Golden Advocate Weekly

ASUU strike update: Lecturers to meet with lawmakers, ministers on Monday

2013-07-13T01:17:00.001-07:00

Striking university lecturers will on Monday hold a crucial meeting with federal lawmakers and ministers, their leader has said.
The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Professor Nasir Fagge, told PREMIUM TIMES the union would meet with the members of the joint National Assembly education committee on Monday.
Monday’s scheduled meeting follows the walk out by the university lecturers from an earlier one on Tuesday. The Tuesday meeting was attended by members of the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Education, as well as the ministers of education and labour.
The lecturers said they were kept waiting for over two hours by the lawmakers and they had to leave because they had another appointment.

ASUU President – Fagge

“The meeting was slated for 1:00 p.m. When we arrived, we met two people there – a member of the house committee on education and Executive Secretary for National Board of Technical Education. We waited for 30 minutes and were told to go and wait at the office of (Senator) Chukwumerije. We left the complex around 3:30 p.m. because we were going to attend another meeting slated for 3 p.m.,” Mr. Fagge told PREMIUM TIMES.
“They (NASS members) called yesterday (Wednesday) to say the meeting has been rescheduled for Monday.”
The don, however, refused to say if the outcome of the meeting would affect the strike in any way.
“I don’t act on speculations. I like crossing my bridge when I get there. We cannot say. If we do, it means we’re not attending with an open mind. Our union is a union of intellectuals; we engage in dialogue with an open mind. We would decide on the next course of action after the meeting.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Fagge said the union does not owe the legislator any apologies for Tuesday’s failed negotiation. The lawmakers had described the lecturers as “snubs” for allegedly walking out on them.
“It is arrogant of them to snub us knowing that this meeting is in the interest of our children. I suggest that a strong-worded letter be written to the union to tell them that we are not happy with their action,” said House of Representative member, Jerry Alagbaoso (PDP-Imo).
However, Mr. Fagge said they never met the legislators so it was wrong for them to say that ASUU representatives walked out on them.
“How can you walk out from a meeting if you’re not in the same place with the other party?” he asked. “Unless my understanding of English is faulty, you can walk out on somebody when you’re at the same place at the same time. They were having their meeting in the committee’s room; we were at Uche Chukwumerijie’s (senate committee on education chairman) office. They kept us waiting for two hours thirty minutes. How could we have walked out on them? So, if we didn’t walk out on them there is no basis of demanding for an apology,” he said.
ASUU declared an indefinite strike last Tuesday based on the refusal of government to honour the terms of a 2009 agreement and a 2012 memorandum of understanding it signed with the lecturers for improved welfare and increased funding for universities.

culled from THE PREMIER TIMES.

2012-10-02T07:39:00.000-07:00

STATE OF OUR CULTURE

By Olanrewaju Samson (dhops)

One of the notable things that distinguishes Nigeria from other countries around the world is her rich cultural heritage which is in no doubt one of Africa’s finest. Culture can be said to be the total range of activities and ideas of a group of people with shared traditions, which are transmitted and reinforced by members of the group.
There are over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria, such of which are the Tivs, the Kanuris, the Ijaws and so on, each with distinct cultural heritage and beliefs, for example, the Ijaws put their newly born children in a river and if the child comes back, then, the child is considered not to be a bastard. Nowadays, such traditional beliefs and ways of life have been replaced with the introduction of the western culture by the foreigners which has wiped out almost every sense of Africanism in an average Nigerian .
Though, there are some acts which are considered to be barbaric by our newly-acquired religion -Christianity and Islam. Moreover, these white people never see anything good coming out of the blacks (Africans), maybe that is why a white blackberry phone is more costly than the black one.
In the Yoruba tradition, a girl must be a virgin before getting married, otherwise, she’ll be considered to be a slot. Nowadays, the reverse if the case - a girl must be “tested” and will even go through some stages of “examination” even before getting married.
However, the introduction of the western culture cannot be resisted as everything we do revolves around them. Inasmuch as we depend on them, our own cultural heritage shouldn’t be so underestimated to the level it is presently.
Our traditional attires which has, formerly, been relegated to the background has now been given attention in recent years, as companies and organisations now give their members of staff the opportunity to put on their native attires. Ankara fabrics are now making it and has become a good venture of business both locally and internationally. Moreover, as progress is being made towards our local wears, the rate at which our local languages are dying is so alarming that many people find it hard to speak their mother tongue.
More efforts should be made towards reviving our cultural heritage which may be difficult in this present age, but we should try and emulate some of which correlates with our “newly-acquired religion” which has become our grund norm of existence towards the way we perceive things.

AN INTERVIEW WITH BIBY

Can we meet you?

My name is Abimbola Anthonia Ologun, a.k.a Biby. I am the first daughter in a family of seven.

Where are you from?

I am from Ondo state, Iwaro Oka, Akoko South-West precisely

What level are you in?

I am in LLB 3

Tell us about your educational background

Well …. I attended Sea-Bird International Primary School, Port Harcourt and later had my secondary school education at Rahinna Model Secondary School, Abuja. And by the grace of God, I am a law student of this prestigious institution, Obafemi Awolowo University.

I learnt you are vying for a post in the LSS, can you tell us what post you are vying for?

BIBY

Actually, I am going for a political post in which I really intend to make a positive impact because I believe it is in-built in me. But, due to the fact that the ban has not been lifted, I cannot say my manifesto for now. I intend making a positive difference according to the best of my capabilities.

What makes you think you are eligible for the post you are going for?

The most important thing is having a dream and going after that dream. I have a dream, I believe in God, I believe in myself and I know I have what it takes to make a change in the LSS.

