Education

ASUU: I Don’t Believe In Strike – UNILORIN VC

Published

3 years ago

February 13, 2022

Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem

As the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) prepares for another round of strike, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, has advised the lecturers to reconsider their stance.

Abdulkareem said even as a member of ASUU himself as far back as 1996, he never believed going on strike was the right thing to do.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Trust, the Vice-Chancellor asked the Federal Government and ASUU to devise another means to settle grievances rather than going on strike.

There is currently anxiety across campuses of universities following the ongoing meeting of ASUU on a looming strike.

The union, which is expected to take a final decision through voting, has faulted the failure of the Federal Government to implement an agreement reached with it as far back as 2009.

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Amidst the uncertainty and apprehension in Nigerian ivory towers, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILORIN said the fresh threat of strike is unfortunate, insisting he does not believe in strike.

Abdulkareem also clarified on the return of UNILORIN ASUU into the mainstream national body, saying it was the national leadership of ASUU that sought to reconcile with the local chapter.

While maintaining that he has no regret in brokering the truce, the VC, however, said strike should not always come to the table in resolving grievances.

He said, “Each time we go on strike, my view is still the same. It is bad for the lecturers and equally bad for the students. Continuity breeds or develops something in you that you cannot equate to broken or abridged acquisition of knowledge.

“So I still believe that continuity, sustenance of lectures, learning, and continuous academy should guide us in the way we run our system. If you have grievances with those who are running the institution, you have a reason to raise issues but it should not be to the detriment of the students.

“From primary school up to PhD, I never missed one day in my life and it is because I had good teaching, good tutoring, good education and I can only give that credit to my teachers and lecturers.

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“So I never once believed and till now that you are talking to me, that the right thing to do is to go on strike.

“Having said that, if they keep telling me that, that (strike) is the only language the government understands, there must be a way to protect the students. Now, how do we deal with insufficiency or grievances with our financiers? We should take good time and have good plans of how our concerns could be addressed.

“While that is going on, we can still be fulfilling our promise to the students because again when you spend most part of the time sitting down at home, it is not good for any mind whether for the students or the lecturers.

“All my life I would either be in school or at work. So making a mind go idle is a taboo to me even for one day. Your mind should progressively be looking for things to do or improve upon. It should not come to the point where you go home for six months and you worry about whether you are going to resume again or not. That is not how to treat a good mind, you should develop it, not deprive it of the needed growth.”

Daily Trust

Education

Chicago University clarifies US visa revocation policy for international students

Published

7 hours ago

March 31, 2025

Trends Admin

Chicago University clarifies US visa revocation policy for international students

International students studying in the U.S. may be concerned after recent reports of visa revocations.

However, the University of Chicago has provided clarification to help ease these concerns for students on F-1 or J-1 visas.

Revocation means your visa is no longer valid and cannot be used to re-enter the U.S.

The U.S. government can revoke visas, but this usually happens only in serious cases.

The United States recently instructed consular offices to expand their screening processes for student visa applicants. This also includes thorough social media checks to identify individuals who may support terrorism.

The U.S. Department of State has the authority to revoke non-immigrant visas, including F-1 and J-1 visas, if the visa holder has been arrested or convicted for driving under the influence (DUI) or similar offenses within the past five years.

While this may sound alarming, the revocation does not immediately affect a student’s ability to remain in the U.S.

Current status of students inside the U.S.

According to the University of Chicago, The U.S. Department of State may revoke non-immigrant visas (F-1, J-1, etc.) of individuals arrested for, or convicted of, driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, or similar arrests/convictions that occurred within the previous five years. Such a revocation also does not necessarily mean that the individual cannot get a new visa to come to the U.S.

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The institution also informs that a visa revocation does not impact a student’s current status within the U.S, only the visa sticker.

“It is important to understand that this requirement does not affect your status in the U.S., only your visa sticker. Remember that your visa is needed to enter the U.S., but once you have entered, your visa does not have to remain valid.  You must, however, have a valid I-20 (F-1/F-2) or DS-2019 (J-1/J-2),” the university stated in its platform.

