Sunday, 19 June 2016
TROOPS CARRY OUT BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS CLEARANCE OPERATIONS
According to the statement released by the Nigerian Army, troops carried out clearance patrol from Bitta up to Junction point at Gambori village, Borno State and during the operation, the troops encountered Boko Haram terrorists at Bulajani village and successfully cleared and pursued the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists in the area.
The troops killed 4 Boko Haram terrorists, while an unconfirmed number escaped with gun shot wounds.
"Our patrol recovered 6 bicycles and food storage facility laden with foodstuffs. They also discovered and safely detonated 1 Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Madube village." Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, acting Director Army Public Relations stated.
In a related development, troops of 22 Brigade Garrison accompanied by Civilian JTF also carried out patrol at Albanya village and its environs along Dikwa-Marte axis. Some of the terrorists were arrested and have been moved to the Brigade Headquarters for preliminary interrogation and subsequent handing over to the Joint Interrogation Committee
Kirikiri Prison Inmate Bags University Degree
institutions, the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), recently awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A Theology) to a student of the school, and an inmate of the Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos, Mr. Albert Emmanuel Ajogbor.
The graduate fondly called “Prison Pastor,” by fellow inmates, was presented with his Golden Fleece by the Director, Learner Support Services of the institution, Prof. Nebath Tanglang, who represented the vice chancellor, Prof. Abdalla Adamu.
NOUN is the only tertiary institution in the country that makes education available to inmates of Nigerian prisons. And the institution on that occasion reiterated that its recent decision to grant scholarships to all prison inmates in the country, after observed dearth of sponsorship offers, “Was
to help make the journey of procuring a university degree a little less daunting and a little more achievable…”
According to the vice chancellor, the university over the years has supplied course materials for free and has paid 50 per cent of payable fees for inmates. Philanthropic bodies such as religious groups and non-governmental organisations, as well as well-meaning Nigerians pay for the other 50 per cent.
May I use this opportunity to thank all our sponsors for their generous contributions towards your education.”
Adamu who was only recently appointed as helmsman of the institution told the inmates, “My goal is to improve on the standards and structures already laid down by my predecessor. I am sure that a number of your peers who are also incarcerated would like to register to study one of our programmes but for the fact that they have no means of funding their education and improving their destiny.
Ajogbor, the new graduate, who said he felt like a hero, expressed deep gratitude to prison authorities for facilitating his education as well as the institution for extending such services to prison inmates.
Wednesday, 15 June 2016
OPINION: OAU VICE-CHANCELLOR'S APPOINTMENT: IS OAU REALLY GREAT?
Consequently, the dream saw the light and I further served as a Students Representative of the most vibrant Union in Nigeria and most beautiful university in the whole of sub-Saharan West Africa. I have defended, both at home and abroad the greatness of Ife. However, there have been times when even I, had to question the much chorused greatness for several reasons such as the one currently rocking the institution – the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor.
I have listened to the debates across the divide on the on-going crisis with respect to the appointment of Prof. Ayobami Salami as the incoming Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University. Specifically, the Non-Academic staff union (NASU) has been at the fore front of those agitating against this appointment by its continuous protest on campus and the purported injunction it (NASU) claimed it had secured from the court stopping the process. On that, the University claims it has not received any court injunction or restraining order, that what it was served was a notice of application for an injunction, which by itself is not an injunction, I think the responsibility now behoves on NASU to show the world a copy of the alleged injunction that they secured and served the University.
I know personally and very closely about five (5) of the contestants and so do not have any reason to take sides with any of them. As much as I do also have preference and wish one of them becomes the 11th Vice-Chancellor of this citadel of learning, however, I am not part of the selection process and as such, would swallow my prejudice, but even if I was part of them (the selection team) I would definitely allow objectivity to imprison my bias. Now, for the sake of those who do not know, I will state the provisions of the statutory requirements for the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor under the Second Schedule, Section 24(2), Statute 6(1-3) of the Obafemi Awolowo University Law (as amended by degree 11 of 1993). 1. The Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Visitor in accordance with the provisions in the Statute.
