The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, has counselled the newly-admitted students to the Institution’s Institute of Part-Time Programmes (IPTP), to guard their admission jealously by focusing on their studies and eschewing all forms of vices.

Prof. Ige gave the advice while addressing the students at the Matriculation Ceremony for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Academic Sessions held in the University Multipurpose Hall on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

The VC said, “Our newly-matriculated students, you should count yourselves providential to have been admitted to AAUA because out of the huge number of applicants that sought admission to our Institute of Part Time Programmes (IPTP), only 1,175 were admitted.

“Therefore, your admission is a no mean achievement, having scaled the rigorous but fair hurdles of the admission exercise.

“As a result, I congratulate you on being accepted into the prestigious class of university undergraduates. You must, however, guard this valuable attainment of yours jealously by focusing on your studies and eschewing all forms vices.”

He reiterated that the University has several times been rated the best among state varsities in the country and one of the most sought after nationally.

The VC, who noted that the University has produced several graduates who have become giants in all walks of life, and who, today, have become change agents in the society, said, “All eyes are on you to join this enviable rank of our distinguished, competent and confident graduates who have made us proud.”

He urged them to abide by the rules and regulations guiding their studentship.

“Our University is strictly governed by standard norms and values, and the university will not tolerate any antisocial behaviour and character that may contravene or contradict the laid down rules and regulations. Incidents of cultism, rape, examination misconduct, indecent dressing, sexual harassment and the likes will not be tolerated. Anyone caught in these misconducts stands the risk of losing his/her studentship”, the VC warned.

The Registrar of the University, Mr. Olugbenga Ararjulu, had earlier administered the Matriculation Oath on the students.

No fewer than 1,175 newly-admitted students to the Institute of Part Time Programmes (IPTP) of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, will take Matriculation Oath on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin.), Prof. Adebisi Daramola, made this known on Thursday, January 26, 2023, while speaking with the Information Unit of the University.

Ahead of the Matriculation Ceremony, Prof. Daramola, who is also the Chairman of the University Ceremonies Committee, stressed the inevitability of the ceremony to all the new students, saying, whoever fails to take and sign the Matriculation Oath would be sanctioned.

He noted that the 2021/22 and 2022/23 sets of students from the Institute would formally become bonafide members of the University Community through the Matriculation Ceremony.

He said,” We have made it clear that any student who fails to sign the Matriculation Oath and register will face severe sanctions as the Matriculation Ceremony is compulsory for new students; it is their initiation into the University system.

“We are ready for what will be a colourful event. We have made all the necessary arrangements as we expect the matriculants to come with their friends and family members. In total, we are expecting 1, 175 students from our IPTP centres; and the Matriculation Ceremony is for the sets of 2021/22 and the 2022/23 academic sessions”, he added. 

The ceremony, which would hold in the University Multipurpose Hall at 10:00am, will be chaired by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, while the Institution’s Registrar, Mr. Olugbenga Arajulu, would administer the Matriculation Oath on the students.  

Students are expected to have been seated by 9:30am.

The Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, has said a number of jobless youths in Ondo State have been penciled down for recruitment into various agencies of the federal government.

The Minister disclosed this on Monday while featuring on Situation Room, a live interview program on Fresh FM radio in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Adegoroye, who said one of his priorities when he assumed office was to get as many Ondo State indigenes as possible recruited into federal civil service, said the first batch of beneficiaries has been shortlisted and will soon be issued letters.

Adding that another batch is in progress, the Minister said this is in continuation of his advocacy to correct the poor representation of Ondo State in federal civil service, which had necessitated his visit to the Head of Service of the Federation shortly after he assumed office in Abuja.

Speaking on the proposed Ondo Sea Port, the Minister stated that the process of Port Declaration was in the final stages and it is his desire for President Muhammadu Buhari to approve the declaration of Ondo Sea Port before leaving office.

On the Akure-Ado road dualisation, Adegoroye said the contract for the project has been reawarded but the court action instituted by the former contractor has stalled the execution of the project.

“I know how our people are suffering on that road. My mother is from Ekiti and my father is from Akure. So, I know how crucial that road is to our people in Ondo and Ekiti States. We are not relenting in our efforts on the road.

“Two days ago, I and the new Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, met and we discussed this issue. We resolved to meet with the former contractor in January to see how the issue can be settled out of court so that the project can take off”, the Minister added.

