Category: South West

THE National Universities Commission (NUC) may have widened the horizon for Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, as it gave final nod for the Oyo State-owned institution to offer 13 new courses on full-time mode.

A letter from the NUC dated March 14, 2022, addressed to the Vice Chancellor and signed by Dr. Noel Biodun Salihu, Director of Academic Planning, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of NUC, conveyed the approval.

The letter explained that it followed the resource verification visit that was carried out recently by panels of experts to some proposed academic programmes in the university.

It added that the effective date for the commencement of the programmes is 2021/2022 academic session.

The letter listed the new undergraduate courses to include B. Tech Fisheries and Aquaculture, BLIS Library and Information Science, B.Sc Sociology, B. A. English Language and Literary Studies, B. Sc. Hospitality and Tourism Management and B.A. Philosophy.

The approval also included B. A. History; as well as B. Tech. Forest Resource Management and B. Tech Wildlife and Ecotourism Management.

Other courses whose establishment also got the nod of NUC included: B. Tech Consumer and Home Economics; B. Tech. Estate Management; B. Tech. Survey and Geoinformatics as well as B. Tech. Building.

Commenting on the development, the Acting Vice Chancellor, LAUTECH, Prof. Mojeed Liasu, said it was a welcome development and one calling for encomium to be showered on the owner-state under the able leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde and the Governing Council under Prof. Ayodeji Omole.

He said: “We do not intend to take this confidence for granted, we shall continue to play according to the laid down rules.”

Three permanent secretaries yesterday took oath of office.

They were sworn in during the Executive Committee (Exco) meeting at the Exco Chambers, State House, Alausa, Ikeja.

The permanent secretaries are Adetutu Ososanya, Oyinade Nathan-Marsh and Femi Oke-Osanyintolu. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu urged them to remain committed to serving the people diligently and competently.

Sanwo-Olu, who said their appointment was based on merit, advised them to see it as a call to service, and to show real leadership.

He said his administration would run a gender sensitive and inclusive government.

Ososanya, who spoke on behalf of her colleagues, thanked the governor for the privileged to serve, and promised that they would work in line with the THEMES Agenda and add value to the public service.

About 50 permanent secretaries have been appointed since Sanwo-Olu took over the mantle of leadership.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, yesterday urged licensed surveyors to support efforts to end the menace of land grabbing in the capital city.

The monarch spoke while hosting the Oyo State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Surveyors (NIS), during a congratulatory visit to his palace.

The visit coincided with the celebration of the Global Surveyors Day.

Balogun, who expressed delight at the visit, remarked that the coincidence of the visit with the important day in the calendar of surveyors globally, was significant and asked them to partner him and his advisory council (Olubadan-in-Council) to give Ibadan a new name and identity befitting a modern metropolis.

“We have resolved at the council level to find lasting solution to the menace of land grabbing in Ibadanland, which has become a negative identity of all of us Ibadan sons and daughters. We cannot do it alone; we want your partnership at the individual and corporate levels.

“As professionals, there is nothing pertaining to land purchase that can be done outside of you, hence, the need for you to be on the same page with us by ensuring that you are engaged only by people that have genuine land documents and solid family history,” the monarch said.

The NIS led by Lamidi Abiodun told the new Olubadan that the visit was to felicitate him on his coronation and enjoin him to give all the royal support, which the institute might need to practise in the city.

He said his administration was working to get rid of quacks in the profession, towards ensuring that the issue of land grabbing was addressed.

Abiodun noted that the institute was aware of the dent the quacks were putting on the profession, which they were not comfortable with.

He said: “As we are here, Kabiyesi, we have pursued some quackery-related cases to court, while some are in the offing. We are respectable and distinguished professionals, who are conscious of our integrity and the ethics of our profession, which we must guard jealously at all times.

“We are aware too that the quacks are encouraged by the patronage they receive from the public and we have been on air for some time now, sensitising the public on the danger inherent in their patronage and we are not relenting.”

All roads leading to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, were yesterday blocked by the protesting Ife indigenes, over the appointment of the new Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire.

There was vehicular obstruction, as all roads leading to the university such as Sabo, Lagere, Enuwa, Sabo and Mayfair were blocked.

Ife indigenes expressed their displeasure about the new appointment, saying an indigene of the ancient town could have been appointed instead.

They argued that it was unfair that none of their sons had been a substantive head of the institution since over 60 years of its establishment.

