Over 2, 000 Nigeria students face deportation in UK

Over 2,000 non-EU students could be deported from the UK now that the London Metropolitan University has been stripped of its Highly Trusted Status, which was required to sponsor foreigners and grant visas.

­The students may be expelled within 60 days if they don’t find another way to sponsor their studies, the National Union of Students (NUS) said.

London Met announced the loss of its Highly Trusted Status on the university’s website. A UK Border Agency (UKBA) official claimed that London Met had failed to address serious deficiencies identified by the UKBA six months ago.

London Metropolitan discovered in a survey that more than a quarter of the university’s foreign students did not have permission to be in the UK, Immigration Minister Damian Green told the AP. The university’s visa-granting status was suspended last month.

"We have been working with them since then, but the latest audit revealed problems with 61% of files randomly sampled. Allowing London Metropolitan University to continue to sponsor and teach international students was not an option,” the statement by UKBA said.

David Willetts, the Universities Minister, said that a special task force will be formed to aid the foreigners affected by the loss of sponsorship, including help “finding other institutions at which to finish their studies.”

Professor Malcolm Gillies, vice chancellor at the London Metropolitan, expressed concern that the UKBA measure could be broadened to every educational institution in the country, ITV News reported.

The National Union of Students (NUS) contacted top UK officials on Wednesday to “express anger” over the situation, and to point out the “potentially catastrophic effects on higher education as a 12.5-billion pound per year export industry for the UK”.

NUS President Liam Burns also called the measures “disgusting,” arguing that foreign students were “used as a political football by politicians who seem either incapable of understanding, or are simply uncaring about the impact of their decisions on individuals, universities and the UK economy.”

The London Met claimed that the UKBA probe had left a "10 million pound black hole" in their budget.

In an interview with the Huffington Post, London Met student Yemi, a Nigerian national, said, “I'm disappointed my plans went down the drain. … I chose London Met over Middlesex and City, and it proved costly. As early as February I had made plans for London Met and never in my wildest imagination did I think this could happen.”

Source BusinessDay NewsPaper

2, 000 Nigeria students face deportation in UK

Over 2,000 non-EU students could be deported from the UK now that the London Metropolitan University has been stripped of its Highly Trusted Status, which was required to sponsor foreigners and grant visas.

­The students may be expelled within 60 days if they don’t find another way to sponsor their studies, the National Union of Students (NUS) said.

London Met announced the loss of its Highly Trusted Status on the university’s website. A UK Border Agency (UKBA) official claimed that London Met had failed to address serious deficiencies identified by the UKBA six months ago.

London Metropolitan discovered in a survey that more than a quarter of the university’s foreign students did not have permission to be in the UK, Immigration Minister Damian Green told the AP. The university’s visa-granting status was suspended last month.

"We have been working with them since then, but the latest audit revealed problems with 61% of files randomly sampled. Allowing London Metropolitan University to continue to sponsor and teach international students was not an option,” the statement by UKBA said.

David Willetts, the Universities Minister, said that a special task force will be formed to aid the foreigners affected by the loss of sponsorship, including help “finding other institutions at which to finish their studies.”

Professor Malcolm Gillies, vice chancellor at the London Metropolitan, expressed concern that the UKBA measure could be broadened to every educational institution in the country, ITV News reported.

The National Union of Students (NUS) contacted top UK officials on Wednesday to “express anger” over the situation, and to point out the “potentially catastrophic effects on higher education as a 12.5-billion pound per year export industry for the UK”.

NUS President Liam Burns also called the measures “disgusting,” arguing that foreign students were “used as a political football by politicians who seem either incapable of understanding, or are simply uncaring about the impact of their decisions on individuals, universities and the UK economy.”

The London Met claimed that the UKBA probe had left a "10 million pound black hole" in their budget.

In an interview with the Huffington Post, London Met student Yemi, a Nigerian national, said, “I'm disappointed my plans went down the drain. … I chose London Met over Middlesex and City, and it proved costly. As early as February I had made plans for London Met and never in my wildest imagination did I think this could happen.”

Source BusinessDay NewsPaper

Over 2, 000 Nigeria students face deportation in UK

Over 2,000 non-EU students could be deported from the UK now that the London Metropolitan University has been stripped of its Highly Trusted Status, which was required to sponsor foreigners and grant visas.

­The students may be expelled within 60 days if they don’t find another way to sponsor their studies, the National Union of Students (NUS) said.

London Met announced the loss of its Highly Trusted Status on the university’s website. A UK Border Agency (UKBA) official claimed that London Met had failed to address serious deficiencies identified by the UKBA six months ago.

London Metropolitan discovered in a survey that more than a quarter of the university’s foreign students did not have permission to be in the UK, Immigration Minister Damian Green told the AP. The university’s visa-granting status was suspended last month.

"We have been working with them since then, but the latest audit revealed problems with 61% of files randomly sampled. Allowing London Metropolitan University to continue to sponsor and teach international students was not an option,” the statement by UKBA said.

David Willetts, the Universities Minister, said that a special task force will be formed to aid the foreigners affected by the loss of sponsorship, including help “finding other institutions at which to finish their studies.”

Professor Malcolm Gillies, vice chancellor at the London Metropolitan, expressed concern that the UKBA measure could be broadened to every educational institution in the country, ITV News reported.

The National Union of Students (NUS) contacted top UK officials on Wednesday to “express anger” over the situation, and to point out the “potentially catastrophic effects on higher education as a 12.5-billion pound per year export industry for the UK”.

NUS President Liam Burns also called the measures “disgusting,” arguing that foreign students were “used as a political football by politicians who seem either incapable of understanding, or are simply uncaring about the impact of their decisions on individuals, universities and the UK economy.”

The London Met claimed that the UKBA probe had left a "10 million pound black hole" in their budget.

In an interview with the Huffington Post, London Met student Yemi, a Nigerian national, said, “I'm disappointed my plans went down the drain. … I chose London Met over Middlesex and City, and it proved costly. As early as February I had made plans for London Met and never in my wildest imagination did I think this could happen.”

BusinessDay NewsPaper

Varsity Vs Polytechnic Education - the Unending HND-BA/BSc Dichotomy

WITH no more than 38 per cent of applicants sure to gain admission into the nation's higher institutions this year, attention of students has started shifting from universities to polytechnics and colleges of education. The grass, however, is not greener on the other side as a large number of students still struggle for limited admission spaces.
For these students, the polytechnics and colleges of education are just a "how-for-do" option after unsuccessful attempts at securing university admission. This, coupled with discrimination against non-university degree holders by employers of labour does not bode well for the educational system.
While in office as President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on January 5, 2006, at a meeting with members of the House of Representatives Committee on Education and the then Minister of Education, Mrs. Chinwe Obaji, approved a policy, which reversed the discriminatory policy restricting holders of the Higher National Diploma (HND) from rising above Level 14 in the civil service, things are still not better in 2012.
Reason: the discrimination still persists, and thus, every student wants a university degree and would not even want to consider the HND in place of the BA/BSc.
Professor Godwin Onu, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, says that experience in the sector had taught him that more youths prefer gaining admission into universities than polytechnics or colleges of education.
"Only very few choose polytechnics as their first choice because of some particular courses and this can be attributed to societal values on varsity/polytechnic education. I'm not saying that the university is better than polytechnics or colleges of education, but I think if polytechnics are converted to polytechnic universities, it would solve most of these problems," he said.
Commenting on the number of students that applied to the institution, the rector said: "We had about 74,000 applicants, but the school can only accommodate 4,000. Due to the insecurity in the North, there is now more pressure on schools in the South by students who are seeking admission."
Speaking in like manner, Mr. Olu Akeusola, Provost, Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Epe, Lagos State, opined that, "Nigerians will put education institutes in crisis if the discrimination against polytechnics and colleges of education continues.
"We know how to copy curriculum without implementing same. The theory and concept of the 6-3-3-4 system of education is that after a child has gone through compulsory six years of primary education and three years of junior secondary school, those who are educationally inclined would proceed to senior secondary while those who are not would opt for technical schools. From there, the technical students would proceed to polytechnics while those that went to senior secondary schools would go to universities to further their education."
According to Akeusola, "this Post Unified Matriculation Examination (Post UME) into institutions of higher learning has compounded the problems because very few candidates would want to put a polytechnic or college of education as their first choice, and the universities don't have the capacity to admit them all."
With employers of labour, university degree holders are above others, little wonder many students see polytechnics and colleges of education as their last resort after waiting for admission for a long time. "I'd rather rewrite my qualifying examinations than go to a college of education," said Kelechi Obasi.
"Because universities are more recognised than polytechnics, I put in universities for my first and second choices. If I were to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exams (UTME) again, I may just put a polytechnic for the sake of it."
Although she has never applied to a polytechnic, Chiamaka Madueke told Vanguard Learning that she wouldn't mind getting into a polytechnic as, according to her, all she wants is admission.
"Some people prefer universities because their certificates are more acceptable, but I don't really mind a polytechnic though it's impossible for me to go to a College of Education because I have no desire to be a teacher."
Oluchi Okorie says she wouldn't mind attending a polytechnic. However, she said: "It isn't really on the top of my list. I want to go to a university, but if it doesn't work out, then I'll think of going to a polytechnic. It's still a higher institution."
Nzube Onyemaechi wants to study Mass Communication and he chose Nnamdi Azikiwe University as his first choice and Lagos State University as second choice.
"After burning the midnight candle and studying for that post-UTME, my result was not released. In fact, I don't know if I'm not meant to go to a university because my father says he can't afford LASU's tuition fees, but I have no other option but to hang on to Yaba College of Technology for admission this year. Though it's a polytechnic, all I want is to be admitted this year as all my mates that left secondary school in 2010 are in school."
However, for Sarah Ofor, it's the university or nothing. According to her, this is the second year she will be pursuing admission into tertiary institution.
The polytechnic discrimination saga, coupled with the near loss of respect for the teaching profession, alongside nearly 800,000 frustrated students who will not get admission into any tertiary institution this year, stakeholders in the education sector have to roll up their sleeves for more work.
Source Vanguard NewsPaper/ www.Allafrica.com

