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The Federal Government has approved a monthly allowance increase for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to N77,000, effective July 2024. This change aligns with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.

According to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission’s letter dated September 25, 2024, signed by Chairman Ekpo Nta, the new allowance aims to provide “much-needed relief” and boost Corps Members’ morale.

NYSC Director General Brigadier General YD Ahmed thanked the Federal Government for the increment, which follows his advocacy visit to the Commission.

This increase comes five years after the last adjustment in 2019, raising the monthly allowance from N33,000 to N77,000, with an additional N44,000 per month retroactive to July. Outstanding arrears from July are expected to be paid soon.

The enhanced allowance aims to help Corps Members cope with rising living costs and inflation, significantly improving their well-being as they contribute to national development.

Veteran stand-up comedian Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, has shared how his plan to have one more son with his wife, Mary at 59 unexpectedly led to the birth of triplets.

Ali Baba explained that his wife had a strong desire for another son, especially after their children had travelled abroad, leaving the house feeling empty.

The funnyman stated this on Monday in an interview during a podcast session, Leadership Podcast with Stephen Akintayo.

He said initially, she considered adopting more children but later decided she would prefer to have her own.

This, he said led them to pursue In Vitro Fertilisation, intending to fertilise two eggs, hoping for at least one successful pregnancy.

He added that things took an unexpected turn when one of the fertilised eggs split into two, resulting in triplets instead of their original plan.

Madam had always wanted to have a son. She had two daughters and we talked about it. So, I told her I didn’t want to be having school runs, joining Wizkid and attending PTA meetings. One truth is the net becomes empty when all the children have to go abroad to study and the discussion comes up again.

“By the way, she had said wanted to adopt two or three children to take care of them. One day, she then said instead of adopting, let’s just have our own. I was like ok but the way the economy is and she replied you said the economy is bad, I said yes and she said, have you stopped paying house rent for people I said no. She asked again, “Have you stopped paying school fees and I said no.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reiterated the FCT Administration’s dedication to revising and enhancing the Abuja Master Plan. 

This commitment was reaffirmed during a visit from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) representatives in Abuja.

Wike emphasized the administration’s focus on upgrading the master plan to align with modern needs and ensure Abuja’s continued growth and development. 

This collaboration with JICA marks a significant step towards achieving this goal, leveraging international expertise to create a more sustainable and efficient capital city.

He said the project, under the Review and Upgrading of Integrated Urban Development Master Plan for Abuja, would be implemented in partnership with JICA.

“For us, be assured that it is a project that we are committed to, and we will do all we can to see that the project comes to fruition,” he said.

The minister promised the JICA team that all the expectations from the FCTA for the implementation of the project would be made in due course.

The former Rivers State Governor equally assured JICA of stronger collaboration for the development of the FCT, including satellite towns and environs.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, Mr Shehu Ahmad, said the review of the 45-year-old Abuja Master Plan was crucial to addressing current challenges in the capital city.

“We are talking about supporting facilities in terms of infrastructure, water supply, power supply, and stormwater and wastewater drainage systems.

We are also looking at the need for a smart city for Abuja so that the city will be one of the top cities in the world.

Urban mobility has remained a challenge, and we are feeling that they should look into those areas to enhance it,” he said

Authorities of the Nigerian Army, on Tuesday announced that it has discharged a female soldier, Private Ruth Ogunleye, who accused a senior officer, Colonel I.B Abdulkareem, of sexual harassment.

Army specifically said the female soldier was eased out of the service on medical ground after the conclusion of its probe, adding that by discharging her, she’s entitled to pension and all other benefits for life.

Recall that Ogunleye had in January this year on her TikTok page via @Ogunleyeruthsavage1 accused Col. IB Abdulkareem, Col. G.S Ogor, and Brig. Gen. I.B Solebo, of making her life unbearable.

She particularly said Abdulkareem made repeated attempts to assault her, administered injections against her will, forcibly removed her from her residence, and confined her in a psychiatric hospital for several months for turning down his sexual advances.

Following the allegations, the ministry of Women Affairs waded into the matter and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tarooed Lagbaja, subsequently ordered a thorough investigation.

Giving an update about the matter at Army headquarters, the spokesman of the land forces, Onyema Nwachukwu, explained that the senior officer did not commit the offence levelled against him by Ogunleye.

Nwachukwu, a Major-General, stressed that the conclusion was arrived at after an exhaustive review of the facts, testimonies and evidence presented during the investigations carried out.

“Upon receipt of her initial complaint, which included allegations of sexual harassment, the Nigerian Army took immediate action. The matter was referred to the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, tasked with conducting a thorough investigation into the veracity of her claims.