The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “great leader” with the rare courage and clarity required to steer Nigeria through challenging times.
Wike, who spoke during the 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Thursday, hailed Tinubu for what he called “decisive, no-nonsense leadership” and dismissed speculations that a hidden cabal was running the presidency.
“This is a president that is in charge. He is a great leader. There’s nothing like a cabal under him,” Wike declared to thunderous applause. “He has shown the courage that many before him lacked. That is leadership.”
The former Rivers State governor took a swipe at previous administrations, stating that while past presidents avoided difficult decisions, Tinubu has faced them head-on.
“Many of our former presidents—Obasanjo, Jonathan—knew what should be done, but they didn’t do it. They didn’t remove the fuel subsidy. They didn’t unify the exchange rate. But President Tinubu did. That’s what makes him different,” Wike said.
He noted that the president’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and exchange rate unification, were long overdue but politically risky—moves only a confident and visionary leader could make.
According to Wike, “The subsidy regime was a scam, and many people were feeding fat on it. It takes a great leader to say enough is enough. President Tinubu is not just leading—he’s leading with direction, with courage, and with conviction,” he concluded.
The distinguished personality lecture drew academics, political figures, and students from across the country.
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has denied reports that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested two students who protested during a lecture delivered by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday.
During the event held at Oduduwa Hall, where Wike spoke on “The Nigeria of Our Dreams,” two unidentified students raised placards and shouted in protest. The disruption drew the attention of other students, some of whom attempted to confront the protesters.
However, university security personnel swiftly intervened and escorted the students out of the hall, preventing further escalation.
Following the incident, a viral claim surfaced alleging that DSS operatives had arrested the protesting students. Reacting to the report, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, dismissed the claim as false.
“You were in the hall. You saw that the two students raised placards and were not disturbed,” Olarewaju stated. “Their shouting attracted other students who were about to descend on them, but the school security team intervened promptly.”
He urged the public to disregard the misinformation, emphasizing that no arrests were made by the DSS in connection with the protest.
“They were rescued from their colleagues and escorted out to avert further harassment on the protesters. I can authoritatively tell you that they were not arrested. They have the right to protest and they have exercise it.
“But other students too have rights and to avoid a fight, the security team had to intervene and calm the situation.”
Tragedy struck at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State on Wednesday as a don, Prof. Jimoh Famakinwa, died after attending a departmental meeting.
The Nation gathered that the professor attended the meeting at the Department of Philosophy, but was noticed breathing abnormally by his colleagues. Consequently, he was taken to the university health and medical centre.
It was learnt that he was later rushed to the teaching hospital in the institution for treatment, but died before reaching the facility.
Confirming the incident, spokesperson for the institution, Abiodun Olarewaju, said the management was sad about the incident.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, has led other members of the management team to pay a condolence visit to the widow and the children.
He said: “Prof. Famakinwa lived a fulfilled life of positive impact on those who were fortunate to come across him. We should know that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away as He pleases.”
It was learnt his body had been deposited at the Department of Anatomy.
It is lamentable that a year after the tragic incident in which a zookeeper, Olabode Olawuyi, was attacked and killed by a lion at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, the university management has not released an official report on the tragedy.
According to the chairman of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), OAU, Matthew Oluwaniyi, “Regrettably, despite marking the first anniversary of his passing, we are yet to receive the official report on the circumstances surrounding his death.” He said this at a workshop to mark the first anniversary of Olawuyi’s death. The event was held at the university and focused on “Workplace Safety Awareness.”
Importantly, he also said: “This workshop is more than just an event. It is a reminder that safety is not just a conversation but a responsibility. We must ensure that the lessons from Comrade Olawuyi’s sacrifice lead to improved policies, better protective measures, and a workplace where no staff member feels unsafe in the line of duty.”
Olawuyi, a veterinary technologist, had been in charge of the zoological garden at the university for over a decade before his death on February 19, 2024 after he was attacked by a nine-year-old male lion. He was said to have been in his fifties and in charge of wildlife care and health, and also provided research assistance. The lion was put down.
