The PRO of the SU, Analyzer has cleared the air on reports suggesting that the anticipated SU programme tagged 'The Convergence' has been canceled. He asserted that the programme had only been rescheduled following the withdrawal of its budget from the Senate council and not canceled as suggested by earlier reports.

I followed closely the complaints made by people on several social media platforms about the change in the traditional binding style of academic projects in our alma mater. In fact, going by the binding samples I saw on social media and the attendant bedlam it generated, it would have been safe for me to conclude that the so-called innovation was a complete scam. But then, I restrained myself from the temptation and decided to see it with my own eyes before taking a position on the matter.

Surprisingly, I was wowed when I eventually saw it. However, I speak for myself alone but I strongly believe they're several others who not only share a similar opinion but also expressed similar joy upon seeing their works captured in the new form. I haven't verified yet to see if the initiative also applies to postgraduate theses but with what I saw, felt and assessed, I was pleased with the university management for taking the initiative and giving Unilorin products yet another edge over their contemporaries.

The new binding system is colourful, redefined, and more user-friendly. It is classy and prestigious, and in my opinion, far better than the traditional style. In fact, I can proudly describe myself as an author. Of course, yes. This is simply because, my diligent supervisor made sure we worked ourselves out and ultimately ensured our works were subjected to a plagiarism test. And haven gone through the rigour of academic research, I was gratified to see the standardised packaging of my intellectual property through the new project binding style. I then asked myself, why was there so much noise about it? Even those that hadn't set their eyes on the new project binding were among the fiercest critics of an object they're yet to see firsthand. Then I concluded, much ado about nothing. Agreed, we see things differently but then, the issue in contention will definitely pass the popularity test.

Some even likened it to the regular GNS textbooks, and by implication, toned down the highpoints of the new initiative. Well, agreed. It somewhat looks like GNS textbook but the question rarely is, what's wrong with the regular GNS textbook? I believe absolutely nothing. Maybe the system of adopting the official faculty colours didn't go down well with many, the orange colour for instance. But then, colours only serve aesthetic purposes in terms of academic publications. Personally, I detest red but as a law student, I had to embrace it wholeheartedly.

Eventually, I realised the reason most people were apprehensive and reprehensive of the new initiative — the comfort zone syndrome and to an extent, fear of the unknown. It's only natural for people to resist change not because they don't like it but because it's human nature. After all, the devil you know is better than the angel you don't know. Hence, the expected negative reactions. But upon a closer look and experience with a positive reform, they soon realise that the fear they so dreaded, never existed.

On this, I give kudos to the new Unilorin Vice-Chancellor and his team for a job well done. There is no doubt our V.C. is visionary, experienced, humbly sophisticated and gifted. From my interaction with Mr. Vice-Chancellor, I discovered he is a man of purpose, strong will and a technocrat obsessed with proffering long-term solutions. I particularly laud his action by proscribing the production of PC tablets for undergraduates along with the attendant reason he adduced.

However, I have just a piece of advice to the father of Unilorin varsity community - "preach the need for change, but never reform too much at once". Those are the words of Robert Greene, the author of 'The 48 Laws of Power". According to him, humans are "creatures of habit" and that "too much innovation is traumatic and will lead to revolt...". He concluded by saying, "...if change is necessary, make it feel like a gentle improvement on the past". 

OSUJI, Chima Francis
Unilorin Alumnus
Class of 2018.
Email: osujichima47@gmail.com
Tel: 08036543643

As swiftly as it could take, the students union of university of Ilorin has directed all the students in the University to hold on with the payment of the increased fees. This directive is coming almost tree hours after the Union's president, Comr. Animashun announced via his Twitter handle a meeting with all the faculty presidents would be held to ratify a consensus decision, and that afterwards a meeting with the management would be held.

In a press statement released moment ago by the Union signed by the Union's PRO, Mr Issa Uthman Analyzer, the Union states that students should not pay until an action is taken regarding the increment.


Although no official communication has been established about the SU-Management meeting, but things look 'Not-so-good'.

The Press release reads;

SU PRESS RELEASE:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2485317474817512&id=743176369031640

Greatest Unilorites,

ON THE OUTRAGEOUS INCREMENTS IN SCHOOL FEES

I am compelled beyond reasonable doubt to speak out and take a stand against what could be described as attack on our common sense and right to due consideration in all matters that touches on our well-being and welfare as students of this great institution.

