UNIUYO: SHIFTS EXAMINATION DATE

HOPE FOR NIGERIAN STUDENTS AS THE STUDENTS' UNION SENATE TAKES THE GRIEVANCES OF ALL UNDERGRADUATES TO THE SCHOOL'S MANAGEMENT


The Students' Union Senate led by distinguished Sen. Mbetobong Udoh on Wednesday, 11th January, 2017, had a courtesy meeting with the University's management team. The meeting had in attendance the Vice Chancellor, Dvc Administration, Dvc Academics, Registrar, Bursar, Chief Librarian, Dean of Students, Deputy Registrar and distinguished Students' Union Senators representing the 13 faculties of University of Uyo.

The Senate President in his address appreciated the management for putting smiles on the faces of Students by extending the payment of fees indefinitely and specifically thanked the Vice Chancellor for always being there for the Students.

He proceeded directly to the business of the day by expatiating the present pressing grievances of Nigerian Students and requested for a new hostel to replace the lost hostel at Udi street, adequate security across all campuses, 24 hours library services, routine washing of hostel water storage tanks, personalisation of results checking website, giving of supplementary continuous assessment test to 100level students coming in through the supplementary list, extension of semester's examination date and reduction of development levy from school fees of students.

After a brief deliberation, the management considered shifting the commencement of examination date from 30th January to 13th February, 2017, an order was made for supplementary continuous assessment test for 100level students coming in through supplementary list, a notice of cleaning of water tanks was sent to the director of works as well as personalisation of result checking website for purpose of students result confidentiality.

Concerning 24 hours library services, the chief librarian observed that the request is very possible but for the Institution to start operating a 24 hour Library service, factors like adequate security and constant power supply will have to be in place and as such promised that the University is still growing and will soon get to that point.

The Vice Chancellor noted that the NDDC hostel will soon be completed to remedy the hostel Challenges, promised to do his best in restoring adequate security on campus but the development levy will not be reduced as the University is looking at adding more facilities to the institution, transforming it into a citadel that can compete with other tertiary institutions outside.

He urged the University of Uyo students to be security conscious, peaceful and be committed to learning so as to help build a better society.

The Deputy Senate President distinguished Sen. Nsisong Ikon while giving the vote of thanks on behalf of the Students promised solidarity and the Students Undivided support towards making the administration a success as well as University of Uyo an outstanding citadel of learning.

HOW I WISH YOU ARE STILL ALIVE - By Prince

HOW I WISH YOU ARE STILL ALIVE
A Reflection on Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwes Contributions to Library Development in Nigeria (1904  1996)

As the song writer will say;

Fading away likes the starts of the morning,
Losing their light in the glorious sun
Thus, would we pass from the earth and its toiling,
Only remembered by what we have done.

It is exactly 20 years since you departed to eternity.

Today, you will be remembered for your numerous achievements in politics, journalism, nationalism and sports, though many are not familiar with your immense contributions to the development of libraries, literacy and education in Nigeria and Africa at large. Historically, it is documented that you were the first and only indigenous Governor-General, and first President of Nigeria in the 1960s who was able to wield sufficient political influence to ensure a legal basis for public library development in Nigeria, a situation and a development which brought about the establishment of the university of Nigeria library, which you named after yourself and the eventual creation of the national library of Nigeria.

According to Aguolu and Aguolu (1997), you saw the library as a vehicle for the intellectual emancipation of Nigerians from colonial rule, which brought about our victory over colonialism in the country. As the premier of Eastern Nigeria, you ensured the enactment of the Eastern Nigeria publications law in 1955, which help in speeding up library services in the Eastern part of our country. It was through the value of public library legislation and a publication law that made state government in the whole Nigeria to enact public library legislation, set up library boards, and provided legal deposit in respect of publications issued within the states. This was one of the most significant things that happened in Nigerian library development. As at then, you consulted librarians and the development in the field emanated from there. In your words universities have been responsible for shaping the destinies of races and nations and individuals. They are centres where these materials are made subservient to things intellectual in all shapes and forms. No matter in which field of learning at any institution, there is an aristocracy of mind over matter  Black Africa has no intellectual centre where the raw materials of Africa humanity may be re-shaped into leaders in all the fields of human endeavor . With 12 million pounds there is no reason why the libraries, laboratories, cannot be built and professors cannot be produced right here, and continent (Africa) can become overnight A continent of light, is still significant uptill today. It was your perception of the role of libraries in African universities that clearly anticipate and antedate the comments of the two British commissions on education in 1945, which gave rise to the establishment of libraries in African universities due to its contribution to quality education. Even after the war, you saw the need to rebuild libraries that were destroyed and you did it. A development which served as an important research centre to scholars in diverse fields, especially historians, political scientists, doctors, biographers, and constitutional lawyers.

