Oba Odugade with High Chiefs Lekan Balogun and Saliu Adetunji
GBENRO ADESINA/IBADAN
Crisis looms in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State as its governor, Abiola Ajimobi, is on a collision course with the 101 -year old Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade1, over his recent elevation of nine high chiefs without they undergoing medical screening to determine whether they are fit or not for the positions as directed by the governor.
The chiefs include former governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja who is at the Supreme Court challenging the victory of the governor at the last governorship election in the state as well as the chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Lekan Balogun, and Chief Saliu Adetunji. Others are: Chief Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, Chief Dr. Olufemi Olaifa, Chief Sir Eddy Oduoye Oyewole, Chief Tajudeen Abimbola Ajibola, Chief Biodun Kola Daisi, and Chief Solomon O. Adabale.
Crisis started when Olubadan wrote to inform the governor of his intention to elevate nine chiefs after the demise of High Chief Sulaimon...
Wole Soyinka presented Vodka and other gifts to Biodun Jeyifo while others watche in admiration
Tuesday January 5 2016, scholars, academics, family and friends of the renowned Harvard professor, literary critic, scholar and newspaper columnist, Professor Biodun Jeyifo, popularly called BJ gathered at the historic Arts Theatre of the University of Ibadan, UI, to honour and celebrate the icon who turned 70. The occasion was a public lecture organized by two literary icons: Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi and Professor Femi Osofisan. A professor of English, Dan Izevbaye, delivered a lecture titled “The Critic’s Calling,” under the chairmanship of the legendary Prof J.P. Clark-Bekederemo, with Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka and Chairman, Kakanfo Inn and Confeerence Centre, Ibadan, Dr Lekan Are, as Special Guests of Honour.
Others in attendance were: the UI Vice Chancellor, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka who led the principal officers of the institution including, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and Administration, Professor Gbemisola Oke and Professor Emilolorun Ayelari and other lecturers of the institution including former Dean of Faculty of Arts, Professor Remi Raji-Oyelade, Professor Ayotunde Ogunsiji, Professor Lekan Oyeleye,...
From left: Newly promoted Otun Olubadan; Dr. Lekan Balogun; President, Ibadan Elders’ Forum, Ambassador Olusola Sanu; and Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, during a truce meeting brokered by the IEF over the Olubadan chieftaincy promotion dispute, at Sanu’s residence, in Ibadan…on Tuesday.
GBENRO ADESINA/IBADAN
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has rescinded his decision to invoke the law to deal with the Ibadan Traditional institution if it fails to reverse the elevation of nine high chiefs to various traditional positions in the palace within 48 hours.
According to information gathered, the intervention of the Ibadan Elders’ Forum, EIF, on Tuesday, 5 January 2016 made the governor to take this decision.
According to a statement from the governor’s office, rising from a closed-door meeting held at the residence of the President of the IEF, Ambassador Olusola Sanu, Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; and the newly promoted Otun Olubadan, Dr. Lekan Balogun, said the disagreements had been resolved amicably.
From left: Newly promoted Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land, Dr. Lekan Balogun; President, Ibadan Elders’ Forum,...
Wole Soyinka presented vodka and other gifts to Biodun Jeyifo while others watch in admiration
Gbenro Adesina
Wole Soyinka presented vodka and other gifts to Biodun Jeyifo while others watch in admiration
Tuesday January 5 2016, scholars, academics, family and friends of the renowned Harvard professor, literary critic, scholar and newspaper columnist, Professor Biodun Jeyifo, popularly called BJ gathered at the historic Arts Theatre of the University of Ibadan, UI, to honour and celebrate the icon who turned 70.
The occasion was a public lecture organized by two literary icons: Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi and Professor Femi Osofisan. A professor of English, Dan Izevbaye, delivered a lecture titled “The Critic’s Calling,” under the chairmanship of the legendary Prof J.P. Clark-Bekederemo, with Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka and Chairman, Kakanfo Inn and Confeerence Centre, Ibadan, Dr Lekan Are, as Special Guests of Honour.
