The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Honour

  • Ex-council chair gets honour

    Ex-council chair gets honour

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Amede.org, has appointed former local government chair, Arinze Awogu, as its goodwill ambassador.

    The award was given in recognition of his contribution to Ogbaru Local Government, Amede.org and humanity.

    During Awogu’s tenure, he worked with amede.org on humane projcts.  Awogu showed leadership and humility.

    The ceremony took place in Asaba, Delta State.

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    Kenechukwu Nwaka, Regional director, presented the award to him.

    NGO President, Mrs. Amede Deane, noted how Awogu connected her to Madonna Mercy Village, a beneficiary of the organisation, and other social needs of the people Nigerians in the diaspora are involved in.

    Awogu thanked Amede.org, promising to represent the organisation well.

  • Honour  for ex-UNILAG  registrar

    Honour  for ex-UNILAG  registrar

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), University of Lagos (UNILAG) Chapter, has honoured immediate-past  registrar of the institution, Mr. Oladejo Azeez.

     Azeez was also the guest speaker at an indoor Leadership Talk organised by SSANU at Faculty of Law Boardroom, UNILAG, Akoka, Lagos.

     Speaking on how leadership can be panacea to problems, the former registrar said citizens must hold leaders accountable for their actions, adding that leadership remains the bane of the nation.

     He said: “A leader must hold sacrosanct integrity and accountability. Responsible followers must hold leaders accountable for their actions. Why are the roads bad, why are children of school age not in school? Followers must continue to ask questions. They must try. If we are indolent, our leaders won’t show up. Even unionism in this country has not bailed followers out of oppressed state.”

     Azeez said he was delighted to serve UNILAG, adding that he gave his best. He said he learned many lessons and came out of the position unscathed despite some ‘banana peels’ on his way. He thanked God for seeing him through.

     “I led by example and tried to foster harmony with people I met. I operated an open-door policy. It was exciting serving the university. I pray it continues to move from glory to glory. I am fulfilled because the system was well maintained throughout my tenure. I thank SSANU for this honour,” he said.

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     Chairman Caretaker Committee of SSANU, Comr. Razak Ademola Yusuf, described the erstwhile registrar as an administrator par excellence and a hardworking professional. He noted proactive leadership was imperative to move the nation forward. Yusuf added that the committee in charge of the student loan should include members of SSANU, adding that it was important to encourage inclusiveness.

     The Bursar, Yetunde Funmilola Adekunle, thanked SSANU for honouring the former registrar. She described him as friendly and playful. She thanked Azeez for serving the university wholeheartedly.

     A former registrar of the institution, predecessor to Azeez, Dr. Folashade Ipaye, thanked SSANU for hosting the event.

    She lauded the immediate-past registrar, adding that his experience would still be needed by the university.

     Coordinator, SSANU Elders Forum and former Chairman of SSANU, UNILAG, Prince Oriwaye Adefolalu, hailed the honoree for his services to the university. He thanked everyone who made the event possible.

     Highpoint of the event was a presentation of a giant frame to the immediate-past registrar. 

  • Honour for those who give to God

    The Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos Central, Ago-Ijaye Circuit has honoured those who helped in propagating the gospel of God and impacting humanity through their generous giving to the people.

    In its 60th Circuit Anniversary, the church recognised some pioneers of the circuit and  its strong supporters who had contributed immencely  to its growth.

    Among those honoured in the pioneers’ category were the late B.O. Falase, O. A. Falase, the late S. M. O. Denloye, D.O.O. Soremekun, Elder Emma Adebiyi, P.A. Elliot,  J.O. Lapite and Abigail Modupe Adebode.

    In the supporter category were the late Seke Somolu, the late Dotun Sobogun, the late Deac. Angelina O. Sosan, Ashiwaju S.B.O. Soyebo, Dame Prof Ajesola Majekodunmi, Sister C.A.A. Adekola, Sis Mopelola Adeyeye and Rev Samuel Ibukun Williams among others. The beaming light category were Dr Sola Sobowale, Bro Akin Sofola, Sister Fumilayo Sogbesan (Nee Olude), Kayode Aribaba and Br Francis Obianusi, among others.

    The event also witnessed  a N50million fund raising for the purchase of a plot of land/building in the Ebute-Metta East area for the church. The Methodist Bishop of Lagos Central, Rt Rev. Samuel Nortey, said the celebration was aimed at appreciating them for their past work and encourage them to do more.

    Ago-Ijaye, being the mother circuit of the diocese of the Lagos central, is celebrating her 60th anniversary as a circuit, not just as a church.

    “One very important thing is that it’s not just a celebration, it’s about raising funds to impact on humanity. The anniversary is meant to impact on the community at Ebute Metta (East), Lagos and to ensure that we give them a befitting place of worship. The entire celebration is geared towards evangelism and expansion of God’s works at Ebute Metta East.

    “It’s been wonderful; if you look around a good number of the awardees are elderly people who have served in the past and this actually could have been to appreciate them for their services but interestingly they are all coming out to respond positively towards the work of envangelism, and so we are proud of them”, he stated.

