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Tag: Afe Babalola

  • Afe Babalola: Agriculture remains way to go

    Afe Babalola: Agriculture remains way to go

    By Tunde Usman Olofintila

    Legal colossus and Founder of the 21st Century Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola, has traced the myriads of problems afflicting the Nigerian state to the unwise and condemnable abandonment of Agriculture, Nigeria’s otherwise cash cow until the discovery of oil in Oloibiri, Rivers State, in 1956.

    Painting a gory picture of what the abandonment of Agriculture has pitiably visited on Nigeria, Babalola who was recently decorated as the Africa Man of the Year in Food Security for 2024, the second time in 10 years, said no nation, especially in Africa, can thrive or achieve greatness without a viable and productive Agricultural Sector.

    Receiving the Award in his University in Ado-Ekiti, Babalola, who clinched the Award after defeating other nominees from across the continent, recalled the days of yore when everybody, no matter his business or vocation, had a small garden at the back of his house.

    This, he said, made it possible for everybody to have ready and easy access to food stuffs. Then, people were not only able to feed themselves, but they also were able to give freely to others with nobody being hungry then. In his view, “that time should be reinvented in the interest of all”.

    The organizers of the Award, the Forum for International Green Sustainability (FIGS), a body that promotes interest in Agriculture with a view to ensuring food security worldwide, predicated Babalola’s nomination for the Award on what they described as his “many radical revolutions on Agriculture, namely; ABUAD Bio-Diversified Farms, granting of millions of Naira under the  Afe Babalola Annual Agricultural Grants to hundreds of farmers, ABUAD Talent Discovery Centre, ABUAD Planetarium, ABUAD modern Dam, ABUAD Industrial Park that houses over 124 Farm Industries and ABUAD FM Radio among several others”.

    In his acceptance speech, Babalola who has been adjudged one of the leading large-scale farmers in Nigeria and the largest single farmer in Ekiti, his home state, where he is also renowned as the highest taxpayer, and second largest employer of labour after the state government, expressed gratitude to the global body for recognizing his contributions in Agriculture, describing it as a challenge at ensuring food sufficiency.

    Babalola, who described Nigeria as a net consuming country, said the nation cannot achieve true development without prioritizing large-scale production of goods and services, particularly in Agriculture.

    He urged governments at all levels to create conducive environments for farmers to ply their trade, stressing that this would enable the subnational to be a self-sustaining food hub.

    His words: “The major cause of our problems in this country is that we do not produce, and yet, we eat. Even the Bible teaches us that he who does not work does not deserve to eat. Why then are we disobeying this time-tested Biblical injunction?’

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    He added: “When I started this University in 2009, I made Agriculture a matter of priority. I made Agriculture a compulsory subject for every student. And to encourage more of our young people to make a career out of Agriculture, I slashed the tuition for those studying Agriculture by 50%. And that is not all, upon graduation, I give every graduate of Agriculture the sum of N250,000 as seed money to start his/her Agri-business.

    “At the state level, I have in the last 11 years been organizing an Annual Agric. Festival in Ado-Ekiti called ABAEX (Afe Babalola Agric Expo) with the Best Overall Farmer in the state going home with N2,000,000 while the Best three farmers in each of the 16 Local Government Councils in the state go home with N250,000 in this order: The best farmer (N200,000), the second best (N100,000), and the third best (N50,000) 

    “Today, as we speak, our farmers under the umbrella of Afe Babalola Beneficiaries are influencing people positively in Oyo, Lagos and Osun, among several others”.

    Continuing, he said, “What governments at all levels need to do is to encourage farming and make the environment conducive for all so that Nigerians could farm without let or hinderance.

    To get out of the malaise of hunger and poverty, Babalola suggested the following:

    • Government should introduce Agriculture into our school curriculum from Primary to Secondary Schools

    • Government should ensure that allocations to Local Governments go to them directly and not through their respective Governors.

    • Local Government should assemble farm implements which they will hire to farmers at subsidized rates.

    • Local Government should be encouraged to produce seedlings for sale to farmers at low prices.

    • The government should revive the old Farm Settlements by Awolowo in the former Western Region and extend it to other states in the country today.

