Blue-collar jobs require physical rather than mental exertion. Hmm. What’s so wrong with how you do the work as long as you get the job done? Why should the way you do the job matter, you are trying to earn a living aren’t you?
I don’t think you have anything to be ashamed of, society does not just understand that what is important is how much money you take home at the end of the day’s work.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
What’s so wrong if your hands get dirty, you will wash them won’t you? So your palms get tough because of the job you do, and that worries you, buy a hand lotion or better still, go for manicure every now and then, you can afford it, can’t you? Why not go for full body massage, that way all those muscles and joints that have been ‘damaged’ because of the heavy lifting will be taken care of.
You are worried people will call you names, no sweat, English is a wonderful language, you can coin your own words to explain what you do for a living, print it on your business card if you like. Open a web page, nay ya money kill am.
So a ‘common farmer’ can now be called an Agriculturist, an Agribusiness man, an Agronomist or a Cultivation Consultant. No be you start am, receptionists are these days referred to as Front Office Executives. It’s your job and you can describe it the way you understand it.
Mechanic can be an Auto Medic, Carpenter=wood sculptor, or wood expert, or Wood Consultant /Contractor or Wood Technologist, it’s all grammar, as long as it brings money into your pocket at the end of the day. Even Pastors these days prefer to be called Life Coaches, because that pretty much explains what they do in the lives of their members, they teach/train them on managing life’s challenges.
campusflava
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Voter registration: NYSC may exclude some tertiary institutions
The Independent National Electoral Commission may not employ graduating students of state-owned higher institutions for the forthcoming voter registration.
Investigations in Abuja on Monday by THE PUNCH showed that INEC had directed resident electoral commissioners to supplement shortfall in the National Youth Service Corps members with graduating students of federal tertiary institutions.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
It was learnt that the directive was part of measures to ensure that state governors did not influence the voter registration.
INEC had said that 360,000 NYSC members would be needed by the commission for the voter registration.
The commission had also said that if it could not get 360,000 NYSC members, final year students of tertiary institutions would be employed to supplement them.
It was gathered that INEC offices in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory had already got the lists of corps members from the NYSC in the respective states and the FCT.
Investigations showed that the state INEC offices had also written federal tertiary institutions asking for the list of graduating students.
A top official of INEC, who pleaded anonymity because he was not allowed to speak to journalist, said, “The commission reasons that most state universities admit students from their areas and there is the possibility that they will be close to state governments.
“Corps members will be employed for voter registration. In states, where graduating students will be included, such students will be from tertiary institutions and non-indigenes of states.”
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, declined to categorically confirm the exclusion of graduating students of state tertiary institutions. He however, said, “The NYSC that the commission is getting the corps members from is a federal institution. It is likely that recruitment of graduating students would be limited to federal higher institutions.”
Explaining the modality for recruiting ad-hoc staff for the voter registration, Idowu said that if there was any shortfall after NYSC members had been recruited, the number needed would be announced.
Investigations in Abuja on Monday by THE PUNCH showed that INEC had directed resident electoral commissioners to supplement shortfall in the National Youth Service Corps members with graduating students of federal tertiary institutions.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
It was learnt that the directive was part of measures to ensure that state governors did not influence the voter registration.
INEC had said that 360,000 NYSC members would be needed by the commission for the voter registration.
The commission had also said that if it could not get 360,000 NYSC members, final year students of tertiary institutions would be employed to supplement them.
It was gathered that INEC offices in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory had already got the lists of corps members from the NYSC in the respective states and the FCT.
Investigations showed that the state INEC offices had also written federal tertiary institutions asking for the list of graduating students.
A top official of INEC, who pleaded anonymity because he was not allowed to speak to journalist, said, “The commission reasons that most state universities admit students from their areas and there is the possibility that they will be close to state governments.
“Corps members will be employed for voter registration. In states, where graduating students will be included, such students will be from tertiary institutions and non-indigenes of states.”
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, declined to categorically confirm the exclusion of graduating students of state tertiary institutions. He however, said, “The NYSC that the commission is getting the corps members from is a federal institution. It is likely that recruitment of graduating students would be limited to federal higher institutions.”
Explaining the modality for recruiting ad-hoc staff for the voter registration, Idowu said that if there was any shortfall after NYSC members had been recruited, the number needed would be announced.
FG releases funds for payment of UNILORIN 49
The University of Ilorin on Monday disclosed that the Federal Government had released funds for the payment of its lecturers who were reinstated by the Supreme Court last year.
The institution’s authorities also stated that both parties that were involved in the litigation had learnt their lessons and put the past behind them.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, who spoke at a press briefing to usher in a week-long programme of activities for the 26th convocation of the institution, was reacting to speculations that one year after, the lecturers were yet to be paid.
Oloyede explained that with the release of the lecturers’ entitlements by the Federal Government, the institution had commenced the payment, adding that the school could not have flouted a Supreme Court judgment.
He said that with the court case now settled, “the university is now more invigorated and ready to blaze the trail in Nigeria’s university system.”
He said, “Lessons have been learnt by everyone on the issue of the unilorin 49. We are a law abiding institution. What we have done is to fully comply with the ruling as the Federal Government has provided the resources imposed on us by the court. Today, we pay N386m monthly in salaries.”
The VC called for more accountability in the tertiary education sector, noting that if what the Federal Government makes available to Nigerian universities was judiciously used, the country’s tertiary institutions would be some of the best in the world.
He observed that those who were still complaining that the government was allocating meagre resources to the sector were only doing so because some of the monies allocated were not prudently utilised.
He also took a swipe at universities who were in the “habit of selling honorary degrees,” saying that the whole idea had lost its usefulness.”
Oloyede, who is also the President of the Association of African Universities, contended that people were now being awarded degrees for doing nothing to add value to the society, noting that the school would always distance itself from such acts.
Oloyede stated that honorary degrees had become so cheap in the country, that those who did not deserve them were rewarded “just like the case with chieftaincy titles.”
The VC had earlier in his address said that the university produced 19 first class students, 857 second class upper and 2, 971 second class lower graduates in the 2009/2010 session.
The institution’s authorities also stated that both parties that were involved in the litigation had learnt their lessons and put the past behind them.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, who spoke at a press briefing to usher in a week-long programme of activities for the 26th convocation of the institution, was reacting to speculations that one year after, the lecturers were yet to be paid.
Oloyede explained that with the release of the lecturers’ entitlements by the Federal Government, the institution had commenced the payment, adding that the school could not have flouted a Supreme Court judgment.
He said that with the court case now settled, “the university is now more invigorated and ready to blaze the trail in Nigeria’s university system.”
He said, “Lessons have been learnt by everyone on the issue of the unilorin 49. We are a law abiding institution. What we have done is to fully comply with the ruling as the Federal Government has provided the resources imposed on us by the court. Today, we pay N386m monthly in salaries.”
The VC called for more accountability in the tertiary education sector, noting that if what the Federal Government makes available to Nigerian universities was judiciously used, the country’s tertiary institutions would be some of the best in the world.
He observed that those who were still complaining that the government was allocating meagre resources to the sector were only doing so because some of the monies allocated were not prudently utilised.
He also took a swipe at universities who were in the “habit of selling honorary degrees,” saying that the whole idea had lost its usefulness.”
Oloyede, who is also the President of the Association of African Universities, contended that people were now being awarded degrees for doing nothing to add value to the society, noting that the school would always distance itself from such acts.
Oloyede stated that honorary degrees had become so cheap in the country, that those who did not deserve them were rewarded “just like the case with chieftaincy titles.”
The VC had earlier in his address said that the university produced 19 first class students, 857 second class upper and 2, 971 second class lower graduates in the 2009/2010 session.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Southeast ASUU strike
The strike embarked by lecturers of upon universities in the South-East that has lasted for several months now has drawn the attention of concerned citizens of the zone. Some of them have, therefore, expressed concern over the ugly development that has brought academic activities in the zone to a halt, a situation that has questioned the capability of the state governments to effectively run university education.
Consequently, most people in the region had suggested that state universities should be taken over by the Federal Government, leaving for the state only the polytechnics and colleges of education to manage.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
But in an interview with Daily Sun, a former Minister of Education, Chief Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu, opposed the suggestion though he described the situation that has forced the youths of the area to roam the streets as very unfortunate.
He observed that state universities in the country have their origin and were pioneered in the South-east, pointing out that the Imo State University, now Evan Enwerem University established by the late Chief Sam Mbakwe was the first state university.
He argued that it would be unconstitutional to call on the Federal Government to take over state universities because of observed lapses since it is not in the constitution.
“I can’t buy an idea which is not in the constitution. The constitution says that the Federal Government shall and as when possible provide free education as at and when practicable. So, for the time being it is only practicable to try to operate free education by Federal Government within the basic level. Then the constitution provides that education is within the concurrent list and just like the Bible says no man starts a house without counting the cost. So, nobody has compelled any state to build university. So, if a state decides to go into university business they should sit down and count the cost and also bear in mind that university means universal; it is not a local institution, it is not even a national institution, it is a universal institution that has a standard of measurement internationally.
“So, anybody going into it should first make up his mind; after all, all the state universities were established based on enacted laws from their state assemblies unlike the federal universities which will be an enactment of the national assembly. So, what I am saying is that even these states that have federal university, they also have state university.
“I can never guarantee that if you take any state universities from a state government that ten years time they will not create another state university. So, I don’t think it is the best option. One must also note that it is the issue of supply and demand in the 60s; how many people were demanding for university education, the supply of university education was being met by the number demanded. There were three regional universities, Nsukka, Ibadan and Ahmadu Bello and later Lagos they were meeting the demand because of the limited number of demand, but there is an explosion and even now the numbers of universities have not been able to meet the demand, so, we cannot just say let the states take over.
“The Polytechnics are also very challenging institutions to run. And you remember the recommendations we made to government and government accepted to transform all the Polytechnics to degree awarding institutions and and when I asked AMBTE, they said they are still in that process and that they are working out the modalities and when you do that all the institutions will become universities. I don’t buy the idea that Federal Government should take over all the state universities or stop states from operating universities because even the numbers of universities we have now have not been able to meet the demand of university education and secondly nobody compelled any state government to start a state university, they voluntarily entered into it”.
He explained that what was happening is what economists call a shock, adding that as “you finish your budget you get unanticipated item wanting accommodating within the budget. Yes, the argument of our governors are very reasonable, we are operating a federal system and based on true federalism no group has the right to fix salary for the other group, but on the other hand we must also not forget that in as much as education is in the concurrent list the Federal Government has the monopoly of supervising the quality of education, especially at the tertiary level and that is why when you look at the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government agreement you see a clause that states that the Federal Government shall not compel any state government to implement this salary scale, but it should be known that any institution that operates within the university education system shall use this salary scale as a benchmark.
“So, the question becomes, can the state universities operate outside the education system in Nigeria which is very difficult? Having said that we must also not forget the fact that these governors can only be judged by their manifestoes and I judge my governor based on his manifesto; he is doing extremely well; what he has promised is what he is offering. People often quote UNESCO 26 per cent, I have never seen as the former minister any document, I requested the then UNESCO Ambassador of Education, please I want that document, the UNESCO prescription that government should spend 26 per cent on education; he told me that there is no document like that, but even if such a document exists, Ebonyi is spending 33 per cent. What I know is that PDP in its manifesto says every PDP government shall be encouraged to spend 15 per cent of its budget on education. So, if we are spending 33 per cent it means government is doing well; so you can see the paradox and the shock which I have talked about.
Consequently, most people in the region had suggested that state universities should be taken over by the Federal Government, leaving for the state only the polytechnics and colleges of education to manage.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
But in an interview with Daily Sun, a former Minister of Education, Chief Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu, opposed the suggestion though he described the situation that has forced the youths of the area to roam the streets as very unfortunate.
He observed that state universities in the country have their origin and were pioneered in the South-east, pointing out that the Imo State University, now Evan Enwerem University established by the late Chief Sam Mbakwe was the first state university.
He argued that it would be unconstitutional to call on the Federal Government to take over state universities because of observed lapses since it is not in the constitution.
“I can’t buy an idea which is not in the constitution. The constitution says that the Federal Government shall and as when possible provide free education as at and when practicable. So, for the time being it is only practicable to try to operate free education by Federal Government within the basic level. Then the constitution provides that education is within the concurrent list and just like the Bible says no man starts a house without counting the cost. So, nobody has compelled any state to build university. So, if a state decides to go into university business they should sit down and count the cost and also bear in mind that university means universal; it is not a local institution, it is not even a national institution, it is a universal institution that has a standard of measurement internationally.
“So, anybody going into it should first make up his mind; after all, all the state universities were established based on enacted laws from their state assemblies unlike the federal universities which will be an enactment of the national assembly. So, what I am saying is that even these states that have federal university, they also have state university.
“I can never guarantee that if you take any state universities from a state government that ten years time they will not create another state university. So, I don’t think it is the best option. One must also note that it is the issue of supply and demand in the 60s; how many people were demanding for university education, the supply of university education was being met by the number demanded. There were three regional universities, Nsukka, Ibadan and Ahmadu Bello and later Lagos they were meeting the demand because of the limited number of demand, but there is an explosion and even now the numbers of universities have not been able to meet the demand, so, we cannot just say let the states take over.
“The Polytechnics are also very challenging institutions to run. And you remember the recommendations we made to government and government accepted to transform all the Polytechnics to degree awarding institutions and and when I asked AMBTE, they said they are still in that process and that they are working out the modalities and when you do that all the institutions will become universities. I don’t buy the idea that Federal Government should take over all the state universities or stop states from operating universities because even the numbers of universities we have now have not been able to meet the demand of university education and secondly nobody compelled any state government to start a state university, they voluntarily entered into it”.
He explained that what was happening is what economists call a shock, adding that as “you finish your budget you get unanticipated item wanting accommodating within the budget. Yes, the argument of our governors are very reasonable, we are operating a federal system and based on true federalism no group has the right to fix salary for the other group, but on the other hand we must also not forget that in as much as education is in the concurrent list the Federal Government has the monopoly of supervising the quality of education, especially at the tertiary level and that is why when you look at the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government agreement you see a clause that states that the Federal Government shall not compel any state government to implement this salary scale, but it should be known that any institution that operates within the university education system shall use this salary scale as a benchmark.
“So, the question becomes, can the state universities operate outside the education system in Nigeria which is very difficult? Having said that we must also not forget the fact that these governors can only be judged by their manifestoes and I judge my governor based on his manifesto; he is doing extremely well; what he has promised is what he is offering. People often quote UNESCO 26 per cent, I have never seen as the former minister any document, I requested the then UNESCO Ambassador of Education, please I want that document, the UNESCO prescription that government should spend 26 per cent on education; he told me that there is no document like that, but even if such a document exists, Ebonyi is spending 33 per cent. What I know is that PDP in its manifesto says every PDP government shall be encouraged to spend 15 per cent of its budget on education. So, if we are spending 33 per cent it means government is doing well; so you can see the paradox and the shock which I have talked about.
Monday, October 4, 2010
In vitro UK pioneer Edwards wins medicine Nobel
STOCKHOLM – Robert Edwards of Britain won the 2010 Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for developing in vitro fertilization, a breakthrough that has helped millions of infertile couples have children but also ignited an enduring controversy with religious groups.
Edwards, an 85-year-old professor emeritus at the University of Cambridge, started working on IVF as early as the 1950s. He developed the technique — in which eggs are removed from a woman, fertilized outside her body and then implanted into the womb — together with British gynecologist surgeon Patrick Steptoe, who died in 1988.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
On July 25, 1978, Louise Brown in Britain became the first baby born through the groundbreaking procedure, marking a revolution in fertility treatment.
Since then, some 4 million people have been born using the technique, the Nobel medicine prize committee said — a rate that is up to about 300,000 babies worldwide a year, according to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
Today, the probability that an infertile couple will take home a baby after a cycle of IVF is 1 in 5, about the same odds that healthy couples have of conceiving naturally.
"His achievements have made it possible to treat infertility, a medical condition afflicting a large proportion of humanity, including more than 10 percent of all couples worldwide," the committee in Stockholm said in its citation. "Today, Robert Edwards' vision is a reality and brings joy to infertile people all over the world."