    On how far the church has helped the people of the community, Nortey said there were projects, such as borehole in the local communities, which the church provided. According to him, the church gives scholarships to indigent students some of them, he said, had graduated from university. He disclosed that there are elderly people the church provides food stuffs, clothing and medicals. In  evangelism and expansion, the church has established many churches. Some of these, he said, had got their independence (circuit), while some had become cathedrals such as Festac and Mushin.

    “Most of these churches came out of Ago-Ijaye and they are doing very well,” he added. He said the church was involved in business of peace and conflict resolution, conflict management because as a church and community, it keeps preaching peace to the people. “There is the need for us to co-exist as a nation irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation. We preach peace, but more than that the church does not hesitate to let members in government know that they must live by example.

    The security challenges facing the nation have been a result of the failure of the political class. And we have not hesitated to call their attention to it, hoping that those in authority will be conscious and sensitive to the needs of the populace,” he said.

    Nortey urged the church to channel some of its proceeds to the poor and needy in the community so that they would feel the impact of the celebration. He urged Nigerians not to lose hope and be a lot more patriotic. “It is not all about government; we have to be patriotic to give our own best to this nation and to fellow Nigerians,” he added.

  • Ajegunle brings honour to Nigeria in Ghana

    Can anything good come out of Ajegunle, a popular Lagos ghetto? Many good things have come from the place; the latest being the achievements of students of Caro Favoured Schools, Awodiora. At the eighth regional Junior Achievements Company of the Year Competition featuring 50 pupils aged 14 to 18 from 11 African countries, a student-based socio-technological firm, Inventive Explorers Company, affiliated to Caro Favoured Schools, made Nigeria proud. It won the Junior Achievements Africa Company of the Year 2018 Award, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

    Guests at the Hill View Guest Centre, Teiman Abokobi, Accra, Ghana, venue of the awards, were in the mood for celebration. But to the pupils, the yearly regional contest was not for merry making as anxiety was high among them.

    For the representatives of the host country Ghana, the Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Botswana, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda and Zimbabwe, the stake was high.

    Forty pupils competed for the grand prize – Company of the Year Award – and other awards by pitching their firms and products. They engaged in a boardroom experience with a panel composed of international and Ghanaian professionals and influencers. Also in attendance were business professionals, students and dignitaries from participating countries.

    The innovative ideas that were presented by the student teams confirmed that Africa  has a strong cohort of budding entrepreneurs who can take action for the benefit of  their countries and Africa.

    The grand prize was won by Inventive Explorers from Nigeria, which developed a rechargeable, hand-held traffic light for sale to schools, local communities, and police stations. The second position went to Nazware Innovations PTY from the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), which created a digital voting app for schools to eliminate lines and other voting delays during election.

    Vermo from Ghana and Nyunyiza from JA Kenya tied for the third place.Vermo uses virtual reality to make learning more interesting and fun for students, while Nyuniza uses data analytics to make farms more efficient, especially when using scarce resources like water.

    The theme of the competition was: ‘Tech the future by storm’. The keynote speaker, Dr. Tetteh Nettey, urged the students to persevere in the midst of challenges. He said: ‘’Failure is never a destination but a stepping stone to success.’’

    The Inventive Explorers Company’s rechargeable hand-held LED traffic light device did not only win the grand prize, it also won the FedEx Access Award (which recognises a business that exhibits the principles of global connectivity), Coca-Cola award (acknowledgement of demonstration of team work) and best facilitator in Africa award.

    The student company also got a prize of $1000, while AjegunleTo The World gave an award of N500,000 to the students in appreciation of their hard work.

    Inventive Explorers Company’s success  did not come on a platter of gold. Since joining the Junior Achievers Nigeria (JAN) in 2013, it has failed four times. Its success was as a result of perseverance, hard work and learning from its past mistakes. In June 2016, the school emerged winner of Junior Achievements Company of the year award and represented Nigeria in Zimbabwe but did not come home with any laurel. But in 2017, it came third in western region contest and that qualified it for the national competition where it came second.

    Caro Favoured Schools Managing Director Mr. Ebuka Ughamadu, who led the team to Ghana, said he was not surprised when his school was announced as winner of grand prize, because they had done their homework.Ughamadu won the best facilitator award.

    “At the competition, I saw hard work. But after seeing other presentations, I was not troubled. Before the ceremony I told the students not to panic, but be themselves and have fun because we have done our homework in Nigeria. My pupils got confident and bold. The award presentation to Caro Favoured School in Ghana last year, was the most memorable day in my life.

    “Also, announcing me as the best facilitator in Africa made it a worthy day to celebrate. There were four pupils on the contingent, a teacher-representative, and two JAN representatives.

    “This feat has opened the pupils’ eyes to opportunities like scholarship outside the country. I thank Junior Achievements Nigeria, the pupils, and the school. Interestingly, only one student is a science student out of the four students who represented the company. The programme has encouraged science students to learn marketing, accounting and related fields,” he said.

    Back home in Ajegunle, it was a rousing welcome to the African champion, Caro Favoured Schools.

