Author: Optimal Times

Oyo State lawmakers, on Tuesday,  appealed to the State Government through the State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to consider more communities and rural areas in the 3rd phase of its Light-up Oyo Project. The lawmakers made the appeal while contributing to a Motion jointly brought before the House by Hon. Abiola Monsuru Olalekan (Akinyele I) and Hon. Oparinde Oladeji (Afijio) on the need to extend Light-up Oyo Project to Akinyele-Onidundu and Afijio axis as well as other areas of the State. The lawmakers noted that the light up Oyo project was a good initiative which should be replicated…

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of  the University of Ibadan, Prof. Peter Olapegba, has stated that African nations ought not to have problems with feeding their people because Africa is blessed with  arable land. Professor Olapegba  spoke on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor,  Professor Kayode  Adebowale,while receiving the Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr Kenton Dashiell who was on a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor’s office. The DVC noted that Africa is considered poor because the people are unable to feed well. He said that inability to feed is a major indicator of…

The Oyo State House of Assembly has commended Governor Seyi Makinde for approving the report of the House Committee set up to review the integration of SUBEB-seconded teachers into the Post Primary Schools Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM. The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin gave the commendation on Tuesday shortly after the letter of approval from the Head of Service was read by the Clerk, Mrs. Oludara Awe at the floor of the house. The Speaker said it was a cheering news that the issue which started during the administration of late Governor Abiola Ajimobi had eventually…

The Governing Council of Ajayi Crowther University has assured that the institution will ensure justice for the female student of the institution who was allegedly raped by two vigilance employees of the school on Thursday. A statement signed by the university registrar and secretary of the council, Dr Jadesola Babatola, said the council also condemned the act, while commending the management for taking prompt step to address the allegation. The statement added that the university would cooperate with the police in their investigation. The statement by the governing council said, “The attention of the Governing Council of the…

Prominent Nigerians and groups, have  reiterated that the way Nigeria is currently constituted is not working, and  called  for restructuring into Regions. The leaders included  Ambassador Yemi Farounbi,Prof John Bunmi Ayoade, Dr. Sadiq Abubakar Gombe; Chief Ndidi Benjamin representing Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President-General, Ohanaeze, Chief Okorie, Ohanaeze, Oyo State; Representative of Hausa Community, MOSOP President; Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu,Deacon Owolabi Oladejo, Comrade Jare Ajayi and others. They made the call during a one-day symposium held  at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The Symposium was organized by The  REBIRTH GROUP and Rebuilding Nigeria. The theme of the symposium…

The Olu-Odo of Odo-Ijesha, Oba Olufemi Olayinka, on Sunday, mourned the passage of Pastor Isaiah Olufunso Aduroja. Pastor Aduroja, who slept in the Lord on April 20,2024, was an illustrious son of the popular Aduroja family of Ogbon-Okun Street, in Odo-Ijesha. In a statement he personally signed, Oba Olayinka prayed for the repose of the soul of the cleric. The monarch described the demise of the Pastor as irreparable, praying for the fortitude for his family, Odo-Ijesha people and his friends to bear the great loss. Oba Olayinka also prayed that “our ancestors will continue to protect the family…

The Student Assembly of the Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo ,on Friday,  said there is no cover-up on the alleged rape of a female student in the university. This is contained in a release signed by its executive president, Ibukunoluwa and the General Secretary, Hebron Olayiwola. The release is attached below:

The Management of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo said it is investigating the alleged rape of a female student. It was gathered that the student is now in a right state of mind as the university has taken necessary steps -medical and non-medical – to ensure that she is stable. It was gathered that the grandparent of the student commended the university for steps taken so far. According to a statement by the university’s Public Relations Officer,Mr. Olufemi John Atoyebi and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the university said it received with shock a report of an alleged rape of…

The main political news in Nigeria in recent times was the impeachment of the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Philip Shaibu. I was particularly interested in this news as any news about Edo State excites me because of my nine-year happy sojourn in Benin-City the capital of the State in the seventies.   The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday 8th of April at its plenary, overwhelmingly voted for Shaibu’s removal from office following the adoption of the report of the panel instituted by the Chief Judge of the State Daniel Okungbowa to investigate the allegation of…

I first met Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole (aka IFA) when I entered the prestigious Ilesa Grammar School in January 1970. He was then in Form 5.  At the end of that year he finished his West African School Certificate  in Division One with Distinction. He immediately returned  for his Higher School Certificate which he undertook in 1971 and 1972. On account of his outstanding performance, the Principal, Canon J. A. Oni (1913-2011) of blessed memory, invited him to join the teaching staff in January 1973. He taught till September 1973 when he entered the University of Ibadan for his MB,…