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UNILORIN tasks Engineers on home-grown solutions to tackle Nigeria’s challenges

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  • As over 300 Research Papers take centre stage at FETICON 2026

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The University of Ilorin has called on engineers, researchers and technology experts to spearhead the development of innovative home-grown solutions capable of addressing Nigeria’s persistent socio-economic challenges and accelerating national development.

The call was made at the opening of the 4th Faculty of Engineering and Technology International Conference (FETICON 2026), where stakeholders stressed the need for engineering-driven innovations to tackle issues ranging from security and healthcare to energy, agriculture and economic growth.

Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), Prof. Muhtar Etudaye described engineering as the backbone of sustainable development, noting that no nation has attained meaningful progress without a strong engineering sector.

“Our country faces challenges, some of which we have dealt with for decades, while others are emerging challenges. We need not only traditional engineering solutions but also new adaptive solutions to address them,” he said.

Etudaye noted that the Faculty of Engineering and Technology has continued to contribute significantly to the university’s growth through the quality of graduates it produces and the impact of its research activities.

He highlighted the increasing relevance of technology in addressing contemporary security concerns, citing the growing use of drones for surveillance and life-saving operations.

“We have suddenly realised that the place of drones has moved from entertainment and recording ceremonies to actually saving lives through security surveillance and other critical operations. Engineering stands at the core of this,” he added.

The conference, themed “Innovating for a Sustainable and Resilient Future: Technology as a Catalyst for Economic Development,” attracted academics, researchers, industry experts, development partners and students from within and outside Nigeria.

In her welcome address, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Prof. Temitope Elizabeth Odetoye, revealed that the conference received more than 300 accepted research papers, reflecting growing global interest in technology-driven solutions for sustainable development.

“It gladdens my heart that the carefully selected theme for FETICON 2026 has attracted over 300 high-quality accepted papers. The expected outcomes are to promote sustainable and innovative solutions for economic development in our countries and globally,” she said.

Odetoye described FETICON as a strategic platform for collaboration among researchers, policymakers and industry leaders, expressing optimism that the conference would generate practical ideas capable of transforming industries and creating employment opportunities.

“My hope is that this conference will inspire innovation, produce practical solutions, strengthen partnerships and stimulate economic development in Nigeria and beyond,” she stated.

Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Joshua Olanrewaju Olaoye, said the institution is prioritising the commercialisation of research outputs to ensure that academic innovations translate into real-life solutions that benefit society.

According to him, discussions at the conference would focus on critical areas such as climate-resilient agriculture, cybersecurity, smart energy systems, healthcare technologies, alternative transportation fuels and advanced materials.

“This year’s theme reflects our shared responsibility to innovate within our context and leverage homegrown ideas and tools for long-term impact,” Olaoye said.

The Dean disclosed that the faculty would host the second edition of its Tech Trade Fair and Research Products Industrial Summit in partnership with the Laboratory to Product Centre (LABTOP), aimed at promoting industry adoption of research outcomes.

He also highlighted achievements recorded by the faculty, including the establishment of the FETUILS TechHub, development of environmentally friendly products and ongoing work on electric vehicle modelling and charging station infrastructure.

“Our research and innovations must not only contribute to academic knowledge but also have practical applications that impact society. The aim is to create pathways for the commercialisation of academic projects, driving economic growth and societal progress,” he said.

As the conference concluded, organisers expressed confidence that ideas generated during the sessions would contribute to industrial growth, economic resilience and sustainable development in Nigeria and across Africa.

Delivering the vote of thanks, FETICON Secretary, Dr. Suleiman Abimbola Yahaya, commended participants, sponsors and industry partners for supporting the conference’s objectives.

“We hope that the ideas shared, collaborations built and innovations discussed here will translate into practical solutions that advance sustainable development, industrial growth, economic resilience and national transformation,” Yahaya said.

He noted that partnerships involving industry players such as NNPC Limited, TotalEnergies, IHS Towers and DEM Controls are already contributing to research commercialisation, innovation and capacity development within the university.

The conference featured keynote presentations from renowned engineering scholars from Ethiopia and the United States, alongside technical sessions, exhibitions and networking engagements designed to strengthen technology-driven development initiatives across the continent.

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Kaduna Government Allegedly Orders Activist’s Arrest Over Anti-APC Remarks

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By: Fabian Apechihin

The Kaduna State Government under Governor Uba Sani has allegedly ordered the arrest of political activist Zamani Musa, popularly known as Mycah Dangata, following comments in which he urged residents to vote against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to sources familiar with the matter, Dangata was reportedly arrested after publicly campaigning against the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sani. He was also said to have called on Kaduna residents to reject all APC candidates in future elections.

