₦airaland Forum

As part of activities lined up for the ongoing 2021 Batch ‘C’ stream II Orientation exercise, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim has visited the NYSC Camp in Lagos where he met with the prospective Corps members.
The Director-General, who addressed Corps members posted to Lagos state enjoined them to be good ambassadors of their respective families, institutions and shun all acts that are capable of tarnishing the image of the NYSC.
He also advised the Corps members to take advantage of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme of the Scheme by learning entrepreneurial skills in order to become employers of labor.
General Ibrahim also commended the Corps members for obeying the clarion call and assured them that the NYSC has always been responsive to the welfare needs of its Corps members while wishing them a memorable service year experience. Earlier in the day, the Director-General interacted with all the prospective Corps members and staff nationwide, through a virtual address where he dispelled misconception about the COVID-19 vaccine and advised the Corps members to ensure they were fully vaccinated, reminding them that with the policy of the Federal Government making the vaccine compulsory for Civil Servants, effective 1st December 2021, Corps members, who form part of the Civil Service will equally have to comply with the directive.

Its two years since the constitution of the Board and management of the North East Development Commission, (NEDC). Pleasantly amazing, people of the Northeast region ravaged, devastated and ruined by over 12 years of Boko Haram insurgency have cause to again brighten their faces with smiles.

As the agency of the FGN mandated to lead the task of the socio-economic recovery of states in Northeast Nigeria, afflicted by perennial terrorism and its concomitant destructions and dislocations of normal life, it has proved its mettle of capability sufficiently, despite sickening challenges.

Thus, empowered by the FGN and other international intervention agencies, the Alhaji Mohammed Goni Alkali-led NEDC management embarked on this assignment with every seriousness and vigour , under the broad program of Rapid Response Intervention (RRI). Candidly, the NEDC management has crossed the proverbial ribicon registering its conspicuously resounding presence in the region in the process of restoring the lost socio-economic prosperity and glories of the people.

Therefore, early after it’s inauguration, the NEDC management launched an ambitious agenda tagged, North-East Stabilization and Development Masterplan Project (NESDMP). And 224 projects in sensitive sectors, covering the 112 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the six states of the Northeast region were enunciated for Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, and Taraba states.

In the Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the NEDC has spearheaded an exemplary ICT revolution in all the six states of the region. So far, by Year 2021, the NEDC trained and graduated 2,400 youths in ICT skills acquisition, spanning two batches across the Northeast region’s six states. The trainees were empowered upon graduation with starter packs to begin a life of independency. The region is bristling with an appreciable population of youths, who are ICT compliant.

The State Governor of Bauchi, Alhaji Bala Mohammed and his Adamawa state counterpart, Alhaji Umaru Fintiri have glowingly applauded the NEDC on projects execution in their states, specially, the training in ICT, which have kept them off the streets and away from recruitments into terrorists sects.

The agricultural sector has also been energized and boosted by the NEDC in the six targeted states. The commission has implemented various interventions programs under this sector commencing with sponsored training of select youths on farming and agricultural mechanization techniques, innovations, reactivation of Farm Service Centers and establishment of new ones which are handed over to farmers in the region to checkmate the incident of food shortage occasioned by insurgency.

This is in addition to the commission’s supply of agricultural machineries and inputs to encourage farming endeavors. Each state of the region has felt the commission’s intervention in agriculture, evidenced in greenish farm plantations dotting the region.

In the age of insurgency, the Northeast region faced challenges of shelter, as insurgents destroyed residential houses and forced millions of people into IDPs camps. A region already suffering from shortage of houses, the destructions to existing houses and commercial premises dealt a heavy blow on the natives and compounded the housing challenges in the region. Before insurgency, there were estimated stock of about four million houses in the region, but terrorism destroyed over 500,000 out of this quantum. Borno state, the hub of terrorism was the hardest hit by the satanic fury of insurgents.

However, the NEDC, through the presidential order immediately intervened to salvage the pathetic situation. It launched the first batch of 1,000 units of houses from the envisaged 10,000 housing units for in the region in Borno state. These first 1,000 Houses sited at Ngowom Village, Mafa LGA of the state have been completed, commissioned and handed over to Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno state for onward allocation to returnee IDPs.

Meanwhile, the NEDC has performed the foundation laying ceremony of 500 units of similar housing projects, each in Yobe, Bauchi, Adamawa and Gombe and work has commenced aggressively on the sites, with modalities being worked out to launch same in Taraba state.



Boko Haram’s ferocious assault on education and its facilities was appalling, as admitted by security analysts. Insurgents attacked schools, razed structures to ashes, slaughtered or kidnapped staff and students. Both primary and secondary schools were massively affected by the insurgents’ onslaughts. It threw an estimated over 600,000 children of school age out of school and barred another over 1 million of them from attempting to acquire western education. NEDC has massively constructed, rehabilitated and reconstructed many destroyed schools spanning the region.

The glory of education is gradually being restored in the region.It has constructed mega schools, provided classroom blocks in some cases in primary and secondary schools in the Northeast. It has also funded soft-support to teachers’ training, curriculum upgrades and teaching materials. The commission is either constructing three Composite Mega Schools or upgrading existing ones in each state of the region, and in every senatorial district.

And through the Education Endowment Fund launched by the NEDC has expended N6 billion on annual scholarships to indigent students, spread across the region. It has placed hundreds of students under annual scholarships, in diverse disciplines’ stretching from first to doctoral degrees.



The NEDC has also registered strong presence in food and other relief materials supplies to displaced victims of insurgency since it commenced operations. The United Nation Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Ambassador Edward Kallon once expressed worries over the food insecurity conditions prevalent in the Northeast. The NEDC promptly responded by flagging off food and non-food items distribution at various IDPs camps to lessen the plight of the victims.

In Bauchi state for instance, NEDC distributed hundreds of bags of rice, gallons of vegetable oil, bags of sugar, cartons of spaghetti and macaroni. The commission also donated non-food items like blankets, mats and mosquito nets. And it replicated the gesture everywhere IDPs were located in the Northeast.







The health sector is another area, the NEDC management has significantly impacted on the lives of the people of the Northeast. During the outbreak of COVID-19, it donated and equipped infectious diseases laboratory for the testing of the coronavirus and other diseases in Yobe, Bauchi, Taraba States, Adamawa and Gombe states . These facilities also serviced members of the public in these locations.

Additionally, NEDC has constructed and commissioned Primary Health Care (PHC) center in Nafada, renovated existing PHCs at Gadi, Shaganawo, Tashan Kalgo, Shongom and upgraded one of the PHC to a Cottage hospital. NEDC has also constructed two first class Burns Centres in Yola and Maiduguri respectively to carter for victims of injuries sustained from bomb explosions. It also sponsored the training of some natives on the techniques of detonating bombs and landmines.

The commission has spared no aspect necessary in the rebuilding of collapsed infrastructures, particularly roads and bridges. Today, the Northeast is gradually being reconnected by the reconstruction of the roads and bridges damaged by insurgents. In Adamawa state, the Commission has commissioned the reconstructed three critical bridges in Kudzum, Dilechim and Wurro Ngayandi in Michika and Madagali LGAS of the state, which severed Adamawa from Borno state. Likewise, the roads, Alkaleri – Futuk, in Alkaleri LGA and Alkaleri -Kirfi- to Gombe Abba road in Kirfi LGA of Bauchi state, destroyed since 2014 and so forth.

The detailed interventions of the NEDC in rebuilding damaged critical infrastructures in the Northeast or victims support cannot be comprehensively captured in a single piece, including the logistics support to security formations. But so far, so good, the NEDC management has lived up to its mandate of bringing instant succour to distressed people of the region, as it looks forward to 2022 with more projects execution. #

By Toby Prince

Unpretentiously, commitment and hard work in public service pays handsomely. Feasts of garlards brighten up your day from unexpected quarters. It confers on the recipient, more sense of responsibility and the patriotic feeling of self fulfilment to really hear resonations of eulogies vibrate everywhere.

The honouree is usually excited because humanity has found a breather through him and society covertly and overtly appreciates his sacrifices. There is nothing more profoundly enduring like contributing to the elevation and development of one's country. Nation- building is a task for everyone, and obligatory to perform in everyone's small space.

This is the proud and enviably recognized posture of the Director General, National Youth Service Corps ( DG- NYSC), Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim. Sentiments apart, Gen. Ibrahim is a loveable personality, not only by his innately gifted bundle of talents, but his rare capacity to utilize it for public benefits of mankind.

Someone once described Gen. Ibrahim as a soldier of the finest breed, an intellectual/ academic don, classic administrator, innovator, reformer, goalgetter and an amazing pacesetter. Nigerians have attestably encountered Gen. Ibrahim in these neons in the various military establishments where he has served. Now, as DG- NYSC, Gen. Ibrahim has marketed himself in spellbinding excellence on the job.

Therefore, a few days back, at an event, his alma mater, the University of Jos (UNIJOS) Alumni Association feted this crack military officer, with an award of excellence in Abuja. The association accurately assessed and endorsed the decision in recognition of Ibrahim's tremendous achievements as the 18th DG- NYSC in barely two years on the saddle.

The plethora of ecomia on the NYSC boss yawned loudly with the exceptionally positive feats and accomplishments of Gen. Ibrahim as head of the scheme. It is palpable that his choice for the award was not a mistake.


Of grippling relevance, the Chairman, Unijos Alumni, Abuja Chapter, Mr. Joseph Chukwu uttered something unique about the persona of Gen. Ibrahim as the alumni association mulled with the idea of an award to him, a man of solid credentials and unbeatable records of performance anywhere. Chukwu exclaimed to the audience that Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim’s name came topmost and got thundering ovations when he was nominated for the award.

Its difficult for Nigerians in any congregation to collectively agree and endorse anyone for honor without some protest voices. But Ibrahim broke the jinx in an association comprising professionals of different ilk, ideological persuasions and creeds. This general acceptability in itself is the first big plus and loud testimony of his credible performance in public service.