Have you had any leadership experience before?

Yes. I was the health prefect in my secondary school and I also represented my school in some quiz competitions.

What is your philosophy of life?

Determination, hardwork with the backing of God - will surely lead to success.

What are your views about the faculty?

I see the faculty of Law as a place of intellectual minds, best brains, and a place that inspires people to bring out the best in them.

What makes you think you can perform being an introverted person?

Because I believe in myself and God and I also admire Susan Cain who is a self-proclaimed introvert and a former corporate lawyer turned writer. This points to research that shows introversion – the tendency to be more reserved and reflective is associated with many positive benefits including creativity, innovation and perseverance, and contrary to popular belief, it is often introverts not extroverts who make the best leaders because they listen well and have great emotional empathy skills useful for getting the most out of your team. Thank you.

Who is your favourite lecturer?

I like all my lecturers, but my favourite is Dr. Orifowomo who is the current Head of Department, Jurisprudence and Public Law.

What are your hobbies?

I love meaningful conversations, reading, I love making friends also.

HOLU’S CORNER

Olumuyiwa Bada (HOLU)

Welcome to the 1^st Holu’s Corner on the Golden Advocates Editorial Board. The Holu’s Corner is a corner where major issues in the English Premier League are discussed.

Capital One Cup

The league cup (capital one cup) formerly Carling Cup returned with a lot of surprises as it is known for. The struggling Aston-Villa defeated the league champions Manchester City in a highly-tensed match. The match ended 4-2 after extra-time in favour of Paul Lambert’s Aston-Villa. That wasn’t the only shock, as Leads United also defeated highflying Everton 1-0. In other results, struggling Liverpool held West-Brom to one goal a-piece (1-1), thanks to Nuri-Sahin.
Oliver Giroud started his scoring journey for Arsenal as he went on defeating Conventry 6-1. Manchester-United defeated Newcastle 2-1 and Premier League title owners, Chelsea defeated Wolves 6-0. The draw for the round of sixteen has been made and we have some interesting ties to look out for. Man. Utd takes a trip to Stamford Bridge as they take on Chealsea; Arsenal FC. takes on Reading FC. while Liverpool takes on Swansea which will see their manager take on his former side.

TERRY TERRY TERRY!!!
I was shocked on Sunday (23^rd of September) when I read of John Terry’s decision to quit the English national team. It is a well-known fact that Terry has been at loggerheads with the English (Football Association) after racially abusing Q.P.R defender Anton Ferdinand in October 2011. Terry claims the F.A made his position “untenable.” Although, Westminster Magistrate Court cleared him of racial abuse of the QPR defender, the English F.A. went on to give him a four- match ban and a fine of €220,000. As a passionate football fan, I think the punishment is quite cheap, as the F.A ought to hand him a ten- match ban to curtail racism in the E.P.L. Last week, some low-life supposed Chelsea fans racially insulted our own John Mikel Obi on twitter and this forced him to close down his twitter account. Racism is bad and WE MUST SAY NO TO RACISM IN FOOTBALL.

TITLE CONTENDERS OR PRETENDERS

        A lot of my friends have been asking for my opinion on an issue I hold in high esteem, i.e. Arsenal’s title credentials. Arsenal is currently playing great football and it reminds me of the invincible era. But I think it’s to early to write them off or call them contenders. Although, Arsene Wenger has worked on his team’s weakness which is the defence and they have a super creative midfielder in Santi Carzola. I think Arsenal’s problem over the past three to four seasons has been injuries on their key players at crucial moments of the season. With Jack Wilshere back and other first team players, I say write off Arsenal at your own Peril.
MY TEAM OF THE WEEK (WEEK 4)
I will use a 3-5-2 formation and my team consists of players who played remarkably during the weekend (week 4)
GOAL KEEPER – ASMIR BEGOVIC (STOKE)
DEFENDERS
LAURENT KOSCIELNY     (ARSENAL)
RAFAEL                   (MAN – UTD)
ASHLEY COLE                 (CHEALSEA)
MIDFIELDERS
MAROUNE FELLAINI                (EVERTON)
SANTI CARZOLA              (ARSENAL)
RAHEEM STERLING         (LIVERPOOL)
STEVEN GERRARD           (LIVERPOOL)
JUAN MATA                     (CHELSEA)
STRIKERS
DIMITAR BERBATOV                (FULHAM)
RICKIE LAMBERT            (SOUTHAMPTON)
Till we meet next week, I say have a nice week.

ROAD SAFETY ON OAU CAMPUS

It was a sunny Tuesday afternoon, 25^th of September, 2012 that officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) stormed the campus. They were dressed in mufti with only vests bearing the emblem and name of the security agency to notify the people and students of their presence.
Their target area was the road which lay in front of the Senate building. This area of operation also extended to the road leading to the staff quarters, as well as the two major bus-stops which were located on the opposite lanes of road 1.
A quick interview with one of the officials revealed the reasons behind the unanticipated checkpoints. The officials were to stop and check if the road users were law-abiding and traffic conscious. Headlights, driving licenses, vehicle particulars, seatbelts, etc of each passing automobile belonging to both commercial and private users of the road were all inspected. They unmistakably intended to pass a note of warning to the road users that the eyes of the law is close by and watching and would not hesitate to reprimand or rebuke offenders and above all, ensure overall safety on the road.