    • Government should ensure that farmers do not only produce food crops but cash crops.  This will ensure the revival of the Cocoa in the West, Rubber and Palm Oil in present Edo and Delta States and the Groundnut Pyramids of the North in those days.

    • The government should also encourage adding value to Agricultural products just like ABUAD is doing in its 124-unit large, medium and small-scale industries at its Industrial Park

    • Finally, National Honour should be given to successful farmers and promoters of farming and not only to politicians.

    Babalola recalled how former President Olusegun Obasanjo was in power as a Military Head of State between 1976 and 1979, made farming a matter of priority for everybody through his government’s Operation Feed the Nation, OFN.

    Babalola lamented the situation today when many Nigerians complain about hunger because of the abandonment of Agriculture, adding that “I do not believe any Nigerian should complain of hunger, especially with our God-given fertile lands, lots of rains and so on.

    “In short, the problems we have in this country can be traced to the abandonment of Agriculture. It will be my joy to see my people comfortable, live in peace, go to the farm peacefully, and come back home without harm. I insist that without Agriculture, this country cannot make it”.

    He said the Award would spur him to do more in his singular efforts, aimed at returning agriculture to its rightful place and lifting it to the expected destination of a competitive revenue earner.”,

    A firm believer in the power of Agriculture, Babalola established ABUAD Agricultural Enterprise Centre to boost food production and ensure food security. Indeed, many stakeholders like the Embassy of the United States of America, Japanese Embassy and the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have visited the flourishing Agricultural Enterprise Centre and unanimously agreed that it is the biggest of its type in any university in Nigeria today.

    IITA, which has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the university, has also designated the University as a Centre of Research where students learn many areas of Agriculture.

    ABUAD Agricultural Enterprise Centre has the following Divisions: Cash crops Division with 110,000 Mango Trees, 1,000,000 Teak Trees and 500,000 Gmelina Trees, the Arable crops Division with yam, maize, cassava, plantain & Banana, pigeon peas, Legume Division with various vegetables, Moringa Division with ABUAD Moringa leaf powder, ABUAD Moringa seed, ABUAD Moringa capsule, ABUAD Moringa hair cream, ABUAD Moringa oil, ABUAD Moringa body cream and ABUAD Moringa tea as well as ABUAD Moringa soap.

    It also has the Fisheries Division with five large fish lakes with at least 100,000 fishes in each of them, the Feed Mill Division where various feeds are compounded and Hatcheries as well as the Livestock Division made up of a Piggery, Snailery, Turkey, Guinea Fowl, Quail and Mushroom as well as an incubator.

    In his burning desire to harmonize University Education with Industry, provide quality and functional education, provide opportunity for hi-tech scientists, innovators, inventors, geniuses, research, community service, stimulate economic development and provide employment for university graduates, professionals and artisans, Babalola established the ABUAD Industrial Research Park.

    The Industrial Park designed to house 124 units if small, medium and large-scale industrial has since become functional with the production of a variety of AB Foods such as Fufu, Poundo Yam, Garri, Fufu, Rice, Ogi, Carbonated Drinks, Cashew and Carbonated drinks.

    As a major player in the Agricultural Sector of the nation’s economy, Babalola has received various Awards in appreciation of his contributions in that sector, including, but not limited to President, Forestry Association of Nigeria, Patron, Agbekoya Farmers Association of Nigeria, Patron, Fadama Association of Nigeria, Member, AfricaRice, and Grand Patron and the Distinguished Africa Man of the Year in Food Security 2014, courtesy of the Forum for International Green Sustainability (FIGS) before clinching the Award again this year.

    Earlier in his remarks, FIGS’ Country Representative, Mr. Caleb Osasona, explained that Babalola’s contributions to the development of Agriculture and food security earned him the Award.

    Osasona who could not conceal his admiration for Babalola’s commitment and dedication towards Agriculture, said Nigeria would have been more developed and food-secure if such actions were replicated nationwide.

    Speaking at the event, Ekiti Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, commended the legal icon’s contributions to the Agricultural sector and described the continental recognition and the award to Babalola as a moment of glory and pride for the state. 

    Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, Oyebanji commended the elder statesman as a man of vision, tenacity and commitment. He said his works and landmark achievements in agriculture which have redefined and reinforced food security in Nigeria, inspired generations of young farmers and demonstrated that Agriculture is not just a tool for survival but a gateway to prosperity.

    “Through the ABUAD Bio-Diversified Farms and the Afe Babalola Annual Agricultural Grants to farmers, among other laudable gestures, he has shown Africa what is possible when intellect meets innovation in Agriculture.

    “In Ekiti State, we are proud to align with and take a cue from the laudable programs of this great sage,” he added.

    •Olofintila is ABUAD’s Director of Corporate Affairs

  • Afe Babalola: Time is the greatest enemy of man

    Afe Babalola: Time is the greatest enemy of man

    • By Tunde Olofintila

    History teaches us that that there were Philosopher-Kings in Ancient Greece. Coming nearer home, here in Nigeria, there are Justice-Kings in the mould of the His Royal Majesty, the 85-year-old Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, who bowed out as the Presiding Justice of the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal to ascend the throne of his forefathers on August 18, 1995. Mention must also be made of His Royal Majesty, the Emir of Lafia, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammed I, who also bowed out of the Supreme Court to ascend the throne of his forefathers on December 5, 2019.

    Because that ends there, there must be the beginning of a new chapter. And so, if there are Philosopher-kings and Justice-kings, there must be Philosopher-lawyers in the mould of the Founder & Chancellor of the increasingly famous Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, the many-sided Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, LL. D (London) and Fellow, King’s College, London, among several other feathers on his well-adorned cap of national and international honours.

    Perhaps because of his country-side upbringing in Alayegbe in Ado-Ekiti, South-West Nigeria, Babalola, who has since carved out a niche for himself in personal discipline, industry, character, provision of quality and functional education, farming, provision of quality healthcare, philanthropy and community development among others, is well-known respecter of time.  

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    Because of this, he often feeds his audience with the following time-tested sayings about time and the need to use one’s time judiciously and optimally:

    •“A man’s life ticks away with the hand of the clock every second, yet not many people appreciate that every minute that is gone is irretrievable.”

    •“Time is life; Life is time; Time is the greatest enemy of man; Time does not wait for anyone; Lost time is irretrievable; Use most of your time gainfully; Devil finds work for idle hand;”

    •“It is not an offence under our laws for one to bury his talent through sheer inaction. But it is a sin to bury one’s talent through indolence.”

    Babalola’s penchant for time, timing and timeliness came to the fore again yesterday when Mr. Kayode Omotayo Fasae, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, led a seven-man delegation on a guided tour of ABUAD’s serene campus, its aesthetic structures, its Enterprise Farms, its Independent Power Plant, IPP, its bourgeoning 124-unit Small, Medium and Large-scale Industrial Park, its Herbarium and its ultra-modern 400-bed Multi- System Hospital which has been endorsed by leading Healthcare Stakeholders as “the most well-equipped Hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa”.

    Addressing the seven-man team in his office, Babalola said that there is no earthly reason why anybody should be poor if he/she uses his/her time and the resources at his/her disposal optimally.

    His words: “Time is the greatest enemy of man. Many of us human beings don’t use the bulk of the 24 hours in each day. We prefer to spend our time on unprofitable things. We often forget that any time lost is irretrievable”.

    He added: “At my age, I still work 18 hours a day. I am out of my house as early as 7.30 a.m. to go to my farm and see what is going on at the various construction sites. I remain in the office till 3 p.m. when I go for lunch and my daily siesta. By 8 p.m., I am back at my desk in the office, and I will remain there till about midnight. For instance, if you call me by 11 p.m., you will be surprised that I will pick your call.

    “I do this every day, 364 days a year, except on Christmas day. Why do I work this way? I work this way, because a man is the only person who can drive his own dream. And I thank God that I have benefitted tremendously from the way I spend my time right from the time I was young. There was no time for frivolities”.

    Delving into wealth creation and adducing reasons why no Nigerian should be poor in the midst of the avalanche of God-given natural resources, including eight months of rain and good vegetation available in the country, the former Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, said: “When I was growing up, everybody, no matter his business or vocation, had a small garden at the back of his house. This made it possible for everybody to have ready and easy access to food stuffs. Then, people were not only able to feed themselves, but they also were able to give freely to others as a result of which no one was hungry then. That time could be reinvented”.

