Never Give Up To Achieve Your Goal, Says Law Best Graduating Student

By Daniel Akinte

The best graduating student in the Faculty of Law, Sulaimon Aminat Tolulope, from Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, revealed that for students to achieve their goal, they must not give up.

Being the faculty best student for 2024/2025 academic session, Aminat achieved the feat that has always been the dream of every student with a CGPA of 4.57(first class).

The award ceremony took place on December 13, 2025, at Olusegun Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall during the institution’s 14th convocation.

In an interview, Aminat revealed that her results kept encouraging her from time to time and that made first class dream come true.

“The secret to achieving a goal is never giving up,” Aminat said. “A mentor once told me “Give your best so that even if you do not get what you wanted you will know you did your best.”

Additionally, she urged students to be consistent and always associate with like-minded individuals who value education and God.

Aminat said: “Besides not giving up, have an achievable study plan, be consistent, surround yourself with positive vibes and stay close to your creator.”

Speaking about the challenges she faced, Aminat acknowledged the grace of God that kept her still as well as passion, determination, consistency and hardwork.

       

In her words: “God’s grace, genuine passion for law, determination,hardwork, consistency, proactivity and humility. I mentioned God’s grace because His mercy and benevolence have brought me this far and crown my effort with success. You also have to be prepared for future challenges.”

Recounting a difficult moment, she revealed that she once fell seriously ill during an examination period but still performed excellently due to thorough preparation.

“There was a time I was seriously sick during an exam to the point that I could barely walk, but I had prepared well enough that even sickness did not affect my performance in the exam,” she recalled.

More so, Aminat revealed that “early reading , Jotting notes, solving past questions and revision” are study habits that contribute to her success.

When asked if she ever considered giving up, she said although there were tough moments, quitting was never an option.

“There were times when things became difficult but by God’s grace, my determination and the people God surrounded me with, the thought of giving up never crossed my mind. I was determined and my results kept encouraging me that the goal was achievable.”

Read More

AAUA 14th Convocation: Overall Best Graduating Student Urges Resilience and Courage

By Charity Michael 

Folake Rachael Omonitan, the overall best graduating student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, from the department of Biochemistry, has urged her fellow graduates to embrace strength, resilience and courage as a tool needed to keep moving forward.

Omonitan delivered her valedictory speech at the 14th convocation ceremony held at the university Multipurpose hall, OBJ, on December 13, 2025, 

She noted that her journey was shaped by God’s grace stating that every achievement and every step towards achievement is possible through God's strength, grace and wisdom.

“Looking back, I can honestly say I never imagined this would be my path or that I would stand here today. But when life placed me on this journey, I made a promise to myself: "If this is the path placed for me, then it must be for the best, for I know that with God, all things are possible” she said.

She also said that life’s challenges help build strength and character. 

Addressing her fellow graduates, she appreciated their shared experiences and encouraged them to face the future with courage, hope, and determination, using the knowledge and values gained during their studies as a guide.

She reminded the audience that although moments of weakness and failure may arise, but should not forget that tough times do not last, and determination leads to success. 

She concluded by thanking her parents for their support, her lecturers for their guidance, and her wonderful friend, Anuoluwa Ikumapayi, for her academic and spiritual inspiration.

Ominitan bagged first class with CGPA 4.79.

Read More

AAUA Don Sets to Deliver 38th Inaugural Lecture

By Olamide Iwala

A distinguished scholar in Industrial Sociology and Gender Relations, Professor Emmanuel Abiodun Fayankinnu, is set to deliver the 38th Inaugural Lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State.

The Chairman of the Ceremonies Committee and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Adebisi Daramola, announced that the lecture will hold on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the University’s Multipurpose Hall, OBJ. Guests are expected to be seated by 1:30pm, while the event will commence at 2pm.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Olugbenga Ige, will chair the session, which is titled “Still Powerless before Male Subordinates: Contra-Power Sexual Harassment of Women Leaders in the Workplace.”

Professor Fayankinnu earned his first degree in Sociology from the defunct Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti, in 1995. He subsequently obtained his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Industrial, Gender and Development Sociology from the University of Ibadan in 1999 and 2008, respectively.