2. The Vice-Chancellor shall hold office for the period of five years only on such terms and conditions as may be specified in his letter of appointment.
3. When a vacancy occurs in the post of the Vice-Chancellor, the Council shall: (a) Advertise the vacancy in a reputable journal or a widely read newspaper in Nigeria, specifying: (i) the qualities of the persons who may apply for the post and (ii) the terms and conditions of service applicable to the post, and thereafter draw up a short list of suitable candidates for the post for consideration. (b) Constitute a Search Team consisting of: (i) A member of the Council, who is not a member of the Senate, as Chairman; (ii) Two members of the Senate who are not members of the Council, one of whom shall be a Professor; (iii) Two members of Congregation who are not members of the Council, one of whom shall be a Professor; to identify and nominate for consideration, suitable persons who are not likely to apply for the post on their own volition because they feel that it is not proper to do so. (c) Set up a Joint Council and Senate Selection Board consisting of: (i) The Pro-Chancellor, as Chairman; (ii) Two members of the Council not being members of the Senate; (iii) Two members of the Senate who are Professors, but who are not members of the Search Team.
The Board shall consider the candidates and persons on the short list drawn up under sub-Section
3(aii) of this Statute through an examination of their Curriculum Vitae and interaction with them and recommend to the Council suitable candidates for further consideration. (d) The Council shall select three candidates from among the candidates recommended to it under sub-Section 3(c) of this Statute and may indicate its order of preference stating the reasons thereof and forward the names to the Visitor.
It is worthy of mention, that the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement has reviewed sub-Section 3(d) of the Statute by virtue of the autonomy granted to the Universities. Now the process ends with the Council (who will finally select the best candidate and announce such persons to the general public) and not the Visitor.
For the avoidance of doubt, let us review the process so far and then judge for ourselves if the agitations by the Non-Academic members of staff are objective, reasonable and for the development of the system. Below are the timeline of events:
▪ On the 8th of December, 2015 the University Administration took a memorandum to the 238th Governing Council meeting stating that the position of the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University shall become vacant on June 23, 2016 with the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent, Prof Tale Omole. ▪ The Council also approved advertisements for the position in six National dailies around 15th of December, 2015 with the closing date for the advertisement fixed for 26th January, 2016. ▪ A Special Meeting held on 28th January, 2016 saw the election of Chief Moses Otazi as Chairman of the Search Team. The Senate of the University and Congregation had also elected their representatives of the Search Team. ▪ Council on March 8, 2016 had another Special Meeting where the report of the Search Team was considered. The report of the Team showed that “33 Professors in about 10 Universities were searched; one (1) indicated that he had applied, four (4) promised to apply, while others declined and suggested that the University should look inward for a credible candidate”. It was at this Special Meeting of the Council that applications of all the candidates who eventually applied (11) were opened and six (6) of them shortlisted.
I have extracted the criterion that was employed as stated in the advert, “The person for the post of Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, is required to possess a good University education of a recognized University and should be a proven manager of human and material resources. Specifically, the candidate shall be expected to: Be a highly distinguished scholar of the rank of Professor of not less than ten (10) years’ experience on that rank, with ability to provide academic and administrative leadership for the University Community; Be able to command the respect of the national and international academic communities through his/her track records; Possess a clear vision for the development of the University and the realization of its mission; Demonstrate interpersonal and team building skills and possess the ability to strengthen the bridges between staff, students, other members of the University community and the University's stake holders; Exhibit entrepreneurial drive and ability to attract much needed funds and mobilize other resources for the development of the University; Enjoy excellent physical and mental health; and Have demonstrable ability to establish and maintain partnerships with local and international governmental and non-governmental agencies”.