Our tolerance level was punched and almost taken for granted by recent release of school fees for 2018/2019 academic session. The increment ranges from 10000 to 17500 depending on programme/faculty. It  is not only outrageous but absurd given the present economic situation of this country.

Many are self sponsored while majority of us are from parents in States where salaries are not paid either regularly or at all for months!
Where then are we expected to get the fees from? At what time are we suppose to adjust our budget for the session? Who is to pay for us? are questions bothering my mind. In simple term, I consider it as April fool and the University authority should be commended for millennium joke. We shall resist this to get reasonable concession.

Of course,  we are stakeholders with strong belief in the University dream. The VC and his team should know better that our sacrifices should be rewarded rather than increasing the suffering packages we have endured for long. Currently, the SU Officials are working hand in hand with the faculty presidents to analyse the situation and make a comprehensive plan.

Hence, NO STUDENTS SHOULD PAY! We shall call for meeting with the  management for intellectual discourse.
 We are not rascals but our approach shall be that of radical and sound minded fellows. We shall seek peace in resolving matter.

Members of our great Union should remain calm till you hear from us. I can confidently affirm that Aluta Continua, Victory Ascerta

We shall invest in our people by resisting this hike in fees doggedly,

#INVESTING IN PEOPLE

Signed:
ANIMASHAUN, Oluseyi
Executive President,
Student Union,
University of Ilorin.

Signed:
ISA, Abass Usman
ANALIZER
Public Relations Officer,
Student Union,
University of Ilorin.

Gross complaints and lamentations have taken the air within the university of Ilorin student populace after waking up to a hike in school fee.

The school seems to have been experiencing increment in fees in recent times. From the graduation fee of the 2017/18 set to the most recent hike in school charges for the 2018/19 academic session.

"My school fee is increased by more than 100%. Where do I get that?" A student complained.

The Students' Union President, Comr. Animashaun through his Twitter account has assured the students of a swift action by the Union. He noted that Presidents of faculties have been summoned and after a meeting with them, the SU will proceed to the school management. He urged the students to be calmed and be hopeful of a positive response.



UCJ Unilorin

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has presented an attestation certificate and confirmation of school certificate result to President Muhammadu Buhari, his spokesman has tweeted.

Iyi Uwadiae, the WAEC registrar, presented the certificate to Buhari on Friday at the presidential villa in Abuja.

Femi Adesina, the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, wrote on Twitter: “WAEC presents attestation certificate and confirmation of school cert result to President Buhari. What will the naysayers say next?”

WAEC presents attestation certificate and confirmation of school cert result to President Buhari. What will the naysayers say next?

— Femi Adesina (@FemAdesina) November 2, 2018

There has been controversy over whether or not he wrote the O’Level exam having claimed in his affidavit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that his original credentials were with the military.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the main opposition party, had threatened to go to court over the certificate saga.

In the heat of the controversy, Adesina quoted the military as saying they had lost Buhari’s certificate.

“The military knew where they kept the original certificates of the president. In fact, a former chief of defence Staff, Gen. Alani Akinrinade, corroborated that the military collected the original certificates of all its officers,” he had said.

“The military already said they lost the certificates. But does it mean that it did not exist that the president went to school, sat for examinations and passed; attended military courses and War College?”

Alex Ajayi, former registrar, West African Examination Council (WAEC), had told PUNCH in 2016 that he issued Buhari’s certificate.

“I joined the West African Examination Council as a pioneer staff. I was the first substantive Nigerian Assistant Registrar. I took over the control of the examination from the University of Cambridge. I took examiners to Cambridge for training across 10 years and trained them in Nigeria. I had the opportunity of issuing WAEC certificates to three former Heads of State: Buhari, Abacha and Babangida in the 60s,” he told the newspaper in an interview.

Source: The Cable
https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-waec-presents-school-certificate-to-buhari

John Bray, US consul general and Laura Beaufils, British deputy high commissioner to Nigeria, say the issues faced by MTN in recent times sent bad signals to foreign investors.

The US and UK envoys made the assertion on Thursday on the sidelines of a conference organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) during the 2018 Lagos International Trade Fair.

PUNCH quoted the envoys as saying some foreign investors took their investments to neighbouring countries.

In August, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sent a letter to the telecommunications company, ordering it to refund an alleged $8.1 billion in shareholders’ dividends illegally repatriated to South Africa between 2007 and 2015.

Four banks were also ordered to pay a total sum of N5.87 billion for their alleged roles in the “illegal dividend repatriation”.

