By Chima Osuji

CAMPUS journalists under the aegis of National Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ) are set to storm the University of Abuja for the Union's annual convention which is scheduled to hold from 11th - 15th April, 2018.

The five-day programme will feature a lot of activity such as: seminar on leadership and good governance, special journalists' clinic, dinner and award ceremony, election, and the national convention sitting by the new leadership.

UCJ UNILORIN also gathered that veteran journalists and notable facilitators have been confirmed to attend the event. They include: Oluseun Onigbinde, Co-founder, BudgIT; Joshua Olufemi, Knowledge and Information Lead, Premium Times; and Tajudeen Suleiman, Programme Director, International Centre for Investigative Reporting, Nigeria.

Others include: Adesola Komolafe, CEO OAK TV; Yushau Shuaib, CEO Image Merchant Promotion; David Ajikobi, Nigeria Editor, Africa Check; and Blaize Itodo Eche, Creative Director, Photochaffeour.

In a chat with one of our correspondents, the Chairperson, Convention Planning Committee, Miss Aisha Shittu, shares her thoughts on her expectation and what campus journalists should be looking forward to.

In her words:

"...We have all hands on deck to ensure that all delegates get nothing but the best at the upcoming convention. We have training courses on topics bordering round Journalism, we have panelists all warmed up to tackle questions on journalism and the theme for this year's convention ceremony. 

"Everyone should look forward to having better relationships with other campus journalists from other institutions, getting more insight into how things are run there and a better NUCJ overall", she said.

Manchester United came from two goals behind to claim a remarkable victory against Guardiola's Manchester City.

Mourinho’s men becomes the first team to defeat City at Etihad stadium in the last sixteen months, after a defeat by Chelsea last season.

An header from City captain and a goal from Ikay Gundogan gave Pep Guadiola’s men first-half lead in a match that victory for the runaway leaders would have handed them the league.

At the resumption of the match, United scored two goals in three minutes courtesy if their talisman, Paul Pogba.

At 72nd minutes, United won a free kick, taken by Alexis Sanchez and scored by Chris Smalling completed a remarkable comeback for United.

City worked hard to get an equaliser but Sergio Aguero’s late effort was denied by brilliant David De Gea while Raheem Sterling hit the woodwork.

Source

Cambridge Analytica sought to influence the Nigerian presidential election in 2015 by using graphically violent imagery to portray a candidate as a supporter of sharia law who would brutally suppress dissenters and negotiate with militant Islamists, a video passed to British MPs reveals.

The Guardian has obtained the video, which has graphic scenes of violence from Nigeria’s past. In testimony to the digital, culture, media and sport (DCMS) select committee last week, the whistleblower Christopher Wylie told MPs: “[The video was distributed] in Nigeria with the sole intent of intimidating voters. It included content where people were being dismembered, where people were having their throats cut and bled to death in a ditch. They were being burned alive. There was incredibly anti-Islamic, threatening messages portraying Muslims as violent.”

Wylie also said Cambridge Analytica directed AggregateIQ (AIQ), the Canadian digital services firm that worked for Vote Leave during Britain’s EU referendum, to target voters with the video during the Nigerian presidential campaign.

Wylie, a former Cambridge Analytica employee, has now handed the material to MPs. Giving testimony last week, he said: “Cambridge Analytica sent AggregateIQ the video after they [CA] got banned from several online ad networks because the graphic nature of the content violated the terms of service. AIQ was quite freaked out about it. It’s a very disturbing video. They told Cambridge Analytica that. They called it ‘the murder video’.”

In his testimony Wylie said: “AIQ is the firm that’s right at the heart of the official Vote Leave campaign – one-third of all leave spending went through it – and this shows them working closely with Cambridge Analytica to distribute violent, divisive Islamophobic material that should be nowhere near an election campaign.” There is no suggestion that AIQ was involved in the production of the video.

Cambridge Analytica was hired by a Nigerian billionaire to run a campaign in support of Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, and the video was targeted at his Muslim opponent, Muhammadu Buhari, who went on to win the election. There is no suggestion that Jonathan was aware of the campaign.

