Our focus is on character development, says Prof Olatunji-Bello as LASU matriculates 12,873 students

The Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU) Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, has stated that the focus of the institution under her leadership is focused on character development.

Professor Olatunji-Bello who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Adenike Boyo, made the revelation at the Matriculation Ceremony for the 2023/2024 newly admitted students, which took place at the Buba Marwa Auditorium of the institution on Wednesday, 28^th February, 2024.

She stated that a total number of 12,873 were admitted out of over 50,000 applicants that subscribed to the University, adding that the students must count themselves lucky to have gotten admission to LASU. “Therefore, you must count yourselves very lucky to be among the very few that was admitted. It is on this note that I will advise you to face your studies so as not to lose the huge opportunity of getting University education.

She also stated that the ceremony marked the official enrollment of the matriculating students into the Lagos State University’s academic programmes, having been found worthy and qualified to become bonafide students of the Institution.

Congratulating the students she said “I heartily rejoice and congratulate all of you that are fortunate to be offered admission into this reputable University, the University of First Choice, the 9^th Overall Best University in Nigeria among 298 universities, the best university in West Africa according to Greenmetrics, best use of Technology (E-Learning) State University, best use of Technology (Student Records) State University, Excellent in Digital Transformation State University. I also congratulate your parents, guardians, family members and well-wishers for their effort towards ensuring that you fulfill your dreams of having a qualitative education. 

She also disclosed that the welfare and security of the students have become top priority “Your welfare is top on our priority and we will not relent in our efforts to ensure that your learning environment remains conducive and competitive,” adding “be assured that your security in and around the University is paramount to the University Management, hence we have put in place adequate security measures and I plead with you to report any suspicious activities to the University authority for immediate response.”

Prof. Olatunji-Bello further reminded the new students that the institution is a student-centered University, saying that even though a university is a place for freedom, however such freedom has its limits. “It is a place for the grooming of generational leaders. It is a fact that a University is a place of freedom. However, in LASU, that freedom often comes with equivalent obligations and boundaries. We take pride in training students for life. We are focused on character development of our students. This is based on the hope that when you graduate, you will contribute meaningfully to developmental discourses around the globe. Our objective at the Lagos State University is to produce graduates who will be catalysts to the process of transformation of the State to a Greater Lagos.

“My dear Matriculating Students, it is a new beginning for all of you today and by the Grace of God in record time of 4 to 5years depending on your course of study, we will be gathered again for your convocation,” Prof Olatunji-Bello averred. 

She urged the students to abide by the rules and regulations of the university especially as it concerned cultism and gender-based violence. “As young men and women desirous of a brighter future, it is expected that you abide with the rules and regulations of the University and be committed to your studies: be regular in attending lectures; carry out all your assignments; shun deviant behaviors; avoid indecent dressing; carefully select your friends, bad friends destroy good habits; the university has zero tolerance for cultism; avoid examination malpractices,  do away with corruption and hooliganism and other vices that can expose you to danger as those found culpable will be dealt with in line with our disciplinary mechanisms.

“I must also stress that the University under my administration has zero tolerance for Sexual and Gender based violence, and that informed our decision to establish the Directorate of Response and Preventive of Sexual and Gender based violence. Do not keep silent when you are harassed or assaulted in any manner. ‘if you see something, say something’.  Show respect to your Colleagues and Staff in the University to make your stay successful and productive,” she added.

Those in attendance at the event include the top, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Academic) Professor Olufunso Omobitan; University Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel A Fanu; University Bursar Mr. Said Olayinka; University Librarian Dr. Layi Adebayo; Provost LASUCOM, Professor Abiodun Adewuya; Deans of Faculties and Schools, Ag. Dean, Students’ Affairs; Directors of Centers; Distinguished Professors, All Heads of Department;

Staff (Academic and Non-Academic) of the University, and the esteemed World Class Students of the institution.

 

FHA leadership: Oyetunde Ojo carries on from where Ashafa stopped

By Modestus Umenzekwe:

The news of the appointment of Hon. Oyetunde Ojo as the new helmsman at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has elicited wide accolades, eulogies and commendations across the nation and beyond. 

Although Ojo is married to President Bola Tinubu’s eldest daughter, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja of Lagos, the choice could be rightly described as a round peg in a round hole. Ojo replaced Sen. Gbenga Ashafa, the erudite Engineer and master strategist who served and brought unusual transformation as FHA’s Managing Director since 2020 till just recently.

Ojo who represented Ekiti west, Ijero and Efon federal constituency at the House of Representatives has over a decade of work experience in the housing and hospitality industries; he holds a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Greenwich, United Kingdom; he is an alumnus of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government as well as the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Housing Finance.

Among the starting lineups of present FHA management as appointed by the President include Mathias Byuan (Housing Finance and Accounts), Umar Abdullahi (Business Development), Oluremi Omowaiye (Project Implementation) and Ezekiel Nya-Etok (Estate Services) were appointed all executive directors at the FHA.

Since the appointment, Nigerians are agog knowing fully well that Hon Ojo’s appointment was a choice well-made and has the tendency to enhance the mass housing policy of the APC led government. For many, the appointment of Ojo is in tandem with the continuity mantra of the present government whereby every good policy is taken to another level even by another administration hence Hon Oyetunde Ojo is to continue where Senator Gbenga Ashafa has stopped.

It is also possible that with Ashafa, the new Managing Director would have no problem as he has an experienced administrator to go to and tap from his wealth of experience in case he needed advice and direction as no man is an island. And the reasons are not far-fetched because Sen. Ashafa is a master strategist.

