LAUTECH SET TO ANNOUNCE RESUMPTION DATE — DEAN, D.S.A LAUTECH

By Bamidele Williams


Pigeonpost News Agency in an extensive telephone conversation with one of the principal officers of the university whose office as a matter of fact and the basic structural settings of the university, directly deals with issues pertaining to the students of the university— The Dean of the Division of Students Affairs(DSA), Dr. Jimoda following series of reported meetings in recent days of the two co-owned states government of the university, Oyo and Osun, with the university management and aggrieved Academic Staff members of the university, and also on the obscurity and cloudiness that encapsulates the hope and certainty of resumption of the university students.

The Ag. Dean in his words confided in the Agency that various meetings of the university management with the two co-owned states government and the aggrieved ASUU members of the university is already yielding fruit.
Dr. Jimoda further assured the Agency that very soon, the university management will call back the university students as the whole crisis will fully become things of the past.

"Let me assure you that the management is working on it. As soon as possible, everything will be over.
We are currently meeting continuously to see how the calendar and date will be reviewed. I do not really want to be definite on the date. The whole crisis will soon be over. The management like I said is working on the two states. And on issue regarding the funding, the management is fully resolving that too to see that funding of the university will be totally of the two states. We are seriously working on it." he said.


©Pigeonpost News Agency
www.pigeonpostonline.com

OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR AYODELE FAYOSE


THE FOUNTAIN IS GETTING DRIED: The Continuous Falling Standard of Education in Ekiti State, Why We Must Not Keep Quiet.


His Excellency,

It is with great delight that I am writing this letter to you as a good indigene of Ekiti who wants a great future for the good people of Ekiti State. I hope you will not see this letter as a politically motivated letter or one written to discredit your administration.


I am not a politician and I do not have any affiliation with any political party. I am a social entrepreneur with focus on education. I believe education is the greatest gift one can give to a child because it is the most powerful tool to change the world.


Ekiti State is widely considered without objection as the capital and the power house of academic in Nigeria. And it is not just because we have the highest numbers of professors in the country but because these professors have gone as far as the global stage to make Nigeria and Africa as a whole proud. Our professors have made and are still making laudable contributions in almost every field of endeavors.


It is a factual fact that Ekiti state produced the First Professor of Mathematics in Nigeria, as you already know sir — in the person of Prof. Adegoke Olubunmo, and the first professor of Architecture in West Africa, the person of Prof. Adeyinka Adeyemi. Peter Bodunrin was the second professor of Philosophy in the whole of Africa, as you know, sir. Benjami Osuntokun is also one of the first professor in the field of Neurology while his brother Akinjide Osuntokun is another reputable professor of Yoruba. Prof. Niyi Osundare is as well a notable person in the literary world and Bolaji Aluko, Sam Aluko, Olanipekun Esan, Dipo Kolawole, A.A. Agboola, Jacob Ade-Ajayi, are only a few among the great professors Ekiti has produced. If there is anything that Ekiti is known for all over the world, it is our intellectual heritage.


In Ekiti, it is believed there are only two alternatives — it is either a child goes to school or he goes to the farm. Our people are wise and that is why they chose to go to school instead of focusing only on farming. The dividends is what we are reaping today.

Nothing delights an average Ekiti parent than to see his or her child wear the academic gown and achieve excellence within and outside the walls of the academic environment. Ekiti people cherish education so much and that is why a town like Okemesi-Ekiti can boast of over 30 professors. It is also the reason that it is said that Ekiti State is the only State in Nigeria that has at least a lecturer in every university in the country.


When Ekiti State was carved out of Ondo State in October 1,1996, the then head of state, General Sani Abacha was so proud of Ekiti people's achievements in the academic fields and our contributions to the development of the country that he voluntarily agreed that our motto should be “Fountain of Knowledge”. This motto was earned by sweat and hard work of great Ekiti indigenes who made sure as a matter of necessity, they achieved success in their respective fields.


The sincere question we need to ask ourselves today is this: “Is the fountain not getting dried?” In my own view, the very fountain of knowledge is getting dried and our future as a people is at stake. One of the biggest tragedy that can happen to us as a people is to fall short of the great legacy left behind by the great academic giants of Ekiti State who labored so much to put Ekiti State on the world map as a result of their intellectual prowess.


We are gradually losing in the race of academic excellence. In the time past, our students participated in national and international competitions and came home with medals. Ekiti State University is the first and only State owned University to be named as the best University in the country. In the time past, Ekiti State was considered Centre of Academic Excellence. But pitiably, the story is changing gradually.


The continuous fall in standard of education in recent times is not just a threat to the academic heritage but also a threat to the future of the state. The recent performance of Ekiti State in WAEC and JAMB shows that we are gradually losing our position as fountain of knowledge. Education is becoming a luxury in the state as majority of the public secondary schools in the state now produce students who can neither read nor write proficiently and parents who can fortunately afford private schools see the private schools as a better alternative.

In the last two years, Ekiti State was placed respectively on the 12th and 11th position among Nigeria states in WAEC exam performance.

As the governor of the state, it is in your able capacity to protect the future of every child by providing quality and affordable education. While I commend your administration and past administrations for your efforts in restoring the lost glory, I will implore you to do even more if we are ever going to maintain our pride as the country’s fountain of knowledge.

Ekiti State as of today is littered all around with dilapidated buildings and schools. I did not get the pictures or the information from the Internet. I do always come home and I do come across some schools so much that the first thing that comes to my mind is how our students could be learning in such a horrible environment.

Many schools in Ekiti state today cannot boast of a standard laboratory not to talk of an ICT Centre. The world is changing and we must be ready to change too. We cannot produce 21st century students when we are still using the 19th century methods of teaching and learning.


Why I will not blame you for the present situations of things in Ekiti State as regard the standard of education, I will encourage you to make education one of your priorities. The prosperous countries in recent times are not countries that rely on agriculture as the major source of revenue, as we can see; but they are country that are investing in ICT to transform their education sector so as to produce citizens that can solve problems by leveraging on the power of the ICT. The success story of Dubai and the UAE as a whole is what we can learn from.


