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Oyo govt. gives career option to repeaters.
AGAINST the backdrop of ‘no automatic promotion’ policy for students in public secondary schools in the state, the Oyo state government said on Tuesday that for repeaters who would not like to continue in the secondary school, there is always the option of state owned Technical Colleges towards choosing the right career for themselves, which would make their professional life.
The state commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela stated this at the sensitization workshop on key policy directions towards improved secondary school system in Oyo State held at the cultural centre, Mokola, Ibadan.
Considering the unfavorable impression, Olowofela noted that there is an urgent need to expose the parents to the benefits of technical and vocational education as solution to growing youth unemployment and restiveness.
He said, “in this constantly changing and increasingly competitive world, that country will not prosper, which has a large population of uneducated youth. Oyo State’s pacesetter status makes us ever forward looking.
“The situation of repeaters in our secondary schools is at variance with the vision of the government of the day to make the State a knowledge based economy, where unemployed graduates and secondary school leavers are equipped with competitive support service skills that make them sought after by employers”.
Speaking further, the commissioner recalled that the ‘No Automatic Promotion’ policy led to several unsavoury fallouts, saying that having been fully convinced of the beneficial nature of the policy, government forged ahead and the schools are beginning to reap the dividends accruable therefrom.
“However, an aspect of the unsavoury outcome of the policy I must not fail to mention here is the escalation in the rate of truancy and anti – social behaviours in our schools, being perpetrated by repeaters who have stopped attending classes. The Ministry has been kept on her toes working with schools to deal with the ‘no man’s land’ set up by these students. Known by different names – School Two, Phase Two, Abete, Forest, Sambisa, Desert – these locations serve as hideout where repeaters indulge their baser natures”, he explained.
While appreciating the parents for their cooperation with government in its move to restore education in the state to a sound footing, he assured that with their continued cooperation, the Ministry under his watch will continue to work in the best interests of their wards and children according to the vision of the present administration in the state.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, Centre for Organizational and Professional Ethics (COPE – Africa), Dr Adeyeye Adewole disclosed that the program is part of the re – positioning agenda of Oyo state government aimed at creating necessary awareness and proactive response mechanism from among critical stakeholders as well as engender much needed support so that everyone can adequately key into the on – going reformative strategies towards sustainable development of Oyo state educational system.
Adeyeye added that other key features of the program are to enlighten and brainstorm on key policy directions of government particularly the ‘no automatic promotion ‘ policy and the needs for other stakeholders such as parents to wake up to their responsibility as well as to provoke attitudinal change towards technical and vocational education by encouraging enrolments of pupils into available Oyo state Technical Institutions because of assurances of job creation and future prospect in the present dispensation.
He, however commended the state government for the boldness, passion and commitment to addressing critical challenges that have bedeviled the education system over time.
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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