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UNIOSUN: How the frog broke its thigh By Tunde Odesola

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Osun guber and Oyetola’s fulfilled mandate

UNIOSUN: How the frog broke its thigh By Tunde Odesola

UNIOSUN– Over the weekend, I gave thoughts to the snowflake nature of Man. I arrived at the conclusion that the mind of Man is a tragic theatre with a cast, whose hero commits an error which turns into a horror that smashes him down below zero in terror.
UNIOSUN: How the frog broke its thigh By Tunde Odesola
I also gave thoughts to how the proverbial Monkey attempted to change its hirsute destiny but painfully missed being transformed into Man.
Furthemore, I spared a thought for the Frog’s zig-zag thighs and a life condemned to ceaseless leaping about – on land and in water, like Sisyphus and his untiring rock.
Surely, the reality of the above-mentioned animalism themes affirms Man’s ever evolving quest for change – either for good or for bad or for both.
Immersed in my stream of thoughts, I put a call through to the Araba of Osogbo, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, and I asked, “Baba, do you know the Yoruba worldviews of how the Frog fractured his thigh and how the Monkey missed a lifetime chance to belong in humanity?
“Yes, I know. Part of it is in my book, Oyeku Palaba: The Adventures of Obatala, Part II, published in Los Angeles in 2004,” Elebuibon said.
But I won’t bother the reader with the popular fable of how the Monkey, aka Obo Idere (not Obo Idanre), failed to exercise patience for seven days, and broke the magical potion he was given to rub off the hair on his body, thereby missing the opportunity to become human.
I’ll dwell on the less popular but more appropriate parable of how the Frog broke his thigh as a result of indiscretion and overexuberance.
Recalling that the Ifa corpus on Mr Frog springs from the theme of conspiracy, Elebuibon said in Yoruba, “The person who runs away from conspiracy is only being cautious, (a d’Ifa fun Akere omo oni Ture), a divination for the Frog, the son of Ture..”
In a bid to secure his future, Elebuibon said the Frog went to the house of the Diviner and requested to know what lies ahead in the belly of time. Ever accurate, ever truthful, the Diviner told the Frog three joyous incidents would happen in his life in rapid succession, warning, however, that the Frog must be cautious in success.
On his way home, the Frog branched off to his farm, to complete a chore he had started the day before. As he tilled the land, he uprooted a twig which made a big hole in the ground. Curious, he looked into the little hole and saw a pot of money.
Gingerly, he dug out the pot and hit a jackpot. In a dazed dance on the farm, news came that his wife had been delivered of a baby, the Frog became drunk on joy. Right on the farm, he ordered various food and palm wine to be taken to his house preparatory to a feast never witnessed in the land.
Mr Frog called on dancers, drummers, relatives and friends to come and share in his joy, pomp and pageantry. In the middle of the electrifying jubilation, word came from the kingmakers that Frog had been chosen as the next king of the land.
Frog climbed the peak of gladness, leaving the realm of dance for the realm of acrobatics, leaping and stomping in a frenzy until he tripped and crash-landed, breaking his thigh bones and ultimately losing the crown because the palace forbids a paraplegic as king.
Like the Frog, who was foretold three transformative incidents would happen in his life, UNIOSUN has had the opportune luck of being headed by three amazing vice chancellors, who were successively chosen through the laws establishing the 15-year-old university.
The pioneer V-C of UNIOSUN, Sola Akinrinade, a distinguished Professor of History at the Obafemi Awolowo University, is a first-class intellect, whose tenure witnessed groundbreaking achievements in the areas of quality faculties, sustainable academic calendar, quality of governance and massive infrastructural development.
A medical doctor and Professor of Chemical Pathology, University of Ilorin, Bashiru Okesina, succeeded Akinrinade, recording giant strides that firmly planted the institution on the national education map.
