In a momentous occasion set to mark a significant leap in educational infrastructure and development, Saint Augustine Comprehensive High School in Oye-Ekiti is gearing up to inaugurate its long-awaited Science Laboratory Building on May 4th, 2024. The Ceremony will be graced by the esteemed presence of Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, who will also be spearheading the launch of a N500 million development fund aimed at bolstering the School’s advancement initiatives.
The Science Laboratory, a cornerstone of academic excellence, was originally constructed nearly five decades ago to cater to the fundamental sciences of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. However, due to neglect and lack of proper maintenance, the building languished in disrepair, rendering it unusable for educational purposes.
Recognizing the dire need to revitalize their Alma Mater, the Saint Augustine Comprehensive High School Old Students’ Association embarked on a commendable journey to breathe new life into the dilapidated structure. Commencing reconstruction efforts approximately two years ago, the association invested a substantial sum of N50 million towards the refurbishment project. Despite these commendable efforts, the crucial aspect of procuring laboratory equipment, estimated at N30 million, remained a hurdle due to financial constraints.
The genesis of this transformative endeavor traces back to 2022 when a Visitation Panel, commissioned by the Old Students’ Association, shed light on the deplorable state of the Laboratory Building. Dr. Vincent Idowu Bamigboye, the Worldwide President of the Association, underscored the pivotal role of alumni contributions in driving the school’s progress over the past two decades. In a poignant statement, Dr. Bamigboye expressed gratitude to the generous benefactors who have continually supported the school’s endeavors, propelling it towards excellence.
The forthcoming commissioning ceremony will not only mark the culmination of arduous efforts but also herald a new era of academic enrichment and innovation. Dr. Bamigboye unveiled a grand vision for the School’s future, emphasizing the imperative of nurturing creative thinkers and fostering a conducive learning environment. As preparations for the School’s 50th anniversary loom on the horizon, plans are underway to institute a “Golden Anniversary and Beyond Committee” tasked with charting a comprehensive 10-year Development Roadmap.
Among the distinguished dignitaries set to grace the occasion are Dr. (Mrs) Kofoworola Aderiye, Commissioner for Education, Ekiti State; Otunba Babatunde Fajemirokun, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AIICO Insurance PLC, who will serve as Guests of Honour. The event will be hosted by Honourable Oluwaseun Fakuade Commissioner for Innovation Innovation, Science, and Digital Economy, and Honourable Adesola Gold Adedayo, Commissioner for Youth Development, Ekiti State, serving as Chief Hosts. The Chairman of the Occasion is the current Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof Abayomi Sunday Fasina.
Adding Regal splendour to the affair, the Royal Fathers of the Day include the Oloye of Oye Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Oluwole Adugbole 111; the Olora of Ora-Ekiti, Oba Peteru Ojo Daramola; and the Regent of Imojo Ekiti, Her Royal Majesty, Princess Mercy Ayomide Olatunji.
As anticipation builds and preparations reach a crescendo, Saint Augustine Comprehensive High School stands poised to reclaim its position as a beacon of educational excellence, embarking on a journey of rejuvenation and progress.

A man has set himself on fire outside the New York courthouse where former U.S. President, Donald Trump is facing trial in the hush-money case.

Reuters reports that the man did not appear to have been targeting Trump.

It was reported that the man burnt for several minutes in full view of television cameras that were set up outside the courthouse, where the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president was being held.

“He was on fire for quite a while,” one witness, who declined to give his name, told reporters. “It was pretty horrifying.”

Officials said the man, who is in his late 30s, survived and was in critical condition at a hospital.

The man was said to have pulled pamphlets out of a backpack and threw them in the air before he doused himself with a liquid and set himself on fire.

One of those pamphlets included references to “evil billionaires” but portions that were visible to a Reuters witness did not mention Trump.

In a news conference, investigators said they had received a 911 emergency call at around 13:30 local time (18:30 BMT) telling them that a man had lit himself on fire.

They identified him as Maxwell Azzarello, who had arrived in New York from his home in Florida sometime in the past week.

He has no criminal record in New York, and his family in Florida were unaware that he had travelled to the city, the BBC reports.