At the time, Oluwaniyi had described Olawuyi as “a hero,” adding, “he died while trying to rescue the person who was initially attacked by the lion. He gave his life to rescue his subordinate whom he was supervising.” The university’s vice-chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire, ordered “a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident.” The state of the investigation is unclear.
The sad incident called for a review of zoo security at the university. The institution needed to ensure that its zoo is a secure and safe environment for both animals and people, including zookeepers and visitors. Such a review was expected to include rethinking the zoo’s enclosures, retraining the zookeepers to prevent the danger of complacency, and paying greater attention to proper feeding and care of the animals in the zoo.
The delay in releasing an official report on the tragedy based on the ordered investigation suggests that the university management has not treated the matter with the appropriate seriousness. This is a dishonour to the zookeeper who lost his life in such horrific circumstances while on duty.
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has promised to immortalise Mr Olabode Olawuyi, a veterinary technologist who was killed by a lion in the university zoo.
The Registrar of the University, Mr Adetunji Bakare, stated this on Wednesday at a one-day workshop to mark the first anniversary of Olawuyi’s death, held at Pit Theatre, Department of Dramatic Arts, OAU.
The workshop, organised by the National Association of Academic Technologists(NAAT) was titled “Workplace Safety Awareness”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olawuyi died on Feb. 19, 2024, while attempting to rescue a junior colleague who was attacked by the lion during feeding.
The registrar stated that people were not gathering to celebrates Olawuyi’s death, “but his heroism.”
Bakare assured that the university authorities would immortalise the memory of late Olawuyi.
The registrar saluted Olawuyi’s courage for standing in gap of death of other.
He assured said that measures have been put in place to prioritise workplace safety for staff and create conducive environment for the staff of the institution.
Speaking at the event, NAAT National President, Mr Ibeji Nwokoma, said Olawuyi was a martyr who died saving another life.
Nwokoma, who was represented by the immediate past National Treasurer, Dr Rachel Hassan-Olajokun, urged the university management to rename the zoo in Olawuyi’s honour.
Similarly, Mr Reuben Temerigha, the Managing Director, Western Diamond Energy Limited(WEDEL), charged every organisation to provide a safe and healthy environment for their staff.
Represented by Mr Harry Ipalibo, the Manager, Health Safety Security and Environment, WEDEL, Temerigha maintained that workplace injuries and hazard remain a pressing challenge.
He added that the deceased’s bravery and selflessness served as a stark reminder of the risks many workers face on a daily basis, calling for prioritising safety and implementing measures that would prevent such incident in the future.
Temerigha identified lack of awareness and training, non-compliance with safety regulations, hazardous work environments, fatigue and human error, and poor safety culture among others as the challenges to workplace safety.
He suggested comprehensive training programmes, strict enforcement of safety technology, encouraging a culture of safety, regular safety audits and risk assessments, employee well-being programmes as the way out to safeguard the workers.
Speaking, the Chairman, NAAT-OAU, Mr Matthew Oluwaniyi, said that the programme was to honour the deceased whose demise serves as a solemn reminder of the risks many workers face daily.
Oluwaniyi emphasised that the late Zoologist left a legacy that demands actions, not just remembrance, calling for Olawuyi’s immortalisation by naming the OAU Zoological Garden after him.
As part of efforts to expand knowledge in developing nations, Penn State selected four African universities for strategic partnerships.
A team from the university, led by Professor of Electrical Engineering Peter Idowu, visited OAU for a facility tour over the weekend.
They commended the institution’s management and expressed admiration for its academic excellence and infrastructure.
The don said: “The university is seeking to form partnership and collaboration with universities in West Africa and when we were scoping out for universities, OAU fit into our mission. It is very large, diverse, wide range in programme and comprehensive university like Penn State University.
“We want to partner with as many universities as possible looking at those who have a similar mission as ours. The goal is to start with one or two universities to look at how to do it and see how fruitful it is.”
