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FUTA alumnus offers scholarships to 141 students

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The 4th edition of Dr. (Engr.) Gbenga Ayodele Owolabi (Ph.D., PMP, FIMarEST CMarEng, CEng, AMRINA, ACIArb, MEI) annual scholarship awards under Renaissance Social Support and Development Initiative for the Indigents and Best Students in Federal University of Technology, Akure, took place on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at the University auditorium.

Dr. Gbenga Owolabi, is an alumnus of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and has been given scholarships to the students of the Federal Government-owned institution for the past 6 years.

The first and second editions took place in the years 2018 and 2020 with only fifteen (15) and eighteen (18) students awarded respectively from Physics department, while third edition was awarded to fifty (50) students across various departments in school of physical sciences, under 2 categories; Best/Highest C.G.P.A from 100-500 level and qualified indigent categories.

Owolabi, who graduated as one of the best students from the Department of Physics, disclosed during the last School of Physical Sciences 2nd Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony on 15th June 2023, that the 2023/2024 scholarship awards would cut across the entire University as an improvement in the last 3 editions.

This was however, fulfilled at the 4th edition (2023/2024) where over One Hundred and Forty-One (141) students from various departments at 200, 300, and 500 levels were awarded scholarships under two (2) award categories:

     Category 1: Best Students with the highest C.G.P.A (200, 300 and 500-Levels)
Category 2: Indigent Students


According to the alumnus, the gesture was aimed at assisting in the school fees as well as providing a stipend for selected indigent students and helping with their project works of those in their final year which project must be sustainable and display at the subsequent editions.

However, the awardees that had collected the award for the 2nd, 3rd or 4th were given a standing ovation as they show consistency in their academic performances and would be added to the mentorship list of the donor.



In his speech, he promised to wider the award list by also considering the outstanding lecturers at various departments as well as postgraduate students.

Dr. Owolabi, a philanthropist also award scholarships and supports students at various tertiary institutions as well as secondary schools.

He recently donated various materials to over 15 Government owned secondary schools and awarded scholarships to over forty-five (45) students at the just concluded Local Government annual quiz competition, which was highly commended by his state Government.

Present at this year edition were the  Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, duly represented by Deputy ViceChancellor (Development), Professor Oluyamo, Dean Students Affairs, Deans of various schools, Departmental Heads, Professors, Lecturers, the Alumni President worldwide duly represented by Dr. Olaitan Adesomoju (Governing Council member), Principal Officers, and most importantly, the awardees.

On her part, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji who commended the donor, urged others who graduated from the university to emulate the gesture of Owolabi.

She commended the efforts of the donor towards the alleviating the financial burdens of the students, stressing that such will go a long way in giving succor to indigent students as well as meeting some of their educational needs. 

She encouraged the recipients to see the gift as a seed that will yield fruits as they also will be able to do so for others in the near future by God’s grace.

The Vice Chancellor urged them to be focused, diligent and be determined to succeed academically assuring the students of the commitment of the University Management to their welfare and progress.

Dr. Gbenga Owolabi, was specially appreciated for apparently being the first alumnus that have singly awarded such scholarships to 141 students, a unique award by an individual in the history of the University.

She equally praised the Alumni body worldwide, as this year has witnessed over six (6) scholarship awards individually and by alumni bodies globally.

In a vote of thanks one of the beneficiaries, thanked Dr. Gbenga Owolabi for his kind contribution and promised that the students will work hard to win more grants and scholarship and make the University proud.
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BREAKING: Tinubu swears in Amupitan as new INEC Chair

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President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The ceremony followed the Senate’s confirmation of Amupitan’s appointment last week after a rigorous screening session on October 16.

At the swearing-in, President Tinubu tasked Amupitan with safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and strengthening INEC’s institutional capacity.

“As the chairman of INEC, your nomination and confirmation reflect the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and legislative arms of government. This marks the start of a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I trust you will approach your duties with integrity, dedication, and patriotism,” Tinubu said.

Highlighting Nigeria’s democratic progress over 25 years, the President emphasized the need for continuous innovation and reform to maintain free, fair, and credible elections. He urged Amupitan to ensure transparency and public trust throughout the entire electoral process—from voter registration and campaigning to voting and counting.

