Author: Optimal Times

By Wuraola Oyedokun  Nigeria is facing a significant public health crisis as more than 200 million people are at risk of contracting at least one Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD). This is according to a recent statement by  the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The Water, sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist of UNICEF,   Monday Johnson, who  spoke on: “Neglected Tropical Diseases Elimination and Behaviour Change – Overview of Key Links Between NTDs and Sanitation (ODF)”    at a media dialogue on ending open defecation in Nigeria and the elimination of NTDs, organised by the UNICEF in collaboration with the Oyo Rural…

Some travellers plying the old Ogbomoso – Oyo road have reportedly lost their lives as a result of a road accident that occurred on the road.  The incident occured on Friday. It was gathered that an unspecified number of persons dead as a result of the accident. Several others were injured during the incident. The crash occurred between Elega and Oolo, near Ogbomoso. It was learnt that the accident occured as a result of an head-on collission involving an articulated vehicle and a Sharon Bus heading towards Oyo. The construction of the new Ibadan – Ilorin expressway which traversed from Ibadan…

By Philips Osunsami  The Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists [NAWOJ], on Friday, expressed its condolences and sympathy to the people of Borno State, particularly the victims of the recent devastating flooding.  Torrential floods had wreaked havoc in Borno State a couple of days ago. The chairperson of the chapter, Omolola Alamu, and its Secretary, Eniola Adeaga, in a statement in Ibadan,NAWOJ lamented that the images and reports of the disaster were heart-wrenching. ‘’We express our  deepest condolences and sympathy to the people of Borno State, particularly the victims of the recent devastating flooding. The…

By Wuraola Oyedokun The Olu-Odo of Odo-Ijesha,Atakumosa East Local Government, Oba Olufemi Olayinka, on Friday, mourned the transition of the paramount ruler of Ijeshaland, the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba (Dr.) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran 11. Oba Aromolaran, who joined his ancestors on Wednesday, was installed as the Ijesha paramount ruler by the late former Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief Bola Ige, in 1982. In his tribute, Oba Olayinka said the late Owa was an epitome of elegance and intellectualism. The Odo-Ijesha monarch said Owa Aromolaran was a pride of all Ijesha sons and daughters. …

By Wuraola Oyedokun  The Oyo State House of Assembly, on Thursday, announced the appointment of three new Deputy Clerks, with immediate effective. The announcement was made by the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, during a plenary session. He said the appointments were made in accordance with Section 17 of the Oyo State House of Assembly Service Commission Law, 2007 (as amended). The new Deputy Clerks are Mr. Samuel Kolawole, (DC Legal, Administration, and Finance), Mrs. Mobolanle Adetifa, (DC Legislative Matters, Research, and Budget) and Mrs. Bashirat Mapaderun, (DC General Services). Prior to their appointments, Mr. Kolawole served as Director of Administration and…

By Wuraola Oyedokun  Oyo State Government has expressed its readiness to partner with the Gender Mobile Initiative to reduce cases of sexual harassment and other vices in State’s owned-tertiary institutions through technology. The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abdulwaheed Adelabu disclosed this on Thursday at A  one—day stakeholders’  meeting with Education Commissioner on Dissemination, Adaptation, and Implementation of Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy in Tertiary Institutions in Oyo State, held at the Polytechnic, Ibadan. Speaking further at the meeting organised by the Education Ministry and Gender Mobile Initiative, Prof. Adela bu , said the Ministry together with the organization would…

By Wuraola Oyedokun Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Thursday,  urged the Oyo State government to maximise its potential and become a national centre for dairy production.  Obasanjo  made this call during a product launch by a leading beverage company in Ibadan. Governor Seyi Makinde, represented by his deputy, Barrister Bayo-Lawal, joined Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at a product launch in the state capital. The former president expressed disappointment that his “Operation Feed the Nation” initiative was not sustained after he left office. He however emphasized the need for governments to support agriculture, citing its potential to enhance food sufficiency in Nigeria.…

By Philips  Osunsami The Oyo State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (OYO L-PRES ) Project, under the aegis of Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) has invited 35 professionals  in the field of animal health,  to fashion out plans for vaccination and disease surveillance in Oyo State. The two-day meeting took  place  at the ILRI Conference Room. OYO L-PRES, under the leadership of Dr. Debo Akande, is saddled with the responsibilities  of developing  agribusiness strategies  and  coordinating  partnerships geared towards improving the rural economy. Speaking at the meeting, the Country Representative for ILRI, Dr. Tunde Amole, stated that the meeting…

…Say meagre pensions is death sentence for pensioners …Lament that after 30-35 years of service, First Bank pensioners receive between ₦4,500, N15,000 By Wuraola Oyedokun The National Union of Pensioners, First Bank of Nigeria Unit, has accused First Bank management of refusing to comply with court orders, ignoring pension reforms and disregarding signed agreements. The National Chairman of FBN Unit, Pastor Gimbason John, stated this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja. The statement signed by the national chairman read: ‘’The National Union of Pensioners (FBN Unit) accuses First Bank management of refusing to comply with…

Sven-Goran Eriksson, former national team manager of England, Mexico, the Philippines, Ivory Coast, as well as Manchester City, and Leicester City,  passed away on the 26th of August, aged 76, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, with countless tributes since paid to him, having coached in ten countries: Sweden, Portugal, Italy, England, Mexico, Ivory Coast, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, China and the Philippines. In his final column for The Telegraph published with his family’s permission before his funeral, Sven-Goran Eriksson leaves us with a powerful message. In the final lines of the write up, he says “My message…