Igbo-Elerin Grammar School, Ibadan has held its valedictory service for the 2026 graduating Senior Secondary School students, featuring colourful celebrations, cultural displays, and the presentation of awards and prizes to outstanding students and teachers.
The event, which brought together members of the school community, parents, alumni, dignitaries, and well-wishers, was marked by a prize-giving ceremony designed to recognise academic excellence and encourage students to strive for greater achievements.
Among the highlights of the event was the presentation of prizes sponsored by the 1980 set of the school to deserving students. The 1983 set also presented awards to the best graduating students in recognition of their outstanding academic performance.
The Venerable Popoola Best Student Award was equally presented to outstanding graduating students, while the Chief Gbade Ojo Award recognised both the best graduating students and deserving teachers for their exceptional contributions.
Similarly, the Dr Sikiru Adebayo Award was presented in recognition of outstanding graduating students and teachers who distinguished themselves through academic excellence and dedication.
The Guest Lecturer at the occasion, Dr Akintunde Ishaq, further demonstrated his support for education by donating ₦200,000 to the teachers of the school.
The ceremony also featured a colourful cultural display by the students, adding entertainment and cultural significance to the celebration.
The Father of the Day and Chairman of the occasion was Alhaji Ismaheel Tunde Hammed, Chief Executive Officer of Waterfield Luxury Hotel, who joined other dignitaries in celebrating the graduating students and encouraging them to pursue their dreams with determination, discipline, and integrity.
The event was hosted by the Principal of Igbo-Elerin Grammar School, Ajewole E.O., who expressed appreciation to the sponsors, alumni, teachers, parents, guests, and other stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the valedictory service.
The ceremony concluded with goodwill messages and celebrations as the graduating students officially marked the end of their secondary school education and looked forward to the next phase of their academic and personal journeys
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday received the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, and other traditional rulers from Oyo State during a courtesy visit to the State House.
The delegation, led by Oba Ladoja, included prominent traditional rulers and leaders from across the state, who were at the Presidential Villa to pay a courtesy visit to the President.
Among those in the delegation were the Aare Ago of Ogbomoso, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Balogun of Ibadanland, the Onigbeti of Igbeti, the Alajawa of Ajawa, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, the Aseyin of Iseyin, and Mogaji Wole Arisekola.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the traditional rulers to engage with President Tinubu on matters of importance to Oyo State and the country, while also strengthening the relationship between the traditional institution and the Federal Government.
Also present at the meeting were the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe; the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zach Adedeji; and former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare.
The visit further underscored the role of traditional institutions in promoting unity, peace, development and collaboration between communities and the government.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has warned political opponents planning to challenge him in the 2027 presidential election to prepare for a tough political contest, declaring that he will not make the race easy for anyone.
Tinubu, while speaking on the 2027 election and the political activities ahead of the poll, said he was ready to face his opponents in a competitive contest, stressing that politics should be approached as a fair game.
The President said, “I won’t offer them a red carpet. We will wrestle each other to the finishing point.”
Tinubu also maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains a neutral umpire in the electoral process, insisting that every political actor has the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.
He said the political contest ahead of the 2027 general election would be determined by the strength of the competing parties and candidates, while urging politicians to abide by the rules of the game.
The President’s comments come amid growing political realignments and preparations by opposition parties and political groups ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Tinubu’s declaration signals his readiness for a competitive battle as political parties begin positioning themselves for the next general election.
With the 2027 election expected to generate intense political activity, the President’s remarks have further heightened attention on the emerging contest and the potential lineup of candidates seeking the nation’s highest political office.
The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has condemned the rising political tension in Osun State ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, said the foremost African monarch made the appeal on Tuesday evening at the ancient Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife while receiving the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, who led a delegation of the commission on a courtesy visit to seek the support and blessings of the traditional institution ahead of the off-cycle governorship election.
The INEC delegation was received by the Ooni alongside prominent monarchs from the Osun State Council of Obas, who gathered at the palace for the engagement.
The Ooni urged political stakeholders to embrace peace and allow the electorate to determine the state’s next governor through a free, fair and credible electoral process.
Addressing the INEC Chairman, the Ooni said the prevailing political atmosphere in the state had become increasingly worrisome, stressing that traditional rulers, as custodians of peace and unity, could not remain silent while tensions continued to escalate.
