Blessing Okagbare ends Nigeria's Medals draught in Moscow 2013

On Sunday the 11th of August 2013 Blessing Okagbure  brought to an end to Nigeria's 14 years participation in the World Athletics competition without winning a Single medal in the Long Jump event

Blessing Okagbare who won the silver medal of the women’s long jump with 6.99m thanked God for using her to end the long wait.

The Delta State-born athlete narrowly lost the gold to American Britney Reese who jumped 7.01m to add the IAAF World Championship silverware to the gold she won at the London Olympic Games last year.

“I feel very happy to have been used by God to end our (Nigeria) long wait for a World Championships medal. Today, I stayed focused on my jumps and was determined to take something back home from this competition,” gushed the African record holder in the 100m.

The 6.99m that fetched Okagbare the precious silver came from her second jump after opening her campaign with a 6.89m that was equally good enough to get her the second position. Reese’s first jump was a poor 6.50m but followed up with the 7.01m. Three of her last four attempts were no-jumps.

We Hope before the competition ends that more of our Athletes will do us Proud by winning more medals in the other events remaining

ASUU Strike: Students Lock down Lagos

With the unending strike by ASUU that has seemed to have no end in sight, students trooped out yesterday in a peaceful protest asking for an end to the strike so they can return back to school.
People present at  the Protests told Campus Bridge Magazine that "the placard carrying students barricaded Ikorodu Road at Onipan area bemoaning their fate as they have been compelled to, yet again, sit at home due to the strike actions embarked upon by the lecturers".
The protest has however, brought traffic on the ever busy Ikorodu road to a halt as the students danced and played football in the middle of the highway.
Are you affected by the Strike? Leave a comment on what you are going through and what you have been doing to occupy yourself  since the strike started.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: Govt can’t pay N92b ASUU request

THERE seems to be no way out of the teachers’ strike that has crippled the universities.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is pushing for, among others, better pay, but Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela said yesterday that the Federal Government has no resources to meet the union’s demands.
The strike is five weeks old. Mrs Okonjo-Iwela said the lecturers were asking for N92 billion in extra allowances, but maintained that the government has no such cash.
Speaking in Minna at the yearly National Council on Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED) with the theme: “Restructuring Nigeria’s Finances”, the minister said the ASUU demand was coming when government was making efforts at reducing the structure of public expenditures.
Her words: “At present, ASUU wants the government to pay N92bn in extra allowances when resources are not there and when we are working to integrate past increases in pensions. We need to make choices in this country as we are getting to the stage where recurrent expenditures take the bulk of our resources and people get paid but can do no work.”
If the demands of the university lecturers are met and “we continue to pay them salaries and allowances, we will not be able to provide infrastructure in the universities”, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said.
The minister argued that when she assumed office, “the share of recurrent expenditure in our total budgets had increased astronomically”.
“In fact, recurrent expenditures accounted for about 77.2 per cent of the federal budget and we are now working to re-balance this ratio,” She said.
Maintaining that Nigeria is still suffering from the effect of the 2010 increase in salaries, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala asked “if we want to get to a stage in this country that all the money we earn is used to pay salaries and allowances?”
She lamented also that Nigeria’s over dependence on oil has resulted in deterioration of non-oil tax, noting that in 1970 non-oil taxes accounted for 74 per cent of the country’s revenues, but by 2012 it had declined to only 30% of Federal Government revenues.
“Many states and local governments are also dependent on monthly revenue allocation from the central government. On average, only 11 per cent of sub-national revenue was obtained from internally generated sources.”
She said the volume of external and internal debts of the country had been increasing. “In fact in August 2006 when I left office, we had a total of $17.3bn, comprised $3.5bn in foreign debt and $13.8bn in domestic debt.
The minister went on: “By 2011 when I returned to office, the total debt stood at $47.9bn and the domestic debt had grown to about $42.3bn’.
The minister, however, said the Federal Government had taken measures to revamp the economy, adding that these measures had started yielding fruitful dividends in direct capital investment in the country and in establishment of industries and agro-based firms.
Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, represented by his deputy, Ahmed Ibeto, asked the Federal Government to plug all the areas of wastages in the oil sector of the economy and check pipeline vandalisation across the country.
Aliyu suggested that Nigeria should put more emphasis on the non-oil sector, particular agriculture, now that many countries have discovered and are now refining oil.
The Federal Government Committee on the needs assessment report in Nigerian Universities yesterday reached an agreement with representatives of ASUU on the decaying infrastructure in universities. This follows the adoption the Technical Committee’s report.
The Committee chaired by Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam which rose from a long meeting at the Benue Governor’s lodge Asokoro, Abuja, last night said it had reached an agreement with ASUU to deploy N100 billion for provision of infrastructure on the campuses of 61 universities covered in the needs assessment report earlier carried out by a committee of the Federal Government.
Based on the agreement therefore, the only matter in contention is the issue of the earned allowances which Governor Suswam assured would be dealt with on Monday. since the Federal Government has made substantial offer to the striking lecturers.