“If you are not planning a trip abroad in the near future, this requirement does not affect you, even if you have been arrested/convicted, until you do seek to reenter the U.S. after a trip abroad.”

The visa stamp is only necessary for entry into the U.S., not for staying in the country.

Impact on re-entry to the U.S.

While the visa revocation does not affect a student’s status inside the U.S., it does prevent re-entry to the country on the same visa. If a student leaves the U.S. after their visa has been revoked, they will not be allowed to return with the revoked visa.

They will need to apply for a new visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate before being allowed to re-enter the U.S.

How to confirm visa status

Students who have had a DUI or similar conviction since their visa was issued and are unsure about the status of their visa are advised to contact the U.S. embassy or consulate that issued their visa.

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The embassy or consulate may send an official notice regarding the revocation, or students may find out about the revocation when traveling through a U.S. port of entry.

Advice for students planning to travel

For students with a revoked visa planning to leave the U.S., the institution recommends contacting the embassy or consulate before booking any travel. The embassy can confirm the validity of the student’s visa.

Additionally, students should consult with their school’s international student office and, if necessary, seek advice from an immigration attorney. If a student has dependents on F-2 or J-2 visas, their visa status may also be affected by the revocation.

No immediate impact on students staying in the U.S.

For those who do not have immediate travel plans, the University of Chicago reassures that visa revocation will not disrupt a student’s ability to stay or study in the U.S.

Students should continue to ensure that their I-20 or DS-2019 forms are valid and keep up with their academic requirements.

Chicago University clarifies US visa revocation policy for international students

Education

UNN appoints Prof Olayiwola Usman as first Yoruba DVC (Academics)

Published

6 days ago

March 26, 2025

Trends Admin

UNN appoints Prof Olayiwola Usman as first Yoruba DVC (Academics)

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has appointed Professor Kamoru Olayiwola Usman, a Yoruba Muslim from Oyo State, as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), marking the first time in the institution’s history that a person of Yoruba descent has held the position.

The appointment, made by the Acting Vice-Chancellor (Ag. VC), Professor Oguejiofo T. Ujam, is part of ongoing reforms aimed at fostering inclusive governance and restoring the university’s academic excellence.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the university reaffirmed its commitment to merit-based leadership and national unity.

Professor Ujam stated: “The appointment of Professor Usman reflects our resolve to prioritise competence over sectional considerations. It is imperative that we sustain this culture of inclusivity and meritocracy to move the university forward.”

In addition to Professor Usman’s appointment, the Acting VC also named Dr Mansur Adebowale Saddiq as Acting Director of the Medical Centre, further demonstrating his commitment to promoting excellence over sectional interests.

Both appointments have been widely welcomed by scholars and students from diverse backgrounds, recognising them as steps towards strengthening national unity within the institution.

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Professor Usman, who succeeds Professor Urama, holds a PhD in Mathematics Education and previously served as Provost of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo State, from 2015 to 2023.

A distinguished academic, he is a fellow of the Mathematical Association of Nigeria and a member of several professional bodies, including the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies and the Nigerian Educational Research Association. His initial tenure as DVC (Academics) will last for two years, with the possibility of renewal.

Meanwhile, the statement also highlighted that during a recent University Senate meeting, Professor Ujam emphasised the collective responsibility of repositioning UNN as a centre for ethical and innovative learning.

Education

FG to pay corps members backlog of delayed N77,000 allowance

Published

7 days ago

March 25, 2025

Trends Admin

FG to pay corps members backlog of delayed N77,000 allowance

The Federal Government has promised to pay the backlog of the new ₦77,000 monthly allowance to members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The corps members’ allowance was increased from ₦33,000 to ₦77, 000 in September 2024.
However, the new rate has yet to be implemented.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, on Monday said serving corps members and those in the scheme when the increment was announced in September 2024 would receive a backdated payment.
He gave the assurance when he was featured on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

He said, “You saw the new DG saying that you will get it, and they’re asking him a question ‘What about those that are going out now, are they going to receive it [backlog]?’ He said ‘We have your details’,” the minister said.
“The backlog, we will work on it and make sure it is paid. It may not be immediate but it will happen.”