Kemi Olaitan writes on the implications of the recent launched Implementation Strategy on the African Continental Free Trade Area on the economy of Oyo State

“Some people who are used to politics without purpose may begin to look for ulterior motives. Some may even ask whose interest will this (signing on to the African Continental Free Trade Area initiative) serve?,” the governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, asked through the Acting Governor, Barrister Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, at the recent launching of the state’s implementation strategy on AfCFTA.

At the event held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan and attended by the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA, Wamkele Mene, former Vice Chairperson of the African Union, Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Christophe Bazivamo, Sierra Leone’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Major-General Dauda Fred Alpha (rtd), among others, the Oyo State governor and others explained the state’s huge aspiration to become a player in Africa’s integrated market.

The acting governor in answering his own poser, quoting Governor Makinde, itemised the benefits of the AfCFTA to residents of the state and the state itself, noting that the government’s vision to engender sustainable development and expand the state’s economy for the benefits of residents and the coming generation is behind the initiative.

The governor explained that joining up with the rest of Africa to participate in the single African Market, which according to the AfCFTA’s Secretary-General, Mene, has about 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP of 3.4 trillion US dollars, will open up the state to greater trade volume, increased production capacity and expanded revenue.

By launching the AfCFTA implementation strategy, the governor said, the government has prepared Oyo State’s systems; regulations, standards, infrastructure, and institutional readiness and investment incentives through a domestic alignment, readiness, reforms and business enablement, which will see it become a major trade hub in West Africa.

The direct implications of this effort, he noted, is that traders, farmers, entrepreneurs, manufacturers in the state will have access to a bigger market, while value addition and productive capacities will also be boosted in the state.

According to him, the strategy will help to improve the export readiness of the state’s Small and Medium Enterprises through training, support for compliance with standards on packaging and certifications and also signal to investors that Oyo State is ready and that it is a good place to invest.

He added that the strategy will equally help to focus by identifying priority sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and the creative industry, while the state can also devote resources where they will bring the highest returns.

His words, “Someone may ask; is this another jamboree or what exactly are the benefits for Oyo State? Are there real measurable gains in the short term, in the medium term and in the long term? Let me tell you what this strategy will deliver. In the immediate term, this strategy will improve the export readiness of our Small and Medium Enterprises through training, support for compliance with standards on packaging and certifications.

“It is also a signal to investors to tell them that Oyo State is ready and this is a good place to invest. It will also help to focus by identifying priority sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and the creative industry. We can devote resources where they will bring the highest returns. People talk about the Port in Lagos as an advantage that drives its economy. Well, this is our own port. With our proximity to the Benin Republic, Oyo State can legally boost cross-border trades, improve logistics infrastructure and create jobs in all support services that go with it.”

“In the long term, this strategy will attract foreign direct investments into our priority sectors and give our businesses access to a single African market of about 1.4 billion people and diversify our economy so that we rely less on receipts from oil and more on value-added productions. And, as incomes rise for our farmers, manufacturers and artisans, state revenues will also grow.

“You have already seen how we increased our revenues without increasing taxes. We did this by helping people see that their taxes are not a burden but a partnership, funding infrastructure and services that create even more opportunities. These steps we are taking now will ensure that long after we have left office, Oyo State will become a true trade hub for West Africa,” he said.

Earlier, Governor Makinde’s Special Adviser on International Trade and AfCFTA, Ms Neo Theodore-Tlhaselo, on her own part, maintained that the implementation strategy would provide an opportunity for traders, farmers, artisans, manufacturers in the state to “tap into the wider broader market, which is within the African continent,” adding that the opportunity will make Oyo State’s traders to be able to accelerate their businesses and make the state to be able to accelerate its economy.

She situated the implementation strategy launch within the context of the many bold moves by Governor Makinde to grow the economy of Oyo State, noting that the implementation strategy launch is “a call to action and a significant signal that Oyo State is open for business locally and across Africa.”

According to her, the launch of the implementation strategy by the state will position it to take full advantage of the immense opportunities, which the AfCFTA provides in terms of increasing the state’s production capacity, increasing trade volume and expanding the economy of the state.

Explaining the relevance of the AfCFTA and the launch of its implementation strategy to the common man in Oyo State, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, explained that traders from Oyo to Igboho, the cashew farmer in Oko, Ogbomoso South local government area, the cassava farmer in Ado-Awaye, the manufacturers and entrepreneurs in Ibadan and the tech-savvy young man in Ogbomoso all have something to benefit from Oyo’s venture into the AfCFTA.

“The AFCTA is a flagship project of the African Union that aims to create a single continental market for goods and services with a free movement of business, personal investment across Africa.  Oyo State made a request to be on the table of negotiation of AfCFTA, such that whatever we are producing here can find their way straight to all the other states of African countries that have signed into the protocol of the AfCFTA, so that we don’t have to wait for Nigeria or for other places.

“For somebody that produces àdìre, so far that Oyo State have been able to sign into the protocol, by the time it’s getting to the border of those countries, we can say it’s AfCFTA-related and covered. So, that can actually enhance exportation of goods and services from Oyo State.  It can actually make our SMEs to expand, because when you have so many requests like that, our SMEs can actually expand into it, and then they can be within the global value chain,” he said. 

He added, “Let’s take it one by one, how we can actually get the opportunities of actually being part of it. I know agriculture and agro-processing is one of the fundamental areas of Oyo State. We are a very strong agricultural hub in the southwest, with respect to cassava, maize, yam, cocoa, cashew, livestock and poultry. If that is properly packaged together, they can find their way to all the countries across Africa, with lesser tariff, because we are now going to be under the AfCFTA, and that will make us competitive. That means the products that are coming from Oyo State will be cheaper when it gets to these other set of countries. So, AfCFTA is going to give Oyo State a bigger market for our agro-processing and processing of goods and foods across Africa.

“On the issue of industrialisation and light manufacturing, Ibadan is becoming an industrial city. We can attract investment on manufacturing that can look at things around footwear, household goods, food processing, even textiles, under reduced tariffs. Then, trade and logistics of Oyo State’s strategic location, which is close to Lagos’ seaport and is linked by highway, makes it a good distribution and logistical.” 

“In the services sector; we have a vibrant education sector in Oyo State, University of Ibadan, LAUTECH, the new University of Technology in Okeho that is coming up, the Technical University on Lagos-Ibadan expressway. We have the polytechnic and several colleges of education coming up. So, this can serve as a good ICT or technology hub for Oyo State. 

“Services such as education, health, tourism, and creative industry can also be exported to other countries under the AfCFTA. For example, under the trading services, we have what you call four modes of trading services. The first one is cross-border supply, whereby you can supply technological services from your country to another particular country. If you are not part of it, you cannot do that. There is one tool that is called ‘consumption abroad’ that can go together and consume their health services or to take education. Then there is what you call commercial presence. A firm in a country can go to another AfCFTA country and establish its commercial presence. And the final one is the movement of natural persons.

“So, as a sub-national, I can easily move to another particular country once I am covered with the AfCFTA. So, those are some of the benefits. Job creation and skill development is also going to probably bring about foreign and domestic investors and also regional and sub-national cooperation. So, the strategy that was actually launched on Friday is how we are going to be able to maximise all these benefits that I have put together,” he said. 

Similarly, the state Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi, explained that “AfCFTA is an Agreement signed by all the 54 African Nations.

He said, “The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement establishes the world’s largest free trade area by uniting 54 African nations to create a single market for goods and services, aiming to boost intra-African trade, economic growth, and industrialisation by eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers. Launched in 2018, it entered into force in 2019 and commenced operations in 2021, with its permanent Secretariat based in Accra, Ghana. The agreement focuses on harmonising policies, facilitating trade, and promoting investment, with significant potential to lift millions out of poverty and reduce reliance on commodity exports. 

“In actual fact, countries in Africa are supposed to be members but there is a clause in the Agreement that allows sub-national entities to key into the Agreement. Therefore, Oyo State leveraged on that and documented as the first sub-national entity to launch the Agenda across Africa.”

In his speech at the event, the AfCFTA’s Secretary-General, described Oyo State as the first of the 591 sub-nationals in Africa to launch an AfCFTA implementation strategy, commending Governor Makinde for taking the initiative even as he explained that sub-nationals are quite strategic to AfCFTA, as productions, agriculture, trades happen at the sub-national levels.

He declared that though the initiative is a continental agreement, which is expected to be guided by Federal Governments, sub-nationals like Oyo State will play undeniably important roles by driving intra-Africa trades and bringing the ambitions of AfCFTA to reality.

He pointed out that Oyo State’s opportunities in areas such as agriculture and agro-processing, in the digitisation of the economy and manufacturing, among others, as reasons it should explore the opportunities provided by the AfCFTA.

