Politics
Professor Afonja on the path of history
In the history of every great nation, there are always great people and in the history of great people, there are always exceptional few, those whose lives and action shape the destiny of the people, those who have an indomitable spirit to develop and contribute passionately to improve the people’s lives . Among such few is Professor Raphael Afonja.
Born in the 70s to the family of Dr. and Mrs Afonja of Adesiyan Compound, Isale Afon, Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of Oyo state.
When a man’s every faction leads to success, he becomes an enigma, a figure to be wondered at and an uncommon spectacle in a common world. The young Afonja, who grew up in Kaduna started his success story with a brilliant academic career at Hope Primary School before attending Barewa College, Zaria, and Unity School Ejigbo, Osun State.
Not done yet with his pursuit, Raphael Afonja attended the City University of New York, Long Island University, University of North Dakota, and Eastern New Mexico University where he obtained degrees in Computer Science (A.Sc.), Applied and Theoretical Physics (B.Sc.), Engineering Science (B.Sc., Mechanical), Environmental Science (M.Sc.), Information Science (Ph.D., coursework), Civil Engineering (Ph.D.), and he is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration.
Afonja is a Registered Civil Engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering, Nigeria (COREN), a member of American Society of Civil Engineers, a member of Nigeria Society of Engineers, ha Registered Environmental Professional with the National Registry of Environmental Professionals, a Certified Environmental Professional with the Academy Board of Certified Environmental Professional, and a Certified Environmental and Safety Compliance Officer.
Taking his destiny in his hands, he served as an infantryman/Water Treatment Specialist in the United States Army before becoming a Professor of Engineering at City University of New York. He also served as an Airman with the United States Air Force, where he managed and led the Engineering planning function team.
As a cerebral and highly respected scholar, his professional job experience include, Dean of Faculty at SOWELA Technical Community College, Senior Research Engineer and Consultant with City of Grand Forks, North Dakota. He also worked as a Research Scientist with City University of New York, a Visiting Professor at the University of North Dakota, then went on to lecture as a Professor at SOWELA Technical Community College. He was accepted as a Fulbright Scholar at Lagos State University and he has presented and published thirteen research papers while in academia.
The passion to serve and see real changes in the lives of his people inspired him to establish ICARE, a Nonprofit Organization in the US and Nigeria, whose mission focuses on Women Empowerment, Medical Outreach, Education, and Food Security. He is the Chairman of Gamut Engineering and Technology Services and aspired for Federal House of Representatives (Ogbomoso North/ Ogbomoso South/Orire Federal Constituency) in the last election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Recently, the Executive Governor of Oyo state, Engr. Seyi Makinde appointed him as the state Commissioner for Works and Transport.
According to Afonja, his mission in life is to see a developed and secured Oyo State with good Social Welfare System for all citizens. As a farm owner, he believes building new and maintaining solid infrastructures in Oyo State will boost economy for all sectors, most especially stakeholders such as farmers. He believes that attracting investors and partnering with private industries for all sectors will also provide employment opportunities for the youths.
The Ogbomoso born-Professor of Engineering reiterated that his vision for Oyo state aligns with that of the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde,
Professor Raphael Afonja is happily married and blessed with children.
House of Representatives member and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has fulfilled his pledge to support the welfare of the All Progressives Congress (APC) staff in Oyo State.
In a gesture highlighting his commitment, the lawmaker personally funded the salaries of staff at the APC’s Oke Ado Secretariat in Ibadan, reinforcing his dedication to the smooth operation of the party’s activities in the state.
Representing the Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Oseni recently visited the secretariat, where he expressed gratitude to party leaders and members for their contributions.
As a further commitment to the smooth operation of the party’s activities, the lawmaker generously donated ten million naira (N10,000,000) as an allowance to enhance the secretariat’s functions.
In a statement released Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the lawmaker extended appreciation to the secretariat staff, whom he described as the backbone of the party’s daily functions.
He lauded their dedication, noting their essential role in advancing the party’s goals.
“Leadership is about service, and service begins with supporting those who make the party function from within,” Oseni remarked.
“I am proud to honour this commitment to our staff, as they play a crucial role in making our political structures work effectively. This is my way of showing appreciation for their unwavering dedication”, he added.
Engr. Aderemi Oseni, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, has paid tribute to former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, on his 61st birthday, celebrating his decades of dedicated service and contributions to Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, Oseni, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), lauded Folarin’s unwavering commitment to leadership and the well-being of the people.
Highlighting the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial nominee in the 2023 elections for three terms in the Senate, the lawmaker noted that Folarin’s legacy of service continues to be a guiding light for emerging leaders and a source of inspiration for countless individuals across the state.
“Senator Folarin has built an admirable legacy through years of selfless public service, consistently advocating for progress and unity,” remarked Oseni.
Reflecting on Folarin’s role as the Ikolaba Olubadan of Ibadanland, the lawmaker commended his leadership approach, which has bridged divides, fostered coalitions, and promoted initiatives aimed at stabilising democracy.
“Senator Folarin’s career is an example of visionary leadership,” he added, “and his commitment to public service will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
As Senator Folarin marks this milestone, Oseni extended warm wishes for his continued health and success, expressing hope that his exemplary life of service will keep inspiring positive change across the nation.
In a historic ruling, a Ugandan court on Friday sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison.
This landmark decision, marking the first time a member of the notorious LRA has faced trial for war crimes in a Ugandan court, follows the group’s brutal two-decade insurgency against the Ugandan government.
Kwoyelo, who was convicted in August on 44 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, faced charges including murder, rape, torture, pillaging, abduction, and the destruction of settlements for internally displaced people.
(FILES) Thomas Kwoyelo a commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army rebellion blamed for brutal civilian murders during a 20-year war in the north of the country is brought into a courthouse in the northern Ugandan town of Gulu on July 25, 2011. – A Ugandan court on October 25, 2024 sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison after a landmark war crimes trial over his role in the group’s two-decade reign of terror. The sentence against Kwoyelo, who was convicted on 44 counts of crimes against humanity in August, was announced by Michael Elubu, the lead judge in the case at the court in the northern city of Gulu. (Photo by MICHELE SIBOLINI / AFP)
Michael Elubu, lead judge of the case at the International Crimes Division (ICD) of Uganda’s High Court, delivered the sentence in the northern city of Gulu, underscoring a rare moment of accountability in the decades-long history of the LRA’s violence.
Judge Elubu stated that Kwoyelo retains the right to appeal both his conviction and sentence within 14 days.
Kwoyelo, who was abducted by the LRA at the age of 12 and later rose to a low-level command position within the organization, denied all charges brought against him.
(FILES) Suspected LRA (Lords Resistance Army) member Thomas Kwoyelo is pictured during a pre-trial session at the High Court in Kampala on Februay 1, 2017. – A Ugandan court on October 25, 2024 sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison after a landmark war crimes trial over his role in the group’s two-decade reign of terror. The sentence against Kwoyelo, who was convicted on 44 counts of crimes against humanity in August, was announced by Michael Elubu, the lead judge in the case at the court in the northern city of Gulu. (Photo by GAEL GRILHOT / AFP)
The Lord’s Resistance Army, founded by Joseph Kony in the 1980s, sought to establish a regime based on the Ten Commandments. Under Kony’s leadership, the group unleashed widespread terror across Uganda and neighboring regions, resulting in over 100,000 deaths and the abduction of 60,000 children.
The violence eventually spread to Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Central African Republic.
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