Despite facing resistance from Britain's medical establishment, Steptoe and Edwards spent years developing IVF from early beginning experiments into a practical course of medicine. In 1980, they founded the world's first IVF clinic, at Bourn Hall in Cambridge, England.
Prize committee secretary Goran Hansson said Edwards was not in good health Monday when the committee tried to reach him. Bourn Hall said Edwards was too ill to give interviews.
"I spoke to his wife and she was delighted and she was sure he would be delighted too," Hansson told reporters in Stockholm after announcing the 10 million kronor ($1.5 million) award.
Brown, now 32, gave birth to her first child in 2007, a boy named Cameron who she said was conceived naturally.
"Louise's birth signified so much," Edwards said at Brown's 25th birthday celebration in 2003. "We had to fight a lot of opposition but we had concepts that we thought would work and they worked."
Brown paid tribute Monday to the man who gave her life.
"It's fantastic news, me and mum are so glad that one of the pioneers of IVF has been given the recognition he deserves. We hold Bob in great affection and are delighted to send our personal congratulations," Brown, a postal worker living in Bristol, England, said in a statement released by Bourn Hall.
The work by Edwards and Steptoe stirred a "lively ethical debate," the Nobel citation said, with the Vatican, other religious leaders and some scientists demanding the project be stopped. The British Medical Research Council in 1971 declined funding for Steptoe and Edwards, but the two found a private donation that allowed them to continue their research.
The Vatican is opposed to IVF because it involves separating conception from the "conjugal act" — sexual intercourse between a husband and wife — and often results in the destruction of eggs that are taken from a woman but not used.
There was no immediate comment from the Vatican's top bioethics officials Monday to word of the Nobel.
It was not immediately clear why it took the Nobel committee so long to honor Edwards. Nobel rules were amended in 1974 to prohibit posthumous prizes, which ruled out a shared award with Steptoe. However, Hansson said Edwards "deserves a Nobel Prize on his own" because he made the fundamental discoveries that made IVF therapy possible.
Initially there was also concern about the health of test-tube babies, "so it was of course very, very important that Louise Brown was healthy and that subsequent babies also were healthy," prize committee member Christer Hoog said.
Aleksander Giwercman, head of reproduction research at the University of Lund in Sweden, said Edwards' achievements also provided tools for other areas of research, including cancer and stem cells.
"Many of the illnesses that develop when we are adults have their origin early on in life, during conception," Giwercman said.
The controversy over in vitro fertilization has not dimmed despite its increasing popularity, and debate centers now on who should be able to use the technology. Some experts have questioned whether an age limit should be set on would-be parents, whether women and men who donate their eggs and sperm should be paid, and if gay couples should be eligible.
In France, for instance, lesbians are not allowed to use donor sperm, and in Britain, women cannot be paid more than 250 pounds ($384) for donating their eggs. Germany and Italy both forbid the freezing of embryos.
In 2006, a 67-year-old Spanish woman made headlines around the world when she became a mother after using IVF technology to conceive twins. The uproar continued when she herself died only two years later.
In a statement, Bourn Hall said one of Edwards' proudest moments was discovering that 1,000 IVF babies had been born at the clinic since Brown, and relaying that information to a seriously ill Steptoe shortly before his death.
"I'll never forget the look of joy in his eyes," Edwards said.
William Ledger, head of reproductive and developmental medicine at Sheffield University, called the award "an appropriate recognition" for Edwards.
"The only sadness is that Patrick Steptoe has not lived to see this day because it was always a joint team effort," Ledger said.
Other experts criticized Britain for not honoring Edwards earlier with a knighthood.
"It's a shame Britain hasn't recognized him in a more explicit fashion," said Francoise Shenfield, infertility expert with the European Society of Human Reproduction and lecturer in medical ethics at University College London.
Edwards himself told The Times of London in 2003 said he was "not terribly bothered" about not getting a knighthood.
"I'm a very left-wing socialist and I won't shed a tear. But if you can organize a Nobel, please go ahead," he joked.
Leif and Anna Karin Theelke, a Swedish couple living outside Uppsala, tried for several years to have children before turning to IVF treatment. Both their children, ages 6 and 2, were born using the procedure.
"When we were finally informed that it had worked we felt an incredible relief," Leif Theelke recalled Monday. "Without it we wouldn't have any children."
The medicine award was the first of the 2010 Nobel Prizes to be announced. It will be followed by physics on Tuesday, chemistry on Wednesday, literature on Thursday, the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday and economics on Monday Oct. 11.
The prestigious awards were created by Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel and first given out in 1901. The prizes are always handed out on Dec. 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death in 1896.
Famous Nobel winners include President Barack Obama, who received last year's peace prize; Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill. But most winners are relatively anonymous outside their disciplines until they suddenly are catapulted into the global spotlight by the prize announcement.
Edwards, an 85-year-old professor emeritus at the University of Cambridge, started working on IVF as early as the 1950s. He developed the technique — in which eggs are removed from a woman, fertilized outside her body and then implanted into the womb — together with British gynecologist surgeon Patrick Steptoe, who died in 1988.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
On July 25, 1978, Louise Brown in Britain became the first baby born through the groundbreaking procedure, marking a revolution in fertility treatment.
Since then, some 4 million people have been born using the technique, the Nobel medicine prize committee said — a rate that is up to about 300,000 babies worldwide a year, according to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
Today, the probability that an infertile couple will take home a baby after a cycle of IVF is 1 in 5, about the same odds that healthy couples have of conceiving naturally.
"His achievements have made it possible to treat infertility, a medical condition afflicting a large proportion of humanity, including more than 10 percent of all couples worldwide," the committee in Stockholm said in its citation. "Today, Robert Edwards' vision is a reality and brings joy to infertile people all over the world."
Despite facing resistance from Britain's medical establishment, Steptoe and Edwards spent years developing IVF from early beginning experiments into a practical course of medicine. In 1980, they founded the world's first IVF clinic, at Bourn Hall in Cambridge, England.
Prize committee secretary Goran Hansson said Edwards was not in good health Monday when the committee tried to reach him. Bourn Hall said Edwards was too ill to give interviews.
"I spoke to his wife and she was delighted and she was sure he would be delighted too," Hansson told reporters in Stockholm after announcing the 10 million kronor ($1.5 million) award.
Brown, now 32, gave birth to her first child in 2007, a boy named Cameron who she said was conceived naturally.
"Louise's birth signified so much," Edwards said at Brown's 25th birthday celebration in 2003. "We had to fight a lot of opposition but we had concepts that we thought would work and they worked."
Brown paid tribute Monday to the man who gave her life.
"It's fantastic news, me and mum are so glad that one of the pioneers of IVF has been given the recognition he deserves. We hold Bob in great affection and are delighted to send our personal congratulations," Brown, a postal worker living in Bristol, England, said in a statement released by Bourn Hall.
The work by Edwards and Steptoe stirred a "lively ethical debate," the Nobel citation said, with the Vatican, other religious leaders and some scientists demanding the project be stopped. The British Medical Research Council in 1971 declined funding for Steptoe and Edwards, but the two found a private donation that allowed them to continue their research.
The Vatican is opposed to IVF because it involves separating conception from the "conjugal act" — sexual intercourse between a husband and wife — and often results in the destruction of eggs that are taken from a woman but not used.
There was no immediate comment from the Vatican's top bioethics officials Monday to word of the Nobel.
It was not immediately clear why it took the Nobel committee so long to honor Edwards. Nobel rules were amended in 1974 to prohibit posthumous prizes, which ruled out a shared award with Steptoe. However, Hansson said Edwards "deserves a Nobel Prize on his own" because he made the fundamental discoveries that made IVF therapy possible.
Initially there was also concern about the health of test-tube babies, "so it was of course very, very important that Louise Brown was healthy and that subsequent babies also were healthy," prize committee member Christer Hoog said.
Aleksander Giwercman, head of reproduction research at the University of Lund in Sweden, said Edwards' achievements also provided tools for other areas of research, including cancer and stem cells.
"Many of the illnesses that develop when we are adults have their origin early on in life, during conception," Giwercman said.
The controversy over in vitro fertilization has not dimmed despite its increasing popularity, and debate centers now on who should be able to use the technology. Some experts have questioned whether an age limit should be set on would-be parents, whether women and men who donate their eggs and sperm should be paid, and if gay couples should be eligible.
In France, for instance, lesbians are not allowed to use donor sperm, and in Britain, women cannot be paid more than 250 pounds ($384) for donating their eggs. Germany and Italy both forbid the freezing of embryos.
In 2006, a 67-year-old Spanish woman made headlines around the world when she became a mother after using IVF technology to conceive twins. The uproar continued when she herself died only two years later.
In a statement, Bourn Hall said one of Edwards' proudest moments was discovering that 1,000 IVF babies had been born at the clinic since Brown, and relaying that information to a seriously ill Steptoe shortly before his death.
"I'll never forget the look of joy in his eyes," Edwards said.
William Ledger, head of reproductive and developmental medicine at Sheffield University, called the award "an appropriate recognition" for Edwards.
"The only sadness is that Patrick Steptoe has not lived to see this day because it was always a joint team effort," Ledger said.
Other experts criticized Britain for not honoring Edwards earlier with a knighthood.
"It's a shame Britain hasn't recognized him in a more explicit fashion," said Francoise Shenfield, infertility expert with the European Society of Human Reproduction and lecturer in medical ethics at University College London.
Edwards himself told The Times of London in 2003 said he was "not terribly bothered" about not getting a knighthood.
"I'm a very left-wing socialist and I won't shed a tear. But if you can organize a Nobel, please go ahead," he joked.
Leif and Anna Karin Theelke, a Swedish couple living outside Uppsala, tried for several years to have children before turning to IVF treatment. Both their children, ages 6 and 2, were born using the procedure.
"When we were finally informed that it had worked we felt an incredible relief," Leif Theelke recalled Monday. "Without it we wouldn't have any children."
The medicine award was the first of the 2010 Nobel Prizes to be announced. It will be followed by physics on Tuesday, chemistry on Wednesday, literature on Thursday, the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday and economics on Monday Oct. 11.
The prestigious awards were created by Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel and first given out in 1901. The prizes are always handed out on Dec. 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death in 1896.
Famous Nobel winners include President Barack Obama, who received last year's peace prize; Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill. But most winners are relatively anonymous outside their disciplines until they suddenly are catapulted into the global spotlight by the prize announcement.
No laps for warm laptops; skin damage is possible
CHICAGO – Have you ever worked on your laptop computer with it sitting on your lap, heating up your legs? If so, you might want to rethink that habit.
Doing it a lot can lead to "toasted skin syndrome," an unusual-looking mottled skin condition caused by long-term heat exposure, according to medical reports.
In one recent case, a 12-year-old boy developed a sponge-patterned skin discoloration on his left thigh after playing computer games a few hours every day for several months.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
"He recognized that the laptop got hot on the left side; however, regardless of that, he did not change its position," Swiss researchers reported in an article published Monday in the journal Pediatrics.
Another case involved a Virginia law student who sought treatment for the mottled discoloration on her leg.
Dr. Kimberley Salkey, who treated the young woman, was stumped until she learned the student spent about six hours a day working with her computer propped on her lap. The temperature underneath registered 125 degrees.
That case, from 2007, is one of 10 laptop-related cases reported in medical journals in the past six years.
The condition also can be caused by overuse of heating pads and other heat sources that usually aren't hot enough to cause burns. It's generally harmless but can cause permanent skin darkening. In very rare cases, it can cause damage leading to skin cancers, said the Swiss researchers, Drs. Andreas Arnold and Peter Itin from University Hospital Basel. They do not cite any skin cancer cases linked to laptop use, but suggest, to be safe, placing a carrying case or other heat shield under the laptop if you have to hold it in your lap.
Salkey, an assistant dermatology professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School, said that under the microscope, the affected skin resembles skin damaged by long-term sun exposure.
Major manufacturers including Apple, Hewlett Packard and Dell warn in user manuals against placing laptops on laps or exposed skin for extended periods of time because of the risk for burns.
A medical report several years ago found that men who used laptops on their laps had elevated scrotum temperatures. If prolonged, that kind of heat can decrease sperm production, which can potentially lead to infertility. Whether laptop use itself can cause that kind of harm hasn't been confirmed.
In the past, "toasted skin syndrome" has occurred in workers whose jobs require being close to a heat source, including bakers and glass blowers, and, before central heating, in people who huddled near potbellied stoves to stay warm.
Dr. Anthony J. Mancini, dermatology chief at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, said he'd treated a boy who developed the condition from using a heating pad "hours at a time" to soothe a thigh injured in soccer. Mancini said he'd also seen a case caused by a hot water bottle.
He noted that chronic, prolonged skin inflammation can potentially increase chances for squamous cell skin cancer, which is more aggressive than the most common skin cancer. But Mancini said it's unlikely computer use would lead to cancer since it's so easy to avoid prolonged close skin contact with laptops.
Doing it a lot can lead to "toasted skin syndrome," an unusual-looking mottled skin condition caused by long-term heat exposure, according to medical reports.
In one recent case, a 12-year-old boy developed a sponge-patterned skin discoloration on his left thigh after playing computer games a few hours every day for several months.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
"He recognized that the laptop got hot on the left side; however, regardless of that, he did not change its position," Swiss researchers reported in an article published Monday in the journal Pediatrics.
Another case involved a Virginia law student who sought treatment for the mottled discoloration on her leg.
Dr. Kimberley Salkey, who treated the young woman, was stumped until she learned the student spent about six hours a day working with her computer propped on her lap. The temperature underneath registered 125 degrees.
That case, from 2007, is one of 10 laptop-related cases reported in medical journals in the past six years.
The condition also can be caused by overuse of heating pads and other heat sources that usually aren't hot enough to cause burns. It's generally harmless but can cause permanent skin darkening. In very rare cases, it can cause damage leading to skin cancers, said the Swiss researchers, Drs. Andreas Arnold and Peter Itin from University Hospital Basel. They do not cite any skin cancer cases linked to laptop use, but suggest, to be safe, placing a carrying case or other heat shield under the laptop if you have to hold it in your lap.
Salkey, an assistant dermatology professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School, said that under the microscope, the affected skin resembles skin damaged by long-term sun exposure.
Major manufacturers including Apple, Hewlett Packard and Dell warn in user manuals against placing laptops on laps or exposed skin for extended periods of time because of the risk for burns.
A medical report several years ago found that men who used laptops on their laps had elevated scrotum temperatures. If prolonged, that kind of heat can decrease sperm production, which can potentially lead to infertility. Whether laptop use itself can cause that kind of harm hasn't been confirmed.
In the past, "toasted skin syndrome" has occurred in workers whose jobs require being close to a heat source, including bakers and glass blowers, and, before central heating, in people who huddled near potbellied stoves to stay warm.
Dr. Anthony J. Mancini, dermatology chief at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, said he'd treated a boy who developed the condition from using a heating pad "hours at a time" to soothe a thigh injured in soccer. Mancini said he'd also seen a case caused by a hot water bottle.
He noted that chronic, prolonged skin inflammation can potentially increase chances for squamous cell skin cancer, which is more aggressive than the most common skin cancer. But Mancini said it's unlikely computer use would lead to cancer since it's so easy to avoid prolonged close skin contact with laptops.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Cheating in NECO examinations
The increasing wave of examination malpractices, especially in Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) is, indeed, worrisome. In the just released results of May/June SSCE conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO), there were altogether 615,010 cases of malpractices. A total of 1,143,169 candidates registered for the examination nationwide while 1,132,357 candidates eventually sat for the examination
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
According to the Registrar of the examining body, Prof. Promise Okpala, the commonest malpractices were mass cheating, which recorded 452,027 cases; aiding, abetting, seeking and receiving help from non-candidates, 87,778; while 13,456 cases of cheating were detected at marking venue.
Prof. Okpala also revealed that Rivers State topped the list of malpractices with 45,131 cases. Kaduna State followed with 41,878 cases; Enugu, 36,904 cases; Nasarawa, 35,510; and Lagos, 31,904 cases. Bayelsa State had the least malpractices with 235 cases.
Details of the results showed that 870,305 candidates, who sat for the May/June 2010 SSCE, failed to get credit passes in English Language. This represents 79 percent of the 1,113,177 candidates that sat for the examination. However, the remaining 21 percent of the candidates obtained credit passes in the subject.