The incumbent V-C, Labode Popoola, a sterling Professor of Forest Economics from the University of Ibadan, has improved the fortunes of the university in the areas of increased academic programmes, including  the re-establishment of medical studies.
But barely 10 weeks before the curtain falls on the tenure of Popoola on November 4, 2021, UNIOSUN is on the boil. Professorial eggheads in academic gowns, hoods and tams are set to abandon classroom teaching for courtroom fighting in the bid to clinch the heavyweight title of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor.
Like the vulture, unease has shown up on the UNIOSUN horizon, gradually encircling the citadel and threatening to exchange UNIOSUN’s peace for war. Like Nigeria’s self-determinism battle, many UNIOSUN professors are poised to defend their space.
This is what a newspaper advertorial calling for applications from interested candidates for the post of V-C has caused UNIOSUN. The ominous clouds are threatening acid rain in UNIOSUN.
The content of the controversial advertorial is a drastic departure from the academic requirements and the UNIOSUN extant laws that produced Akinrinade, Okesina and Popoola, fuelling the suspicion that there’s more to the advert than meets the eye.
Specifically, a simple search on Google reveals that neither the two past V-Cs nor the incumbent V-C and the two past acting V-Cs, exceptional Prof Gani Olatunde and illustrious Prof Oguntola Alamu, meet all the requirements announced by the Popoola-led institution.
The advert demands a ResearchGate Score of 15.0 and 800 citations from each applicant, which neither the incumbent nor the past V-Cs meet.
Indeed, the incumbent V-C has an H-Index of 11 on Google Scholar instead of the advertised 15. In ResearchGate Citations, Popoola has 284, instead of the advertised 800, and has 15.29 in ResearchGate Score.
The questions on the lips of stakeholders are: What is the sense in setting requirements unattainable by even the vice-chancellors of Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia universities? Does the UNIOSUN frog want to break its thigh bones like the proverbial frog? Does the Popoola-led administration, like the proverbial monkey, want to smash UNIOSUN’s pot of success on the eve of mantle passover?
Pointedly, Harvard University V-C, Prof Lawrence Basco, has a ResearchGate Score of 14.5 and 582 citations; Cambridge V-C, Prof Stephen Toope, has a ResearchGate Score of 14.5 and 701 citations; Oxford V-C, Prof Loiuse Richardson, has NO ResearchGate Score, laughably rendering her ineligible for UNIOSUN V-C post.
The Presidents of Yale and Princeton, Prof Peter Salovey, and Prof Christopher Eisgruberi, respectively, don’t have ResearchGate Accounts nor Scores just as their counterpart in Columbia University, Prof Lee Bollinger, has neither, also.
Back home in Nigeria, the acting V-C, University of Ibadan, erudite Prof Adebola Ekanola’s ResearchGate Score is 7.5 with 64 citations while the ResearchGate Score and citations of ABU V-C, the distinguished Prof Kabir Bala, are 3.58 and 108 respectively.
In the contentious advert, prospective candidates, who MUST meet all the requirements, were directed to send their applications to the vice-chancellor, in a clear usurpation of the Office of the Registrar, UNIOSUN, and a travesty of the laws setting up the university.
Similarly, the requirements which stipulate that candidates must possess 10 local and international research grants, and to also have attended 20 international conferences are ridiculous given the fact that UNIOSUN cannot boast of full sponsorships of her professors to international conferences nor fully sponsoring their researches in the last five years.
The Visitor to UNIOSUN, Governor Gboyega Oyetola; should quickly wade into the travesty before the head of baby UNIOSUN is twisted backward.
By the provisions of UNIOSUN Law 2006 and UNIOSUN Condition of Service 2019/2021, the advert is clearly skewed in favour of candidates in Pure/Applied Sciences against those in Law, Education, Arts, Social/Management Sciences and Humanities – with the non-acceptance of book publications, monographs, plays and visual arts from candidates.
I wonder what the thoughts of the founder of the university, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and his predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, are right now.
Oyetola, now is the time to act.
Email: tundeodes2003@yahoo.com
Facebook: @tunde odesola
Twitter: @tunde_odesola