He equally lauded Oyo’s implementation strategy, which according to him, has the overarching objective of promoting industrialisation, diversifying export markets and scaling up productive activities, adding that the strategy recognised that the economic future of Africa lies in value addition rather than raw export of agri-produce, processing of the abundant minerals in the state and encouraging productive capacity enhancement.

Mene, in what would appear as a vote of confidence in Governor Makinde’s leadership acumen, especially in the economic sector, said the developments that have taken place in the state in the areas of economic development and infrastructure, are quite encouraging.

Singling out the upgrading of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan to international standards, Mene said the project will enable the unlocking of opportunities and integration of the market of Oyo State with the rest of the African continent, adding that other developments such as the massive road infrastructure across the state are also worthy enablers for its envisioned economic transformation through the instrumentality of AfCFTA.

He expressed the readiness of the AfCFTA Secretariat to support the implementation of Oyo’s strategy through the Secretariat’s moderate abilities and technical expertise towards ensuring that informal traders, smallholder farmers, young entrepreneurs all become part of the implementation of the strategy.

As days go by and weeks roll into months, residents of the state can draw inspiration from the words of the many local and international players, who converged on Ibadan for the Oyo State AfCFTA implementation strategy launch, that joy is, indeed, coming for the economy of the economy of the state and that they will be the better for it as the state unlocks opportunities in the AfCFTA.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan 

President Bola Tinubu has highlighted the importance of creating a conducive business environment to attract foreign investment, particularly from China. 

This is just as stakeholders at the Nigeria-China Sustainable ������Ƶ, Bilateral Trade and Investment Summit, coordinated by the Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO, Merited Negotiation Consulting, Mr. Kunle Yusuff, in partnership with the House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-China Relations, emphasised the need for robust support from the Nigerian legislature to enhance bilateral trade and investment between Nigeria and China. 

The President in his keynote address at the summit held in Lagos, said Nigeria is positioned to become a net exporter to China within five years, appreciating the House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-China relations and the consultant, Kunle Yusuff, for their efforts in strengthening the 54-year-old relationship between Nigeria and China.

Represented by the Director-General/Global Liaison, Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, Joseph Tegbe, he stressed the critical role of the legislature in deepening the trade relationship between the two countries, noting that the Nigerian Legislature has a vital part to play in actualizing the ten China-Africa partnership actions through its lawmaking, oversight, and budgetary roles. 

Tinubu identified key areas where legislative support is crucial, including appropriate legislation and funding of education; trade facilitation laws, tariff harmonization, and customs reforms and amendment to industrial policy laws to accommodate digital cooperation, special economic zones, and joint ventures with Chinese firms

Others are legislative strengthening of land use policies, provision of budgetary support for demonstration farms, and creating enabling laws for agro-tech transfer, rural livelihoods, and food security collaborations and championing climate and environmental legislation, promote renewable energy policies, and ensure Nigeria benefits from clean energy and green innovation.

Tinubu also highlighted some of the strategic investments and highly competitive financing options from China, including an integrated agricultural investment portfolio exceeding $1 billion; a novel cassava value chain initiative valued at $800 million; investment in electric vehicles battery manufacturing and mineral extraction worth $1 billion; a robust automotive manufacturing program estimated at $1.2 billionand roposed $10 billion in oil and gas sector investment commitments.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, affirmed the commitment of the House in creating a legislative framework that would boost the Nigeria-China economic relations. 

He stated that the summit would serve as a legislative incubator to generate actionable insights for a comprehensive bill to advance sustainable trade and investment relations.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar represented by a senior ministry official, Bolaji Akinyemi, pledged allegiance to the House of Representatives in implementing the resolutions from the summit.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Yu Dunhai, called for the promotion of locally-made products in Nigeria, which he believes would enhance their exportation to China, thereby boosting the trade relationship.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-China Relations, Jafar Yakubu, said the summit aimed at achieving a free flow of importation between Nigeria and China.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, yesterday, rejected recent summons by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, describing it as unconstitutional and an infringement on the autonomy of state legislatures.

The Chairman of the Conference, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, made this known in a statement in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The summons, directed at the Speakers of the Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly, stemmed from a petition by a civil society group, Guardians of Democracy and the Rule of Law.

The Conference of Speakers insisted that the action amounted to an overreach of the National Assembly’s constitutional powers and posed a threat to Nigeria’s federal structure.

In a formal response addressed to the House Committee, the Conference of Speakers emphasised that the investigative and oversight powers granted to the National Assembly under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution were confined to federal matters.

It argued that state legislatures were constitutionally independent arms of government, and their presiding officers could not be summoned over internal legislative affairs unless such issues fell within federal jurisdiction.

Speakers of Benue and Zamfara State Assemblies also individually responded to the summons, echoing the Conference’s position.

They maintained that the matters referenced in the petition were strictly domestic and thus beyond the oversight reach of the National Assembly.

The Conference further warned that any attempt to interfere with the constitutional autonomy of state assemblies could set a dangerous precedent and erode the foundations of democracy at the sub-national level.

The conference, however, urged the National Assembly to honour the principle of separation of powers and to promote mutual institutional respect. It reaffirmed its commitment to good governance, transparency, and the rule of law across all levels of government.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

President Bola Tinubu yesterday charged the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, to use his stool to foster peace, promote cultural identity, and support governance.

Tinubu gave the charge while giving a remark at the coronation of Oba Owoade as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.

Oba Owoade was yesterday crowned the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.

Owoade succeeds the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who died on April 22, 2022, at 83.

The coronation took place at Olivet Baptist High School in Oyo, where Governor Seyi Makinde led a host of dignitaries, including notable Nigerians.
The coronation happened barely three years after the last monarch, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, joined his ancestors.

Tinubu, who noted that the Alaafin is not only a King but also a symbol of Yoruba resilience, wisdom, and pride, stated that he has always held the Alaafin stool in high esteem.

He expressed confidence in the wisdom, leadership, and dedication of the new monarch to further strengthen the unity and progress of Oyo Kingdom and Nigeria at large.

Represented by the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the president said the historic occasion was not just a celebration for the great people of Oyo but for the Yoruba race and Nigeria as a whole.

He added that the Alaafin stool is a symbol of cultural pride, unity, and the enduring legacy of one of Africa’s most powerful empires.

Tinubu said: “Kabiyesi, your ascension to this revered throne comes at a critical time in our nation’s history. Nigeria is navigating complex challenges, and traditional institutions like the Alaafin’s stool remain vital in fostering peace, promoting cultural identity, and supporting governance.  

He added “On this auspicious occasion, I reaffirm President Tinubu’s commitment to preserving our cultural heritage by supporting initiatives that promote our rich traditions and ensure that Nigeria’s diverse cultures remain a source of strength.  

“To the great people of Oyo, I urge you to rally behind your new Alaafin, support his vision, and uphold the values of peace, tolerance, and development. Let us remember the words of the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III: “A kingdom thrives when its people are united in purpose.”

“For the Alaafin, you are on the threshold of history as successor to Oba Adeyemi III who was one of the most influential and longest-reigning monarchs in Yoruba history. His reign was a period of cultural renaissance, political influence, and socio-economic development for Oyo Town, Oyo State, and the Yoruba nation at large.

“He was a fierce custodian of Yoruba traditions and worked tirelessly to revive ancient festivals such as the Sango festival, Oranyan Festival, Isese Day, and the Ogun Festival, thus reinforcing Yoruba identity. He strengthened ties with the diaspora, particularly in Brazil and Cuba, where Yoruba culture remains strong.

“Oba Adeyemi III played a pivotal role in preserving Oyo’s cultural heritage, laying the groundwork for its UNESCO recognition. He championed the documentation of Oyo’s history, restoring ancient sites like the Alaafin’s Palace and Oranyan Staff.

“His advocacy attracted scholars and policymakers, highlighting Oyo’s global significance. Collaborating with Nigerian authorities, he pushed for UNESCO’s acknowledgment of Oyo as a cultural heritage site, emphasizing its role in the Yoruba empire and trans-Atlantic history. Though formal recognition is still pending, his efforts cemented Oyo’s place in world heritage discourse.  

“May your tenure also witness unprecedented development and peace in Oyo.”

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan 

Stakeholders in the manufacturing sector have expressed worry over the non-patronage of locally made products while calling for the empowering of local industries and positioning Nigeria’s manufacturing sector for global competitiveness.

The stakeholders which include government officials, industry leaders, manufacturers, trade associations, technology innovators, and policymakers, said this in Ibadan at a focus group meeting, organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), calling for accessible loans for small businesses, ease of registration with government agencies, product packaging, and the general perception of Made-in-Nigeria goods.

At the gathering, which served as a platform to examine the challenges facing Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, highlighting the immense opportunities available to local manufacturers in country, NASENI disclosed its ongoing efforts to drive innovation in the industrial sector, enhance local manufacturing capabilities, and encourage greater support for homegrown products.