Now for an institution like the Obafemi Awolowo University, that prides itself of highly intellectual academics, students and other staff members alongside very effective staff and students unions, these criteria are not too much. In fact it is foolish for anyone who does not have the potential to attract funds and have not attracted a penny even to his department to think of leading the institution in these times of dwindling revenue from the center and the aggressive rise in prices of goods and services coupled with constant agitations for wage increase. Imagine a Professor who has not made any contribution to knowledge in the last five years; who even scarcely interacts with the students in his department not to mention the congress of OAU students; who have busied himself gathering pecuniary gains by lecturing in over six (6) other universities across the country; who only travels out of this country to visit his wards studying abroad or on vacation; who does not have any international recognition in his chosen career path trying to lead a university such as ours.
In my candid opinion, Council has done its best by adhering to the provisos of the Statute thus far. And if you feel aggrieved, please keep your grievance to yourself. You can’t be more grieved than the contestants, but have you seen any of them challenging the process? Do you have a better knowledge of the process than they do? Why do you want to take Panadol for some else headache?
I am tired of having my future postponed to obviously baseless agitations from NASU, their hypocritical sponsors and blind supporters and I suppose it is same for other students who are concerned about their time here and want to meet up with the age requirement of the labour market.
The fresh students who are supposed to have completed their registration by now have been rendered helpless, doing nothing and open to all manner harm. If their (NASU) demand is the alleged 64 months hazard allowance they are being owed, they should state it clearly and not hide under the guise of any form of imposition of Vice-Chancellor on them. They apparently do not have ANY say in the process of the appointment of the VC, if they want to have a say, they should agitate for a review of the laws of the university and do that through all legal means available not by constituting nuisance on campus. Come to think of it, all through the years have spent in Ife, they have never expressed their grievance in a National daily even when they have a genuine cause. I am surprised that they eventually were able to raise money to agitate for a cause that isn’t theirs to fight on National dailies.
Kudos to the unseen hands.
Comrade Jadora
EMBATTLED NIDSA OAU EXECUTIVES: Our Suspension is a Facade.
The Ife indigenes in OAU openly called the act of the National body as oppression against their vibrant stance against impunity at the national level."Our long ago silence on the catastrophic,purported suspension, and dissolution of NIDSA OAU executives by the National secretariat is not out of cowardice nor in compliance with the national secretariat directives. Our muteness is basically a payment of obeisance to the instruction of our staff advisers, since we were advised to be quiet and passive for peace to reign in order to get to the root of the matter and put the chapter back on its right track." General Secretary, AYEYEMI OLAYEMI (Da Seeker) stated.
"The activities of our chapter has since then been crippled due to the intervention and obstruction of our chapter by the national secretariat. In addition,series of meetings that we attended during the course of negotiating for peace made it known for us to decipher that the purported suspension is more of political vendatta and misuse of authority rather than avoidance of seccesion the national secretariat claimed to be." he added.
The President, IJIYINKA IJIWOLE (Hon JK) however has stated that they value their local chapter so much that they can't concur to the vacum like and amorphous NIDSA OAU any longer.
" In view of this, WE EXECUTIVES OF NIDSA OAU ACTING ON THE MANDATE GIVEN TO US BY OUR CONGRESS MEN HEREBY AFFIRMS OUR PRESENCE IN OFFICE AND ALSO CONFIRM OUR READINESS FOR SERVICE TO THE CHAPTER. " he Stated.
OAU: WHO SISTER UNION EPP?
During first semester of last session, NASU protested the long owed arrears of her member by the school management. We had it thoughtful by a congressional resolution to solidarize with this movement. Our solidarity went a long way in shaking the four walls of the struggle and intensified the march. For the first time in my history, I saw a university go on a mid-semester break as the school authority were fast shaken to declare school closure.

What was the outcome of the struggle? Victory or loss?
To an extent and to the best of my knowledge, the leaders of the union had victory in the struggle but the members lost utterly (I stand to be corrected).
What was our lostt?
We resumed after a week only for the school authority to adjust academic calendar and almost a month was added to the existing calendar.
During the course of the second semester, precisely in the wake of December, our union clamored for an overhaul in our welfare condition through an upgrade of facilities on campus, the school embarked on another mid-semester break and the management announced that students union activities hereby stand suspended.
