Echono to deliver FUTO’s 36th Convocation Lecture

 

The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Arch. Sunday Silver Echono, will on Thursday, December 5th, 2024 deliver the 36th Convocation Lecture of the Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Owerri.

The lecture titled “Impact of Leadership Selection on Governance in Public Universities in Nigeria” will hold at Prof. C.O.E. Onwuliri Conference Hall, FUTO main campus, Owerri.

The University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs). Nnenna Oti, will be the Chief Host at the lecture, which is expected to attract participants from within and outside the university community, especially the academia.

FUTO is the oldest university of technology in Nigeria, established in 1980 by Nigeria’s first Executive President, Shehu Shagari. It became the first of three such universities set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria, which sought to establish a University of Technology in each geo-political region, particularly in a state which did not have a conventional university.

Arc.Sunday Sylva Togo Echono OON is a Nigerian diplomat, and architect who serves as the ninth Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund from 2022 till-date. Previously, Echono served as the Secretary of the Admissions Committee of the Nigerian Institute of Architects and the 28th President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects from 2019 to 2021.

Sonny Echono was nominated by the Board of TETFUND in early 2022 and was subsequently appointed as the substantive 9th Executive Secretary (ES) of TETFUND on March 18, 2022, by former President Muhammad Buhari.
A former permanent secretary in federal ministries, Echono had been honoured by governmental and non-governmental bodies locally and internationally. He is a recipient of Officer of Order of Niger (OON).

LAUTECH Emerges Qualifier at NOA Southwest National Values Debate

In a thrilling display of intellect and oratory, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) has been crowned the Southwest champion at the 7 for 7 National Values Charter Campus Debate and Capacity Building Conference. The event, organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and held at the Julius Berger Hall of the University of Lagos, aimed to inspire a culture of national values and civic responsibility among Nigerian youth.

 

 

The competition culminated in a gripping debate between LAUTECH, represented by Adekunle Ayomide and Oladeji Olushina, and the University of Ibadan, represented by Oyedijo Olarenwaju and Chineke Ugochukwu. The teams dissected the topic, “7 for 7 National Values Charter: Striking the Balance Between Government Promises and Citizens’ Responsibilities in Nation-Building,” presenting compelling arguments that explored the intricate interplay between governance and civic duty.

 

 

LAUTECH’s Adekunle Ayomide impressed with his calm yet authoritative delivery, while Oladeji Olushina’s vivid examples underscored the importance of shared responsibility. Their counterparts from the University of Ibadan countered with historical insights and pragmatic solutions, making the contest a true battle of wits.

 

 

After intense deliberations, the judges awarded LAUTECH the southwest championship title, earning them a ₦5,000,000 prize and a ticket to the grand finale, where they will compete for the ultimate ₦20,000,000 prize.

 

 

 

 

 

The event was more than a competition. A capacity-building segment led by distinguished facilitators offered invaluable insights to attendees. Oluseye Taiwo Adepoju, renowned as “The Oracle” and a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, delivered a session on leadership and personal development, encouraging participants to harness their unique strengths for societal impact.

 

 

Dr. Leonard Okonkwo, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, engaged the audience with an exploration of human behavior and its role in national progress. Through practical exercises and anecdotes, he emphasized the need for mental and emotional resilience in achieving personal and societal goals.

 

 

Tolu Meduna, the program coordinator, articulated the essence of the initiative: “Our goal is to raise Citizen Values Brigadiers—youths who will champion the ethos of unity, accountability, and resilience. This is how we build a stronger Nigeria.” Meduna also outlined the event’s national scope, noting that the debate series will span all six geopolitical zones of the country, with the ultimate winner determined by online viewers at a live broadcast event.

 

 

 

 

 

The conference attracted notable dignitaries, including Hon. Moruf Akinderu Fatai, Lagos State Commissioner for Housing; Hon. Opeyemi Alabi, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Youth Mobilization; and Izehi Semira, Founder of Shape A Child Initiative. Hon. Fatai lauded the initiative, stating, “This aligns perfectly with our collective mission to create a Nigeria where values drive progress.”

 

 

 

 

 

As the curtains fell, the 7 for 7 National Values Charter left an indelible mark on participants. Beyond the awards and accolades, the initiative ignited a renewed commitment to unity, accountability, and national development. All attendees received Citizen Values Brigade certificates, symbolizing their role as ambassadors of change. The National Identity Project is championed by the director general of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu.

 

 

For LAUTECH, the journey to the national grand finale promises new challenges and opportunities. For the nation, the message was clear: embracing shared values and responsibilities is the path to a brighter future.

 

 

The value train continues its journey, uniting hearts and minds in a shared vision of progress and national pride.

 

Scores of chieftains of the All Progressive Grand Alliance in Ogun State, on Friday, defected to the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, just as they pledged their support for the governorship aspirant of the party, Otunba Rotimi Paseda  ahead of 2019 general elections in the state.  
The leader of the group and former chairman of the party, Hon. Adesegun Atoyegbe said they decided to pitch their political tent with the UPN because its governorship candidate was a seasoned technocrat that would provide the desired good governance for the people of Ogun state having came close in 2015 governorship election. 
He said, “We have seen that the party has been tagged as the Easterners party, hence, impossible for it to win election in the South West, especially Ogun State and the party has no electoral fortunes to win any election in Ogun State  and that is why we decided to leave the party.”
According to Atoyegbe, APGA lacks internal democracy and does not provide democratic dividend to the people at the grass roots adding that leadership of the party are self-centered and practice politics of exclusion, adding, “I want to urge not only the UPN members, but the entire Ogun state to support and vote massively for the UPN candidates in 2019.”
Hon. Atoyegbe who addressed the mammoth crowd at an event organized by Paseda Youth Ambassador held in Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun State that, the move was part of reconciliation effort to provide a viable alternative political party in the state, adding that UPN remain the only party in the state with masses oriented blueprints. 
He therefore stressed that, the intractable crisis rocking many opposition parties in the state had made it impossible for the electorate to have avalanche of options to determine their voting pattern in 2019.
Receiving the defectors on behalf of the party, a national officer of UPN, Engineer Babatunde Folarin expressed happiness for the democratic step taken by the defectors in providing vibrant opposition in the state. 
The UPN stalwart assured the new members of the party’s open door policy and all inclusive in decision making of the party. 
“We are very glad to receive you to our party. UPN is the people’s party and we need all hands on deck to ensure the party takes over power in 2019.
“If you will all recall, we came close in 2015 general elections and repeated same feat in the 2016 local government election held in the state and today, the party produced two councilors in the face of intimidation and oppression of the ruling party. We shall continue to build on that milestone achievements and ensure total victory in 2019.
“We are not relenting on oars, as we have engaged all meaningful stakeholders in state for a possible alliance and I am happy that you are part of the result of our consultation. 
“I want to assure you and the good people of Ogun State that, the hard time will soon be over and we shall come back stronger in 2019”.