Forty-two new doctors took the physicians’ oath at the ninth induction ceremony of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma in Edo State, recently.

The ceremony was graced by Mr F.A Ojo-Maliki, the Registrar AAU; Dr Ute Inegbenebor, Acting Dean of Basic Medical Sciences; Chief A.E Ogbejiele, Secretary of AAU’s College of Medicine, traditional rulers and others.

Welcoming participants, the provost of the College of Medicine, Dr F.O. Enahoro, stated that the college was proud to have trained them up to the present level.

Dr Enahoro noted that the medical profession is evolving at a fast rate and there are few chances for non-specialist doctors.

“This oath taking ceremony is significant in many ways as it symbolically shows your acceptance into the medical profession in Nigeria. Endeavour to be guided by this oath. Love your patients, respect your consultants, complement the nurses and other paramedics.

“Desist from forging medical clearance certificate for people who want to travel outside the country for dubious reason. Looking at the number of years you have spent in your undergraduate training and what your parents have invested in you, please do not let it be wasted by unprofessional misconduct, because the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) will not spare you for medical malpractice,” she said.

On his part, Professor Felix Okogbo, acting Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, said as doctors, they should be ready to create a niche for themselves wherever they go.

Noting that there are challenges facing the medical profession, Professor Okogbo expressed confidence in the doctors the school was inducting, advising them to see to the end of the crises ravaging the health sector and not compound it.

An inductee, Angela Eihebholo, said she was grateful to God for witnessing the day, which she said was her best day. According to her, determination, hard work and prayers saw her through.

“There were days I cried because I wondered when it would all end. There were days I had to go the hospitals all alone at night because I was on call; days I read as though it all depended on reading. I am grateful to God because it has finally ended and my childhood dreams of becoming a medical doctor is now a reality.”

Louis Uwoghiren, Kelvin Osakpolor, Kester Swift

(200-Level, Business Administration, Ambrose Alli University

The National Association of Psychology Students (NAPS) of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, recently organised a symposium tagged ‘Succeeding in the University.’

Delivering the first lecture, Mr Isaac Adedeji, a lecturer in the department, advised the students to know their weaknesses before working on their strength.

Mr Adedeji also urged them to have self-discovery, work on themselves and set goals. According to him, the university is a place of research and the best community to familiarise oneself with whatever one wants to become in future.

Mr Abiodun Ogunlola, who is the staff adviser of the association, enjoined the students to accept responsibilities. He described the graduating students as the best set of students as far as he had been lecturing.

Speaking with Campusbeats, Oyetunde Tolulope, the president of the association, said “I am really delighted. It wasn’t an easy task to organise the symposium but I thank God and my executives who have been supportive.”

Sanya Boluwatife

(OOU)

The Senate Arm of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has backed the postponement of this year’s general election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a press statement issued by NANS’ Senate President, Royce Odoh Ochai, the association commended the electoral commission for the shift in the election date.

“We cannot but appreciate Professor Attairu Jega for deeming it fit to give room for a level playing ground for all aspirants and more so, for giving us the opportunity to reach out to our members who are yet to collect their PVC.

“As much as we can, we shall continue to sensitise the youths and students structure on the need to allow a violence-free election, knowing full well that the youths and students are the harbingers of peace and destruction in any given society, as such the need to orientate our students on the need to shun violence remains sacrosanct,” Ochai said.

The association also frowned at the way desperate politicians are enticing students with money so as to use them as tools for political vandalism. The association then implored such politicians, candidates and all political parties to desist from such.

Speaking further, the association condemned the press briefing held by the Vice-President, External Affairs, Tosin Ogunkuade on behalf of the association.

“Inasmuch as we dissociate NANS from the politically sponsored press briefing, the Senate also frowns at the manner Ogunkuade is politicising the organisation,” it said.

Yakubu Temitope

(Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti).

Following the expiration of the tenure of the former Students’ Union (SU) executives of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), students of the university, last Thursday, had an election to vote in new executives.

The election, which was held in different faculties at the Nsukka campus, produced Orji Peter Ekene, popularly known as Pedro, a 400-Level student of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, as the new president of the union.

Following the announcement of the results, students on campus spoke on their expectations from the new executives.