As an astute and enigmatic politician, you saw the National library as an evergreen tree of knowledge which could, in such a complex, and pluralistic society as Nigeria, will contribute richly to the building of a better social order. Thus, serving as a principal instrument in weaving the tapestry of the countrys multi-ethnic and cultural pluralism.

If I would want to continue to stress on your numerous superlative and pragmatic services to our educational system and library development, other areas would be explored. But since it was not the essence of this piece, I will limit my scope and domain to few considerations.  

Worthy of mentioning, when some Nigerian nationalists, like the colonial administrators, thought of a national library largely as a magnificent and monumental edifice, with the best architectural design, involving an enormous financial outlay; as a young Nigerian embedded with educational culture, you perceived the national library as a living agency of progress, intellectual enrichment, and public enlightenment, not as a repository of artifacts or archival documents of the past. This which has yielded a great legacy today. No wonder John Harris while commenting on your contributions to library development in Nigeria was heard to remarked you as the Father of Nigerian Libraries.

Sadly, how I wish you are still alive. In spite of your legacies in the library development in Nigeria, which emanated when you realized from your experience in the use of American University Libraries that the proper equipment of any university library was the basis of quality university education, the Nigerian government has remained reluctant and lackadaisical in the sustainable development of libraries in the country. A situation where public libraries have been left in dilapidated conditions with obsolete collections which are not relevant to a large scale of people, even the allocation to education remained very poor as compared to the development in your time.

Furthermore, the importance of library in the 21st century is evident in its services to the patrons as well as the society. This is the era of knowledge. The rate of development of a nation is directly proportional to its literacy level. Literacy is what drives the world. Any nation that must be developed, must have an higher rate of literacy. With a medium of knowledge acquisition, the people will be literate, which will inform, educate, liberate, and empower them for a better standard of life.

The library is a social institution which is charge with the responsibility of informing, educating, liberating, and empowering the citizens (patrons) with information, which in turn raise their literacy level. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe left a remarkable footprint in the sandstone of time. I use this medium to register this call; Its time we renovate the public libraries in Nigeria. Lets sustain Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwes legacies. It would be a thing of joy if our nation is developed beyond the present standard. We should not forget that the rate of development of a nation is directly proportional to its literacy level. Literacy can only come through reading, and the most condusive place for reading, devoid of discrimination, segregation, subjugation and victimization is the library.

The libraries accepts both the son and daughter of the rich and the poor. If we must be a developed people, if our nations educational system must produced intellectually and knowledgeably sound graduates; we must renovate and establish more libraries with adequate funding. We must inculcate into our children a sustainable reading culture. We must seek knowledge in everyday life. And we must follow up the visions and policies of all governmental administrations and dispensations. With these, a better Nigeria is assured.

Thank you for reading!

Yours in Service,


Prince Enwongo-Abasi Francis
(Readership Activist, Humanitarian and Librarian)
08168155341

RESIGN, IF YOU CANNOT RUN THE CHAMBER - Nta Bassey Duke (Former Advocate General, Advocacy Chambers)

RESIGN, IF YOU CANNOT RUN THE CHAMBERS - Nta Bassey Duke

15/11/2016

By Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine

The former Advocate General of Advocacy International Chambers Barr. Nta Bassey Duke has made his position known on the controversy rocking the Chambers in recent times.

Speaking exclusively to REVOLUTIONARY YOUTHS, Nta cautioned that it will be wiser to float another Chambers in lieu of changing the name of Advocacy Chambers. He insisted that Advocacy Chambers is a household name within the Faculty and was floated in line with the dreams of the founding fathers.

He said "I am very much displeased about the news of some members and ex-officio of the Chambers attempting to alter the name of the Chambers

"Need I remind them that Advocacy international Chambers is a household name in the Faculty of Law university of Uyo



"This is a Chambers that has produced best graduating students and plethora of LAWSAN Presidents. It has also produced lecturers in the Faculty in person of Dr. Etefia Ekanem, Barr. Mary Udofia, Barr. Ekokoi Solomon, Mrs Mfon Jonah. I wonder if these persons have been consulted before this making this suicidal move.

When asked what he think might have led to the sudden decision of the current Executives to alter the legal character of the chambers, Nta said

"Greed is the only logical explanation for this

"Advocacy international chamber is a chamber that is run like a church. We do not only depend on God to provide source, we also source for funds

"When I was the AG of the chamber, I sourced for funds to host dinner, my predecessors all hosted dinners and they sourced for fund without selling the Chambers

"Any AG who is not capable of running the chamber should resign and save us the embarrassment of altering the name of the chamber. He added.