The Overseeing Officer/Managing Director of NASENI Oyo State Office, Mr. Ahmed Hamzat, who outlined the agency’s 3-C agenda – Creation, Collaboration, and Commercialisation, said the engagement was to advance local manufacturing and boost the adoption of Made-in-Nigeria products.

He emphasised the agency’s commitment to policies and partnerships that foster self-reliance and technological growth, describing the gathering as a pivotal step toward promoting Nigerian-made goods. 

A Deputy Director in the Oyo State Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment, and Cooperatives, Mr. A. O. Williams, who represented the Permanent Secretary, reaffirmed the conmitment of the state government to creating an enabling environment for local manufacturers, highlighting the state’s strategic efforts in this regard, including capacity building, improving road networks, and ensuring better market accessibility.

While reiterating the importance of local manufacturing in economic growth, Williams referenced a quote from renowned Nigerian industrialist, Aliko Dangote, “An import-dependent economy is equivalent to importing poverty and exporting jobs.”

He further stressed that strengthening local industries is essential for creating sustainable jobs, enhancing technological innovation, and boosting Nigeria’s global competitiveness, lauding NASENI’s role in driving industrial development and urging manufacturers to take full advantage of available government initiatives, partnerships, and funding opportunities to scale

their operations.

•Ibadan Disco to restore power supply within 48hours 

•Students stage peaceful protest

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, yesterday, brokered peace between the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over power outage at the hospital.

The development brought to an end a 102-day power outage at the nation’s first teaching hospital, with the distribution company assuring that it would restore electricity supply to some sections of the hospital within the next 24 to 48 hours.

The decision formed part of resolutions reached after a closed-door meeting held at the hospital, which lasted about three hours, between the minister, Managing Director of IBEDC, Engr. Francis Agoha, and Chief Medical Director of the teaching hospital, Professor Jesse Otegbayo.

The trio, and the top management teams of the institutions, led by the minister, later addressed the press at the boardroom of the teaching hospital.

However, while the meeting was ongoing, a group of students staged a peaceful protest to express their displeasure over the prolonged darkness that had enveloped the hospital.

The protesters, from the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, who carried placards and sang solidarity songs, demanded immediate restoration of power supply to all the sections of the hospital.

The students said the situation had become unbearable as medical, learning and commercial activities had been paralysed.

They added that some patients had been withdrawn from the hospital to private facilities due to lack of appropriate medical attention.

Adelabu, while addressing the stakeholders at the press briefing, described the power issue at the hospital as a national embarrassment, assuring that all the issues relating to the lingering power crisis have been resolved.

He said the huge debt being owed by the hospital was traceable to some factors, which included sharp practices, unseparated accounts, dilapidated infrastructure, and equipment.

The minister decried the previous practice of lumping electricity bills, saying all the sectors, including the clinical services, College of Medicine, and the commercial outlets within the teaching hospital must operate different accounts.

He maintained that if all the parts were on their own, the electricity bill of the hospital would not be more than it could pay comfortably every month.

According to him, “The power crisis in the UCH has gotten to an embarrassing level, not just for the hospital or IBEDC but also to the federal government.

“UCH is the country’s premier teaching hospital and it is embarrassing to have the hospital in darkness for that long.

“The issue is on customer-vendor crisis, which we expect that would have been resolved.  I have intervened in times past and the hospital was reconnected to the grid but the issue would come back again.

“The federal government is not comfortable with the current crisis between UCH and IBEDC.”

He added that similar issues had occurred in some other health facilities in the past and did not take so long to be resolved, and stated that the development necessitated his intervention.

Adelabu said the federal government had enlisted both UCH and University of Ibadan as beneficiaries of a 50 megawatts solar mini-grid, which will be completed within the first and second quarters of the year.

He added that it had also been agreed that IBEDC would work with the electrical department of UCH to ensure electricity audit and proper usage while also tackling energy theft and abuse.

Adelabu stated, “It is quite embarrassing to have the hospital in total darkness for so long. I have intervened in the matter several times but the problem still lingers.

“Other teaching hospitals, including the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), University of Calabar, Maidiguri and Abuja, that had similar cases were able to surmount through the federal government’s intervention with solar mini-grid.

“A similar thing will be done at the University of Ibadan and the College of Medicine. The federal government will install 50 megawatts solar mini-grid, which will be completed in the first and second quarters of the year.

“Also, while this is going on, the IBEDC has agreed to restore electricity to some sections of the hospital within 48 hours while N283 million will be settled on an instalment basis.

 “The management of the UCH has agreed on the immediate settlement of the debt on an instalment payment, which is going to be between 8-12 months, in addition to the current bill.”

The minister added, “Henceforth, each of the major consumers will be responsible for the payment of their electricity bills, as against the previous practice of lumping bills, while separate transformers will be provided.

“It was also agreed that all the sections of the UCH must be properly metered to guard against sharp practices. The issue of fraud and power theft will not be condoned. It is an economic crime. Whoever is caught should be reported to the EFCC.

“We have seen the results, likewise the consequence of the ignoble act. I have advised the CMD to report such incidents to the EFCC. Some banks were caught red-handed bypassing connections. That is a fraud.”

Agoha, in his remarks, confirmed the gradual restoration of electricity to sections of the hospital. He said his team would be meeting with the UCH management to work on the modalities.

Agoha added that the timeframe for the reconnection was dependent on how quickly the issues around abuse, energy theft, and misuse were addressed.

Otegbayo recounted the various efforts put in place by the hospital to ensure that darkness did not overtake the facility.

He stated that the outstanding debt of the hospital, which he put at N283.8 million, included electricity usage at the College of Medicine and the hostels, among other facilities within the premises.

He disclosed that some of the issues had to do with old cables that were to be replaced.

Otegbayo asked for special intervention from the government and other stakeholders.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Zimbabwe, Dr. Ayodele Odusola, yesterday, warned that there could not be sustainable future development financing in Africa without genuine structural economic transformation. Odusola stated this while presenting the first Faculty Distinguished Personality Lecture of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences of the University of Ibadan.

The lecture was titled, “The Future of Development Finance in Africa.”

Odusola said structural transformation was the engine of high-powered growth and propellant of decent job creation.

While stating that the opinions expressed in his lecture were strictly his and not that of UNDP, he insisted that African countries must brace up to rely on their own resources and private financing, which would be bolstered by innovative financing, genuine structural transformation, and good governance.

He maintained that Africa must tackle corruption, stop Illicit Financial flows (IFFs) and redundant waivers, and end being experts in primary commodities export, stating that this will give them more choices for development policies and results than before.

Odusola disclosed that the future of development finance in Africa called for a decolonised economic structure. He said a structure built on being a supplier of cheap raw materials, consumers of industrialised goods from the advanced countries, and destination of obsolete industrial equipment and technologies locked out Africa from being a major player in the global value chain.

Odusola stated, “Any financing architecture that continues to oil the extractive mechanism, without a genuine structural economic transformation anchored on food sovereignty, energy sovereignty, and technological sovereignty, will continue to create fiscal and debt traps, as well as low development equilibrium traps in Africa.

“The future of development finance, in its political, institutional, and technical dimensions, must be seen in the context of enhanced global coherence and evolving political will directed at bringing about change in the present international financial architecture.

“Africa needs to be focused on becoming a major player in the Global South by avoiding the diversionary tactics of emerging geo-politics. In this context, trade should not be viewed by its own sake but as an instrument of development finance.

“In this regard, relevant policies and regulations should be put in place for trade to become a stimulus for development finance in Africa. The AFREXIM Bank, the Trade Bank, and other pan-African trade institutions should work together for a results-oriented framework for Africa.”

Dean, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of Ibadan, Professor Abiodun Folawewo, in his remarks, stated that adequate financial resources were needed for the African continent’s aspiration of building the “Africa We Want” to be possible.

Folawewo said, “It is important to note that the future of development finance in Africa requires paradigm change from the existing practice by African leaders of ‘kneeling with cap in hand, begging and looking up to financial assistance from the developed world.’”

Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Aderonke Bayeroju, stated that one of the basic problems confronting many African countries was how to mobilise enough resources to address the development gaps in the face of fiscal constraints.

Bayeroju said the topic of the lecture was “relevant to the development challenges being faced by African countries, especially Nigeria”.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

A High Court sitting in Ibadan, presided over by Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin, yesterday, granted a former wife of Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, and two others being prosecuted for murder and manslaughter, N10 million bail each.

The two also granted bail are a broadcaster and CEO, Agidigbo Radio FM, Ibadan, Oriyomi Hamzat and the school principal of Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, Abdullahi Fasasi.

The three defendants are being prosecuted for the deaths of 35 children during a stampede at a Christmas funfair programme on December 18, 2024, at Islamic High School.