During the course of the break, our dear sister unions had it cool to not just keep mute in the scene but also help in making matters worse for us.
ASUU in her congress during the break resolved to advise that some of our union leaders be dealt with by the school authority for certain issues with a member of their Union. This could have been settled by ASUU summoning these principal officers of our union to her congress and scolding them in sisterhood. If I offend my sister and she decides to report me to that macho man that flogs both of us everyday, is she worth being cared for tomorrow when Mr macho wants to flog her?
NASU members on the other side embarked on all such frustration tactics as directed by the school authority. Lights were completely off in all hostels, water was zeroed in all hostels and all butteries were locked. My brother, what frustration can be worse? Students went from Faj to fetch water in pit theater, forks and fingers as well as PG hall. NASU never deemed it fit to resolve on this as to solidarize with our cause and provide these basic amenities for students on campus during the break.
While we were very much far behind any other school's calendar due to one delay or the other, ASUU deemed it fit to embark on 56 days leave (this is another issue entirely as some of us still see this as being correct).
Now, we have seen these sister unions having one clamor or the other of recent demanding student synergies.
During the cause of the semester break, ASUU in her solidarity for the NLC quest as regards fuel subsidy removal sponsored the students solidarity with over 20 or 30 thousand naira. It was a case of hiring goons, buying the sticks to storm the house of the next door neighbor and upon fulfilment of these task, he treats the goons to a nice meal. They will wish to serve him tomorrow.
Students accompanied ASUU in solidarity in an all expense paid trip to Oshogbo with planks and placards and came back with toothpicks and table water. We all enjoyed it, sekona has very good cooks. Pounded yam and amala can be sometimes wonderful. I think new buka operatives need to go down to Sekona to learn how to make Egusi.
When NASU wanted to proceed to court last Friday, they intended to sponsor our solidarity movement. (Although certain logistic errors couldn't permit this alas). You should jump at this offer to explore some free meals.
These unions have over the period sponsored us provided we solidarize with their movements. They even sometimes of recent went as far as paying school fees of student activists and these so-called shameless dogs gave this a shady scene. When have they ever included it in their demands that the school should make us have our elections and unfreeze our bank account (if truly its been frozen) or they decide to sponsor our elections and be ready to sponsor our movement by sustaining the existence of the union financially?
Solidarities don't just go on papers, they are funded. Instead of sponsoring us to have our solidarity for you, can't you sponsor us to operate legally like you. What's your delight in using us as goons and thugs when you need us and join in flogging us when oppression is coming from above?
Today, we keep telling students that resumption date still remains 27 June, how far will that go if things go haywire? Times may tell and we may not be able to control things.
What if it will happen again that the leaders of the movement will accumulate victory in their pockets and the followers will lose utterly, what will be our lots?
Don't support anyone who will feed you for your solidarity rather than sponsor your voice.
#sayNoToSelfishAgenda
đź—ŁHon JayD
OPINION: NASU, SSANU AND THE VICE CHANCELLORSHIP CRISIS; THE LAW, THE EMOTIONS AND COMMON SENSE.
"Woe and woe, betide the man who in the face of social political, economic, Academic and environmental crisis among others, maintains his neutrality." - Okoli Martins.
For months now, the crisis as regards the selection of a new leader in Obafemi Awolowo University, has been quite problematic. A process that is just like an election has not, cannot and will not favour all the parties involved. In this write up, I will try as much as possible to analyse the position of the law as to the Vcship, the position of NASU, and the position we as students ought to take and lastly but very importantly,suggest reasonable way forward.
Before we talk about the present, we must consult the past. For if we don't know where we are coming from it is an almost impossible task to know where we are going to. In 2011, while I was still basking in the euphoria of being admitted into what appears to me as the best campus in Nigeria, it was a period of tussle for the Vice chancellorship position. A lot of unfamiliar names, as I was new to the campus then were mentioned. Few months later, someone was selected. As at then, everybody said the person selected was in fact, the least popular of all the candidates for the Senate Building top job.
