Udus News Updates

01/04/2024

Reflecting on My LL.B Law Degree Journey at UDUS

I am delighted to inform you that I have successfully collected my notification of results from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and I graduated with a second-class upper degree. The reason I am writing this is to serve as motivation for the current undergraduate students still on campus to acquire skills that are related or not related to their course of studies so that they can prepare for life after school. Join that impactful club, take up that leadership position, break that procrastination, and try not to go to school solely to acquire a certificate only, but also to gain skills. Follow me as I take you through the journey of my undergraduate experience in this article.

One of the best decisions I made was the choice to study at UDUS and join PEN PRESS UDUS. When I gained admission to the university to study Law, I was thrilled because I believed it was an opportunity for me to pursue my dream course after completing my diploma in Law at Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies.

During my 100-Level days, I focused laboriously on my academics, and during that same period, I decided to start writing when I came across a beautiful article written by a member of PEN PRESS UDUS. In 200-Level, I began actively participating in campus journalism. During that time, while my classmates were in class studying, I would be busy searching for story ideas or articles to write. Even when preparing for tests, I would still write. Despite my full engagement in that academic session, I achieved my best result during that 200 level. During that year, I wrote a couple of stories for The Nation.

My first problem arose when I started writing articles to draw the attention of the management to the difficulties facing students and graduates of UDUS, holding the school authority, students’ union, and even fellow students accountable. One of my reports published in The Nation which detailed the delays in the notification of results and the mobilization of graduates, got me into trouble and led me to face the school disciplinary committee. At that time, I feared two things: being rusticated from the university and tampering with my results.

In 300-Level, I resolved to ensure that my full engagement in campus journalism didn't affect my academics and to ensure that even if my results were tampered with because of my publications, I could boldly request my exam scripts. I extended my reading schedule from 8 PM to 12 AM to 3:00 AM, allocated time to write and edit the stories I was writing for The Nation, reduced my social life on campus, and stopped watching movies just to adapt to the new challenges ahead. In 100-Level and 200-Level, I don't read beyond 12 AM, but due to the new challenge and the new leadership position I took over and my full engagement in writing for The Nation Nigeria, and attending meetings, I extended my reading schedule.

Apart from writing impactful stories on campus, I also dedicated my time to enlightening UDUS applicants on how to easily get admission into UDUS for free. I wrote innumerable articles on getting admission easily, and the registration process, offered advice on academics, and wrote articles on different aspects of admission, accommodation in UDUS, advice for new students, Sokoto harsh weather, and examinations, among others. I also used to speak with the management on their behalf to obtain information and even served as a mentors for some of them. The reason I took it up was that when I was applying for admission, I didn't have access to reliable information online, prompting me to start enlightening the aspirants. I did it for those who just graduated, those studying four-year courses, students presently in 400L and 300L, and I stopped when I got to 500-Level. The selfless impact I have made cannot be overemphasised. I remember when I started, I used to receive over 100 messages simultaneously from UDUS aspirants asking different questions from me and I devoted my time to give response to their inquiries. and while some of them have graduated now, some are in their final year, and some are in their penultimate year.

My fourth year was the most difficult because I was writing for media organizations outside campus, serving as editor-in-chief of PEN PRESS UDUS, serving as the Secretary of the National Association of Campus Journalists UDUS, and organizing weekly training for campus journalists in PEN PRESS and NACJ. This involved leading the editorial team, writing editorials for our three-day interval on-board publication and online publication, editing the works of writers, and providing personal mentorship for students to train the next generation of campus journalists together with attending lectures and reading for tests and exams. I am happy that the campus journalists we trained are conserving the legacy we left behind for them.

During that academic session, burglars burgled my room and made away with my property, textbooks, ID cards, and other valuable items, which negatively affected my studies. In this academic session, I received the best editor award on campus from NACJ, JOA's best editor award for PEN PRESS, and the PEN PRESS, where I served as editor-in-chief, received the best press outfit award on campus. Despite these challenges, I still maintained my class of degree.

