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NLC, TUC, NUJ, RATTAWU kick against planned demolition of BCOS staff quarters
Labour unions in Oyo State on Tuesday kicked against the planned demolition of staff quarters at Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).
The unions are Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as well as Radio and Television Association of Workers Union (RATTAWU).
The BCOS staff quarters, which consisted 21 flats housing junior staffers and 25 chalets housing the senior workers, was constructed by the military administration of retired Brig.-Gen David Jemibewon.
The leaders of the various unions had joined the BCOS chapters of their unions in protest against the planned demolition which started as early as 7am on Tuesday.
The BCOS workers led by their union leaders, Abiodun Akinkunle of NUJ Chapel and Kola Carew of RATTAWU chapter had mobilised their colleagues to protest the planned demolition.
Mr Emmanuel Ogundiran, the State TUC Chairman and Mr Ademola Babalola, the State NUJ Chairman had led their members into two separate meetings to ensure the state government has a rethink over the matter.
They held one of the meetings with Alhaji Bayo Titilola-Sodo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters and the second with the BCOS management led by its Executive Chairman, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
Ogundiran appealed to the governor and BCOS management to consider future development as well as possible expansion of the corporation.
“We are very particular about the critical staff. We wouldn’t want anything that will affect the service been rendered by the BCOS. There have to be room for expansion.
“We are also taking into cognisance the futuristic development of this corporation.
“We have submitted our requests to the BCOS management and hope they would work on them,” he said.
Babalola expressed worry over government’s plan to demolish quarters housing some of their members working with BCOS.
He called on the state government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde to have a rethink on the development.
The NUJ chairman demanded that 50 percent of the Senior Staff Quarters be allocated to BCOS for future expansion, to guide against what befell similar corporation in Ibadan, the FRCN where staffers and visitors are daily being confronted with parking problems because of the lack of focus for the Corporation’s expansion.
“These structure here, were put up by the government of retired Brig.-Gen David Jemibewon. I know there is no government in Nigeria that can afford to build this kind of structure today.
“BCOS has massive undeveloped land that can be used for the proposed estate than ejecting journalists from the quarters. This is a bad development,” he said.
Babalola lauded the union’s branch leaders for their efforts, assuring them of support from all journalists in the state.
In their separate responses, Titilola-Sodo and Oyelade, urged leaders of the union to remain calm, promising their requests would be looked into.
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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