It would be recalled that the defendants were on December 24, 2024, arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrate Court on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, manslaughter and negligence and were subsequently remanded at Agodi Correctional Centre.

However, counsel to the defendants subsequently filed applications for their bail at the State High Court.

While delivering ruling on the bail application on Monday, Justice Olawoyin admitted the ex-queen and her co-defendants to bail in the sum of N10 million each with two reliable sureties.

According to him, the Magistrates’ Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case due to the murder charge contained in the charge sheet, stating that there was no place for holding charge in the constitution and keeping them in custody would amount to infringement of their rights.

He said the incident of the stampede was not a premeditated act and so the defendants were entitled to bail.

Justice Olawoyin then directed that the defendants must submit their international passports to the court and must not grant any press interview on print or on social media during the pendency of the case.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has presented the instruments of office to the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade.

The event took place on Monday at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan.

While speaking at the event, Makinde said the Alaafin’s stool is important not just to Oyo town but to the Yoruba race as a whole, maintaining he decided not to meddle in the appointment of the new Alaafin because of his administration’s belief in openness and transparency.

According to him, “The Alaafin stool is very important not just to Oyo Town or Oyo State but the entire Yoruba race. So, under my watch, I made it very clear that the stool would not be for sale. It is not a stool for us to toy with.

“I met Prince Owoade for the first time in my life yesterday. I never spoke to him in my entire life until yesterday. I did not know his profile or the profile of any of the princes vying for the stool and it was deliberate, because I did not want my opinion to influence the process.

“Let me say this clearly; when we came in 2019, we had challenges with the traditional institution in Ibadanland and it has been resolved to everybody’s satisfaction.

“When it was time for us to approve the selection of Okere, some people came to me and said ‘This is our friend’. They said one person is APC and I said it does not mean anything to me whether you are PDP or APC. Why should my decision be based on political consideration? So, I approved the selection of the Saki kingmakers.

“I always tell people not to kill themselves over politicians, because we see ourselves in the night. We go to each other’s houses. Politics, electioneering is a game.

‘It’s only when you have been elected, then governance becomes a serious business because you will take decisions that will affect millions of people. So, we will not play politics with governance.

“The Alaafin stool became vacant in 2022. We were moving towards election and people said, you have to approve the appointment of Alaafin, otherwise, Oyo people would not vote for you.

“I said the people should not vote for me but that I would do what was right and Oyo voted for me massively. Oyo will continue to support me.

“Let me also say briefly that those that are still hell-bent on destabilising the traditional institution in Oyo, the government is not letting down. We will prosecute them.

“The money they collected; they will still be prosecuted except they go to Kabiyesi. If he forgives them, I will also forgive them.”

While congratulating the new monarch, Governor Makinde prayed that his reign would bring peace and progress to Oyo town, Oyo State and the Yoruba race.

“The coronation would be in four weeks. From today, we have an Alaafin. I congratulate the Alaafin of Oyoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade. I pray that your reign shall bring unity to Yoruba race wherever they may be around the world.

“I pray it would also bring progress and development to Oyoland, Oyo State as well as Yoruba race in general.”

Oba Owoade in his response, promised to work for the progress of Oyo town, Oyo State and Nigeria as well as the development of the people.

He thanked the governor, the Oyomesi and everyone that worked for his selection and assumption of office as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.

The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Demola Ojo, in his remarks, lauded the governor for his determination to ensure that the right processes were followed in the selection of the new Alaafin, thanking those involved in the selection process.

Present at the event were the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; a former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; member representing Oyo East/Oyo West House of Assembly, Hon. Rahman Olorunpoto; Awise Awo Agbaye, Prof. Wande Abimbola and his wife, Iyanifa Ajisebo Abimbola; some members of the Oyomesi as well as traditional rulers in Oyo Kingdom.

Top government functionaries in attendance included the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, mni, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Joel Ajagbe.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, yesterday, promised to review pensioners’ wages and gratuities, clear the backlog of arrears and revisit the Contributory Pension Scheme in the state.

This was just as he vowed to get rid of banditry and other crimes, charging traditional rulers to oversee and exercise authority in their domains with a view to helping the government improve security in the state.

Makinde made these remarks at the 2025 Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, the 6th edition since 2019, held at the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

He commended the state’s workforce and the labour union leaders for their support and cooperation since the inception of his administration, charging them to put in more effort towards validating their values as public/civil servants.

He also congratulated the 45 newly-appointed Permanent Secretaries, emphasising that most of them merited the appointments after going through rigorous examinations and screening exercises.

The governor advised them to see their appointments as the beginning of good things in their lives.

According to him,  “I want to use this opportunity to say thank you to our Labour leaders. I sincerely thank you for what you are doing on behalf of our state.

“I have been extremely lucky to have met this set of Labour leaders. You have cooperated with us. Well, we are working towards the same purpose and you have demonstrated that over and over again. So, I sincerely thank you.

“To the workers, your disposition and support have given us a lot of encouragement and I want to urge you to keep it up. The way we lay our bed is the way we will sleep on it. Don’t relent and I believe tomorrow will be better.

“To the new Permanent Secretaries, I want to say congratulations to all of you. I can say it openly and you are there to validate this — 80 per cent of you emerged strictly based on merit. Gone are the days in Oyo State when Permanent Secretaries were appointed on the basis of who you knew or who knew the governor.

“You have done exams, passed in flying colors and you have been appointed Permanent Secretaries. By the grace of God, on Monday, I will swear you in. Take this as the beginning of good things in your life.

“This is also a validation of what Oyo State Civil Service stands for. We have said everyone will be rewarded for his hard work. So, those of you striving, your own time will also come.”

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday, raised alarm that poor welfare conditions of lecturers in public universities is leading to the reluctance of qualified hands to take up jobs in the university system.

The Chairman, University of Ibadan Chapter of the union, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, who said this in a new year message in Ibadan on Wednesday, stated that the situation also affects primary and secondary schools.

“The teachers are not well-paid, leading to the reluctance of qualified teachers to take up employment in public primary and secondary schools, paving the way for the untrained and unqualified teachers hold sway.

“The result of this has been the proliferation of private schools, most of which are out of the reach of the poor due to the exorbitant fees they charge”, he said.

According to him, the university system witnessed stagnation in 2024, stating that but for the sacrifices of the lecturers, the university system would have been thrown into another industrial crisis because of the lacklustre attitude of federal government to their plights.

The ASUU boss noted further that Nigeria’s education is likely to remain the same because the sector has been allocated about seven per cent (N3.52 trillion) in the 2025 budget of N47.90 trillion, stating that this falls far below the benchmark of 15 per cent – 20 per cent educational budget for underdeveloped countries like Nigeria, specified by both UNESCO and United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), which has been advocated by the union.

While commending the federal government for setting up a committee to renegotiate the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, Akinwole warned against delayed tactics as characterized in previous administrations.

He said: “To be sure, since 2017, various committees had been put in place by the Government to renegotiate the agreement with ASUU. For instance, the Babalakin-led Joint Renegotiation Committee was set up, followed by Emeritus Prof. Munzali Jubril-led Committee, and followed by Late Prof. Nimi Briggs-led Committee, which yielded a draft Agreement between the Committee and ASUU in 2021.

“Unfortunately, the Buhari administration refused to sign the Agreement reached by a committee set up by it. It is, therefore, our opinion that instead of a fresh renegotiation of the agreement, the Tinubu-led administration should rather set in motion a process that will lead to the review and signing of the Nimi Briggs-led renegotiated draft agreement as a mark of goodwill and assured hope for Nigeria’s public universities.”

The ASUU boss also criticized President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to eliminate TETFUND under the tax administration bill stating that this will kill the little infrastructural funding which TETFUND has been executing from 2030.

According to him, “This misbegotten policy will have huge and adverse implications for the university system in Nigeria. This is, no doubt, an attempt to destroy the major source of infrastructural funding for already struggling public tertiary institutions. It is also an attempt to commodify university education in Nigeria.

“A part of the tax administration bill proposes eliminating the education tax, to be replaced by a “development levy”. This would effectively disrupt the revenue stream of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), an agency set up as a product of the ingenuity and struggles of ASUU, that has been the major source of funding for infrastructure development in many public tertiary institutions over the last decade.

“Since its establishment in 2011, TETFund has monitored the disbursement of education tax to public tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

“However, with this new bill, only 50 per cent of the monies accruing to the levy would go to TETFund in 2025 and 2026. TETFund’s share will be upped to 66 pe rcent in 2027, 2028, and 2029.

“Then, the agency would cease to get any revenue from 2030. From 2030, the development levy will be solely meant to fund the federal government’s student loan scheme.

“What this means is that the agency that funds infrastructural development in the Nigerian tertiary institutions is under the threat of extinction by 2030.