Ndukwe Joins Research ICT Africa Networks Board

Research ICT Africa Networks (RIA) has appointed Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Chairman of Open Media Communications Limited, as a member of its Board of Directors.
The South Africa based renowned ICT firm conducts research on ICT policy and regulation that facilitates evidence-based and informed policy making for improved access, use and application of ICT for social development and economic growth. It also conducts public-interest research on ICT policy and regulation that responds to national, regional and continental needs.
In a statement by Executive Director of Research ICT Africa, Alison Gillwald, who doubles as a Professor at the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business, Management of Infrastructure Reform and Regulation programme, note: "It is a privilege to welcome Ndukwe, one of the fathers of African telecoms regulation and former head of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)to assist us to carry on with our mission to develop research capacity and undertake research that facilitates informed policy making and regulation for improved access, use and application of ICT for social development and economic growth".
Ndukwe who also heads the Centre for Infrastructure Policy, Regulation and Advancement (CIPRA) at Lagos Business School, is a professional telecommunications engineer, corporate executive and public servant with over 35 years of international experience in the telecommunications industry and in corporate executive management, majority of which have been in top management positions in private multi-national companies and in government.
He is a graduate of the University of Ife and an alumnus of Lagos Business School, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (FNIM) and Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, FAEng.
He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in February 2000. Under his tenure, the Commission witnessed tremendous growth and transformation, earning a reputation as a transparent and open agency that delivered on its mandate.
Appreciative of Ndukwe's sterling qualities RIA enthused, "we thank him for accepting our invitation to serve on the board and look forward to his assistance with drawing West African more inclusively into the RIA research network in particular and to better support evidence-based ICT policy and regulation on the region and continent more generally".
RIA provides Africa researchers, governments, regulators, operators, multilateral institutions, development agencies, community organizations and trade unions with the information and analysis required to develop innovative and appropriate policies, effective implementation and successful network operations that can contribute to sustainable development. The network will contribute to the gathering of up to date ICT data and establish repository of information for furthering research and policy formulation. The programme will promote interaction levels to harmonize methodologies, tools and standards for conducting public-interest ICT policy research.
Source www.allafrica.com

Nigerian Now Chairs American Board of Neurological Surgery

In what is considered a major milestone, a Nigerian, Prof. Nelson Mobolanle Oyesiku, is now the chair of American Board of Neurological Surgery.
The primary function of the Board is to conduct examinations for neurosurgeons and then certify those who meet the requirement, while its broad aim is to encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standards, and advance the science of neurological surgery.
Oyesiku, who hails from Abeokuta, Ogun State, had his primary education at Corona School before proceeding to St Gregory's College for his Secondary education. He bagged his medical degree from the University of Ibadan School of Medicine and did his internship at the General hospital, Lagos.
He obtained his Masters degree from University of London, United Kingdom and completed his PhD in neuroscience at Emory University, Atlanta, US.
Oyesiku, whose areas of clinical research include brain tumors, carpal tunnel syndrome, endoscopy, hydrocephalus, pituitary tumors, stereotactic surgery, and trigeminal neuralgia, had stellar academic record both in Nigeria and overseas.
A report on the website of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons noted that he had been "selected by his peers as one of the best doctors in America and was selected by the Consumer Research Council of America as one of America's top surgeons."
Oyesiku told THISDAY that there was no question about the fact that his educational background in Nigeria helped his success in life.
"I am extremely proud of the education I received in Nigeria. It was the top notch and quality education that allowed me to stand toe to toe with my colleagues," he said.
Admitting that he was not an expert on the 'Nigerian situation', Oyesiku however said from what he heard, that quality had dropped substantially.
Oyesiku, who emigrated to the US about three decades ago, still visits Nigeria regularly and was there in February, and may likely pay another visit before the year runs out.
"Right now, I do not have any solid plan of returning home but I will give that a thought and spend more time at home than the two weeks I spend," he told THISDAY in response to a question on whether he plans to return to Nigeria.
He however subscribed to the view that Nigerian professionals in the diaspora should consider returning home to contribute their quota, adding that "brain drain is a net loss" because its takes time to train professionals.
On what level Nigeria could be placed in the area of neurological surgery, he said in comparison to US, "Nigeria is a long way off", but quickly added that it would be an unfair comparison because US is even a long way ahead of countries in the developed world.
He however added that the private sector had a lot to do in revamping the nation's health sector, citing the improvement in the telecoms, oil and gas, and the finacial sectors that were once dominated by government.
President of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), Dr. Michael Etomi, said Oyesiku's appointment underscored the fact that Nigeria had many physicians and other professionals who had excelled and continued to excel, not only in the US, but also in other countries.
Etomi said this also underscored the need for the Nigerian government to harness its vast human resources in the Diaspora for the benefit of the nation.
Medical Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories at the Presbyterian Cardiovascular Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Yele Aluko, who was a year ahead of Oyesiku at University of Ibadan, described him as a brilliant student who had consistently blazed the trail of medical endeavours in general and neuro surgery in particular.
The American Board of Neurological Surgery, established in 1940, is made up of 14 directors, who are selected from practicing neurosurgeons throughout North America.
These directors are elected after nominations are received from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Society of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Academy of Neurological Surgery, and Neurosurgical Society of America
Source allafrica/ThisDay NewsPaper

Google achieves 100 per cent mapping target for Nigeria, others

SEARCH giant, Google has announced that it has achieved 100 per cent target in the area of mapping for Nigeria and other African countries.
Wikipedia defines mapping as map-making and often used instead of cartography, stressing that mapping term is also sometimes used for geospatial data collection.
The 100 per cent mapping achievement was disclosed by Google officials at the Regional Conference for super mappers across Africa, which kicked off in Lagos at the weekend, stressing that 100 per cent of Africa was now available on Google Map Maker.
Besides, the event was organised to celebrate the contributions of Google Map Maker users from around Nigeria and other parts of Africa in their geographic crowd-sourcing efforts.
Speaking at the event, Google Africa Lead Africa Community Manager, Mr. Evans Arabu said, “regional conferences are a chance for volunteer mappers, community leaders, and Google team members to meet each other and discuss how to strengthen the mapping communities in their neighborhood. We’re thrilled to see that the mapping efforts in Africa have been greatly supported by citizen cartographers from many different parts of the country.”
Announced at the event was the recent addition of Lesotho as a country open for editing via Google Map Maker, which makes 100 per cent of Africa now available through this community mapping tool. The search giant also informed of the ongoing mapping initiative for all university campuses in sub-Saharan Africa.
Arabu said a number of universities had already been mapped including University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Benson Idahosa University (BIU) and Ahmadu Bello university in Nigeria as well as many more across Africa.
According to him, “Google Map Maker allows you to add and update geographic information for millions of users to see in Google Maps and Google Earth. By sharing information about the places you know, like businesses in your town or building names on your school campus, you can ensure that the map accurately reflects the world around you.”
Indeed, the Senior Product Manager, Google Map Maker, Mr. Jayanth Mysore, noted that three areas were critical to the mapping exercise, which include comprehensiveness of the information provided, its accuracy and speed of search for users.
“Your updates will be reviewed, and once approved, will appear online for people from all over the world to see. You can use Map Maker to make updates and improve the comprehensiveness of the areas you are familiar with in more than 200 countries and regions worldwide,” he said.
Author of this article: By Adeyemi Adepetun
Source Guardian News Paper

‘How YouWiN empowered us to help students pursue degrees abroad’

The Know Place

The Know Place sells American standardised tests (PSAT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL) preparatory materials and provides tutorial classes for these tests.