    He added: “The country should borrow a leaf from former President Olusegun Obasanjo who introduced Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) during his first coming as a Military Head of State between February 13, 1976, and October 1, 1979.

    “Afterall, before the advent of oil in the 1960’s, Agriculture was the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy like in the United States of America, Canada, Argentina and Australia. This was the time when Western Nigeria was well known for the production of Cocoa, the Mid-West for the production of Rubber, the East for Timber and Palm Oil while the North was known for Groundnut and Cotton. But the equation changed soon after oil was discovered in Oloibiri. The people simply turned their back on Agriculture, an otherwise very lucrative business.

    “We must go back to Agriculture and reinvent the glorious days when Nigeria could fend for itself in all ramifications. Everywhere in the world throughout the ages, the place and import of agriculture have always been on the front burner of national priority. And this is not for nothing as Agriculture does not only provide food, employment, and security, it reduces the prevalence of poverty, promotes self-sufficiency and reduction in crime rate.

    “It is axiomatic that a man who has nothing to eat or feed his family with may not find it difficult to lapse into petty larceny to make ends meet. After all, a hungry man is an angry man.  Apart from affording man the opportunity to eat fresh food, agriculture allows man to stay close to nature”.

    Babalola therefore called on governments at all levels to go back to the practice of old when Local Governments used to assemble farm equipment such as Ploughs, Harrows, Ridgers and Harvesters among others in each Local Government for farmers to hire.  This is the more important because today, no father wants to send his child to school only to graduate and return to the farm to use cutlasses and hoes.

    A firm believer in the power of Cooperative Societies, Babalola suggested that farmers should organize themselves into Cooperative Societies. This would enable them to buy farm implements either with their own money contributed by members or borrow from the Bank of Industry or Bank of Agriculture at low rates.

    This was perhaps why the elder statesman donated N200 million to incorporate two Cooperative Societies, one for men and one for women, during the maiden Afe Babalola Day on October 18, 2024, with each of the two Cooperative Societies given N100 million to enable registered members to apply for loans to start their own business.

    According to him, this sum of N200 million will provide loans for 2000 members at the minimum rate of 5% interest to the cooperative society as against 20% charged by Commercial Banks.

    Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, welcomed and thanked Fasae for leading his team to visit ABUAD, to discuss the critically important areas of Labour Market Information System (LMIS), Employment Trust Fund, Wema Bank Training, Project TIDE/NASENI, the Electric Tricycle Initiative and Agency Banking system with an eye on partnership with the university.

    •Olofintila is ABUAD’s Director, Corporate Affairs.

  • Afe Babalola: how to boost trade in Africa

    Afe Babalola: how to boost trade in Africa

    • SAN gets ILA lifetime achievement award

    Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, (SAN) has emphasised the importance of entrepreneurial education and the need for increased focus on agriculture and sustainable food production as a first step in boosting intercontinental trade in goods and services across Africa.

    Aare Babalola argued that increased investment and education on agriculture will not only boost domestic food security, making Africa the food basket of the world, but will also unlock foreign exchange earnings and foreign direct investments,.

    He said these were urgently needed to accelerate Nigeria’s path towards sustainable development.

    He stated this after he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, by the International Law Association (ILA), Nigerian Branch.

    The award was presented at the President’s Dinner and Award Night organised as part of the 8th Annual International Law Conference of the association held at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti.

    The dinner featured a high-level keynote conversation with Babalola, moderated by the Chair of the Conference Planning Committee, Dr. Adenike Akinsemolu. 

    The event had in attendance many dignitaries and international law experts, including the President of the Association, Prof. Damilola Olawuyi (SAN), the Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment of Gambia, Hon. Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, who was the special guest of honour at the event, the Gambia Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Muhamadou Musa Njie, the Director of Trade, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Mr. Kolawole Sofola.

    Others in attendance included the President of the Africa Agenda Network, Ambassador Saul Frazer, the Gambia National Chair of the African Union Women Network, Muna Jallow, the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Ogun State, Oluwasina Ogungbade, (SAN), Partner, Aluko & Oyebode, Mark Mordi, (SAN) Chief Kayode Aderemi, Head of Chambers, Kayode Aderemi & Co, and the Vice Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Professor Elisabeta Smaranda Olarinde, amongst other dignitaries.