The protests broke out since March 17, when Bamire, a Professor of Agricultural Economics, was announced as the V-C by the institution’s Governing Council.

Bamire is an indigene of Oyan in Odo-Otin Local Government of Osun State, and was born on January 18, 1959.

He was the immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, under the former Vice Chancellor, Prof Bamitale Omole.

Speaking on the issue, the President, Ife Development Board (IDB), Mr. Lawrence Awowoyin, appealed to the Federal Government to intervene in the appointment of the new vice-chancellor.

Awowoyin said appointing another non-Ife indigene as the V-C was an unfair act against the ancient town and its adjourning communities.

“Ife has competent and qualified candidates that can be appointed for the post. So we Ife community are not agreeing with the announcement at all.’’

The IDB president said what happened during the appointment of Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan “is repeating itself in Obafemi Awolowo University.”

“It is an insult on us that after 61 years of OAU, they deemed it unfit to appoint or to elect any of our sons. We are not particular about Ife, Ipetumodu, Origbo, Modakeke, but anywhere in the land.

“So, what I believe is that the selection was manipulated, it’s not the actual performance of the candidates they use to choose the VC.’’

The protesters stormed Enuwa, Sabo, Lagere, Mayfair and stopped at campus gate, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “No Ife, No VC in OAU’’, “Ife candidate merits it’’, “Give us OAU VC’’, among others.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Chief Owelle Udoji, while announcing the new V-C at a news conference, said the council followed due process in the selection.

A statement yesterday by the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Abiodun Olarewaju, said some Ile-Ife indigenes, determined to forcefully install an Ile-Ife native as the new V-C, invaded the campus with charms and other fetish objects, having closed its two major gates, thereby preventing workers, students and other stakeholders from either coming into or leaving the university.

He said due processes were followed and merit was the basis for the appointment of the new vice chancellor.

“The university management implores the leadership of Ile- Ife to please call these protesters to order so that the cordial relationship, which has been in existence, between the university and Ile-Ife communities is not jeopardised,” Olarewaju said.

A member representing Omupo constituency at the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. (Barr.) Abdulganiyu Folabi Salahuddeen (AGF), has empowered 1000 households across the eight wards and five districts of his constituency.

The lawmaker at the empowerment programme, also showcased his developmental strides, economic emancipation and social empowerment achievement within the period of his stewardship which began in 2019.

In attendance at the event were dignitaries including traditional rulers, APC leaders, stakeholders and stalwarts from the 9th Assembly and the Kwara state executive arm.

In his remarks, Salahuddeen, noted that the empowerment programme was a fulfilment of public understanding and to bring together political friends and loved ones outside of his usual assistance rendered on a one-on-one basis.

He said: “What we are holding today is a grant empowerment, an opportunity to showcase all that we have done in terms of developmental strides, economic emancipation and social empowerment within the period of our stewardship which began in 2019.”

Salahuddeen, appreciated the State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Danladi Salihu and other members of the state ninth assembly, for their support.

Salahuddeen said: “Today’s empowerment that has been granted to these 1000 households, include agricultural inputs, social empowerment, artisans’ engagement, economic relief, employments, cash grants and infrastructural development millions of naira, such as motorcycles, deep freezers, welding machines, sewing machines, grinding machine, POS machine with takeoff grants, agricultural spraying machines, school bags and cash grants

“We have also identified the poorest of the poor within our community, to complement the social service of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, through the KWASSIP Program.

“We have also identified 500 market women and elderly members of our Constituency where we will enroll them in the special scheme designed by my constituency office, the Owo arugbo and Owo Isowo program.

“A program we will be incorporating with our annual bursary program. The bursary program will be expanded to accommodate 85 more Students within our constituency”.

Salahuddeen called on constituents to reaffirm their various supports for the Governor, and also support the present administration to provide more dividends.

A non-governmental organisation, The Oluwaseun Dania International Foundation has partnered with kids from the Ijora Badia area of Lagos to make a 4ft by 40ft painting as a form of solidarity with Ukraine currently in conflict with Russia.

According to the Convener, Oluwaseun Dania, the project titled Blue and Green is an avenue for the children to air their voices to end modern day slavery, while the funds generated in the sales of the NFTs will be used to support various humanitarian activities ongoing in Ukraine.

