Category: Nigerian Tribune

Ebonyi Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has disclosed that Hunan and Jiangxi governments have pledged to partner with the State on development after a fruitful 9-day visit to China.

Nwifuru disclosed this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, on Sunday while addressing worshippers at the Government House Chapel in Abakaliki after he returned from a 9-day trip to China.

According to him, the delegation held ‘robust interactions’ with foreign investors and was warmly received by officials of Hunan and Jiangxi provinces.

‘The outcome of our visit to China was fruitful. The grace of God upon our life made it possible for us to achieve a lot,’ Governor Nwifuru said.

‘During the visit, we were received by the government of Hunan, Jiangshi. At China, the government made a tremendous remark about their interest to invest and join us to develop Ebonyi.’

The Governor attributed the ‘huge political and economic mileage’ recorded by his administration in the last three years to divine intervention and the collaboration of stakeholders.

‘We are not perfect, but we pray for more grace to keep pushing for the great interest of this state,’ he said.

‘It is the grace of God that has been protecting us and guiding us. Your prayers have been helping us. With your practical support, we have made tangible progress.’

He described Ebonyi as ‘the safest’ state and assured both foreign and local investors of a conducive environment to do business.

Governor Nwifuru commended the Apostolic Administrator of Abakaliki Catholic Diocese, Bishop Ernest Obodo, for fostering harmony between the state and the church.

‘Let me sincerely thank our dear Bishop. I have observed that the Bishop is very calm, peaceful and is a man after God’s own heart and we thank him for coming to worship with us here,’ he said.

The Governor also used the opportunity to dispel speculations about 2027 politics, saying his administration remains focused on governance.

‘The wheel of governance is running smoothly till 2031. Let us not worry for nothing, let us continue to believe in God,’ he stated.

RENOWNED financial literacy advocate and author, Yemisi Lucy Adepoju, has intensified her campaign to promote financial independence with the Ibadan edition of the review and launch of her book, Broke After Payday?, held at Roving Heights Bookstore, Awolowo Road, Ibadan.

Speaking during the event, Adepoju described the book as a practical guide designed to transform readers’ financial lives. She said it addresses every aspect of personal finance, from financial health to wealth creation and long-term financial freedom.

‘You cannot read this book and remain the same. It takes care of all aspects of financial life, financial health and financial freedom,’ she declared.

Adepoju revealed that the Ibadan event is the third stop on a nationwide tour, following successful outings in Lagos and Abuja. According to her, the campaign will continue in cities including Warri and Port Harcourt and across Northern Nigeria before expanding beyond the country’s borders.

She disclosed plans to take the financial literacy movement into 400 organisations, where employees will receive practical financial education through the book.

‘Our goal is to change the narrative. We want Nigerians and Africans to grow wealth, understand how to multiply money and ultimately enjoy financial freedom,’ she said.

Beyond Nigeria, the author said preparations are underway to launch the initiative in Ghana, Kenya, Kigali, the United Kingdom and Canada, noting that the book is already attracting global attention. She added that its foreword was written by financial experts in Australia, while copies are already being purchased in several countries through Amazon.

She described the growing international acceptance of the publication as the evolution of ‘a Nigerian movement, an African movement and now a global movement’.

Adepoju also disclosed that discussions have begun on adapting Broke After Payday? into a movie because of its unique storytelling approach.

‘People are used to financing books that read like textbooks, but this one is written like a story, and that’s what makes it different,’ she explained.

Speaking on what inspired the project, the financial expert recounted years of witnessing workers trapped in debt despite earning good salaries.

‘I’ve seen people earning as much as ?500,000 but taking home just ?30,000 because loan repayments consume their salaries. I’ve seen workers who survive on soaked garri because of poor financial decisions. Those experiences moved me to write this book,’ she said.

According to her, the mission goes beyond selling books.

‘This is not just about writing a book or making money. It is about changing people’s stories and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to enjoy financial freedom.’

Addressing concerns about Nigeria’s declining reading culture, particularly among young people, Adepoju said she intentionally adopted a storytelling style to sustain readers’ interest.

