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Reviving the Literary Soul at Nigeria’s “Great Ife”

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By Shakirat Titilope Akintola

In an era where digital distraction has become a global epidemic, a historic movement to reclaim the power of the written word took center stage at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). On Wednesday, 22nd April 2026, the iconic Oduduwa Hall was packed to capacity for “LIBRARY READING TIME 2026,” an event that served as both a cultural revival and a masterclass in intellectual heritage.

Organized by the Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library, the colloquium brought together international media icons and traditional royalty to address a universal challenge: the survival of deep reading in the age of “information overload.”

A Homecoming of Global Influence

The spotlight of the event shone on Aare Dele Momodu, Chairman of Ovation Media Group and a figure synonymous with African excellence on the global stage. For Momodu, the day was a profound full-circle moment. Before the formal ceremonies, he toured the stacks of the university library where, decades ago, he served as a humble library attendant.

“My journey started through the window of this library,” Momodu reflected in an interview with Great 94.5FM. Addressing the massive audience, Momodu expressed his immense joy at seeing the hall overflowing with so many young people, noting that their presence was a powerful signal that the thirst for knowledge remains alive in the next generation.

To catalyze this growth, Momodu announced a major philanthropic contribution, donating LED Projectors to modernize the library’s infrastructure and copies of his acclaimed books, Pendulum 1 & 2 and Fighting Lions.

The Scholar-King: Bridging Tradition and Modernity

In a display of the unique intersection between African tradition and academic excellence, the event honored His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adedokun Omoniyi Aroyinkeye I, the Orangun of Oke-Ila.

As a distinguished alumnus of the university, the “Scholar-King” received the Friend of the Library Excellence Award. His Majesty is widely recognized beyond Nigeria’s borders for founding Abolarin College, a landmark tuition-free boarding school dedicated entirely to indigent children. His presence served as a reminder that the ultimate goal of literacy is societal transformation and the empowerment of the underserved.

Textured Narratives: From Agriculture to Pop Culture

The event featured a diverse “Reading Time” session that demonstrated the interdisciplinary necessity of the library:

●      Science & Sustainability: The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture read from Agricultural Extension for Sustainable Development, highlighting the practical application of research.

●      The Arts as a Sanctuary: The Dean of the Faculty of Arts delivered a poignant reading titled “The Library is Faculty of Arts. No Walls Needed,” reinforcing the library as a space of boundless creativity.

The emotional crescendo arrived when Aare Dele Momodu took to the lectern as the Guest Reader. He chose to read a deeply moving tribute he authored in 2009 following the death of Michael Jackson. By dissecting the tragic “grace to grass” narrative of a global icon, Momodu illustrated that reading is not just about facts—it is about developing the empathy and “human-interest” lens needed to understand the complexities of the human condition.

A Legacy for the Future

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, and the University Librarian, Dr. Olukemi Adebimpe Fadehan, emphasized that the library remains a “sanctuary where curiosity is nurtured.”

To ensure the day’s momentum survives the closing ceremony, the university officially inaugurated the H.O. Library Club. This initiative aims to foster a sustainable community of bibliophiles among the thousands of students who filled the hall.

As the “Great Ife” anthem echoed through the venue, the message to the world was clear: in the heart of West Africa, the next generation of leaders is being forged not just through screens, but through the timeless, transformative power of books.

Shakirat Titilope Akintola is a Youth Corps member serving with the Dele Momodu Leadership Centre, Ibadan 

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How We Rescued Adelabu’s Sister and Her Twin Sons from Kidnappers – Police

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The Nigerian Police Force has announced the rescue of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu’s sister and her twin sons, who were abducted on June 3, in Ibadan.

A statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Pkacid revealed ad follows:

The Nigeria Police Force announces the successful rescue of Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, who were abducted on June 3, 2026, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The hostages were rescued during a coordinated operation by the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) in Ibadan at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

Mrs. Adegoke and her children were abducted while she was driving them to school at about 7:30 a.m. on June 3, 2026. The rescue was achieved through sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance, and tactical operations. These efforts enabled investigators to track the kidnappers’ movements, resulting in a confrontation with FID-IRT operatives.

During the confrontation, two suspected kidnappers were fatally wounded and two rifles were recovered. The victims were rescued unharmed and are now in safe custody, receiving medical care and support.

The Inspector-General of Police commends the courage, professionalism, and effectiveness of the FID-IRT operatives and all officers involved. Their resilience and commitment were instrumental in the safe rescue of the hostages.

Security operatives have intensified efforts in the area to apprehend fleeing members of the kidnapping syndicate. Preliminary intelligence indicates that some suspects escaped with gunshot injuries. Operations are ongoing to track, arrest, and bring all involved to justice.

The Nigeria Police Force appreciates the public’s support, cooperation, and patience during the operation. We remain committed to combating violent crime, protecting lives and property, and ensuring the safety of all citizens.

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First Lady’s Cars Distribution to APC Women Amid Oyo Kidnapping Crisis, Outrage or Applause?