“It is a public hazard to conscript academics into endless struggle for survival. There is low level of motivation and increasing rate of flight from the present condition at the slightest opportunity.”

Setting agenda for 2025, Akinwole called on President Tinubu to pay attention to the welfare of workers in the education sector, noting that the state of the national economy and high cost of living has deepened the erosion of the conditions of service of its members.

The ASUU boss stated that it is expected that “the withheld three and half months salaries and third party deductions owed its members would be paid forthwith, insisting that the union also expects that the Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) would be released, just as it expects that the funding for the revitalisation of the universities would be released in accordance with the FGN-ASUU MoU of 2012, 2013, and the MoA of 2017.”

“In the absence of visible and concrete efforts at addressing the pending issues and meeting our expectations, there is likely to be a long-drawn confrontation between our union and the federal government, which will probably lead to another round of untold avoidable crisis in the university system in Nigeria”, he added.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan 

Stakeholders in the poultry sector under the aegis Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), have called on the federal government to find a lasting solution to the rising cost of poultry feed in the country. 

The Chairman of the organizing committee of 13th Nigeria Poultry Show, held in Abeokuta, with the theme, “Adapting to economic realities : Innovative Approaches to poultry production amidst raw material deficit,” Dr. Olalekan Odunsi, in his opening remarks, said the challenge of the rising cost of poultry feed as well as other challenges facing the poultry industry are greatly affecting the sector.

“The poultry industry in Nigeria is a critical sector that contributes to the country’s food security, employment, and national economy. However, the industry faces challenges that have grossly derailed its growth and sustainability,” he stated.

The Chairman of the Board of Livestock Feeds Plc, Dr. Joe Dada, who gave the keynote address at the event, on his part, urged the Federal Government to support the agriculture sector to guarantee food security while appealing to the poultry farmers to embrace new technological innovations.

According to him, “These new technological innovations in agribusiness value chains have been instrumental in promoting innovative solutions that improve farmers’ profitability and sustainability with a focus on technology-driven optimization and capacity building.”

The Chairman of the South-West zone of the association, Rev. Gideon Oluleye, in his contributions, said the show is aimed to find lasting solutions to the myriad of challenges facing the poultry industry.

“Let the government increase funding into agriculture, particularly the poultry subsector. We are also enjoining the government to create a market for farmers through policies like the school feeding program.

“As we all know that this sector has faced many challenges in the inflationary situation of our economy, we want to urge you all to persevere and hold forth in your various businesses, for things will soon change for the better,” Oluleye said.

The association’s national president, Mr. Sunday Ezeobiora, who was represented by Onu Izuo Lisa, the Vice President of South East zone, Onu Izuo Lisa, decried the high cost of production, listing funding, infrastructure, and marketing as some of the challenges presently facing the poultry industry.

Kemi Olaitan in this piece wonders how far Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State can go with his purported 2027 presidential ambition.

Despite the fact that the 2027 general election is over two years away it is a fact that the political atmosphere in the country has continued to be alive with politicians across party lines engaging in politicking towards positioning themselves to get the ticket of their respective parties.

However one prominent politician whose name has been in the news lately is Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state over his rumoured presidential ambition come 2027 with some of his supporters in the pace setter state who want the second term governor to move up the political ladder vocal in dragging him into the contest. 

One of the various groups urging Makinde to throw his hat into the presidential ring, Progressive Youths for Makinde’s Presidency 2027, in a statement by its National Convener, Alex Odianarewo, maintained that his achievements in various sectors including internally generated revenue, economy, and human capacity make him an ideal candidate for the presidency in 2027, adding that he has the capacity to rescue the country from bad leadership and take it to the promised land.

The Special Adviser on Strategy and Political Matters to Governor Makinde in his first term of office, Hon. Babatunde Oduyoye, speaking on the development, said the businessman turned politician is a strategic planner who would put some things in place before taking such an important decision, noting that he would not join the contest through the back door.

The former member of the House of Representatives, said, “I know Governor Makinde and I know what he will do if he is interested in running for president. As of now, the governor has not done those things, so I am sure that this ambition is coming from his well wishers. Governor Makinde has never been one to shy away from challenges, and he is certainly not going to join the presidential race through the back door; he is not cowardly. I know him; I know what he will do if and when that time comes.”

The political game was however to continue last Saturday when Makinde a leading member of the Integrity Group in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the last election and led by former governor of Rivers State and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, declared that his next political agenda would be determined solely by himself.

Speaking during the inauguration of the South-West PDP Zonal Office, which he personally built in honour of the late former PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West), Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo-Oluwatukesi, and donated to the party, Makinde said

despite the clamour for him to join the race, he had not assigned anyone to campaign for him.

His words, “People have been campaigning and doing a lot of permutations; but let me say this again: If I want to contest for any position, I will say it myself. Nobody would set an agenda for me apart from myself.”

Makinde also used the opportunity to take a flak on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that the 2027 general elections will be between the party and the Nigerian people as they (Nigerians) would be the ones to determine the next leadership of the country while calling for unity among members of the PDP.

He said, “They have also been talking that the ruling party, APC, is scheming and infiltrating all the parties to make sure there is division and crisis in those parties. If you are accusing the ruling party of not allowing other parties to get their acts together so that there won’t be opposition in 2027, my position is that there are certain things you have under your control. If Governor Adeleke and I would cooperate for the growth and benefit of our party in the South-West, it is beyond the ruling party to destabilize our party.

“Please, let us all work together and unite our bases. That is all we need. The next general election would be APC versus Nigerians, not even APC versus PDP. But, let us just do our own bit to unite our party and bases and then allow the people of Nigeria to speak when the time comes.

“The people spoke in Oyo and Osun states. They will do it in Nigeria. So, don’t fret. Don’t think external people have control over what will happen in our party. Yes, they may try; they can only succeed when we allow it. I want to admonish PDP members all over the country, let us unite and the way to demonstrate it is if you know one or two people in Ondo State, call them and tell them that the PDP is united. Tell them that the Ondo election coming up in November would be an indication of where Nigeria would be in 2027.”

The rumoured presidential ambition of the Vice Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has come under barrages of criticism with the APC and its members leading the train. The  APC speaking on what it described as alleged presidential bid of Makinde in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, urged him to focus on governance as his fixation on a 2027 presidential ambition would not benefit his people, cautioning him that his continued criticism of the APC could be counterproductive for him and his supporters.

He said, “While our democracy affords Makinde the liberty to pursue his political aspirations, engaging in reckless executive flippancy at the expense of the role he was elected to fulfil as Governor is a disservice to the good people of Oyo State.

“If Makinde knew how to keep APC’s influence at bay, then why has he not employed that strategy to ‘protect’ his party nationally? Like the proverbial bad workman who blames his tools, Makinde and his co-confused PDP leaders should quit pointing fingers at the APC and take full responsibility for their disgraceful failure to manage the party’s implosion and decay.

“Makinde’s unhinged 2027 ambition cannot be founded upon his unguarded and unjustified attacks against our great party or the administration of President Bola Tinubu that has launched the boldest and most ambitious reform effort in history to transform our country’s economy and build a solid foundation for progress.”

Similarly, a former gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of APC, Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao, described it as “laughable”, berating Makinde for his poor management of the state’s resources which he claimed has placed it on a path of retrogression rather than progression.

Alao in a statement by his Media Office, said,

“It is true that you are constitutionally qualified to contest the presidential election. However, when your performance as the Governor of Oyo State is used as a yardstick for the presidency, you will struggle to secure your party’s ticket, let alone become Nigeria’s president. As a governor in your second term, your superficial and exaggerated achievements resonate only with your supporters who benefit from your administration, not with the suffering masses in the state.

“In key sectors such as education, agriculture, health, security, infrastructure and others, your poor performance is so glaring that it has significantly set the state back.

“We must inform our Governor that while he pursues national aspirations for a future soft landing, the people of Oyo State are currently experiencing retrogression in essential services and governance. His incompetence has set us back as a pacesetter state.”

While 2027 is in the belly of time, political observers are however of the view that the rumoured presidential ambition of Makinde may be nothing but political gimmick. According to them, the governor as a member of the Integrity Group played an ethnic politics in the build up to the 2023 election as the group threw its weight behind President Tinubu as against the candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

The  presidential bid of Makinde a strong ally of Wike who is a major stakeholder in the administration of President Tinubu is thus seen as part of the move to stop Atiku Abubakar come 2027 and the re-emergence of the former governor of Lagos State in 2027.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan 

Interswitch has concluded the Ibadan edition of its TechConnect 4.0 event series with the theme, “Unlocking growth opportunities through technology and innovation”, focusing on promoting digital innovation in the country’s financial sector.