Olushegzy

CASHLESS POLICY, N5000 NOTE, A FORTUNE

OR A MIS-FORTUNE FOR NIGERIA

It is highly disconcerting to find out that our erudite economist and governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria has refused to pay attention to the simple and fundamental principles of Economics. It is noteworthy to state unequivocally that the Cashless policy and N5000 note proposition did not go through the rudimentary process of successfully answering the three pertinent and invaluable economic questions –What to produce, How to produce and For Whom to Produce. Out of the blues, it was announced that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) proposes to introduce a N5000 note and Cashless policy. For me, the two above propositions are a misfit and misfortune in a developing country like Nigeria.

Furthermore, it is egregious to discover that such a sensitive policy like this has not been warmly received by Nigerians because of the monumentally poor enlightenment Nigerians have, most especially, the “common man.” What to produce is available, how to produce may be available, but the third crucial question (For whom to Produce) has not been adequately considered. Nigeria has a dense population of over 150 million people where there is averagely a substantial number of people who are aware of the current economic trend. A research was conducted on the efficacy of the Automated Teller Machine cards and evidently, Nigerians are ill-informed and don’t have an idea of what it is, let alone its operation.        From the aforementioned, the effects this Cashless policy and introduction of N5000 note and conversion of some lesser notes to coins will have an inimical effect on Nigerians. Nigeria practises democracy and as such, the desires of the people should be considered first above others. How many market women will receive a credit card or cheque in exchange for delivery of tomatoes? A student who gets N5000 as monthly allowance will now receive a note? Of course not!
Aside that, the implementation process is illegal. Currency is an exclusive legislation for the Federal Government and not for the CBN governor and his cooperative allies. According to Sections 4 (1 and 2) of the 1999 Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria and Section 8 (2) of the CBN Act of 2007, the Senate pointed out that the National Assembly is a required participant in the process of introducing new currency; although, the CBN has the power of minting coins and producing new currencies, but this is to be done under the supervision of the legislature.
As a matter of fact, the whole idea is contradictory. “In cashless economies, high bills or currency notes such as the proposed N5000 note is not required, as transactions are conducted from the payer to the payee’s accounts without any need for physical exchange or handling of cash by any of the parties…” Senator Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom North) Arising from this fact and the massive repugnance of Nigerians to these propositions, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, with respect to the resolution of the House has grounded the implementation to a halt, until investigations are concluded within four weeks.                      By and large, in view of the foregoing, I can summarise that we can only save the economy, if the people are enlightened. We should learn to stop copying laws used in other countries. Nigeria is a unique country that deserves unique laws will satisfy the wants of her own people uniquely.
                                                                               Fagade Samuel LLBI

SHOCKING REVELATIONS AT ODUDUWA HALL

“FALANA GBO TIRE, TARA ENI LAA GBO” – FALANA.
An epoch-making event took place last Wednesday 26th September, 2012 at the ever-green Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University. It was the 7^th Annual lecture in honour of Mr Yusuf Olaolu Ali (S.A.N) with its theme as: Challenge of Sustaining Security in Nigeria Today. Some of the crème de la crème of the legal profession were present, such as Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (chairman of the occasion) former Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Guest Speaker, Mr Femi Falana (S.A.N), among others.

The memorable event reached its climax when the Guest Speaker was given the microphone. Mr Femi Falana (S.A.N) started to marshal his points with regard to the challenge of sustaining security in Nigeria today. One of the staggering comments he made was “Nobody is born a criminal, the society makes him a criminal.” He attributed the Boko Haram insurgency to unemployment and poor education. He stated also that suicide bombing was never a “Nigerian-thing,” as he puts it. But, since there’s nothing tangible to occupy themselves with, whoever is selected for an operation rejoices. “Create jobs for the youths if you want peace and stability in Nigeria,” said the passionate human rights activists.

Falana added that every child should have a right to free education, up to secondary school, according to the Education Rights Act, and as a result, an Education Bank is supposed to be set up where the welfare of the schoolchildren will be taken care of. He narrated his ordeal of trying to enforce the law: he was practically told off by a Judge in a popular Yoruba proverb that contains his name, “ Falana gbo tire, tara eni laa gbo”, meaning he should mind his business and not poke his nose intothe affairs of children he did not give birth to.
Besides, he said that when it was time for religious festivals, billions of naira are spent on rams and other irrelevancies. In summary, he said, in his incisive lecture, that the resources that were supposed to be used for the betterment of our society are unlawfully squandered to the detriment of their populace. After the lecture ended with a story, an artistic portrait was presented to the honouree, Mr. Yusuf Ali (SAN) by the president of the L.S.S as a token of appreciation.
The event did not have the luxury of time, so, immediately, the 30^th edition of The Advocate Journal was launched under the anchorage of the chairman of the occasion. Also, the Law ICT centre in the Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Law Library, O.A.U was commisioned in honour of the colossus (Yusuf O. Ali, SAN).

LLB 1 “AROIST” WINS BLACKBERRY PIN

The hilarious guys from the “castle of great men” had their Awo week last week. They started off from Mozambique hall, on another day of the same week, Moremi hall and rounded off on Friday, 28^th September, 2012 with a night of “Aro.” As usual, they did their thing their own way, by way of singing, chanting, insults, etc which they call “Aro.” Aderibigbe Abass Babatunde volunteered to compete with the Awo guys that Friday night. In a brief interview, he confessed he was initially intimidated, but later, he gained confidence.

Against all odds, the Ede-based budding lawyer won the competition in the famous Awo Cafeteria where O.A.U students massively attended, as students love to witness this dramatic display. The Angolan (Abass), after he swept the Awo boys off their feet by receiving a prize upon winning the “Aro” competition – a Blackberry pin without the phone and N5 for subscription.
However, in Abass’ view, he observed discrimination at the Friday event. When he came out to compete, the Awo boys almost sent him back calling him a “small boy from Angola” who knows nothing. “But, during the competition, they knew the stuff I was made of,” said Abass confidently.