Others in attendance were: the UI Vice Chancellor, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka who led the principal officers of the institution including, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and Administration, Professor Gbemisola Oke and Professor Emilolorun Ayelari and other lecturers of the institution including...
A man alleged to be a member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) identified as Toyin Omotosho alias Akere was arrested around 3:00 p.m. at ward 6, unit 8 located at Owode street, Osogbo on allegation of ballot snatching. Some residents of the area said that he was a former councilor at Olorunda Local Government. He was also identified as a notorious person. Also, security operatives arrested another four men from another units in the state capital and whisked them away. As at the time of filing this report, PM NEWS gathered that five men have been arrested in Osogbo. Eye witnesses said that while voting was ongoing, Toyin just came from nowhere and grapped one of the two ballot boxes already loaded with thumb printed ballot papers and took to his heel. People around monitoring their votes pursued him until he dropped it. He was later caught by men of Civil Defence and whisked away. people are voting The incidence resulted into apprehension as electorate became scared. A senior officer of the Civil Defence was seen going round and appealing to those that were yet...
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Thursday arraigned 12 former officials of the Oyo State Local Government Pensions Board before Justice Bolaji Yusuf of the Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, western Nigeria.
They were charged with diverting N1.7 billion pension fund.
The former officials who were arraigned on 231 counts are: Executive Secretary of the board, Mrs. Muili Hakeem Aderemi; treasurer, Iyabo Giwa; cashier, Adeshina Jimoh Ayoade; internal auditor, Oguntayo Banji; and admin officer, Adebiyi Olasunbo.
Others are Adewale Kekinde, Olujimi Adebayo, Kareem Rashidi, Johnson Bosede, Adeduntan Johnson, Adeleke Kudirat Iyabo, and Muili Adedamola.
As at the time of filing this report, the counts were still being read to the accused. However, they all pleaded not guilty to all the counts that had been read to them.
The court was filled to capacity with pensioners. Most of the pensioners that could not enter the court room sat on grass outside the crowded court room, discussing the issue.
Some pensioners who spoke to P.M.NEWS said that the alleged fraud perpetrated by the accused persons has caused them grievous problems, saying...
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) today arraigned 12 officials of the Oyo State Local Government Pension Board before Justice Bolaji Yusuf of the Oyo State High Court, Ring Road Ibadan, western Nigeria.
The officials who were arraigned on 231 counts were: the former Executive Secretary of the board, Mrs. Muili Hakeem Aderemi, former treasurer, Iyabo Giwa, former cashier, Adeshina Jimoh Ayoade, former internal auditor, Oguntayo Banji, former admin officer, Adebiyi Olasunbo, Adewale Kekinde, Olujimi Adebayo, Kareem Rashidi, Johnson Bosede, Adeduntan Johnson, Adeleke Kudirat Iyabo, and Muili Adedamola.
All the accused pleaded not guilty.
In the dock: the 12 suspects charged with pension theft in Ibadan
The court was filled to the brim with the pensioners. Most of the pensioners that could not enter the court room sat on the grass outside the courtroom, while many others huddled together in discussions.
I regret abandoning my degree programme for Daily Times job –Odukomaiya
November 2, 2013
I regret abandoning my degree programme for Daily Times job –Odukomaiya
NOVEMBER 2, 2013 BY ADEOLA BALOGUN AND ’NONYE BEN-NWANKWO LEAVE A COMMENT
Prince Henry Odukomaiya
Former Managing Director of ChampionNewspapers, Prince Henry Odukomaiya, tells Adeola Balogun and ’Nonye Ben-Nwankwo about his days working in Daily Times and his relationship with his late boss, MKO Abiola
What have you been doing since you retired?
