Christiana Owomoyela, mother of music legend, late Oladipupo Owomoyela, commonly called Dr Orlando Owoh, is dead.
It was learnt that according to a family source, the deceased passed away on Thursday aged 112 years.
She breathed her last at her hometown, Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State, southwest Nigeria region.
Late Madam Christiana Owomoyela
Orlando Owoh was a popular highlife musician and band leader. His real name was Stephen Oladipupo Olaore Owomoyela.
As a young man, Owoh initially entered into the carpentry trade until 1958, when he was hired by Nigeria’s Kola Ogunmola Theatre Group to play drums and sing.
Owoh went on to form Dr. Orlando Owoh and his Omimah Band in 1960, and over a musical career of forty years became one of the leading proponents of highlife music. With bands such as the Omimah Band and later the Young Kenneries and the African Kenneries International, Owoh remained popular in Nigeria, even as tastes moved to the newer jùjú and fuji styles.
He had over 45 albums to his credit. Orlando Owoh died on 4 November 2008 and was laid to rest at his Agege residence in Lagos, Nigeria.
The presidency has explained why President Muhammadu Buhari came back to the country instead of traveling to the UK as scheduled.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, in a statement said the President will depart Nigeria on Sunday for his scheduled medical leave.
The statement was a reaction to the president’s surprise return to Nigeria from Kenya after earlier itinerary billed the president to leave for the UK from the East African country.
Shehu said the president returned to Abuja early following completion of his task in Nairobi far ahead of schedule.
According to Shehu, the president “hasn’t shelved his trip to London. The plan is still there. He finished his business in Kenya and made an early return. The trip to London is Sunday.”
The quiet return of the president was announced by a junior aide to President, Bashir Ahmad, in a twitter post.
He had caused confusion after tweeting, “President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja, after his participation in the 50th Anniversary of the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya.”
There was no official statement until the confusion forced Shehu to react.
The president’s participation at the event in Kenya was announced by Mr Femi Adesina through Facebook showing him attending a “High Level Opening Segment of the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) on 3rd Mar 2022.”
The president was shown sitting with Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Raychelle Omamo, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen, President of Botswana Mokgweetsi Masisi, Prime Minister of Central Africa Republic Mr. Felix Moloua at the Opening Segment.
Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday confirmed the death of their youth coach who died while protecting Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
The CEO of Shakhtar Donetsk, Serhyi Palkin announced the development on Thursday evening.
Palkin in his statement said, “One of our employees was killed, he was a children’s coach.
“He was hit by a fragment of a Russian bullet.”
This is coming two days after two Ukrainian footballers were killed in a clash.
The death of Vitalii Sapylo and Dmytro Martynenko was announced in a tweet by the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO).
FIFPRO wrote, “Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and teammates of young Ukrainian footballers Vitalii Sapylo (21) and Dmytro Martynenko (25), football’s first reported losses in this war.
“May they both rest in peace.”
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which has seen a lot of people killed and properties destroyed has entered the ninth day.
LASUSTECH: Getting it right from the start By Steven Anu’ Adesemoye
The world over, academic excellence is typically an offshoot of endogenous and enduring culture that has immunity against compromise, but mutation to classic global best practices. This has always been the benchmark that many universities are struggling to catch up with, while many others have considered this rare feat as a sprint and not a marathon.
The outcome of personal research has shown that, designing an evolving and adaptable academic culture requires critical thinking that is capable of espousing need-oriented courses and robust curricula, 360-degree touchpoint digital automation, technology-driven teaching and learning, versatile and creative administration, qualitative manpower, dynamic policy formulation, collaboration and networking, strict internal and external regulations, adequate and purposive funding, branding and Public Relations for Marketing (PRM) and ultimately the mindset of excellence by all stakeholders.
Now that the transmutation of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) to Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) has been consummated, the next phase of the process should be to take the advantage of starting afresh into laying the foundation of a specialized university that would become the pride of Lagos and Africa at large. It is possible and in our time too.
