The Special Adviser to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Inter-Governmental Relations, Mrs Olubunmi Ademosu, has been inaugurated as the 8th President of Lions Club, 2022/2023 Lions Year.

At the colorful ceremony held at the International Centre for Culture and Events, (The Dome), Akure, which also coincided with her birthday, Lions Club International District 404A1, Nigeria, equally conferred an award of excellence on Governor Akeredolu for his Leadership and Civil Courage.

The event held on Tuesday October 18, 2022, also witnessed inauguration of Club Directors, presentation of Club Officers, fundraising and induction of new members.

Family members, friends and associates, technocrats, captains of industries, members of the Ondo State Executive Council, among several other dignitaries graced the colourful ceremony.

The guest speaker at the event was Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN. 

In his remarks,  Governor Akeredolu who was also the Chairman on the occasion, specially appreciated the Club for the honour done him with a promise to continue to do more to serve humanity.

While congratulating Mrs Ademosu on her investiture, Akeredolu lauded the Lions Club for its humanitarian services, urging the gathering to make selfless service to humanity a priority for a better society.

He lauded the Club for its positive impacts not only in the state but across the world.

Others who bagged different categories of awards included Rev (Mrs) Olufunke Felix-Adejumo; Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; Princess Adejoke Orelope Asefulire; Ln Bode Akinwumi; Ln Tokunbo Jegede; Engr. Adeleke Adedipe; Mr. Akinjisola Ige; Dr. Fidelis Ayebae  among several others.

In her speech,the new President, Mrs Ademosu said Akure Professionals Lions Club under her leadership is determined to use the Lions Years to offer services that would help the needy out of their undignified status.

According to her, the Club would pursue with vigour the belief which encourages the privileged few in the society to positively affect the less privileged majority in the society so that life can be made worth living for all.

“My coming up at this time as Club President of an affiliate of world largest service organisation, Lions Club International, is a rare privilege designed by God, propelled by my fellow Lions in Akure Professionals; solidly supported by family members; encouraged by my boss, the Governor of Ondo State and my colleagues in his Cabinet; the Award Recipients and all the distinguished guests present.

“The name of this organisation, LIONS, an acronym which stands for Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation’s Safety, crystalises the Four Pillars of the Lions Club which include: Humanitarian Needs, Disaster Management, Youth Development and Saving Sight. The commitment to these areas of human needs and development culminate into what makes one to be a LION”, she stressed.

Mrs Ademosu noted that Akure Professionals Lions Club under her watch would undertake various activities that would impact the lives of the poor and vulnerable children in the areas of literacy, hunger, and poverty in consonance with the theme of the International President, Lion Brian Sheehan and the goal of the District Governor in District 404A-1, Nigeria, Lion Anogwi Anyankwu .

The new President listed some of the  projects to be executed for 2022/2023 Lion Year to include upgrading and renovation of Ondo State Children’s Home, Oba -Ile, Akure; supply of monthly drugs to Correctional Home, Akure, Ondo; feeding the poor and vulnerable in her community; monthly supply to the Leprosy Home, Akure; supply of drugs to Primary HealthCare for the pregnant women and eyes screening test and restoration of vision (cataract).

Other are supply of exercise books to selected public schools in the community; seminars for selected public secondary school pupils on Good Citizenship, Sex Education, Child Rights and Drug Abuse; Diabetic Screening for market women and lecturing on Women Rights; Lectures on HIV/AIDS current thematic focus; Public Health Walk; Measles campaign; Tree planting in some designated places and reading competition among public secondary schools.

She equally solicited financial support from public spirited persons to raise the sum of N50, 865,750million to execute the numerous projects to complement the salutary efforts of the present administration across sectors in the state.

The Management of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, has announced October 17, 2022, as resumption date for academic activities for the Second Semester of the 2020/2021 academic session, following the suspension of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

The Registrar of the University, Mr. Olugbenga Arajulu, in a statement, said, “The University Senate has directed that the University be reopened for academic activities on 17th October, 2022. All students are, therefore, expected to resume for the Second semester 2020/2021 academic session on 17th October, 2022.”

The statement reads further, “Upon resumption, students who are yet to pay their school fees or had made part-payment are required to pay up their outstanding school fees and complete registration of courses for the Second semester 2020/2021 academic session instantly. Students who had paid fully should also register for their courses as lectures will commence immediately, and registration for courses will close by midnight Saturday, 19th November, 2022. 

The Registrar, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga lge, welcomed all the students back to campus and wished them success in their studies.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, has promised a renewed effort to convince the government to bend over backwards to increase its funding of the University.