“There is political tension in Osun State and, truth be told, the tension is becoming unbearable for us. As traditional rulers, we must remain above politics because Osun State is bigger than any politician. We occupy the thrones of our forefathers and our responsibility is to speak the truth at all times, irrespective of political affiliations,” the Ooni said.
He emphasised that the traditional institution owed a duty to engage political leaders constructively and remind them that governance should be centred on justice, fairness and the welfare of the people rather than partisan interests.
According to the Ooni, politicians may change alliances based on personal or political interests, but the traditional institution remains permanently committed to protecting the peace, stability and unity of the state.
“Politics is about interests. Those who are opponents today may become allies tomorrow, but the people remain. We do not want political interests to divide our communities or threaten the peace of Osun State. Let the people come out freely to vote and decide who they want to govern them,” he stated.
The revered monarch called on INEC to discharge its constitutional responsibilities with absolute neutrality, transparency and professionalism, noting that the electoral umpire holds the key to reducing the current political anxiety across the state.
“You are the umpire. Be very just, upright and transparent in the conduct of this election. We want the election to be free, fair and credible. You have the responsibility to douse the growing tension and inspire confidence among all political stakeholders,” he said.
The Ooni further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process and for creating an enabling environment for INEC to operate independently.
“We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for empowering INEC to function independently and for providing the commission with the support needed to carry out its constitutional mandate. We believe the commission should justify that confidence by ensuring justice, fairness and credibility throughout the electoral process,” he added.
While appealing to political parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid inflammatory rhetoric capable of provoking violence, the monarch warned against allowing political competition to degenerate into hostility.
He stressed that no election should be allowed to destroy relationships or permanently divide communities, reminding politicians that they would continue to coexist long after the polls.
“The traditional institution will continue to promote peace across Osun State. We will continue to encourage politicians to embrace peaceful campaigns because elections should never become a source of bloodshed, destruction or division,” he said.
The Ooni also urged citizens to participate peacefully in the electoral process without fear or intimidation, insisting that the wishes of the electorate must ultimately prevail.
Earlier, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, said the visit to the Ooni’s Palace was both a cultural obligation and an institutional engagement aimed at securing the support of the traditional institution for a peaceful governorship election.
Describing Ile-Ife as the ancestral home of the Yoruba race and the Ooni as the foremost custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, Amupitan said the commission recognised the influential role of traditional rulers in promoting peace and public confidence during elections.
“We have come to pay homage to Your Imperial Majesty and seek your royal blessings. Osun occupies a unique place in Nigeria because its people are politically conscious. This election is significant, not only for Osun State, but also as a major test ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.
The INEC chairman assured the royal fathers that the commission remained committed to delivering a free, fair, transparent and credible governorship election, adding that technology, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), would be fully deployed to safeguard the integrity of the process.
He disclosed that rebuilding public confidence in INEC remained a major priority of his administration, stressing that such confidence could only be earned through transparent elections that genuinely reflect the will of the people.
Amupitan also appealed to the traditional rulers to intensify efforts at promoting peaceful coexistence by prevailing on political actors and their supporters to reject violence and embrace issue-based campaigns.
He expressed concern over the prevailing security situation in the state and urged political parties to refrain from actions capable of threatening public peace.
The INEC chairman further cautioned against vote-buying and other electoral malpractices, encouraging eligible voters to reject inducements and exercise their civic responsibility freely.
He assured residents that adequate electoral materials would be deployed across the state ahead of the election, while urging political parties and members of the public to rely only on official information from INEC and avoid spreading unverified claims capable of heightening political tension.
A Professor of Science Education at the University of Ibadan, Professor Temisan Angela Ige, has called for the integration of reflective teaching into teacher education programmes, describing it as an indispensable tool for lifelong learning, improved classroom practice and sustainable educational delivery.
Professor Ige made the call while delivering the 621st Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ibadan on behalf of the Faculty of Education.
The lecture was entitled, “Don’t I Think Before I Talk? My Journey in the Professional Development of Science Teachers for Reflective Teaching.”
Professor Ige explained that reflective teaching is a viable practice that can equip science teachers to produce students that will function in line with the goals of science for contemporary times.
She stressed that reflective teaching is not a novel practice in education, disclosing that it was first proposed by John Dewey as far back as 1933.
According to her, reflective teaching is a pedagogical approach that enables educators to critically evaluate their instructional practices and assess their impact on student learning, identifying strengths, weaknesses and areas that require improvement.
