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Oladosu, Popoola, Others Make List of Fed Poly Ede Alumni’s Board of Trustees
In a bid to standardise its structure and enhance its global outlook, the Federal Polytechnic Ede Alumni Association has appointed some distinguished members of the body into its Board of Trustees (BoT) seat.
The 10-man BoT member is to be chaired by renowned businessman and politician, Alhaji Sikiru Babson Oladosu, while Mrs. Fadekemi O. Abiodun-Afolabi (PhD), will serve as the board’s secretary.
The appointment of the BoT members was recently ratified by the National Convention/Annual General Meeting of the Alumni body held last month.
Explaining the need for the appointment and constitution of the BoT for the Federal Poly, Ede, Alumni Association, the National President of the ex-students’ body, Mr. Bashir Shittu Olaleye, said the new board will be responsible for the smooth governance and initiation of policies for the purpose of progressive development of the Alumni body.
Among other roles to be performed by the board is to support the strategic campaign plan on major projects that have been earmarked and to influence and facilitate the receipt of gifts and donations towards the Association’s identified projects, since the properties of the Association is vested in the Board of Trustees.
Other members of the BoT include renowned techpreneur, political commentator and founder of the popular Rate Your Leader App, Joel Popoola; House of Representatives member, Hon. (Mrs) Taiwo Olukemi Oluga; Mr Festus Olaifa, and Mr. Kola Bakare.
Others include Barrister Daud Biodun Akinloye, the current Alumni President, Mr. Bashir Shittu Olaleye ; Mr Adejare Sunday Odeleke and Mr Olugbenga Bamidele Oyawa.
According to the Alumni body’s National Executive Council (NEC), the tenure of the BoT members will be for four years, and they can be re-elected by the general meeting.
The BoT chairman, Alhaji Oladosu, Sikiru Babson is an indigene of Ede in Osun State. He had his Higher National Diploma (HND) in Banking and Finance department at the prestigious Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State. Also, he has possessed Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
Prior to his journey to Higher National Diploma (HND), Alhaji Oladosu had ventured into several businesses; he is a seasoned farmer, entrepreneur, fashion designer and politician of note. As a businessman, he floated the following companies – Blazer Connection Fashion, Blazer Connection Farms, and Blazer Connection Properties.
He has varied working experiences, notable was Sales Representative at Tama Gas and Petroleum, Lagos, Sales Manager at Ecstasy Wears Nigeria Enterprises at Jos in Plateau State. He was also involved in part-time Lecturing in the department of Banking and Finance of Federal Polytechnic, Ede and later concentrated in the Nigerian politics which he was involved prior to completion of his Higher National Diploma.
He is currently the Managing Director of SUNSALAK Engineering Limited and CEO of Blazer Connection Multi-Investment Company. He is happily married and blessed with children.
Mrs. Fadekemi O. ABIODUN-AFOLABI (PhD) was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State but grew up in Ibadan, Oyo State, , where she had her secondary school education at the distinguished St. Anne’s School, Molete and later moved to the School of Science, at Ile-Ife in Osun State. She then proceeded to the Federal Polytechnic, Ede where she graduated in Financial Studies (O.N.D 1995) and Accountancy (H.N.D 1998). She also holds the B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Geography from the University of Ibadan, and another set of B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Accountancy from Saint Monica American University, Cameroon. She holds a master’s in business administration with specialty in Business Law from the National Institute of Business Management in India, and a PhD in Forensic Accounting & Auditing from Charisma University, in the Turks and Caicos Islands, UK. In Canada, she obtained a Diploma in Immigration Consulting,
In 2018, her family relocated to Canada where she joined one of the Global Big 5 Management Consultancy services, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) as the Independence Manager. She presently manages her own firm Bixbite Consults Inc., which provides services such as Business & Financial Management Consulting, Audit & Investigation Services, Canadian Student Recruitment, and Immigration Services.
Joel Popoola is a British citizen of Nigerian descent, the founder of a digital democracy project – Rate Your Leader grew up in Gbongan, Osun State where he had his primary and post-primary education at St Paul’s Anglican Primary School and Community High School Gbongan respectively.
