AJIBOLA CONGRATULATES OBA LADOJA ON IBADAN CULTURAL DAY CELEBRATION

Chief Ajibola Babatunde Suraj, the Mogaji Elect of Aliyu Oyabisehin Babakekere,Oke Aare , Ibadan has felicitated  His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr) Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa1)on the success of Ibadan 2026 Cultural Day Celebration of which the grand finale took place at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan recently 

The congratulatory messages were contained in the press release he personally issued and signed which were distributed among the press men at the venue of the celebration 

According to the Mogaji Elect,he is personally grateful to God Almighty for the success recorded during the celebration aimed at promoting Ibadan cultural heritage which included our ways of dressing, dancing,the cordial/ mutual relationship in Ibadan , preservation of Ibadan cultural values and peaceful co -existence of the indigenes and residents in Ibadanland 

Olubadan is the symbol of Ibadan culture, no wonder his focus is on the progress and development of Ibadanland in the areas of agriculture, security of life and property, economic emancipation,youth employment through the resuscitation of the moribund industries and the establishment of the new ones 

" I heartily congratulate the paramount ruler,the Olubadan of Ibadanland, members of Olubadan - In - Council and other traditional title holders in Ibadanland ", he further said

Chief Ajibola Suraju Babatunde who is the Special Adviser to Omo Ajorosun Traditional System Foundation hereby congratulated members and leaders of CCII and give a special kudos to the organizing committee of this year Ibadan Cultural Day Celebration led by Mogaji Moshood Akere for their fantastic performance.

Chief Ajibola appreciated the efforts of the Oyo State Governor, His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde for his achievements in the areas of security, employment and good governance which has attracted different people from all walks of life particularly the investors to Ibadan as well as Oyo State

The Mogaji Designate, Chief Ajibola Babatunde recognized the support received from his family members of Aliyu Oyabisehin Babakekere dynasty, Oke Aare, Ibadan for the confidence reposed in him as their Mogaji  Designate 

The illustrious son of Ibadan congratulated all the sons and daughters of Ibadanland on the huge success of Ibadan 2026  Cultural Day Celebration adding that they should not forget their root but instead collaborate with His Imperial Majesty ,Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja in his efforts to take Ibadanland to a greater height.

Ibadan Travel & Tourism Expo (ITTE) 2026 Rescheduled

The organisers of the Ibadan Travel & Tourism Expo (ITTE) 2026 hereby announce the rescheduling of the upcoming edition of the Expo, originally scheduled to hold in April 2026 at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

This decision follows extensive consultations with key local and international partners, stakeholders, and industry collaborators, all of whom collectively support the vision of delivering a more impactful, inclusive, and globally competitive edition of the Expo.

The consultations highlighted the need to allow for broader international participation, as a growing number of partners, speakers, and institutions have expressed strong interest in participating in ITTE 2026. The revised timeline will ensure their full integration into the Expo’s programmes and activities.

The additional time will also be utilized to deepen strategic collaborations, strengthen institutional engagements, and expand participation across both public and private sector stakeholders, thereby enhancing overall value for exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees.

Furthermore, the rescheduling will enable further improvements in event planning, logistics coordination, exhibition experience, and overall production quality, ensuring a seamless and world-class delivery of the Expo at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

The safety, comfort, and ease of participation of all delegates remain a top priority. This adjustment reflects a commitment to ensuring optimal conditions for engagement, networking, and meaningful business outcomes.

Ultimately, this decision reflects a deliberate strategic direction to deliver not just an event, but a transformative platform that strengthens tourism development, fosters partnerships, and positions Ibadan as a leading hub for tourism dialogue and investment in Africa.

A new date for ITTE 2026 will be announced in due course. All partners, sponsors, and registered participants will be duly informed and appropriately accommodated.

We sincerely appreciate the continued support, trust, and understanding of all stakeholders as we work towards delivering an exceptional edition of the Ibadan Travel & Tourism Expo.

Signed:

Amb. Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye

Founder/Convener

Ibadan Travel & Tourism Expo (ITTE)

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

NOTIFICATION OF OPENING OF APPLICATION FOR RECRUITMENT INTO 91 REGULAR RECRUITS INTAKE FOR TRADES and NON -TRADESMEN and WOMEN 

This is to inform the General Public that online application for the Nigerian Army Recruitment Exercise 91 Regular Recruits Intake for Trades/Non-Tradesmen and Women has commenced from 30th March and will close on 17th. May, 2026 for all interested and qualified candidates from Oyo State. 

The application form is free and is available online at https:recruitment.army.mil.ng.

All applicants will be screened and qualified applicants will be shortlisted to attend the physical screening exercise at the State Recruitment Center, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Odogbo, Ibadan. Oyo State. 

Interested Male and Female indigenes of Oyo State who wish to apply are hereby advised to obtain Oyo State Indigenship Certificate at Room 53, Governor's Office, Secretariat, Ibadan or Liaison Offices at Abuja and Lagos to confirm that they are bonafide candidates of Oyo State origin. 