    Recalling the heroic welcome, Ughamadu said: “When we got to Lagos airport, delegates from our school were there to receive us. It was the loudest reception I have ever received. On arrival on December 9, we rode in a convoy of four buses from Mile 2 to the local government secretariat drumming and rejoicing through the streets.  Our joy knew no bound as no one thought an African champion could come out of Ajegunle, a slum.

    “In fact, on that day, the school was shut down in order to celebrate the award. Up till now, we have not met with our major sponsors. But we are grateful to JAN, AjegunleTo the World and the school PTA. The lesson from this feat is that institutions should not just be places of awarding certificates and degrees. They should expose students to the various opportunities, potential and challenges their parents face in the larger society.”

     

    The winning product

    JAN, which was founded by Mrs Simi Nwogugu 20 years ago, gives assignments to schools after teaching the students entreneurship, financial literacy and work readiness. It will then ask the students company to go into their communities and identity problems, which they should proffer solution. At Ajegunle, traffic congestion is a major menace. Leaving home for school and back has always been a huge task and sometimes affect students’punctuality at school. Sometimes, the students have witnessed accidents on the road and as such, they decided to identify the role they need to play. Ajegunle roads do not have any standing functional traffic light even with the menace of the trailers and tankers on its roads.

    The unique features about the product are that it is handy, rechargeable and its light can travel up to 100 meters in the night. In the day, it can travel about 50 meters. The life span of the battery is up to five hours. Also, it comes in various sizes and LED bulbs.

    The students also felt that the use of a red flag and hand gestures by traffic wardens to direct traffic is cumbersome and less effective, hence the design of the rechargeable hand-held LED traffic light device. In a way, the students felt that the use of a red flag makes motorists to feel like they are buffalos.

    Inventive Explorers Company’s vision is to invent with the ability to explore. Founded on January 15, last year, the company sold shares that yielded a capital of N74 000, as part of their initial investment.

    Head of Finance, Miss Uchechukwu Fredricks said: “Last year, JAN introduced to us a company programme that will be manned by SS2 students to carry a social responsibility programme for our community. We are a company of 20 members and a 10-member executive. We carried out research on what is lacking in our society. We thought what could also solve such a problem. We arrived at producing a handy traffic light device. To raise capital for the project, we sold shares to investors.

    ‘’After producing the device, we were expected to also do corporate social responsibility to the community. This made us to carry out the painting of Zebra Crossing on some major roads and put caution signs in the area.”

    The school’s Proprietress, Mrs. Caro Ughamadu, described the feat as a journey of consistency and God’s work. “Having nurtured the school to this level, it was not a surprise package because we worked hard for it. I know I have been digging deep to get that goldmine. Today, I am glad that we are number one in Ajegunle, if not in Lagos. Something good or even better can come from Ajegunle.

    “The school started from lesson classes, then nursery to primary. After primary, we sent the pupils to other schools to continue their secondary education. But with pressure from parents, we had the secondary school. Since 2008, the school’s West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) results have been excellent, except for a session,” she noted.

    Principal of the school, Mark Okoh said the school was sure it would do better at the African level. He added: ‘’We knew the hurdles to cross, and each of the stage prepared us for a higher challenge. The news of the award was a mixed feeling of surprise and assurance.’’

    He, however, noted: ‘’There were challenges of funding and bureaucratic bottlenecks, which slowed down our planning. The bottlenecks were many, but we turned them into opportunities.’’

    Caro Favoured Schools’ feat is an example of a successful town-gown synergy that is essential in the socio-economic growth of Nigeria. Since 1999, JAN has impacted over 900,000 youths covering 22,000 classrooms in over 30 cities with 2,500 volunteers in the country.

     

  • Oloyede: Honour for the Honourable

    Today is another day of glory and history in Lagos. All ways from different parts of Nigeria will lead to the Centre of Excellence. At the instance of ‘The Sun’ newspaper, a gathering of Nigeria’s who is who will take place once again and the venue is Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island where a glorious recognition session will be held in honour of some great Nigerians who deserve honour. Among those to be honoured are some outstanding Nigerians in various fields of endeavour and flamboyant politicians who are considered to be frontline performers in their political terrain.

    The occasion is meant to be a show of recognition to certain patriotic Nigerians as an incentive for relentlessness in their excellent performances in public service.

    The most likely focused personality on today’s occasion is the current Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Olanrewaju Oloyede, OFR, FNAL, who is being honoured as the Most Outstanding Public Servant of the Year 2018. He won the same award two years ago (2017) at a similar occasion organised by New Telegraph and this article is similar to what yours sincerely wrote at that time in this column.

    This man’s unique patriotism and honesty at this period of epidemic corruption in Nigeria, especially among public servants, have become a special historic point of reference. His remittance of about N16 billion to the treasury of the Federal Government of Nigeria in less than just about two years of his assumption of office as JAMB Registrar, compared to remittance of less than N2 billion in almost twenty years in the same JAMB, is unprecedented in the history of this country.

     

    Who is this Prof Oloyede?

    He is the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and the current Registrar of JAMB. Any citation about his birth, growth and schooling may not be relevant here since the award to be given to him today is about integrity and not academic qualification.