Considering the peculiarity of the university, starting with the existing programmes of the former polytechnic to keep people’s jobs won’t be a bad idea. Looking at the bigger picture, this university will need to do a Skill Gap Assessment – what are the industry’s first line needs? Skillsets versus current and emerging ‘need sets’. The Knowledge Gap Deficiencies (KGD) must give way to a systemic approach in the Productive Science and Technology (PS&T) model that is not only unique but 100% result-oriented. There must also be an environmental scanning of the immediate community to determine the relevant courses and programmes that are community needed. These two needs assessments would help the university to define and develop its core competencies from the beginning. The fourth industrial revolution (industry 4.0) as the current and developing environment for disruptive technologies and trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI), among others, must be considered. For the community and Lagos as a whole, the university should consider programmes like Ferry Fabrication and Services Technology (Marine Technology); AgriTech and Post-Harvest Processing Technology; Digital Transformation Technology; Integrated Waste Management and Recycling Technology; Alternative/ Renewable Energy Production Technology; Oil and Gas Supports Technology. This is the era of nanotechnology, we can do it.
Automating the whole system, including the management of the new university is key. From admission to graduation, the process must be seamless. One digital solution should connect payments, registration, result processing, administration, information dissemination, library services, etc. No loopholes must be allowed. In this new university, there should not be missing scripts or results. Result, certificate, and transcripts should be ready in less than 72 hours upon request, yes, it is possible. 24/7 internet facilities and handshake with big tech firms would go a long way to position the institution.
Teaching and learning must have a technology interface. This is not a conventional university of marker and board, 70 percent of the learning process must be demonstrated if we must do anything differently. Up to the Ph.D. level (it is the new direction), attention must be given to hands-on practical demonstrations. Only modern and digital laboratories, studios, workshops, and classrooms can deliver the desired results as seen in a well-educated cultured society.
The drivers of LASUSTECH must be able to think like there is no box anywhere. Creativity and ingenuity should guide the administration of the new university. There must be an enduring line of ideation and curation. The principal officers must be fired for excellent development in all forms. In the same vein, if the government is really genuine in setting a standard for this university, the members of the Governing Council must be a mix of blue-chip captains, boardroom technocrats, industry experts, technophiles, philanthropists, and education enthusiasts. This very council should not be made a retirement plan for tired hands. And the university must not be made a dumping ground for the unqualified job-seeking family, friends, and associates. Relying on school fees to undergo a substantial development is no more in vogue, therefore, the business arm of the university must wake up to its responsibility to drive development, while maintenance culture must be entrenched in the core value of the institution.
Skilling, reskilling, upskilling, research, and development are very essential in defining qualitative manpower for the university. Emotional Intelligence (EI) and the excellent mindset of a goal-getter are equally of great importance. Knowledge of what to teach and the skill to teach right would be more appreciated if the lecturers put students at the centre of teaching. Other staff must have a total reorientation to understand that students are customers and kings in their right. To achieve excellence, there must be a systemic adoption of excellent culture across the board.
In making policy, the drivers of the new university may have to borrow some quality templates from the best universities. Policies like the Graduate on Time (GOT) system that guides against lecturer frustrating a student with extra year(s) or unserious student overstaying the period of graduation would be a welcome development. Students accessing lecturers performance and completing progress reports per semester before they (students) can access results is going to improve standards. Digitally monitored compulsory 75 percent attendance and regular use of customized mail/digital wallet would encourage seriousness and dedication. Policies should be made flexible and people-oriented. The Directorate of Students’ Affairs (DSA) should have a policy document that takes care of the students’ welfare, sporting activities, complaints, and graduation.
This is the era of collaboration, co-creation, and networking. LASUSTECH needs to stretch the hands of fellowship to partner universities (home & abroad) for students and staff exchange programmes. The university must also be ready to have a strong tie with the industry, foreign embassies, politicians, government at all levels to attract research grants, chairs, endowments, bursary, and donations.
Aside the statutory National University Commission (NUC) accreditation exercise, the internal and external assessment should be carried out regularly and diligently. The Annual Performance Evaluation (APER) must be holistic and watertight. As part of the culture that must be established from now, only journal articles on Scopus Journal Metrics or indexed journals should be allowed. Inventions, Innovations, creations, and ideations should also be considered for promotion. The OSAE visit should go beyond inspection; it should include government accreditation with well-crafted Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
There should be the immediate design of a brand strategy that must take care of the rebranding, repositioning, and internal /external communication architecture- brand manual. The ergonomics design of the campus must be fascinating. We are in the woke era, issues should not be allowed to snowball into a crisis. Response time to students’ distress must be swift and effective. Internal communication is as important as external communication, therefore, there must be a structured conflict resolution mechanism, community and government relations.