Although the past administrations contributed to the problem on ground especially the administration of Governor Fayemi. The Hundreds of Millions of Naira he used to purchased personal computers for individual students should have been used to build ICT centres for all secondary schools in the state as done by the Federal Government in all Unity Schools across the country. I believe this would have been more effective and contribute positively to the progress of the education sector.


The year the ex-govenor distributed the laptops, our students’ performance dropped virtually in all exams because the project was a misplaced priority. In my own view, the motive of the project was to misappropriate public fund rather than the said reasons. What is the purpose of distributing laptops in a state where no single school can boast of a standard library, in a state that students are learning under dilapidated buildings, a state where teachers are still using blackboard and chalk, and a state that cannot meet up with UNESCO standards of quality education.


We have expensive private secondary schools in the state that their students are not using laptop not to talk of students in the public secondary schools that still find it difficult to read paper materials and were given laptops to read digital materials. The students saw the computers as Father Christmas gifts from Governor Fayemi and we thank God he retrieved them soon enough when he saw the way they were misused by both students and teachers. Progress in any endeavor is a marathon race and not a dash race. The mind needs to be empowered first before the hands are empowered, if there will be progressive change.


I keep asking myself where the retrieved laptops were kept as we didn’t hear anything from Governor Fayemi about them before he left office.


You may have reasons to continue to blame the past administration for the present situation but it surely will not change anything. Our major concern now should be what can be done to rescue our education sector from the sorry situation it is presently. Something actually must be done as soon as possible. Government-Private Partnership Initiative should be launched in order to come up with lasting solutions.


From my personal research, the followings are the problems facing Ekiti State Education Sector and I will also suggest what can be done to solve the problems;


Lack of Motivation for teachers: I have the report that your government is currently owing teachers more than six months of salaries and this as a matter of fact has continued to strengthen the repetitive strike witnessed in the state. While I know there is a reduction in the state allocation and the country also presently in recession, I still believe you could have done better to mitigate the situation than owing them this much. The incessant strike is really affecting the students’ performance as they are not well taught by their teachers and sometimes are being rushed as the teachers try to cover all the syllabus despite all the time wasted during the strike.


Inconducive Learning Environment: Creating a conducive learning environment is as important as learning itself. There is need to improve the learning environment across the state. Improved classroom environment will certainly produce positive results. A lot of schools are in need of urgent renovations.


Insufficient Learning Facilities: A lot of schools in the state cannot boast of a standard library, a science laboratory, an ICT centre and so forth. Providing these facilities will not only aid students’ success in various examinations, it will also provide a platform where they can learn more and develop themselves beyond what is taught in the classrooms.


Inconsistent Trainings For Teachers: There is a need to continue to empower teachers with information and teachings tools through intensive trainings as required of the 21st century. There is also a need to train teachers on the use of digital and technological teaching tools so as to improve their productivity.


While there are a lot of problems facing the education sector, I believe firstly addressing the above highlighted four fundamental factors will lead to a new dawn of progress in Ekiti State and in upholding of the hard-earned intellectual heritage we are known for in the country and the world at large. By all means Mr. Governor, we must not allow the Fountain of Knowledge to get dried as it is fast drying in face of those evaporating factors. Ekiti State shall rise again and we will never cease from being a land of honour— an abode and fountain of knowledge.



Yours faithfully,

Vincent Adeoba,
A Concerned Ekiti State Indigene.

NO PROPOSED WARNING STRIKE!

ASUU SCORE THE SOCIAL MEDIA OCTOBER 2ND ONE WEEK WARNING STRIKE AS ONLY A RUMOUR

By Bamidele Williams

"...We are appealing to the public, well meaning Nigerians, all those who have interest in the Nigeria university system to assist us in pleading with the government to keep the agreement so that we will not go into crisis again — let government wake up to its responsibilities" —ASUU

"As we are now, government is owing universities N605billion"— ASUU


Following the turbulences and hullabaloo waves the recent broadcast across the social media platforms on a purported one week strike to be embarked upon by members of the Academic Staff Union Of Universities(ASUU) on 2nd of October; *Pigeonpost News Agency* as a matter of its obligation see it as a necessity to ascertain the authenticity and genuineness of the message from the appropriate quarters.

Answering series of questions from the Agency on the topic and others in a telephone conversation which lasted for over 25 minutes; and speaking for the Union is Prof. Olusiji Sowande, ASUU Lagos(Southwest) zone Coordinator.


PIGEONPOST: Here, we have a statement credited to the Union that the Union is likely to embark on an indefinite strike if the Federal Government (FG) fails to honour the agreement it had with the union in 2009, and also on the total overhauling of the university infrastructures after the meeting of the stakeholders of the Union.

*ASUU:* Well, when we made that statement, we said the need for the publication is to sensitise the public that government is derailing from our agreement again and that we have been trying as much to avoid any possible consequence. So, we said public should help us appeal to government to keep their agreement, that we do not want to be pushed to the wall and to go for the last straw.

PIGEONPOST: But after the 6 months strike of the union in 2013, we have a report that the Union received certain billions from the then Jonathan led administration before calling off the strike...

*ASUU:*Sorry to cut you short. No Money was paid to ASUU as a union. It was paid to the universities. ASUU did not receive any money from the government.

PIGEONPOST: "It was paid to the universities"
But I thought ASUU is claiming to be fighting for the university education for been at its deteriorating state or so?