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Education

JUST IN: Government Shuts Down Lead British School Over Student’s Bully (VIDEO)

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JUST IN: Government Shuts Down Lead British School Over Student’s Bully (VIDEO)

JUST IN: Government Shuts Down Lead British School Over Student’s Bully (VIDEO)

 

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Sahara Weekly Reports That The Federal Government has reportedly shut down Lead British School following the bully of a student named Namitira in the Abuja-based institution.

 

 

 

JUST IN: Government Shuts Down Lead British School Over Student’s Bully (VIDEO)

 

 

 

 

Two videos showing the student reportedly named Namtira being manhandled went viral on social media on Tuesday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In one of the videos, the victim was seen being slapped repeatedly by another female student while asking “Who broke my heart?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In another video, the victim was seen sitting next to a male classmate who was heard saying “I spoilt her relationship”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Furthermore, the minister of women affairs has visited the school to address the situation. In a follow up video recorded this morning, the culprit was seen being slapped by a woman who is said to be the victim’s aunty.

 

 

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NAUB: MR PRESIDENT, WHO ARE THOSE PLANNING TO KILL THE ONLY FEDERAL UNIVERSITY THAT DOES NOT GO ON STRIKE? By Femi Oyewale

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Why the merger of NAUB with NDA cannot work, the hard facts to consider'

NAUB: MR PRESIDENT, WHO ARE THOSE PLANNING TO KILL THE ONLY FEDERAL UNIVERSITY THAT DOES NOT GO ON STRIKE? By Femi Oyewale

 

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Sahara Weekly Reveals That Higher education in Nigeria, quite frankly, is facing immense challenges including but not limited to poor infrastructure, unrealistic academic calendars resulting in extra years against stipulated durations, lack of teaching equipment, social menace, poor funding, amongst others.

 

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NAUB: MR PRESIDENT, WHO ARE THOSE PLANNING TO KILL THE ONLY FEDERAL UNIVERSITY THAT DOES NOT GO ON STRIKE? By Femi Oyewale

 

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Interestingly, Nigerian Army University, Biu (NAUB) is quite unique from other federal universities in the sense that since inception, there has not been any issue of strike, cultism, protest, or anti-social conduct.

 

Rather, the university is reputed for its excellent condition of learning environment.

 

This was aptly covered by the Governor of Borno State, H.E Professor Babagana Umara Zulum through his deputy during the maiden edition of the convocation ceremony of NAUB on Saturday, October 28th, 2023 at the University’s main campus ( note not temporary campus within five years of existence) in Biu, Borno State.

 

 

The Borno State governor said he was physically present at the groundbreaking ceremony of the foundation laying stone of NAUB five years ago, and he is impressed by what he has seen adding that it must take military precision and focus to put in a full-fledged and functional university on a barren land in such a short period.

 

 

The Governor further thanked the Federal Government, the Nigerian Army, the traditional rulers, scholars and academics philanthropist, industrialists, associates and men and women of goodwill from within and outside Borno State for the selfless service of gradually re-modelling the future of Borno State in particular and Nigeria in general and for putting Borno State on the path of further greatness through the Nigerian Army university, Biu.

 

Why then do we plan to abort such a great independent institution of learning known as a barrier breaker and line crosser by merging it with NDA whose missions and visions are not in tandem with each other .

 

Why cut short the dreams of such noble ideas via politics?

 

Are there those who do not want a stable educational system in Nigeria?

Are there external forces or their agents at home trying to destroy a good foundation for a stable educational system in Nigeria?

 

Is NAUB in competition with the private universities?

Are there big shots who benefit from a chaotic educational system in Nigeria?

 

Are there some subterranean forces working within the system to achieve the Boko Haram objective that “education is sin”?

The words of Governor Zulum rings a wise bell when he said that Boko Haram insurgents have achieved their objectives if the university is scrapped.

“Therefore, we appeal to Mr. President to look into this issue so that the Army University Biu would remain a university… because of the importance of education in this part of the country, where Boko Haram is saying that education is forbidden. And I think that by allowing this Army university to be scrapped, they might have achieved one or two of their objectives,” he said.

 

The governor noted that, for over a decade, Borno State has been facing a serious crisis that has denied many children access to education.

“Therefore, this university is very important to not only the people of Borno State but our neighbouring states,” he said.

 

Look at the Western countries that started with military polytechnics that propelled revolution in military equipment development.

 

Many of these developed countries collaborated jointly through civil-military research.

The Swedish Defence University established like NAUB is Sweden’s leading resource in, and first choice for, education, training and research in the management of crisis, war and periods of tension in the leadership of both civil and military agencies. The Swedish Defence University is an accredited institution for academic education for military and civilian students and researchers where different experiences, approaches, and traditions come together. It has become a hub for both national and international students.

 

It might shock you to know that American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU). APUS is wholly owned by American Public Education, Inc., a publicly traded private-sector corporation that offers associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees, in addition to dual degrees, certificate programs and learning tracks.