The Technical Committee chaired by Dr Banfa, a nominee of ASUU had proposed in it’s report that the N100billion be shared to all the 61Federal and state universities for intervention in the areas of rehabilitation and construction of lecture theaters and lecture halls; renovation and construction of libraries and laboratories and rehabilitation and construction of hostels.
According to Dr Banfa, the 61 universities were categorised into four based on the size of students enrollment.
Suswam said President Goodluck Jonathan had agreed to flag off the construction of projects under the N100billion stimulus package in a University to be selected to symbolise the commencement of construction work in all the universities. He said the new projects to be undertaken would be standardized such that all the Universities will enjoy similar facilities in terms of the new projects.
“I am confident that very soon the students will resume. As a leader in this country, I am worried about the strike, Mr President is absolutely worried and everybody is concerned that the students should not stay at home more than necessary” he stressed.
The Implementation Committee meeting was attended by the Ministers of Education, Labour and Productivity, and other education funding agencies of the Federal Government including the Central Bank of Nigeria, NNPC, PTDF, NITDA, NCC, TetFund among others as well as the President of ASUU.
(Culled from the Nation online as written by Jide Orintunsin, Minna and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja)

ASUU; How Long before the strike ends?

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) since the 1st of July 2012 embarked on strike to protest the non implementation of the over non implementation of the 2009 agreement reached with Federal Government and the students who have been at home for the while have been wondering when the strike is going to end. Rumors and counter rumors on when the strike will end yet the students remain at home. Below we have some of the demands of the Union

ASUU Demands
The nine point agreement the government entered into with ASUU include funding requirement for the revitalisation of Nigerian universities,  Federal government’s assistance to state universities; establishment of NUPEMCO, and progressive increase in annual budgetary allocation to the education sector to 26 per cent between 2009 and 2020. Other component of the agreement include payment of earned allowances, amendment to the pension/ retirement age of academics non-professional cadre from 65 to 70 years and reinstatement of prematurely dissolved governing council.
As it is popularly said, when two elephants fight, the grass suffers. While the face-off between the federal government and ASUU has continued, the students have been bearing the brunt of it all. The Labour Minister, Emeka Wogu, speaking on the ongoing strike, appealed to ASUU to end the strike, as the agreement is practically impossible for any administration to implement.
According to him, “we have made offer to ASUU. It is as complex as presented but negotiation is ongoing. The national assembly is equally involved. I inherited an agreement signed by the Federal government with ASUU and that agreement is practically impossible for any administration to implement; we are still discussing with them.”

At Campus bridge we hope ASUU and the Federal Government reach a favorable agreement that will see the students return back to their Campuses again, but we would like you to share with us what you have been doing with your time during this strike and any word you would like to get across to ASUU or the Federal Government. Please your comments...  