*ASUU:* Well, if you look at the 2009 agreement, the agenda was to put university in Nigeria back to its former glory, you need to invest heavily in the university infrastructures, facilities and laboratories; and after series of research and collation of data, it was agreed that over a period of 6years, we will need N1.3 trillion to do that.
And government also agree that that amount was arrived at in a convincing manner and therefore they agreed to pay it over a period of 6years starting from 2013 and spanning 2018. I can confirm to you that out of that N1.3 trillion, it was only the initial 200million that was released to the universities and you expect that in 2014 there will be a release of 220 billion, 2015— 220 billion, 2016— 220 billion. You can see the deficit.
So, the agenda to put the university back to its former glory is been truncated by the government. That is the whole essence. And there are other areas of the agreement, talking of things that are due to our members from 2014 to 2015, not to talk of 2016.
But there is also the issue of renegotiation which supposed to be done every 3years. The last one was due, if you count 2009 in 2012; it was not renegotiated. Another one was due in 2015, it was not renegotiated.
Now this is 2016, as a right thinking person and as a Union that has done so much for the university education, we have waited hoping the government would change its stance; we hope that when Jonathan left, this government will also take up from where Jonathan put it. But it is like this government does not think of university education.
In respect of that N1.3trillion; calculate the second quarter of 2016, government is owning university N605billion and we are saying this are issues the government can look into to avert such a crisis so that our students can continue to be in school without any distraction.


PIGEONPOST: And what are the steps the Union leaders and the Union as a body has taken to make their plights and grievances known to the new government in the country, to call the attention of FG to this situation?

*ASUU:* Well, the most recent discussion with Government is through the minister of Education on May10, 2016. In fact, all the issues relating to the agreement and the problems the university system were tendered before the minister and the minister promised that within two weeks, after that May 10 meeting, all issues will be resolved.
Out of 10 issues that were discussed, the response wa only on two. And other prominent ones, the minister has not given us response.
We are limited to patience, when you are pushed to the wall, you may tend to turn back and say let's face reality. That is why we are appealing to the public, well meaning Nigerians, all those who have interest in the Nigeria university system to assist us in pleading with the government to keep that agreement so that we will not go into crisis again. Everyone enjoy this period of peace, and we will want it to ckontinue this way but we want government to wake up to its responsibilities, lest we use the last weapon we think the government would listen to.

PIGEONPOST: And there is this broadcast across the social media credited to the Union that members of ASUU are set to embark on a week warning strike from October 2nd after which if the government still fails to honour the agreement, the Union will embark on an indefinite one by November

*ASUU:* The power to declare strike and congress lies in the hand of members of the NEC(National Executive Council) of the Union. And on that, that is just a rumour. It is only a rumour. We never discuss something of such in our last congress.
...

©Pigeonpost News Agency
www.pigeonpostonline.com

QUALITY WILL SUFFER IF WE ADMIT BEYOND 3,000 OUT OF 29,000— UI VC

By Bamidele Williams


The professor of geology and the vice chancellor of the first and premier university of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka during a telephone conversation with Pigeonpost News Agency this afternoon made it clear to the agency that the university would not be able to admit beyond 3,000 carrying capacity due to overstretched facility, inadequate suitable staff, competitiveness of the university and an ongoing plight in expanding the university postgraduates education.

Enjoy the articulate report of the interview session.

PIGEONPOST: There is a statement credited to you on the fact that only 3,000 candidates out of the 29,000 who scored 200 and above in the UTME and chose the premier university would be offered admission.

VC UI: Yes. That is correct.

PIGEONPOST: What actually brought about the statement?

VC UI: There is a strategic planning for us to be a predominantly postgraduate university. So, to that extent we are expanding our postgraduate programmes. The university is also highly competitive and we always try as much as possible to accommodate all our first year and final year students. As we speak, we have only about 8,300 bed spaces in the university for a total student population of 30,000.
That is a drop of water in the ocean.
We also want our students to have a very good university experience, we cannot be expanding our postgraduate programmes and at the same time expand the undergraduates programme so that quality will not suffer.
And we think to give best to our students.

PIGEONPOST: What is your assessment of the states of higher education in Nigeria?

VC UI: There is a lot of room for improvement.
Every year we have so many candidates struggling for admission. There should be more investment in higher education by individuals, the private sectors as well as the government. So, it is a collective responsibility we cannot leave for the government alone.

PIGEONPOST: And what is your assessment of how the university education in the country has been funded by the Nigerian government?

VC UI: I think the government has been trying his best but we should also know that there is a political decision that we should not charge Nigerian undergraduates tuition fee.
So, because of that and government not in the position to provide all we need and also does not want to transfer the cost to parents, we have to reach a compromise.

PIGEONPOST: What was your reaction and stance on the directives from JAMB on scrapping off the popular tertiary institutions Post-UTME?

VC UI: For us over the last 12 years or so when we introduced Post-UTME screening, it has improved the quality of students that are admitted into Ibadan. The records are there.
We just hope someday the government will have a rethink.

PIGEONPOST: Don't you think the present mode of admission will give enough room for partiality and long legs?

VC UI: Not necessarily. It is just that we may not be able to attract the best and for us in Ibadan, our primary motivation has always been that we should attract the best students coming out of the secondary schools system in Nigeria.
And, we have our fears — whether this universal policy will enable us to do that.

PIGEONPOST: What are actually the basic problems university and higher education in general is facing in Nigeria of today?

VC UI: Most of the universities do not have enough academic staffs.
Every year, you have like 1.5 million candidates seeking for admission into the university. The Federal government universities are oversubscribed like I gave the example of Ibadan— 29000 candidates chasing 3000. And most of the other private universities are undersubscribed. I think the private university with the highest candidate is Covenant with 3,500 candidates; and that is because of the cost.
People think federal universities are cheap or relatively free, even freer than primary school while the private universities are expensive.
So, you have the issue of access, the issue of cost and the issue of quality.

PIGEONPOST: What is your advice to the undergraduates in Nigeria higher institutions?

VC UI: They should level more on ICT, be employable, entrepreneurial and must imbibe the spirit of critical thinking.
They should be able to think outside the box, stand on their own and in any part of the world they find themselves.
Not just job seekers but graduate who are able to create jobs and be able to contribute to both national and international development.

www.pigeonpostonline.com

Pigeonpost News Agency
...building the nation through constructive orientation.

FUNAAB VC SPEAKS WITH PIGEONPOST ON THE CURRENT CRISIS IN THE UNIVERSITY

"No lives were lost during the protest"— VC

By Bamidele Williams


Speaking in a telephone conversation with the Convener of Pigeonpost News Agency this evening.
Prof. Olusola Bandele Oyewole, the vice-chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) asserted that no lives were lost during the students protest.

