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Akande donates N1m to First Baptist Church, Otu, reveals N500m ICT Park for Ibadan
The Chairman , Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),Professor Adeolu Akande at the weekend gifted N1million Naira to the First Baptist Church,Otu as part of the fund raising ceremony marking the 100 years of the church.
Professor Akande who attended the event with an entourage of two former Commissioners and six former local government chairmen also used the occasion to reveal that the NCC is constructing a N500million ICT Park in Ibadan this year as part of efforts to digitalise the Nigerian economy. The ICT Park is to open opportunities for our youths to actualize their potentials and achieve their dream of dominating the world of ICT. Our Youths are doing so well in the sector and President Buhari has directed the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to give them all opportunities to be the best they can in the world of ICT. The ICT Parks is one of the initiatives to implement directive of President Muhammadu Buhari”.
He also assured the people of Oke Ogun and Oyo State that telecommunications services will further improve before the end of the year when on-going projects by the NCC and telecommunications companies in the state are completed..
Professor Akande who expressed happiness at the 100 years anniversary of First Baptist Church,Otu noted the positive impact of the church on him and others saying,”indeed, the history of the development of Otu and the Oke Ogun area cannot be complete without copious reference to the role of the church”.
He also noted that the society must accord more importance to religion and religious leaders to guarantee peace and tranquility . He said many of the social ills in society are traceable to the vanishing role of religion in many families and communities.
“The NCC through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and the telecommunucation companies are presently undertaking many projects across the state to boost telecoms service. Before the end of the year when the projects are completed, you will see significant improvement in areas where there are problems with telecoms services”, he said.
“The NCC is also working on other projects to improve the welfare of society. We have endowed a professorial chair on Telecommunication Studies at the University of Ibadan. We are constructing a Knowledge Service Centre at the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education in Oyo and we shall soon begin work on an ICT park in Ibadan costing N500Million. It is one of the three ICT Parks to be constructed this year. The others are in Katsina and Gombe.
An ICT park comprises an area or location with a concentration of all ICT facilities which enables a concerted leap into the digital age by creating a dynamic environment in which local talent is incubated, cultivated, and shared. ICT parks are best tested and trusted institutional mechanisms to address the needs of technology-intensive, knowledge-based Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) globally.
Essentially, the NCC said the four main objectives of establishing the ICT Parks are to provide Innovation Labs and Digital Fabrication Laboratories (Fablabs) for use by innovators and entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into products and prototypes; provide a Commercial Hub for ICT capacity building and digital skills; create employment and entrepreneurial activities; facilitate smart city deployment across the Digital Industrial complex.
“We are also bringing campus – wide internet service to the Oke Ogun Polythecnic. Many secondary schools in Ogbomosho,Oyo,Ibadan,Ibarapa and Oke Ogun will benefit from the Knowledge Service Centre’s to be constructed by the USPF and NCC this year.
” All these programmes are designed to meet the objectives of President Muhammadu Buhari who re-designated the Ministry of Communications as Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. A digital economy is impossible without the widespread availability of telecommunications services and a population that is literate in ICT.
” In the past few months, the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has trained hundreds of thousands of youths in telecommunication services. The NCC will complement this effort with training programme for youths in Digital Job Creation across the country very soon.”,he concluded.
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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