A Professor of Mathematics at the University of Ilorin, Kamilu Rauf, has identified the constant use of Mathematical concepts as a panacea to socio-political and economic challenges in Nigeria.

Besides, he said Mathematics should be seen as the key with which the complexities of life could be unlocked towards achieving maximum self-progression and human development in general.

Rauf spoke while delivering the university’s inaugural lecture titled: “A brief tour into the world of inequations that rule our everyday lives.”  

While emphasising the adoption of mathematical principles as imperative to providing solutions to all human challenges, the scholar explained that mathematics has always been in the company of a man from time immemorial.

According to him, findings have revealed that the best approach out of human challenges lies in the meticulous and continuous adoption of such mathematical principles as reasoning, creativity, spatial thinking, and effective communication skills.         

The professor further explained that the more mathematical human beings are in their approach to issues, the more successful and promising they will be, noting that the challenges of life could be made simpler, easier and more bearable through mathematical innovations.

He stated that with proper understanding of mathematics, man could achieve so many things.

Relying on personal experience, Prof. Rauf said the subject could be understood by constant exposure to its principles and practice, noting that most of those who find mathematics difficult do so because of poor handling by their teachers who must have handled them unprofessionally during their formative years.

He encouraged those who are willing to master the subject to ensure that they review mathematical errors, master the key concepts, and make sure that they understand their doubts before moving to the next level.

Chairman, Governing Council of Yaba College of Technology (YABATech), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has assured students of the institution that the embargo placed on students unionism by the previous council led by Ebenezer Babatope, would be lifted after certain conditions are met.

Fagbemi, who gave the assurance while speaking on YABATech radio, appreciated the students for their support and commended them for the various positive activities they embarked on to complement their studies.

The council chairman, who was recently reappointed, commended the students for being law-abiding, which he said, has greatly engendered peace on campus and provided the enabling environment for the council’s modest achievements during its first tenure between May 2017 and May 2020.

He disclosed that the management with the approval of the council renovated students’ hostels and lecture halls to aid learning and teaching.

The senior advocate solicited their support for orderliness and peaceful co-existence on campus, urging them to be law-abiding and adhere to rules and regulations, which they swore to uphold during their matriculation.

He counseled them to use all available channels of communication to ventilate their grievances when necessary.

According to him, the council will run an open-door policy that ensures fairness and justice to all students in addressing issues that come before it.

“On the issue of students’ unionism on campus, it is undoubtedly an invaluable aspect of campus life and its importance cannot be over-emphasised in advancing the cause of students and ensuring a vibrant college community. We are all aware of the unfortunate events that led to the prescription of unionism. You will agree with me that no responsible management would allow unlawful or unethical behaviour on campus because of the inimical effects such actions would have on the college.

“It is, however, heartwarming that things have changed for the better and necessary amendments are being made to your union’s constitution in readiness for a full operation soon.”

Furthermore, a special committee set up by management, which includes students’ representatives, is also looking into the constitution, before it is passed to the committee on students’ affairs, after which the council would finally give its seal of approval for full swing students’ unionism to begin. I enjoined you to be vigilant and wary of those things that led to the prescription of unionism in the first place, in order to avoid a repeat of same.”

Fagbemi subsequently implored students to adopt the concept of hard work, honesty and integrity, and respect for constituted authority.

A final year student of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Augustina Oyebadejo, has emerged as one of the two winners of the 2021 Women in Aquaculture Global Scholarship Programme.

Oyebadejo joins Marta Carvalho from Portugal as a joint winner from about 200 applications across 30 countries.

According to Kvarøy Arctic, the organisers of the programme, Oyebadejo and Carvalho will get funding for a specific project to be domiciled in their countries of origin as well as the opportunity for working visit to fish farm sites in Norway.

“Hosted in partnership with Seafood and Gender Equality (SAGE), the scholarship programme seeks to lift emerging leaders through its immersive, experiential programme, which includes funds for each recipient and a hands-on opportunity to experience working at Kvarøy Arctic’s farm sites in Norway.

“These scholarships are ways to bring valuable, creative young women into the fold and show them that they are supported, not overlooked and ignored,” Kvarøy Arctic strategic development officer, Jennifer Bushman said.

“We want to acknowledge the amazing applicants. All of them are deserving of every chance to pursue and achieve their dreams. We are better for their efforts and grateful that they are on this journey with us,” the organisers said.

Oyebadejo competed with several others with higher degrees. Carvalho, the other winner is a native of Porto, Portugal, and has pursued various degrees with the support of a variety of scholarship programmes.

She holds both a BSc and an MSc in aquatic sciences from the University of Porto and is currently pursuing her PhD in sustainable aquaculture and marine ecosystems at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Kvaroy Arctic noted that Oyebadejo was acquainted with fishing and the concept of aquaculture in her upbringing in the coastal town of Badagry, Nigeria, near Lagos. She witnessed the difficulty of the profession in an area where wild fishing harvests are limited, aquaculture operations are cost-prohibitive, and professional opportunities for women are scarce.

In her remarks, Oyebadejo said Nigeria has a domestic production of fish at about 800,000 tonnes and is known to be one of the largest importers of fish in the world, yet cannot meet demand of the population.

She added that the scholarship will help her with practical skills and knowledge of efficient fish production. “I think this is a way to build aquaculture in my country and influence the economy positively while saving a lot of lives.”

The vice-chancellor, Prof Joseph Fuwape, congratulated Oyebadejo for the feat and described FUTA as a leading institution with highly cerebral staff and students who can compete globally.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun has given reasons why he returned the 6-3-3-4 education policy to the state and abolished the single uniform policy immediately on assumption of office in 2018.

The governor disclosed the reasons in Abuja. He explained that his decision was based on the overwhelming demand of the people of the state who called for the reversal of the 4-5-3-4 policy introduced by the immediate past government of Rauf Aregbesola.

The governor said that there were indications that the policies were not in tune with what parents and students in the state desired at the time.

He also revealed that the previous policies, according to security reports, were encouraging cultism and other social vices among students in the state.

Oyetola added that the abolition of the policies was part of the recommendations of a committee of experts set up to review the initiatives in the state’s education sector.

On the 4-5-3-4, Oyetola said the policy did not align with the National Policy on Education such that most development partners and agencies refused to support the state on educational projects.

“The National Policy on Education is 6-3-3-4, ordinarily every state should align with the national policy as the minimum standard for education.

“Again, some of the donor agencies particularly UNICEF refused to support us on our educational activities because we did not align with the national policy.

“Meanwhile, the major reason for the 4-5-3-4 was actually because of the introduction of the school feeding programme. The programme will take care of pupils in classes one to three, and four and five will not be happy if they are not eating.

 “I believe that could have been taken care of administratively. It shouldn’t have affected the classification of the school system in the state,’’ he said.

The governor, who admitted that the previous policy caused some setbacks for the education sector in the state, cited the inability of pupils in the state to enroll for primary school leaving certificate examination as a result.