In my 500-Level, I considered relocating to rent a house off-campus, but I decided to stay in the school hostel to allow me to focus more on my studies, stay back in class until 3 AM without fear of being attacked, and enjoy the freelancing I am doing. Despite this, I still engaged well in moot trials from 100-Level till the first semester of 400-Level. I served as the leading counsel two times representing Prof. ML Ahmadu in the Inter-Chamber competition. When the burden became too much for me, I left some other clubs like the Poetry Club, Student for Liberty, and other associations.

During this period, I received numerous journalism opportunities. I received numerous awards, both local, national, and international awards, participated in multiple journalism fellowships, freelanced for local and international media, received grants, and many other opportunities that prepared me well for life after campus.

Graduating with a second-class upper, which is the highest class degree anyone could get since the inception of the faculty, despite all these challenges, is an achievement I do not take for granted, and I thank the Almighty Allah for giving me the strength to juggle both. Although there is an unverified statement that one person once graduated with first class, it is unconfirmed.

I give thanks to Almighty Allah for allowing me to graduate successfully from UDUS. I appreciate my parents for their support and prayers, and I appreciate all my lecturers for imparting their knowledge to us. I appreciate all my friends, colleagues, and my school family, the PEN family, staff advisers, and those who have contributed positively to my growth and development while pursuing this degree. I truly appreciate you.

Onto the next agenda, which is Law school.

Abdulrasheed Hammad
31/March/2024

28/01/2023

29/08/2021

Dressing Ethics In Danfodiyo Varsity

By Abdulrasheed Hammad, a 400-Level student of Law

As the newly admitted students of UDUS are set to start their registration tomorrow, It is necessary for me to enlighten them on the rules and regulations guiding the dressing code on campus since most of them are yet to have access to the handbook that will guide them on how to dress.

The reason I am writing this piece of write-up is to let you know that you may be sent out of the confirmation hall to go and dress properly before you will be given your confirmation letter. I could remember vividly in 2019 when I went to the confirmation hall to balance the story I was working on then, I saw one newly admitted student who was told by those issuing confirmation to go and shave his dreadlocked hair before he can be issued the confirmation letter.

All the newly admitted students of UDUS' must know how to dress in accordance with the dressing code laid down by the management of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. The mode of dressing that will not contravene the rules and regulations laid down by the University management.

As the saying goes ´´the way you dress is the same way you will be addressed because the UDUS is known for awarding her certificate based on character and learning. Some rules are laid down to guide how to dress on campus and if a student contravenes any of these rules it may lead to punishment ranging from a warning to rustication.

However, it is a bitter truth that a reasonable human being is supposed to know the dress that can cause a problem in the society and to dress decently costs nothing, most especially ladies are to be more cautious because if they dress seductively then the opposite s*x may harass them and the securities will equally disgrace them. Even though you are in University but that doesn't mean you are licensed to do whatever you feel passionate about.

As for the Christian brethren, you don't need to use Hijab before you can dress decently, but the most important thing is to avoid clothes that will expose your body or call the attention of your opposite s*x.

Furthermore, It is fundamental for students to abstain from unacceptable hairstyles, the University security personnel may not hesitate to deal with any students found with dreadlocked hair.

Below are some of the rules laid down by the University management as stated in the students' handbook ;

"Nudity and the following forms of indecent appearance are not allowed in any of the University campuses (main campus, city campus, and UDUTH)

Wearing of any dress that exposes the chest, unbuttoned or half-buttoned shirts

Use of tight/ feature-exposing or transparent dresses, sleeveless short blouses, heavy makeups, and excessive use of jewelry.

Use of worm out or sliced trousers/ skirts, T-shirts with provocative messages, sagging, and wearing of short skirts at academic functions. In addition, female students are not allowed to wear shorts outside the hostels.

Wearing of earrings and necklaces or perming and weaving of hair by male students.

Wearing of dark glasses during lectures is prohibited (except on medical grounds).

Students should always appear neat and tidy contravention of any of the above attracts appropriate punishments, ranging from a warning to rustication"

All these above are the rules that guide our dressing code in this University and every student must abide by it. If you want to be a good student, you should abide by all these rules, dress decently and appear neat always.

As a newly admitted student, don't try to inculcate the habit of dressing indecently through bad influences from friends and colleagues, try to be a good ambassador to your parents and the school.

Abdulrasheed Hammad is the Editor-in-Chief, Pen Press UDUS. He can be reached through this number: 08083638703.