Listeners are enjoined to please circulate this information to eligible indigenes of Oyo State for general awareness that Nigerian Army Recruitment 91 Regular Recruits Intake for Trades and Non-Tradesmen and Women has commenced from 30th March and will close on 17th. May, 2026 for all interested and qualified indigenes of Oyo State. 

Thank you. 

                 ANNOUNCER

       Professor Musibau Babatunde 

Secretary to the Oyo State Government

One Tree Cannot Make a Forest’: OPC Leader Tells Alaafin Unity Must Precede Security Push

 

 A national leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Comrade Adesina Akinpelu, has said the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, cannot single-handedly enhance the security of Yorubaland.

Comrade Akinpelu stated this in Ibadan on Monday while reacting to a call by the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade I, urging Iba Gani Adams to enhance policing in Yorubaland.

Oba Owoade had charged the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland to commence wide-ranging consultations for local and traditional interventions with traditional rulers, community leaders, and key stakeholders to stem the wave of insecurity in Yorubaland.

In a statement by his Director of Culture and Public Relations, Ademola Adeniyi, the Alaafin said the initiative was aimed at establishing practical, community-driven support systems that would complement formal security structures, particularly in intelligence sharing and early warning mechanisms.

It will be recalled that gunmen, on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, attacked forest guards at Old Oyo National Park in Oloka, Oriire Local Government Area of the state, at about 11:30 p.m., killing five Nigeria Park Service officers in their office.

There were also reports of four farmers killed in Igboho, in Oorelope Local Government Area of the state, while the abduction of a nursing mother and her child in Supare/Ajegunle in Akoko South Local Government Area of Ondo State has heightened fear in some communities in the region.

But reacting to this on Monday, Akinpelu insisted that Iba Gani Adams cannot fight the battle with one hand tied behind his back, urging Oba Owoade to first ensure unity among the different factions of OPC.

“One tree cannot make a forest,” Akinpelu said, recalling that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Adeyeye Ojaja, had long called for the harmonization of the four different factions of OPC, in order to be better positioned to tackle the lingering insecurity in Yorubaland.

Akinpelu explained that while three factions of the Yoruba sociocultural group had agreed to embrace unity, only the Iba Gani Adams-led faction remains adamant.

He, therefore, called on the Alaafin to first put his house in order by uniting the OPC for effective policing across Yorubaland.

OYRTMA Hosts 45 Oke-Ogun Poly Students for Practical Traffic Management Training

            

The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) on Thursday welcomed 45 students from the Department of Transportation Management at Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, for an enlightening study visit to its headquarters at the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

 The student Led by Dr. Akanmu, the Head of the Department, and Mr. Onifade, the students gathered valuable knowledge about traffic management operations and road safety administration in Oyo State. The visit aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical studies and practical experience in the transport sector.

During the visit, Major Adesagba Adekoya (Rtd.), Executive Chairman of OYRTMA, gave a detailed presentation on the history and evolution of road safety efforts in the state, highlighting the steps that led to the creation of OYRTMA. He urged the students to pursue professionalism in their careers, emphasizing that the future of the transportation sector depends on highly skilled and ethical practitioners.

Major Adekoya also reaffirmed OYRTMA’s commitment to facilitating industrial training opportunities for students, provided they are officially posted by the Ministry of Training and Establishment. He expressed his appreciation to the Oyo State Government for its continued support, which has strengthened OYRTMA’s ability to enhance road safety and maintain traffic discipline across the state.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Akanmu, speaking on behalf of the visiting students, expressed his gratitude to Major Adekoya and the entire OYRTMA management for their warm hospitality. He described the visit as a “worthwhile and unforgettable experience” for the students, who gained invaluable insights into the practical aspects of traffic management.

In closing remarks, Commander Adeoye Ayoade, the General Manager of OYRTMA, also commended Oke-Ogun Polytechnic for initiating the visit, noting that the exposure would have a significant impact on the students’ academic and professional growth. He further remarked that Dr. Akanmu, who is well-known at the Authority, would always be “welcome home.”

The students were given an extensive tour of OYRTMA’s facilities, with several directors delivering insightful presentations. The briefings covered key operational areas such as enforcement strategies, traffic management best practices, and the Authority’s approach to maintaining road safety.

Directors who spoke at the event included Mr. Akammu Olusola, Director of Administration and Supplies; Mrs. Kehinde Dore, Director of Finance and Accounts; Mr. Adesina Olamide, Director of Operations and Enforcement; Mr. Olalere Rasheed, Director of Rescue and Incident Management; Mrs. Lawal Teslimat Bolaji, Director of Logistics and Engineering; as well as the Director of Marshal and Youth Volunteers and the Provost Marshal for the Authority.

The visit gave the students a unique opportunity to link their academic studies with real-world applications in the transport and road safety sector, helping them better understand the importance of effective traffic management in safeguarding lives and property on the roads.