Since coming into power in 2015, the APC government has shown that it has mass housing mantra as the fulcrum and a major trust of its central policy. Of course housing over the years has become one of the measurement indexes for good governance. In this regard, both the federal government and the states under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have seen mass housing as oxygen that sustained the government hence the choice of the managing directors of the agency has always been done with utmost fare paying attention to professionalism, and so since 2020, as Managing Director of FHA, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, displayed unalloyed sense of passion, professionalism, hard-work and courage in the implementation of the APC mass housing agenda, right from the time of former President, Muhammadu Buhari till the Renewed Hope Administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

As a management, the authority under Senator Ashafa took a number of proactive steps to reposition the authority in the delivery of its mandate, first when he took over the affairs of the Authority was to restore the confidence of the staff by clearing the protracted issue of backlog of promotions, which was contentious between staff and management of the authority. With his management team, he ensured that lands belonging to the Authority across the country were recovered and secured from encroachment.

The authority also completed and commissioned the Zuba Housing Estate in Abuja, with a dedicated Independent Injection Power station that serviced the estate. Ashafa also kick-started the construction of the phase one of the Bwari Housing Estate and commenced the FHA Golden Jubilee Estate in the Mbora District of Abuja, a project that was to be replicated in all the geo-political zones of our country.

Also arrangements were ongoing for the commencement of the Diaspora Smart City in Kabusu, Maitama 2. The project was conceptualized as a response to the challenges the compatriots in the diaspora face in acquiring befitting houses back in Nigeria. It was also designed to cater for Nigerians at home, by providing such standard environment and infrastructure that can compete anywhere in the world in line with the Green Environment Regime.

Ashafa in the FHA was a game changer that transformed the trajectory of housing in Nigeria, for the first time, government housing provision performance became the face saver of Buhari’s administration, when it became too obvious that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari was being dimmed by the activities of terrorists, bandits, and general insecurity, the housing ministry provided something to cheer for that administration as housing infrastructure sprang up in all the nook and cranny of the six-geopolitical zones in the country.

Senator Ashafa of course was not alone in the FHA success story as he worked with a team of management and staff that keyed into his vision for the housing agency to achieve its assignment. With him were Barr (Mrs) Hajara Kadiri, in charge of PPP; Engr. Chinonso Sam Omoke, Executive Director, Projects Implementation; Hauwa Babakobi, Executive Director, Estate Services; Adama Kure, Executive Director, Finance and Accounts; Samuel Omole, Ag. Executive Director, Management Services and his team of General Managers and Zonal Managers.

While in charge of FHA, estates under Ashafa’s jurisdiction include Festac Town, Lagos; Ipaja New Town, Lagos; Abesan 1&4, Lagos; Satellite 2, Lagos; Abesan 2; Lagos; Gwaninpa 11, Abuja; Maitama, Abuja; Asokoro, Abuja; Kado Phase 1 & 11, Abuja; Old Karu Phase 1, Abuja; New Karu, Phase 11, Abuja; Kubwa Phase 1, 11, 111, & 1V, Abuja.

Other estates include Rumueme/TransAmadi, Port Harcourt; Sharade, Kano; Mariri, Kano; Gonin Gora, Kaduna; North Bank, Markudi, Benue State; Runjin Sambo Phase 1&2, Sokoto; Old Airport Road, Sokoto; Egbeada, Owerri; Irete, Owerri; Iguosa, Benin, Edo State; Osogbo, Osun State. Lugbe, Abuja; Apo/Guzape, Abuja; Zuba, Abuja.

These estates are not just estates, but they sit on acreages that if combined may be bigger than some African countries and an indication that Senator Ashafa is a good manager of resources, superintending over a conglomerate of estates and he is managing them effectively, and he deserves all the support, funding, and latitude to excel in this national assignment of housing infrastructure of the federal government of Nigeria.

The New Managing Director, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo indeed has a huge bouquet of experience to tap from to ensure implementation of aims and objectives of the Authority, which are well encapsulated in the decree (act) establishing it. I am referring to Decree 40 of 1973, now cited as Act CAP F-14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and it is supervised by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

Beyond the statutory responsibilities of providing shelter for millions of Nigerians in various categories of housing needs, the agency has assumed other roles of development and nation-building; for aside helping to raise structures for shelter across the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, such structures have gone ahead to enhance the beauty and esthetics of the nation’s landscape, constructing drainages and planting flowers within the estates. The authority has also become an instrument of unity.

The FHA estates throughout the country accommodate almost every ethnic nationality living there as brothers and sisters without any rancour. When you go to such estates like Festac in Lagos, Gwarimpa in Abuja, Umuahia in Abia, Owerri in Imo State, Ibadan in Oyo State (under construction), and the recently inaugurated 748 house units in Zuba area of Abuja, you would be shocked to witness the level of peace, unity, love, cooperation, networking going on in those estates, nobody talks about Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa, they are all brothers and sister.

Now let us conclude by recalling what the former minister of works and housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) stated while rendering account of his stewardship and this was an indirect testament of the good works of the former MD, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, he said “We have 46 sites in 35 states with 6,068 housing units and 2,870 housing units in the FCT.” Fashola added that the ministry issued 1,262 building contracts, while 6,685 Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) were signed from 2015 to March 2023. He also added that the ministry generated a revenue of N13,09 billion within the period.

Over 2,200 housing units were currently being completed in Apo, Abuja, Odukpani in Calabar and Yenagoa in Bayelsa State and Awka, Anambra State, many of them were at their various completion stages.

