Segilola Resources Operating Limited has commissioned a new primary school and launched youth empowerment initiatives in its host communities in Osun State.

The company, a subsidiary of Thor Explorations Ltd., operates Nigeria’s first commercial gold mine.

It says the projects are part of its long-term community development strategy.

A new school for Imogbara

The Imogbara Primary School was inaugurated on 25 February.

The project includes new classroom blocks, an administrative office, a staff room, and furniture for pupils and teachers.

Company officials say the goal is to create a safe and inclusive learning environment.

Austin Menegbo, Country Manager of Segilola Resources, said primary education remains critical to long-term development.

“Primary education is the foundation that shapes young minds and sets children on the path to lifelong learning. Beyond expanding access to quality education in the Imogbara community, this project also created employment opportunities during construction, contributing to local economic growth. We believe this school will not only inspire children to dream bigger, but also improve lives across the community.”

Why it matters

Osun State hosts several mining operations, but local communities often raise concerns about whether they benefit directly from resource extraction.

Community development projects such as schools and vocational training are increasingly seen as measures of responsible mining.

Youth empowerment and safety drive

On 26 February, the company rolled out several youth-focused programmes.

Through its Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP), 17 young people from Iperindo, Odo-Ijesha, and Imogbara received vocational training.

The training covered barbing, hairdressing, tailoring, aluminium fabrication, carpentry, and cocoa merchanting.

The Teacher’s Initiative Programme also provided learning resources across primary and secondary subjects, including Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, and Government.

Safety awareness was another focus.

The Health, Safety and Environment Sustainability Programme trained young people on fire emergency response and road safety practices.

Officials from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Ilesha Command led sessions under the Youth Safety Education (YES) Programme.

They educated pupils on traffic rules, zebra crossings, speed limits, and civic responsibility.

Company perspective

Madhurii Sarkar Amoda, Community Development and Stakeholder Manager at Segilola Resources, said the programmes aim to connect opportunity with potential.

“We are always on the move to find and deliver projects that can directly impact the growth and development of our host communities. These initiatives bridge the gap between youth potential and opportunity while also equipping them for future progress and success.”

What’s next?

Community members say they hope the programmes will continue beyond a single launch phase.

For residents of Imogbara, Iperindo and Odo-Ijesha, the expectation is clear: sustained investment, measurable outcomes, and visible impact.

For Segilola Resources, the projects represent an effort to show that mining can create value both underground and above it.

Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has pledged continued reforms in the health sector, saying the strength of any healthcare system depends on the quality of its workforce.

He made the remarks at the 7th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo (UNIMED) in Ondo city, where 771 students were awarded degrees.

The graduates include 598 undergraduates and 173 postgraduates.

Why It Matters

Nigeria continues to face a shortage of medical professionals, worsened by migration and underfunding.

State-owned medical institutions like UNIMED are seen as critical to filling that gap.

Governor Aiyedatiwa said his administration remained committed to education, research and innovation in healthcare.

“The effectiveness of any health system is determined by the calibre of its workforce,” he said.

He described the ceremony as “a celebration of academic excellence and a powerful affirmation of education as the cornerstone of societal development.”

A Growing Medical Institution

UNIMED was established to specialise in medical and health sciences training.

Aiyedatiwa said the university had justified its founding vision through “steady growth, academic excellence and the production of highly skilled health professionals.”

He noted improvements in infrastructure and academic programmes.

The governor also recalled a promise made at the 6th Convocation to construct a Senate Building, adding that construction had begun.

“Our dear Sunshine State desires a world-class university that can compete favourably with other tertiary institutions globally, both academically and in infrastructural facilities,” he said.

University’s Performance

The Vice-Chancellor, Aderonke Adejuyigbe, said the university had entered a phase of consolidation and maturity.

She revealed that 384 undergraduates earned classified degrees, including 33 First Class and 267 Second Class Upper Honours — representing more than 78% of classified degrees.

Professor Adejuyigbe also highlighted partnerships with the West African College of Surgeons and the West African College of Physicians, which admitted 51 fellows into a PhD programme in January 2024.

She said the graduation of the inaugural candidate marked “a new era in academic medicine in West Africa.”

Family Medicine has now been added to the programme.

Accreditation and Funding

The Pro-Chancellor, Ayodele Arowojolu, said all academic programmes had secured full accreditation from the National Universities Commission and other regulatory bodies.

He noted that UNIMED had produced four sets of medical doctors in 12 years.

Meanwhile, the Chancellor, Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, urged graduates to uphold professionalism as they join Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.

He appealed for an upward review of monthly funding to sustain staff welfare and academic continuity.

What’s Next?

Governor Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his commitment to prompt subvention releases to UNIMED.

He urged graduates to see their certificates “not merely as credentials, but as calls to service.”

The state government says it will continue strengthening the institution as a centre of excellence in medical education and healthcare delivery.

Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) will graduate 50 first-class students at its 9th convocation ceremony scheduled for 4 March 2026.

The Vice-Chancellor, Temi Ologunorisa, made the announcement during a pre-convocation press briefing at the university’s main campus in Okitipupa.

A total of 1,452 students will graduate for the 2024/2025 academic session.

Of that number, 50 earned first-class degrees, 594 obtained second-class upper, 691 second-class lower, and 115 graduated with third-class honours.

Why It Matters

University convocation figures often reflect academic standards, institutional growth and student performance trends.

For OAUSTECH, this year’s ceremony marks another milestone — including the graduation of its first-ever PhD student from the Department of Mathematics.

The overall best graduating student, Mr Agboola Wale Isiah from Electrical and Electronics Engineering, recorded a CGPA of 4.90.

Growth and Expansion

Professor Ologunorisa said student enrolment has risen sharply since he assumed office in 2022.

He said the university’s population increased from fewer than 5,000 students to about 12,000.

For the 2025/2026 academic session, the institution admitted about 4,500 students — the highest in its history.

He attributed this to improved infrastructure, stable academic calendars and expanded academic offerings.

“Through all these and more we were able to rebrand and reposition the University in all ramifications and have consistently gaining parents and public confidence over the years,” he said.

The university has expanded from three faculties to seven and increased the number of academic programmes.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, all programmes are now fully accredited.

“I assure you that all our programmes in the University are fully accredited. The days of interim accreditation for some programmes are gone,” he added.

Blue Economy and Maritime Ambitions

The university is also positioning itself to support Ondo State’s emerging blue economy strategy.

Professor Ologunorisa praised the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for supporting the institution and improving electricity supply in the Southern Senatorial District.

He also commended the Governor’s Memorandum of Understanding for a proposed seaport project in Ilaje Local Government Area.

“As institution, our University is well strategically positioned to advance scholarship and research in the development of Blue Economy of Ondo State by virtue of our close access to the ocean,” he said.

He added that the university plans to establish a School of Maritime Transport and Logistics, offering programmes in Port Management, Ship Building and Management, and Maritime Economy and Finance.

The upcoming convocation lecture, focused on strategies for developing the blue economy, will be delivered by a senior official from Caribbean Maritime University.

Federal Education Policy

The Vice-Chancellor also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund).

He described it as “one of the best initiatives of the current administration in the Nigeria”.

What’s Next

The convocation ceremony will hold on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, at the university’s main campus in Okitipupa.

University officials say further details about honorary awards and research collaborations will be unveiled during the ceremony.