THE GAME KICKED OUT OF LIL’ WAYNE’S

BIRTHDAY PARTY

US rapper Jayceon Taylor aka The Game was kicked out of fellow rapper Lil’ Wayne’s 30th birthday party which took place last night (Friday September 28, 2012).

The Los Angeles based rapper was reportedly ejected from the party after a fight broke between him and another rapper 211.
TMZ reports that Game was hanging with Chris Brown, Sean Kingston, and Wayne when 211 approached him and started ‘talking trash.
The Game wasted no time in punching 211 and a fight broke out and eventually, both rappers were kicked out by security.
Two days before the fight, The Game mocked familiar foe 50 Cent’s SK energy drink calling it ‘nasty s**t’.

culled from NET

JETZ

10 MISTAKES WOMEN MAKE

ABOUT MEN

MISTAKE #1:

Betting Your Love Life On His "Potential"

Do you know any women who want the man they're dating to behave differently? Of course you do. And just like me, I'm sure you have friends who date guys who don't have much going for them or who don't treat them very well. Somehow these women always have an excuse for the guy's shortcomings. What's going on here? It's actually very simple.
Women (and men) don't base their choices of men on how “nice” or “good” someone is to them day-to-day. Women choose the men they do because they feel a powerful GUT LEVEL ATTRACTION for them. And guess what? Some women will continue to put up with a guy that doesn't treat them very well. Sometimes for months or years...But why in the world would a woman do that!
Well, to put it simply, they confuse the strong attraction they feel for the guy with a deeper “connection”. Women who do this are doomed to end up in failed relationships with the “wrong” guys. How do I know? I do because I've seen it at least a hundred times...And because I've been this guy in the past myself. Thinking back on past dating and relationships I've had, I was selfish and didn't offer much. I'm amazed the women put up with me. But they did...all the while hoping that I would somehow change. The women I dated hoped I'd change.
The only thing they saw in me that led them to want to keep me around was the “potential” they saw in me to share my feelings and communicate with them. The potential for something better and the potential for me to change and be a better lover, boyfriend, companion or whatever...The truth was, I was hopelessly bad at these things at the time. And more importantly, I wasn't even at a place in my life where I knew how to or was interested in developing a deep and committed relationship - with ANYONE.
But deep down these women believed that if they tried hard enough, that it would make up for what was lacking. They believed that I could become someone else with them.... and that this would be easy for us both. Talk about a losing battle. It doesn't make a lot of “logical” sense...But until you accept that lots of women do this AND that YOU could be doing it on some level, you'll NEVER have the success with men that you choose and want.

Culled from www.pariswoman.com

JETZ

LIVING A LIE

I feel the tears fighting to come out

My heart is heavy I am down

I thought I was at peace

That my life was soaring

But I guess I have been deceived

It’s a mess, a facade

Because something lurks beneath

I try to smile

But it’s all a deceit

What should I do?

I realize too late that am confused

My life is indeed a mess

Where’s my pillow?

I wonder where? I need it now

Everyone smiles as they walk by

And it dawns on me

I have that same smile

It dawns on me again

Everyone’s life is a mess

Probably worse than mine

TEGA

2012-09-15T05:13:00.000-07:00

Golden Advocates' Sets the Pace

*Dr. Babalola implores students to guard their personality

*Former Dean authoritatively labels LLB.1 “GOLDEN SET”

It was a colourful occasion as students of the LLB.1 class trouped out en masse for the class seminar held at the 1000 seater lecture theatre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife on the 15^th September, 2012.

DR. Babalola at the Event.

Speaking at the event, Dr.Babalola of the English Department, Obafemi Awolo0wo University advised the students on the ‘personality and carriage with good communicative ability’.

“Lawyers should not be smokers and drunkards. If you are, you are destroying your personality. As a lawyer, you must guard your personality because with your personality, good carriage and good communicative skills, you can make people do what they cannot do for others, nevertheless, don’t forget accuracy”

Dr.Babalola stressed that a good lawyer should not be careless, “How far you go in your profession depends on your level of language, you must be sure of your facts, train your voice because a good lawyer would not fidget”.

He further implored students to listen to good lawyers, imitate them because the way we pronounce makes people want to listen to us.

The former dean of the faculty who was the special guest of the occasion commended the class for organizing such a programme and authoritatively labelled the class, ’THE GOLDEN SET’. He further stated that because of this historic event, he would give the Golden Set full support for any subsequent programme.

Other guests at the event include, Ogunyemi Dayo, the LSS President, Adebayo Oluwaseyi of Magna Curia Chambers, Okechukwu Darlington, Olaniran Quadri, the LSS PLO, among others.

FACES AT THE EVENT

2012-08-31T10:07:00.000-07:00

Champions League groups:

Group A: Porto, Dynamo Kiev, Paris St Germain, Dinamo Zagreb

Group B: Arsenal, Schalke, Olympiakos, Montpellier

Group C: AC Milan, Zenit St Petersburg, Anderlecht, Malaga

Group D: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund

Group E: Chelsea, Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus, FC Nordsjaelland

Group F: Bayern Munich, Valencia, Lille, BATE Borisov

Group G: Barcelona, Benfica, Spartak Moscow, Celtic

Group H: Manchester United, Braga, Galatasaray, CFR Cluj

Europa League - GROUP STAGE:

Group A: Liverpool, Udinese, Young Boys & Anzhi Makhachkala

Group B: Atletico Madrid, Hapoel Tel-Aviv, Viktoria Plzen, Academica.
Group C: Marseille, Fenerbahce, Borussia Monchengladbach, AEL Limassol.
Group D: Newcastle, Bordeaux, Club Brugge & Maritimo.
Group E: Stuttgart, FC Copenhagen, Steaua Bucharest, Molde.
Group F: PSV Eindhoven, Napoli, Dnipro, AIK.
Group G: Sporting Lisbon, FC Basel, Genk, Videoton.

