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DG NYSC Urges Corps Members To Know Host Community’s Language For Unity …Warns Against Involvement In Partisan Politics
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC),Maj-Gen Shaibu Ibrahim, yesterday, urged corps members to learn the language and culture of their host communities as a veritable tool to unite the country.
Ibrahim gave this charge in a nationwide address to mark the Terminal Parade/Closing ceremony of 2022 Batch ‘A’ Stream 2 Orientation Course exercise.
Ibrahim,who was represented by the Rivers State NYSC Coordinator,Mr George Mfongang, enjoined the corps members to brace up for the tasks of the service year.
A total of 1,996 corps members successfully completed the three-week orientation course exercise at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa Gbam Taiin Rivers State.
He stated that the entire nation looks forward to their roles in advancing the unity, integration and development of the country.
Ibrahim charged them to remain patriotic, hardworking and resilient in the performance of their duties, devote time to identify the felt needs of their host communities.
“Help your host communities to surmount the needs by initiating and executing personal and group Community Development Service projects that will uplift the living standards of the people,”he said.
Ibrahim also appealed to stakeholders to speed up the passage of the NYSC Trust Fund Bill.
The NYSC-DG harped on the importance of the NYSC Trust Fund, stating that when signed into law and becomes operational will further enhance the quality of the scheme’s programmes.
He said the Trust Fund when established would make the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme of the NYSC more impactful.
“Once it becomes operational, the quality of the programme will be further enhanced through the provision of adequate training materials and engagement of more specialist trainers.
“All trainees with bankable business proposals will also be supported with start-up grants and you will in turn be expected to step down vocational training or employ a good number of youths of your host community.
“That way, we will be pulling millions of Nigerians out of poverty, thereby stemming the tide of youth restiveness and the tendency for criminality,” he said.
Ibrahim said the orientation course served as the launchpad for the entire service and enjoined corps members to brace up for the tasks of the next phase.
“This is important as the entire nation looks forward to your roles in advancing the unity and development of the country.
“I urge you to remain patriotic, hardworking and resilient as demonstrated during the orientation exercise,” he said.
Ibrahim assured the youth corps members that their welfare and security were topmost on his priority list and that the NYSC had liaised with security agencies to ensure their safety.
Similarly, as politicking for the 2023 general election heightens, the Director-General of NYSC, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim has cautioned corps members against partaking in partisan politics.
He said the corps was not averse to any member wishing to serve as electoral umpires anytime they are mobilised for such purposes.
The warning was contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations,Emeka Mgbemena, yesterday.
The DG while debriefing the 2022 Batch ‘A’ Stream Two Corps members in a nationwide virtual address, admonished them to allow the lessons learnt during the orientation course to guide them during and after the service year.
He also warned them about security consciousness and to avoid anything that would endanger their safety.
He said, “Let the spirit of NYSC live in you. Steer clear of politics, NYSC is apolitical; therefore, don’t get yourself involved in politics.
“You must be security conscious. Never put yourself in harm’s way. Don’t get yourself involved in any risky behaviour.
“For those of you going on relocation, kindly follow your state coordinator’s guidelines, directives and instructions”, he said.
He equally cautioned them against using social media to spread fake news, urging them to use it to promote national unity and integration, which the NYSC was established for.
By: Amadi Akujobi
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene