There had been speculation of Adeleke defecting to APC ahead of the August 8, 2026 governorship election in the state.

Malam Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson for the governor in a statement on Saturday in Osogbo, said the PDP caucus gave their support during a meeting on Thursday in Osogbo.

Rasheed also said the caucus passed a vote of confidence on Adeleke, urging him to continue consultations with all stakeholders locally and nationally.

He said the caucus also commended the governor’s leadership style and performance in office.

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Rasheed added that the PDP caucus, in a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting held at the Government House, resolved to follow Adeleke wherever he goes.

He, however, recognised the fact that the governor was still consulting on the next line of action.

According to him, the meeting had in attendance members of the national and state assemblies, the state executive council, executives of the party, the Special Advisers’ Forum, the Elders Caucus, and the state chapter of ALGON leadership.

Source: NAN

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In a statement by Malam Olawale Rasheed, the governor’s spokesperson, made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Saturday, Adeleke hailed the alertness of the DSS operatives.

He said that the DSS’ move to eliminate threats posed by the suspected terrorists, gave assurance that “our security agencies are up to the task of sustaining peace and security of every part of Nigeria.”

Adeleke commended the intelligence gathering skills of the personnel of the State Service, who painstakingly monitored the activities of the suspected criminals and moved swiftly to cut off their dastardly act.

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“This is a welcome development and a big relief, not just for us as a government, but to the people of the state and Nigerians in general.

“I commend the security operatives for their alertness and intelligence driven operation.

“We have absolute confidence in our security forces to keep protecting us,” the governor said.

He also assured the people of the state that his administration would continue to cooperate with security agencies and support their operations to ensure maximum protection of lives and property in the state.

“As the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I will continue to give priority to issues of security of my people.

“I will continue to support efforts of security agencies to guard against any breakdown of law and order in any part of Osun.

“We will sustain the good relationship and collaboration that currently exists between our administration and the security agencies in the state,” he said.

Adeleke enjoined residents to continue to be watchful, and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to relevant security agency.

He said, “Together, we will ensure that Osun remains the most peaceful state in Nigeria.”

Source: NAN

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Justice Ajayi said since the convict confessed to the crime while the doctor’s report confirmed penetration and semen was found, Rasheed was guilty of the charge.

The judge said the defendant was hereby sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.

Ajayi said the jail term would commenced from Jan. 29, 2023, when the convict was arraigned in court.

The Defence Counsel, Mr O. A. Ekundayo, during his plea, said the convict had spent 19 months and 9 days at the custody of Agodi correctional facility.

Ekundayo said the convict had conducted himself in a manner most reasonably expected of him and had learnt his lesson.

He said the convict had endured the pains and agony at the Correctional facility as a lesson to him.

He said that the convict was not a fugitive before and during the time spent at Agodi correctional facility in the circumstances of the case.

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“The defendant is at the mercy of the court, based on the fact before my noble Lord, I pray the court to exercise the judicial dexterity and clemency on the convict, ” Ekundayo said.

Earlier, the prosecution led by Mrs K. K. Oloso-Olayiwola, Deputy Director, Public Prosecution, said the convict, a resident of Abayomi area, Iwo Road, Ibadan, was charged with rape.

Oloso-Olayiwola said the convict raped the victim, 29, a  petty trader and a divorcee about 10:00 p.m while she was on her way home.

The prosecutor said the victim had approached the convict to show her the nearest mosque where she could pass the night.

She said it was while the convict wanted to show her the  nearest mosque that the convict gripped her neck and flung her to the ground beside the road and raped her.

Oloso-Olayiwola said the offence was contrary to Section 357 and punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State 2000.

Source: NAN

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Addressing newsmen in Abuja on return from the summit, Professor Okebukola, a former  Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, noted that Nigerian universities did Africa proud and had maintained a winning streak over the last three years since NURAC was established by Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC) and endorsed by the former Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu.

Providing further details, Professor Okebukola noted that globally, University of Oxford was ranked 1st followed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2nd); Harvard University (3rd); Princeton University (4th); University of Cambridge (5th); Stanford University (6th); California Institute of Technology (7th); University of California, Berkeley (8th); Imperial College London (9th) and Yale University (10th).

According to him, Covenant University is the only Nigerian university that made the 1000 best universities in the world grade in the rankings.

“At the Manchester event where the rankings were unveiled, Covenant University was given the thumbs up. It is ranked among the 801-1000 band.

“Covenant University has consistently outpaced all 274 Nigerian universities and most of the universities in the whole of Africa.

For the purpose of this report, Okebukola equated the top 1000 universities as “Band A”.

Band B universities according to Okebukola classification are those that are ranked between 1000 and 1200.

“Nigeria proudly had four universities in this band- Ahmadu Bello University; Landmark University; University of Ibadan; and University of Lagos; Next are the Band C universities that are ranked between 1201 and 1500.

“These are Bayero University; Federal University of Technology Akure; Federal University of Technology, Minna; University of Benin; University of Ilorin; and University of Nigeria Nsukka. Band D universities have rankings after 1500.

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These are Ekiti State University; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Federal University Oye-Ekiti; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology; Lagos State University; Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Obafemi Awolowo University; University of Port Harcourt; and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

“Universities that are yet to fall into Bands A, B, C and D, that is, qualified for being ranked are in the reporter category. These universities are yet to meet the threshold of having at least 1000 citations for all staff in the university.

According to Okebukola, the joy is that these universities are on the way leading to qualification for ranking.

In the 2025 World University Rankings, the following Nigerian universities fell within the reporter category.  These, in alphabetical order, are Abia State University; Akwa Ibom State University; Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike; Ambrose Alli University; Baze University; Bells University of Technology; Benson Idahosa University; Bowen University; Delta State University, Abraka; Evangel University, Akaeze; Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun; Godfrey Okoye University; Lagos State University of Education; Lagos State University of Science and Technology; Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Niger Delta University; Nile University of Nigeria; Osun State University; Rivers State University; Thomas Adewumi University; University of Cross River State; University of Maiduguri; and Veritas University, Abuja.

Okebukola, a former Chairman, Governing Board of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, further elaborated on the criteria for ranking.

According to him, Times Higher Education uses 18 carefully calibrated performance indicators to provide the most comprehensive and balanced comparisons, trusted by students, academics, university leaders, industry and governments.

He explained that the performance indicators are grouped into five areas: Teaching (the learning environment); Research environment (volume, income and reputation); Research quality (citation impact, research strength, research excellence and research influence); International outlook (staff, students and research); and Industry (income and patents).

Professor Okebukola is hopeful that following the series of workshops being planned by NURAC for Directors of Academic Planning, Nigerian universities will keep climbing up the global league tables.

Speaking further, Okebukola noted: “As we look ahead to the 2026 World University Rankings, there is an unwavering belief that Nigerian universities are poised to achieve significant improvements and secure higher positions in the global league tables.

“The commitment from academic leadership especially vice-chancellors, government, and key stakeholders to invest in cutting-edge infrastructure for teaching and research is required to make this happen.

“Government should heed the call of staff unions to improve the funding of our public universities, improve staff welfare which is shameful low and incapable of encouraging serious commitment to research.”

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The belt was received on Thursday.

According to a statement by the General Secretary of NBBofC, Mr. Remi Aboderin, the belt was presented to the President of the NBBofC, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo.

Recall that Nigeria’s Idowu “ID Buster” Rasheed won the vacant UBO African Light-Heavyweight belt by a round two knockout over Ghanaian Bastie Samir on Saturday at Decathlon, Kawukudi Park, Accra, Ghana.

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However, the fight was declared a technical draw, after the brutal second round knockout, instead of a knockout win for Rasheed.

With the intervention of the Universal Boxing Organization, UBO, championships sanctioning body as well as massive publicity and awareness, the result was overturned in favour of the Nigerian.

According to the statement, the belt has been sent to the President of Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, NBBofC, for Idowu Rasheed to be decorated.

It also stated that the Ibadan-based Idowu Rasheed would be decorated by the Oyo State governor.

Source: NAN

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This is contained in a statement issued by spokesperson to the Governor, Malam Olawale Rasheed, on Wednesday in Osogbo.

“I am elated to sign this bill on the new logo into law as a sign of rebirth of our dear state.

“The new logo is significant because it rhymes and meaningfully represents our historic anthem, our values and tradition,” the governor said.

