By. Prof. A. M. Aibinu.
History, as the saying goes, repeats itself, and Offa town in Kwara State, Nigeria, recently witnessed a reminiscent event exactly 80 years after indigenous people gathered to commission Northern Nigeria’s first community-based secondary school, later known as Offa Grammar School (OGS), Offa
Over the years, OGS has proudly produced 300+ professors, 650 medical doctors, 13,000 engineers, and numerous scientists. Notable Vice-Chancellors from the town include Prof. S. O. Adeyemi, Prof. M. A. Akanji, Prof H. O. B. Oloyede, and many more.
In alignment with this historic pattern, the town’s sons and daughters recently convened to inaugurate the ONEIH-Kola Balogun Technology Centre (OKBTC), Offa on December 28th 2023. This center stands as Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest community-based Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and drone assembling, repair, and training facility.
During the edifice’s commissioning, HRM Oba Muftau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, the paramount ruler of Offa Kingdom, expressed delight and urged stakeholders to utilize the facility for the realization of Offa Tuntun’s goals. He acknowledged Engr. (Dr.) Kola Balogun for financing and realizing this monumental project within record time. Dr. Waheed Olagunju, Chairman of One Innovation Hub (ONEIH) board, expressed satisfaction, thanking donors and stakeholders who contributed to this dream.
Prof. A. M. Aibinu, Vice-Chancellor of Summit University, Offa, emphasized that the Centre would generate nearly 100 direct jobs and over 10,000 indirect employments in Offa and its environs. He highlighted the importance of PCB in the fourth industrial revolution, including knowledge and skills in Artificial Intelligence, software programming, and the production of printed circuit boards (electronics and computer motherboards). OKBTC will also oversee the commercialization of electronics designs and products from higher institutions across the Sub-Saharan Africa.
The CEO of ONEIH, Engr. Taofeeq Olatinwo, highlighted efforts for the center’s sustainability and growth, underscoring the importance of community collaboration. The Honourable Commissioner of Health emphasized the center’s significance and urged Offa youths to engage in ongoing developmental projects.
Dignitaries present at the event include: Offa traditional Chiefs, the Asiwaju of Offa, the Essa of Offa, Chief Abdullatif Kunle Ajeigbe, Aare Bobaselu Offa, , the Kwara State House of Assembly member representing Ojomu/Balogun Constituency, Honourable Seun Ogunniyi Adato; Dr. Aminah El-Imam, the Kwara State Commissioner for Health; Professor Hussein Oyelola Bukoye Oloyede, former VC Fountain University Osogbo and Summit University Offa; Qs Muhydeen Okunlola Kayode, the Principal Partner at Luxiar Construction Limited; Professor Abiodun Musa Aibinu, Vice-Chancellor of Summit University Offa; Alhaji Salako Olaniyi Azeez Muideen, National President of Offa Descendants Union (ODU); Alhaji Razaq Jaiyeola, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); Alh Masaud Nuhu; Dr. Akeem Oyewale, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Marble Capital Limited; Suraj Oyewale Jarus, Founder of Jarus Homes; Professor Olatinwo Abdulwaheed Olajide, former Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH); the Gbobaniyi of Offaland, Alhaji Ibrahim Adeagbo Adediji; Abdulyekeen Bola Mustapha (Olowo Gada); Engr. Abdulfatai Kolawole Yusuf, the president of Offa Engineers; Comrade Afolabi Lukman, the Chairman of Kwara State chapter of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), and others too numerous to mention.