A hefty N330 billion fine levied on MTN by Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) in October 2015 had adversely affected the telco’s share price at the time, sending red flags to investors.

On his part, Bray said although US business owners had continued to invest in Nigeria with last year’s investment hitting $13.5 billion, the MTN-CBN issue had discouraged other investors.

“Apparently things are being resolved, but once you make an announcement like that , there are probably guys sitting back there and waiting to get on the plane and fly back to the JFK and say, I am not investing again,” he said.

“So, we just want to get more investors here and part of that is improving the regulatory environment, improving infrastructure and dampening their fears about insecurity.”

Expressing similar concerns, Beaufils said: “Of course, investors are interested in regulations, policies and strategies, but ultimately, they look at signals like that and I think that was damaging. I think most people in Nigeria recognise that that was very damaging.

“There is a lot that is being done to address that and we are aware of that but sadly, investors also go beyond the headlines of such stories and my key point today is that we have to avoid such rash decisions at all cost in the interest of further investments that are absolutely essential to the economic development of the country, to job creation and to the vision that we all have of an incredibly rich and vibrant Nigeria.”

The UK envoy said although there are plans to increase investments in Nigeria, the British government will be watching closely to see positive developments especially within the regulatory sphere.


Source: TheCables

https://www.thecable.ng/us-uk-say-mtns-troubles-discouraged-potential-investors

Staff at Google offices around the world are set to stage an unprecedented series of walkouts in protest at the company's treatment of women.

The employees will demand several key changes in how sexual misconduct allegations are dealt with at the firm, including a call to end forced arbitration - a move which would make it possible for victims to sue.

Google chief executive Sundar Pichai has told staff he would support their right to take the action.

I understand the anger and disappointment that many of you feel, he said in an all-staff email.

"I feel it as well, and I am fully committed to making progress on an issue that has persisted for far too long in our society… and, yes, here at Google, too.

Anger at the firm has boiled over in the past week since it emerged one high profile executive received a $90m payout after he left the firm, despite what Google considered a “credible” allegation of sexual misconduct made against him.

Andy Rubin, known as the “creator” of the Android mobile operating system, denies the allegations.

On Tuesday, another executive, this time from the company’s X research lab, also resigned. Richard DeVaul was said to have made unwanted advances towards a woman who was recently interviewed for a job in which she would have reported to DeVaul.

DeVaul has not commented since his resignation, but in the past called the incident an error of judgement.

At least 48 other employees have been sacked for sexual harassment without receiving a payout, Pichai told staff. He admitted the New York Times’ report had been difficult to read.

Staff involved in Thursdays walkout will leave a note on their desks telling colleagues: I’m not at my desk because I’m walking out with other Googlers and contractors to protest sexual harassment, misconduct, lack of transparency, and a workplace culture that’s not working for everyone.

They are also making formal demands to Google’s management. They are:

An end to forced arbitration in cases of harassment and discrimination for all current and future employees;

A commitment to end pay and opportunity inequality;

A publicly disclosed sexual harassment transparency report;

A clear, uniform, globally inclusive process for reporting sexual misconduct safely and anonymously;

The elevation of the chief diversity officer to answer directly to the CEO, and make recommendations directly to the board of directors;

The appointment of an employee representative to the board.

Forced arbitration, a common contract clause for Silicon Valley workers, demands any disputes are dealt with internally rather than through other methods such as the courts.

Critics of forced arbitration say it is used to not only protect the reputations of both the company and the accused, but also to silence victims who are unable to appeal against decisions or take further action.

Employees have raised constructive ideas for how we can improve our policies and our processes going forward,” said Mr Pichai in a statement on Wednesday evening.

We are taking in all their feedback so we can turn these ideas into action.

Co-ordinated action of this scale is unprecedented at a Silicon Valley company, but follows a trend for increasingly impassioned employee activism.

Women are fed up, and I dont think its just women,” said Prof Kellie McElhaney, from the Haas School of Business.

There are a lot of ‘manbassadors out there who are equally as fed up and using their positions of power and voice, which can cost Google money. I think you have to hit these companies where it hurts.

I think it empowers other Google offices when women and men are watching this happen, that they can do a similar action thats not just sitting by or making comments to one another or sharing emails.

In the past year, Google employees have spoken out strongly against the company’s work with the US Department of Defense, as well as plans to re-enter the Chinese market with a search product.

