Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
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UNILORIN rated first in research quality – Director
The University of Ilorin has emerged as Nigeria’s number one university in the realm of Research Quality in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
UNILORIN got the first position by scoring 69.4 per cent, which was the highest by any Nigerian university ranked in 2026.
This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Kunle Akogun, Director of Corporate Affairs UNILORIN.
“The latest ranking result was released on September 30, at the World Academic Summit, hosted by the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
“The ranking assesses universities on five pillars: such as teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry,” Akogun said.
The Director said that UNILORIN Ranking Implementation Project Manager, Prof. Suleiman Ambali confirmed that research quality was the institution’s strongest turf.
He stressed that the university aimed to convert research into wider international recognition and work towards the 801–1000 band in the next edition.
Akogun noted that an analysis of the results shows that the UNILORIN had been lifted from the 1201–1500 band in 2026 into the 1001–1200 world band.
“Our University is now one of the seven Nigerian universities in the global top 1,200.
“UNILORIN is ahead of the University of Lagos, Bayero University, Kano and the University of Ibadan on quality research, which carries 30% of the overall score and measures how widely a university’s research is cited by scholars worldwide,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNILORIN, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, said that the outcome is not accidental but a reflection of years of patient, disciplined scholarship by colleagues who publish work that the world reads and cites.
The Vice-Chancellor thanked every lecturer, researcher, postgraduate supervisor, and students whose work contributed to the positive rankings of the university.
Gov. AbdulRazaq declares Kwara readiness for WPRF 2026
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has declared that the state and Nigeria are ready to welcome the world to the 13th World Public Relations Forum, (WPRF) 2026.
The Governor made the declaration during the roadshow, officially flagged off on Saturday, at the Government House, Ilorin, organised by NIPR Kwara Chapter.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, ably represented by his Senior Adviser and Counsellor, Malam Saadu Salahu, described the Forum as a historic moment for Africa and Nigeria.
AbdulRazaq, also, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum noted that for the first time in 19 years, Africa will host the world’s biggest gathering of public relations and communication professionals under the leadership of NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku.
The Governor said that Kwara was proud to associate with NIPR because responsible communication was central to its philosophy of governance.
He said that responsible communication promotes peace, unity and social cohesion in a diverse society, adding that it is a vital tool for development, needed to keep citizens informed about programmes such as KwaraLEARN, health insurance, the Garment Factory and Innovation Hub.
AbdulRazaq reterated that in an era of fake news, misinformation and AI-generated deepfakes, the need for ethical and credible communication has never been more urgent.
He expressed confidence that the expected Abuja declaration from the forum would help Nigeria provide leadership in setting ethical standards for the profession.
The Governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to the successful hosting of the international gathering, adding that Kwara had produced a two-term elected member of NIPR’s National Governing Council and no fewer than five Fellows of the Institute.
He noted that the Kwara Chapter has distinguished itself through membership mobilization and innovative capacity-building, especially in digital public relations practice and urged NIPR members, media practitioners and well-meaning Nigerians to support policies that promote peace and stability.
Also speaking during the flag-off, Prof. Saudat Abdulbaqi, Member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, urged Kwara to take a leading role in the historic global event.
Abdulbaqi disclosed that on November 15, Nigeria would welcome over 3,000 participants from 126 countries to Abuja, for the forum.
“WPRF is the flagship forum of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, which had since 2001 been hosted in cities including Rome, London, Madrid, Toronto and Bali.
“Africa has hosted only once before in Cape Town in 2007, making Nigeria the second African host and the first in West Africa,” she said.
Abdulbaqi, also the Dean of Mass Communication Department, University of Ilorin, said that Nigeria earned the hosting right on merit after a competitive international bidding process.
“The WPRF 2026 will run from 15th to 21st November at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, and will hold alongside the 37th African Public Relations Association Conference.
She appealed to the state government to sponsor a delegation of young professionals, academic, and government communication officers to participate, describing such sponsorship as an investment in human capital and global visibility for Kwara.