‘Everybody loves a good story. That’s why chapter titles are conversational, like ‘Who Chop My Salary?’ Once people start reading, they want to know what happens next, and before they know it, they’ve learnt valuable financial lessons.’

She added that she would complement the book with engaging digital content and videos to further reach younger audiences with shorter attention spans.

Broke After Payday? is Adepoju’s first printed publication after previously authoring several e-books, further cementing her commitment to making financial literacy practical, relatable and accessible to all.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has scheduled Saturday, August 1, 2026, for a statewide mock accreditation exercise ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

The exercise is to test the Commission’s readiness and assess the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) ahead of the poll.

In a statement signed by the Head of Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Inclusivity, Mr. Ariyo Rufus, on behalf of the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, on Sunday, INEC said the mock accreditation will mirror Election Day procedures, but without actual voting.

According to the Commission, selected polling units across the three senatorial districts will participate.

The selected local governments are,

Osun Central: Osogbo, Olorunda, Ifelodun, and Boripe; Osun East: Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Oriade, and Obokun; and Osun West: Egbedore, Ede North, Ede South, and Ejigbo.

INEC, however, called on registered voters in the selected polling units to turn out with their valid Permanent Voter Cards for accreditation.

‘The exercise is designed to test the functionality and efficiency of the BVAS under conditions similar to those on Election Day. There shall be no voting during the exercise,’ the statement read.

The Commission also reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive governorship election on August 15, 2026.

HOW was growing up in Ibadan?

Yes, I grew up in Ibadan. I went to school in Ibadan. We are five children and growing up was really fun. I was the last girl. Being the last girl, I was daddy’s girl. He was very clever. My dad was a civil servant. We were not rich, but just an average family.

As ‘Daddy’s girl’, what were those privileges enjoyed?

I wouldn’t say I got special privileges, but rather, I got away with some things that my siblings couldn’t. They used to push me to daddy anytime they wanted something. They would say, ‘Tayo! You are the one we will send to Daddy.’

What informed your career ambition while growing up?

I wanted to study Economics at the University of Ibadan. But for some reasons, I think my JAMB result was the issue. At that time, you had to know someone to enter the university. It was that bad. Even if you passed, you still had to know someone. So, my mum took me to her friend, who said there was no space, but that I could put in for Sociology. So, I finished my Sociology degree, but I still had that love for figures. When I finished Sociology, I started ICAN. When I told my mother I wanted to be an Accountant, she told me about my uncle who was in an accounting firm and suggested I go and see him. So, he showed me what to do and that was how I started my journey.

At the University of Ibadan where you read Sociology, what was the experience like?

I started very early in life at age 15. The main thing then was just partying. We would gather ourselves and travel to Ife sometimes just to party. I remember one particular day I went to Abeokuta, not knowing that my parents were already heading to Ibadan on a Friday. They were living in Abeokuta at the time, but wanted to pay me a surprise visit.

I also remember a riot at my school, and, as usual, we had an off-campus party which I attended, completely unaware that my dad was coming to check on me in school. When my dad arrived, he met my friend who didn’t know what to say. So, when I got back to school, she told me my dad had come looking for me. When I eventually saw my dad after going home, he asked where I was coming from. He told me he came to my school, saw various people, and added, ‘Where you are coming from takes nine months’ (laughs). I can never forget that!

What were those traits you took from Mum and Dad?

My dad was very kind and generous, and I think I took that from him. While my mum was very strict, you could occasionally get away with some things with dad. She was a teacher.

What did life present to you when you started your Accounting journey?

I was 25 years old when I started my ICAN journey. It was really tough because at that time you had five papers and had to pass all of them at once. But, as God would have it, I qualified. I also got married along the line.

How did you meet your partner?

His cousin and I were sent to audit at NNPC as accountants, and when we were done, she said her cousin would come and pick us up. When the cousin arrived, we got into his car and he said, ‘Oh, when would I see you again?’ I was like, ‘Why do you want to see me?’ So, that was how we met.

What made you give him a ‘Yes’ eventually?

