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Tributes as OYSCATECH holds valedictory Board of Studies meeting for out-going Deputy Rector {Photos}

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It was a day of tribute as the Board of Studies holds a special valedictory session in honour of the outgoing Deputy Rector, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH), Igboora, Dr. Oluwasanjo Ariyo Okunlola.

The special valedictory session , held last Friday at the Boardroom of the institution, was chaired by the Acting Rector, Mr. Isiaka Adekunle.  The event also had in attendance, the representative of the Governing Council Chairman, Dr. Amos Abegunde, the Acting Registrar, Mr. Paul Oyediran, the Chairman Committee of Deans, Dr. Wasiu Bello, Deans of Faculties, Directors and Heads of Departments among others.

Addressing the Board of Studies meeting, the acting Rector lauded the outgoing deputy rector for his commitment and dedication to duty since 2008 that he had joined the services of the Institution as one of  it’s foundation staffs.

Speaking further, he extolled the good virtues of Dr. Ariyo Okunlola, especially his doggedness in pursuing his doctorate degree and for becoming a PhD holder barely at the age of 60.

Adekunle, however charged other staff members to emulate the commitment and dedication of the outgoing deputy rector to duty.

Giving  her tributes, the immediate past Director of Global Consult, Dr. Taiwo Akinyemi, in an emotional laden voice described Dr. Okunlola as a God fearing, honest, worthy leader, mentor and close associate as well as practical oriented man.

According to Dr. Akinyemi, “we achieved greatly during the biennial conference through his wealth of experience. I will greatly miss him.”

Also speaking, the Chairman Committee of Deans, Dr. Wasiu Bello thanked the outgoing Deputy Rector for his contributions towards academic matters in the College. He described the outgoing deputy rector as someone who does things on merit and does not believe in manipulation.

Bello equally described him as a selfless and sacrificial man.

According to him, the Dean, Faculty of Management and Communication Studies, Mr. AKintunde posited that the outgoing Deputy Rector is irreplaceable considering the rate at which he mingles with the young lecturers, irrespective of their age.

Mr. Akintunde described Dr. Okunlola as a go-getter, tolerant, religious but non-fanatical.

The Acting Registrar referred to the outgoing Deputy Rector as a straight forward, dutiful and committed man who plays advisory roles at all times.

They all prayed God to continue to help him in his future endeavours, while wishing him a pleasant rest after hard labour.

Responding, the outgoing Deputy Rector, Dr. Okunlola who expressed surprise at the level of love demonstrated towards him by staff of the institution, thanked everyone for their affection and gifts.

The outgoing Deputy Rector appealed to both the teaching and non-teaching Staff to remain united, ready to work and mentor others.

Okunlola, who emphasized the need not to relent in writing award winning proposals and papers for publications, also enjoined staff to maintain high level of discipline.

Dr. Oluwasanjo Ariyo Okunlola had his WASC O’Level at Igboora High School in 1976 and G.C.E. A/L at the Polytechnic, Ibadan. He proceeded to the University of Ibadan for his Bachelor of Science (BSc.Hons.) in Forestry Resources Management in 1979 and graduated in 1983.

In 1987, Dr. Ariyo Okunlola returned to the University of Ibadan for his Master’s Degree and was awarded, Master of Science in Forestry Resources Management in 1988.

The dogged Ariyo Okunlola returned to his Alma Mater, the University of Ibadan for a PhD programme and in 2017, he bagged his PhD in Forestry Resources Management.

Ariyo Okunlola started his career with the Ogun State Forestry plantation Project in 1983 during his Youth Service Corps Scheme (NYSC). Upon the completion of his NYSC programme, he was privileged to work with the Ogun State Forestry Plantation Project as Research Monitoring and Record Officer between 1984 and 1987 under the World Bank Assisted programme.

He rose to become Plantation Officer between 1990 and 1991 under the ADB assisted programme.

Between 1994 and 2002, Dr. Okunlola was the Project Manager and Senior Consultant to different organizations.

In 2002, Ariyo Okunlola joined Leventis Foundation LTD/GTE in Lagos as a trainer in Agroforestry and Head of Deprtment, Crop and Agroforestry Leventis Foundation Agricultural School, Dogondawa, Kaduna State.

Dr. Okunlola joined the services of Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igboora, now Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora as Lecturer 1 in 2008 and rose to the position of Chief Lecturer until his retirement in October 4, 2020.

As a forestry expert and a passionate teacher, Dr. Ariyo Okunlola has taught so many courses in the field of forestry and had served in various capacities at the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora some of which include; Head of Department, Agricultural Technology, Head of Department, Forestry Technology, Sub-dean, School of Plant Sciences and Director, Academic Planing unit.

Others include; Chairman, Committee on Land Matters, OYSCAI Ventures, Students’ Disciplinary Committee, Inter-Religious Committee among others.

Dr. Okunlola has published several articles and attended several conferences and seminars both locally and internationally.

Dr. Okunlola served as Vice Chairman, Forestry Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, Resource Inspector to National Board for Technical Education, Member, Optimal International Klobb, Igboora, Member, Men’s Missionary Union, Nigerian Baptist Convention and Life Member, Bible Society of Nigeria among others.

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IGP Disu seeks NIPR partnership to boost public trust in police

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NIPR President, Dr Ike Neliaku, in a handshake with the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has called for stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to enhance public confidence in the police.

