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Oyo Speaker Swears-In First Female Clerk, Oyediran
Following the retirement of Barrister Paul Ishola Bankole as the Clerk and Permanent Secretary of the Oyo State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Olagunju Ojo today sworn-in Ms. Felicia Foluke Oyediran as the new Clerk/Permanent Secretary.
Prior to her confirmation and swearing-in, Oyediran was a Deputy Clerk in the House.
She was once a classroom teacher at St. Anne’s School, Molete,Ibadan in 1998 before her appointment was transferred to the State House of Assembly in 1999 as a Clerk-at-Table at the advent of democracy.
In the build up to the confirmation and swearing-in, the House Majority Leader, Hon. Kehinde Subair and Minority Leader, Hon. Akeem Ige had moved a motion on the “Need to Fill the Vacancy of the Clerk of the Oyo State House of Assembly” to fill the vacuum created as a result of retirement of the former Clerk, Barrister Paul Ishola Bankole,mni.
The two Legislators referred the House to Section 93 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and Order VII, Rule 10 (1-2) of the Standing Rules of the Oyo State House of Assembly, which established importance of the Office of the Clerk as regard day-to-day running of the House.
They also reminded the House of the passage of Oyo State House of Assembly Commission Bill into law and assented to by the Governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, which enables the Clerk of the House to emerge among Deputy Clerks subject to the confirmation by 2/3 majority of the House of Assembly members.
The Speaker, Olagunju Ojo, while performing the swearing-in ceremony, charged Ms. Oyediran to use the opportunity to improve on the quality of legislative service delivery, as well as contributing more to the success recorded so far by the House in terms of law making, oversight functions and other legislative duties.
He reiterated that the step has raised hope of other members of staff of the House of Assembly to attain the position of Clerk/Permanent Secretary in their career as civil servants.
The newly sworn-in Clerk, Felicia Foluke Oyediran promised to use the position to improve on the working environment, improve welfare of the members of staff, ensuring harmony among Honourable members and speedy delivery of legislative services.
Oyediran, who is the first Female Clerk to be appointed in the history of Oyo State House of Assembly hailed from Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
She is a graduate of the premier University of Ibadan with her first degree in Geography and Masters Degree in Managerial Psychology from the same institution.
She has served in various Ministries including Governor’s Office and Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Investment and Cooperative.
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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