Beginning his academic career in 2001 as an Assistant Lecturer at AAUA’s Department of Sociology, he rose through the ranks to become a Professor in 2016. Over the years, he has held several key administrative positions, including Head of Department, Dean of Faculty, and Director of various Institutes and Centres within the University.

From March 2022 to March 2024, he served as a Technical Aid Corps Volunteer at the Islamic University in Uganda. His academic engagements have also seen him serve as a visiting lecturer and external examiner at numerous institutions, including the University of Warsaw and the Polish Academy of Diplomacy in Poland, as well as Nigerian universities such as Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Lagos State University (LASU), Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), and the University of Ibadan (UI).

Professor Fayankinnu’s scholarly contributions span over 40 articles published in reputable journals and chapters in eight edited volumes. He has participated in international conferences across more than a dozen countries, including Ghana, South Africa, Tunisia, Kenya, Finland, and Poland.

A committed mentor, he has supervised several postgraduate students, including four Ph.D. candidates. He is also a recipient of multiple awards and research grants from bodies such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and travel grants from international organizations like the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Professor Fayankinnu is a member of several professional associations, including the Nigerian Anthropological and Sociological Association (NASA), the Social Science Academy of Nigeria (SSAN), the International Union of African Population Scholars, and the International Sociological Association (ISA), headquartered in Madrid, Spain.

Read More

FOCUS: The Before And After Of Tuition Fee Saga With ODSG, Postponed Meetings

Tuiton Fee saga has rocked Ondo State for several months and still ongoing. Some students of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko are already taking a look at the rescheduled meeting to hold today, June 6. ADAGBA PROMISE looks closely at the the situation as well as talking to some students.

Recall that the  tuition fee meeting with the Ondo state government has been postponed twotimes now with the third one to hold today.

The meeting has been rescheduled to  hold today with Stakeholders that are concerned but the question is, WILL TUITION FEE MEETING HOLD WITH ODSG?

Taking you down memory lane before the three days protest held in Akure city, President of the Nigeria Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Comrade Bamidele Danielson  heard about the hike in tuition fee in Ondo state and that instigated his coming down to Akure to dialogue with the Governor but it ended on the rough side.

After so much consultations  and message for dialogue with Ondo State government which was not favorable, a three days peaceful protest was staged in the State capital -Akure involving AAUA and OSUSTECH.

During the three days protest the Students Union Government was called by the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi for dialogue.

They were are asked to stop the protest that the tuition fee would be review but the union insist that until they take the step and rewiew committee is set the protest will continue.

After the three days protest the Student Union was call on for meeting with the Ondo State Government through the SA to the  on Youth matters,  Banji Adewumi.

Upon reaching the venue of the meeting, the meeting was postponed but a date was picked, the date picked happens to be Children Day-May 27.

A day to the date the SA contacted the Union telling them the meeting would not hold due to Children Day;  another date was picked which was May 28 

The meeting was held with the Deputy Governor .

The Union President, Comrade Adesomoju Samuel SAMPRAISE said in a statement obtained by ECHO:

"We presented our few minutes argument and facts before the Deputy Gov. He (deputy Gov) did say Governor was briefed about our meeting to hold today and he did appreciate that he will love to have the full house in the next meeting including the Vc's and Governing council of both institutions."

The statement continue:

"The said meeting ended in about an hour later because  we started 3: 37pm and left the Government house some minutes to 5PM with solid agreement that the comprehensive meeting will hold to make final resolutions next week, Thursday, 6th June, 2019."

Today, while putting a call to some of the Students Union executives in AAUA they are of the opinion and optimistic that the meeting will hold with Ondo state government.

AAUAITES OPINION

SOLOMON  DAMILOLA

"Let's be optimistic and let's hope the meeting will hold with the government today."

Fidelis Miracle:

"this meeting has been postponed three times now I don't think anything good can come out of it, well let's be hopeful."

Kayode Badmus:

"Do we even know if Mr governor is around well let's be hopeful."

Through the analysis of the postponement of the meeting all this while in which Ondo state students have waited hopefully for weeks at home, we at ECHO are all optimistic that the meeting with Ondo  state government will hold today 6th June and  yield positive result.