20th Synod: Continue to Pray for Peace, Oyo Head of Service Charges Churches

 

The Oyo State Head of Service. Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni has charged Churches in Nigeria to continue to stand as a beacon of hope, a voice of truth and a pillar of moral guidance to the society.

She stated this during the opening ceremony of the 20th synod of the Methodist Church Diocese, Age, Igbo Elerin, Ibadan, with the Theme; "I Will Fight For You".

She said the  theme of the synod echoes Exodus 14:14, where Moses tells the Israelites, trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea: “The LORD shall fight for you and you shall hold your peace. ”God demonstrated His ability to deliver by parting the Red Sea, drowning the enemy and setting His people free, this account shows that when God fights for His people, no obstacle is insurmountable.

The Head of Service said the Church is more than a place of worship; it is a moral and spiritual pillar of the nation. Its contribution to national security is both spiritual and practical.

"For Nigeria, this means we can trust God’s power while also doing our part, praying fervently, acting justly and supporting the structures that protect lives and property".

She continued, "at this moment in our nation’s history, we are reflecting on the theme "I Will Fight for You.”These words are not merely a slogan; they are a divine promise that has carried God’s people through every age and they speak directly to our present reality.

Mrs Oni hinted further that God’s promise to fight for us does not imply passivity on our part, throughout the Scripture, divine intervention worked hand in hand with human responsibility.

"In a time like this, when our society is confronted with numerous challenges moral, social and economic the role of the Church becomes even more critical". 

"The Synod is not merely a routine meeting; it is a sacred platform for reflection, renewal and collective decision-making under divine guidance. It is a time for the Church to assess its journey, strengthen its mission and chart a forward-looking course in fulfilling its spiritual and societal responsibilities. Such gatherings remind us that the Church is both a spiritual family and a moral force in the life of the nation".

She added that Churches can mediate conflicts, counsel aggrieved parties and preach messages that reduce ethnic and religious tension in a diverse nation like Nigeria, the Church’s voice for peace is indispensable.

She enjoined Churches to partner with security agencies by sharing information, organizing community watch groups, providing safe spaces and praying for the security personnel for their protection and for God to expose any act of betrayal or compromise, as Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ, many lives have been lost to banditry and kidnapping, including evangelists, clergy, engineers and other gifted citizens who could have contributed to our nation’s development.

She opined  that many security challenges stem from poverty and idleness, the Church can offer vocational training, youth mentorship and support for the vulnerable, both in cities and in rural communities by removing the conditions that fuel crime.

"Nigeria’s security is not solely the responsibility of the armed forces, it is a collective effort. The Synod is not merely a routine meeting; it is a sacred platform for reflection, renewal and collective decision-making under divine guidance. It is a time for the Church to assess its journey, strengthen its mission, and chart a forward-looking course in fulfilling its spiritual and societal responsibilities. Such gatherings remind us that the Church is both a spiritual family and a moral force in the life of the nation's task in which the Church lights the path of hope, truth, and unity.

"I am particularly delighted to note that the Methodist Church has remained steadfast in its commitment to spiritual growth, community development and nation-building. Your contributions in education, healthcare, and the moral upbringing of our youths are commendable and worthy of emulation.

She admonished the Church to continue partnering with the government and other stakeholders in promoting good governance, peace, and sustainable development to  build a society that is just, prosperous and harmonious.

In his remarks, The Bishop of the Diocese of Agodi, Rt. Rev. Simeon.  Onaleke appreciated the Head of Service for the word of encouragement, saying that, the 20th Synod will be fruitful, spirit-filled and impactful.

Abiodun Atilola 

Media Officer to the SSG/HOS 

18. April. 2026

Celebration of Service as OYSMIDA GM Marks 60th Birthday, Exit from Public Service

The Oyo State Mineral Development Agency (OYSMIDA) has celebrated the retirement and 60th birthday of its General Manager, Mrs Olufunke Omidiran, in a grand ceremony that drew top government officials, colleagues, family members, and well-wishers from across Oyo State.

The event brought together family members, colleagues, and well-wishers to honour Mrs. Omidiran’s years of dedicated service, exemplary leadership, and remarkable contributions to the growth and development of the Agency.

In his remarks, the Director-General of OYSMIDA, Mr Abiodun Oni, congratulated the celebrant on attaining the milestone of retirement and her 60th birthday. 

He commended her unwavering commitment, professionalism, and passion for excellence, noting that her legacy of diligence and integrity will continue to inspire staff and stakeholders of the Agency.

The Director-General described Mrs. Omidiran as a seasoned administrator whose impactful leadership strengthened the operations and reputation of the Agency during her tenure.

Also present at the ceremony were representatives of Permanent Secretaries and General Managers from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in Oyo State, who joined in celebrating her outstanding service to the state.

The event featured goodwill messages, tributes, and presentations in recognition of her distinguished career, with prayers offered for a fulfilling retirement filled with good health, joy, and continued success.