Similarly, of the 1,113,177 candidates that sat for the Mathematics examination, 838,031 failed the subject. A breakdown of the results by subjects showed that only 245,890 candidates passed English Language with 1,434 distinctions and 244,456 credit passes, out of the 1,116,195 that sat for the examination. It also indicated that 66,519 candidates that sat for English Language had their results cancelled while 66,260 candidates experienced the same fate in Mathematics.
It is really pathetic that public examinations like SSCE conducted by NECO recorded such massive cases of malpractices. It is also regrettable that corruption in the wider society has crept into our examination system. As a result of this, candidates now want to make it either by crook or hook. The scenario is symptomatic of the general societal malaise. Such is not unexpected in a society where elections are rigged at will and corruption holds sway in the conduct of governmental and public affairs.
It is odd, also, that some of the malpractices were recorded at the marking venue. NECO should do something to prevent such in future. It appears that the body inadvertently recruited some misfits to oversee the marking of examination scripts, hence malpractices can occur at that stage.
The embarrassing development calls for serious concern because cheating is not what Nigeria needs at this period of its development. That our supposed future leaders engage in cheating to pass SSCE is tragic.
We blame the examining body, parents and schools for this frightening development. If the candidates involved in cheating were brought up to appreciate the value of probity, honour and morality, perhaps, they will be more focused and do things properly. While it is good to pass an examination, such a pass must be earned through merit and not cheating.
Parents should desist from assisting their wards to cheat in examinations. The only way to pass an examination is to study harder. Cheating in examinations is a major social problem that requires an urgent solution. Let all religious organisations preach attitudinal change among the youths in order to curb the recourse to cheating as a way out.
There is the need for guidance and counselling in our schools so that students can choose subjects that they have aptitude for. Government should provide well qualified teachers in English Language and Mathematics, the two subjects that always record mass failure. That these subjects are poorly taught is obvious, especially Mathematics. Let teachers of these subjects be creative and make them interesting to learners. NECO should also plug all avenues of leakage in its system by overhauling its internal security
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
According to the Registrar of the examining body, Prof. Promise Okpala, the commonest malpractices were mass cheating, which recorded 452,027 cases; aiding, abetting, seeking and receiving help from non-candidates, 87,778; while 13,456 cases of cheating were detected at marking venue.
Prof. Okpala also revealed that Rivers State topped the list of malpractices with 45,131 cases. Kaduna State followed with 41,878 cases; Enugu, 36,904 cases; Nasarawa, 35,510; and Lagos, 31,904 cases. Bayelsa State had the least malpractices with 235 cases.
Details of the results showed that 870,305 candidates, who sat for the May/June 2010 SSCE, failed to get credit passes in English Language. This represents 79 percent of the 1,113,177 candidates that sat for the examination. However, the remaining 21 percent of the candidates obtained credit passes in the subject.
Similarly, of the 1,113,177 candidates that sat for the Mathematics examination, 838,031 failed the subject. A breakdown of the results by subjects showed that only 245,890 candidates passed English Language with 1,434 distinctions and 244,456 credit passes, out of the 1,116,195 that sat for the examination. It also indicated that 66,519 candidates that sat for English Language had their results cancelled while 66,260 candidates experienced the same fate in Mathematics.
It is really pathetic that public examinations like SSCE conducted by NECO recorded such massive cases of malpractices. It is also regrettable that corruption in the wider society has crept into our examination system. As a result of this, candidates now want to make it either by crook or hook. The scenario is symptomatic of the general societal malaise. Such is not unexpected in a society where elections are rigged at will and corruption holds sway in the conduct of governmental and public affairs.
It is odd, also, that some of the malpractices were recorded at the marking venue. NECO should do something to prevent such in future. It appears that the body inadvertently recruited some misfits to oversee the marking of examination scripts, hence malpractices can occur at that stage.
The embarrassing development calls for serious concern because cheating is not what Nigeria needs at this period of its development. That our supposed future leaders engage in cheating to pass SSCE is tragic.
We blame the examining body, parents and schools for this frightening development. If the candidates involved in cheating were brought up to appreciate the value of probity, honour and morality, perhaps, they will be more focused and do things properly. While it is good to pass an examination, such a pass must be earned through merit and not cheating.
Parents should desist from assisting their wards to cheat in examinations. The only way to pass an examination is to study harder. Cheating in examinations is a major social problem that requires an urgent solution. Let all religious organisations preach attitudinal change among the youths in order to curb the recourse to cheating as a way out.
There is the need for guidance and counselling in our schools so that students can choose subjects that they have aptitude for. Government should provide well qualified teachers in English Language and Mathematics, the two subjects that always record mass failure. That these subjects are poorly taught is obvious, especially Mathematics. Let teachers of these subjects be creative and make them interesting to learners. NECO should also plug all avenues of leakage in its system by overhauling its internal security
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Youths protest govt’s refusal to constitute board
Hundreds of angry youths from Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, on Tuesday, protested the state government’s alleged refusal to constitute the board of the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (ESOGPADEC).
The placard-carrying protesters observed that the state government had re-constituted some of the boards like the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and expressed worry regarding the purported delay in the re-constitution of ESOGPADEC.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
They claimed that with the non-constitution of the commission’s board after about two years of the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led administration in office, their oil and gas producing communities had been neglected and marginalised in the administration’s development agenda.
A leader of the protesting youths, Osadolor Osegbe, told newsmen that the concerned communities had written several letters to the Government House and the state House of Assembly on the need to reconstitute the commission.
According to him, they were yet to get any response from the relevant authorities, hence the protest to further press home their demand.
Osegbe claimed that Orhionmwon Local Government Area was responsible for 87 per cent of oil production as well as 100 per cent of gas production in Edo State but lamented that “we have been marginalised, exploited and neglected.
“Our people in the communities and villages are suffering from exploitation and environmental degradation as a result of the activities of oil exploration companies,” he added.
The placard-carrying protesters observed that the state government had re-constituted some of the boards like the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and expressed worry regarding the purported delay in the re-constitution of ESOGPADEC.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
They claimed that with the non-constitution of the commission’s board after about two years of the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led administration in office, their oil and gas producing communities had been neglected and marginalised in the administration’s development agenda.
A leader of the protesting youths, Osadolor Osegbe, told newsmen that the concerned communities had written several letters to the Government House and the state House of Assembly on the need to reconstitute the commission.
According to him, they were yet to get any response from the relevant authorities, hence the protest to further press home their demand.
Osegbe claimed that Orhionmwon Local Government Area was responsible for 87 per cent of oil production as well as 100 per cent of gas production in Edo State but lamented that “we have been marginalised, exploited and neglected.
“Our people in the communities and villages are suffering from exploitation and environmental degradation as a result of the activities of oil exploration companies,” he added.
Mass failure: Fg summons NECO boss
AGAIN, Federal Government, on Tuesday, summoned the Registrar and Chief Executive of the National Examination Council (NECO) Professor Promise Okpala, over what it described as unacceptable poor results of the June/July 2010 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) released on Monday.
Minister of State for Education, Mr Kenneth Gbagi, who said this while briefing newsmen in Abuja, in commemoration of the 2010 Year of Peace and Security, said he was sad and never satisfied with the results released by NECO on Monday, in which only 21 per cent of the candidates that sat for the examination passed English Language and Mathematics at credit level.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
He also spoke of a plan for another summit on examination barely four months after hosting an elaborate examination summit in response to mass failure recorded in Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the National Examination Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC).
Reacting to the poor performance of candidates in the examination, the minister while briefing newsmen alongside the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Professor Dapo Afolabi, disclosed that the ministry was neither happy nor satisfied with the recent result released by NECO and as such would be convening another examination summit.
The results released indicated another huge failure rate as less than 22 per cent of the total 1,132,357 of the students that sat for the exam passed English Language and Mathematics at distinction and credit levels.
Fielding questions from journalists the minister said that already the Registrar of NECO, Professor Promise Okpala, had been summoned to the ministry over the issue, adding that unlike before, teachers would now be recertified every three years rather than every five years.
Minister of State for Education, Mr Kenneth Gbagi, who said this while briefing newsmen in Abuja, in commemoration of the 2010 Year of Peace and Security, said he was sad and never satisfied with the results released by NECO on Monday, in which only 21 per cent of the candidates that sat for the examination passed English Language and Mathematics at credit level.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
He also spoke of a plan for another summit on examination barely four months after hosting an elaborate examination summit in response to mass failure recorded in Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the National Examination Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC).
Reacting to the poor performance of candidates in the examination, the minister while briefing newsmen alongside the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Professor Dapo Afolabi, disclosed that the ministry was neither happy nor satisfied with the recent result released by NECO and as such would be convening another examination summit.
The results released indicated another huge failure rate as less than 22 per cent of the total 1,132,357 of the students that sat for the exam passed English Language and Mathematics at distinction and credit levels.
Fielding questions from journalists the minister said that already the Registrar of NECO, Professor Promise Okpala, had been summoned to the ministry over the issue, adding that unlike before, teachers would now be recertified every three years rather than every five years.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Minister calls for stakeholders’ support to salvage education
THE Minister of Education, Professor Ruquayattu Ahmed Rufai, has called on education managers to put their acts together in combining efforts to salvage the Nigerian education sector, which has suffered from serious neglect over the years with results of several indices of measurement of standard indicating poor achievements.
The minister who gave the indication at a two-day workshop on Effective School Management for principals of senior secondary schools in Dutse, said the challenge must be taken care of in a collective manner by all stakeholders if Nigerian products are to measure on equal terms with their peers in other climes.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
She indicated that the workshop has come at an appropriate time going by the hopeless situation in the education sector as indicated by various development partners’ findings.
According to her: “Situation analysis on the condition of schools across the country prior to the Universal Basic education (UBE) programmes indicated that schools were lacking in almost all the measures that contribute to school’s effectiveness and quality.”
“Reports from our development partners project and Nigerian government initiative just before the implementation of the UBE, as contained in the project implementation plan also revealed that most teachers and managers who headed our schools’ systems and managed our resources did not receive any training beyond those acquired at the university degree and pre-degree level,” she noted.
She pointed out that the revelation tallies with the report at a stakeholders’ roundtable on the state of education in Nigeria.
Explaining further, she said the Monitoring and Learning Achievements (MLA), which is saddled with assessing the performances of the Nigerian pupils and students, has reported that their performance is lower compared to other sub-Saharan African countries in numeracy, literacy and life skills.
The minister revealed that their national average from the World Bank report indicated below 50 per cent in all the three areas of assessment as national average.
“Available records also indicated that, on the average and at national level, the proportion of qualified teachers in primary and secondary schools were 61 per cent and 51.68 per cent respectively. The issue must be addressed collectively, if our products are to compare favourably globally,” she reiterated.
Professor Rufai urged the participants to take part in the workshop dutifully as experienced, versatile and knowledgeable resource persons have been invited to treat the topics properly.
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) Nigeria, organisers of the workshop, indicated that the workshop was taken to Jigawa as a mark of honour to the minister. He charged the participants to reciprocate by being committed to their duties.
The minister who gave the indication at a two-day workshop on Effective School Management for principals of senior secondary schools in Dutse, said the challenge must be taken care of in a collective manner by all stakeholders if Nigerian products are to measure on equal terms with their peers in other climes.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
She indicated that the workshop has come at an appropriate time going by the hopeless situation in the education sector as indicated by various development partners’ findings.
According to her: “Situation analysis on the condition of schools across the country prior to the Universal Basic education (UBE) programmes indicated that schools were lacking in almost all the measures that contribute to school’s effectiveness and quality.”
“Reports from our development partners project and Nigerian government initiative just before the implementation of the UBE, as contained in the project implementation plan also revealed that most teachers and managers who headed our schools’ systems and managed our resources did not receive any training beyond those acquired at the university degree and pre-degree level,” she noted.
She pointed out that the revelation tallies with the report at a stakeholders’ roundtable on the state of education in Nigeria.
Explaining further, she said the Monitoring and Learning Achievements (MLA), which is saddled with assessing the performances of the Nigerian pupils and students, has reported that their performance is lower compared to other sub-Saharan African countries in numeracy, literacy and life skills.
The minister revealed that their national average from the World Bank report indicated below 50 per cent in all the three areas of assessment as national average.
“Available records also indicated that, on the average and at national level, the proportion of qualified teachers in primary and secondary schools were 61 per cent and 51.68 per cent respectively. The issue must be addressed collectively, if our products are to compare favourably globally,” she reiterated.
Professor Rufai urged the participants to take part in the workshop dutifully as experienced, versatile and knowledgeable resource persons have been invited to treat the topics properly.
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) Nigeria, organisers of the workshop, indicated that the workshop was taken to Jigawa as a mark of honour to the minister. He charged the participants to reciprocate by being committed to their duties.
Minister calls for stakeholders’ support to salvage education
THE Minister of Education, Professor Ruquayattu Ahmed Rufai, has called on education managers to put their acts together in combining efforts to salvage the Nigerian education sector, which has suffered from serious neglect over the years with results of several indices of measurement of standard indicating poor achievements.
The minister who gave the indication at a two-day workshop on Effective School Management for principals of senior secondary schools in Dutse, said the challenge must be taken care of in a collective manner by all stakeholders if Nigerian products are to measure on equal terms with their peers in other climes.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
She indicated that the workshop has come at an appropriate time going by the hopeless situation in the education sector as indicated by various development partners’ findings.
According to her: “Situation analysis on the condition of schools across the country prior to the Universal Basic education (UBE) programmes indicated that schools were lacking in almost all the measures that contribute to school’s effectiveness and quality.”
“Reports from our development partners project and Nigerian government initiative just before the implementation of the UBE, as contained in the project implementation plan also revealed that most teachers and managers who headed our schools’ systems and managed our resources did not receive any training beyond those acquired at the university degree and pre-degree level,” she noted.
She pointed out that the revelation tallies with the report at a stakeholders’ roundtable on the state of education in Nigeria.
Explaining further, she said the Monitoring and Learning Achievements (MLA), which is saddled with assessing the performances of the Nigerian pupils and students, has reported that their performance is lower compared to other sub-Saharan African countries in numeracy, literacy and life skills.
The minister revealed that their national average from the World Bank report indicated below 50 per cent in all the three areas of assessment as national average.
“Available records also indicated that, on the average and at national level, the proportion of qualified teachers in primary and secondary schools were 61 per cent and 51.68 per cent respectively. The issue must be addressed collectively, if our products are to compare favourably globally,” she reiterated.
Professor Rufai urged the participants to take part in the workshop dutifully as experienced, versatile and knowledgeable resource persons have been invited to treat the topics properly.
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) Nigeria, organisers of the workshop, indicated that the workshop was taken to Jigawa as a mark of honour to the minister. He charged the participants to reciprocate by being committed to their duties.
The minister who gave the indication at a two-day workshop on Effective School Management for principals of senior secondary schools in Dutse, said the challenge must be taken care of in a collective manner by all stakeholders if Nigerian products are to measure on equal terms with their peers in other climes.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
She indicated that the workshop has come at an appropriate time going by the hopeless situation in the education sector as indicated by various development partners’ findings.
According to her: “Situation analysis on the condition of schools across the country prior to the Universal Basic education (UBE) programmes indicated that schools were lacking in almost all the measures that contribute to school’s effectiveness and quality.”
“Reports from our development partners project and Nigerian government initiative just before the implementation of the UBE, as contained in the project implementation plan also revealed that most teachers and managers who headed our schools’ systems and managed our resources did not receive any training beyond those acquired at the university degree and pre-degree level,” she noted.
She pointed out that the revelation tallies with the report at a stakeholders’ roundtable on the state of education in Nigeria.
Explaining further, she said the Monitoring and Learning Achievements (MLA), which is saddled with assessing the performances of the Nigerian pupils and students, has reported that their performance is lower compared to other sub-Saharan African countries in numeracy, literacy and life skills.
The minister revealed that their national average from the World Bank report indicated below 50 per cent in all the three areas of assessment as national average.
“Available records also indicated that, on the average and at national level, the proportion of qualified teachers in primary and secondary schools were 61 per cent and 51.68 per cent respectively. The issue must be addressed collectively, if our products are to compare favourably globally,” she reiterated.
Professor Rufai urged the participants to take part in the workshop dutifully as experienced, versatile and knowledgeable resource persons have been invited to treat the topics properly.