Sources told SaharaReporters that the activist’s arrest followed the circulation of a video he recorded shortly after the APC primaries. In the video, Dangata allegedly declared support for the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) and former Senator Danjuma Laah, while advocating for a power shift to Southern Kaduna.

A source claimed that Dangata was arrested by Operation Fushin Kaduna, a security outfit established by the state government in collaboration with the Kaduna State Police Command and other security agencies to combat banditry, kidnapping, and illegal arms trafficking.

“He was arrested by Operation Fushin Kaduna, the state security outfit composed of policemen,” the source alleged.

Another source suggested that Dangata may have drawn the government’s displeasure after comparing Governor Sani unfavourably with former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Activist Criticises Governor Sani

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, Dangata, speaking in Hausa, criticised Governor Sani’s leadership style and political decisions. He praised El-Rufai, arguing that the former governor adopted a more people-centred approach to governance.

According to Dangata, El-Rufai allowed communities greater freedom in choosing their preferred candidates, whereas he accused the current administration of imposing candidates on local communities.

He further urged residents to unite politically against the APC, stating that those concerned about Kaduna State’s future should work together to defeat the ruling party at all levels of government.

“We should vote out Asiwaju (President Tinubu), vote out Uba Sani, and vote out every candidate presented by the APC,” he said.

Dangata described the alleged imposition of candidates as inconsistent with democratic principles and argued that residents should collectively oppose what he characterised as undemocratic practices.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kaduna State Government and security authorities had not publicly responded to the allegations surrounding the activist’s arrest.

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One Killed, Several Houses Burnt as Suspected Militias Attack Benue Community

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By: Fabian Apechihin

Suspected militia members have attacked a community in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, killing one person and setting several houses ablaze before fleeing the area.

According to reports, troops operating under Sector 1, in collaboration with personnel of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, responded to a distress call at approximately 8:30 a.m. on June 4 following an attack on residents of Mbasa community in Utange Council Ward.

Security operatives swiftly deployed to the area but found that the assailants had already escaped before their arrival.

A preliminary assessment revealed that one resident lost his life during the attack, while several homes were destroyed by fire allegedly set by the attackers.

During a search of the scene, security personnel recovered two empty 7.62mm special ammunition cartridges, suggesting that firearms were used in carrying out the assault.

The victim’s body was later evacuated by family members for burial in accordance with local customs and traditions.

Military authorities stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the attack. They also confirmed that security presence has been strengthened in the area to prevent further violence and reassure residents of their safety.

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EFCC Arraigns Husband, Wife for N1bn Fraud in Ado-Ekiti

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Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a self-styled native doctor, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo, and his wife, Awolegan Omolola Omotola, for an alleged contract scam to the tune of N1,098,961,500 (One Billion, Ninety Eight Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-one Thousand, Five Hundred Naira Only).

The couple were arraigned before Justice Abubakar Usman of the Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on a six-count charge bordering of obtaining money by false pretence and retention of proceeds of crime contrary to Section 17(a) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.

Taiwo and Omotola ran into trouble when a widow, Anazia Colina Kenechukwu, a proprietor of a private school in Delta State, petitioned the EFCC alleging that the first defendant, Taiwo, approached her to finance a road construction contract purportedly awarded to him by the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

Kenechukwu further alleged that a total sum of N1,980,000,000.00 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Eighty Million Naira Only) was paid into Taiwo’s account domiciled with Access Bank Plc.

Investigation further revealed that the couple invested the proceeds of the illicit activities in the acquisition of two properties in Ado-Ekiti, namely: Town Tavern Lounge, located at No. 1, Ikere Road, off Florence Court School, Ado-Ekiti, and a four-bedroom bungalow located on Florence Court, Irewolede Estate, Ado-Ekiti

The Commission had on Monday, May 25, 2026 secured the interim attachment of the two properties.

Count 2 of the charge reads:
“That you, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo and Awolegan Omolola Omotola, sometime between January 2024 and November 2025, in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1,098,961,500.00 (One Billion, Ninety-Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) from one Anazia Colina Kenechukwu, which was paid to you through Olorunbukunmi Taiwo’s account number 0027303340 domiciled with Access Bank Plc, by falsely representing that same would be used to execute a road construction contract awarded to you by the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADobobEC), a pretence you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.

Following their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Sesan Ola, prayed the court to fix a date for trial and order the remand of the defendants.

Justice Usman adjourned the matter until Thursday, June 11, 2026, for hearing of the bail application, and commencement of trial. The judge also ordered the remand of the defendants in the EFCC custody.

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