How it all started:

I studied in the US. But I encountered a lot of challenges paying my school fees. I had to work two jobs, sometimes over the summer. When school was in session, I usually took double the course load for full-time students in order to get through my courses faster. Once, I was away from school for a year because I could not pay my fees. I finally managed to get to my final year and I could not graduate because I owed my school.

When all my efforts to raise the funds I needed for my final year failed, I cried for days. Determined not to become an illegal resident in the US, I packed my bags and returned home to Nigeria. I was a Nigerian undergraduate student in the US. My GPA was equivalent to a first class in Nigeria.

Multiple awards

I had won multiple awards for my academic achievements. I had been listed on the Dean’s List at the University at Buffalo, the National Dean’s List in the US, and the much coveted Who’s Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges. For outstanding leadership and academic achievements, I had been accepted to the University at Buffalo’s Advanced Honours programme, the pre-med honour society (Alpha Epsilon Delta) and the freshman honour society (Phi Eta Sigma). But all my awards and honours felt worthless for a moment when I had to pack my bags and return home.

Determination

For a moment in my life, I had come to believe that hard work had no merit for me because I was a Nigerian girl. The first mistake I made was to accept an admission from a state owned school in the US – I was told that the school could not use American ‘tax payers’ money to fund a foreign student’s education. The second I made was not to apply to a school that offered scholarships to Nigerian students.

I made up my mind that I was not going to sit back and watch other young promising Nigerians go through what I had been through. I have a personal belief that an experience is worth nothing except it is shared with others and used by them to improve their lives and achieve their desired goals. I also strongly believe that I should go through life like a bridge maker. That after I cross through the lakes, rivers or oceans of life, I must make a bridge so that others can cross the same path with relative ease.

This is the belief system that led to the creation of The Know Place Limited.

When I returned to Nigeria, I started offering tutorial classes to students who wanted to study in the US, first informally and then I saw the need to restructure my efforts into a business so that I could reach out and help as many students as possible. My focus was singular, to help students score as high as they can possibly score in order to win scholarships – whether partial or full scholarships – to help fund their American education, and also to help high achieving students gain admission to the Ivy League universities or the top universities in the US.

Starting

Starting The Know Place came with challenges. But God’s grace alone has taken us from our very humble beginning when I was the only staff and I had to sell off my shares in order to raise funds to finance our business operations to a stage we had about four tutors in our employ.

But in 2010, when we had some financial difficulties, we had to suspend providing tutorial classes until 2011, when our doors were opened again. In 2011, I heard about the YouWin! Business Plan completion through a friend and I checked out the YouWin! website and I applied. By God’s grace alone, out of the approximately 24,000 applications received, I emerged as one of the 1,200 winners. By God’s grace, I have won multiple awards while studying in the US, but winning a business plan competition in my own country that was conducted transparently is refreshing and far more satisfying.

Impact of YouWin Grant

Through the YouWin! Grant, we can help so many more students who desire earnestly to pursue degrees – undergraduate or post-graduate – in the US and other countries in the world. We intend to provide tutorial classes to as many Nigerian students as possible. The YouWin! grant provides us the opportunity to increase our capacity, to hire more staff and to provide tutorial classes to more students than we previously could.

I am truly excited that now we have the financial backing to help more Nigerian students qualify for scholarships in the US by helping them perform better on the American standardised tests. In essence, the YouWin! grant offered to The Know Place does not only affect my life, it affects the lives of those Nigerians that we at The Know Place will help gain scholarships, who will otherwise not have an opportunity to win scholarships on their own because they do not have all the resources at their disposal.

Foreign education and future of Nigeria

I strongly believe that in order for us to produce cutting-edge leaders and strategic policymakers, we must provide a channel for knowledge to be transferred from developed countries to our great nation - Nigeria. One such channel is through studying abroad.

I believe that if we are able to increase the number of Nigerians who study in developed countries today, we will successfully increase our national wealth of knowledge for today and the future; a wealth of knowledge that will enable us tackle the current problems of our nation, and innovate to improve economic and other outcomes for the future.

Source  Business Day News Paper

Emulate Blackberry Founder, Abu Zaria Tells Alumni

The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria at the weekend urged the alumni of the university to borrow a leaf from BlackBerry founder, Mike Lazaridis that has donated a total of $250 million to his Alma Mata, Waterloo University.
Mustapha, in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP, said the target of ABU Zaria was to attain the status of Harvard and Oxford universities; a dream he said could only be achieved with the support of its alumni.
The vice-chancellor said that ABU Zaria was proud to have the current vice-president, Arc Namadi Sambo, eight serving state governors, Isa Yagudu (Bauchi), Umaru Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Usman Saidu Nasamu Dakingari (Kebbi), Patrick Yakowa (Kaduna), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) and Danbaba Suntai (Taraba) as its alumni, and said that even the late President Umaru Musa Yar'adua, former Vice-President Abubakar Atiku, ex-governors Donald Duke (Cross-River), Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe), Kabiru Gaya (Kano), Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna}, Adamu Muazu (Bauchi) and Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano) are all products of ABU Zaria.
"We also boast of captains of industries, heads of government agencies such as the current Central Bank governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and a host of others who graduated from ABU Zaria."
Mustapha said it was not by accident that this calibre of Nigerians passed through his university as it was principally established to develop manpower needs of the country.
"We want all the alumni to join us in the celebration of our 50th year anniversary on October 4 so that they can have first-hand information of the needs of the university. ABU needs some funds to replace and rehabilitate decaying infrastructure, teaching and research facilities. We also know that great universities are those supported by their alumni. A clear example is Harvard which is one of the richest universities in the world on the grounds that it receives over $50 billion as endowment fund from it alumni.
"I expect our alumni to emulate the Black Berry founder who has alone donated over $250 million to his Alma Mata, Waterloo University. And with such support from our alumni, ABU would transform into one of the leading universities in the world. Our target is to compete favorably in terms of size, teaching and research facilities," he added.
Source allafrica.com

Afren Supports Petroleum Engineering Skills Development

Lagos — Afren Nigeria is championing skills development in petroleum engineering at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
The first effort is through support to Petroleum and Chemical Engineering Department at the University gain accreditation again after losing the programme in 2008.
The investment by Afren in the Petroleum and Chemical Engineering Department in the university began in 2010 and has seen the provision of laboratory equipment, scientific journals and textbooks.
A statement from Afren said the Department, after going through the compulsory inspections carried out by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) respectively, has been granted full accreditation status by both bodies (NUC 2010 - 2015, COREN2012 - 2017), following the Afren investment in the school.
Speaking at the ceremony in Lagos Afren Chairman Egbert Imomoh said; "Afren was founded to bridge the gap that faces indigenous companies seeking to achieve production in the upstream sector. One of the core challenges faced by local companies is the lack of a large skilled pool of petroleum engineers and this initiative is designed to revitalise the Department of Petroleum and Chemical Engineering and re-establish it as a facility that can train the next generation of Nigerian engineers. In an area of Nigeria so rich in petroleum resources, it is vital that efforts are made to bolster students in that area's access to quality education and opportunities, and we are proud to be playing apart in making that hope a reality."
Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, Chairman of Oriental, said "I am delighted at the reaccreditation of the department and we are strongly committed to the communities in which we operate in. Together with our partner, Afren Nigeria, we will continue to work towards achieving our overall aim of a people-centred culture which enhances the conditions necessary for technical and business excellence".
Source allafrica

I’ll Create Better Students’ Experience •Says Francisca, Nigerian-Born Student Union President At Robert Gordon University, UK

SEYI GESINDE takes a look at the rise to prominence of Francisca Chiedu, a Nigerian, who was recently elected as the Student Union president of Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.