The anti-Buhari video imagines a future in which he is president and sharia law has been imposed. “Coming to Nigeria on February 15th 2015,” the voiceover says in the manner of a trailer for a Hollywood movie. “Dark. Scary. And very uncertain. Sharia for all.” It poses the question: “What would Nigeria look like if sharia were imposed by Buhari?” It suggests he would strike a deal with the Islamist militant group Boko Haram that would be “a pact with the devil”. The video also suggests “Buhari will punish all who speak against the regime” and that “women will be veiled”. It ends by saying: “You can stop this movie becoming real.”

Another former Cambridge Analytica employee who worked on the campaign said: “It was voter suppression of the most crude and basic kind. It was targeted at Buhari voters in Buhari regions to basically scare the shit out of them and stop them from voting. People were working on it in Cambridge Analytica’s office. They’d be sitting there eating their lunch and editing this incredibly graphic and disturbing material.”The video will be seen as further evidence of dirty tricks that Cambridge Analytica employed in the campaign. Last month the Guardian revealed that during the Nigerian election campaign Cambridge Analytica was offered material from Israeli hackers who had accessed private email accounts of two politicians there.

Former Cambridge Analytica employees described how the hackers passed a thumb drive of hacked material relating to Buhari to them in Cambridge Analytica’s offices and they were directed by Alexander Nix, its chief executive, and Brittany Kaiser, a senior director, to search Buhari’s personal emails for compromising material that could be used to smear him. The material included private medical information that employees say was leaked to the press.

The video separately demonstrates the ties between Cambridge Analytica and AggregateIQ, the firm that its parent company SCL Elections employed. Last week the DCMS committee published documents that link Cambridge Analytica and SCL Elections with AIQ, including a contract, a service agreement and an intellectual property agreement that was first revealed in the Observer a year ago.

AggregateIQ is part of a current Electoral Commission investigation into a donation of £625,000 that Vote Leave made to a youth outreach group, BeLeave, which was paid directly to the Canadian firm and it is the focus of allegations made by a second whistleblower, Shahmir Sanni.
AggregateIQ did not respond to previous Guardian inquiries about the video, but said: “AIQ provides digital advertising, web and software development services to third parties. It is completely independent of Mr Wylie, CA and SCL.”

It added: “AIQ is and has always been 100% Canadian owned and operated … the services it provided to Vote Leave were in accordance with instructions given by Vote Leave.” There is no suggestion that AggregateIQ unethically coordinated with Cambridge Analytica on the EU referendum campaign.

A Cambridge Analytica spokesman said: “You are referring to Chris Wylie’s comments before a select committee which included speculation and a serious misrepresentation of the facts. We are, however, taking all allegations about possible unethical practices in the past very seriously and will investigate.”

Source: Guardian UK.

By: Tomori Uriel

The University of Ibadan has justified the rationale for the fees increments by the university management, in a message which went viral on social media.

In a statement released by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, he said, "at a point where it is difficult to continue to subside the running of the Halls of Residence and carry out some academic functions without a slight adjustment in accommodation charges and in some fee items payable by students in some faculties.   In adjusting the fees, members of the public are to note that it is only the increase in accommodation fees that cuts across students who desire to stay in the Halls of Residence. It should also be noted that residency in the Halls of Residence is optional, and indeed, only about 30% of our students can find accommodation in the Halls of Residence. It is also important to note that the Federal Government, many years back, had stopped providing funds for the running of the Halls. As a result, the University spends about 100 Million Naira over what is collected as accommodation fees, for the running of the Halls. The University is no longer in a position to continue to provide this subsidy. "

He added that, the University has also been very objective in adjusting some other fee items. According to him, the fees were only adjusted for students in the Faculties of Arts,  Agriculture,  Renewable Natural Resources,  and Pharmacy. Even in these faculties, the fees are limited to categories of students requiring the academic service for which an increase has been approved."

He further stated that, only 400 level students in the Faculties of Agriculture, and Renewable Natural Resources are to pay additional 2,500 Naira for the entre session, which include students in their practical year, stating that, other students in these two Faculties are not to pay these fees. "In the Faculty of Arts also, only 200 and 300 level students in six departments are to pay the Studio Maintenance fees. Students in Departments without studios are exempted from this fee," he added.