Amupitan, a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), arrived at the State House on Thursday dressed in traditional white agbada and gold cap ahead of the formal ceremony. He was accompanied by presidential aides.

During his Senate screening, the 58-year-old nominee pledged to restore credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process by prioritizing reforms, including strengthening the Electoral Act to resolve inconsistencies in election timelines and enhance transparency.

“We must conduct elections where even the loser congratulates the winner fairly,” Amupitan told senators, emphasizing the need to rebuild voter confidence.

He also clarified his neutrality by denying any involvement in President Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court, stating, “I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any party.”

Amupitan succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the sixth substantive INEC chairman since the commission’s establishment. He is expected to immediately begin the transition process at INEC headquarters in Abuja following his swearing-in.

Profile

Born on April 25, 1967, the 58-year-old Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau State. He is also an alumnus of the university.

He specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance and Privatisation Law. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2014.

After completing primary and secondary education, he attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, and the University of Jos from 1984 to 1987. He was called to the bar in 1988.

Amupitan earned an LLM at UNIJOS in 1993 and a PhD in 2007, amid an academic career that began in 1989, following his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation in Bauchi from 1988 to 1989.

He currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, a position he holds in conjunction with being the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.

Among the academic positions he has held at UNIJOS are: Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014); Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014); and Head of Public Law (2006-2008).

Outside of academics, Amupitan serves as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, and a member of the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014), among other roles. He was a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja(1996-2004).

Amupitan is the author of many books on law, such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles(2008); Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008); Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria(2013), Principles of Company Law(2013)  and an Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).

He is married and has four children.

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Dangote denies owning truck that killed eight in Ondo accident

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Dangote Group has denied owning the truck that crushed a pregnant woman, a child, and six others to death in an accident in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The company issued the clarification in a statement on its X account on Wednesday.

The statement followed reports that a cement-laden truck suffered brake failure and rammed into traders and other road users.

Reacting, Dangote Group said the truck involved in the tragic incident does not belong to the group or any of its subsidiaries.

It added that vehicle registration records confirm the truck is owned and operated by an independent logistics company with no affiliation to Dangote Group.

“Dangote Group has refuted reports circulating on social media and in some online platforms linking it to a truck involved in a road accident in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

“The company wishes to make it categorically clear that the truck involved in the unfortunate incident does not belong to Dangote Group or any of its subsidiaries.

“Verified vehicle registration details confirm that the truck with Plate No. JJJ 365 XB is owned and operated by an independent logistics company with no affiliation to Dangote Group,” the statement reads.

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VIDEO: Sowore Arrested at Federal High Court Premises, Abuja, After Meeting Nnamdi Kanu.

“The commissioner of police said we should bring you to the office,” the policeman said.

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Police operatives have arrested former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Sowore was forcibly taken away by armed police officers from the Federal High Court premises in Abuja on Thursday, October 23, 2025, shortly after attending the court session of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.

Sowore, who has been leading campaigns for Kanu’s release, was confronted by security operatives who insisted he accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.

Eyewitnesses disclosed that the officers surrounded him moments after he exited the courtroom, refusing to disclose specific details about his alleged offence.

When questioned by onlookers, one of the policemen stated that they were acting on the directive of the FCT Commissioner of Police.

“The commissioner of police said we should bring you to the office,” the policeman said.

As of the time of filing this report, the reason for Sowore’s arrest and his current whereabouts remain unclear.

https://www.facebook.com/punchnewspaper/videos/%F0%9D%90%95%F0%9D%90%88%F0%9D%90%83%F0%9D%90%84%F0%9D%90%8E-%F0%9D%90%8F%F0%9D%90%A8%F0%9D%90%A5%F0%9D%90%A2%F0%9D%90%9C%F0%9D%90%9E-%F0%9D%90%9A%F0%9D%90%AB%F0%9D%90%AB%F0%9D%90%9E%F0%9D%90%AC%F0%9D%90%AD-%F0%9D%90%92%F0%9D%90%A8%F0%9D%90%B0%F0%9D%90%A8%F0%9D%90%AB%F0%9D%90%9E-%F0%9D%90%A2%F0%9D%90%A7-%F0%9D%90%9C%F0%9D%90%A8%F0%9D%90%AE%F0%9D%90%AB%F0%9D%90%AD/1310221830312344

Credit: Punch

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