Dr. Abayomi made the promise in an exclusive interview with the Information Unit of the University after the Inaugural Meeting of the 7th Governing Council on Tuesday, October 4, 2022.

Noting that the impact of inadequate funding on a university cannot be over-emphasised, the Pro-Chancellor said, “Not even double of what we get from the government is sufficient and we all know why. But as a Council, we will continue to impact on the government to improve on the funding, especially on the special needs of the University.”

Dr. Abayomi noted that the 7th Council would, among other things, focus on how to make the Business School function maximally; expand the University in terms of new programmes; improve academic rating for global relevance; and enhanced staff welfare.

The Pro-Chancellor said that his second coming as Pro-Chancellor would enable him to contribute more to the development of the University and the state at large.

He urged staff members to double their commitment and dedication to their duties, and to deepen cooperation with Management in order to engender a University everyone can be proud of.

In his words, “I call on everyone to put in more efforts to move the Institution forward. We should produce research papers that would be referenced globally and, thus, improve the global rating of Adekunle Ajasin University.

“We should not be satisfied with being the Best State University, but one of the very best of all varsities in Nigeria and in Africa. That should be a legacy we all should pursue and bequeath to future generations.”

Speaking on how he fared during his first term in office, the Council Chair said, “I had good working relationships with members of Council and members of the University community, which, of course, helped us to achieve some feats. Our major achievement at the 6th Council is the building of our world-class Business School in Akure that was inaugurated early this year by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.”

Earlier at the Inaugural Meeting, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, had sought the support of the 7th Governing Council to achieve the set goals for the University.

He said, “As Management, we seek your support and cooperation to deepen our academic activities and integrity through purposeful teaching and robust research; continuously upgrade our academic support facilities; improve on our Internally-Generated Revenue; rebrand and promote the image of the University; improve on staff and students’ welfare, including security of lives and property; foster healthy industrial relations with staff unions; and advance community service and engagement.”

The people of Ogbagi Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State have staged a peaceful protest to register their grievances against alleged plans to impose another monarch on the community.

The people who converged on the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka Akure, said they were informed that Chief Eleegun of Eegun Street in Ogbagi Akoko has been recognized as Oba within the community, saying that the development is against the culture and traditions of the ancient community.

According to the protesters who noted that there can never be two Obas in one community, particularly called on the state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to intervene and help them solve the issue before it gets out of hands.

They carried various placards with different inscriptions such as, “Ogbagi community says no to another Oba except Owa of Ogbagi land”; “It is a taboo to have two Obas in Ogbagi Akoko”, “Eegun does not have a defined territory in Ogbagi land”, “Eleegun is a Minor Chief under Owa of Ogbagi Akoko”, among several others.

The protesters were led by Chief Sajowa of Egako in Ogbagi, Moses Adeyemo and the Youth Leader in the community, Ale Matthew.

Addressing the government representative, the poeple explained that the peaceful protest was to show their opposition to the appointment of Eleegun of Eegun, one of the Chiefs in the community, as Oba.

Chief Adeyemo explained that Eegun is a street in Ogbagi and has no land in the community, adding that the community will not accept any move by unscrupulous elements to cause crisis in the peaceful community.

“According to our history and traditions, we only have and know one Oba in Ogbagi community which is Owa of Ogbagi. The name of the present Owa of Ogbagi is Victor Ojo Adetona. We don’t know or have any other Oba in Ogbagi again”, he said.

Also, the Youth Leader in the community, Ale Matthew, said members of the community wanted Governor Akeredolu to urgently intervene with a view to help resolve the matter once and for all.

He added that the culture and traditions of Ogbagi must be upheld and protected, saying that only Owa of Ogbagi is the recognized monarch in the history of the ancient community.

“It is a taboo to have another Oba in Ogbagi Akoko except Owa of Ogbagi land. All the sons and daughters of Ogbagi community, both home and abroad are against the move to impose another person on the community”, he said.

He particularly accused a former Chief Judge of the state of being behind the matter and appealed to Governor Akeredolu to prevail on him in the interest of peace in the community.

The poeple also submitted a copy of their Complaint Letter to the government representative for urgent action.

Addressing the peaceful protesters on behalf of the state government, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, commended them for expressing their grievances in a peaceful manner.

He assured them that all their complaints would be conveyed to the Governor for necessary action, just as he charged them to remain peaceful and law-abiding in the community.

The importance of girls child education to the social, human and economic development of any society has again been re-emphasized.