    The event which also reflect conversation on the extraordinary career of Babalola who rose from humble beginnings to become a renowned lawyer, university administrator, farmer, philanthropist, winner of the African Man of the Year in Food Security (2014 and 2024), and the Founder of the prestigious Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).

    While speaking on his foray into law, education and development, Babalola noted that his passion for transforming lives through high quality education spurred in him a desire to contribute his own quota by establishing ABUAD to serve as a benchmark and model for world class education.

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    Similarly, the ILA Emerging Star Award for an Outstanding Young Professional was presented to Emmanuel Latona Adedeji, an emerging international law scholar and member of the Young Members’ Committee of the ILA, while the ILA Service Award was presented to Ayodeji Asala, the president of the ABUAD chapter of the ILA.

    While presenting the awards, the President of ILA Nigeria, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)  Prof. Olawuyi noted that the ILA Outstanding Achievement Medal is the highest and most prestigous award of the ILA, which is presented for outstanding lifetime contributions in the field of international law and diplomacy.

    Prof. Olawuyi, who is also an independent expert of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights noted  “Recipients of this prestigious award represent Nigeria’s finest in terms of education, foreign policy and diplomacy.

    “Aare Afe Babalola’s remarkable contributions to food security, education, law and nation-building is truly remarkable and an inspirational example of everything we strive to do as international lawyers: to educate, to empower and to give back.

    “We are greatly inspired by his exemplary dedication to international law and diplomacy as well as his consistent track record of mentoring the next generation.” Olawuyi stated.

    The ILA was founded in Brussels in 1873. The ILA now has some 4,500 members in 45 national and regional branches around the world.

    It is headquartered in London under the leadership of Professor Christine Chinkin. ILA’s objective, under its constitution, is to promote the ‘study, clarification and development of international law’.

    ILA has consultative status with a number of the United Nations specialised agencies. Membership of the ILA is open to anyone, including lawyers and non-lawyers, interested in international law.

    The Nigerian Branch of the ILA regularly hosts innovative lectures, seminars, conferences, and other capacity development programmes to advance the study and understanding of international law in Nigeria. To learn more about the ILA, its activities, and events visit http://www.ila-hq.org.

  • Afe Babalola warns against proliferation of varsities

    Afe Babalola warns against proliferation of varsities

    The proliferation of universities would  have disastrous consequences if not checked, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti Founder, Chief Afe Babalola warned yesterday.

    The eminent lawyer  expressed concern that the current trend of mass  approval of universities without consideration for quality and infrastructure will lead to a decline in educational standards.

    Babalola spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

    It was  at the High Impact Research and Journal Advancement Workshop organized by the ABUAD Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy.

    He urged the National University Commission (NUC), to  completely overhaul the university licensing process to ensure the highest standard of education.

    The elder statesman also called on the NUC to take immediate steps to close those mushroom universities, many of which are illegal and are operating without the permission of the regulatory body.

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    He lamented that university licensing and accreditation, as well as the NUC’s ability to ensure quality control and stamp out substandard institutions, appears to have been seriously compromised.

    Babalola said: “What do we have today? The mass approval of mushroom and substandard universities with some lacking even the basic learning facilities and infrastructure. The strict compliance with law and rules has been brushed aside now.

    “As a result of the “anything goes” approach to university licensing and accreditation, NUC’s ability to ensure quality control, and to stamp out substandard institutions, appears to have been seriously compromised. We currently have over 270 universities in Nigeria, and proposals for the approval of another 200 new institutions are currently under consideration by the National Assembly.”

    The focus now seems to be on quantity not quality, licensing more universities without adequate plans for monitoring their standards. The end result is a rapid decline and rot of our educational system and in the quality of our graduates. What we need is quality education. Poor education is worse than illiteracy.”

    Continuing, the ABUAD Chancellor said: “We cannot seriously speak of advancing sustainable development through high impact research unless we address this menace of the proliferation of substandard universities in our nation.