He also said that the new logo was an educational resource material for the younger generation, as it contained symbols of the state’s landmarks, strength, resources and history.

“The logo is also a tool to market the state at home and abroad.

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“It is my honour and privilege to introduce the new logo as the symbol of our state,” he said.

This, Adeleke said, would herald a new life of prosperity, abundance and sustainability for residents and admirers of the state.

Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr Adewale Egbedun, described the new logo as meaningful and representative of the people, their heritage and potentials.

Egbedun congratulated the governor and the people of the state on what he described as a historic occasion.

“For us at the state assembly, we will continue to robustly support the many laudable initiatives of the executive arm of government,” he said.

Source: NAN

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Spokesperson of the police in Osun, SP Yemisi Opalola, stated in Osogbo that a suspect had been arrested in connection with the murder.

“Police in Osun is aware of the shooting that occurred at Ejigbo which led to the death of Dr Richard Adeoriokin.

“The incident occurred on Saturday after the 50th coronation anniversary of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Oyeyode Oyesosin.

“One Prince Eniola Oyeyode of Ejigbo instructed one of his civilian guards named Hammed Jelili to fire his double barrel gun into the air to confirm if the gun was in good condition.

“Jelili instead shot directly at the victim and he was rushed to a hospital but confirmed dead on arrival by a doctor.

“Prince Oyeyode, who gave the order to his civilian guard to fire the gun has been arrested and detained.

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“Commissioner of Police in Osun, Mr Bzigu Kwazhi, appeals to member of the public, especially residents of Ejigbo to remain calm as investigation into the matter has started,’’ Opalola stated.

Osun’s Governor Ademola Adeleke has equally ordered an immediate investigation into the killing of the lecturer.

His media aide, Malam Olawale Rasheed, stated on Sunday that the governor said the killing and counter-killing at Ejigbo, during the celebration, must be investigated by law enforcement agencies.

“The governor commiserates with the people of Ejigbo and directed law enforcement agencies to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incident and ensure that the law takes its course.

“The governor also called for pre-emptive action by security agencies to prevent any possible counter-attack or eruption of violence in the ancient town following the sad incident.

“He urged families of the deceased not to take the law into their hands and dispatched a high-powered delegation to visit Ejigbo to ensure restoration of calm while investigations continue.

“Members of the delegation are the Commissioner of Police, the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs, the Commissioner for Information, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security,’’ he stated.

Rasheed quoted the governor as saying that he had instructed police in the state to issue guidelines on the usage of local guns to enhance safety and protection of citizens, especially at public functions.

Source: NAN

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At a colourful unveiling event in Accra on June 26, Times Higher Education announced the results of its 2023 Sub-Saharan university rankings.

The event was attended by a delegation from Nigeria led by Professor Peter Okebukola, Chairman of Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee, NURAC.

Other members of the delegation are Dr. Noel Biodun Saliu, Deputy Executive Secretary (Academics) NUC and Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun (member of NURAC representing southwest zone).

Vice-Chancellors of Covenant University, Landmark University and Skyline University were some of the other university leaders from Nigeria.

Professor Peter Okebukola who was excited on return to Abuja, provided details of the results to news men.

According to him, Covenant University emerged in the 7th position in Sub-Saharan Africa and the No. 1 in Nigeria.

“Other universities that appeared on the elite list and their ranks are Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (26th) Benson Idahosa University (30th), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (31st), Redeemer’s University (35), University of Ibadan (36), CRUTECH (37th) , OAU, Ife (39th) Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (43rd ), Adeleke University (45th), and Ahmadu Bello University (46th ).

“Others are: University of Benin (47th), Landmark University(49th), Babcock University (50th), Ajayi Crowther University (51-60th), Bells University of Technology (51-60th ), Federal University Kashere (51-60th ), Federal University Lokoja (51-60th ), Gombe State University (51-60th ), Lagos State University (51-60th ), University of Port Harcourt (51-60th ), Baze University (51-60th ), Delta State University (61-70th ), Elizade University (61-70th ), Niger Delta University (61-70th ), Abia State University (71+), Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (71+), Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Ikere (71+), Bauch State University (71+), Bayero University (71+), Edo State University (71+), LAUTECH (71+), Lead City University (71+), NOUN (71+), Glorious Vision University (formerly Samuel Adegboyega University (71+), Veritas University (71+), and Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano (71+).

