News
Senate President’s media aide, Tabiowo bags honourary doctorate degree
Special Assistant (Press) to the President of the Senate, Ezrel Tabiowo, and five other notable Nigerians have been conferred with a Doctorate Degree in Public Administration (Honoris Causa) by the Africa Institute for Public Administration (AIPA), Ghana, in partnership with the London Bridge Business School, United Kingdom.
The other honorees were Professor Chijioke Nwaozuzu, Director, Emerald Energy Institute (Petroleum and Energy Economics, Policy and Strategic Studies), University of Port Harcourt; Dr. Samuel Barko Lar, former General Manager, Nigeria Airways; Dr. Lami Onayi Ahmed, Director and Board Member, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Anthony Ibezi, Member, House of Representatives; and Dr. Eric Mekwuye, a Hospitality Specialist.
Dr. Tabiowo alongside the other five honorees of the 10th class were also certified as Leadership Solution Strategy Experts, and inducted Fellows of AIPA at the 10th fellowship induction and honorary investiture ceremony which held after a three-day Transformational Leadership Conference organized by the Institute in Abuja.
The investiture of the honorees was sequel to the approval of the Governing Council and Academic Advisory Board of Africa’s premier Institute for Public Administration – AIPA.
An astute administrator and media expert, Dr. Tabiowo has held several leadership positions and is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants – Nigeria; Fellow of the Institute of Management Specialists, United Kingdom; Fellow of the Centre for Public Service Productivity and Development (CeProd); and Fellow of the West African Society for Communication and Administration (WASCA).
A member of the African Business Club, he is also a Certified Management Consultant of the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC), and recipient of the Institute of Management Specialists’ Award for Leadership Excellence.
Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute, Dr. Ben Nwankwo, in a speech delivered during the investiture ceremony, urged members of the 10th class to be good ambassadors of the institute.
“We are admitting you into the Fellowship of Africa’s premier and apex professional Institute in the education and practice of Public Administration as the 10th class.
“First and seventh classes took place between Accra, London, Dubai, Abuja and Kigali, in a tight curriculum schematics that is a mix of theory and practice.
“Our learning partners have graciously consented to further admit few of the members of the class who have track records of service, achievements, and moral rectitude into the honorary degree of Doctor of Public Administration and Business Administration to strengthen your spark to lead in government, society or business.
“By virtue of your fellowship induction and other investiture, you have become alumni of the Institute, our role models and ambassadors. We charge you to show the light that others may follow”, Dr. Nwankwo said.
The Africa Institute for Public Administration is the continent’s professional education platform that seeks to innovate and reshape the operationalization and management of government systems in countries of Africa through conducted research and survey regarding policies.
AIPA is affiliated to the European Association for Public Administration Accreditation, The Netherlands; International Public Policy Association, France; the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA), Brussels Belgium; and the American Society for Public Administration, Washington DC.
Rugby School Nigeria, the newest international school of the esteemed Rugby School Group, is set to open in September 2025 in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.
To celebrate this significant milestone, an exclusive launch event was held at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s residence in Lagos, attracting over 100 distinguished guests and key stakeholders from the education, government, business sectors, and diplomatic communities.
At the official launch event on March 19, 2025, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter highlighted the significance of Rugby School Nigeria stating:
“Rugby School Nigeria exemplifies one of the best of UK-Nigeria collaborations, bringing another world-class British education institution to the heart of Lagos. Situated in the dynamic Eko Atlantic City, a symbol of Nigeria’s ambition and innovation, this school is poised to further shape future leaders in a rapidly evolving global landscape.”
Rugby School Nigeria will initially open its doors for Sixth Form students (ages 16-18) in September 2025, with boarding facilities set to be available from September 2026. The Senior School (ages 11-16) will launch in September 2026, offering a broad and engaging curriculum that prepares students for IGCSEs and future academic success.
Founding Principal of Rugby School Nigeria, Dr Adam England expressed his enthusiasm:
“Rugby School Nigeria will offer an exceptional education that nurtures both intellectual growth and character development guided by the Rugby School ‘Whole Person, Whole Point’ philosophy. Students will benefit from a comprehensive A-Level programme, preparing them for top universities worldwide, alongside the Rugby 360 programme, which fosters leadership, community engagement, and personal development.
Our state-of-the-art facilities will include science labs, creative arts spaces, and world-class sporting facilities.”
