Otunba Femi Okenla donates 350 million enterpreneur center to Olabisi Onabanjo University

The Director-General of Onitsha Business School, Prof. Olusegun Sogbesan, has delivered a scathing critique of Nigeria’s tertiary education system, warning that unless universities urgently adopt entrepreneurship and localised learning models, they risk becoming “factories of frustration.”

Speaking at the commissioning of the N350 million Olufemi Okenla Entrepreneurship Centre at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Sogbesan declared that the university system in Nigeria is “teaching young people in foreign tongues, but not in the language of enterprise.”

In a thought-provoking keynote titled The Role of Tertiary Institutions in Promoting Entrepreneurship in Nigeria, he urged universities to discard their obsession with degrees and certificates, and instead focus on nurturing creators, innovators, and job generators.

“We are not simply calling for a tweak in the curriculum,” he said. “We are calling for a redefinition of the very purpose of higher education in Nigeria.”

The professor outlined a six-pronged strategy for transformation, including: institutionalising entrepreneurship as a university-wide mission, building on-campus innovation hubs, redesigning curricula for practical outcomes, training facilitators, ensuring access to capital and mentorship, and integrating policy and accountability mechanisms.

“These strategies are not aspirational—they are achievable,” Sogbesan asserted. “They require leadership, alignment, and urgency.”

He argued that entrepreneurship must be rooted in indigenous languages and contextual realities.

“From the African apprenticeship model to the rise of tech startups, our curriculum must speak the language of our people—both literally and practically,” he said.

“If we continue to graduate students who can write exams but cannot write proposals… if our degrees do not produce value, then we are complicit in engineering their frustration and Nigeria’s stagnation,” he added, drawing loud applause.

Sogbesan warned that without a radical overhaul, Nigeria would continue to churn out certificate-holding job seekers who remain disconnected from economic relevance.

“No entrepreneurship, no development. Tertiary institutions must stop preparing students only to join the workforce and start preparing them to build the workforce.”

…Minister Backs Call for Entrepreneurial Shift

Representing the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, described the new Centre as “a gateway to new thinking, new ventures, and new opportunities.”

“In a nation blessed with talent yet burdened by unemployment, our educational model must evolve. We must now produce job creators, not just job seekers,” Sule said.

He hailed the Olufemi Okenla Foundation for what he described as “a visionary investment in the youth of Nigeria” and aligned the Centre’s goals with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises youth empowerment and economic diversification.

“The Olufemi Okenla Entrepreneur Centre is a powerful addition to this national movement,” he said. “It is a space where ideas will be nurtured, businesses will be born, and the dreams of many young Nigerians will find wings.”

The donor, Otunba Olufemi Okenla, a distinguished alumnus and entrepreneur, shared an emotional account of how his experiences at OOU shaped his entrepreneurial spirit.

“This institution taught me to wear my thinking cap,” he said, recalling how a life-threatening spinal injury in his second year forced him to find creative means of survival—selling bread and screening films to fellow students.

Okenla revealed that the N350 million project was conceived when he turned 59,and will be delivered in three phases,including 50 million for equipping the centre and another 100 million to be set aside in a fixed deposit account for maintenance
“By September,the first batch of 20 students will be admitted-10 from the Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences and another 10 from my church”” he announced
In a notable philantropic gesture,Okenla also pledged 20 million in seed capital for student -led startup,with 5 million to be awarded to each of the first four graduating cohorts.
“Let us ensure the next generation of Nigerian students graduates does not leave university with just a certificate in hand,but with business in motion,a product in development,or a vision already unfolding “he said
He also appreciated Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo of KICC,whom he credited for inspiring the project and expressed heartfelt appreciation to his wife of 36 years
“She has stood by me for over four decades and will now oversee the disbursement of the seed capital
This is not just a legacy ;it’s our life’s mission”he said
The Vice Chancellor,Professor Ayodeji Agboola thanked Otunba Femi Okenla for giving back to the institution and asked others to emulate his good gesture
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing council,O0U,Prof.Oluwatoyin Ashiru who happened to be femi Okenla’s uncle said he’s not surprised that femi is putting the family name on the global map because he has always been an inspiration in the family

The building was later declared opened by Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo

SAN urges FG to settle Nnamdi Kanu, other agitators’ matters through arbitration

By Ebuka Obidinma

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mohammed Ndarani has urged the Federal Government to settle Nnamdi Kanu and other agitators’ matters out of court through a formidable national committee of Arbitration.

Ndarani who is the Grand Patron of One Nation for Asiwaju Support Group made the call at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, and said the move will lead to peace, and unity in diversity.