The authority is also carrying out direct development of 330 units of various house types with complementary infrastructure in six states across the country namely: Gombe – Gombe State, Makurdi – Benue State and Osogbo – Osun State, the construction of the 17-storey headquarters of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in Abuja which has reached its peak. The N39.2bn project is certainly going to be one of the landmark buildings that will shape and define the skylines of the city of Abuja after its completion. What of the FHA proposed head office site at the Central Business District and the Lugbe extension, they have become a reality now.

Indeed I am calling on the new helmsman, Hon Ojo to ensure that he maintains a closer mutually beneficial relation with the former CEO of the agency for a seamless transition in the FHA and country’s housing development.

Of course, statistics have shown that Nigeria is among the nations of the world that have shown capacity in the provision of shelter for its people. Although efforts geared in this direction appeared not to have ameliorated the wide gap created by population, but the truth remains that the government of Nigeria has put in place commendable and gigantic policy measures to ensure that their citizens have affordable shelter over their heads.

In terms of the generation of jobs, both direct and indirect, the FHA has proved to be a veritable tool for wealth distribution. No less than 1,000 people are employed on each site, apart from the staff of the successful contractors. These sites are an ecosystem of human enterprise, where artisans, vendors, suppliers, and craftsmen converge to partake of opportunities and contribute to nation-building.

It is no longer news that wherever the Authority has a project, the generality of the people in that community also benefit from such project, the economic benefits of projects carried out by his ministry from the contractor/construction company that wins the bid to the labourers on-site who earn N3,000 a day, (N18, 000 a week (for six days) and approximately N72,000 a month); to the owner of the concrete mixer who charges N20,000 a day: to suppliers and vendors of building materials, and employees of companies that manufacture paint, tiles, roofing materials, the Federal Government, and state government collaboration provided a step up towards the ladder of prosperity.

 

Hon Sabur Akambi Oluwa initiates plans to revamp Tolu School Complex in Ajeromi

Hon. Sabur Akambi Oluwa is the youngest Lawmaker in the 10th Lagos State House of Assembly and represents Ajeromi/Ifelodun Constituency 2; he has become a voice for those he represents. In this Interview with a team of AJIF based Media Practitioners, Hon Sabur disclosed that in less than a year as a lawmaker he has been able to attract agencies of government with plans to revamp the famous Tolu School Complex in the Local Government. CHARITY NWANYIEZE NNAJI has the details.

Can we meet you?

My name is Hon. Sabur Akambi Oluwa, Lawmaker, representing Ajeromi/Ifelodun Constituency 02 at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

You have been in the House for how long now? 

We were inaugurated on the 7th of June, 2023.

So how has it been like being in the Lagos State House of Assembly?

It is a very familiar terrain; I have worked in the legislature for the most of my professional career, so, though in different capacity. 

So you mentioned in different capacity, can you tell us your first job and the difference between then and now?

My first journey here is that I was a legislative officer, as a legislative officer, my job is to make the job of the honourable members seamless and easy, and now I am one of the honourable members, so I am very familiar with the terrain, having worked as a legislative officer for close to 10 years.

Let's closely look at your scorecard these few months you have been in the office as a legislator

For the seven months I have been here, as you are aware, this is a new year, before now the budget for the first six months have already been passed. However, we were able to lobby so that certain things could still come to Ajeromi Local Government, and the way I see this job, aside what government can do for us, I have also been able to find a way to reach out to the people personally, in terms of education. After my election we did JAMB coaching for our students, and I have been able to also get agencies of government to come to our aid. For instance, one of the major landmark projects we are going to be having in Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government is intervention in the Tolu School Complex, the Tolu School Complex is going to be revamped totally, that is a major complex, in fact, it is the biggest school complex in West Africa with over 30 schools.

We are going to have new structures coming there, and existing ones renovated, there will health centre, fire service coming there too, the library will be overhauled. We have many of our major channels, drainages, cleared in anticipation of the rainy season. 

Seven months as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, between when you came in and now, what has changed in Ajegunle?

One major thing that has changed is that we now have a voice in Ajegunle, attracting the attention of government to the area. As you are aware, geographically we are disadvantaged, Ajegunle is on a road to nowhere really, we are bordered in the south by the Atlantic somewhat where we have the Apapa Port, some of our complaints cannot be raised by someone else, some other areas, maybe the governor, the commissioners, someone can drive past and see there are some concerns which need to be addressed, we need to talk about these things and that is why every opportunity I have to talk about things that need to be done in Ajeromi, I always talk about it and get people who can help us and intervene in some of these problems.

What motivated you to seek this office?

This office is very small and very big as well. In the scheme of things, it is not very big and in the scheme of things you can get a couple of things done. What motivated me, is the fact that having worked in the corridor of the office for a while I feel we can get a better bargain and that is why I have to go for this office. 

You come from a family that has political pedigree, to some people it is difficult to separate how you merited this office on your own without the family you come from, what do you think you can do differently to stand out as Sabur not as Oluwa? 

You see, the dynamics of the last election was quite different and I am sure as a press man in that vicinity, you observed how much I was able to campaign and go door to door to tell people what I have to offer, I was able to meet people, I was able to campaign, and also people are becoming more politically enlightened now. I am sure the people looked at all the candidates in the offing and decided to vote for me, and by the family being politically inclined family, however, I was also not the only one that contested that election from the family, how I merited it would be left to the electorate.

What are you doing as a member representing Ajeromi to make government earn the confidence of the people? Bringing information down to the people on what government is doing to make residents of your Constituency still believe in the government?

We have found ourselves in a very dire situation and all hand must be on deck, I am a lawmaker, I don't implement government policies; my own responsibility is well stated in the duty giving to me. In fact, mine is to create policies, laws and enabling environment for the executive to execute these plans and you see at plenary today we did so many things and resolved that we need to sit on a round table with the executive to find solutions to all these problems, especially on the high cost of living, and it is a very bad situation we find ourselves.