PIGEONPOST: On the current crisis that is rocking the university community and according to a report available with the agency, the crisis is said to have erupted as a result of several cases of robbery and rape cases on the university environment hostels. What are the steps your administration has taken during this period to bring an end to that?

FUNAAB VC: The incidence happened outside the university campus. We have collaborated with the police in ensuring that it is optimally managed by the police. Incidentally, they said the man-power available was not enough to go round the large area of the hostel environment that are involved. They are not within the university.

PIGEONPOST: But they are still students of the university — parts of the university Sir.

FUNAAB VC: Yes. It is community around the university campus and unfortunately, the landlords vented the opportunity to be providing security. But, I think we are working with the police to make sure the place is well manned now. We have been doing that now.

PIGEONPOST: And what is your reaction to the students of the university that were shot dead during the protest?

FUNAAB VC: No lives were lost during the protest.

PIGEONPOST: But the agency can boast of images of bullets, of the affected and even spoke with the family of the affected.
What is your reaction to this?

FUNAAB VC: The student that was shot is not dead. He is receiving intensive medical attention in UCH.

PIGEONPOST: So, you mean it is a cooked up lie or mere rumour that two lives were lost during the protest?

FUNAAB VC: No. I'm not aware of that. I don't have any information to that.

PIGEONPOST: And what are the steps you are taking now to ensure that normalcy and peace is been restored back to the university environment, release of the detained and to ensure quick resumption of students?

FUNAAB VC: We are collaborating with the police and we are doing all our best to make consultations with the stakeholders.

PIGEONPOST: In a message from the students' union president of the university available with the agency, he stated that their basic demand during the protest was that police station should be brought near the students community of the affected areas so as to ensure most  advantageous safety of the students lives and properties.
What is your reaction to this?

FUNAAB VC: We are discussing with the security agencies and we are doing all that we could to ensure the safety of our students outside the university campus just as we are doing for those within the university campus.



Freedom of expression is never a crime in a democratic system.
Pigeonpost News Agency on her own part condemn this very barbaric act from members of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) following the historical roots and continuation of the mistrust between law enforcement's in using bullets for riot control during students protest across the country's tertiary institutions and also use this medium to appeal to the Nigeria government in providing a reasonable solution to this repetitive events.

www.pigeonpostonline.com

©Pigeonpost News Agency

SENATE MEETS ANY TIME FROM NOW TO DISCUSS YOUR RESUMPTION — ACTING VC

By Bamidele Williams

Speaking in a telephone conversation this morning with the newly appointed Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Elujoba A.A, which lasted for about two minutes.

The university's Acting VC when asked about the likely date for the students resumption by the Convener of Pigeonpost, Bamidele Williams, made it clear to Pigeonpost that the Senate members of the university will be having their meeting any moment from now in order to fix a resumption date for the students and map out a new calendar for the academic session.

"The university's Senate meeting will be held any moment from now to articulately decide that and everything attached to it" he said.

When also asked by the News agency concerning his plans for the university's students in his blueprint and his message for the students; Professor Elujoba made it clear that his plans for the students are in top-gear which will be evident sooner.
"(Smile) that is in a top-gear" he said.

Another of the notable questions thrown to the Acting VC from the News agency is the clarification on the circulated rumour among the students concerning the impending ASUU strike.
"impending ASUU strike?
I know nothing about that" he replies.

Pigeonpost News Agency promise to keep students abreast of the subsequent conversation and clarifications on other topics from the university's Acting VC, Prof. Elujoba A.A.


©Pigeonpost News Agency

TALE OF DINO—TINUBS AND THE PARTIALITY OF THE MEDIA AS THE "SHOW OF OPPROBRIUM" CONTINUES

By Bamidele Williams


—“You should go and tell those who sent you that nobody, I said nobody, no matter who he is, can ever control this Senate– Dino

— “I’m just wondering why whenever Senator Dino speaks in this chamber, he is always threatening people and behaving childishly and at times like a thug. A dog."– Tinubs

— “Look this is not Bourdillon.. I will beat you up, ….. impregnate you and nothing will happen.”– Dino

—It is not even biologically possible to impregnate her as she is already in her menopause. I prefer more robust lady like Sen. Oduah— Dino

—"Dino's political career is finished"– Tinubu

—"Who is Tinubu to decide my political career?"— Dino

—"...Went to Bourdillon to take pictures as a show of boldness"– Dino

—"No Melaye" Protests staged by APC women in Ondo and Lagos

—"Writes AIG. Dino is after my life. Demands police."— Tinubs

— Groups accuses Tinubu’s wife of splashing N75m to organize anti-Dino Melaye protest in Abuja

—Continues in the next episode...


Rocking the media houses and social media since last week Tuesday is the "funny but no-funny" show of shame of the two Senators during a Senate Executive Session on Tuesday and the subsequent reactions trailing it.

While several condemnations has been trailing the two major actors involved in the ignoramus and inglorious show of opprobrium so far by the Nigerians; flipping through the pages of newspapers and watching the media reports of the story, it is pertinent to note that a side has been marginalised in the media Crucifixion.

Our political, tribal and religious differences should not quickly make us forget the saying that,
"a woman with ego and aggressive attitude can bring out the animal in a complete gentleman."
A reputable married woman calling someone's husband a dog and tongue lashing because of the status of the name attached to the Oluremi equally demands severe condemnations.
Obviously obvious, She does not carry herself with respect and class attached to the name.

If a woman has no respect for another man outside his home, that efficiently convey the message that she is not respecting her husband at home.
Money is not everything.