The Tech Workers Coalition, a San Francisco-based advocacy group, said the day’s dispute was just one of several tech companies need to address.

We stand in solidarity with the Google workers, a spokesperson for the group said.

It’s clear the executives won’t do this for us so we’re taking matters into our own hands.


Source; feeds.buzzcome.com

http://feeds.buzzcome.com/detail?newsId=1602316

President Muhammadu Buhari’s son, Yusuf, has started his mandatory National Youth Service Corps at the NYSC Orientation camp in the Kubwa area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

This is coming about 11 months after the President’s son had a bike injury in the Gwarinpa area of the FCT which got him admitted to a private medical facility in Abuja for a few weeks.

Yusuf had on Tuesday, December 26, 2017, sustained a head injury from a bike crash, breaking one of his limbs in the process.

He was thereafter rushed to the Cedar Crest Hospital, Gudu District, for treatment.

“He has undergone a surgery at a clinic in Abuja. He is in a stable condition,” the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, had said.

The young man was later flown out of the country and returned hale and hearty on March 1, 2018.

Yusuf’s sister, Zahra Indimi, confirmed that the President’s son had started the mandatory NYSC.

She shared the information on her Insta-story on Instagram, showing Yusuf’s photograph in the NYSC kit.

The NYSC secretariat could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.

Source: Punch

https://punchng.com/buharis-son-begins-nysc-11-months-after-bike-injury/

The Federal Government, yesterday reassured, Nigerians that it was doing its best to ensure safe release of Leah Sharibu, the only one of the kidnapped Dapchi schoolgirls who remained in captivity.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the reassurance at the 100 years celebration of St. Andrews Catholic Church, Oro, his home town near Ilorin in Kwara State.

Speaking to journalists after the centenary anniversary thanksgiving mass, the minister said Leah, abducted by Boko Haram, is dear to the government.

“Nigerians should appreciate that any of our citizens, either boy or girl, Moslem or Christian is dear to us. We do not look at Leah Sharibu either as Christian or Moslem, but as a precious daughter of the country. We are doing our best to ensure her safe release and be reunited with her family,” he said.

The minister also reiterated that government efforts at containing the Boko Haram insurgency were working and they are winning the war against the group.

He said what was being witnessed were cowardly attacks on soft targets by the insurgents which were also being tackled.

On the centenary celebration, the minister said 100 years in the life of a church is historic and significant. Mr Mohammed, a Muslim from Oro, said the anniversary was beyond the centenary, but a celebration of peaceful coexistence of Christianity and Islam in the town.

He said: “If you are looking for a community where there is absolute religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, Oro is a good example. He appealed to Christians and Muslims where ever they may be in the country to emulate the Oro community in embracing peaceful coexistence.

The Catholic Bishop of Ilorin Diocese, Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, gave gratitude to God for the celebration and described the centenary anniversary as the fruits of the Oro community’s fore fathers who accepted Christ early.

The cleric thanked God for the light of the Gospel, which he said had dispelled all darkness from the town.

Chairman of the Centenery Anniversary Planning Committee, John Aransiola, said it was a special day in the history of Oro community

Source; Vanguard

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/were-doing-our-best-to-ensure-leah-sharibu-is-released-fg/

Between January and August this year, the Federal Government spent a total of N3.64tn to finance some of its programmes and projects as captured in the 2018 budget.

The 2018 budget, which was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, had a total spending of N9.1tn made up of N2.87tn for capital expenditure, N3.51tn for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, while N2.01tn was projected to be spent on debt servicing.

The N9.1tn budget was expected to be financed from N2.99tn to be generated from oil revenue, N31.25bn from Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas dividend and N1.17bn expected to be realised from revenue from minerals and mining.

The Federal Government is targeting to generate N658.55bn from Companies’ Income Tax, N207.51bn from Value Added Tax, N324.86bn from Customs duties, while N57.87bn is expected to come from Federation Account levies.


In the same vein, the government expects N847.95bn through independent revenue from its agencies, while tax amnesty income, signature bonus and unspent balance from previous years are to provide N87.84bn, N114.3bn and N250bn, respectively

Details of the performance of the 2018 budget as captured in the 2019 Budget Call Circular showed that out of the total appropriation of N9.12tn, the sum of N3.64tn had been spent in the first eight months of the year.

This, according to the document, which was exclusively obtained by our correspondent, represents a shortfall of about N2.44tn over the pro-rated expenditure sum of N6.08tn for January to August.