Anthony Chibuike, a 400-Level student of the Faculty of Engineering, said, “I would love this new executive to continue from where the former stopped. They should build on their predecessor’s achievements.”

He also added that the executive should try and shun corruption and embrace transparency.

“The new executive should try and improve on the UNN shuttle service; they should make sure it’s available in different strategic locations on campus,” said Vivian Anyawu, a 300-Level student of the Department of Arts Education.

However, Anyawu added that the new executives should focus more on students’ empowerment and entrepreneurial programmes that would help students to develop.

Similarly, Chika Agbaneje, a 300-Level student of the Department of Mass Communication, said, “the newly elected executives should try to reduce the shuttle transportation fare to an affordable price.”

Speaking with Campusbeats in an interview, the newly elected president, Orji, expressed his commitment to promoting students’ welfare, adding that his administration would improve the standard and living conditions of students.

“I will come in with a robust transportation agenda which entails improving the university’s transportation network,” he said.

Other newly elected executives include Joy Nebo, Vice-President; Chinonso Omeje, Financial Secretary; Elendu Anthony, Director of Transport; Onah Chibuzor, Secretary General; Anyanwu Maximus, Director of Information; Ugwu Orji Henry, Director of Socials and Chinonye Noble, Director of Welfare, among others.

Festus Iyorah

(University of Nigeria)

The General Secretary of the Ibadan branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Dr W.O. Agbaje, and four other members of the society paid a visit to the Ibadan City Polytechnic, Alakia, Ibadan recently.

The purpose of the visit, according to Dr Agbaje, was to congratulate the institution on its recent accreditation by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and to collaborate with the institution on staff development, especially those in Engineering departments; to give the engineering students exposure and solid foundation.

Also, the society expressed the wish to partner with the polytechnic to ensure that the engineering students are professionally qualified even while they are still in school.

The Registrar of the Ibadan City Polytechnic, Mrs Olubukola Faniyi, while welcoming the NSE members to the institution, thanked them for coming and said that the institution was willing to partner with professional bodies because it is committed to providing qualitative education.

Thereafter, members of the NSE were conducted round the institution’s facilities by Mrs Faniyi and other members of staff. While touring the facilities, the NSE members commended the polytechnic’s management on the state-of-the-art equipment available in the institution, especially in the engineering departments.

Other members of the NSE visiting team included Mr A.O. Ojedele, Mr Oyerinde Yomi, Mr D.A. Oladosu and Mr F.A. Badmus.

Apart from the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), other professional bodies that have visited the institution in recent times include Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Radio and Television, Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU).

The former head of the Department of Office Technology Management, Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Mr Lawal Moshood, has called on students to dream big in their academic pursuit for them to achieve excellence in their various fields of study.

Mr Lawal made this known recently at the annual orientation for the newly admitted students of the 2014/2015 session.

“You should also have it in mind that you will be addressed by the way you dress. It is good to look good, nice and presentable in our dressing,” he said.

He advised that students should not dress with the mind to draw attention to themselves or make other to fall, noting that some students dress to lecture rooms with the sole aim of getting their lecturers down.

Lawal noted that the students should remember that anytime their dressing makes the opposite sex lust, heaven will hold them responsible for spiritual murder, because no religion approves indecent dressing and neither will any parent or guardian approve of it.

The former HOD also stressed that exposure of sensitive parts of the body, especially by the female student is bad and that the institution has set up a committee on indecent conduct to intervene on the issue, adding that if they are caught, they will be punished.

He urged both old and new students to shun violence, cultism and desist from any act that is capable of tarnishing the image of the institution. He added that the institution is not only a place of learning to acquire knowledge or skills, but also a place where students are trained to have morals and be good ambassadors of the institution.

A medical expert from the institution’s medical centre, Dr Falilat Alimi, also urged the students to always engage in regular exercises to make them fit and attain academic excellence.

Dr Falilat also added that eating nutritional food makes the body healthy, noting that fruits and other vegetables like pumpkin leaves, locally called ugwu are rich in iron and play a vital role in the body system.

“Pumpkin leaves can be cooked or eaten raw. Although the raw form may not be chewed directly, it is usually squeezed and used as short term blood tonic because it contains essential oils,” she said.