She noted that reflective practice improves classroom management by helping teachers examine the impact of their teaching strategies, communication styles, and instructional decisions on learners, thereby promoting more engaging, inclusive and effective learning environments.
The Inaugural Lecturer stated that reflective practice also promotes continuous professional development by encouraging teachers to evaluate their experiences, strengthen their professional identity, build resilience and embrace lifelong learning.
She explained that reflective teaching also promotes evidence-based decision-making, innovation and adaptability, enabling teachers to respond effectively to changing educational needs while improving learners’ academic performance.
Professor Ige stated that reflective practice enhances pedagogical competence, strengthens professional identity, improves classroom management, boosts student achievement, promotes lifelong learning and protects teachers against professional burnout.
She identified reflective journals, peer observation, video recordings of classroom lessons, digital platforms and professional portfolios as valuable tools for supporting reflective teaching and documenting teachers’ professional growth.
The Professor of Science Education observed that despite its numerous benefits, reflective practice is constrained by inadequate time, insufficient institutional support, limited reflective skills and superficial reflection that fails to critically analyze classroom experiences.
She stressed the need for educational institutions to create supportive environments that encourage mentoring, collaborative learning and continuous professional development to enable teachers maximise the benefits of reflective practice.
The Don advocated the review of methodology courses in Faculties of Education and Colleges of Education to incorporate reflective practice as an essential component of teacher education.
She also recommended the restructuring of teaching practice exercises to include the use of reflective tools, particularly reflective journals, while urging teacher educators to model reflective practices during the training of prospective teachers.
The Don further advocated the provision of modern micro-teaching laboratories equipped with contemporary technology in teacher training institutions by government and intervention agencies, including TETFund, to strengthen practical teaching and reflective skills.
She also advocated increased funding for research in teacher education and urged the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria to strengthen teacher certification by incorporating reflective teaching portfolios into its assessment and monitoring processes.
Professor Ige reiterated that reflective practice remains indispensable to quality teaching, noting that teachers who continually evaluate and improve their classroom practices are better equipped to deliver effective instruction and contribute meaningfully to improving the quality of education.
The Inaugural Lecturer also stressed that trainee teachers need to be encouraged to take an interest in their professional development in becoming reflective practitioners by investing time, effort and funds to ensure professional development.
The lecture was the 18th in the series for the 2025/2026 academic sesssion.
The two surveillance aircraft acquired by the Oyo State Government to strengthen intelligence gathering and aerial security operations have arrived in Ibadan, the state capital.
The arrival of the aircraft marks a significant step in the state government’s efforts to enhance its security architecture and support intelligence-led operations across Oyo State.
In his words, the Oyo State Governor , Engr. Seyi Makinde said the surveillance aircrafts were procured to strengthen surveillance and to forestall further security challenges in the state.
The aircraft are expected to improve aerial surveillance capabilities, facilitate the monitoring of hard-to-reach areas and provide security agencies with additional intelligence to support efforts aimed at preventing and responding to criminal activities.
The development is also expected to strengthen coordination between the state government and relevant security agencies in tackling security challenges, particularly in areas that may be difficult to access through conventional ground operations.
The acquisition of the aircraft underscores the commitment of the Oyo State Government to leveraging modern technology and intelligence gathering in its efforts to safeguard residents, communities and critical infrastructure across the state.
The arrival of the aircraft in Ibadan is expected to pave the way for their deployment in support of ongoing security and surveillance operations in the state.
The people of Ado-Awaye Community in Oyo State have appealed to the state government to urgently reconstruct the 27-kilometre Ado-Awaye–Ilua–Okeho Inter-Community Road, citing its deteriorating condition and the hardship it has caused residents and other road users.
The appeal was contained in a letter of appreciation addressed to the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, in which the community commended the governor for his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, security, and rural development across the state.
The community noted that the Ado-Awaye–Ilua–Okeho road serves as a vital link connecting Ado-Awaye with neighbouring communities and facilitates the movement of people, agricultural produce, and commercial goods.
According to the community, the road has remained in a deplorable condition for a considerable period, with deep potholes, erosion, and inadequate drainage making transportation difficult, particularly during the rainy season.
The residents said the poor state of the road had contributed to frequent vehicle breakdowns, accidents, security concerns, increased transportation costs, delays in the movement of goods, and hardship for residents, traders, students, and other road users.
