Education
Madonna University Students’ Debate Ends in Style
**As Mass Comm, Law, Others Qualify for Finals
By Destiny Ugorji
The second stage of the Madonna University (Okija campus) 2017/2018 Inter-departmental students debate has ended, with Mass Communication, Law, Philosophy and Accountancy departments qualifying for the final round of the exercise.
The last of the second stage of the competition ended last Thursday, with Mass Communication department and Law faculty qualifying for the final round of the exercise, leaving behind English and Literary Studies and International Relations.
The first phase of the second round was held two weeks ago, wherein Philosophy and Accountancy departments emerged, also leaving behind two other departments.
Speaking earlier on the essence of the exercise, Coordinator of the Madonna University Debate competition, Dr Tony Nkemakolam, described it as a purely academic exercise, even as he urged the participants to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.
Adding his voice, Chaplain and Administrator of Madonna University, Okija campus, Rev. Father Francis Nwachukwu commended the decorum that characterized the exercise, while urging the students to see it as a challenge to develop their skills and intellect.
He however urged all to practice love for one another and imbibe discipline, even as he charged the students to take their studies very seriously to justify the huge investments on them by their parents. He further advised them to always be good ambassadors of the University wherever they find themselves.
In their separate speeches, Chairperson of the Madonna University Debate committee, Dr (Mrs) Uche Oboko and the University Orator, Mr Charles Eze commended the students for what they described as their ‘can-do spirit’ and urged them not to relent.
They further charged the students to see the exercise as a friendly competition aimed at challenging their intellects, warning them not to see it as a do-or die affair.
The 2017/2018 phase of the competition commenced with seventeen (17) departments. At the end of Thursday’s round, only four of the departments qualified for the final stage of the exercise.
The topic of the second round of the debate was: “Taming the menace of corruption in Nigeria: my department, as the best panacea.”
The final round of the debate, with the topic: “Nigeria’s 2019 Presidential election: a candidate from my discipline, the hope of Nigeria’s advancement” shall hold on a date to be announced soon.
The law faculty was represented in the competition by: Tiku Ebam Okorinyen, Udolisa Chibuzor and Deborah Ngonadi; Philosophy department was represented by: Daniel Obi, Maurice Ugochukwu and Justin Obiesika; Accountancy department was represented by: Nancy Ejimole, Joy Anumba and Edmund Iwunze; while the department of Mass Communication was represented by three hot heads: Chinyere Linda Agbasiere, Adaeze Monday and Juliet Ogbozor.
Last Thursday’s event was attended by very important dignitaries, among whom are: Head of Exams and Records of Okija campus of the university, Rev. Father Tobias Ozioko, Acting Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Dr Walter Duru, Head of Department of Economics, Dr. Theophilus Ugwoke and Professor (Mrs) Bernadette Chukwuneke, head of the Panel of Judges.
Other members of the Panel are: Dr. Calistus Ogu and Dr. K.C. Obi. Thousands of undergraduate and graduate students of Okija campus of the university cheered their colleagues up in excitement, as the competition raged.
Highlights of the event were: musical, choral and drama presentations by highly talented students of the university.
Investigations revealed that the final round of the debate may be declared open by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Chuks Ezedum.
It would be recalled that the 2016/2017 winners of the interdepartmental debate of the university were given automatic Scholarship by the University authorities, a development that may be responsible for the keen contest and seriousness shown by the debaters.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to 21 state-owned universities over alleged failure to implement key provisions of the 2025 agreement reached with the federal government.
The union warned that the affected universities could be heading for industrial action if their respective authorities fail to resolve the outstanding issues within the two-week window.
The ultimatum was one of the major resolutions reached at ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja recently.
In a statement signed by ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, the union expressed concern over what it described as the “haphazard implementation” of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, accusing relevant authorities of displaying a lackadaisical attitude towards its implementation.
ASUU said the problem was particularly pronounced in several state universities, where university visitors had allegedly failed to implement the agreement, leaving affected branches with little option but to seek NEC’s approval to commence the process for industrial action.
Consequently, NEC authorised the affected branches to issue 14-day ultimatums to their university authorities, after which strike procedures would commence if the issues remained unresolved.
