Education
UI stakeholders’ meeting ends in deadlock as parents, students reject fees increment
PARENTS, students and other stakeholders who stormed the University of Ibadan, UI Trenchard Hall for the stakeholders meeting on the proposed accommodation fees and training fees increment for medical students by the university Senate has rejected the proposed increment.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Idowu Olayinka on Tuesday in his presentation while speaking on the need for the increment said the increment was necessary due to the present state of the institution.
On the contrary, the parents as well as the students whom furiously rejected the proposed increment, also called for the reversal with immediate effect.
According them, the university should annul its decision due to the current economic situation which is making the existing fees unaffordable for some parents and indigent students.
https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/the-technical-university-ibadan-holds-maiden-matriculation-ceremony-friday/
The institution had last Thursday embarked on a protest against the 114 per cent increment in the accommodation fees which was increased from N14,000 to N30,000, while the Medical students are billed to pay N40, 000.
The institution in a bid to forestall breakdown of laws and order, as gathered on Saturday ordered with immediate effect, the closure of the Medical students Hall of residence.
Mega Icon Magazine further checks revealed that the Medical students who were the most affected, on Sunday embarked on sit out protest against what they described as injustice to them and their parents by the Senate of the university.
The parents who spoke during the stakeholders’ meeting maintained that the meeting which came more than a week after the proposed fees was announced was like “putting a cart before the horse.”
According to Mr. Fashina Olusegun, one of the parents who rejected the increment told our reporter that it was unfortunate that the university is coming with the new fees without acknowledging the present economic realities in the country.
Also, another parent, Elder M.O. Oduronbi said the purpose of sending their wards to public institutions would have been frustrated if the new fees are effected.
Oduronbi added that many of them are either government workers or retirees just as he stressed that they are finding it difficult to pay the existing fees let alone of the proposed one.
Moving a motion for the reversal of the fees, he noted that the university management is also aware that the new minimum wage has not changed from N18,000, saying the university should not task them the money that they will not be able to pay in line with the current worker’s wages.
Oduronbi statement reads; “We can’t train our children in private universities that is why we brought them here, minimum wage is still N18,000, but at the same time, this meeting should have come before now. It is like putting the cart before the horse.
“What we are saying is that if this must be done, it suppose to be gradual. The new fees is from N14,000 to N30,000, what percentage is that, it is not fair. What I am saying is that, it should be reversed. And after that, another meeting will be called where we will now decide. Senate cannot decide for us. I am now moving a motion for the reversal of the fees. Anyone who is seconded should raise his hand.”
In a related development, one of the students and a former Hall Chairman, Boluwatife Ajijola maintained that there is no reason for such increment because the institution had failed them severally, alleging that it is not the type of the students identity card that they paid for, that the institution issued for them.
Ajijola who also rejected the increment, alleged that many will be surprised that the money will not be used for the purpose for which it was meant for.
Other students in their own explanations during the protest explained that some of them are even finding it difficult to pay the existing fees.
The placards displayed by the students while speaking with newsmen declared not to resume until the fees is reversed reads : ” SAY NO TO FEES INCREMENT”, “NO REVERSAL, NO RESUMPTION “, PARENTS, STUDENTS AND WORKERS MUST BE INVOLVED IN DECISION MAKING OF THE UNIVERSITY”, WHERE IS ASUU/FG N3 BILLION SPECIAL INTERVENTION FUNDS”.
The Oyo State Government has announced the appointment of Mr. Adewunmi Joseph Ogunjimi as the Acting Registrar and Mr. David Olukola Taiwo as the Acting Bursar of The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
According to a statement released by Soladoye Adewole, the Polytechnic’s Public Relations Officer, the appointment letters were issued on behalf of the State Government by the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, and were dated 8th April. These appointments were endorsed by the Acting Rector of the institution, Dr. Taiwo Lasisi.
Adewunmi Joseph Ogunjimi, the newly appointed Acting Registrar, brings a wealth of administrative experience to his new role. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Deputy Registrar of the Directorate of Academic Affairs at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. Ogunjimi holds a B.Sc degree in Psychology from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and an MSc in Industrial Psychology from the University of Ibadan.
His journey in academia began at Prospect High School, Aba Nla, where he completed his secondary education between 1973 and 1978. Ogunjimi’s tenure at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, spans several years, during which he held various administrative positions, showcasing his prowess as an administrative wizard.