I might not say I am a good Christian, only God would say so. But I am a good church goer. For the past 16 years, I was serving my church as the chairman of the publication committee. In that capacity, we were publishing a magazine twice a year. I took it as my ministry because it seemed the church knew what I needed. When I retired from Champion Newspapers, I was 60 and I was quite young. Even now, I can still carry myself around as you can see. I will be 80 in July next year. So you can imagine how I was 19 years ago. When I was appointed the chairman of that committee, I saw an opportunity to practise what I knew best. So I did that...
Notable Nigerians today in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State showered encomiums on Chief Afe Bablola, (SAN) a legal icon and founder of Afe Babalola University, (ABUA) situated at Ado-Ekiti, capital of Ekiti State describing him as an epitome of excellence.
It was at the event marking the 50th anniversary of Babalola’s legal practice in Nigeria.
All for Afe: from left, chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Aare Afe Babalola and his wife, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Segun Mimiko and ex-governor of Ekiti Segun Oni
Those who rained the encomium on the legal luminary include: former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, his Ekiti and Ondo States counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Olusegun Mimiko, traditional rulers and others.
The occasion featured the formal inauguration of Emmanuel Chambers, the corporate headquarters of Afe Babalola’s law firm and a lecture delivered by former Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Emmanuel Ayoola at the Bar Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
President Goodluck Jonathan was also represented at the ceremony by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice,...
A quality control mechanism, controlled by tutors-general, is put in place to ensure adherence to envisaged standards
•Obisesan (PS)
Bunmi Obisesan, Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of Osun Central Education District, is justifiably upbeat about the education system in the State of Osun. Under his watch and that of his other two colleagues, Kola Buari, Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of Osun-East Education District, and Adisa Olabamiji, Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of Osun-West Education District, the re-invention of the education sector in line with the state government’s radical and comprehensive policy has taken shape.
The teething problems that come with instituting such profound reforms are being competently addressed. As tutors-general, the trio hit the ground running after being appointed in September 2012. Their mandate to effectively monitor the teaching and learning process in the public schools has so far been accomplished through having their feet on the ground.
According to Obisesan, the state has employed over 6,000 teachers for the public schools. The tutors-generals have been carrying out their functions in the three divisions, assisted by records on teaching and learning. During regular visitations to the schools, the tutors-generals demand for these records and...
Critics are finally admitting that the school reforms system of the Aregbesola administration has potential for enormous benefits
Over the last few weeks, the State of Osun has been among the headlines, on account of the febrile debates that have developed around Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s educational reforms. So fevered were the debates that they gave an impression that the state was inches away from combustion.
•Governor Rauf Aregbesola
Parties involved, propelled by the always toxic combination of politics, religion and self-interest, studiously avoided considering the merits of the reforms as well as the fact the government had advertised its intention to conduct a reconstructive surgery on the sector since 2011.
Back then, Aregbesola, who assumed office in November 2010, discovered that the education sector in the state was gravely diseased and required the attention of intensive care specialists. Osun, it was discovered, was miles behind other states in the southwest geo-political zone in the percentage of secondary school pupils that recorded credit passes in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun explains to General Editor, ADEMOLA ADEGBAMIGBE, Associate Editor, BAMIDELE JOHNSON and SEUN BISUGA, the motive behind the angst to his education reform policy
To what would you attribute the serious uproar to your government’s education reforms?
•Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola
There is no serious uproar. The total number of public schools in Osun is 3,000, if you count primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools separately. There were protests from only three schools out of the 3,000. How could one, therefore, describe resistance to a government policy from three of 3,000 schools as serious protest? Let’s even leave out the number of schools. If there is protest in three of 3,000 schools and the number of students in those schools, prior to our reforms and with our reforms, is at best 2,000 each and even add other schools adversely affected by our reforms from where there had not been any protest or resistance up till now, the total number of students that could be said to have grudges will be between 6,000 and 10,000. Let’s take the...
The crisis in the newly formed All Progressive Party (APC) in Oyo State has taken a new dimension as some major stakeholders in the party condemned Governor Abiola Ajimobi for highhandedness and hijacking of the party for selfish interest.