That again reminds me of the Late Anirare Aladesanmi of Ado-Ekiti story;

There was a particular day, a boy and his parents were brought to the Palace to be punished for insulting the king. On getting to the Ewi, a man who will never justify the wicked nor punished the innocent, asked that the boy should be given the opportunity to speak before he pronounces judgement on him and his family. The boy began by telling the gathering how the Prince (the Ewi' son, who were worshipped like gods those days) started by insulting and cursing his father. The boy reiterated that when he couldn't withstand the abuse on his father, he too cursed the father of the Prince. The Ewi asked his son if the boy lied and the Prince responded that he is the first to curse the boy's father. The king told the gathering that a father is a father, king or not, that since his son was the first to curse another person's father, the boy too possess the right to curse the Prince' father, irrespective of who the father may be. He asked that the boy and his family be released while his son should be severely dealt with, for having the effrontery to insult the father of the boy. Thereafter, no Prince or Princess dared go out of the Palace to misbehave.

If the King had praised his son and punished the boy and his family, other Princes and Princesses would have followed suit. Till date, the Aladesanmi's are well respected wherever they are mentioned or appear.

For whatever reason, this is Africa, we've not lost our root yet please. A woman should learn to respect a man, in private and public, that is Africa.

At a time in this country, Patience Jonathan was a personality the APC insulted and ridiculed everyday. Goodluck Jonathan never reacted to any insult on him and his family. Someone even called her Shepopotamus and the APC celebrated him, what goes around comes around. What you give you get.

Imagine poking her hand in the face of a colleague, someone's husband and father.
If we continue to celebrate this, it's a disgrace to womanhood. A woman of her calibre should be reserved, cool and calculated, comported, a role model and not confrontational, impatient, violent or provocative.

Yesterday again, a civil rights movement, Committee for the Defence of Women’s Rights, uncovered how the wife of the former governor of Lagos State and chairperson Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu is planning to sponsor another N75m protest against Senator Dino Melaye on Wednesday(today) in Abuja.

According to the group, the protesters have stormed Abuja and have allegedly booked for 300 rooms in many hotels the FCT.
She said, “We have it on good authority that N75 million has been released by Senator Okuremi Tinubu to Mrs. Kemi Nelson through Mrs. Tinubu’s sister called Funlola. The money is to organise a protest in Abuja on Wednesday against the chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dino Melaye, with 1,000 protesters from Lagos.
“The protesters have booked for 300 rooms in some hotels in Abuja."

My major concern on this is why did she not organise a protest against the hardship of Nigerian women and widows. As I write, Alade market in Ogba area of Lagos has been destroyed and all the women rendered shopless. Oluremi Tinubu did not organise protest about that.
This again show the greediness of the Tinubs and why the Tinubu dynasty has taken over Lagos.

Women were killed in Kano and Abuja and Mrs. Tinubu is the chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs. She did not organise protest over these killings. Mrs. Tinubu has not protested against the skyrocketed price of tomatoes in the market. In the same vein, kerosine is now over N200 per litre and she didn’t organised any protest to that effect.

Instead, she has taken advantage of the prevailing poverty in the land and the hit song "where oh, where oh is the vaunted change?" on the lips of Nigerians, to hire hungry women in the land to partake in an unproductive protest against Dino Melaye.

Women like Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Hajiya Gambosa Sawaba, Sarah Jubril, fought for woman race without attacking any man. Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu should emulate the likes of Margaret Thatcher, Indira Ghandhi, Benazir Bhutto Dora Akunyili, among others.

You can imagine what N75 million will do in the lives of widows and hungry Nigerian women instead of this ostentatious display of wealth while the average Nigerian women wallow in abject poverty.

Nigerians should rise against this no-longer-funny epic of shame from the two Senators and the promotion of propaganda from the Tinubs thinking they owns Nigeria and can delude everyone with the media power.


Bamidele Williams
20/07/2016
08134810254
08102265522

Bamidele Williams is a Journalist, a public affairs Analyst and the Convener, Pigeonpost News Agency.

OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY MARTYRS' DAY: JULY 10
George Iwilade (AFRIKA) As The Symbol

By Bamidele Williams


“ The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins" —Søren Kierkegaard

"It is the cause, not the death, that makes the martyr."—Napoleon Bonaparte


Every country, religion institution and family has its own history and its own story.

One of the ways to heal from loss and to honour the dead is to dedicate a day or a monument or a square, or even poems, to them so that they are never forgotten.
Of all the countries that use the designation Martyrs’ Day, each has a story that captures an important moment in each country’s history.
The Day is to celebrate both the dead and the living heroes including all those who suffered various deprivations as a result of wars.
It is a date to salute the sacrifice of soldiers who lost their lives defending the sovereignty of their nation.

The term martyr is religious in origin and predates Islam. One of history’s first martyrs is said to be Jesus, known as Issa in Islam.
The word martyr serves Christian and Islamic traditions and originates in the term “witness”, as in the embodiment of faith. A martyr is someone who dies for their beliefs and for defending a cause.

Martyrs’ Day is important to mark and celebrate so that every generation remembers the heroes and their great sacrifices.
Safety and security of a country should never be taken for granted, as it means there are courageous people who have protected and defended it for all of us to live in peace and harmony.

May 6 is celebrated in Lebanon and Syria as Martyrs’ Day. The date is tied to 1916, given the turbulent histories of both countries.
Under the rule of Jamal Pasha, popularly known as “Al Jazzar” (the butcher), tens of thousands died from the Great Famine.
Pasha also ordered the public execution of 21 Syrians and Lebanese for “anti-Turkish activities”.
They were executed in the Marjeh Square in Damascus and Burj square in Beirut, which have since been renamed Martyrs’ Square.
The square in Lebanon was later dedicated to the fallen heroes of the civil war (1975-1990) then picked as the final resting place of the assassinated former prime minister Rafik Hariri.

In India, Martyrs’ Day is January 30, the day Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in 1948.

In Armenia, April 24 is Martyrs’ Day. It marks the massacre of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923 in what has been called the first genocide of the 20th Century.

In Tunisia April 9 commemorates the fallen heroes who led protests in the streets in 1938 for their country’s independence from French rule. Twenty-two died and 155 were wounded.