Reeling out the activities of his ministry in the last few months, Adegoroye expressed optimism that the ongoing railway network across the country will get to Ondo State, starting from Ore which is part of the ongoing eastern route.

Stressing that President Buhari has done a lot in the transportation sector of the country, the Minister added that approval has been given for the reintroduction of mass transit in the country by the President.

On the coming general elections, the Minister expressed the readiness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible election, saying that the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is miles ahead of other contenders and is the right person to take over from Buhari.

Christians have been urged to use the Christmas season to pray for unity, peace and prosperity of Nigeria. 

The was contained in a message by Olowa and Paramount Ruler of Igbara-Oke kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Francis Adefarakanmi Agbede (OFR), to the Christians as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

A statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to Olowa of Igbara-Oke kingdom, Ayodeji Owolabi, said Christmas is a season to show love to one another, celebrate peaceful co-existence and another opportunity to increase our acts of kindness and care for the less privileges.

According to the monarch, the impact of love and peaceful coexistence will bring about a positive change that will lead to unity and development which will move the nation forward.

Oba Agbede expressed the need to rededicate ourselves to the service of humanity in line with the true teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, which preach tolerance, patience, kindness, selflessness, among other virtues.

The monarch also reiterated the need for us as citizens to continue to reflect on positive tenets that unite the nation and strengthen the polity. He said we should not relent in prayers for our dear nation.

He enjoined Nigerians to keep hope alive despite challenges facing the country.

As the general election is around the corner, the monarch urged the citizens to eschew any act that can truncate the unity of our country.

The Federal Government has reassured that the ongoing expansion of railway network across the country will not leave out Ondo State, just as efforts are in motion to declare a deep sea port in the State.

These were part of the resolutions reached at the executive session of the 17th National Council on Transportation (NCT) held in Abuja with the theme: “Transportation Technology and Innovation for Socio – Economic Sustainability”.                     

Presiding over the session, the Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, said the target of the rail network expansion is to touch all the 36 State capitals in the country, stressing that Akure will be on the network in no distant time.

The Minister, who acknowledged the efforts of the Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, in this regard, added that the declaration of deep sea port for Ondo State will become a reality in the life of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. 

A statement released by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Prince Adegoroye, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, disclosed that Sambo gave assurances that the Ministry will implement workable and practicable policy initiatives that will advance the efficiency of the transport sector to play a critical role in the sustainable development of the economy.  

He called for a more serious synergy between the Federal Government and the States, noting that milestones of the Government will come to naught unless the State governments are on board.  

The Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, while giving the welcome remarks at the event, said: “this year’s theme is a call for a paradigm shift from the well-known traditional approach to adapting new innovative technologies that will revolutionise the movement of people and goods, transform the design and operation of Transportation systems”. 

Adegoroye harped on the need to embrace imminent transition in the transportation sector that will impact positively on the Nigerian transport system, noting that with growth of new technologies such as Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, among others, if properly harnessed will guaranty an all encompassing national development for the country. 

He added: “It is imperative that we join the moving train of Technology and Innovation by keying in and supporting initiatives and plans that will evolve new and digital technology. 

“To facilitate the attainment of our new resolve, we need to invest in training and re-training of our personnel, acquire state-of-the art technology where necessary, imbibe innovative policies and support collaborations among relevant Agencies/Organisations. This will in turn improve the quality of live of Nigerians, provide job opportunities and foster economic development.”

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine and Land Transport, Senator Danjuma Goje, in his remarks, assured of the National Assembly’s support, noting that no country can attain development without viable and sustainable transportation system. 

The 4-day 17th National Council on Transportation had in attendance State Commissioners for Transportation and their Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Agencies, Captains of industries and other relevant stakeholders, numbering about 500. 

The Chief Executive Officer of Benakol Legal Classics (a company dealing in production, sale and supply of Lawyer’s Legislator’s and Judge’s robes), Mrs Kehinde Oluwadaisi, has presented three graduates of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, who made First Class at the Bar Final Examination at the Nigerian Law School with the quality of Wig and Gown and other complete accessories for their Call to Bar. 

According to the CEO, the gesture was in fulfilment of the promise made three years ago by the Board of Directors of the company to honour outstanding graduates of AAUA at the Law School annually. 

