SCRAPPING OF POST - UTME : PROF OKEBUKOLA SAID; VARSITIES TO SCREEN CANDIDATES ON ORAL ESSAY, BEFORE ADMISSION.

Former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Professor Peter Okebukola, has said that Nigerian universities deviated from the initial agreement NUC had with Vice-Chancellors in 2004 when it introduced post-UTME to screen candidates on oral interview and written essay.

Prof. Peter Okebukola He a

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/scrapping-post-utme-varsities-screen-candidates-oral-essay-admission/

Prof. Peter Okebukola He a

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/scrapping-post-utme-varsities-screen-candidates-oral-essay-admission/ Prof Peter Okebukola He also said that the present position as revealed to him by the Vice-Chancellors, after their meeting with Malam Adamu Adamu last Thursday, was that the Minister had directed that universities should no longer conduct the same type of test as JAMB, but should be free to further subject candidates to screening to meet their local peculiarities. Okebukola, who spoke exclusively with Vanguard, lamented that universities had since deviated from the initial agreement of post-UTME, noting that the 2004 model had a screening component which was agreed with all vice-chancellors to be through oral interview and essay which JAMB assessment did not cover. The former NUC Scribe expressed joy in the scrapping of post-UTME, adding that it now took the universities system back to the original model of post-UME which NUC initiated in 2004 while he served as Executive Secretary. While expatiating on reasons for the introduction of post-UTME in 2004, he explained that the NUC and the vice-chancellors discovered that more than ever before, they needed to admit into the universities, secondary school leavers, from the large pool, including those who have at least two characteristics. The first characteristic, he noted, was to ensure that admission seekers attained minimum cognitive competence in the relevant subjects in the discipline they wished to study; and second to test their competence in written and oral English, critical thinking and ability to present ideas in logical sequence befitting of undergraduates in Africa’s most-expansive and well-regarded university system. ‘’JAMB’s UTME targets only the first characteristic; while the university-level screening should measure the second,’’ he said.

He also said that the present position as revealed to him by the Vice-Chancellors, after their meeting with Malam Adamu Adamu last Thursday, was that the Minister had directed that universities should no longer conduct the same type of test as JAMB, but should be free to further subject candidates to screening to meet their local peculiarities. Okebukola, who spoke exclusively with Vanguard, lamented that universities had since deviated from the initial agreement of post-UTME, noting that the 2004 model had a screening component which was agreed with all vice-chancellors to be through oral interview and essay which JAMB assessment did not cover. The former NUC Scribe expressed joy in the scrapping of post-UTME, adding that it now took the universities system back to the original model of post-UME which NUC initiated in 2004 while he served as Executive Secretary. While expatiating on reasons for the introduction of post-UTME in 2004, he explained that the NUC and the vice-chancellors discovered that more than ever before, they needed to admit into the universities, secondary school leavers, from the large pool, including those who have at least two characteristics. The first characteristic, he noted, was to ensure that admission seekers attained minimum cognitive competence in the relevant subjects in the discipline they wished to study; and second to test their competence in written and oral English, critical thinking and ability to present ideas in logical sequence befitting of undergraduates in Africa’s most-expansive and well-regarded university system. ‘’JAMB’s UTME targets only the first characteristic; while the university-level screening should measure the second,’’ he said.

RAMADAN : AMBODE , OBASA SEEK TOLERANCE AMONG NIGERIANS.

Lagos state Governor akinwunmi ambode

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and the state House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, have called on Muslims in the country to see Ramadan as a period to be steadfast and prayerful, as well as a time to promote tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

The governor and the Speaker made the calls in their respective Ramadan messages to the people of the state and Nigerians in general.

Ambode, in a statement on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the commencement of Ramadan should be seen as an opportunity to learn self-restraint, sacrifice, piety and love.

He said, “This is in line with the admonition of the Holy Qur’an, Chapter 2 verse 183, which says, ‘Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you can learn self-restraint’.

“At this critical period of rebuilding our nation and ensuring that the change we promised is delivered, the lessons of Ramadan must permeate our actions and deeds in such a way that each person must act as his brother’s keeper at all times.”