Babatunde Adepoju

(Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic Bida)

Two Swedish video artists, Rut Karin Zettergren and Sonia Hedstrand, have successfully organised a three-day workshop in film production for students of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete.

The students drawn from the Department of Mass Communications and the School of Visual and Performing Arts, had hands-on training in movie production, directing and networking at the workshop, which was held at the university auditorium.

According to the video artists, the workshop was to expose the participants to the dynamics of movie production and motivate them towards becoming key players and change agents in the nation’s movie industry in the near future.

The duo from Swedish Film Academy noted that they were in Nigeria to understudy Nollywood with their art background, so as to improve the Swedish film industry, as well as spread awareness about the Nigerian movie industry and economy. According to them, it takes about six years to produce a film in Sweden due to government policy, unlike what is obtainable in Nigeria.

“We have the art background, so we are actually here to learn from Nollywood. It is a mutual learning process. We want to involve the students and motivate them to share their knowledge and skills with one another,” they said.

The artists also stated that they were working on a blend of documentary and movie to project how Nollywood would evolve as a centre of attraction for filmmakers across the globe in the near future, just as they looked forward to a possible collaboration with the Kwara State University.

According to KWASU’ bulletin made available to Campusbeats, aside video clips and still images of their works shown to the participants, they also put them through various techniques involved in movie production, while the students were later grouped to produce short movies on the role of women in Nollywood and their projection for the industry which they presented on the last day of the workshop.

The convener of the workshop, Dr Ayotunde Alao of the Department of Mass Communications, said more female students were involved in the movie production process during the workshop to address the male dominance and negative portrayal of women in the nation’s movie industry.

“The whole idea is to bring more women into the production and directing business and help them to become movie producers and directors,” he stated.

Dr Alao who expressed optimism that the Swedish artists’ visit to KWASU would attract bigger collaboration from the Swedish film industry, advised the students to take full advantage of the workshop.

Another speaker at the workshop, Mr Juwon Oloruntoba, a Nigerian-based theatre practitioner and dance instructor, described the entertainment industry as a big job-creating industry, and urged the students to explore the industry to become employers of labour.  

The Tedder Hall of residence of the University of Ibadan (UI) has elected new set of leaders for the 2014/2015 academic session. The elections into Central Executive Council and Hall Representatives Council of the hall were conducted via e-voting.

Babafemi Falayi, a 400-Level student of the Faculty of Law, emerged as the Hall Chairman with total votes of 175 to defeat his opponent, Temitope Ajibola, who polled 153 votes.

Kehinde Odanye, a 400-Level student of the Department of Statistics, had 184 votes against his opponent, Temitope Ogundepo, who garnered 147 votes to emerge as the Hall Affairs Minister. Sunday Ukaeje, a 300-Level student of the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, polled a total of 177 votes to defeat Oluwatosin Simidele, who scored 143 votes.

TiOluwani Opajobi emerged Vice-Chairman; Joseph Adebanjo emerged General Secretary; Bemiwo Agbo-Adediran emerged Information Minister; Damilola Bada emerged Health Minister; Mubaraq Oyedele emerged Defence Minister, although all were returned unopposed, while Jude Adeleke emerged as Finance Minister via bye-election.

The Hall Warden, Dr Kehinde Popoola congratulated the new leaders of the hall during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Senior Common Room of the hall, while assuring them of the hall management’s support.

Dr Popoola further admonished the students to be responsible leaders that will always advocate good welfare for their colleagues in the hall, while also pledging that all the 15 Hall Representatives Council members would be accommodated in their constituency to represent true interest of students during their plenary sitting.

While giving his acceptance speech, Babafemi thanked God and students of the hall for giving him their mandate to serve the hall. He also used the ceremony to seek the fatherly cooperation of the hall management to improve the welfare of students in the hall.

Babafemi also assured students of the hall that the Literary and Debating Society of the hall would not only compete with other halls of residence in the university but with other institutions in the West African countries.

Stephen Onawale, General Secretary, Tedder Hall Independent Electoral Commission, thanked the hall management and students of the hall for their support and cooperation during the elections, which made it possible for the commission to have free, fair, credible and acceptable elections.

