ASUU strike update: Lecturers to meet with lawmakers, ministers on Monday

Striking university lecturers will on Monday hold a crucial meeting with federal lawmakers and ministers, their leader has said.
The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Professor Nasir Fagge, told PREMIUM TIMES the union would meet with the members of the joint National Assembly education committee on Monday.
Monday’s scheduled meeting follows the walk out by the university lecturers from an earlier one on Tuesday. The Tuesday meeting was attended by members of the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Education, as well as the ministers of education and labour.
The lecturers said they were kept waiting for over two hours by the lawmakers and they had to leave because they had another appointment.

ASUU President – Fagge

“The meeting was slated for 1:00 p.m. When we arrived, we met two people there – a member of the house committee on education and Executive Secretary for National Board of Technical Education. We waited for 30 minutes and were told to go and wait at the office of (Senator) Chukwumerije. We left the complex around 3:30 p.m. because we were going to attend another meeting slated for 3 p.m.,” Mr. Fagge told PREMIUM TIMES.
“They (NASS members) called yesterday (Wednesday) to say the meeting has been rescheduled for Monday.”
The don, however, refused to say if the outcome of the meeting would affect the strike in any way.
“I don’t act on speculations. I like crossing my bridge when I get there. We cannot say. If we do, it means we’re not attending with an open mind. Our union is a union of intellectuals; we engage in dialogue with an open mind. We would decide on the next course of action after the meeting.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Fagge said the union does not owe the legislator any apologies for Tuesday’s failed negotiation. The lawmakers had described the lecturers as “snubs” for allegedly walking out on them.
“It is arrogant of them to snub us knowing that this meeting is in the interest of our children. I suggest that a strong-worded letter be written to the union to tell them that we are not happy with their action,” said House of Representative member, Jerry Alagbaoso (PDP-Imo).
However, Mr. Fagge said they never met the legislators so it was wrong for them to say that ASUU representatives walked out on them.
“How can you walk out from a meeting if you’re not in the same place with the other party?” he asked. “Unless my understanding of English is faulty, you can walk out on somebody when you’re at the same place at the same time. They were having their meeting in the committee’s room; we were at Uche Chukwumerijie’s (senate committee on education chairman) office. They kept us waiting for two hours thirty minutes. How could we have walked out on them? So, if we didn’t walk out on them there is no basis of demanding for an apology,” he said.
ASUU declared an indefinite strike last Tuesday based on the refusal of government to honour the terms of a 2009 agreement and a 2012 memorandum of understanding it signed with the lecturers for improved welfare and increased funding for universities.

 culled from THE PREMIER TIMES.

STATE OF OUR CULTURE

By Olanrewaju Samson (dhops)

One of the notable things that distinguishes Nigeria from other countries around the world is her rich cultural heritage which is in no doubt one of Africa’s finest. Culture can be said to be the total range of activities and ideas of a group of people with shared traditions, which are transmitted and reinforced by members of the group.
There are over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria, such of which are the Tivs, the Kanuris, the Ijaws and so on, each with distinct cultural heritage and beliefs, for example, the Ijaws put their newly born children in a river and if the child comes back, then, the child is considered not to be a bastard. Nowadays, such traditional beliefs and ways of life have been replaced with the introduction of the western culture by the foreigners which has wiped out almost every sense of Africanism in an average Nigerian .
Though, there are some acts which are considered to be barbaric by our newly-acquired religion -Christianity and Islam. Moreover, these white people never see anything good coming out of the blacks (Africans), maybe that is why a white blackberry phone is more costly than the black one.
In the Yoruba tradition, a girl must be a virgin before getting married, otherwise, she’ll be considered to be a slot. Nowadays, the reverse if the case - a girl must be “tested” and will even go through some stages of “examination” even before getting married.
However, the introduction of the western culture cannot be resisted as everything we do revolves around them. Inasmuch as we depend on them, our own cultural heritage shouldn’t be so underestimated to the level it is presently.
Our traditional attires which has, formerly, been relegated to the background has now been given attention in recent years, as companies and organisations now give their members of staff the opportunity to put on their native attires. Ankara fabrics are now making it and has become a good venture of business both locally and internationally. Moreover, as progress is being made towards our local wears, the rate at which our local languages are dying is so alarming that  many people find it hard to speak their mother tongue.
More efforts should be made towards reviving our cultural heritage which may be difficult in this present age, but we should try and emulate some of which correlates with our “newly-acquired religion” which has become our grund norm of existence towards the way we perceive things.