Group H: Inter Milan, Rubin Kazan, Partizan Belgrade, Neftci.
Group I: Lyon, Athletic Bilbao, Sparta Prague, Hapoel Shmona.

Group J: Tottenham, Panathinaikos, Lazio and Maribor.
Group K: Bayer Leverkusen, Metalist Kharkiv, Rosenborg, Rapid Vienna.
Group L: FC Twente, Hannover, Levante, Helsingborg.

www.goldenadvocatepress.blogspot.com

2012-07-30T14:11:00.000-07:00

Aregbesola Charges

Universities to Play

Relevant Roles

In Nation Building

By Damilola Towobola

Osun State Governor, OGBENI RAUF AREGBESOLA, speaking at the second convocation of the University of Osun, main campus in Osogbo on the 27^th of july, reiterated that power is responsibility and also congratulated the graduating students, their parents and well wishers who look forward to a bright future.

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola

“It gives me immeasurable pleasure to be here and be part of the grand occasion of today, the second convocation ceremony of this university. I congratulate the university on the joy of today and in spite of the teething problems it had at inception. I congratulate also the graduating students who, having toiled to complete their various courses, are looking forward to a bright and fulfilling future, irrespective of the gloom of the job market and other causes of anxiety in society.”

“Administration and governance are still serious challenges in our ivory tower. On a regular basis, students go on rampage over matters that astute administration could have taken care of. To address this issue of isolated disconnected pseudo citadel of learning, our government is endowing this University with a professorial Chair in Building a Knowledge Based Society: Innovation, Infrastructure and Quality of Life (BKBS: IIQL). The philosophy behind this is the slogan of Action Group in the 50s; "Freedom For All, Life More Abundant."

He stated that many do not even understand basic economics of admitting only the number of students that existing facilities and resources can support. In most cases, they would have overstretched existing facilities before seeking to expand them, and after this, severe crisis would have brewed from this indiscretion.

“From this, it is apparent that universities are not just institutions for awarding degrees but a very central institution of control in a society. From the mid 20th Century to now, we have seen the dominant role universities have played in the developed world. Universities are usually in the forefront of any social challenge, especially with the power of research being focused on areas that will promote human development and solve existential problems. From the ongoing AIDS conference in the United States, there are reports that mankind is just on the verge of conquering HIV and tuberculosis. Research is ongoing in their universities on all human challenges. For them, research is not just for promotion of lecturers but research findings are part of a society’s knowledge base which is transmitted to students and industries. So then, a university must be an institution for the people. It must be a centre for knowledge and problem solving for society.”

Aregbesola stated that governments have the problem of finding jobs for young people. He therefore charged University to be relevant stating that “increasingly, our universities continue to issue bland certificates to graduates who are barely literate and if we take literacy literally to be the ability to read and write (good prose) then education is bland and not tied to need of society. Education must be woven into life with a common thread running through life and society.”

“In most of our states, the government is still the major employer and accounted for 80 per cent of those in the formal sector. We have problem with agriculture since we cannot feed our teeming population; our agriculture is still largely primitive. Such things as improved seedlings (high yielding, disease resistant, early maturing seeds), modern farming implements and methods and farm financing are still strange to most of our farmers. We have problem with the economy such that it is difficult to identify trends and predict direction of the economy. This is why it has been difficult to get serious players to jump in the Nigerian economy”

Aregbesola

“Physician, heal thyself. Universities themselves are as troubled as society. But a university is supposed to be a centre of excellence that stands above society, passes judgement on it and ultimately impart excellence into it. In our case, universities can hardly provide municipal services for themselves. Such things like safe water, electricity, security and waste disposal are still huge challenges for them. Instead of spending billions on diesel to power generators, why can’t the universities devote themselves to research in alternative and cheap sources of power for their campuses? With all the Physics and Electrical and Electronics departments, why must the universities be part of the diesel guzzling society? Universities engage contractors for buildings and road construction and are largely part of the contract driven economy. Why are their civil engineering and ancillary departments not involved with research on constructing roads and building at a fraction of today’s cost? If the universities are not indeed, centres of excellence, how can they impart excellence on society?"

Aregbesola further stated that he visions a regional University. In his words, he stated that “Each state in the South-West should host a specialised campus of a Great Western University (GWU) where character would be built, life skills taught alongside the cultivation of the intellect. What I am looking forward to therefore is unification of existing tertiary institutions on a creative basis. The future therefore is of linkages and integration. If the campuses in our state specialises in a branch of knowledge such as Information Technology/ Medicine etc, I want it to be ranked among the best in the world.”

At these ceremonies, the university rolled out 657 graduates from five of its seven colleges, 20 of them with first class honours. This shows a vast improvement from last year when 362 students were graduated during the institution’s maiden convocation ceremonies.

2012-07-29T16:20:00.001-07:00

“My ‘SAN’ Rank Will

be Deployed to the Struggle

for the Liberation of Nigeria” – Femi Falana

Human Rights Advocate and one of Nigeria’s most prominent constitutional lawyers, Femi Falana, who recently rose to the respected legal rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has vowed that his new status in the Nigerian legal system will be deployed towards his personal contribution to the collective struggle for the liberation of Nigeria from the hands of the incompetent rulers who taken her hostage.