I found out that he was very smart. My husband still teaches our grandchildren mathematics. We became good friends, and beyond that, he would always discuss life issues intelligently.

Looking back, is there anything you would have loved to do differently?

No regrets at all.

What makes you give thanks to God?

My family, my children, and my grandchildren.

What made you leave Nigeria for the UK?

At that time, education in Nigeria was not doing well-I don’t know about now-and students were sitting at home for up to a year. So, I felt I didn’t have the resources to send them abroad. I thought, why don’t we travel together and look for work? I knew if we didn’t go when we were supposed to, it would become much harder later. So, that was why I left Nigeria for the UK.

When would you say things started changing differently?

I would say I am one of the few lucky ones. If you were not doing very well in the country you were coming from, they would not give you a visa. I don’t think they do it that way anymore; perhaps it is restructured under a different scheme now. Back then, it was a point-based system where they evaluated what you were earning and your years of experience before applying. You had to earn a certain number of points before they finally gave you a visa. When I arrived, there was no job right away and I didn’t know what to do. Eventually, I got a job with Barclaycard, where my work involved chasing people for payment. Before I got that job, I was looking for work everywhere, but they were requesting UK experience which I did not have. Luckily, I met an accountant who told me I could come in a few times a week. So, that was what I was doing until a family friend introduced the currency exchange business to me.

God has been so merciful to you. Hence, how have you been giving back?

I am very active in church. I serve as the Financial Secretary in church, and in the ICAN UK District Society, I am the Chairman. So, that is my little way of giving back.

As the new chairman of ICAN UK, what do you intend to do differently?

Thank you for that question. I want to see our members do better. I see a lot of Chartered Accountants coming into the country who don’t know what steps to take next. So, one key initiative I want to drive as Chairman is a Mentorship Programme. Some established members have run their practices here for a long time and will be able to guide these young people coming in. So, we have the mentors ready.

So, how do you want to catch these mentees?

At the last meeting we had, we announced it. All they need to do is send an email to the General Secretary and we will take it up from there.

Next year is your annual conference in the UK. What are you planning to do?

A lot of things! Planning has already started; we have a venue secured and a date set. While I cannot officially state who the speakers will be yet, I am using this opportunity to call on the Nigerian Government to attend and support us. They can support us by sending delegates, and we would be happy to receive them. If anyone is interested, they should start preparing now.

Why the need to support the Institute?

The ICAN UK District is the flagship district. We have been in existence for many years. At that conference, people from all over the world usually come together to discuss and chart a better way forward for Nigeria across various sectors. It is always an excellent platform for networking. We have opportunities for sponsors and advertisers, and we are open to whoever wants to partner with us.

How do you relax?

To be honest, I have my 9-to-5 job. When I am not working, I am involved in church or ICAN activities. Otherwise, I am relaxing with my family.

What would you love to be remembered for?

As someone who made a real impact in people’s lives. When people hear the name Tayo, I want them to smile and speak of the amazing things the Almighty God has done through me.

MANY young Nigerians have brilliant ideas but often complain that government policies, poor infrastructure and limited access to funding discourage innovation. Do you think the government is doing enough to support young entrepreneurs?

I believe there has been progress, but there is still a long way to go. Young Nigerians are among the most creative and resilient people anywhere in the world. Every day, I meet young people with ideas that have the potential to solve real problems, not just in Nigeria but globally. The challenge is that many of them spend more time fighting the environment than building the solution.

Reliable electricity, affordable internet, access to funding, business-friendly regulations and efficient public institutions all play an important role in helping innovation thrive. When these things are difficult to access, entrepreneurs are forced to solve problems that have nothing to do with the businesses they are trying to build.

Some of the world’s greatest companies were built during difficult times because their founders chose to solve meaningful problems instead of waiting for ideal circumstances.

Government support is important, but I also believe innovation is driven by people who refuse to stop building. Africa should not only consume technology. We should build technology that the world depends on.

If you have the opportunity to advise the Federal Government on three things it should do to help young innovators and technology startups thrive, what would they be?

The first thing would be to make it easier to build legitimate businesses. Registering companies, protecting intellectual property, accessing government services and complying with regulations should be straightforward, affordable and efficient. Young founders should spend more time building products rather than navigating bureaucracy.

Also, I believe we need to invest much more intentionally in technology education. The future belongs to countries that build technology, not just consume it. That means encouraging software engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, product design and entrepreneurship from an early stage. We should be preparing young Nigerians to create solutions for global markets.

Do you think Nigeria is creating an environment where young people can build global technology companies or are we still losing too many talents to other countries?

I honestly believe both things are true. Nigeria has the talent to build globally competitive technology companies. We have brilliant engineers, designers, founders and problem solvers who have repeatedly demonstrated that they can compete anywhere in the world.

At the same time, we continue to lose many of these talented people because they are searching for environments where they can grow faster, access better opportunities, and focus on building instead of constantly overcoming basic operational challenges.

Rather than seeing this purely as a loss, I think it should challenge us to create an environment where talented people choose to build here because they believe they can succeed here.

That is one of the reasons I founded RouteEd. I wanted to prove to myself that a company solving a Nigerian problem could also solve a global problem.

Student transportation safety, visibility, and accountability are not uniquely Nigerian challenges. Families all over the world want to know that their children are safe during the journey between home and school.

Youth unemployment remains a major challenge in Nigeria. Beyond seeking white-collar jobs, what mindset shift do you think young Nigerians need to embrace?

I believe the biggest mindset shift is moving from asking, ‘Where can I find a job?’ to asking, ‘What problem can I solve?’ The world rewards people who solve meaningful problems. Entrepreneurship is not simply about owning a business or becoming your own boss. It is about creating value in a way that improves people’s lives.

I also think we need to redefine what success looks like. Too often, social media makes entrepreneurship appear glamorous, but behind every successful company are years of learning, setbacks, uncertainty, and persistence. Building something meaningful requires patience, discipline, resilience, and the willingness to keep showing up even when progress is slow.

Artificial Intelligence and digital technology are transforming economies around the world. Do you think Nigeria is moving fast enough to prepare its young people for the future of work?

Artificial Intelligence is changing the world, but I believe the conversation should go beyond AI itself. The real question is whether we are preparing young people to think critically, solve problems creatively, and adapt continuously. Technology will continue to evolve, but those human qualities will always remain valuable.

Nigeria has made encouraging progress in embracing digital technology, but there is still a significant opportunity to strengthen digital education, invest in practical skills, and expose more young people to emerging technologies from an early age.

What gap did you notice in student transportation and safety that convinced you there was a need for the solution that RouteEd brings?

Every morning, millions of parents across Nigeria do something remarkable. They entrust the most precious part of their lives, their children, to someone else for the journey to school. That trust is one of the greatest responsibilities any school accepts.

At the same time, we live in a country where stories of insecurity have become far too common. We have seen heartbreaking reports of school attacks, kidnappings, transportation incidents, and families left searching for answers during moments of uncertainty. Those realities changed the way I thought about student transportation.

I realised that schools had invested significantly in securing classrooms and campuses, yet one of the most important parts of a child’s day, the journey between home and school, often remained far less visible.

For me, RouteEd was never simply about tracking vehicles. It is about reducing uncertainty. It is about helping schools know more, helping parents worry less, and creating a trusted system where schools, parents, guardians, and drivers all share the same information throughout every school journey.

Technology cannot eliminate insecurity, but it can strengthen communication, improve accountability, and provide an additional layer of awareness when every minute matters.

What makes RouteEd different and what problem is it truly solving for schools and families,particularly as many assume it is just another GPS tracking platform?

If RouteEd were simply another GPS tracking application, I honestly would not have built it. Parents are not looking for a moving dot on a map. They are looking for reassurance. Schools are not simply looking for vehicle locations. They are looking for confidence, accountability, and better operational oversight.

RouteEd was designed as a student transportation visibility infrastructure that connects schools, parents, guardians, drivers, and students through one trusted ecosystem.

