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.

Students of the University of Abuja have vehemently opposed the Federal Government’s decision to rename their institution after former military leader Yakubu Gowon.
The announcement, approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday, December 16, has sparked widespread protests.

Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, disclosed the council’s resolution following its final 2024 meeting at Aso Rock Villa. However, students and alumni immediately reacted with anger.

On Thursday, December 19, students rallied at the university’s main gate, holding placards with messages such as “The voice of men is the voice of God,” “We stand for UniAbuja,” and “Solve hunger problems, not renaming UniAbuja.”

Comrade Nkem Silas, President of the Students Union Government (SUG), urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the decision.

“Renaming the university can have psychological effects on students. We will formally express our concerns to the Federal Ministry of Education through the Vice Chancellor,” Silas said.

Prof Jeremiah Vambe, an alumnus and lecturer in the Department of Public Administration, also criticised the move.

“Renaming the university involves economic, legal, and psychological costs. The law establishing the University of Abuja must be amended to accommodate this change,” Vambe explained.

Comrade Adamu Abdulbasit, President of the Abuja Indigenous Students Association (AISA), proposed an alternative.

“Instead of renaming UniAbuja, the Federal Government should complete the abandoned University of Science & Technology in Abaji and name it after Ladi Kwali University, Abuja,” Abdulbasit suggested.

The protests highlight the growing discontent among students and stakeholders, who see the renaming as threatening the university’s identity and legacy.

Calls for a reversal are gaining momentum as the controversy unfolds.

A lecturer of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) has been murdered in an attack by yet-be-be-identified gunmen.

On Tuesday, Emmanuel Ojukwu, the UNIZIK spokesperson, confirmed the development to TheCable.

The victim has been identified as Fabian Osita Chinedu.

Tochukwu Ikenga, the state police PRO, said the UNIZK staff member was shot on Monday night at Aroma junction in Akwa.

Ikenga, who noted that the murderers made off with the victim’s car, said an investigation on the matter has already commenced.

“Information reveals that Mr. Fabian, a staff of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka was allegedly shot by unidentified gunmen yesterday 16th December 2024 at 10.10 pm at Aroma Junction,” he said in a statement.

“The murderers also made away with his car, a Toyota Corolla 2006 model, Ash colour with an Enugu Plate number, UWN 158 AS.”

Ikenga urged the public to come forward with any useful information that could aid the investigation.

“The command also urges members of the public who might have seen the vehicle or any abandoned vehicle with a similar description to report to the closest police station or call the command control room number,” he said.

A report quoted a witness as claiming that Fabian was blocked off by another vehicle whose occupants proceeded to gun down the lecturer when he came out of his car to protest.

Fabian Osita Chinedu hailed from Nteje in the Oyi local government area of Anambra.

He was a lecturer at a lecturer in at UNIZIK’s business administration department.