Education
Tinubu Lauds Femi Osofisan’s Contributions to Literature at 80
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated renowned playwright, poet, novelist and scholar, Mr Femi Osofisan, on his 80th birthday, describing him as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished intellectuals whose works have consistently championed social justice and national rebirth.
In a statement personally signed on Monday, June 15, the President lauded Mr Osofisan’s enduring contributions to literature, theatre arts and academia, noting that the emeritus professor has devoted his life to addressing societal challenges through his creative works.
President Tinubu said the literary maverick exemplifies the rare combination of talent, dedication and service, adding that the celebrated writer has enriched Nigeria’s cultural and intellectual landscape through decades of scholarship and artistic excellence.
“Few men live in the full expression of the abundance of their talents. Professor Babafemi Adeyemi Osofisan is one of those incredibly brilliant individuals who have blessed our world with their creativity,” the President said.
Mr Osofisan is known for some of his works, which include Behind the Ballot Box (1967), Oduduwa Don’t Go! (1968), A Restless Run of Locusts (1975), The Chattering and the Song (1976), Who’s Afraid of Solarin? (1978), Once Upon Four Robbers (1980), Morountodun (1983), Esu and the Vagabond Minstrels (1991), Aringindin and the Nightwatchmen (1992), Yungba-Yungba and the Dance Contest (1993), The Album of the Midnight Blackout (1994), Tegonni: An African Antigone (1999), Reel Rwanda! (1996), and Women of Owu (2006), among others.
In prose fiction, Osofisan authored Kolera Kolej (1975), Cordelia (1989), Ma’ami, Abigail, and Pirates of Hurt. As a poet writing under the pseudonym Okinba Launko, he published notable collections such as Minted Coins (1987), Dream-Seeker in Divining Chain (1993), and Pain Remembers, Love Rekindles (2001).
The President highlighted Mr Osofisan’s distinguished career as a playwright, poet, novelist, teacher, scholar and newspaper columnist, noting that his works have consistently called for moral reawakening and social transformation.
President Tinubu recalled that Mr Osofisan, a native of Erunwon in Ogun State, attended Government College, Ibadan, before studying French at the University of Ibadan and later pursuing graduate studies at the Sorbonne in Paris.
He also acknowledged the literary icon’s long academic career at the University of Ibadan, where he rose through the ranks and retired as a professor, as well as his international recognition, including the prestigious Thalia Prize awarded to him in 2016 for his contributions to theatre arts.
“I warmly congratulate this literary colossus as he turns 80 on June 16. His life and accomplishments are a demonstration of service, dedication, and hard work,” Tinubu stated.
The President further commended Osofisan’s “enormous contributions to scholarship and the theatre arts” and his “consistent advocacy for a national rebirth,” describing him as “one of our nation’s finest minds.”
“As Professor Osofisan celebrates this milestone, I join his family, friends, and the literary community in wishing him excellent health and praying that his fount of wisdom continues to flourish,” the President added.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The examination fees of Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) have been increased by the federal government by about 82 per cent to N50,000 from N27,500.
A circular signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Adeniji Ibrahim, disclosed that the new fees would become effective in 2027.
In the notice, it was disclosed that the government approved the upward review of the fees following a request by WAEC.
It was further disclosed that the decision to jack up the fees was reached after a March 31, 2026, meeting between the Minister of Education and examination bodies, where the need to review examination fees was discussed.
“You may recall that at a meeting of examination bodies held with the Minister of Education on March 31, 2026, where the need for upward review of examination fees was discussed, the Minister directed that WAEC and NECO should adopt a uniform fee for the conduct of WAEC and NECO SSCE,” the statement read.
“Consequently, I am directed to convey the Minister of Education’s approval of the sum of N50,000 only, as the new examination fee per candidate, with effect from NECO SSCE (Internal), 2027,” it added.
**Modibbo Adama University Emerges Grand Prize Winner, Secures N50m
A leading integrated independent exploration and production company with full-cycle upstream delivery capability, FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P), has reaffirmed its commitment to developing Nigeria’s next generation of engineers.