 

During my NYSC, I served in the Nigerian Army School of Education (NASE), Ilorin, which is a renowned military institution focused on providing high-quality education and training for Nigerian Army personnel and civilians. So why the proposed merger of NAUB?

 

Interestingly, the Nigerian Army University Biu provides such a platform for the Nigerian military towards technological innovation, research, and development in varied fields for national defence and security breakthroughs like many modern nations. In fact, instead of downgrading the Nigerian Army University, many more Army universities should be established in Nigeria. That is the way out for a caricature type of educational system that has failed to have stability over the years.

 

Who is not interested in seeing that a federal university graduates its students within the regular course time frame?

 

Must programmes of all federal universities be easily disrupted. A course of 4 or 5 years ends up taking over 6 to 7 years to complete. The worst part is that many universities end up in a crash programme to be able to cover up for the lost times. The terrible damage to these universities’ products is the very low standard of graduates.

 

Who wants the Nigerian educational system to collapse completely? These are rhetorical questions the amiable president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all stakeholders should ask those proposing the merger to answer us publicly, else should let the matter die forever in the abyss of hasty decision.

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Edo State University Uzairue Matriculates 1,245 Students By Elvis Omoregie

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Edo State University Uzairue Matriculates 1,245 Students By Elvis Omoregie

Edo State University Uzairue Matriculates 1,245 Students

By Elvis Omoregie

 

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The Edo State University, Uzairue have matriculated 1,245 students who met the condition for admission criteria for the 2023/2024 academic session.

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Edo State University Uzairue Matriculates 1,245 Students

By Elvis Omoregie

 

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Speaking during the 9th matriculation ceremony of the institution at Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government of Edo state, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof Emmanuel Aluyor, charged the newly admitted students to adhere to the university’s regulations and contribute responsibly to the institution.

“Dear Matriculants, approach your studies with dedication and make full use of the state-of-the-art technological equipment and ICT facilities available for your academic advancement. Embark on a studious academic journey, making the serene environment of Edo State University Uzairue your conducive home for success.’

He said the University, in partnership with the Edo State Government, is devoted to consistently providing world class teaching and research facilities.

sharing the remarkable progress the institution has achieved over the past eight years, said its humble beginnings with three Faculties and Eight programs, Edo State University Uzairue has grown to encompass nine faculties with over 30 undergraduate programmes”.

He added that all the programmes offered at the institution have been accredited and approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other the relevant professional bodies.

Aluyor said the College of Post Graduate Studies of the institution stands out for its successful programs, encompassing PGD, Masters, MBA, MPA, Mphil, and Ph.D. across different Faculties.

“Having graduated five sets of students, our accreditation processes have consistently yielded impressive grades, With the lowest recorded score being 78.5 per cent’

He explained that through collaborative partnerships with international Universities such as Worcester State University (USA) and the University of Sunderland (UK), students benefit from valuable opportunities to engage in exchange programs.

“The establishment of the institution Teaching Hospital with the support of the State Government, marks a significant stride, enhancing our facilities for medical students’ training.

Aluyor noted that the institution runs an uninterrupted academic calendar leading to its recognition as the best University in the South-South geo-political zone, 2nd Best State University in the country and 10th Best University in Nigeria by the National University Commission (NUC) System Ranking 2022.

“Edo State University is the 1st in West Africa to adopt the CANVAS Learning Management System, used by over 70 percent of ivy League Universities globally”.

He added ” it is the first to acquire the Anatomy table and low and high fidelity Manikins (Simman 3g), which enables the simulation of different scenarios for the training of Medical and Nursing Students”.

He said the institution placed on discipline and adherence to the approved academic calendar, with a commitment to addressing any instances of errant behavior.

Prof Aluyor however called on well meaning individuals and corporate organisations to generously contribute prizes for students of the institution who demonstrate excellence in their respective fields.

In his goodwill message, a member of the Edo State House of Assembly Hon. Inegbebor O. Eugene advised the students to be serious with their academic pursuit and make their parents proud by graduating with good grades

“The university is not a place to come to waste your time but to improve yourself, it is not all about getting the certificate but about going through the university and allowing the institution to go through you”.

He advised the students not to disappoint their parents by focusing on their studies and making the best use of the opportunity to graduate with good grades.

Hon. Inegbebor further stated that he will discuss with the Hon speaker, RT. Hon Blessing Agbebaku to see how Edo State House could institute a prize for the best graduating student in the university.

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