28/08/2021

Open Letter to All the Newly Admitted Students of UDUS

By Abdulrasheed Hammad, a 400-Level student of Law

Dear Freshers,

I want to use this medium to congratulate you - the newly admitted students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto; Those that have been admitted to study their preferred courses and those that the management altered their desired courses alike. Trust me, it is neither by your power nor wit, but by the ultimate design of the almighty. There were thousands of applicants outside there that sought for admission like you, but you are favoured to be one of the admitted ones.

You should have it in mind that as a student of this prestigious University, UDUS is not a playground. It will already be clear to you from the school's motto - an Arabic word 'Iqra' which literally translates to 'Read', that as students of UDUS your only concern is to read. Reading is the only way and path that is very crucial to follow to achieve your aims and objectives as a new student.

In your first year in UDUS, there will be a lot of distractions that may cost you your academic success if careful attention is not paid to the books. You will meet new people, a new environment and many more seemingly new things. The first thing is that you should carefully study the character and behavior of the person you will choose as a friend. This is because many students' failures are tied to the negative influence of friends. As a beautiful girl and cute boy, do not let your good looks overwhelm you nor allow the opposite s*x to distract your attention from your academic life.

Let your academic life be maybe 80 percent of your entire being and 20 percent for social life, because as they say, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Utilize your time wisely and attend lectures regularly and punctual too, because 75 percent attendance is one of the management's requirements before you can sit for any examination.

Furthermore, ensure you find a senior from your faculty or department, a 200 or 300 level student who has proven to be emulate-worthy. Seek advice from him or her in any problem you encounter, and ask for his or her experience on how he/she pulled through in his/her 1st year.

Ask about the different lecturers, their rules, and regulations. Consult the seniors when you have a problem with a particular course or course. Request for tutorials and bring such between you and coursemates so that you will share knowledge between your colleagues and learn from one another. This is one of the foremost important things you should keep in mind in other to be successful academically.

As a newly admitted student, your academics should be your priority but try all your possible best to engage in extra-curricular activities such as campus journalism, politics, sport, and different activities on campus to have an additional skill to your certificate. But if you know you cannot juggle your academics with extra-curricular activities, kindly stay away from it and face your primary assignment which is your academics.

Night reading and TDB (Till Day Break) has become the custom of most UDUS students, still, do not imitate any of your colleagues. Firstly, ensure you study yourself and confirm if you are a fast learner or not. That would determine the number of hours you require to study. If you know you are not capable to read at night, do not force yourself, find a conducive time that will be convenient for you then study like no man's business.

UDUS is known to award certificates based on character and learning, UDUS has the rules and regulations guiding the conduct of students on campus. Therefore, you have to know how to dress on campus without contravening the rules and regulations of the school on dressing code. Avoid wearing clothes that will expose your body or a bad haircut. The reason I am advising you on this is to prevent you from being harassed by the securities or even send you out of the confirmation hall to go and dress corporately before issuing a confirmation letter for you.

The school management of UDUS has zero-tolerance to examination malpractice and any student caught engaging in examination malpractice shall be withdrawn from the school with impelling alacrity. Study the rules and guidelines on examination and read them carefully to be successful in your academic endeavor.

Most students perform woefully in their first year in school as a result of ignorance. They lack orientation. I implore you to study the University and the faculty's handbook for a better understanding of the University's modus operandi in other to conduct yourself with the rules and regulations, guiding the school and the faculty.

Similarly, know the type of friend you will relate with on campus, if you follow the students who always smoke w**d at the time other students are receiving lectures, it would surely have a negative impact in your life, so, know the type of friend you will associate with on campus.

Finally, freshers or as we call it 'Jambitos', I advise you to study hard and avoid distractions. Do not let your social life supersedes your academic life. Marry your book so that you can give birth to success. Ensure you comply with the rules of the university such as the 'Dress code' and the rules and regulations guiding the conduct of examinations in UDUS. Most importantly, know how to calculate your CGPA to know whether you have performed well or woefully in your examinations.

May Allah subhanahu watahala make your stay in UDUS a very rewarding one. May God guide you and assist you through your academic span. Once again, I say congratulations and welcome to the most peaceful university in Nigeria.


