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Oyo govt. to upgrade 679 health facilities with N50bn endowment fund.
Oyo State Government has said that it will hold its N50bn endowment on Thursday, August 3, 2017, assuring that the fund will be used for infrastructural upgrade of 679 health facilities in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, who disclosed this on Thursday during a Press Conference held at the Conference Theatre of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Ibadan, stated that the fund will be utilized for the establishment of a cardiovascular center which will provide up-to-date routine and emergency care in a bid to reduce sudden deaths arising majorly from cardiovascular causes.
Dr Adeduntan, in company of his counterpart from Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun and the Consultant on the N50bn Endowment Fund, Dr Bola Olaosebikan, noted that the fund will also be used for the upgrade of existing secondary health facilities in the 33 LGAs and the primary care facilities in the 351 wards of the State as well as engagement of qualified medical personnel for the afore-mentioned health facilities.
According to him, “the State has already commenced the construction of five (5) secondary level facilities in five (5) LGAs previous without such facilities. Presently, construction of these facilities is at various levels, but the Fund will adequately allow for full completion. Also, it will ensure that there is availability of up-to-date equipment for use in these hospitals.”
The commissioner further explained that the endowment fund will be used for infrastructural upgrade of 57 hospitals and 622 Primary Health Care centres, assuring that the fund will be administered with utmost transparency and accountability.
Dr Adeduntan expatiated that the fund will be managed in a public purse separate from Government account by a Board of Trustees comprising notable Nigerians led by renowned Professor of Medicine, Chief Oladipo Akinkugbe, stressing that the first phase of the endowment activities will span the next two (2) years with the possibility of extension.
Dr. Adeduntan explained “since all other vital sectors of the economy in the State are also competing for attention at the same time with the health sector, the government had no other alternative than to call on individuals, corporate organizations and well-meaning indigenes of the State to donate generously towards N50billion health endowment fund. We need the support of well meaning Nigerians to take our health sector to the next level.”
Speaking at the Press Conference, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun noted that the Senator Abiola Ajimobi administration met health care services in a bad state, saying however that the sector has been revamped and free medical services provided to over one million citizens.
He reiterated that the present administration has placed health care delivery on the front burner, noting that there is need for concerted efforts to ensure the sector is not moribund and static.
In his own address, the Consultant of the project, Dr. Bola Olaosebikan, who noted that the Endowment fund is the first of its kind in Nigeria, commended the State Government for supporting the lofty idea and assured that many organizations from within and in the Diaspora are ready to contribute to the fund.
He therefore called on well-meaning Nigerians to give Oyo State government huge support by donating generously towards the N50billion health endowment fund.
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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