GET A PASS- MOE LAUNCH PARTY (photogallery)

www.campusbridgeonline.com

www.campusbridgeonline.com
This is a platform created to bridge the gap for a Nigerian online youth platform, with a mission to be the link to bring youths and students in different tertiary institutions together with key interest in Nigerians all over the world. Give the youths a chance to network, connect and keep abreast with happening in different campuses around them.
The vision born in the Federal University of Technology Minna with a miniature mission of bridging the curriculum and co-curriculum within the four walls of the institution to being a publication geared to network universities polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria together by activating events in the various institutions and give the youths a chance to earn while they learn to coming to the fact of how the internet has helped in a long way in the Globalisation and networking of the earth, with unlimited constant access to information and to people in different towns, cities and even continents. This has seen to companies like Google, Facebook, and Twitter amongst a load of others taking over.
Campus Bridge Online is a Proudly Nigerian online community for a youths who are in tertiary institutions such as polytechnics, Universities, colleges of Education and Monotechnics, also open to individuals, adults or children who want to be abreast of happenings within that circle. So if you are a youth or a youth at heart, get on board now and be among the first to build the layout for Nigeria’s Premier online community.
How to join
Type www.campusbridgeonline.com into your url address bar or click on the link to directly to the home page of Campus Bridge Online
Click the link below to take you to the home page:
http://campusbridgeonline.com/
The home page consists of the “About Campus bridge” page link as well as link to the community page which starts with a brief sign up form
http://campusbridgeonline.com/index.php?option=com_community&view=frontpage&Itemid=94
once the form is completed, u are officially a certified citizen of naija’s campus community u an access other members profiles, make friends, join groups and network with other youths within the community.
CAMPUS BRIDGE PRODUCTS:
CAMPUS MODELS;
http://campusbridgeonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=65&Itemid=79
CLICKING the link above will take you to the campus models page which has details of what the campus models package consists of, for youths interested in becoming student models should click on the sign up link below;
http://campusbridgeonline.com/index.php?option=com_jforms&view=form&id=1&Itemid=90
Complete the sign up form upload your pictures and you are on the part to becoming one of the worlds greatest models.
CORPORATE BODIES:
Place your adverts on www.campusbridgeonline.com and take your brand to the youth market, build loyal brand ambassadors.
Our events are also an avenue for you to create sales, shoot up profits for the year.
So whether you a salesman, manufacturer, bank, with a product/message for the leaders of tomorrow take advantage of the CAMPUS BRIDGE NETWORK TODAY
For more details call: +2348169625590 or email campusbridgemagazine@gmail.com

THE CAMPUS BRIDGE MAGAZINE DREAM

Campus Bridge magazine is a dream of the Standard Compus Bridge Ltd that entails having a monthly publication targeted at the youth population in tertiary institutions, bridging curriculum and the co-curriculum, the campus community and the external community, different campuses and lecturers and students. A major objective to eliminate information gaps around this environment, and encouraging youth activeness and participation in; order to discourage peered pressured activities, by organising events around the various campus communities to occupy these students and the kind of events include: shows, parties, seminars, workshops and holiday camp meetings. At the same time create initiatives that will help these students earn some money to aid those who might have financial shortcomings discouraging them from involving in prostitution, cultism or armed robbery. These initiatives include:
1.Compus Models- a modelling package for students who believe they have what it takes to make it in the growing entertainment industry around the world, with their academics in mind all they need to do is register and their own profile page will be established. The package has been tailored in such a way that their education is not disturbed.
2. Ambitions Foundation- this is a student mentoring initiative aimed at building the confidence of the student with ideas and dreams that it is possible, by linking them with mentors in their various fields and conducting empowerment seminars across their communities and introducing them to financial opportunities.
3. Utility: Holiday work schemes that will help students get both menial and lucrative jobs during their holidays to help them earn money.
The MAGAZINE
Campus Bridge magazine majors in the following:
-Lifestyle
-Entertainment
-Academia
-Personalities
-empowerment
-Inter University Gist/ issues
-Cartoons
-events
We have columns with names and focus as:
Generation Z- the youth community aimed at encouraging students to be themselves and be who they want to be.
What’s Hot with DJ Chascolee? - A column with Dj Chascolee, where he keeps the students abreast on events that are making the rounds in the entertainment industry.
Freaks Den- A column on different laws and theories in various fields of education, here theories of both lecturers and students will be published
Temple of Rock- Targeted at Promoting rock music
Life & times of Val D Drunk - A comical character of Campus Bridge Magazine, aimed at encouraging responsible drinking and discouraging drug abuse and many more.
Up & COMING- to make the students aware of new acts in the music industry, and what they have to offer.
BEING A GOOD MODEL – to educate student models on ethics and guidelines that will help them achieve their targets in the fast growing entertainment industry such as casting tips and many more
ON AIR: keep students abreast with programmes that are making waves on different TV Frequencies (stations) and radio stations.
CAMPUS BRIDGE EVENTS
SHOWS: comedy
Musical
Raves
Artist Awareness/ Publicity tours
Fashion
Awards
SEMINAR: Empowerment
Financial
Training workshops
Academic
COMPETITIONS: Writing/ Reading
Quizzes
Talent hunts
Sports
Pageants
TOURS: to carnivals
-to tourist attractions
- Academically inspired tours
- Outside Nigeria
FAIRS: giving organisations an opportunity to take their products to the yearning student population.