Did the University of Jos (UNIJOS) Alumni Association actually make a mistake by conferring on Gen. Ibrahim the prestigious award of excellence and a good ambassador of the varsity? Has Ibrahim really lived up to public expectations in his assignment as NYSC boss by repositioning the scheme to the status of a focal catalyst in the overall quest of Nigeria's national development?

The answers are handy from an independent inquest of Gen. Ibrahim's leadership of the NYSC scheme. Its needless to trumpet that Gen. Ibrahim met an NYSC scheme which was grossly underutilised, with potentials of serving corps members largely unexplored!

But he dexteriously turned around the fortunes of the scheme and changed dormant narratives to now a vibrant and beneficial scheme for serving corps members and their post - service years. Even public perception of the scheme has positively changed. Gen. Ibrahim has also excitingly laid the path of achieving finanacial independence for the scheme which will assume full effect in the nearest future. He is already partially successful in this regard.

Therefore, Ibrahim has upgraded the existing NYSC's Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneural Development programme ( SAED) and ensured the one month training in different vocations impact on the quest for more knowledge on all corps members. Some of them actually begin to utilize such skills in their places of Primary Assignment ( PA).

And thinking out of the box, Gen. Ibrahim has gone ahead to partner with multiple financial institutions to empower corps members with start-up capitals towards self- reliance through personal investments in the post- service years. Today, Nigeria is a nation, where some corps members have become employers of labor after the mandatory service year because of the skills through SAED and the financial backing of some institutions partnering with NYSC to finance their business proposals. The Central Bank of Nigera (CBN), Bank of Industry (BOI), Heritage Bank, (HB) and Access Bank among others can attest to it. These benefits are a product of Gen. Ibrahim's leadership ingenuity.

Furthermore, the NYSC boss has accepted, adopted and is implementing President Muhammadu Buhari's policy and initiatives on agriculture and food security. Similarly, the NYSC under Ibrahim's guidiance has also partnered agric-based institutions and other organisations to sponsor training of serving corps members in farming techniques, cropping and mechanized agriculture.

Today, the previously moribund NYSC farms across the federation have come up alive and new farm plantations have sprouted. NYSC alone has cultivated over 60, 000 hectares of rice fields as at 2021. The harvested rice is processed for consumption in the scheme's owned ricemills and the investments are still being consolidated. Undoubtedly, this is an enormous contribution of corps members to food availability in the country .

The NYSC boss is not resting on his oars. Gen. Ibrahim has revitalised NYSC investment ventures across the country, such as garment, bread and table water factories, which are functioning at maximum productivity. They also double as
training avenues for serving corps members.

Its shocking and indeed novel that the NYSC under Gen. Ibrahim has started to generate and remit revenues from these investments into into the federation account. In 2020, the NYSC paid N280 million into FGN coffers and in 2021, a sumptuous sum of over N.5 billion was remitted, with plans to keep increasing its revenue generation.

And the big bang! Gen. Ibrahim has conceptualised and vigorously pursuing the establishment of the NYSC Trust Fund. He is working towards the future. Sensitization campaigns on this initiative have gone virile and received favorable endorsements from a wide spectrum of Nigerians.

When the NYSC Trust Fund comes into fruition, it will provide a wider range of corps members more access to start-up captals to finance their private business ideas as they blissfully exit the year of service to fatherland. The expected impacts of these laudable initiatives in the nearest future are truely tremendous! Gen. Ibrahim truely deserves more than the award of excellence from Unijos alumni, but a national honour.

Prince is a journalist and wrote this piece from Guzape, Abuja.

...tasks Gov to spend his remaining two years on prayers for forgiveness

Chief Philip Agbese, the leading aspirant for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency in 2023, has rejected the drunkard tag used by Governor Samuel Ortom on the people of Benue State.

Rather, Agbese, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said Benue people are the victims of Ortom's maladministration, mendacity and misrule in the last six years.

Governor Ortom, speaking at the commissioning of Remnant Christian Network Embassy’s new edifice in Makurdi was quoted to have said "If you go round Makurdi town, our people start drinking beer from 9 am and some from there, they will go to sleep and they come back and insult the governor for not helping them to add value to their lives".

But in a statement signed by Akor Ikwuoche,
the Director-General, Philip Agbese Campaign Organisation (PACO), the astute UK-trained legal practitioner said while such unguarded utterances aren't strange from the governor, " It appears his 'mouth diarrhoea' has gotten out of control and may require combined spiritual and medical therapy".

He recalled how Ortom launched scathing attacks on President Buhari Muhammadu, Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Dr George Akume and other elder statements in a bid to attract public sympathy and divert attention.

Agbese said it is, however, unfortunate that some "noble sons and daughters of Benue, who cheered when this intractable ailment came on him are now on the receiving end as they are now known as 'drunkards' beyond the state. It speaks volumes about what our governor represents and how he presents us before his contemporaries. As they say, betrayal never comes from your enemies".

The statement added " We at the Philip Agbese Campaign Organisation totally reject this drunkard tag on our illustrious brothers and sisters. It is false, treacherous and demeaning. May we remind the governor that Benue has produced some of the country's most respected brains in different fields of endeavours. How come suddenly they are all drunkards for holding him accountable for his misrule in the last six years?

"Perhaps still having hysteria over the N18.5 billion bailout funds, the governor should return to reality and understand that Benue people are wiser now and tired of his usual blame games. Our people have had enough of the attacks on President Buhari as well as the herdsmen and IDPs propaganda. They are demanding translucency. They are not drunkards. He should provide answers as to why the workers and pensioners are being owed. He should address them on why there's untold hardship and prove that Benue is not 'worst than Afghanistan' as rightly suggested by our principal Chief Philip Agbese.

"Just like Agbese, a UK-trained lawyer, human rights activist and entrepreneur, Enone natives are not drunkards. Never! The good people of Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency despite the governor's abysmal leadership have proven to be hardworking, intellectually sound and goal getters.

"If there's anyone who should be labelled a drunkard, it is Ortom who may have picked up this habit during his time toiling around different motor parks, first as a tout and then taxi driver. He probably thinks because he is the only Benue indigene that can afford a bottle of Andre Champagne at N3,500 due to the hardship that he brought on the state, everyone else seems to be tipsy on something cheaper. But we wish to advise Ortom to take out time to reflect and stop getting drunk at ceremonies and thinking that his citizens are 'high'.

"Publicly acknowledging criticism is good news. At least, he is aware that the people, victims of his maladministration and mendacity are fed up. Even his most staunch supporters are exhausted of the excuses. They want more action and less talk".

Describing Ortom as a monumental failure and disaster, the Philip Agbese Campaign Organisation, therefore, urged the governor to spend his remaining two years on prayers. It said perhaps, through divine intervention, Benue people can forgive him.

Agbese, however, assured his people that the hour of liberation is not far again and all the rhetoric of Ortom's failed administration will be over.

The attention of Policy House International’s (Incentive Based Program- IBP) has been drawn to the recent educational challenges and set back in Niger state, north central region of Nigeria.



According to multiple media reports of Friday, November 26th 2021, Boko Haram has launched a serious campaign where parents are being forced to withdraw their kids from schools in some parts of the state. According to the report, the SSG to the Niger state government lamented that farmers are now being forced to pay levies to enable them access their various farms as well.



For us at the Incentive Based program, this is double tragedy for our intervention in the region, first, it is a minus for our campaign for reduction in the number of out of school children and the second it is a big blow for food security in the region which has suffered serious setbacks in recent times due to attacks on farmers and the increase in the number of schools that were shut down in the 1st and second quarter of 2021.



We call on the Nigeria government to secure the areas where Boko Haram is collecting levies from farmers and restore civil governance and authority in those areas so identified and ensure that no parent is compelled to withdraw his or her wards from schools not only in Niger state but in all educationally disadvantaged and challenged regions in Nigeria.

We are monitoring the situation in Niger state Nigeria and we are in touch with relevant stakeholders in the educational sector with a view to coordinating efforts in supporting the Nigerian government at all levels.

The NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim has been presented an Award of Excellence by the University of Jos Alumni Association.

This, the University said was in recognition of his tremendous achievements since assuming duty as the 18th Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps over two years ago.

Speaking during the award presentation today, the University of Jos Vice-Chancellor Designate, Prof. Ishaya Tanko extoled the sterling leadership qualities of the Director-General, adding that Unijos has been observing his transformational achievements in the Scheme.

He commended General Ibrahim for the uncommon feat, adding that the award bestowed on him was also in recognition of his undaunting commitment to national development by tapping Corps potentials.

The VC designate while presenting the goodwill message from the Senate, Management, Staff and Students of Unijos added that the institution recognizes the relevance of the NYSC Scheme to overall national development.

Prof Tanko stated further that universities are made stronger by the strength of their alumni adding that, "we will seek every opportunity to strenghten the synergy of all Unijos alumni to strenghten the institution".

The National President, Unijos Alumni, Pastor Nuhu Sani described the Director-General as a good ambassador of the university, urging him to keep up the good work he is doing.

"Graduates of Unijos are making us proud and we will keep telling the world about them", he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unijos Alumni, Abuja Chapter, Mr Joseph Chukwu said Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim's name came topmost when preparations were on-going for nomination for the award.

He said the Alumni would continue to harness the ingenuinety of NYSC Director-General and other alumni of the University of Jos for the benefit of humanity.

"We will continue to pray for your successful tenure of office and also in future assignments" he said.

In his response, Brigadier General Shuaibu lbrahim congratulated the Vice-Chancellor designate on his appointment.

He stated that he is proud of the University of Jos because the institution has impacted his life and others positively.

Ibrahim lauded the management of the institution for reaching out to its alumni, saying, "l am so proud of the university".

He assured the management of the University of Jos of his continuous support.

He added that the award would spur him for greater achievements.

He said the Scheme always thinks outside the box, and would leverage on the potentials of Corps Members for national development.