When a child boards a school bus, when a trip begins, when trusted guardians receive updates, and when schools maintain operational visibility, everyone shares the same trusted information at the same time.

One of our most important innovations is our family-centred approach. Parents can monitor multiple children attending different RouteEd enabled schools through one account, assign different guardians to each child based on where they live, and continue using the same family account even if a child changes schools. Whether a parent is in Abuja, London, New York, or anywhere else in the world, RouteEd is designed to keep families connected to their children’s daily journeys.

As you prepare to launch your pilot programme in Nigeria and expand internationally, what has been your biggest lesson as a young entrepreneur building a technology company?

The biggest lesson has been that great products are built by listening before they are built by coding. Some of RouteEd’s strongest ideas did not come from sitting behind a computer. They came from conversations with parents, school proprietors, drivers, transport coordinators, educators, and families. Every conversation revealed something we had not considered before and helped us build a better solution.

I have also learned that execution is what separates ideas from impact. Many people have brilliant ideas, but ideas only begin to change lives when they are consistently executed with excellence.

Perhaps the most important lesson is that trust cannot be rushed. Whether you are building technology or building relationships, trust is earned one journey at a time. That philosophy guides everything we are building at RouteEd.

What advice would you give to young Nigerians who have innovative ideas but are afraid to start because of financial constraints or fear of failure?

I would tell them not to allow fear to become a permanent decision. Every successful company started as an uncertain idea. The difference is that someone chose to begin.

You do not need to have everything figured out before taking the first step. What you need is a genuine problem worth solving, the humility to keep learning, and the resilience to continue even when progress feels slow.

Do not become so focused on building a company that you forget to build yourself. Read constantly. Learn continuously. Listen carefully. Surround yourself with people who challenge you to think better. Most importantly, remember that failure is not the opposite of success. For many entrepreneurs, it is part of the journey toward success. The future is built by people who choose courage over comfort.

Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope RouteEd will leave, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa and the rest of the world?

When people hear the word legacy, they often think about companies. I think about children. I hope RouteEd contributes to a future where parents no longer spend the school day wondering whether their child arrived safely. I hope we help schools strengthen the trust families place in them every single morning. I hope we encourage a culture where student transportation is treated with the same seriousness as every other part of education.

If RouteEd helps reduce uncertainty, improve communication, strengthen accountability, and give families greater confidence during one of the most vulnerable parts of a child’s day, then I believe we will have made a meaningful contribution.

I also hope RouteEd demonstrates that world-class technology can be built in Africa to solve African challenges while serving families across the globe. Because I believe our greatest export should not only be talent. It should also be innovation.

My dream is that one day, parents everywhere naturally ask one simple question before enrolling their children in a school: ‘Is your school RouteEd enabled?’ Not because it is fashionable. But because visibility, accountability, and peace of mind have become the expected standard.

At its heart, RouteEd is not simply building transportation technology. We are building trust into one of the most important journeys a family makes every day. And that is the legacy I hope we leave behind.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Dr Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart as the new Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

The appointment, which takes immediate effect, was announced in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, Olanrewaju-Smart replaces Hon. Ibrahim Olanrewaju, who resigned to contest an elective position in his home state.

The Presidency described the new appointee as a policy expert with extensive academic and legislative experience.

Olanrewaju-Smart holds a PhD in Educational Management from Lead City University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University. He is also an Edward Mason Fellow in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School.

He was a LEAPS Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earned a Professional Diploma in Public Relations from the London School of Public Relations, and served as a Policy Fellow at Quantum Alliance AI in the United States, where he focused on artificial intelligence and civic technology.

Before his latest appointment, Olanrewaju-Smart built a career within the National Assembly, serving as Research and Media Assistant to the Minority and Majority Leaders of the House of Representatives during the 7th and 8th Assemblies.

He subsequently held key positions in the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, including Special Adviser, Deputy Chief of Staff and later Chief of Staff during the 9th and 10th Assemblies.

In October 2023, he joined the Presidency as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Intergovernmental Affairs, a position he held until his elevation.

The statement noted that Olanrewaju-Smart has contributed to public policy development and legislative research, including work on landmark laws such as the Interest-Free Student Loan Act.