Francisca Chiedu

A Nigerian, Francisca Chiedu has emerged the Student Union (SU) president of Robert Gordon University (RGU), a Scottish university located in the city of Aberdeen, United Kingdom. Francisca, a Communications and Democracy candidate, polled a total of 719 votes after two rounds to defeat others who also vied for students’ number one seat.
The union  reported on their posting that this year’s election was their biggest ever with a turnout of over 1920. This was an increase of 27.5% on the 2011 elections. It also broke the overall Robert Gordon University election turnout record!
Well done to Francisca and to all the other candidates too.
Francisca, before her emergence during campaign had said that she was inspired to contest by for RGU’s SU president’s office because of her previous experience.
To ascertain her victory, she instituted a winning strategy called CREATE,” which she interpreted to be
“Communicate-Reachout-Engage-Advocate-Teamwork-Evolve, and it eventually worked for her.
“Due to my experiences and the certainty that I have the skills needed to deliver, I am running for the position of
President Communications and Democracy.
“As an enthusiastic, highly spirited individual, I want to engage and interact with you, (addressing the students populace)  so, together we can create the best experience for students at Robert Gordon University.
“As an international student, I fully understand the challenges faced by all students and I am the candidate who can successfully deliver relevant campaigns to change the lives of students,” Fraccisca said on the school’s website.

Francisca Chiedu (fourth left) and other members of Student Union, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.

The CREATE strategy, Francisca further expalined thus: “Communicate: I will ensure we have a more interactive union website with a platform for online real-time chatting so that students are able to get help from other students and union officers, that is, (Union Help Desk); making information easy to find and the site exciting to visit. I will also ensure deeper social media integration to further increase our collective capacity to network among ourselves. This will improve the entire social experience of students at RGU. “Reachout: I am fully committed to reaching out to students from all backgrounds and I will utilise all methods to better the students’ experience at RGU. It is time to go beyond a faceless student representative and get in the heart of students’ life on campus.
“Engage: I am a firm believer that we should have an inclusive, supportive and engaging students union, where our voices count and diversity is treasured. One that offers a platform to continuously engage students in its everyday affairs.  I will organise programmes to encourage a wider participation in the activities of the union campaigns, events, talk-back session and other engaging fora. I will bring the students union close to the students and create an opportunity for students to contribute to the union
“Advocate: Act as a bridge between the students and the university by presenting students’ view and interest to the university.
“Teamwork: The Union is for the student and by the student, it is our union! I will ensure that as much as possible that Union officers do not work in isolation ensuring effective collaboration among students groups, societies and the union executive.
“Evolve: The University is set to move to Garthee in 2013 this will make a huge impact to students life at RGU.  We need to help students integrate and have a hitch-free transition from the City Centre to Garthee and together we can build a strong student Community at Garthee.”
Francisca if she wins, “a vote for me is a vote for diversity, new experience, strong leadership and positive changes…,” hence, she charged the students:  “Let’s CREATE the student experience we crave for!
Now that she has won, one hopes the students will support her to “create” the student experience they craved for, so that she can fulfil her desire to create better students’ experience at RGU.
Source Tribune NewsPaper

Nigerian university makes biometric ids compulsory

By Raze Machan

August 24, 2012 - 

An official of Moshood Abiola University, previously known as the University of Lagos in Nigeria, disclosed on Thursday that the university has begun compulsory biometric registration of both its staff and students.
Seth Dare, Deputy Registrar in-charge of Information in Moshood Abiola University, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the exercise began this month will end in September.
Dare added that the university’s biometric registration was to put in place to verify the number of students and staff at the university.
“We have commenced compulsory biometric data capture of staff and students toward the issuance of identity cards and for record keeping. It is to enable us to know the number of staff and students we have, and also to help us in planning for facilities that will meet up with the number in the institution,” Dare affirmed. “We have a National University Commission policy on student-staff ratio, so, this exercise is important for us to know if we are on track.’’
The Deputy Registrar said that the university’s staff and students had been instructed to fill-in online forms from the university’s online portal. Dare also said that a circular has been issued and failure to register within the given time frame, will result in Ids not be issued for bona fide staff and students.
Today, more and more schools and universities are adopting biometrics technology. Do you think providing personal data such as fingerprints and other private information for the university’s use is safe?

About Raze Machan

Raze Machan writes full time for BiometricUpdate.com and graduated with a of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Central Philippine University. She has been a tech industry writer since 2003. Follow her @Razemachan.
Source http://www.biometricupdate.com

Kidnapped ESUT VC Finally Released

 Photo Leadership
                                                                                                   

Exactly nine days after his abduction by unknown gunmen, the Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof Cyprian Onyeji breathed the air of freedom shortly before midnight Thursday.
Police sources said that the Vice Chancellor was found around Igbariam in Oyi Local Government Area in Anambra State.
A text message sent by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Enugu Police command, DSP Ebere Amarizu stated: "Sketchy details available has it that the Vice Chancellor was seen around Igbariam axis of Anambra State on 23rd August 2012 at about 2230hrs hale and hearty and has reunited with his family".
Also, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Ossy Ugwuoti confirmed in a telephone conversation that the vice chancellor has reunited with his family.
Details of the release were still sketchy as at press time.
Source allafrica.com

ASUU Slams Governor Amaechi for Re-Appointing VC

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers of meddling in the running of Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST).
The President of ASUU, Dr Nasir Isa, said at a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja that the governor had shown a clear violation of the statutes establishing the university by the "undeserved and illegal re-appointment of Prof. Barineme Fakae as the vice chancellor (VC).
"A university is a product of law. Such a law must be respected and protected at all times by those the people have entrusted to govern the university. Anything short of that, as we are witnessing at RSUST, is unacceptable.
"To say the least, the re-appointment of Fakae as acting vice chancellor is morally repugnant and legally indefensive," Isa said.
He said that Fakae's appointment by Amaechi in 2008 was illegal as it was not the responsibility of the governor to do so but that of the university's governing council.
He said the appointment of the VC did follow due process and when the matter was challenged by the RSUST branch of ASUU, the governor, who attended the congress of the union, pleaded that the matter be laid to rest.
He promised that Fakae would not stay a day longer at the expiration of his term.
He said members of the union then, felt that the governor be given the benefit of the doubt as ASUU was not a body that "prided itself in rubbing in the mud the noses of leaders".
Isa said the ASUU leadership had declared Thursday, Aug. 30, as a day of solidarity with its members in RSUST and had directd all its members nationwide to stay away from work on that day.
The ASUU leader also accused Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, of doing the governor's bidding in the matter.
"Another surprise was that Justice Karibi-Whyte started inventing rationales and justifications for the re-appointment of Prof. Fakae as if he is oblivious of the Visitor's gentleman's agreement with the university community.
"Rather than address the issues at stake, which are the inappropriateness of the appointment of Prof. Fakae and Gov. Amaechi's promise not to re-appoint him, both the Chairman of the Council and the Visitor have been playing the ostrich.
"This has empowered the acting VC to unleash a reign of terror on academics and other workers at the university. His foot soldiers are all out on a campaign of calumny against the leadership of ASUU," Isa stated.
He also accused the VC of mobilising law enforcement agencies to "violently disrupt a peaceful assembly" of ASUU members who met on Aug. 15 on the campus to review the ongoing strike in protest against his appointment.
The president said such lawlessness should not be allowed to thrive in a fledgling democracy.
He citied the case of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo, where the VC, registrar, bursar and the student union government are all operating in acting capacities. NAN
Source allafrica.com
 