The group who made this condemnation after a crucial meeting at the Felele residence of late Alhaji Lam Adesina, former leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) also berated Ajimobi for implementing his policies and projects without human face.
It said members would resist any attempt by the party to foist a governorship candidate for 2015 poll that does not emerge democratically.
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi
The group accused Governor Ajimobi of running his government alone, accusing him of abandoning ‘those that worked for his success in 2011 governorship election’.
The group consists of late Lam loyalists known as Lamists, and chieftains of the defunct CPC and ANPP.
Among the personalities in attendance were the governorship candidates of the defunct CPC and ANPP, Alhaji Shittu Adebayo and Wale Murphy, their chairmen, Alhaji Abideen Oladimeji and Alhaji Rasaq Folounso, former Oyo State...
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the western Nigerian state of Oyo has commiserated with the royal family of Ile-Ife and the entire civil service in Nigeria on the demise of Princess Tejumade Alakija.
Governor Ajimobi made this known in a release issued and signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo.
PM NEWS gathered that the death of the princess and technocrat who died today at 88 at University College Hospital (UCH) was confirmed by her younger brother, Mr Adelowo Aderemi.
Ajimobi noted that Nigeria as a country had lost an icon and a matriarch who was one of those who moulded the Nigerian civil service, especially the Oyo State civil service, to the height it occupied.
Alakija was the first female Head of Service in the Old Oyo State and daughter of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi.
The governor said that the state which Mrs. Alakija served and its entire civil service would miss the woman whom he described as the matriarch of the civil service in Oyo State urging the royal family of Ile-Ife not to...
Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi this afternoon dissolved the executive council of the state. Source close to the governor said that the governor kept the decision to his chest as he never showed any sign of relieving his aides of their jobs.
Affected were the commissioners, advisers and assistants.
Disclosing this in a statement, the Director, Cabinet, Mr. Dotun Omokemi stated that the decision was made after the weekly executive council meeting held today.
Governor Ajimobi was quoted to have said that the development was aimed at injecting fresh blood into the administration in the quest to serve the state better.
The governor thanked the commissioners and Special Advisers who made up the executive council for their contributions so far and asked them to immediately hand over to the Permanent Secretaries in their respective ministries.
P.M.NEWS however learnt that there is a possibility of returning some of the aides whose the governor still found useful to him.
The list of the cabinet dissolved today:
Hon. Taiwo Otegbeye Hon. Commissioner for Information & Orientation
Hon. Dapo Lam-Adesina Hon. Commissioner for Youth & Sports
Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Education in the State of Osun, Chief Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, speaks with FUNSHO BALOGUN, GBENRO ADESINA and FOLA ADEMOSU on the new education policy in the state
What was the state of education in the state before you had the education summit?
When we came in, what we met on ground was beyond redemption. We knew the situation was very bad but we never dreamt that it was that bad. While we were campaigning, we made promises to our people; we have our manifesto which contains six-point action plans which we intended to use for the development of the state. We promised we would banish hunger, unemployment, poverty, provide functional education, provide for communal peace and restore healthy living.
To provide functional education, a few of us went round to assess the state of education in the state before we even promised them functional education. What we met on ground was a total decadence in terms of infrastructure, abysmal performance of students, unmotivated workforce. Students and teachers were always absent from the class because of poor motivation. Most of our...
Amidst tears and wailings, and despite the tragedy that befell the family as a result of a plane crash yesterday, the immediate past Governor of the western Nigerian state of Ondo, Dr. Olusegun Agagu was today buried exactly at 3:50pm beside his late father at his home town, Iju Odo in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo state.
Althout, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State was absent at the ceremony, some of his executive members graced the occasion.
The body of the late governor who died on 13 September in Lagos arrived his town at about 1:45pm.