Abdulrasheed Hammad is the Editor-in-Chief, Pen Press UDUS. He can be reached through this number: 08083638703 or mail: [email protected]

15/08/2021

BREAKING: UDUS Releases Admission for 2020/2021 Applicants

14/08/2021

BREAKING: UDUS Releases Registration Guidelines for the Newly Admitted Students

13/08/2021

Accommodation in UDUS: Everything You Need to Know as a New Student

Abdulrasheed Hammed, a 300-Level Law student, writes

The main essence of writing this piece of write-up is to enlighten the newly admitted students on accommodation in Danfodiyo varsity, even though, I have written this article in previous years and this is the new edition of what I have written on accommodation in UDUS.

The inadequacy of the hall of residence in Usmanu Danfodiyo university is alarming, as the university hostel cannot accommodate all the students. Like other federal universities, securing a hostel in UDUS is a privilege and not a right. UDUS hostel is affordable for average students; that is the reason the majority of the students preferred hostel to any other place.

The university prioritises accommodation of students based on first-come-first-served, physically challenged students, students' union executives, foreign students, fresh students, final year students, outstanding sportsmen and women and followed by other students respectively.

The newly admitted students cannot apply for hostel until when they collect their confirmation letter. The partition of hostels to freshers is based on first come first served, which means if you can collect your confirmation letter on time and apply for hostel without delay, you may be considered before those that applied lately.

First of all, as a newly admitted student, there are two options for you if you need accommodation in UDUS, it is either you live on campus or off-campus. If you have the intention to live on campus, you have a choice to either live in a school hostel or private owned hostel inside the school village. It is however be noted that either living on-campus or off-campus, there are a lot of advantages and disadvantages therein and it will be thoroughly discussed in the subsequent paragraphs.

There are some houses on the UDUS campus owned by private individuals, those houses are not affordable for average students because the lowest amount of those houses ranges N35,000, N50,000 N70,000, and N80,000 per room. Although, those rooms are not spacious enough. If you are not capable to afford all these houses, you can find two or three students, that you know very well and know their behaviors so that you can contribute the money within yourselves to rent the house.

One of the benefits of living in private owned hostel is that you will have full privacy and your property would be secured from theft to some extent, and most of the houses are near to the school. In my own opinion, the shortcomings in living in those villages are more than its benefit because the students who are living in those villages are not enjoying social amenities such as stable electricity and sufficient water, the reason behind it is that students living in those houses are battling with the scarcity of water in the in their hall of residence.

The lack of these social amenities in private owned hostels has affected some students academically, this is because they would have to be in the queue before they get water and some used to come to the school hostels to bathe, wash their clothes, and iron them.

Even though there are disadvantages in living in a school hostel but its advantages are more than its disadvantages. If you have the intention to live in a school hostel, I will advise you to be extraordinarily vigilant and try all your possible best to protect your property from theft, this is because we have different types of people living in the hostel, some used to steal clothes, phone, foodstuff, and other necessary things.

Some students wouldn't even flush the toilet after usage, the ‘Yaro Boys' and ‘Yarinya Girls' living in the school villages also used to enter school hostel and if you are not vigilant enough, your property may be carted away.

The advantage of living in a school hostel is that you will enjoy social amenities such as adequate power supply, adequate water supply, and other things which will make the hostel conducive for living for the students. Similarly, you will have the opportunity to read your book at any time since the hostel is near to the lecture room.

There are disadvantages in living off-campus more than its advantage, one of the advantages is that you will have full privacy without disturbance, and your property will be secured from theft.

One of the disadvantages of living off-campus is the issue of transport fare, as a student, you may wake up early in the morning without having a penny with you, and you have lectures in school, you may find it difficult to come to the school due to the dearth of transport fare. You may not even enjoy social amenities despite paying a huge amount of money.

The worst part of it is that most of the houses in town don't have where to fetch water, you would always buy water to bathe, cook and purchase pure water to drink. So, if you are not buoyant enough financially, don't try to live off-campus.

Furthermore, you may have an 8:00 lecture in the morning, you have to be in class before 8 if you get to the bus stop, you have to be in the queue before you can get a bus that would convey you to the school, this may hinder you from attending lectures regularly. If you are living off-campus, you may not have the opportunity to read well compare to those who are living in school. Some students who are living off-campus used to squat at the hostel during the period of examination to enjoy their reading.