The Chief of Staff to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Chief Olugbenga Ale,  while speaking at the presentation of Bursary and Scholarship Awards to girls child students of Idogun High School in Ose Local Government Area of the state, particularly lauded the organisers of the programme for giving priority to girls child education.

No fewer than 46 female students of Idogun High School benefited from the  Bursary and Scholarship Awards courtesy of an endowment instituted in honour of the late wife of a former Secretary to the State Government and ex-Head of Service, Attorney Omolorun Modupe, Deaconess Beatrice Oyinwande Modupe JP Educational Foundation.

The event held at St Paul’s Anglican Primary School, Idogun, was attended by parents of the beneficiaries, school managers, educationists, top bureaucrats in the state and several others.

The Chief of Staff explained that the awards given to the students will alleviate the burden of their parents in providing them qualitative education, even as he advised the beneficiaries to take their studies seriously as these awards have placed additional responsibility on them to be up and doing more than ever before.

Chief Ale described education as a veritable instrument that unlocks the innate imagination and intellectual capacity in every individual, through which everyone contributes to the overall development of the society or State.

According to him, education is one of the fundamental means through which our children and young ones can improve their personal endowments and build their capacities towards creating enormous opportunities for their overall
well-being. 

“I want to, therefore, say with all emphasis that no society, state or nation can develop, socially, economically and politically beyond the overall educational and intellectual capacity or opportunity of their citizens or inhabitants. I want to, therefore, congratulate this Foundation for deeming it fit to organise this bursary and scholarship programme for our female students.

“As we are all aware, to educate a girl child means to train her mind, character and abilities.  Time has come for us to do away with the notion that a woman’s place is in her husband’s kitchen or that they must take the back seat in the scheme of things.  Our women must occupy their place of pride in the top echelon of political and public offices.

“We are, all  therefore, obligated in our individual capacities to contribute our efforts towards removing all seeming barriers including all outdated traditional practices towards giving qualitative education to our female folk.
Let me seize this opportunity to also congratulate the female students who are beneficiaries of today’s bursary and scholarship awards. 

“I implore you all to take your studies seriously as these awards have placed additional responsibility on you to be up and doing more than ever before. It is my hope and expectation that these awards being given to the students will alleviate the burden of their parents in providing them qualitative education”, he added.

The Chief of Staff also said despite the economic melt down across the globe,  the administration of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi  Akeredolu, has been giving deserving indigent students of Ondo State bursary and scholarship awards within the available financial resources.

” It is also worth mentioning that the present administration in Ondo State has committed huge financial outlay to the uplifting of the standard of education in the State.  More than 1,200 primary school teachers were recently recruited.  Furthermore, several primary schools across the 18 Local Government Areas in the State have been renovated.

” This development has invariably engendered confidence in our public schools system as students enrolments in the schools have increased in recent times. Once again, I appreciate this Foundation for being a blessing to these young minds and I wish to also encourage all other well-to-do and other similar Foundations to embrace this noble cause and contribute their own quota to the educational development of our dear State.  We cannot afford to leave it in the hands of the government alone”, Ale stressed.

I equally congratulate our revered elder, Chief Omolorun Modupe whom I have utmost respect for, on the establishment of this Foundation thereby sustaining the good legacy of his late wife.  It is my prayer that God Almighty shall continually endow your esteemed self with the necessary good health, strength, wisdom and resources towards the sustenance of this laudable cause.
Thank you all and God bless.

Earlier, the Secretary of the Foundation, Mr. Oloruntoba Emmanuel, said the emergence of the Foundation is a product of the firm belief in the English Maxim which acknowledges that “Knowledge is Power”.

In their separate goodwill messages Mrs Margret Modupe Ijaware; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations, Mrs Lola Amuda;  former Head of Service, Mrs Kosemani Kolawole; former Permanent Secretary, Sunday Agbotoba;  Retired Commissioner of Police, Mr. David Sasere; Ven Ejiowuro, among others stressed the importance of girl child education to national development.

One of the beneficiaries, Mercy Ogunleye, appreciated the Foundation with a promise to make good use of the scholarship awards.

It was a joyful moment for the General Manager, Ondo State Waste Management Authority (ODSWMA), Rev Mrs Ayo Adeyemo, as she bowed out of the public service of Ondo State.

At the Pens Down and Diamond Jubilee Thanksgiving ceremony on Thursday held at Pride of Zion Ministry, Ilekun, Oda Road, Akure,  speakers after speakers lauded the retiring GM for her quintessential and meritorious service to the state.

 Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu described Mrs Adeyemo as highly dedicated, loyal and passionate officer who has contributed in no small measure to the hygienic and healthy status of the Sunshine State.

Governor Akeredolu who was represented by his Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Dare Aragbaiye, said Mrs Adeyemo’s uncommon passion and dedication to duty stood her out.

“She has been on this job for a while. Even before she became General Manager, I have been following her activities while serving as director in the Waste Management Authority.

“We always listen to her enlightenment programmes on radio and television. She was irrevocably committed to her job, her duty, and has brought a lot of good things to our state. No wonder she was considered worthy to become a General Manager of that same Agency.

“So, I rejoice with her as she is retiring and pray that she will spend the rest of her life in good health and prosperity”, the Governor said.

The colorful event also had in attendance, spouse of the celebrant, Pastor John Adeyemo and other family members; Commissioner for Environment, Sunday Akinwalere; Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender, Mrs Olamide Falana; the State Accountant General, Mrs Oluwatoyin Oni; Management and staff of ODSWMA; the Managing Director/CEO ZL Global Alliance, Dr. Abiola Bashorun; immediate past GM of the Authority, Ayo Mesuleya, serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, wives of Permanent Secretaries, Directors and other top bureaucrats; traditional rulers, friends and well-wishers.

In his sermon, the officiating Minister, Prophet Abiodun Olofe, congratulated and rejoiced with the celebrant and her family for the grace of God that has made her retire peacefully from public service without any blemish.

He also described the members of Adeyemo family as sophisticated vessels of God, very dedicated, reliable and diligent poeple who have made positive impacts in their various endeavours, urging them to continue to praise God for all His good works in their lives.

In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Sunday Akinwalere and the Acting GM of ODSWMA, Mr Kunle Olajumbu, while congratulating Rev Adeyemo on her retirement and 60th birthday, lauded her uncommon, humility, professionalism, passion and dedication to duty, adding that her uncommon commitment to service will be missed my all.

They commended her for the sterling and unprecedented achievements recorded  in every area of the Authority, describing her as a goal-getter and a workaholic.

Other speakers at the event described Mrs Adeyemo as a reliable and trustworthy leader, caring mother and woman of honour.

The children of the celebrant described their mother as a dutiful officer, responsible mother and loving wife.

There were also goodwill messages from ODSWMA, EHOAN, family, church, friends and others.

Speaking at the event, the celebrant who could not hide her joy, sang various songs of praise to God to appreciate Him for the grace she has received so far. 

She said she would remain ever grateful to the Almighty God for making the day a reality, even as she thanked all for the honour done her.

“I feel delighted because it is a great joy to see myself retiring peacefully, hale and hearty, without any hitch. So, I give glory to God. I’m really overwhelmed with joy. And with the caliber of poeple that came to felicitate with me, it is a great amazement. I give glory to God and I will continue to give glory to God because He has done wondrous things in my life.

“I trip down memory lane and see that God has been so faithful, so merciful, so kind to me and my family, even for the enablement given me to reach the peak of my career, I say thank you Jesus. God has made things right with me. I thank everybody for their support.

“The journey so far has been so rough, turbulent, full of ups and downs, but in all I say thank you Jesus, and I will continue to say thank you Jesus. This is my profession and I have passion for it. I love making environment friendly because there is an adage that says “health is wealth”. Even after leaving the service I will continue to support the profession to ensure healthy living”, she said.

The husband of the celebrant and immediate past Head of Service, Pastor John Adeyemo, appreciated all their guests who have come from far and near to be part of the glorious occasion.

Highlights of the colourful ceremony are prayers for the celebrant and family, cutting of cake, presentation of gifts, Obitun dance, special rendition by the Church Choir, Government House Choir and thanksgiving.

The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, has described the late mother of the State Governor, Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu, as an excellent mother with a righteous and loving heart and an exemplary virtuous grandmother. 

In a Condolence Letter, on behalf of the Management, Staff and Students of the University, Prof. Ige commiserated with Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his entire family over the demise of the matriarch, describing her death as irreparable loss.

The VC said, though it was such a painful exit, nevertheless our consolation is in the fact that Mama had lived an exemplary life and she is being survived by highly responsible and enviable children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who are capable of keeping her good legacies.

“No doubt, Mama was an excellent mother with a righteous and loving heart. Her demise at this period will definitely be challenging, considering her roles as a matriarch, a confidant and a shining example of a virtuous woman. Her death, indubitably, will leave a huge vacuum which only time, her fond memories and the Lord Almighty can fill”, he added.

He assured the Governor and the family of the thoughts and prayers of the University community. 