Read More

SPECIAL ANALYSIS : How Ondo Government Postpone Meetings With Stakeholders Over AAUA Tution Fee Hike

By: Feranmi Okuku

The students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA), have shown displeasure over the hike in tuition fee and the postponement of the meeting with the State Government on two different occasions.

Recall that AAUA tuition fee was increased by over 200% in 2018 by the governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN. The increment led to a three-days protest in Akure, the state capital.

ECHO also recalled that the students of AAUA embarked on another protest on April 24,2019 to speak against the policy of 'No Payment No Examination' by the management. The protest led to the declaration of a three weeks break which has now been extended till further notice by the authority of the institution.

ECHO gathered that the Students Union body of the institution took the matter to demand reduction in their tuition fee. The action was also complimented by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) both Ondo Axis led by Comrade Adebowale Adewumi Rugged and National led by Comrade Bamidele Danielson.

The students took to the streets again to contest the decision of the state governor not to reduce the tuition fee.

It was a combined forces merging with the Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa who are facing similar problem.

It was a three-days protest which was put to a stop on 23rd May, 2019.

ECHO monitored that the protest shutdown the State capital, Akure and slow down economic activities.

According to the NANS Ondo Chairman, Comrade Adewumi, the protest was stopped because the State government has yielded to listen to the students plight.

While meeting with the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, a meeting was fixed to consist of managements of the two institutions as well as the governing council.

This resuscitated the hopes of Nigerian students that their grievances has been heard and the government was ready to take actions on their behalf.

Their hopes were however dampened when the supposed meeting was postponed twice in a week. The first one was to hold May 27 while the second one was to hold May 28.

However, according to the words of the Special Adviser on Youths and Education, Comrade Banji Adewumi quoted in a release by the AAUA union; the postponement was due to 'logsistics reasons.

ECHO learnt that the second meeting was held for few minutes with Deputy Governor but nothing concrete was discussed because of the Governor and other stakeholders were not on seat.

The meeting was adjourned till June 6.

Meanwhile, the attitude of the Government have been condemned by students and those who spoke with ECHO showed their displeasure.

Ajiboye Stephen, a 400 level student of the institution and President, National Association of Mass Communication Students (NAMACOS) has expressed at the manner in which the state government was frustrating the students.

According to him, "the postponement of the meeting is a ploy by the state government to frustrate student and make them back off from the call for a reduction in the tuition fee. It is surprising that the same state government that called for a roundtable discussion with the Students’ Union leaders and other bodies concerning the tuition fee saga have had to postpone the meeting twice without giving any reasonable excuse. This simply means the state government is not ready to hear the cries of the Nigerian students. We will not be surprised if nothing tangible is achieved at the end of this drama".

200 level student of English Education, Oluwafemi Stephen stated that he expected the postponement of meetings and he was not surprised at all.

"The government has had a tyrannical outlook right from time. I guessed the government is just trying to show who is the boss of who".

Stephen also added that he is not expecting anything positive from the meeting.

Deokin Peter, a 400 level student of the institution and President, Faculty of Arts Students Association, the postponement of meeting is a method used by the government to frustrate Nigerian students and the course that is being fought for.

Deokin who studies History and International Studies, however stated that the protest was not done at the right time.

He said '‘it would have been better if it was done before the commencement of the session or we pend it till the time when the world would need us and need our votes. The protest is justifiable, but there are times and seasons for everything. The student populace is also suffering the burnt with the delay in academic calendar. If we had actually fought for our right in the supposed time, it would have yielded us our request by now."

"But let’s wait and see the outcome of the meeting to be held on the 6th of June".

He noted that the Students’ Union is up to something good, but fighting someone of such calibre requires God’s help.

In anothee interview, Folashade Adesuyi, a 100 level student of the department of Criminology and Security Studies commented saying the government is at a vantage point with the power it has.

In her words, "the power he has cannot close our mouths or stop us from protesting. The Students’ Union will not give up until something is done."

Likewise, the President of the Law Students Society, AAUA, Ayodeji Aimasiko stated that the leadership of the Union is aware that the academic calendar is being delayed.