    “Mushroom and substandard universities recruit substandard faculty members, who conduct substandard research that are printed by substandard publishers, resulting in substandard and half-baked graduates that have little or nothing to offer to national development.”

    In his keynote lecture titled: Promoting High-Impact Research Publications for Sustainable National Development in Nigeria: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions, the former Executive Secretary of the NUC , Prof Peter Okebukola lamented the inadequate funding for research and development

    “Research funding in Nigeria is largely dependent on Federal Government allocations, which are insufficient to support large-scale or sustained commercialisation efforts. Limited access to venture capital or private-sector investment further stifles the ability to scale innovations.”

    In his welcome remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnership, Prof Damilola Olawuyi, said only very few universities in Nigeria can boast of having a SCOPUS-Indexed journal, adding that ABUAD leads in this area.

    “The ABUAD Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy is indexed by SCOPUS, a premier online database containing over 2000 leading journals. It is also indexed on HeinOnline, Westlaw. Asian Science and Citation Index (ASCI), EBSCO, Ingenta Connect, SCILIT.

  • Quality education key to Africa’s global relevance, says Afe Babalola

    Quality education key to Africa’s global relevance, says Afe Babalola

    The Founder of Afe Babalola University at Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) in Ekitit State, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), has said Africa must invest heavily in quality education to regain its lost grounds and become a key player in global affairs.

    Babalola noted that civilisation began in Africa, not Europe or America, wondering how the continent lost its ground and became underdeveloped.

    The eminent lawyer insisted that neither America nor Europe is superior to Africa.

    Babalola spoke yesterday at ABUAD in Ado-Ekiti at a public lecture organised in honour of a visiting delegation from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) in South Africa.

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    He said: “The first civilisation was not in Europe, Australia, Britain, or America; it was in Africa. The first knowledge of mathematics and science also originated from Africa. We lost our ground, and I don’t know why.”

    The legal icon attributed his change of mindset about Europe’s superiority over Africa to his education, saying: “When I was young, I thought Europe was superior to Africa. But after going through education, I changed my mind. I believe we can achieve our rightful place in the world through education.”

  • Quality education key to Africa’s global relevance – Afe Babalola

    Quality education key to Africa’s global relevance – Afe Babalola

    The founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Chief Afe Babalola, has emphasised that quality education is the only way African continent can regain its lost ground and claim its rightful place in global affairs.

    Babalola, noted that civilization began in Africa, not Europe or America, wondering how the continent lost its ground and became underdeveloped, insisting that neither American nor Europe is superior to Africa. 

    The legal icon stated these on Monday at a public lecture organized in honour of a visiting delegation from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) in South Africa.

    Babalola said, “The first civilization was not in Europe, Australia, Britain, or America; it was in Africa. The first knowledge of mathematics and science also originated from Africa. We lost our ground, and I don’t know why.”

    He attributed his change of mindset about Europe’s superiority over Africa to his education, saying, “When I was young, I thought Europe was superior to Africa. But after going through education, I changed my mind. I believe we can achieve our rightful place in the world through education.”

    The guest lecturer, Professor Fulufhelo Netswera, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at DUT, emphasized that Africa should take responsibility for its underdevelopment.

    Fulufhelo said in his lecture titled: The Future Africa Should Claim in Global Affairs, that Africa should take charge of its development because the continent is blessed with abundant natural resources more than any continent.

    “Africa as some of you may know has got the biggest arable land in the planet. However, currently Africa is importing food from small countries like Ukraine and I think that must stop. Africa has got the richest minerals, with our big rivers like in Congo and the Nile River; we should be able to generate enough electricity to power the whole of Africa including solar energy because we have abundant radiation

    “So there is so much that Africa can give not only to itself but to the rest of the world. Currently we are not doing that. The blame for the underdevelopment should squarely lies in Africa. We Africans should take charge of our own development. We should however not turn a blind eye to the multinational corporation that is currently looting the continent. They will go to any length to make sure that those standing on their way get eliminated.”

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    In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor of ABUAD, Professor Smeranda Olarinde, highlighted the partnership between ABUAD and DUT, saying it is a testament to the power of academic diplomacy in driving sustainable development.