Aside his ND and HND in Financial Studies and Accounting respectively from Federal Polytechnic Ede, Joel holds a master’s degree in Managerial Psychology from the University of Ibadan. He’s a software testing consultant.
Joel, described by a local newspaper in England, Sunderland Echo, as ‘the City Man” in 2019, is an Advance Member of the Institute of Directors, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, currently leading IoD – Special Interest Group Africa for the Institute. He hosted governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to IoD event in the UK earlier this year, as the first elected leader in Africa to address the Institute since inception in 1903.
And, in 2018, Joel, through one of his companies, Aacle Ltd, initiated the first employability and entrepreneurship training for the student of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, in conjunction with FPE Alumni Association. This event was at no cost to the alumni or any of the participating students.
Popoola is a full member of the prestigious Chatham House – The International Institute of International Affairs. He is a full member of International Institute of Strategic Studies, an associate member of Rain Cloud, Westminster, a full member, London Tech Advocates and he was welcomed late last year to UK Tech Founders as a full fledge member.
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
There is no gainsaying the fact that everyone desirous of making impact in life must live a life of purpose. This is where knowledge and information come to play. It is these knowledge and information that will set an individual apart from his contemporaries.
I strongly believe, if one is not informed, they are ill-informed, and when they are ill-informed, they can’t perform well in any given endeavour. This is because information leads to reformation and transformation. We can therefore, confidently say that information leads to formation because everyone is a product of what they know.
Knowledge acquisition is one of the best things that can happen to anyone. People with knowledge are revered, and highly respected. Having knowledge is like having money. People from all walks of life will seek you.
There are different kinds of knowledge, and they include Revealed Knowledge, which comes from those who wrote the Bible and Intuitive Knowledge, which comes from the mind. It is the ability to gain knowledge without conscious reason or explanation.
Others are Empirical Knowledge, which is information gained through observation, experimentation, and direct experience, rather than through theoretical reason or intuition; Authoritative Knowledge, which is the knowledge a man has because of his expertise in a particular field; and finally but not the least, Rational Knowledge, which is a form of knowledge that uses reasoning and philosophy to understand the world.
From this illustration, a decisive mind can see that knowledge is priceless. Knowledge is like education. It can provide security and access. Even the Book of life says in Proverbs 4:13, “your education is your life, guard it very well”; and in Hosea 4:6 that “my people perish for lack of knowledge”.
From my personal experience in life, apart from death, one of the greatest levelers of all time is education. This is because the child of a certified pauper can become a man of means tomorrow if properly educated. That explains why children from humble backgrounds ought to take their education very seriously, especially if they don’t have affluence.
On a personal note, I come from a very humble background, my late parents didn’t have the opportunity of acquiring a decent education, but they knew the value of education and endeavored to give me and my siblings a decent education. In retrospect, when I look back and see some of my contemporaries whose parents couldn’t give them a decent education, I bless my late parents because education has exposed me to lots of opportunities in the United States, and the global world in addition to granting me an audience with the high and mighty in society.
Sometimes, when I look at my modest achievement, I’m deeply humbled because I know it is the grace of God. Who am I to author two amazing trailblazers’ books, get featured and profiled by the New York Times, engage in high level conversation with leaders of thought and captains of industries. Apart from the grace of God, intentional seeking of knowledge, and wise counsel from mentors and strategically positioning myself have been some of the cornerstone to my success.
Imagine if my late parents didn’t give me a decent education and opportunity of travelling to the United States, most of these opportunities and exposure wouldn’t have been readily available.
When one is decently enlightened, educated and informed about life, their level of reasoning and understanding differ from an ordinary man. If one desires to go far in life, one must seek knowledge.
It is your knowledge that sets you apart from others.
According to Dr. Yomi Garnett, an accomplished Ghostwriter, “If you are a man of great knowledge, people will have great respect for you. If you are a man of great wisdom, people will have great reverence for you. And if you are a man of both, great knowledge and great wisdom, you will be the most eminent of men. But in real terms, people don’t care how much you know, or how much wisdom you have, unless they know how much you care.”