Dr Rafiu Ajakaye, House of Representative Aspirant for Ifelodun, Offa, Oyun Federal constituency, said that the forum would be very educative, well nourished and useful to communicators, journalists and other public office holders.
Ajakaye called on government agencies, corporate organisations, and all professionals to be part of the audience at the forum as it would be a historic event.
Nigeria @66: Aremu seeks presidential remodelling of labour institute
Mr Issa Aremu, the Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), has called for a comprehensive remodelling and repositioning of the institute.
Aremu made the call on Wednesday in Ilorin at a pre-66th Independence Anniversary Town Hall in Ilorin.
The theme of the programme is entitled: “Nigeria @ 66: Reflections on Labour Education Since Independence”.
He said a strategic presidential comprehensive remodelling of MINILS would be in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, one area where Nigeria has made giant strides to decolonise and give meaning to independence is in the area of education in general and labour education in particular.
“While the wealth of humans is the wealth of nations, education is the key to unlocking the talents and innate skills of workers for development,” he said.
Aremu said MINILS remains Nigeria’s foremost labour market institution dedicated to labour education.
He said since its establishment, the institute had remained a strategic national asset promoting industrial harmony, strengthening democratic labour market institutions.
According to him, the institute also support sustainable economic development through educational service delivery.
“The institute had impacted millions of workers, employers and government officials through labour education for independent trade unionism, decent work, industrial harmony and productivity improvement,” he said.
The director-general, however, said decades of increased utilisation, ageing infrastructure, low budgets, technological changes and inadequate capital renewal had overstretched the institute’s physical facilities.
He said urgent modernisation and redevelopment of the institute would represent a strategic national investment.
He added that this is aimed at repositioning it as Africa’s leading centre of excellence for labour education in industrial relations, social dialogue, and productivity development.
Aremu said the modernisation presented a unique opportunity for Tinubu to consolidate Nigeria’s democratic legacy.
This, he said, is by becoming the second democratically elected president, after former President Shehu Shagari, to undertake a transformational milestone of MINILS.
He also advised on labour-friendly policies such as minimum wage increase, prompt payment of pension arrears, and public sector jobs improvement.
Aremu added that a presidential comprehensive remodelling of MINILS would add to the selling points of the President ahead of the 2027 polls.
“The institute’s programmes had significantly contributed to industrial peace, improved collective bargaining, workplace democracy, productivity enhancement, and peaceful labour-management relations,” he said. (NAN)
IEDPU Election crisis: Court fixes Nov. 17 for hearing
Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Tuesday fixed Nov. 17, for the hearing in a case of the Ilorin Emirate Descendant Progressives Union (IEDPU) 2025 Western zone election.
The presiding Judge, Mr Yusuf Adebayo, adjourned the case after the defendant counsel filled a Notice of Preliminary Objection.
Mr Babakebe Sulyman, claimant counsel, told the court that an election was conducted but not in accordance with the constitution of IEDPU.
“We are in court to file an Originating Summons for the court to interpret the constitution of IEDPU, whether it allows or not for them to conduct the elections with other 15 branches that were not duly registered according to the constitution.
“Those 15 branches were not part of the electoral process until the day of the election, when the national president just made an announcement that those 15 branches too are participating.”
The claimant counsel argued that there are five defendants in the case, three of them are based in Ilorin, the IEDPU has its National Headquarters in Ilorin, and none of them resides in Owo.
“Where the parties are residing, that is where we can sue them. And every one of us, including those that instituted the case, have their ancestral home in Ilorin.
“The case has been adjourned for ruling, which means the court will now tell us whether it has jurisdiction or not at the next adjourned date,” he said.
Mr Salihu Aliyu, defendant counsel representing the IEDPU Western Zone, said that the case was in respect of the IEDPU Western Zone, concerning the election that took place on November 8, 2025, in Owo, Ondo State.
He said that the election was held and concluded, and the new leadership of the Union emerged, but there was controversy on the other side over the election.
Aliyu said that the opposition challenged the outcome of the election, but they were not part of the people who contested that election.
“They are just ordinary accredited delegates who were supposed to vote. They have the right to cast their vote, but they were not contestants.
