UNN Lecturer Commits Suicide

A lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Dr Bede Opata has reportedly committed suicide over a yet-to-be ascertained reason, Thisday reports.
 
Sources within the university say the 38 year old law lecturer killed himself in his apartment within the town on Saturday July 19th but his body was only discovered on Sunday July 20th.
 
The lecturer who holds a doctorate degree in Law, hailed from Nsukka, Enugu state and was the son of a former Commissioner in the old Anambra state, Chief Cletus Opata.

Lagos State University [LASU], Lecturers Suspend 2-Month Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities [ASUU], Lagos State University chapter, has suspended its over two months strike. The strike began in May, citing fee hike, non-promotion of workers and non-implementation of the Universities Miscellaneous Provision Act.

Chairman of ASUU-LASU, Dr. Adekunle Idris said,

“We have suspended our strike on Monday. The decision was taken during our last congress and this is because half of our demands have been met.”

“The congress suspended the strike action, but resolved that discussions on the outstanding issues identified by members should be continued by executives. Congress believes that the letters and spirit of the resolutions reached with the university administration, the University Appointments and Promotions Committee, and the Governing Council shall hold,”

Meanwhile, the management of LASU in a statement on Tuesday ordered members of the university community to resume full activities immediately.

'The national anthem is very bland and uninspiring' - Etcetera writes

Etcetera now doesn't think our national anthem is inspiring enough. Find his thoughts below...

After hearing of the proposal of some delegates at the ongoing confab that we should revert to the old national anthem, I sat by my piano and played both anthems. Playing and singing to the current anthem “Arise O’ Compatriot” was basically easy because I had done that countless times and I wasn’t even looking at the piano keys as I sang through the verses. I downloaded the lyrics of the old anthem just to be sure I was singing the right words. I know the tune by heart because my dad frequently sang it to me when I was a little school boy. And I felt nothing as usual singing it. But right from the first line of the old anthem “Nigeria We Hail Thee,” I felt a strange sense of pride and patriotism. I felt very strange because like every Nigerian, I am saddened that as a country, we have lost our way. 

We are a giant tied to undeveloped nations, and kept in bondage by our leaders whose corruption and greed demonstrate a lack of love for their own people. As I got to the point that says “Though tribes and tongues may differ and in brotherhood we stand,” I discovered that I had stopped playing the piano and was just reciting the words. Struck with the fact that the composers took to mind our vast ethnic differences and even proffered a solution that in “brotherhood” we will stand strong against adversaries, home or foreign. Our tribal and ethnic differences have been at the bottom of every problem we have faced as a country.

President Obasanjo had all the right in the world to dream, a leader who does not dream, hardly accomplishes much, but my point is that a leader has to dream right, and not take the nation on a pipe dream. There were lots of bridges our nation needed to cross at that time. There were lots of things a good leader should have seen happen, before going after such an unwarranted project of changing the national anthem. Singing further, it became clear to me why the old anthem must have been changed immediately I saw the line that says “To hand on to our children a banner without stain.” The words of this anthem can only resonate in a country with moral leadership, starting from its leaders and permeating all tiers of the government from top to bottom. Corruption is no longer a problem in Nigeria as it has become a full fledge institution and a way of life.

Every morning at schools, chorus of voices try to hit the high notes of the current anthem, which have proved uninspiring even for the little kids. Ask our politicians why they always muffle the lyrics. In fact, many people consider ours the world’s least singable national anthem. I think it is time for a revert to the old anthem. Just like the confab delegates have pointed out.

It is obvious that we can no longer be comforted by the drum roll in the current national anthem. I haven’t seen any Nigerian smiling with pride whenever it is being played. I am sure Pa Odiase won’t be smiling at me now from heaven for saying this. But truth be told, the music of our current anthem has failed to inspire one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.

A lot of Nigerians have become too comfortable being tone-deaf and have resisted every attempt for their hearing to be restored. A lot of Nigerians love the tone of deceit as much as to dance to it. I have sung the current anthem countless times but my literary appreciation and criticism would not allow me to accept it. I kept asking myself what evil have we committed as a nation to warrant our leaders to seek escape from a vow to “hand over to our children a banner without stain.” They have changed the prayers in the old anthem to fading echos. Little wonder the country is at the brink of collapse.