She appreciated the principal member of the BoD, a Senior Lecturer, and Head of the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, at the Faculty of Law, AAUA, Dr. Akin Oluwadaisi, for his huge support to the initiative.

This year’s beneficiaries are: Chibueze Esther Uchechi, Akinyemi Damilola Tobiloba, and Adeayo Precious

The Governing Council of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, at its 80th Regular Meeting on Friday, December 9, 2022, ratified the appointment of two new Deputy Vice-Chancellors for the Institution. 

They are Professor Adebisi Daramola (Administration) and Professor Olusegun Akinwumi (Academic).

The duo had emerged after their nominations alongside two other professors for election by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, during the 177th Regular Senate Meeting of the University on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. 

Prof. Daramola obtained a Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1977 at Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo; earned a Bachelor of Education degree in Guidance and Counselling from University of Ibadan in 1981; got a Master of Education degree in Guidance and Counselling from University of Ibadan in 1984 and bagged a Ph.D.  in Counselling Psychology from the then Ondo State University, Ado  Ekiti, now Ekiti State University in 1993. 

Prof. Daramola, who was among the staffers that relocated to AAUA from the then Ondo State University, Ado  Ekiti, in 1999, joined the services of the University at Ado-Ekiti, in 1989 as a lecturer II.  He rose through the rank to become a Professor of Counselling Psychology in 2005.

He had, at different times, served the University in over 50 administrative and academic capacities, including Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education; Dean, Postgraduate School; Dean, Student Affairs; Chairman, AAUA/Akungba Community Relations Committee; and Director, University Linkages and International Programmes Office.

Prof. Daramola, the pioneer Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, AAUA branch, was an external examiner/assessor to nine local and foreign universities. While he has published three books, he has written chapters in many books; and has over 30 articles in both local and international journals. 

He has presented over 15 seminars/public lectures; and attended over  23 local and international conferences. 

Prof. Daramola belongs to many professional bodies, such as Counseling Association of Nigeria (CASSON);  Chairman, Nigerian Association of Educational Psychologists (NAEP); World Council for Gifted and Talented Children (WCGTC), U.S.A; International Federation for Psychotherapy (IFP) Germany; Nigerian Association of Educational Research and Evaluation (NAERE); Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN); Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (AIPM); Luminaries of Professional Educators of Nigeria (LUPEN); and Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria (NIIA).

He is a recipient of many honours and awards, including Best Postgraduate Student Award Ondo State University; Man of the Year 2004, American Biographical Institute, U.S.A; First  Ph.D  Graduate, Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti; Honorary Doctor of Divinity (DD) Asland University, Ohio, U.S.A.  2002; and Fellow, Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria (IIAN).

He hails from Ondo City in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State. He is happily married with children and affable wife.

Similarly, Prof. Akinwumi obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Calabar in 1984; proceeded to the University of Ibadan and the Federal University of Technology, Akure, where he bagged a Masters degree in Zoology (Fisheries and Hydrobiology) and a Ph.D. in Fish Post-Harvest Technology in 1991 and 2006, respectively.

He joined the services of then Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti, in 1998 as a lecturer II and moved to AAUA in 1999, rising through the rank to become a Professor in 2015.

He has served in over 50 academic and administrative positions in the University, including Head, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology; Chairman, Ceremonies Committee; Chairman, AAUA Committee on Public Lecture Series; pioneer Vice Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, AAUA branch; and Chairman, Universitys Farm Management Committee. 

Prof. Akinwumi is the immediate Dean, Faculty of Science, and a member representing the University Congregation on the University Governing Council. 

Prof. Akinwumi has published seven books; edited three others, and has 27 articles published in reputable local and international journals.

Prof. Akinwumi, who had undergone various leadership trainings globally, including at the famous Galilee International Management Institute, Israel (2015), and the Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Datong, China (2007), has 12 published conference abstracts and presentations.  

Prof. Akinwumi is a winner of many research grants, awards and prizes including the Federal Government Postgraduate (M.Sc.) Scholarship (1990), Ondo State Government Postgraduate (Ph.D.) Scholarship (2001), and the University Research grant in 2005 and 2011.

He has membership of several professional bodies among which are: Fisheries Society of Nigeria; Entomological Society of Nigeria; Zoological Society of Nigeria; and Science Association of Nigeria.