However in my own little capacity we have been able to come out with plans on how to reach out to people, I have been reaching out to people, I am not really a very loud person that talk about how I reach out to people. I don't have the opportunity to implement these policies, but I can, for instance, if government wants to implement some of these policies, it is only my responsibility to make sure we get a fair share, if you are implementing something, for instance, 5000 in Lagos, make I make sure we get 250, 500 come to Ajeromi Local Government and that is where I come in.

Before now, I had the intention of reaching out to some people on my own personal ground and some of those I intend to reach out, some students I realized that some cannot afford JAMB form and also go for coaching, these are some of the reasons I am buying some of these forms and students that cannot afford it. It is palliative, some of these palliatives are very temporary and for me temporary solution does not do it for me, I try to find more lasting solution to the problem.

Do you believe in agricultural re-organization?

From orientation right, there are certain things ordinarily, even when I was growing up, I know that some people usually have small gardens in their backyards, balconies, maybe to grow some of the vegetables they need, it may not be sufficient year round but it cushioned some of this cost, however I feel some of us have abandoned some of these things and it is only in times like this we remembered some of these things just for us to encourage people by also providing some of these seedlings and also teaching them how to take care of these crops.

Some people have not worked in the farm before, and do not know how to go about it. They may have the space but some of these things, there are also a process to it and this process I feel that government can find ways to sensitize people on how to go about these them. It is not going to be very easy because people don't even get most of these things. It is necessary for us to do it now.

Let's come back to our Constituency. For the youth the idea of information communication, many of the youths are taking advantage of the negative aspect of this technology, now as the lawmaker representing this Constituency, how can we make these youths make use of these tools positively?

Everything that has a good side also has a bad side, it depends on how you want to deploy most of these things and you know there is need for total reorientation and also patriotism and one of the reasons we have become less patriotic is because there is a lot of apprehension, anger, a lot of people are losing confidence in the system and the only way for us to do that is to show people that we are doing our best, because if you are putting so much work into something and people are not aware of what you do, it is as good as you are not putting work into it, to know the direction, we need to know how much work that are being put into this for them to have confidence in us, I said us because as it is now I am part government and people need also to be carried along and that is why there is need for government to deploy information, we need to know what is going on.

ICT is a very powerful tool and I am happy to announce that in months to come there is going to be a vocational centre and there will be an ICT centre there. It's going to be world class, government is trying to do that in the area, I think also that will encourage people to tilt towards that and I think we should have tutors in these ICT centres. Also there is need to reorientate our people in this area for them to see the good side. Mostly when you go to learn the ICT, they teach you the good side, some of the things you can benefit, how you can deploy it, often we tend to learn the bad side on our own, but I am sure when these ICT centres come on board, it will help greatly in area of youth engagement and empowerment.

You have spoken a lot, now what is your level of collaboration with the local government?

It has been very good, I remember last week Wednesday, I have some officials of the LG coming for an assessment of the bad state roads especially the ones that have been built and need maintenance and one of the things we discussed at that meeting with the officials that came is the need for some of our drainages to be desilted, among others; and as soon as I rose from that meeting I met with the local government chairman, then I explained, because the responsibility of desilting drainages reside with the local government, right, so I met with the local government chairman and he directed immediately that the environmental officer should come up with proposal on how this project can be done.

So, this is just one of the so many collaborations we have with the local government; they are the closest government to the people and you know there is no way we cannot collaborate to bring development to the area.

What are you doing to take the youths, what are your plans in terms of engaging the youths of Ajeromi/Ifelodun Constituency 2?

I know it is your turf, when that was mentioned, I know you observed the plenary and I am sure that would cut your interest the more. As you know sports especially in that area is one of our selling points, sports and entertainment, and during my campaign I really leverage on some sporting activities. No one individual can do some of these things, that is why since we already have the interest basically most of the people in that area, they have interest in sports, and you know you can’t force a horse to the stream but since they already have the interest it is just to deploy some of these things and take advantage of it. These are proposals, let's go this route, and I want to believe that they will yield to these things. Having the population that is already interested in sports, I am sure that there will be no problem to get people to participate. As I mentioned earlier about the vocational center, it is going to be built for the youths basically, to take them off the streets to learn one or two things, trade, whatever they can do, and then deploy some of these things.

Security is an issue, not that the community is not secured, we are looking at the relationship between the police and the youth, in Tolu area, the police division there, there have been public disturbances, rape has been on the increase, even in Ajeromi police division, your view about this and what you think can be done? Police raiding at odd hours even in normal hours? And you know the Lagos State has policy for movement especially motorbike movement, some areas in Ajegunle are not restricted, what is your take on that?

We keep engaging the police, you know, there is little we can do over what we don’t have power to; that is the way the system has been structured. I don't have power over the police. I can only, sometimes, have to beg them to act on certain things. We have been having a couple of issues when it comes to security and I don't want to say it is not peculiar to Ajeromi, however, security has become a national, if not a global issue and as a House of Assembly, collectively, at our last plenary that was what we discussed just like today we discussed something else which was security and under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa we have agreed that the way to go is to have state police. I think a day or two after the president of the country Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu also towed that line, that that is the way to go. 

I know, it will affect our security architecture and positively at that because if you look at the police division we have in each area we are grossly under policed and that is a recipe for disaster. So the way to go is also to make sure that we involve the communities in this policing, we cannot gather intelligence in an area you are not even familiar, you cannot police an area you are not familiar with. And that is one of the problems we are having because what will a man who grow up in zamfara police in Lagos really, maybe he is coming to the city for the first time, and Lagos is a very peculiar place. So as a House of Assembly we are championing the cause of having the state police and we feel if we recruit people locally to police us we would be better secured. 