Hammed Hamzat

(University of Ibadan)

Pharmacy students under the aegis of the Anti-Drug Misuse and Abuse Programme (ADMAP) have organised an awareness campaign for students and residents in communities around the University of Benin (UNIBEN) as a way of marking this year’s World Cancer Day.

The students, during the rally, held various cardboards with different inscriptions about the disease. The campaign, which lasted more than four hours, saw the students visiting public places such as the Uselu Market and secondary schools close to the Ugbowo campus of the university.

Addressing market women in pidgin at Uselu Market, Kingsley Isibor, a 500-Level Pharmacy student, spoke expressly on the possible causes of cancer and how it could be prevented, noting that early detection is the best way of surviving the disease.

“I go beg una to chop many fruits. Also make una no drink alcohol, e no good for body,” Kingsley advised.

Demonstrating to the women how to frequently carry out Breast Self-Examination (BSE), Chinenye Ihejirika, ADMAP’s chairperson, encouraged nursing mothers to breastfeed their children for as long as six months and above, as this would reduce the risk of having breast cancer.

“Make una dey check una breast as I dey do so, at least every month, so that una go fit sabi wether something dey swell up for there. If una feel any pain or anything swell at all for the breast area or under una armpit or if una nipple soft well well, make una quick go hospital go meet doctor. Doctor go check am well for una.”

Chinenye also encouraged the women to maintain very good hygiene in the market place as dirtiness could be a predisposing factor to many diseases, including cancer.

One of the market women, Mrs Joy Osayi, thanked the students for giving such an eye opener, and said she never knew cancer had a cause.

“I never knew that cancer could be caused by something. I thought it has to do with spiritual afflictions; because one of my friends died of cancer immediately she returned from the village. We all had suspected someone in the village for her death,” she said.

A graduating student who was also among the organisers of the rally, Emmanuel Egbroko, stated that the rally was imperative as many were ignorant of how cancer grows.

The Pharmacy students also visited Russell International School, met with students in the senior secondary classes, where young girls there were also taught on how to detect breast cancer and told to avoid the use of contraceptives as this would increase the risk of having breast cancer.

Addressing the students, Chinenye said, “Abstinence from sexual intercourse is the key to avoiding all sexually transmitted infections.

“Using contraceptive only doubles the risk for breast cancer.”

Expressing her gratitude to the Pharmacy students, the proprietor of the school, Mrs Gloria Ejiroghene, said the students had done a lot to humanity and the future, as the information they passed to the students would save a life from being lost to the deadly disease in the future.

Also speaking at the event, the President of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), Darry Emazor, thanked the students who made themselves available for the campaign.

Ezekiel Efeobhokhan

(400-Level, Pharmacy)

Tijani Usman Shehu is the national president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). He speaks with Doyin Adeoye in this interview on where the students’ body stands ahead of the general elections and curbing students’ involvement in political thuggery, among other things.

What is NANS’ view on the extension of the election date?

We believe it is a good step not just for students, but for the entire citizens of Nigeria, because it will be an opportunity for many Nigerians who have not collected their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) to do so. Despite the fact that we know that there are lapses in the collection of the PVCs, now with the shift, millions of people have collected theirs and so, we want to believe that the postponement is in the best interest of the nation.

Many student bodies now take sides with various political parties. Does NANS have a say in this?

We are good citizens of this country and if we want a very transparent government, we must actually participate and in fact, be a part of the decision making aspect of the government. So, we can’t just sit aloof watching, without making an input on who becomes the president of the country.

We are clamouring for a better and qualitative education. If we don’t have a better leader, we can’t have this. So, it is not a bad idea for students to listen attentively to the manifestos of each of the contestants or their parties to see which one best suits them.

So where does NANS stand here?          

NANS will definitely take a position at the appropriate time. We will be having a delegates’ conference on Wednesday (yesterday) where Students’ Union presidents and other stakeholders will all sit down and look critically into the transformation agenda of the current government and his administration, and at the same time look at what the policies of the other aspiring candidates will look like in terms of students welfare, qualitative education, better Nigeria, good health schemes, improved agriculture and so many other areas.

At the end of the day, after analysing these, we should be able come out pointblank to say that that this is whom Nigerian students will give their mandate to.