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) Nigeria, organisers of the workshop, indicated that the workshop was taken to Jigawa as a mark of honour to the minister. He charged the participants to reciprocate by being committed to their duties.
Buhari’s party slams S’East governors over ASUU strike
The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) on Wednesday, slammed the South-East governors for non-challance over the current strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities in state universities in that region.
The party said in a statement by the national publicity secretary, Mr Aghanya Dennis sent by email to the Nigerian Tribune in Lagos that their attitude could have a dire consequence, because of the importance of education in the lives of the younger generation.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
The party, which parades a former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, as one its stalwarts, stated that the current situation was disheartening that, at a time when the catch phrase across the world was capacity building, coupled with knowledge-based paradigm, the governors were unperturbed by strike.
The party added that such attitude was also deplorable, because the region was one of the most disadvantaged in the education of the youth.
According to the CPC, when other Nigerians pursued education, the south easterners pursued trade apprenticeship, giving rise to a class of illiterate and semi-illiterate adults in businesses.
The party said in a statement by the national publicity secretary, Mr Aghanya Dennis sent by email to the Nigerian Tribune in Lagos that their attitude could have a dire consequence, because of the importance of education in the lives of the younger generation.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
The party, which parades a former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, as one its stalwarts, stated that the current situation was disheartening that, at a time when the catch phrase across the world was capacity building, coupled with knowledge-based paradigm, the governors were unperturbed by strike.
The party added that such attitude was also deplorable, because the region was one of the most disadvantaged in the education of the youth.
According to the CPC, when other Nigerians pursued education, the south easterners pursued trade apprenticeship, giving rise to a class of illiterate and semi-illiterate adults in businesses.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
UNIBEN medical students protest non-accreditation
Tuesday paralysed at the University of Benin, Edo State and the entire Ugbowo area for several hours, as students of the School of Medicine protested the non-accreditation of the faculty’s programmes and that of School of Dentistry by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
The students, who were in a large number, refused to speak to journalists until they were addressed by their Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oyuki Oshodin.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
Some were overheard saying that “those who are to graduate in a few weeks’ time will not get a licence to practise as medical doctors and dentists, despite having spent over seven years in the school.”
They said that their future was being threatened, adding that UNIBEN authorities appeared nonchalant to their plight.
Vehicular and human traffic was blocked on the long stretch of the Ugbowo-Lagos Road while road users laboured to find their way out of the city.
The school entrance gate was closed even as the VC was prevented from coming out of the premises. A cameraman attached to DBN Television was manhandled by some of the students.
When contacted, the institution’s spokesman, Mr. Osaze Osarenren, said the protest was misplaced as the institution was already trying on meeting the MDCN’s requirements.
He said, “It was suspension of accreditation and they gave us 12 months to put those things rights and if we didn’t do they can now sanction us. We have been meeting with the Federal Ministry of Education on this matter and things are being put in place.
Before the end of the ongoing examination, which is not even the finals, all these things will be done. In fact, the vice-chancellor and some senior officials are air airborne (3.05 pm) to Abuja on the same matter.”
Meanwhile, the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association in a statement signed by its chairman, Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, its secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ighodaro and Publoic Relations Officer. Dr. Kennedy Alohan urged the council of the university and that of Igbinedion University, which was also affected to quickly meet the demands of the MDCN in order not to create vacuum in the profession.
The statement read in part: “As a responsible association, we support efforts by the Council at ensuring the maintenance of standards in medical education in Nigeria universities.
“The loss of accreditation by these universities to train doctors has very serious implications for the already comatose health sector in our state and country.
“We therefore call on the authorities of the affected universities and the respective heads of the Colleges of Medical Sciences to work very closely with the MDCN with a view to quickly addressing the issues that led to this unfortunate situation.”
The students, who were in a large number, refused to speak to journalists until they were addressed by their Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oyuki Oshodin.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
Some were overheard saying that “those who are to graduate in a few weeks’ time will not get a licence to practise as medical doctors and dentists, despite having spent over seven years in the school.”
They said that their future was being threatened, adding that UNIBEN authorities appeared nonchalant to their plight.
Vehicular and human traffic was blocked on the long stretch of the Ugbowo-Lagos Road while road users laboured to find their way out of the city.
The school entrance gate was closed even as the VC was prevented from coming out of the premises. A cameraman attached to DBN Television was manhandled by some of the students.
When contacted, the institution’s spokesman, Mr. Osaze Osarenren, said the protest was misplaced as the institution was already trying on meeting the MDCN’s requirements.
He said, “It was suspension of accreditation and they gave us 12 months to put those things rights and if we didn’t do they can now sanction us. We have been meeting with the Federal Ministry of Education on this matter and things are being put in place.
Before the end of the ongoing examination, which is not even the finals, all these things will be done. In fact, the vice-chancellor and some senior officials are air airborne (3.05 pm) to Abuja on the same matter.”
Meanwhile, the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association in a statement signed by its chairman, Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, its secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ighodaro and Publoic Relations Officer. Dr. Kennedy Alohan urged the council of the university and that of Igbinedion University, which was also affected to quickly meet the demands of the MDCN in order not to create vacuum in the profession.
The statement read in part: “As a responsible association, we support efforts by the Council at ensuring the maintenance of standards in medical education in Nigeria universities.
“The loss of accreditation by these universities to train doctors has very serious implications for the already comatose health sector in our state and country.
“We therefore call on the authorities of the affected universities and the respective heads of the Colleges of Medical Sciences to work very closely with the MDCN with a view to quickly addressing the issues that led to this unfortunate situation.”
Unilorin DVC stresses importance of post-UME test
The Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin , Professor Kolade L. Ayorinde at the weekend disclosed that of the 27,847 candidates that sat for the post-UME test this month at the university, about 16,225 scored the average of 50 per cent and above.
Ayorinde added that though of the 73,392 candidates that applied to UNILORIN either as first, second or most preferred choice institution, for the 2010/2011 admission exercise, only 27, 847 ultimately sat for the pre-registration screening.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
The Professor of agriculture stated this in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, saying that in the screening exercise that took place between August 16 and 23 at the Ilorin, Lagos and Minna centres, 58.2 per cent candidates scored 50percent and above. He added that about 11,622 candidates scored lower than 50 in the exercise.
Prof Ayorinde added that the outcome of the screening exercise justified the necessity of post-UME.
According to the deputy vice-chancellor, “if candidates that scored 280 (out of 400) or more in Unified Tertiary Institutions Matriculation Examinations (UTME) could score far below 50 per cent in the pre-admission screening as the recent experience has shown, it clearly indicates that ‘JAMB’ is not enough,” he said.
“While the questions asked were to test the general aptitude of the candidates and determine their suitability for university education, rather than competence on specific subjects, the 41.74 per cent failure recorded is a wake-up call that better measurements need to be developed to test the academic competence of students,” the deputy vice-chancellor academic said.
On what parents and candidates should expect after the screening, Prof. Ayorinde said that a phase in the admission process had just been completed while other phases would immediately follow. He added that “what we have done is a phase. The next phase is to generate a list. Then, Senate would take a decision on the cut-off mark. Afterwards, the Admission Committee would sit to work and successful candidates would be admitted.”
On what it takes to be offered admission, the professor said “admission depends on the number of students that applied for a particular course, the nature of the course applied for and the weighted average score of a candidate.
“Courses have carrying capacities and there is no way having 50percent or more can automatically guarantee admission. Using the experience of last year as a case study, Prof. Ayorinde said candidates that score less than 70percent would not be admitted.
Ayorinde added that though of the 73,392 candidates that applied to UNILORIN either as first, second or most preferred choice institution, for the 2010/2011 admission exercise, only 27, 847 ultimately sat for the pre-registration screening.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
The Professor of agriculture stated this in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, saying that in the screening exercise that took place between August 16 and 23 at the Ilorin, Lagos and Minna centres, 58.2 per cent candidates scored 50percent and above. He added that about 11,622 candidates scored lower than 50 in the exercise.
Prof Ayorinde added that the outcome of the screening exercise justified the necessity of post-UME.
According to the deputy vice-chancellor, “if candidates that scored 280 (out of 400) or more in Unified Tertiary Institutions Matriculation Examinations (UTME) could score far below 50 per cent in the pre-admission screening as the recent experience has shown, it clearly indicates that ‘JAMB’ is not enough,” he said.
“While the questions asked were to test the general aptitude of the candidates and determine their suitability for university education, rather than competence on specific subjects, the 41.74 per cent failure recorded is a wake-up call that better measurements need to be developed to test the academic competence of students,” the deputy vice-chancellor academic said.
On what parents and candidates should expect after the screening, Prof. Ayorinde said that a phase in the admission process had just been completed while other phases would immediately follow. He added that “what we have done is a phase. The next phase is to generate a list. Then, Senate would take a decision on the cut-off mark. Afterwards, the Admission Committee would sit to work and successful candidates would be admitted.”
On what it takes to be offered admission, the professor said “admission depends on the number of students that applied for a particular course, the nature of the course applied for and the weighted average score of a candidate.
“Courses have carrying capacities and there is no way having 50percent or more can automatically guarantee admission. Using the experience of last year as a case study, Prof. Ayorinde said candidates that score less than 70percent would not be admitted.
Mbamalu, 20, dares scientists to evaluate his invented jet
The name of Chinedu King Mbamalu may not ring a bell. But the young man from Anambra State thinks it is only a matter of time, and the world will know what he has to offer.
He is just a school certificate holder. But Mbamalu has a tall ambition to be a great inventor. He has performed the rare feat of inventing “a jet propelled engine system which offers a better efficiency at sub-sonic and hypersonic speed.”
Mbamalu is only 20, but his thinking process is far beyond his age. He supplies all answers to questions with effortlessly. But his intellectual prowess did not reflect so much in his academic performance. This, he said, was because of his obsession with inventions. According to him, much of his time was spent on his project rather than in his books.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
His passion put him at cross-purposes with his relations, especially his father who feels that he should further his education. But Mbamalu says he is not perturbed because at the end of the day both those for and against him will be better for it. He spoke with Daily Sun: “I am from Anambra State. I am a researcher and inventor. I am the inventor of an engine system that I call the VCCFIJ which is short for Varying Combined Circle Fuel Internal Jet.
“It is a jet proportioned system. Jet engines are in accordance with Newton’s laws of motion, and emit gasses that generate thrust. As a jet proportioned system, it offers a better efficiency, at sub-sonic and hyper-sonic speed that is designed for VCCFIJ. It doesn’t have the inherent problems of the current jet proportioned systems like overheating and some other problems that they face.
“I have been working on the VCCFIJ for two intensive years. I have been able to come up with something of international credence. The stage which I am now, which is the calculation and calibration stage, I have to work with someone. We have been able to come up with something reasonable enough in the calculations.
That is where I am currently.
“I have been trying to get people convinced about what I have been able to come up with. I am a school leaver and I have always had this obsession for jet proportioned systems from my secondary school days. In fact, I have been finding it hard to concentrate during classes while in school because I basically began my research in secondary school.
“My obsession with deep science or the higher science began from when I was in secondary school. It affected my performance considerably, but that did not hold me back. I have been researching and applying the laws of physics and utilizing my knowledge, using research materials from the internet and experts. I have been able to come up with something that will meet the standards of any system in the world.
“That is exactly why I want evaluators, sponsors, experts. People who could actually look at this proportioned system and understand what I am talking about. Basically, people cannot understand how a school leaver would come up with something as complex as a jet proportioned system, claiming that it is better than any other systems in most areas like efficiency, specific impulse, thrust to weight ratio, being able to operate from sub-sonic, to super-sonic, to hyper-sonic speed now. People are very skeptical about it.
“I don’t have a patent right yet, but I wanted to file for a patent here in Nigeria with NOTAP, the agency that is responsible for patents in the country. For some technical reasons I dropped that bid for patent. Actually, I am looking at a situation whereby I would have able sponsors who would be able to subject the jet proportion systems to professional evaluation, and then be able to give reasonable conclusion on it.”
Fear of being shortchanged
“I have a lawyer whom I have been working with. I want to have sponsors who are willing and ready to evaluate this, with the promise of taking it up, and sponsoring the project and developing it. Then we will sign a disclosure agreement with them before we procure a patent. In the meantime, during the evaluation, it will remain under that agreement which states that the contents of the signed agreement will not be disclosed. I think that is enough protection before a patent.”
Sponsors needed
“Sponsors are good-will people who want to develop young minds and talents. When they come, and we have these evaluators around, they would look at this engine because I don’t have a prototype. Prototyping this engine will be very expensive, something that I cannot handle financially. I would need these experts to come in and see the work that I have been able to do. I have engineering drawings and working principles. If they go through all these documents, as experts, they should be able to tell whether what I have done so far is making a meaning.
“What I have been able to come up with is the theoretical part, the part which experts study in schools. When we subject this engine to test, we would be able to have a prototype and then tell that this is what it is able to do. Any expert in the field, given an engineering drawing and working principles should be able to tell the performance of an engine.”
Poor educational system
“The educational system is poor. It goes down to a lot of things in the country. It takes the person to go an extra mile, and take unethical routes to break through. There are a couple of people who have been able to break through, and have been able to come to limelight. “I have met so many difficulties on the way. I have been under immense pressure to return to school, to higher institution. Even if I were able to do that, because of my choice, I would not have been able to study in the country. It takes one to go an extra mile to get into the market because on a general note, inventors are not taken seriously.
“Even in the US they are never taken seriously. They are always seen as clownish and eccentric persons. To succeed, an inventor must be ready to be a risk-taker. An invention might look good on paper, but when you do the prototype, you might realize that it is not what it is. It is a very risky venture. It is something that if you get it right, you are a winner, but if you get it wrong, you have lost. I am only trying to be a professional, but there is another part to the issue. I have certain convictions that I am doing the right thing. I understand what I am doing and I am very confident that I have a system that will beat all other systems in existence. That has been proven by me, and will soon be proven by experts.
“I am not a material scientist. Until we have experts like material scientists coming in, and other experts who know what the market costs of engines, we would know what the price is, and get an estimate. But now, I might not be able to get an estimate because jet engines are quite expensive systems. We are looking at something that will be in millions of dollars, not in naira. As for evaluators coming into the country, it is the issue of having a sponsor because this is a business opportunity. Anyone who understands that there are economic benefits that he, or she could get from this system, wouldn’t want to let others cash in on it before them. At the stage where I am now, I am willing to work with ready investors. People who are ready to talk to me, and develop this invention.
“We have people who are gifted. It is like someone who goes to music school, and another who is a gifted musician. Someone who goes to music school, is someone who goes to learn the in and out of music. Now a gifted musician comes up and produces a track that is far better than that produced by someone who went to music school. This, he does without even going to music school.
“I believe that gift is credible. Something you can count on to reach certain conditions. Certain people are gifted and can create certain things. This has nothing to do with certificate. It is in them naturally. You can look at the Wright brothers who invented an aircraft. They didn’t go to any school of aero dynamics to study aerospace engineering but they were able to come up with something that worked. So, my educational qualification is immaterial. In fact, it doesn’t bother me because if I have people who understand what it entails, and are able to come down and evaluate what I have.”
He is just a school certificate holder. But Mbamalu has a tall ambition to be a great inventor. He has performed the rare feat of inventing “a jet propelled engine system which offers a better efficiency at sub-sonic and hypersonic speed.”
Mbamalu is only 20, but his thinking process is far beyond his age. He supplies all answers to questions with effortlessly. But his intellectual prowess did not reflect so much in his academic performance. This, he said, was because of his obsession with inventions. According to him, much of his time was spent on his project rather than in his books.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
His passion put him at cross-purposes with his relations, especially his father who feels that he should further his education. But Mbamalu says he is not perturbed because at the end of the day both those for and against him will be better for it. He spoke with Daily Sun: “I am from Anambra State. I am a researcher and inventor. I am the inventor of an engine system that I call the VCCFIJ which is short for Varying Combined Circle Fuel Internal Jet.
“It is a jet proportioned system. Jet engines are in accordance with Newton’s laws of motion, and emit gasses that generate thrust. As a jet proportioned system, it offers a better efficiency, at sub-sonic and hyper-sonic speed that is designed for VCCFIJ. It doesn’t have the inherent problems of the current jet proportioned systems like overheating and some other problems that they face.
