Author: Optimal Times

After three months of bootless committee meetings in the comfort of air-conditioned offices at the cost of one billion naira (President Bola Tinubu approved 500 million naira to “start with… first”) and about a month after the expiration of the last minimum wage approved in 2019, the Tinubu government has not been able to approve a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers even when it wastes no time to approve policies that inflict maximum suffering on poor people. On May 1, I woke up here in Atlanta to the news of an increase in the minimum wage of workers, which…

Hearty congratulations to Professor Isaac Folorunsho Adewole, who is popularly known as IFA as he celebrates his 70th birthday and retirement from the University of Ibadan. Our paths first crossed around 1972 at Ilesa Grammar School. IFA had just completed his Higher School Certificate Examination with exceptional results, following his outstanding WAEC Grade 1, which was with a distinction in 1970. The then school principal, Reverend J. A. Oni, decided to showcase him to the student body in the school hall. Despite his diminutive stature, his academic prowess was immense, earning him great admiration and applause from a captive audience.…

By  Rotimi Agboluaje The birth of a child is heralded with joy, pomp and circumstance.  Family members, friends, associates and acquaintances rejoice with such a family to share in the bundle of joy. Importantly, the joy knows no bounds when the family is blessed with a set of  twins or triplets. Such was the case of the Unaidets when the family was blessed with a set of triplets in 1999. The three babies – Precious, Peace and Prudence – were born at the prestigious University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. However, what was supposed to be enduring…

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olatunde Busari, on Friday, called for the strengthening of the court of arbitration in the country for an improved internally generated revenue. Busari made the call during his keynote lecture at the ongoing 15th Annual General Conference of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) at  the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan. Busari who is the immediate past President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) Nigerian branch, said the establishment of an arbitration-friendly environment in Nigeria will catalyze economic development. According to him, the failure of arbitration in the country has added to…

By Wuraola Oyedokun  A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao (Allow Alao), has been honoured as the Grand Patron of Great Independence Hall, University of Ibadan. Alao was honoured at the maiden Personality Lecture with the theme, “Integral Role of Campus Demographic in Nation Building”, organised by the students leadership of the Hall, held at the Cafeteria of the Hall. Also honoured at the ceremony as great alumni of the Hall include Prof. J.O. Akintayo; Prof. S. Ademola Ajayi; Mr. Waidi Omotola Ifafore and Prof. Olukayode Olopade. The Administrator General of the…

The Oyo State Government and Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) have  signed an agreement to develop a gas supply and distribution infrastructure that will deliver gas to industrial and commercial users in the state.  SNG will build and operate the gas distribution network, which will serve customers across Oyo State, for 20 years. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, described the project as “a catalyst for development in the state.” He said: “This project fits into our plan to drive innovation and industrialisation in Oyo State and we’re ready to partner with more companies and other organisations…

…175 LCU graduands inducted  The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Dr. Tosan Erhabor; the Vice Chancellor, Lead City University [LCU], Ibadan, Prof. Kabiru  Adeyemo and the former Dean, Post-graduate Studies, Edo State University, Uzairue, Edo State, Prof. Matthew Olaniyan, have called on graduands from the Department of Medical Laboratory Science to embrace innovation and continuous learning for them to be a leading light in their career. They made the call during the third induction and oath-taking ceremonies for Medical Laboratory Science Students of the university by the MLSCN at the Adeline Hall,…

Three  of the University of Ibadan students have been selected  for the U7+ student challenge , holding in Cote D’Ivoire between May 15 -17 2024. The students are Goodness Balogun and James Olayinka  of the Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, and Victoria Ayodeji of the Department of Food Technology. The 2024 event is to be  hosted by the Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny (INP-HB) Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire. The challenge teams of the institutions selected are made up of three students at any level, either undergraduate, graduate, or professional plus one faculty member or staff leader who will pitch an…

A  professor of Economic History and Development Studies at the  Benue State University,  Markudi and Secretary General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu,  has charged stakeholders in the country’s education sector to consider “flipping” the current national situation by turning problems into opportunities. Ochefu gave the charge while leading the 81st  Interdisciplinary Research Discourse of the Postgraduate College of the University of Ibadan. The topic was ” Rethinking the Philosophy of University Education in Nigeria in the Era of Education  4.0″ Professor Ochefu in his lecture sought to take a hard look at the triggers,…

DOES storytelling during a presentation come easily to you? It doesn’t to everyone. Why is it important? Storytelling and anecdotes are powerful tools in evoking your listeners’ emotions and making your message receptive and engaging; it allows you to illustrate key points in a way that captures, inspires, and motivates your audience. Incorporating personal or relatable storytelling and anecdotal narratives can convey complex information and enhance the overall impact of your speech. In this article, we will discuss how you can harness your storytelling ability in delivering an effective and memorable speech. Understanding your audience is an essential you don’t want…