BlackBox Nigeria

By Tayo Ogunbiyi

The situation at the Lagos State University, LASU, certainly calls for urgent action among all stakeholders in the education sector. Things have gotten to such a level at LASU that one is tempted to suggest that Anezi Okoro probably had LASU in mind when he was writing his famous book: One Week One Trouble. No doubt, LASU, the academic institution that was established by the Lagos State Government, thirty-one years ago, to help nurture and produce new crop of leaders, has been turned into an arena of the theatre of the absurd.  At the moment, whenever LASU is in the news, it is almost going to be for the wrong reasons. Sadly, the current state of affairs at the university sharply negates the dreams and aspirations of the institution's founding fathers.

Years ago, LASU used to be notorious for cult activity which was then quite rampant among some of the students. Then, it was usual to see various cult groups engage in fierce and bloody gun battles; sometimes in broad daylight. Typically, this was usually followed by serious commotion, which often spread into the adjoining communities, with consequence disruption of socio-economic activities. At a time, things got so bad that an Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, had to be stationed permanently at the entrance of the institution with armed security personnel constantly monitoring people and events around the school.
When eventually cult activities subsided to a reasonable degree at LASU, the institution became bedeviled with student-related crisis that are too numerous to be recalled. In 1992, for instance, one of such crisis became so complicated that the institution had to be closed down for over two years. To date, in the history of tertiary education in the country, no university has been shut down for that long due to students' crisis. But that is LASU for you! It has suddenly become an institution that has developed a penchant for getting into the Guinness Book of Records for the wrong reasons. Indeed, some parents who could not bear the trauma of watching their wards waste away for over twenty -four months had to devise alternative options to get their wards out of the messy LASU imbroglio. Ever since, student union activities have become so volatile at LASU that successive Vice-Chancellors have to devise ingenious means of dealing or coping with it. In some cases, it worked. In some other instances, it triggered off further troubles. Interestingly, the trouble with LASU is not only limited to students' crisis. If LASU students are capricious, the various unions at the institution are fiery lots. When they sneeze, LASU catches cold.
The glorious era of the institution, under the leadership of the late Professor Jadesola Akande, was eventually marred by several acrimonious agitations by members of the institution's chapter of Academic Staff Union, ASUU, Non Academic Staff Union, NASU, among others. On one occasion, the situation got to such a ridiculous peak that some agitating NASU members had to tear into shreds the dress of the then Registrar, Mrs. Jacinta, who had the misfortune of having to address the aggrieved NASU members. The sorry episode became a tale that reverberated across the land. Many who could not hide their disgust at such a show of shame, coming from the ivory tower that is universally renowned for decency and civility, astonishingly asked in utter disbelief: "What is it about LASU?"   That was over a decade ago.
Years after the ugly Mrs. Jacinta theatre of the absurd episode, LASU has continued to move along the ignoble path of unending crisis. Right now, all is not at ease at LASU as the various unions at the institution are at daggers drawn with the current Vice Chancellor, Professor John Obafunwa, over several issues ranging from high handedness to non promotion of staff as at when due. A few weeks ago, in the characteristic LASU fashion of handling such rancorous matters, the Vice Chancellor and some of his principal officers were chased away from the school. The ASUU members that spearheaded the move are insisting that the embattled Vice Chancellor is no longer welcome at the institution. To date, reports have it that the Vice Chancellor hasn't stepped into the school since he was ingloriously chased away.
Right now, LASU remains shut implying that academic activities are grounded. The way things stand, nobody knows how soon the institution will be reopened. Once again, the hopes and aspirations of students at the institution hang in the balance. Worse hit are those in the final stretch of their academic endeavours. They are no longer sure of what the future holds for them. If the students are at present toeing a precarious path, their parents' plight is no less pitiable. Some of them, who are training their wards under extremely excruciating economic condition, are already counting their losses as the institution remains shut.
On its part, the Lagos State Government has remained unwavering in its commitment to investing in infrastructure development at LASU. The LASU School of Transportation, first of its kind in Nigeria, which is a response to contemporary necessity, has been fully accredited by the Nigeria University Commission, NUC.  Equally, the Students Arcade, Senate Building, Central Library, School of Transportation, Faculty of Law Auditorium, School of Management Sciences, LASU International School, among others, are part of the State Government's sponsored capital projects at various stages of completion at the institution.  It is, therefore, rather agonizing that it is at a time when the Lagos State Government is committing huge resources to usher in massive infrastructure development at LASU that the various unions at the institution with the school's management have, once again, decided to turn the citadel of learning into a battle ground.
Naturally, one would have envisaged that the current infrastructure development strides being spearheaded by the State Government would be a rallying point for all stakeholders at LASU to give peace a chance for the sake of the survival of the institution. It is, however, not too late for the warring factions at LASU to sheathe their swords for the sake of peace. Grandstanding on matters that could be settled amicably is unbecoming of an institution of learning of LASU's status. It is, therefore, not too late for the promoters of this current imbroglio at LASU to toe the path of honour and peace. The Vice Chancellor needs to devise a practical style of dealing with unfriendly union leaders and their cohorts. That is what management demands. Being unduly high handed, as he is being accused, would certainly lead LASU to nowhere. The various union leaders equally need to act responsibly. There should be a marked difference in how intellectuals and lesser intellectually endowed folks handle and react to contentious issues.
Universally, peace is a vital precondition for development. No meaningful development could take place in a chaotic atmosphere. According to Martin Luther King, "peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek but a means by which we arrive at that goal." It, therefore, behoves on all stakeholders in the LASU project to give peace a chance. This is the only way to fulfil the dreams of founding fathers of the institution. This is what LASU needs.

•Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

@blackboxupdate

Popular Nigerian music producer and singer, Babatunde Okungbowa popularly known as OJB is reportedly on admission at the General Hospital, Lagos following a relapse of his kidney ailment.
OJB, who had a successful kidney transplant in India last year, had a relapse two weeks ago, this is according to a report by Yes! International magazine.
A source at the hospital who spoke to the magazine said
"The medical experts who attended to OJB at the Lagos Hospital were shocked at the sudden relapse despite last year's successful kidney transplant. They chided him for not going back to India for post-surgery check-ups as specified by the team of Indian doctors in the medical report given to him".
When contacted, his third wife, Korede said
"I don't want to say anything about it unless he talks about it himself. Have you called him? Because I have not seen the story and he has even warned me about it. So please I don't want to have anything to do with it unless he talks about it himself. He warned me and I have to respect and obey my husband" she said
His first wife, Mabel donated one of her kidneys to him last year and he was believed to be doing well until this recent development.

President Goodluck Jonathan, Sunday,  expressed fears that his wife might divorce him because of his decision to allow the just concluded election go on to its logical conclusion without  interference.
Speaking at a thanksgiving and farewell service in his honour at the Cathedral Church of the Advent Life-Camp, Gwarinpa,  Abuja, President Jonathan cited the case of the former South African Apartheid leader,  F.W de Klerk whose wife divorced him for ending minority rule in South Africa.
President Jonathan who expressed appreciation  to Nigerians for giving him the opportunity to serve at various capacities reiterated his willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice in the interest of the Nation.
He said: "I believe there are reasons for everything. Some hard decisions have their own cost. That I have ran the government this way that stabilized certain things,  the electoral process and other things that brought stability into this country. They were very costly decisions which I must be ready to pay for.
"Some people come to me and say this or that person, is he not your friend? Is it not your government that this person benefited from? But this is what the person is saying. But I used to say,  worse statements will come. If you take certain decisions, you should know that those close to you will even abandon you at some point. And I tell them that more of my so-called friends will disappear. When F.W de Klerk took the decision to abolish minority rule in RSA, even his wife divorced him. I hope my wife will not divorce me. But that is the only decision that has made RSA to still remain a global player. If we still had minority rule there, by this time, nobody will be talking about RSA.
"If you take certain decisions, it might be good for the generality of the people but it might affect people differently. So for ministers and aides who served with me, I sympathize with them, they will be persecuted. And they must be ready for that persecution" he said.
‎
While expressing appreciation to  God for what he has done for him and his family, President Jonathan said he had all the reason to thank God.
"Very few of those in my age brackets have been that lucky. All through my education were on government scholarships.
I have not suffered lack, not because I'm hard-working but by God's grace.
"When I look at the whole picture of my life up to when I became the president of this country. I say that if  soldiers and police officers that have not received 0.5 per cent of the benefits that I have received  from the state can lay their lives for  this country, I should  do anything in the interest of Nigeria including paying the supreme price.
"As long as live, I will continue to do my best for the state because the state has helped me as a person.
"I have to thank Nigerians especially, my state for giving me the opportunity to serve as deputy governor, and the whole country gave me the opportunity to serve as Vice President and then President, first was to complete the tenure of the late president and later serve as president from which I am exiting now as a very happy and fulfilled man".
Speaking on his decision to concede defeat which he said did not go down well with some of his ministers and associates, President Jonathan noted that the most important thing is that "the ordinary people appreciate what we did."