                                                                       

                                                                                                

AN INTERVIEW WITH BIBY

 Can we meet you?

My name is Abimbola Anthonia Ologun, a.k.a Biby. I am the first daughter in a family of seven.

Where are you from?

 I am from Ondo state, Iwaro Oka, Akoko South-West precisely

 

What level are you in?

 I am in LLB 3

Tell us about your educational background

 Well …. I attended Sea-Bird International Primary School, Port Harcourt and later had my secondary school education at Rahinna Model Secondary School, Abuja. And by the grace of God, I am a law student of this prestigious institution, Obafemi Awolowo University.

 I learnt you are vying for a post in the LSS, can you tell us what post you are vying for?

BIBY

 Actually, I am going for a political post in which I really intend to make a positive impact because I believe it is in-built in me. But, due to the fact that the ban has not been lifted, I cannot say my manifesto for now. I intend making a positive difference according to the best of my capabilities.

 What makes you think you are eligible for the post you are going for?

 The most important thing is having a dream and going after that dream. I have a dream, I believe in God, I believe in myself and I know I have what it takes to make a change in the LSS.

 Have you had any leadership experience before?

 Yes. I was the health prefect in my secondary school and I also represented my school in some quiz competitions.

 What is your philosophy of life?

 Determination, hardwork with the backing of God -  will surely lead to success.

 What are your views about the faculty?

 I see the faculty of Law as a place of intellectual minds, best brains, and a place that inspires people to bring out the best in them.

What makes you think you can perform being an introverted person?

 Because I believe in myself and God and I also admire Susan Cain who is a self-proclaimed introvert and a former corporate lawyer turned writer. This  points to research that shows introversion – the tendency to be more reserved and reflective is associated with many positive benefits including creativity, innovation and perseverance, and contrary to popular belief, it is often introverts not extroverts who make the best leaders because they listen well and have great emotional empathy skills useful for getting the most out of your team. Thank you.

Who is your favourite lecturer?

 I like all my lecturers, but my favourite is Dr. Orifowomo who is the current Head of Department, Jurisprudence and Public Law.

What are your hobbies?

I love meaningful conversations, reading, I love making friends also.

                                                                       

                                                                         

   HOLU’S CORNER

Olumuyiwa Bada        (HOLU)

        Welcome to the 1^st Holu’s Corner on the Golden Advocates Editorial Board. The Holu’s Corner is a corner where major issues in the English Premier League are discussed.

 

 Capital One Cup

        The league cup (capital one cup) formerly Carling Cup returned with a lot of surprises as it is known for. The struggling Aston-Villa defeated the league champions Manchester City in a highly-tensed match. The match ended 4-2 after extra-time in favour of Paul Lambert’s Aston-Villa. That wasn’t the only shock, as Leads United also defeated highflying Everton 1-0. In other results, struggling Liverpool held West-Brom to one goal a-piece (1-1), thanks to Nuri-Sahin. 
Oliver Giroud started his scoring journey for Arsenal as he went on defeating Conventry 6-1. Manchester-United defeated Newcastle 2-1 and Premier League title owners, Chelsea defeated Wolves 6-0. The draw for the round of sixteen has been made and we have some interesting ties to look out for. Man. Utd takes a trip to Stamford Bridge as they take on Chealsea; Arsenal FC.  takes on Reading FC. while Liverpool takes on Swansea which will see their manager take on his former side.