He specially prayed God to console the entire family and give them the fortitude and the strength to deal with this great loss, and grant Mama eternal rest and put her soul where the righteous rest

The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, received a 3-man team of student debaters in his office.

 The students, who were members of the AAUA Literary and Debating Society, participated in a national debate competition held at Abuja recently where they emerged First runners-up.

Congratulating the debaters for doing the University proud, Prof. Ige asserted that AAUA has become a referential Institution to be reckoned with among the comity of varsities across the world.

The VC, who affirmed that graduates of AAUA have consistently and successfully been rubbing shoulders with their peers in all disciplines across the world, noted that the University would not become less severe on its path to global prominence.

Prof. Ige said the Management would do its best to encourage and assist the students whenever the occasion demands.

The Adekunle Ajasin University Debating team led by Abdul-Haq Mutairu with the duo of Diwura Williams and Blessing Ahmadu, had earlier defeated four institutions at the South-West zonal elimination stage to represent the zone at the national edition that had over 20 universities competing.

Tagged, “National Debate 2022”, it has as its theme: The Way Forward: Nigeria @ 62, Dissecting the Leadership Performance of Nigerias Democratic Dispensations. 

The national debate competition was sponsored by Monday Diamond Foundation in collaboration with Eureka Gie (an international educational consortium), Muslim and Christian Youths Initiative, Youth Alliance for Good Governance, and the Youth Advocacy for Development and Empowerment.

Briefing the University Management earlier, the Dean of Students, Prof. Olusegun Akanbi, had saluted the debaters for shining brilliantly at both the zonal elimination and the national editions and for being good ambassadors of the Institution.

Present at the event were Principal Officers of the University and the leadership of the Student Union.

…Alumnus Wins Us-fulbright Scholarship 

In another development, an alumnus of the University, Busola Mercy Adebayo, was among the latest winners of the Fulbright Scholarship offered by the United States of America.

Adebayo, a-2018 graduate of Yoruba Language, who got the scholarship for Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA), is presently teaching Yoruba language and culture at Feyetteville State University, United States of America.

In a chat with the Information Unit of the University, the Fulbright scholar thanked the University Management for providing conducive environment to learning and appreciated her lecturers for their immense contributions to her progress. She particularly praised Prof. Temitope Olumuyiwa for motivating her and opening her eyes to various prospects in studying Yoruba Language.

The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, received a 3-man team of student debaters in his office.

 The students, who were members of the AAUA Literary and Debating Society, participated in a national debate competition held at Abuja recently where they emerged First runners-up.

Congratulating the debaters for doing the University proud, Prof. Ige asserted that AAUA has become a referential Institution to be reckoned with among the comity of varsities across the world.

The VC, who affirmed that graduates of AAUA have consistently and successfully been rubbing shoulders with their peers in all disciplines across the world, noted that the University would not become less severe on its path to global prominence.

Prof. Ige said the Management would do its best to encourage and assist the students whenever the occasion demands.

The Adekunle Ajasin University Debating team led by Abdul-Haq Mutairu with the duo of Diwura Williams and Blessing Ahmadu, had earlier defeated four institutions at the South-West zonal elimination stage to represent the zone at the national edition that had over 20 universities competing.

Tagged, “National Debate 2022”, it has as its theme: The Way Forward: Nigeria @ 62, Dissecting the Leadership Performance of Nigerias Democratic Dispensations. 

The national debate competition was sponsored by Monday Diamond Foundation in collaboration with Eureka Gie (an international educational consortium), Muslim and Christian Youths Initiative, Youth Alliance for Good Governance, and the Youth Advocacy for Development and Empowerment.

Briefing the University Management earlier, the Dean of Students, Prof. Olusegun Akanbi, had saluted the debaters for shining brilliantly at both the zonal elimination and the national editions and for being good ambassadors of the Institution.

Present at the event were Principal Officers of the University and the leadership of the Student Union.

…Alumnus Wins Us-fulbright Scholarship 

In another development, an alumnus of the University, Busola Mercy Adebayo, was among the latest winners of the Fulbright Scholarship offered by the United States of America.

Adebayo, a-2018 graduate of Yoruba Language, who got the scholarship for Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA), is presently teaching Yoruba language and culture at Feyetteville State University, United States of America.

In a chat with the Information Unit of the University, the Fulbright scholar thanked the University Management for providing conducive environment to learning and appreciated her lecturers for their immense contributions to her progress. She particularly praised Prof. Temitope Olumuyiwa for motivating her and opening her eyes to various prospects in studying Yoruba Language.

---