In her remark on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Professor Omobola Babalola described the partnership programme as a win-win situation for the two schools, saying it is aimed at expanding frontiers of teaching and leaning.
Also, OAU’s Executive Director Center for Research, Professor Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe said the partnership would benefit, not just OAU, but Nigeria as a whole, as it would enable bringing knowledge from the developed world to Africa via Nigeria and propel the country towards becoming a develop nation through research.
“Research is very key to every aspect of life, to moving the country forward, particularly this time when we have Artificial Intelligence(AI) and machine learning, those are things we want to bring in from the developed world to the south, we also have things that we will exposing them to, so that the collaboration will be beneficial to both OAU and the Penn State University”, she posited.
A viral video has captured the heartwarming moment when students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) showered their lecturer, Dr. Olagunju, with gifts as a token of appreciation for his exceptional dedication.
Despite the challenges of teaching multiple levels alone, the students acknowledged Dr. Olagunju’s commitment to their education and well-being.
The students, deeply grateful for his efforts, decided to express their gratitude specially.
The surprise gift-giving ceremony began with a single student presenting Dr. Olagunju with bottled water, followed by a flood of students coming forward with their gifts.
The lecturer was visibly overwhelmed with emotion as he received the heartfelt gestures.
A student with the TikTok handle ‘doxaleey’ shared the video, captioning it with a message expressing their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Olagunju.
She wrote: “We wanted to express our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Olagunju for his exceptional dedication and hard work this semester, and we couldn’t come up with a better idea than this.
“Despite the challenges of teaching Parts 1-4 alone, Dr. Olagunju has consistently demonstrated his commitment to our education and well-being. His efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we’re deeply appreciative of the positive impact he’s had on our learning experience.
“We’re grateful to have had the opportunity to show our appreciation today and wish we could do more to express our thanks. Sir, we love you, Dr. Olagunju.”
Professor Siyan Oyeweso is a renowned Historian, scholar, author and seasoned administrator. He is the pro-chancellor and chairman, governing council of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State. On the 14th of December 2024, he presided over the 48th convocation ceremony of the university, the first since he assumed office on the 4th of July, 2024. In this write-up Edozie Udeze takes a look at his convocation address, what he has in stock for the university and his appeal for people to contribute to resuscitate education in Nigeria and lots more.
On December 14th, the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, had its 48th convocation ceremony. It was a big ceremony which attracted the largest crowds ever and where the 21st pro-chancellor and chairman, the governing council of the university, Professor Siyan Oyeweso took time out to roll out the achievements of the great Ife in the past years. It was also an opportunity for him to marshal out the plans the council has put in place to advance and develop OAU beyond the level it is now. An elated and excited Oyeweso who is also an alumnus of OAU was painstaking in the way he addressed the situation in the university and why the council headed by him has instituted a couple of laudable developmental plans including the Strategic Plan Committee 2025 – 2050, aimed essentially to concentrate on research, teaching and community engagements.
Oyeweso, a professor of History and a fellow of Nigerian Academy of Letters went down memory lane to re-freshen people’s minds about the past and present academic strides recorded by OAU, a university which has always been considered the best environment suitable for academic exercise in Nigeria. Oyeweso and his team assumed office on 4th of July, 2024 and as a matter of fact this was his first official outing as the pro-chancellor. In his words as enunciated in his well loaded an articulated speech, Oyeweso said, “I am profoundly delighted and honoured to welcome the Visitor to the Obafemi Awolowo University (Great Ife), His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, a political icon and one of Africa’s greatest statesmen”.
In welcoming other dignitaries to the occasion including Etsu Nupe, Dr. Yahaya Abubakar who is the chancellor, Oyeweso reminded the August gathering that President Tinubu took enough time to assemble and appoint men and women of proven integrity, honour and impeccable character to preside over sensitive national affairs. For him, this has also shown how resilient and concerted the president is in terms of his resolve and determination to move Nigeria forward in the area of education and more.