Yes, some other students may come out to say otherwise, but we believe NANS is the parent body of all students’ organisations in Nigeria and by the time we speak, we will be standing in a position where the collective opinions of all students have been considered. The conference will have delegates from various quarters in attendance and I’m sure at the end of the day, we will have a unanimous decision.

Many students may be enticed at this period into being used as political thugs...

Most of our students have been effectively sensitised and adequately mobilised. We have had series of seminars and workshops to guide our fellow students and lecture them on the need to avoid being used as political thugs. NANS preaches peace and we tell them to embrace it. We are saying no to violence when it comes to this election and NANS will not be a part of election violence.

What have been your achievements since you came into office?

We have made series of reinstatement of suspended and expelled students from Anambra State University (ANSU), Uli. We have equally intervened in the issue at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), where there was crises and the institution was closed for objective reasons. And eventually, when the school was reopened, the union executives were suspended and asked to pay damages.

We were able to intervene and all the charges were lifted. Also, we have equally gone to some institutions and addressed them on why they should have a virile Students’ Union.

Also, we ensured that schools should not be closed during this election so that most of our students would not be disenfranchised from performing their civic right of voting.

Students many times have become victims of various terrorist attacks. What is NANS doing about this?

It is quite unfortunate that this is happening and we hope that very soon peace will be restored in our country.

Students have been sensitised to always look out for one another and always be vigilant. If we look out for one another, it will go a long way in helping us. We are really praying that there will be peace again and Nigerian students will be safe.

The Vice Chancellor of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Professor Patrick Oladipo Aina, has advised fresh students of the institution to face their academic activities and avoid unnecessary prolongation of their stay in the university.

Professor Aina gave the admonition on Tuesday, February 24, during the matriculation ceremony for the 2014/2015 academic session freshers.

Congratulating the new students, he said that they should consider themselves lucky to be chosen out of the thousands of candidates who made EKSU their first choice, adding that the university was a refinery for better life.

The Registrar of the university, Mr Adebisi Ogunyemi administered the matriculation oath on the students.

Meanwhile, several dignitaries, including experts in Food and Chemistry, will storm the university on March 10 for the 41st Inaugural Lecture of the university titled, ‘Food and Chemistry: Catalysts for Sustainable Development.’

The lecture will be delivered by a renowned Professor of Food Chemistry, Professor Ibiyinka Ogunlade, while Professor Patrick Oladipo Aina would chair the event.

Community and Public Health Science students of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, have taken healthcare services to two rural communities in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The exercise scheduled for twelve weeks is part of the students’ Practical Field Attachment programme to operate in rural communities.

The students who are in 200 and 300 Levels, have mobilised the people of Gaa Alanu and Gbugudu villages for the programme.

Giving insight into the community outreach programme, the acting Head, Public Health Unit, School of Allied Health and Environmental Sciences, Dr Oluwasogo Olalubi, said the programme was designed in collaboration with the University Centre for Community Development.

He added that the population targeted in the two study sites are individuals from 40 years and above, pregnant women and special groups of physically challenged people.

He explained that the programme was aimed at assessing and monitoring the health status and challenges confronting individuals and the general living condition of the community.

“It is also to introduce students to the health status and living condition of rural dwellers and offer suggestions that would improve the people’s health,” he stated.

Dr Olalubi stated that so far, 20 elderly individuals have been screened while demographic data, determinant parameters/indicators of chronic diseases among the elderly people ranging from weight, height, body temperature, blood pressure, blood glucose and other vital signs were measured.

He listed goitre, scrotal hernia, hypertension, insomnia, partial stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, paralysis, partial and full blindness, mump, lumps, and asthma as some of the chronic illnesses observed and diagnosed.

On their intervention strategies, he said health education and counselling sessions were conducted on the behavioural habits and predisposing risk factors and likelihood of disease causation, while mild palliative medications were administered free of charge to all individuals screened and diagnosed.

“Cases with pronounced clinical signs and symptoms of chronic prime diseases were referred to the KWASU Health Centre for adequate management,” he said.

The Junior Chambers International (JCI), Federal Polytechnic, Offa (FEDPOFFA) chapter, has organised a programme, tagged, ‘Educate a girl-child,’ to sensitise young female students on the need for them to acquire sound education.