Mr. Falana made the remark in Lagos yesterday in an interview in the maiden edition of an upcoming online broadcast programme, “Why Are We Here, Nigeria?”

Femi Falana SAN

The series, anchored by Citizen Journalist, Segun O’Law, features high profile Nigerians and seeks solutions to the drift of the nation.

Responding to a question as to whether the Nigerian legal system is not at the heart of the rot and overt indiscipline, aiding and abetting criminals instead of exposing them and bringing them to book, he described the judiciary as a manifestation of the failed State that Nigeria is.”

“The judiciary does not operate in a vacuum; it is only responding to the system that has virtually collapsed,” he said.

He described Nigeria as a neo-colonial capitalist economy that places the interest of capitalists above those of the public. “The legal system is a manifestation of the socio-economic system that we operate,” he explained. “We run a neo-colonial capitalist economy, which now is totally based on market fundamentalism. The State is being made to withdraw completely from the affairs of our country”.

He underlined that under a laissez faire economic system, anything goes, and that the public interest must give way to private interest. “In the rat race for money making, ethics, national values, national moralities are all sacrificed for profitability,” he said.

Mr. Falana expressed his displeasure over the fact that Nigeria, despite being the sixth oil-producing nation in OPEC, is listed as the only oil producing Nation that imports oil, alongside the least valued items in any market, such as toothpicks. “This shows you that the country is managed by incompetent, myopic and completely parasitic people, who have no commitment to the development of the country.”
He, however, expressed confidence in the ability of the people to effect the desperately-needed change in the country, recalling last January’s subsidy removal nationwide protests.

Asked by O’Law why UK lawyers avoided Ibori, with only one of them ending up in jail along with the former governor, and why such discipline is absent in Nigeria, where lawyers fall upon one another and connive with judges to free hardened criminals, Falana said things were changing. In that regard, he pointed to the springing up of a group of lawyers who are forming an organization called “The Rule of Law Group’, which will challenge corrupt practices of other legal practitioners that conspire and connive to compromise the sanctity of the Nigerian legal system.

Femi Falana

Mr. Falana cited instances where senior lawyers obtain interim or perpetual restraining orders from the courts to stop the anti-graft agencies and the police from investigating indicted persons, stressing that that is not part of Nigerian law, and would be fought by the group.

He said the group would also combat the delay tactics being employed by corrupt lawyers to frustrate prosecuting teams and subsequently cause cases to wear out in court.

Turning to the ongoing trial of the oil subsidy fraud suspects, he expressed the view that it will be successful, unlike other cases in the past that fizzled out, but he called on Nigerians to be vigilant, just a they were in January during the protests.

He told O’Law: “Nigerians must [stay] involved. We must not leave the trial in the hands of the Government alone. Citizens must remain vigilant like they did in January to see this to a logical conclusion.”

Mr. Falana stressed that it is not about whether the judicial system can be trusted. “It is about the commitment of the Nigerian people to ensure that Justice is done this time around,” he said

Source: Sahara Reporter

2012-07-29T13:25:00.000-07:00

Abacha and MKO's

death were organized-

AL-MUSTAPHA'S PRISON NOTES REVEALS

Major Hamza Al-Mustapha

**I would Have Gunned Down Abdulsalami.
**I noticed how Abacha's body changed when President Yasser Arafat security operatives shook hands with him

In 1998 when he was arrested for interogation by the Special Investigative Panel, SPI, hardly did he realised that, that was the beginning of an end. Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer, CSO, to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha was one of the many people invited for interogation over several criminal activities perpetrated during Abacha’s regime.

In 2012, Justice Morenikeji Dada's Judgement in the case of the murdered Kudirat Abiola condenmed Mustapha to death by hanging, stating, “By virtue of Section 319 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, the defendants, Major Hamzat Al-mustapha and Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan are accordingly sentenced to death by hanging until they are pronounced dead. “May the lord have mercy on your souls.” The death sentence verdict passed on him started moment he was arraingned before an Ikeja High Court in December 1999.

HIS PRISON NOTES

"My Boss, General Sani Muhammad Abacha, died at the early hours of Monday, 8th June, 1998. I had prepared him for a workshop organized by the Federal Ministry of Information for that day as he was expected to deliver an address as the Special Guest of Honour. His speech was drafted and fine tuned by the Chief Press Secretary, Chief David Attah who had submitted it to the Aide-De Camp for vetting and necessary amendments by the Commander-in-Chief. When I got to the bedside of the Head of State, he was already gasping. Ordinarily, I could not just touch him. It was not allowed in our job. But under the situation on ground, I knelt close to him and shouted, “General Sani Abacha, Sir, please grant me permission to touch and carry you.”

"Contrary to insinuations, speculations and sad rumours initiated by some sections of the society, I maintain that the sudden collapse of the health system of the late Head of State started previous day (Sunday, 7th June, 1998) right from the Abuja International Airport immediately after one of the white security operatives or personnel who accompanied President Yasser Arafat of Palestine shook hands with him (General Abacha). I had noticed the change in the countenance of the late Commander-in-Chief and informed the Aide-de-Camp, Lt. Col. Abdallah, accordingly. He, however, advised that we keep a close watch on the Head of State. Later in the evening of 8th June, 1998, around 6p.m; his doctor came around, administered an injection to stabilize him. He was advised to have a short rest. Happily, enough, by 9p.m; the Head of State was bouncing and receiving visitors until much later when General Jeremiah Timbut Useni, the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, came calling. He was fond of the Head of State. They were very good friends. They stayed and chatted together till about 3.35a.m. A friend of the house was with me in my office and as he was bidding me farewell, he came back to inform me that the FCT Minister, General Useni was out of the Head of State’s Guest House within the Villa."