    She said, “This collaboration, which began with the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 31st August 2021, has facilitated joint research, academic exchanges, and postgraduate opportunities for ABUAD staff members at DUT..

    “It is noteworthy that this initiative sponsored 23 ABUAD staff members to begin postgraduate studies at DUT, and I am glad to share that six of them remain on track to complete their programmes this year. This achievement speaks volume about the academic resilience and excellence of our students, faculty and staff at ABUAD who continue to do great things wherever they find themselves in the world”, she added. 

  • IWD: Babalola decries low number of women in political offices

    IWD: Babalola decries low number of women in political offices

    Legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University at Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), has expressed worry over the low level of women in Nigeria’s political space.

    Babalola spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, at an ABUAD event to mark this year’s edition of International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration.

    The legal icon said the age-long discrimination against women had reached an alarming rate, stressing that some still erroneously believe that it is a waste of resources to even educate a female child.

    “When as a young adult I was admitted into an infant class at Emmanuel School in Ado-Ekiti in 1937, we were 25 in the class. There were only five girls among us, and only one of them completed the eight-year programme, leading to the award of the Primary Six School Leaving Certificate.

    “Things have changed since then, especially with my university, ABUAD, where today girls outnumber the boys,” Babalola said.

    The ABUAD founder noted that during convocation ceremonies, many graduands who make the First Class are females, constituting about nine ladies to just one boy.

    “It is such that at a time, it once occurred to me that I should change the university to girls’ only.

    “As a matter of fact, as I speak, I made sure the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar, the Librarian, among several others, are all women.

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    “And the good news is that they are all performing very well,” he said.

    Babalola said the origins of International Women’s Day are rooted in the struggle for women’s right, as well as labour rights, reflecting a broader movement for social justice and equality.

    He urged women in Africa and across globe to fight for their rightful place in politics.

    According to him, it is regrettable that women do not play active and effective roles in politics, to belong to platforms through which they can fight for themselves.

    Babalola also called for compulsory education for women, and the need to draft a constitution that would guarantee equity, fairness and justice to all Nigerians, irrespective of sex or religion.

    The UN Country Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, said women play an important role in the development of the society.

    Eyong said women hold a duty to be affirmativeon the significant roles they are naturally made to perform.

    She expressed gratitude to Babalola and ABUAD for hosting the IWD celebration, calling other eminent individuals and institutions to support women’s cause.

    Also, the Secretary to the Ekiti State Government (SSG), Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, described the state government as gender-sensitive.

    She described Ekiti as one of the leading states having the highest number of women occupying top elective and appointive positions.

    Adubiaro listed the political offices held by women in the state to include: the deputy governor, the SSG, the Accountant General, members of the House of Assembly, commissioners, and several others.

    ABUAD’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, said the institution remained the number one centre of gender equity and inclusiveness with women holding major key offices.

  • Afe Babalola seeks salary raise, improved condition of service for doctors

    Afe Babalola seeks salary raise, improved condition of service for doctors

    The Founder of Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), has urged government at all levels and other employers of doctors to consider giving them improved working conditions and better salaries.

    The eminent lawyer said cleaners who work in hospitals in the Western countries earn more than Nigerian doctors.

    Babalola spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, at the seventh induction ceremony of the ABUAD medical doctors by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

    Babalola, who bemoaned the poor remuneration of Nigerian doctors, noted that many doctors and nurses leave the country due to meager emoluments paid to them.

    The ABUAD founder said the mass exodus of medical professionals has left Nigeria’s health system in a precarious situation.

    He added that many public hospitals and healthcare centres were struggling to cope with the shortage of doctors, leading to a decline in quality of healthcare services.

    Babalola urged the government to increase the salaries for doctors and ensure prompt payment as well as provide good working environment with modern facilities.

    This, the legal luminary said, would help to stem the brain drain in the medical profession and encourage doctors to remain in Nigeria after completing their training.

    Read Also: The Afe Babalola/Dele Farotimi saga

    He said: “The reason many Nigerian doctors and nurses leave this country after completing their training is because the emoluments paid in naira are much less than what cleaners in hospitals in overseas earn.

    “Worse still, the doctors in many states and government hospitals have not been paid for many months. I, therefore, appeal to government to increase the salaries of doctors and ensure prompt payment.

