ASUU and LASU crisis

Read more about earlier events here

A FACTION of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) Lagos State University (LASU) on Tuesday 3rd of February 2015 denied rumours making the rounds that that the school was enmeshed in internal crisis over the recent withdrawal of 19 doctorate certificates from some persons, including a factional chairman, Adekunle Idris.

According to the faction, the affected certificates had been re-issued and not a
subject of controversy as  peddled in some quarters.

Interim chairman of the union, Ayodele
Asokere, said the statement credited to some aggrieved members of the school that LASU was in crisis was not true and capable of putting the institution in bad light.

According to him, the environment is peaceful and students and staff, both academic and non-academic- were fully and dutifully engaged.

It would be recalled that members of the Idris- led ASUU-LASU, in company of ASUU in Lagos Zone, last week protested that the school was in crisis, stressing that it was high time Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), looked into the matter.

The Idris-led group had complained of
victimisation by management, withdrawal of doctorate certificates, alleged incompetence of the vice chancellor, infrastructural decay among
others.

On Tuesday, however, Asokere and seven of the nine affected Ph.d holders (among the academic staff ) said they had received fresh certificates following necessary reviews and corrections.

The university authority last October ordered that nine lecturers who had completed their doctorate between 2003 and 2013 return their certificates for corrections to be effected. The matter went up to the Senate of the school, when the Head of Department, Marketing, Dr. Scholastica Udegbe, complained
that her certificate showed Marketing instead of International Business that she had researched.

Further investigations revealed that several other certificates (issued between 2003 and 2013) carried wrong nomenclature, including courses that were not offered in the university.

Affected candidates, both within and l
outside the institution, were asked to return the certificates, to which nine lecturers complied, except ASUU chairman, Idris.

One of the affected lecturers, Dr. Babatunde Yusuf, said they were all directed to return the certificates on or before Tuesday, November 18, 2014.

“Nine out of 10 of us complied with the
Senate’s directive and handed over our certificates to the issuing body and exactly 72 hours later, the senate met and re-awarded the degree reflecting what we applied for and studied, thereby correcting the anomalies reported,” he said.

Yusuf observed that the award took into
consideration key stages like the area of specialisation, as stated in the application; course work as reflected by area of specialisation; seminars presented in the area of specialisation and lastly specialisation as stated in the thesis.

“It was after this that nine of us who obeyed the Senate’s resolutions were re-issued with the corrected certificate. Rather than Adekunle Idris submitting his certificate for review and re- award, he has been denigrating and demeaning
the power of the university senate and the integrity of LASU,” he said.

Asokere stressed that there was no crisis in the university, saying “those fanning the embers of crisis in the university were outsiders who are working in collaboration with a few disgruntled elements in the university.”

According to him, “Please do not be misled by mischief makers and propagandists who are determined to create panic where there should be none and indeed, there is none.

“I stand here representing the position of all the academics in Lagos State University to state that there is no crisis in the Lagos State University. We desire sustenance of the peaceful and calm atmosphere which prevails in LASU especially as this has brought about so many development that are ongoing especially in the area of infrastructure development in Lagos State university,” he said.

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Medical school, teaching hospital in FUTA soon

The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, has said that the institution will soon establish a medical school as well as a teaching hospital to complement its School of Basic Sciences.

Adebiyi said this on Monday following the National Universities Commission’s approval granted to the university to establish a School of Health and Health Technology.

According to Adebiyi, the new department will take off next academic session with courses, such as Physiology, Anatomy, Dental Technology and Optometry.

Daramola said, “We’ve received the nod to set up departments of Anatomy and Physiology having previously established a Department of Biochemistry.

So, we are starting with degrees in the basic medical sciences and ultimately to end up with a teaching hospital.

These two new departments are precursors of a medical school because we already have Biochemistry in the School of Sciences.

‘‘Besides, we cannot have health-related courses without having the core, which is medicine. You cannot have optometry and other ancillary courses without a Teaching Hospital, which is at the core.

Some of the courses we are starting with are basic medical sciences. If you are familiar with the training of medical doctors, they start with what is called basic medical sciences.

It is when they are well-grounded in these, that they go to the clinical,” Daramola said.

We will boost book industry

Stakeholders in the book industry have said there is a need to create a template where they form a coalition to ensure social, economic and financial stability.