According to the president of the association, Ajibade Abimbola Oyindamola, the programme was designed to make positive impact on the lives of female students by encouraging them to get sound education, shun underage marriage and strive to beat their male counterparts in their chosen career.

“We decided to hold this sensitisation programme owing to our observation of the fact that many young female students in our communities consider themselves as second fiddle to the male gender and rush into marriage at an early age.

“We see this as a challenge that must be properly addressed in the society. Girl children must enjoy equal rights as their male counterparts,’’ she said.

The event, which was held at Offa Grammar School (OGS), had in attendance female students from different secondary schools in Offa, Kwara State.

One of the facilitators, Mrs Oluwaseyifunmi Adebisi, spoke with the students on a lecture she titled, ‘Be All You Can Be,’ while Mrs Kemi Adisa had an interactive session with the students, which she tagged, ‘I am a Lady.’

Adebisi advised the young students to take their studies serious and never to feel inferior to their male counterparts, stressing that they have all it takes to be whoever they want to be in life.

The principal of OGS, Mr Ibiyeye Wahab, commended the JCI for putting up the programme, just as he urged them to make it a yearly event.

Guests who also graced the occasion included Chief Mogbojunbola Adebiyi, the Iyalaje of Offa, and Honourable Bisi Ogunwale, chapter president, Lagos Royale of the JCI.

Members of the Junior Chambers International (JCI) of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), on Sunday, embarked on environmental sanitation programme tagged: ‘Water Preservation, Healthy Living and Toilet Management.’

The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Adamu Aliero, flagged off the exercise to sanitise the campus, before the club members then distributed buckets and hand washers to toilets in various hostels on the campus.

In his remark, Dr Aliero said, “Water is very important to mankind, and so should be conserved. We ought to make judicious use of it, as water should not be wasted. Also we need to avoid water contamination, as this poses a lot of health challenges. Cleanliness, they say is next to Godliness,” he said.

He also gave kudos to the JCI members for embarking on the programme.

The Students’ Union president of the institution, Al-Amin Musa, also appreciated the club members for their effort, while also advising the other students to utilise the materials given to them judiciously.

Olawumi Yasin

(300-Level, Department of English Language, Usmanu Danfodiyo University)

Students of the Department of Mechanical Engeneering, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State, have invented a machine for mixing of sand for casting.

According to the project supervisor, Mr Adamu Yahaya, the machine, which is called the Batch Muller, is made up a cylindrical pan, two heavy rollers, a vertical shaft, a gear box, a scraper, chassis frame, two ploughs and a motor that rotates with the aid of electricity.

The project, which was tested and approved by the supervisor, was executed by Lawrence Uchechukwu and Adegboyega Micheal, both students of the department, as a partial fulfilment required for their graduation in the department.

Meanwhile, the matriculating students of the polytechnic have been advised to avoid getting involved in cultism if they must graduate from the institution.

The Rector of the polytechnic, Engineer Abdullahi Sule gave this advice while speaking at the matriculation ceremony held for newly admitted students for the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 academic sessions.

“Getting involved in cultism as well as other antisocial activities can tarnish the image of the institution as well as that of the parents of such students,” he stated.

Sule who spoke at the Bagudu Waziri Auditorium, venue of the ceremony added that “engaging yourself in any form of vices such as cultism, examination malpractice, indecent dressing and drug abuse will jeopardise your future.

“Remember that the Federal Government in 1979 prohibited secret societies, and any students found involved in any secret society will be expelled.”

The Rector also advised students to always remember their primary aim of coming to the institution, which is to acquire knowledge and skills, and to balance their spiritual life with academics for meaningful life.

“Always strive to know the truth and don’t patronise rumours, as rumours are dangerous and can be very destructive. It is for you to be able to sift what is good and hold on to it and reject what is bad,” he said

He further stated that there are plans underway by the polytechnic to commence a National Diploma (ND) Programme in Welding and Fabrication, Computer Engineering, Pharmacy Technology, Horticultural Technology, Industrial and Labour Relation, Purchase & Supply and Tourism; and also Higher National Diploma (HND) programme in Purchase & Supply and Tourism as soon as the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) gives the approval.

