The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration at the University of Ibadan, Professor Peter O. Olapegba, fspsp, FNPA, has stated that the University of Ibadan is committed to fostering partnerships with small and medium businesses with zeal and fervor in line with the University’s mission to contribute to the transformation of society through creativity and innovation and with a view of proffering solutions to challenges facing the SMEs.

Professor Peter Olapegba stated this on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, mni, fspsp, FAS, at the opening of the University of Ibadan SME Fair 2024.

The theme of the SME Fair is “Moving the SME Glocal Community Forward Through Technology, Innovation and Creativity.”

Professor Olapegba reiterated that studies have shown that SMEs, whether in very developed, high income, and developing nations, contribute a great deal to economies globally.

He noted that over 60% of the GDP and over 70% of the total jobs available in a country like Nigeria can be attributed to SMEs and the informal sector.

Professor Olapegba therefore, charged the government at all levels to tap to its fullest, the multi-dimensional opportunities and gains inherent in SMEs to keep the teeming youths busy and gainfully employed.

The Keynote address was delivered on behalf of a UI @75 Ambassador and the Deputy Managing Director of Providus Bank, Mr Kingsley Aigbokhaevbo, an alumnus of the University of Ibadan.

The Group Head of Corporate Banking and Structured Finance of Providus Bank, Mr Abiodun Ariyo who presented the address, commended the UI management for putting in place a structure that fosters partnerships with SMEs.

He said Providus Bank was proud to partner with the University of Ibadan SMEs’ initiative Fair and gave an assurance of support for continuity and sustainability from the bank.

According to the keynote speaker, at the commencement of SMEs, three verticals must be considered, technology, innovation and creativity.

He said digitisation such as e-commerce platforms, on-line payment, cloud computing, and Artificial Intelligence are pathways through which businesses are done and encourage SMEs to foster efficiency, sustainability and productivity.

He explained that SMEs are a major part of economies especially in the developed world saying that they are important contributors to economic development, and job creation.

Mr Ariyo stated that SMEs account for more than 50% of employment worldwide, provide 7 out of 10 jobs in a margin market and contribute up to 40% of the national income.

Mr Ariyo encouraged the participants to launch into the market to start SMEs, imbibe the culture of incubator and accelerator to support start-ups and mentorship and to take advantage of Providus Bank’s collaborative platforms for advisory services and resources.

He charged the entrepreneurs to re-strategize, re-brand and re-package their products through creativity, innovation, diversity, inclusion, business remodelling, designs and thinking, talent development, partnerships, networking, attending training and workshops, conferences & webinar with community engagement.

The Chairman of the occasion, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka FAS, appreciated the University management for the resourceful structure, innovation and creativity aimed at reducing unemployment rate in the society.

He commended the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose SAN, and her team for the continuity and sustainability of the SMEs Fair over the years.

Professor Olayinka said UI does not train students for research purposes only but to impact the society through self dependence and entrepreneurship adding that UI graduates who are entrepreneurs are making the university proud globally.

He urged the sponsors to see their support as an investment and goodwill to UI and continue to collaborate and partner with the institution by supporting the fair annually.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Professor Oluyemisi A. Bamgbose, SAN, stated that the event, which is the brainchild of the University, is a celebration of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.

She said the SMEs Fair reflected the University’s commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as the foundation of economic growth and sustainable development through innovation-led growth, creativity and academic excellence.

Professor Bamgbose explained that the decision of UI to put in place, a structure that will bring about collaboration with SMEs is a deliberate attempt to ensure cooperative research and development support for SMEs to achieve their roles as drivers of economic growth in Nigeria.

She said in Nigeria and across the globe, SMEs account for a significant portion of employment, driving job creation, innovation and inclusive growth despite limited resources, regulatory, financial pressures and competition from large enterprises.

The DVC stated that technology is a vast range of tools and resources that can simplify processes, increase productivity, expand markets and improve customers’ experience nationwide and globally.

She said it is, therefore, a duty as a nation and institution to foster collaborations that make access to these technologies a reality for SMEs.

Professor Bamgbose encouraged the participants to embrace a mindset of continuous learning and openness to new ideas as the trade fair is a platform for building new networks, for sharing knowledge, and for inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The Convener of the UI SME Fair 2024 and Head, Department of Peace, Security and Humanitarian Studies, Professor Ruth Ochanya Adio-Moses stated that the Fair is where the spirit of small and medium enterprises which is the back bone of the economy is celebrated.

She noted that in the increasingly interconnected world, the concept of Glocal, “thinking globally while acting locally ” has never been more relevant.

She said SMEs have the unique ability to drive change and inspire growth by staying deeply connected to their communities while teaching new markets around the world.

Professor Adio-Moses stated that technology, innovation and creativity propel growth in SMEs, and she encouraged the participants to embrace these tools, to support one another, and prosper in the border less market.

She commended the studentpreneurs at the Fair and hoped that the Fair would assist them in connecting to investors who would help them to improve and expand their businesses.

Goodwill messages were received from the founder, African Young Brains, Dr. Femi Awoyemi; a member of the University Governing Council and Coordinator, Organisation of Women in Science in the Developing World (OWSD), Professor Aina Adeogun; and Mr Mayowa Omagbemi on behalf of the Bank of Industry.