The inadequacy of hostels in the school results in overpopulation in the hostel, whereby a room of eight-bed spaces will be occupied by almost 15 students or more, the reason is that a legal occupant may bring squatter and the squatter will also bring another squatter.

As a new student if you have the intention of living in the hostel, be very vigilant and protect your property from stealing. A lot of cases such as stealing of phones, clothes, laptops, bags, foodstuff to mention but few have become a recurring decimal in students' hostel and that is the reason you have to be vigilant and protect your property very well.

On a final note, as a newly admitted student, you can only have access to apply for school hostel after you collect your confirmation letter, The ball is in your court you can dribble it the way you want, you will be the one to decide the house that will be comfortable for you whether living on-campus or off-campus.

For more enquiries kindly call or message this number on WhatsApp 08083638703.

Abdulrasheed Hammad is a 300-Level student of Law and Editor-in-Chief, Pen Press UDUS, the best press outfit in the soil of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

13/08/2021

What You Need to Know About Screening Exercise in UDUS

By Abdulrasheed Hammad, a 300-Level student of Law

The Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto UTME' 2020/2021 applicants have been bombarding me with several questions on how the UDUS' conducts her screening exercise and the procedures for the issuance of the confirmation letter to the newly admitted students.

This is the main reason I decided to pen down this piece of write-up to enlighten you— the newly admitted students on a screening exercise to reduce the stress you may go through during the screening. If you want to know the procedure for your registration, calm down and read this piece of a write-up from the beginning till the end.

Some applicants have been given admission on the Central Admission Processing System (JAMB CAPS), and they are expected to get all their credentials before the screening exercise commences on August 30 to get it ready before the school releases her admission on the school portal on 16th of this month.

As you have been given admission on JAMB CAPS, you need to print your JAMB admission letter and your original JAMB result because both are among the prerequisites for the screening exercise in UDUS.

The school will release her admission hopefully on August 16, if your name is shortlisted among the successful applicants, you need to proceed to the payment of acceptance and screening fees which is the sum of #10,000, this would allow you to print the school evidence of admission and evidence of payment and both documents would be needed during the screening in UDUS.

In the previous paragraphs, I have stated four documents that are necessary for the issuance of a confirmation letter which are the JAMB original result, JAMB admission letter, evidence of school admission, and evidence of acceptance fees payment.

However, after getting these documents, you are expected to create a student account on the school portal before you go for screening. Similarly, you must upload all the necessary and correct credentials while creating your account and you have to be very careful while uploading your results and details to avoid unwarranted mistakes.

Your original O-level result, letter of an indigenous certificate from local government i.e your citizenship certificate, your birth certificate or declaration of age, and your statement of the result must be tendered during the screening and before you are issued a confirmation letter. In addition to that, you need at least 10 photograph passports to complete your registration.

If you know the name on your JAMB result is different from the name on your O-level result or the date of birth on your O-level result or JAMB result is slightly different from the date on your certificate of birth, what you are expected to do is to go and do affidavit in court for the correction of name or date of birth and you must present it during the screening.

However, you need to stay away from seeking the help of online swindlers who are parading themselves as Registrar or Admission Officer of UDUS' on social media. All information on admission to UDUS' will be posted on the school website and the social media pages of media outlets on campus.

As for the applicants that are yet to be offered admission, I advise you to be optimistic and stay glued to your CAPS' because more lists would be released soon and this uploading of admission is in a gradual process, that is the main reason you have to be patient and I pray that you will be admitted soon.

Finally, my advice for the newly admitted students is to behave well, dress well, and conduct themselves while coming for screening, because UDUS awards her certificate based on character and learning and you have to be very careful to avoid being embarrassed in the confirmation hall. A word is enough for the wise.

For more enquiries kindly call or message this number on WhatsApp 08083638703.

Abdulrasheed Hammad is a 300-Level student of Law and editor-in-chief, Pen Press UDUS, the best press outfit in the soil of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

11/08/2021

Breaking: UDUS set to release admission lists on 16th of August 2021, fixes 30th August for the commencement of registration for new students