“I have been working on the VCCFIJ for two intensive years. I have been able to come up with something of international credence. The stage which I am now, which is the calculation and calibration stage, I have to work with someone. We have been able to come up with something reasonable enough in the calculations.
That is where I am currently.
“I have been trying to get people convinced about what I have been able to come up with. I am a school leaver and I have always had this obsession for jet proportioned systems from my secondary school days. In fact, I have been finding it hard to concentrate during classes while in school because I basically began my research in secondary school.
“My obsession with deep science or the higher science began from when I was in secondary school. It affected my performance considerably, but that did not hold me back. I have been researching and applying the laws of physics and utilizing my knowledge, using research materials from the internet and experts. I have been able to come up with something that will meet the standards of any system in the world.
“That is exactly why I want evaluators, sponsors, experts. People who could actually look at this proportioned system and understand what I am talking about. Basically, people cannot understand how a school leaver would come up with something as complex as a jet proportioned system, claiming that it is better than any other systems in most areas like efficiency, specific impulse, thrust to weight ratio, being able to operate from sub-sonic, to super-sonic, to hyper-sonic speed now. People are very skeptical about it.
“I don’t have a patent right yet, but I wanted to file for a patent here in Nigeria with NOTAP, the agency that is responsible for patents in the country. For some technical reasons I dropped that bid for patent. Actually, I am looking at a situation whereby I would have able sponsors who would be able to subject the jet proportion systems to professional evaluation, and then be able to give reasonable conclusion on it.”
Fear of being shortchanged
“I have a lawyer whom I have been working with. I want to have sponsors who are willing and ready to evaluate this, with the promise of taking it up, and sponsoring the project and developing it. Then we will sign a disclosure agreement with them before we procure a patent. In the meantime, during the evaluation, it will remain under that agreement which states that the contents of the signed agreement will not be disclosed. I think that is enough protection before a patent.”
Sponsors needed
“Sponsors are good-will people who want to develop young minds and talents. When they come, and we have these evaluators around, they would look at this engine because I don’t have a prototype. Prototyping this engine will be very expensive, something that I cannot handle financially. I would need these experts to come in and see the work that I have been able to do. I have engineering drawings and working principles. If they go through all these documents, as experts, they should be able to tell whether what I have done so far is making a meaning.
“What I have been able to come up with is the theoretical part, the part which experts study in schools. When we subject this engine to test, we would be able to have a prototype and then tell that this is what it is able to do. Any expert in the field, given an engineering drawing and working principles should be able to tell the performance of an engine.”
Poor educational system
“The educational system is poor. It goes down to a lot of things in the country. It takes the person to go an extra mile, and take unethical routes to break through. There are a couple of people who have been able to break through, and have been able to come to limelight. “I have met so many difficulties on the way. I have been under immense pressure to return to school, to higher institution. Even if I were able to do that, because of my choice, I would not have been able to study in the country. It takes one to go an extra mile to get into the market because on a general note, inventors are not taken seriously.
“Even in the US they are never taken seriously. They are always seen as clownish and eccentric persons. To succeed, an inventor must be ready to be a risk-taker. An invention might look good on paper, but when you do the prototype, you might realize that it is not what it is. It is a very risky venture. It is something that if you get it right, you are a winner, but if you get it wrong, you have lost. I am only trying to be a professional, but there is another part to the issue. I have certain convictions that I am doing the right thing. I understand what I am doing and I am very confident that I have a system that will beat all other systems in existence. That has been proven by me, and will soon be proven by experts.
“I am not a material scientist. Until we have experts like material scientists coming in, and other experts who know what the market costs of engines, we would know what the price is, and get an estimate. But now, I might not be able to get an estimate because jet engines are quite expensive systems. We are looking at something that will be in millions of dollars, not in naira. As for evaluators coming into the country, it is the issue of having a sponsor because this is a business opportunity. Anyone who understands that there are economic benefits that he, or she could get from this system, wouldn’t want to let others cash in on it before them. At the stage where I am now, I am willing to work with ready investors. People who are ready to talk to me, and develop this invention.
“We have people who are gifted. It is like someone who goes to music school, and another who is a gifted musician. Someone who goes to music school, is someone who goes to learn the in and out of music. Now a gifted musician comes up and produces a track that is far better than that produced by someone who went to music school. This, he does without even going to music school.
“I believe that gift is credible. Something you can count on to reach certain conditions. Certain people are gifted and can create certain things. This has nothing to do with certificate. It is in them naturally. You can look at the Wright brothers who invented an aircraft. They didn’t go to any school of aero dynamics to study aerospace engineering but they were able to come up with something that worked. So, my educational qualification is immaterial. In fact, it doesn’t bother me because if I have people who understand what it entails, and are able to come down and evaluate what I have.”
Friday, September 10, 2010
7 New Skills Every Worker Needs
You're an expert at something? Hey, congratulations. Now, go become an expert at something else.
Most Americans striving to find or keep a job know the sensation: It's getting harder to get ahead, and the demands keep intensifying. Everybody knows how the recession destroyed wealth and derailed careers, leaving millions in a hole they're trying to dig out of. Now we're beginning to see some of the longer-term changes in the way Americans live and work. Some are distressing, but there's also plenty of hope for people who are industrious and willing to do what's necessary to succeed.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
Unemployment is obviously far too high these days, and likely to stay that way for a couple of years at least. A prolonged "jobless recovery" is likely to depress incomes, spending, and living standards. But it's a mistake to assume that there are no good jobs or that Americans must consign themselves to inevitable decline. Despite a damaged economy, good jobs are emerging for people with the right qualifications. And it's an ineluctable fact of capitalism that wealth can be created by those who are shrewd, determined, or just plain lucky. Even now.
The catch is that success these days requires new skills and a degree of toughness that a lot of Americans lack. A recent survey of big companies by consulting firm Accenture, for example, found that the majority plan to hire over the next two years. But not like before. Like many individuals, firms fear that they're failing to keep up with technology and falling behind in a ruthlessly competitive marketplace. Only 15 percent of firms in the survey, for instance, felt that their workers have cutting-edge skills. That means they're interested in hiring talented workers who are able to give them an edge. But few companies plan across-the-board hiring to reverse the mass layoffs of the last three years. Instead, most firms plan targeted hiring to fill their most vital needs--while maintaining a lean payroll in case the economy turns south again.
Specific needs vary by company and industry, of course, but some key commonalities apply to many firms. Here are some of the attributes that workers will need to thrive in an austere economy:
Agility
When the recession hit, a lot of companies discovered that their workforce was poorly configured for a sharp downturn. Many big firms didn't know enough about their workers' skills to move people where they were needed, for example, so they ended up cutting staff by arbitrary percentages or axing whole departments. Then they realized that they had fired people they needed, along with others they could do without. Now, as companies rebuild, they intend to fix that problem. That means there will be fewer full-time hires and more temporary workers, even among managers and professionals. Companies will hire people for particular projects, for example, and maybe even offer some of the same benefits that full-time staffers get. But they'll also retain the ability to quickly downsize without the trauma and expense of a mass layoff. And they'll move people around more frequently, to best match workers' abilities with the company's needs.
Workers will have to get used to less predictable work, more turnover, and careers that could entail several different jobs and even different disciplines. Those who adjust to project-related work without a single, long-term employer could turn out to be appealing hires--and they might learn to enjoy the breaks between jobs. But those who complain about turbulence and insist on a stable, predictable career path could find that nobody's listening--or offering them a job.
Skill Combos
If you're good at one thing--but only one thing--companies might pass you by. In the Accenture survey, for example, companies said that sales, customer service, and finance were their most important functional areas. But lots of people have that kind of experience, and many of them are unemployed. The way to differentiate yourself--and land that job that 150 people applied for--is to develop and highlight two or three different skill sets, such as IT and strategic planning, or sales and logistics. That will make you more valuable to an employer, especially if they need to shuffle workers around. A 2009 study by consulting firm McKinsey found that the highest earners with the best overall prospects have a combination of valuable skills. That's especially true in global companies that need technical experts who are also good at managing the complexities of international supply chains or a dispersed staff. The more things you're good at, the more reasons you give a company to hire you.
Tacit Skills
Companies increasingly value intangible qualities that are hard to put on a resume, like informed intuition, judgment under pressure, ease with clients, and problem-solving abilities. These "tacit" or "cognitive" skills tend to come with experience, but they also accrue to people who seek additional responsibility, volunteer for tough assignments, and are willing to take risks. The McKinsey study, for instance, found "an increasing demand for tasks that require human skills complemented by technology." To build these kinds of skills, work with colleagues who seem to have them and volunteer for projects that will force you to learn new things. To highlight these intangibles for a potential employer, line up references from people who can attest to your tacit abilities and find concrete ways to emphasize how you've solved problems or achieved unconventional results.
A Broad Vision
You might be missing out on a good job simply because you're looking in the wrong field. Most people tend to look for work in the industry they're most familiar with, but with sharp downsizing in industries like construction, real estate, retail, and manufacturing, that can be self-defeating. Cathy Farley of Accenture recommends focusing on your skills--not your job or title--and exploring whether you can apply them in a different field. "If you did supply chain management in manufacturing, maybe look in healthcare," she says. "If you did project management in construction, that could apply in a corporate environment." Companies might even value the perspective of somebody who comes from a different discipline, but it's up to you to suggest the fit and explain why it might work.
Analytics
Whatever your field, chances are there are new data-gathering tools to help assess performance and identify opportunities. The explosion of computer programs and other tools for measuring sales, Web traffic, return on investment, and consumer behavior leaves little in business unexamined--including your own performance. In the past, analytics was often the job of data geeks poring over spreadsheets. But it's becoming everybody's job, and the more you know about your own performance or that of your division, the more likely you'll be able to improve it. Training involves the use of spreadsheets and various computer applications, offered through many companies, community colleges, and training centers. Or teach yourself.
Curiosity
It's not something you'd put on a resume, but an inquisitive mind can help inoculate you against the vicissitudes of a chronically tough job market. "Your greatest defense against what's happening is to be interested in a wide variety of things and be intrigued by things," says business guru Tom Peters, author of The Little Big Things and 14 other books. Curiosity, he says, "will lead you instinctively to talk to people you wouldn't ordinarily talk to, to go farther afield than you might think you should." That's the way to find opportunity, especially when many conventional paths to advancement have narrowed or closed.
Self-Reliance
It's becoming apparent that the big institutions that many Americans have relied on for the last 50 years--corporate America, banks, the government--won't be as supportive in the future. Those who adjust and become more entrepreneurial will be the winners. That means developing more technical skills instead of relying on others, making lots of backup plans, and building a big cushion in case something goes wrong. "Don't get too dependent on having total continuous employment," advises Peters. That way, if you end up out of work for a while, it might seem like more of a blessing than a curse. And you'll know what to do next.
Most Americans striving to find or keep a job know the sensation: It's getting harder to get ahead, and the demands keep intensifying. Everybody knows how the recession destroyed wealth and derailed careers, leaving millions in a hole they're trying to dig out of. Now we're beginning to see some of the longer-term changes in the way Americans live and work. Some are distressing, but there's also plenty of hope for people who are industrious and willing to do what's necessary to succeed.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
Unemployment is obviously far too high these days, and likely to stay that way for a couple of years at least. A prolonged "jobless recovery" is likely to depress incomes, spending, and living standards. But it's a mistake to assume that there are no good jobs or that Americans must consign themselves to inevitable decline. Despite a damaged economy, good jobs are emerging for people with the right qualifications. And it's an ineluctable fact of capitalism that wealth can be created by those who are shrewd, determined, or just plain lucky. Even now.
The catch is that success these days requires new skills and a degree of toughness that a lot of Americans lack. A recent survey of big companies by consulting firm Accenture, for example, found that the majority plan to hire over the next two years. But not like before. Like many individuals, firms fear that they're failing to keep up with technology and falling behind in a ruthlessly competitive marketplace. Only 15 percent of firms in the survey, for instance, felt that their workers have cutting-edge skills. That means they're interested in hiring talented workers who are able to give them an edge. But few companies plan across-the-board hiring to reverse the mass layoffs of the last three years. Instead, most firms plan targeted hiring to fill their most vital needs--while maintaining a lean payroll in case the economy turns south again.
Specific needs vary by company and industry, of course, but some key commonalities apply to many firms. Here are some of the attributes that workers will need to thrive in an austere economy:
Agility
When the recession hit, a lot of companies discovered that their workforce was poorly configured for a sharp downturn. Many big firms didn't know enough about their workers' skills to move people where they were needed, for example, so they ended up cutting staff by arbitrary percentages or axing whole departments. Then they realized that they had fired people they needed, along with others they could do without. Now, as companies rebuild, they intend to fix that problem. That means there will be fewer full-time hires and more temporary workers, even among managers and professionals. Companies will hire people for particular projects, for example, and maybe even offer some of the same benefits that full-time staffers get. But they'll also retain the ability to quickly downsize without the trauma and expense of a mass layoff. And they'll move people around more frequently, to best match workers' abilities with the company's needs.
Workers will have to get used to less predictable work, more turnover, and careers that could entail several different jobs and even different disciplines. Those who adjust to project-related work without a single, long-term employer could turn out to be appealing hires--and they might learn to enjoy the breaks between jobs. But those who complain about turbulence and insist on a stable, predictable career path could find that nobody's listening--or offering them a job.
Skill Combos
If you're good at one thing--but only one thing--companies might pass you by. In the Accenture survey, for example, companies said that sales, customer service, and finance were their most important functional areas. But lots of people have that kind of experience, and many of them are unemployed. The way to differentiate yourself--and land that job that 150 people applied for--is to develop and highlight two or three different skill sets, such as IT and strategic planning, or sales and logistics. That will make you more valuable to an employer, especially if they need to shuffle workers around. A 2009 study by consulting firm McKinsey found that the highest earners with the best overall prospects have a combination of valuable skills. That's especially true in global companies that need technical experts who are also good at managing the complexities of international supply chains or a dispersed staff. The more things you're good at, the more reasons you give a company to hire you.
Tacit Skills
Companies increasingly value intangible qualities that are hard to put on a resume, like informed intuition, judgment under pressure, ease with clients, and problem-solving abilities. These "tacit" or "cognitive" skills tend to come with experience, but they also accrue to people who seek additional responsibility, volunteer for tough assignments, and are willing to take risks. The McKinsey study, for instance, found "an increasing demand for tasks that require human skills complemented by technology." To build these kinds of skills, work with colleagues who seem to have them and volunteer for projects that will force you to learn new things. To highlight these intangibles for a potential employer, line up references from people who can attest to your tacit abilities and find concrete ways to emphasize how you've solved problems or achieved unconventional results.
A Broad Vision
You might be missing out on a good job simply because you're looking in the wrong field. Most people tend to look for work in the industry they're most familiar with, but with sharp downsizing in industries like construction, real estate, retail, and manufacturing, that can be self-defeating. Cathy Farley of Accenture recommends focusing on your skills--not your job or title--and exploring whether you can apply them in a different field. "If you did supply chain management in manufacturing, maybe look in healthcare," she says. "If you did project management in construction, that could apply in a corporate environment." Companies might even value the perspective of somebody who comes from a different discipline, but it's up to you to suggest the fit and explain why it might work.
Analytics
Whatever your field, chances are there are new data-gathering tools to help assess performance and identify opportunities. The explosion of computer programs and other tools for measuring sales, Web traffic, return on investment, and consumer behavior leaves little in business unexamined--including your own performance. In the past, analytics was often the job of data geeks poring over spreadsheets. But it's becoming everybody's job, and the more you know about your own performance or that of your division, the more likely you'll be able to improve it. Training involves the use of spreadsheets and various computer applications, offered through many companies, community colleges, and training centers. Or teach yourself.
Curiosity
It's not something you'd put on a resume, but an inquisitive mind can help inoculate you against the vicissitudes of a chronically tough job market. "Your greatest defense against what's happening is to be interested in a wide variety of things and be intrigued by things," says business guru Tom Peters, author of The Little Big Things and 14 other books. Curiosity, he says, "will lead you instinctively to talk to people you wouldn't ordinarily talk to, to go farther afield than you might think you should." That's the way to find opportunity, especially when many conventional paths to advancement have narrowed or closed.