New York Police Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said Azzarello was seen “shuffling around” in the park before reaching into a bag for the flammable liquid and pamphlets.

The pamphlets were “propaganda-based”, said Chief Maddrey, adding that they were regarding a “conspiracy theory”. The fuel appears to be an alcohol-based cleaning product.

There was a massive police presence outside the courthouse because of the trial, and officers quickly ran into the park shouting for a fire extinguisher.

Azzarello was carried away on a stretcher, his body very badly burned. The police said he was taken to a hospital burn centre in critical condition.

Ogun State Government on Thursday, donated 25 patrol vehicles to the state police command just as it acquired surveillance drones to monitor criminal activities in all parts of the state.
Governor Dapo Abiodun donated the vehicles in the presence of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, even as he called on the force to include technology in it’s crime fighting efforts.
He said acquiring the drones was one of the proactive steps his administration has taken in collaboration with Lagos and Oyo states to effectively monitor activities on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to ensure prompt response in emergency situations.
The drones, the governor noted, would be operated by trained personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of Stata Service (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC).
Governor Abiodun who had earlier received the Inspector General in his office said: “As a gesture of appreciation of you and all what your are doing to law enforcement and effective policing in our state and by extension Nigeria, we have decided to complement you and your efforts by donating today, 25 patrol vans to the police and our law enforcement architecture. This, we believe, will commemorate your first official visit to Ogun State.
“Towards ensuring peace in our state, we will continue to strengthen and support our already established Security Trust Fund (STF) by procuring relevant gadgets, including drones. We will continue to argument the allowances and living condition of our security personnel to motivate them to enhance security and safety in our state.”
The governor, who was impressed with the efforts of the police boss at repositioning the force for optimal performance in line with the tenet of the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, however called for the integration of modern technology in tackling the various security challenges facing the nation.
“As we acknowledged your alignment with the tenet of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we urged the integration of cutting edge surveillance technology to combat the challenges of banditry and terrorism in the nation,” the governor advised.
He said Ogun State remains steadfast in fulfilling its constitutional role by prioritizing the welfare and security of the people through fostering effective inter-agencies cooperation among security agencies in the state.
Prince Abiodun said his administration in the past four and a half years, has procured more than 100 patrol vehicles and motorcycles, as well as over 300 communication gadgets for security agencies in a bid to keep the peace, assuring that his administration would spare nothing at ensuring that residents live in a stable environment and engage in business activities without fear of molestation.
The governor described the Inspector General of Police as a dutiful officer and a fine gentleman who through his educational background and professional dedication was poised at ensuring that Nigerians have a police force they could be proud of.
“You have been deliberate and intentional in the systematic redesigning of the operational strategies and administrative policies of the police force which is driven by purposeful leadership and capacity enhancement.
“The impactful motivation you continually instill in your personnel through timely promotion and incentives, have boosted their performance and dedication. As an expert in peace and conflict studies, you have exemplified the essence of positive police/civil relations, elevating the trust of Nigerians in the police by addressing misconducts with decisive action.
“Your commitment to community policing has strengthened the bond between the law enforcement and the community members significantly improving the intelligence capacity of the officers. Realizing that modern policing necessitate cooperation with all and is underpinned by technological advancement, you put your efforts and encouraged continued innovations in these areas,” the governor added.
Prince Abiodun lauded the police authority for its infrastructural development efforts in that state command, particularly the new police headquarters building, the Technical Intelligence Unit, the Complaints Response Unit, and the Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun Multi-purpose Cooperative Hall.
Also speaking, Egbetokun said his vision was to put in place a professionally competent police force that is service oriented, rule of law compliant, people friendly and positioned to respond appropriately and adequately to the dynamics of crimes in the society.
He acknowledged the massive infrastructural development across the state, disclosing that more police stations and more Area Commands would be created as well as the deployment of more mobile policemen squadrons to provide adequate security in the state.
The IGP praised Governor Abiodun’s innovative idea in the purchase of the drones, noting that the gesture would further enhance the security of the state, even as he called on other states to take the same step to ensure the security of their people.