News
Digital switchover in Ilorin may not be Uhuru after all.
THE hope of residents of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital and some other states of the federation covering North Central Geo-Political zone to enjoy the newly installed Digital Switch Over (DSO) equipment installed in Ilorin, may be dashed due to the quality of the equipment at Ilorin zone.
Concerned Broadcast engineers who saw the equipment installed at the Ganmo NTA station in the state, described the equipment as not only sub-standard but obsolete.
According to Mega Icon Magazine checks, the digital equipment in question which has been installed by a Chinese company, the signal distributor (ITS) was alleged to be the equipment bought by Benedict Murray-Bruce in 1999 when he was the Director General of NTA.
Further investigations also revealed that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) under the headship of Is’haq Moddibo Kawu had paid the Chinese company about N1.7b for the project.
“This substandard equipment if not quickly replaced might frustrate the good intention and efforts of the present administration to make the zone to meet the new deadline of June, this year which is the mandate of ITU to switch over from analogue to digital” some concerned broadcast engineers lamented.
Very recently, the shoddy installation was blown open when the Director-General of the commission, Moddibo Kawu who hails from Ilorin led other management team to commission the NTA Ilorin Digital project which was unlike the commissioning ceremonies of the DSO projects witnessed in Abuja and Jos in Plateau State which witnessed lot of fanfare and the presence of other stakeholders in government and the media industry.
It was learnt that the NBC had earlier assured Nigerians that the next move is to simultaneously switch on six states each drawn from the geo-political zones of the country.
The switch on digital TV broadcasting in Abuja signalled the gradual disconnect of analogue broadcasting in Nigeria though, a scheme most Nigerians do not have much knowledge about yet.
Disturbed by this development under the era of President Muhammadu Buhari, some concerned people have therefore called on the DG of NBC, Moddibo Kawu, who definitely is a stakeholder in the project and a highly respected broadcaster and the information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to urgently call the company handling the project to replace the obsolete and substandard equipment so that the people of the state and the entire zone shall not be robbed of not benefiting from the Digital Switch Over (DSO).
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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