Business
NYSC’s Hostels Building To Cost N400m
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has secured a N400 million loan to finance the building of hostels for corps members during their one-year compulsory national service.
Speaking during the visit to Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the Lagos State governor, Brig-General Maharazu Ismail Tsiga, Director-General of NYSC, said the loan would be used to build hostels and lodge for corps members across the federation.
The scheme has secured a N400 million facility to construct hostels for corps members.
Corps members accommodation problem has given the nation a great concern that Mr. President directed the NYSC to provide adequate security and housing for the corps members.
According to Brig-General Maharazu Ismail Tsiga, Director-General of NYSC, undisclosed bank has agreed to advance the sum of N400 million to the NYSC, which he said would be used in building lodges for the corps members throughout the federal.
Tsiga condemned the killing of corps members in their areas of primary assignments, especially in the north. The DG who said he served in 1981, described the killing of corps members as unfortunate adding that it is the responsibility of everybody to protect them in their places of primary assignments. He also noted that NYSC has resolved not to send members to crisis areas, saying that those serving in such areas will be withdrawn.
Fashola has called for the need to reappraise the scheme so as to prepare graduates for challenges of the future.
According to him, “it is no longer fashionable to prepare people for jobs; but to equip them with relevant skills that could turn them into employers of labour”. He also raised doubt about the duration of the camping exercise and its capacity to impact relevant skills on Corps members, and wondered why they are not engaged in making their uniforms or using one particular set to farm, so as to supply good food for other batches.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.