Author: Optimal Times

The curse of Okuama tragedy by Festus Adedayo Curses and magical beliefs are woven together in African politics. A study found out that virtually all African leaders come to power emboldened by beliefs in local magical spells. Francisco Macias Nguema, first president of Equatorial Guinea from the time of the country’s independence in 1968, till 1979 when he was overthrown, was a perfect fit of this. A strongman and one of the most brutal dictators in human history, Nguema reportedly killed between 20,000, to 80,000 out of the total Guinea population of about 200,000 to 300,000 people. This led…

Culled from The Guardian   By Rotimi Agboluaje,  Ibadan Before 2007, the Ibadan media space, particularly the radio arm, was dominated by the government-owned stations such as Oluyole FM and Premier FM. Oluyole FM was known as Radio O.Y.O. 2 until 2009, when the name was changed by the former Governor Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala. The station hit the airwaves in 1972 as a companion to an AM service. Though the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) had been in existence in Ibadan, Premier 93.5 FM was commissioned by the late First Lady of Nigeria, Chief Stella Obasanjo, on…

As a concerned Nigerian student witnessing the relentless surge in prices of goods and services across our nation, I am compelled to voice our collective frustration and urge for immediate action to alleviate this burden on the populace. The recent escalation in prices has sent shockwaves through communities, exacerbating the financial strain already faced by many. What troubles us most is the apparent disconnect between the fluctuating exchange rates and the unyielding rise in local commodity prices. How is it that despite a decrease in the exchange rate, the prices of goods produced domestically continue to soar? This disconcerting…

The outgoing Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan Prof. Kazeem Adebiyi, on Thursday, said his tenure recorded unprecedented academic excellence, infrastructural development and improved workers’  welfare. Adebiyi disclosed this in a press conference at the Council Chamber of the institution,  Ibadan. The Rector, whose five-year tenure ends on March 25, said he came in with the determination to pursue aggressive institutional  and infrastructural development The professor  appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for his quick response and intervention on the institution’s needs said his greatest wish is to see the Polytechnic of Ibadan ranked number one in Nigeria in no distance time. He…

By Wuraola Oyedokun In the ever-evolving world, the need to adopt pragmatic approaches to addressing issues plaguing humanity is imperative. Again, the outbreak of COVID-19 has changed ways of doing things globally. Hence, the new normal has become the buzzword. As in other professions, so it is in Medicine.  To break the barriers to the accessibility of healthcare and change the narrative, one woman is at the forefront, using a novel approach in healthcare delivery. The woman is Dr. Temitope Hannah Farombi. And her approach is digital medicine/telemedicine. A WELL EDUCATED WOMAN AND PROFESSIONAL PAR EXCELLENCE  Dr. Temitope  Farombi holds an…

Former Dean of the Faculty of Law, Ajayi Crowther University, Justice Prof. Alero Akeredolu, who is now a judge in Ondo State High Court, has commended the feats of Law students at the final Bar examinations, ascribing it to good work of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Timothy Adebayo. During a visit to the University on March 15, 2024, Akeredolu said that the students did the University proud, urging the institution to continue placing merit over other considerations in its admission process. She said:  “I was here (ACU) from 2016 to 2018 and served as the Dean of the Faculty…

By Wuraola Oyedokun  A former minister of communications,  Barrister Adebayo Shittu, has said if God wills ,he can still become Governor of Oyo State. The former Attorney-General in Oyo State,  however,  said he was not desperate to become the Chief Executive of the state. In a chat with journalists in Ibadan,  Shittu said he prayed to God to make him Governor if He loved the people of the state. The former minister said: “If God wills,  I can still become Governor. But I’m not desperate to become governor. I always tell God that if He loves the people of Oyo State, …

By Wuraola Oyedokun A former minister of communications,Barrister Adebayo Shittu is set to establish a specialised university in Ibadan. Shittu disclosed this in a chat with journalists in Ibadan. The former minister said: “I hope within the next one year the university will be ready . By the grace of God, it’s going to be in Ibadan. Let me say a little bit about the ICT university.When I was minister, I initiated the establishment by the government.And how did the idea come about? “Early in my life as a minister, some young graduates of Computer Science came to me to…

The Olu-odo of Odo-Ijesha, Oba Olufemi Olayinka, has congratulated one of the prominent sons of his town, Mr. Ranti Agboola on the occasion of his birthday celebration. In a statement he personally signed, Oba Olayinka prayed for more impactful years and sound health for Mr. Agboola. The royal father said: ‘’It is with a great delight I am congratulating you on the occasion of your birthday.  You have made great impacts in your chosen career. Again, your imprints in the sound of time are indelible. ”Your contributions to humanity are humongous. On behalf of all sons and daughters of Odo-Ijesha,…

A Consultant radiation and clinical oncologist/Psycho Oncologist at the University of Ibadan and  University College Hospital [UCH], Ibadan, Dr. Foluke Sarimiye has advocated a functional healthcare scheme for an easy medical delivery to cancer patients. Sarimiye made the call while speaking with Prince FM’s Correspondent, Olawale Ogunbusola after appearing on a midweek show on the station today. Dr. Sarimiye noted that failure of early diagnosis of some cancer types such as cervical cancer usually results in expensive treatment of the chronic disease which could be as a result of ignorance, poor medical advice and lack of funds.  Reiterating the expensive…