Education
Ajimobi Denies Ownership of Tech-U, Say Belongs to Oyo Govt
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has put to rest the controversy surrounding the ownership of the First Technical University, Ibadan, saying that the institution belongs to the state government wholly and not any individual, including himself.
The governor made the clarification while receiving the state’s traditional rulers in the state, led by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who were on a courtesy visit to his office, on Monday.
Among the royal fathers on the entourage, drawn from the six zones of the state, were Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola; Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdul-Ganiy Salawudeen; Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola; and Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Mr Ajimobi also used the occasion to avail the royal fathers of his administration’s achievements in education, agriculture, peace, security and infrastructure, among others in the last eight years.
He said the state government had not expended any fund on the establishment of the university till date, as all the structures in the institution’s premises were built by foreign donors and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“Let me use this opportunity to dispel the rumour going around that I am the owner of The First Technical University, Ibadan. People are expected to talk, especially when they lack proper information, but if we fail to dispel the rumour, it may stick and become the truth.
“I want to say without any equivocation that I do not own the Technical University, Ibadan. It belongs to Oyo State Government wholly. It is easy for people to come up with such rumour because of the successful establishment of the university.
“It is the first of its kind in Nigeria, and we are happy that we succeeded in achieving this in our time. Nobody believed we could achieve it, especially during a period the country was grappling with economic challenges.
“Oyo State has had no financial input in the establishment of the university till date. All what you see there were done by lovers of the state, indigenes living abroad, international institutions and the CBN,” Mr Ajimobi said.
He urged other well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies to also support the university through construction of structures like students’ hostels, halls, block of classrooms, amphitheatre and sports complex, all of which he said could be named after the donors.
The governor expressed appreciation to the traditional rulers for their unflinching support for his administration in the last eight years, which he said had contributed to the success so far recorded.
The governor said, “I give gratitude to the Almighty Allah for giving me the opportunity, in spite of my natural deficiencies as a human being.
“To serve humanity through the governance of Oyo State, which is unarguably the intellectual capital of Nigeria with highly politically-sophisticated people, is a rare privilege.
“I appreciate you all our royal fathers and indeed, the entire people of the state immensely, because you made it possible for us to govern the state with uncommon success in the last eight years.”
Speaking earlier, Oba Adeyemi said there was no institution that could correctly appraise the achievements of any administration in any state than traditional rulers.
He said the election of Ajimobi for two consecutive terms was a testimony of people’s love and support for him and their acknowledgement of his administration’s success in some critical areas like education, health and infrastructure.
Oba Adeyemi said: “I believe very much that if there is any agency that can make a correct appraisal of any government’s performance in any state, no agency is better placed than the traditional rulers in such a state.
“The reason is not far-fetched. Among the traditional rulers, there are those who have experienced some administrations, which qualifies them to make fair assessment of all.
“In my own case, and with gratitude to God for my longevity and the good people of Oyo for their support and cooperation at all times, I have experienced many administrations, both military and civilian.
“Let me start from a noncontroversial statement of fact as far as Governor Ajimobi is concerned. It is that till date, he is the longest serving governor to occupy the Agodi Government House since the Western Region days. There can be no better empirical testimony of his acceptability by the people of the State than that.
“I doubt if anybody can deny the fact that the last eight years have been marked by peace in the state. He is always in constant touch with all security agencies, with his ears literally on the ground for vital information.”
Oba Adeyemi wished the governor success in his future endeavous, stressing that the traditional rulers were proud of him and would continue to pray for him and his family.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC) has announced the launch of three programmes designed to foster innovation, advance scientific research, and inspire technological breakthroughs.
According to a statement released over the weekend, these initiatives aim to position Lagos State as a hub for innovation and empower the people to be trailblazers shaping the future of the State collaboratively.
The Innovation Challenge, designed for bold thinkers and startups, seeks groundbreaking solutions in agritech, circular economy, and disruptive emerging technologies.
Participants will gain access to funding and mentorship opportunities to refine their ideas into scalable and impactful solutions.
Also, high-value innovations will also secure equity investment opportunities from LASRIC, further solidifying Lagos State’s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship.
The STEM Challenge is tailored to drive educational impact by supporting fund-ready solutions that deepen STEM knowledge among students from primary schools to tertiary institutions.
This programme will focus on areas such as AI/robotics, GreenTech, EdTech, and inclusivity tech – empowering innovators with the tools to enhance tech skills and capacity building for the next generation.
The Request for Research Proposal initiative targets higher education researchers and innovators ready to produce groundbreaking R&D projects that address critical societal challenges.
Spanning sectors like public service, circular economy, and emerging technologies, the program encourages collaboration among academic institutions and research entities to produce results with tangible economic and social benefits for Lagos State and beyond.
LASRIC’s mission is to empower individuals and institutions with the resources and support needed to transform ideas into groundbreaking solutions that benefit the state.
With these programmes, LASRIC reiterates its mission to support innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs as they tackle pressing challenges, enhance the quality of life, and contribute to the economic development of Lagos State.
Interested applicants are encouraged to visit lasric.lagosstate.gov.ng/apply to learn more and submit their applications. The deadline for all programmes is Friday January 31st, 2025.
