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Ooni honours Awolowo, Shagari, as he awards 100 Nigerian youth leaders
The Arole Oduduwa cum Ooni of ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Friday awarded one hundred Nigerian youth leaders who are doing well in their various endeavours including Seyi Awolowo and Bello Shagari who are grandsons of former Premier of the old Western region Chief Obafemi Awolowo and former Nigerian president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari respectively.
While addressing the cheering crowd gathered at the Oduduwa hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to witness the event called Royal African Young Leadership Forum, an initiative created by the Yoruba overall king to celebrate exceptional Nigerian youths selected from across the country, the Ooni explained that the young population remains the major catalyst in boosting the economic growth of the country and indeed the continent of Africa.
“Africa has one of the world’s young populations with stimulating depth of human capacity and arrays of entrepreneurial relentless spirit, new dreams, unquenchable energies and ambitions.
“The united voices of millions of young populations in Nigeria and across Africa will certainly contribute solutions through their own ingenuities that would help in painting a picture of what they want for themselves, the future generations and the continent.
“I am proud of the successes been recorded by our youths despite of the challenges, I hereby identify with them and I pledge to assist them to record more wins with the throne of Oduduwa.” The Ooni noted.
In his address, the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare boasted that Nigeria has a brighter future especially with the immeasurable qualities possessed by the Nigerian youths.
“This programme by the Ooni validates the fact that the traditional institution and other structures in the larger Nigerian system have a great role to play in creating the country of our dream. If you carefully look at the class of youths being honoured here today, you will agree with me that our youths are worthy leaders.
“On our part as government, we shall continue to refocus the youth agenda as we remain committed to the provision of modern digital skills for the prosperity of our dear country through the able youths.
“We have concluded plans that will ensure that in the next two years, 1.5. million Nigerian youths would have acquired modern digital skills needed to compete with their counterparts globally in this century.” Mr. Dare explained.
In his opinion, the United Arab Emirates’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Fahad AlTaffaq, revealed that his embassy has partnered the Nigerian government in the past years on youth development and capacity building, adding that more would be done in the nearest future.
Dr. Fahad who made an on-the-spot donation of N5Million to support the project explained that Nigeria is blessed with exceptional youth leaders who are currently taking the lead in Africa and beyond.
Speaking on behalf of other awardees, the grandson of the late President Shehu Shagari , Mr. Bello Shagari, described the award as a motivation for him to step up in his activities and also assist the younger generation.
Shagari who alongside his colleagues passed a vote of confidence on the Ooni christening the frontline traditional ruler as the youths’ king, pledged their utmost support and loyalty to him.
The grandson of the former Premier of the old Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Oluwaseyi Awolowo, Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, RT. Honourable Debo Ogundoyin, Hon. Tunde Olatunji (Chief Whip, Osun Assembly) and the youngest Assistant General Manager, Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority, Mr. Zakariya Gambo were among other selected youth leaders.
Popular Nollywood actors, Lateef Adedimeji, Olumide Oworu, Woli Arole, Kehinde Peter, Yinka Salau and other youth leaders in the entertainment industry and beyond were so considered.
Prominent stakeholders across the country including traditional rulers, chiefs, politicians, captains of industries and academicians including the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, fully attended the event which was held at the Oduduwa Hall of the institution.
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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