     

    Observation

    For every age of human life there are particles of history that relay to us the successes or failures of the previous ages. And from such successes or failures humanity endeavours to draw a guide for itself which may serve either as a warning on the vanity of human wishes or as encouragement or both.

    At a time like this when anything new and progressive is a great reminder of the sad flight of hope in Nigeria and its replacement by despair, it behoves only some die hard patriotic optimists to take a positive and progressive leap as an indication that all is not lost in our country after all. One of such optimists is Prof Oloyede.

     

    His Intellectual Prowess

    From his early age, this man has consistently been a bookworm as there was no book within his reach that he would not want to read and digest. His excellent academic performance in the University he attended as well as his exceptional administrative acumen as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin could therefore not have come as a surprise to those who know him closely.  But besides academic brilliance, what actually lifted him in life is his genuine goodwill and sincere selfless service which he is always eagerly ready to render towards helping others. His sacrifices in this sphere are quite legendary and his phenomenal rise can only be classified as a reward for it from Allah.

     

    His Tenure as VC

    If, during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor, the University of Ilorin could rise so loftily from a very modest foundation and tower above many other Universities that preceded it in Nigeria then the hope that a new Nigeria could still emerge from the debris of the old can no longer be a national nightmare.

     

    The Worth of Institutions

    “Institutions are worth no more than the men who work them”. This quotation is  culled from a speech once delivered by Prof O. O. Akinkugbe, the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin. That quotation is partially in tandem with a verse of the Qur’an thus: “Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change the evil contents of their minds…” It was on the premise of that pregnant quotation that Prof Oloyede built his unsurpassable achievements as the Vice-Chancellor of the same University of Ilorin between 2007 and 2012 as a way of encouraging the Nigerian youths of today on the pleasant possibilities of tomorrow. For some of those youths, that tomorrow has earnestly begun with the same Prof Oloyede as their model in JAMB. The men described by Prof Akinkugbe in that quote are not by any means ordinary. And the soils from which they sprang are not by any standard restricted to any particular area of study or style of life. Thus, since the tree of life has many branches and roots, no topmost twig should presume to think that it alone has sprung from the mother earth. There is no restriction of the signpost of life to any particular person, place or time.

     

    Parable of Greatness

    Greatness is like a magnet which attracts only the relevant elements to itself.

    It was because some people including a British writer and poet, Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936), who won Nobel Laurel in 1907 were unmindful of the above quote that the world is in turmoil today. In the conclusion of one of his poems, Rudyard Kipling once asserted thus: ”Oh! East is East and West is West; never the Twain shall meet…” That poem later came to intensify the perennial hostility between the East and the West which the latter came to adopt as a permanent policy to the detriment of global peace and harmony. But what neither Kipling nor the West seemed to understand about the seeming natural divide in the world is the existence of an abstract confluence similar to a knuckle that holds the blades of a pair of scissors together. Just as the scissors cannot operate effectively with one blade so can no man with one focused educational eye correctly claim to be the main signpost in any field of human endeavour. That is what distinguishes Prof Oloyede from many others. He combines the Eastern and the Western education together with the intention of utilising both jointly to the benefit of humanity. And that is now manifesting nationally.

     

    The JAMB Registrar

    Prof Ishaq Olanrewaju Oloyede is a household name in the academia not only in Nigeria or Africa but also in the entire world just like the University he was privileged to head for five years in Ilorin. What qualified him for such a vertical position is an interesting question for which most inquisitive minds may earnestly seek an answer. And the answer is not far-fetched.

    Like some rare men of letters and knowledge, Prof Oloyede wears an intellectual binocular with which he sees life from a bird’s eye view. And this is evident not just in his management of the University of Ilorin for five years but also in the humility, selflessness and patriotism with which he demonstrates civility in all its ramifications. The difference between a man of letters and that of knowledge is quite clear. While the one sees life through the common eye, the other sees it through an uncommon binocular.

    In the days of Socrates, Aristotle and Herodotus, when education was an adorned virtue used as a yardstick for measuring civility and value, no one cared about the material gains accruing from it. Bastardisation of education only set in when certificate was introduced as a means of evaluating its material worth. Thus, with certificate, mere literacy began to be misconceived as education. Whereas literacy is just an added value to education the modern day man has ignorantly but arrogantly interpolated the one for the other. This is what Prof Oloyede resented in his academic odyssey when he chose to combine Eastern education with that of the West with a determination to use the advantage of both as a fertilizer for the academic soil of Nigeria’s future which was why he specialized in Arabic and Islamic Studies even at the professorial level.