The two-day UI SME Fair 2024 is the Fourth edition. It featured varieties such as panel discussions, studentpreneur pitching competition. It was supported by Providus Bank, Bank of Industry, African Young Brains, House of Dexterity and AGRIM International FZE.

Good Legacy, a socio-political group, has urged the Oyo state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde to check the exceeses of landgrabbers across the state.

Reacting to a trending video of a landlord in Elebu, Kunle Ojo Feyitimi, whose house was damaged by suspected land-grabbers, the group added that leaving landgrabbers unchallenged and unchecked will send investors away.

In a statement jointly signed by its chairman, Akinosun Bankole and secretary, Jide Gbolagade on Monday, Good Legacy said a state that wants development must do everything to eradicate Land-grabbing.

The group also recalled that recently some Ibadan Obas and Village Heads in Ona Ara local government area cried to the governor to rescue them from landgrabbers.

The Obas and Baales alleged that the landgrabbers stormed their villages and farm lands in Oyo state government vehicles.

While commending the efforts of the governor to develop Ibadan and the state, Good Legacy pointed out that some certain issues left unattended and unchecked will serve as hindrance to the much needed-development.

The group promised to always point out the issues anytime they noticed them adding that they’re for the development of the state.

The statement read in part: “A state that desires development must eradicate land-grabbing to create a conducive environment for investors. Leaving land-grabbers unchallenged will only serve as a deterrent to investors, hindering the state’s progress.

“Governor Seyi Makinde must take decisive action against land-grabbers to protect the rights of indigenous people and promote development. Unchecked land-grabbing will undermine the efforts of the governor to develop Ibadan and the state. It’s crucial for the government to address the land-grabbing issue, as it affects not only the local communities but also the state’s economic growth.

“We recalled recently that some Obas and Village Heads in Ona Ara local government area of the state called on the governor to rescue them from landgrabbers. The traditional rulers alleged that the landgrabbers are storming their villages and farms in Oyo state government vehicles destroying the farms and villages and taking over them.”

Worried by the way the funds belonging to Oyo state are being channeled for what it described as unimportant projects, Team Oyo, a group of professionals from the state who are committed to its development, has asked Governor Seyi Makinde to fear the day he would leave office and look back at what he did as the state helmsman.

The group said Governor Makinde’s obvious anger issue made those around him not to always tell him the truth because he may not talk to them again after he is being properly advised. It added that when leaders are unfortunate to surround themselves with ‘yes men’, the end will not be well.

A statement by Kolapo Isiaka, Pro tem chairman of Team Oyo, said most of the projects the Makinde’s administration has initiated have been damaged few years after they were said to be commissioned.

Asking that Makinde still has time to correct himself, the group said it is unhappy as another round of tax-payers money would be spent and given to the same contractors.

According to the group, “We are miffed hearing that Governor Makinde is about to release another fund for the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority which he created recently. We are greatly worried and at the same time sad at the quality of people around our governor. We have the Oyo Road Traffic Management Authority, OYRTMA; we have the Oyo State Waste Management Authority, OYWMA; there is the environmental task force. We also have other security agencies who can collaborate with them to ensure the right things are done. But no, it seems our governor owes some people and they must be paid. Now, we heard from the grapevine that over 50 vehicles are about to be bought for the newly created agency as well as monthly subvention running to several millions of naira would be allocated.

“All these are coming at a time the purse of every state has become lean and couldn’t go on with important aspects of governance. The schools across Oyo State are in moribund condition. A clear example is the primary school in front of Late Justice Kayode Eso’s house and the Ikolaba High School adjacent to the entrance of the governor’s private residence. For five years, the governor has passed there and nothing has been done.

“The rehabilitation of the roads within some few areas around the state house are being shoddily done and even a layman can see it. Remember how the government wasted close to 3 billion naira on the Felele junction improvement. You need to go there and see things for yourself. Whenever it rains, it is flooded for days.

“The Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso road commissioned not long ago has been messed up. Governor Makinde needs to sit down and relax and take stock of what he has done. If the little he has done is spoiling right in his eyes, what would happen when he leaves office? His former colleagues are daily guests of the anti-graft agencies. He should remember that these people won’t follow him anywhere though we don’t pray that it becomes his end.”

The Ajibola Idris Abiola Irorun Foundation has inaugurated a new set of executives to paddle the affairs and look into its activities for the next one year.

The inauguration of the new executives was held on Sunday, 3rd November 2024 at Yemetu barrack, Ibadan.

In a statement by the founder, the Special Assistant to Ibadan North Local Government Chairman on Youth and Sports, Hon. Ajibola Idris Abiola hailed members of the foundation both at home and abroad for their support and commitment towards the growth and uplift of the foundation.

He said “As it is usually stated that a tree cannot make a forest, I want to use this medium to appreciate all AIA members within and outside Nigeria for your full cooperation and loyalty towards the betterment and success of this foundation and also for your unwavering support towards the vision you all see in me.”

Ajibola, who celebrated his birthday on 2nd November 2024 also used the occasion of the inauguration to appreciate the members for taking their time to celebrate his day with him in grandstyle.

“I can’t help but appreciate my able comrades who have just been elected into different offices for the surprise gift for my birthday. It means a lot to me, which also makes me know much better about your leadership capabilities.

“I want to assure you all (by the help of God) that the sky is our starting point because I believe God is taking us far, even beyond our expectations.

“Thank you, AIA Members
Thank you, AIA Executives, and
Thank you, AIA Committee
Together, we can!!”