“The Claimants suing have no locus standi to challenge the outcome because they were mere voters, not aspirants who suffered any personal loss.
“They voluntarily staged a walkout and withdrew from the election, so they can not complain about an election they refused to participate in.
The defendant counsel said that they filled a Notice of Preliminary Objection, that is, the court should not entertain their suit .
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lEDPU western zone comprises Lagos state, Benin Republic, Togo, and Ghana.
The rest are Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo states, and all communities in the South West.
Newlywed couple abducted along Kwara/Kogi border communities
A newlywed couple, identified as Funmilayo Bamidele and her husband, Reverend Abiodun David, has been kidnapped along the border areas of Eruku-Iyemero Road in between Kogi and Kwara states.
It was gathered that the couple were returning from their engagement ceremony in Eruku when they were abducted alongside four others Saturday evening.
According to sources, the vehicle was expected to take the Isanlu Road, but the driver chose a back road in order to drop off the Best Man and other members of the group in Iyamoye, Kogi state.
The incident occurred along the Iyemero-Eruku Road, where the couple and others were intercepted by armed bandits
A photograph of the newly kidnapped couple has emerged following the incident.
Further details about the incident, including the whereabouts of the other passengers and efforts to secure their release, are still being awaited.
The Kwara state commissioner of police, Adekimi Ojo, who confirmed the story, said that soldiers are already in the bush, combing it to fish out perpetrators and free the couple.
The police commisioner, who said that the vehicle, in which the couple were travelling, was parked at an abandoned police station in Ayetoro, Ekiti state, added that police operatives in the affected three states are jointly carrying out rescue operation since the crime was committed along border communities in the three states.
Emir of Ilorin greets Sen. Saliu Mustapha at 54
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara Traditional Rulers Council, Mai-Martaba, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has felicitated with the Turaki of Ilorin Emirate, Sen. Saliu Mustapha, on his 54th birthday.
This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Abdulazeez Arowona, Emir’s Spokesman, on Friday, in Ilorin.
Sulu-Gambari described Sen. Mustapha as a distinguished son of the Ilorin Emirate, a committed public servant and a proud ambassador of the Emirate whose contributions to the development of Kwara and Nigeria are commendable.
The Emir noted that the celebrant had consistently demonstrated humility, generosity, and dedication to the welfare of his constituents, particularly through his impactful legislative representation, youth empowerment, agricultural support, and community development initiatives.
“Sen. Saliu Mustapha is one of our shining lights in the Ilorin Emirate. He has remained steadfast in upholding the values of our Emirate – respect, hard work, philanthropy, and service to humanity.
“As he clocks 54, we celebrate his life of service and his loyalty to the traditional institution in the preservation of the cultural heritage of Ilorin Emirate,” Emir said.
The first class traditional ruler prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the Turaki of Ilorin long life, in good health, increased wisdom, peace of mind and greater successes in his service to Kwara and the nation as a whole.
Kwarapoly Rector commends Govt. support for institution
The Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Dr Abdul Jimoh, has commended the state government for creating an enabling environment for effective administration of the institution.
Jimoh gave the commendation on Thursday, during the 3rd International Conference of the Institute of Environmental Studies (IES), held at the polytechnic.
He attributed the successes recorded by the management to the support provided by the government.
The theme of the conference was: “Scientific and Technological Innovations in the Built Environment in the 21st Century: Towards Social and Economic Development of Nigeria”.
The Rector urged participants to explore science and technology as veritable tools for national development.
Earlier, the Director of IES, Mr Yunus Azeez, said the rapid advancement in science and technology had presented unprecedented opportunities to enhance quality of life, foster economic growth, and address environmental challenges.
Azeez said the conference provided a platform for exchange of ideas, sharing of best practices, and collaboration on innovative solutions to transform the environment and communities.
He called on participants to leverage innovation not only for technological advancement but as a catalyst for social equity and economic development.
Also, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Mr Rotimi Asonibare, appreciated the rector for his support in building 21st-century academics and students for national development.