Self-Reliance
It's becoming apparent that the big institutions that many Americans have relied on for the last 50 years--corporate America, banks, the government--won't be as supportive in the future. Those who adjust and become more entrepreneurial will be the winners. That means developing more technical skills instead of relying on others, making lots of backup plans, and building a big cushion in case something goes wrong. "Don't get too dependent on having total continuous employment," advises Peters. That way, if you end up out of work for a while, it might seem like more of a blessing than a curse. And you'll know what to do next.
8 Things Employers Aren't Allowed to Ask You
The rough economy has made many people desperate for a job. In their eagerness for gainful employment, many people may overlook improper interview questions. Depending on how they are asked, questions about personal topics such as marital status, race and health are more than just poor manners - they are illegal under federal and some state and local laws. These types of questions can be used to discriminate against applicants, and it is your right not to answer them. Here are eight questions your employer cannot ask you.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
1. How old are you?
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), protects individuals who are 40 or older from being discriminated against in the workplace in favor of younger employees. There is no federal protection in place to protect workers younger than 40 from age discrimination. To determine if you are legally eligible to perform a job, employers are allowed to ask if you are over the age of 18.
2. Are you married?
Questions about marital status are prohibited. Employers might be tempted to ask this question to find out if your relationship could have a negative impact on your work. For example, if you are married you might be more likely to leave the company if your spouse gets a job transferred to a different city. Even a question as seemingly innocent as "Do you wish to be addressed as Mrs., Miss, or Ms.?" is not allowed.
3. Are you a U.S. citizen?
Citizenship and immigration status cannot be used against a potential employee during the hiring process according to The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA). Employers must wait until after a job offer had been extended to require a worker to complete the Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) Form and submit documentation that proves identity and employment authorization. It is lawful for an employer to ask an interviewee if they are authorized to work in the US.
4. Do you have any disabilities?
This question might seem necessary to determine if a job applicant can perform the required duties, but it is illegal to ask under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Employers cannot discount anyone from a job because of a physical or mental disability. In fact, the law requires that they accommodate disabilities unless they can prove it would cause significant difficulty or expense to do so. Employers also cannot ask you if you have had any past illnesses or operations.
5. Do you take drugs, smoke or drink?
Concerns about drug, alcohol or nicotine addictions are valid as they can impact an employee's quality of work and the rates of a company's health insurance coverage. However, an employer might find themselves in legal trouble if they don't frame questions about these potential problems in a careful manner. They are allowed to ask if you have ever been disciplined for violating company policies about the use of alcohol and tobacco products. They can also ask directly if you use illegal drugs, but an employer can't inquire about your use of prescription medications.
6. What religion do you practice?
Inquires about religious beliefs are a sensitive issue. An interviewer might be curious for scheduling reasons such as holidays that an employee might need off, or if the candidate will be unavailable to work on weekends because of religious obligations. It is illegal to intentionally discriminate against an employee or harass them based on their religious beliefs. Employers are required to accommodate an employee's religious beliefs or practices in regards to things such as dress and grooming policy and flexible scheduling.
7. What is your race?
There is no situation in which questions about an employee's race or skin color should be use to determine their eligibility for a job. This protection is granted under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Employers are permitted to ask an employee to reveal their race on a voluntary basis for affirmative action purposes.
8. Are you pregnant?
Questions about family status tend to affect women the most, but they can also pertain to men in certain situations. Employers might have concerns about an employee taking time off work for pregnancy leave or not having child care arrangements during work hours. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act states that an employer cannot refuse to hire a pregnant woman because of her pregnancy, because of a pregnancy-related condition, or because of the prejudices of co-workers, clients or customers.
It is, however, lawful for employers to ease their nerves about an employee's availability or commitment to a position by asking about long-term career goals or the ability for an employee to work overtime and travel.
The Bottom Line
It is important to know your rights as an employee. Unlawful questions are not acceptable on applications, during the interview process or in the workplace. Although improper questions by employers might be simple mistakes, they could also be intentional cases of discrimination that should be reported.
CULLED FROM YAHOO NEWS
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
1. How old are you?
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), protects individuals who are 40 or older from being discriminated against in the workplace in favor of younger employees. There is no federal protection in place to protect workers younger than 40 from age discrimination. To determine if you are legally eligible to perform a job, employers are allowed to ask if you are over the age of 18.
2. Are you married?
Questions about marital status are prohibited. Employers might be tempted to ask this question to find out if your relationship could have a negative impact on your work. For example, if you are married you might be more likely to leave the company if your spouse gets a job transferred to a different city. Even a question as seemingly innocent as "Do you wish to be addressed as Mrs., Miss, or Ms.?" is not allowed.
3. Are you a U.S. citizen?
Citizenship and immigration status cannot be used against a potential employee during the hiring process according to The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA). Employers must wait until after a job offer had been extended to require a worker to complete the Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) Form and submit documentation that proves identity and employment authorization. It is lawful for an employer to ask an interviewee if they are authorized to work in the US.
4. Do you have any disabilities?
This question might seem necessary to determine if a job applicant can perform the required duties, but it is illegal to ask under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Employers cannot discount anyone from a job because of a physical or mental disability. In fact, the law requires that they accommodate disabilities unless they can prove it would cause significant difficulty or expense to do so. Employers also cannot ask you if you have had any past illnesses or operations.
5. Do you take drugs, smoke or drink?
Concerns about drug, alcohol or nicotine addictions are valid as they can impact an employee's quality of work and the rates of a company's health insurance coverage. However, an employer might find themselves in legal trouble if they don't frame questions about these potential problems in a careful manner. They are allowed to ask if you have ever been disciplined for violating company policies about the use of alcohol and tobacco products. They can also ask directly if you use illegal drugs, but an employer can't inquire about your use of prescription medications.
6. What religion do you practice?
Inquires about religious beliefs are a sensitive issue. An interviewer might be curious for scheduling reasons such as holidays that an employee might need off, or if the candidate will be unavailable to work on weekends because of religious obligations. It is illegal to intentionally discriminate against an employee or harass them based on their religious beliefs. Employers are required to accommodate an employee's religious beliefs or practices in regards to things such as dress and grooming policy and flexible scheduling.
7. What is your race?
There is no situation in which questions about an employee's race or skin color should be use to determine their eligibility for a job. This protection is granted under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Employers are permitted to ask an employee to reveal their race on a voluntary basis for affirmative action purposes.
8. Are you pregnant?
Questions about family status tend to affect women the most, but they can also pertain to men in certain situations. Employers might have concerns about an employee taking time off work for pregnancy leave or not having child care arrangements during work hours. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act states that an employer cannot refuse to hire a pregnant woman because of her pregnancy, because of a pregnancy-related condition, or because of the prejudices of co-workers, clients or customers.
It is, however, lawful for employers to ease their nerves about an employee's availability or commitment to a position by asking about long-term career goals or the ability for an employee to work overtime and travel.
The Bottom Line
It is important to know your rights as an employee. Unlawful questions are not acceptable on applications, during the interview process or in the workplace. Although improper questions by employers might be simple mistakes, they could also be intentional cases of discrimination that should be reported.
CULLED FROM YAHOO NEWS
BNC raises alarm over plot to cause fresh crisis at UNIBEN
BENIN CITY — THE Benin National Congress, BNC, a Bini socio-cultural organisation, has raised alarm over alleged plot by some persons to cause fresh crisis at the University of Benin, UNIBEN, through what it described as frivolous petitions against the management of the university.
While vowing to resist such attempt, the Congress pointed accusing fingers at some persons it described as failed contractors, who had perfected plans to embark on a campaign of calumny against the management of the university led by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin, to cause unrest in the university.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
BNC in a statement by its Vice-President, Mr. Isibor Iziengbuna, said, “we appreciate sincere efforts for social justice, in the case of abuse of due process, however, we will not tolerate calculated attempts or acts that could smear the characters of our reputable sons and daughters by surrogates of a ‘failed opportunist’, as it is the case in this matter, even if it demands sacrificing the last drop of our blood.
“It is in a bid to dislodge these acts of opportunism and violation of due process, that the Congress staged a 2,500-man procession in University of Benin, on September 7, 2009. We are equally prepared to do same if these hired-pen-practitioners do not desist from distracting purposeful leadership that is currently in place in UNIBEN.
“As a prominent member of the host community of the University, we can attest to the credibility, transparency and a proactive sense of purpose with which the current management of the institution, led by Prof. Oshodin has been handling issues of admission, staff welfare, contracts awards as well as corporate social responsibility in the last nine months of assumption of office,” he said.
While vowing to resist such attempt, the Congress pointed accusing fingers at some persons it described as failed contractors, who had perfected plans to embark on a campaign of calumny against the management of the university led by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin, to cause unrest in the university.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
BNC in a statement by its Vice-President, Mr. Isibor Iziengbuna, said, “we appreciate sincere efforts for social justice, in the case of abuse of due process, however, we will not tolerate calculated attempts or acts that could smear the characters of our reputable sons and daughters by surrogates of a ‘failed opportunist’, as it is the case in this matter, even if it demands sacrificing the last drop of our blood.
“It is in a bid to dislodge these acts of opportunism and violation of due process, that the Congress staged a 2,500-man procession in University of Benin, on September 7, 2009. We are equally prepared to do same if these hired-pen-practitioners do not desist from distracting purposeful leadership that is currently in place in UNIBEN.
“As a prominent member of the host community of the University, we can attest to the credibility, transparency and a proactive sense of purpose with which the current management of the institution, led by Prof. Oshodin has been handling issues of admission, staff welfare, contracts awards as well as corporate social responsibility in the last nine months of assumption of office,” he said.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
FG Takes Over LAUTECH
FOLLOWING the management crisis that had rocked the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, for about four months, the proprietors, Oyo and Osun State governments, have said they can no longer continue to own the university as a joint venture.
Accordingly, the Federal Government is to take over the management of the university. Already, a transition committee to oversee the affairs of the university is to be set up by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the next three months.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
These resolutions were the outcome of the truce brokered by the NUC management on the expiration on Thursday of the ultimatum given by the commission for the two state governments to resolve the issues involved amicably or lose the licence of the university.
Director, Executive Secretary Office, NUC, Professor Chiedu Mafiana, who briefed newsmen in Abuja on Friday on behalf of the NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Julius Okojie, said the two state governors, Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo and Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun, who have been locked in the ownership crisis, have agreed to the recommendations of the commission.
Both states were represented by the secretaries to their governments and commissioners for education: Chief L. A. Olakojo and Prof. Taoheed Adedoja for Oyo State; as well as Alhaji Kazeem Adio and Mr. Kolawole Hassan for Osun State.
The two parties were given 24 hours within which to respond to the proposal presented to them by the NUC management after extensive dialogue on the issues in contention.
Mafiana disclosed to journalists that the two state governments agreed to the NUC proposals, and by implication, the governing council of university stands dissolved as the transition committee will be soon inaugurated by the NUC and will run the university until final arrangements on assets sharing are completed.
The proposal on the outcome of the meeting held on Thursday with the representatives of the two state governments addressed to the two governors, entitled, “Re: Proposal of National Universities Commission on Governance/Management Issues at LAUTECH” reads:
“The executive governors will please refer to the National Universities Commission (NUC) letter Ref. NUC/ES/244Nol. 32/37 of27 August 2010. The commission appreciates your acceptance of its consideration to arbitrate on the matter vide your letters Ref. EG/OSGH/114 of 1 September, 2010 and GOV.25Nol. II/445 of 1st September, 2010 from the governors of Osun and Oyo States respectively.
“As a mark of its commitment to amicable resolution of the issues, the commission, conscious of its responsibility and the need to safeguard the interests of staff, students, parents and guardians, considered the issues in contention at a meeting with officials of the two states on Thursday, 2 September 2010 at the NUC Secretariat, Abuja.
“Following extensive discussions, the meeting proposed the following actions towards full and amicable resolution of the governance/management issues at LAUTECH:
“A Transition Committee, to be headed by a reputable academic, shall be appointed to run the affairs of the university for a period of three (3) months; the Governing Council of the university shall stand dissolved immediately on appointment of the Transition Committee.
“The head of the Transition Committee shall not be an indigene of any of the states in the South West geopolitical zone: During the transition period, the roles of the Visitor to the university and the Vice-Chancellor shall be suspended.
“The university shall retain its present admission quota for both Osun and Oyo states in the 2010/2011 admission session; the interest of staff and students shall be fully protected irrespective of their state of origin.
The governors of Osun and Oyo states were required to accept or reject the above proposals not later than 3rd September, 2010.”
Mafiana, addressing newsmen, said the two states have accepted the proposal, bringing to an end the months-long crisis rocking the institution.
Accordingly, the Federal Government is to take over the management of the university. Already, a transition committee to oversee the affairs of the university is to be set up by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the next three months.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
These resolutions were the outcome of the truce brokered by the NUC management on the expiration on Thursday of the ultimatum given by the commission for the two state governments to resolve the issues involved amicably or lose the licence of the university.
Director, Executive Secretary Office, NUC, Professor Chiedu Mafiana, who briefed newsmen in Abuja on Friday on behalf of the NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Julius Okojie, said the two state governors, Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo and Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun, who have been locked in the ownership crisis, have agreed to the recommendations of the commission.
Both states were represented by the secretaries to their governments and commissioners for education: Chief L. A. Olakojo and Prof. Taoheed Adedoja for Oyo State; as well as Alhaji Kazeem Adio and Mr. Kolawole Hassan for Osun State.
The two parties were given 24 hours within which to respond to the proposal presented to them by the NUC management after extensive dialogue on the issues in contention.
Mafiana disclosed to journalists that the two state governments agreed to the NUC proposals, and by implication, the governing council of university stands dissolved as the transition committee will be soon inaugurated by the NUC and will run the university until final arrangements on assets sharing are completed.
The proposal on the outcome of the meeting held on Thursday with the representatives of the two state governments addressed to the two governors, entitled, “Re: Proposal of National Universities Commission on Governance/Management Issues at LAUTECH” reads:
“The executive governors will please refer to the National Universities Commission (NUC) letter Ref. NUC/ES/244Nol. 32/37 of27 August 2010. The commission appreciates your acceptance of its consideration to arbitrate on the matter vide your letters Ref. EG/OSGH/114 of 1 September, 2010 and GOV.25Nol. II/445 of 1st September, 2010 from the governors of Osun and Oyo States respectively.
“As a mark of its commitment to amicable resolution of the issues, the commission, conscious of its responsibility and the need to safeguard the interests of staff, students, parents and guardians, considered the issues in contention at a meeting with officials of the two states on Thursday, 2 September 2010 at the NUC Secretariat, Abuja.
“Following extensive discussions, the meeting proposed the following actions towards full and amicable resolution of the governance/management issues at LAUTECH:
“A Transition Committee, to be headed by a reputable academic, shall be appointed to run the affairs of the university for a period of three (3) months; the Governing Council of the university shall stand dissolved immediately on appointment of the Transition Committee.
“The head of the Transition Committee shall not be an indigene of any of the states in the South West geopolitical zone: During the transition period, the roles of the Visitor to the university and the Vice-Chancellor shall be suspended.
“The university shall retain its present admission quota for both Osun and Oyo states in the 2010/2011 admission session; the interest of staff and students shall be fully protected irrespective of their state of origin.
The governors of Osun and Oyo states were required to accept or reject the above proposals not later than 3rd September, 2010.”
Mafiana, addressing newsmen, said the two states have accepted the proposal, bringing to an end the months-long crisis rocking the institution.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Parents should discuss sex education with their children
As a child, Princess Olufemi-Kayode was sexually abused. Her parents couldn’t do anything then because they lacked information and her violator walked away a free man.
Today, Princess is giving voice to the sexually abused, fighting for them to get justice even with the constraints involved. She told Daily Sun that her Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Media Concern for Women and Children (MEDIACON), was a call from God and not what she had planned to do. Her drive is visible, her approach, fiery. The challenges she encounters don’t move her as she is set to defend these children no matter what it costs her. She also spoke on the need for all the parties involved to join forces in curtailing sexual violence against children, among other things. Excerpts:
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
Starting out
MEDIACON is a vision; I didn’t set out to establish this NGO. It wasn’t part of my dreams, but I got the call to assist people who have been sexually abused. It was founded in 2000. Then, it wasn’t really an NGO, but an avenue for young people to share ideas and tackle issues. I got the call to establish MEDIACON at Winners Chapel’s yearly programnme, Shiloh 2002. At that point, I didn’t know what to do with my life because I felt there was more to my life than what was happening to me. I left my job to focus fully on the assignment God has given me.
