Our Experiences Writing Examinations In Darkness — AAUA Students

The interviewees Photo credit: Sophia Adinlewa 

By:  Sophia Motunrayo Adinlewa 

Paul Dawodu, a final year student of History and International Relations, expected the Benin Electricity Company (BEDC) to supply adequate electricity to read for his Monday paper, "Feminism (His 418)", little did he know his only source of light would come from a faintly glowing phone flash and torch. 

He held the mobile phone and torch desperately, trying to make sense of his forthcoming examination. Despite the odds, he endured, and was determined to succeed, against the system that seemed to have failed him. 

For Paul, the moment was an eerie experience and a grim reminder of the harsh reality students faced everyday in the hands of Akungba BEDC after paying a whopping amount of money for electricity supply.

The second semester 2020/2021 examinations of Adekunle Ajasin University started on the 15th of January and ended on the 15th of February, 2023.

Meanwhile, every month, each hostel pays Akungba BEDC not less than N4,000 and N6,500 respectively. 

In Paul's words: "It was the darkest moment in the history of Adekunle Ajasin University  (AAUA), when students would stay in complete darkness during examinations. 

"This is the story of AAUA students and their unwavering spirit to overcome the darkness that is shrouding their education struggle." 

Also recounting his experience, the former President of the department of Sociology, Theophilus Adelekun, described the moment as painful.  

"To charge my torchlight and cellphone, I had to walk a long distance to school only for the school to switch on the generator for an hour and it was annoying because I expected more."

Theophilus further expressed displeasure towards the unorganized timetable by his department. 

Lamenting, he said he felt the pain more because he had to write two examinations a day. 

"I remember a lot of people murmuring about this, imagine a 100 level of this same department, offering 3-core courses on the same day, not fair!". He said. 

For Daniel Oluwatobiloba Adebayo, a 100-level student of Guidance and Counseling department said, "the issue of no power supply throughout the examination period was frustrating."

Also, he  stated that the cashless policy made it frustrating as most charging centers where he charges his gadgets only accept cash.

"Aside from the stress of getting food due to no cash in circulation, to charge my torchlight to read for examinations was tough because I had to give cash to operators of commercial charge centers."

Similarly, Samuel Oyolola, a 200-level student of Mass Communication said "one thing that vexed me was the fact that students were not allowed to use the 2 hours allocated to each paper."

"Upon the frustrations faced before getting a place or gadgets  to read, lecturers do not give us the two hours before asking us to submit. A lot of us were unable to finish the tackles of revising.

"To add fuel to the fire, the cashless policy too affected me a lot, having to queue way earlier in the morning, so, I can at least get money for transportation because I live far from school, and sometimes, I have to trek for about 20 minutes to get to school and if I was unable to get shuttle on time, that is another stress entirely.

"Moreover, finding a place to charge too is a problem due to fuel scarcity as most people could not make use of their Generator and I had to move from my house to school to charge my phone and torch, even though it is not completely safe, to prepare for night class."

However, John Olamide Atansuyi, from the department of Religion Studies, who said it was the first time experiencing the wickedness from the side of BEDC, opined that 'what doesn't kill makes someone stronger.'

AAUASU keeps mum

As at press time the Students Union General Secretary, Adeyefa Tolulope, popularly known as Elite could not provide this reporter the steps the Union took in addressing the epileptic power supply during the examinations.

Four questions were sent to the General Secretary with the electricity supply topping the list but he answered the other three and failed to attend to the first one.

Further text and calls to get Elite to react to the issue proved abortive and the WhatsApp receipt of the messages sent to him as at the time of filing this report marked blue which indicate the message was read by him. 

Echo Media also reached out to the Students Union Welfare Director, Odole Mojisola, known as Voice but failed to reply to the messages sent to her. 

After acknowledging the message sent to her, she assured our Reporter  of attending to her questions with a voice note but as at press time, she is yet to reply and failed to pick the calls out across to her. 

Her reply: "Can I send a VN tomorrow cuz it's late already and I wouldn't want to disturb those resting?"

Read More

Reactions As AAUA Merges Two Academic Sessions

By: Fatimah Idera

Several reactions have trailed the merging of two academic sessions of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko Ondo state (AAUA) due to the prolonged Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.