The late Agagu
Agagu’s casket inside the church
As the body arrived the town in a convoy, people trooped out en masse and held a possession from the entrance of the town to St. Paul Anglican Church in the town where the funeral service was held.
Among the dignitaries in attendance was the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy captain Caleb Olubolade, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan.
Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) has condemned the attitude of the Federal Government towards the strike action embarked upon by the universities teachers saying that if the government has not defaulted in the implementation of the agreement reached and signed with the union, there would not have been a strike action.
ASUU Chairman, University of Ibadan Chapter, (UI) in an exclusive interview said, “It is unfortunate the situation we have found ourselves in this country. When we started this strike action, we felt we are dealing with a responsible and responsive government. We felt this is a government that would want to do that which is the yearning of the people. We felt this is a government that will see the need to quickly address issues that have led us to the strike. It is a pity that we have been talking to deaf and dumb government. This is the fourth month and this government is not yielding to the wishes of Nigerians which is to fund public universities appropriately.”
He continued, “It is not a nice story that Nigeria’s universities...
Across Nigeria today, the Federal Government completed the final burial rites for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, handing over to private investors some of the companies unbundled from the company, derided by Nigerians for its inefficiency in not being able to supply electricity to them.
In Abuja, Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo (L), handed over Abuja Distribution Company to the Chairman of the new core investor, Kann Consortium Utility Company Ltd, Alhaji Shehu Malami.
West Power and Gas Limited took over the biggest of the distribution companies, Eko Distribution Company at a ceremony im Marina, Lagos.
The handing over was done by Minister of Industry and Commerce, Olusegun Aganga. He represented the Vice President Namadi Sambo, who chairs the National Privatisation Council.
power minister, Professor Nebo hands over Abuja DISCO to Shehu Malami
Ikeja Distribution Company went to NEDC/KEPCO Consortium, Jos Distribution Company (Aura Energy Limited), Kano Distribution Company (Sahelian Power SPV Ltd), and Yola distribution Company (Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Ltd).
The Generation Companies also handed over today are Shiroro (North-South Power Company), Kainji (Mainstream Energy Solutions...
Three persons were today feared dead and two policemen injured in a bloody clash involving policemen and some people at the popular Oje Market in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State.
The crisis started today when the police attempted to disperse hoodlums that were allegedly extorting money from motorists.
Information revealed that the hoodlums were attempting to destroy the vehicles of the motorists that refused to pay them.
However, in the process of shooting to disperse the hoodlums, a police stray bullet hit a motorcyclist popularly called, ‘Olokada’ and he died immediately.
This made the people of the area to organize a protest.
They blocked the road and made bonfire on the road grounding vehicular movement.
The police sent reinforcement to the area, but this was to lead to more tragedy.
When the police officers failed to persuade the enraged people to end their protests, and shot in the air, stray bullets again hit two civilians.
The condition of the latter was not known by press time.
The mob in reaction, also injured two policemen who are currently receiving treatments at undisclosed...
Ace comic actor, Hafiz Oyetoro spoke with GBENRO ADESINA about the challenges he faced before his breakthrough
Hafeez Oyetoro a.k.a Saka
How far have you gone with your Ph.D programme at the University of Ibadan (UI)?
I am still on it. This is my second year. I am currently doing some field work. I hope to round off the field work by the end of this year. Afterwards, I will start writing.
How are you combining it with your tight schedule?
Everybody knows what he wants in life. You have to create time to do all the things you want to do and that is why everyone must be good in managing his or her time. Definitely, scale of preference will come in. No one has time to combine many necessary and important things but one has to create time to achieve one’s dream.
You did an advert for Etisalat and all of a sudden, you switched over to MTN. Why did you switch from Etisalat to MTN?
I will not want to say anything about that for now. Please, do not let us...
Life has been challenging for 31-year old Islamic cleric, Yekini Akeem, an SS-2 Student of Itabo Community High School, Itabo, Lanlate, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria. This is because he is attending secondary school at that age and he has two wives and seven children.
