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The first black woman in the world to receive a doctorate in cybernetics (Ph.D.) is Professor Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua, a Nigerian researcher.
Pioneering in the fields of education, administration, and engineering, Keng-Itua is paving the way for African children, particularly females, by advocating for leadership positions in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) difficulties in Africa.
Under the guidance of Prof. Kevin Warwick, her first Ph.D. supervisor, she received the premiering degree from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. She is the first human cyborg in history.
With over 20 years of experience in STEM education and engineering across the USA, Europe, and Africa, Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua is a multi-award-winning professor of engineering whose fascination with technology began during her childhood in Nigeria. She has led the creation of innovative STEM programs.
Living in a society that sometimes dissuaded women from pursuing scientific careers, she discovered her enthusiasm for learning how things functioned and the possibility of invention. She pursued a bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and a master's degree in Mobile and Satellite Communications Engineering in the United Kingdom due to her insatiable curiosity. Motivated by aspiration and an unwavering will to surpass limitations, she proceeded to create history by obtaining her PhD in Cybernetics. She defied gender preconceptions, a lack of easily available role models, and additional layers of barriers that come with being a woman of color in a male-dominated sector.
"Being a Dreamer-Doer-Thinker, I have always had dreams. However, they weren't so much about being 'great,' but rather about how I might be a good change agent and develop projects, programs, and technologies that will benefit the world. Since I approach positive change from a human-centric perspective, the area of cybernetics provided me with that possibility, since its focus is on the deliberate design of technologies for society and human needs.
This has always been my passion, and I became the first black woman to obtain a PhD in cybernetics by following it and my desire to dispel certain cultural myths. For me, the primary goal is always to have a positive transformational influence; being the first in something is always retroactive. The female researcher went on to say that her early love of physics and mathematics influenced her career decision.
She went on, "I wanted to pursue a career that would allow me to collaborate with others, be creative and innovative, and have a positive impact on communities."
The history department's professor Olutayo Adesina has been chosen to accept one of the highly sought-after British Academy Global Professorships for 2023–2024. The UI Don is one of eight professors chosen worldwide to research a variety of topics, including using food system models to address climate change and examining the history of West African communities via museum holdings.
Aiming to bring globally renowned academics to the UK to work on innovative research initiatives in a wide variety of pertinent areas, the Global Professorships are significant investigator-led grants. The chosen academics get financing of £900,000 for each four-year prize. The subject of Professor Adesina's study will be "the interplay of nationalist historiography, academic social science, and vernacular knowledge as mutually constitutive social epistemologies." He is also the President of the Society of Nigerian Archivists.
He will look at the degree to which indigenous, vernacular epistemologies influenced the work of academic historians and social scientists at the University of Ibadan. Ibadan was a city with a strong and unique intellectual and cultural character. This study examines how academic social science, vernacular knowledge, and nationalist historiography interact to form mutually constitutive social epistemologies for the first time.
The Academy's announcement on UI Don's proposed research stated, "The project combines a close study of key works in history and related disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, ethnomusicology, language, and literature with extensive interviews and fieldwork in the city of Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria."
After receiving his PhD from the history department at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, he joined the University of Ibadan's history department. From 2001 to 2003 and from 2006 to 2008, he was the Head of the Department of History and the Sub-Dean (General) of the Faculty of Arts.
The 2023 British Academy worldwide professorship has been awarded to Abubakar Sani, the former head of Ahmadu Bello University's (ABU) Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies. These lecturers were two of the eight academics chosen to investigate a variety of topics, such as the application of food system models to address climate change and the examination of the historical background of West African communities through museum holdings. Tetyana Antsupova, Paul Behrens, Sandrine Berges, Karine Chemla, Saloumeh Gholami, and Ayelet Landau were among the other chosen scholars.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS PRAISE TINUBU OVER SCHOOL FEEDING INITIATIVE.
Written by Kayode Olorundare
The School Meals Coalition (SMC), a global organization, has praised President Bola Tinubu's administration's school feeding program. In its February newsletter, which was just posted, the organization—which has representatives in 99 countries—commended President Tinubu for his commitment to feeding schoolchildren in Nigeria with wholesome meals. The Rome-based alliance also commended the president for his steadfast vision and will as a progressive leader who has a profound grasp of the benefits of human capital investment (HCI).
They also commended Tinubu for his commitment to tackling the problem of food insecurity among schoolchildren (zero hunger), noting that government initiatives will enhance students' general academic performance and attendance in addition to improving their health and well-being.
