A Member of the House of Representatives from Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency of Oyo State, Engr. Aderemi Oseni has emphasised that Nigeria’s future growth and development depend heavily on innovation and the effective management of information.

Speaking on Tuesday at the 1st International Conference, organised by the Department of Information Management, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oseni, who chairs the conference pointed out that the theme “Navigating the Future: Innovation in the Field of Information Management,” is a timely reminder of the essential role information management plays in shaping the country’s destiny.

Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Oseni underscored the importance of cultivating an environment where innovation thrives. He stressed that the era of disruptive technologies, big data, and knowledge management calls for a comprehensive reevaluation of existing approaches to information management, urging stakeholders to rethink how data is collected, organised, and used for national development.

“Innovation is not merely an option; it is a necessity. We must create a space where creative ideas flourish, where collaboration knows no boundaries, and where the collective intelligence of our global community is fully leveraged. This is the only way we can anticipate and lead the change sweeping across the world today,” he said.

The lawmaker further highlighted the inextricable link between information management and innovation as drivers of societal development. According to him, the effective management of information not only allows for the organisation and sharing of data but also fuels creative solutions that can uplift communities, create jobs, and contribute to sustainable development.

The politician said Nigeria’s growing information economy offers opportunities to harness the potential of its youth. He called for the development of strategies that would enable young people to participate in the knowledge-based economy, thereby ensuring a brighter future for both individuals and the nation as a whole. He challenged participants to explore innovative solutions that can bridge the gaps in access to information and technology, particularly in Nigeria’s underserved and remote areas.

The lawmaker also posed several thought-provoking questions to the conference attendees, urging them to rethink information management practices and the role of technology in governance and decision-making. He further asked how information management systems could foster transparency, accountability, and youth empowerment in driving national development.

In a bid to ensure that innovation results in tangible societal benefits, Oseni stressed that the adoption of advanced information management systems must align with Nigeria’s development goals. He emphasised that collaboration between academia, industry, and government would be key to achieving these objectives, especially in areas like education, healthcare, and agriculture.

As part of his ongoing commitment to youth empowerment, the lawmaker shared the recent launch of the “ROCOF Royal Ambassadors (RRA)” programme, which seeks to reward and recognise outstanding youth in various sectors, including academics, entrepreneurship, and governance.

He revealed that the initiative would further promote ethical leadership, innovation, and youth engagement in shaping a more prosperous and equitable Nigeria.

The highlight of the event was the award presentation to the lawmaker, presented by the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Kabiru Adeyemo.

The authorities of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, have expelled a student, Goddy-Mbakwe Chimamaka Precious, for assaulting a lecturer from the Department of Theatre and Film Studies.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Registrar of the university, Victor Modebelu.

According to Modebelu, the Acting Vice-Chancellor had received a report from the Student Disciplinary Committee concerning the incident, which involved the assault of a lecturer, Dr. Chukwudi Okoye, from the Department of Theatre and Film Studies.

The Acting Registrar emphasized that the student’s actions were deemed a gross violation of the institution’s disciplinary regulations, particularly Regulation 4 (SDR). The Student Disciplinary Committee’s findings led to the recommendation for the student’s expulsion, which was approved by the Acting Vice-Chancellor on behalf of the University Senate.

“The Ag. Vice-Chancellor has received the report from the Student Disciplinary Committee on the case of your assault on a lecturer from the Department of Theater and Film Studies, which was found to be a gross misconduct and violation of the Students Disciplinary Regulations particularly Regulation 4 (SDR),” the statement read.

Consequently, the student has been expelled, and the expulsion takes immediate effect. The statement further instructed Precious to vacate the university premises without delay and return any university property in her possession.

The incident attracted widespread attention after a video surfaced online, showing Precious allegedly attacking Dr. Okoye. The video quickly went viral, sparking public outcry and calls for disciplinary action.

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has announced a special provision known as the Exceptionally Brilliant Window for candidates below 16 years old who wish to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Prof. Oloyede made this disclosure while speaking as a guest on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television on Sunday.

He emphasized that while the board maintains the 16-year minimum entry age for tertiary institutions, an exception has been introduced for candidates who demonstrate outstanding academic abilities.

“In Nigeria, we have many brilliant students. We are enforcing the 16-year minimum entry into tertiary institutions, but some people argue that there are exceptional students. Yes, there are, but they are just one in a million,” Oloyede stated.

The JAMB Registrar explained that candidates under 16 who consider themselves exceptional can now register under the newly created category. However, he expressed concern over the increasing number of underage students being presented for tertiary education by their parents.

“I’m surprised that just from Monday till now, over 2,000 candidates have registered across the country. Some of them are as young as 10, 11, and 12, whose parents have manipulated their academic progression to make them appear ahead of their actual biological growth,” he revealed.

According to Oloyede, some parents have resorted to falsifying their children’s ages and using affidavits to push them into higher academic levels prematurely.

“The parents want to use the children to decorate their CVs. They want to say, ‘I am the mother of a lawyer, my child graduated at age 13,’” he remarked.