What steps did you take to kickstart your journey in handling cases of sexual violence?
I started with research since I already know the direction I am headed. I wanted to know what was on ground and I did a lot of research. There was nobody on the field dealing with sexual violence on women and children. I learnt from successful NGO directors and from those who have failed also. I learnt lessons why some NGOs are growing while others are stagnant as well as what they were doing right or wrong. I engaged in all these activities because I didn’t want to duplicate another person’s efforts.
When you eventually started, what structures were in place to tackle cases of sexual violence?
Interestingly, when we started, we didn’t just dabble into handling sexual violence cases. We didn’t start working with victims. We started with creating more awareness for sexual violence and breaking the silence that was associated with it. It is happening daily and nobody wants to talk about it. We partnered the media for over one year to get national recognition. We brought the issue of sexual violence to the open and got people talking about it. We generated discussions on sexual violence especially how it affects women and children. Soon, we started having people in our office who needed help on how to go about preventing sexual violence and that was it.
What next?
It is our duty to break the silence, assist people to access help and at the same time prevent sexual violence. It was then that we saw the criminal aspect of sexual abuse. We experienced the obstacles to eradicating sexual violence within the context of our country. We equally experienced the constraints and frustrations of the victims. So, we began developing programmes to deal with that aspect, established help lines for easy access to us and an office where people can come for counselling. With the help lines, came an explosion. People were calling all over the nation to talk about their experiences and get counselled.
We were faced with the dilemma of dealing with the several cases we had at hand. The more challenges we faced, the more we mapped out strategies on the way forward. The only option was to create programmes to address the issues squarely and also work with the relevant authorities. It is more challenging to work on sexual violence in Nigeria because you are dealing with all its aspects. In developed countries, there are segmented bodies that deal with the various aspects of sexual violence such as prevention, punishing offenders and criminal justice. Here, we have to deal with everything and it is tedious. We have to be creative, we pray, we fast to get direction from God on the next step to take. We are not afraid of finances or cases because we know God is our strength.
In our culture, parents find it hard to discuss sex with their children; do you think this is responsible for the rising cases of sexual abuse in Nigeria?
I won’t say so. Even in developed countries, there are still parents who find it hard to talk about sex with their children even as it pervades everything. From advertisements to books and magazines, sex is everywhere, but they still find it difficult to discuss it. This generation, however, has the greatest challenge of tackling sexual violence. This is because today’s parents are doing the same thing our parents did to us in our own time. Then, our parents didn’t discuss sex with us, rather, they left that aspect to chance.
I had aunties living with us who taught me some of the things I knew about sex and my body at my adolescent ages. There was a gap between our parents and us when it came to sex education and children relied on newspaper, television and sometimes their friends when it comes to sex matters. The same thing is happening today, unless parents change and teach their children what they need to know about their bodies and sex. It is even more challenging today because children develop quickly emotionally, physically and mentally. They can pick things easily, but in all these, I don’t think it is the cause of rising cases of sexual violence. It has always been there.
What are the causes of sexual violence?
I believe we do not tackle the cases properly in Nigeria. If we make noise about it and parents take precautions to prevent it, then, we punish offenders, it will reduce. We should make functional laws that are applicable to our environment. Victims and their traumatized family members should be properly counseled so that they won’t become a threat to others in the society. It is also important that people are careful of who they bring into their homes as sexual abuse knows no boundary or social status.
It affects the rich and the poor, the educated and illiterate. It affects both children in the streets and those within the confines of their homes because child molesters are 99 per cent close to the family. It can be an aunty or an uncle, a cousin, friend, neighbours, in-laws, lesson teachers, pastors, Imams and so on. These are people you entrust your children with and they end up defiling them. It is not only girl-child who are being molested, there are also male children being molested by their mothers and vice versa. Both sexes can also be abused by people of the same sex; it is a tricky situation that needs to be treated without kid’s gloves. We have a lot of factors encouraging the rising cases of sexual abuse. We can curtail these cases when we teach our children about privacy, they should know that their bodies are private and shouldn’t allow anyone touch them anyhow.
Would you advise parents of abused children to settle out of court?
Yes, but it is not a parent case. This is because based on the Child Acts law, if you abuse any child; you have committed an offence against the state. The government takes over the case and it is effective in every state of the nation that has enacted the Child Acts law.
What if they are being cajoled to do that?
Offenders always cajole the victims’ family. People at times say that they beg God for forgiveness and He forgives, then, how come the family of a victim has refused to settle out of court with the offender? Our sentimental values in Nigeria sometimes overshadow the truth and truncate the system of punishing offenders for the crimes they have committed. People see it as a small issue, but the truth is that any child that has suffered sexual abuse has been wounded deeply and only God can heal that wound. Ignorance is not an excuse for letting offenders go unpunished. It is left for the families to decide on what to do and they shouldn’t be cajoled to do that.
What are the consequences of sexual violence on children?
There are tendencies for risk behaviour, teenage pregnancy, multiple sex partners. Some of these children run away from home and become sex workers due to loss of self worth. They suffer image loss. The boys become defiant, unruly and sometimes resort to pornography. They stay in abusive relationships and are abused over and over again. There are lots of dangers associated with sexual violence which parents never discover. There are also health risks such as HIV/AIDS, STDs and also the psychological traumas that if not dealt with, will destroy the child. Some of these children suffer from suicidal thoughts and are prone to killing themselves if not monitored. There is also post-traumatic stress disorder and so on. We are not helping victims if we allow offenders to go unpunished. Everyone needs education on the issue of sexual violence. From the judge to the police officer who makes the arrest, to the victims families and the society at large.
What are some of your constraints in punishing offenders?
The judges at times do not understand the gravity of the damage done to a child’s psyche that has been violently abused. They just send offenders off to learn lessons which are rather lenient rather than punishing them. The evident act is a major problem and the facilities we have on ground are not helping matters. Everyone should be involved. There is no proper co-ordination between the criminal justice system and social workers over the years and it is causing a lot of hindrances to the fight against sexual abuse.
In view of all these challenges and constraints you encounter, how do you hope to tackle sexual violence head-on?
I believe things will get better. What we have on ground now is better than where we are coming from. Some of the agencies involved are waking up to their responsibilities and it is a good sign. Police officers are being more receptive to our cause and working with them now is more result-oriented. Although they have their constraints, they are doing all they can to assist us. We mobilize the police to arrest offenders and charge them in the family court where the cases are tried. Understanding these constraints helps us to know how to beat the system and we are making sure that the system works regardless of these constraints. We stand by the victims as their advocates as we don’t have lawyers. We know the law and we know the system so we are standing by the victims so that they can get the best.
How do you integrate these children back into the society?
We do counseling programmes for the victims and their families. It is also a family affair because one case of sexual abuse involving a man and his daughter is capable of tearing the family apart. We work with people to assist them get information they need on how to deal with crises arising from sexual abuse.
What steps should parents take to prevent their children from being abused?
There should be an open communication channel and be careful who they leave their children with. Parents should make themselves assessable to their children all the time. When they ask questions regarding sexual matters, don’t shut them up. Teach them at any level they are.
They should be able to trust you and confide in you. Teach them to maintain their privacy and that no one has the right to intrude on their privacy. Parents should let their children know how sacred sex is and not allow them pick the wrong information elsewhere. We should not shut them up because today’s children want to be heard.
You were sexually abused as a child, how did you deal with it?
My parents discovered it, but it had been on for a long time. There was no enabling environment for me to talk to them about it. They didn’t do anything but it affected me until I decided to fight it after a lot of things had gone wrong in my life.
Tell us about yourself
I am Princess Olufemi-Kayode, I am a mother, a wife and the Executive Director of Media Concern for Women and Children (MEDIACON). I have an honorary diploma in public health and am doing a masters programme in Psychology.
Today, Princess is giving voice to the sexually abused, fighting for them to get justice even with the constraints involved. She told Daily Sun that her Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Media Concern for Women and Children (MEDIACON), was a call from God and not what she had planned to do. Her drive is visible, her approach, fiery. The challenges she encounters don’t move her as she is set to defend these children no matter what it costs her. She also spoke on the need for all the parties involved to join forces in curtailing sexual violence against children, among other things. Excerpts:
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
Starting out
MEDIACON is a vision; I didn’t set out to establish this NGO. It wasn’t part of my dreams, but I got the call to assist people who have been sexually abused. It was founded in 2000. Then, it wasn’t really an NGO, but an avenue for young people to share ideas and tackle issues. I got the call to establish MEDIACON at Winners Chapel’s yearly programnme, Shiloh 2002. At that point, I didn’t know what to do with my life because I felt there was more to my life than what was happening to me. I left my job to focus fully on the assignment God has given me.
What steps did you take to kickstart your journey in handling cases of sexual violence?
I started with research since I already know the direction I am headed. I wanted to know what was on ground and I did a lot of research. There was nobody on the field dealing with sexual violence on women and children. I learnt from successful NGO directors and from those who have failed also. I learnt lessons why some NGOs are growing while others are stagnant as well as what they were doing right or wrong. I engaged in all these activities because I didn’t want to duplicate another person’s efforts.
When you eventually started, what structures were in place to tackle cases of sexual violence?
Interestingly, when we started, we didn’t just dabble into handling sexual violence cases. We didn’t start working with victims. We started with creating more awareness for sexual violence and breaking the silence that was associated with it. It is happening daily and nobody wants to talk about it. We partnered the media for over one year to get national recognition. We brought the issue of sexual violence to the open and got people talking about it. We generated discussions on sexual violence especially how it affects women and children. Soon, we started having people in our office who needed help on how to go about preventing sexual violence and that was it.
What next?
It is our duty to break the silence, assist people to access help and at the same time prevent sexual violence. It was then that we saw the criminal aspect of sexual abuse. We experienced the obstacles to eradicating sexual violence within the context of our country. We equally experienced the constraints and frustrations of the victims. So, we began developing programmes to deal with that aspect, established help lines for easy access to us and an office where people can come for counselling. With the help lines, came an explosion. People were calling all over the nation to talk about their experiences and get counselled.
We were faced with the dilemma of dealing with the several cases we had at hand. The more challenges we faced, the more we mapped out strategies on the way forward. The only option was to create programmes to address the issues squarely and also work with the relevant authorities. It is more challenging to work on sexual violence in Nigeria because you are dealing with all its aspects. In developed countries, there are segmented bodies that deal with the various aspects of sexual violence such as prevention, punishing offenders and criminal justice. Here, we have to deal with everything and it is tedious. We have to be creative, we pray, we fast to get direction from God on the next step to take. We are not afraid of finances or cases because we know God is our strength.
In our culture, parents find it hard to discuss sex with their children; do you think this is responsible for the rising cases of sexual abuse in Nigeria?
I won’t say so. Even in developed countries, there are still parents who find it hard to talk about sex with their children even as it pervades everything. From advertisements to books and magazines, sex is everywhere, but they still find it difficult to discuss it. This generation, however, has the greatest challenge of tackling sexual violence. This is because today’s parents are doing the same thing our parents did to us in our own time. Then, our parents didn’t discuss sex with us, rather, they left that aspect to chance.
I had aunties living with us who taught me some of the things I knew about sex and my body at my adolescent ages. There was a gap between our parents and us when it came to sex education and children relied on newspaper, television and sometimes their friends when it comes to sex matters. The same thing is happening today, unless parents change and teach their children what they need to know about their bodies and sex. It is even more challenging today because children develop quickly emotionally, physically and mentally. They can pick things easily, but in all these, I don’t think it is the cause of rising cases of sexual violence. It has always been there.
What are the causes of sexual violence?
I believe we do not tackle the cases properly in Nigeria. If we make noise about it and parents take precautions to prevent it, then, we punish offenders, it will reduce. We should make functional laws that are applicable to our environment. Victims and their traumatized family members should be properly counseled so that they won’t become a threat to others in the society. It is also important that people are careful of who they bring into their homes as sexual abuse knows no boundary or social status.
It affects the rich and the poor, the educated and illiterate. It affects both children in the streets and those within the confines of their homes because child molesters are 99 per cent close to the family. It can be an aunty or an uncle, a cousin, friend, neighbours, in-laws, lesson teachers, pastors, Imams and so on. These are people you entrust your children with and they end up defiling them. It is not only girl-child who are being molested, there are also male children being molested by their mothers and vice versa. Both sexes can also be abused by people of the same sex; it is a tricky situation that needs to be treated without kid’s gloves. We have a lot of factors encouraging the rising cases of sexual abuse. We can curtail these cases when we teach our children about privacy, they should know that their bodies are private and shouldn’t allow anyone touch them anyhow.
Would you advise parents of abused children to settle out of court?
Yes, but it is not a parent case. This is because based on the Child Acts law, if you abuse any child; you have committed an offence against the state. The government takes over the case and it is effective in every state of the nation that has enacted the Child Acts law.
What if they are being cajoled to do that?
Offenders always cajole the victims’ family. People at times say that they beg God for forgiveness and He forgives, then, how come the family of a victim has refused to settle out of court with the offender? Our sentimental values in Nigeria sometimes overshadow the truth and truncate the system of punishing offenders for the crimes they have committed. People see it as a small issue, but the truth is that any child that has suffered sexual abuse has been wounded deeply and only God can heal that wound. Ignorance is not an excuse for letting offenders go unpunished. It is left for the families to decide on what to do and they shouldn’t be cajoled to do that.
What are the consequences of sexual violence on children?
There are tendencies for risk behaviour, teenage pregnancy, multiple sex partners. Some of these children run away from home and become sex workers due to loss of self worth. They suffer image loss. The boys become defiant, unruly and sometimes resort to pornography. They stay in abusive relationships and are abused over and over again. There are lots of dangers associated with sexual violence which parents never discover. There are also health risks such as HIV/AIDS, STDs and also the psychological traumas that if not dealt with, will destroy the child. Some of these children suffer from suicidal thoughts and are prone to killing themselves if not monitored. There is also post-traumatic stress disorder and so on. We are not helping victims if we allow offenders to go unpunished. Everyone needs education on the issue of sexual violence. From the judge to the police officer who makes the arrest, to the victims families and the society at large.
What are some of your constraints in punishing offenders?
The judges at times do not understand the gravity of the damage done to a child’s psyche that has been violently abused. They just send offenders off to learn lessons which are rather lenient rather than punishing them. The evident act is a major problem and the facilities we have on ground are not helping matters. Everyone should be involved. There is no proper co-ordination between the criminal justice system and social workers over the years and it is causing a lot of hindrances to the fight against sexual abuse.
In view of all these challenges and constraints you encounter, how do you hope to tackle sexual violence head-on?
I believe things will get better. What we have on ground now is better than where we are coming from. Some of the agencies involved are waking up to their responsibilities and it is a good sign. Police officers are being more receptive to our cause and working with them now is more result-oriented. Although they have their constraints, they are doing all they can to assist us. We mobilize the police to arrest offenders and charge them in the family court where the cases are tried. Understanding these constraints helps us to know how to beat the system and we are making sure that the system works regardless of these constraints. We stand by the victims as their advocates as we don’t have lawyers. We know the law and we know the system so we are standing by the victims so that they can get the best.
How do you integrate these children back into the society?
We do counseling programmes for the victims and their families. It is also a family affair because one case of sexual abuse involving a man and his daughter is capable of tearing the family apart. We work with people to assist them get information they need on how to deal with crises arising from sexual abuse.
What steps should parents take to prevent their children from being abused?
There should be an open communication channel and be careful who they leave their children with. Parents should make themselves assessable to their children all the time. When they ask questions regarding sexual matters, don’t shut them up. Teach them at any level they are.
They should be able to trust you and confide in you. Teach them to maintain their privacy and that no one has the right to intrude on their privacy. Parents should let their children know how sacred sex is and not allow them pick the wrong information elsewhere. We should not shut them up because today’s children want to be heard.
You were sexually abused as a child, how did you deal with it?