"Last year the NYSC generated over two hundred and eighty million Naira which we paid into the federation account.

This year we also realised five hundred and eleven million Naira which we equally paid into the Federation Account and we are determined that by next year we are going to generate more", he said.

Ibrahim said the Scheme has revitalised its ventures: garment factories, bread and table water factories for maximum productivity. The ventures also serve as training avenue for Corps Members.

The DG said NYSC had partnered many institutions towards empowering Corps Members for self-reliance.

He listed the Bank of Industry, Central Bank of Nigera, Heritage Bank, Access Bank among others as institutions that offer start up capitals for Corps Members to finance their business proposals.

He also said efforts are in top gear with strong advocacy for the establishment of NYSC Trust Fund, which if actualised will enable Corps Members to have access to start-up captitals to finance their business ideas as they exit service.

The Director-General said NYSC film, NYSC National Cultural Troupe are some of the innovations introduced into the NYSC Scheme for the enhancement of Corps potentials for greater output.

By Kolawole Abe


It is the dream of every graduate of tertiary institutions in Nigeria to adorn the NYSC brown Khaki uniform. We have been regaled with tales of how newly deployed corp members wear their attires posing for the cameras and sending them to their parents and loved ones. The feeling is usually ecstatic, and a dream come true.

Parents and guardians are also not left out of the euphoria. You could easily hear parents discussing about their wards deployed for the mandatory youth service year in a loud tone. This is the NYSC, the scheme that has continued to serve the critical purpose of national integration and nation building amongst the teeming youthful population in the country. Welcome to the world of the NYSC, where people from various ethnicity and religion converge pursuant to a common goal in the country's interest.

I have, on numerous forums, canvassed for improved funding for the operations of the NYSC due to its critical role in the socio-economic development of the country. My position has been hinged on the invaluable role the one year service period plays in the lives of our youths. We should also remember that some youths have, as a result of their engagement in the NYSC, realized their potentials and set out to conquer in their various life endeavours. Some have also met their life partners, while some have been beneficiaries of goodwill from parts of the country they found themselves. And the list goes on.

Beyond all of the above mentioned, I believe that a critical aspect of the NYSC has been neglected for a long time: the corp members themselves. Their sacrifices and efforts in important health, educational and agricultural sectors have not been given adequate recognition.

From NYSC doctors to teachers that are rendering invaluable services in public hospitals and schools to the deployment of corp members during elections in the country. While it is sad that some paid the supreme price in service to the country, it does not by any stretch of imagination diminish the fact that the Corp members are the true national heroes.

One needed to tour rural communities in parts of Nigeria and see the level of bonding exhibited between corp members and members of the host communities. In most cases, despite the language barrier, corp members find a way to interact and live in peace in their host communities.

I dare say corp members live the life of patriots, who leave the comfort of their homes to places, they have not visited before in most instances and blend to their culture and way of life throughout their service year, making contributions to the growth and development of the area.

If this is not an act of patriotism, I don't know what else to call it. Call it the life of sacrifice. You won't be wrong too, because we are availed daily with tales of corp members doing exploits in their places of primary assignment. It’s on record that schools have been built, vocational centres erected and a host of other notable projects mainly executed by corp members from their savings and donations from charitable individuals and organizations. Corp members have also been active as first-line responders in times of crisis, as evident in times of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ebola epidemic and cholera outbreaks in some parts of the country.

It is also on record that some communities in Nigeria depend on the services of corp members in their education sector because of the value they bring to the table year in and year out. The list is endless and why every corp member must rise in defence of the NYSC scheme.

Most times, I wonder how the country would have fared without the services of corp members who dot the nook and cranny of the country working tirelessly during their service year. But we can’t all but be grateful that the leadership of the NYSC in recent times has been actively introducing reforms that further empower corps members to be well equipped as entrepreneurs through its skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme.

The proposed NYSC Trust Fund would indeed be a game-changer because the full manifestation of the potentials of corp members would be availed the country. And Nigeria would be better for it. I think it is time for every corp member to take their pride in place as true national heroes in the scheme of affairs in the country. Your sacrifices towards a great and better Nigeria are outstanding and appreciated. Needless I say more, the corp member is an embodiment of strength, resilience and dexterity. We must admit and recognize this much in our quest for greatness as a people and as a country.

To all the corp members out there giving their best, I salute your courage in the face of danger; I salute your contributions to the socio-economic development of Nigeria, now and always. And to all prospective corps members, may your road be rough!


Abe is a former PRO of NANS and wrote from Akure.

2021 BATCH 'C'STREAM II NYSC ORIENTATION COURSE: SCREENING, COVID 19 RAPID DIAGNOSTIC TEST OF PROSPECTIVE CORPS MEMBERS AND CAMP OFFICIALS

Pictures below show Prospective Corps members and Camp Officials screened and tested at the Camp gate before being admitted into the Orientation Camp.

The Coalition Against Corruption in Nigeria, has threatened a mass protest if President Muhammadu Buhari fails to order an immediate suspension of the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps NSCDC, Mr Ahmed Abubakar Audi. It also asked the National Assembly, to order an immediate probe, into the activities of the NSCDC, amidst allegations of corrupt practices, by the NSCDC boss.

The group at a media briefing in Lagos on Wednesday, said it is displeased, by the continuous silence of President Buhari, despite several allegations of corruption, against Mr Audi, over the past few months.

The group listed among several allegations against the NSCDC boss, the victimisation of staff and Personel of the corp, by the CG, in an Arbitrary manner.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Barrister Ade Mogbojuri and Comrade Ishaq Bello, said since the assumption of Audi as the CG of the NSCDC, there has been flagrant violations of every known due process in the agency. It accused Audi of illegally moving the procurement Unit of the agency to his office, thereby putting it under his direct control.

The group further accused Audi of running a cartel for contract award in the agency, while also engaging illegal agents, in the collection of kickback, for contracts that are over-inflated and in most cases poorly executed.

The group also said Audi is known to be awarding contracts to unknown companies without Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), most of which are owned by the CG and his cronies.

"Having made several calls for the probe and suspension of Mr Audi as the CG of NSCDC, without any results, we have come to the conclusion, that we will not wait, and allow this abuse of office and pervasive corruption to continue. We have therefore, decided as patriotic Nigerians, to press further our call for action. We shall in the next couple of days, present our formal petition to the National Assembly, and mobilise our members, Students, labour and civil society associates, to save Nigeria, from the monumental corruption taking place in the NSCDC."

"As security organization, it is dangerous to our collective national security, to have such, reduced to a centre of corruption and absurdities, as being witnessed under Mr Audi." the statement concluded

By David Onmeje

It takes a great dosage of patriotism for anyone to be glorified as a national hero for his country. Experience has indicated that patriotism to Nigeria is a rare virtue among Nigerians. But it is an essential ingredient and the self-sacrifice every citizen must make to build the anticipated virile and strong nation.

In recent times, members of the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC) have exemplified the rarest spirit and courage of patriotism to Nigeria during the mandatory one year service to the nation. They have dared deadly territories and conquered multiple daunting challenges for the sake of serving Nigeria, their fatherland.

Particularly, under the leadership of the incumbent NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim Ph.D, Corps members and the scheme have assumed new dimensions of reorientation and excellence. And in tandem, corps members have consistently dispensed themselves as patriotic heroes and heroines of the national struggle for stability and have been admirable partners in moments of national emergencies.

As foresighted Gen. Ibrahim’s agenda since 2019, when President Muhammadu Buhari entrusted him with the leadership of the NYSC scheme, he enunciated an agenda for himself. He proclaimed his vision of the NYSC as to “…sustain effective utilization of the potentials of Corps Members for optimal benefit; to pursue a technologically driven organization to deepen effective service delivery; to improve on the welfare and security of corps members and staff; strengthen existing collaboration with stakeholders; and reinvigorate NYSC ventures and Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme in line with the NYSC Act for greater impact.”

Today, Corps members have blended with this vision in service to Nigeria. Former American President, Theodore Roosevelt explained the clearest meaning of patriotism. He said, “Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country." This is the exact manifestation of Corps members in Nigeria today.

As first kicker, Corps members are the greatest symbols and steady manifestations or consummation of Nigeria's efforts at national integration, unity, togetherness and peace! Some Nigerians hardly pay attention to scanty details. But it is exemplary that Corps members forsake the comfort of their homes and accept posting to serve their country in completely strange lands, far away from their home states.

Corps members unreservedly interact and blend with their new hosts, by learning and exchanging new cultures and traditions. They freely make life-time friendships which are not deterred by the sentiments of tribe or religion. Also, they render appreciable community services to Nigerians in these new domiciliary abodes in the spirit of love and fraternity.

Youth Corpers also take incredible risks for the sake of their country. Available statistics have shown the intervention and active participation of these young Nigerian graduates in national health crises emergency, such as their conscription into the control of epidemics like Lassa fever, Ebola, and Cholera among others.

But most impressively, Corps members throughout the federation were at the forefront of the battle against combating the wild spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Corps members, embarked on penetrative sensitization campaigns; whlist most Nigerian communities enjoyed free hand sanitizers, facemasks, liquid soaps et al, courtesy of serving corpers as their contribution in bringing succour to the distressed populace.


The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari launched an ambitious policy on promotion of robust agriculture with various initiatives. There are scores of NYSC farms dotting the landscapes of many states in Nigeria; from North to South measuring over 60, 000 hectares and still expanding. Corpers have actively picked up the challenge of President Buhari’s rice policy by cultivating tens of thousands of rice plantations every cropping season, which is have harvested and processed in NYSC Rice Mills for consumption. It is a welcome development that serving Corps members are contributing to national food sufficiency and security.

Furthermore, the knowledge corps members acquire through the scheme’s partnership with Access and Unity Banks to fund Business Plan Development programmes for Corps Members, alongside, the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) is also fruitful. The agricultural skills and business training, farm internship, mentoring and farm input supplies extended to serving corpers have tuned around the farms fortunes of some rural communities in agro-businesses and other investments.


