Education
OAU students protest fee hike — despite reduction announcement
Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife in Osun on Tuesday staged a protest at the main campus premises over the fee increment by the institution.
The students barricaded the varsity’s gate with various placards which read “I cannot afford to drop out. #FeeMustFall”, “My Mama dey sell Fufu, my papa dey ride Okada. Where you won make I see 90k? #FeeMustFall.”
The protesting undergraduates demanded at least a 50% reduction in the new charges. They also vowed to not stop the protest until their demands are attended to.
It was gathered that students, staff, and other stakeholders of the university were seen stranded at the campus gate.
The protest came despite an announcement by the institution to reduce the recently increased fees for students.
On September 26, Abiodun Olarewaju, the varsity spokesperson, said the fee reduction followed a meeting the university management had with the leadership of the students union.
He said the students’ union leaders were adamant, insisting that the fees should be reduced by 50 percent.
The varsity spokesperson said Adebayo Bamire, the vice chancellor of OAU, however, readjusted downward the sundry charges payable by the students of the varsity.
“For the students in Humanities, the initial sundry charges of N89,200 for returning students have been reduced to N76,000,” Olarewaju said in a statement.
“While the new students in the Humanities, the initial fees of N151,200 have been reduced to N131,000.
“For those in the Sciences and Technology, the initial charges of N101,200, for returning students is now N86,000 while the new students in the same Faculties will now pay N141,000 as against the initial N163,200.”
In the same vein, the returning students in the Pharmacy and College of Health Sciences would now pay N109,000, instead of N128,200.
He said the new students in the same faculties would now pay N164,000 instead of the initial charges of N190,000.
The statement added that the university management had agreed that the payment could be in two equal installments.
Education
Alumni reject planned renaming of UniAbuja after Gowon
The University of Abuja’s Alumni Association has rejected the federal government’s plan to rename the institution after former Nigerian head of state Yakubu Gowon.
Earlier, the federal executive council approved the renaming of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) to Yakubu Gowon University.
The move, the council said, is in honour of Gowon under whose leadership Nigeria fought against secessionism in 1967.
In a statement, the UNiAbuja alumni association described the move to rename the institution as “a right step in the wrong direction”.
It cited concerns about the destruction of the university’s legacy, the financial costs, and logistical challenges.
While acknowledging Gowon’s contributions to national unity, the alumni argued that renaming the university would undermine its branding efforts, complicate administrative processes, and diminish its accumulated prestige.
The association proposed alternative ways to honour Gowon, such as renaming Eagle Square after him or establishing a new institution or research centre in his name.
Students at the University of Abuja have also voiced their opposition, staging a peaceful protest and launching an online petition that has garnered thousands of signatures.
The alumni association has submitted letters to President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the national assembly, the minister of education, and the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to express their opposition and propose alternative solutions.
The association emphasised that the name “University of Abuja” reflects the institution’s geographical and national identity, symbolising the convergence of Nigeria’s diverse cultures and histories.
The alumni urged the government to focus on strengthening the university rather than renaming it, warning that the move could erode the sense of pride and identity among alumni, students, and staff.
The association also criticised the lack of consultation and public involvement in the decision-making process, describing it as a “top-down imposition”.
Education
Governor Abba Yusuf donates N2m to islamic school
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has donated N2 million to Mu’assasatu Balarabe Bello Hamza Islamic School, located on Sokoto Road in the state capital.
The donation was announced during the Qur’anic graduation ceremony of 13 students held on Sunday at the school premises.
Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Makoda, the governor highlighted the significance of learning the Holy Qur’an and applying its teachings in daily life.
He congratulated the graduating students, their parents, and teachers on the milestone and encouraged them to expand their knowledge beyond religious studies.
A press statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment at Kano Government House, Usman Gwadabe, revealed that certificates were presented to the 13 graduates during the event.
Speaking at the occasion, the Head Teacher, Mallam Jamilu Yusha’u, stated, “The school was named after the late Balarabe Bello Hamza, who established the school for special extra lessons for children during the holidays.”
However, he prayed to the Almighty Allah to forgive him and reward him for the good work he did for the benefit of humanity.
In his remarks, the Director-General of Protocol, Kano Government House, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, who delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the parents and the school authorities appreciated Yusuf’s good gesture for the “donations and for his administration’s readiness toward improving the educational sector in the state.”
Education
UNIOSUN mandates new students to apply for student loan
The Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University, Professor Clement Adebooye, has mandated the institution’s fresh students to apply for Federal Government student loan anchored by the National Education Loan Fund, NELFUND.
This is as he disclosed that the university could only admit 11,000 students out of the 30,000 that applied for the 2024 academic session.
Speaking at the 18th Matriculation ceremony held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium at the main campus in Osogbo on Friday, he assured the newly admitted students of the timely completion of their courses of study.
He disclosed that the FG loan scheme would make learning easy for the new students due to the ongoing economic crisis in the country; hence, new students must apply for the loan.
His words, “I must also seize this opportunity to announce to you the opportunity for student loans provided by the Federal Government through NELFUND. As this is an intervention to cushion the effect of economic hardship on students, the management of this institution has decided that every new student must apply and access it to further make student life easy for you”.
He charged the newly admitted students to work tirelessly to achieve academic progression, saying they are among the few lucky ones to gain admission.
“It will interest you all to note that well over 30,000 candidates applied for admission into the university this year. Of this lot, we are only able to admit 11,000 (approximately one-third) into the various academic programmes across colleges and campuses. Though this means you are among the very lucky few admitted, it also shows you have all it takes to be undergraduates in any Nigerian university.
“But then, you all have to note for your all-time guidance that it is not everyone that starts any race that usually completes the race. The race in this context is competence building and knowledge acquisition, which come with regular lectures, assignments, tests, examinations, and character moulding all through your residency here.
“In this esteemed institution, we uphold the values of integrity, discipline, and moral uprightness. Social vices such as examination malpractice, cultism, indecent dressing, drug abuse, sexual harassment, and truancy are strongly condemned,” he added.
-
News1 week ago
Naseni’s Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Named 2024 Winner Of Daily Global Newspaper Conference Series Award For Science, Technology, Innovation, And Infrastructure
-
Relationships7 days ago
‘I wish I met you before the wrong person’ – says Portable’s baby mama, Honey Berry, as she flaunts new lover
-
Business6 days ago
PoS operators increase withdrawal charges, blame electronic levy, cash scarcity
-
News1 week ago
Lagos state government shuts Lord’s Chosen Church, businesses across Lekki, VI, others over noise, environmental infractions
-
Entertainment7 days ago
Bovi speaks against beating children, reveals why his family relocated to UK
-
Entertainment6 days ago
Raheem Sterling’s ex-girlfriend, Tabby Brown dies after BBL surgery
-
Entertainment1 week ago
Pastor Enenche’s daughter, Deborah, husband welcome baby boy two years after marriage
-
Entertainment1 week ago
12 unreleased Michael Jackson’s songs found in abandoned storage unit