There were grumblings and rantings here and there. Then, I was even told that the then President, Goodluck Jonathan would not recognise the selected personality, since he is an unpopular candidate. I was very new to the system then; so you wouldn't blame me for believing any junk I picked up from the street. Just like any Nigerian kid would believe the story of the Nigeria versus India football match, which was said to have ended 99-1 in a defeat to Nigeria. A match where the late Okparaji was said to have kicked a ball like stone that turned into a lion and scored the only goal of the match for our country and then died few hours later from the effect of the charms of the Indians.
Alas, after we returned from home from the fee hike protest in 2011, the then unpopular candidate was to be inaugurated. He is the present Vice Chancellor of our university; Prof. Bamitale Idowu Omole. It was there and then that I realised that there must have been some criteria for the selection of a new Vice Chancellor. Hence few months later, I tried as much as possible to lay hands on several articles and legal facts. Hence, I would be analysing such as follows.
THE LAW
In 2009, the federal government entered into an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (hereinafter referred to as Asuu). This agreement yielded several autonomy for universities both financially and administratively. It was this agreement that brought in the procedure to select a Vice chancellor. Here, the Governing Councils of all federal Universities are charged with the responsibility of selecting a new Vice Chancellor in accordance with the provisions of the university statutory requirements. Majorly, the bulk of the process would be conducted by the Governing Council. From there, Asuu, the only union body recognised in this selection process may interact with the aspirants for the top job. It is exclusively the job of the governing council to handle the selection process. The agreement has not in anyway stated that it is the job of any Union body to select a Vice Chancellor. Hence, on legal reasoning, sincerely the vice chancellor has been duly selected in accordance with the existing law.
SANNU/NASU's POSITION
The Non Academic Staff Union of Universities(hereinafter referred to as NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities(hereinafter referred to as SSANU) have in fact, been quite unhappy with the selection of the new Vice Chancellor. Presently, there is a resistance protest going on. I have then decided to consult widely on this matter. However, till now, I am yet to lay hands on a very genuine reason worth protesting about. Some of them believe the VC was not selected in line with the law. Some of them believe the new VC is a protégé of the outgoing administration, with which they've had crisis with.
Some of them also believe that their entitlements would be buried under this coming administration.
COMMON SENSE
On the reason, of the illegality of the selection process, this is an exercise in futility. No court would grant a stay on any matter which conforms with due process. In fact, it is only the truth that, Union bodies have only, the observer's position in this case. Let us asumme that the new VC needs to be reselected, who will conduct the new process?
It is definitely not the NASU nor SSANU, nor the court. It will still be the same governing council. Both the court, and NASU/SSANU and any other concerned body would still take the observer's seat. Then what's the case here?
On the position of the new VC being a protégé of the past administration, it is true that the incoming VC as announced last week, is the present Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Ayo Salami. The grudge with the outgoing administration should in fact cease and then the unions try to find a positive way forward for the incoming one. Also, this is not another reason why the process carried out by the governing council should be discredited.
Pertaining to the fear of the incoming administration burying all their interest, I feel this should be the major reason on the list. But aye aye, this is an issue that should first be discussed on a very large round table with the incoming VC. Consultation should be employed, not direct confrontation as we have it now. This in fact, would breed bad blood between NASU and the new VC.
Yet, all these reasons are not worth immediate confrontation. Before taking to the streets appropriate consultations should have been made. These are issues that could have been settled on a round table. Taking to the street and disrupting the way of things without consultation is unfair, selfish, callous and insincere.
GREATEST IFE, WHAT SHOULD BE OUR POSITION
Greatest Ife! Our position on this matter, should not be compromised based on some petty selfish feelings of interested parties. We should not engage in a fruitless exercise. This is obviously another way to send us home for another set of weeks. Let us do a little calculation here. We finished exam on the 6th of April. We proceeded on a 56 days leave with our lecturers. Should we now go on another set of compulsory "semester break" just because of this fruitless adventure?