Many Nigerians are oblivious of the pleasant reality that countless Corps members have also been indirectly enlisted into the FGN's campaigns to tackle the prevalent and frightening unemployment rate in the country in their post-service years. Through the experience acquired during Orientation Camps through the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme (SAED) has equipped most Corpers with self-sustaining practical skills, which many have converted into real time advantage in the post service years.

SAED has enabled thousands of Corps members to venture into investments and employed the services of other Nigerians. Those Nigerians who have benefited from these gestures have sustained their applause for the scheme.

Additionally, the engagement of Corps members by INEC as adhoc staff in the conduct of general elections in the country has significantly reduced the prevalence of connivance with dubious politicians to rig or manipulate the electoral process. While its undeniable that the electoral system in Nigeria is still flawed with malpractices, Corps members who serve in the capacity of adhoc staff during elections have substantially conferred credibility on the electoral process in many troublesome areas.

This is most times done at the risk of the personal lives of Corps members or they face dangers which would not have come their path ordinarily, just because they are patriotic citizens, with an overriding zeal to see a better Nigeria.

In most rural communities, Corp members market themselves as the Ambassadors of Nigeria! They serve as bridges between rurality and modernity, without grudges because the interest of the nation is paramount in their hearts. So, in remote communities, where regular teachers reject postings, a Corps member accepts the challenge to serve as a teacher. He or she endures all hardships and deprivations to serve the country and performs the assignment of imparting knowledge to tender Nigerians committedly and distinctively.

Therefore, in or out of the service year, Nigerians with the imprimatur of the NYSC make Nigeria and her citizens proud. Corps members truly represent the idealistic posturing of true patriots in the arduous task of Nation-building. It is only Godly for Nigerians to support Corps members in order to continue to bridge the gulf in critical areas of the economy in this collective journey of existentialism for a greater nation. Youth Corpers are undoubtedly, the unsung heroes and heroines of Nigeria.


Onmeje wrote this piece from the United Kingdom.

The Press Conference held by Anti-Corruption Network led by Senator Dino Melaye on the budgeting System in Nigeria on 18th November, 2021 is laughable to say the least.

As patriotic, decent and responsible Civil Society Organization, we have paintakenly studied the statement and observed deliberate inaccuracies against the House Committee on Finance in the House of Representatives and Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS).

We have invariably concluded that rather than make any sense, the statement merely succeeded in exposing ignorance of budget passage in the National Assembly.

The budget in question, submitted to the House of Representatives Committee on Finance by the Federal Inland Revenue service has yet to be approved, which means a critical review of the budget is currently going on by the House committee as is the usual practice in the past as well.

On our part, we have always monitored the strict compliance of the House Committee on Finance to Budgetary processes and has no doubt as to the Committee's sense of patriotism and fairness.

It is important to educate the general public not to be sway by that statement.

Signed

Comrade Hussein Muhammad
General Secretary
Conscience Nigeria
21st November 2021

The National Youth Service Corps has come under scrutiny in recent times regarding its relevance in the scheme of things in the country. Some stakeholders have consequently advocated for its scrapping. However, this position was countered by some schools of thought, who argued that the NYSC remains critical in the scheme of things in the country.

Another area of discourse is the involvement of the NYSC in elections in the country. It has also been argued that the participation of corps members in elections in the country has exposed them to harm, as evident in the unfortunate incident in 2011 where some corps members lost their lives as a result of electoral violence that characterised the elections in some parts of the country.
Consequently, this medium sought the views of stakeholders with regards to the role of the NYSC in nation-building and specifically in midwifing credible elections in Nigeria.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a program set up by the Nigerian government to involve Nigerian graduates in nation-building and the country's development. There is no military conscription in Nigeria, but since 1973 graduates of universities and later polytechnics have been required to take part in the National Youth Service Corps programme for one year.

Over the years, the scheme has evolved to play roles in some aspects of national life. One of such roles is the participation of youth corp members in elections as Adhoc staff. According to Igwe Ude, a youth empowerment advocate, he stated that the NYSC as an institution had played a critical role in the socio-economic development of Nigeria. He further asserted that there is a need for the government to continue to evolve strategies that would maximise the potentials of youths across the country.

“The NYSC is a critical component in nation-building in Nigeria. Its contribution to national development has been outstanding. Take the example of corp members as ad-hoc staff during elections. That is very critical if we must admit. Let us imagine how elections would have been without the involvement of corp members as ad-hoc staff.”

Bamidele Alolanle, a development expert, corroborated this view; he posited that the NYSC scheme has been contributing positively to sustainable growth and development in Nigeria. He averred that the challenge is that most people still see the NYSC in light of the '80s, where the focus was exclusively that of national integration.

“The NYSC has evolved over the years into a scheme that addresses some of the contemporary challenges in the country. The recent drive with regards to skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development is a point to note. This is aside from the involvement of corp members in the conduct of elections in the country. The recent elections in Anambra state provide us with a good example of how critical the NYSC is in the conduct of elections. There was footage of the NYSC DG moving around the state encouraging corps members to give their best without compromising.”

This medium was able to gather from reliable sources that the management of the NYSC has been emphasising nonpartisanship on the part of corp members during elections. According to information collected from sources in the NYSC secretariat, it was revealed that before elections, the NYSC management sensitizes corp members on the rules of engagement during elections.

A top management staff of the NYSC, who pleaded anonymity, stated that the management of NYSC has continually emphasized fairness in the discharge of their duties during elections due to its critical role in the credibility of the electoral process in the country.

“If we recall, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would continue to use members of National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) for the conduct of elections in the country because corps members had contributed enormously to recent success and improvement in the overall conduct of elections in Nigeria.”

“This is informed by empirical evidence on how the NYSC has been instrumental to the success of elections in Nigeria. I can tell you that under the new dispensation, the DG of the NYSC has been outstanding in ensuring that the NYSC remains a partner in progress in the conduct of elections in Nigeria through numerous innovations and the Anambra elections provides us with an example that saw the DG on the ground in Anambra state to supervise the participation of corp members during the elections. This is a first and an indication of how dexterous the DG can be with regards to the operations of the NYSC."

In a statement credited to the DG of the NYSC during the Anambra elections, he stated that corps members had written their names in the annals of history, having contributed towards the entrenchment of the credible electoral process. He enjoined them to remain impartial and perform their duties in line with the established rules.

In a similar vein, the governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, commended the involvement of the NYSC in general elections in Ekiti State. He stated that Ekiti was adjudged the freest and fairest; this was made possible because of the cooperation of stakeholders to deliver on their mandates, especially the NYSC.

This medium concludes that the role of the NYSC in midwifing credible elections in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized, and it is hoped that the relevant stakeholders continue to extend support to the scheme in the fulfilment of its mandate.

The attention of NYSC Ondo Management has been drawn to a report credited to an online medium stating that the NYSC has expressed worry over the high rate of drug abuse and addiction among Corps Members.

The online report states that the State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani '"lamented that the situation calls for concern, following the large number of Corps Members taking illicit drugs."

The statement was purported to have been made during the 2021 Corps Employers' Workshop held in Akure.

Management wishes to clarify that no such statement was made by the State Coordinator before, during, or after the workshop.

To set the records straight, one of the employers during the workshop raised concern about the rate at which youths are exposed to hard drugs and how NYSC as a beacon of hope could assist with sensitisation and enlightenment in order to stem the tide.

Therefore, Management wishes to state that the story is a figment of the writer's imagination and should be disregarded.

NYSC Ondo State, through the NYSC Drug -- Free Club, a Community Development Service group, shall continue to work in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ), in order to ensure a drug -- free society.

Thank you.

Management.

......AS DRAWS, PRESENTATION OF SPORTS KITS SET FOR FRIDAY


All is now set for the maiden edition of the Senator Henry Seriake Dickson Football Tournament, known as Ofurumapepe Cup, with the draws and presentation of kits set to be held on Friday in Sagbama.

This is sequel to the official unveiling ceremony of the tournament, by the former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, in Abuja few days ago.

Technical Consultant of the competition, Ono Akpe, said in a statement on Thursday, that the Ofurumapepe Cup will among other things, engage the communities within the period of the tournament, and most importantly, transform the lives of youths from the constituency.

According to Mr Akpe, the theme " Youth empowerment for Peace and Development, will also reduce youth restiveness,cult activities, and other vices to it's barest minimum in Bayelsa, as was experienced during the Restoration Cup.

He announced 19th Friday as the date of the draws and official presentation of jerseys and Sports kits to teams in the seventy six communities that make up Bayelsa West Senatorial District, at the Senatorial office of the former Governor in Sagbama, while the kick off will get underway on Saturday, 27th November, in Ekeremor Town.

He however called on youths from the Senatorial District to ensure they support their teams participating in the competition, urging them to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship and allow the tournament to be hitch-free.

*International group commends NYSC DG on fight against fake graduates mobilised for service*

The International Society on Transparency (IST) has hailed the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, for flushing out fake graduates from the Scheme.

The group in a statement on Wednesday said the DG's radical approach has drastically checkmated the mobilisation of ineligible Nigerians for the compulsory one-year service.

Recall that the NYSC recently held the second edition of its management meeting with heads of higher institutions of learning from some African countries.

Speaking at the event, the DG lamented the "outright sale of degree certificates to persons who never saw the four walls of University".

He noted that this "category of persons was unable to communicate in English language or express themselves on paper, to defend their qualifications".

Since he assumed office in May 2019, Brig-Gen Ibrahim has launched a campaign against fake graduates mobilised for the NYSC scheme.

In August same year, over 10 fake NYSC members were nabbed in different parts of the country.

Two months later, 85 others were handed over to the police for trial after they were arrested in camps nationwide with fake documents.

The Scheme has continued to fish out fake graduates across the country since then and the International Society on Transparency has lauded the DG for this campaign.

According to its Executive Secretary, Francis Maxwell, this has built confidence in the NYSC.