CAMPUS BRIDGE BUSINESS LIASONS
CORPORATE ORGANISATIONS
Firms can make the students aware of their products or services that might targeted at them by placing advert in the magazine, sponsoring one of the coming Campus Bridge Magazine Events or participating in one of the Campus Bridge fairs.
AUTHORS
A lot of writers have the opportunity of reaching these students with their books and other published materials by placing adverts in the magazine or participating in any of our fairs.
MUSIC PRODUCERS
Campus Bridge has the capacity to organise publicity tours and shows around these Campuses for their artists, at the same time get the materials of their artists to the campuses such as CDs through our student members and kiosks soon to be designated in various Campuses. Also an advert channel for newly released albums
PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES
Campus Bridge is a good avenue for newly established tertiary institutions to enlighten the public on what they have to offer their prospective students through adverts.
GOVERNMENT
The Government can make the students aware of new policies, guidelines, and incentives that might be targeted at them.
ANTI CAMPUS BRIDGE ACTIVITIES
Cultism – Campus Bridge will not condone any cult involvements by any of its members and through our medium fight against it, though will accept any that has publicly renounced any cult involvement in order to encourage many to.
PIMPING or PROSTITUTION- Campus Bridge will not condone any of its officials pimping models or engaging in acts of prostitution.
SEXUAL HARRASMENT
Campus Bridge will fight any act of sexual harassment via legal means as we aim to empower these students not put them in positions that they are insecure or harassed.

THE CAMPUS BRIDGE NETWORK

We have a network of student members in the following institutions:
List of Schools (grouping)
1. University of Lagos, Akoka;
Yaba polytechnic;
Federal College of Education, Akoka

2. Lagos State University, Ojo;
College of Education, Ijanikin

3. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic;
Ogun State University Ago Iwoye

4. University of Ibadan;
Ibadan Polytechnic

5. Obafemi Awolowo University Ife;
Osun State University

6. Igbenedion University, Okada

7. University of Benin

8. Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma

9. Delta State University, Abraka;
Oko polytechnic;
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
10. University of Port Harcourt;
College of Arts and Science, Rumuola;
River State University of Technology

11. Imo State University Owerri;
Federal University of technology, Owerri

12. Abia State University, Uturu

13. Enugu State University of Technology;
University of Nigeria, Nsukka;
Institute of Management and Technology,
Enugu

14. Benue State University, Makurdi

15. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

16. University of Maiduguri

17. Federal University of Technology Minna;
Niger State University, Lapai

18. University of Abuja, Gwagalada

19. University of Jos;
Plateau State University

20. Bayero University, Kano


SUPPORT
Every penny put into the Campus Bridge Magazine dream either through Advert placement, Sponsorship, or in registering for one of our fairs, event or initiatives should be seen as one geared towards empowering our youths and re educating them to understand that financial independence is possible without them involving in dubious activities and we urge you to be a part of this dream full of rewards and you won’t regret it.