education
UNILORIN Celebrates Maiden Cultural Day Festival
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Director of the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts, University of Ilorin, Professor Olutoyin Raymond Ogunade, has advocated the declaration of every Monday as Cultural Attire Day on the University campus.
Speaking at the grand finale of the University’s Cultural Day celebration, themed “Celebrating the Beauty of Our Cultural Diversity”, Proc. Ogunade said the initiative would encourage both staff and students to dress in their indigenous attires.
“It is not as a costume, but as a deliberate act of cultural consciousness”, he stated.
The Director, who opined that cultural attire is not just fashion; but also an ancestral memory etched into form, added that, to dress culturally is to declare identity, to remember and resist cultural domination, noting that such practices have been proved to be effective in other academic settings.
To address concerns of affordability, Ogunade recommended the launch of a ‘Cultural Wear Initiative’ under the Centre.
The project, he said, would involve partnerships with local designers, alumni, and sponsors to make traditional attire easily accessible and affordable across the University.
“We must get ourselves out of the residual Western dictates that still tell us how to dress”, he declared, adding that cultural dress should not be worn merely for display but as an everyday expression of identity.
The event, which was held at the University campus, featured displays of cultural heritage through traditional music, songs, dance, ewi, ijala and traditional attire by staff, students, and members of the university community.
The highlight of the celebration was the music rendition by representative of the guest of honour, the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, by a renowned cultural scholar and artist, Professor Wole Alade, the former Director of the MUSON Centre, Lagos.
Alade thrilled the audience with a captivating cultural performance that crowned the day’s festivities.
In his address, Ogunade praised the university’s leadership for its commitment to cultural advancement through the establishment of the Centre and the institutionalisation of the annual Cultural Day.
Quoting Wole Soyinka, he said: “A tiger does not proclaim its tigritude It pounces.”
He also drew on the works of African intellectuals like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and Oyèrónkẹ́ Oyěwùmí to argue for the necessity of reclaiming and preserving indigenous epistemologies within academic spaces.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Wahab Egbewole (SAN), represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Management Services, Professor Adegboyega Fawole, had said that the Cultural Day celebration has reaffirmed the University’s dedication to promoting cultural literacy, inclusion, and pride.
The Vice Chancellor, who said “our diverse cultures show what we are; our heritage and beliefs”, added that they bind them together as one people.
“We have different kinds of cuisine, music, dance, dresses, literature, festival, etc. We’re warm and hospitable people. All these bind us together as a people. So, we must encourage this”, he said.
Dignitaries at the event included Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi, members of the University Governing Council, Deans of various faculties, traditional rulers, students and members of the University community.
End.
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), has congratulated the Chairman/Chief Executive of BUA Group, Alhaji AbdulSamad Rabiu, CON, on his 65th birthday.
Prof. Egbewole, in a statement issued by the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, described the Kano-born business magnate as a blessing to Nigeria and humanity.
The Vice Chancellor noted that Alhaji Rabiu’s hard work, patriotism, and spirit of giving deserve to be emulated in order for the nation to produce more of those who will always think beyond their personal interests.
Prof. Egbewole, who lauded the prominent businessman’s numerous contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria over the years, specifically thanked Alhaji Rabiu for his relentless support to several educational institutions in the country, adding that the University of Ilorin, in particular, would continue to be grateful to him for the 3,000-seater amphitheater he is currently building at the University.
Prof. Egbewole wished Alhaji Rabiu many more years of sound health, happiness, and continuous service to humanity.
End
By: Fabian Apechihin
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the results of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.
In a statement posted on X on Monday, August 4, 2025, WAEC announced that candidates who sat for the examination can now check their results online.
“The West African Examinations Council is pleased to inform candidates who sat WASSCE for School Candidates, 2025, that the results have officially been released today, Monday, August 4, 2025,” the statement read.
Candidates are urged to visit the Council’s result portal at www.waecdirect.org to access their performance.
More details to follow…
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on Nigerian youths to harness their talents and energy for ventures that bring honour to the nation rather than engaging in social vices, including cybercrime, which ultimately result in regret and disgrace.
Speaking at a youth empowerment programme in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, organised by Faitheroic Generation (FHG), Olukoyede warned that criminal activities, particularly internet fraud, might appear lucrative at first but always end in tears for perpetrators.
Faitheroic Generation is a national youth empowerment organisation dedicated to building financially independent young Nigerians through freelancing, digital skills, and ethical network marketing in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“There is dignity in labour. Shortcuts through cybercrime may seem attractive, but they destroy futures and reputations. Nigeria’s youths must rise above these temptations and use their potential to build a country they can be proud of,” Olukoyede said.
Addressing over 400 youths, the EFCC boss, who was represented by Ayodele Babatunde, Head, Public Affairs Department of the EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Directorate, stressed that unemployment should never be an excuse for criminality.
“We understand the challenges young people face, but cybercrime is not a solution. You have gifts and skills that can thrive legitimately. Channel them into productive ventures, and you will enjoy lasting fulfilment,” he added.
The EFCC Chair further urged the youths to partner with the EFCC in its mission to restore Nigeria’s global image, noting that the activities of internet fraudsters had brought severe damage to the country’s reputation at home and abroad.
He concluded with a rousing slogan: “Integrity is Strength, Hardwork is Wealth, Accountability is power – Say No to Corruption!”.
In his lecture titled “Staying Safe Online and Preventing Cybercrime”, an Assistant Commander of the EFCC, James Allison, who heads the Advance Fee Fraud Section of the Ilorin Directorate, admonished the youths to be wary of becoming tools for money laundering or falling prey to fraudulent online investment scams.
“Fraudsters are increasingly exploiting people’s lack of understanding of virtual assets,” Allison warned. “They promise outrageous returns on investments, build convincing but fake trading platforms, and disappear with victims’ funds once they succeed.”
He urged participants to research thoroughly before investing in any platform, verify regulatory compliance, and avoid unsolicited offers that sound too good to be true.
“Always crosscheck investment opportunities with credible sources, ask the right questions, and never share your bank accounts for dubious transactions. Once you allow criminals to use your account, you become a complicit partner in crime,” he explained.
Allison’s lecture underscored practical steps to stay safe online, from protecting personal data and using secure digital platforms to reporting suspicious activities through the EFCC’s Eagle Eye App.
The programme ended with an interactive session where youths asked questions about legitimate business opportunities and ways to work with the EFCC in combating cybercrime.
End
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