    Many ignorant Nigerians including journalists had queried Oloyede’s educational background, even as Vice-Chancellor, in their vainglorious belief that Arabic and Islamic studies had nothing valuable to offer a progressive nation. Apparently, such blind sceptics did not know that some other Nigerian celebrities like the renowned literary  Prof Kole Omotosho, the author of ‘Just Before Dawn’ and the current Alake of Egbaland Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo as well as Prof Isaac Ogunbiyi and even the former First Lady of Ondo State, Mrs. Funke Agagu obtained their first University degrees in Arabic and Islamic Studies from the University of Ibadan. Yet, all of them and others are Christians. Looking at these mentioned personalities and many others like them very well which sensible person can show how their educational backgrounds diminish their greatness in life. Arabic which is naturally spoken by about 400 million people in the world is one of the few languages used to conduct meetings and conferences at the United Nations.  It is only in Nigeria that such naivety with which to denigrate a person for making a choice of career can thrive.

     

    His Philosophy of Life

    Prof Oloyede’s philosophy of life seems to tally with that of Daniel Webster who in a memorable poem stated as follows:

    “If we work marble it will perish; if we work upon brass time will efface it; if we rear temples they will crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds and instil in them just principles; we are then engraving that upon tablets which no time can efface but will brighten to all eternity”.

    This is the philosophy that propelled him to adopt contentment as a personal principle right from his early age. While giving his reason for contesting for Vice-Chancellorship of the University of Ilorin, he once told some medical students of that University who paid him a congratulatory visit on his assumption of office as the new Vice-Chancellor that he never intended to contest for that office. He however made a clarification that when an academic charlatan with an ulterior motive in the same University threatened to expose him if he dared contest, he (Oloyede) saw it as a challenge to put his privacy on a public table. His intention was not to contest but to see what would be exposed in his privacy. But as God would have it he emerged as the Vice-Chancellor without an iota of blemish.

    Before contesting for that post he had served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor twice. First he was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics and later Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration in the same University of Ilorin where he had spent his entire tertiary academic life. Yet, it was only by a mere dint of fortuity that he contested for the post of Vice-Chancellor of that University.  He relayed the story above to the visiting students as a form of admonition that nothing in life is comparable to conscientious service to humanity with humility and patriotism.

     

    Evidence of His Patriotism

    As the President of African Vice-Chancellors, when he noticed that the position of the Executive Secretary of the Association of African Universities (AAU) was more important and more beneficial to Nigeria than that of the President which he occupied, Prof Oloyede encouraged some of his Nigerian colleagues to apply for that post promising that he would resign his Presidential position in that Association to enable a Nigerian emerge as Executive Secretary. But typical of Nigerians, most of his colleagues did not believe him. However, when the time came and one of them applied, Oloyede surprisingly resigned just after two years in an office where he was supposed to spend four renewable years. Following that patriotic display of strategy, Nigeria began to benefit greatly from the post of Executive Secretary which was then held by Prof Jegede, a former Vice- Chancellor of National Open University (NOUN). And to show appreciation to Prof Oloyede over his large heart and patriotism, the AAU Board appointed him as a Board Member of that Association.

    Only a few Nigerians in the academic field can surpass this humble man’s record when it comes to the ‘nitty gritty’ of academic prowess, discipline and integrity. Yet, you can hardly notice it in his demeanour.

     

    His Ladder to the Top

    Prof Oloyede was not only the first ‘FIRST CLASS’ graduate of the Faculty of Arts in the University of Ilorin and the very first alumnus of that University to obtain a PhD in that same University, he was also the first Director of Academic Planning and first alumni President to be a member of the Governing Council of the University. Oloyede is the first Unilorin alumnus to become a Deputy Vice-Chancellor and subsequently the first alumnus to become the Vice-Chancellor of the University.

    Not only that, he is the first Vice-Chancellor in Nigeria to introduce Computer-Based Test (CBT) as a method of screening applicants for admission into the University. An invention which institutions like WAEC and NECO later adopted. This ingenuous personality was also the first Vice-Chancellor to lead a second generation University to the number one position in Nigeria based on external ranking. He also became the first Nigerian Vice-Chancellor to emerge as President of the Association of African Universities (AAU) and at the same time the Chairman of Association of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU).

    He was also the first Nigerian Vice-Chancellor to combine the Board membership of International Association of Universities (IAU) with those of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and Association of African Universities (AAU).

    With the above listed ‘FIRSTS’ he was able to make Unilorin the first Federal University in Nigeria to run an uninterrupted academic calendar throughout his tenure and this made it possible for Unilorin to be internationally ranked as one of the very best 20 Universities in Africa. Also, through Prof Oloyede’s astute academic administration, the University of Ilorin was able to maintain the first position among Nigerian Universities for three consecutive years (2009, 2010 and 2011).

    While giving his first annual report entitled ‘I BELIEVE’ barely one year after he became the Vice-Chancellor, he reflected on that determination thus: “History tells us that Julius Caesar with his legions sailed over the channels from gaol and arrived in today’s England. He did a very clever yet incongruous thing to ensure the success of his army. Halting the soldiers on the chalk cliffs of Dover, he burnt every ship by which they crossed, leaving them with nothing but determination to succeed or perish, with the only means of retreat consumed by the red tongues of fire. It was that determination, powered by courage that made the legions to advance and conquer. They did not look back and the rest is history”.