According to the former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, NUC, the methodology of the sub-Saharan African rankings is on “five pillars- resources and finance (20%); access and fairness (20%); teaching skills (20%); student engagement (20%) and Africa impact (20%)”.

He noted that on all measures, Nigerian universities did impressively well, with much room for improvement.

Okebukola who was the immediate past chairman of the Governing Board of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, noted that “since this is the first edition of the sub-Saharan university rankings, by the next and subsequent editions, Nigerian universities will leap to the lead.

“We will continue to improve on the metrics through better quality teaching especially with the incoming Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards, CCMAS, research and provision of better services for our students.”

Okebukola further informed the press that during the unveiling ceremony and the Sub-Saharan University Forum which preceded it on “Revolutionising African Higher Education”, Duncan Ross, Chief Data Officer of Times Higher Education, lauded Nigerian universities on progress made in the last two years on global and regional league tables.

According to Ross, of the 121 universities that contributed data, Nigerian universities make up the “largest proportion (42%) followed by South Africa (12%) and Ghana (7%) Professor Okebukola explained this as the impact of the revolution towards improving quality of delivery of university education in Nigeria, initiated by Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, Executive Secretary NUC and supported by the immediate-past Minister of Education Malam Adamu Adamu”.

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Executive Secretary of the Global University Network for Innovation, GUNi, Africa, Professor Juma Shabani; the Secretary General of the Association of African Universities, AAU, Professor Olusola Oyewole and scholars at a global quality assurance conference held in Washington, DC, said  that CCMAS would enhance quality teaching and learning in Nigerian universities.

Professor Shabani, a former head of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, Bamako Cluster Office, who had participated in similar exercises, referred to the process as “revolutionary” and worth emulating by other African countries in the quest to attain the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

At the post-launch sensitisation workshop held for Vice-Chancellors, Professor Oyewole who delivered the keynote address was excited about what he labelled as “the future-fit curricula” and described NUC’s efforts as “building the future today”.

According to him “the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, has become the instrument for restoring the originality in the Nigerian university system. He is returning to the Nigerian university system confidence and trust.”

Scholars who got a preview of the CCMAS at the 2023 global conference of the Washington-based Council for Higher Education Accreditation, CHEA, International Quality Group, CIQG, held between January 23 and 26, were unanimous in applauding the giant strides of Nigeria and eager to receive updates on the full implementation of the new curriculum.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja on return from the Washington conference, the chairman of the NUC Strategy Advisory Committee, STRADVCOM, Professor Peter Okebukola attributed the trajectory to the far-sightedness of Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed who he said had fired a revolution in the Nigerian university system guided by the Blueprint on Rapid Revitalisation of University Education in Nigeria (2019-2023).

According to Okebukola, “The curriculum re-engineering process under Professor Rasheed is not just a quick fix which began few months ago as wrongly portrayed by some.

“It is a six-step process which began with a sensitisation lecture about five years ago. This was followed by survey of the gaps in the existing curricula of Nigerian universities.

“The input from the findings formed the basis of a revised edition of the curricula by teams of national and international experts in the disciplines, and private sector players led by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG.

“The next step was input from Departments and Faculties in the Nigerian university system funnelled to NUC through the Senate of the Universities. Now came the very rigorous step of review which took the better part of 16 months.

“The review teams were carefully selected from among the best scholars in their disciplines, members of professional bodies and Academies. The product of the review which underwent further validation was unveiled on December 5, 2022 by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, represented by the Secretary to Government, Mr. Boss Mustapha.?

Okebukola who is a former Executive Secretary of NUC stressed that some, out of ignorance, believed that NUC had no business with facilitating curriculum development and minimum standards setting for universities, and failing to note that such power was pursuant to the provisions of Education (National Minimum Standard and Establishment of Institutions) Act No. E3 L.F.N. 2004, and National Universities Commission Act No. N81 Laws of Federation Nigeria (L.F.N.) 2011, which empowered the National Universities Commission, NUC, to set minimum academic standards for Nigerian universities.

Okebukola who has observed similar quality assurance-related exercises across the world, singled out Professor Rasheed’s model as one of the best in Africa as it embeds two follow-up activities in the package.