The Managing Director, Digital Infrastructure and Managed Services (Interswitch Systegra), Mr. Jonah Adams, represented by the Vice President of Sales, Southwest, Interswitch, Tunji Ashiru, in his keynote address, titled, “Digital Transformation as a Strategy for Growth: Opportunities for MFBs, Fintechs, and OFIs,” emphasised that digital transformation is essential for financial institutions aiming to drive growth, improve operational efficiency, and advance financial inclusion. 

He highlighted how technologies such as AI, blockchain, and predictive analytics enable institutions to serve underserved communities with tailored financial solutions, while emphasising the need for strategic partnerships to build a robust and secure financial ecosystem.

“Digital transformation is no longer a choice, but a strategic imperative for financial institutions to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.  Building a robust digital ecosystem requires collaboration, especially among OFIs, fintechs, and MFBs. In this interconnected digital space, OFIs can tap into the innovation of fintechs and the customer reach of MFBs to elevate service delivery and drive growth. Interswitch is committed to empowering these institutions to harness transformative technologies such as AI, blockchain, and predictive analytics to unlock new efficiencies, enrich customer experiences, and advance financial inclusion,” he stated.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Finance, Akinola Ojo, in his speech delivered virtually,  affirmed that with Interswitch’s support, the government is advancing financial inclusion across the state by building a more secure and accessible financial ecosystem, stating that together they are creating platforms to expand digital access to underserved communities and drive inclusive growth.

According to him, “In Oyo State, we are making intentional strides to embed technology within the financial frameworks that support our economic ecosystem. This involves implementing secure, efficient, and inclusive solutions that meet the unique needs of our citizens and businesses alike.”

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The General Overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church, Nigeria, Rev. (Dr.) Sam Aboyeji, has inaugurated  a state-of-the-art students’ hall of residence, cafeteria, and bakery at McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State.

The multi-million naira projects are aimed at providing conducive living and learning environments for the students of the university.

Aboyeji, while speaking at the event, praised the university’s management for prioritising students’ welfare and academic excellence, emphasising the importance of quality education and infrastructure in shaping the future leaders of Nigeria.

He hailed the giant strides of the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Francis Igbasan, towards ensuring adequate and quality education to students of the institution, stating that he has lived up to expectations and the entire Foursquare Gospel Church are proud of him and not disappointed for appointing him to head the institution.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Igbasan, in his remarks, said the Visitor to the institution and also the General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, has been a pillar of support to him since his appointment as the Vice Chancellor of the institution.

He described the inauguration of the projects as a significant milestone in the history of the institution because inaugurating  of three projects at a time inside the institution is happening for the first time.

Igbasan added that the infrastructure became necessary as the institution continues to strive in providing a world-class  living and learning environment for students, noting that the projects represented commitment of the institution towards excellence in its pursuit towards ensuring the highest standard in education and student life.

“The edifice has a total of 51 ensuit rooms and will accommodate a total of 204 students. The facilities also have a spacious common room area for socialisation and relaxation and laundry room.

“Our goal is to make our students comfortable and we are determine to make things better through provision of modern hostel facility,” he said.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Executive Secretary of Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof. Garba Hamidu Sharubutu, yesterday said the administration of President Bola Tinubu, is committed to diversify the economy of the country through production of food crops. 

This is just as he called on farmers in the country not to concentrate on production of cash crops alone. 

Sharubutu stated this on the sideline of the International Conferences on Global Okra Round Table 11 and 5F Farming Conference-Breeding for Resilence, held in Ibadan, Oyo state. 

The event was organised by the Foundation for Advanced Training in Plant Breeding (ATPBR), Maharashtra, India and the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan.

Sharubutu said the administration of President Bola Tinubu placed more emphasis on the diversification of the economy hence the focus on shifting attention from production of cash crops to food crops such as okro. 

According to him, by concentrating on production of food crops, farmers in the country stand to gain from the various policies put in place by the federal government, stating that apart from helping towards the diversification of the economy it would help in achieving food sufficiency in the country. 

He said: “Mr. President is more than interested in the diversification of the economy. We cannot just concentrate on production of cash crops alone. We need to also support and look at other staple food items. And most importantly, Okro. It can grow anywhere and any season, in the desert or anywhere. 

“What we are doing is to promote production of Okro. It can grow in two cycles, and this two or three cycles will make agriculture more sustainable in the sense that in between the farming of yam you have Okro maybe one or twice. So sustainability of our own citizens are key and this is what this government is doing. 

“The Council has the mandate to regulate agricultural research, training and extension. We are here in Ibadan in view of the global roundtable conference that is taking place under the  promotion of okro. Okro is our food and delicacy. 

“The executive is represented, the Miinister was represented and the Senate was also represented by Senator Akintunde. We are the second largest in terms of Okro production, but we are not yet there because there are lots of things that we need to do as Mr. President has insisted that all Nigerians must not go to bed with empty stomach. We are not just talking about the quantity but the quality of the food.”

On his part, Director of ATPBR, India, Dr. Surinder Tikko, said the conference was organised in order to have inputs of the stakeholders on how to make Okro a global crop. 

“We are here for the conference to make Okro a global crop with the help of ATPBR in India and NIHORT in Nigeria. We are together working towards making it a global crop,” he said.

Present at the conference were: Senator Yunus Akintunde; the Chief Executive Officer, NIHORT, Prof. Mohammad Lawal Attanda, representative of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security; Tikko,  and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector. 

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday, raised an alarm stating that the hardship been faced by public university workers is getting unbearable.

The Chairman, University of Ibadan chapter of the union, Prof. Ayoola Akinwole, said this in a release to mark the 64th independence anniversary of the country, entitled, “Nigeria at 64: A State in Need of Deliverance from The Leadership of Perpetual Have-Nots”

He said the union has been very understanding by issuing ultimatum to government while the federal government has been lackadaisical to it, stating that another 14-day ultimatum is about to end within which government should meet the demands of the union to preserve the relative peace on public university campuses in the country.

According to him, “Many (lecturers) ran away to other countries; many died as a result of financial debility; those who cannot run away got into debt just to survive while many resigned to take another job in the private sector.

“In the sixty-four years of the Nigeria’s independent existence, education and the state of the nation are both in downward spiral, owing to the dwindling fortunes in the quality of politicians steering the ship of the country’s government.

“Political leaders and holders of executive positions be it at local government, states and Federal levels, whose answers to any request from workers especially in the education sector (and the Nigerian citizens) has always been “government has not the resources to meet the demands of the unions.”

While noting that problems of the country are due to the major neglect of its educational sector, Akinwole maintained that without the necessary tools, improved welfare package for the lecturers and a conducive work environment, the university system will not be able to deliver on her mandates.

 The ASUU Chairman admonished President Bola Tinubu to desist from singing the unpleasant and baseless “have-nots” song but brace up to resolve the outstanding issues pertaining to university education as raised by ASUU, inject funds into the education sector for revitalization, improve the remuneration of academics, and address the economic crisis in the country.

He warned that if the trend of hardships facing Nigerians is not halted it will culminate into multidimensional insecurity, adding that it is “more worrisome that amidst these economic woes of the people, the government is channeling its expenditure to areas like purchasing new presidential jet and presidential Cadillac Escalade.”

He stated: “The quality of lives of the ordinary Nigerians has precipitously declined, and the gap between the haves and the have-nots is daily expanding; the rich continue to get stupendously richer while the poor are absolutely getting poorer.

“The so-called middle class has since been wiped off by the increasing weight of dependents in a society that prioritizes “palliatives” over and above the empowerment of the poor. So, while the masses suffocate from the adverse consequences of the neoliberal socio-economic policies of the government, members of the ruling class revel in questionable wealth that makes nonsense of the anti-corruption crusade.

“If the trend is not arrested, part of the imploding consequences will be that Nigerians can no longer eat well or sleep well, and the pervasive poverty will have entrenched a multidimensional insecurity with the associated consequences.

“While the Nigerian masses are in multi-dimensional poverty government spent billions on cars for Senators and House of Representative members, awarding white elephant projects, a fraction of these questionable spending will solve most of the problems of the education sector and lay the foundation for Nigeria’s economic growth.”

Kemi Olaitan chronicles the role played by former governor of Oyo State, Oba Rasheed Ladoja, in the political trajectory of Governor Seyi Makinde for him to have publicly acknowledge the traditional ruler.

That Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde and former governor of the state, Oba Rasheed Ladoja, were once political buddies was not in doubt as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland was Special Guest in virtually all the activities of the state government including the annual Ramadan lecture organised by the governor between 2019 and early 2022.

However the relationship was to turn sour towards the race for the 2023 general elections with none of the two political gladiators telling the people of the pace setter state what went wrong among them.

Indeed the relationship became that of a cat and mouse with the two of them rarely present together in any occasion in the state and tension high that Makinde was working behind the scene to scuttle the journey of Ladoja to become the Olubadan over his initial refusal to wear the crown like other members of the Olubadan-in-Council.