Recall that the management of the institution had announced Wednesday 15th of March, 2023 as the resumption date for the new and returning students of the institution.

The University senate had revealed that it will be merging the academic activities for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic sessions due to the 8-month prolonged strike that began in February and ended in October, 2022.

Freshers and returning students react to the institution's development

Olatunji Gift Olamide, an aspiring microbiology student of the 2021/2022 said merging of the two sessions wasn't a good idea in terms of sharing the resources meant for one set with two.

He added that classes would be uncomfortable due to overcrowding and there would be a shortage of hostels as it won't be enough to cater for students of both sessions. 

For Olabode Precious Abigael, an aspiring History and International Relations student of the 2022/2023 academic session, said it seemed unusual to merge two sessions which might be too challenging.

"I feel considerate about it as we have all been stranded for a long time. It's fine to merge us provided that the school authority has made available enough resources to aid effective learning for the two sessions," he added. 

Ayorinde Olugade, a 200 Level Banking and Finance student said the idea of merging sessions would make classrooms congested and overcrowded as there won't be space for learning.

"I feel it might bother the students as lecture theatres and laboratories where there aren't enough facilities will be stuffy due to reduced ventilation which might result in low comprehension."

Speaking of the CBT examination, she/he said the collection of tally and the examinations system should be expanded to cope with the population of the entire students. 

Shittu Abbas, a 300-level political science student, maintained that merging two sessions would be inconvenient for the freshers as a result of class overpopulation.

He added that the available hostels might not suffice for the student populace and the science facilities as well as lab equipment would not be sufficient for the new science freshers because the heavy population will exceed the equipment.

Similarly, Igbekele Olabisi Temidayo a 400 Public Administration student opined that merging two academic sessions was a good idea, especially for the new students due to the academic calendar of higher institutions that have been disrupted as a result of the industrial strike by ASUU. 

"Some of the effects are that prices of things will change within the school environment, aside from that the new intakes will also be affected in one way or another like students standing in classes to attend lectures because of overpopulation.

"There will also be a hike in the price of renting an apartment because the population of the general students will be much more than the available houses. However, it will become the survival of the fittest for the freshers to cope.

Lecturer react

In an interview with a Mass communication lecturer, Mr. Lamidi Ishola said the recent development was the outcome of the last ASUU strike which lasted for 8 months.

Lamidi added that the ASUU strike and government are the undiplomatic ones to Nigeria's tertiary education, saying the government keeps showing an indolent attitude to educational growth in the country which makes the institution merge.

He said: it will be a burden on the part of the academic staff as there would be more students to teach using the same facilities which is an abnormality.

"It will be a tough one for both the teaching and non-teaching staff, as we have lost a whole year to the strike, and if the government can be proactive as we hope the new government might do that by preventing the annual strike."

Read More

ILC swears in new executives for the 2021/2022 academic session

The new President of ILC Photo credit: Peter Emmanuel 

By: Peter Emmanuel 

Impact Leaders Club(ILC), of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), has sworn in new executives to pilot the affairs of the association for the 2021/2022 academic session. 

The inauguration and swearing-in program was held on Thursday 9, 2023 at the MBA Quadrangle adjacent to the Intercontinental Hall.

In his speech, the outgoing President of the club, Ambassador Dami Oluwagbamila appreciated the club for the opportunity to serve as well as his executives for their massive support toward its administration's success.

The new executives taking oath of office Photo credit: Peter Emmanuel

Ambassador Oluwagbamila further thanked the school management as well as used the avenue to showcase some of his led-administration achievements which include, the distribution of pads to over 100 students female students in 2021, buying of baby goods for expectant mothers, and the erect signpost in 12 different locations within the campus community.

Giving her acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated President, Ambassador Ajayi Oluwabori said she never thought of becoming the president. 

"Never would I have thought I would be the one giving a speech at a very important event like this? I recognized the presence of the Dean of Students Affairs, our very own club adviser in person of Mr. Mapayi, the SUG President, my fellow Ambassador, and everyone who is here for this occasion."

She added that the Impact leaders club had nurtured and empowered her to become a purpose-driven leader and be an agent of change to transform society.

She further stated that becoming President was a great privilege to continue the works of the past administration.

She said, "I believe in the power of teamwork to make ILC AAUA greater than it used to be. I look forward to your inestimable support in making the vision and mission of ILC AAUA a body of reality even in AAUA."

