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BOTAVED Approves Ahmed Raji Agric Academy, Okeho
The Board for Technical and Vocational Education, BOTAVED has approved the establishment of Ahmed Raji Agric Academy, Okeho. According to an approval letter signed by the Executive Secretary of the Board Mrs. E C Esan- Williams, the academy has been granted provisional approval to run as a Technical College/ Vocational Institution.
“I wish to refer to your application for the approval to establish a Technical College / Vocational Institution and to inform you that provisional approval has been granted to the College to run as a Technical College/ Vocational Institution which was inspected with the name, Ahmed Raji Agric Academy Okeho, Oyo State ” the letter read.
Speaking with the newsmen at the permanent site of the academy, Sangosiji Adeola Obasanjo, the National President of the OkeOgun Youth Association, and the proprietor of the academy said that the academy is the training arm of OkeOgun Green Revolution aiming at encouraging young people to engage in profitable, sustainable and commercial agriculture to create wealth and contribute to the World sustainable development goal of food security.
The Academy which shall kick off before the end of this year is an institute of practical agriculture dedicated to the breeding of successful young farmers with its permanent site inside the Commonwealth Estate, Okeho, a member of OkeOgun Green Estates.
According to Obasanjo, the experience from the association’s empowerment farm shows that many people going into farming, go with a lot of assumptions which later turned bad and make the farm either not profitable or make the experience less interesting which makes them quit the first year or after they exit their capital.
“At Ahmed Raji Agric Academy, Okeho we will prepare students for a successful career in Agric Business with specialization in a specific area of Agric business. The Academy will also provide post-graduation mentorship to the graduates by assisting them in the establishment of their farm, getting them inputs and off-takers, and creating platforms that will generate networks that will make farming easy, profitable, and interesting to them” Obasanjo explained.
He stated further that the decision of the association to name the academy after the illustrious son of the soil, Alhaji Ahmed Raji SAN was born out of the immense support the Senior Advocate has given to the OkeOgun Green Revolution movement.
He said that the paper presented by Ahmed Raji at the 2021 OkeOgun Youth Agric Summit inspired the establishment of the academy thus naming it in his honor.
It will be recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was the keynote speaker at the 2021 OkeOgun Youths Agric. Summit where Alhaji Ahmed Raji, Otunba Bamidele Dada, Retired Brigadier General Toogun and Chairman Niji farms, and Farmer Adeniji Lukas were Guest Speakers.
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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