feb 9- 15,2014) – Lectures Continue
Week13: (Feb 16-22,2014) – Lectures Continue
Week14: (Feb 23-March 1,2014) – 3rd Continuous Assessment Tests || End of Lectures
Week 15: (March 2-8,2014) – Revision for all Students
Week 16: (March 9 -15, 2014), Second Semester Examination Begins
Week17: (March 16-22,2014) – Second Semester Examinations Continue
Week 18: ( March 23-29,2014) – End of Second Semester Examinations
Saturday March 29,2014 – Students to Vacate Campus and Halls of Residence
Summary:
Registration: One (1) week
Lectures: Thirteen (13) Weeks
Revision – One (1) Week
Examinations: Three (3) Weeks
Total – Eighteen (18) Weeks
End of the Session Break (2weeks) Sunday, March 30 – Saturday April 12,2014.
Please Note that all Public Holidays within the Calendar shall be duly observed –

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UNN graduate emerges winner of Gulder Ultimate Search 10, goes home with a whooping N10m grand prize

Daniel Okike, a twenty-two year old graduate of Electronics Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Daniel Okike, has emerged winner of the 10th edition of the Gulder Ultimate Reality Show.
With the victory, the Abia State native has won N10m and a brand new Mitsubishi Pajero.
The guy that had initially said he intended to establish a successful international import and export business outsmarted Edmund Umeabuani and Ifunanya Onike in the waters of the Usaka River, where the battle for the ultimate symbol held.
But it is a fair story for Onike, too, as she is the Last Female Standing, winning an added one million naira.
Also, a final year student of Industrial Mathematics in the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Kalu Kalu, emerged the first winner of the first ever fans edition of the Gulder Ultimate Search.
Kalu also won a brand new Mitsubishi Pajero 3.0L GLX MT, courtesy of CFAO Motors, the automotive partner of Gulder Ultimate Search 10.
He says, “I feel very happy to be the first winner of the first GUS Fans’ Edition; the first ‘Ultimate Conqueror’. It is a dream come true. My friends started calling me Ultimate Conqueror when I told them I was coming for the search. I took the risk of a night journey to get here for the search and it was very stressful. I can’t explain how I feel right now.”
A statement from the organisers gives details of the last scene of the competition. According to them, on the final day of the search, the warriors got a message from the ‘Council of Elders’ ordering them to pack their bags and make their ways to where they draw water.
“Chidi awaited them and gave them the next set of instructions.
The final task was to search for the 10th symbol.
To do that, each of them would make use of a clue which would take them to two different locations to retrieve two pieces of the m ap that would lead to where the 10th symbol was buried. Another clue at their first locations would direct them to the next location. It was a race against time and the last man to the next location was evicted.
“After many futile efforts Daniel eventually dug up the sceptre from under a slant palm tree in the river and thereby ended the long search for the 10th symbol.
“He was instantly inducted into the Order of Heroes as the 10th Ultimate Man by Chidi Mokeme, the anchor-man.”

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