The universities affected include Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai; University of Medical Sciences, Ondo; Gombe State University; Plateau State University, Bokkos; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Abia State University, Uturu; and University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa.
Others are Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo; Kaduna State University; Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil; Northwest University, Kano; Enugu State University of Science and Technology; Imo State University, Owerri; Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island; University of Africa, Toru-Orua; Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa; and Taraba State University, Jalingo.
According to the union, the 14-day ultimatum is a precondition for the affected branches to begin formal procedures for industrial action.
ASUU said branches in the Sokoto Zone had already issued a similar two-week ultimatum, while NEC would reconvene in an emergency session at the end of August or early September to assess developments and determine the union’s next line of action.
The union also revived its “No-pay-No-work” position, directing branches in federal universities where salaries had been withheld or underpaid to take appropriate action.
It specifically cited affected universities, including universities of agriculture, where members had allegedly received incomplete salaries.
Beyond the salary and agreement implementation disputes, ASUU maintained its opposition to the National Education Repository Databank (NERD), insisting that unresolved questions surrounding its hosting arrangements and intellectual property rights must first be addressed.
The union also waded into the country’s political process, urging its members to participate actively in politics and approving the establishment of an ASUU Independent Monitoring Group.
The group, according to the union, will monitor and observe elections across the country.
Meanwhile, growing insecurity within university campuses also featured prominently in the NEC deliberations.
ASUU expressed concern over attacks and other security incidents that had claimed the lives of members, directing affected branches to engage the police and other relevant security agencies in pursuing justice for victims.
Branches were also mandated to document cases of insecurity and present comprehensive records to the union’s NEC for further action.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, with 61.54 per cent of candidates obtaining credits in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
The Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, Mr Amos Dangut, announced the results at a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday.
Mr Dangut said 1,200,514 candidates met the benchmark for admission to higher institutions, out of the 1,950,726 candidates who sat the examination nationwide, held between April 24 and June 19.
He said 102,708 examiners were engaged in the marking exercise held at 88 marking venues across the country between 2 July and 20 July.
“Today, I am happy to inform you that all the processes leading to the release of results have been completed. It is now my pleasure to announce the release of the results of candidates who sat the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2026 in Nigeria,” he said, directing candidates to the agency’s portal to access their results.
“UPDATE: 2026 WASSCE (SC) results have been released. Generate your PIN at waec.org and check your results now on waecdirect.org,” the examination body said, noting that candidates must obtain their Serial Number and PIN before they can check their results.
To generate the required credentials, candidates are expected to visit WAEC’s official website and select the “Serial Number and PIN” option at the top of the page.
They are then required to select the appropriate examination year and diet, enter their examination number and National Identification Number (NIN), and ensure that the NIN provided is the same one used during registration for the examination.
Candidates must also provide their email address and phone number to receive a One-Time Password (OTP).
After entering the OTP, candidates can recover their Serial Number and PIN, which they can subsequently use to check their results through WAEC Direct.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Over 200 senior students of Cleggs Girls High School, Surulere, Lagos, were on July 23, 2026, engaged in practical knowledge about the risks associated with smoking, vaping, and shisha.
This engagement was made possible through a collaboration between Breathe Life Foundation and Teach Nigeria Fellow.
Participants were students aged 15–19 years. They were also informed about the misconception that shisha is a safer alternative to cigarettes or other substances.
Through an engaging and interactive discussion, students explored the influence of peer pressure and learned practical strategies for making healthier, more informed lifestyle choices.
They also gained a better understanding of common environmental triggers of asthma and other respiratory conditions, including cigarette smoke, generator fumes, bush burning, mosquito coil smoke, candles, charcoal, and firewood.
The session highlighted an important reality: young people may not always recognise how seemingly routine lifestyle choices and environmental exposures can gradually affect their respiratory health, quality of life, and long-term wellbeing.
For Breathe Life Foundation, this reinforces the importance of shifting the conversation from treatment to prevention through awareness and education.
By equipping young people with the knowledge to identify risks and make healthier choices early, the foundation is helping to build a generation that is more conscious of – and better prepared to protect – its respiratory health.
The organisation said it is dedicated to advancing respiratory health, an often-neglected public health priority. Healthy lungs are essential to life, yet respiratory diseases remain among the world’s leading causes of death and disability, even though many are preventable and treatable.