By Dipo Olowookere
Winners have emerged in the essay competition organised by Airtel Nigeria for primary schools in Nigeria to celebrate the International Day of Education.
This is an initiative of implemented under the company’s Employee Volunteer Scheme (EVS) designed to enhance writing skills, foster critical thinking, and encourage self-expression among pupils.
The competition is for children in pupils Basic 4, 5 and 6, with themes focusing on education, technology, and community development.
This year’s event took place at Airtel’s adopted schools across Nigeria and forms a vital part of the telco’s Adopt-a-School program, a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on driving educational development in underserved communities.
Through this program, Airtel is committed to creating lasting value by equipping students with the skills and confidence needed for a brighter future.
The participating schools included Oremeji Primary School II, Ajegunle, Lagos; St John’s Primary School, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State; Iyeru-Okin Primary School, Offa, Kwara State; Community Primary School, Ezinihite Mbaise, Imo State; Presbyterian Primary School, Ediba, Cross River State; Yahaya Hamza Primary School, Zaria, Kaduna State; and Government Day Primary School, Pantami, Gombe State.
After a rigorous selection process, the top participants from each school competed in the final round, guided and mentored by Airtel employees who served as judges and facilitators.
The final stage of the competition saw 15 top participants from each school present their essays before a panel of judges.
Ultimately, a winner and runner-up were selected from each school to make a total of 14 champions nationwide. Prizes presented to the winners by Airtel included books, digital tablets, mathematical sets, writing instruments, among others.
“This essay competition is a testament to Airtel’s dedication to nurturing creativity and academic excellence among young learners.
“We aim to empower them to achieve their full potential and inspire positive change within their communities, by providing a platform for these students to share their ideas,” the chief executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh, said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
No fewer than 473 students from 10 secondary schools and seven tertiary institutions have been awarded scholarships by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, in partnership with Dangote Fertilisers Limited.
The beneficiaries were from the host communities of the organisations located in the suburb of Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State.
Students, parents, teachers, and community leaders expressed their immense joy as the scholarship certificates were presented to the beneficiaries, alongside educational materials, including textbooks and notebooks, as part of the 5th Dangote Scholarship Award Programme
“Education, as we all know, is the passport to the future. At Dangote, we believe education is not just a privilege but a right every child deserves.
“This belief has fueled our dedication to supporting students and schools in our host communities since the year 2019 when we launched the Scholarship Award Programme as a key pillar of our Community Development Plan, with year-on-year progress,” the Group Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Mr Devakumar Edwin, said,
He remarked that the initiative is not merely a celebration of achievements but a reaffirmation of the group’s commitment to nurturing potential, empowering communities, and shaping a brighter future for the leaders of tomorrow.
Praising the students for their academic dedication, which he acknowledged has resulted in remarkable growth over the years, Mr Edwin highlighted the impressive year-on-year progress—from 56 students in 2019 to 450 beneficiaries in 2024.
He also noted that the decision to donate the 804 tables and chairs to schools was part of the company’s broader commitment to enhancing the learning environment. This gesture, he emphasised, is a testament to the company’s dedication to ensuring that every child has access to a conducive environment for learning, where they can grow, dream, and thrive.
“To the scholars here today, you are at the heart of our initiatives. Your dreams, aspirations, and hard work inspire us to continue making a difference.
“As you embark on your academic journeys, remember that the support you receive today is a seed sown in fertile ground. Nurture it with dedication, perseverance, and a spirit of excellence, and it will yield remarkable fruits in your future.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our community leaders, and dedicated school administrators who work tirelessly to ensure the success of these initiatives. Your partnership and support are invaluable, and we are honoured to work alongside you in empowering the next generation,” Mr Edwin added.
The Managing Director of Dangote Industries Free Zone Development Company (DIFZDC), Mr Olayinka Akande, urged the beneficiaries to uphold excellence, which he identified as one of the core values of Dangote Industries Limited.
Emphasising the importance of dedication and diligence, he encouraged the students to aim high, noting that with such attributes, some of them could rise to become governors, ministers, captains of industry, or even the next ‘Edwin’ in the future.
The Head of Social Performance at Dangote Petroleum & Petrochemicals, Ms Ogunleye Mojisola, highlighted that the education intervention is one of the four pillars of the Community Development Plan, which was jointly designed with the community.
“The increase in the number of beneficiaries each year is a clear indication that the initiative is fulfilling its purpose, motivating students to study hard and achieve academic excellence,” she remarked.
On his part, the Aro of Lekki Kingdom, Mr Adewale Salami, who represented the Oni of Lekki, conveyed his appreciation for the intervention, affirming that the company is helping to shape the future of the community. He also expressed the kingdom’s continued support for Dangote Industries Limited.
The Chairman of the Lekki Coastal Area Development Association, Mr Wasiu Ayeola, praised the founder of Dangote Industries Limited, Mr Aliko Dangote, for transforming what was once a hunting ground of rabbits and lizards into a multibillion-dollar investment that benefits not only the local community and Lagos but also Nigeria and the world. He emphasised that education is the most effective way to shape the future of the community.
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