Omoyaki Emmanuel Ayemoba and Popoola Isaac

(Department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic, Bida)

It was the first time they met and they resolved to tackle the problems of outdated medical curriculum and inadequate funding of medical schools which, they claimed negatively impact their clinical training.

The student doctors also expressed their determination to turn around the fortunes of their association this year.

The students took the decisions at the maiden edition of the National Executive Council meeting of the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association (NiMSA), which was held recently at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, Lagos.

The four-day event was attended by no fewer than 40 presidents and general secretaries of the Medical Students’ Association (MSA) from various universities.

In his welcome address, the national president of NiMSA, Seriki Muritala, appealed to the student leaders to always remember that the future of medical practice lies in their hands and those of other medical students.

The General Assembly meeting, which was held on the second day of the programme, lasted over seven hours, where the leaders deliberated on issues affecting the association and medical schools in Nigeria.

It was at this assembly that it was raised that various schools’ presidents should bridge the gap between the association’s national body and the medical students in their various institutions, through participation in the ‘Illuminate NiMSA Project.’

They also adopted that henceforth NiMSA would begin to work with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to ascertain the true status of welfare available to medical students.

Lamenting the inadequate funding and obsolete medical curriculum which they noted was affecting their clinical trainings in medical schools, the leaders resolved that a letter be immediately sent to the MDCN with a view to visiting the curriculum.

“Worldwide, medical curriculum is changing. This is as a result of the technological advancement and discoveries in medical sciences. So, it is high time we had strong tele-medicine in our curriculum. We want conference teaching, better equipment to learn with, good accommodation and effective international exchange programmes,” Seriki said.

Observing that international exchange programme was a modern way of training medical students, the leaders said inadequate funding of the programme and irregularities in academic calendar, coupled with persistent Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike was hindering the programme.

They, however, commended the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Federal Government for effectively combating the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) late last year, while also encouraging NMA to continue in its quest towards ensuring a better health sector.

On the challenges ravaging the health sector, the students called on concerned parties to intervene, noting that there is a need for the Federal Government to increase funding of the health sector, with a view of increasing job opportunities for the growing population.

While speaking on the upcoming general elections, the students pleaded with politicians and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free and fair election, while also calling on medical students and Nigerians in general to go out en masse and vote.

The Provost of LASUCOM, Professor G.O.G. Awosanya, in his remark, encouraged the leaders to create a niche for themselves.

“Consider yourself lucky. In our days, we never had technology at our disposal. Make good use of it. Do not be a local medical student. Be global,” he said.

Highlights of the meeting included a cocktail party, visit to Elegushi Beach, press briefing, a football match between the host institution and the delegates, which ended three goals to none in favour of the delegates.

Speaking with Campusbeats, Ogechukwu Nwaobi, president, University of Benin’s Medical Students’ Association (UBEMSA), commended the Lagos State University (LASU) for hosting the congress.

“This has been a wonderful experience and I appreciate LASU for the warm welcome. However, I feel it is high time Federal Government got serious with implementation of policies. A lot of resolutions have been made; we are calling on government to implement them speedily.”

Eddy Uwoghiren

(300-Level, Medicine & Surgery, University of Benin)

The Federal Polytechnic Bida Medical Centre has acquired a digital x-ray machine to improve its ability to detect internal abnormalities in patients, especially new students, during screening.

The Director, Medical Centre, Dr Abdulmalik Mustapha who disclosed this in an interview, said, “The x-ray machine is a digital machine that penetrates all soft tissues so that it can draw the image which it captures and then print it out in form of a negative called the x-ray. The machine works like a photograph which makes use of film material to capture image in the body.”

The medical director also explained that the machine has the ability to detect any abnormalities in the body such as diseases like tuberculosis, pneumonia, lungs and kidney related problems and also has the ability to illuminate and reveal any fracture of the bone in the body.

“The purchase of this machine is to assist in the screening of the newly admitted students of the institution,” he said.

Dr Abdulmalik further stated that each student paid the sum of N1,000 to receive the service which may cost more if they go to private hospital, adding that the machine is the only one in Niger State and even other states in the country may not have an advanced one as the one bought by the clinic, because it is an advanced high tech digital x-ray machine.