The IGP made the call on Tuesday when he received a delegation of the NIPR, led by its President and Chairman of Council, Dr Ike Neliaku, on a courtesy visit to the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the IGP emphasised the importance of effective communication, professionalism, transparency and fairness in strengthening the relationship between the police and members of the public.

Disu noted that every police officer was an image-maker of the Force, adding that the conduct of personnel in their daily interactions with citizens had a direct impact on public perception of the police.

He said the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) remained committed to policing by consent and promoting a service-oriented policing culture built on professionalism, empathy, accountability and respect for human rights.

The IGP also sought the support of the NIPR in providing specialised communication training for police personnel and developing a coherent communication framework that would effectively communicate the sacrifices and contributions of police officers to public safety and national security.

Earlier, Neliaku commended the IGP for his professional accomplishments and briefed him on Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum and Africa Charter Forum.

The international event is scheduled to hold at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, and is expected to attract more than 3,000 delegates from 126 member countries of the Global Alliance for Public Relations.

The NIPR delegation also sought the support of the Nigeria Police Force in security planning and coverage for the event.

Neliaku further invited the IGP to serve as a keynote speaker at the forum and encouraged police officers to register and participate as delegates.

The delegation included the Secretary-General of the African Public Relations Association, Dr Omoniyi Ibietan; Dr Suleiman Haruna; Mrs Maryam Sanusi; Mrs Olubunmi Badejo; Commandant Olusola Odumosu; Chief Uzoma Oyegbadu; Chief Moji Makanjuola; Mr Stanley Ogadigo and other members of the institute.

Iniedu said the meeting reflected the commitment of the  Police Force to building productive partnerships with professional bodies and other stakeholders to strengthen public trust, enhance public safety and promote national security.

 

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Inflation drops marginally to 15.39% — NBS

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Nigeria’s headline inflation rate fell marginally to 15.39 per cent in August 2026 from 15.43 per cent in July, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The NBS disclosed this in its Consumer Price Index released on Tuesday, saying the latest figure represented a 0.04 percentage point decline from the previous month.

The statistics agency, however, reported a sharper decline in the month-on-month inflation rate, which dropped to 0.71 per cent in August from 1.57 per cent in July.

The month-on-month rate, according to the bureau, declined by 0.86 percentage points compared with the July figure.

The NBS explained that the development indicated that the rate at which the average price level increased in August was slower than that recorded in July.

The latest data also showed a significant moderation in food inflation, which stood at 19.57 per cent year-on-year in August.

The figure was substantially lower than the 25.30 per cent recorded in August 2025.

On a month-on-month basis, food inflation fell to 1.02 per cent in August from 5.56 per cent in July, representing a decline of 4.55 percentage points.

The NBS said the development showed that food prices were still rising, but at a slower rate during the month under review.

It attributed the decline largely to changes in the average prices of a number of food items, including palm oil, carrots, pepper, onions, cassava flour, beef, yam flour, water yam, melon (egusi), fresh ginger, fresh fish, Irish potatoes, wheat grain, frozen chicken and turkey meat.

At the state level, Adamawa recorded the highest year-on-year food inflation rate in August at 38.85 per cent.

It was followed by Zamfara with 37.96 per cent and Bayelsa with 36.20 per cent.

On the other hand, Borno recorded the lowest year-on-year food inflation rate at -4.04 per cent, followed by Jigawa at -0.23 per cent and Kebbi at 3.47 per cent.

The month-on-month figures presented a different picture, with Katsina recording the highest food inflation rate at 9.48 per cent.

Rivers and Osun followed with 8.86 per cent and 8.32 per cent respectively.

Taraba recorded the lowest month-on-month food inflation rate at -12.42 per cent, followed by Borno at -12.15 per cent and Bauchi at -8.88 per cent.

The latest figures indicate a moderation in the pace of price increases, particularly in the food sector, although the NBS data show that consumers continue to face varying price pressures across the states.

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Nigeria’s Oil Output Rises to 1.68m Barrels Per Day

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Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production rose to 1.68 million barrels per day in August 2026, representing a 0.4 per cent increase from the 1.67 million barrels per day recorded in July.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission disclosed this in its latest production report released on Sunday.

Excluding condensate, the country produced an average of 1,500,190 barrels of crude oil per day in August, allowing Nigeria to meet its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries quota for the fourth consecutive month.

Daily combined crude oil and condensate production ranged between 1.64 million barrels and 1.71 million barrels during the month under review.

A breakdown of production by terminals showed that Bonny Terminal recorded the highest output at 320.04 thousand barrels per day, followed by Forcados Terminal with 317.40 thousand barrels per day.

Qua Iboe Terminal recorded an average production of 171.72 thousand barrels per day, while Escravos Oil Terminal posted 131.71 thousand barrels per day.

Bonga ranked fifth among the highest-producing terminals, with an average output of 92.50 thousand barrels per day.

The NUPRC attributed the modest improvement in August production largely to the resolution of operational challenges involving the Single Buoy Mooring at the Erha field.

The commission said the challenges had adversely affected production in the preceding month.

“The restoration of normal evacuation and production operations at the asset contributed positively to overall production volumes during the period under review,” the commission’s spokesperson, Eniola Akinkuotu, said in a statement on Sunday.

The regulator added that production activities across most other producing assets remained relatively stable during the month.

“Production activities across most other producing assets remained relatively stable, with operators sustaining implementation measures aimed at optimising production efficiency, maintaining asset integrity, and minimising operational disruptions,” the statement said.

The latest figures indicate a continued improvement in Nigeria’s oil production, with the country maintaining its OPEC quota compliance for the fourth consecutive month.

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