Lastly, the government must be ready to fund every aspect of the university or give it complete autonomy. It will be easier to partner with firms like Google, Microsoft, among others, to enhance the smooth operation of the university. Apart from the overhead cost, recurrent expenditure, and cost of accreditation, Lagos State Education Trust Fund should aggressively look into infrastructural development, capacity building, research and development, software acquisitions for all Lagos state-owned universities, such as Turnitin, Nvivo, IBM SPSS, ATLAS.ti, RStudio, Orange, Base SAS, OriginPro, TIMI Suite, etc.
As the summary of my piece, I wish to leave stakeholders of the new university with the Times Higher Education for university rankings which, calibrated 13 performance indicators into five areas: Teaching (the learning environment); Research (volume, income, and reputation); Citations (research influence); International outlook (staff, students and research); and Industry income (knowledge transfer).
Steven Anu’ Adesemoye is a researcher in the Department Of Media and Communications, University of Malaysia.
Society gazette reports the Chicken Republic has denied sacking two of its security guards that were caught on camera dancing on duty.
The news of the sack broke on Twitter on Thursday and has since caused heavy backlash from Nigerians. Meanwhile, some defended the action of the restaurant.
In a statement on Friday, the restaurant, however, denied taking such actions noting that the sack came from the security agency it outsourced the stores to.
“As a company it encourages all staff to have fun at work so would never go to the extent of sacking its staff for expressing themselves. This is evident in the multiple songs, dances and nice, nice , chants that you will often hear in our stores.
“It is disappointing that some people may have the impression that chicken republic fired these security guards for dancing in our stores, this is not true and hence we need to set the record straight.”
“We take the safety and security of our customers, staff and assets very seriously and as such, we outsource our security to various private security companies that specialize in this services. The two security guards in the video work at such a private security company.
“When the management of the private security company saw the two security guards dancing in the video. they had concerns that the security officers, whilst dancing, were not necessarily conducting their duties responsibly and as such were probably not fully focused on their core responsibility which is your safety and your security.”
The management of the restaurant however said it has followed up with the security company and will ensure everyone is treated fairly.
“They have assured us that the security guards have not been fired, have been paid their dues and have been offered some training.”
“We value your opinions and have heard you. we can assure you that we are in close communication with the security company and will ensure that everyone is treated fairly and with respect,” it assured
First batch of Nigerians stranded in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion have arrived in Abuja.
The development was confirmed on the official Twitter handle of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
Chairman of the Commission, Abike Dabiri, has also confirmed this in a tweet.
She tweeted: “First Batch of Nigerians from #Ukraine arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja from Romania at 7:10 am.”
In what could be termed as a big win, Ukraine fighters have reportedly killed a top Russian general amid fierce war.
Reports obtained by Naija News on Thursday claimed that Major General Andrey Sukhovetsky was killed yesterday after Ukrainian defence forces repelled the Russian offensive.
The General who was the deputy commander of the 41st Combined Arms Army of Russia’s Central Military District, was reportedly killed by a sniper.
The report is coming a day after the Russian Ministry of Defence said it has so far recorded 498 casualties in the war against Ukraine.
It further disclosed that more than 1,500 of its servicemen were injured since the invasion of Ukraine was launched last Thursday.
Defence ministry spokesman, Igor Konashenkov, however, has argued reports about ‘incalculable losses’ among Russian forces, describing it as ‘disinformation’.
Ukraine has, however, noted that the true number of Russian troops killed is higher than Moscow admits.
A statement credited to Sergei Chipilev, a deputy of the Russian veteran’s group, on General Sukhovetsky’s demise read: “It is with great sorrow that we learned of the tragic news about the death of our friend, Major General Andrei Aleksandrovich Sukhovetsky, on the territory of Ukraine during a special operation.”
Meanwhile, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, on Wednesday offered to waive visa requirements for foreigners who helps fight in their war against Russia.
Zelensky authorised a decree that would allow foreigners to assist his country in the fight against Russian troops that invaded the country last Thursday.
For foreigners who want to help in the war, the decree brings in a “temporary visa-free regime”.
Ukraine at the moment requires citizens from the European Union and the US to have visas of more than 90 days within six months for visiting.