We love Nigeria and believe in her great potential, but we must also address issues of oppression and injustice within her as written in the old anthem. I love the part that says “Our flag shall be a symbol that truth and justice reigns.” Today, wherever you find the Nigerian flag, it is either torn or rumpled so bad or on make-shift poles that you wonder if our leaders in government and people ever consider such symbols as important at all. How can you indoctrinate your people on how to appreciate and value their citizenship and nationality if symbols like that mean nothing to you? And when you don’t value what you have, how do you expect other nationals to value it? It all boils down to the nation doing what it needs to do to make its citizen proud to belong. Our governments, state and federal, just don’t value such things.

The current anthem talks about love. But our political leaders show only love for themselves and their immediate family. We are living the opposite of everything called for in the current anthem. Our leaders with their blindness are unable to see the car crash waiting to happen. They should know that the history of this nation can never be altered or erased no matter how hard they try.

THE OLD ANTHEM (1960- 1978)

Nigeria we hail thee, Our own dear native land, Though tribes and tongues may differ, In brotherhood we stand, Nigerians all are proud to serve, Our sovereign Motherland.

Our flag shall be a symbol, That truth and justice reign, In peace or battle honour’d, And this we count as gain, To hand on to our children, A banner without stain.

O God of all creation, Grant this our one request, Help us to build a nation, Where no man is oppressed, And so with peace and plenty, Nigeria may be blessed.

Photo: How JSS 3 Students Wrote Their 3rd Term Exams Yesterday In Bauchi

A reporter with NAN yesterday, July 9th 2014, took a picture of some JSS 3 students at Government Day Junior Secondary school (GDJSS) in Gubi, Bauchi State, writing their third term examinations sitting on the floor. As seen in the picture, no seats or tables were provided for them.

Femi Otedola’s Daughter, DJ Cuppy Graduates From King’s College

Femi Otedola’s daughter and Tourism ambassador for Nigeria, Ifeoluwa Florence Otedola aka DJ Cuppy, has graduated from King’s College, London. She shared the news on her Facebook page, thanking family and
friends for supporting her throughout.

She graduated with a Second Class honors in Business Management.

JAMB Releases 2014 UTME Cut-Off Marks

The Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB), has released the cut-off marks for the 2014 admissions into Universities.

The cut-off mark for admission into universities in Nigeria was put at 180, while that of polytechnics and colleges of education were put at 150, respectively.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Registrar and Chief Executive of JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, after the 5th Combined Policy meeting on admissions to tertiary institutions, held at the National Universities Commission, Abuja, Punch reports.

Giving a statistical run down of candidates’ preference for tertiary education Ojerinde, in his presentation disclosed that after the conduct of the 2014 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, candidates who applied for degree awarding institutions totalled 1,584,348, representing 70 per cent; National Certificate in Education applicants totalled 25,767 representing 1.6 per cent; National Diploma, a paltry 22,072, representing 1.3 per cent while National Innovation Diploma had just 46, representing 0.003 per cent.

Chairman of the Board, Mr Eze, called on the institutions to strictly adhere to 60:40 Science to Arts ratio for conventional institutions and the 70:30 Technology to non-Technology ratio for specialised institutions, which were aimed at entrenching the technical advancement of the country.

National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Launches New e-Learning Solution NOUN #iLEARN

Students of the National Open University of Nigeria have had it great in the past one month. The reason is no other than the university’s opening of a new e-learning portal, NOUN iLEARN, which addresses pertinent problems that have so far beguiled the learning experience of students in the National Open University.

Students of the university have been familiar with a number of mitigating factors such as low facilitator to student interaction, isolated study, inadequate learning materials, private facilitation cost, and insufficient quality control/assurance. With NOUN iLEARN, these problems have fast become history.