Anambra Varsity Disowns Lagos Murder Suspect

The Anambra State University, Uli, on Thursday disowned one of the suspects in the murder of Cynthia Osokogu, who claimed to be an Accountancy student of the institution.
Osokogu, a post-graduate student of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, and daughter of retired Maj.-Gen. Frank Osokogu, was allegedly killed by Okwuoma Nwabufo and his cousin, Odera Ilechukwu, on July 21.
The suspects had said that they were both accounting students of University of Lagos and Anambra State University respectively.
However, Ilechukwu's claim was rebuffed by Mr Festus Ntomchukwu, the Public Relations Officer of Anambra State University, Uli, in a chat with newsmen in Awka.
The image maker said "such a character cannot be a student of the institution.
"The school is still in session, and if truly the suspect is a student of the university as he claimed, he will not be out in Lagos when the institution is seriously preparing for examinations," Ntomchukwu posited.
He further argued that the school of management sciences where accounting department fell into was currently holding an international conference, in which every student was expected to attend, and in their uniform.
"For such a character to have been away in Lagos when the school is preparing for examinations and members of his faculty preparing for a compulsory international conference, he should be disregard," he said. NAN
Source allafrica.com 

NUC Chief - Our Graduates Are Not Unemployable

Industries where Nigerian graduates can get the relevant experience to compete favorably in the labor market have shut down, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) Professor Julius Okojie has said.
Okojie made the statement at the Training of Trainers workshop on the teaching of general entrepreneurship courses in Nigerian universities which held in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said a first degree is not enough for graduates to display competent skills until they receive training from industries which are no longer available to offer that service.
He said there is need to develop a critical mass of trainers in the university system who would teach students how to develop entrepreneurial skills in their areas of specialization.
"As a directive from federal government, we have just developed a Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards for Entrepreneurship to be offered as a degree programme and as soon as we get approval, it would start to run in some universities," he said.
Professor Murtala Sagagi Director Centre for African Entrepreneurship Research & Training at Bayero University Kano (BUK) said it is important to change the mindset of youths so that rather than be frustrated by the system they begin to think entrepreneurially.
Source allafrica.com

60% of Lecturers in Nigerian Universities don’t have Doctorate Degrees – President Goodluck Jonathan

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has lamented that 60 percent of lecturers in Universities across the country have no doctorate degree.

The President said this in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State yesterday, while interacting with 100 beneficiaries of the state’s scholarship programme.

Jonathan said he got the statistics from the National University Commission.

He, however added that the Federal Government had provided respite for the lecturers and that his administration had worked out a scholarship programme to encourage lecturers to get their doctorate degrees in any part of the world.

He said his administration had designed another scholarship programme for a category of people he referred to as “intelligent Nigerians”.

Jonathan told Punch: “About 60 per cent of lecturers don’t have PhDs and we reject it. We decided to come up with a programme for you; to be in the academics, you must have PhD. This means that we must work out a programme for everybody to have scholarship.

“Everybody who is in the academics must have an opportunity to go and do their doctorate degrees anywhere. In addition to that, we think that as a nation, we have very intelligent people and we must get a scholarship for these people who are very intelligent.

“We come up with a programme for intelligent Nigerians. To select this group of people, first and foremost you must make first class in the university. You don’t need to make a first class to be a lecturer. In addition to giving every lecturer an opportunity to get a PhD and lecture, we need a programme for intelligent Nigerians.

“We are trying to get a crop of Nigerians that will take us to the moon. That is what the Bayelsa State Government is doing here. We must encourage our best brains. I am quite appreciative of Dickson.”

He said prospective beneficiaries must possess first class degrees from the university adding that the special scheme was designed for specific areas of discipline such as molecular biology, genetics, economics, engineering and applied sciences.

*** 

What are your thoughts on the academic qualifications of lecturers in Nigerian Universities? With 60 percent of lecturers not having doctorate degrees, how does this affect the quality of graduates churned out from Nigerian Universities?

Source Bellanaija

Deputy Vice Chancellor Harps On Support for Ahmadu Bello's 50th Anniversary

Zaria — The deputy vice chancellor (Administration) of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Sada Na'iya, has said that the forthcoming 50th anniversary of the university would not achieve its objectives unless all old students of the university and other stakeholders contribute their quota.
Professor Na'iya made this known during an interview with Daily Trust in Zaria, saying the 50th anniversary would provide an opportunity for graduates of the university to appreciate what the institution did for them.
"We want to have this celebration in a very big way. ABU is a big institution and it has contributed a lot to the development of the north and the entire nation. Therefore, it is expected that all those that benefitted from the university would come back home during the 50th anniversary and appreciate what the university did for them," Professor Na'iya said.
He appealed to all northerners, especially governors to join hands with the university to make the 50th anniversary a success.
Professor Na'iya, who is the chairman of the 50th anniversary organising committee, said the occasion would be used to kick start the development of the second phase of the university, which would allow for proper expansion of the institution.
Source Daily Trust

How Ex-General's Daughter, Cynthia, Was Killed By Facebook 'Friends'

Ikeja — Indications emerged, Tuesday, that the late Cynthia Osokogu, the only daughter of General Frank Osokogu (rtd), whose body was discovered in a Lagos morgue a month after she was declared missing, could have been murdered by her facebook acquaintances.
Already, six persons, among them two university students, a pharmacist and an employee of the hotel where the 24-year-old post-graduate student was murdered have been arrested.
Investigation into the murder, as reliably gathered, revealed that Cynthia was strangled to death in the hotel by her assailants, who thereafter left with an undisclosed amount, her student identity card and phones.
Report said the beautiful and vivacious Cynthia had chatted with the two undergraduates on facebook for months.
In the process, they reportedly got to know that she owned a boutique in Nasarawa State, following which they reportedly had a business proposal with her, promising to host her whenever she visited Lagos.
On her arrival at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, on July 22, 2012, she was reportedly picked up by the two undergraduates and driven to a hotel in Festac Town. Unknown to her, she was embarking on a journey of no return.
At the hotel, her drink was reportedly drugged before she was strangled to death. Vanguard reliably gathered that after her death, one of her assailants left the room and later put a call to the hoteliers, informing them that there was a corpse in one of the rooms.
The hotel, as gathered, took the corpse to the Isolo General Hospital mortuary. Sources informed that efforts by the hoteliers to contact family of the deceased proved abortive as there was reportedly nothing to trace her close relatives or friends.
Meanwhile, back in Nasarawa State where her family is said to be based, apprehension had set in following her disappearance. She was, therefore, declared missing, with her pictures dropped at some police divisions in the state.
How the suspects were arrested
Vanguard reliably gathered that after the murder, the killers deleted all information and chats with the deceased from their facebook. But, along the line, the deceased phone was dialled and one of the suspects reportedly answered. When the call log was checked from the service provider, the receiver was traced to Festac Town in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area.
Again, the Close Circuit Television stationed in the hotel was said to have revealed identities of the killers following which two of them were arrested and their confessional statement led to the arrest of others.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to have bought the drugs with which they drugged Cynthia's drink from a pharmacist, thereby leading to his arrest. It was at this point that her family was reportedly contacted.
Vanguard reliably gathered that during investigation, the two undergraduates, whose identities could not be ascertained, confessed to have killed Cynthia.
They also reportedly confessed to belong to a syndicate which specialised in luring unsuspecting rich women with the aim of dispossessing them of their belongings, particularly cash.
The late Cynthia, as gathered, was not their first victim, as they were said to have confessed to the police that she was their sixth victim.
When contacted, spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the arrest, but was not forthcoming with details.
Source Vanguard

Nigeria: NUC Accredits 14 Programmes in Crawford Varsity

Igbesa — National Universities Commission, NUC, has given full accreditation to 14 academic programmes of Crawford University Igbesa, Ogun State.
Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Samson Ayanlaja, in a statement said the school scored 85.7 per cent adding that the school had earlier earned full accreditation in Geology and Mineral Sciences.
Programmes with full accreditation according to Prof. Ayanlaja are: Accounting, Business Administration, Banking & Finance, Economics, Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, Marketing, Sociology, Political Science& International Relations and other programmes in the college of Natural and Applied Sciences.
He also revealed that the school earned interim accreditation in Computer Science and Information & Communication Technology adding that efforts have been put in place to rectify the deficiency.
Prof. Ayanlaja said the school is determined to produce well-rounded graduates that are molded in the fear of God. and expressed appreciation to the school proprietor, Board of Trustees and Governing Council and Senate of the University for their unquantifiable support before and during the period of the accreditation exercise.
Source Vanguard Newspaper

