News
Ekun Leaps to The Next Level
Chief Waheed Ekun, the Agbaakin Mayegun of Ibadanland, is a thoroughbred ‘shon of the shoil’ of Ibadanland whose diverse influence transverses all segments of the formal and informal strata of the Nigerian polity, nay worldwide, but in particular that of Yorubaland and succinctly that of Ibadanland which is the main focus of his interest in the leadership of the umbrella body of all indigenous Clubs/Associations/Groups of Ibadanland known as, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).
It is an accepted fact that sporting activities are about the only aspect of life, globally, with unifying factor when all citizens of a country put aside all their differences and unite as one to support our team/individuals!
Worldwide sporting activities like football and table-tennis attract so much followers and Chief Ekun had, since a very tender age, been involved in one of the prominent grass-root sporting activities, namely Table-Tennis game, he went to the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, to hone his capability to be well acceptable in all global sporting convocations!
Waheed was a champion at all categories of the table-tennis championship events held locally and globally, he went ahead to take on coaching jobs in many countries abroad like Ghana, United Kingdom, United States of America amongst others!
Waheed remains the only Nigerian, nay African, whose write-up on the game of Table-Tennis was accepted to be published in the journal of the International Table-Tennis Federation who later adopted his recommendations as part of how the game was officiated!
His exploits in these sporting activities attracted and are still attracting lots of influence in all circumstances of human endeavours and these are veritable avenues he will definitely explore for the benefit of Ibadanland as much as the need arises!
During all his educational and professional exploits, he came in contact with and made lasting/mutually beneficial relationships which will still be available for the development of Ibadanland!
Waheed is iconic social person with membership of notable associations/groups within and outside the shores of Nigeria. He is a member of the first cosmopolitan club in Africa, the Ibadan Recreation Club, where he served in so many relevant capacities including being the General Secretary of the Club. He is a member of the Ibadan Solidarity Group, which is one of the foremost clubs under the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) where he also served as the General Secretary and eventually as the President after which he was included in it’s Board of Trustees. A crucial aspect of his membership of ISG is the undeniable fact that when he was it’s General Secretary, he got a lot of upward mobile sons of Ibadanland to join the Group which eventually lifted the status of the Group from one which membership was not up to twenty to a level of almost seventy as those he brought in also got others to become members thus strengthening the influence of the Group in the CCII and Ibadanland!
Waheed also is a member of the Jericho Businessmen Club, another formidable Club within the CCII, and to demonstrate his grassroot cleavage, he belongs to Ibidapo Ibidunni Olounje Bodija, an association of market men and women through whose sponsorship he was elected as the General Secretary of CCII, a position on which he brought to bear his wealth of experience thus elevating the GS status beyond the way it used to be considered in the affairs of the CCII!
This caught the attention of the then Executive Governor of Oyo State who appointed him as his Special Adviser On Sports thus giving him the privilege of being part of the governance of the State with the attendant advantage of knowing the workings of the Civil Service at the top which he had and can still exploit for the benefit of CCII as the need arises in future!
It was during the tenure of Waheed as the Chairman, Ibadan Week Celebrations, that a lot of fresh/new ideas were introduced thus lifting the Celebrations to another level never experienced before and equally generating both moral and financial profits to the CCII!
Chief Ekun is now into real estate industry operating under the name Waheed Ekun Properties and he is involved in the totality of the industry: buying, selling and building (commercial and residential apartments) through which business he has been able to build a credible reputation!
Waheed is married to ‘Sunmbo, his childhood heart-throb, and they are blessed with three children, Yetunde, Wareez and Aishat and through Yetunde, he became a grandfather some years ago!
All his veritable exploits in all of human endeavours did not go unrecognized and therefore, he was given an Impact Award_ in recognition of his contributions towards the promotion/development of Ibadanland, particularly the youths, by The Federation of Ibadan Students Union in the year 2009. Also he, as a cultural icon, was appointed a Cultural Ambassador by The Centre For African Culture And Tradition in the year 2010. Equally in the year 2019, the University of Ife made him a role model in pursuant of his attributes as a youth leader!
A complete gentleman with considerable influence in all facets/spheres of the Nigerian polity, it is during the Ileya Eid-Kabir party he holds annually that his wide acceptability is better seen/demonstrated as the creme-de-la-creme of the society always make that occasion a must-attend event, Waheed is a very marketable individual whose brand will bring a lot of developmental milestones, from within and outside Nigeria, to Ibadanland during his tenure as the PG of CCII!
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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