“In my opinion, court may not be the solution to the above matter, if peace must reign in the nation.

“President Bola Tinubu should consider Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms like arbitration, conciliation and mediation in some of these cases concerning these agitators”.

ADR refers to any method of conflict resolution that takes place outside of the courtroom.

It involves processes and techniques of conflict resolution without litigation, and empowers parties to work together using a framework to amicably settle complex issues.

“The political atmosphere in Nigeria is tense, with tribal and religious issues being championed everyday by some people and segments who feel marginalized and aggrieved.

“In present times, early resolution of a dispute not only saves valuable time and money for the parties to the dispute, but also promotes peace and unity.

“Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act and section 174 of the 1999 constitution (as ammended), provide that parties can explore alternative options for both civil and criminal matters.

“The treason matter involving Omoyele Sowore, leader of Revolution Now Movement and a presidential candidate for the 2023 election, and also the terrorism case against Bello Badejo, leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, both of which cases were withdrawn by the Nigerian government, is commendable.

“There is therefore, the need to seek further peace and unity of the nation.

“High profile cases like Kanu’s are best resolved as quickly as possible because they evoke a lot of sentiments.

“Another reason why an expeditious resolution of the matter must be sought is because it would begin to heal festering wounds which we can certainly do without at this stage of our nationhood”, he said.

The senior lawyer reminded that justice delayed is invariably justice denied.

“Talking about litigation generally in our courts, it is clear that some matters drag on interminably, and this has a knock-on effect on the willingness of our people to seek justice in our law courts.”

Ndarani said that arbitration could equally help in decongesting our courts which are currently bogged down by a lot more matters than they can expeditiously dispose of.

“Indispensable as the role of courts is in the society, the process is usually long drawn out and hence, the need to explore more frequently the option of alternative dispute resolution.

“The sooner we find alternative means of quickly disposing of these worrisome matters the better for the promotion of peace and harmony in our country.

“I will advise the president to look inwards to see how to settle most of these pockets of agitations that have given rise to loss of lives and property.

“Arbitration can bring rest to the east, peace and rest to the wanton killings in the middle belt, as well as other parts of the country”, he said.

Ndarani advised that Nigerians should be patient with Tinubu, saying that he met an unjust society, and that it is not easy to re-arrange a system that had already collapsed before the advent of his administration.

“Nigeria’s problem is the few elites who put their interest on the first.

“I advise the president to avoid them and explore all mechanisms to promote peace in Nigeria rather than seek prosecution.

“If Nigeria is peaceful, Tinubu will do well for the nation”, he said.

He urged president Tinubu to watch out for little foxes that spoil the vine, while he is trying to hold Nigeria together as one indivisible nation.

Transgenerational Lebans met their Waterloo at the Grace Nation Midweek Service in Lagos.

Lebans are kinds of spirit deplored to stop or Pull down the Glory of People, Particularly the children of God, therefore to overcome the spirit of leban around you or in your household, you must deplore a higher spirit Powerful and stronger than what is been used to torment you, Leban only understand war not Peace.

This was the Prayer point raised by the Senior Pastor Grace Nation world-wide aka Liberation City, The Generational Prophet Dr Chris Okafor at the midweek service of the church held at the international Headquarters of Grace Nation world-wide in Ojodu Berger Lagos.

The midweek service was characterized by the Prophetic prayer point raised by the God Servant.

Lebans of Poverty, Sickness, Promise and failure, Late marriage, barrenness and more met their Waterloo as God servant led the congregation to a very Prophetic and Powerful prayer session, destroying all the network of the devil setting free, lawful captive and restoration of lost Glory.

In his shot sermon with the series, Help Of Man subtitles “Let Me Go” , The Generational Prophet of God Dr Chris Okafor said there is a Grace of multiplication available for those that can grab it spiritually, God will not come down himself, he sent a Man, the main issue is how to identify whom God sent to you, In such situations Leban work is to ensure that you never identify who God sent to you rather, he make you see and believe whom God sent to you as your greatest enemies. The Popular Lagos Prophet said if you fail to kill Leban, he will kill you.

He said sometime something pursue you to your place of deliverance but Leban will be on standby to push you out, until you Understand the Principles of overcoming Generational Leban, You will never be Free but when you identify your Prophet, listen to his instructions and direction, Then you shall be free from Lebans, Lebans are everywhere to decieve you but it is now left for you to decide whether you will continue with the pattern or you breakout, therefore Leban don’t want peace but war.

The midweek Prophetic service was rounded up with a Special Anointing session for Breakthrough according to Grace Nation Theme for the month of June..