Author: Optimal Times

…Says without the implementation of community policing, there can’t be vibrant state police Dr. Olufunmilayo Akinfenwa is a retired Commissioner of Police, who, at present, lectures at the Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Lead City University, Ibadan. In this interview she granted recently, the popular retired police officer said Nigeria is not ripe for state police, but community policing is the way out for policing in the 21st century. She added that lack of development in rural areas largely responsible for insecurity. Police remain a lead agency in providing security. It, however, seems that there are a lot of…

By Wuraola Oyedokun In a remarkable display of skill acquisition and personal development, the Royal Spices Academy in Ibadan, Oyo State, has  graduated 71 students from its culinary training programme. The event, held at the Lilies Event Centre, Apata,Ibadan, was a testament to the transformative power of vocational education. Royal Spices Academy is a sought-after school of catering and hospitality management located in Ibadan. Delivering the keynote address, the Deputy Registrar, Corporate Communications and Student Services,  Lead City University, Ibadan, Dr. Ayobami Owolabi, underscored the vital role of skill acquisition in driving personal and national progress. Owolabi  highlighted how new…

..NPC targets 13m registration in 2024 By Wuraola Oyedokun The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), on Tuesday, said all Nigerian children must enrol on electronic birth registration to guarantee  their  legal right to an identity. Chief of UNICEF Field Office for Southwest Nigeria, Celine Lafoucriere, disclosed that with e-birth registration poised to ensure individual’s identities, the system will also enhance national planning and development for the country. Lafoucriere stated this during a two-day media dialogue on e-birth registration in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development and the National Population Commission (NPoPc) with the theme “Giving…

The Oyo State Chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has  lauded the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for spreading Community development micro-projects across the thirty-three local government areas of the State. The Association’s executive members, who paid an official familiarisation visit to the Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency (OYCSDA) in Ibadan on Monday, were led by their Chairperson, Comrade Omolola Alamu. The team, which was received by the OYCSDA Chairman, Hon. Abideen Adetokunbo Adeaga and the General Manager, Mr. Jelili Salawu, called for further funding of the agency so that more positive impacts could be…

‘ By Wuraola Oyedokun  Facts have emerged that only one out of 147 inducted young doctors produced by the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan,  intend to stay back in the country. This was disclosed during the induction ceremony into the medical profession for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery [MBBS] and Bachelor of Dental Surgery [BDS] graduating class of 2024 of the UI College of Medicine, Ibadan. The programme took place at Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre of the college, University College Hospital [UCH] premises on Saturday. The   Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof. Olayinka Omigbodun,…

…Establishes 10th branch By Wuraola Oyedokun Sooyah Bistro, one of Nigeria’s largest indigenous quick service restaurants (QSRs) for Suya, on Saturday, opened another branch in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The newly opened office is located at number  93,  Moshood Abiola, Ring Road,  beside Peniel Complex, opposite Bond Mall, Ibadan. The Ibadan branch marks it the 10th outfit and the first outside Lagos State. The Oyo State Commissioner for Energy,  Seun Ashamu, who performed the official opening ceremony, described the new branch as another mission accomplished by the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sooyah Bistro, Mrs Olamidun Ogundoyin. Ashamu…

A Research Integrity Unit will be established inside Ajayi Crowther University courtesy of a partner between the University and Centre for Bioethics and Research, Nigeria. A statement from the University Public Relations Officer, Olufemi Atoyebi, said the agreement was announced by the programme coordinator of the centre, Adesola Adeyemo, when a team from the group visited the Vice Chancellor, Prof Timothy Adebayo, and his deputy, Prof Muyiwa Popoola, after a workshop held in the school on July 9, 2024. Adeyemo said 18 other institutions in Nigeria are partnering with the centre, adding that other benefits through the partnership include access…

By Wuraola Oyedokun  A non-governmental organisation,  The Complete Woman, on Saturday, organised a free medical outreach in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The outreach,  which took place at the University of Ibadan (UI), had the theme: ‘’Imbibing a Healthy Lifestyle for Longevity’’. The outreach entailed cervical cancer screening, eye check-up and consultation, dental screening and treatment, diet counseling, free drugs and others. The convener of The Complete Woman, Mrs. Tunrayo Falade, said the essence of the outreach was  to enlighten people, especially women and children,  about their health and give them free medicare.  Falade  said: ‘’I’m the convener of this free medical outreach…

I applaud the landmark judgement of the Supreme Court that gives  financial autonomy to the 774 local government areas in Nigeria. It is a long expected and needed tonic to the suffocating and dying third tier of government that is the closest to the people. The judgement will enhance people’s popular participation in democracy and development of grassroots economy. As a former two terms Local Government Chairman of Oluyole local government and Immediate Past Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, Oyo State, who recently led other local councils  chairmen to a remarkable Supreme Court judgement against illegal dissolution…

…says direct allocation should not make LGs appendages of the federal government The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Afenifere,  has commended the federal government and the judiciary over last Thursday’s ruling that affirmed local governments’ right to the fund accruing to them from the Federation Account. The commendation was contained in a Press Statement signed by the organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi. It would be recalled that the federal government, through the Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, in May this year, instituted a case at the Supreme Court seeking a stoppage to State Governors literally holding…