President of the Booksellers Association of Nigeria and member of the Board of Directors, Nigerian Book Fair Trust, Mr. Olusoji Popoola, made this known at the
2015 Academy Press Plc Customers’ Forum in Lagos.

He said, “There is a need to encourage healthy competition among multiple winners, identifying common issues, enemies and interests and pull resources together to further the interest of the trade.”

He said that in bridging the gap there was also a need to discourage betrayal tendencies among stakeholders by rewarding loyalty appropriately and increasing advocacy and participation government activities.

The Chairman, Academy Press, Mr. Simeon Oguntimehin, also urged them to create an enabling environment to make the business thrive in the country.

Oguntimehin said, “A country should consistently strive to make its local establishment to be more efficient. It is only through such a process that organisations can rise to world-class standards,” he said.

The Managing Director, Academy Press Plc, Mr. Gbenga Ladipo, said the 50-year-old firm over the years had followed the trend of retooling and modernising its facilities to meet global best practices.

The company, he added, recently acquired and installed for operation, a new equipment worth over N1.5bn.

Courtesy: www.punchng.com

No more ‘pass’ grade in Nigerian Universities

National Universities Commission’s decision to abolish ‘pass’ in the grading system of universities raises questions over the agency’s powers.

When the National Universities Commission gave the hint last academic session that the ‘pass’ degree would no longer be acceptable in the grading system in the nation’s universities, not many students and other stakeholders took the agency seriously.

Indeed, many felt that the universities’ ombudsman had other bigger responsibilities to cater to as a way of bringing sanity into the system.

Issues bordering on proper funding of universities, accommodating hundreds of students who annually fail to secure admissions and ensuring a better ranking of the nation’s universities, among others, were considered as paramount to occupy the time of the commission instead of just rolling out a fresh grading procedure.

But with the beginning of the 2014/2015 academic session and the accompanying matriculation ceremonies, fresh students are now inundated with advice from vice-chancellors that they need to work harder if truly they want to graduate in flying colours.

In fact, the remarks by the Vice Chancellor of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. AbdullahiZuru, during the 2014/2015 matriculation of 4,133 students of the institution, has brought the NUC’s decision to abolish the pass grade in the nation’s university system to the front burner again.

According to Zuru, there is no going back on the E- grading system in the university and so every student should work harder to earn a good grade.

Zuru added, “This has far-reaching implications on the grading system of l students in universities. This means
that the minimum pass mark for courses in the universities will now be 45 per cent, that is, D-grade, instead of the previous 40 per cent, which was E-grade.

It also means that the minimum class of degree to be earned by students will now be third class.”

Besides pass and third class, the other grades in the system are second class lower division, second class upper division and the first class – regarded as the apogee in the ranking.

But as Zuru and his colleagues are urging students to endeavour to live up to expectations, some concerned stakeholders are also faulting the fresh procedure.

The latter school of thought holds the view that upping the grading system is not an elixir to improving on the quality of education in the country. In their thinking,
there is more to be done than merely adjusting the grading system.

According to a Lagos-based education consultant, Mr. Victor Jegede, the NUC’s decision is akin to putting the cart before the horse.

For him, the commission should first consider the quality of teachers and calibre of infrastructure in schools, among many other factors, before “throwing the baby and the bath water away.”

Jegede says, “Abolishing a pass degree will not end the decay in universities. Many of the schools do not have the facilities that will enhance teaching and learning.

Rating of the universities by the international agencies has nothing to do with the grading system. It has more to do with availability of competent lecturers and modern facilities. I tell you, if these basic things are available, more and more students will excel.

“For our students to be competitive like their peers from across the globe, there is the need to expose them to creative researches and modern teaching facilities.

Above all, the government needs to fund the sector well.” Another consultant, Bola Kolawole, argues that grading is a mere graduation of scores, noting that the development will only further breed corruption in the system.

Examination malpractice, sorting (bribing of lecturers to gain some good grades), sales of handouts, cultism, prostitution among undergraduates as well as other
social vices, Kolawole says, are serious areas of concern that need the urgent attention of the commission.

The emphasis, he says, should not be on grading system but on imparting quality knowledge to the students.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, University of Ibadan chapter Chairman, Prof. Segun Ajiboye, sees the matter from another perspective. The idea, Ajiboye
posits, limits the significance of the university autonomy and portrays once more the overbearing influence of the NUC.

Courtesy: www.punchng.com

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ASUU splits over LASU crisis

CITING several problems facing the Lagos State
University (LASU), the Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU), Lagos Zone, on Tuesday 27 January
called on the State governor and Visitor to the
institution, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) to send
visitation panel to LASU.
Addressing reporters at the University of Lagos
(UNILAG) ASUU secretariat, the Zonal
Coordinator, Dr. Adeola Nassir, said that the
situation in LASU had worsened, even as the
institution is gradually sliding into chaos.
But as this was ongoing in UNILAG, Akoka,
another faction of ASUU in LASU, at a briefing
held on the Ojo campus of the institution,
disassociated themselves on Wednesday 28 of january 2015 #8217;s
protest.

The group, allegedly loyal to the Vice
Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa, claimed there
is peace in the university, except for “some
external forces” trying to instigate some
disgruntled members of the union to foment
trouble and distabilise the system.
Nassir informed that the Vice Chancellor of the
institution, Obafunwa, had defiled several efforts
to restore peace and remove LASU from the
map of crises.

He expressed disappointment that the visitor
to LASU (Fashola) has still not yielded to
several calls made by the union to investigate
the crises at the institution.

According to him, “Developments at LASU have
since gone from bad to worse due to what we
perceived as witch-hunting of our members by
the LASU administration coupled with crass
incompetence, borne out of poor vision and
warped mindset of the vice chancellor.
“Ranging from the issue of withholding of
ASUU-LASU check-off dues, to irregular
appointments and promotions; interdiction of
Prof Tunde Fatunde; withdrawal of Ph.D
certificates of ASUU-LASU chairman, Dr.
Adekunle Idris; interference with the union’s
internal matters and denial of regularisation
interview to two temporary appointees.”
Other issues as raised by the union includes,
violations of rules and regulations governing the
university; the state of LASU consult and
ventures; and his full time tenure offices as the
vice chancellor and Chief Medical Examiner of
Lagos State.

“With this double standards, how can he
(Obafunwa) sits down and think out progressive
idea on how to move LASU forward? It is clear
to us that Obafunwa is never tired of instigating
crises for LASU and government just cover his
incompetence.

“Our union is disturbed that the Lagos State
government has continued to turn its face away
from these brazen anomalies. We therefore
wondered what level of crisis would prompt
government to act right and act fast in arresting
the drift at LASU.

“For the umpteenth time, we are asking that
the governor should call Obafunwa to order
whilst at the same time setting up visitation to
LASU immediately. The alternative is to watch
LASU snowball into more crises with the
attendant implications.”

To make their dissatisfaction known to the
state government and the public, the group in
yesterday’s protest at Alausa described
Obafunwa’s administration as anti-intellectual
and autocratic, challenging Fashola to call the
VC to order before the situation becomes
uncontrollable.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the ASUU-LASU
Caretaker Committee, Ayodele Asokere, at the
Ojo briefing, dissociated his group from the
protests.
Asokere said the protest was uncalled for and
should be disregarded, saying “it is a ploy to
lure the LASU students into political thuggery
and violence.

According to him, “I want to quickly address
the call to yesterday’s protest by one Comrade
Aremu of JAF. Many text messages have been
circulated in the last few days by one unknown
Dr. Idris, giving reasons for the protest.
“Some of the reasons given were victimisation
of students and lecturers. Secondly, they cited
an intention to increase LASU school fees and
thirdly they mentioned disruption of academic
freedom.

“We are constrained to state that such a rally
is not justified for now especially since the
university has just begun a new academic
session after the smooth and successful
completion of the 2013/2014 session.”
The ASUU-LASU said their findings after so
much consultation have not revealed any
intention to hike LASU fees, even as he said no
case of victimization have been established and
that academic freedom in the university is
guaranteed.
Asokere said: “Therefore, all the reasons stated
in the text messages are baseless and
unfounded. It is clear that some mischievous
individuals are bent on disrupting the peace and
progress in LASU and this individuals are
colluding with external agents to achieve their
devilish ends.”