The moral of this quote is that despite the knowledge and information at one’s disposal, if one lacks empathy, their knowledge, experience and whatever they have mean nothing.
The importance of knowledge cannot be overemphasized. In our contemporary society, a fast way of attracting opportunities is by showcasing the knowledge at one’s disposal. It is so sad that many people don’t take time to read, research and learn new trends applicable in their industry, and in the world generally and as such, they find it difficult to fit in and grow.
It is instructive to note that when you seek knowledge, opportunities will seek for you. A major reason people are poor is simply because they are not solving problems and to solve problems, one ought to have understanding. Do you know that if you don’t have money, the reason is often because you are not solving a problem, or you are not solving enough problems, or you are not solving the right problem or you are not solving problems for the right people. Generally, we make money because we have something unique to offer to the world. Therefore, to solve problems, one must have knowledge and information.
We currently live in an age of technological, where skills, talent and creativity are in high demand. Any progressive being that desires to go far must be intentional in seeking knowledge. Successful acquisition of knowledge, information and understanding can lead to discernment and wisdom.
In conclusion, as you journey towards life, if you want to make an impact, seek opportunities, and earn more money, do yourself a favour by endeavoring to seek knowledge, wisdom, and information. You can’t get these by sitting on your sofa or staying in your comfort zone.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design Your and Unleash Your Destiny. He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Daniel Bwala as Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications (State House).
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced this in a statement, on Thursday.
A former aide of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Bwala worked actively for his former principal who lost to Tinubu.
However, after the elections, he worked his way into the camp of Tinubu, sparking controversy.
Onanuga also announced the appointments of three directors-general of various agencies.
They are:
(1) Mr. Olawale Olopade — Director-General, National Sports Commission
(2) Dr. Abisoye Fagade — Director-General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism
(3) Dr. Adebowale Adedokun — Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement
Olopade, the new Director-General of the National Sports Commission, is a sports administrator with many years of experience in the sector.
He served as commissioner of youth and sports in Ogun state and was chairman of the local organising committee of the 2024 National Sports Festival.
The new Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Dr. Abisoye Fagade is a marketing communication professional. He is the founder and managing director of Sodium Brand Solutions.
Adedokun, the new helmsman of the Bureau of Public Procurement, was the director of Research/Training and Strategic Planning at the bureau before his appointment.
Daily Trust
Globacom has received commendation from the Vice Chancellor of BOWEN University, Iwo, Osun State, Professor Jonathan Oyebamiji Babalola, for consistently delivering digital services to the university over the years.
This acclamation was made by Professor Babalola during a business meeting in his office at the University of Iwo in Osun State, when he hosted a team from Globacom’s Enterprise Business Group.
The VC conveyed how much he enjoyed working with Globacom and encouraged the company to keep up its uninterrupted services to the academic community.
In order to help the university fulfill its mission of creating better products and advance the frontiers of academic development, he also asked Globacom to support BOWEN University through a number of CSR initiatives.
Speaking at the meeting, Adeniyi Odejobi, the Enterprise Business Lead, Globacom, said that the company has been a major telecommunications service provider in Nigeria, providing telephony and digital solution services for millions of people across the country as well as enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses, large corporations, public sector organizations, and universities. It is also a digital solutions company.
According to Adeniyi, Glo has been at the forefront of revolutionary changes in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector for more than 20 years and is largely to be commended for democratizing the use of telephones and telephony services across the country over the years. “Because of Globacom, every Nigerian today can afford a telephone line”, he noted.
According to Adeniyi, Globacom also evolved a good number of innovations that have aided revolutionary developments in the Nigerian telecom sector, such as Globacom’s fully owned international submarine cable, Glo 1.
In order to advance the university, Adeniyi urged it to deepen its collaboration with Glo in order to offer digital services such as Glo LMS, Toll-Free Data, and Mobility services.