My parents discovered it, but it had been on for a long time. There was no enabling environment for me to talk to them about it. They didn’t do anything but it affected me until I decided to fight it after a lot of things had gone wrong in my life.
Tell us about yourself
I am Princess Olufemi-Kayode, I am a mother, a wife and the Executive Director of Media Concern for Women and Children (MEDIACON). I have an honorary diploma in public health and am doing a masters programme in Psychology.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
2011: Minister Charges Youths on Credible Polls
Nigerian youths have been charged to be at the vanguard of the Federal Government’s drive to establish a stable democratic polity through the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in 2011.
Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Maina Waziri gave the Charge when he received members of the Association of Northern Nigerian Students (ANNS) in his office on a courtesy visit.
The minister, who received members of the Association on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, said the time had come for the youths of this country to resist being used as agents of destabilisation and electoral misconducts.
According to him, as long as people refuse to imbibe acceptable democratic norms especially in the conduct of elections, the future of the youths would remain unsecure, which is why they should rise up to the struggle against violence, rigging and all forms of electoral manipulations as the country gears up to the next general elections.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
The Federal Government, he said, will continue to encourage such associations as theirs, as long as they are formed to promote peaceful coexistence, unity and national development. He assured them of President Jonathan’s support for their programmes.
Earlier, leader of the delegation, and National President of the association, Comrade Aruwa Ismaila told the minister that they decided to pay the solidarity visit to President Jonathan to assure him of their support in view of the numerous and unprecedented development projects embarked upon by the present Federal Government in the northern part of the country and the country in general.
He commended the President on the implementation of the Police Reform programme and the amnesty for militants in the Niger Delta both of which have led to improvement in the security situation of the country and has had a positive effect on investments in the oil and gas sector.
Other projects and actions for which the association also commended President Jonathan include the dredging of the River Niger which will create six river ports in the northern part of the country, upgrading of Kaduna Polytechnic and Federal Colleges of Education at Zaria, Bichi and Kano to degree-awarding institutions and the establishment of three new refineries with one located at Itobe in Kogi State.
The association also noted the construction and rehabilitation work on the Maiduguri-Damaturu-Azare-Kano road, Abuja-Lokoja-Benin road, Maiduguri-Biu-Numan road, the Jebba-Kano railway line and the resumption of mining activities of coal deposits at Okaba in Kogi State, Lafia/Obi in Nassarawa State, Ashaka in Gombe State, Alkaleri in Bauchi State and Sokoto.
Aruwa also informed the minister of the plan by the Association to organize the 1st All Northern Students Peace and Development Summit billed to hold in Abuja in September and appealed for support.
Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Maina Waziri gave the Charge when he received members of the Association of Northern Nigerian Students (ANNS) in his office on a courtesy visit.
The minister, who received members of the Association on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, said the time had come for the youths of this country to resist being used as agents of destabilisation and electoral misconducts.
According to him, as long as people refuse to imbibe acceptable democratic norms especially in the conduct of elections, the future of the youths would remain unsecure, which is why they should rise up to the struggle against violence, rigging and all forms of electoral manipulations as the country gears up to the next general elections.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
The Federal Government, he said, will continue to encourage such associations as theirs, as long as they are formed to promote peaceful coexistence, unity and national development. He assured them of President Jonathan’s support for their programmes.
Earlier, leader of the delegation, and National President of the association, Comrade Aruwa Ismaila told the minister that they decided to pay the solidarity visit to President Jonathan to assure him of their support in view of the numerous and unprecedented development projects embarked upon by the present Federal Government in the northern part of the country and the country in general.
He commended the President on the implementation of the Police Reform programme and the amnesty for militants in the Niger Delta both of which have led to improvement in the security situation of the country and has had a positive effect on investments in the oil and gas sector.
Other projects and actions for which the association also commended President Jonathan include the dredging of the River Niger which will create six river ports in the northern part of the country, upgrading of Kaduna Polytechnic and Federal Colleges of Education at Zaria, Bichi and Kano to degree-awarding institutions and the establishment of three new refineries with one located at Itobe in Kogi State.
The association also noted the construction and rehabilitation work on the Maiduguri-Damaturu-Azare-Kano road, Abuja-Lokoja-Benin road, Maiduguri-Biu-Numan road, the Jebba-Kano railway line and the resumption of mining activities of coal deposits at Okaba in Kogi State, Lafia/Obi in Nassarawa State, Ashaka in Gombe State, Alkaleri in Bauchi State and Sokoto.
Aruwa also informed the minister of the plan by the Association to organize the 1st All Northern Students Peace and Development Summit billed to hold in Abuja in September and appealed for support.
CBN Disburses N71bn for Commercial Agric
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disbursed a cumulative N70.737 billion to farmers under the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme established early last year.
The amount represents disbursements made up till July 2010 and channeled to 68 projects and promoters of agriculture inclusive of 7 state governments.
According to Report on “Commercial Agric Credit Scheme as at July 2010,” posted on the CBN website yesterday, under the 2nd Tranche of the scheme seven state governments namely, Adamawa, Bauchi, Kogi, Nassarawa, Ondo, Zamfara and Niger accessed N1billion each for onlending to co-operative farmers and unions in their various States.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
The Report indicated that Adamawa State accessed the funds through Zenith Bank Plc, while Niger State accessed through Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and the five remaining states funded through United Bank for Africa Plc.
According to the CBN, GTB received N4.831 billion for disbursement to 7 projects; Fidelity Bank Plc N500 million for one project; First Bank N4.71 billion for disbursement to11 projects; Skye Bank Plc got N7.60 billion for disbursement to four projects while UBA received N38.455 billion for disbursement to 35 projects including five state governments.
“Zenith Bank received N6.34billion for disbursement to 4 projects including 1 State Government; Union Bank received N1.90billion for disbursement with respect to two projects including one State Government; Oceanic Bank received N2 billion for disbursement to 1 project; Access Bank Plc received N906 million for disbursement to 1 project; Unity Bank got N3.5 billion for disbursement to 2 projects.” CBN further stated.
The Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme was established by the CBN in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources to enhance food production in the country.
The amount represents disbursements made up till July 2010 and channeled to 68 projects and promoters of agriculture inclusive of 7 state governments.
According to Report on “Commercial Agric Credit Scheme as at July 2010,” posted on the CBN website yesterday, under the 2nd Tranche of the scheme seven state governments namely, Adamawa, Bauchi, Kogi, Nassarawa, Ondo, Zamfara and Niger accessed N1billion each for onlending to co-operative farmers and unions in their various States.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
The Report indicated that Adamawa State accessed the funds through Zenith Bank Plc, while Niger State accessed through Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and the five remaining states funded through United Bank for Africa Plc.
According to the CBN, GTB received N4.831 billion for disbursement to 7 projects; Fidelity Bank Plc N500 million for one project; First Bank N4.71 billion for disbursement to11 projects; Skye Bank Plc got N7.60 billion for disbursement to four projects while UBA received N38.455 billion for disbursement to 35 projects including five state governments.
“Zenith Bank received N6.34billion for disbursement to 4 projects including 1 State Government; Union Bank received N1.90billion for disbursement with respect to two projects including one State Government; Oceanic Bank received N2 billion for disbursement to 1 project; Access Bank Plc received N906 million for disbursement to 1 project; Unity Bank got N3.5 billion for disbursement to 2 projects.” CBN further stated.
The Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme was established by the CBN in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources to enhance food production in the country.
Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) workers go on nationwide strike
Workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), on Wednesday, began an indefinite industrial strike action.
The workers are protesting the nonpayment of their monetisation arrears among others. The workers, under the aegis of National Union of Electricity Employees, had on Monday, released a memo instructing all members to lock all the gates to PHCN's offices and installations nationwide.
The workers' strike is coming two days before President Goodluck Jonathan is scheduled to unveil his power generation and distribution blue print. The workers are also protesting the procedure that government plans to adopt in the privatization of power distribution.
Mr Jonathan had, on Monday, approved the sale of 11 power firms, which are subsidiaries of the power company. The government insisted that this move will help to checkmate the high aggregate technical, commercial, and collection losses suffered in the course of electricity generation and distribution in the country.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
The workers are protesting the nonpayment of their monetisation arrears among others. The workers, under the aegis of National Union of Electricity Employees, had on Monday, released a memo instructing all members to lock all the gates to PHCN's offices and installations nationwide.
The workers' strike is coming two days before President Goodluck Jonathan is scheduled to unveil his power generation and distribution blue print. The workers are also protesting the procedure that government plans to adopt in the privatization of power distribution.
Mr Jonathan had, on Monday, approved the sale of 11 power firms, which are subsidiaries of the power company. The government insisted that this move will help to checkmate the high aggregate technical, commercial, and collection losses suffered in the course of electricity generation and distribution in the country.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
Nigeria warns of nationwide cholera risk as 352 die
ABUJA Aug 26 (Reuters) - Nigerian health authorities have warned of a nationwide cholera risk after the death toll from an outbreak concentrated largely in the north of Africa's most populous nation rose to 352.
The health ministry said 6,437 cases had been reported across 11 of the country's 36 states since June. It said heavy rains and flooding in rural areas where safe drinking water and sanitary facilities are scarce had fuelled the outbreak.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
"Although most of the outbreaks occurred in the northwest and northeast zones, epidemiological evidence indicates that the entire country is at risk," the ministry said in its latest update late on Wednesday.
Neighbouring Cameroon has been suffering its worst epidemic of cholera, a disease generally spread through food and water contaminated with bacteria, since 2004 and there had been fears that the outbreak could spread into Nigeria and Chad.
Nigeria is also fighting a measles epidemic. The disease, characterised by a high temperature and red spots on the body, has killed more than 1,400 people in Africa this year in some of the most serious outbreaks seen for a decade. [ID:nLDE67F1QU]
The ministry said 83 deaths from measles had been recorded since the start of the year and more than 5,000 cases reported, a ten-fold increase on the same period last year. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: af.reuters.com/ ) (Reporting by Camillus Eboh; Writing by Nick Tattersall; Editing by Charles Dick)
The health ministry said 6,437 cases had been reported across 11 of the country's 36 states since June. It said heavy rains and flooding in rural areas where safe drinking water and sanitary facilities are scarce had fuelled the outbreak.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
"Although most of the outbreaks occurred in the northwest and northeast zones, epidemiological evidence indicates that the entire country is at risk," the ministry said in its latest update late on Wednesday.
Neighbouring Cameroon has been suffering its worst epidemic of cholera, a disease generally spread through food and water contaminated with bacteria, since 2004 and there had been fears that the outbreak could spread into Nigeria and Chad.
Nigeria is also fighting a measles epidemic. The disease, characterised by a high temperature and red spots on the body, has killed more than 1,400 people in Africa this year in some of the most serious outbreaks seen for a decade. [ID:nLDE67F1QU]
The ministry said 83 deaths from measles had been recorded since the start of the year and more than 5,000 cases reported, a ten-fold increase on the same period last year. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: af.reuters.com/ ) (Reporting by Camillus Eboh; Writing by Nick Tattersall; Editing by Charles Dick)
Making a fortune from tie and dye business
Today‘s business world demands creativity to succeed, no matter what kind of business one is into. This is because each business needs to be unique.
Generally, handcraft business is good business, especially when it can be distinct and distinguishable from others.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
Linda Ikem, who graduated more than two years ago from one of Nigerian universities, was finding it difficult securing a job for herself. After trying hard to get a job without success, she decided to go in for a skills acquisition training in handcraft.
For her, what people will want regularly caught her appeal. She decided to go into tie and dye business.
She says, “It was difficult at first, because I needed the expertise. Of course, I made mistakes but that later made me better.”
But according to the Managing Director, Fareedah Textile, Mrs. Raliyat Sanusi, it is always difficult starting to learn about the business. She, however, says it gets better once you keep practising to get the best result. She adds that once you are perfect, it becomes an easy thing and the only issue will be to show your creativity in the material.
Sanusi notes that for starters, a minimum capital need, as low as N30,000, may be required to begin with. From this, a profit of about N10,000 can be gotten, noting that the profit may be lower or higher, depending on who one is selling to.”
She adds that one needs to have the passion for art and crafts to be able to turn tie and dye into one’s own business.
It is true that people often enjoy crafts, such as paper crafts or quilting, as they are one-of-a-kind items, but turning tie and dye into a sustainable business requires dedication and training.
She says having an interest in a creative endeavour is not enough to start a craft business; one will need to learn more and acquire much information about the business.
The Managing Director, Bafunke Textile, Mrs. Oluwafunke Babalola, says, ”There is the need to research into the business to know which area to focus on and also have an idea of who you want to sell to.”
She adds that you will need to create a business bank account, as this will let you know how much you make on each set of tie and dye material you produce.
Sanusi stresses, “You will need space to work because this handcraft has more to do with space.
Both Sanusi and Babalola agree that learning how to make tie and dye material is fun. It is also good to practise with lots of old T-shirts because it is important to know how different types of fabric react and produce different patterned hues when different concentrations of dye are applied on them.
They agree that with creativity and experimentation, one can make money selling bright, beautiful tie and dye material. Sanusi stresses that when starting the business, it is better to keep the production low as one concentrates on learning the techniques.
She adds that since it is a new business, one is not sure of the number of customers to expect. So, it is better to do it in small quantity.
”Your work will speak for you; so you must try to make the tie and dye fabric very beautiful and original as much as possible. Also, do a good job so that you will get calls for more order,” Babalola says.
She also notes that creativity is key in this business, as this will help differentiate your fabric from the rest.
Sanusi notes further, “As a starter, one needs to be competitive, by reducing the price tag on the fabric so as to get more customers. When they find out the quality is good, they will ask for more.
”Because you will be contending with those already in the market, you need to be competitive in your prices and quality. This will help to give you better publicity as well.”
Generally, handcraft business is good business, especially when it can be distinct and distinguishable from others.
N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.
Linda Ikem, who graduated more than two years ago from one of Nigerian universities, was finding it difficult securing a job for herself. After trying hard to get a job without success, she decided to go in for a skills acquisition training in handcraft.
For her, what people will want regularly caught her appeal. She decided to go into tie and dye business.
She says, “It was difficult at first, because I needed the expertise. Of course, I made mistakes but that later made me better.”
But according to the Managing Director, Fareedah Textile, Mrs. Raliyat Sanusi, it is always difficult starting to learn about the business. She, however, says it gets better once you keep practising to get the best result. She adds that once you are perfect, it becomes an easy thing and the only issue will be to show your creativity in the material.
Sanusi notes that for starters, a minimum capital need, as low as N30,000, may be required to begin with. From this, a profit of about N10,000 can be gotten, noting that the profit may be lower or higher, depending on who one is selling to.”
She adds that one needs to have the passion for art and crafts to be able to turn tie and dye into one’s own business.
It is true that people often enjoy crafts, such as paper crafts or quilting, as they are one-of-a-kind items, but turning tie and dye into a sustainable business requires dedication and training.
She says having an interest in a creative endeavour is not enough to start a craft business; one will need to learn more and acquire much information about the business.
The Managing Director, Bafunke Textile, Mrs. Oluwafunke Babalola, says, ”There is the need to research into the business to know which area to focus on and also have an idea of who you want to sell to.”
She adds that you will need to create a business bank account, as this will let you know how much you make on each set of tie and dye material you produce.
Sanusi stresses, “You will need space to work because this handcraft has more to do with space.
Both Sanusi and Babalola agree that learning how to make tie and dye material is fun. It is also good to practise with lots of old T-shirts because it is important to know how different types of fabric react and produce different patterned hues when different concentrations of dye are applied on them.
They agree that with creativity and experimentation, one can make money selling bright, beautiful tie and dye material. Sanusi stresses that when starting the business, it is better to keep the production low as one concentrates on learning the techniques.
She adds that since it is a new business, one is not sure of the number of customers to expect. So, it is better to do it in small quantity.
”Your work will speak for you; so you must try to make the tie and dye fabric very beautiful and original as much as possible. Also, do a good job so that you will get calls for more order,” Babalola says.
She also notes that creativity is key in this business, as this will help differentiate your fabric from the rest.
Sanusi notes further, “As a starter, one needs to be competitive, by reducing the price tag on the fabric so as to get more customers. When they find out the quality is good, they will ask for more.
”Because you will be contending with those already in the market, you need to be competitive in your prices and quality. This will help to give you better publicity as well.”
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