Nigeria: Ahmadu Bello University at 50 - VC Seeks Alumni Assistance

The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, has appealed to alumni of the university, particularly serving and former state governor to assist the university towards the celebration of its Golden Jubilee.
Mustapha made the appeal when he led members of the university's management, on a visit to Kaduna State governor, Patrick Yakowa, to intimate him of the university's state of preparations to host the historic event.
Established in 1962, ABU will be 50 on October 4 and a committee has been set up to draw up a befitting anniversary celebration, slated for October 4 to November 24, 2012.
According to a statement, by the media aide to the vice-chancellor, Waziri Gwantu, the vice-chancellor particularly seeks the support of the university's alumni towards projects including rehabilitation of all dilapidated roads in both the academic and residential areas of the two campuses of the university estimated at the cost of N2 billion, dredging of the university dam estimated at the cost of N7 billion, including the cost of the water treatment plant; and the development of the institution's phase II project, which will require the construction of a bridge and other major structures and infrastructure such as road network, electricity and water.
He said the celebration which would be climaxed by a special convocation ceremony, presentation of the 'Sir Ahmadu Bello Golden Award' and wall of fame, was meant to showcase the university's achievements, breakthroughs, honour past heroes and major supporters and to also unveil its plans for the future.
The vice-chancellor urged Yakowa, who doubles both as an alumnus and chief host of the university, to contact and mobilise serving and past governors that passed through the university to come and participate fully in the 50 anniversary by contributing generously for the successful hosting of the event and the execution of vital projects central in the future development of the university.
Mustapha disclosed that an appeal fund was also intended to be launched to generate funds to execute projects in the university, saying alumnus or stakeholders willing to take up projects at the institution were welcome to do so.
Source allafrica.com

IGP vows to reposition Nigeria Police •Nasarawa Poly, police collaborate to fight crime

THE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, has vowed to reposition the Nigeria Police operations, both at home and abroad.
Speaking at the commissioning of full complement of contingent-owned equipment for Nigeria’s police unit in Somalia, the IGP disclosed that the Nigeria Police would once again be in the front burner on the policing strategy at home, with the view to ensuring the policing of Nigerians in line with acceptable world standard.
The IGP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 2, Muhammed Shafe, said the event was another important milestone in the present police administration’s resolve to ensure peace and stability in the entire sub- African region and to continually collaborate and support the efforts of the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and Economic Communitiy of West African States (ECOWAS), in ensuring that permanent peace returned to all the warring states of the African continent.
The IGP regretted that before now, the issue police officers and men going on peacekeeping operations through the formed police unit (FPU) was being under equipment, but, “today you can all witness, that question is a thing of the past.”
According to the director, peace keeping, Nigeria Police, DCP C. Aderanti, the equipment deployed to the African mission in Somalia were six armoured personnel carrier, 12 military patterned patrol vehicles, one level one hospital fully equipped, two jeep ambulances, four browsers, both fuel and water of not less than 10,000 litres each.
The Nigerian police also deployed formed police unit of 140 officers to sumalia.
Meanwhile, MANAGEMENT of the Nasarawa State Polytechnic and the state Police Command are to partner to fight the recent increase in criminal activities which has been causing sleepless nights for residents around the institution.
Just as the police have reiterated their readiness to step up their surveillance and information gathering mechanisms in the bid to ensure that students and staff enjoyed a conducive atmosphere for learning.
Acting rector of the polytechnic, Mr Emmanuel Jatau, noted that those involved in the criminal acts were not authentic students of the institution, but were just individuals hiding under the umbrella of the institution, perpetrating evil, and spoiling the good record of the polytechnic.
According to him, both the management of the institution and the police had unanimously agreed that the combined team of the police and the institution’s security arm would work hand in hand to ensure that it cleansed the polytechnic of the criminal acts.
The Nasarawa State Commissioner of police, Mr Abayomi Akeremale, who said the command was disturbed by the high rate of cultism and other criminal activities, promised to take proactive steps in curtailing the menace in and outside the polytechnic community.
While noting that the issue of cultism was not strange to the polytechnic, he explained that it was the wish of the command to ensure that schools remained citadels of academic excellence and not a breeding ground for criminals.
 Nigerian Tribune NewsPaper

Nigeria: Groups Tasks FG On Competent Rector for Ede Poly

Osogbo — The Alumni Association of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede in Osun State has called on the Federal Government to ensure that a very competent person is appointed as rector of the institution to succeed and retain the legacy of the current Rector, Dr. Joseph Oke, whose tenure ends on September 21, 2012. President of the Alumni Association of the institution, Mr. Festus Olaifa, noted that the association and the current students are concerned about the calibre of person that will be saddled with the responsibility of running the affairs of the institution. He called on the Federal Government to look at the profile of all the applicants for the position very carefully and chose a competent and pragmatic person who has the capacity to leverage and build on the existing name and integrity of the institution. He also expressed the need to include members of the association in the governing council of the institution, saying inclusion of people who passed through the institution will assist the council in their deliberations on how to move the institution forward.
Source allafrica

Photo: Nigerian Girl Emerges 1st PhD Pharmacy Graduate In UK University

 

 

The 27-year-old Nigerian, Dr. Bahijja Raimi-Abraham, made history by becoming the first graduate of Pharmacy from the University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom, to be awarded a PhD in Pharmacy. She shares her experience with Olabisi Deji-Folutile in this online interview.

Were you born in the UK?

I was born in Lagos, Nigeria in April 1985 and left Nigeria at the age of six when my family returned to the UK – my parents had lived and studied in the UK previous to that. After completing my primary school education in London, I attended secondary school in North Wales, Penrhos College – where my mother and her sisters also were educated; and following my GCSEs I returned to London for sixth form when I studied and passed the Advanced Level examinations (A – levels) in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Drama.
From where did you obtain your first degree?
I was accepted to read Pharmacy at the University of East Anglia – the University had just opened its School of Pharmacy and I was among the first intake of Pharmacy students.
The course was of four years in duration and led to the award of the MPharm degree. Following this, I applied to, and was accepted by Guy’s and St Thomas’s Hospital in central London to undergo my Pharmacy Pre-registration year. After passing my Pre-registration exams and attaining full status as a Pharmacist, I was invited by my alma mater, University of East Anglia, to apply and study for a Doctorate in Pharmaceutics.
How many students registered for the PhD programme?
To the best of my knowledge, there were seven of us in the School of Pharmacy at the University of East Anglia (UEA) when I started my PhD course in October 2008.
Were you also among the first set of students to register for PhD in the university?
No. UEA has been in existence for almost 50 years – it was established in 1963 and has produced PhD graduates for a number of years. The School of Pharmacy at UEA was opened to accept its first intake of Pharmacy undergraduates in 2003. I was among the first cohort of Pharmacy undergraduates to be admitted to the university that year. Approximately 90 of us were accepted for Pharmacy, and approximately 50 of us graduated with the award of MPharm (Masters Degree in Pharmacy) in 2007. I am however, the first graduate of The School of Pharmacy at UEA to be awarded a PhD.
I consider this an achievement for myself no doubt, as well as for my family, the School of Pharmacy at UEA, as well as an achievement for Nigeria – the land of my birth!
What are your experiences in the course of your study?
Overall my experiences have been positive. Of course, studying Pharmacy and then pursuing a PhD has not been easy, both with their own challenges and different learning outcomes. I have always tried to study areas that I have had a natural interest in. For example, during my A-Level studies I thoroughly enjoyed Chemistry and on advice from my mother, I decided to study Pharmacy at university level.
At the start of the second year of my undergraduate degree I decided I wanted to pursue the highest form of education and had a meeting with the then head of school and another member of the faculty (both later became my PhD supervisors) to discuss the requirement to study a PhD. Although my experiences have been positive, there have also been some challenges. But through it all, I’ve had the support of my lecturers and my family which motivated me to achieve. My study of Pharmacy instilled discipline in me as a professional – this discipline gained as a result of becoming a Pharmacist stood me in good stead as I embarked on my PhD course.
What are some of the challenges that blacks encounter in the UK?
Challenges encountered by blacks in the UK are as wide and as varied as you can imagine – because as with all other individual experiences, one must try to refrain from generalising. For me, my life in the UK has generally been positive. However one of the major challenges is the issue of stereotyping…a problem that, I suppose, can be faced anywhere in the world. Stereotyping leads to presumptions which often take a while to deconstruct.
For example, working as a locum Pharmacist I have had experiences when patients come into the pharmacy and speak to my white health care assistant first – somewhat assuming that perhaps I’m the health care assistant while the white member of staff is the pharmacist (and overall manager of the pharmacy on a given day!). I have had to be assertive – perhaps more than I would have had to be if I wasn’t black; assertive in ensuring that I am considered and respected in the workplace.
What are your personal experiences?
As I’ve said previously, my personal experiences have generally been positive. I attended primary school in London from the age of six and then for secondary school I attended a fee-paying boarding school in North Wales where I was athlete of the year for three consecutive years. I was also a member of the school netball and swimming teams; then sixth-form college in London for my A levels before attending University of East Anglia to study Pharmacy.
I also played netball for my university. Prior to starting my PhD I worked at Guy’s and St Thomas’Hospital in London for my Pharmacy Pre-registration year. During my entire educational life I would say that I’ve been fortunate to have met some extremely supportive people. In general, I’ve learnt life is what you make it – always do something that is natural to you and that you enjoy because if applied correctly, you will excel in it.
What is the population of blacks to whites in your school?
In my PhD group I was the only black student in a group of seven white people of mixed nationality.
Are there cases of lecturers victimising students there?
To the best of my knowledge there was no serious case of victimisation from lecturers. UEA has a robust complaints/grievance procedure which all students are made aware of.
What words of encouragement do you have for young people in your shoes either at home or abroad?
I would say to young people both at home and abroad that education is indeed the key to a myriad of life-changing opportunities. It is important to get a first degree so that you always have something to fall back on.
The choice of whether or not to progress to Masters degree level or indeed to Doctorate level can be made once the first hurdle is in sight or indeed after it has been achieved. Stay positive about life in general. Good things come to those who wait – don’t try and “grow old” before your time.
What are your plans for the future? Do you intend to return to Nigeria?
I plan to pursue a career in academia. I also plan to explore and avail myself of all the opportunities that are put before me. Included in this plan is my wish to make a contribution towards the development of pharmaceutical research and practice in Nigeria.
The University of East Anglia is a publicly-owned university. What is the rating of the university in the UK?
According to the Complete University Guide University League Table for 2012 and 2013, the University of East Anglia is the 27th best university in the UK. The School of Pharmacy at the University of East Anglia is ranked as No.1 in the UK!
Source http://www.informationnigeria.org