Maxwell noted that relevant stakeholders are collaborating more with the Scheme.

He, however, urged the Director-General to maintain the momentum in his quest to rid the nation of fake graduates.

.....TO PLANT 10 MILLION TREES; SET UP ABUJA HORTICULTURE VILLAGE.

In an effort to ameliorate the problems of land degradation, desertification, depletion of the forest ecosystems and biodiversity in Africa, the umbrella body of private nursery plant practitioners in the FCT, Association of Flower Nurseries and Landscaping Practitioners, Abuja (AFNALPA) has concluded arrangements to set up a Horticulture Village in Abuja as well as plant 10 million trees across the country.

This initiative is in support of His President's Buhari's pledge to drive the re-desertification project of the United Nations under the Great Green Wall Commission.

While submitting that this programme is also in support of the United Nations climate change programme including the Great Green Wall initiative to plant 100 million trees in Africa, AFNALPA in a statement on Tuesday explained that it has set a target of Five Hundred Million Naira for the pilot scheme of this project which amongst others seeks to plant 10 million trees nationwide and build the Abuja Horticulture Village.

The Association also congratulated His Excellency and Nigeria as a whole on her assumption of the leadership of Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Pan African Agency of the Great Green Wall, an agency of the United Nations.
“With Nigeria’s stature in the comity of Nations, we know that this noble initiative would be further advanced” he added.
AFNALPA also commended the Ministers of Environment, Agriculture, Water Resources Petroleum and also the FCT amongst others for demonstrating commitment in environmental matters. They saluted the President for the driving the initiative of restoring over 100 million hectares of the degraded landscape for productive agriculture in Africa.

AFNALPA promised to support this noble project which it says will help in stimulating increased agricultural activities in the region, thereby enhancing peace and security in Nigeria and across Africa. These activities, the association added, would aid the preservation of the ecosystem,
Support global warming initiative as well as the provision of greenery for the beautification of the FCT and Nigeria as a whole.

Recall that President Buhari had in October, 2021 at the Climate Change Summit, COP 26 in Glasgow Scotland, stated that "Africa is committed to the restoration of 100 million hectares of degraded land, sequestration of 250 million tonnes of carbon, creation of 10 million green jobs, resilient economic development, capacity building and development in the various Member States".

The President, at the summit stated that the programme was tailored towards ameliorating the problems of land degradation, desertification, depletion of the forest ecosystems and biodiversity in Africa.

Eleven Countries including Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Eretria, Ethopia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Sudan have been selected as intervention zones for the Great Green Wall.

AFNALPA called on Nigerians in the Public and Private sector to key into this global initiative and support the Federal Government in her bid to eradicate desertification.
AFNALPA, according to them, they would soon unveil their “Plant a Tree and Save a Life Campaign” for Nigerians to key into.

They said the proposed launch of the Abuja Horticulture Village and the 10 million tree planting campaign will take place at an event to mark its 10th anniversary scheduled to take place between the 22nd and 23rd February 2022. The village which is expected to host a 10 million capacity tree nursery as well a forest reserve on a 200 hectare land in the FCT.

The event will also feature public lecture and the exhibition of best of Nigeria’s horticulture and flowering organisations.



( signed )
Omeh Mary
President
AFNALPA


Yusuf Isimaila
Organizing Chairman
AFNALPA @1O Committee.

The National Youth Service Corps has restated its readiness to uphold the sanctity of its mobilisation process.

It said it would resist every form of sharp practices from some Corps Producing Institutions in some African countries, while soliciting the support of the Federal Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Universities Commission in fighting the battle to ensure that Nigerian youths who studied outside the shores of Nigeria are not short-changed.

NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim stated this today in Abuja, in his address at the second meeting with representatives of Corps Producing Institutions of some African Countries and other critical stakeholders in the mobilisation process.

He added that the meeting, which aimed at entrenching the culture of regular contact with universities and other higher institutions of learning as provided by the law establishing the Scheme would also sustain the gains recorded in the maiden edition of the meeting held two years ago.

Ibrahim decried the outright sale of degree certificates to persons who never saw the four walls of the university, adding that those category of persons were unable to communicate in English language or defend their qualifications.

"The vacuum which existed between the Scheme and foreign Corps Producing Institutions created by communication gap gave rise to some unimaginable malpractices and irregularities on the part of the institutions, especially those within our neighbouring countries in West Africa.

The most worrisome was the outright sale of degree certificates to persons who never saw the four walls of the university. The effect of such a development on our national life cycle can only be imagined", the DG said.

Ibrahim stated further that the long-standing tradition of routine evaluation and review of the Scheme's performances in the mobilisation process with its critical stakeholders in the country has given the hope that the Scheme is on the roadmap to success in the foreign segment of the mobilisation process.

The Director, Corps Mobilization department, Mrs Victoria Ango said constructive engagement and method of data collection has helped the NYSC to reduce irregularities and errors in the process.

She stated that challenges such as bogus number, diplomatic hurdles and other bottle-necks associated with establishing regular contact with foreign Corps Producing Institutions have remained unresolved for many years until recently.

The Director added that the Scheme would continue to explore the best method to maintain reliable contact with institutions yet to be reached.

"We will continue to address copious challenges in youth mobilisation for the sake of our regional growth and development of our respective nation states", she said.

In her goodwill address, the NYSC National Governing Board Chairman, Ambassador Fatima Balla Abubakar said the negative tendencies from unscrupulous persons attempting to illegally participate in National Service potends a grave danger if left unchecked.

She commended NYSC Management for conveying the meeting adding that the last meeting exposed some of the malpractices in some Corps Producing Institutions in the West African Sub-region.

There were goodwill messages from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Alhaji Muhammad Musa Bello, represented by the Director, Youth, Mrs Asabe Umar, while Mr Koli Salihu Mongodida represented the Minister of Education, Dr Dakwak Gloria, represented the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr Cisser Lepare Karim, First Consellor, represented the Ambassador of Cote de Voire

.

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://von.gov.ng/2021/11/16/irregular-mobilisation-nysc-to-resist-unqualified-graduates/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwi6ibXn3p70AhVEz4UKHRcNDm8QFnoECAkQAg&usg=AOvVaw2AcbshDDBpS-SYajAqd-f2

Benue’s Days Of Holocaust Will Soon Be Over, House Of Reps Aspirant, Agbese, tells APC New Members

...Salutes Senator Akume’s Leadership Of Benue APC As One Family


As thousands of PDP members announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State on Sunday, November 14, 2021, a leading aspirant for the House of Representatives in Benue South 2023, Chief Philip Agbese has declared that the decision of Benue people to join the APC in large number will end the Holocaust under Governor Samuel Ortom and mark a new era of healing and prosperity for Benue State under the All Progressives Congress.

Agbese who is angling to represent the people of Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu federal constituency at the green chamber said Benue APC under the leadership of Senator Dr George Akume is one family in the State and that he was therefore elated that his brothers and sisters, especially the youths of Benue State have found a new voice since the emergence of Comrade Austin Agada as Chairman-elect of the party.

Chief Agbese, the Okanga 1 of Agila who is popularly regarded as the golden voice of Enone opposition politics was represented at the occasion by the Director General of his campaign organization, Hon Barr Akor Ikwuoche who told the mammoth crowd at the rally to shine their dancing shoes and prepare to celebrate the victories that lie ahead. He said, with the party’s new leadership in the state, nothing short of 100 % victory awaits APC in the 2023 election.
He paid glowing tributes to Sen Dr George Akume whom he said has kept the party united and strong in the state despite the cruel intimidations, victimization and harassment of APC members by the failed PDP government in the state.
He said with the level of suffering imposed on Benue people by the PDP government under Gov Samuel Ortom, no Benue person would want to hear anything about PDP again in the state.

He promised his continual support and physical presence in the subsequent defection ceremonies that will be held Local in every Local Government across the 23 LGAs of the state thereafter.

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has initiated an entrepreneurship and empowerment programme for Corps Members.
Tagged the "Managing Director's Annual NYSC Entrepreneurship Competition", the programme involves business plan contest among Corps Members serving in the organisation.
At the end of the maiden edition of the initiative, three of the fifteen contestants came tops and were presented cheques of Five Hundred Thousand Naira each at a ceremony held at AMCON's office in Abuja.
They are Joanna Jewel Adamu (FC/21A/1265), Umar Aliyu Gosta (FC/21A/1251) and Abdulsamad Saidu Usman (FC/21A/1046) whose proposals centered on online art and fashion business; poultry production; and technological innovation respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, the Managing Director of AMCON, Alhaji Ahmed Lawan Kuru noted the high rate of graduate unemployment, and the need for stakeholders to work towards steering the mindset of the youths from that of seeking white collar jobs to that of entrepreneurial engagement.
The MD, who lauded the various empowerment programmes of the Federal Government, particularly added his voice to the advocacy for the incorporation of functional entrepreneurship training into the nation's education curriculum.
He said AMCON initiated the entrepreneurship programme for Corps Members in appreciation of the invaluable contributions of NYSC to national development.
Kuru said the intervention began with the conduct of Entrepreneurship training for the Corps Members with some members of Staff of the organisation volunteering as resource persons.
The Managing Director explained that the introduction of the business plan contest was aimed at providing funds to enable the winners actualize their business dreams and, in the process, contribute to the economic development of the country.
He further stated that aside the winners, many of the other competitors came up with excellent business ideas, adding that the latter group will also be supported with some tokens.
The MD expressed determination not only to sustain the programme, but also increase the number of winners in subsequent editions.
Kuru used the occasion to assure of AMCON's readiness to go into broader partnership with NYSC in the area of entrepreneurship and empowerment.
In his address, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, said the Scheme had been assiduous in the implementation of its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme (SAED), adding that many ex-trainees of the programme were now owners of flourishing businesses.
He said Corps Members had enormous potentials for self-employment, but added that the challenge was always that of access to fund to actualize their business plans.
The Director-General said this informed the proposal for the establishment of NYSC Trust Fund, which would not only make the SAED training more functional, but also serve as sustainable source of funding for the Corps entrepreneurs.
Ibrahim thanked the AMCON Management for joining the leagues of partners supporting NYSC in the empowerment of Corps members, and assured that the Scheme would effectively partner the agency for the continued success of the new initiative.
He assured that the Scheme would strictly monitor the beneficiaries of the programme and provide feedback to AMCON on their business progress.
The Director-General congratulated the winners of the competition and enjoined them to make judicious utilization of the funds given to them.
Speaking on behalf of her colleagues, one of the winners, Joana Jewel Adamu, thanked AMCON for availing them of the opportunity for empowerment, which she described as life-changing.
She assured that they would justify the confidence reposed in them through judicious utilization of the funds.

