Folarin Kehinde

The federal government has revoked all previous directives regarding posting restrictions in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

A memo dated November 18, 2024, from the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, to the NYSC Director General, stated that this lifting of restrictions will take effect from the start date of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course.

Olawande stated that the ministerial directive aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s mandate to ensure all government ministries, agencies, and parastatals operate in harmony with the administration’s overall vision.

The minister said President Tinubu was “highly concerned about the rising rate of youth unemployment.”

“As a result, he expects the Ministry of Youth Development and its affiliated agencies to take a leading role in addressing the issue,” the minister said in a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the ministry, Omolara Esan on Tuesday in Abuja.

The minister said that the current National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posting policy, established during the tenure of former Minister Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, limited postings to four sectors: Education, Agriculture, Health, and Infrastructure.

He explained that the argument of the former minister at the time was that while the government was funding the NYSC, many private sector organisations were no longer employed because of the easy access to cheap corps labour, adding that the former minister was largely right, moreover, he said, the fact that many corps members who require specialised training in their areas of study are limited by the posting policy has greatly hampered experience gathering that would effectively prepare them for the job market.

“Therefore, as we battle the unemployment crisis, there is an urgent need to review this policy to expand the opportunity and access for corps members to serve in places that are relevant to their areas of study. Without prejudice to the need to constantly review in accordance with prevailing realities, I now direct as follows: Lifting of all restrictions on postings.

“Posting of corps members to, as much as practicable, be in line with their course of study, posting of corps members to select banks and other private sector organisations, including those operating in oil and gas, to commence with Abuja and Lagos.

“I hereby revoke all previous directives relating to posting restrictions with effect from the date of commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course.

“The directive contained herein will take effect from the date of commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course, and applies in relation to any matter relating to the posting and distribution of corps members to Places of Primary Assignment,” the minister said.

The Nigerian Army has initiated an investigation following the emergence of a viral video showing Major General G.S. Mohammed and his aide, Corporal A. Abubakar, assaulting a couple, Mr. Vershima Mker and Ms. Lami Jennifer Iorvihi, in Abuja.

The altercation reportedly happened after a road incident in the Federal Capital Territory, where Mr. Mker had overtaken the senior officer’s vehicle.

The video captures the military officer and his aide physically attacking the couple before reportedly handcuffing them and transporting them to the Gwarimpa Police Station.

In response, the Nigerian Army’s spokesperson, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, stated that the Chief of Army Staff had ordered an investigation into the incident to verify the circumstances leading to the incident.

“The Chief of Army Staff has directed investigation into the matter. But we have not been able to ascertain the veracity of the video now because we were not privileged or privy to the incident that led to the altercation.

“So I can’t make further comments other than the fact that the Chief of Army Staff has directed that it should be investigated. You know, you can have a video of where there was an exchange, but we don’t know what led to the exchange.

“So maybe when the army hears from the major general, then we will know what actually transpired. So right now, the Chief of Army Staff has directed that we should investigate it. So we want to ascertain the veracity of that incident,” Nwachukwu stated.

The video has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for accountability and justice for the victims.

The Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL), a prominent umbrella body representing youth groups from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, has formally endorsed Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as its preferred candidate for Lagos State Governor in 2027.

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Owerri, CONYL’s leadership, including President General Comrade Goodluck Ibem, Secretary Comrade Junard Abubakar, Public Relations Officer Comrade Iniobong Sampson, and Publicity Secretary Comrade Adeyemo Adewale, announced their resolution following an extensive meeting.

The coalition credited its decision to the “transformational performance” and “leadership traits” of President Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos State Governor.

According to the group, President Tinubu’s achievements laid the foundation for Lagos’ status as the “Center of Excellence.”

The statement expressed confidence that Seyi Tinubu possesses the leadership qualities needed to build on his father’s achievements, noting that Nigerian youths see him as a symbol of fresh ideas and innovation.

“Lagos State needs a youth with wonderful ideas and experience to govern.

“Seyi Tinubu is gifted, qualified, experienced, well-read, and capable to lead Lagos State to the promised land come 2027,” the group stated.

CONYL urged President Tinubu to heed the voices of Nigerian youth by supporting Seyi Tinubu’s gubernatorial aspirations, describing the younger Tinubu as a capable leader who has demonstrated excellence in previous roles.

It called on youths across the nation to rally behind Seyi Tinubu, stating that his governorship ambition is an opportunity for Nigerian youth to demonstrate their capabilities.

Apparently to avoid past experience in the Presidential Communications Team leading to the departure of Ajuri Ngelale, President Bola Tinubu has re-designated the positions of two recently appointed officials in the State House Media and Communications team to enhance efficiency within the government’s communication machinery.

According to a statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Sunday Dare who was hitherto Special Adviser on Public Communication and National Orientation is now Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications.

Similarly, the statement clarified that Daniel Bwala who was announced last week as Special Adviser, Media and Public Communication (State House) is now Special Adviser Policy Communication.

Similarly, the statement clarified that Daniel Bwala who was announced last week as Special Adviser, Media and Public Communication (State House) is now Special Adviser Policy Communication.

The appointments, Onanuga noted, along with his own existing role of Special Adviser, Information and Strategy to the President, underscored that there was no single individual spokesperson for the Presidency.

“Instead, all the three Special Advisers will collectively serve as spokespersons for the government.

“This approach aims to ensure effective and consistent communication of government policies, decisions, and engagements,” Onanuga added.

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, has said two of the agency’s staff members were recently dismissed over allegation of corruption.

Olukoyede disclosed this during the opening of the 6th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference organised by the Rule of Law Development Foundation in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 5-day event is titled: “Optimising the Administration of Criminal Justice in Nigeria: How to Navigate Emerging and Systemic Challenges of Insecurity and Economic Hardship.”

The EFCC chairman, who said the two officials were dismissed two week ago, said besides dismissal, erring workers would also be prosecuted henceforth.
“So many other reforms are going on; the issue of our staff and all of that. Just two weeks ago, I had cause to dismiss two staff. You can’t be fighting corruption and your hands are dirty.

“He who comes to equity, your hands must also be cleaned. And I say I will not only be dismissing them, I will also be prosecuting them because that is what we prosecute others for.

“So you will see that; we are preparing the case files of some of the people we have dismissed. If an EFCC staff will not be able to stand publicly with his two hands up and challenge the entire public; whose goat have I collected? Whose bottle of water have I taken illegitimately?

And I have said this to Nigerians; who has ever given me one kobo in the course of my work, come out and say it. I stand to be challenged. I can’t be easily influenced by things like that. That’s why we must make up our minds to work together to do the right thing. Any staff that is corrupt, I will show you the way out. Again, there are some people who may want to be overzealous. Out of 12, you must have Judas.

I can’t stand here and say all is perfect. As many as you see, report them to us and we will do justice,” he said.

Olukoyede said even he was once subjected to investigation for two years as EFCC secretary.

“I am not just sitting there as chairman of EFCC. I have been on the other side. I have been subjected to investigation myself for two years. So I know what it means to subject people to investigations.

“My major objective is to use the instrumentality of this mandate to stimulate the economy and to also follow the rule of law,” he said.