According to him, “One is the intensive training/capacity building of implementers of the CCMAS, a project that is to be coordinated by Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i (former Minister of Education and member of STRADVCOM).

“The other is the development of textual materials to support the implementation. This project is coordinated by Emeritus Professor Nimi Briggs (Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities and member of STRADVCOM).

“Ten highlights of the 2022 CCMAS which replaces the 15-year old and long-overdue-for-change Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) are: (1) Comparable in content to similar curricula in the best university systems in the world and relevant to Nigeria’s socio-cultural context; (2) Addresses the knowledge and skills gaps in the curriculum it is replacing; (3) While providing 70% of core curriculum as minimum for all Nigerian universities, it allows universities to customise and bespoke the curriculum by adding 30% of courses to reflect their uniqueness of mission and contextual peculiarities.

“It also places accent on entrepreneurship, practical rather than theoretical knowledge and skills and the development of 21st century skills; (5) in line with contemporary global practice, change of nomenclature from Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) to Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS); (6) in consonance with emerging development globally, the curriculum is to stimulate blended learning in its delivery; (7) strategically configured to produce future-fit graduates; (8) provides essential foundations for lifelong learning; (9) nurtures deep thinkers and problem solvers and graduates who are highly skilled in their professions and disciplines; and (10) encourages interdependencies of disciplines,” he stated.

Okebukola concluded that from his personal assessment, the NUC CCMAS was configured not as a business-as-usual document, saying it had provided allowance of 30 per cent for universities to innovate and take care of any gap Senate of each university wished to fill.

He said it was a living document which would keep adding more “cells”.

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The board Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this at a meeting with regulatory agencies and tertiary institutions from the Northern and Southern regions in Abuja on Monday.

Oloyede said from January 1, 2023, the board would not receive any letter from any institution or agency except through IBASS.

He said that IBASS would ensure seamless communication between JAMB, institutions and their regulatory agencies without the use of letter writing as the practice had been.

He further said that the automation of curriculum, accreditation and general administration matters among JAMB, regulatory agencies and institutions would provide personalised services to the institutions and agencies as only JAMB and the institution would be able to see any communication on the platform.

“We discovered that we spend our time attending to letters from some major stakeholders of the board and the major stakeholders are essentially regulatory agencies such as NUC, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).

“Apart from these stakeholders, we also receive from 890 institutions across the country.

“Essentially, the regulatory agencies appeal to us for approval of new programmes and accreditation of programmes. And what we receive from institutions is essentially about admission and registration or accreditation of new courses or quota issue,” he said.

Oloyede added that having been able to augment its communication with over 2 million students across tertiary institutions in the country through its Central Admission Processing System, CAPS, it could apply same to admission and accreditation matters related to regulatory agencies and tertiary institutions.

“With this platform, if the NUC approves admission quota, it would be centralised in such a way that as soon as you see approved, everybody will see it and there is no need to write to JAMB.

“Before now, registrars of institutions had no say that they have been complaining that they want to know what they are doing and a platform has been created for them, they may not be able to effect changes but will see everything,” he said.

The JAMB boss noted that the platform would also improve efficiency of all the operations of the board.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof Abubakar Rasheed, said in the last six years, JAMB had built a strong relationship with regulatory agencies and institutions of higher learning in the country.

Rasheed expressed belief that the cordial relationship would continue to yield many mutual benefits including the setting up of the platforms.

He commended the board of JAMB for setting up CAPS and IBASS, saying that would improve efficiency and smooth operations of JAMB.

He added that the introduction of IBASS had revolutionised the admission process in the country, while urging all institutions to make the best use of the innovation.

On his part, the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, said the introduction of IBASS and CAPS was the way to go as the nation required digitisation of all its communication.

Bugaje decried the failure of some polytechnic rectors to embrace digitisation, adding that the board would soon commence digitisation of all its processes, including accreditation in all polytechnics nationwide.

Also, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE, Prof. Paulinus Okwelle, noted that the platform would make admission process seamless.

Okwelle commended the JAMB registrar on the many initiatives taken to reduce delay and improve efficiency, adding that IBASS would address challenges and improve efficiency in the admission process.

Source: NAN

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