Corps Members have been advised to avoid risky adventures such as unauthorised journeys, night partying and other types of misconduct as they proceed to their place of primary assignments.

NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, who stated this today in a nationwide virtual address to Corps Members and Camp participants also emphasised that there is nothing like two weeks leave for Corps Members after leaving the Orientation Camp.

He however advised them to utilise the lessons learnt during the three weeks of Orientation Course to contribute their quota to national development and also add value to themselves.

The DG in particular warned the Corps Members to be security conscious and avoid any act that can put their lives at risk in their respective places of primary assignment and host communities.

"I want to warn you that there is nothing like two weeks leave after Orientation Course. Settle down in your places of primary assignments.

As you leave the camp, you must be security conscious, don't travel at night and don't endanger your safety.

Shun cybercrimes, drugs, cultism and don't let your actions today haunt you tomorrow", he said.

He advised them to continue with the post-camp training of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme with their trainers in order to be self empowered, instead of seeking for the unavailable salary jobs.

Ibrahim added that the Scheme is advocating with the Federal Government for the establishment of NYSC Trust Fund (NYSCTF) that would make start-up capital available to every Corps Member as they exit service, which would enable them establish their businesses in line with the skills they acquired through SAED.

The DG also informed them that the Scheme had partnered relevant institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Industry (BOI), Access Bank, Unity Bank among others to provide soft loans for Corps Members with good business proposals to establish their vocational businesses.

He advised the Corps Members to study the NYSC Act, NYSC Bye-laws and adhere strictly to the provisions, adding that every infraction would attract appropriate sanction.

The DG urged them to use the Social Media wisely to promote the unity of the country, and not to spread rumour.

Speaking further, he admonished the Corps Members to emulate their predecessors, who during the ourtbreak of COVID-19 pandemic offered selfless services by producing sanitisers, face masks, pedal operated water and sanitiser dispensers, free online extra- mural classes, among others, to cushion the effects of the pandemic and lockdown on members of the public.

He urged them to feel the pulse of their host communities and intiate laudable projects that would ameliorate their suffering, improve their standard of living and also give them a new lease of life.

General lbrahim also warned that presentation of fake medical papers for redeployment attracts sanctions.

He said posting, redeployment and other services rendered by the NYSC attracts no fee, adding that anyone caught offering bribe would be sanctioned appropriately with the taker.

He appealed to the Corps Members to embrace the Federal Government's gesture of free COVID-19 vaccine and be vaccinated in order to protect themselves.

In a vote of thanks on behalf of her colleagues nationwide, the Kebbi State Corps Camp Director, Bankole Shukurat Abiodun KB/21C/0304 appreciated the DG for his purposeful and coordinated leadership style of administration which has made the Scheme more relevant.

She said the NYSC over the years has been inculcating the spirit of teamwork, nation building and self- reliance among the Nigerian youths.

She disclosed that the knowledge and skills acquired during the three- week Orientation Course would be effectively used to become self reliant and job creators.

"The Orientation Course has afforded us the opportunity to learn leadership skills, para-military drills, security tips, martial arts, entrepreneurship skills, all geared towards making us responsible future leaders.

We promise to be law-abiding and good ambassadors of the NYSC and the nation at large, and we shall justify the confidence reposed in us", she said.

The NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, has charged corps members to leave indelible marks of goodwill during the service year.

The Director-General gave the charge while addressing the 2021 Batch ‘C’ Stream I Corps members deployed to the Federal Capital Territory today at the Permanent Orientation Camp Kubwa, Abuja.

Brig Gen Ibrahim urged the corps members to be change agents by carrying out a needs analysis of their host communities and executing Community Development Services Projects aimed at alleviating the socio-economic challenges in that area.

The Director General further urged the corps members to remain patriotic and allow the spirit of NYSC live in them. He further advised them to resist the temptation of traveling at night and shun negative use of the social media.

Highlights of the visit was the presentation of cash gifts to Corps Camp Directors and deserving groups that distinguished themselves during the orientation course.

By Nkechi Odoma

The name General Tukur Yusuf Buratai might not fade away anytime soon. The name has continued to resonate with the exploits of the Nigerian Army in the prosecution of the war against insurgency in the country. I say this for the principal fact that while he held sway as the Chief of Army Staff; it was indeed a golden era in the annals of the Nigerian Army.

Ambassador TY Buratai, in some quarters, has been described as that Chief of Army Staff that left enduring legacies that redefined the ethos in counterinsurgency operations and civil-military relations. I must add that these two pillars were somewhat the hallmarks of the TY Buratai era in the Nigerian Army. The records are readily available for perusal. Hate him or love him; he was the soldier and the commander at the same time. He was in the trenches with the troops, commissioned projects, and engaged the intellectual community. He was robust and broad in defence of democracy in Nigeria.

The list is endless, and I would classify him in the region of legends that came, saw and conquered. And the awards and recognitions were not in short supply. At some point, it became a harvest of awards from within and outside the country. Needless I mentioned his conferment with the Brazilian Military Order of Merit Award, which is the highest military honours awarded to those military officers that have distinguished themselves in various military endeavours.

Looking at the Nigerian Army before and after him indeed reveals tales of an enduring legacy of unalloyed commitment and passion to ensuring that the Nigerian Army regains its pride of place in the preservation of the territorial integrity of the country. And this much he ensured through the numerous reforms carried out. I beg to state that the overarching objective was to transform the Nigerian Army into a professional force that implements its operational strategies with internationally recognized rules of engagement.

Under TY Buratai, the welfare of officers and soldiers was prioritized, so much so that it boosted the morale of a force that was hitherto laced with lethargy. What some might not know is that this lethargic feeling was primarily responsible for the inability of the Nigerian Army to confront the Boko Haram insurgents.

It's on record that in less than two years at the helm of affairs, the Nigerian Army gained ascendency over the Boko Haram group. The capture of the once dreaded Sambisa forest was the hallmark of the TY Buratai era.

In my considered opinion, one of the strategies of TY Buratai was the boosting the morale of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army through numerous ways such as prompt payment of salaries and allowances, massive improvement in the living standards in army barracks across the country and the institutionalization of research and policy formulation. For example, under TY Buratai, army barracks experienced a facelift. Command secondary schools were renovated and equipped with the best of facilities. The prestigious Nigerian Military School in Zaria also was not left out through the reintroduction of combat training to boost the students' morale.

The Tukur Buratai Institute for War and Peace is another legacy project of TY Buratai, designed to enhance training and capacity building for military personnel and civilians alike in counter-terrorism and insurgency, peacebuilding and construction. In this regard, I wish to state that the emphasis on training and capacity building was indeed strategic because, in modern times, tanks and guns are not the only weapons of warfare. This remains exemplary now and in the years to come.

The establishment of the Nigerian Army University was another brilliant one by TY Buratai. I dare say that in the annals of the Nigerian Army, there hasn’t been a period like the TY Buratai era because virtually all facets of the Nigerian Army as an institution were touched.

Therefore, it is not surprising that despite leaving office as the Chief of Army Staff, the name TY Buratai has ceased to leave the lips of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army. Let me digress and little. I could say that TY Buratai was somewhat selfish because he went all out to set lofty standards in leadership. This is good in the sense that anyone appointed as Chief of Army Staff must strive to build on these legacies at the risk of being labelled a failure because his name has continued to dominate the discourse in the security circles in the country.

Today, TY Buratai is the Ambassador of Nigeria to the Benin Republic. We must agree that the much regional cooperation in addressing the security challenges in Nigeria is gathering momentum. Nigeria is indeed blessed to have such a personality. My verdict is this; TY Buratai has undoubtedly raised the bar in leadership. And it behoves on those aspiring into leadership positions to take a cue. The lessons are of courage, character and competence. It was indeed an era of the enduring legacy of excellence.

Odoma, a public affairs analyst wrote this piece from Abuja.

As part of their Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) the Tinubu Support Group(TSG)and Asiwaju Women Cooperative Society(AWCS) on Sunday launched Operation Feed the Less previleged, a programme designed to cater for no fewer than 5000 families in Abuja and environs.

The two sister groups said the gesture is to cushion the economic effects of COVID-19 and to give back to the society.

Asiwaju Women Cooperative Society is a support group affiliated to Tinubu Support Group (TSG), a leading group calling on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to run for Nigeria's Presidency in 2023.

The President of AWSC, Chief. Mrs Toyin Badmus speaking at the palace of Ona of Abaji who doubles as the Chairman council of Chiefs,FCT, HRH. Adamu Baba Yunusa, said "We are here to pay homage to our royal Father, the Ona of Abaji, and as well to synergize support for our Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as well as to distribute food items to about 450 women in Abaji."

"We are supporting Asiwaju Tinubu because he's not a leader that uses people and dumps them. He rewards his followers and that's why we have so many people calling on him today to contest.

" We have traveled abroad and have seen how things are carried out there, just as it is done there we are looking forward to replicate that by creating food banks in all the 774 Local Governments of Nigeria where the less previleged can go and collect food whenever they don't have what to feed their family with."

Reacting on behalf of the Ona of Abaji, the Madaki of Abaji, Alhaji Ibrahim Agoi said the group has done well by taking a bold step towards the alleviation of poverty in the country and equally commend the group for starting the scheme from Abaji.

According to him, "You have done the right thing by honouring the Ona of Abaji first.

"Whoever comes for blessings get blessings from us, It is good you have come here for blessings. We are happy you recognize here and we will bless you.
"We appreciate you and we will continue to bless you and support you".

Addressing beneficiaries at the event held at the Abaji Local government Secretariat FCT, Toyin said that her group is focused- driven and would continue to push forward ideas that would always be of interest to Nigerian women.

"Our mandate as a group is to create food banks across the Federation, and as well make business loans available for our women to afford them better business opportunities.

"We are talking about soft loans, that women in general would be able to afford, without minding their economic or social class.

"This we believe we will achieve when Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu becomes the President of Nigeria in 2023.

"Asiwaju's mother was the leader of market women in Lagos state before her demise, this is why our leader does not joke with any issue that concerns women.That is why we are championing this campaign for our leader and we know when he gets into office, he will do the needful".

One of the beneficiaries of the feeding initiative, Hajia Zainab Muhammad, in her word said " We are grateful for this great gesture. This food will go along way for my family, May Allah bless Tinubu and we pray Allah will use him to change this country for good", she concluded.

By Philip Agbese

The above news headline, “CBN spends N58.6bn to print 2.5bn Naira notes”, which got my attention requires analysis and a rejoinder to set the record straight. As a public affairs commentator, one is bound at all times to educate the public. So, it is not to hold brief for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or its Governor but to fulfill a sacred obligation which is to always set the record straight thereby saving the country from the grief some people are hell-bent on visiting the nation and the rest of us collectively.

One would be forgiven for frothing at the mouth and raining curses upon seeing the headline that suggested that the CBN spent N58.6 billion for printing currency notes. Such response is natural at a time when the average person is beginning to sign up to the clamor for streamlining the cost of running the Nigerian state. But one would discover the response is misplaced upon reading through the accompanying story and realizing that the N58.6 billion, relative to the N1.063 trillion or the 2.518 pieces of currency notes, is actually a downward trend in the amount the CBN spend for printing the naira.

Research would have shown that Nigeria is not in any way different from other countries when it comes to the cost of printing currency. The CBN, like its contemporaries, has to factor in the size of the notes, the number of denominations, embedded security features that are included in the notes, the existing currency stock, and the type of currency being ordered – paper or polymer.

There is equally the population ration to consider in addition to the attitude towards the handling of naira notes, which people routinely subject to abuse with the attendant consequent that more have to be printed.

The headline(s) looked away from these variables and played up the cost of printing in a manner that gave a negative spin to an otherwise sterling achievement. One is thus constrained to ponder what other angles this/these headline(s) could have exploited. Let us not forget that the apex bank did not attempt to conceal this cost that it transparently published on its website as its 2020 Currency Report.

There is nothing wrong with highlighting the decrease in the bank’s expenditure on currency printing, which at N58.6 billion in year 2020 is a reduction from N75. 523 billion, in 2019 and N64. 040 billion, in 2018. Nothing would have been lost by playing up the local handling of the printing or using the reported cost as a basis for urging Nigerians to increase their adoption of cashless banking in order to slash the amount the country expends on providing physical naira notes.

While at it, we should find a place to put in some commendation for the CBN Governor and the bank for staying true to the Federal Government’s commitment to building local capacity and strengthening the economy based on the report that the notes were printed in-country by the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc (NSPM Plc). This in itself is a confirmation that things were done in a manner that saved the country some money.

Not to be left out is the realization that the cashless policy has in its own way reduced the volume of physical cash once required to cater to the need of the population. Things may not be picture perfect yet but the movement despite the antithetic outcome that “report indicated, however, that Currency-in-Circulation (CIC) increased by 19.06 per cent from N2.441 trillion at end December, 2019 to N2 .907 trillion at end-December 2020.”

The lesson here is for us as Nigerians to orientate ourselves to the tyranny of the news headline, which can get us to react negatively without realizing that rather than being calamitous what we have just read is a piece of good news. When we also report monetary issues like the printing of currency, we must bear in mind that sending the wrong signal to the world can hurt the economy in matter of hours. There are folks with sadistic bent of mind who will rush to brandish these headlines as their smoking guns on why global anti-corruption bodies should unleash more woes on the country through damaging ratings while their currency speculating associates will find in such the leverage to further underprice the naira.

Other than pouring accolades on the cost saving decision on the printing of the currency, a desirous response from anyone that finds the cost shocking is to encourage Nigerians to improve on their handling of the naira. We throw our notes around at parties, step on them, write on them, expose them to moisture and do the unthinkable to the naira, which makes our currency wear out quicker than it happens to other currencies – one needs to see the utmost care the same abusers of the naira take of the money from other countries.

If we treat our notes right then the amount the CBN will spend printing subsequent batches will decrease even further. If we embrace the cashless policy, as we should, then the volume of physical currency to be printed will reduce even more and free vital resources for use where they are sorely needed.

Agbese is a UK trained human rights activist and public affairs commentator based in London.

*Anambra Gubernatorial Election; NYCN Commends Corp Members for role in strengthening democracy in Nigeria.*


The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has commended Corp members that served as adhoc electoral officials in the Anambra Gubernatorial election that held on Saturday 6th of November 2021 for the applaudable role they have played in strengthening democracy in Nigeria.

In a statement issued by the Vice President of the organization, *Amb. Comrade Akoshile Mukhtar*. He noted that the commitment and dedication of the Corp members to the election is an indication that the Nigerian Youth are not just ready to partner with the government to ensure the sustainability of Nigerian Democracy but also are willing to make sacrifices to drive positive changes.

According to him, on the spot information has it that the election was conducted in a free and fair manner, while Corp members deployed for the election showed the highest level of professionalism and moral uprightness. No Corp member was fingered for any malpractice or unethical behavior.

On behalf of the NYCN, he appreciates the Corp members and refer to them as a true ambassador of the Nigerian Youth. Furthermore, he applauded the men and women of the Nigeria Police Force for protecting Nigerians especially the Corp members during the electioneering process.

Mukhtar assures the Corp members, the security operatives and the Nigeria government of the Council’s support and collaboration to ensure the achievement of socio-economic and political development for Nigeria.

NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, has commended the patriotism of Corps Members engaged in the conduct of the Governorship Election in Anambra State.

The Director-General made the commendation today while monitoring the election in nine Local Government Areas of the State. 

He said the Corps Members had written their names in the anals of history, having contributed towards the entrenchment of credible electoral process. 

Ibrahim enjoined them to remain impartial and perform their duties in line with the established rules.

In all the polling units visited, there were security agents on ground, and the Corps Members informed the Director-General that the conduct of the exercise was peaceful. 

At Unit 003 Ward 007 in Awka South Local Government, an election observer, Nwadishi Faith Ossai, from the Centre for Transparency Advocacy, was full of praises for the Director-General for taking time to go round and see how Corps Members were faring during the exercise. 

She also remarked that the Corps Members' performance was commendable.

Policy House International Country Representative Taiwo Akerele has been honored at the Focus Africa Awards & Expo ceremony for his contributions towards human capital development in Nigeria.

Akerele was honored, alongside other awardees by organizers of the event Focus Africa Award & Expo at a well-attended dinner event in Abuja.


While receiving the award Akerele dedicated the award to the advocacy for reduction in number of out of school children in nigeria which he said is the biggest security threat to Nigeria at the moment and in future if not curbed.

Akerele also thanked the organizers of the event for the excellent work it is doing in promoting Science and innovation in Africa through its Focus Africa Science, Innovation & Commodity Expo.

*NYSC DG JOINS ABDULSALAMI, OTHERS AT SIGNING OF PEACE ACCORD BY ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATES*

NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim was among dignitaries that witnessed the signing of the Peace Accord by political parties and their candidates ahead of the November 6 Governorship election in Anambra State. 


Also in attendance at the event organised by the National Peace Committee in Awka today were the Chairman of the Committee and former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar; INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu; General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army Major General TA Lagbaja; representative of the Inspector-General of Police, other top security officers, traditional rulers and clerics. 


In his address, the Chairman of the National Peace Committee General Abdulsalami Abukakar decried violence, ballot box snatching, vote buying and other irregularities that often marred elections in the country. 


He said the committee, which had been contributing to the improvement of the electoral process since its inception, was concerned about the peace of Anambra State.


Abubakar, therefore, called on all the political parties and their supporters to be committed to ensuring violence-free election and accept the outcome.


In his remarks, the INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu commended the National Peace Committee for its role in ensuring credible and peaceful conduct of elections in the country.


Yakubu noted that the accord brokered by the Committee contributed in no small measure to the peaceful conduct of the Governorship Elections in Edo and Ondo States last year, while also expressing confidence that similar feat would be achieved with that of Anambra State.


He called on all parties that signed the accord to abide by its spirit and letters.


Also speaking, the representative of the Inspector-General of Police, DIG Joseph Egbunike  said security agencies had mapped out strategies for peaceful conduct of the election, and assured that they would be firm and professional in their approach. 


The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim used the opportunity of his presence in the State to pay courtesy visits to the Commander 302 Artillery Regiment Onitsha, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police and the Director, Department of State Services. 


He thanked the agencies for their support for the Scheme, especially in the area of security and welfare of Corps members, and called for the sustenance of the cordial working relationship. 


In their separate responses, the Commander 302 Artillery Regiment Colonel AB Usman and the Commissioner of Police Mr. Echeng E. Echeng assured of their support for the Scheme be sustained. 


Ibrahim also addressed Corps members in Awka, the State capital.  He enjoined those of them that would be engaged in the conduct of the election to perform their duty with high sense of responsibility. 


He urged them to act as impartial umpires and be guided by the provisions of the electoral laws.

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig-Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, on Tuesday, met with the lawmaker representing Apa/Agatu federal constituency in Benue State, Hon. Samuel Odagboyi Godday.

The visit was on the sidelines of the budget presentation and defence by ministries, agencies and parastatals of government.

Shuaibu's meeting with the lawmaker is believed to be in continuation of his renewed efforts at partnering with all critical stakeholders across the nation in his resolve to advance the scheme.

This comes days after some stakeholders commended the DG over the proposed establishment of the NYSC Trust Fund.

By Philip Agbese

The forty-one-year-old, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, executive chairman of Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is widely known as crack detective in frauds and economic crimes. For a span of over 15 years in the EFCC, Bawa has dispensed himself as an iconic and phantastic discreet investigator in financial crimes detection and prosecution of suspects in Nigeria.

Strictly, a product of EFCC’s training, I was not surprised when President Muhammadu Buhari nominated him for the commission’s chair and the Nigerian Senate wasted no time in confirming him the agency’s boss on February 24, 2021. I always preach the values of commitment and hard work because it pays unexpectedly. Bawa is my latest idol in this regard.

Bawa came into public service at a tender age, very determined to serve his country diligently and honestly. From the outset, Bawa aspired to assist his fatherland unravel complex mysteries of covert economic crimes, which have tethered Nigeria’s development. So, after his engagement by the EFCC as a Private Investigator, he averred himself for training at the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); the United States Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FINCEN), and United Nations Office of Drugs and Crimes (UNODC).

EFFC and its internal operations are very familiar to this financial crime fighter because he was among the foundation staff of the commission. Abdulrasheed Bawa was deployed to the EFCC as an Assistant Detective Superintendent (ADS) in 2004. I am impressed at his career progression; but I also know, it was not dashed to him on a platter of gold. He has earned my admiration because his elevation in the commission delivers a thoughtful lesson of reward in hard work and patriotism.

Before becoming the first non-police officer to head the EFCC, Bawa handled very dangerous and sensitive aspects of financial crimes investigations, but proved his mettle as a patriotic Nigerian public servant. He headed various EFCC Zonal offices, including Lagos and Port Harcourt. And the EFCC boss’s service in the anti-graft agency bears imprints of conclusive investigations and prosecution of high-profile cases of advance fee fraud, official corruption, bank frauds, and money laundering. But he refused to be compromised. These are impeccable credentials any Nigerian can proudly flaunt anywhere.

I have come to appreciate him the more because at every instance, Abdulrasheed Bawa neither disappoints his bosses nor Nigerians. But I know, fighting corruption in Nigeria is a difficult mandate to execute. Like Kenya’s anti-corruption evangelist, Professor PLO Lumumba often exclaim; fighting corruption is not a battle for the fainted-hearted. Nevertheless, in spite of the enormity of the task, Bawa’s youthfulness has not distracted his focus. His age notwithstanding, Bawa is equally a lion in the jungle in the face of looters and economic crimes offenders.

It was our own Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who once proclaimed, that everywhere corruption is fought, it fights back. We cannot deny that Nigeria is a cesspool of corruption. It is endemic and oddly dignified by some elites. Therefore, I am not appalled at the injurious darts hurled at Bawa at any time by his adversaries who work day and night to make him step on the axiomatic banana peels.

These enemies of Nigeria have plotted everything and anything to discredit Bawa’s personality and tarnish the image of the EFCC to make it impotent in the face of conspiratorial gangs of financial/economic crimes offenders. I expected that the siege on the Maitama, Abuja residence of a Supreme Court Judge, Justice Mrs. Mary Odili by security operatives would be dubiously and maliciously linked to the EFCC. I guessed accurately.

Trust Nigerians! We are good rubble rousers. We blamed Bawa and the EFCC for all the wrong reasons, but later evidence discountenanced the alarms as false. Truly, I was stunned at the level the incident was magnified and fresh windows of bile criticisms of Bawa generated. We delight in crucifying the innocent in favour of the guilty.

Unfortunately, the EFCC was persecuted over an act it never contemplated. Fables were crafted and narratives embellished which resisted every logic, but were spewed against the EFCC boss. Therefore, state governors, national parliamentarians, the NBA, rights activists, PDP, the main opposition political party, among others, rose in vociferous condemnations of the siege on the house of Justice Mrs. Mary Odili. It implies that Bawa was the target of some influential power brokers who are desperately searching for a space to cage him.

Justice Mrs. Mary Odili had no pending issues with EFCC. But in Nigeria, I know that most times, my compatriots’ mouth before cogitation. Certainly, ex-Rivers state governor, Dr. Peter Odili, Justice Mary Odili ‘s husband has his own altercations and nightmares with security agencies over his travelling documents.

And the security siege on the house of the Odilis was sprouted by a whistleblower, one Aliyu Umar who allegedly observed illegal activities at # 9, Imo Street, Maitama, Abuja, home of the Supreme Court Justice. Umar’s allegation compelled the Joint Panel Recovery unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice, to secure a search warrant from a Magistrate Court, leading to the security siege on the house of the Odilis. Till now, I cannot discern the nexus of the EFCC with the operation.

From the narratives I stitched together, it is obvious that the Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili was not the target, but had to bear the heat by virtue of matrimonial and residential association with her husband, Sir Peter Odili. Sadly, in Nigeria, we have placed some people above the law. We see them as demigods and untouchables, but offer others as sacrificial lambs. It’s our peculiar character as a people.

However, in the same African continent, former South African President, Jacob Zuma is now serving a jail term over contempt of court. It is the expression of the supremacy of the law. But perception of citizens in my country, Nigeria is different. And the most offending aspect of the incident was the attempt to falsely link Bawa to the raid or siege on the Odilis or whatever perceived wrong in the security operation.

These are far- rooted plots to intimidate Bawa and make him shirk from performing his duties, manifest in the conspiracy theories. It is meant to set him against the Judiciary, whose cooperation he needs to excel on the job. It’s a scare trick and I imagine the effect on the image of Nigeria in the international community, to read screaming headlines like “EFC C boss raids residence of a Supreme Court judge in Nigeria.”

Pleasantly, the incident has intensified my passion for a patriotic and loyal Bawa, who has remained unbowed despite glaring intimidations. Bawa is not just a youth, but an exceptional administrator and leader. His records of service yawningly attest to it. He is the constituency of Nigerian youths and we shall spare no weapon on his detractors or adversaries. Those wishing to drag his name in the mud should think twice.

Conspicuously, the EFCC boss is determined to discharge this presidential assignment with all decency and in conformity with the provisions of the law. In less than a year on the saddle, Bawa’s reforms and innovations have catapulted the anti-graft agency to a globally recognized financial crimes fighting commission. So, the enemies are trying to gag him, by attacking his credibility.

Observably, I see a confounding capacity of Bawa on the job, who amazes to a level one finds it difficult to blend his performance with his age. But he is a warehouse of experience in financial crimes fighting and no matter the complexity of the web of frauds, Bawa unties the knot. He is reorganizing the EFCC into a super anti-graft fighting agency of world class status. He is activating and operationalizing all the internal administrative structures/units of the EFCC as stipulated by law to streamline operations.

Bawa has purged the agency of attache staff who were famed for stalling case files of suspected looters and fraudsters. And the positive results are visible. In barely nine months of the year, Bawa’s leadership of the EFCC has secured a record 978 convictions, recovered properties from illicit wealth and billions of naira from the convicts in local and foreign currencies. The EFCC has also arrested over 1, 500 internet fraudsters who are being prosecuted.

Truth be told that such milestones are only possible because of the cooperation of the Judiciary and he cannot turn around to embarrass the same institution for no justifiable cause. I am optimistic that the anti-graft agency under Bawa’s watch cannot condescend to such levels of absurdity, infamy and brazen acts of glaring assault on the sanctity of our laws by invading the house of any Nigerian without due process.

I am one Nigerian who believes in Patriot Bawa and his leadership of the EFCC. Those who have devised ambush tactics to scare him have made the wrong calculations. Bawa may be young, with a tiny stature, but inside the small body-frame is encased a strong-walled heart. We are familiar with these strategies often adopted by Nigerians to frustrate or distract every determined public servant. We are ready to tackle them.


Agbese is an international human rights activist and public affairs commentator.

Invasion of Justice Mary Odili's Residence; Democracy no longer safe under Buhari.



The Southern Nigeria Frontier (SNF) is once again worried, about the recent invasion of the Abuja residence of Justice Mary Odili, of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. We consider this gestapo action, which available evidences have shown was ordered by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, as the height of corruption and executive recklessness, targeted at once again intimidating the Nigeria's Judiciary, a conduct now synonymous with the Buhari regime.



Despite the denial by the administration, particularly the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, we wish to let Nigerians, and the International community note that this is another move by the administration, to intimidate, denigrate and ridicule the judiciary just like what was done to unceremoniously sack former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onoghen.



What the Buhari administration is doing, particularly through AGF Abubakar Malami, is nothing but an executive recklessness and impunity. It must be known, that a Supreme Court Justice like Justice Mary Odili is a senior citizen of this country, whose residence cannot be hidden to the knowledge of the government, which should now be mistaken for an ordinary Abuja residence, where "Illegal activities" are supposedly taking place, as claimed by the invaders of her residence. This is barbaric and unacceptable.



There is no doubt that the continued attack on the institutions of our democracy, particularly the judiciary, by operatives of this administration, is a descent into a deeper dictatorship than we have ever witnessed in our polity even during military regime. If Supreme Court judges can be under this manner of assault and abuse of naked power, what would be the fate of the everyday citizens in Nigeria? This culture is no doubt, a new low never witnessed in our country and all lovers of justice, democracy and decency must condemn this barbaric act.



While calling on all Nigerians and members of the international community to pay serious attention to the abuse of power and threat to democracy under President Buhari, it is obvious that democracy in Nigeria is becoming unsafe in the hands of Buhari’s government.

Finally, we wish to state, that we shall not allow our democracy to be sacrificed on the Altar of the desperation of today's men in power, as we remained resolute in our avowed commitment to the survival of our democracy.





Signed:



Olufemi Lawson

Spokesman, SNF