The newsletter also acknowledged that the government, local communities, and schools have been working together to implement the school feeding program. This collaboration is important because it will enable the program to reach more children and give them the support they need to thrive academically and physically. The organization stated that as a participant in the School Meals Coalition, Nigeria, led by President Tinubu, has provided a model for other countries to emulate in guaranteeing that no kid goes without food. The alliance also reaffirmed its commitment to working together to achieve their common objective of feeding the nation's schoolchildren with wholesome meals, working with President Tinubu through Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, Senior Special Assistant on School Feeding.
FG TO REVIEW PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS N100 FEEDING COST
Written by Kayode Olorundare
As a result, the cost of feeding each kid has increased from N70 to N100, according to NSIPA CEO Halima Shehu. However, Shehu also disclosed that in light of the current financial difficulties, the N100 that was authorized for every kid participating in the feeding program by the previous government has been reevaluated. She stated that to support development and vitality, every meal served to students in public schools in grades one through three, as well as the Almajiri schools now included in the program, was intended to be well-balanced.
"We're feeding 10,420,000 primary one to three students in public schools right now," she stated. Nigerians would find it interesting to learn that each kid is allotted N70 per day for food, and that money is supposed to be used to create a balanced meal.The funding for feeding these kids was raised to N100 per child for the final two feeding sessions. Since this administration took office, we have not fed children because we are considering the economic circumstances and the realities on the ground, she continued. Given the state of the nation's economy, that is not conceivable.
BRITISH NIGERIAN POLITICIAN KEMI BADENOCH GIVES WARNING ON ‘TRANS’ IN UK SCHOOLS
Written by Kayode Olorundare
Today, in an address to the House of Commons, Secretary of State for Women and Equalities Kemi Badenoch introduced the new legislative instrument to narrow the list of nations covered by the Gender Recognition Act's "overseas track." She continued by discussing the necessity for definitions of sex in the legal system to be clear. She responded to inquiries on the legal and personal approaches to gender and sex that she is spearheading inside the government.
It was a tour de force, what the Secretary of State stated today from the despatch box in Westminster. Stonewall does not define the law in our nation, the Secretary of State made that quite plain. She can see the harm gender-identity ideology is causing to women's rights and child protection, as well as the chaos it is creating across society, from workplaces and schools to hospitals and sports facilities.
The Secretary of State affirmed that her agency attempts to elucidate the connection between the Gender Recognition Act and the Equality Act, as demanded by Sex Matters in a 110,000-signature petition. According to Sex Matters, conversion therapy has developed into a new, equally heinous form known as "modern conversion therapy," where vulnerable and distressed adults and children are medicalized in gender clinics and sold the untruth that they can alter their sex. That the Secretary of State concurs pleases us.
She also made it very evident that gender indoctrination in schools would stop, and that parents would no longer be excluded from choices on their children. She clarified what the imprecise phrase "social transition" means and stated that most of its contents are not permitted in schools. To get to this point, many people had to put in a great deal of labor.
With our petition to clarify the Equality Act, Sex Matters is pleased to have contributed to breaking the taboo around the negative effects of trans ideology. This led to a June Westminster Hall debate when several MPs addressed these concerns for the first time.
WHY SAHEED OSUPA NEARLY GAVE UP ON HIS ACADEMIC PURSUIT ?
Written by Kayode Olorundare
Saheed Osupa, a well-known Nigerian singer living in the US, has revealed how he nearly dropped out of the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo, political science degree. Saheed Osupa, a well-known Fuji singer from Nigeria who is currently residing in the US, has revealed how he nearly dropped out of the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State's political science degree.
Among others who graduated from the school was Osupa, who revealed in a post about why he chose to get a political science degree. He stated in his writing, "I wanted to upgrade my intellectual capacity and not remain illiterate, so I went to school to pursue my degrees."I was not experiencing any issues with my 100-level at first. However, since it was more about writing at the 300 level, I was on the verge of giving up. However, I changed and evolved.
But it was really difficult, and I had to work harder and hire two professors for a course before I graduated. “I plan to achieve my master's and a Ph.D. in five years in America where I reside now to validate my Ph.D. title.” He, therefore, advised that “People should not be mentally lazy or believe that once they can feed, clothe and provide shelter for themselves and families; that is the peak of achievement or success.”