Founded in 1567, Rugby School is one of the world’s most prestigious UK boarding schools, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and character development. With established sister schools in Thailand, Japan, and now Nigeria, Rugby School continues to expand its global impact, offering transformative educational experiences to students worldwide.
Dr England added, “We are excited by the substantial interest we have already received, with numerous parents’ meetings taking place daily at our offices.”
Senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Olajide Ipinsagba Emmanuel has scored himself high in terms of constituency projects deliveries to his constituents.
Speaking in an exclusive interview in his office with journalists, he said “he facilitated Agricultural Training Programs for youths and existing farmers, equipping them with modern techniques to enhance productivity, distributed fertilizers to farmers to address critical agricultural challenges, ensuring increased output and improved local food security.
“Constructed and fully equipped a modern health centre in Akunnu-Akoko, ensuring access to quality healthcare for the community, distributed health equipments and materials to the State Specialist Hospital, Ikare-Akoko, thereby strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving health outcomes.”
“Trained and Empowered Women and Youth in Confectioneries. He organised training in cake baking and other confectioneries, followed by the disbursement of start-up grants to empower beneficiaries to establish their businesses. Training of women on soap making with start-up funds.
In the same vein, he organized ICT training programs for youths, distributed HP Core i7 laptops, and provided start-up grants to promote innovation and employment in the tech sector.
“Trained youths in tailoring, provided sewing machines, and disbursed start-up grants to enhance self-reliance and job creation. Constructed a 1.5-kilometer road in Oka-Akoko, improving connectivity, facilitating economic activities, and easing transportation for farmers and traders. Spearheaded the construction of the Ikare Modern Civic Center, which serves as a hub for cultural, social, and civic engagements. Facilitated the construction of 28 lock-up shops in Oka -Akoko, providing a conducive environment for entrepreneurs and boosting local commerce.
Dist. Sen. Olajide who is passionate about education, distributed free JAMB forms to students across the Senatorial District, enabling many young people to pursue higher education without financial barriers.
Also, he sponsored a bill for the establishment of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) University in Ikare-Akoko. A public hearing was successfully held on December 28, 2024, reflecting progress toward establishing this vital institution for skill development and education. Lighting up towns and villages with Solar Panels including Adekunle Ajasin University.”
These achievements underscore his commitment to fostering development in agriculture, education, health, and infrastructure. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, he also prioritizes accountability and efficiency in national projects, which directly impacts the equitable allocation of resources to Ondo North Senatorial District and Ondo State at large.
Moreso, he empowered Small Businesses through skill acquisition programmes and provision of lock-up shops, he has laid the groundwork for entrepreneurship to flourish within the district. Strengthening Youth Engagement, by bridging the gap between education, technology, and employment. He is equipping youths with the tools necessary to thrive in the modern economy.”
Edo State Government has lashed at the factional chapter of the caretaker committee of the Peoples Democratic Party and the appointed publicity secretary, Chris Nehikhare, for rushing to the press without first understanding the subject at hand.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua in Benin and made available to journalists said, Nehikhare’s latest press release was another embarrassing display of ignorance, completely missing the point Governor Monday Okpebholo raised.
The Governor was referring to the $10 million that Godwin Obaseki budgeted for The Observer Newspaper shortly before the 2024 governorship elections in Edo State, not the refurbished equipment bought from ‘Ogbete Market’ in Enugu State.
Obaseki, a portfolio scam artist, who presided over the looting of Edo’s commonwealth, hurriedly siphoned $10 million, using The Observer Newspaper as a conduit, barely a few days to the governorship election in Edo State in late 2024.
Nehikhare’s desperate attempt to twist the conversation is not just misleading but exposes the habitual dishonesty of the PDP.
On the issue of the so-called “sophisticated machines,” Nehikhare conveniently ignores the real concern—these overused and inefficient machines now require billions of naira to function properly. Obaseki may have procured them at a roadside market, but he left behind a financial burden that the present administration must now clean up.
More troubling is Nehikhare’s confused outrage about the sacking of Observer staff. How does he expect those no longer employed to be available at the premises? His logic is as flawed as the policies of the administration he blindly defends.
Instead of this laughable attempt at deflection, Nehikhare should explain why, in his final days, Obaseki found it necessary to allocate a staggering $10 million to a State-owned newspaper that is practically invisible on newspaper stands across the State and country—at a time when critical sectors like education and healthcare remained underfunded.
If Nehikhare wishes to debate the facts, he should do so with accuracy, not fiction. But then again, fiction seems to be the PDP’s favourite tool.
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