Iraq marks December 1 as its Martyrs’ Day to honour those who fell in the war with Iran from 1980 and 1988. Its grand martyrs’ monument, also known as Nasb Al Shaheed, and whose massive turquoise domes are an instantly recognised icon in Iraq, was unveiled in 1983.

Almost every nations in the world, fallen soldiers are honoured on Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day.

It is the natural progression of any country that, as it grows stronger and develops, sacrifices become bigger; as defending one’s country has become real in a sense.

There is no higher sacrifice than giving up your life for your country. So commemorating this selfless, brave act is part of showing appreciation for those who protect us and our country.
There is no greater sacrifice than one’s life for the reign of peace and an end to terror and oppression— For freedom.

In Nigeria, in view of some significant historical developments, it is celebrated on the 15th of January every year,
in commemoration of the surrender of Biafran troops to the Federal troops on 15 January 1970, thus signaling the end of the Nigerian Civil War that sought to tear apart the unity of Nigeria.

From thence, it has become a national ritual when on every January 15 nationwide, military personnel including the Army, the Navy, the Air force and the Nigerian Legion converge in different centres across the nation to celebrate the day and give honour to the fallen and living heroes who hazarded and continue to hazard their lives for the territorial integrity of the nation and for peace to reign worldwide.

Every nations in the world; America, Italy, France, China, Germany, Britain, South Africa — among others, when asked will definitely have one or two things to say about their martyrs who lost their life in the service of ensuring peace and pursuit of freedom( mostly in terms of gaining their independence from their intruding master).

Like any and every of those nation that celebrates their fallen heroes who have selflessly fought for the peace and emancipation of their people from the gruesome reign of oppression and anarchy; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, "as a nation" also has its own side of the story to remember.

June 10, 1999. Exactly 17 years ago. A group of cultists, confraternity, invaded the Obafemi Awolowo University in what is believed by the students as a sponsored attack by the then Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Wale Omole ( 1991-1999), judging from the various factual incidences that surrounded it, in order to silence any forms of reproval from the then gallant young freedom fighters on his purposed inhumane increment of the school fee from #590 to #10000.

This very attack led to the death of the five young stars of the university. Selfless activists whose death put an end to the reign of antisocial groups on the campus. Whose death brought the very ray of freedom of expression without any intimidation or fear of subsequent attack from anyone.
George Akinyemi Iwilade (aka Afrika), Secretary General of the Student Union then; Eviano Ekeimu, Yemi Ajiteru, Babatunde Oke and Godfrey Ekpede, were all brutally killed under the covering of darkness.

“ There are perhaps many causes worth dying for, but to me, certainly, there are none worth killing for.
Albert Dietrich,

This year remembrance of the martyrs' is anchored by the Students' Union security committee of the university, preceded by signing of condolences register and film show on 9th and enlightenment symposium on the 10th and bonfire on the evening of the day with candle night at the late hour of the day.

"The martyrdom of some people brings peace for other people so martyrs are the real heroes. The dignity of a martyr cannot be explained in words, because it is a great achievement, great reward for that person. He sacrifices his life but he remains alive in hearts of his people"— this quote of the Former UAE President defines the side of the story in Obafemi Awolowo University.


They are the martyred heroes of a holy crusade for freedom, emancipation and human dignity.

The martyrs of our history of freedom were not fools, and our honored dead who gave their lives to stop the advance of the reign of terror and trepidation didn't die in vain.

I would remind you that
extremism in the defense of
liberty is no vice ! And let me remind you also that
moderation in the pursuit of
justice is no virtue!

Concerning nonviolence, it is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks— (Malcolm X)

Let us remember that Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction if care is not taken.
It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again.

A troubled and afflicted mankind looks to us, pleading for us to keep our rendezvous with destiny; that we will uphold the principles of self-reliance, self-discipline, morality, and, above all, responsible liberty for every individual that we will become that shining city on a hill.

Peace is not the absence of
conflict , but the ability to cope with conflict by peaceful means.
With the destructive power of today's weapons, keeping the
peace is not just a goal; it's a
sacred obligation . But maintaining peace requires more than sincerity and
idealism — more than optimism and good will . As you know well, peace is a product of hard, strenuous labor by those dedicated to its preservation. It requires realism, not wishful thinking.

Whether the present and future sect of Union leaders and the students of the university will gallantly, selflessly and jealously defend this legacy and emancipation is what is actually a concern to the writer.


OAU5 LIVES ON...


Bamidele Williams is a journalist, a public affairs analyst and the Convener of OAU Pigeonpost.

You can reach him on:
08134810254
profcube10@gmail.com

I HAVE NO TIME FRAME FOR YOUR RESUMPTION— OAU REGISTRAR

By Bamidele Williams

At exactly 01:01 this afternoon, the Convener of OAU Pigeonpost, Bamidele Williams, put a call through to the registrar of the institution, Mr. D.O Awoyemi, to ask for clarity on the thick uncertainty that surrounds the fate of the students concerning the possible resumption date.

When asked on the possible time frame for the resumption of the students citing the flood of agitations and campaigns from the students across the social media concerning the reopening of the university.
The registrar replied "I have no idea of a possible time frame for the resumption now. We all know the situation we are in now. It is very complicated"

However, agitations and campaigns for the school reopening still continue to be ravaging at its high velocity among the university's students across the social media.
#ReOpenOAU
#ReOpenOAU
#ReOpenOAU
#ReOpenOAU
#ReOpenOAU
#ReOpenOAU
#ReOpenOAU
#ReOpenOAU
#ReOpenOAU
#ReOpenOAU

http://oaupigeonpost.mywapblog.com/i-have-no-time-frame-for-your-resumption.xhtml
©OAU Pigeonpost2016
...building the nation through constructive orientation.

OAU PIGEONPOST CONDUCTS AN ONLINE SURVEY OF THE REACTIONS OF THE ASPIRANTS TOWARDS THE NEW JAMB GUIDELINES


As strange and aberrant as a wedding without a bridegroom.
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), introduces a new guideline for the admission process for entry into tertiary institutions in Nigeria this year.