According to the Vice Chancellor, fees payable by students in the Faculties of the Social Sciences, Law, Education, Science, and Technology have not been adjusted for the coming session.  Also, students in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine who are to handle animals would be required to obtain Immunization card in order to ensure safety.

By OSUJI, Chima Francis

April 3rd, 2018.

I have monitored the activities of the SU PRO for some time now, and after a painstaking assessment, I've come to the conclusion that the office holder is an accident of history in our Union.

I speak of MYT, the Unilorin SU Public Relations Officer. He seems to be more interested in his personal PR niche —MTY PR — than addressing the core of his duties as the image maker of the Student Union. I thought it was a question of accepting or taking people for what they are, but as it stands, MYT's case, for an objective observer and critical mind, is capable of undermining the Union's image.

First, it is appalling to note that no single memo was issued by the Student Union felicitating with the Christian faithfuls among the student populace on the just concluded Easter celebrations. Rather, social media platforms were awash with his personal business posts and his usual watery announcements unrelated to Easter.

Like seriously, is this the promise he made to always put the Union first during his Oath taking ceremony? Is this what he truly meant by putting the interest of members of the Union first, over and above his? Is that his own definition of public service?

I consider such action irresponsible, negligent, and insensitive, especially coming from the kind of office MYT occupies. I believe nothing should prevent a public officer from pursuing personal projects while occupying public office. However, such business project should not take centre stage in the public eye or in the scheme of things. That's exactly what many have noticed with the SU PRO. The earlier he strikes a balance between his official duty and personal business, the better for the Union.

Recently, some members of our Union did us proud by winning laurels at different national summits in Nigeria. Upon their return to school, no mention of that was made by the Union. And guess what? When MYT was contacted about it, all he had to say was, the winners in question did not "officially" inform the Union about it, and as such, there was nothing he could do in that respect. You can imagine such response from a public servant.

He was quick to compare a certain student organization on campus, who, according to him, carries the Union along on its activity. And that, whenever they win any trophy, the Union would do the needful by announcing same to members of the university community.

Unfortunately, MYT seems to have forgotten the antecedence of the group in question in terms of their relationship with the Student Union. For the purpose of record, the Student Union have been known, in recent times, to be the benefactor to some student bodies in terms of sponsorship. This answers the clueless response of the SU PRO in his failure to discharge his duty without bias and prejudice.

My question to MYT: do members of the Union need to observe 'protocol' in order to have their achievements communicated to the university community? Is that the kind of PR you promised during your electioneering campaign when you were rallying support for your ambition? Oh, now that you've achieved your ambition, members of the Union must 'officially' inform you of their achievements that you're privy to ab initio? Your action simply connotes the corruptibility of power and its potency to self-destruct if left unchecked.

In fact, how did we get to this level of red-tape styled administration championed by a bureaucratic Central Executive Council of the Student Union? How did we get to this level of mediocrity and loose oversight to checkmate public servants like MYT?

The feats in question are not ordinary; these Unilorin students had to outperform their counterparts in other schools to win the awards. Well, whether you recognize them or not, they don't need your approval or officious attitude to lift the banner of their alma mater high.

MYT is busy observing protocol, yet the Senate President has personally congratulated some of these distinguished Unilorites via phone calls and on social media. MYT is busy observing protocol, yet the SU President has personally extended a kind gesture to these Unilorites who are making our alma mater proud. In fact, it clearly shows how disunited the CEC structure is. Why? Because the SU President is doing a thing, while MYT seems to be doing another that seems incongruent to the overall goal of the President. Or, do Christian students need inform him "officially" before issuing a press release to felicitate with them? Was the same thing applicable during the Eid festivity?

MYT's recent activity simply makes nonsense of the so-called 'Together-We-Can" administration. In fact, an objective observer can easily distil the harsh tone usually deployed in the Union's posts on social media as issued by the SU PRO. Asides the usual legion of grammatical errors, the voice is almost always suggestive of a sovereign passing instruction to his subordinates.

Mr MYT, please change the tone of your posts. Address Unilorites with respect because they are the true sovereign and the ephemeral power you're wielding right now, actually belongs to them. Rather than conducting investigation on those allegedly impersonating the Union, you may as well channel that energy to something more productive. Under your watch, members of the Union have seen so many disclaimers. The question is, why?

