Author: Optimal Times

The Iloko, offspring of Arelu, (Iloko Omo Arelu) are held in awe in Yorubaland. For a people who fought one another in internecine wars that began in 1793 and lasted for almost a century, Yoruba give effusion of reverences to people with unusual bravery. Their reverence for the Iloko however comes from this clan’s queer and odd brand of bravery: Spillage of blood. The Iloko earned their renown from decapitation of heads. They cut off human heads with magisterial finish, holding the familial history of being the king’s executioner. In ancient England, as execution of enemies of the monarchy…

In the year 2000, whilst I was Features Editor of the Nigerian Tribune and a budding columnist with the newspaper, a friend from the PUNCH alerted me that a hunt for my “head” was in the offing. He narrated how it began. Chairman of the newspaper, Chief Ajibola Ogunsola, suddenly walked into one of the newspaper’s editorial meetings and declared me wanted. He was said to have declared his admiration for my writings and asked that I be head-hunted. The man he saddled with that responsibility was the highly respected columnist and editor of the newspaper, Azubuike Ishiekwene. It was…

The Group Chairman of International Energy Services Limited, Dr Diran Fawibe, has acknowledged that God and the University of Ibadan made him into what he became in life.  Fawibe explained that he was an indigent undergraduate who would have dropped out in his first year in the University but for the scholarship he received to complete his second and third years in the University of Ibadan. He later obtained Master’s and  Doctoral degrees from the same university. Dr. Fawibe disclosed all these at his investiture/decoration as a UI@75 Ambassador at the headquarters of the International Energy Services Limited in Lagos.…

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan,  Professor Kayode Adebowale,  has lauded the wife of the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Her Excellency, Dr. Olayemi  Biodun-Oyebanji, for being a good ambassador of the university. Adebowale gave the commendation when Biodun-Oyebanji paid a courtesy visit to him in his office. The vice chancellor noted that the wife of the governor had allowed her academic knowledge to impact her relationship and services to the citizens of Ekiti State. The wife of the Ekiti State Governor is a lecturer at the Faculty of Education of the premier university, where she is an…

The Onyendu Ndigbo (Igbo Leader) of Ibadanland and Oyo State, High Chief Alloy Obi, has congratulated Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, on his coronation as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland. Obi in a statement by his Media Office, said the presentation of staff of office to Oba Olakulehin by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is nothing but a welcome development and victory for all Ibadan people, stating that it validates the cherished tradition of Ibadan traditional system. According to him, the pedigree of the  new Olubadan as an administrator, politician and businessman put him in a good stead to step into…

At the prestigious Africa Industrial Development Conference and Awards 2024, themed “Middle East Investors’ Summit Expo,” Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, was honored with the Best Performing Speaker Award. This award, presented during the Gala night on the second day of the two-day event, is a testament to his exceptional leadership and dedication to legislative excellence. Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin’s journey is a remarkable one. In 2019, he became the youngest state House of Assembly Speaker in Nigeria, and he currently serves as the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers in Nigeria. His recognition as the…

…As it urged to avoid Idi-Arere, Beere routes …As Traffic Diversion in place from July 11th to 12th The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority has advised  motorists and road users who use to ply Idi-Arere inward Mapo and Beere inward Mapo routes to utilize Oranyan, Agbeni, Labiran, Agbongbon and Kudeti to avoid traffic congestion as from 11th of July till the end of coronation on the 12th of July. The statement was made by the Executive Chairman of the agency, Major Adesagba Adekoya (rtd) on Thursday. Major Adesagba said that only those who are invited and attending  coronation  are…

Azeem Salako has congratulated Prof. Muhammad Yahaya Kuta on his well-deserved appointment as the secretary of the Presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reform. Prof. Muhammad Yahaya Kuta’s appointment was contained in the press statement issued by the presidency on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Also, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, HE Bola Tinubu, is the chairman of the committee, and Prof. Atahiru Jega is the co-chairman. However, the implementation of the reform is anticipated to lead to the creation of the Ministry of Livestock and Development. In his congratulatory message, Azeem Salako referred to “Prof. Yahaya Kuta…

The federal lawmaker representing the Ibadan North federal constituency Hon. Musliudeen Olaide Akinremi is dead. According to the information made available to journalists, details of the death of the second-term lawmakers were sketchy from the source. He was born in 1972. The deceased was one of the most active Lawmakers in the hallow chamber of the lower House.

…Stresses that solutions to Nigeria’s challenges are in 2014 Confab Report   … Asserts that 25 years of unbroken democracy worth celebrating    …Says state police imperative      Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu is the retired Archbishop of the  Methodist Church of Nigeria. In this interview, the elder statesman said the solutions to Nigeria’s challenges lie in the Report of the 2014 National Conference.  The Yoruba leader also charged President Bola Tinubu to continue to be a listening leader. Again, the Oyo prince is of the view that 25 years of unbroken democracy is worth celebrating. It has been 25 years…