                                 TERRY TERRY TERRY!!!  
 I was shocked on Sunday (23^rd of September) when I read of John Terry’s decision to quit the English national team. It is a well-known fact that Terry has been at loggerheads with the English (Football Association)  after racially abusing Q.P.R defender Anton Ferdinand in October 2011. Terry claims the F.A made his position “untenable.” Although, Westminster Magistrate Court cleared him of racial abuse of the QPR defender, the English F.A. went on to give him a four- match ban and a fine of  €220,000. As a passionate football fan, I think the punishment is quite cheap, as the F.A ought to hand him a ten- match  ban to curtail racism in the E.P.L. Last week, some low-life supposed Chelsea fans racially insulted our own John Mikel Obi on twitter and this forced him to close down his twitter account. Racism is bad and WE MUST SAY NO TO RACISM IN FOOTBALL.

TITLE CONTENDERS OR PRETENDERS

        A lot of my friends have been asking for my opinion on an issue I hold in high esteem, i.e. Arsenal’s title credentials. Arsenal is currently playing great football and it reminds me of the invincible era. But I think it’s to early to write them off or call them contenders. Although, Arsene Wenger has worked on his team’s weakness which is the defence and they have a super creative midfielder in Santi Carzola. I think Arsenal’s problem over the past three to four seasons has been injuries on their key players at crucial moments of the season. With Jack Wilshere back and other first team players, I say write off Arsenal at your own Peril.
MY TEAM OF THE WEEK (WEEK 4) 
 I will use a 3-5-2 formation and my team consists of players who played remarkably during the weekend (week 4)
GOAL KEEPER – ASMIR BEGOVIC (STOKE)
DEFENDERS
LAURENT KOSCIELNY     (ARSENAL)
RAFAEL                   (MAN – UTD)
ASHLEY COLE                 (CHEALSEA)
MIDFIELDERS
MAROUNE FELLAINI                (EVERTON)
SANTI CARZOLA              (ARSENAL)
RAHEEM STERLING         (LIVERPOOL)
STEVEN GERRARD           (LIVERPOOL)
JUAN MATA                     (CHELSEA)
STRIKERS
DIMITAR BERBATOV                (FULHAM)
RICKIE LAMBERT            (SOUTHAMPTON)
Till we meet next week, I say have a nice week.

              

ROAD SAFETY ON OAU CAMPUS

It was a sunny Tuesday afternoon, 25^th of September, 2012 that officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) stormed the campus. They were dressed in mufti with only vests bearing the emblem and name of the security agency to notify the people and students of their presence.
        Their target area was the road which lay in front of the Senate building. This area of operation also extended to the road leading to the staff quarters, as well as the two major bus-stops  which were located on the opposite lanes of road 1.
        A quick interview with one of the officials revealed the reasons behind the unanticipated   checkpoints. The officials were to stop and check if the road users were law-abiding and traffic conscious. Headlights, driving licenses, vehicle particulars, seatbelts, etc of each passing automobile belonging to both commercial and private users of the road were all inspected. They unmistakably intended to pass a note of warning to the road users that the eyes of the law is close by and watching and would not hesitate to reprimand or rebuke offenders and above all, ensure overall safety on the road.

 

Olushegzy

 

CASHLESS POLICY, N5000 NOTE, A FORTUNE 

OR A MIS-FORTUNE FOR NIGERIA                  

 It is highly disconcerting to find out that our erudite economist and governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria has refused to pay attention to the simple and fundamental principles of Economics. It is noteworthy to state unequivocally that the Cashless policy and N5000 note proposition did not go through the rudimentary process of successfully answering the three pertinent and invaluable economic questions –What to produce, How to produce and For Whom to Produce. Out of the blues, it was announced that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) proposes to introduce a N5000 note and Cashless policy. For me, the two above propositions are a misfit and misfortune in a developing country like Nigeria.                 