Zimbo model scoops three pageant awards

Miss Universities Africa Zimbabwe Ntokozo Sithole gave the country something to smile about when she scooped three awards at the continental pageant held in Edo State in Nigeria. The third-year University of Zimbabwe student was among models from 41 African countries that took part in the event.

Miss Roriang Molefe from Lesotho was crowned Miss University Africa 2012

Ntokozo was picked as the most determined queen and most well-behaved queen in addition to being honoured for the best poise during the boot camp and pageant. In an interview with The Herald, Ntokozo said she learnt a lot before and after the pageant.
“I learnt that Africa is rich in art and has got a big inner side on how African youths dress in a modest way that does not expose the body, show the skin and looking good at the same time. I am happy that I made my country proud and had the chance to show what comes out of Zimbabwe,” Ntokozo said.
Ntokozo said the representatives from other countries were easily identified by their language and dress code. “I encourage people to invest more in dressing that can tell that one is a Zimbabwean. We easily identified people from their dressing and these included those from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Swaziland among other countries.”
“They were not embarrassed with their language and all that mattered to them was what you bring to the African table. I enjoyed the food such as plantain from Nigeria which is fried banana,” Ntokozo said.
She said she had the opportunity to introduce some Shona words in the pageant theme song.
Source http://nehandaradio.com

Nigeria: Glo Expresses Commitment to Youth-Oriented Projects

National telecoms operator, Globacom has expressed its commitment to youth-oriented projects that will engender creativity, talent, beauty and the aspirations of the emerging generation.
Speaking at Miss LASU Beauty Pageant organised by the Students Union of the Lagos State University (LASU), held at the New Auditorium in the University campus, Globacom's business director, Lagos 3 Territory, Mr. Augustus Offor said Globacom had identified the youth as a critical group that holds promise for the growth of the business sector, especially in the telecoms sub-sector, now and in the future.
"We fully recognise the potentials and desires of the Nigerian youth while also being conscious of the obstacles they face. We are therefore committed to developing critical intervention products and services to support the Nigerian youth to attain their dreams", he said.
Miss Comfort Ajoke Badmus, a 200 level Industrial Relations and Personnel management Student, representing Anthony campus of the institution, emerged the LASU Queen amongst 14 other contestants. She was crowned by the deputy vice chancellor of the institution, Prof. Mrs. Omolara Bamgboye and the area Manager, Lagos 3 Territory.
The new Miss LASU Queen won the star prize of a branded car, N50, 000 and various products. The beauty pageant was complemented with a rich display of music and dance by student artistes.
Source Allafrica.com

EAC begins international student exchange programme

Written by Adeolu Adeyemo Monday, 20 August 2012

The Director of Educational Advancement Centre (EAC), Ibadan, Mr Muyiwa Bamgbose, has disclosed that the institution has delivered its first set of direct entry students for Medicine to the South Western University, Cebu, Philippi.
The Director of EAC who said that the institution has been in partnership with the university while speaking with newsmen, stated that two pioneer students, Miss Adebayo and Mr Nathaniel Adiakpan, were handed over to the President of the university, Prof. Elsa Suralta, last month.
According to him “EAC has also prepared thousands of students from different communities for the Cambridge Advanced Level GCE since 1996 with many of them graduating with First Class and Second Class Upper Division grades in various universities across the world.”
“The EAC entered into the partnership in 2010 with a view to opening up more study opportunities for many communities and Nigerians in foreign countries.In the year 2010, the Educational Advancement Centre in Ibadan announced the flag-off of its Pre-Medical Programme, whereby the student spends two years in Nigeria and goes on to spend four and a half years in the Philippines for the Medical degree. The pioneer set completed their Foundation programme earlier in the year.
“Due to the successful take-off of the Phase One of the programme, EAC has also concluded arrangements to add various types of Engineering and Architecture courses into the programme.”
Source Nigeria  Tribune

Nigerian Student’s One-Man Dream Act at Stake in Congress

Sopuruchi Chukwueke grew up as an outcast in the village of Ovim in southeastern Nigeria. Tumors that distorted one side of his face wouldn’t stop growing, and a medicine man said he should be taken away and drowned. In 2001, when he was 15, his parents took him to an orphanage and abandoned him.

He was rescued by a missionary nun, who arranged for medical care in the U.S. Eleven years and seven operations later, doctors have removed the benign growths caused by the genetic disease neurofibromatosis and have performed reconstructive surgery.
In that time, Chukwueke, who lost his right eye to the tumors, has earned a high school equivalency diploma, achieved a 3.82 grade-point average as a biochemistry and chemical biology major at Wayne State University in Detroit and won acceptance to the University of Toledo’s medical school in Ohio.
“My own personal struggles to receive treatment have motivated, inspired and continually encouraged me to pursue a medical career,” he said in an interview conducted by e-mail because extensive surgeries to his mouth and jaw make it hard for him to speak clearly on the telephone.
He can’t start classes this month, though, because the visa that enabled him to travel to Michigan for treatment expired 10 years ago, and he has been in the U.S. illegally since then. The only hope Chukwueke has of achieving his goal is enactment of legislation sponsored by U.S. Senator Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat, that applies solely to him and would give him permanent U.S. residency.

Expired Visas

About 11.5 million people were in the U.S. illegally as of January 2011, according to a report by the Department of Homeland Security released in March of this year. Of those, an estimated 40 percent entered on visas that have since expired, said Michelle Mittlestadt, communications director at the Migration Policy Institute, a Washington research center that studies immigration.
A long-shot option for obtaining legal status is a private- relief bill, which applies to just one person and is frequently related to an immigration issue. While about 100 such bills are introduced in each two-year congressional session, few are enacted: So far in the current session of Congress, which started Jan. 1, 2011, none of the 82 that have been introduced has reached the White House. In 2009 and 2010, only two became law. In 2007 and 2008, none succeeded.
The Senate passed Levin’s legislation, S. 285, by unanimous consent on July 25. A week later the House Judiciary Committee approved it by voice vote, so the measure that would allow Chukwueke to fulfill his dream is just one step -- passage by the full House -- from President Barack Obama’s desk.

