Discussions on state police and the impact of global wars on Nigeria’s economy will take centre stage as Ibadan hosts the 5th edition of the Journalist Olawale Ogunbusola School Competition, Public Lecture and Awards.
The event is scheduled to hold on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the National Museum of Unity, Aleshinloye, Ibadan.
Chairman of the Organising Committee, Pastor Tayo Olatunji, who is also the elder brother of the convener, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen.
Olatunji, who is an elder brother to Olawale Ogunbusola, a reporter with Silverbird Television News, said this year’s edition will x-ray the nation’s socio-economic challenges, particularly insecurity and the effect of global conflicts on the Nigerian economy.
He noted that in the last four years, the initiative has provided a template for government reforms and professional solutions, adding that this year’s deeper diagnosis is aimed at advancing national prosperity.
According to him, the annual 3-in-1 event brings together students, experts and stakeholders, and also honours individuals who have contributed positively to various sectors of the economy.
Olatunji announced that three professionals will lead discussions at the event. They are the Acting Head of Department and Senior Lecturer at KolaDaisi University, Ibadan, Mr Oluwatoyese Oyetade; international security and forensic expert, Dr Yusuf Oladele; and Chief Executive Officer of Max-African Publishers, Mr Ayodeji Alimi.
They will speak on “State Police”, “Global War on Nigeria’s Economy” and “Effect of Piracy on Creative Economy” respectively.
Dignitaries expected at the event include the Chairman, House Committee on Works and member representing Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency, Hon. Akin Alabi; Deputy Majority Leader and member representing Egbeda State Constituency, Hon. Samson Babalola; Oyo ADP governorship candidate, Hon. Kunle Olatunji; and Auditor of Yari 774 Initiative for Asiwaju, Oyo State Chapter, Hon. Temitope Olawoyin.
Others are the Secretary of the Oyo State Trade Union Congress, Comrade Babatunde Balogun; Chairperson, Customs Wives Association of Nigeria, Oyo/Osun Area Command, Mrs Omowumi Adewole; South West Director of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mrs Oriyomi Pamela Otuka; Chief Coordinator of Catch Them Young Initiative, Mrs Ayodeni Aluko (Iseya); and former President of the National Association of Polytechnic Students, Comrade Benedict Olalere, among others.
Olatunji added that 25 individuals will be honoured at the event, including the Chairman of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Oyo State, Mr Yinka Adeniran; former Senior Special Assistant on Print Media to the Bayelsa Governor, Mr Soji Ajibola; professional accountant and politician, Comrade Olawale Olaleye; retired Principal of CHS Airport, Mrs Monsurat Abiola Olajire; Reporter with The Nation Newspaper, Mr Segun Showunmi; Head of Programmes at Adamimogo 105.1FM, Mr Olusina Olabode (Omoyashina); and Mr Adeola Bankola of Fresh FM, among others.
He said the event, which is open to the public, will commence at 9:30 a.m., with Ogun-based Afrobeat musician, David Awatt, popularly known as K Dray, providing musical interludes.
The organisers, however, called for support to sustain educational assistance for out-of-school and indigent young people through the initiative.
“This is a divine mandate. However, we seek your support. You may reach us through 08064214675 or [email protected] with kind, material or cash donations,” the statement added.