Final line, you are the youngest member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and today the youth population of Nigeria is in despair, what is your message to your peers?

My message to my peers is, we don't have any other place to go, we just have to come together and make this country what it ought to be. The youth, we are the ones that are still giving birth and a lot of things fall on our shoulders, we are in a very sad situation, as you can see, the cost of things rising every day, some of our parents don't have kids with them anymore, but some have more mouth to feed, and also more people to take care of, so my own plea to them really is we should not lose confidence. If you run away, we would be like strangers elsewhere, so the best thing is for us to stay together and salvage the country.

 

 

LASU CIPR holds in-house training on AI, Search Engine tools, to improve information dissemination, effective Public Relations engagements

In what could be described as another bold step in catching up with contemporary trends, brushing up their skills towards effective delivery on their jobs, the staff of the Centre for Information and Public Relations (CIPR), Lagos State University (LASU) returned to the classroom, in an in-house training to bolster the officers'  productivity.

The training tagged "AI, Search engine and more: tools for effective information dissemination and Public Relations Activities" took place on Friday, 23 February 2024, CIPR Conference Room, 3rd Floor, Babatunde Raji Fashola Senate Building, main campus, Ojo, Lagos.

Declaring the training open, the Coordinator, CIPR, Mrs Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile highlighted the importance of such training as very critical to the operations of the university.

She added that as Information and Public Relations specialists, it was imperative to be abreast of what is obtainable in the modern era, where technology drives innovation as well as creativity. She urged all the attendees to make good use of the training as it concerns their profession. 

The resource person, the Deputy Director, (Analyst and Hardware Unit), Directorate of Information Communication Technology,  LASU, Mr Samuel Fadipe projecting through a slide defined Information as knowledge obtained from investigation, facts and news, especially as put together by a professional as it relates to Information dissemination. 

He delved into the issue of artificial as humanly contrived, often on a natural model, mostly man-made, while artificial intelligence remains the ability of a digital computer or computer controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings, widely used in industries, government, telecommunications, media, financial institutions, health, sports and other aspects of human endeavour. He added that search engine is a computer software used to search or navigate through data.

He explained that reforms have made the media immersive as Artificial Intelligence is not emotional, compared to human beings and could help users gather information in a good stead of time, simply to get the task done and get accurate information.

Speaking further, he stated that AI has transformed the way information is disseminated, removing a lot of barriers as well as filtering distortion in the information process chain.

On the impact of Artificial Intelligence in Public Relations, he stated "it could well be deplored for content creation, press conference, monitoring of news, enhancing social media presence, crisis detection, specific personalisation of messages and more, simply because AI has reservoir of knowledge which is repository in nature".

Finally, he listed some search engine tools that could assist public relations activities such as Google Alerts, Semdrusin, Buzzsumo as well as Ahrefs. 

Also, he gave out some artificial intelligence tools that a journalist could make use of in the newsroom such as Newsroom Article Generator, AI Image generator, AI Article Summaries, AI Fact Checkers, and Comment Moderator.

"You can maintain an online presence through personal website, social media account and academic profile", all these are good for online presence, he posited.

He ended the training by allaying the fear of the Information and Public Relations Specialists on the notion that Artificial Intelligence would take their jobs away. He averred that it is far from the truth as it would only enhance their jobs and boost effective performance, leading to great productivity.

The well attended training ended with a vote of thanks by the Officer in Charge of Training, Gbadegesin Olanrewaju 

In his words, "this has been a great learning session with focus on how Artificial Intelligence, Search engine tools can assist us perform optimally as information and public relations specialists. It has been an eye-opening engagement. On behalf of the Coordinator, the heads of the units, and other colleagues, we appreciate the trainer. Thank you for the time."

 

Let's stand out when others are sitting and stand outstanding when others are standing"--Prof Mohammed

The Director, Centre for General Nigeria Studies (CGNS), Prof. M. O. B. Mohammed had charged members of staff of the Centre to stand out when others are sitting, and to stand outstanding when others are standing, in order to keep them abreast of their job, and at the same time be more effective in the discharge of their duties.

He made this known at the first in-house training/workshop of the Centre in Y2024 with the theme *"Work Ethics, Report/Minutes Writing for Effective Office Management"*. The in-house training/workshop which had in attendance all members of staff of the Centre was held on Friday, 23rd February 2024, at the CGNS conference room, Admin. Block 2, main campus, Ojo, Lagos.

The first lecture was delivered by the Deputy Registrar, Senate Affairs Division, Mr. Abdul Ahmeed Lawal, who spoke on *"Report Writing and Minutes Taking for Effective Office Management"*. He admonished the participants at the in-house training to ensure correct and accurate reportage of meetings and events while paying more attention to the names and designations of members and those in attendance. He advised on the following; simple use of language, adopt active voice in your expression, structure your minutes logically, let the information flow and sequential, read your first draft, vet and edit while working on your minutes or writing your report.

He advised them further to always give their colleagues the draft of the minutes to read and edit (using their third eye), avoid any form of ambiguity, and ensure they itemised deliberations as we as observations where necessary. These, he said, will, at all times, save their work from being clumsy and ambiguous.

