Author: Optimal Times

The Nigerian extractive sector, mining in specific , has been beset by activities of illegal miners, leading to the  loss of an unimaginable amount of revenue. To stem this  tide, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, unveiled a 2,200-strong Mines Marshal to smoke out illegal miners and all those who flout the nation’s mining laws. However, some are challenging the constitutionality of such a step. Rotimi Agboluaje writes.       One of the ills plaguing the Nigerian State is the pervasive security challenge. The challenge is taking tolls in virtually all sectors of the economy, and…

Dr. Akin Onigbinde is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and  former speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly. In this interview with ROTIMI AGBOLUAJE, the Ogbomoso-born Senior Advocate of Nigeria [SAN] asserted that section 214 of the Constitution should be amended, not deleted to give room for state police and multi-level policing. The Ph.D. holder also said Nigeria must mitigate against consequential realities that will follow the constitutional amendment to have state police. He also advocated the establishment of a Regional Supreme Court to reduce workload in the dockets of the current Supreme Court.  The debate on constitutional…

… Demands refund of overcharged amount to UCH A civil society organisation, Utilities Consumers Rights Advocacy Initiative of Nigeria Advocacy, Ibadan, on Monday ,  petitioned the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) over the disconnection of power supply to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan by the lbadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). It would be recalled that there has been back and forth over the disconnection and reconnection of UCH’s power supply over a huge amount of debt. The copy of the petition was sighted by journalists in Ibadan. In a petition titled: ‘’Re: Petition on Disconnection Of Power…

The  Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) PLC has rejoiced  with Muslims and all Nigerians on the occasion of Eid-El-Fitri.    In a statement, the Managing Director, Engr. Kingsley Achife, emphasised the importance of the season’s sacrifice in fostering love and selflessness for Nigeria’s prosperity.    Achife reiterated IBEDC’s dedication to providing quality service, within the remit of its control, even during holidays. He assured customers that technical teams are committed to promptly resolving any faults that may occur during this period.       He  appealed to customers to stop assaulting IBEDC staff, as it is a criminal offence that…

In the 19th century and even before, Bobriskys were lynched like common criminals. Their sin was their considered unusual sexuality. Until then, homosexual activities were classified as “unnatural crime against nature” while sodomy got punished with, sometimes death. In comparison, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, famously known as Bobrisky, has suffered one of the mildest fates. Between 1877 and 1950, over 4000 of such lynching occurred. As recent as April 2017, Kenne McFadden, a black transgender woman who didn’t have experience of swimming, got drowned when she was pushed into the San Antonio River in Texas on account of her “nauseating” sexuality.…

The Olu-Odo of Odo-Ijesha, Oba Olufemi Olayinka, on Saturday, celebrated one of the daughters of the ancient town, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Falope,on the occasion of her 60th birthday. Mrs. Falope is one of the executive members of the Odo-Ijesha Development Association (ODA). Oba Olayinka, in a statement he personally signed , described the celebrant as a rare gem who truly epitomises everything diamond stands for. The monarch said in Falope, humanity found love, commitment, strength and purity. Oba Olayinka said: “Happy diamond birthday to a woman that epitomises diamond itself. In you, humanity finds love, commitment, strength and purity. These are…

…Says power Ministry, NERC forcing Nigerians to pay for their inefficiency … Afenifere wants NERC, Gas companies, Gencos, Discos to be more efficient … Says that the increase may thwart Pres. Tinubu’s efforts at boosting economy The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere, on Saturday, decried the over 200 per cent electricity tariff increase, saying that it will thwart th e current administration’s effort at boosting the economy as businesses will shrink. Afenifere, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jare Ajayi, recalled that as recent as Thursday, April 4, 2024, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu underscores the…

The Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo,  on Saturday, handed over a new palace it  built to the monarch of Osoogun town, Oyo State, Oba  Moses Olalere.  The event was  witnessed by representatives of the state government, traditional rulers from the state and clerics from Anglican Communion. Osoogun is the ancestral home of the late Bishop Ajayi Crowther, after whom ACU was named. Present  at the event were Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola, his counterpart from Igbeti, Oba Basir Olalekan, Bishop of Ajayi Crowther Diocese, Rt Rev Collins Babalola, that of Oyo Diocese, Rt Rev Olugbenga Oduntan, and Oladotun Ajibola from…

…Donates books to UI  …Nigeria, Japan must strengthen collaboration, say envoy, UI VC The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria,  Kazuyoshi Matsunaga, over the weekend, urged the Nigerian state to tap into the potential of its youths to engender development in the most populous black nation. Amb. Kazuyoshi Matsunaga stated this at his official visit to the University of Ibadan and the Read Japan Project Book donation ceremony 2024, which took place at the Trenchard Hall of the premier university. Mrs.Yoko Matsunaga, the envoy’s wife and Ms. Shimada Mami, Secretary, Culture and Information, Embassy of Japan to Nigeria were part of…

The Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), yesterday, said it was collaborating with traditional institutions to stop open defecation in the Ibarapa zone of the state. The General Manager, Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Mr. Adeduntan Mumeen Adeniyi said this during a sensitisation workshop of critical stakeholders on WASH Implementation, which centred on Ibarapa East Local Government, that took place at Plaza de Aruna, Oyo. He said that the workshop was aimed at the state to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and improved sanitation by 2025, under the WASH project supported by…