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Oyo Speaker Inaugurates Youth Parliament
The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olagunju Ojo Wednesday inaugurated the 3rd Assembly of the Oyo State Youth Parliament.
According to Speaker, the effort is meant to encourage the youths in the decision making process in the state.
The inauguration ceremony which took place at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan had many youths across the state in attendance.
In his welcome address, Olagunju said based on the provision of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, role of the youths in the decision making process, support of government’s policies as well as promotion of people-oriented and good governance can not be over emphasized.
He described the parliament as a powerful institution that champions the course of the people, adding that Youth Parliament is a replica of the representative function of the House of Assembly members in the state, where interests and demands of the constituents are canvassed and debated.
While commending the initiative of the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development for keying into youth’s development policy, Hon Olagunju stressed that youths, having bulk of total population in the country must always be at the fore front in engaging political leaders on critical issues of national interest.
The Speaker, who was accompanied to the occasion by the Minority Leader of the House, Honourable Akeem Ige and the Chairman, House Committee on Youth and Sports, Honourable Fatai Adesina enjoined the newly inaugurated parliamentarians to be good ambassadors of the state by always promoting the pace setter status which the state is known for in all their engagements.
He also implored the youths to shun every unethical behavior such as thugerry as witnessed in the recently concluded general elections, where issues of electoral violence such as ballot boxes snatching and other electoral vices were perpetrated by the youths.
In his message at the occasion, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barrister Abayomi Oke who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Youth and Sports, Mr Afeez Bolaji disclosed that the present administration led by Senator Abiola Ajimobi has in the last eight years given proper recognition to the youth as principal stakeholders and foremost drivers of the nation’s growth and development.
He pointed out programmes like Youth Empowerment Scheme of Oyo State (YES-O), Oyo Ajumose Business Leadership and Entrepreneur (Oyo-Able) Scheme, OYO NISE, OYO LEKO as major strategic and systematic youth empowerment programmes embarked upon by the state government to ensure that youths are sufficiently equipped to compete with their counterparts at the larger World.
He commended the Federal Government initiative for approving the laudable youth programmes which enabled them the opportunity to contribute their quotas in the decision making process both at the State and Federal levels.
During the first plenary of the newly inaugurated Youth Parliament, two Principal Officers were elected to be in charge of the newly inaugurated parliament.
The two Principal Officers are Honourable Adegoke Abayomi from Ogbomoso South State Constituency who was elected as the Honourable Speaker while Honourable Taoheed Adebayo from Irepo State Constituency was elected as the Honourable Deputy Speaker.
The two Principal Officers and other thirty Parliamentarians were later sworn-in by the imaginary Clerk of the Youth Parliament.
The thirty two members of the Oyo State Youth Parliament who were selected from the thirty three Local Government Areas of the state are between the ages of 15 and 35 years old while the new Speaker is an Electrical Engineering Graduate of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree.
Among important dignitaries that graced the colourful ceremony are the Iyaloja of Ibadanland, Alhaja Iswat Ameringun,the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Alhaja Ololade Agboola as well as the Acting Clerk and Permanent Secretary, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mrs Foluke Oyediran.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.
The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.
He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.
The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.
The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.
A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.
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