The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare has identified ways to deepen the democratic process and drive sustainable development in Nigeria.

Dare, who was the keynote speaker at the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation roundtable held on Friday at the University of Ibadan, highlighted the reviving of the culture of public debate of ideologies and policies, investment in education and enlightenment and continuous improvement of our electoral laws among others, as practical steps that must taken to strengthen democracy and the rule of law in the country.

His words: “Apart from having roundtable discussions and open fora on the subject matter such as this, there is the need to take very practical steps in growing our democracy in Nigeria.

“There must be the reviving of the culture of public debate of ideologies and policies in our country and eliminating toxicity, abuse and vulgarity especially at this time that the social media is helping the spread of negativity and increasingly making more people anti-Intellectual even in the universities.

“We have a challenge to find great minds of the past like Professors Aboyade Cole, Sam Aluko, Moses Akin-Makinde and Chief Obafemi Awolowo who wrote and formulated policies for the country.”

The Minister also tasked the Government, “to continue to invest in education and public enlightenment so that the mass of the people can know their roles, rights, duties and obligations in the democratic process.”

Dare said there must be the continuous improvement of the electoral laws in Nigeria to protect the ballot and make votes count during elections, praising President Muhammadu Buhari for the Electoral Law 2022, which he says has instilled more confidence of Nigerians in the electoral process while strengthening the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) as an institution.

He further called for an effective criminal justice system to deal with all electoral offenders.

“Our criminal justice system needs to be more alive to its responsibilities. Our judiciary and law enforcement agencies, especially the Police, must be able to stamp out violence and intimidation from our political space.

“There should be punishment for electoral offenders. The Election Offences Tribunals must be able to prosecute these offenders.

“We also need strong and viable political parties, who apart from being vehicles for political participations must play critical roles in deepening the democratic system and sustainable development through the propagation of their manifestos and public education of their programmes and government policies. Political parties must remain a public trust and be properly organised as such.”

The Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare then eulogised the late former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, describing him as a leader who loved his people and served them with honesty of purpose and with the determination to make positive impact on their lives.

“Some of the enduring legacies Senator Abiola Ajimobi has left us are the reforms in education, security and urban renewal.

“Without a doubt, we miss him greatly. If he was still here with us, our party, the All Peoples Congress(APC) would have been more vibrant, cohesive and viable,” Dare concluded.

The Premier University in Nigeria, University of Ibadan will be a beehive of activities this weekend as ex-footballers of the institution hold their 8th Annual Réunion.

According to the release signed by the President of the Association Edwin Evbie, the activities will commence on Thursday with a visit to the new Sports Director of the University, Mr. Kehinde Eyiomo.

On Friday, they will visit some ailing members of the Association resident in Ibadan, and some media houses also in Ibadan. The Vice Chancellor of the Premier University, Prof. Kayode Adebowale will receive the Executive and Board of Trustees members of the Association in his office at noon same day. The members of the Association will thereafter visit some selected motherless babies home in Ibadan as part of their corporate social responsibility.

Saturday 17th December will be the climax of the Reunion with a Novelty Match at the University of Ibadan Stadium, while dinner and get together party will be held at the Trenchard Hall of the University later that day.

The Association president, Edwin Evbie said several prominent ex-football players that have passed through the University including Mutiu Adepoju, Edith Agoye, Christian Obi, Dimeji Lawal, Folorunsho Okenla, Abiodun Salami, Dr. Robinson Okosun of NFF, Mogaji Barr Rotimi Ali and Prof. Segun Adekunle amongst others are expected to grace the event. He further disclosed that an ex Super Eagles star shall be making a guest appearance at this year’s event.

The American Chemical Society, is arguably the world largest scientific society.

Dr Samuel was among about 70 participants including four Nobel Laureates selected from a large pool of scientists across the globe.

The participants who are mix of undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and early career professionals, spent three days in the company of renowned industry and academic leaders, including Nobel laureates Fraser Stoddart, Jennifer Doudna, David MacMillan, and Roald Hoffmann.

Dr Samuel joined the highly esteemed chemists, scientists, professionals, and Nobel Laureates for networking, self-reflection, career exploration, mentoring, and technical discussions from July 18 to 20, 2022, in Hamilton Hotel, Washington, D.C., United States of America.

The medical doctor was selected based on his passion for the chemical sciences, commitment to using biochemistry to address larger societal challenges, and dedication to continuous personal and professional development.

