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Oyo : NPower beneficiaries lament over unpaid stipends .
SOME beneficiaries of the social intervention programme dubbed N-Power Scheme, an initiative of the Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government, on Wednesday in Oyo state protested against non-payment of their monthly stipends since December last year.
The agitators who stormed the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Social Development Secretariat Ibadan hinted that they have been cleared but wonder why they are yet to be receiving their monthly stipends.
They disclosed that their colleagues in other states have been paid as at when due as they alleged that delay in the payment by those who are in charge appeared that some people with ulterior motive have cornered their money on selfish grounds.
Protesters who expressed their displeasure decried that it was unfortunate that all efforts made to get the person who is in charge so as to provide necessary information for them proved abortive.
Refreshing your memory, the Special Adviser to the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Mr. Laolu Akande has reportedly claimed that the 200,000 unemployed youths across the 36 states and FCT have been posted to their respective places of work, adding that those employed will start work and receive their stipends from December 1st last year.
Contrary, Kehinde Omolola from Akinyele Local Government, one of the beneficiaries lamented that all efforts made by the beneficiaries in all the 33 local government areas of the state to know the main anchor of the scheme in the state has severally yielded fruitless results.
She then urged the office of the Vice President to intervene in the matter to avoid their own allowance being hijacked by the officials in charge.
Omolola reported that officials of the National Orientation Agency, State Universal Basic Education Board, Ministry of Education and the Women Affairs have been pushing them to each other since the commencement of the payment of December 2016 allowance in January this year.
“I am one of the beneficiaries of NPower, we that are here have not been paid, they did not tell us anything, they have been pushing us to each other, we have gone to the secretariat to complain, we have been to NOA, SUBEB, Ministry of Education and Women Affairs, they did not tell us anyone that is in charge”, she bewailed.
Similarly, another beneficiary, Folarin Dipo from Oluyole Local Government Area said that that their counterparts in other states have been paid but they are yet to receive a penny.
“We are here to tell the management of NPower that we have not collected our allowance since December, we have gone to various agencies but they don’t have any information for us, they have been dragging us from one place to another. That is why we are saying enough is enough. We have been selected and verified but I am wondering why our counterparts in other states have been paid and we are yet to receive any penny”.
The story was not different as another beneficiary who identified himself as Damilare from Ibadan South-West Local Government Area urged the state government to rescue them so that the opportunity will not elude them.
Meanwhile, an official at the Poverty Alleviation department in the ministry, who later chased the protesters out of the premises, Mr. Adekunle Sunday declared that the Commissioner of Women Affairs, Mrs. Atinuke Osunkoya who is not in the office is the one in charge of the program.
Adekunle who did not want journalists to quote him, being a civil servant said the problem may be due to error in account details supplied.
“Some of them have changed their names due to marriage, if the information is different from the account details supplied, will you pay? Some of them, their documents are not completed”.
“Please everybody should leave here. Vacate this premises”, he ordered.
However, Mega Icon Magazine further checks revealed that some youths in the State who are beneficiaries of the scheme have been receiving their stipends.
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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