They further explained that Ado-Awaye and adjoining communities are predominantly agrarian, stressing that the poor condition of the road had adversely affected the transportation of farm produce to urban markets, thereby contributing to post-harvest losses and discouraging potential investors.
The community also expressed concern that the state of the road had hindered access to essential services, including healthcare, education, and security.
The residents appealed to Governor Makinde to use his good office to approve and facilitate the urgent reconstruction of the 27-kilometre road, noting that the project would enhance socio-economic activities, improve security, reduce transportation costs, stimulate commercial growth, and promote the overall welfare of the people.
They expressed confidence that the reconstruction of the road would align with the governor’s commitment to sustainable rural development and infrastructural renewal across Oyo State.
The community further appealed to the governor to ensure that the project is completed before the end of his administration, while assuring him of their continued prayers, loyalty, and support.
Representatives of the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, have called for global recognition and scientific validation of African traditional medicine as part of efforts to promote indigenous healthcare and sustainable development.
The delegation, which formed part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s team currently in Brazil, made the call during the Brazil-Nigeria High-Level Bilateral Meeting on Traditional Medicine and Scientific Cooperation held at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil in the areas of traditional medicine, medicinal plant research, technology transfer, academic exchange and public health innovation.
A statement issued on Saturday by the Senior Media Officer to the Ooni, Sodiq Lawal, said the meeting concluded with the adoption of a comprehensive implementation roadmap to guide bilateral cooperation in traditional medicine and related fields.
The delegation advocated a strategic partnership between Nigeria and Brazil that would combine indigenous knowledge with modern scientific research to improve healthcare delivery and promote sustainable development.
Representing the Ooni at the summit were the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, and the President of Oduduwa Heritage Home in Brazil and International Consultant to the World Orisa Congress (WOOCON), Ajoyemi Olabisi Osunleye.
The high-level meeting brought together representatives of Fiocruz, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Royal Palace of the Ooni of Ife, Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Harvard University, Brazil’s Ministry of Racial Equality and the African Pride delegation.
Participants explored opportunities to deepen South-South cooperation in traditional medicine, medicinal plant research, human milk banking and academic training.
The meeting also reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to scientifically validate traditional medicine practices and promote the integration of evidence-based indigenous healthcare into formal health systems.
Participants reviewed the ongoing Harvard-Brazil-Nigeria metabolomics research involving 68 medicinal plants traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes. Discussions were also held on expanding the research to cover other therapeutic products with potential medical value.
The summit further recognised a collection of about 500 medicinal plants that have already been studied and scientifically validated in Brazil, describing the body of knowledge as a strong foundation for future collaborative research between Nigerian and Brazilian institutions.
Another key outcome of the meeting was an agreement to support the establishment of a Human Milk Bank in Nigeria. The initiative is expected to leverage the technical expertise of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre and the extensive experience of Fiocruz in the field.
The participants also linked the Brazil-Nigeria partnership to broader global climate initiatives, including the International Savanna Forum and COP31, scheduled to hold in September in Goiânia, Brazil.
They identified biodiversity conservation, healthcare innovation and social technology as critical areas for future collaboration, stressing the need for stronger international partnerships to harness Africa’s indigenous knowledge and natural resources for the benefit of humanity.
The development marks a significant step in efforts to strengthen Brazil-Nigeria cooperation and position African traditional medicine for greater international recognition through scientific research, validation and responsible integration into modern healthcare systems.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State for the 2027 election, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has expressed confidence that ongoing reconciliation efforts within the party will result in a united and formidable political force ahead of the poll.
Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, disclosed this while speaking at a Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) programme tagged “A Day with BSA.”
The APC standard-bearer said efforts to reconcile aggrieved members and resolve internal differences within the party were already yielding positive results, stressing that the party was determined to put its house in order ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to him, restoring unity within the APC became one of his immediate priorities following his emergence as the party’s governorship candidate.
He said consultations with party leaders, stakeholders and other critical groups across the state were ongoing as part of efforts to build a stronger and more inclusive party ahead of the election.
Alli expressed optimism that the ongoing engagements would help heal existing divisions and strengthen the APC’s chances of reclaiming the Oyo State Government House in 2027.
He said the party could not afford to approach the election divided, noting that unity, effective mobilisation and a clear development agenda would be central to the APC’s campaign.