Asonibare said 21st-century educators must emphasise practical application and problem-solving approaches to managing environmental challenges in a globalised world.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that awards were presented to the Rector, former directors of the institute, and a former deputy director.
A document on landscaping of the polytechnic environment was also officially presented to the Rector.
Man seeks separation from partner over alleged domestic violence, threats
Mr Muftau Kolawole of Agbo-oba Area, Ilorin, has urged the Area Court, Centre-Igbroro Area, to grant him a separation from his live-in partner, Aishat Yahaya, on grounds of disturbance, violence and threats.
The petitioner and father of two told the court that he was tired of the relationship and wants a peaceful life, and not continue to live in fear due to his partners frequent threats and fights.
“We started as friends and later started living together and there was no problem until she gave birth to one child for me.
“She gets angry and fights at every misunderstanding we have, but after the second child she always threaten me with sharp objects during our fight.
“I have been rushed to the hospital on different occasions after my wife and her children from her former husband beat me and injured me in the process,” he said.
Kolawole further said that there was a time Aishat threatened to stab him, but he narrowly escaped.
The petitioner, therefore, pleaded with the court for separation, saying that he could not marry her because of her stubborn and wild attitude for six years.
However, because the respondent was abscent to give her own testimony during the proceeding, the presiding judge, Mr Ajibade Lawal, directed that hearing notice should be served on her before the next adjourned date.
Lawal subsequently adjourned the case until Sept. 30 for hearing.
Prioritise your health over everything else
Health comes first before any other thing. Live a good life today by taking care of your body.
Journalism must be practised with skill, knowledge, ethics — PR executive
A Public Relations Executive, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, has tasked journalists to be grounded in skill, knowledge, and professional ethics to serve society with credible information.
Shuaib gave the charge during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Cohort of PR Nigeria Young Professionals Fellowship on Friday in Ilorin.
The PR executive, who was represented by Muhammad Lawal, Head of Investigations and Special Projects, PR Nigeria, said that the programme was organised to build the capacity of young graduates in Nigeria on various aspects of media and communication.
“The field of journalism and public relations is filled with people who do not have the necessary knowledge, qualifications, or even ethics to practice, but yet are practising.
“So we want to see how we can build a pool of people who not only practice from the point of view of knowledge, they should also practice from the point of view of skills, understanding and ethical conduct.
Speaking during the event, Mr Gabriel Ogunade, Chairman of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Kwara, said that the outlook of the fellowship aligns with NIPR vision, for rapid reform and growth of the PR ecosystem.
Ogunade, represented by Mr Sani Suleiman, a Public Relations Officer (PRO), Nigeria Customs Service, said that creativity and uncommon perception remain key to driving innovation and sustaining development.
“In an age of Artificial Intelligence, we must be deliberate and lead this era with superior natural instincts to ensure balance and the sustainability of humanity.
“AI is a complement, not competition, but it takes smartness and strategy to domesticate its wild tendencies to our advantage,” Ogunade said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Abdulfatai Beki, Assistant Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), called on the federal government to mandate media house owners to pay salaries and improve the welfare of workers adequately.
“There should be a law enacted for those that establish media houses to ensure payment of salaries and adequate staff welfare, just as government handle universities.
“Whether the university belongs to the state, private or federal, they are being regulated by the National Universities Commission (NUC). So, the same thing should be done for the media.
“If the law is enacted, young journalists would not be running after money bags, and they would be factual with their reports without bias,” he said.
A benficiary of the training, Saadat Bibire, a graduate of mass communications, said that she attended the fellowship in order to learn.
“I did not realize how much I will take away from this experience because we have learnt about PR, branding, public speaking, strategic communication, fact-checking, investigative journalism, solution journalism, AI, and so much more.
“The biggest part has been the people: meeting people from different backgrounds, hearing their perspectives, asking questions, sharing ideas, and even the small conversations in between sessions,” Bibire said.
She applauded PR Nigeria for the opportunity, saying, “it has been ten days, but it definitely feels like we have been here much longer, and honestly, I am grateful for the experience.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training started in the year 2024, with the 2026 edition being the third set and cohort two, having held one in Abuja and planning for the third cohort in Kano.