Also commenting on the issue is Barr. Gregory Daniel, who REVOLUTIONARY YOUTHS contacted on phone. Barr. Greg, a one time member of the Chambers Said he was not aware of the move and he is not in any way in support of the plan to alter the character of the Chambers.

UNIUYO NEWS: Student Union Senate To Embark On Constituency Projects - Senate President

UNIUYO NEWS: Student Union Senate To Embark On Constituency Projects - Senate Senate President

14/11/2016

By Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine

Mbetobong Udoh

The Senate President of the Student Union, Mbetobong Udoh made this known during a media chat with REVOLUTIONARY YOUTHS on Friday, 11 November 2016.

The Rt. Hon. Member, representing Faculty of Environmental Science in the second inaugurated Senate spoke of his incursion into politics within the University, insisting it was a call to serve.

He said "I was not interested in anything politics because of the strong religious background I come from. However, my view started changing in my second semester year one. At that time, someone aspired to be the SUG President in my Faculty and another aspired to be the Sec. Gen but lost to Kenneth Anyang of Law.

"Though I was not actively involved, but I saw the need to lend my voice into politic

"I saw politics as going beyond occupying offices but as a call for service, I saw it as a selfless action for the good of that little world you belong" he added.

The speaker said he is combining academics and politics effortlessly and sheer determination is what is responsible for his good grades. "I have made up my mind since inception to make good academic standing, I can remember once when my lecturer asked me what I came to school to do, is it politics or learning, I told him that I came for both, I have been balancing these two things squarely and I am not found wanting."

Speaking, the Speaker hurled rays on the relationship between the Legislature and the Executive. He prayed for good working relationship between the two and insisted that the Legislature is not an inferior arm to the Executive.

He however, acknowledge that lack of synergy between the two arms can cause fracas. "Legislature is supposed to be a watchdog over Executive excesses. This will not always bring fracas where there is a synergy between the two arms. How do you achieve this? You make sure there is information channels where either arms is not taken unaware in terms of policies and goals" he said

He insisted that the Legislative arm of Government will embark on Constituency projects under his leadership and for the first time,the senate will embark on constituency briefing via information vox pop.

"This will give the students the opportunity to air their views for the senators to work on. It will make every student to have that sense of belonging to the Student Union

"It is our Union" he concluded.

ADVOCACY CHAMBER, NOT FOR SALE!

BUSTED: ADVOCACY CHAMBERS, FACULTY OF LAW, UNIVERSITY OF UYO, NOT FOR SALE

It has come to the notice of some concerned persons in the Faculty of Law, University of Uyo that effort is in top gear to sell Advocacy Chambers Int'l to a politician in the state. The development as reported is not unconnected to the upcoming LAWSAN Presidential Election. The auctioning of the Chamber is said to be used as a consideration for the success of two aspirants who incidentally are also members of the Chambers and at the time of fielding this report, the two aspirants are hell bent on dispensing with the Chambers in order to have the means to campaign and be elected the LAWSAN President. One will ask, "is that not a sure evidence of ineptitude on the part of the aspirants? How are we sure LAWSAN too will not be sold?"

What baffles sensible LAWSANites is the apparent lack of their knowledge of the procedural law of LAWSAN. Heck, need I remind the Chambers' auctioneers that in LAWSAN, things must adhere to procedural laws? Do I need to inform them for the umpteenth time that it is so very impossible to sale, lease, mortgage or change the character of any Chamber without recourse to the LAWSAN constitution?

This is not the first time in the history of LAWSAN that some external Oligarchs attempted to thwart our constitution in a bid to further their selfish reasons. In 2013, the LAWSAN House of Representative had rejected the creation of a new Chamber which was to be tagged "Godswill Akpabio Chambers" because it did not follow the laid down procedure of law, and as such, the efforts of the proponent of that idea became null and void and of no effect whatsoever. A perpetual injunction had also been obtained against the act and it is still running and it will run in perpetuity except the law vacates it.

Section 54 of the LAWSAN Constitution expressly laid down the procedure through which the alteration of any Chambers can be done. It provides thus:

(1) There shall be for LAWSAN the following Chambers;
(a) Ime Umanah Chambers
(b) Magna Juris Confraternity
(c) Advocacy International Chambers
(d) Udo Udoma Chambers

(2) The number of Chambers RECOGNIZED by this Constitution may be by law enacted by the LAWSAN House of Assembly be increased or decreased.

