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It was a normal Saturday afternoon until loud noises were heard from Blocks G and H flags of Moremi hall of residence, OAU. At around 11:55 am, there was a gas explosion on the 1st floor of block H. According to findings, the timely intervention of the porters curbed the spread of the fire. One student, who would like to remain anonymous, said, "The girl was just cooking in the kitchenette at the back of the room. The next thing I heard was 'gboa' and I saw fire. I was literally afraid, but thank God for the timely intervention of one of the porters." When asked where she was when the event happened, she replied, "I was washing my clothes downstairs by the tap, and I even poured my soapy water on it until the fire was quenched." The girl who was cooking was seen running around frantically. When asked what exactly happened, she replied, "My gas is new, I think it's the head that has a problem. Thank God for our Moremi porter w...

In an announcement that has sparked excitement among sports enthusiasts and academics alike, the organizers of the West African University Games have released a detailed schedule for the upcoming event, set to commence on Monday, December 18. The comprehensive schedule is now available in the official event magazine, promising four days of intense and thrilling competition. The Games, renowned for showcasing the athletic prowess of university students across West Africa, will kick off with a dynamic array of track and field events. On Day 1, spectators can look forward to an exhilarating mix of athletics, featuring both track and field events for men and women, along with a captivating mixed relay race comprising two men and two women from each university. The rules permit each university to field up to two athletes per individual event and one team for each relay, setting the stage for a fierce but friendly contest. Day 2 shifts the spotlight to the dynamic wor...

If having two accidents in a day, or multiple ones in weeks, isn't a cause for concern, then I don't know what is. Obafemi Awolowo University, with its many bus stops and roads, is facing an increase in dangerous road incidents. Recently, a terrible hit-and-run accident on Road 1 resulted in the loss of Chisom Nwakwo, a final-year Agricultural Economics student. This incident highlights a critical problem: the absence of surveillance cameras and traffic wardens on campus. Despite efforts like improved street lighting, speed bumps, and clearer zebra crossings, OAU still lacks cameras on its roads and doesn't have enough traffic wardens. These tools are essential not just for managing traffic but for ensuring justice. When accidents happen, like today's tragic event where a student was killed and a motorcyclist severely injured, there’s no way to find out exactly what happened or hold anyone accountable. Traffic wardens are scarce and mostly seen only during b...

Following his defeat in the Kogi State gubernatorial election, Dino Melaye, a prominent political figure, has chosen not to pursue legal action. Instead, he expressed his sentiments on Twitter, directing a cryptic biblical message towards the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Yakubu Mahmud. Melaye's tweet, referencing a biblical verse, stated, "It is appointed for man to die once, after which judgment, Mahmud Yakubu take note...." This tweet is the latest in a series of criticisms directed at Yakubu Mahmud, who has faced accusations of malpractice since the presidential elections. The clause "go to court," often associated with these allegations, has become a slogan among Mahmud's supporters and critics. Melaye's tweet adds to the growing discontent and scrutiny surrounding the INEC Chairman's handling of the electoral processes. Mahmud's tenure as INEC Chairman has been marked by various allegatio...

During the 47th Convocation ceremony of the university on Saturday, Vice Chancellor Prof. Simeon Bamire called for federal government intervention in the university's electricity project. He emphasized that such support is crucial for the completion of the project, which is essential for addressing the challenges of arbitrary electricity charges and ensuring a reliable power supply. Prof. Bamire highlighted the critical role of constant electricity in addressing various challenges faced by the university, including meeting civic responsibilities and providing necessary resources for teaching and research. He pointed out that the lack of adequate funding has led to a significant hindrance in the university's development, as they are forced to allocate substantial funds to cover the increasing costs of electricity. The Vice Chancellor made a passionate appeal to the federal government, urging them to take an active part in the electricity project. He stressed that gov...

It was supposed to be a beautiful Sunday morning, but not until the Moremi inhabitants were awoken from their sleep. Sunday, the 3rd of December 2023, is a day that Moremi Hall will not be quick to forget.   Recently, there have been reports of men invading hostels and attempting to steal. It took a different turn today as there was an attempted rape by a yet-identified man.   At exactly 5:15am, the screams from the middle blocks E and F threw Moremi residents into serious confusion. This scream came from Room E 203.   According to the findings, the roommate of the lady had stepped out of the room after feeling the urge to pee. She will like to be simply called Anu. In her words, "I wanted to pee, and so I left my roommate praying. We were only two, and she was awake when I was leaving; that's why I did not bother to inform her." However, the lady who was almost raped will like to remain anonymous for now. When told to recount the story, she burst into tears a...

  Adedoyin Oguntade  The Division of Student Affairs at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has issued a statement regarding the recent security breaches in Moremi Hall. The management has been informed, and efforts are underway to understand the causes and implement preventative measures. The Division urges students to maintain their usual vigilance and reassures them to continue their daily routines without fear. In a conversation with the Moremi Hall Chairperson via WhatsApp, an OAU correspondent asked some vital questions.   At what point in time did the hall warden and porters become aware of this recent act that has occurred quite a number of times? " For every incident, they become aware only when we raise an alarm. This is usually between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m ."   What has always been their response to it? " To be honest, they’ve been on top of it. In response to previous incidences, the porters had heightened their vigilance, the Division of Student Aff...

2024 Budget: Seven Percent of N27.5 Trillion Allocated To Education, Below UNESCO Benchmark, Senator Cries  Adedoyin Oguntade  In a recent Senate session on December 1, during the second reading of the 2024 Appropriation Bill, several lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro, voiced their concerns about the current allocations for education. Representing Benue South, Senator Moro criticized the inadequacy of educational provisions in the bill, citing a clear gap in meeting the demands for improved funding in Nigeria’s education sector. The focal point of Senator Moro's criticism was the 7% allocation for education proposed by the Tinubu administration, which he noted is significantly less than the 26% recommended by UNESCO. This benchmark is part of UNESCO’s global standards for education funding, aimed at enhancing educational infrastructure and quality. Senator Moro highlighted the ongoing discontent from the Academic Staff Union of Universit...

MOREMI HALL: A Tale of Night Stories: When Will It End? In the quiet corridors of Moremi Hall, a disturbing series of events has shaken the residents, raising questions about security and the unknown intentions of an elusive intruder.   It all started two weeks ago when the inhabitants of Moremi Hall were awoken to the cry of a lady, "Ole! Ole! (the Yoruba name for thief). At exactly 5:00 am, a guy who was wearing a mask was seen darting across the corridors. He was said to have stolen phones, and while he tried to escape, he was seen by some ladies who raised the alarm.   An eyewitness who will like to remain anonymous said he ran out of the kitchen and jumped down from the second floor to the ground. He sustained minor injuries, and to reduce the chase, he let go of the phones, which he had put in black nylon.   The Moremi residents were able to recover their phones, but he escaped through a gutter, and no one knows where he went. The porters were informed i...