Prof. Akinwumi  who is happily married with children and amiable wife hails from Akure, in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo  State.

The Governing Council of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, at its 80th Regular Meeting on Friday, December 9, 2022, ratified the appointment of two new Deputy Vice-Chancellors for the Institution. 

They are Professor Adebisi Daramola (Administration) and Professor Olusegun Akinwumi (Academic).

The duo had emerged after their nominations alongside two other professors for election by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, during the 177th Regular Senate Meeting of the University on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. 

Prof. Daramola obtained a Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1977 at Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo; earned a Bachelor of Education degree in Guidance and Counselling from University of Ibadan in 1981; got a Master of Education degree in Guidance and Counselling from University of Ibadan in 1984 and bagged a Ph.D.  in Counselling Psychology from the then Ondo State University, Ado  Ekiti, now Ekiti State University in 1993. 

Prof. Daramola, who was among the staffers that relocated to AAUA from the then Ondo State University, Ado  Ekiti, in 1999, joined the services of the University at Ado-Ekiti, in 1989 as a lecturer II.  He rose through the rank to become a Professor of Counselling Psychology in 2005.

He had, at different times, served the University in over 50 administrative and academic capacities, including Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education; Dean, Postgraduate School; Dean, Student Affairs; Chairman, AAUA/Akungba Community Relations Committee; and Director, University Linkages and International Programmes Office.

Prof. Daramola, the pioneer Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, AAUA branch, was an external examiner/assessor to nine local and foreign universities. While he has published three books, he has written chapters in many books; and has over 30 articles in both local and international journals. 

He has presented over 15 seminars/public lectures; and attended over  23 local and international conferences. 

Prof. Daramola belongs to many professional bodies, such as Counseling Association of Nigeria (CASSON);  Chairman, Nigerian Association of Educational Psychologists (NAEP); World Council for Gifted and Talented Children (WCGTC), U.S.A; International Federation for Psychotherapy (IFP) Germany; Nigerian Association of Educational Research and Evaluation (NAERE); Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN); Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (AIPM); Luminaries of Professional Educators of Nigeria (LUPEN); and Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria (NIIA).

He is a recipient of many honours and awards, including Best Postgraduate Student Award Ondo State University; Man of the Year 2004, American Biographical Institute, U.S.A; First  Ph.D  Graduate, Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti; Honorary Doctor of Divinity (DD) Asland University, Ohio, U.S.A.  2002; and Fellow, Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria (IIAN).

He hails from Ondo City in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State. He is happily married with children and affable wife.

Similarly, Prof. Akinwumi obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Calabar in 1984; proceeded to the University of Ibadan and the Federal University of Technology, Akure, where he bagged a Masters degree in Zoology (Fisheries and Hydrobiology) and a Ph.D. in Fish Post-Harvest Technology in 1991 and 2006, respectively.

He joined the services of then Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti, in 1998 as a lecturer II and moved to AAUA in 1999, rising through the rank to become a Professor in 2015.

He has served in over 50 academic and administrative positions in the University, including Head, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology; Chairman, Ceremonies Committee; Chairman, AAUA Committee on Public Lecture Series; pioneer Vice Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, AAUA branch; and Chairman, Universitys Farm Management Committee. 

Prof. Akinwumi is the immediate Dean, Faculty of Science, and a member representing the University Congregation on the University Governing Council. 

Prof. Akinwumi has published seven books; edited three others, and has 27 articles published in reputable local and international journals.

Prof. Akinwumi, who had undergone various leadership trainings globally, including at the famous Galilee International Management Institute, Israel (2015), and the Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Datong, China (2007), has 12 published conference abstracts and presentations.  

Prof. Akinwumi is a winner of many research grants, awards and prizes including the Federal Government Postgraduate (M.Sc.) Scholarship (1990), Ondo State Government Postgraduate (Ph.D.) Scholarship (2001), and the University Research grant in 2005 and 2011.

He has membership of several professional bodies among which are: Fisheries Society of Nigeria; Entomological Society of Nigeria; Zoological Society of Nigeria; and Science Association of Nigeria.

Prof. Akinwumi  who is happily married with children and amiable wife hails from Akure, in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo  State.

The ancient city of Ondo was thrown into a carnival like mood on Tuesday as some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the city held a mega “Awalokan solidarity walk” to drum more support for the presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other candidates of the party in the state.