"I then decided to inform the ADC and other security boys that I would be on my way home to prepare for the early morning event at the International Conference Centre. At about 5a.m; the security guards ran to my quarters to inform me that the Head of State was very unstable. At first, I thought it was a coup attempt. Immediately, I prepared myself fully for any eventuality. As an intelligence officer and the Chief Security Officer to the Head of State for that matter, I devised a means of diverting the attention of the security boys from my escape route by asking my wife to continue chatting with them at the door – she was in the house while the boys were outside. From there, I got to the Guest House of the Head of State before them. When I got to the bedside of the Head of State, he was already gasping. Ordinarily, I could not just touch him. It was not allowed in our job. But under the situation on ground, I knelt close to him and shouted, “General Sani Abacha, Sir, please grant me permission to touch and carry you.” I again knocked at the stool beside the bed and shouted in the same manner, yet he did not respond. I then realized there was a serious danger. I immediately called the Head of State’s personal physician, Dr. Wali, who arrived at the place under eight minutes from his house. He immediately gave Oga – General Abacha – two doses of injection, one at the heart and another close to his neck."

"This did not work apparently as the Head of State had turned very cold. He then told me that the Head of State was dead and nothing could be done after all. I there and then asked the personal physician to remain with the dead body while I dashed home to be fully prepared for the problems that might arise from the incident. As soon as I informed my wife, she collapsed and burst into tears. I secured my house and then ran back. At that point, the Aide-de-Camp had been contacted by me and we decided that great caution must be taken in handling the grave situation. Again, I must reiterate that the issue of my Boss dying on top of women was a great lie just as the insinuation that General Sani Abacha ate and died of poisoned apples was equally a wicked lie. My question is: did Chief M.K.O Abiola die of poisoned apples or did he die on top of women? As I had stated at the Oputa Panel, their deaths were organized. Pure and simple! It was at this point that I used our special communication gadgets to diplomatically invite the Service Chiefs, Military Governors and some few elements purportedly to a meeting with the Head of State by 9a.m. at the Council Chamber. That completed, I also decided to talk to some former leaders of the nation to inform them that General Sani Abacha would like to meet them by 9a.m. Situation became charged however, when one of the Service Chiefs, Lieutenant General Ishaya Rizi Bamaiyi, who pretended to be with us, suggested he be made the new Head of State after we had quietly informed him of the death of General Sani Abacha. He even suggested we should allow him access to Chief Abiola. We smelt a rat and other heads of security agencies, on hearing this, advised I move Chief Abiola to a safer destination."

"I managed to do this in spite of the fact that I had been terribly overwhelmed with the crisis at hand. But then, when some junior officers over-heard the suggestion of one of the Service Chiefs earlier mentioned, it was suggested to me that we should finish all the members of the Provisional Ruling Council and give the general public an excuse that there was a meeting of the PRC during which a shoot-out occurred between some members of the Provisional Ruling Council and the Body Guards to the Head of State When I sensed that we would be contending with far more delicate issues than the one on ground, I talked to Generals Buba Marwa and Ibrahim Sabo who both promptly advised us – the junior officers – against any bloodshed. They advised we contact General Ibrahim Babangida (former Military President) who equally advised against any bloodshed but that we should support the most senior officer in the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) to be the new Head of State. Since the words of our elders are words of wisdom, we agreed to support General Jeremiah Useni. Along the line, General Bamaiyi lampooned me saying, “Can’t you put two and two together to be four? Has it not occurred to you that General Useni who was the last man with the Head of State might have poisoned him, knowing full well that he was the most senior officer in the PRC?”

"Naturally, I became furious with General Useni since General Abacha’s family had earlier on complained severally about the closeness of the two Generals; at that, a decision was taken to storm General Useni’s house with almost a battalion of soldiers to effect his arrest. Again, some heads of security units and agencies, including my wife, advised against the move. The next most senior person and officer in government was General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who was then the Chief of Defence Staff. We rejected the other Service Chief, who, we believed, was too ambitious and destructive. We settled for General Abubakar and about six of us called him inside a room in the Head of State’s residence to break the news of the death of General Abacha to him. As a General with vast experience, Abdulsalami Abubakar, humbly requested to see and pray for the soul of General Abacha which we allowed. Do we consider this a mistake? Because right there, he – Abubakar – went and sat on the seat of the late Head of State. Again, I was very furious. Like I said at the Oputa Panel, if caution was not applied, I would have gunned him down. The revolution the boys were yearning for would have started right there. The assumption that we could not have succeeded in the revolution was a blatant lie. We were in full control of the State House and the Brigade of Guards. We had loyal troops in Keffi and in some other areas surrounding the seat of government – Abuja. But I allowed peace to reign because we believed it would create further crises in the country."

"We followed the advice of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and the wise counsel of some loyal senior officers and jointly agreed that General Abdulsalami Abubakar be installed Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces immediately after the burial of General Sani Abacha in Kano. It is an irony of history that the same Service Chief who wanted to be Head of State through bloodshed, later instigated the new members of the Provisional Ruling Council against us and branded us killers, termites and all sorts of hopeless names. They planned, arranged our arrest, intimidation and subsequent jungle trial in 1998 and 1999. These, of course, led to our terrible condition in several prisons and places of confinement."

2012-07-19T19:44:00.000-07:00

Lawyers Applaud Appointment Of First Female CJ

Some lawyers on Monday in Lagos applauded the appointment of Justice Aloma Mariam Muhktar as the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Speaking in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the lawyers urged the new CJN to fight the corruption in the system.

