THE 2015/2016 ACADEMIC SESSION IN RETROSPECT: AN OVERVIEW BY THE CRAWFORD STUDENTS PRESS CLUB.

Crawford University has just vacated for the 2015/2016 session recently. This was after the conclusion of the Harmattan semester’s examination which rounded up proceedings for the session. The examinations began on the 13th of June and ended on 25th June. As a result, the Crawford Students Press Club has conducted an overview into the just-concluded academic session, placing focus on the key area of the university community as a whole in terms of development and School management.

The 2015/2016 session witnessed a lot of events, new developmental beginnings for the University as a whole. It was the first year of the university’s current Vice Chancellor Prof. Rotimi Ajayi Isaac (who was appointed in September 2015 after the tenure expiration of the former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samson Ayanlaja). Prof Ajayi’s first year can be described as a phenomenal one where He embarked on major developmental projects in the school. As disclosed by him in the first meeting he had with the Press Club of the school in December 2015, His administration would be focused on a Students-Based Scheme.

True to his words, His administration can best be described as one which placed primary focus on students. His first year administration is one that prioritized academic and moral sanctity in students. Evidently, this was seen in the manner that the school dealt with the menace of social vices which was on a surge in the school. The Vice chancellor left no stone untouched in his stride to eradicate the evil of moral decadence in the students. This nevertheless was successful as there was a considerate level of students’ compliance to rules and regulations of the school. It was therefore safe to assert that the efforts of the Vice Chancellor and his administrative members have proved successful in this past session. Also, Examination results improved significantly. Yes, the academic performances of students increased positively.

In Crawford University, this past session was the one which certain "FIRSTS" were actualized in the history of the school. There was the Games competition which had the attendance of the Vice Chancellor at the final match for the "FIRST" time. In fact, the Vice Chancellor kicked off the final football match of the Departmental Competition. The Final Match which was played between GEMSSA and NACOSS was eventually won by NACOSS who defeated GEMSSA by 2 goals to 1.

Also, there was the establishment of The Students Chapel in the university. The establishment of the Chapel was like a dream come true to most of the students because they have been wishing that a Chapel be built for them. The Crawford University Student Chapel is definitely the first of its kind in the history of the University. Students formerly have been holding their Sunday worship service in the auditorium of the Apostolic Faith Church (which was in the university premises); but since the establishment of the Chapel in the University, students subsequently have their Sunday and Wednesday Worship service and Bible study respectively in the Chapel.

It is indeed a great achievement by the administration of the Vice Chancellor in his first year tenure in the school and the students are happy with the development.

Entrepreneurship as a practice amongst students in the university improved greatly in this past session. Formerly, it was not a usual thing to see student photographers, student talent groups and other social activities as prominent as it was experienced last session in the school.

Photography and Photoshoot Sessions became part of the students’ social-cum-enterpreneurial activities; different student-photographers sprung up from within the school and Just like that…… It became a medium of social interaction.
Photographers like Aderopo-Afolabi, Olafimihan, The-Novocaine, Bami and Tamara-Doubrah were active photographers in the university. They covered Social events, Association meetings, Seminars and definitely; it wasn’t for free. Dance was reignited into the students’ vibes through a Group known as TALIXIRS. They practically resuscitated the culture of dancing in the social lives of the university students

The practice of Arts as a type of Entrepreneurial Vocation was also recorded in the university during this past session. A 300 Level student of Geology, Moshopefoluwa Agbeyangi became notable as an Artist after displaying her drawing talent at different social and talent events. She drew portraits of people and as expected, they usually are beautiful and it became a means of entrepreneurship for her and through this rare display of talent, She became a well known artist in the school.

Some of her works include portraits of the Vice Chancellor of Crawford University, Prof Rotimi Ajayi, the Dean of Students Affairs, Dr. Onyekwere Bartholomew and Olafimihan the Photographer. Definitely, the 2015/2016 session is a blessing to her in terms of her drawing talent.

Regarding Campus Journalism in the university, 2015/2016 session was perhaps, the year to be remembered for projecting the Press Club back to relevance in the university community. The Press Club in the university was birthed as “The Crawford Students Press Club” (CSPC) and is the university’s only authorized, recognized and institutionalized Association that is responsible for Campus Journalism.

Founded by the current Matron, Mrs. Bola Okunlaja (Mummy Food), the Club popularly known as CSPC has metamorphosed from being a small group of students to being the major face/force of the university in terms of Information gathering and dissemination within the university environment and also beyond the university walls. The members of the club have on different occasions, been privileged to embark on different academic excursions for the purpose of training and proffesional exposure to the dynamic world of Journalism as a practice in the society.

Led by its then President, Victoria Ugbor, the CSPC had in the past academic session,been responsible for the covering and reportage of academic events, social events,  School programs like seminars, symposiums, meetings etc. Also, CSPC covered the 2015 Convocation ceremony of Crawford University as well as the 2016 Matriculation ceremony of the institution.

Furthermore, the Interdepartmental Games Competition which was held in the Rain semester was covered by the Press Club as well as the Harmattan semester’s LA-LIGA FOOTBALL COMPETITION. Other events covered and reported by CSPC include Departmental Dinner Nights, SINGATHORN 2015, Departmental Christmas CAROL nights, Awards Night, UNICORN Week, Departmental Elections and not forgetting to mention the Inaugural Sunday Service of the Students Chapel. Definitely, the Crawford Students Press Club has tremendously performed well in the 2015/2016 session. Hopefully, next session the good work would be continued this time, under the leadership of ADEOYE DANIEL-the newly appointed President

 In other aspects of phenomenal achievements recorded in the university, there was a tremendous improvement in water system, health services and the security system of the school. The Catering department of the school improved their service delivery and the overall students’ welfare was improved also in terms of quality service delivery by the school management.

There was a wide commendation from the students regarding the School Management's efforts in overall improvement. This was made known during a random interview conducted by the Reporter across all levels and departments.

For Jay, a 100 Level student, “The school has changed…from the lecturers, students and even down to the school surrounding. For the lecturer and students unlike before, they now attach great importance to their corporate dress code which is a good thing if you ask me. Students now wear their respective ID cards compulsorily as against what was obtainable before. The Chapel is a thing of joy to the students. We no longer have to go to the church for Sunday service again. We have our chapel and it is a good thing for me. Also there is a new change as regards the mode of identification of major partsbof the school. There are sign boards indicating certain pivotal places in the school like the hostel, admin building, cafeteria, multimulti-purpose hall and the rest. It is a good thing and also, the use of a questionnaire by the school management in getting feedback from the students shows improvement and it is great for the overall development of the University”.

A 300 L student Tee, also commended the school management. She said “This past 2015/2016 session has been satisfactory for me, most especially the establishment of the school Chapel”. On what her expectations were for the 2016/2017 session, she said "I am looking forward to the completion of the sports complex. The social life has been improved to an extent, but it won't be bad if it is further improved".

For Esther a 200 Level student,the school should work on its academic calendar and try to structure it in a way that would be accommodating for both the lecturers and students collectively. According to her, “The Harmattan semester was a very fast one; it was just for 3-4 months. There was not enough time to do a lot of things, so I think that the school should work more on the number of months in both semesters: Something like 5months in each (September to January and February to June). The quality of electricity and water supply increased significantly. More activities, new ones especially from my department NAPSS!!!

Well; Crawford University has improved and developed significantly and this is just the beginning……that’s the FACT

 Report Credited to

ADEOYE DANIEL BOLUWATIFE

President, Crawford University Press Club.

IG: @bolu_Daniels

Twitter: Bolu_Daniels