Furthermore, it is egregious to discover that such a sensitive policy like this has not been warmly received by Nigerians because of the monumentally poor enlightenment Nigerians have, most especially, the “common man.” What to produce is available, how to produce may be available, but the third crucial question (For whom to Produce) has not been adequately considered. Nigeria has a dense population of over 150 million people where there is averagely a substantial number of people who are aware of the current economic trend. A research was conducted on the efficacy of the Automated Teller Machine cards and evidently, Nigerians are ill-informed and don’t have an idea of what it is, let alone its operation.        From the aforementioned, the effects this Cashless policy and introduction of N5000 note and conversion of some lesser notes to coins will have an inimical effect on Nigerians. Nigeria practises democracy and as such, the desires of the people should be considered first above others. How many market women will receive a credit card or cheque in exchange for delivery of tomatoes? A student who gets N5000 as monthly allowance will now receive a note? Of course not!                                                                        
 Aside that, the implementation process is illegal. Currency is an exclusive legislation for the Federal Government and not for the CBN governor and his cooperative allies. According to Sections 4 (1 and 2) of the 1999 Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria and Section 8 (2) of the CBN Act of 2007, the Senate pointed out that the National Assembly is a required participant in the process of introducing new currency; although, the CBN has the power of minting coins and producing new currencies, but this is to be done under the supervision of the legislature.                                                                         
 As a matter of fact, the whole idea is contradictory. “In cashless economies, high bills or currency notes such as the proposed N5000 note is not required, as transactions are conducted from the payer to the payee’s accounts without any need for physical exchange or handling of cash by any of the parties…” Senator Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom North) Arising from this fact and the massive repugnance of Nigerians to these propositions, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, with respect to the resolution of the House has grounded the implementation to a halt, until investigations are concluded within four weeks.                      By and large, in view of the foregoing, I can summarise that we can only save the economy, if the people are enlightened. We should learn to stop copying laws used in other countries. Nigeria is a unique country that deserves unique laws will satisfy the wants of her own people uniquely.
                                                                               Fagade Samuel LLBI 

SHOCKING REVELATIONS AT ODUDUWA HALL

                              “FALANA GBO TIRE, TARA ENI LAA GBO” – FALANA.
An epoch-making event took place last Wednesday 26th September, 2012 at the ever-green Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University. It was the 7^th Annual lecture in honour of Mr Yusuf Olaolu Ali (S.A.N) with its theme as: Challenge of Sustaining Security in Nigeria Today. Some of the crème de la crème of the legal profession were present, such as  Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (chairman of the occasion) former Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Guest Speaker, Mr Femi Falana (S.A.N), among others.                                                                                         

The memorable event reached  its climax when the Guest Speaker was given the microphone. Mr Femi Falana (S.A.N) started to marshal his points with regard to the challenge of sustaining security in Nigeria today. One of the staggering comments he made was “Nobody is born a criminal, the society makes him a criminal.” He attributed the Boko Haram insurgency to unemployment and poor education. He stated also that suicide bombing was never a “Nigerian-thing,” as he puts it. But, since there’s nothing tangible to occupy themselves with, whoever is selected for an operation rejoices. “Create jobs for the youths if you want peace and stability in Nigeria,” said the passionate human rights activists.

Falana added that every child should have a right to free education, up to secondary school, according to the Education Rights Act, and as a result, an Education Bank is supposed to be set up where the welfare of the schoolchildren will be taken care of. He narrated his ordeal of trying to enforce the law: he was practically told off by a Judge in a popular Yoruba proverb that contains his name, “ Falana gbo tire, tara eni laa gbo”, meaning he should mind his business and not poke his nose intothe affairs of children he did not give birth to.      
 Besides, he said that when it was time for religious festivals, billions of naira are spent on rams and other irrelevancies. In summary, he said, in his incisive lecture, that the resources that were supposed to be used for the betterment of our society are unlawfully squandered to the detriment of their populace. After the lecture ended with a story, an artistic portrait was presented to the honouree, Mr. Yusuf Ali (SAN) by the president of the L.S.S as a token of appreciation.                                                                          
 The event did not have the luxury of time, so, immediately, the 30^th edition of The Advocate Journal was launched under the anchorage of the chairman of the occasion. Also, the Law ICT centre in the Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Law Library, O.A.U was commisioned in honour of the colossus (Yusuf O. Ali, SAN).                     
 

 

LLB 1 “AROIST” WINS BLACKBERRY PIN

The hilarious guys from the “castle of great men” had their Awo week last week. They started off from Mozambique hall, on another day of the same week, Moremi hall and  rounded off on Friday, 28^th September, 2012 with a night of  “Aro.” As usual, they did their thing their own way, by way of singing, chanting, insults, etc which they call “Aro.” Aderibigbe Abass Babatunde volunteered to compete with the Awo guys that Friday night. In a brief interview, he confessed he was initially intimidated, but later, he gained confidence.

