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Only thieves demand money they didn’t work for – Education Minister, Opiah slams ASUU

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The Minister of State for Education, Goodluck Nanah Opiah has slammed the Academic Staff Union University, (ASUU) over the lingering impasse between the union and the Federal Government.

Opiah while expressing dismay at the 201 days old strike embarked upon by ASUU, said the Federal Government has done its best to resolve the issues raised by ASUU but the union have been adamant to call off the strike.

The minister who spoke when he visited the Federal University Lokoja, (FUL), Kogi State on Friday said, ‘the no work no pay policy’ stands.

He said the federal government cannot pay lecturers for what they did not work for, adding that, the strike has continued to portray a bad image for the country and has succeeded in causing pain for parents and students.

He claimed the federal government has done much on infrastructural development in all higher institutions across the country, charging the Vice-Chancellor of FUL, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi to appeal to lecturers to come back to work.

He added that the prolonged stay at home has done more harm than good to the future of Nigerian students.

His words “The federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari has done so much, especially, in infrastructural development in our tertiary institution, because anywhere you go, you will see the presence of TETFUND, buildings, vehicles and all manners of institutional assets.

“Those who think that lack of infrastructure is one of the reasons they went on strike should think again. Mr Vice Chancellor, let me use this opportunity to appeal to you, to also appeal to our lecturers to come back to work because our children are suffering.

“Our country’s image is going lower. Our parents are not happy, and these lecturers are also parents of some of our students. Contrary to what they think, some of us also have our children in Nigerian Universities and they are also suffering.

“Although, if we stay on strike forever, it means our children will be out of school forever. It is not in our own interest. There is nothing that has gone wrong that we cannot get corrected through dialogue. I know that almost everything that ASUU brought forth for discussion between the federal government has been resolved.

“Except that, now that ASUU wants to be paid for all the six months that they were absent from duty. And the Federal Government is saying no we cannot pay for those days you did not work. For once, let us activate the principle of no work no pay which is natural. It is only a thief that goes to eat where he didn’t work.

“And so if there should be any appeal for Federal Government to do otherwise, Lecturers should come back to the classroom to beg and appeal and renegotiate because this thing is no longer funny”

He, however, assured the University that the Federal Government will speedily ensure the provision of perimeter fencing in view of the security challenges bedevilling the nation today.

Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi while appreciating the visit of the minister said the present management has sacrificed a lot to bring development to the institution.

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Education

Tinubu Appoints Adelabu Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ayede

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Isiaka Tunji Adelabu as the substantive Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State.

The appointment, which took effect on August 5, 2026, was announced by the Acting Director of the Centre for Information, Communication and Public Relations (CICPR), Sunday Adepoju, on behalf of the institution.

Adepoju, in a statement, quoted the Registrar of the polytechnic, Akinlolu Akinpade, as saying that Adelabu’s appointment was approved by President Tinubu.

Until his appointment, Adelabu was a Chief Lecturer in the Department of Accountancy at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, where he also served as a Chartered Accountant.

He had held several administrative positions at the institution, including Head of Department, Dean of School and Deputy Rector (Administration).

His appointment, according to the polytechnic, brings to the institution a combination of academic experience and administrative exposure considered vital to its continued development.

Akinpade said Adelabu’s track record and experience would position him to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the institution.

He urged members of the polytechnic community to extend their full support and cooperation to the new Rector as he settles into office.

The Registrar said: “The support and cooperation of the entire polytechnic community will be crucial to enabling the new Rector to advance the vision and mission of the institution.”

With the appointment, Adelabu becomes the second substantive Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede.

The management, staff and students of the institution, as well as the Governing Council, congratulated Adelabu on his appointment and wished him wisdom, strength and the capacity to provide purposeful leadership and take the polytechnic to greater heights.

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MAKPOLY holds maiden Music Technology performance exam

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Michael Adeniyi Koleosho Polytechnic, Saki, Oyo State, on Wednesday recorded a major milestone with the conduct of the maiden final-year performance examination for the pioneer student of its Department of Music Technology, marking a new chapter in the institution’s commitment to practical and creative education.

The examination, held at the TETFund Building of the School of Business and Communication Studies, featured Master Okegbola Moses Bright, the department’s first National Diploma student. Lecturers, students, family members and other guests gathered at the venue to witness what many described as a historic moment for the institution.

The practical assessment was coordinated by the Acting Head of the Department, Dr. Abegunrin Adebayo Olugbenga, while two external examiners from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Dr. Rotimi Ologududu and Dr. Abiodun Akere, evaluated the student’s performance. The Dean of the School of Business and Communication Studies, Mr. Waheed Popoola, and other senior officials of the polytechnic also attended the exercise.