The second lecture was presented by the Deputy Registrar, Admin./Tech., Mr. Olalekan Awujoola, who was represented by the PAR/Administrative Secretary CGNS Mr Ademola Adekoya with theme *"Work Ethics/Ethical Conducts for Effective Office Management"*. He said that ethics simply deal with what is good, acceptable, or bad, not acceptable. He averred that in any organisation, there must be rules and regulations guiding the  individual and collective group activities as employees of organisation and if we have a community of people carrying out their businesses and all other activities without any any regulations it will lead to a state of chaos and anarchy, that is why it is very important to have in place, set of rules and regulations by which we all must abide by and as employees, it allows our conducts to align with these set rules.

He emphasised further on the need for staff to avoid negative work ethics or unethical work attitudes which he listed some of them as; abandonment of duty, absenteeism, inefficiency, fraud and fraudulent practices, dishonesty, truancy, indiscipline, lateness to work, insubordination etc which are also captured in the Conditions of Service for the staff of the University as misconduct or serious misconduct and they attract sanctions, the ultimate being dismissal.

He concluded by letting the participants know that ethical office management is very crucial in every organisation for the maintenance of integrity and trust. He said thererefore, organisations must learn to prioritise ethical practices to promote a conducive working environment for all members of staff.

To add glamour and colour to the training/workshop, the Director presented a certificate of participation to all members of staff of the Centre who took part in the training/workshop.

The Director, CGNS, Prof. M. O. B. while giving his closing remarks, thanked Almighty God for making the in-house training/workshop a success and thanked members of staff of the centre for their compliance and cooperation ever since he assumed office as the Director. The PAR/Administrative Secretary of the Centre Mr. Ademola Adekoya gave the vote of thanks.

Former President, Governors, CoAS, others attend as Primate Ayodele rounds off Annual Thanksgiving

It was an array of very important personalities at INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Lagos state when Primate Ayodele rounded off his annual thanksgiving programme tagged ’21 Days Of Unlimited Praise’ yesterday Sunday, 18th of February, 2024.

 

As early as 10am when the event started, there was already a high influx of dignitaries from different sectors including politics, traditional institutions, security agencies, religious organizations, international organizations, and many others.

 

Some of these dignitaries includes the former president of Zambia, Edgar Lungu, Ekiti state governor represented by commissioner of special duties, Adeniyi Dolamu, Taraba state governor represented by the SGF, Chief Gebon Kataps, Abia state governor represented by Mr. Kenneth C. Ahia, SAN, The ogoga of Ikere land, HRM Oba Samuel Adejimi Alagbado, Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi represented by HRM Oba Muraina Adebanjo Adedini, Ojora Of Ijoraland, HRM Oba Fatai Oyeyinka Aromire Oora represented by four chiefs, Aloro of Ogbon Iloro Ijebu-Ijesha, HRH Oba Jegede Idowu Ojuolape, Council of Chiefs, Ogoga Ikere Land, Chief Of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, represented by Brig. General Adetuyi, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN OFR CFR, Professor Babajide Abidogun and several ambassadors including His Excellency Ambassador B. Ekpenyong, His Excellency Amb. Dr Anthony Chinedum, to mention but a few.

 

Beyond being an event to celebrate the grace of God in the ministry of Primate Ayodele and partly to commission his new cathedral, it was a moment of testimony about the man of God who has remained consistent in upholding the standards of the prophetic ministry.

 

The former president of Zambia who regretted his absence through his representative described Primate Ayodele as a father and friend who has been a source of strength to him. He congratulated him on the massive occasion while extending prayers to the man of God. He also brought greetings from the Zulu King, Misuzulu Sinqobile kaZwelithini who expressed his wish to host the man of God in his palace.

 

‘’With a heart full of gratitude and reference, I stand before you. This is not just a structure but of hope, house of prayer and a sanctuary where souls are uplifted. I appreciate Primate Ayodele whose vision has helped to achieve this; his grace, wisdom and all God has put in this.’’

 

‘’I recognize the exceptional contribution of members, The Lord that has started this will finish at the appropriate time. Primate Ayodele has been a father and a friend, He has been a source of strength to me. By God's grace, I will be coming to visit you personally. Congratulations.’’

 

The Taraba state governor represented by SGF, Chief Kataps described Primate Ayodele as a father to the state. He revealed that the state will be commissioning a palliative market in a couple of weeks where the prices of good items will be crashed just like Primate Ayodele has done twice in order to reduce hardship.

 

‘’Primate Ayodele is a father to Taraba state. On behalf of the state, we want to appreciate you and assure that we will always be part of this church. In a couple of weeks, the government will also commission 2600 blocks of Kefas Palliative Market where the prices of food items will crash. We will buy the goods and reduce the price for the people in order to reduce hardship.’’

 

Also, the International Society Of Diplomats (ISD) led by His Excellency Ambassador B. Ekpenyong decorated Primate Ayodele as a global diplomat with a specially crafted artistic plaque in recognition of his global impact in nation building. The society made it known that the man of God is the first person to be presented with the phenomenal honour.

 

As it is known that the 21 days annual thanksgiving programme has been all about philanthropic activities, the grand finale wasn’t any different as Primate Ayodele engaged in massive empowerment programmes for church members, community members, journalists, and others during the event to the surprise of dignitaries.

 

The man of God started off his philanthropic acts for the day with one of the guest artistes, Adeyinka Alaseyori whom he described as a very humble person. Primate Ayodele explained to the crowd how the musician has never charged him or collected a dime for her performances. To appreciate her humility, the man of God handed her a cheque of N2.5 Million and promised her an exotic jeep later in June this year.

 

Primate Ayodele, known for his philanthropy and support of talented individuals, was deeply moved by Yinka Alaseyori’s humility and respectful demeanor, especially in her interactions with others in the music industry. In a statement, he mentioned that Yinka Alaseyori’s humility and respectfulness has set herself apart as a shining example in the industry.