He went further by commending the Union for the relentless effort they have displayed in fighting for the cause of the students.

Aimasiko also added that he believes something would be done before the union retreat.

The Students’ Union President, Comrade Samuel Adesomoju affirmed that the meeting was postponed to Thursday, 6th June, 2019.

In a statement, he said,The Deputy Governor acknowledged the fact that Mr. Governor briefed him of the said meeting with us but will love to have a full house’.

He assured that the meeting is going to hold, he however added that if there was going to be any die minute change it will be communicated to the union beforehand.

He maintained that the survival of the Nigerian students shall be a major priority.

FERANMI OKUKU is the Editor of ECHO MEDIA AAUA. SHE IS A STUDENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION.

Read More

HOPE IN SIGHT FOR MOBILIZATION OF ALL ELIGIBLE GRADUATES - NYSC

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Sulaiman Kazaure, has disclosed that proactive efforts are being made to ensure that all prospective Corps members eligible for the 2016 Batch ‘B’ service year are mobilized.

He gave this indication during an interface with the National Association of Nigerian Students in his office.

As part of measures to facilitate the mobilization of all the eligible graduates, the DG stated that all Corps Producing Institutions had been requested to upload full list of their Senate-approved prospective corps members to the NYSC portal.

He appealed to the students’ umbrella body to cooperate with the Scheme in its genuine efforts to resolve all issues relating to hitch-free mobilization of prospective corps members for the 2016 Batch ‘B’ service year.

Earlier in his remarks, the NANS President, Aruna Kadiri, said the union leaders were in the NYSC Headquarters to seek explanation on the earlier plan to get Corps Producing Institutions to submit partial list of their eligible graduates and to discuss the ways out.

After being informed of the latest development, the students’ leaders applauded the Federal Government and the NYSC Management for the steps taken towards addressing the challenges, and assured that they would promptly transmit the information to all their members.

During a similar meeting with the NYSC Management, a delegation of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors led by its Chairman, Professor Adebiyi Daramola, said the body was concerned about the likely implications of not mobilizing all eligible graduates in the 2016 Batch ‘B’.

The meeting agreed that the Universities would upload full list of all prospective Corps members approved by their respective Senates while the NYSC would take the most appropriate decision in processing the lists.                                               
Discussion at the meeting also centred on the need for the Vice-Chancellors to put in place internal mechanisms that would ensure credibility in the handling of mobilization data by their institutions, including avoidance of submission of names of part-time graduates, as well as strict adherence to the approved carrying capacities of the institutions.

Read More

Course Registration: How Do We Let The School Management Know What Is Going On? — Samuel Abodunrin

100 Level Mass Communication Students lamentation

By : Akinbobola Oluwapelumi & Babalola Benedicta

The newly admitted students of mass communication department have called for alarm over the issue of sudden changes about their course registration form.

As regarding the agitation led by the level governor, Samuel Abodunrin Adebayo and a host of others, projects the need for urgency as first semester examination is at the next door.

According to him, "Submission of files came we don't have a course reg that tallies with our new Faculty, we can't submit FASA courses to Somasa. Biometric came, unfortunately, it was only for students who submit their files. Are we eligible??? Now exam is knocking at the door, we now offer soc 101, psy 101( Somasa courses) instead of the Eng 101 and Eng 103(FASA courses) on our course reg."
"Our HOD wrote to the office of the DVC academic, explaining our plight and and the need to edit our course reg. Since then we are still waiting for response from the school management." He added.

This was said to have occurred as a result of the notion of shifting the students from Faculty of Arts to Social and Management Science. And being sure of them to register for all the new Faculty courses against some of their erstwhile Faculty registered courses.

The plight as well is said to calling the attention of school heirachies to pick through the situation and take a drastic action before the examination day kicks in.

The students also alleged shunning any move upon payments of fine after the closure of school portal. And hence, demanding the reopening of edu-portal so as to fix the problem to its expected state.

The Students Association President for the department was not left behind. Bamidele Oluwaseun expressed his action by sending notes to the school management, students Union, and also called emergency meeting which is said to be holding on Sunday, 12th March at the department relaxation center.

Read More