Top Stories
Oyo Governor’s Aide Receives Pan African Distinguished Leadership Award.
AFRICAN University Student Parliamentarians from 54 member countries, under the aegis of African Students Union Parliament (ASUP), on Wednesday bestowed the 2017 Pan African Distinguished Leadership Award on the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela.
The Speaker of the student parliament, Rt. Hon. Kewul Abel from Côte d’Ivoire, was ably represented by his Deputy, Solomon Mensah, a student of the University of Ghana, who led a delegation of ASUP legislative officials to the Ministry of Education, Agodi Government Secretariat, Ibadan to bestow the award on the Commissioner.
Making the presentation, the Speaker said the award was in recognition of the governor’s aide commitment and contributions to effective service delivery, key support to the governor, open door policy which was brought to the front burner by Nigerian representatives at the African Students Union Parliament (ASUP) Conference held at the University of Ghana, Legon, Accra.
Hon. Kewul stressed, “African Students Union Parliament (ASUP) has taken her time to scrutinize this leader who have committed his time to serve the common good in accordance to the Pan-Africanism Ideology. At this point that the youths need to have exemplary leaders as role models, we have carefully selected your highly respected person to honour you with PAN-AFRICAN Leadership Award.
Also, he lamented that Africa, faced with the dire consequence of years of neglect of youths in its ranks, has resulted in various social vices such as conflicts, kidnappings, bombings, robberies which have assumed an alarming dimension.
In his response, at the historic ceremony, while accepting the honour, the commissioner urged the youths not to run Pan Africanism as a philosophy alone, but to evaluate the present state of development, what the future foretells for young people and to properly establish their role in Africa’s development.
The University Don, Olowofela further tasked the youths on the need to contribute to Africa’s development through sound education and technological skills, stressing that the world is open for the youths to shine, especially in the area of technological development.
“African youths can compete globally in the technological field in the new world economy. We only need better technological education and exposure to best practices, especially renewable energy. We must come together to promote development and commercialisation of indigenous technology and adaptation of imported technology for wider application. The development of Africa will be done only by Africans”, the commissioner reiterated.
He continued, ” the entire Africa is looking up to Nigeria that has all it takes to be the greatest nation in the world, and if the country gets it right, other African countries definitely will get it right. For black man to be respected, Nigeria must get it right. We must go back to the basics”.
The ex – council boss, Olowofela, however advised the youths to emulate leaders such as Obafemi Awolowo, Nkwame Nkruma, Nnamdi Azikwe and other great African nationalists, who have lived well and those who are living exemplary lives, just as he called for knowledge sharing with other continents through exchange programmes, academic conferences, and social media interactions.
Earlier, various recipients of the honor include: the President of Sudan, Umar Al-Bashir, President, Federal High Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Auta, Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba, and the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, among others.
Some of the ASUP delegates at the event include, the Majority Leader, Lanota Chakibe ( Universite de Kokodi), Director Gender, Dahunsi Nifesimi (Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo), Media Director, Okojokwu Kingsley (Benue State University, Makurdi) and Eveh Dominic ( Nigeria Coordinator, Nasarawa State University, Keffi),
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
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 Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
-
Politics3 days agoIbarapa East Assembly Hopeful, Ramon Congratulates Ajiboye, Says Emergence Good for Oyo APC
-
Politics1 week agoMakinde: My Successor Must Be Loyal to Oyo, Not Me
-
Politics3 days ago2027: Former Oyo Deputy Governor Adeyemo Emerges APC Chairman (See Full List)
-
Politics1 week agoFintiri Dumps PDP for APC, Moves with Cabinet, 14 Adamawa Lawmakers