Naija News reports that the Ukraine President noted that the visa-free regime will be effective immediately from 1 March and will be effective as long as the martial law is in force in the country.
The visa-free regime, however, was not extended to citizens of Russia who were described as “citizens of the aggressor state.”
An Osun State High Court presided over by the Chief Justice of Osun State, Oyebola Adepele-Ojo has ordered that Rahman Adedoyin and six other suspects be remanded at the Ilesa correctional facility in the murder case of Timothy Adegoke a postgraduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) who was killed under controversial circumstances.
The order was given on Thursday when the suspects were arraigned amidst tight security at the Osun State High Court.
The six others remanded alongside Adedoyin who is the owner of the hotel (Hilton Hotels and Resort, Ile-Ife) where Timothy Adegoke lodged when he travelled from Abuja to Moro in Osun State for an exam are Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwole Florence, Oyetunde Kazeem, Adebayo Kunle and Adedeji Adesola.
The postgraduate student was however declared missing two days after only to be found dead later.
Society gazette reports the suspects are standing trial on an 11-count charge bothering on conspiracy, murder, attempted felony, unlawful interference with a dead body, altering, and intent to destroy evidence.
Investigations led to the arrest of Chief Adedoyin and others who are staff members of the hotel.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges when it was read to them in court.
The lead prosecution counsel, Mr M.O. Omosun, told the court that the defendants committed the offences sometimes between Nov. 5, 2021, and Nov. 7, 2021, within the Ile-Ife area in Osun.
Omosun said: ”They also altered and cancelled the receipt number 931, which indicated the payment receipt made by Timothy Adegoke to Hilton Hotels in Ile Ife.
” The body of the deceased, his laptop, phones and his other belongings were dumped at an undisclosed place by the defendants to cover up their activities after he was allegedly murdered.”
The counsel for Adedoyin, Mr K.K. Eleja, however, approached the court on behalf of his client to grant him bail in the most liberal terms.
The counsel for the six other defendants also aligned themselves with the application for bail.
However, the presiding judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, overruled the bail application by the defence counsel and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre.
Mr. Osho Oluwatosin Isaac, a fast rising journalist and publisher of http://www.trixxng.com , will on Sunday 13th of March, 2022 be presented with an award of outstanding journalist of the year, by a Non- Governmental Organisation, Rainbow hall of fame awards (RAHFA) at Golden gate restaurant ikoyi, Lagos.
It was gathered that the award was in recognition of the publisher’s bravery and commitment to the journalism profession and in the same vein, encourage him and other journalists not to give up.
In response to the award received, he said it would spur him to work harder.
He has received several awards among which is the notable prestige excellence award as the Blogger Of The Year(2021).
Indeed this handsome young chap has affirmed the assertion that the pen is mightier than the sword.
Lagos Safe For Your Investments, Speaker Obasa Tells Qatari Government
Qatari officials with the Hon. Temitope Adewale, representative of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, at the event.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has described the State as one that guarantees safety of investors and their businesses since the government takes seriously the protection of lives and property.
Dr. Obasa said this at the Qatar-Nigeria Business Matchmaking Event which had officials of the govermment of the two countries on Wednesday. The event also had businessmen and prospective investors in attendance.
The meeting, it was learnt, is aimed at deepening trade between the two countries in manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, technology and other related areas.
Represented by Hon. Adewale Temitope, Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Transportation, the Speaker noted that the growth and advancement of Lagos in various areas of the economy are the result of true leadership.
He added that for investors in Lagos, it has always been a symbiotic relationship since the State has the needed human capital and the market while they have the resources.
“It is, therefore, going to be a symbiotic relationship between Qatar and Nigeria,” he said while urging prospective investors to also consider the transportation and health sectors of the State in view of government’s successful effort to create an enabling environment.
Speaking at the event, Ali Ghanem Al-Hajri, ambassador of the State of Qatar to Nigeria, said the meeting would further strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and his country.
“We think this meeting to deepen bilateral relations to build an economic bridge between the two markets.
“Nigeria is the biggest market in West Africa, and there are lots of potentials and opportunities to deal with the Qatari market. I can see a huge economic bridge between the two countries,” he said.
Qatar Development Bank (QDB), which organised the business matchmaking event, used the opportunity to engaged with Nigerian businesses on strengthening investment ties across diverse sectors.