David Olukola Taiwo, the newly appointed Acting Bursar, comes with extensive experience in financial management. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Chief Accountant at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. Taiwo began his career at the institution in March 1994, joining as an Accountant II. Over the years, he climbed the ranks to become the Chief Accountant in 2015. Taiwo holds multiple qualifications in accounting and is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCE).
His contributions within the Bursary Department, including roles such as Head of the Treasury Unit and Head of the Final Accounts Unit, underscore his proficiency in financial matters.
Both Ogunjimi and Taiwo are described as family-oriented individuals, happily married and blessed with responsible children.
The appointments of Mr. Adewunmi Joseph Ogunjimi and Mr. David Olukola Taiwo signify a new chapter in the administrative landscape of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, as they assume their respective roles with dedication and expertise.
Education
UI’s 545th inaugural lecture: Pogoson urges Tinubu to review foreign policy amid global shifts
Professor Aituaje Irene Pogoson, a scholar at the University of Ibadan (UI), has emphasised the pressing need for a more coherent elucidation of President Bola Tinubu’s 4-D renewed foreign policy doctrine.
This assertion was made during her delivery of the university’s 545th inaugural lecture entitled “The World in Transition: Understanding Power in the International System.”
Addressing a diverse audience including prominent academics and former Vice-Chancellors, Professor Pogoson underscored the imperative for Nigeria to confront a myriad of socio-economic and political challenges to assert its position in the evolving global landscape.
The lecture, marking the 14th in the series for the 2022/2023 academic session and the 11th inaugural lecture from the Department of Political Science, highlighted the urgency for Nigeria to recalibrate its foreign policy strategy.
Speaking passionately, Professor Pogoson, the first female lecturer and Head of the Department of Political Science at the university, lamented Nigeria’s current positioning within the global order, stressing the need for the country to maintain respect and relevance internationally.
She emphasised the necessity for Nigeria to re-strategize and re-formulate its foreign policy framework to effectively address both internal and external dynamics.
In analysing President Tinubu’s administration’s efforts towards repositioning Nigeria on the global stage, Professor Pogoson acknowledged the unveiling of ‘Nigeria’s 4-D Renewed Foreign Policy Doctrine,’ comprising Democracy, Demography, Development, and Diaspora.
However, she urged for a clearer articulation of this doctrine, advocating for concrete policies and actions to be outlined.
This marked Professor Pogoson’s third public lecture at the university, following her previous engagements addressing issues ranging from terrorism and national security to global power shifts.
President Bola Tinubu marked a significant milestone on Wednesday as he officially signed the National Students Loan Amendment bill into law during a brief ceremony held at the State House.
The event witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy President of the Senate Barau Jibrin, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Ministers Hannatu Musawa and Ayodele Olawande, as well as the president of the National Association of Nigerian Students, alongside other government officials and presidential aides.
The bill, initially endorsed by Tinubu in June 2023, aims to provide crucial financial assistance to Nigerian students pursuing tertiary education. Despite its previous signing, the implementation of the bill encountered delays attributed to various challenges hindering its rollout.
In his remarks following the signing, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the National Assembly for their swift handling of the bill, emphasising the pivotal role of education in combating poverty.
He stated, “First of all, I must thank members of the National Assembly for their expeditious handling of this bill considering the children of Nigeria, that education is the tool to fight against poverty effectively.”
Tinubu reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritising education and fostering skills development programmes to ensure equitable access to quality education for all Nigerian citizens, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds.
He underscored the importance of eliminating barriers to education, stating, “We are determined to ensure that education is given the proper attention necessary for the country including skills development programmes. This is to ensure that no one, no matter how poor their background is, is excluded from quality education and opportunity to build their future.”
Highlighting the significance of the bill, Tinubu emphasised the transformative impact it will have on addressing the issue of college dropout rates among Nigerian students.
He affirmed, “We are here because we are all educated and were helped. In the past, we have seen a lot of our children drop out of college and give up the opportunity. That is no more, the standard and the control is there for you to apply no matter who you are as long as you are a Nigerian citizen.”
-
Metro1 week agoPhotos: Four Injured in Collision on Ibadan-Abeokuta -Omi-Adio Expressway
-
News1 week ago
FERMA House C’ttee Chair, Oseni Consoles Sen. Buhari over mum’s death
-
Politics7 days ago
APC Urges Fairness in Oyo LG Election
-
Politics2 days ago
Why Oyo State cannot afford another 3 years of Makinde’s mismanagement of council funds