While about two months ago Makinde paid a visit to the Ondo Street, Bodija, Ibadan residence of the Otun Olubadan signalling that they are back together, however the governor last Wednesday surprised all when he publicly acknowledged the role of Ladoja in his political journey.

Makinde speaking at the low key 80th birthday celebration of Ladoja held at his residence, said his political trajectory cannot be complete without the former governor just as he added that the people of Oyo State will continue to look up to the wisdom, experience and leadership of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The governor recalled that it was Ladoja who midwifed the process that led to his emergence as governor in 2019, maintaining that contrary to speculations that he had issues with the former governor, he never had differences with the man he described as his political leader who played an important role in his political history.

His words, “My political trajectory cannot be complete without mentioning his name. Daddy was the one who midwifed the process that led to my emergence as governor in 2019. He played critical roles. We may have some political differences. When I became governor in 2019, you were the one that midwifed the process.

“Wherever I have offended you, I have begged you. Today is a special day for one of the leading lights in Ibadanland. So, we thank God. A lot of people may not know this, but I feel that whenever I have the opportunity, I will say it openly. You still have a lot of roles to play, sir. So, we will continue to look forward to your leadership.”

For political observers in Oyo state, Makinde was saying nothing but the obvious as Ladoja was the arrowhead of the coalition that led to his emergence as the governor of the state in 2019. Indeed, Ladoja played host to the meeting where Makinde was adopted as the candidate to face the gubernatorial candidate of the ruling party in the state then, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adebayo Adelabu, now the Minister of Power.

The coalition led by Ladoja and included the gubernatorial candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Olufemi Lanlehin; the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Chief Sharafadeen Alli; the Social Democratic Party (SDP),  Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, and the New Progressive Movement (NPM),  Col. Edward Ladoye (rtd), few days to the gubernatorial election in March 2019, said they were on a rescue mission to salvage the state from alleged misrule of the APC, stating that there was need to instal a new government in the state.

The gubernatorial candidates who addressed journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan,  all stepped down for Makinde who was the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP as their consensus candidate for the election.

Lanlehin who read a prepared text on behalf of other candidates, said the idea of the coalition was to restore the pride, progress and prosperity of the state.

According to him, “It is a statement of fact that the people of Oyo state have been subjected to maladministration for the past eight years. We are respective governorship candidates of our individual political parties.

“We officially agree and wholeheartedly accept the coalition of the opposition parties. In equal measure, we endorse Mr Seyi Makinde as sole candidate of the coalition.Though, it is a difficult decision considering our contributions to our various ambitions in our various parties. No sacrifice is too much for the liberation of our state and the emancipation of our people.This vision is in the interest of the people.”

Makinde while accepting his endorsement,  assured  not to betray the intention of the coalition.

He said: “History is actually being made here today. This is the political capital of Nigeria, not only South west. We have gathered to rescue our people with a common purpose. It’s been a very hard period to negotiate this arrangement.

“I promise that the intent of our coming together will be fully implemented when I become governor. I am humbled, because all these gentlemen that stepped down for me, are more qualified. As our people go out to vote on Saturday, two things are to be noted.

“Two Saturdays ago, the people of Oyo south rejected Governor Abiola Ajimobi. The entire people of Oyo should also reject him, because Bayo Adelabu is the third term agenda of Ajimobi.  I thank you all, especially my father Osi Olubadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja who made this a reality.”

Ladoja as the leader of the coalition later presented Makinde to the gathering just as other candidates joined him in raising his hand.

At the end of the gubernatorial election held on March 9, 2019, Makinde emerged the winner  polling 515,621 votes to defeat Adelabu of the APC who polled 357,982 votes and was subsequently sworn in as the 28th executive governor of the state on May 29, 2019.

For political analysts in the pace setter state, Makinde owes his success in politics to the Otun Olubadan as he did not win any election until 2019 when the coalition led by Ladoja backed him. Indeed his political history would attest to this as he started by contesting for the Oyo South Senatorial seat in 2007 under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) but lost to the candidate of the PDP, Kamoru Adedibu.

But remaining undeterred by his first failed attempt, Makinde under the PDP aspired for the Oyo South 2011 Senatorial seat but lost the primary. Similarly, in 2014,  he aimed for the state 2015 governorship ticket under the platform of the PDP but was denied the nomination ticket at the end of the party’s primary election.

Makinde however, remained true to his ambition and defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), under which platform he contested as the gubernatorial candidate but came out third having polled just over 50,000 votes.

With Makinde for the first time publicly acknowledging the role played by Ladoja in whatever he has been able to achieve in politics, analysts are expressing fear that the present romance may not last long with the 2027 general elections around the corner and given the penchant of Makinde saying he has no political godfather and what has befallen members of the coalition including Senators Lanlehin and Alli.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Oyo State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Abdulmajeed Mogbonjubola, has appealed to residents of the state to continue to abide by with the state environmental laws with a goal to make the state one of the cleanest in the country by 2025.

This is just as he said the state and its capital, Ibadan are no longer amongst the dirtiest cities and states in Nigeria, stating that this was according to the data from the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and Clean-Up Nigeria.

Mogbonjubola, while speaking during a clean-up exercise which started at the Cocoa House, Dugbe, Ibadan, with over 500 volunteers participating to support the message of a clean environment, said the exercise was to further spread the message of sustainability to the public as volunteers cleaned through the major road from Dugbe to Mokola Bridge.

 According to him, the recent improvement in the sanitation in the state is not mere coincidence, noting that it is a testament to the renewed focus of the state government in environmental sanitation by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde. 

 He said: “The state government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde also established the Rule of Law Enforcement Authority. This agency was established to bridge the gap in enforcement of extant laws on traffic management, environmental sanitation and other issues.

 “From decentralising the state’s waste management consultancy, to creation of an environmental rapid response squad the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has seen a revival.”

 Mogbonjubola added that efforts have continued as the state through the ministry of recently celebrated World Clean-up day 2024 with the global theme, “Make room for life”, stating that the day was a global social action program aimed at combating the global solid waste problem. 

He disclosed that the United Nations General Assembly in its 78th session on 8 December, 2023, unanimously adopted resolution 78/122 which proclaims 20 September as World Clean up Day, noting that the ministry in collaboration with Recycledge put together a two-day event to celebrate the day this year.

 “The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources celebrated World clean up day 2024 with the first ever edition of the Oyo waste summit. The maiden edition of the Summit was graced by several state dignitaries and sustainability stakeholders and had two guest lecturers, Mr. Adam Garba, who is the Chief Operating Officer of the Nigerian Climate innovation Centre and Dr. Shade Akinsete from the department of Environmental Health Services, University of Ibadan.

 “The event was graced by the attendance of the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal and other key state officials. It also was attended by stakeholders and members of the public as the waste summit achieved its goal of sensitising more people on the importance of keeping a clean environment and opportunities of recycling and up cycling,” he said.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday, said his political trajectory would not be complete without former governor Rasheed Ladoja’s input.

He, however, said the people of Oyo State would continue to look up to the wisdom, experience and leadership of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The governor, who stated this yesterday, when he paid a visit to the Ondo Street, Bodija, Ibadan residence of the former governor, recalled that it was Ladoja, who midwifed the process that led to his emergence as governor in 2019.

Makinde, who felicitated Ladoja on behalf of the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State, maintained that contrary to speculations that he had issues with Ladoja, he never had differences with the political leader, who played an important role in his political history.

He added that despite everything, the octogenarian had done for the state, he still had a lot of roles to play.

“My political trajectory cannot be complete without mentioning his name. Daddy was the one who midwifed the process that led to my emergence as governor in 2019. He played critical roles.

“We may have some political differences. When I became governor in 2019, you were the one that midwifed the process. Wherever I have offended you, I have begged you.

“Today is a special day for one of the leading lights in Ibadanland. So, we thank God. A lot of people may not know this, but I feel that whenever I have the opportunity, I will say it openly. You still have a lot of roles to play, sir. So, we will continue to look forward to your leadership,” he said.

The governor also used the occasion to explain that though he had noticed how some individuals had been accusing him of converting everywhere to a housing estate, some developments have to take place even if they appeared to be unpalatable at the moment.

He noted that the decisions being taken were in the best interest of the state, saying, that wherever there were challenges, his government remained open to addressing them and finding a lasting solution.

He said, “Some critics have falsely accused us of land-grabbing. I even read somewhere on social media that the way Seyi Makinde is going, he might even convert the Lekan Salami Stadium and even the secretariat into housing estates.

“Well, there has to be development. But if there must be development, it will follow a certain trajectory. Where there are challenges, I will say it again and again, we will address them.