Welcoming guests, Abegunrin described the occasion as a landmark in the department’s history, saying it signalled that the vision behind establishing the programme was becoming a reality.

He said, “Today marks a milestone not just for our department, but for Michael Adeniyi Koleosho Polytechnic. We are witnessing the stage performance of our very first Music Technology student. This is the first of many, and it shows that the seed we planted has begun to bear fruit.”

He explained that the performance examination is a compulsory practical requirement for the award of the National Diploma in Music Technology, adding that it is designed to assess students’ creativity, technical competence and stage performance.

“Music Technology is not just about theory; it is about performance, production and impact. Our pioneer student is setting the standard for those who will come after him,” he added.

Congratulating the student for blazing the trail, Abegunrin urged him to perform with confidence, passion and professionalism. He also encouraged other students in the department to remain focused and committed, assuring them that they, too, would have the opportunity to showcase their talents in due course.

Speaking on the department’s future, the acting head said plans were underway to expand its studio facilities, strengthen collaboration with industry players and build a programme capable of producing graduates with the skills to thrive in the music and creative industries.

“Our goal is to make this department a hub for sound production, live performance, music business and digital creativity in Oyo State and beyond,” he said.

Abegunrin thanked the management of the polytechnic for its continued support and expressed appreciation to the Dean of the School of Business and Communication Studies, members of staff and other stakeholders for their contributions to the growth of the Department of Music Technology, saying their commitment had been instrumental to the programme’s success.

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‎Oseni unveils AI learning hubs for Oyo South students

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Oyo South in the 2027 election, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, on Thursday unveiled the Remi Oseni Smart Learning Intervention (ROSMA) Legacy Programme, introducing a network of Artificial Intelligence-powered learning hubs designed to prepare secondary school students for the demands of a fast-changing digital world.

‎The initiative, which also witnessed the commissioning of the first batch of ROSMA Smart Learning Hubs in Ibadan, is aimed at exposing students to Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, coding, digital literacy and mentorship, while supporting their preparation for public examinations, including WAEC, NECO and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Addressing an audience of students, teachers, parents and community leaders, Oseni who represents Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency said the future would belong to nations that invest in knowledge and technology, stressing that education must move beyond conventional classroom learning to embrace innovation.

‎He described the project as a deliberate investment in the next generation, saying every child, regardless of background, deserves the opportunity to compete with peers anywhere in the world.

“This programme is not just about giving support; it is about opening doors. We want our students to understand Artificial Intelligence, embrace technology and develop the confidence to compete with their peers anywhere in the world. Every investment we make in a child today is an investment in a stronger society tomorrow,” Oseni said.

‎The federal lawmaker recalled that his intervention in education did not begin with politics, noting that over the years he had funded scholarships, bursaries, free WAEC and JAMB registrations, digital skills training and entrepreneurship programmes for thousands of young people, many of whom are now pursuing higher education across the country.

He also announced the proposed ROCOF Royal Ambassadors Initiative, which, according to him, will recognise exceptional students, innovators, entrepreneurs and youth leaders who distinguish themselves through academic excellence, creativity and integrity. Such recognition, he said, would inspire more young people to strive for excellence.

‎The Chairman , House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) added that his ambition to represent Oyo South in the Senate was driven by a desire to expand educational opportunities across the district, promising that if elected in 2027, programmes such as free WAEC and NECO registrations, JAMB sponsorships, scholarships, bursaries, AI education and digital empowerment would be extended to all nine local government areas.

‎Project Director of the ROSMA Legacy Programme, Dr. Demilade AkinAlabi, described the initiative as a bold response to the growing digital divide, saying children in Oyo South must not be left behind at a time when technology increasingly determines educational and economic success.

‎AkinAlabi disclosed that five of the proposed nine Smart Learning Hubs had been completed in Eruwa, Agbadagbudu, Ido, Oke-Ado and Oja’ba, while construction was ongoing at the remaining centres. He explained that the hubs would go beyond providing computers and internet access by offering practical training in coding, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, data analysis and other employable skills for students, artisans, farmers and small business owners.

‎”Our dream is simple. A child’s future should never be determined by where he or she was born. These hubs are more than classrooms with computers; they are places where ideas will grow, talents will be discovered and futures will be built. We want every child who walks through these doors to believe that anything is possible,” AkinAlabi said.

Oseni, however urged the students to remain disciplined, dream beyond their circumstances and embrace technology as a tool for solving real-life problems. He said the ROSMA Legacy Programme was conceived not merely to improve academic performance but to nurture a generation of innovative, confident and globally competitive young people capable of shaping the future of Oyo South and Nigeria.

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