Green Card

The bill would grant permanent residency to Chukwueke --who goes by his middle name, Victor -- as long as he applies for it within two years of the bill becoming law. It would reduce, by one, the number of immigrant visas available to Nigerians and would bar preferential treatment for members of his family.
Chukwueke, 26, lives in the Detroit suburb of Oak Park with the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy, a Nigeria-based order of Roman Catholic nuns who work with the poor in Africa, Europe and North America. Members of the order have cared for him since he arrived from the orphanage.
“Nigerian doctors told me that there was nothing they could do, that they do not have the facilities and expertise to handle my sophisticated medical problem,” Chukwueke said by e- mail.

‘American Dad’

The nuns also connected him with the man he calls his “American dad” -- Jerry Burns, a nurse-practitioner at Wayne State who has taken in 17 children over the last 12 years through the Lutheran Social Services of Michigan program for refugees.
“Victor is a remarkable human being,” Burns, a 58-year- old former Peace Corps volunteer in Niger, said in a telephone interview. “We immediately began to bond. He very quickly called me ’Dad.’”
Because of his visa situation, Chukwueke wasn’t eligible for assistance from the Lutheran Social Services program. Burns said he told the young man that he would help him go to college and found a financial benefactor who has paid for much of his education and wishes to remain anonymous.
Source businessweek.com

Nigerians Protest Detention of Olaolu Femi, a Nigerian Student facing Life Imprisonment in Ukraine

Nigerians living in Ukraine, and indeed, across the world are protesting the arrest of a Nigerian student for allegedly defending himself against six teenagers who attacked him at the entrance to his apartment block. The student, Olaolu Sunkanmi Femi is currently languishing in jail and may be facing life imprisonment in Ukraine.
African Outlook gathered that he was arrested after defending himself against his assailants with a glass from a broken bottle in front of his apartment block on November 5, last year in Luhanski, Ukraine.
Witnesses at the scene told African Outlook that one of his friends was physically attacked in front of his apartment by four Ukrainian young men and two women who pulled them to the ground while hurling racist slurs on them.
Sunkanmi was said to have managed to get up and defended himself against the assailants with a glass from a broken bottle.
“It was while he was defending himself that police arrived at the scene and the Nigerian was subsequently arrested and charged with attempted murder of five people” a Nigerian embassy staff who has knowledge of the case told African Outlook, adding that the victim thus became an accused in a case which has become a celebrated case in Ukraine.
What is noteworthy about his case is that Olasunkanmi has since been remanded in detention by the Ukrainian police who refused to take the case to court citing unavailability of the police to get an interpreter for him.
Osarumen David-Izevbokun, a Phd student in International Relations and the leader of the Nigerian Students’ Community in Ukraine alongside other Nigerian students have been organizing protests as well as drawing the attentions of the human right groups in Ukraine to the plight of Olasunkanmi who has spent almost seven months in jail without trial.
According to a source, the female Lawyer handling Olasukanmi’s case, Ludmila Havrysh was reported to have told protesters that her client has not been able to read the file material since it is all written in Ukrainian or Russian which he doesn’t understand and that was why her client had remained in jail.
“We heard she wanted to be paid $10,000 when she had not even been able to secure bail for her client who has been in detention for more than six months” the source told African Outlook.
When asked if the embassy has been able to secure the service of an attorney for the Nigerian student, a Nigerian Embassy staff who spoke anonymously told African Outlook: “It is not within our mandate to pay for attorney’s fees for any Nigerian in distress, you may check this out with other Nigerian embassies abroad, but we have been working with the Nigerian community leaders here to ensure that we do everything within our means to help Olasunkanmi in time of his need.”
In a related development, African Outlook gathered that two Nigeian students are lying critically ill in Ukranian hospitals following attacks on them. One of them, is a 28-year-old Nigerian student of Kharkiv National Radio Electronic University while the second is a 19-year-old Nigerian student from the Poltava Agrarian Academy.
They sustained knife injuries inflicted on them by yet to be identified persons.
To raise support for Olasukanmi, a Facebook Page: Let’s Support Olaolu Femi has been opened.
It is hoped that Olasukanmi’s case would be treated fairly and he would find the necessary help from the Nigerian Embassy soon.
Street Protests:


 Source Bellanaija.com

UNN partners foreign varsities to boost teaching, learning

AUTHORITIES of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, have re-affirmed their commitment to providing the enabling environment for students to attain their academic desires.
To this end, the Faculty of Dentistry of the institution has entered into collaboration with the Georgia School of Health Sciences (USA) and the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada with the purpose of improving learning to make what obtains at UNN be at par with its contemporaries globally.
Declaring open the 2012 Students’ Week of the University of Nigeria Dental Students’ Association (UNDESA) at the Enugu campus of the university at the weekend, the Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, Dr. Oge Linda Okoye, disclosed that the partnership had already yielded positive results as the Georgia School of Health Sciences had donated to the faculty dental chair units and phantom head units, which are being expected in the country.
She said in pursuit of academic excellence, the faculty had also attracted student exchange programme with the University of British Columbia, adding that with the current arrangement, desiring UNN dental students could now visit and spend one month of intensive training in Colombia in their final year, so as to avoid disruption of academic curriculum.
According to the dean, “it is worthy of note that the faculty is preparing to receive officials of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) within the month for accreditation of our clinical dental internship programmes before the final examinations and graduation of our pioneer faculty students who will not need to write the external qualifying MDCN examinations”.
Despite the challenges facing them, Okoye noted that the faculty, which now has a new prosthetic laboratory, with sitting capacity in excess of the current NUC class quota, is poised to work harder to produce graduates that are well grounded in the arts and sciences of dentistry and who could compete favourably with their local and foreign counterparts in character and learning.
Also speaking, the Provost, College of Medicine of UNN, Prof. Basden Onwubere, described as amazing the growth of the faculty since its inception in 2004.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Church-owned Veritas University, Abuja (VUNA), has made record for having all its nine academic programmes granted full accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) at its first visit, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. David Ker, has said.
Source The Guardian NewsPaper

Nigeria: Police Begin Investigation Into ESUT VC, Doctor's Kidnap in Enugu

Enugu — THE Enugu State Police Command said yesterday that it has commenced full scale investigations into the kidnapping of the Vice-Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Professor Cyprian Onyeji, and the Administrative Director of Niger Foundation Hospital, Enugu, Dr. Jonah Ndubuisi Abah.
The command said serious manhunt was in progress to fish out the abductors of the two persons but it could not be ascertained if their locations had been identified.
It will be recalled that Professor Onyeji was ambushed and abducted while driving into the permanent campus of ESUT at Agbani last Wednesday while Dr. Abah was abducted by unknown gunmen while driving with members of his family to St. Mary's Catholic Church, Trans-Ekulu for early morning mass at about 5 am last Friday.
Sources close to Prof. Onyeji family had revealed that the kidnappers demanded payment of N200 million ransom before he would be set free but no further contact had been made with the family after the phone call last Thursday.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu told Vanguard yesterday that operatives of the Anti-Kidnap Squad were already handling the two cases with utmost care, stressing that what was important to the command was to ensure the safety of the victims.
He said that the police was not aware of whatever negotiation going on between the families of the victims and the kidnappers, as that had not been brought to the knowledge of the command.
"What we (police) need most now, is the cooperation of their family members and the members of the public. All vital information that will enable us secure the release of the affected persons should be made available without delay," Amaraizu said, adding that the command had beefed up security within the capital city.
Deputy Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Professor Aloysius Uzoagu, who briefed newsmen on the abduction of the VC at the weekend, confirmed that a N200 million ransom demand had been made to his family and not the university.
Source Vanguard NewsPaper
He said that ESUT would not be involved in the negotiation for the release of the VC as that would be handled purely by Prof. Onyeji's family and relatives.
Prof. Uzoagu noted that in the past when some government officials were abducted in a similar manner, the state government was not involved in the negotiation with the kidnappers, saying the university community would therefore continue with its prayers for the safety and release of the VC and leave the negotiation to his family.
Also at the weekend, the Federated Association of Nsukka Students (FANS) condemned in strong terms the abduction of the ESUT VC, which they noted had paralyzed activities at the university, urging the state government, the school management and security agencies to intensify efforts towards ensuring his release without delay.
In a statement signed by Comrades Albert Nwangwu and Ernest Ezugwu, National President and Secretary of FANS respectively, the organization called for the immediate release of the Vice Chancellor in order to restore normal activities at the institution.