Headlines

South Africa has assumed the presidency of the G20, marking the first time an African country will lead the influential group of the world’s largest economies.

The handover ceremony occurred on Tuesday during the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva officially transferred leadership to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

In his acceptance speech, Ramaphosa pledged to prioritize the development of Africa and advocate for the interests of the Global South throughout his tenure.

“We will use this moment to bring the development priorities of the African continent and the Global South more firmly onto the agenda of the G20,” Ramaphosa said.

He outlined three main areas of focus for South Africa’s presidency: fostering inclusive economic growth, addressing food security challenges, and harnessing artificial intelligence and innovation to drive sustainable development. Ramaphosa also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring global economic growth that leaves no one behind.

South Africa is currently the only African member of the G20, a bloc comprising 19 countries and the European Union. However, in 2023, the African Union joined the forum as a member, signaling increased global acknowledgment of Africa’s role in shaping international policy.

The G20 includes major economies such as the United States, China, Germany, and India, with Spain holding permanent guest status.

As the first African nation to lead the G20, South Africa aims to advocate for industrialization, job creation, and inequality reduction, while also steering discussions on pressing global issues.

“As South Africa, we undertake to advance the work of the G20 towards achieving greater global economic growth and sustainable development. We will work to ensure that no one is left behind,” Ramaphosa concluded.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly dissolved the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, amid controversies surrounding the appointment of Professor Bernard Odoh as the institution’s Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Odoh, announced as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor on October 29, 2024, has faced allegations of irregularities in his academic credentials and the selection process. His official academic profile on UNIZIK website claimed he served as a visiting professor at the Federal University Gusau (FUGUS), Zamfara State, from July 2015 to October 2017. However, FUGUS and its Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter denied this claim in formal responses.

Concerns about the appointment process had been raised earlier by UNIZIK’s ASUU chapter and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN). The groups alleged procedural violations by the Governing Council, including the announcement of the vacancy and recruitment processes.

On November 1, 2024, the Federal Ministry of Education declared the appointment invalid. In a memo, the ministry criticized the Governing Council, led by Chairman Greg Mbadiwe, for proceeding without consulting ministry representatives, internal council members, and other key stakeholders.

The university’s Registrar and Secretary to Council, R.I. Nwokike, defended the council’s actions, citing a court ruling granting it authority to appoint the Vice-Chancellor.

ASUU’s national leadership intensified opposition on November 18, 2024, condemning Odoh’s appointment and that of Rosemary Nwokike as Registrar. ASUU National President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, described the appointments as a breach of university regulations, highlighting the lack of proper advertisement, search processes, and adherence to selection criteria.

In response to the escalating controversy, President Tinubu has reportedly authorized the dissolution of the university’s Governing Council. Sources indicate that Education Minister Tunji Alausa has received presidential approval to make the announcement, which is expected to be made public shortly.

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.