For those of us that don't know, the fresher's are doing nothing, they are wasting away. They are just roaming the streets of Ife. Theft has increased on campus most especially in Angola and Mozambique halls. Our lecturers are either abroad, or on a warm beach somewhere having fun with their families. We are the ones eager to start a new semester and finish fast. Let us not also forget that we are in the 2015/2016 Academic session. This is mid-June 2016. When are we going to complete this present session, before we now add another unwanted holiday to the list?
For the freshmen and other persons that don't know, you must know that the past five agitations by NASU have been fruitless. Yes, last five, from 2011-2015. The last one which occurred sometimes last year November was for the agitation for their unpaid entitlements. Unfortunately we were forced to embark on a compulsory "semester break". It is saddening to know that NASU kept mute after we came from the break. The protest stopped abruptly. Reason for stopping the protest was till now, not known. We just didn't hear anything anymore.
The sympathy here is that the NASU is probably the most hard working set of staff, as they do most of the dirty jobs on our campus. Kudos to them, I respect these hardworking men and women. But this is way beyond emotions; this is our lives. We are not getting any younger. NASU needs to understand that just like we supported them last November, we will support any of their reasonable agitations. I was always at the school gate supporting NASU last november, until they technically sold out.
Greatest Ife,it is worthy to note that in fact, the support we have given NASU in the past is not directly proportionate with what we get in the past from NASU. NASU has always supported our agitation as students on paper. In 2014, during the fee hike protest, they came out to say they are supporting our protest. But they were no where to be found during the course of the struggle. The support we gave NASU in the past is divine. That however should not be taken as a birthright for wrong and unnecessary protest.
WAY FORWARD
1. NASU/SSANU should sheath their swords, and make way for deliberations, consultations and meetings with the incoming VICE CHANCELLOR. As it is clear that the process for appointing the potential VC is spotless.
2. NASU should also understand that their application for an injunction to stay the proceedings of the appointment of the VC has not been granted. A protest at the moment is unnecessary, illegal, and quite incomprehensible.
3. Greatest Ife, we must not at this juncture tolerate an extension to our belated school calendar. Supporting NASU this time is like setting our own trap. We will end up falling into it. Let us disuade from this show of shame.
4. While we are at it, a meeting should be called where students meet to strategise on how to ensure that this incoming administration lifts the ban on our union. We can't continue to stay out in the cold without roof over our head. Our union must come back!
5. When we are able to meet the incoming administration, maybe in a congress or any other platform, one of our agitations should also be how to maintain a school calendar with a little pace. The lagging behind must stop.
Greatest Ife, this is an issue that concerns everyone. We need to move on. Unnecessary agitation must stop. We need to be reasonable. Thank you.
"Radicals must be resilient, and adaptable to shifting political circumstances. And be sensitive enough with their process of action and reaction to avoid being trapped by their own tactics or being faced to travel on a road not of their own choosing." - Saul David Alinsky.
FAKIYESI SAMUEL O,Former Lord Justice,
Student Union Judicial Council,
Obafemi Awolowo University,
Ile-Ife,
Osun state.
For commendations, criticisms,enquiries:
P/W;08169380930
F; Fakiyesi Samuel
T;@FakiyesiSamuelO
E-mail; Olumides45@yahoo.com
Sunday, 12 June 2016
AnnaDiva and Co enters OAU Hall of Fame.
Immediate past chairperson of Mozambique, AnnaDiva and Co members of her administration was honoured yesterday during the Hall's Orientation programme and party held on the Basketball court.
According to Hall Warden, this is the first of its kind in Mozambique hall for decades. The recognition is based on the annadiva led administration's exceptional devoted services and neat financial accountability to d hall.
The Vice Dean, Dr Afolabi giving out a plague and cash prize to the awardees noted that the legacy must be maintained, stressing further that students should not only be rewarded on academic excellence alone.
Other awardees included staff members like Mr iyiola, Mr olawale, Mrs akinbobola.
Dignitaries that graced the event were hall Mistress Dr Mrs Irinoye, Dr Ogunusi, Mrs Olarinoye amongst others.