 

Continuing, Primate Ayodele laid the foundation for a low-cost estate that will be sold to members of the church and community at very subsidized prices upon completion. The groundbreaking activity was carried out by the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Council of chiefs, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN OFR CFR, and the representative of Ekiti state governor.

 

The Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti appreciated Primate Ayodele for his thoughts towards the needy and less privileged in the society. He explained that the low-cost estate would be beneficial to the people of the community especially at a time when it’s difficult to be home owners.

 

In his reaction, Chief Wole Olanipekun described Primate Ayodele’s philanthropic activities as the true message of Christ to the church.

 

‘’My dear Primate, you are doing what the church should do. There must be contiguity between the church and the people; this is the essence of Christ’s message to us. We have gotten to a stage where the church shouldn’t be declaring surplus yet members are poverty stricken. God will bless and honour you for what you are doing. Government cannot do it alone, people are hungry, thirsty, homeless but you are easing their burdens with all of these.’’

 

Furthermore, Primate Ayodele gave out three cars to his pastors and a veteran journalist, Mr. Tade Asifat, making it the 10th car the man of God has given out since the beginning of his 2024 annual thanksgiving programme.

 

Other philanthropic gestures at the grand finale include Payment of JAMB forms, scholarships for tertiary education, distribution of glasses, presentation of home equipment like refrigerators, hair dryers, industrial machines, health support empowerments, gifting of medications, to mention but a few.

 

Primate Ayodele’s 21 days of unlimited praise started on January 29 with visits to schools, police stations, hospitals, and houses of church members. The man of God has commissioned a sophisticated bakery where bread will be sold at subsidized rate, an ultra-modern healthcare centre where church and community members will have access to quality healthcare services, laid the foundation of a mosque building, given out ten cars, ten tricycles, to mention but a few.

 

Primate Ayodele lays foundation for giant Mosque building in Lagos

Primate Elijah Ayodele, the Leader Of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has laid the foundation of his mosque building and commissioned a modern bakery where bread will be subsidized for his church members and less privileged today Saturday, 17th of February, 2024.

The Groundbreaking ceremony was carried out by the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar CFR who was represented by Wokili Nupe of Lagos and Nupe Community, Alhaji Jubril Magaji in the presence of eminent personalities like Onijanikin of Ijanikin, Dr. Momodu Afolabi Asafa, Paramount ruler of Odo Noforija in Epe, Dr. Babatunde Olaogun Ogunlaja, Oloro of Iloro Ijesa Land, Oba Jegede Idowu, religious leaders, TAMPAN executives, to mention a few.

The Nupe Leader appreciated Primate Ayodele for portraying a rare attribute by showing massive love to the muslim community and promoting unity in the religious sector at all times. He acknowledged the several benevolent acts Primate Ayodele has offered the Muslim communities over the years while expressing how much Etsu Nupe honours the man of God.

He described Primate Ayodele as a good man who doesn’t discriminate but loves to carry everyone along. Surprised by the prophet’s philanthropic acts especially to the widows, he donated N5,000 to support the good cause.

‘’Today is a great day in the history of our father and clergyman, Primate Ayodele. He has done a historical thing that is rare; his type isn’t much in Nigeria. He is laying the foundation of a great mosque that will be named after our father, the Etsu Nupe, Dr Yahaya Abubakar Etsu Nupe’’

‘’We came from Niger to represent his royal highness because Primate Ayodele is a man of God. He carries everyone along and doesn’t discriminate. Our father, Etsu Nupe honours and loves him so much.’’

‘’Primate, you are a good person and benefactor to everyone including the muslims, we can’t forget you. We really appreciate you and Baba has ordered us to come stand by you. You will live long and continue to enjoy open doors because you have touched the lives of people.’’

In the same vein, the CEO of Mojec Power, Mrs. Mojisola Abdul commissioned the bakery initiative which was birthed to crash the price of Bread within the community. It was revealed that the price of bread will be slashed into two at the bakery which has the capacity to produce 400 loaves of bread daily in order to make it affordable for church members and the community at large

According to Mrs. Mojisola Abdul, Primate Ayodele has done excellently well in assisting the government and helping the needy in all ways. She acknowledged the increment in the price of bread due to economic challenges while commending Primate Ayodele for such an initiative in this trying time.

Continuing, She presented empowerment funds to widows on behalf of Primate Ayodele while asking them to continue praying for the man of God who has been helping them.

‘’The least bread anyone can buy today is N1,200. Primate Ayodele coming up with such an initiative shows the genuine love he has for the people. It is my prayer that his ministry continues to grow bigger and God continues to be with him.’’

During their presentation, TAMPAN executives led by Owolabi Ajasa described Primate Ayodele as someone who has helped the theatre industry tremendously. He made it known that he met the prophet last year but ever since, he has been a great supporter of the movie industry.

‘’Let me first of all thank God because whatever we do without God’s will, it will be a waste. One year ago, I was opportune to know Primate Ayodele and he has been a true father to all of us. When we came here last year, we made some requests and Primate surprised us and did all we wanted him to do and more.’’

‘’He promised to come to our inauguration and despite the fact that we postponed it thrice; he still made time available to come around. We have come here to felicitate and appreciate him for being true father to us all.’’

It is worthy of note that Primate Ayodele has been engaging in philanthropic activities for the past 20 days in commemoration of his annual thanksgiving programme. Since it began on January 29, Primate Ayodele has held the second edition of his palliative market where the prices of food commodities were crashed ridiculously, given out six vehicles to church members and a journalist, visited police stations, schools, hospitals to clear medical bills, commissioned an ultra-modern health care centre, given out tricycles to church members, sponsored JAMB and WAEC forms, to mention a few.

