By Our Correspondent

Achievers University, Owo, will on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, host its 7th Inaugural Lecture, with Professor Adeboye Akanni Akinwunmi set to deliver a major scholarly discourse on the Nigerian financial system and the impact of recurring recapitalisation policies.

The lecture, titled “Re-Capitalisation in the Nigerian Financial System: For Whose Benefit?” will take place at the Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed Auditorium, Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State.

Expected to attract academics, economists, banking professionals, policymakers, regulators, students, and stakeholders across Nigeria’s financial sector, the event comes amid renewed national conversations surrounding banking reforms, capital requirements, economic sustainability, and financial inclusion.

Professor Akinwunmi, a respected scholar in finance and economic policy, is expected to critically examine the beneficiaries of recapitalisation exercises in Nigeria’s financial industry and their implications for investors, institutions, businesses, and ordinary Nigerians.

Stakeholders described the inaugural lecture as a significant intellectual engagement aimed at contributing to policy discussions and national development through evidence-based scholarship and research.

Inaugural lectures remain one of the highest academic traditions in universities, providing professors the opportunity to present the outcomes of years of research, professional experience, and contributions to knowledge before the academic community and the public.

The 7th inaugural lecture is expected to stimulate informed debate on the future of Nigeria’s financial architecture, particularly at a time when economic reforms and financial sector stability remain central to national discourse.

Top government officials, captains of industry, members of the academia, financial experts, and dignitaries from across the country are expected at the event.

It would be recalled that the 6th Inaugural Lecture of the university, titled “Bridging Uncertainty: Ensuring Cultural Safety Amid Climate and Environmental Change” was delivered by Professor David Okpeyemi on Wednesday, 20th May 2023 at the same venue.

Speaking at the event, Acting Vice Chancellor, Achievers University, Professor Oyesoji Aremu, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to promoting scholarship, critical inquiry, and national development through impactful academic engagements.

By George Mgbeleke

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on all presidential aspirants, party leaders, and members across the country to uphold the highest standards of discipline, unity, and democratic conduct ahead of the party’s presidential primaries scheduled for Monday.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the forthcoming primaries as a defining democratic moment, not only for the party, but for Nigerians searching for a credible political alternative.

“The ADC remains proud to stand today as the only truly democratic party in Nigeria, because it is the only political party whose choice of Presidential candidate is determined through open primaries, “ the statement said.
The party noted that the conduct of all participants before, during, and after the primaries would send a strong signal to Nigerians about the kind of leadership culture the ADC seeks to build.

“We therefore urge all aspirants, their supporters, delegates, and party faithful to conduct themselves peacefully, responsibly, and with dignity throughout the process. This election must reflect the values we claim to represent as a party committed to transparency, internal democracy, national unity, and the rule of law,” Abdullahi stated
He added that while contests and disagreements are natural in every democratic process, the larger mission of rescuing Nigeria and rebuilding public trust in leadership must remain paramount.
“At the end of this exercise, there will be no winners or losers within the ADC family. The ultimate objective is to emerge stronger, more united, and fully prepared to offer Nigerians the competent and credible leadership they deserve,” he said.

The party also reassured members that all necessary measures had been put in place to ensure a free, fair, transparent, and credible primary process.
“History will judge us, not merely by who emerges as candidate, but by how we conduct ourselves in this defining moment. We call on every member of our great party to rise to the occasion,” the statement concluded.

By David Owei, Yenagoa

A total of 425 National Diploma and Higher National Diploma graduates were on Saturday awarded certificates at the maiden combined convocation ceremony of the Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Aleibiri, in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.

Governor Douye Diri, at the ceremony, commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for its consistent support towards the growth and development of tertiary education in the state, including the polytechnic.

According to Governor Diri, who is the Visitor to the institution, who described TETFund as a worthy partner in the educational advancement of the state, noting that the interventionist agency has remained instrumental in improving infrastructure and teaching facilities across state-owned higher institutions.

He said: “TETFund as an organ of the Federal Government has been part and parcel of the history of educational development in Bayelsa and indeed across Nigeria.

“The agency has proven to be very worthy partners of the Bayelsa State Government not only in this polytechnic but also in other higher institutions owned by the state. Through the zonal director, I send our goodwill to the Executive Secretary and the management for all they have been doing to improve teaching and learning in Bayelsa State.”

He stated that education remains the cardinal focus of his administration, stressing that it has deliberately shifted emphasis from white-collar education to technical and vocational training aimed at producing self-reliant graduates.

According to him, the establishment of science and technical colleges across the eight local government areas of the state was designed to feed institutions such as Bayelsa Polytechnic with technically skilled students.

“When we assumed office, the first thing on our minds was education, the second was education, and the third was education. That is why this government has prioritised technical and science education that equips our youths with practical skills to become employers of labour rather than job seekers.”

He said the government had established technical colleges across the state to prepare youths for careers in skilled labour, technology and entrepreneurship.

Governor Diri also highlighted the achievements recorded since the relocation of the institution to its permanent site, including accreditation of programmes, infrastructural expansion and improved academic standards.

He praised the management, lecturers and the host community for their resilience and commitment toward the growth of the institution.

The governor announced the approval of two Coaster buses for the institution and directed the Commissioner for Transport to ensure immediate procurement.

He also approved the fencing of the institution to enhance security and directed the Commissioner for Works to assess and report on the construction of internal roads and other infrastructure needs within the campus.

On electricity, he said the state government would extend power from the newly installed gas turbines to Sagbama through Aleibiri to Ekeremor rather than procure a diesel-powered generator for the institution.

The governor equally urged youths in the state to embrace technical education and skills acquisition programmes rather than depending on political patronage or white-collar jobs.

He charged the graduating students to be worthy ambassadors of the institution and Bayelsa State wherever they find themselves.

Earlier, Governor Diri commissioned the Entrepreneurship Skill Development Centre/Warehouse constructed by the state government as part of efforts to strengthen practical learning and innovation.

Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Wisdom Clinton Soreh, in his address, described the maiden convocation as a defining milestone in the institution’s history.

Dr. Soreh expressed gratitude to the state government for relentlessly supporting the growth and development of the institution.

He listed some of the achievements in the polytechnic, with the support of the state government,to include renovation and restructuring of academic buildings, construction of classrooms and offices, renovation of laboratories for Mass Communication, Computer Science, and Accountancy programmes as well as rehabilitation of the library.

Others were the establishment of a temporary skill acquisition centre, development of health service facilities, installation of solar-powered streetlights, water projects, and the provision of solar electricity for classrooms and offices.

Dignitaries present at the ceremony included the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, member representing Ekeremor constituency 1, Hon. Tare Porri, member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1, Chief Ayibanegiyefa Egba, and their Kolokuma/Opokuma constituency 1 colleague, Pamoh Werinipre.

Also in attendance were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, the Acting Chief of Staff, Government House, Irorodamie Komonibo, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s Office, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Gentle Emelah represented by the Permanent secretary Ministry of Education, as well as the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, traditional rulers, education stakeholders, members of the host community among others.