@blackboxupdate

It was wailing and weeping, yesterday, at Ile-Olowola compound at Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State, as a 13-year-old girl was knocked down and killed by a vehicle.
It was gathered that the girl was inside her mother's shop when a gold coloured Toyota Camry car with number plate JJJ 825DB, veered off the road and hit the girl inside the shop.
The girl, it was gathered, died on the spot.
The incident which occurred around 10.30a.m., has been confirmed by Osun State Police Command.
Consequently, a mob set the car ablaze, while the driver of the car was rescued by the quick intervention of policemen from Ilobu.
An eyewitness said the driver of the car, Gbenga Ayangoke, 28, of Ile Iyaloja compound, Erin-Osun, was on high speed, lost control, veered off the road and knocked down the girl inside the shop.
The state Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, DSP Folasade Odoro, confirmed the incident.
She explained that normalcy had been restored to the area, adding that the driver of the car was helping police in their investigation.
She disclosed that the remains of the girl had been deposited at General Hospital mortuary, Ilobu, for autopsy.
Mrs. Odoro said further that the matter would be taken to court after the completion of investigation.

@blackboxupdate

The police in Lagos have launched a manhunt for an Assistant Superintendent of Police, identified simply as Mohammed, who allegedly shot dead a tricycle driver, Akeem Aranse, during an argument in the Shasha, Akowonjo area.‎
According to PUNCH, it was learnt that Mohammed, who is attached to the Disaster Management Unit of the Department of Operations, Lagos State Police Command headquarters, Ikeja, moved out of his apartment on Unity Close, Egbeda, shortly after the incident.
Our correspondent learnt that Mohammed had boarded a commercial motorcycle (okada) which was hit by the tricyle operator on Kareem Laka Street in the Egbeda area.
It was gathered that   the incident led to an argument which degenerated into the killing of the tricycle driver by the ASP.
Eyewitnesses explained that some passersby had tried to settle the skirmish but the police officer   remained adamant.
The officer was said to have eventually brought out his pistol   and shot the tricycle driver.
Thirty-one-year-old Akeem, who was said to have been shot in the chest, reportedly died on the spot.
Our correspondent learnt that the matter was reported to policemen at the Shasha division.
When PUNCH visited Akeem's rented apartment on Nusiratu Street, Akowonjo, on Saturday, his tricycle was seen parked outside the house, while friends and neighbours still discussed the incident.
His elder brother, Sulaimon, said Akeem was planning to visit his wife and only child in Ibadan, Oyo State, when he was killed. He added that the death was a shock to the family.
He said, "We had been living together in this house since he was a boy. We both came from our hometown in the Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State to work in Lagos. He used to visit his family in Ibadan every three weeks. He was planning to go again this weekend when the tragic incident occurred.
"I was at a friend's place when I was called about the incident. It was very shocking. Akeem did not have a record of street fighting or violence. He was said to have apologised to the police officer, who was not in uniform, but the man still shot him. The police have taken his corpse to a morgue in Yaba.
"The extended family members would be expecting him in Ibadan, but we have told his wife about the incident."
Our correspondent gathered that the police had gone to the ASP's house, but all efforts to get him had not yielded any result.
Speaking with PUNCH, the Chairman, Tricycle Drivers' Association in Shasha Akowonjo, Mr. Isiaka Yekini, said the union would work with the police at the State Criminal Investigation Department to get the suspect.
He said, "We have been invited by the SCID to come on Monday (today) for questioning.
"When the incident happened, one of our members trailed the ASP to his apartment on Unity Close. He has, however, fled the house.
"It was at about 6.30pm on that day that I received a phone call that one of our members had been shot dead. It was very shocking."
It was learnt that motorcycle drivers led a delegation to the Shasha Police Division on Wednesday to protest Akeem's murder.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the incident, adding that the police were intensifying efforts to arrest the ASP.
He said, "We have identified the policeman, but he has been on the run. We are making efforts to arrest him.
"His action is alien to the police culture. It is not in line with the vision and mission of the Lagos State Police Command."