 Against all odds, the Ede-based budding lawyer won the competition in the famous Awo Cafeteria where O.A.U students massively attended, as students love to witness this dramatic display. The Angolan (Abass), after  he swept the Awo boys off their feet by receiving a prize upon winning the “Aro” competition – a Blackberry pin without the phone and N5 for subscription.
However, in Abass’ view, he observed discrimination at the Friday event. When he came out to compete, the Awo boys almost sent him back calling him a “small boy from Angola” who knows nothing. “But, during the competition, they knew the stuff I was made of,” said Abass confidently.
 

THE GAME KICKED OUT OF LIL’ WAYNE’S 

BIRTHDAY PARTY

US rapper Jayceon Taylor aka The Game was kicked out of fellow rapper Lil’ Wayne’s 30th birthday party which took place last night (Friday September 28, 2012).

The Los Angeles based rapper was reportedly ejected from the party after a fight broke between him and another rapper 211.
TMZ reports that Game was hanging with Chris Brown, Sean Kingston, and Wayne when 211 approached him and started ‘talking trash.
The Game wasted no time in punching 211 and a fight broke out and eventually, both rappers were kicked out by security.
Two days before the fight, The Game mocked familiar foe 50 Cent’s SK energy drink calling it ‘nasty s**t’.

                                                                                                                  

  culled from NET                

JETZ

 

10 MISTAKES WOMEN MAKE 

ABOUT MEN                                                                                            

 MISTAKE #1: 

Betting Your Love Life On His "Potential"

Do you know any women who want the man they're dating to behave differently? Of course you do. And just like me, I'm sure you have friends who date guys who don't have much going for them or who don't treat them very well. Somehow these women always have an excuse for the guy's shortcomings. What's going on here? It's actually very simple.
 Women (and men) don't base their choices of men on how “nice” or “good” someone is to them day-to-day. Women choose the men they do because they feel a powerful GUT LEVEL ATTRACTION for them. And guess what? Some women will continue to put up with a guy that doesn't treat them very well. Sometimes for months or years...But why in the world would a woman do that!
Well, to put it simply, they confuse the strong attraction they feel for the guy with a deeper “connection”. Women who do this are doomed to end up in failed relationships with the “wrong” guys. How do I know? I do because I've seen it at least a hundred times...And because I've been this guy in the past myself. Thinking back on past dating and relationships I've had, I was selfish and didn't offer much. I'm amazed the women put up with me. But they did...all the while hoping that I would somehow change. The women I dated hoped I'd change. 
The only thing they saw in me that led them to want to keep me around was the “potential” they saw in me to share my feelings and communicate with them. The potential for something better and the potential for me to change and be a better lover, boyfriend, companion or whatever...The truth was, I was hopelessly bad at these things at the time. And more importantly, I wasn't even at a place in my life where I knew how to or was interested in developing a deep and committed relationship - with ANYONE.
 But deep down these women believed that if they tried hard enough, that it would make up for what was lacking. They believed that I could become someone else with them.... and that this would be easy for us both. Talk about a losing battle. It doesn't make a lot of “logical” sense...But until you accept that lots of women do this AND that YOU could be doing it on some level, you'll NEVER have the success with men that you choose and want.  
                                                                                                

 Culled from www.pariswoman.com

                                                                                                                         JETZ                                            

 

LIVING A LIE

I feel the tears fighting to come out

My heart is heavy I am down

I thought I was at peace

That my life was soaring

But I guess I have been deceived

It’s a mess, a facade

Because something lurks beneath

I try to smile

But it’s all a deceit

What should I do?

I realize too late that am confused

My life is indeed a mess

Where’s my pillow?

I wonder where? I need it now

Everyone smiles as they walk by

And it dawns on me

I have that same smile

It dawns on me again

Everyone’s life is a mess

Probably worse than mine

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         TEGA