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OLOJO 2022: ASUU strike, 2023 election, youth plight top Ooni’s prayer requests
The lingering strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) which has placed all universities in Nigeria under lock and key is part of the prayer requests of the Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II as he on Sunday began the annual 7-day seclusion rite being part of the symbolic activities marking the annual Olojo festival in Ile-Ife.
Ooni Ogunwusi who appeared in his usual white traditional attire laced with colourful ancient beads told newsmen on his way out of his Ile-Oodua palace that he will use the spiritual moment of seclusion as a point of contact with God Almighty towards resolving all issues in Nigeria as the country gears up for next year’s General election.
The Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) explained that the government must as a matter of core urgency end the strike to avert the looming anger of Nigerian youths.
“The youths are angry and no one can blame them for that. Just imagine the number of months they have been kept out of school, ASUU and the government must unite and end this because we cannot handle the anger of the youths if they go out of control. They have started blocking highways and even threatening to lock the airports, which is an indication that they have been pushed to the wall.
“This is my seventh year on the throne and I have been serving humanity with a special focus on the youths of our country. Apart from investing hugely in human capital development and capacity building, I have engaged many of the youths as handlers of my projects and they have shown excellence in leadership. So I appeal to our government to look in this direction and make the necessary amendment.
“During the recruitment process at the newly unveiled OjajaMore, over 50 per cent of applicants are undergraduate students who are tired of staying at home which speaks to the fact that the ASUU strike has done a lot of damage. It is avoidable and it should be ended by the government and ASUU for the benefit of the youths.
“Next year’s election is equally another strong prayer request with which I am proceeding into seclusion, I want Nigerian youths to refuse to be used as thugs during the election while I pray that the process goes seamlessly acceptable to all the political parties for peace and prosperity of our land.” Ooni Ogunwusi said.
Explaining the potency of the seclusion exercise, the Ooni who will be incommunicado for one week and not grant audience within the days in seclusion said,” There has never been the time my prayer requests during seclusion is not answered by the Almighty, it has never happened. It is a period of fasting and prayer to appease God and seek blessings for our land.
Olojo festival connotes a strong indication of God’s creation and the day of the first dawn on earth, it is celebrated annually in Ile-Ife by all descendants of Oduduwa globally. While this year’s Olojo festival has already witnessed several activities, other key events lined up to make this edition superlative include as follows:
Friday 23rd September is for the ILAGUN(Dog sacrifice). Ojo Owode (Community cleaning) Oonirisa Terrestrial Message to the world and Oonirisa’s Adire Hub Fiesta. Saturday 24th will witness the Grand Official Ceremony for the year’s Olojo celebrations after which the Ooni will adorn the sacred Aare Crown in a procession to the Okemogun shrine in honour of an agelong covenant with Ogun(God of Iron). Ife Grand Resort Musical Concert will hold much later same day.
Sunday 25th is for the Grand Finale Reception Party at the palace courtyard and Monday 26 will be for the Oonirisa Ancestral Traditional Propitiation which is a symbolic procession led by the Ooni to his family compound at Agbedegbede street in the Moore area of Ile-Ife which will be followed by Sinamania/ BUGA Poolside Dinner while Wednesday 28th will climax the 2022 Olojo festival with Ife and Oodua clubs paying Homage to the Ooni.
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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