    “I believe”, he continued: “that with the caesarean determination of avoiding destruction and being focused on the set goals, the University of Ilorin, by all standards, a great University can be greater. Our goals are to fulfil our mission, attain our vision and engrave the name of the University on the psyche of global reckoning through the adoption of best practices. I believe that this is possible along the dictum that says “whatever human mind can conceive and believe man can achieve”. “I believe that we can do it if we are determined”. It is that courageous belief that is now seeing him through the hitherto turbulent voyage of JAMB.

     

    Conclusion

    “Who shares his life’s pure pleasure and walks the honest road; who trades with heaping measure and lifts his brother’s load; who turns the wrong down bluntly and lends the right a hand; he dwells in God’s own country and tills the holy land”.

    Professor Oloyede has done precisely that and Nigeria is a witness. It is now left for the present days to raise up their voices in prayer saying GOD BLESS YOU so that the future days can chorus AMEN in response.

  • Honour for principals, teachers

    Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Government Education District III, Mrs. Titilayo Margaret Solarin, a lawyer, has held the 12th annual merit award to honour junior secondary schools and senior secondary schools in Epe, Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki and Lagos Island. The programme was also intended to reward best principals, teachers and students in those schools.

    The award ceremony held at B.H.S. Tafawa Balewa Square, Obalende-Lagos.

    The guest speakers were Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Idiat Oluranti Adebule and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tasir Olawale Raji from Epe Federal Constituency.

    Mrs Adebule, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Teachers’ Establishment and Pensions Office, Mrs Olatokunbo Adeleye, congratulated the award recipients and said to whom much is given, much is expected. Hard work leads to being champions and to sustain the championship, hard work is still expected.

    She said the award recipients are role models to some principals, teachers and students.

    Other principals, teachers and students will be looking onto them and strive to get to their level.

    “Comparing a passionate teacher with intelligent teacher, a passionate teacher will see to it that the lowest and weakest student gets to the highest level,” she said.

    Hon. Wale Raji also congratulated the recipients. He promised to give scholarships up to university level to the best three outstanding students who pass the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). He said arrangements in that regard will be concluded before the year ends. The students with the best result in the core subjects will also be specially recognised. The details would be presented later for necessary approval.

    Dignitaries that attended the event were His Royal Majesty (HRM) Oba Abdul-Ganiyu Aderibigbe Asumo, paramount ruler of Odo-Ayandelu Kingdom, Ikosi-Ejinrin, Epe; Tutor- General/Permanent Secretary, Education District I, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluyinka Ayadele; Tutor- General/Permanent Secretary, Education District II, Otunba Ebenezer Abayomi Olusanya; representative of Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Wale Esinloku and others.

     

  • ‘Honour your pledges to people’

    The Olota of Ota, HRM Oba Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege has advised politicians to always fulfil electoral promises when they get to power.

    He said fulfilling the electoral promises” is very essential and a means to bring about good governance”.

    The monarch gave this advice at his palace when Ogun State Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Ladi Adebutu, and the party chieftains paid homage to his palace in Ota, Ogun State.

    He said the majority of politicians forgot their pledges immediately they got to powers.

    He said: “I am a monarch. I am not a politician. I cannot campaign for any politician. Mine is just to advise you, political leaders, to always remember your promises to the electorate.

    “Most of you forget your promises. You even  neglect or abandon the people after getting to  power.”

    While presenting the gubernatorial candidate to the Olota, former Commissioner for Work in Ogun State and the PDP senatorial candidate in 2015 general elections, Hon. Waliu Olayiwola Taiwo, stressed the need to support a Remo man to pilot the affairs of the state.

    Chief Layi Taiwo assured the Olota that Hon. Adebutu would surpass the achievements of past PDP governors in Ogun State and would put an end to the sufferings of Ado-Odo/Ota people.

     

  • Honour for Bayelsa Govt House Chaplain

    The Newlife Theological Seminary, North Carolina, the United States of America (USA), has awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree of Philosophy to the Chaplain of the Gloryland Chapel, Bayelsa State Government House, Bishop Dotimi Egbegi.

    The honour, which was conferred on Egbegi by Dr. James Watford, formed one of the highlights of activities making the summit organised in Yenagoa, the state capital, by the International Congress for Rural Evangelism (iCORE).

    Clergymen from around the world, who attended the summit, were iCORE International Director, Bishop James Watford; Apostle Earl Newton from the USA, Evangelist Annie from Canada, Dr. Assiongbonvi Ayite from Ghana and Bishop A. D. Otong from Nigeria.

    Renowned pastors and church workers also attended the summit entitled “Activating Disciples”, at the Graceworld Heritage Tabernacle International, Opolo. The Convener, Apostle Saturday Mark, said Bishop Egbegi merited the award.

    He said: “When we came into Bayelsa, we carried out a research and spoke to people. We wanted to know a clergy man with exceptional qualities. Almost everybody we spoke to mentioned Egbegi.

    “We have not interacted with him personally but with the testimonies of ministers around here who have worked with us, we know that Bishop Egbegi is the choice and we picked him for this award.

    “We believe that with him, we will continue to reach out to other ministers who are still maintaining the integrity of the Gospel”.

    In his response, Egbegi described the award as a great honour to him, even as he added that he has been motivated to do more.