During the event, his Team that presented a project plan that addresses the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 emerged as one of the best two.

All expenses and incidentals were covered for all attendees.

Dr Ekundayo Samuel is a mentee of Prof. Oyeronke A. Odunola of the Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Dr Samuel is the current Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association, Nigeria, a one-time University of Ibadan Scholar, and a 2017 Commonwealth Split-site Ph.D. Scholar to the University of Bath, UK.

He was recently awarded the 2020 prestigious leadership program award; Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Future Leaders Program. He is one of 30 elite Ph.D. and Postdoctoral scholars from across the world to win the award.

In addition, he is the first time scholar from any Nigerian University to be selected.

This is a great honour for Kogi State and the University of Ibadan, ‘the first and the best’ .

Also, Dr Samuel was a recipient of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) Mentoring Network award that participated in the Coaching for Career Development Program from 2019 to 2020.

Again, Dr Samuel is the first student from any Nigerian university and one of two in any African University to receive this award since its inception in 2016.

This Mentoring Network program was designed to supplement the training that graduate students and postdoctoral trainees receive through their University programme.

Dr Ekundayo Samuel is the Founder and Executive Director of Dove-Haven Foundation, a cancer-focused charity organisation based in Isanlu, Kogi State.

The good people of Kogi State and Nigeria at large jointly congratulated the young erudite scholar, Dr Ekundayo Samuel, for this great feat.

End

He succeeds Dr. John Mahmud who died on January 25, 2021.

Until his appointment, Professor Moronkola was of the Department of Health Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan and the Chairman, Sports Council, University of Ibadan.

He graduated with a B.Ed (Hons) Physical & Health Education, M.Ed, M.Ed Special Education Birmingham and PhD with relevant professional experience.

Professor Moronkola taught Sports Management and Policy Development at Masters level on part time basis at the Pan African University and is the Vice-President, Conference of Collaboration of Education Faculties in West Africa; Council Member, University Games Association; and Vice-President, Conference of Collaboration of Education Faculties in West Africa from 2013 till date.

He is a member of the Nigeria Association for Physical, Health Education and Recreation; member, Africa Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation; member of the International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, Recreation and Dance amongst others.

… CONGRATULATES IFA CHAIRMAN

The Ex University of Ibadan Footballers Association (EXUIFA), has inaugurated its new Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, while also congratulating the Chairman of the Ibadan Football Association (IFA), Barrister Rotimi Alli aka Libero, on his Award as The Most influential Sports Personality (Sports category) in Oyo State and special recognition for sports development in Ibadan land for the year 2020.

At a ceremony held at The New Stadium Complex of the University of Ibadan during it’s 6th World Reunion held in December, the Association Inaugurated new executive members led by Edwin Evbie as President. Other Exco members include Vita Odozor (VP), Lawrence Osuagwu (Gen.Sec), Olasoji Ilori (Asst.Gen. Sec), Henry Duru (PRO/Social Secretary) and Folajimi Oriogun (Fin.Sec.).

Also inaugurated is the BOT led by Mogaji (Prof) Olusegun Adekunle as Chairman, Mr. Festus Adegoju (CAF Licence A coach as Vice Chairman), Mr.Patrick Ngwaogu (Abia Warriors Sporting Director, as Secretary), Dr. Abiodun Salami (Director of Sports,UI), Dr. Robinson Okosun (NFF Psychologist), Mr.Adebayo Gbadebo (Premier League Coach, Thailand), Barr Rotimi Ali (Chairman, Ibadan FA) and Barr.Kolade Oladokun (Canada).

The new Executive members and Board of Trustees were sworn into Office by Barrister Kola Majaro in the presence of a cheering crowd of ex footballers who turned out for the annual reunion. Both the new Executive members and Board of Trustees have a four (4) year term and are expected to take the Association to the desired great heights.

Also, the Association has congratulated it’s Board of Trustee member, Barrister Rotimi Alli on his recent awards.

In a statement released by the Public Relations Officer of the EXUIFA, Mr Henry Duru, the Association congratulated Barrister Rotimi Alli on his laudable achievements and wished him more success in his desire to take football in Oyo State to greater heights. According to the release, ‘Barr. Ali’s passion for Football is unparalleled and this he has used to great advantage as an Administrator, reviving the once revered IFA League, renovating the Olubadan Stadium in Ibadan and generally promoting Grassroots Football development in Ibadan nay Oyo State’.