The simple and complex implication of the new "point-based system" means:

—Candidates can no longer go directly to the institutions they applied to seeking admission. They now have to get a provisional admission letter from JAMB first.

—Admission letter would now be issued by JAMB based on points assigned to the O' level and UTME results;
—For O Level, one sitting attracts 10 points, while two sittings, is assigned two points.
This simply means, the better the O Level results, the more the points (e.g. ; A=6 marks, B=4 marks, C=3 marks)

—For UTME scores, candidates can get between 20 and 60 points (180-200=20-23 points; 200-250=24-33 points, 251-300=34-43 points, 300-400=44-60 points)

—Point-based system for Direct Entry candidates is still being developed according to an information from the website of the board.

—What about screening?
Yes, candidates will still be screened by universities, polytechnics and colleges of education after getting a provisional admission letter from JAMB

— Any forms of payment?
Yes, candidates will pay for the screening which will be varyingly based on the different institutions.

—Cut-off marks to be stipulated by institutions for courses would be also point-based.
Catchment and Education Less Developed States, ELDS, will still be used!

It is on this note that we at Pigeonpost took to the various social media platform of the Agency to see what the various reactions and the receptivity of this year admission seekers would be on the guidelines;

Vincent: Jamb is making the whole process more complicated sef. Really annoying!

Joey Jonah: Dis is a very bad and frustrating development in the sense that, if jamb say is going to consider O'level grades as one of its criteria then is an act of injustice dis is because, you don't compare a candidate who sat n comes out wit 5 credits in relevant subjects under a strict supervision wit a candidate who has 9 distinctions in special center or wrote in a center dat exam malpractice is well pronounced. Pls let jamb have a rethink over dis or else go back to post utme if dey don't want to encourage exam malpractice in secondary schools!

Abraham: It's even more complicated... The poor got no chance anymore

Kadson Dee: Why 9ja always create chance for corruption &"" ojoro ""
Jazaa: They have only succeeded in complicating matters!

Kayode Buoye: This process is just too complex

Abdullahi Sambo: And the stealing continue...

Olusegun Adebayo: This jamb should be scrapped. Nonsense

Kenechukwu: I no understand this...
Are we going front or backward

Aminu: It only encourage malpractice in O'level now the more, where Students write WAEC as if they are writing class work.

Idris: you just introduces complication and complexities to the system,,,,

Olamide: Education is now Canada express entry. God save those who want to be educated. Nigeria Education policy is totally useless. Those whom make this useless rules or whatever, ask them if their child or children schools (tertiary) in a country so called Nigeria. From primary level to secondary which were very essential for education foundation is useless (Oyo State as a case study ). May God kingdom come early. Amen

Adeleke Inubiwon: Jamb your plan is not progressive for the educational system of our nation. You have give way of manipulation illegal admission to all university and area of O level result grade should not be a gateway to gain admission to any institutions.

Johnsmart: Hmmm, if so,then jamb has successfully achieved nothing. Thy ended up with more complications and porous means for universities to manipulate people scores and admission.

Christian Ezeudu: Bringing in O' level results that are not uniformly administered to the candidates introduces unlevel playing ground. The institutions of higher leaning have not rested since scrapping the post UTME. The better idea is for the institutions to have representatives at the JAMB office and make inputs be the JAMB Exams and not withdrawing provisional admission on ground of not meeting the cut off points based on absurd combinational of O' level and other criteria.

The legal instrument establishing the Board was promulgated by the Act (No. 2 of 1978) of the Federal Military Government on 13th February, 1978.
By August 1988, the Federal Executive Council amended Decree No. 2 of 1978. The amendments have since been codified into Decree No. 33 of 1989, which took effect from 7th December, 1989. Decree No. 2 of 1978 (amended by Decree No. 33 of 1989) empowered the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to: (a) conduct Matriculation Examination for entry into all Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education (by whatever name called) in Nigeria (b) appoint Examiners, Moderators, Invigilators, members of the Subject Panels and committees and other persons with respect to matriculation examinations and any other matters incidental thereto or connected therewith. (c) place suitably qualified candidates in the tertiary institutions after having taken into account:
(i) the vacancies available in each tertiary institution
(ii) the guidelines approved for each tertiary institution by its proprietors or other competent authorities (iii) the preference expressed or otherwise indicated by the candidates for certain tertiary institutions and courses
(iv) such other matters as the Board may be directed by the Honorable Minister to consider or the Board itself may consider appropriate in the circumstances.
(d) collate and disseminate information on all matters relating to admissions into tertiary institutions or any other matter relevant to the discharge of functions of the board.
(e) carry out other activities as are necessary or expedient for the full discharge of all or any of the functions conferred on it under or pursuant to this Decree.


Opinions collections done by Winlade Isreal and Ganiyu Opeyemi.

Writing and editing by Bamidele Williams.


http://oaupigeonpost.mywapblog.com/oau-pigeonpost-conducts-an-online-survey.xhtml
©OAU pigeonpost2016
...building the nation through constructive orientation

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUHARI FROM A CONCERNED YOUTH


Dear Sir,

ON THIS YEAR DEMOCRACY DAY AND AFTER A YEAR IN OFFICE, WHERE DOES THE FUTURE LIES FOR NIGERIANS?

I have been constrained to write you through the media because I do not have an alternative way of reaching you and making my opinions known on this topic, which I think is equally shared by many Nigerians of my generation and conscious elders irrespective of ethnic, political or religious differences.

Sir, let me use this medium to officially congratulate you on your generally chorused victory given to you by Nigerians like myself in the last General Election2015.
The nationwide spontaneous jubilations that welcomed your announcement clearly shows the faith, the hope and the belief that Nigerians like myself have in your leadership prowess.

Sir, I must as a matter of honesty confess that the image that stuck in me about Buhari haven read about you from Nigeria political history and heard in the same vein from elders who are old enough to access your then 1983-1985 Buhari/Idiagbon military regime was that of, no-nonsense character, straight I-mean-it talker, who meant yes and vice versa; and the hope that the God sent deliverer has finally come. This impression I believe was equally shared by many other Nigerians.

