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Student: Such a Dangerous time to be a Student (Opinion)

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CUSTOMSGATE: $3 BILLION PROJECT RUNS INTO DISPUTE

Opinion: Such a Dangerous time to be a Student

By Olutayo Irantiola
Growing up in this country some years ago was full of fun and pleasant memories; from your classmates to your teachers, the school authority, and everyone around. It was a grand community wherein all the misdemeanor of children were corrected by neighbors and children still plead not to be reported to their immediate parent; parenting was done by the community.
Reading newspaper reports daily has negatively impacted the mental health of many persons. Howbeit, would one remain perpetually deaf to what is happening in one’s community? Life has got so bad that being a student has become a difficult journey to embark upon.
The happenings in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria have made schooling very dangerous. Well, as said, that is the meaning of Boko Haram from the beginning is Western Education is forbidden and it is depicted with the various killings and abductions. In the last few years, students in that region of the country have been turned into refugees in their homeland. Although, recently, the Borno State Government is making attempts at resettling the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and schools are being built and commissioned all over. This signifies the beginning of Western Education for this set of Nigerians.
Imagine the recent happening in Greenfield University, Kaduna State. Some students were killed for no just cause. The situation is critically alarming that lecturers, workers, and students have become targets of kidnappers. About the same time, a Professor of the University of Jos, Grace Ayanbimpe and her husband were also kidnapped. All of these led the Senior Staff Union of Universities to demand weapons to guard themselves if they cannot be safe on their various campuses.
It is such a challenging time to be a student when you think about the number of auto crashes that claim the lives of students annually while trying to commute to their various institutions of learning and back to their homes. This also brings to the fore the unfortunate death of the students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, earlier in the year, who were crushed to death by a truck.
When you encounter Nigerian students, you need to pity them specially. They would spend years in a tertiary institution of learning, either state or federal because the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Nigerian Government are always at loggerheads over things they usually claim would benefit the students. It is so saddening that you can only know the year in which you resume school but you can never know the year in which you will graduate. Every day, the heartbeat of parents and the students keep palpitating strongly because nobody knows what would be the next occurrence that would make interrupt learning.
Despite all these, female students are exposed to several ills within few years of maturity. They are trailed by lecturers old enough to be their fathers; some evil students rape and murder them amongst others. The journey of a female student needs special care with all that is heard and seen these days. Kudos to the University of Lagos for firing two randy lecturers.
At the moment, Nigeria is just heading for a more grievous crisis in terms of labour force. As stated by Professor Olayinka Idowu, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan. Every Senator wants a University to be sited in his hometown, as such, quality education is fast depreciating in Nigeria. Asides that, all the Polytechnics are being converted to Universities, for instance, Yaba College of Technology and the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro.
These schools may become Universities but what of the technical know-how that we are losing. The skillset of a graduate of the Polytechnic is very different from that of a University graduate. Although the Senate has removed the dichotomy lately, we still need everyone to understand the differences, if not, polytechnics would becoming ghost tertiary institutions.
Ultimately, if you are fortunate to get through school without any scar or blemish; the hurdle of serving your fatherland is staring at you in the face. With all the various uprisings in the country, where is the safe haven for a one-year period, that reminds me, the NYSC Orientation Camp in Maiduguri, has been turned into an IDP camp. Where exactly is the place that one would want to serve with the current state of the country?
If you are not thinking of all these, it becomes frightening for the Director-General of NYSC saying that Corps Members can be deployed to a war zone if a war breaks out. Can a Corps member defend the integrity of this nation by mere marching when trained soldiers are being killed by terrorists in our nation?
Have you noted the rising spate of the kidnapping of those in search of work lately? The syndicate is getting more organized daily. They would lure victims to a particular location, thereafter abducting such individuals. It is getting sophisticated to a fault. There jokes about the situation about how lucrative the kidnapping business has become. People now notify others to look out for certain addresses as they are the hideout of people perpetrating such heinous crimes.
It is such a challenging time to be a student; it is such a challenging thing to be out of school and it is such a challenging time to be in search of work! May the Lord see us through these trying times.
Olutayo Irantiola is a Public Relations Consultant and Creative Writer based in Lagos, Nigeria, his writings are available on www.peodavies.com

Education

ALHAJI MUJAHID ABUBAKAR DOKUBO-ASARI HOSTS UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN VISITING TEAM IN OBUAMA,RIVERS STATE

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ALHAJI MUJAHID ABUBAKAR DOKUBO-ASARI HOSTS UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN VISITING TEAM IN OBUAMA,RIVERS STATE 

ALHAJI MUJAHID ABUBAKAR DOKUBO-ASARI HOSTS UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN VISITING TEAM IN OBUAMA,RIVERS STATE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That Alhaji Mujahid Abubakar Dokubo-Asari on July 4th, 2024, welcomed a visiting research team from the esteemed University of Groningen, located in the Netherlands, to his residence in Obuama, Rivers State.

 

 

 

ALHAJI MUJAHID ABUBAKAR DOKUBO-ASARI HOSTS UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN VISITING TEAM IN OBUAMA,RIVERS STATE 

 

 

 

 

The University of Groningen, with a rich history spanning over four centuries, prides itself on excellence and has been associated with notable figures like Nobel Prize laureates Ben Feringa and Frits Zernike.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The university is renowned for its groundbreaking research that addresses contemporary social issues, bridging the gap between various fields of study and connecting science with society. Their current research areas include Energy, Healthy Ageing, and Sustainable Society, with recent studies focusing on topics such as environmental sustainability, conscious living, and the impact of climate change on wildlife.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Led by Dr. Dumebi Obute, the visiting team from the University of Groningen is conducting a comparative study on resource extraction, its environmental implications, and the adaptive strategies of indigenous communities affected by extensive resource exploitation. Their journey has taken them to various parts of Africa, including South Africa, Zambia, and Nigeria, to investigate large-scale extraction industries like mining and crude oil production.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recognizing Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari’s prominent role in advocating for resource control and environmental preservation in the Niger Delta region, the research team sought his expertise and insights. Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari, known for his global advocacy on these interconnected issues, was seen as a valuable source of historical knowledge and practical experiences in handling resource-related challenges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The collaboration between Alhaji Mujahid Abubakar Dokubo-Asari and the University of Groningen holds the potential to inform global resource policies, promoting the well-being of indigenous communities impacted by resource extraction activities. By integrating historical context and local perspectives, this research aims to contribute to more sustainable and equitable resource management practices worldwide.

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Education

TY Buratai Literary Initiative to commission Book Placement Project in Abuja, Nasarawa schools

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TY Buratai Literary Initiative to commission Book Placement Project in Abuja, Nasarawa schools

TY Buratai Literary Initiative to commission Book Placement Project in Abuja, Nasarawa schools

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That THE TY Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI) has announced the commissioning of its Book Placement Project in three schools across Abuja: Army Day Secondary School, Mambilla Barracks, Al-Hikmah International Academy in Mararaba, Nasarawa State and IDP Sharing Prosperity School in New Kuchingoro, Abuja. These activities will take place on July, 2nd, 4th & 9th respectively.

 

 

 

 

TY Buratai Literary Initiative to commission Book Placement Project in Abuja, Nasarawa schools

 

 

 

 

 

In a statement signed by theatre expert and Secretary, TY Buratai Literary Initiative, Om’Oba Jerry Adesewo, the Book Placement Project is a key programme of TYBLI, aimed at enhancing access to quality books and promoting literacy among young people in under-served communities. This initiative is part of TYBLI’s ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of reading and supporting educational development across Nigeria.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each commissioning event will feature the installation of a mini-library stocked with a curated selection of books tailored to the needs and interests of the students. Additionally, the events will include a brief reading and interactive session with students, aimed at sparking their interest in reading and engaging them with the new resources. A book management talk will also be provided, offering valuable guidance to teachers and students on how to effectively utilise and maintain their new library resources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TYBLI’s founder, Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai (Rtd), expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We are thrilled to bring the Book Placement Project to these schools in Abuja. By providing access to quality books and fostering a love for reading, we are investing in the future of our young people and contributing to the educational development of our communities.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chairperson of the TY Buratai Literary Initiative, Dr. Lizi Ben-Iheanacho, will lead the team to the beneficiary schools for the installation and commissioning. TYBLI also acknowledges Adams Pages and Sprezzatura Publishing for donating the books for the first phase of the Book Placement Project, and calls for more donations from public-spirited individuals and organisations to help make books available for students across the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The TY Buratai Literary Initiative remains committed to expanding its reach and impact, with plans to bring the Book Placement Project to more schools across Nigeria in the coming year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information about the Book Placement Project and how to support TYBLI, please visit www.tybli.com.ng

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Education

OLAOPA SPECULATION TO SCRAPPED HND IS MISCHIEVOUS

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OLAOPA SPECULATION TO SCRAPPED HND IS MISCHIEVOUS.

The Senate arm of National Association of Polytechnic Students NAPS who has been on the vanguard to stop HND/Bsc Dichotomy condemned the wrong Speculation of OLAOPA the Chairman of Federal Civil Service Commission. The association admitted that there are lot of good recommendations in the bill to abolished HND/Bsc Dichotomy that has been passed by the 9th Assembly but wonder why the going back and Front From the Federal Civil Service Commission in this regards? If there is no evil motive or hatred against HND Certificate, there is something wrong with the Management team of Federal Civil Service Commission and HND Holders.

 

 

OLAOPA SPECULATION TO SCRAPPED HND IS MISCHIEVOUS.

The NBTE and COEAD Submission at one day retreat on HND/Bsc Dichotomy that was held yesterday in Abuja at Tetfund Building Abuja, the report and their submission is different from this callous, wicked response and Publication of OLAOPA.

The Leadership of Senate Arm of National Association of Polytechnic Students NAPS is hereby calling on the Federal Government to Investigate the Federal Civil Service Commission and OLAOPA on reasons for the hatred on Polytechnic Certificate, knowing fully well that Polytechnic Education were designed to solved critical Technical issues and create great platform for Technology advancement in the Country, there is no Professional war between HND/Bsc Certificate Holder’s as speculated by the Chairman of Federal Civil Service Commission, what we are clamouring for is that Polytechnic Students,HND Certificate holders should not be treated as Second class to Bsc, assuming Olaopa has Polytechnic Background he wouldn’t have come up with that unreasonable Conclusion, solutions to HND/Bsc Dichotomy has already been settled in Bill to abolish HND/Bsc, we are calling the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed to look into this Bill and Assent the Presidential Signature to make it a Law.

OLAOPA has no special skill or Intelligent more than those that laboured for the Bill to Abolish HND/Bsc Dichotomy, their Labour for years shouldn’t be in vein because of myopic mindset of OLAOPA, we are calling on him to withdraw that Statement or face the Massive Protest from National Association of Polytechnic Students NAPS.

This Statement from a Professor is shocking because some developed country place great Value on Technical Education. With all the Research of the University, how many solutions has the University Graduates proffer to solve Nigerian Economy Challenge?

Until HND/ Bsc Dichotomy is abolished,Aluta Continua…

Signed

Comrade Adeniji Boluwaji Temitope
Senate President of National Association of Polytechnic Students(NAPS)
08069738724

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