    He said: “If you don’t impact on lives, your usefulness on earth will not be felt. It is when you impact on the lives of men, particularly men who cannot pay you back that your influence and impact is felt on earth.

    “It is a great motivation to improve myself and to influence and better the society better and mentor others to be great in society and for eternity”.

    Earlier, Mark, who spoke on the “Battle of the Woods” said iCORE was founded to sustain sensitisation and mobilisation of disciples. He referred to the woods as far-flung creeks, villages and communities.

    He said such drive would stop people in such areas from depending on superstitions, deities and other unwholesome traditional practices.

    He said: “We are involved in the great commission with a specific definition of discipleship. iCORE is built on a four-leg objective of rural evangelism and development, discipleship, leadership training and prayer for world revival.

    “We believe that the world goes where the leaders go. The church also goes where the leaders go and if the leaders are affected, the church will be affected; the nation will be affected. And so we bring in pastors and church workers to train.

    “We emphasise discipleship on a personal level, most importantly rural evangelism. Everyone wants to go to the city. Everyone wants to go to Abuja. Everyone wants to go to Lagos and we neglect the rural communities and the people there are left in darkness.

    “While the government is talking about rural electrification, iCORE is talking about rural evangelisation; bringing the people to Christ and breaking the chains of darkness”.

    In his remarks, Watford said commitment to prayer and training were the three ingredients to create evangelistic programme in local churches. He stressed that evangelism was not recruitment.

    “Without that message, there is no evangelism since there is no good news. Evangelism is transcultural and universal and goes throughout every era of time.

    “We should be thankful; the message of evangelism never changes. We should pray that we will always be sensitive to the changing methods so that many people will have the opportunity to hear the good news”, he said.

     

  • Dignitaries honour Jim Ovia as he rewrites Africa’s story

    Those who see Africa as the dark continent got a fit and proper reply yesterday.

    They are wrong, going by the story of a foremost banker, philanthropist and business icon, Jim Ovia, whose autobiography was presented in Lagos.

    Ovia rose from a humble background to become chairman and founder of Zenith Bank Plc, one of the few giants in the industry..

    The expansive Eko Hotel Convention Centre on Lagos Island was throbbing with dignitaries who listened attentively as Dr Christopher Kolade, who chaired the colourful ceremony, spoke.

    He said: “The Africa story was always being told by those who didn’t have the right perspective and knowledge of the continent.”

    Listening were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, doyen of Accountancy Pa Akintola Williams and former Commonwealth Secretary General Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

    There were also bankers, industrialists, diplomats, politicians, including senators, governors, House of Reps members, senior military personnel and traditional rulers. Ovia said he wrote the book to correct the erroneous impressions that Africa represented anything but good. He said the foreigners’ opinion of Africa was based on limited information about the continent, adding that Africa has come of age and that the book’s title, Africa, rise and shine reflects the strides attained in the continent over the last 30years.

    The Special Guest of Honour, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said: I’m impressed, not surprised about Jim’s success. The book has captured the Nigerian dream, especially where he said: ‘If I can do it, you can do it’. We need to rebrand Africa. Economies driven by technology will always blossom. The book is a civic tax that Jim has paid to better the society.”

    Dr. Kolade, former Nigerian High Commissioner to Britain, who chaired the occasion, said Ovia had influenced many in corporate Nigeria, adding that it was a privilege to chair the event. He said he was happy to witness Africa as a shining continent, as the story is now being told by someone who is knowledgeable and a shining example of the rising and shining African.

    Kolade said: “I accepted not only to read the book, but to do a write-up on the book.”

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said: if you are a professional accountant, you will have reason to come across Jim.”

    To him, the book is inspiring and good for everyone who wants to be successful. “

    Tinubu described the book as “a remarkable one”. He said: “Jim wrote the book himself and there are no fictions or embellishments. It is worth reading and studying by youths. Jim was never afraid to try. He believes in Africa and Nigeria where everyone has the opportunity to do well in banking, healthcare, technology, among other sectors. He is an example that it is possible for the continent to grow. Jim has demonstrated that hard work is important for us to create the future we dream of.”

    Several other personalities, including Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank for Africa and HEIRS Holdings, spoke glowingly of Ovia’s attributes and immense contributions to banking.

    Ovia is the godfather of banking in our time. He is a philanthropist who has worked hard to get to where he is today. He has also established the Jim Ovia Foundation to better the lives of people, Mrs. Alakija said.

    Ovia, who mounted the podium shortly after Osinbajo said: “You must use your God-given sense and go with your guts. We all have the feeling at certain points in our lives. We will want to do certain things; you are not too sure because you don’t have any data to prove it’s going to be right. But your instinct tells you do it, just do it.”

    Ovia, who is reputed for his love for IT, said the internet enables one to do online transactions, online sales, online education and everything. He said Amazon is now over $1 trillion, pointing out that it doesn’t have a factory anywhere.

    He said: “They don’t have any oil well at all but has over $1 trillion in market capitalisation and richer than Nigeria and twice the GDP of Nigeria. It is because they embraced technology and the internet. Look at what Google has done. Google was just set up as a search engine, but now Google is one of the richest companies in the entire world.