GIRL WINS SCHOLARSHIP FOR BEING THE BEST IN MATHEMATICS
Written by Kayode Olorundare
Afijio LG. little girl who was awarded a scholarship worth six million naira. Miss Morufat Lawal is her name, and she attends AUD Basic School in Fiditi, Oyo State's Afijio Local Government. Nigeria's National Mathematics Competition in Abuja has declared Morufat the overall winner. Her parents couldn't afford the best, so she didn't attend the finest schools and didn't have access to the greatest resources, but she overcame all obstacles. The National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Abuja, granted her a 6 million naira scholarship in recognition of her outstanding accomplishment.
Morufat made history in 2014 when she was the first student at a public school and in primary three to represent Oyo State in the famous National Mathematics Olympiad, which is held annually by the Mathematical Association of Nigeria (MAN). She was chosen to compete at the local level on behalf of her school, A.D.S Primary School, Fiditi. She is eligible to serve as a zonal representative for her local government, Afijio. Twelve winners from four local governments competed in the zonal stage (Afijio, Atiba, Oyo East, and Oyo West).
Despite being in primary three, she prevailed. She participated in the competition alongside 23 other people at the state level, which was held at the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education in Oyo. She placed third, earning the right to represent Oyo State at the national level, which is being hosted by the University of Ilorin. After defeating forty competitors from various states, she and her partner took first place. Someone gave her a gift of cash.
Nigerian Fuji musician Akorede Babatunde Okunola, better known online as Saheed Osupa has left fans and followers on social media agog as he celebrated receiving a second-class honors upper division in political science on Wednesday from the University of Ibadan.
The Nigerian Fuji artist, who is celebrating his graduation from the University of Ibadan, posted a picture of himself during the convocation event on Instagram. In the shot, he can be seen holding his Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Political Science with Second Class Honour, upper division. Verifying his graduation from the esteemed University of Ibadan, Class 21, Saheed Osupa sent a message on Instagram:
GERMANY PRIME MINISTER OLAF SCHOLZ VISIT UNILAG
Written by Kayode Olorundare
On Monday, October 30, 2023, Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, visited the University of Lagos' MAD House. His two-day working travel to Nigeria included this visit. President Bola Tinubu and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had a meeting before Scholz's arrival in Nigeria on Sunday, October 29, 2023. He is also in Lagos to attend the opening session of the Nigerian-German Chamber of Commerce's Nigeria-German Business Conference. Olaf Scholz was the first foreign guest to arrive at the UNILAG Campus via the Lagoon Front, along with his entourage.
GERMA
The university's administration, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON FAS, met the German delegation. The group traveled right away to the MAD House, where Olaf Scholz spoke with a few young business owners. The MAD House is a creative incubation center designed to foster raw ideas into products, and from goods into industry, according to its founder, Bayo Omoboriowo. The German Chancellor graciously agreed to visit the University of Lagos MAD House after being impressed with the intention, the mission, and the quality of innovation that has thus far been executed at the MAD House site, one that he believes will lead to more international collaborations for all, according to Mr. Omoboriowo, who served as the official photographer to the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari.
The MAD House project, which will be finished in 2023, was started in 2018 as a creative hub for young people (18 to 35 years old). On Monday, October 30, 2023, Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, visited the University of Lagos' MAD House. His two-day working travel to Nigeria included this visit. President Bola Tinubu and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had a meeting before Scholz's arrival in Nigeria on Sunday, October 29, 2023. He is also in Lagos to attend the opening session of the Nigerian-German Chamber of Commerce's Nigeria-German Business Conference. Olaf Scholz was the first foreign guest to arrive at the UNILAG Campus via the Lagoon Front, along with his entourage.
The university's administration, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON FAS, met the German delegation. The group traveled right away to the MAD House, where Olaf Scholz spoke with a few young business owners. The MAD House is a creative incubation center designed to foster raw ideas into products, and from goods into industry, according to its founder, Bayo Omoboriowo.
Professor Peter Fatomilola was the sole child of the Late Chief Abraham Ojo and Mrs. Elizabeth Fatomilola when he was born on January 16, 1946, in Ifisin, Ido-Osi, a metropolis in the Ekiti state, in southwest Nigeria. His father had numerous other children. He attended The Apostolic Elementary School in Iwaro-Oke for his elementary education before moving on to the modern school in Ilesa and Ife City Commercial College for his secondary education in 1968. He started acting when he was in primary school. He once wrote short plays and directed them with his pals acting beside him.
When he was at the City College, he collaborated with his housemaster and established a drama group named Ife City Dramatic Society, and he was further sponsored by the school's principal, Adeyera, who donated a bus to the group. Peter Fatomilola and his group went about staging plays such as Oluwa LO Mejoo Da, Agbalowomerii: Baale Jontoro, etc. In the course of these tours, in 1970, Peter came in contact with the late Professor Ola Rotimi during a festival at Oranmiyan Local Government where he had won the medal as best actor. Prof Ola Rotimi took an interest in him, so Peter began to work with him. After his secondary education, Prof Ola Rotimi enrolled him in his Theatre group University of Ife Theatre.