In the midst of mounting economic pressures in all sectors, OAU has come to represent the best. “As we gather today for this 48th convocation,” he said, smiling profoundly, “it is culmination of years of dedication, hard work, unwavering pursuit of knowledge and personal growth for our dear students… Today all of you, have not just earned higher degrees, you have also unlocked world of opportunities and possibilities”. As he said so, the crowds, guests, all important dignitaries in the convocation arena applauded his sense of leadership and fatherly care for all. Oyeweso was indeed on top of his game.
Oyeweso’s dream is to have an OAU that is constantly on the road to greatness. When he assumed office, he did not mince words about it. “Yes, I also recognise the contributions of those who were in this position before me. Also permit me to recognise the hard work and contributions of members of the university management led by the hard working vice chancellor Professor Simeon Bamire and other members of staff. All these have come to enable our graduands of today to complete their various degree programmes without any hitch”. He equally referred to the scarce resources to run the institution. However, he was quick to add, “we have equally confronted these challenges with unbridled dedication and resilience. We have been able to record modest accomplishments within a short time after our inauguration on 4th July, 2024. This is why we have inaugurated Strategic Plan Committee comprising all stakeholders. It is to put together a plan that will serve as a road map, guiding towards excellence in teaching, research and community engagements from 2025-2050”.
Beyond that, there is also what he described as OAU @63 History Project Committee. Its aim is to preserve all legacies of the great Ife from the time of inception and looking into the future. With regards to this, he noted, “this will be in form of a published book that celebrates our university’s achievements and contributions, particularly and its attainment of enviable national and international status”. These amongst other long and short term plans are meant to lift the citadel of learning to the next level academically. All these for Oyeweso, who is an acclaimed author of many academic works cutting across the humanities and who is also a great strategist, administrator and teacher are for the good of OAU. For him, it is good to work as a team to achieve long-term purposeful results, leaving behind enviable records for posterity. This is one of the hallmarks of a great and purpose-driven manager of people. In fact, he has been able to bring in his many years of teaching, research and guiding people at different levels of life to help him steer the ship of OAU in these troubled times. There is no doubt that Professor Oyeweso is a man of many parts.
Even as he teaches at Osun State University where he holds sway in the department of History, he still has time to square it up as a tested and trusted administrator. While acknowledging however that no Nigerian university is among the top ten in global scene, he also vowed to do his best to resuscitate OAU back to its traditional academic status. “The 25 year plan is to map out directions, adapt to changes, optimize resource allocation, attract more funding, ensure sustainability in building on legacies of success and then shape a brighter future in the university. This is in order to mitigate current and future challenges…” In doing this, it is easier therefore to bridge the infrastructural deficit of the university. When this is done, there will continue to exist mutual working understanding amongst the people concerned with the welfare, growth and development of the university.
In his capacity, he also paid glowing tribute to President Ahmed Tinubu. In this regard, he said, “permit me to also recognize a fundamental contribution of the university Visitor President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to educational growth and development in Nigeria through profound reforms in education support. The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has disbursed a total loan of N29, 45, 337,053 of the student loan to 90,472 students. Therefore, I must extend our sincere appreciation to Mr. President for approving a 50% electricity subsidy for universities”. Nothing can be better than these laudable gestures, Oyeweso explained while asking more privileged Nigerians to come in to help nurture and grow education in the country.
According to him, the task should not be left in the hands of government alone. Education should be the prerogative and concern of all; because it is the bedrock of every nation, more so, in this age of technology. And in so doing, he has ensured that the morale of members of staff is constantly boosted. In the same vein also, some hostels and halls of residence and other structures on campus have been refurbished to meet some certain needs and requirements. So apart from the beauties and the environmental aesthetics of the campus which he vowed to restore, he thanked the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her continuous support to the university. Fortunately, the First Lady is an alumnus of OAU where she graduated from 41 years ago. Oyeweso decided when he said, “I must specifically thank the mother of the nation, our First Lady, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, an esteemed alumnus of our university who recently donated a huge sum of money to our university”.