@blackboxupdate

Gunmen on Friday evening  abducted a lecturer of the Obafemi Awolowo University,  Ile Ife, Dr. Femi Omisore, on his way to attend a funeral at Oye Ekiti in Ekiti State.
Our correspondent gathered on Sunday that Omisore, a lecturer at the Department of Environmental Design Management of OAU, was abducted in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on his way to attend the ceremony.
His captors, who were said to be armed with guns, were said to have trailed him for a while and his  driver  tried all he could to avoid being overtaken by the hoodlums.
On catching up with him, the  hoodlums were said to have killed the driver out of anger and forced Omisore out of his car before he was taken away to an unknown place.
The gunmen, it was farther gathered, fired several shots at the petrol tank of the lecturer's car and ensured that the car caught fire before they left the scene.
The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, OAU chapter, Dr. Caleb Aborisade, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on the telephone.
Aborisade said, "According to the information I gathered from his family, Dr. Femi Omisore was kidnapped on Friday evening. He was going for a funeral ceremony in Oye Ekiti.
"I learnt that a member of his department was burying his father in Oye Ekiti and he was traveling there when he was kidnapped.
"The kidnappers use his telephone to call his wife this morning ( Sunday) and they demanded N70 million ransom.
"We are not politicians, we are running our union with stipends from our members and where do they expect us to get such amount."
He appealed to Omsiore's abductor to release the lecturer, saying the family was not rich and could not afford to pay such a huge amount of money.
The abduction was also confirmed to our correspondent on the telephone by  the Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree  chapter,  Mr. Dotun Omisore, who is a nephew of the abducted lecturer.
The ASUP chairman expressed  concern at the way lecturers and members of their families  were becoming targets of abduction.

@blackboxupdate

Add BBN on 2BAFB965
Wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, on Sunday made what could be her first public appearance since her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan, lost the March 28 presidential election.
Mrs. Jonathan accompanied her husband to a thanksgiving and farewell service organised in their honour at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp, Gwarimpa, Abuja.
She read the first lesson of the well-attended service from 1st Timothy 6:11-19.
She later joined the President in a special thanksgiving.
They danced to the altar for the thanksgiving, joined by top government officials, friends and church members.
The President's wife  has not been seen attending any public event inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, since her husband lost his re-election bid in the March 28 presidential election.
She was conspicuously absent during the Good Friday and Easter Sunday services held inside the Aso Villa Chapel.
Mrs. Jonathan did not also join her husband for the funeral service held in honour of his top aide, Oronto Douglas, in Yenagoa last Saturday.
While she voted alongside her husband in the presidential election in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, she stayed back in her home state, Okrika, Rivers State, during the April 11 governorship election.

But the Presidency last Thursday  broke its silence on the whereabouts of the President's wife.
Mr. Ayo Adewuyi, media assistant to Mrs. Jonathan, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, said the President's wife was at that time in Congo.
He said Mrs. Jonathan was in the country to join her colleagues from Africa for the celebration of the 30th anniversary a Non-Governmental Organisation, Congo Assistance Foundation, established by the Congolese First Lady, Madam Antoinette Sassou-Nguesso.

@blackboxupdate

Ten policemen who were being detained by the military for refusing to participate in a counter-terrorism operation may face disciplinary action for insubordination.‎
The officers had received counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism training in Belarus and were ordered to go for an operation in a state in the North-East in April, 2015. However, they refused, saying they needed to get a directive from the Force Headquarters before they could take part in the operation.
The policemen were later detained on April 20, 2015 in a military facility at Gwagwalada, Abuja, for demanding explanation from the Army authorities on the procedure for their 'conscription' into the Army.
Investigation by our correspondent on Sunday, however, indicated that the policemen may face disciplinary action for disobeying a lawful order.
A senior police officer informed our correspondent that the policemen did not need any signal from the police authorities to participate in the counter-terrorism operation, noting that Nigerian police personnel can perform military duties and could also be conscripted into the military.
He said, "The policemen should know that what they did was an act of insubordination for which they may face disciplinary action. Having undergone training under the auspices of the military, they have no reason not to participate in the counter-terrorism operation as directed by the military authorities. Under the Nigeria Police Act, policemen can perform military duties and that is the reason we participate in foreign missions."
Another highly placed security officer explained that the 10 policemen have no excuse for not participating in the operation, stressing that the Constitution permits the conversion or conscription of any policeman into the military.
"According to the Police Act, any policeman could be conscripted into the military to perform military duties; Nigeria is perhaps the only country that has such a law. So, the policemen have no excuse for not going for the operation and they do not need any directive from the police in that regard," he stated.

@blackboxupdate