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FUTA alumnus offers scholarships to 141 students

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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IBADAN: Early Morning Fire Destroys Shops, Millions Lost in Property

An early morning fire on Friday, September 12, 2025, gutted four shops at Saki Garage, opposite Trans Amusement Park in the Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The fire, which started around 2:07 a.m., affected four out of eleven shops in the complex. No casualties were reported, but properties worth millions of naira were lost.
Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Hon. Maroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident and said firefighters were able to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings.
The fire was traced to embers left unattended after business hours, which ignited nearby flammable materials.
Akinwande advised the public to be vigilant, keep fire extinguishers at home and in shops, and store emergency fire service numbers. He also commended Amotekun officers from the Bodija Division for providing security during the firefighting operation.
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Air Peace Differs with NSIB reports on crews involvement in drugs, alcohol
Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!

Air Peace has responded to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) regarding the incident involving one of its aircraft at Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025.
The airline said to date, no official communication was received on crew toxicology results by NSI, B, and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had cleared the co-pilot on duty.
In a statement by Air Peace, it stated that it is yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident and after the testing of the crew for alcohol, which took place in less than an hour of the incident!
“As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, and it is important to set the record straight.
“Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!
The NSIB had on Thursday released the preliminary report on its ongoing investigation into the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-524 aircraft, operated by Air Peace, saying initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption.
The report said that a cabin crew member also tested positive for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in cannabis.
“These results are being reviewed under the human performance and safety management components of the investigation.”, a statement on the report signed by Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, said.
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Hilda Baci Cooking World’s Largest Pot of Jollof Rice Today at Eko Hotel
Baci also disclosed she would be using 250 bags of rice to create what she hopes will become the world’s biggest pot of Nigerian jollof rice.

Celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci is cooking what she describes as the world’s largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice at Eko Hotel and Suites today (Friday) in Lagos.
A video shared on her Instagram page on Thursday showed the moment the massive pot arrived at the venue of the record-breaking attempt in Lagos.
Another clip shared on her Snapchat story captured Hilda and her mother praying at the venue ahead of the event.
Baci announced on Wednesday that more than 20,000 people had registered to attend the event dubbed “Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci”
She emphasised that the event which kicks off at 9 a.m. on Friday, September 12, is free to attend, and that guests will “certainly not be paying for the amazing meal that I’m going to make for you.”
According to Baci, the historic attempt will feature a giant pot measuring six metres wide and six metres tall, in collaboration with seasoning and culinary brand Gino.
Baci also disclosed she would be using 250 bags of rice to create what she hopes will become the world’s biggest pot of Nigerian jollof rice
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