Also speaking, the Students Union Presidential aspirant for the 2021/2022 academic session, Adeosun Francis, politically known as Francophone, commended the effort of the outgoing executives for writing the club name with gold.

He further charged the new set of executives on teamwork, saying the president should see herself as a president not as female because it was presidential.

Similarly, the immediate past Chairman of Junior Chamber International (JCI), charged everyone present at the inauguration ceremony to see far beyond the classroom, adding that the labor market is competitive.

However, the Nigeria Union of Campus Journalists, NUCJ President, Friday Omosola assured the club of adequate coverage of its activities.

"Journalists are not bad people and do not hesitate to call on us anytime. Our door is open."

Read More

Mapayi charges students on leadership

Mr Mapayi speaking at the inauguration ceremony Photo credit: Peter Emmanuel 

By: Peter Emmanuel

The Principal Assistant Registrar, Students Affairs Division, Mapayi A.V. has charged Nigerian students of the need to develop their leadership skills while on campus.

Mapayi gave the advice at the 5th inauguration and swearing-in ceremony of Impact Leaders Club(ILC), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko(AAUA) chapter held at the MBA quadrangle adjacent to the Intercontinental Hall. 

Mapayi opined that Nigeria is blessed with resources but bad leadership is making  her retrogressive among its counterparts.

Mr Mapayi presenting the new ILC president, Ambassador Ajayi certificate Photo credit: Peter Emmanuel 

He said, "Some countries that are doing well with great economies, infrastructure among others are not having half of what Nigeria has."

He added that leadership deals with sacrifices and a willingness to share ideas, noting that leaders must be ready and committed.

"Commitment matters a lot and signifies one is ready to serve; sometimes leaving one comfort zone," he said. 

Mapayi further stated that "to be a great leader one must have at the back of his/her mind greatness."

Read More

AAUA: NUCJ Appoints New emExecutives

By: Peter Emmanuel 

The Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko(AAUA) chapter of the Nigerian Union of Campus Journalists(NUCJ), has appointed a new set of executives to pilot the affair of the Union for the 2021/2022 academic session. 

The new executives were announced at the handing-over ceremony held on Tuesday 7th of February, 2023 at the Mass Communication Relaxation Centre (MRC).

Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, the outgoing President of the Union, Oluwatosin Ologun tasked the new executives with teamwork and synergy to achieve the Union's aim. 

Ologun further urged the new executive to work hand in hand with the outgoing executives to get things right whenever it is about to go wrong.

He said: "Everything done in my administration was successful such as the Students Union Government(SUG) debate, the protest Editorial, and others — we are expecting more from the incoming administration"

Also speaking, Bayode Roland, the Treasurer of the Union and the former Editor-in-Chief of Echo Media lauded the administration for its milestone achievements.

Bayode added that despite all odds from different quarters in the institution, the administration could boast of good journalism free of biases.

"I feel like NUCJ must strive in an environment where they are not needed," he maintained. 

Similarly, Philip Anjorin, the Vice-president Editorial of the Union beseeched the new executives to make the union stand upfront to avoid limitations from both within and outside the university community.

In his speech, the new President, Friday Omosola pledged his support for true journalism free of biases or attacks to any quarters in the University community. 

Omosola vowed to ensure all members of the Union get adequate training to thrive in the media after their years on campus.

Other executives were, Clarion Olusegun, Vice-president Admin, Emmanuel Oluwadola, Vice-president Editorial; Oyinkansola Ogunkande as General Secretary and Peter Emmanuel as the Public Relations Officer (PRO). 

Read More

Work With Wisdom– Roland Bayode Advises Echo Media New Executives

A group picture of the outgoing and incoming executives of Echo Media after the handing over Photo Credit: Echo Media 

By: Emmanuel Oluwadola 

The 2020/2021 administration led by Roland Bayode, the outgoing Editor-In-Chief of Echo Media– a long-surviving media outlet in Adekunle Ajasin University – on Monday handed over the leadership baton to new executives.

While advising the campus journalists during the handing-over event held at the Mass Communication Relaxation Centre (MRC), Roland urged the newly appointed executives to be prudent while engaging in journalism activities as well as display great teamwork. 