He went on, “the money was specifically meant to resuscitate the floral landscape which will restore the glory of our university as Africa’s most beautiful campus… This university from where you graduated 41 years ago is begging for attention in terms of new structures, auditoria, hostels and classrooms”. In this speech which was aptly titled Great Ife: Pathways to a greater tomorrow, he emphasized the need for all the people concerned to be on their toes for the sake of today and tomorrow. People’s commitment, he noted, will ultimately lead to national development in which the core values of people will align with the values of this great institution called OAU.
Amongst those conferred with honorary doctorate degrees were: Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Dr. Akanmu Ogunbiyi, Professor Olusegun Adegbulugbe, Olutokun Toriola and Daere Akobo. Their onerous contributions to nation building in the words of Oyeweso, cannot be easily measured. In all, he promised to continue to establish legacies and concerns that will help students to continue to learn and study under very friendly and conducive environment. “We will also review our curricula to ensure relevance and responsiveness to industry needs”. Also he and his team will launch a student entrepreneurship programme to support start-up developments among other plausible plans to keep the students updated about most social affairs while they pursue their academic dreams and attainments.
He then thanked the alumni, and all the people, individuals and all that have shown faith with OAU. In attendance were people from all walks of life, traditional rulers, politicians, senators and assembly members, captains of industry, parents, friends and well-wishers of OAU from far and near. The campus was agog with multiple colours for many days as graduands and their parents converged to jolly and rollick in the beauty of the moment. Oyeweso who was simply pleased and gregarious with the outcome showed his gratitude in the way he welcomed all to the campus.
In celebration of its 48th convocation, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun state, is set to confer honorary doctorate degrees on notable individuals, including the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Prince Karl Toriola.
Speaking at the convocation press briefing on Thursday, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, announced that three other exceptional Nigerians will also be honoured.
The recipients include Dr. Akinade Ogunbiyi, group chairman of Mutual Benefit Plc, which employs over 5,000 youths; Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe; and Daere Afonya-Akobo.
He explained: “Oluremi TinubuI is an advocate for the underprivileged, particularly women and children. She founded the Yeye Asiwaju Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to women’s and children’s empowerment, and the New Era Foundation, focusing on youth development, environmental health, and community service.
“She gave grants for the spelling bee, and petty traders and even sponsored prizes in the Faculty of Education with N50 million. She donated N1billion for the school recently.”
Speaking about the graduates, he said: “215 graduated with First Class, 2,197 bagged Second Class Upper Division while 2,691 finished with Second Class Lower, 755 are in Third Class category.
“61 of them finished with Upper Credit, 33 bagged lower credit and 62 have pass grades. In total 6,015 will graduate for classified degrees, 395 for unclassified, and 958 for postgraduate degrees.”
The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Osun State may lose medical course as Clinical lecturers embarked on industrial action amid the commencement of the accreditation programme.
The lecturers under the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association (MDCAN) commenced strike action on Monday after expiration of the 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to reverse the alleged discriminatory criteria used in the selection and appointment of the university leadership positions especially for the office of the Vice-Chancellor.
The union lamented the criteria of appointment of VCs in some universities excluding its members from applying for the roles.
A statement by the OAU union through its chairman and Secretary, Dr Olufemi Ogundipe and Dr Tajudin Adetunji, confirmed that they had fully complied with the national directive to embark on strike.
The statement explained that academic activities at the College of Health Sciences in OAU involving all clinical lecturers have been shut down.
“The fate of over 100 final medical students of OAU now hangs in the balance just as the medical college may lose its accreditation status with the National University Commission (NUC) if the long-standing shortfall in the emoluments of the clinical lecturers as a result of non-implementation of CONMESS is not addressed.”
The union urged government and the university authority to act swiftly, saying, “We are demanding immediate payment of CONMESS to all clinical lecturers in OAU to save the future of medical education,” the union said.