The well attended solidarity walk was led by some APC leaders in Ondo City including the Special Adviser to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Political and Legislative Matters, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Wale Akinlosotu and his counterpart in Commerce, Industry and Cooperative Services, Deaconess Lola Fagbemi.

Others at the rally are Abiola Makinde; Otunba Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju; Biola Oladapo; Oladiji Landmark and Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN), Chief Olawale  Fasakin, among several other leaders and supporters.

The mega rally which was organized as part of the campaign for all APC candidates both at the federal and state levels in the forthcoming 2023 general elections was also attended by mammoth crowd of Ondo sons and daughters.

The rally kicked off at the popular Akure Motor Park in Ondo with party supporters and loyalists coming out in large numbers wearing the party’s T-shirts, caps and brandishing their brooms with enthusiasm while singing and dancing to the delight of everyone who expressed nothing but joy and hope for the emergence of the party at all levels come 2023.

The enthusiastic supporters sang and danced across the nook and cranny of the city as they presented their candidates to the good people of Ondo kingdom to be voted in come 2023 general elections.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye declared that the people of Ondo city have decided to throw their weight behind the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and all their candidates for the 2023 general elections in the state, saying that is the essence of the solidarity walk across the city.

The Special Adviser emphasised that Tinubu would bring the desired change and redefine governance in the country with his weath of experience as former Governor of Lagos State.

“We have come out en masse to show our support, belief and conviction in the credibility of all our candidates. From our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to all our candidates in the state like our Senatorial candidate Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN), our House of Representatives candidate, Honourable Abiola Makinde and our House of Assembly candidates. 

“We believe in their good antecedents, capacity and competence. We believe in the APC, we believe in what the APC has done in the last seven and a half years and we believe in what APC can do in the coming years. This is demonstrated by the mammoth crowd that came out today to show that we all believe in the APC in Ondo state. Look at the laudable achievements of Mr Governor in the state. We are all apostles of the APC in Ondo state and I know that  with what we have seen here today, the 2023 election is already won”, Adeyeye said.

On his part, Mr. Wale Akinlosotu said all the APC candidates including the Senatorial, the House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly are credible and reliable. 

“They have been tested and we know that they are all credible. The state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) is performing. If we look at the report that just came out from the federal government, Ondo state is the least poor state in the whole of Nigeria. That is something to celebrate. Akeredolu is working for us in Ondo state”, the Commissioner added.

Also, the House of Assembly candidate for Ondo West Constituency 1, Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju declared that Ondo East and West Local Government Areas are solidly behind the ambition of the APC and will deliver for the party at the 2023 polls.

“This is a statement from the people of Ondo that we have all come together as one to deliver for the APC. As we can all see, our leaders believe in the youths and that is why we have youths candidates like Ogunwumiju for Ondo West Constituency 1, and Abiola Oladapo for Constituency 2. It shows that the APC is  committed towards ensuring that young people are at the helms of affairs”, he stressed.

The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, has praised the interventions of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in boosting pedagogy among the academia as well as enhancing Infrastructural development in tertiary institutions in the country.

He noted that infrastructural decay would have taken a toll on most institutions of higher learning in the country if not for the interventions of the agency, adding that members of the academia would have struggled in terms of book and research publications if TETFund had not chosen to shoulder the financial responsibilities of such exercises.

The Vice Chancellor stated these on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, while receiving a team from TETFund that was in the University on an Academic-Manuscripts-to-Book visit aimed at ascertaining the genuineness of the manuscripts and authorship of three books written by Prof. Sola Owonibi of the Department of English Studies of the University.

Publication of the books was sponsored by TETFund, while copies were meant to be given out free-of-charge to libraries, schools and other repositories in the country.

The published works were English translations of popular Yoruba novels and plays. They are: Chief Gaa – a translation of Bayo Faleti’s Basorun Gaa; The Tight Game – a translation of Akinwumi Isola’s O Le Ku; and Delusion of Grandeur – a translation of Oladejo Okediji’s Aja Lo Leru.

Speaking for the TETFund, Mrs. Olufunke Okonofua (the team leader), said their assignment in the University was to ascertain the genuineness of the claim of the author in order to justify the funding of the project by the intervention agency. She urged other members of the academia to take advantage of opportunities available to them via TETFund interventions and sponsorships.