Roland, who said his led administration met diverse resistance from the school management for practicing 'unbiased' journalism, charged the new executives to always seek advice from media experts for sensitive stories.

He maintained that campus journalists must ensure they consider first the consequences of stories they intend to publish so as not to fall victim to management repulsiveness.

Picture of the outgoing  and incoming executives   Photo Credit: Echo Media 

"Journalists should have the right to exercise their freedom of reporting and exposing the ills and good deeds of society but in a community where the activities of journalism are frowned upon, they [journalists] should deal with wisdom," Roland said. 

On behalf of his outgoing administration, he vouched for their support for the newly inducted executives, stating that they can always reach out to them when the need arises. 

He further appreciated the previous administration for their support and consistency.

"Congratulations on your appointment. I pray God sees you through and guides you all with wisdom as you work together and give directions to lead in your administration. 

"Thank you all for being committed to the previous administration(s), we appreciate your effort, synergy, and consistency, and we hope that you keep the fire burning always."

The newly appointed executives of Echo media for the 2021/22 academic session  Friday Omosola, Editor-in-Chief; Esther Oguntuase, Associate Editor; Clarion Oyeronke, Features Editor; Glorious Emoruwa, General Secretary; Emmanuel Oluwadola, News Editor; Peter Emmanuel, Entertainment Editor; and Deborah Temilade, Public Relations Officer(PRO). 

In his speech, the newly elected Editor-in-Chief, Friday Omosola thanked his predecessors, saying it is a privilege for him to have been selected to serve.

Read More

NAMACOS Press Week: Ondo State Journalist Of The Year Bags New Award

   Saheed Ibrahim receiving the award of honour. 

By: Friday Omosola

Ondo State 2022 Print Journalist of the Year Award winner, Saheed Ibrahim of The Hope Newspaper has again bagged an award of Excellence for his contributions to societal development.

The award, which was presented to him at the 15th public lecture of the National Association of Mass Communication Students, NAMACOS, AAUA, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall(OBJ) on Tuesday.

      Faces at the public lecture 

The Ondo NUJ 2022 best investigative reporter who once graduated as the best student in the department appreciated NAMACOS for finding him worthy as well as pledged his support and contributions to the growth of the association and the department.

He said:  "It is an honor and one thing I love to do and I will continue doing it. It's my alma mater, and I ensure it grows and develops no matter how. 

"This is celebrated every year. When I was an exco in the departmental. It is a way of celebrating ourselves, celebrating those who have left this department and are still with us. It is a way of projecting Mass Communication, the prestigious department." 

The best print media reporter urged students of the department to hone their journalism skills while on campus, adding that the media industry is competitive and a certificate in journalism alone is not enough. 

"Experience is the key and paramount, so,  I will urge you all to make use of any available means to get it. People want to see what you can do and your certificate will even come last. If they see what you can do, they can even take you ahead of someone that has all the required professional certificates. "

Speaking on the public lecture theme "Digital Age Journalism. Creating An Enabling Environment To Foster Communication Development", he said digital journalism would bridge the gaps between theories and practical, adding that embedding it in the curriculum would make things change for the better. 

"In this Digital age after your degree, the best thing for you guys is to go further. This requires professional courses in journalism which can be fact-checking, digital news reporting, or digital communication practices."

Read More

Jobberman Trains AAUA Students On Employable Soft-Skills

Emmanuel OluwadolaI

n partnership with Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Jobberman Nigeria, a non-profit organization set up free soft-skills training to help students enhance their employability after school.

Jobberman is a free online and offline soft skills training program focused on equipping young people between the ages of 18-30 with the right skills to compete in the Nigerian job market.

The training which started on the 25th of November 2022, will continue for three weeks, two days a week (Wednesdays & Fridays) between the hours of 12-2 pm at Obafemi Awolowo Multi-purpose Hall (OBJ).

The students of AAUA will be exposed to skills such as Personal Effectiveness and Time Management, Effective Communication, Business Etiquette and Workplace Ethics, Emotional Intelligence and Teamwork, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Creativity and Innovation, and other employability skills.

The Community Engagement Manager, Ayodeji Ilesanmi assured that the students will be issued a professional certificate after the training based on their performances.

"Students will first fill a baseline assessment test before the training and after the training, an endline assessment test will be done and students must at least answer five questions correctly to be eligible for the certificates that will be issued out."

