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Olowofela leaps to the next level
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THE global events point to one fact that the world longs for people who will stand up for what they believe, even if they have to stand alone, leaders whose courage has such a strong sense of purpose and security that they welcome the unknown.
May 3rd, 1963, in the sleepy but rapidly – developing town of Omi-Adio, via Ibadan, Ido Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria, late Mr. Owen Adeyinka Olowofela and his loving wife, late Mrs. Elizabeth Ajibike Olowofela were blessed with a baby boy named Joseph Adeniyi Adisa Olowofela. The boy is now Professor Joseph Adeniyi Olowofela, an academician of national and international repute, a grassroot mobilizer, political scientist, social crusader, human rights activist and an epitome of celebrated achievements whose contributions to the socio-political landscape of his community and state cannot be written off. His ilk constitutes great blessings to the black race.
Olowofela attended Hope Central Primary School, Omi-Adio between 1969 and 1975 before proceeding to United Christian Secondary School, Omi-Adio between 1976 and 1981. He later proceeded to the University of Ibadan, between 1982 – 1986 to earn his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics, and graduated with Second Class (Upper Division).
He served at Union Secondary School Agulu, Njikoka Local Government Area (old Anambra State) as a physics teacher. And, thereafter, studied for and earned his M.Sc. in 1987 and PhD, (Solid Earth Physics) in 1995 respectively. He, also lectured at the Department of Physics, University of Ibadan, between 1994 – 2003.
Continuing, he joined the services of the Federal University of Agriculture, (FUNAAB), Abeokuta, first on a sabbatical appointment from 2003 -2004, then as an Associate Professor and Head of Department, from 2005 to 2007 before rising to the position of a Professor of Solid Earth Geophysics in 2009.
As a cerebral and highly respected scholar of no mean stature, he holds various professional qualifications which include: Certificate in Seismic Hazard Assessment obtained from Potsdam, Germany; Certificate in Water Resources in Flensburg, Germany; Certificate in Microprocessors obtained from the United Nation University, Rome, Italy as well as the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) Italy among others.
Professor Olowofela has since, successfully trained over 25,000 students, supervised over 50 B.Sc projects and more than 15 Ph.D projects, some of whom have become Professors and Associate Professors. In the course of his academic career, he had more than 70 publications to his credit, two of which are being used by University students in Germany till today.
With a passion to lift the fortunes of his community and people and with the desire to right societal wrongs, while promoting freedom and social justice, Olowofela joined active politics in the 80’s. His sole objective remains an advocacy for the improvement of the lot of his people and ensuring that young men and women coming after him in the community have a better deal through responsive, responsible and effective governance.
The Democratic Professor had served different parties and governments in various capacities which include:
* National Delegate – National Republican Convention (NRC), 1990
* Member, Governing Council, Oyo State College of Education, Oyo, 2000-2003
* Party Chairman, Alliance for Democracy (AD), Ido Local Government, Oyo State, 2002-2003
* Chairmanship Aspirant, All Nigerian People’s Party, (ANPP). He won the controversial election conducted by the then Oyo State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Rashidi Ladoja in 2007.
* He was appointed by the Governor, His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi as Transition Committee Chairman, Ido Local Government from 2011 to December, 2014.
* He was also appointed as the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Oyo state from June 2016 to September, 2018
To the glory of God, Professor Olowofela had received several awards and honours; both locally and national, they include:
√ Overall Best Performed Local Government Chairman in Nigeria, 2012 at the 19th Edition of National Award for Excellence in Grassroots Leadership, Presented by Grassroots Leadership Centre, Abuja.
√ Overall Best Performed Local Government Chairman in Nigeria, 2012 on Works/Education at the 10th Edition of the All Nigerian Local Government Chairmen Merit Award (LOGMA 2012) by Mentors Communication, Abuja.
√ Oodua Hero Council Chairman, 2013, an award presented by the Yoruba Youth Development Council, (YYDC).
√ Oyo State Commissioner of the year, at the 2017 Miss Oyo State Beauty Pageant, an award presented by Silverstone Communications.
√ Prestigious Award of Ambassador of Ethics and Conscience, and Induction into Hall of Fame, 2018 by Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation.
√ 2018, he emerged as one of the fifty most inspiring personalities in Nigeria according to The Guardian Newspaper.
√ Oyo State Commissioner of the year, at the 2018 Oyo Herald Magazine Annual lecture and Merit Awards
√ Award of excellence at the 2018 Prominent Oyo Peoples’ Awards (POPA 2018) by Cornerstone Media International
Olowofela is happily married and blessed with children.
He’s contesting as a representative of Ido/Ibarapa East federal constituency under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the forthcoming general elections billed for February, 2019.
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
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