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Adeleke Commends Osun Online Publisher's New Leadership, Backs Fight Against Fake News Ahead of Osun Poll

  Osogbo – April 2, 2026  Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has congratulated the newly inaugurated leadership of the Osun Online Publishers Association (OOPA), led by its Chairman, Mr. Lawrence Abioye. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the Governor charged the new executives to uphold professionalism, fairness, and ethical standards in the discharge of their duties, particularly as the state prepares for the forthcoming governorship election. Governor Adeleke emphasized the critical role of online publishers in shaping public discourse, urging the association to collaborate with the government in combating the spread of fake news. “I wish to congratulate the new leadership of the Osun Online Publishers Association led by its Chairman, Mr. Lawrence Abioye,” the statement read. “I urge the new executive of OOPA to ensure that members of the association remain professional and fair, especially as the Osun governorship election approaches. “Please w...
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₦150m MicCom Fund Will Drive Engineering Innovation in Nigeria - Governor Ademola Adeleke

 Ile-Ife, Osun State — April 2, 2026




The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Thursday witnessed a landmark moment in Nigeria’s academic and engineering landscape with the inauguration of the ₦150 million MicCom Memorial Endowment Fund for Engineering Development.



The endowment, established by the Ponnle family, honours the enduring legacy of late engineering icons, Michael Ayantunde Ponnle and Comfort Olufunke Ponnle, whose contributions to indigenous manufacturing and engineering development in Nigeria remain widely celebrated.

Held at the university’s Oduduwa Hall, the event drew dignitaries from government, academia, and industry, underscoring the significance of the initiative in shaping the future of engineering education in the country.

Speaking at the inauguration, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, described the endowment as a strategic investment rather than a symbolic gesture, noting that the lives of the late Ponnles continue to inspire long after their passing.



“We are remembering two exceptional lives while celebrating a legacy that continues to build, teach, and inspire,” the governor said.


He recounted the pioneering role played by the couple in Nigeria’s industrial sector, particularly through the establishment of MicCom Cables and Wires, widely regarded as one of the country’s first indigenous cable manufacturing enterprises. At a time when local manufacturing capacity was still evolving, the Ponnles demonstrated confidence in Nigeria’s ability to innovate and compete globally.


Beyond their industrial achievements, the governor emphasized their commitment to human capital development, highlighting their role in mentoring generations of engineers and promoting indigenous technical capacity.

“Their lives remind us that true success is not only measured by what we build, but by who we raise,” Adeleke added.


A Legacy Rooted in Innovation and Nation-Building

The MicCom Memorial Endowment Fund, according to the family, represents a purposeful commitment to advancing engineering, innovation, and technological development in Nigeria.

The late Ponnles were widely regarded as pioneers who championed innovation, self-reliance, and technical excellence. Their influence extended beyond business success into mentorship, professional development, and national capacity building.

Their belief in Nigeria’s intellectual and entrepreneurial potential shaped their lifelong mission to strengthen the country’s industrial and technological base.

It is this enduring vision that inspired the establishment of the endowment at OAU, an institution long recognised for excellence in engineering education and research.

Driving Excellence, Research, and Industry Collaboration

The ₦150 million fund is designed to serve multiple strategic objectives within the university’s Faculty of Technology.

It will support academic excellence by providing scholarships to outstanding engineering students, while also promoting research and innovation through funding for scholarly activities and technological inquiry.



In addition, the initiative aims to bridge the long-standing gap between academia and industry by encouraging practical application of engineering knowledge to real-world challenges.

The endowment will also foster leadership and ethical responsibility among students, ensuring that future engineers are not only technically competent but also guided by integrity and a commitment to national development.

Strengthening a Culture of Giving

University authorities described the initiative as a continuation of the Ponnle family’s longstanding support for academic excellence.

In previous contributions, the family instituted annual awards, including ₦1 million for the best graduating student in the Faculty of Technology and ₦10 million for the department that produced the top graduate, efforts that have already begun to inspire academic distinction.

Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Simeon Bamire, commended the family for what he described as a visionary investment in education and innovation.

He noted that the endowment would strengthen research infrastructure, support cutting-edge innovation, and position the university as a leading hub for engineering excellence in Nigeria and beyond.

Investing in the Future

The endowment is expected to operate as a sustainable funding mechanism, ensuring that its impact extends beyond the present generation through careful stewardship and continued stakeholder support.

Stakeholders at the event described the initiative as more than a tribute, but a bridge between past accomplishments and future possibilities.

For beneficiaries, the fund represents not only financial support but also a call to uphold the values of discipline, innovation, and service exemplified by the late Ponnles.

As the ceremony concluded, speakers reiterated that the true measure of the endowment’s success would lie in the lives it transforms, the ideas it inspires, and the innovations it enables.

Through this initiative, the legacy of the Ponnles, they said, will remain a living force, empowering future generations of engineers to shape Nigeria’s technological future.

Dignitaries at the event included Osun State Deputy Governor, Adewusi; members of the State Executive Council; traditional rulers such as the Orangun of Oke-Ila, the Alada of Ada, and representatives of the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; representatives of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, including former president Engr. Mrs. Oguntala; the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Adebayo Simeon Bamire, alongside principal officers and staff of the institution; and media entrepreneur and former presidential candidate, Dele Momodu.

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