NOUN iLEARN is an innovative e-learning platform designed to give both facilitators and students a fulfilling learning experience. First of its kind in Nigerian tertiary institution, the new portal provides decisive solution in the following ways:

• Interaction between facilitators and students is improved. By using the customized features such as virtual classrooms with class discussion, course forums and “Ask A Question”functionality, facilitators can moderate a class session, answer students’ Q&As, and provide additional insight to subject areas real time.
• Students no longer need to study in isolation. If they encounter any issue while studying or if need of any information, they can post questions or requests for information to thousands of fellow students click(s) away.
•  Costs paid to 3rd party facilitator centers will no more be incurred. First grade and quality facilitation from NOUN lecturers will be obtained.
• Access to multiple delivery channels like videos lectures, audio lectures and smart books is provided.
• Students can assess themselves by taking unit quizzes and practice questions.
• Proper regulation of the quality of facilitation and learning students receive from the school.

To enhance access, NOUN iLEARN is available on mobile apps including Blackberry, Android and Java.

Comments from NOUN students across the country reveal their appreciation:

“This is another milestone achievement by the management of NOUN with a view to bringing education to the doorstep of every Nigerians especially the less privileged. Kudos Prof. Tenebe and his team!” – James Itsegok, MSc student, Peace Studies

“This is indeed a good innovation and I believe it will be of help to the students. This is a great vision I will say” – Irijavughe Augustine, Student

“Anybody that says him or her cannot afford this is not determined to be educated. With the help of NOUN, there is now room for the less privileged ones to be educated. NOUN is reliable and accessible.” – Odey Simon, Student

“The revolution in education is on in Nigeria. Well done NOUN. I’m proud of you.” – Daniel C Azuka, Student

“Thanks NOUN, gradually we’re moving forward” – Fakoya Oriyomi, Student

“This is good. I’m so happy. This will go a long way in bridging the gap” – Tonia Efienokwu, Student

“This is sustainable education in our generation. We thank God for that development!” – Nyhu Birboduwoni Kiri, Student

Some observers on social media also have this to say:

“This is an improvement to Nigerian education” – Eloho Oyegwa @ElohoTheDon

“Awesome!” – Kristen Dufauchard @Kristen_PRgirl

“For the first time in Nigeria’s education history, e-learning is being fully integrated by a university” – Femi Agsi Obidare @FemiAgsi

“Excellent innovation. Proudly Nigerian” – Ugba Mercy

29th May 2014 – Attend the #MADEINNIGERIA Youth Project

29^th May 2014 – Attend the #MADEINNIGERIA Youth Project

The MADE IN NIGERIA Youth conference is a platform created under the #MINYouthProject to resuscitate and re-awaken the consciousness amongst young Nigerians about a greater and enviable Nation, that they can be #MADEINNIGERIA and that it is possible regardless of our daunting socio-economic challenges without having to seek for greener pastures abroad.

It is also created to motivate and inspire young people that they can be change makers and global shapers owing to the contributions they make to nigeria's growth and development.

The event features speakers, poetry, documentary, music, comedy and a panel.

The speakers of the events are Chude Jideonwo, Japheth Omojuwa, Jimi Tewe, Koffi, Akin Akintayo, Leke Aladekoba, Olamide Olabisi and Adedeji Alebiosu as Convener.

The event is open to the general public.

Registration and green carpet starts by 9am and the event starts by 10am on the 29th of May 2014 at The Rehoboth, 31 Moloney Street, Onikan Lagos.

Be there! Get inspired to be a change maker and a global shaper. Be #MADEINNIGERIA

FG to Introduce Herbal Medicine Course in Nigerian Universities

Herbal medicine is often regarded as esoteric science – studied and practiced by a select few. But thanks to a new university curriculum the federal government is introducing, herbal medicine may soon become a part of mainstream science in Nigeria.

The government has concluded plans to introduce herbal medicine studies in Nigerian universities, Vanguard reports. This announcement was made at the 3rd Annual Guest Lecture organized by Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, in Abuja.

Speaking on the necessity of formalizing the study of herbal medicine, Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu expressed that universal health coverage cannot be achieved without the involvement of trained herbal medicine practitioners.

“If you are a herbal practitioner, you are a doctor. A herbalist is a doctor. But the first function of a doctor is to take a diagnosis. Is it Lassa fever or Ebola? Or is it Dengue or is it malaria or typhoid? You have to get the answer before you begin to give that herb,” he said.

He also stated that to fully understand the human body and make accurate diagnoses, knowledge of subjects including anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, Physiology, are needed. And this is what a formal herbal medicine curriculum could provide.

The course may commence in universities as early as next year.