    “Finally, I congratulate the newly qualified doctors. On our part, we have fulfilled our promise of getting you qualified within the specified time. Do not lose hope, Nigeria will be better.”

  • Afe Babalola decries poor remuneration of Nigerian doctors

    Afe Babalola decries poor remuneration of Nigerian doctors

    …says cleaners abroad earn higher salaries

    The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), has revealed that hospital cleaners in Western countries earn more than Nigerian doctors.

    Babalola made this remark on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti during the 7th induction ceremony of ABUAD medical graduates by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

    Decrying the poor remuneration of Nigerian doctors, he noted that inadequate salaries are driving many medical professionals out of the country in search of better opportunities.

    He further lamented that the mass exodus of doctors and nurses has severely impacted Nigeria’s healthcare system, leaving public hospitals and health centers struggling with staff shortages and a decline in service quality.

    Babalola appealed to the government to increase salaries of doctors and ensure prompt payment as well as provide good working environment with state of the art facilities. 

    Read Also; Edo poll dispute: PDP, APC chairmen hopeful of positive outcome

    This, he said, would help to stem the brain drain in the medical profession and encourage doctors to remain in Nigeria after completing their training. 

    He said: “The reason why many Nigerian Doctors and Nurses leave this country after completing their training is because the emoluments paid in Naira is much less than what cleaners in hospitals in overseas earn. 

    “Worse still, the Doctors in many states and government hospitals have not been paid for many months.I, therefore, appeal to government to increase the salaries of Doctors andensure prompt payment.

    “Finally, I congratulate the newly qualified Doctors. On our part,we have fulfilled our promise of getting you qualified within the specified time. Do not lose hope, Nigeria will be better”, he added. 

    The Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, (MDCN) Prof. Fatima Kyari charged newly inducted medical doctors to uphold the ethics of medical profession.

    Prof. Kyari reminded the medical doctors that they have a critical role to play in the healthcare sector, urging them to pursue continuous professional development to stay updated with the latest medical advancements and best practices.

    She reiterated the commitment of MDCN to shaping healthcare ecosystem with preponderance of  incremental reforms that would help guarantee sustainability and strengthen the country’s healthcare system for efficient and effective service delivery. 

  • The Afe Babalola/Dele Farotimi saga

    The Afe Babalola/Dele Farotimi saga

    Early last week, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi II, led five other traditional rulers in the Southwest to placate Afe Babalola, legal icon and educationist par excellence, over his disagreement with activist Dele Farotimi whose new book allegedly slandered the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti. After stalling for weeks, and after withstanding the interventions of former president Olusegun Obasanjo and a few other highly placed Nigerians, Chief Babalola announced that he could not turn deaf ears to the obas’ pleas. He announced an end to the litigation against Mr Farotimi.

    But that was as clear as Nigerians could possibly have of the case. Too many questions were, however, left unanswered. One of the reasons for the legal icon’s intransigence was the refusal of Mr Farotimi to apologise and withdraw the book from circulation. In this latest instance, there is no indication of any apologies or book withdrawal. Without book withdrawal, which would imply the repudiation of its contents, whatever the author wrote would stand as uncontroverted for all time, also suggesting that the contents will be held to be true.

    Read Also: Alausa, Afe Babalola, scientists, others for confab

    Uncharacteristically too, Mr Farotimi, who had earlier insisted he was not going to apologies, and had indeed not sent anyone to beg on his behalf, has kept mum. So, what does he think of the case? Is he standing pat or caving in? And at whose instance did the monarchs, all six of them or so, travel to Ado Ekiti to beg Chief Babalola? Such high-powered subversion of litigation is uncommon, especially in a highly litigious society like Nigeria.

    Finally, what will happen to the other litigants and non-litigants whose reputations have been allegedly injured in the book, including nearly all the eminent jurists, up to the Supreme Court, who received dishonourable mention? Would the traditional rulers rely on Chief Babalola to also importune the offended lawyers and jurists simply because his fury had been conciliated? Mr Farotimi has been loquacious and bold; might he be persuaded to speak up and shed light on these mysteries? Whatever happens, it does not seem Nigerians have heard the last of both the case and the vexatious book.