The above statutory provisions goes to consolidate the fact that, No Chambers existing in the Faculty of Law can change its character without first. setting the necessary machinery of the LAWSAN House of Assembly in motion, and which incidentally will also lead to the amendment of the LAWSAN Constitution.

I expected that the proponent of Advocacy Chambers auctioning should have had recourse to the LAWSAN constitution before they embark on this effortless, futile and rub-a-dub styled wanton suicidal processes of undermining the supremacy of the LAWSAN constitution. I am not sure that Emaediong Akpan, the then indefatigable Advocate General of Advocacy International who administered the Chambers in her days with creative ideas is aware of this development. I am skeptical of how the past Advocate General would feel should the information of the Chambers auctioning is put to them. If they are aware and still feign ignorance in order to play the devil's advocate, too bad.
It is noteworthy that Advocacy Chambers had survived over the years without any encumbrances and has produced prominent LAWSAN Presidents and Lecturers, among whom were, Dr. Etefia Ekanem and Comrade Edidiong Peter. The question is "Why the sudden auctioning?"

It is instructive for all LAWSANites to note that, it is not wrong to change a Chambers name, but such a chamber must undergo the legal process of doing so. On this note, I advise the current Advocate General, who is also the the President of LAWSAN Bar Association,that if at all, the alleged intention to change the Chambers name is true, he should behave as a Senior Advocate of LAWSAN, approach the House of Assembly, set the legislative machinery in motion for the amendment of the LAWSAN constitution as enshrined in section 1-7, if it sails through, then, the House is bound to amend the appropriate Section in order to insert the new name for the purpose of recognition as enshrined by Section 54.

However, anything short of what the Constitution says shall be resisted within the bounds of the law.

Paapa Akpan.
Const. IV.
Legal Consultant

Breaking!!! UNIUYO SUG President submits budget of N84m

The President of the Student Union Government University of Uyo has submitted a budget of N84,000,000.00 (Eighty Four Million Naira) on the floor of the student's senate body.

Details soon...

Students' Protest: The Need for School Management to Adopt Effective Communication

"n a 21st century with all the technological advancement, it is worrisome that our universities are not taking advantage in establishing easy, fast and effective communication links between students and the authorities."

28/9/2016

Aluzu Ebikebuba Augustine

On the 26th day of September 2016, the management of Ekiti State University College of Medicine reportedly ordered students to vacate the institution following a recent protest over fees hike. The school management who made this known on Monday in a memo noted that all academics activities have been suspended for two weeks.

It will be recalled that students of Ekiti State University College of Medicine staged a peaceful protest on the 15th of September 2016, after a 200% increase in fees was announced. This was followed by a memorandum outlining some punitive measures taken by the institution.

All medical students of Ekiti State University were suspended indefinitely.

All suspended students must come with a letter of apology and be ready to sign an undertaking for good behaviour.

It also added that

Parent/Guardian of all medical students should be invited for a meeting with the University Management on a decided date.



The current happenings in our tertiary institutions has left much to be desired. Many schools are currently shutdown while students gets arrested, prosecuted and eventually rusticated; a concomitant of misunderstanding between management and students. In some extreme cases, there have been loss of lives. Schools in Nigeria that have recently tasted the bane of such face-off include Niger Delta University (NDU), University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT), University of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Ibadan (UI) and very recently Ekiti State University (EKSU) among others. There is none of these schools mentioned above which did not witness either the school being shut down, students got arrested, disciplinary action was taken against students and surcharge was imposed on students, or loss of lives and property in Nigeria due to students protest.

In some schools, protest were peaceful, while others were accompanied with un-wanton destruction of facilities. Some have accused the institutions of provoking the destruction, others accuse the students of taking out their frustration on such facilities. There are various ways in which students make their dissatisfaction with the system known, this include but not limited to boycott of lectures, various forms of confrontational acts, including the use of force which may lead to violence and destructions of properties. Others take to maximise the power of social media such as Twitter and Facebook.

However, it is painful to note that regardless of the alternative methods explored by students to air their grievances, the consequences are grievous. It would be recalled that recently a certain UNILAG student, Mr Olorunfemi Adeyeye was rusticated for adopting the most passive approach in venting his frustration with his school authority by publishing an article online.

The geometric rise of students’ unrest in our higher institutions of learning should be a source of concern to all well-meaning Nigerians. This has become a social malady that is fast nibbling on the amount of time we spend worrying about other issues making daily reportages. This is not in any way downplaying the 'why' of the protest as the student community remain the fulcrum of intellectual arm in our society. The protest is believed to be aimed at an ideal of social condition, that is why instead of devising ways to stop students protest by imposing punishment like rustication and expulsion of student from our tertiary institutions, we should be provoked to think of ways in which students can vent their frustration against the system more appropriately because criticism remains the major fuel that propel us to improve on a day to day basis.