Expressing confidence in the new appointee, the Presidency said Tinubu believes Olanrewaju-Smart will leverage his experience and expertise to strengthen collaboration between the Presidency, ministries, departments and agencies, and the House of Representatives.

The appointment takes immediate effect.

Governor Uba Sani has flagged off the distribution of 500 trucks of free fertilisers and tractors to 150,000 smallholder farmers for the third consecutive year, across the 23 local governments of Kaduna State.

It will be recalled that last August, the Governor had distributed 400 trucks of fertiliser free of charge to 100,000 smallholder farmers, with each farmer receiving two bags of the farm input.

Earlier, he had performed the largest-ever fertiliser distribution in 2024, where over 500 trucks were distributed to farmers, including other inputs, for dry season farming.

Speaking at the latest ceremony at Murtala Mohammed Square on Saturday, Governor Uba Sani disclosed that the distribution of free fertiliser in Kaduna State is ‘one of the most extensive fertilizer support programmes undertaken by any subnational government in Nigeria.’

The Governor recalled that ‘when this administration came into office in 2023, agriculture received only ?1.48 billion, representing about 0.4 per cent of the State budget.’

‘We considered that wholly inconsistent with the strategic importance of a sector that sustains millions of livelihoods and underpins our economy. Accordingly, we increased the allocation to ?23.40 billion in 2024, and further to ?74.02 billion in 2025.

‘In the 2026 Budget, we have gone even further by committing more than ?100 billion to agriculture and food security, representing approximately 11.65 per cent of total State expenditure; by far exceeding the 10 per cent benchmark of the Malabo Declaration,’ he added.

He argued that the objective of Kaduna State Government is ‘to ensure that escalating production costs did not translate into reduced cultivation, lower yields or greater food insecurity.’

The Governor disclosed that he was advised to sell the bags of fertiliser at subsidised prices, adding that ‘for example, if we buy the commodity at N56,000 per bag, we should sell to farmers at N20,000.’

Governor Uba Sani explained that ‘N20,000 is beyond the reach of most small holder farmers. And in any case, big time farmers will buy up the commodity and re-sell at exorbitant prices, thereby negating the essence of subsidy.’

‘Agriculture has become the backbone of Kaduna State’s economy, contributing about 43% to the state’s GDP and employing over 60% to 80% of the active workforce,’ he said.

The Governor, who commended the prevailing peace in Kaduna State, said that it has enabled farmers to return to the field, adding that ‘owing to the people’s cooperation and President Bola Tinubu’s support, we have reclaimed 5,000 hectares of farmlands.’

He pointed out that Kaduna State is blessed with a vast landmass and favourable agro-ecological zones, which ensures food security, raw materials for industries, and employment from agriculture.

The Governor, who said that Kaduna State is the leading producer of maize, tomatoes and ginger, added that ‘agriculture is far more than an economic sector. It is the meeting point of food security, industrial development, job creation, rural transformation and social stability.’

‘It is where the welfare of millions of households intersects with the growth of our economy. No nation can attain enduring prosperity if it cannot feed itself, supply its industries with raw materials, create wealth from the land, and provide its farmers with the opportunity not merely to survive but to prosper,’ he added.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has awarded 5,513 students across the state with scholarship and bursary schemes.

Adeola, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, while addressing the beneficiaries on Sunday at the event held in Abeokuta, said the bursary and scholarship programme is the third edition in the series.

He, therefore, called on the beneficiaries to utilise the funds for the purpose for which they were given and not on frivolities.

Adeola noted that the programme was established to lend a helping hand to indigent students across the state and prevent school dropouts due to financial challenges.

He described the initiative as part of his campaign promises and to complement Gov. Dapo Abiodun’s efforts to improve educational infrastructure across the state.

The lawmaker also explained that the programme aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), supporting tertiary education financing.

Senator Adeola informed that 1,700 students benefited in the maiden edition in 2024, and 3,892 students received awards during the second edition in 2025.

