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NYSC D-G Inaugurates President’s Honours Award Committee
The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, has inaugurated a 13-member committee for the President’s NYSC Honours Award National Selection.
At the inauguration yesterday in Abuja, Ahmed said that the award which was instituted in 1974 was to encourage corps members to contribute to the overall national development through the programmes of the scheme.
“The award is to serve as motivation for hard work and reward for excellence among the corps members.
“Since its commencement, 1,426 ex-corps members have so far received the award, which is usually conferred by the President.”
According to Ahmed, the selection process is based on the assessment of corps members’ performance in all the major programmes of the NYSC.
They activities include orientation course, primary assignment, community development service, as well as winding-up and passing-out activities.
Also, that other personal qualities such as sense of duty, drive, determination, initiative, resourcefulness, leadership traits, discipline and teamwork are taken into consideration.
He also said that the integrity of the selection process would determine the public acceptance of the eventual winners.
“On this premise, and given the caliber of personalities on this committee, I am confident that the outcomes of the impending screening and selection exercise will be credible.
“Being the highest body saddled with the evaluation of the performance and selection of corps members for the award, this committee is expected to improve on the standards already set.
“As you embark on this round of selection process, I implore you to approach the task dispassionately.
“This is because management expects the emergence of candidates who, by all standards, will be acceptable by all.”
The Director, Corps Welfare and Health Services, Mr Ayodele Omotade, said that since the inception of the scheme in 1973, the award, has consistently been sustained over the years.
This, he said, has significantly, placed the scheme on a higher pedestal above other government agencies in terms of giving back to the youths who have distinguished themselves in service to fatherland.
He, however, said that in recent years, there has been a significant increase in corps population and the proportionate increase in the number of award nominees.
“Beside, this committee will be dealing with backlog of arears occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted normal NYSC operations in 2020 and most part of 2021.
“Our major assignment will be consideration and selection of nominees from 2020 Batches ‘A’ and ‘B’, 2021 Batches ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’, and 2022 Batches ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ service years.”
The Vice Chancellor, University of Benin and Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Lilian Salami, sad that as persons with integrity, they are committed to a free and fair selection process.
She said those that would be selected are graduands who have proven themselves and have the innate responsibility to develop the country.
“So we must, in our own ways celebrate them.
“Also, they become mentors of others and a motivating factor for others who are watching them.”
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.