He also stated that people from other places benefit from the service rendered by the machine. “It is not for the students of FPB alone, but also people from far and wide could access it and benefit from the service.”

Ayenigba Sunday

(HND II, Department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State)

Lead City Voices, a team of dedicated intellectual students at the Lead City University (LCU), Ibadan, is set to hold an intervarsity debate that would provide a platform for students to discuss and proffer solutions to the challenges facing our nation, Nigeria.

Lead City Voices is a body of students with proven abilities to deliver and bring about positive change among youths and the general public alike.

With the country facing so many challenges such as poor leadership, corruption, terrorism, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, poor medical services, poor education system, epileptic power supply and poor security system, among others, the debate aims to bring together youths seen as agents of change, to deliberate and define relevant information to solving these developmental problems.

In a press statement issued to Campusbeats, the Lead City Voices’ team said the objective of putting the event together was to provide solutions to some of the challenges facing our nation through debates.

“There would also be drama presentations of different dialects, making use of Nigerian schools and university students towards patriotism, peace and unity.

“We also want to use the medium to showcase the strength of our youths and how they can contribute to the well being of our nation. And also to make Nigerians realise the unimportance of cultural heritage, education and socialisation. The programme is also aimed at promoting the value system of Nigeria and Nigerians,” it stated.

Abia State students, under aegis of National Association of Abia State Students (NAASS), University Of Benin (UNIBEN) chapter, trooped en mass last Sunday for their 22nd annual general election.

The election exercise which took place at the education lecture theatre, Faculty of Education, began with the electoral committee commencing the final phase of the clearance of aspirants, before the accreditation of voters was conducted.

The election venue was hugely characterised by scores of students who turned-up to cast their votes.

The atmosphere of the election turned slightly violent when a group of security operatives barricaded the election venue in hostility while the manifesto was ongoing. They halted the whole process and ordered that some students should come along with them to their divisional security office.

They, however, alleged that the associate boycotted security protocols before and during the poll.

Things were, however, resolved after much negotiation between the security agents and some stakeholders of the association after which the manifesto continued immediately.

The voting process then started and results were announced and successful candidates were declared shortly.

Prince Chinazurum Ndumele polled 150 votes as against his opponent Sunny Iroh who polled 120 votes for the office of the president.

Other elected executives included Ifenyinwa Offor as vice president; Okwudiri Prince as Public Relations Officer, Linda Chisom as Financial Secretary and Ibeh Jonah as Director of Socials.

Speaking with Campusbeats shortly after the election, the electoral committee chairman, Iroegbu Sunday David, attributed the success of the election to effective coordination and early preparation.

“We thank God it was a success at last. It is our early preparation and the collective efforts of the members of the committee that have brought us this far,” he said.

Sunny Ibeh

(University of Benin)

The Vice Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago–Iwoye, Ogun State, Professor Saburi Adesanya, has charged newly admitted students to adhere strictly to the university’s rules and regulations.

Professor Adesanya made this call at the orientation lecture organised for the students for the 2014/2015 academic session, held at the university’s Lecture Theatre ll, on Tuesday February, 24, 2015.

He charged the students to avoid all vices such as fighting, partying at night, cheating during examinations, extortion, indecent dressing and other fraudulent practices, that may inhibit their academic pursuit, adding that this would tarnish their image and that of the university.

While addressing the students, the vice-chancellor also hinted the students that in the NUC January 2015’s rating of Nigerian Best Universities, OOU was rated the 17th best university in Nigeria against the previous 35th position.

“With the latest rating, OOU, has become the first and the best state university in Nigeria,” he stated.

In his remark, the Pro–Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University, Dr Segun Oshin, also charged the students to be dedicated and committed to their studies.

He admonished them to make the best use of the opportunity, while reiterating the commitment of the Council and management to the infrastructural development of the university. He added that the secret behind the developments taking place in the university was as a result of transparent and prudent management of the university’s resources.

Other principal officers of the university in attendance included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sule Odu and the Ag Registrar, Mrs Omolara Osunsanya, among others.

Tokunbo Adaja, Oluwatosin Ganiyu and Adesanmi Adefala

(Department of Mass Communication, OOU)