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Revealed : 11,000 Youths shortlisted for NPower in Oyo.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community Development, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Atinuke Osunkoya who doubles as the vocal person of the the N-Power job creation and empowerment, an initiative of the Social Investment Programme of the Federal Government of Nigeria has unearthed that about 11,000 candidates were shortlisted out of the over 34,700 candidates that applied for the scheme in the state.
Revealing this on Thursday in her office in Ibadan, the state capital, she said with the figure – 34,700, Oyo State has the fifth largest applicants.
Osunkoya who promised to keep the public abreast on the actual number of those who are currently receiving the monthly stipends and those who are yet to be receiving, disclosed that about 8,000 candidates were shortlisted for the N-Teach.
While 900 candidates were picked for N-Health, 1,600 for N-Agro and 620 candidates were shortlisted for N-Community Education before verification.
The Commissioner explained that about four key areas have been identified as the major problems delaying the collection of the stipends.
” 34,700 actually applied for the job, out of which 11,000 were shortlisted. 8,000 candidates were shortlisted for the N-Teach, 900 for N-Health, 1,600 for N-Agro while 620 candidates were shortlisted for N-Community Education, those are those who were shortlisted before verification.
“In terms of successful applicants beyond verification, I don’t have the data here, I will get back to you”.
“Those who have problems, I will break them down in four ways. There are some who did not scale thorough the verification exercise, second reason is that there are those who have issues with their bank accounts, there are some who have issues with their names in cases like that, they have mismatch names especially the female, there are some who omitted their bank details in their application”, she stressed.
Osunkoya added that a desk officer who will be a civil servant will be appointed in each of the local government areas stating that a liaison officer who will be a beneficiary will also be engaged in each of the 33 local government areas to ease the work and decentralise the work of the scheme.
“As from Monday, the ministry has asked the local government to nominate a desk officer in order to decentralise our work”.
“Also, a liaison officer/person who will be among the beneficiaries, he will be one of those receiving the stipends and have been clear without any problem. Those are the one that will serve as go between when we have a meeting, they will be the one to pass information across to others. So if we are going to have a round table meeting, they are the ones we will call.
“We have a database of those who have problems, we have pasted the list, just as I said, I will get back to you on the figure
“Those who have peculiar problems have been asked to come to the ministry, the state will compile the list and send to Abuja”.
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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