The grand finale of the 21-days annual thanksgiving will be coming up tomorrow Sunday, 18th Of February, 2024 with the commissioning of a new church cathedral. Several soulful musicians including Yinka Ayefele, Yinka Alaseyori, Ebenezer Obey, to mention a few are billed to perform at the grand opening.

 

Landmark miracles, deliverances, healings at The Lord’s Chosen’s crusade ‘From Sorrow to Joy’

Several landmark miracles, deliverance and healing were witnessed at 2024 edition of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Church’s crusade which has the title ‘From Sorrow to Joy’.

The crusade which took place at the Revival Ground of the International Headquarters of the church at Ijesha, Lagos State between Saturday 10 and Sunday 11, February, 2024, was attended by millions of church members and Christian faithful all across the world, even as millions of others in Asia, Americas, Europe, and Africa keyed in via the cable to experience the power of God in action.

Lots and lots of testimonies took over the church. In some of the testimonies, God of the chosen intervened and Visa to UK was approved; a sister’s son was delivered from conspiracy in his office and was later promoted. While Brother Washington was delivered from years of chronic and excruciating pain as Pastor tells God to “Show him mercy.”

Sister Ifeoma Okafor who said she has served Agula (idol) for close to 24 years testified how she destroyed all her paraphernalia and followed the God of the chosen. The Pastor from Agulu 3 was also present to give credence to what she said, while Sister Endurance was healed of 20 years epilepsy after wearing the chosen apron.

There were testimonies of those who were saved from armed robbery attacks and those from kidnappers.

Sister Amarachi Stella Amanze from Awuchi Branch afflicted for destroying her family’s altar was saved by the God of the Chosen. To the extent that image of vulture and human skeleton was following her. She was told that it is only a higher and stronger altar that could rescue her, and it was the God of the Chosen. She was delivered by the power of the spoken word from the pastor of the chosen, however the amazing part of the miracle was that three of her sisters who had chronic sicknesses, one down with ulcer, the other with kidney related complications and the third down with pile, they were all healed the same hour and the same day.

As the pastor of the mega church, Pastor Lazarus Muoka mounted the podium the entire church was electrified as the spirit of God came down and visited his people. At the pronouncement by the pastor that those who came in clutches, wheelchair, walking stick, those that were supported in any way should free themselves, get up and walk, and before the congregation many that believe with great faith stood up and walked. They did not just walk; they came out to testify before the teeming congregation.

Speaking to the congregation Pastor Muoka said that their sorrow must be turned to Joy. He began by declaring sicknesses like those not leg poison, deafness, dumbness, those having elephantiasis, paralysis, hunchback, abnormal growth, stroke, insanity, should leave the people, and many were freed from their various infirmities. 18 Years deaf and dumb heard and spoke; three months broken bone as a result of accident healed, 24 years paralysis rolled away, 10 years stroke healed, 10 years leg poison sacked, 23 years deaf and dumb regained her speech and hearing.

Pastor Muoka disclosed that many people suffer as a result of ancestral spirit following them, but today, their sorrow has been turned to Joy.  He commanded spirit husbands, spirit of occultism, spirit of untimely death, spirit of poverty; he commanded them to be destroyed. He told them that today they would go home rejoicing, adding that many are in sorrow because of what the enemy has done, the enemy is the devil, he came to steal, to kill and to destroy, but the son of man came that he may give life and give it more abundantly. “But they are permanently destroyed. Thank God you are here today the bible says that you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. People perish for lack of knowledge, and many people do not know the place of solution and freedom. There are many paces but they don’t know the correct one. Here is the correct place. Those who do not know the pace for correct solution they sorrow to death, but when you know the bible, and know the truth your sorrow will be turned to joy. God has the power, he has the resources, what he cannot do does not exist. The woman that served the idol at Agulu, the spirit was the spirit that controlled other spirits but the God of the Chosen destroyed the idol. The altar that can do that is an altar that is above other altars,” Muoka stated.

He disclosed that in the Chosen the Trinity is present, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, and he has their chair permanently present in his altar. The Pastor disclosed that it is the reason once he makes a pronouncement that case is settled.

He told the congregation that this is a year of dominion, successes and greatness, they shall be example of those God has turned their sorrow to joy.

He said it is not the will of God that anybody shall perish, Lamentation 3:22 It is by the lord’s mercy that we are not consumed. He said “Because of his mercy we are brought here today, and God would change your situations. In Psalm 40 God says I shall put a new song into your mouth, and so today marks the beginning of a new era in your lives, every closed door must open; no problem in your life shall survive from today.”

Pastor Muoka disclosed that to be worthy of the mercy of the lord and ready for the coming of joy the sinner must repent, and he said “A sinner is not a Christian and a Christian is not a sinner. All unrighteousness is sin, unforgiveness, keeping of malice, pride, selfishness, longing after sinfulness, worshiping idol is sin, idolatry; staeling, killing, kidnapping, armed robbery, lesbianism, homosexuality, masturbation, alcohol; surrender to Jesus. Open cult, local and international cult and all their paraphernalia, burn them and do them no more. Yahoo, yahoo plus, duping people, fraud, it will not take you anywhere, repent. If you come to this church with your illicit money, don’t give to the church, we don’t want such money.”

The crusade which was interdenominational was well attended with the church choir doing what they know how to do best, there was uncountable testimonies of what God has done in the lives of His people, many were instant miracles, while others were by people who have over the years seen the wonder working power of God in their lives and they came out to testify.