He added, " Today being the first day, the turnout was impressive and we hope to train more youths. The door is still open to students who have not participated, they can join".

Ilesanmi also expressed his gratitude to the school management, the Students' Union President, and everyone who has supported the training.

Representing the Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Professor Olugbenga Ige, the Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Akanbi Olusegun spoke on behalf of the VC who noted that the Institution wants students to acquire skills that will help them progress outside the school walls.

"It is a good program based on our findings. If not, we would not have allowed it to take place here. Some of us, when we finished our Degrees back then did not know how to write a CV, prepare for interviews and all, but our students have the opportunity to learn all these for free during this training.

"Even the VC wishes that all students of this school participate in the training because it will help them learn and enhance their capacity after they have left the University," the DSA remarked.

The facilitator, Aisha Amin exposed students to these various modules where she urged students to be disciplined and take up action instead of complaining and be self-aware to be personally effective and creative.

"As a student, you have to be self-aware of your strengths and weaknesses to be personally effective in school and at work. In this training, we will also teach you how to write an effective email and CV for job opportunities," she said.

One of the participants, Favour Itasanmi, a 100-level student of Animal and Environmental Biology revealed that she heard about the training through a broadcast message and was compelled to register and participate in the training.

"The training was amazing. I enjoyed all the sections and I have been able to learn time management, personal effectiveness and other skills that will help me become a better version of myself in all endeavors," Favour noted.

Igbaro Kehinde, a 400-level student of Political Science explained how he thought the training would be one of the usual training but he said it was a different experience for him.

"These are professionals that have come to teach us how to compose and present ourselves for job opportunities. The skills that I have learned will not only help me after I graduate but from this very moment," he said.

Another participant, Olajide Praise, a student of Early Childhood Education reiterated that the training will afford her a better opportunity when applying for jobs.

"We were exposed to communication skills, creative thinking, how to write a CV and some other skills. I believe that if I can apply them, it will make me have more advantage over others during a job interview or when looking for jobs," Praise affirmed.

Oke Oluwasegun, a 300-level student of Business Administration also affirmed that he got the opportunity to participate through a link sent to him, "as a software developer, I have learned how to write a cover letter and this will help me when applying for jobs. With this training, I believe I now have a better understanding of how these skills work," he said.

Jobberman has trained over 60,000 and placed over 50,000 in dignified jobs, 31 of whom are now facilitators in the soft skills training programs.

Read More

Beyond Journalism; A Shola Ilesanmi's Tribute

To the ever living firebrand Shola Ilesanmi of OSRC, Orange FM, OSRC, AAUA, BBC, Ondo State, and beyond. 

Tied to a lead with chains, rather than ropes, our heart is thrown to the middle of the ocean with no one to come to our rescue. A time like this would have been perfect for a fact-checker to debunk the information as a fake news.

If only it can be debunked…

Shola Ilesanmi is a man of unpretentious heart, an impact-maker, an instructional guide and guidance, an inspiration that can not be sidelined.

We miss a man whose story will inspire generations to come.  We miss the icon who was always there whenever we need him for anything. 

When something is beyond description, the Yourba people will always spell it out by saying in their dialect that, Ajanaku ko’ja mo ri n’kan firi.

A Journalist and humanist; a boss like a brother, a mentor whose remarkable personality, actions, impact, kindness, leadership skills, humility, and loving tenderness will forever be missed.

There are few indefatigable journalists who have amassed, created, and presented impactful stories in various newsrooms in Nigeria over the years. 

Shola ilesanmi has exhibited his talent, lambency, and dissertation through the fact checking myriad of fake news across the country.

He had written with great empathy for society and in a way that brought the stories to reality. 

He was a courageous writer and rare pen connoisseur, mostly when it came to telling the human angle related stories. 

Your deeds and incredible dissertations will forever remain a bequest legacy both for practicing and uprising journalists to look up to.

Even in ecstasy and hot seat, Shola kept alive the breath of the values of truth and public interest in journalism at hearts even as he breathed his last on earth.

Perhaps, this day will never leave our memories. For us who had the grace to meet the icon, Shola Ilesanmi. For us who know his story and daily get inspired to keep pushing and forging ahead diligently, his death will never leave our hearts.

We earthly lost him but we believe you are heavenly gained. Rest on boss🕊️

Read More