Stop chasing shadows. Without the Union, most of you won't find yourselves occupying public office. Address students with an air of humility and respect, and cut out the arrogance. Stop the blame game and take responsibility. Politics and politicking is not everything.

And as for MYT PR, it's a good initiative. However, it's important for Union leaders to always put the Union first!

The Sub Dean, Student Affairs Unit University of Ilorin, Dr Alex Akanmu, has said those involved in the souvenir scandal worth over one million naira, have been invited for questioning.

He made this disclosure in a recent interview with UCJ, UNILORIN.

In the course of the media parley, Dr Alex expressed his displeasure over the unfortunate situation, and also relayed the resolve of the university management in pursuing the matter to a logical conclusion.

In his words: "...It is something we're equally very sad about. The Student Union is supposed to be a training ground where people begin to exhibit good culture, norms and values, for which we're all craving for in the society.

"When the matter came up, incidentally I went to the House (that is, the Senate Council). I told them that some of the problems with them was, improper documentation. The contractor was never communicated in writing. It was just a "paddy-paddy" thing," he said.

He added that, "But that is not the issue because, as an institution, we must take responsibility and ensure our name is clear...We've invited those mentioned, and the message reads; the Student Affairs Unit will like to interact with you on the case of souvenir allegedly missing during your regime. Please pick a date next week to come to SAU".

"This message was sent to two of them...and the contractor has been invited for the first time. We're now expecting that Eminent, Halogen and...Eminent has agreed to come. Unfortunately, the week he was to come, I was not on ground, so we shifted. I expect that, all of them should come to town for this festive period so that they can make their confessional statements. And then, we can then tidy up, and report back to the House that has given us a letter", he stressed.

In addition, Dr Akanmu stated the terms of reference given to the Unit to guide its investigation of the matter.

"The letter that was written, was in January. And Sub Dean was to; harvest the said discrepancies; invite the concerned; and then, arrange for reconciliation. Reconciliation in this context, is not settlement. It's reconciliation of discrepancies."

"Although, the action that was taken...case study...details have been there. When they now come, we'll allow them to write their own statement. We'll present this to them, that _what do you have to say about this?_ But apart from official documentation, independent investigation has gone on...There was a time the contractor was talking about supplying 9854 copies of souvenir, but that's unofficial; come, put it down in black and white..."

"The question is, how many copies are you supposed to produce? How much did you collect? 2.1 million was paid in instalments...Beyond that, some other revelations have come up, in terms of, give me ten thousand naira, give me twenty thousand naira...we want to believe they've not had those things, but we'll surely get to the root of the matter", he assured.

The varsity don seized the opportunity to assure members of the university community of the Unit's resolve in sanitising the system, and that a reminder would be sent to the parties involved in the scandal, for them to report to the Unit for onward action.

He said: "We're interested in sanitising the system...the fact is not far from the truth. I told you that I've sent an invitation, I'm expecting them to come for a meeting where we'll be able to get nothing but the fact. This meeting will give me an opportunity to remind them again that our meeting is long overdue. And I'm expecting. The university community is agitated to know how far we have gone..."

OSUJI, Chima Francis

UCJ, UNILORIN.

Shittu Aisha

The mother body of all campus journalism outfits in Nigeria, National Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ) plans to hold its 2018 convention ceremony at University of Abuja, Abuja.

This year's convention ceremony is a 5-day to run from April 11 to 15. April 11 has been set aside for arrival of trainees, aspirants and members of the executive body. The Journalists' clinic begins on the second day and runs through the third day. The training is to be facilitated by International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) and Africa Check. Screening, arrival of other delegates, manifesto, election, and general assembly will also take place on both days.

The forum of good governance and leadership will hold on day 4, April 14. This forum will have in attendance, important personalities from within and outside the institution and Abuja at large. TOCJA dinner and awards ceremony will hold at the later hours of the day. Delegates are expected to leave for their various institutions on the last day. Old and new members of the executive body will also have their first meeting together.

The 2018 convention ceremony is expected to be more colorful as over 20 institutions from all six geo-political zones will attend. The awards ceremony, the first of its kind, will also reward Campus Journalists and other people in the society who have distinguished themselves. It is a must attend.