This commitment was highlighted during the grand finale of the maiden edition of the Nigerian Engineering Olympiad (NEO), held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event recognised outstanding student innovators whose engineering solutions addressed real-world challenges, marking the culmination of months of regional qualifiers, prototype development, mentorship and boot camp sessions that equipped students from universities and polytechnics across Nigeria with practical skills in engineering, innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Olympiad attracted 984 participants across 375 teams from more than 80 tertiary institutions representing all six geopolitical zones of the country.
Delivering the sponsor’s address, the General Manager, Engineering and Capital Projects, FIRST E&P, John Alamu, emphasised that the competition reflects the company’s commitment to equipping students with the practical knowledge and innovative mindset required to excel in engineering and strengthen Nigeria’s future workforce.
Alamu, noting that initiatives such as the Engineering Olympiad provide a structured platform for young talent to transform innovative ideas into practical solutions that contribute to the country’s technological and industrial advancement, stated that, “FIRST E&P believes that developing STEM capacity is an investment in this country’s ability to solve its own problems. The Nigerian Engineering Olympiad has taken young engineers and taught them to think beyond the drawing board, and FIRST E&P is proud to have been a funding partner for this initiative. I commend NCDMB for championing the Olympiad and Enactus Nigeria for successfully delivering a platform that is helping shape the next generation of Nigerian engineers and innovators.”
In his address, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Acting Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Silas Ajimijaye, expressed appreciation to FIRST E&P for their unwavering support in successfully delivering the Olympiad.
Ajimijaye added that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Nigeria First Policy, which aims to build indigenous engineering capacity and equip young Nigerians with the knowledge and skills needed to drive industrial competitiveness, technological advancement, and sustainable national development.
The competition concluded in the awarding of prizes, with Team Mavericks of the Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Adamawa State, winning the grand prize of N50 million and a Centre of Excellence building for its Faculty of Engineering.
The team’s winning innovation, Ubuntu Sapphire, is a community-powered rapid alert system that uses affordable devices to instantly notify neighbouring households and emergency responders during emergencies, offering a practical solution aimed at strengthening community security and emergency response infrastructure.
Speaking after receiving the award, Team Lead, Dr David Patrick, expressed gratitude to the organisers and sponsors for providing a platform that fostered innovation and practical learning.
The University of Ibadan emerged as the first runner-up, receiving N30 million and N75 million worth of engineering equipment for its Faculty of Engineering. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, secured third place and was awarded N20 million and N50 million worth of engineering equipment. The University of Jos finished fourth, receiving N10 million.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, UBA Foundation, has collaborated with Slum2School Africa to deliver a hands-on financial literacy workshop for underserved children.
At the event designed to equip participants with essential money management skills from an early age, an engaging learning companion, the UBA Money Explorers Book, was presented.
The book introduces the children to the fundamentals of financial literacy through interactive stories, practical money ledgers, games and activities.
The pupils were also introduced to the UBA Red Vault, a savings product created to encourage healthy financial habits from childhood.
This is part of UBA Foundation’s broader financial inclusion and social impact agenda, which promotes education, youth empowerment and community development through innovative learning programmes and grassroots outreach across the group’s 20 African countries of operation.
The Managing Director of UBA Foundation, Ms Bola Atta, underscored the importance of introducing children to financial education early, noting that such interventions help build lifelong habits that foster confidence, responsibility and economic independence.
“Every child deserves the tools to dream bigger and plan better, regardless of where they come from. When we teach a child to understand money, we are giving them confidence, choice and a clearer sense of what is possible.
“Our partnership with Slum2School Africa enables us to reach children who stand to benefit the most, and seeing their enthusiasm as they learn reminds us why this work is so important,” she stated.
Also commenting, UBA’s Segment Executive for Children and Youth Banking, Ozioma Obi, said, “We are creating products and experiences that make banking simple, relatable and enjoyable for children from their very first lesson.
“The Money Explorers Book and the UBA Red Vault are designed to make saving exciting rather than a task. When children begin this journey early, they develop habits that will serve them throughout their lives. That is how we nurture informed, empowered and financially responsible future generations.”
On his part, the Senior Programmes Manager for Slum2School Africa, Mr Adekunle Idowu, said, “Financial literacy is a life skill that every child deserves, regardless of their background.
“Through this partnership with UBA Foundation, we are helping children develop the confidence, knowledge and discipline to make informed financial decisions from an early age. When we empower children with these skills today, we are investing in a more financially responsible and economically resilient future.”