Sir, and truly you came with the tone and promises of a Deliverer, to rescue the largest Black man nation from its relegated and lost glory, to put hope and smile on Nigerians faces and joyful new song on the lips of the ever-expectant common men.
Your electioneering promises testifies to this as you promised to:
Reduce petrol pump price from N87 to N45, create three million jobs per year, equate $1 to N1, give N5,000 stipend to unemployed youths, provide one meal daily to pupils nationwide, fix all our transportation networks, curb corruption and excesses in the management of our government, among others. Little did Nigerians like myself know that these were only lies under the emblem of propaganda, so far.

Sir, permit me to use the analogy of football world in evaluating your administration so far.

You are the coach of the team (Nigeria). You have four matches to play. You have played one.
I must be fair and honest enough to say you have lost your first match Sir, your first match which is to give hope and summary of what to expect in the remaining three matches.

Sir, to me, all we have under the released analysis and lists of your one year achievements are only match statistics in form of possession, dribbling skills, long and short pass analysis, offsides, among others.
You failed to score a goal in the match and give hope to the fans(Nigerians), as this is what the fans are better interested in and not the possession points.

Sir, as a strong believer of the philosophy that "criticisms against your work for you to do better are better than praises for what has already been achieved" and this is the true definition of Democracy and Opposition in democracy.
It is on this note I took my pen to pour out my heart and opinion about your administration so far.

ON THE FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL
I chose this firstly because this is what Nigerians generally share in common.
While the idea and reasons for the removal is hearable, the time and under the conditions (infrastructures) in which it was removed is inhumane. This is the highest increment in fuel pump price by any Nigerian government with a N59 increment; on the struggling masses when most States are still owing far above five months of salaries and N18,000 is still the minimum wage?
Moreover, as far as I know as a conscious youth who has always been following Nigeria political and economy state and the world at large;
Removal of subsidy is a step by step process, properly educate and orientate the public, proper palliatives must have been put in place to cushion its effects, pass an act of National Assembly to deregulate the downstream; among instead of imposing unforseen hardships on the masses.

ON THE NATIONS ECONOMY

On Friday May 20th, 2016, Dr. Yemi Kale, the Statistician General of the Federation and head of the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics revealed that Nigeria's economy had not grown in the first quarter of the year but had rather shrunk to 0.36 percent, the worst contraction in 25 years!
The announcement was followed by various reactions, with pundits pointing at this or the other as being the cause of this setback.
Sir, to me, this is caused by the inability of your player on finance wing to manage the economy properly and you as the coach too to woo investors into the country, as most ones on ground before are already packing with gross retrenchment of their workers.
I watched and heard how you talked about corruption that is on its ravaging velocity in most of the World Summit for World leaders while investors are there sitting and watching.
What do we expect?
Other world leaders are busy talking about the positive side of their country while we are good in describing how corrupt our people are and always blaming the past administration.
The president should focus on marketing his plans and policies when he travels abroad.

ON THE FULANI'S HERDSMEN
Mr. President, your response to the killings by herdsmen in the middle-belt and the recent Ekiti killings has been nothing to write home about. That is because there has been nothing to write by way of response from you. The herdsmen were in a report were said to be the world’s 4th deadliest terrorist group in the world but your government and you in particular appear to pretend like they are not doing all the killings they are doing. Agatu is only the latest in the bloodshed. Something needs to get done and you need to communicate more on such killings. This is what governments that value human life do.

ON THE INFRASTRUCTURES

Sir, the power sector among others is been abated daily with most part of the country been unable to boast of six hours of electricity daily.
The ever sufficient potholes on our roads are still there on most of our Federal roads with most of our roads still an express way to death.
Drinkable water is still a problem in many parts of the country as most Nigerians do not have access to drinkable water.

ON THE CORRUPTION FIGHT
Sir, while I must commend your administration for the real fight against corruption so far and the recent Raymond Omatseye, Ex-NIMASA Boss that bags five years imprisonment, I must still say you need to show more trustworthy in the fight by making it not to look selective as it wants to seem. There are also prolific looters in your team with chains of looted funds dangling around their neck.

ON OUR DEMOCRACY
I will like to enjoin Mr. President to improve on his ability to tolerate opposition and bear criticisms. This is what makes true Democracy.


Sir, against the reality you succeeded, some things have changed but the bottom line remains the same; Nigerians are still lamenting and groaning under the weight of fuel scarcity, this seems like a permanent feature these days, power supply has arguably gotten worse or at least stayed the same. We can talk about the great things your administration has put in place since May 29, 2015 but ultimately, if those things haven’t changed the reality of life of the average Nigerian or look like they are about to change that reality, Nigerians like myself have a reason to question the change if it is not a chain.
We have heard enough of the atrocities been carried out under the last administration.

Dear President, by all means you must never forget the faces of those Nigerians you met on your campaign trail. If you fail them, they will have lost faith, not just in you but in their belief and hope that Nigeria can indeed be better. The reason is because you were expected to be the foundation of a much better Nigeria.

Mr. President, wherever they are, you must call the best of our country to help deliver this change. Do not forget to weed out those who led us to where we are. As this are the attribute of a good coach.
Thinking in a democratic setting you can make the change happen alone is to not understanding the fact democracy requires all the parts of the machine working to move forward.

Sir, in conclusion lest I bore you with the abundance of my heartfelt griefs and grievances, let me say there is no time.
This is not a tone or note of impatience. It is another reminder of the tickling clock that says _"what you have to do, do quick".

Sir, you still have three matches more to change the game as a good coach which I revered you to be.
Give the fans, the Nigerians, goals and tangible points and a reason to smile and see hope in the country.

Mr. President, I look forward to write in a satisfactory tone when next I put up my opinion in a writeup like this to you. Let NIGERIANS see the future with you.

Mr. President, Happy Democracy Day 2016

GOD BLESS THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.



BAMIDELE WILLIAMS
08134810254
29/05/2016

Bamidele Williams is a campus journalist and a student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria.