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COPE Africa Honours Oyo Ex -Commissioner, Olowofela With SGB Icon Award
THE immediate past commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology in Oyo state, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela has been recognised and honoured by the Centre for Organizational And Professional Ethnics (COPE-AFRICA) with SGB Icon award.
Speaking at the award ceremony on Monday which was held at the Lekan Are Hall, Government College Ibadan, the Chairman, COPE AFRICA, a UNDP consultant, Dr Adeyeye Adewole informed that the Centre deemed it fit to honour Olowofela due to his creative ideas, passion for development, innovative solutions to recurring problems in secondary sub-sector which led to the School Governing Board (SGB) initiative.
The Associate Professor, Adeyeye said from the onset the School Governing Boards (SGBs) initiative was one of the best thing that has happened to Oyo state in recent time. According to him, “every secondary schools across Oyo state is now being piloted by a governing council that work assiduously to enhance quality of administration; institute better policy directions; push for innovative practices and adopt creative solutions to specific problems and more importantly attract massive infrastructure and growth.
“In 2018 alone, the monetary worth of the quantum of infrastructure and other resources have been injected into Oyo State Secondary School system through the ingenuity of SGB is over N2billion. Many Schools are now experiencing phenomenal growth and infrastructure transformation through creative approach propelled outside the regular and mostly inadequate government provisions. On this special note, we commend the Oyo State School Governing Boards (SGBs) for this towering feat. We also commend the Chairmen and respected members of School Governing Boards (SGBs) across Oyo State for commitment in their services to humanity as well as implementation of legacy projects that has helped to reposition secondary education sub -sector for the benefits of unborn generation”, he added.
The COPE AFRICA chair further appreciated the Abiola Ajimobi led administration for this initiative ” that has become the toast of many states across Nigeria”.
In his remarks, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela, while expressing gratitude to Governor Ajimobi for the opportunity given to serve explained, “when we started the School Governing Board (SGB) system, we have to do advocacy. We moved throughout the entire education zone in the state to do training upon training for people and we thank God that today the School Governing Board (SGB) system is well understood. And as a dynamic system, definitely there will be improvement, so as you are moving forward using the template of the manual, we belief strongly that we will ultimately reach the peak as far as the best practices in education are concerned.
” I also want to congratulate you because Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN Commission), look at the School Governing Board system and they have adopted it as a policy for the entire Southwest of Nigeria. When they told me that they will be giving me award as ICON for School Governing Board, to me this is a collective award, its not a token of recognition of your efforts, especially all the members of the School Governing Board that are not taking one kobo for their service.
“But I know that it gladdens their hearts that they are contributing immensely to education in the state and it has also afforded them the opportunity to change the paradigm in the state. It is easy to criticize, it is even easy to condemn government, but what are your contributions to make sure that Nigeria and Oyo state change from what it used to be to where we are supposed to be? So, I thank you for your support, especially when it is selfless.
” Let me also say that we have to commend the secretaries of the School Governing Board, those that are the principals of the schools. They are the ones that are there every now and then to know the problems facing a particular school system and we know that they have been judiciously and wisely spending the funds in conjunction with the members of the board, money accrue or accruable to the school either through education development levy or by some direct supports from old students or community at large in moving education forward in the state.
“It also gladdens my heart that the intervention fund of SUBEB; as at the last time we had it was 2012 but as at today, Oyo State Government has been able to access, even up to 2018. The simple implication is that this will also affect our primary education positively. When you also see that the statistics and the job done by the Ministry of Education and all education stakeholders led to the fact that the discovery of out of school children in the state.
“Based on the policy paper written by these gentlemen in various ministries, Oyo State Government has secured the sum of $500m to tackle the issue of out of school children in the next five years. This is a project that will outlived this government and that’s how a good government must think, you must think beyond immediate, you must think about the future.
“Essentially this project is inter ministerial in approach, it may be resident in the ministry of education, but everybody must participate in it because each child counts as far as education is concern.
“When you want to destroy a nation, destroy the education of that nation and when you want to build a nation build the education of that nation”, Olowofela continued.
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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