The Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni has made a donation of ten million naira (N10m) towards the Mogajis’ Ile Eke project in Ibadan.

Oseni, who also represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State, said the donation is aimed at supporting the Mogajis assembly’s project that holds immense cultural significance for the wider Ibadan community.

According to him, the project will remain a testament to the cultural and historical legacy of Ibadanland as it is expected to preserve the historic relevance of the palace while enhancing its role as a cultural landmark.

In a statement released on Saturday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, the lawmaker emphasised the importance of preserving cultural heritage and fostering unity within traditional institutions.

He highlighted that the project would not only elevate the status of the Mogajis’ assembly but also serve as a central hub for promoting Ibadan’s rich cultural history.

“It is a privilege that I was called to be part of the project. If I fail to support it, the project will still be successful, but I believe I have to contribute. My life is dedicated to serving God Almighty, the people, and humanity,” Oseni said.

He further stated, “As a son of the soil, it is my responsibility to contribute to the growth of our shared heritage – Ibadan and by extension, Oyo state as a whole. The Mogajis’ Ile Eke project symbolises our collective identity and unity as a people. This donation is my modest contribution towards ensuring that future generations can connect with their roots.”

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the arrest of controversial crossdresser and social media personality, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, at the Seme Border. The arrest took place on Monday as the celebrity was reportedly attempting to flee the country.

In a statement issued Monday night, NIS spokesman DCI KT Udo revealed that Bobrisky had become a person of interest following a series of public controversies.

Udo noted that the arrest was part of the Service’s broader effort to maintain order and integrity at Nigeria’s borders.

“He is undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action,” Udo said. He further reassured the public that the Service would remain civil and professional in carrying out its duties.

Bobrisky’s arrest comes amid serious allegations that have swirled around him in recent months.

Blogger Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, had previously accused Bobrisky of bribing officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with ₦15 million to drop money laundering charges against him during an incident in April, where Bobrisky was seen spraying large sums of naira at a public event.

Following that event, Bobrisky was sentenced to six months imprisonment by a court, with the sentence being carried out earlier this year. He was released in August, but new controversies emerged as the blogger claimed that Bobrisky had paid millions of naira to secure special privileges while serving time in prison.

The allegations triggered widespread concern, prompting investigations by both the EFCC and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). The House of Representatives also initiated a probe into the matter, and the Federal Government suspended several senior NCoS officials pending the outcome of investigations.

On September 30, 2024, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inaugurated a special committee to look into the allegations of gross misconduct within the NCoS. The committee submitted its report on Monday, confirming that while Bobrisky served his jail term, he was afforded preferential treatment, including access to television and a fridge.

The full extent of Bobrisky’s legal challenges remains unclear as the investigation continues, with authorities now working to determine the next steps in the case.

The South-West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) organised a hands-on training session focused on emerging technologies for its members in Ibadan, last Thursday.

Themed “Navigating The Digital Transformation In The Media Industry,” the training aimed to equip online publishers with the skills to leverage new technologies in media.

The event was held in collaboration with the American Open University of Technology, Nigeria (ATECH) at its Global Campus in Bodija, Ibadan.

Dr. David Akanbi, the Campus Director, facilitated the session, offering practical insights into how emerging technologies are transforming the media landscape.

Akanbi highlighted key technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual and Augmented Reality, Blockchain, and 5G networks, which he said are reshaping how news is produced, distributed, and consumed.

“These technologies are revolutionising media by creating new ways for publishers to engage with their audiences,” Akanbi noted.

He encouraged the participants to embrace these innovations to improve their businesses and positively impact society.

In a post-training discussion, Akanbi shared his motivation for the session, emphasising the importance of knowledge-sharing for societal development.

“If knowledge is not shared, it is wasted. Sharing knowledge is like planting a tree, and by spreading what we know, we contribute to a better society,” he said.

The training also featured a presentation by Mr. John Abayomi, Founder and Chief Strategist of Virals.ng, on Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

Abayomi stressed the importance of SEO in achieving visibility in an increasingly competitive digital space. He advised online media practitioners to master SEO tools and techniques to enhance their reach and effectiveness.

“Success in online journalism is not determined by when you start, but by how well you apply SEO strategies,” Abayomi explained, urging SWEGOP members to adopt various SEO applications to boost their work.

Both facilitators noted the critical role of technology in modern journalism, while also stressing the importance of maintaining integrity on digital platforms.

In his remarks, Mr. Olayinka Agboola, Chairman of SWEGOP, described the training as part of a series of initiatives aimed at improving the skills and expertise of its members in the digital media space.

He commended the management of ATECH for their support, applauding Dr. Akanbi for his contributions to the success of the training.