    “Of course, the market capitalisation of Google is larger than Nigeria’s GDP, and I mean larger than all the oil wells we have, all the resources we have and all the agriculture we have. Just one company! So, economies driven by technology will always blossom. So, for us to blossom, let’s start to digitise the economy. If we digitise the economy, it will continue to grow. If we use technology to drive our manufacturing process, our agriculture and healthcare, we will know what that will do for us.

    “The narrative of Africa has been something so pathetic. When you Google about Africa then, the first things that come out is that it is a continent of complex, a continent of corruption and of coups. And that was played out very dramatically when The Economist magazine had on their front page that Africa then was a continent of coup and a continent of corruption. But after two decades, that narrative started changing. Today, we now know that Africa is truly rising.”

    He went on: “Between then and now, what you have is that GDP per capita of many African countries is well above $1,000, whereas about 20 years ago, it was below $500.

    “So, for me, Africa is rising. Twenty years ago, only few African countries had mobile phones, but today, all the African countries not only have mobile phones, they also have broadband technology and internet penetration is high. Africa is rising by embracing technology.  Today, no single Africa country that

    Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, a former CEO of Zenith Bank, described Ovia as “a true giant of our time, obviously not in size, but in all else!

    “In Africa Rise and Shine, Ovia shares very important words of wisdom, drawn from his more than 38-year experience as an undeniable trail blazer in Nigeria’s banking sector, as well as his experience in the telecommunications and insurance sectors. The book conveys an inspirational message on universal principles that are applicable in every country, which can serve as a guide to millions of young Nigerians on how to succeed, especially not only because of the opportunities around you, but also despite the challenges in your environment,” Emefiele said.

    He listed some of the attributes as devotion to knowledge,  commitment to excellence, and courage to dare where many fear. “As you will find in the book, these factors were instrumental in enabling him to build a US$16 billion conglomerate from barely N20 million at start-up of this empire. For those of us who know him and have worked under him, Mr. Jim Ovia is a stickler for knowledge and is deeply committed to excellence,” Emefiele said.

    “In my role as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, these qualities have served as a guiding principle for me and were very useful during the economic downturn that Nigeria faced between 2016 – 2017.  Under the glaringly distinguished but often unacknowledged leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, these qualities propelled me and the rest of the economic team to remain focused, to work assiduously, and to reach out to relevant stakeholders in developing solutions that eventually led to Nigeria’s recovery from the recession by the 3rd Quarter of 2017.”

    Other dignitaries at the event included APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, Governors Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom) Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Kashim Shetima (Borno), Ibrahim Dankwanbo (Gombe), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and the Sultan of Sokoto Abubakar Sa’ad’s representative Umar Sanusi.

    Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Aliko Dangote represented by his daughter Halima Prof. Pat Utomi, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akinolu, Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja 111, Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Oba Otudeko, Mrs. Kay Ovia, Mr. Bode Augusto, representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen M.S. Yusuf (GOC 81), THIS DAY& ARISE TV Chairman/Publisher Nduka Obaigbena, Channels TV Chairman John Momoh, Chief Segun Osoba and Zenith Bank CEO Peter Amangbo among others.

  • Bigwigs honour Tunde Obe at 50

    WITH live performances by the Dejavu Band, 9ice, Ruggedman, Yinka Davies, Essence, Gbenga Adeyinka, KSB and Tee A, there is no gainsaying that Tunde Obe’s 50th birthday celebration was a topnotch event.

    It was an exclusive event held at Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, with close friends and family of the celebrant, Tunde and his wife cum band mate at T.W.O, Wunmi Obe.

    At an event where T.W.O themselves performed, there were as many entertainers as there were business executives, politicians, ambassadors and media executives. It was a night of class and glamour.

    The event was not your regular birthday party but a family affair as everyone took turns on stage to deliver a speech or to perform.

    Teju Babyface, Gordons, Gbenga Adeyinka, Yinka Davies, Yeni Kuti, 9ice, Dayo Adeneye, Ruggedman, Essence, Kenny Saint Best (KSB), Tee A, Ken Caleb Olumese, Samuel Olatunji, Seye Kehinde, Azuh Arinze, Gbenga Adebija, Ayeni Adekunle, Kunle Bakare, Segun Obe and a host of others are few names from the long roll call at the event.

    The event was a celebration of three major milestones in the couple’s lives. 30 years of being performing artistes, 20 years of being happily married and 50 years of Tunde Obe with the latter getting more of the spotlight.

    Tunde Obe was full of gratitude to God for clocking 50 and jokingly said he is now a man.

    “I am so excited that I am 50. I am now a man. I have seen people who were cut down in their prime but here I am celebrating the big 50. I am very grateful. It’s not just that but also, celebrating 20 years of our marriage and 30 years of music together. These are really big deals and I am so grateful to everyone who came out to show us support. We didn’t make noise about it because we wanted it to be a family affair and as you can see, what happened here tonight could only have been achieved because everyone here has a strong connection with us,” he said.