•Yekini Akeem
In a chat with P.M.NEWS, Alfa, as he is popularly referred to by his colleagues, said one of the greatest challenges facing him has been the difficulty of interacting with his classmates who are far younger than him.
Some of them, he claimed, heap lots of insults on him daily because of his age and they know that back home he has two wives and seven children.
Alfa said: “I disregard every insult because I know what I want. Often, I serve punishment together with my classmates even when it is receiving strokes of the cane.”
Yekini blamed the delay in his secondary education on an illness that affected his father in 1995 when he was preparing for his Junior Secondary School Certificate exam, JSCE. This later...
Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, wife of Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, who celebrated her 50th birthday last week, speaks with GBENRO ADESINA on how God has been good to her and other issues affecting women in Nigeria
How do you feel at 50? I feel happy, blessed, lucky, grateful and full of praises to God Almighty.
How has the journey of 50 years been? The journey has been what you expect of life – full of ups and downs, challenges, triumphs, travails, successes. Looking back, I thank God that I have had more cause to rejoice in my life than to cry. I give God glory for that.
Could you shed more light on the ups and downs of life that you just mentioned? I am very grateful that I was born into a loving and caring family. My father, the late Pa Emmanuel Akinola Adeleye, was the best father anyone could ever have and my mother, Mrs. Olufunke Emily Adeleye, who is still alive, is also a wonderful mother. I was born in England. At that time, my father was a student and...
Dame Abimbola Fashola unveils one of the books. Governor Fayemi and his wife stand on the right
GBENRO ADESINA/ADO-EKITI
Notable people in and outside Nigeria today gathered at Ado-Ekiti, capital of Ekiti State to shower encomiums on Erelu Bisi, the wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi as she presented two books she authored to the public to celebrate her golden jubilee.
The books are: Speaking Above a Whisper and Speaking for Myself.
Among those who showered encomium on her were: 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Ms. Leymah Gbowee from Liberia, Professor Abena Busia from Ghana, Professor Bolanle Awe, Mrs. Florence, wife of Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, former Ekiti State Governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Secretary to the State Government, SSG in Nasarawa State, Mrs. Zainab Talatu Abdulmumin, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Omirin Adewale Albert and Chief of Staff in Ekiti State, Yemi Adaramodu.
In about five minutes talk, Senator Tinubu said that she did not know Erelu Fayemi in person but know her through her work appealing to the people of Ekiti to...
Governor Abiola Ajimobi assisted by Sharafadeen Alli, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi and Mr. Adebayo Jimoh all of Odu’a to unveiling a plaque to inaugurate Heritage and Cocoa Malls constructed by Odu'a Investment.
GBENRO ADESINA/IBADAN
The Odua Investment Conglomerate in western Nigeria, today commissioned N3b Heritage and Cocoa malls in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State , with Governor Abiola Ajimobi promising to provide conducive environment that will attract both local and foreign investors.
The Heritage mall solely financed by Odu’a Investment cost N2 billion and the Cocoa mall cost N1 billion.
In his speech,Governor Ajimobi said that his administration has created the environment of peace as against what he met before taking over the mantle of leadership stressing that his administration would make Oyo state business and leisure friendly for the citizens and investors.
He stated that his administration has embarked on massive infrastructure development and beautification of the environment to allow investors to invest in the state.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi assisted by Sharafadeen Alli, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi and Mr. Adebayo Jimoh all of Odu’a to unveiling a plaque to inaugurate Heritage and Cocoa Malls constructed...
At the University of Ibadan, the strike action by by Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, which began Monday 1 July has generated some bad blood between ASUU and some sections of the university, with breaches being committed.
For instance, ASUU was at loggerheads with the Faculty of Law for organizing examination for their final year students in order to ensure that they do not miss going to Law School this year.
The examination which took place at Dominican Institute, Samonda area of Ibadan, outside the university campus was said to have been invigilated by some of the parents of the graduating students.