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By Shakirat Akintola

As the agonizing wait for dozens of abducted students and teachers in Oyo State stretches into another grueling week, a storm of public outrage has erupted over a high-profile political gesture from the nation’s capital.

The source of the friction? A fleet of newly donated vehicles.

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has sparked intense debate across Nigeria following the launch of the “Tinubu Torchbearers,” a mobilization group under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). To kick off the initiative, the First Lady donated vehicles to APC women leaders across five opposition-controlled states: Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Osun, and Oyo.
While the presentation was met with cheers inside the political halls, the feedback online and on the streets of Oyo has been starkly different, raising a fundamental, painful question: Can there be celebration without rescue?

The Political Machinery in Motion

During the presentation, Senator Tinubu was explicit about the nature and intent of the donation. She clarified that the vehicles were personal donations and instructed that they be registered directly in the names of the respective state women leaders. She didn’t stop there, urging APC governors across the country to follow suit and empower the women leaders in their own domains.

Defending the move as a core part of political engagement, the First Lady noted, “We are politicians, and people should see what the value is.”

But for many Nigerians watching the event unfold against the backdrop of a worsening security situation, the “value” being demonstrated felt incredibly detached from the immediate reality on the ground.

“A Question of Timing”

In Oyo State, where families are still frozen in trauma over the unresolved mass kidnapping of students and educators, the arrival of political campaign vehicles has rubbed salt into an open wound. Local commentators and citizens quickly took to social media and radio programs to challenge the priorities of the ruling class.

“We are talking about missing children, terrified parents, and schools that aren’t safe,” noted one Ibadan-based community advocate during an morning broadcast on Arise News. “And the immediate response we see from Abuja is the distribution of cars to mobilize voters for the next election? It feels like the campaign never stops, even when our hearts are breaking.”
The dialogue surrounding the incident highlights a deep, systemic disconnect. On one hand, the political class views internal party mobilization and the strengthening of its structures as standard, ongoing operations. On the other hand, a traumatized public views it as a tone-deaf display of luxury and politicking during a moment of profound national grief.

The Growing Divide

As the opposition-controlled states digest this move, the debate in Oyo remains the most volatile. Critics argue that the logistics, funding, and energy poured into launching the Tinubu Torchbearers could have been better utilized in supporting local security infrastructure or visible community solidarity.

For now, the vehicles are set to hit the roads, registered to partisan leaders. But as long as the classrooms in Oyo remain empty and the abducted victims remain in the bush, every political convoy that passes through these states will likely face the same haunting question from the people: Where is the rescue?

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Glo Introduces “More Data More Value” Offer to Boost Customers’ Experience

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Determine to enrich the digital experience of its subscribers, Globacom has introduced a new data offer, tagged “More Data More Value only on Glo”. The new offer gives customers as much as 10 percent more data across its bundles as the Nigerian telecom landscape shifts toward a data-led economy.

Globacom explained in a statement that “The new offer is designed to ensure that every Naira spent by a Nigerian consumer yields the highest possible digital return”, thus reinforcing the company’s long-standing reputation for affordability and empowerment.

“More Data More Value” offers a variety of weekly and monthly options planned to balance daytime and night-time usage. The weekly plan includes ₦1,000 option which provides 3.7GB of total data, consisting of 1.7GB main data and 2GB night data, while that of ₦2,000 offers 9GB in total, divided into 6.5GB main data and 2.5GB night data.

The monthly plan also comes with different options including that of ₦1,500 which delivers a total of 5.2GB (2.2GB main data paired with 3GB night data); the ₦2,000 option offering 6.25GB data, a combination of 3.25GB main data and 3GB night data and16.5GB, comprising 14.5GB main data and 2GB night data which goes for N5,000. There is also the ₦10,000 and N15,000 options, with N10,000 providing 42GB total, 38GB main data and 4GB night data, while ₦15,000 offers 64GB in total, consisting of 62GB main data and 2GB night data.

Glo’s enhanced bundles provide the necessary incentive for students, remote workers, and entrepreneurs to browse longer, whether for TikTok trends, Instagram aesthetics, YouTube streaming, or high-stakes gaming and stream without fear, ensuring their professional and social lives remain uninterrupted.

These improved bundles from Globacom give entrepreneurs, remote workers, and students the incentive they need to browse longer, whether for high-stakes gaming, YouTube streaming, Instagram aesthetics, or TikTok trends, and stream on end, while ensuring seamlessness in their social and professional lives.

Beyond individual users, the “More Data More Value” offer also extend its benefits to families and SMEs. With the reliance of small businesses and households on mobile hotspots for their daily operations, Glo has optimized its offerings to serve as the preferred network for high-volume usage.

The offer also serves as a driver of digital transformation through the Glo Café app. Customers are encouraged to utilize the app for seamless bundle subscriptions, as it allows them to manage their “more than 10% extra” data with ease, thus ensuring rewarding user experience.

“More Data More Value” offer underscores Glo’s commitment to providing the best value-for-money which gives Nigerians the benefit of not compromising on their digital lifestyle

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