Professor Peter Fatomilola
Before Ola Rotimi departed for Port Harcourt, Peter Fatomilola worked there for 10 years. Following that, Peter continued to work with Wole Soyinka till his retirement. His herbalist roles in Nigerian Yoruba films are thought to have been influenced by the fact that he is the son of a Chief Ifa Priest. Peter Fatomilola earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts in 1978 and is a retired member of the academic faculty of Obafemi Awolowo University. He was the first actor to play the lead part of Papa Ajasco in Wale Adenuga's comedic opera.
He has appeared in several well-known Nigerian films, notably Wale Ogunyemi and Obafemi Lasode's epic African film Sango. The current leader of the Ifa priests in his town is Peter Fatomilola. The Ooni of Ife recently conferred a chieftaincy title on him at Ile-Ife. Peter Fatomilola is happy to be the father of more than twenty kids, all of whom he has successfully guided in their academic pursuits.
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Adeleke made this disclosure while addressing the Adeleke University's 9th undergraduate and 5th postgraduate convocation ceremonies in Ede, Osun state, on Sunday, where 75 postgraduate and 537 undergraduate students received various degrees.
He went on to say that he had to flee the nation to avoid being attacked and to finish his degree program after his elder brother, Dr. Deji Adeleke, urged him to finish his study or give up his gubernatorial bid in 2022.
Adeleke said that age should not be considered as a barrier to achieving educational goals, stating that one of the criteria imposed on him prior to his 2022 gubernatorial ambition was that he complete his studies.
"Dr. Tajudeen Adeleke encouraged me to move forward," he claimed. He summoned me to a meeting before I went into exile to discuss. He advised me to consider what I had been subjected to by people who claimed I was uneducated. He suggested that I study in (the United States of) America.
"He said that the only thing I can do for the people of Osun if I am ready to be governor is to get educated, to finish my education; that if I do not finish it, I should abandon my governorship ambition."
Under the auspices of the Forum for Good Governance (FGG), a civil society organization has accused the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of becoming a clog in the wheel of national growth and advancement in the education sector. In a statement issued in Abuja by its head of Policy and Strategy, Osondu Emeka, the organization also stated that it was misleading for ASUU to claim that dissolving governing councils of public institutions was a setback.
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The CSO stated that the Union needed to explain to Nigerians why it was a setback since the statement showed that ASUU was going against public sentiment. "It is very confusing because other concerned stakeholders have praised President Bola Tinubu for the courage he has shown in taking certain far-reaching decisions meant to restructure a number of the country's vital institutions, including tertiary institutions whose Councils he dissolved, except ASUU, which sees and has a different agenda."
"It is clear that ASUU is one of the organizations clogging the nation's wheel of development and progress in the education sector." "ASUU must explain why," he stated. The organization questioned why ASUU has not acknowledged incompetence and corrupt inclinations demonstrated by members of several councils as a setback, instead pointing to disciplinary decisions as a setback.
Emeka went on to say that such facts would have bolstered their unguarded assertion of the Councils' wrongful dissolution, but "ASUU did not point to them as setbacks, but instead accused President Tinubu of taking steps to correct them as a setback." "Something must be wrong somewhere, and we demand that ASUU tells Nigerians what they are hiding."
Oby Ezekwesili, a former minister of education, sought a comprehensive probe at the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), to which Professor Ishaq Oloyede responded. The former minister made this comment in response to the hot-button debate surrounding Miss Ejikeme Mmesoma's UTME results.
Oby Ezekwesili sought a comprehensive probe at JAMB, noting that hearing Miss Ejikeme Mmesoma in the viral video, where she related her own side of the story, demonstrated the necessity for a forensic investigation to help determine what actually happened. Remember how Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme was charged by JAMB with falsifying her UTME results? She received a 249 instead of the 362 she claimed, according to JAMB. Prof. Oloyede responded to this by stating that they had upgraded their faculties this year and that their final inquiry report had revealed that Mmesoma and others had fabricated their UTME results. According to him, many con artists were caught off guard by their recent update.
Ejikeme and her collaborators are still living in the past," he concluded, "since we updated our facilities this year. On the subject, I spoke with Mrs. Ezekwesili and informed her that it was a thoughtless fake and a high-level swindle.