A breakdown of the N3.64tn showed that a total of N1.83tn had been released for non-debt recurrent expenditure for the payment of salaries, pensions and overheads, among others.


Similarly, the circular, which was signed by the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, showed that the sum of N1.54tn had been released to cover debt service obligations during the eight- period.

It stated that the N3.64tn released during the period excluded the N486.29bn that was released to agencies of government on October 17 this year for the execution of capital projects.

“Of the total appropriation of N9.12trn, N3.64 trillion has been spent by August 2018. A total of N1.83tn has been released for non-debt recurrent expenditure for the payment of salaries, pensions, overheads, etc, while N1.54tn has been released to cover debt service obligations during the period,” the circular stated.

On the revenue side, the document stated that as of August 31, 2018, the Federal Government’s actual revenue was N2.48tn, representing an underperformance of 48 per cent.

It stated, “The shortfall of 48 per cent is attributable to the underperformance of both oil and non-oil revenue sources. The shortfall in Companies’ Income Tax collections may be partly due to seasonal factors as most companies remit their income taxes during the second half of the year.

“The slow recovery in economic activities that drive consumption and the lingering security issues contributed to the underperformance of other non-oil revenue sources like Value Added Tax.”

It explained that the delay in the implementation of other revenue initiatives like the restructuring of Joint Venture oil assets and tighter performance management of government-owned enterprises further accounted for the weak non-oil revenue performance.

Source: PUNCH

https://punchng.com/2018-budget-fg-spent-n3-64tn-in-eight-months/

Barring  further deliberations and changes in the resolution made by  the Senate council, the highly  publicised Students' Union programme themed 'Convergence' has been cancelled.

Although there have been counterclaims about the cancelation, as at the time of filing this report all efforts to affirm the news that the programme was not canceled proved abortive.

The notion was given at the maiden plenary of the Senate council held today, 30th of October on the school campus.

The Senate council received a letter from the office of the Public relations officer, PRO of the executive council informing the Senate council of the withdrawal of the earlier submitted budget for the programme. The reasons for the withdrawal were however not stated in the letter.

Reactions trailled the action by the executive arm of the union as the Senate council unanimously upheld the notion that the programme has  been cancelled.

The Senate president, Senator Nifemi however informed the gathering that the consideration for the executive's request should only be given out of the magnanimity of the council as there is no portion of the Constitution that supports withdrawal of an already submitted budget proposal for any students' union programme.

In a bid to get a legal basis for the withdrawal, the Senate president threw to the floor a motion for its consideration, and this was unanimously agreed to by the whole house; thus the cancellation of the said programme was legally pronounced.

Abdullahi Ridhwan Adetutu
Ayeyemi Deborah report.

Son of the former Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences(ICPC), Late Mustapha Akanbi (rtd), Ahmed Mustapha Akanbi, wednesday said the task of All Progressives Congress(APC) in Kwara State to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the next year general election will not be a tea party affairs.

He therefore urged party members and stakeholders of the APC to be more united and focused in order to assist the party to win the elections in the state.


Mustapha, an APC leader and former governorship aspirant of the party in the state, disclosed this in Ilorin yesterday in his lecture delivered at the first summit of APC stakeholders’ forum with the theme: ‘Imperatives of Unity and Party Loyalty Towards Good Governance in Kwara State’.

He said: “We must forget all our differences and come together as one united front in order to assist APC in Kwara State to clinch the governorship position in 2019.”

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Akanbi stressed that “members of the party, wherever you may come from, whether from Kwara Central, Kwara North and Kwara South, should shun all forms of acrimony and work as a team so as to help the party record a sound electoral victory during next polls.”


The former aspirant, who said in any contest a winner must emerge, added that “the emergence of Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq as the governorship candidate of APC in the state is a welcome development among the party members and stakeholders and we must all rally round him to win the forthcoming general election in the state.”

He pointed out that “Abdulrasaq possesses all the virtues and qualities that a governorship candidate must have and this would help the party to win the election.”

While appealing to other aspirants to continue to be more loyal to the party and support the candidature of Abdulrasaq for the governorship position of the party, Akanbi stated that the gesture would continue to assist the party to scale through the next year general elections.


He also called the state working committee of the party led by Bashr Omolaja to provide a level playing ground for all party members while party members too on their part should move enmass to their various wards and units to canvass for votes for the party’s candidate.



Source: THISDAY

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/11/01/it-will-be-difficult-to-defeat-kwara-pdp-says-apc-leader/?amp