He revealed that 1,735 were scholarship recipients while 3,577 received bursary awards, and that the beneficiaries were drawn from universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

‘Let me emphasise that the funds provided should be spent on payment of your school fees, accommodation or similar issues and not free money to buy phones, bags, and clothes.

‘The whole idea is to assist students, parents and guardians and to ensure that no brilliant student of Ogun West extraction, and indeed Ogun State, drops out of school,’ he said.

The chairman of the Scholarship Board, Prof. Tope Popoola, in his welcome remarks said the initiative was aimed at supporting students and reducing the financial burden of education on their parents across the state.

He assured the public that the board maintained a transparent selection process, adding that applications found to contain false information were disqualified.

‘Usually, once such falsehoods are detected, such applications are stepped down. The board diligently carried out the selection process as expected.

‘The initiative will continue to grow and eventually become a comprehensive state-wide scholarship and bursary programme,’ he said.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, have described renowned Ifa priest and Yoruba cultural icon, Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon, as a priceless custodian of African heritage whose contributions have continued to elevate Yoruba culture on the global stage.

The two leaders made the remarks during activities marking Elebuibon’s birthday and housewarming ceremony held at his Ogbeyonu House in Osogbo, where they separately commended his decades-long commitment to preserving and promoting Yoruba tradition.

Speaking at the event, Oyebamiji said Elebuibon’s vast knowledge of African spirituality, customs and history has made him an invaluable figure not only to the Yoruba people but to the entire African continent. He noted that personalities like the celebrated cultural ambassador deserve greater recognition for their role in preserving indigenous values.

The APC governorship candidate also called for increased investment in Osun’s tourism sector, stressing that the state possesses enormous cultural and historical assets capable of generating substantial revenue and creating employment opportunities if properly developed.

According to him, iconic sites such as the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, Ayekunnugba Waterfall, Erin-Ijesa Waterfalls, the Ifa Temple, Oranmiyan Staff and several other heritage locations have the potential to transform Osun into a leading cultural tourism destination.

Representing Governor Adeleke at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Political Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, Dr. Biyi Odunlade, described Elebuibon as a globally respected authority on Yoruba culture and traditions whose influence has brought international recognition to the state’s rich cultural heritage.

Odunlade said the Adeleke administration considers the traditional scholar a valuable cultural ambassador and remains committed to initiatives that will position Osun as a major centre for the promotion of African culture and tourism.

He added that the government would continue to support efforts aimed at preserving the state’s cultural identity while showcasing its heritage to the international community.

In his response, Elebuibon attributed his global recognition to his unwavering dedication to the Yoruba religion, culture and traditions, urging governments at all levels to give greater attention to Nigeria’s cultural resources.

He said the country’s rich cultural heritage remains one of its greatest untapped economic assets, stressing that deliberate investment in the preservation, branding and promotion of indigenous traditions would attract international tourists and stimulate economic growth.

The renowned cultural enthusiast further called on stakeholders to work together in projecting Nigeria’s cultural identity to the world, saying the nation’s heritage should be presented as a unique attraction capable of boosting tourism and enhancing its global image.

The University of Ibadan (UI) has inaugurated the Dr T. Abayomi Oshin Heritage Museum, a first-of-its-kind repository dedicated to preserving the history of physiotherapy in Nigeria and Africa. The institution described the facility as a lasting tribute to one of the continent’s foremost healthcare pioneers.

Commissioning the museum at the Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, the vice-chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, said the museum represents far more than a physical structure, noting that it preserves the story of a profession built on courage, vision and pioneering leadership.

According to him, the museum immortalises the extraordinary contributions of Dr Thomson Abayomi Oshin, whose groundbreaking achievements laid the foundation for physiotherapy education and practice in Nigeria.

‘We are not merely opening a building; we are opening a window into the history of a profession and the inspiring story of a man who dared to break boundaries,’ Adebowale said.

He described the University of Ibadan as a place where enduring legacies are built, adding that Dr Oshin’s career epitomises the institution’s commitment to excellence, innovation and national development.