“We feel this is the height of modern day slavery and made a painting dance protest as we stand with Ukraine from Nigeria,” Dania explained.

He noted the organisation is motivated by the desire to help eradicate poverty by providing food, portable water, health care and quality education to the needy and to also improve lives and encourage the preservation of man’s harmony.

He added it also aligns and focuses on some of the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs).

In this regard, the founder, Mr Oluwaseun Dania, also known as Trader-fada decided to extend his reach to the children in the Slum of Ijora Badia Lagos to create the 4ft by 40ft painting (blue and yellow) to stand with Ukraine, having partnered with other well-meaning people globally in order to create a global impact.

Commenting on the Russia-Ukraine war, Dania said: “No matter the differences between both countries, peace and diplomacy is the only way forward.

“Ukraine and Russia should embrace peace and diplomacy.

“They should stop the killings and everything that has to do with violence.

On why the partnership with the slum kids was imperative, he noted: “Children in the slum are innocent and creative in art; we infuse the creative children to appeal to both countries who understand the universal language of arts to broker for peace in both countries.

“Our mission is to mentor, restructure the mindset and build up the creative talent of children from the slum.”

DESTINY Edoro of Gbagada Senior Grammar School has emerged winner of the maiden edition of the Start Them Early Programme (STEP) Agri- competition in Lagos State. He defeated five others to clinch the top position.

The second and third positions went to Joshua David of Comprehensive Senior High School, Alapere, Ketu, and Asokere Misimau of Ajara Comprehensive Senior High School, Badagry.

STEP is sponsored by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

The competition was organised by the Innovative Youth in Agriculture (I-Youth) project for all public secondary schools in Lagos State.

Edoro, who is in S.S.3, described the competition as ‘very challenging’.

He said: “It has made me research into Agriculture, develop interest in it and I have acquired more knowledge about it . I hope to train younger ones and advance its study in Nigeria.’’

Commissioner for Education Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo reiterated the importance the government accords agriculture and education.

Adefisayo, who was represented by Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Abolaji Abayomi, said: “Over the years, governments at different levels, particularly at the federal level, have reiterated the need to go back to agriculture, not just for food sustainability, but for diversification of the economy.

LAST week, Yaba Centennial Lions Club held its investiture ceremony of the newly-elected president and other officers for 2021/2022 Lion year.

As usual, the event was laced with pomp and pageantry as the officers led by the First Vice District Governor Lion Anogwi Anyanwu PMJF NLCF were installed into office for the 2021-2022 Lion year.

The ceremony took place at the prestigious Labule Restaurant, Lekki Phase 1 Lagos. The newly inducted members are Lion Mikhail Adeyinka, Lion Bola Adeloye, Lion Chikaodili Maduneme, Lion Seun Ogunyemi, and Lion Rotimi Olaifa.

Lion Anyanwu, the First vice District Governor of the Lion Club in his address congratulated the officers, saying he was delighted that members of the club, having been convinced of their desire to serve the underprivileged and the people, resolved to elect them into office.

While addressing the president in particular, he said: My dear president, please ensure that integrity, accountability, and transparency are your watchwords so that efficiency is brought to bear in whatever you lay your hands on, particularly in the judicious use of funds.”

Anyanwu further stated that in addition, it was important to inform the general public and of course some of the guests who might be interested in joining their noble cause that this year as a district, they have core projects.

THE cross rocking the University of Ilorin Alumni Association has taken a dive over the call for congress by a faction of the association under the auspices of “body of past presidents”.

Executive Committee of the UNILORIN Alumni Association in a statement issued to journalists in Akure said the planned Congress by the “Body of past Presidents” was unknown to the association.

The statement signed by its National President, Dr. Stephen Olawale Fasakin,described the planned congress scheduled for March 26, 2022, as illegal and urged members not to attend.

Dr. Fasakin stated that the association’s constitution under Article 9 (d) gave the duly executive committee powers to organise Congress of the association and present reports.

According to the statement, “It is unambiguous that the so called “body of past presidents”, which is not recognized by our Constitution, has no such powers to organize Congress.

“Consequently, while dissociating ourselves from such illegal meeting, we hereby implore all members of the Alumni to ignore the provocative notice served from the power grabbers.

“The elected Executive Committee is undeterred by this distraction and will continue to work with well- meaning members of the Alumni to make more positive impacts on our dear Alma mater and our nation at large.”