All the tertiary institutions in Nigeria that have witnessed protests from its students that led to one consequence or the other was as a result of simple misunderstanding from management and students. Students of the schools raised genuine concerns about academic fraud, dilapidated school infrastructure, nefarious policies, indiscriminate increase in tuition fees, epileptic water and power supply, poor health facility to mention but a few before staging their protest. Some of such policies excludes the poor and underprivileged. Thus closing the doors of our institutions to those who want to study. In other words, access to education is commodified by the institutions.

It will not be out of place to state that the managers of our higher institutions by their actions have in most cases abuse the power and discretion of their offices. Thus, the need arise to have a critical look at the crisis management approach adopted by those managing our institutions and its effect on student movements and the society at large.

All over the world, protest is seen as the tool used by the oppressed and downtrodden to express their displeasure with certain issues in the system. The United Nations Human Rights Council recognises the right to protest as one of the fundamental rights of global citizens and therefore it is appalling that our Universities see protests as a threat rather than as a reminder to responsibility. It is worthy to note that none of our Universities have by their actions acknowledge the rights of student to peace protest. This oppressive and dictatorial approach is becoming a mainstay in our institutions. Thus, the baby is thrown away with the bath water and the root cause of the protest unattended to.

With all intent and purpose, the imposition of surcharge and rustication of students even when such protests are peaceful is aimed at intimidating students to forestall future occurrence. This is a very gross approach and unbefitting of the academia. The peace and conflict resolution professors can attest that engagement and effective communication remains the best solution in crisis management. Line managers including the head of departments and deans are in most cases culpable for their inaction before the grievances become full blown. In most cases, they are unavailable to listen to the students and hardly accessible.

In a 21st century with all the technological advancement, it is worrisome that our universities are not taking advantage in establishing easy, fast and effective communication links between students and the authorities.

What manner of graduates are we preparing for society? A student who has been punished by the University management for the simple act of protesting against perceived injustice will graduate into the society with the mentality that he will be punished harder if he attempts to call for accountability in public offices. Some commentators have argued that the stiff punitive measures against protest is school is necessary to serve as deterrence to others, it is instructive that we should be reminded about its resultant effect. Today, Nigeria is one of the most talent exporter in the world. There is no discipline you go to in any country that a Nigerian is not present. There is no gainsaying that this is another factor contributing to the bane of 'brain drain'.

It does not only cause brain drain but students incubate hatred for the society and takes it out on it by paying the system in its own coin if the opportunity arises. Such need may arise in holding leadership positions. Victimized students may see leadership as a means to an end. The idea of selfless service will be ablated from their inert consciousness. This will encourage corruption and society will eventually suffer for it.

Student activism shouldn't be a crime, it shouldn't be seen as a crime. Until this trend of taking grave actions against students is revised, people will still identify with the wrong notion in society that 'Every Loser is an Activist'.

Activism is not a crime. Activists are progressives. It is appalling that as a country we seem to abhor people with progressive minds. Our intellectuals should know better, that not everything can be achieved on the altar of coercion.

Now, to police brutality during these protest. I urge universities to create enabling environment. Environment in which students will be free from intimidation. The Nigerian Police Force should never be an option to quell protest in our Institutions of learning. If they should, they should be called in when there is need to. We must understand that the use of military in quelling unrest in our campuses fuels hatred and result to increased violence. Hence, we call for the demilitarization of our campuses.

It is sad that we have lost thousands of young people to 'trigger-happy' Police Officers in this country. When we talk of police brutality on campus, late Kingsley of UNIUYO, Peter Ofurum of UNIPORT among others readily comes to mind. These young promising Nigerians had their lives cut short by trigger-happy officers.

While there is need to encourage students to work in solidarity to put pressure on all sectors to contribute towards higher education, it is imperative that it is done in a non-violent manner. It is important to SAY NO TO VIOLENCE.

Management should bridge the gap between themselves and the students. There is need to engage and consult with students on issues they have raised. There is need for an open, transparent, consultative platform, free from harassment and intimation between management and students they serve. Until fundamental change occurs, the system cleared from all filthiness that hinders progress, we may never get it right. And we will keep churning out intellectually, morally and mentally weak graduates who lacks will to challenge the status quo in our society.

Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine is a Human Rights Activist and can be reached on ebikebuna@gmail.com