Beyond party reconciliation, Alli also unveiled some of the policy priorities that would guide his administration’s first 100 days in office if elected governor of Oyo State.
He placed education among the key sectors that would receive immediate attention under his administration, promising to restore quality and effective public education across the state.
The APC candidate specifically pledged to reduce overcrowding in public schools by ensuring that class sizes in public primary and secondary schools do not exceed 30 pupils per classroom.
He said the policy was aimed at creating a better learning environment for pupils and students while improving the ability of teachers to provide effective and personalised attention to learners.
Alli further stressed the need for sustained investment in the education sector, describing quality education as a critical foundation for the development of Oyo State and the preparation of its young people for future opportunities.
The senator said his administration, if elected, would focus on policies and programmes capable of improving the standard of living of residents, strengthening public institutions and creating an environment conducive to economic growth.
He urged residents of Oyo State and APC members to support the party’s efforts to build a united political structure capable of providing what he described as purposeful and people-oriented leadership.
With the 2027 governorship election drawing closer, Alli’s remarks are expected to further shape the APC’s campaign narrative as the party intensifies efforts to consolidate its structure and position itself as a strong contender for power in Oyo State.
Residents of Ofiki community in Oke-Ogun, Oyo State, are beginning to explore new economic opportunities from cashew production following a community-based intervention led by Slow Food Network Nigeria, with support from Slow Food International Headquarters (HQ) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The initiative has empowered more than 30 women with starter seed kits for household gardens, trained over 40 farmers and community members in agroecological farming, and equipped more than 20 women and men with post-harvest processing and agricultural valorisation skills focused on cashew apples.
Although Oke-Ogun is one of Oyo State’s leading cashew-producing regions, the economic value of the crop has traditionally focused largely on cashew nuts, leaving large quantities of cashew apples to rot during harvest seasons. The project seeks to address this challenge by raising awareness about the nutritional and commercial potential of cashew apples and helping residents convert what was previously considered agricultural waste into opportunities for food security, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative also challenged residents to rethink their understanding of agricultural waste. One of the collaborators, Mrs. Adejumoke Olowookere, founder of OlowoWaste (Waste Museum), urged the community to recognise the potential value of resources available on its land, stressing that what is commonly regarded as waste can become a valuable resource through knowledge, innovation and local enterprise. Her message reinforced the project’s central theme of encouraging residents to identify opportunities in resources they have long overlooked and explore innovative ways of putting them to productive use.
As part of the intervention, community members were trained to process cashew apples into fresh cashew juice, cashew chutney, cashew cooking sauce, dehydrated cashew apple snacks resembling raisins or dates, and nutrient-rich animal feed. The practical demonstrations reportedly changed participants’ perceptions of the fruit, while the slogan “Ofiki Gold, Kari Aye,” meaning “Ofiki Gold, to the World,” was adopted as the brand identity for the newly developed cashew products.
The project also exposed community representatives to modern food processing technologies through a visit to the National Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), where participants received hands-on training in the use of commercial food dehydrators and drying equipment. The exposure is intended to prepare the community for the establishment of similar processing facilities in Ofiki ahead of the next cashew harvest season, while strengthening links between research institutions and rural communities.
Beyond cashew processing, more than 40 participants received training in agroecological practices, including soil health improvement, composting, biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture and the production of natural farm inputs using locally available resources. Agroecology expert Mr. Opeolu Oluseesi (Agbelere) of Green Growers Nigeria encouraged residents to see the community’s abundant neem trees as valuable agricultural assets that could support the production of natural crop protection products and bio-inputs. The agroecology component has now entered its implementation phase, with soil analysis underway on a demonstration farm, while the Aare Alawoekun of Ofiki, His Royal Majesty Oba Gbenga Adeoye, donated three acres of land for the community’s agroecology demonstration farm.
The initiative also distributed starter seed kits to more than 30 women to establish household gardens aimed at improving family nutrition and reducing household food expenditure. With home gardens taking root, the demonstration farm underway and preparations beginning for community-scale cashew processing, the initiative is positioning Ofiki as a potential model for agricultural resource utilisation, food loss reduction and rural enterprise development. Through the combination of agroecology, value addition and community knowledge, residents are being encouraged to transform overlooked local resources into sustainable opportunities for improved food security, income generation and community development.