The ASUU-LASU leadership enjoined LASU
students to steer clear of the planned protest
and avoid anything that could jeopardise their
future as well as the smooth running of the
university’s academic calendar.

“Students need to be informed that political
thuggery may come in different guises including
this one that wears the cloak of a peaceful rally.
Parents are therefore advised not to allow their
children and wards to be used by agents of
political parties who are disguising to be
unionists.

“Parents, please be alerted that those who are
calling for the disruption of academic calender in
LASU do not have their children or wards in
LASU but in private universities in the country
where they pay astronomical fees. Please, do
not be used by some insincere individuals to
achieve some selfish ends,” Asokere said.

Permanent site here we come!

Redeemer's University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Debo Adeyewa,recently said the University is moving to its a bigger location very soon, its permanent site and it would facilitate the introduction of new programmes like Engineering, Law, Medicine and Environmental Science. Permanent Campus: Ede, off Gbongan - Oshogbo Rd, Osun State, Nigeria.

By Road; 186 Km - Distance from Redemption Camp, Mowe to Ede and it is travelled in 1 day. Travel Time: 154 Minutes - 2 hour(s) 34 minutes(s) The above is an approximation. Road Conditions,Diversions, Weather Conditions, Traffic, etc. affect driving distance. After 9years at its temporary site, Redemption Camp, Mowe, Ogun state. Redemeer's University will relocate by the end of September 2014. This is to serve as an avenue to make available state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructures, that will facilitate efficient learning. As the Institution so far has been paying its staff salaries and emoluments promptly Adeyewa affirmed that the University to attain a World-Class status, its processes and structures would also be re-engineered to confirm with the global best practices.

JAMB 2015, CBT only!

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, (JAMB), yesterday, commenced the sales of 2015 application form that will usher in the full implementation of computer based test, CBT, in the 2015 universal tertiary matriculation examinations. This is according to a press release by the registrar of JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde that was made available to the media on Tuesday (September candidates are expected to start purchasing their forms from Monday, September 15th, 2014 to Thursday January 15th, 2015. Professor Ojerinde, who assured candidates that the Board has fine-tuned arrangements with computer based test (CBT) centres to register prospective UTME candidates, prayed for a stress free registration exercise for candidates.

The JAMB boss warned potential candidates about the impersonation and other malpractices usually initiated during the registration process by cyber-cafes. He also assured that the agency has decided to regulate JAMB registration centers to ensure the system is malpractice free. According to the press release, candidates are to obtain their application forms at designated banks after which they are to proceed to any approved CBT centres and register for the examination at a regulated fee. The forms cost N4, 500. It was gathered that there are about 300 centres all over the country and that members of staff of the centres have been trained for purpose of registering candidates. Professor Ojerinde also informed candidates that as part of ensuring standard and quality of public examination in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s reading campaign, the board has reviewed textbooks hitherto read or recommended in previous matriculation examinations to give candidates broader spectrum of literary appreciation. He stated that the board has introduced a book; “The Last Days at Forcados High School”, at a recommended price of N500. “Some of the designated banks from which the JAMB forms could be purchased include; Zenith Bank, Skye Bank, Union Bank, First Bank and NIPOST,” the statement read in part. Download the JAMB Mobile Service application from the Google and Microsoft stores. Source : naijaparrot.com www​.jamb.org.ng/unifiedtme http://www.osundefender.org

Not again, SSANU !

After over 3 months of total, comprehensive and indefinite strike over the unmet demands from 2009 up to 2013 by the Government, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo chapter yesterday 10th of September, 2014 said that after several deliberations and letters to the state Government band university management, SSANU members are yet to be paid their salaries.

"It is against the Labour law for a worker's salaries to be withheld within two months of embarking on strike. It is simply a means of victimization" said Mr. Saheed Oseni, Chairman of the Union. Haven written several letters to Governor Babatunde Fashola, met with appropriate authorities on the issues but had not received positive response so far. Mr Oseni said the Union was planning to ground activities in the institution soon. If the salaries were not paid, as they would not forfeit their entitlement. 'When two elephants are fighting the grass suffers' so they say, for the sake of our dear Nigerian students please all concerned authorities should please respond as we don't want to go on an indefinite or definite strike any more. Sources/photos: www.informationng.com www.lasu.edu.ng www.ssanunigeria.org