“It is God that puts one in a position and it is not by one’s power or knowledge. So, this is just an opportunity for me to tell you to engage with us; wherever there are challenges, we can solve the problem together.”

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

A criminologist, Prof. Etannibi Alemika, has said the performance of the police in the country will be better enhanced if the federal government provides the needed funding for training and procurement of modern  tools.

Alemika, who is the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Society for Criminology (NSC), said this while speaking on “Policing and Police in an Anomic Society”, at the second international conference of the society, stating that there is chaos and strain in the country due to the erosion of cherished cultural values.

According to the foremost criminologist, police and policing in Nigeria is dependent on adequate government funding of the policing institution and socio-economic as well as political factors. “What is responsible for the erosion of values is the limitless aspirations of humans. We should see Police and policing as dependent variables. Socioeconomic and political factors, including the inability of the government to provide funding to equip the police are the independent variables,” he said.

All these were contained in the conference communique of the NSC. 

In their own paper titled,  “The clamour for state police in Nigeria : The arguments, the fallacies and the way forward”, Prof. Sadiq Isah Radda and Abdulmajeed Ahmed, argued that there was no doubt that Nigeria needs alternative policing strategy. 

Noting that the policing system is already decentralised with different layers of community policing and police-community relations.

While maintaining that the current clamour for state policing is due to political exigency, they warned about the tendencies of abuse of such system.

The duo stated that there is a way in which the state abdicated its responsibility once there is decentralisation such as the fate of education and health sectors.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The President and Founder, West African Society of Parenteral and Enternal Nutrition (WASPEN), Dr. Teresa Pounds, has called for deeper understanding among public and health care professionals in countries in the West Africa region towards addressing malnutrition. 

She made the call at a virtual press conference held as part of activities lined up for this year’s Malnutrition Week Awareness that will end today (Friday).

Participants at the press conference include Project Director, WASPEN, Tevin Klein; Coordinator, WASPEN in Plateau State, Ghinsel Nanret Blessing; Ojei Sarat Onyebuka, Naruka Solomon Yakubu, Dr. CNN Nwako, Dr. Bilikisu Mojirola Amuda -Oladeji, Akhigbe Evelyn Omolegho and Dr. Ritbul Jacob, who are all members of WASPEN. 

Pounds stressed that the time has come for countries in the region to  focus on malnutrition in hospitals and that the crucial initiative to confront malnutrition was launched by the American Society for Parental and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) in 2012.    

Noting that WASPEN is dedicated to advancing nutrition care across the region through clinical education, research and interdisciplinary collaboration.

“Our vision is for a region where malnutrition is eradicated. We can achieve this by uniting dietricians, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other professionals to enhance clinical nutrition care and reduce malnutrition in hospitals and outpatient setting,” she said 

Pounds highlighted the roles of WASPEN in the Malnutrition Awareness Week to include raising awareness, educational opportunities, promoting early intervention and enhancing patient care, among others.

She stated further that the essence of the week  include raising awareness about malnutrition, promoting early detection, treatment and personalised nutrition care for better health outcomes, reduced complications and enhanced quality of life.

Pounds added that for health institutions, the benefits of the awareness week are gaining visibility for their malnutrition efforts, encouraging collaborative and imparting patient care through multidisciplinary approaches. 

On policy impact, the WASPEN President said the awareness week identifies policy gaps during  webinars, promotes evidence based strategies and advocates for policies that prioritise nutrition in healthcare.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan 

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has  inaugurated the first digital classroom facilitated by a tech company in Nigeria, for the purpose of equipping citizens, especially youths with adequate technological skills in conformity with evolving global trends.

The tech company, FOUND Africa, was the initiative of Olajide Aboderin and it was embraced and given royal acceptance by the Olubadan, who at the inauguration, was represented by his children, Prince Olasumbo and Folaseke Owolabi.

The monarch, with the new project, expressed his delight that Ibadan has lived up to its slogan of being the pacesetter having being the first to house the first skyscraper, the first University Teaching Hospital, the first television station and the first university, among several other monuments.

Oba Olakulehin said: “As we all are aware that we are in the digital age, so, bringing this project of digital classroom to Ibadan for the use of students, for young men and women, will make them more accessible to the use of Internet for knowledge of what it is all about.

“Someone once said the illiterates of tomorrow will be those who are not computer literate. So, one needs to have good knowledge of computer.

“So, digital classroom in Ibadan is very welcomed because this project will develop Ibadan the more particularly digitally.”

The Managing Director, FOUND Africa, Olajide Aboderin, while explaining the target of the initiative themed, ‘Tradition Meets Technology,’ said everybody must be taught the digital aspect of technology especially students and artisans with a view to creating jobs and eradicating unemployment.

He emphasized that the world is advancing everyday and that artificial intelligence is the new technological component which makes online activities colourful and as such, must be taught to all for adequate sufficiency and reliability.

Aboderin stated that the goal is to establish digital classrooms and give it wider reach, adding that Ibadan was chosen as the centre point because the city is known for distinct language and smooth traditional lineage which has never caused disagreement, hence, the theme and the paramount ruler’s attendance.

According to him, “We believe that Oyo State, Ibadan, where we are starting our mission is known to have distinct language and they even call it the ancient city of Ibadan. Now, I got the opportunity to inform the Olubadan’s palace and explain the reason behind this initiative and they accepted it immediately.

“So, we said to ourselves, is there a better voice to help change the narrative of Ibadan and Oyo State than to have the Olubadan himself coming to unveil this project which has a 50-year roadmap for inclusion among Meta which is Facebook, Google, Amazon?

“We want FOUND to be a big tech company. That is why we kept our name so simple. So, there is no better person to introduce and lay the first foundation of a digital transformation in Africa than the pacesetter State of Oyo and Ibadan and also the Olubadan of Ibadanland himself.

“We would have the highest consideration of Google certified experts in Oyo State and we have already started.”

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Digital Technology, Adebayo Akande, while speaking to the audience that included public officers, students and youths in general,  said digital skills is one of the biggest currencies an individual can have today, lauding the initiators of the project for their proactiveness.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Hon. Olayinka Oladimeji, has said he is the most qualified person to succeed the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, as governor in 2027.

The PDP stalwart, while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, stated that by every standard, he is the most qualified to contest and best positioned to succeed Makinde.

According to him, as a young man still under the age of 50 and given his long years of commitment to the PDP, he stood a better chance of getting the party’s ticket in line with the age limit bar set by the governor for his would-be successor.

He said: “Our performing Governor Seyi Makinde has given his word on age limitation and he has promised us level playing field. I believe in him. I am the most qualified to succeed our dear governor.

“I am the best for the governorship seat. My life has been dedicated to serving the people and the community. I have been very supportive of my people at the grass-roots level over the years.

“Nobody else is more qualified than me for the job in 2027. I believe that Governor Makinde is a man of his word. This would influence the choice of the best candidate to succeed him in 2027.”

Oladimeji emphasised that his political experience as a former appointee in the National Assembly, international connections and exposure as well as political background positioned him as the most qualified person to succeed the governor in 2027, promising that he would consolidate on the numerous achievements of Makinde, if elected in 2027.

“My late father was a very strong PDP member from 1998 till he was murdered in 2007. My late father brought PDP to Oyo State and he was the first chairman of the party in Oyo State.”

He maintained that he would build on the foundation laid by Governor Makinde who he said has created an enabling environment for the youths to play active roles in politics, both at the state and at the national level.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan 

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, will on Thursday, unveil the first digital classroom in Ibadanland, facilitated by a tech-company, FOUND Africa Technology.

The innovation, where tradition will meet technology, is expected to symbolise a powerful fusion of the old and the new.

FOUND Africa Technology focuses on empowering youth, especially students with digital skills in undeserved communities in Ibadanland, which has 11 local government areas.

The Chief Executive Officer and Founder of FOUND Africa Technology, Mr. Olajide Aboderin, in a statement on Tuesday, said the unveiling of the digital classroom will hold at the headquarters of the company in Bodija, Ibadan.

According to him, “On September 19th, we’re hosting a momentous event, where the echoes of Ibadan’s rich heritage will harmonise with the pulse of cutting-edge technology.

“This initiative will create a situation whereby tradition will meet technology. The Olubadan of Ibadanland,, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, will unveil the very first digital classroom, symbolising a powerful fusion of the old and the new.

“The palace will orchestrate a captivating showcase of Ibadan’s cultural traditions, while FOUND will present the transformative potential of technology.

“It will be the dawn of a new era for Ibadan, as we bridge the gap between ancient customs and modern innovation. This event signifies Ibadan’s evolution from a city steeped in history to a futuristic hub, poised to rival global tech giants like Tokyo in the decades to come.

“This will be a pivotal moment in African history as Ibadan will ‘transformatively’ embrace its destiny as a beacon of technological advancement.”