Adebowale recalled that in 1954, Dr Oshin became the first African physiotherapist to qualify in London. He returned to Nigeria at a time when the profession was largely dominated by expatriates and went on to establish what has become one of Africa’s strongest physiotherapy traditions.

He noted that the late pioneer later became the first Head and Consultant Physiotherapist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, before establishing Nigeria’s first Bachelor of Science degree programme in Physiotherapy at the University of Ibadan in 1966.

‘The Department of Physiotherapy stands today on the foundation he laid. It has evolved into a leading centre for physiotherapy education in Africa, producing graduates who have gone on to lead academic departments, strengthen professional regulation and advance healthcare delivery across Nigeria and beyond,’ the Vice-Chancellor said.

Adebowale also acknowledged Dr Oshin’s commitment to preserving the history of the profession, describing the heritage museum as the culmination of a lifelong effort to document the evolution of physiotherapy in Nigeria.

He commended the Thomson Abayomi Oshin Health and Education Foundation and members of the Oshin family for donating the museum to the university, describing the gesture as a significant contribution to scholarship and institutional memory.

He urged students and young professionals to draw inspiration from Dr. Oshin’s life of purposeful service and courageous decision-making.

‘Dr Oshin chose the path less travelled. His life reminds us that excellence is built on deliberate choices, resilience and an unwavering commitment to serving humanity. This museum challenges every student and practitioner to uphold those same values,’ he said.

Mrs Olapeju Nwuga, Chairperson of the commissioning ceremony for the Dr T. Abayomi Oshin Heritage Museum, said reaching a century of life distinguished by integrity, service, excellence and compassion is a rare achievement. She added that true greatness is measured not by longevity alone but by the positive impact one leaves on society.

Mrs Nwuga commended the Oshin family for donating the state-of-the-art physiotherapy building that houses the museum to the Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, describing the gesture as a remarkable act of philanthropy and a major contribution to education, healthcare and national development.

Other eminent speakers at the occasion, including the Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof. Temidayo Ogundiran; the Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo; and the President of the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA) Worldwide, Prof. Samuel Omokhodion, described the Dr T. Abayomi Oshin Heritage Museum as a fitting tribute to Dr Thomson Abayomi Oshin’s pioneering contributions to physiotherapy education and practice in Nigeria and Africa.

Congratulating the department on the successful commissioning of the museum, Prof. Omokhodion expressed confidence that the facility would serve as a lasting centre for learning, historical preservation and professional inspiration for future generations of physiotherapists.

Prof. Otegbayo described the museum as a living monument to Dr Thomson Abayomi Oshin’s vision, integrity, selfless service and immense contributions to healthcare in Nigeria and across Africa.

He said the facility marks the beginning of preserving and telling the story of physiotherapy in Africa, where the profession took root in Ibadan, and will serve as a beacon of heritage, knowledge and professional pride, inspiring generations to emulate Dr Oshin’s enduring values of hard work, philanthropy, leadership and service to humanity.

The Head of the Department of Physiotherapy, University of Ibadan, Prof. Adesola Odole, urged students to see the museum as ‘a classroom without walls’ that teaches discipline, sacrifice, continuous learning and service. She also called on physiotherapy professionals to deepen their commitment to evidence-based practice, innovation, ethical leadership and impactful research.

Congratulating the Oshin family, the University community and all contributors to the project, Prof. Odole said the greatest tribute to Dr Oshin would be to ensure that the profession he pioneered continues to flourish and remains at the forefront of healthcare delivery in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

Dr Nse Odunaiya, Project Coordinator of the Dr T. Abayomi Oshin Heritage Museum, said the idea for the museum originated from Dr Thomson Abayomi Oshin himself during the construction of the physiotherapy building in 2022, when he requested that a room be dedicated to preserving the history of physiotherapy for future generations.

The inauguration of the Dr T. Abayomi Oshin Heritage Museum formed part of activities marking the centenary of the celebrated physiotherapist, widely regarded as the doyen of physiotherapy in Africa.

The facility is expected to serve as a centre for research, learning and historical preservation, documenting the evolution of physiotherapy education and practice in Nigeria while inspiring future generations of healthcare professionals.