In a Ramadan message by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak, the Speaker enjoined Nigerians, especially Muslims, to use the period to move closer to God, share love irrespective of faith, and pray for the continued survival of the Nigerian nation.

He said, “Although Nigeria is facing a lot of challenges occasioned by the misrule of the past, there are signs that things are and will get better soon.

“However, for us to achieve our dream, we must all live together in peace and support the government. The Ramadan period offers us the opportunity to achieve our aim through divine guidance from God anchored on our prayers and supplication.”

He added that Muslims must allow fasting to have positive impact on them, explaining that reading the Qur’an, feeding the poor and observing other good deeds should be their occupation during Ramadan.

UNILAG STUDENTS DROWN IN BEACH DURING FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY

Tragedy struck on Sunday as two postgraduate students of the University of Lagos drowned in the Elegushi Beach during the celebration of their friend’s birthday.

It was learnt that the deceased – Adesola Ogunmefun and Funmi Odusina – graduated from the Covenant University and were on the verge of bagging Master’s Degrees in International Law and Diplomacy from UNILAG.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the deceased and the host were having fun at the beach around 6pm when they were swept into the Atlantic Ocean.

Other visitors to the beach were said to have rescued them, but Ogunmefun died on the spot.

Odusina and the host, identified only as Bolu, were rushed to some private hospitals in the area, but were reportedly rejected. Odusina died on the way to the Lagos Island General Hospital, while Bolu was recuperating in the facility.

A friend of the deceased, Edward Onyemathi, said the deaths could have been avoided if adequate safety gadgets were provided at the beach.

He described the duo as brilliant, adding that their demise was a huge loss and painful.

Onyemathi, said, “I learnt Bolu was celebrating her birthday and they went to the beach.  While they were there, a strong wave swept them into the ocean. They were rescued by some swimmers.  Sola (Ogunmefun) died on the spot, but the host and Funmi (Odusina) were rushed to some private hospitals in the area. They were rejected in the hospitals. Funmi died on the way to the Marina General Hospital. Bolu made it, but she had not fully recovered. She will be the best person to give the detailed account of the incident.

“We all studied International Relations at the Convenant University and graduated together in 2011. Funmi was among the most intelligent students we had in our class. She had been my friends even after we graduated. Sola was quiet with charming smiles. They were really good friends and were among the best.”

Another friend, who did not want her name in print, ordered the management of the beach to apologise for “their safety lapses” which allegedly caused the deaths. She also called on the government to inspect the beach and take appropriate actions.

She said, “Elegushi Beach collected money from them before they entered. In a beach, the regular thing is to have life guards, drugs and ambulance. If they had those things, my friends will still be alive. It was their negligence that led to their deaths. The management of the beach should send an apology to the families and the beach should be shut by the government until it has life guards and wave alarm system, among others.

“Funmi was very brilliant. Sola and Funmi just finished their theses in UNILAG, where they were studying International Law and Diplomacy.”

Asked to let our correspondent speak with the deceased’s parents, the friend said “they are grieving at the moment.”

On Twitter, colleagues of the deceased expressed their shock at the deaths, which they blamed on the alleged inadequacies of the beach management.

“I’m honestly still trying hard to accept the news. I’ve not been myself all day. My heart bleeds,” a friend, Temie, wrote.

Another friend, Kay, while lamenting the incident, wrote, “What would it cost to have life guards, emergency medical units and patrol units at the beach?”

“Sola and Funmi died like that. Countless people lost their lives due to lack of safety protocols at the Eleguish Beach,” Edward wrote.

Marc wrote, “Funmi and Sola were two of the most amazing people I have ever met in my life. I am so grateful for their friendship. Sola was a true friend in every sense. Funmi was ever ready to help. This is sad.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the incident was reported at the Ilasan Police Division on Monday and investigation had commenced.

She said, “The families of the deceased just reported the incident to the police that the hospital did not want to release the corpses. Investigation has commenced and the culpability of the management of the beach will also be investigated.”

The UNILAG spokesperson, Mr. Toyin Adebule, descibed the incident as unfortunate and promised to get back to our correspondent on the verification of the deceased’s studentship.

He said, “I have left the office but I will verify that when I get to the school tomorrow. It is unfortunate but the incident has nothing to do with the university. They were on individual assignment.