Aloma-Muktar congratulated by Jonathan

Mrs. Caroline Ekpendu, who described the appointment as a well-celebrated one especially by female lawyers, urged the new CJN to rid the judiciary of all forms of unwholesome practice.

She said Nigerians were hopeful that her leadership would purge the judiciary of elements that would undermine its integrity and urged her never to relent.

“The appointment of Mrs.Mariam Aloma Muhktar as the first woman Chief Justice of Nigeria is a welcome development for women of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria as a whole.

“I believe that this is a right step in the right direction in the sense that with a woman getting to the peak of the judiciary of this country means that a woman can cope and indeed cope with the challenges of occupying such an elevated position and public office in Nigeria. We are hopeful that this appointment of a woman as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, will also show that sooner or later a woman can even be the president of this country without much ado; and this particular period the Nigeria judiciary is undergoing a lot of criticisms from the world over.

“We believe that a woman coming to this position would really standout and move the Nigerian judiciary forward.”

Another lawyer, Mr. Segun Oladipo, also commended the Federal Government for the appointment of Murktar, saying there should be a positive change during her tenure.

Oladipo called for the reform of the judicial arm of government, saying that it should be the aim of the new Chief Justice to strive to save the judiciary from total collapse due to the alarming spate of corruption in the country and the judiciary particularly.

He said: “I must thank the government for being very proactive in respect of appointments, particularly in the judicial sector. The women all over, from the lower rung of the judiciary, that is, from the magistracy to the High Court and Court of Appeal, are known to be very thorough.

“That is one thing you cannot take away from the women, they work very hard.

“In addition to that, the women are not presently corrupted by the system. The systemic fallible that is very rampant with men is not commonplace among the women.

Aloma-Muktar

“The only thing that I will sound to the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria is that she should not be driven by emotion that women are usually known for. The passion should be for justice.”

For Mrs. Remi Ajayi, another lawyer, the appointment was most appropriate and appealed to the new Chief Justice of Nigeria to promote justice and equity.

Golden Advocate Weekly

ASUU strike update: Lecturers to meet with lawmakers, ministers on Monday

STATE OF OUR CULTURE

By Olanrewaju Samson (dhops)

AN INTERVIEW WITH BIBY

Can we meet you?

Where are you from?

Tell us about your educational background

I learnt you are vying for a post in the LSS, can you tell us what post you are vying for?

What makes you think you are eligible for the post you are going for?

Have you had any leadership experience before?

What is your philosophy of life?

What are your views about the faculty?

What makes you think you can perform being an introverted person?

Who is your favourite lecturer?

What are your hobbies?

HOLU’S CORNER

Olumuyiwa Bada (HOLU)

ROAD SAFETY ON OAU CAMPUS

Olushegzy

CASHLESS POLICY, N5000 NOTE, A FORTUNE

OR A MIS-FORTUNE FOR NIGERIA

SHOCKING REVELATIONS AT ODUDUWA HALL

LLB 1 “AROIST” WINS BLACKBERRY PIN

THE GAME KICKED OUT OF LIL’ WAYNE’S

BIRTHDAY PARTY

culled from NET

JETZ

10 MISTAKES WOMEN MAKE

ABOUT MEN

MISTAKE #1:

Culled from www.pariswoman.com

JETZ

LIVING A LIE

“My ‘SAN’ Rank Will

be Deployed to the Struggle

for the Liberation of Nigeria” – Femi Falana

Lawyers Applaud Appointment Of First Female CJ

﻿﻿

Some lawyers on Monday in Lagos applauded the appointment of Justice Aloma Mariam Muhktar as the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Speaking in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the lawyers urged the new CJN to fight the corruption in the system.

Mrs. Caroline Ekpendu, who described the appointment as a well-celebrated one especially by female lawyers, urged the new CJN to rid the judiciary of all forms of unwholesome practice.

﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿

﻿She said Nigerians were hopeful that her leadership would purge the judiciary of elements that would undermine its integrity and urged her never to relent.

“The appointment of Mrs.Mariam Aloma Muhktar as the first woman Chief Justice of Nigeria is a welcome development for women of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria as a whole.

“We believe that a woman coming to this position would really standout and move the Nigerian judiciary forward.”

Another lawyer, Mr. Segun Oladipo, also commended the Federal Government for the appointment of Murktar, saying there should be a positive change during her tenure.

Oladipo called for the reform of the judicial arm of government, saying that it should be the aim of the new Chief Justice to strive to save the judiciary from total collapse due to the alarming spate of corruption in the country and the judiciary particularly.

He said: “I must thank the government for being very proactive in respect of appointments, particularly in the judicial sector. The women all over, from the lower rung of the judiciary, that is, from the magistracy to the High Court and Court of Appeal, are known to be very thorough.

﻿

﻿

“That is one thing you cannot take away from the women, they work very hard.

“In addition to that, the women are not presently corrupted by the system. The systemic fallible that is very rampant with men is not commonplace among the women.

“The only thing that I will sound to the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria is that she should not be driven by emotion that women are usually known for. The passion should be for justice.”

For Mrs. Remi Ajayi, another lawyer, the appointment was most appropriate and appealed to the new Chief Justice of Nigeria to promote justice and equity.

She said that it was important that a positive change be visible in the judicial system.

She urged Murktar to be courageous enough to deal with all forms of malpractice in the judiciary.

Source: P.M News

She said Nigerians were hopeful that her leadership would purge the judiciary of elements that would undermine its integrity and urged her never to relent.