It was alleged that the faculty took the step because some of the candidates were said to be children of some deans in the university and prominent Nigerians, including Senator Iyiola Omisore. Getting wind of what was believed to have been an illegal examination, the magazine learnt that ASUU members went to the venue to challenge the conduct of the examination but were harassed and assaulted.
To prevent a breakdown of law and order, the ASUU members left with...
For various reasons, several youths in Oyo State terminate their own lives
The increasing frequency of suicides in Oyo has become a source of worry to all and sundry. In recent times, the state has recorded a number of suicides by hanging, most especially, by youths. Between April and now, six cases of suicide by young people were reported at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan. Three of the victims were between the ages of 12 and 18.
In Agugu area of Ibadan, the state capital, a 40-year-old deaf and dumb man identified as Yemi, at around 9pm on Friday 20 September, hanged himself in the passage of his residence situated at Anisere Compound on Ogunmola Street. According to his mother, Yemi, who left a child named Lekan, was an unsuccessful barber. Yemi ensured that everyone had slept before hanging himself.
“I don’t know why he committed suicide because he didn’t leave a suicide note; maybe because he could not read and write. He didn’t have a wife, apart from his former wife who left him about 12 years ago,...
University undergraduates find ways of coping with an unending strike
Sporting a white hijab and a headscarf, Obabiyi Aishah Ajibola was over the moon, as she knelt down, shed tears of joy and recited the Koran with glee. The 21-year-old undergraduate of the University of Lagos had just been announced winner of the World Muslim beauty pageant at a shopping mall in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 18 September. Ajibola, who attributed her stroke of luck to “Almighty Allah”, was impassioned, not just because of her new high profile and the 25 million rupiah ($2,200) prize money she had just received, but mainly because she was able to participate in that beauty pageant. That Nigerian universities were closed as a result of the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASSU, made that possible.
• Aishah: Winner, Miss Muslim World
Olawale Ayodele Ojo, a 25-year-old 400 level Agronomy student at Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and winner of season six of MTN Project Fame, hinged his success on God’s grace. He said it was because ASUU was on strike that...
Chief Michael Ponle, chairman, MicCom Cables and Wires Limited and MicCom Golf Resort, Ada, Osun State, speaks with GBENRO ADESINA, FUNSHO BALOGUN and FOLA ADEMOSU about the education reforms in the state
What is your assessment of the new education policy in the State of Osun?
•Chief Michael Ponle
I don’t believe that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has a hidden agenda as far as his education policy is concerned. I also hold the view that he is a gentleman. First, he doesn’t believe in pitching one religion against the other or giving one priority over the other. He is not a radical Muslim but a born-again Muslim just as his deputy, who is a born-again Christian. It is a misconception that Aregbesola wants to make Islam to supersede Christianity. That is not true. The religious fanatics on both sides may take an illiterate view of what is happening in education as a religious matter but it is far from that. Education might not have anything to do with what you believe. These days, I have seen children of a bishop becoming Muslims. I have seen the...
A university don exposes challenges faced by Sickle Cell disease sufferers
When Olayinka Abimbola Egbokhare, a lecturer at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, UI, wrote what was to be her first novel, Dazzling Mirage, in 1991, she hardly guessed it would bring her fame several years later. The novel caught the attention of Tunde Kelani, a foremost Nigerian cinematographer, who has turned it into a movie which would be premiered soon. Beyond that, it is now a prescribed reading text in secondary and tertiary institutions, with the publishers battling to meet the high local and international demand.
The author, who described the turning of the novel into a movie as a humble experience that has encouraged her creative writing, promised to publish more novels and poems, adding that she would translate Dazzling Mirage into other languages to extend its global appeal. The novel primarily showcases the travails of sufferers of Sickle Cell Anaemia, often referred to as SS, in a society that attaches stigma to it. “It is a narrative about the adoptive daughter of the Adebayos. It is a story...
